2 words YUM-ME! Everyone there was friendly and gave their personal favorites. Large portions, great food, wonderful place.
(5)
Charles K.
3 stars because big als is definitely a-ok, the only problem being in boynton now is that im used to their building in delray. The delray big als really hooks it up real nice like in comparison.
(3)
Herbert E.
Even from the outside, it's hard to miss through the glass windows inside Al's, their proclamation of being the best Philly has to offer. I have a feeling Philly would be disappointed in Al, for Al's is as "Philly" as wiener schnitzel is American. Boy do they have options, including the traditional cheesesteak. Chicken is also available. Whether anything is fresh in house I can't tell. Usually when ordering it appears pre-cooked meat is grilled for the sole purpose of hearing it up. Sure this could be done in an effort to deliver orders quicker during rush but you lose so much freshness. What also lacks is seasoning. Each time I've been, the sandwich has also been watered down by moisture after a hot sandwich is wrapped in the paper wrapping. And then buns leave something to be desired. They are not as warm and soft as they could be. Their fries are great and Al's has an incentive card offering a free 6" and 9" after 9 previous purchases of said size. It's not a bad place, but no better than Subway's Philly. Their pros are that it's quick, clean and got a perfect score on its latest health inspection.
(3)
B F.
I haven't been here in about a year and now I remember why. The food is mediocre at best. But the service is some of the worst I've ever seen. No personality, no greeting and no efficiency in customer service. If the customer service was better it would make the whole experience better as well. Now let's talk about the food. The food is not bad I had the cheese steak with whiz. Not enough meat and certainly not enough cheese whiz. That stuff should be dripping out of your sandwich all over your hands and down your arm. And it certainly was not. All in all I think it'll be another year before I come back if I ever do.
(2)
Alex B.
Very clean. Friendly, fast service. He asked how we wanted the cheesesteak, and if we wanted fries. Very attentive. Good food for the price. I will definitely be going back.
(5)
Neil Z.
I did not like their food at all. I've had some really good cheese stakes but this is not one. I can only summarize by saying I did not like anything about the cheese steak. Admittedly I have never had one in Philadelphia but honestly, if this is "authentic" as I've been told than I will not get one if I go to Philly.
(1)
Chris D.
Cheese steaks are above par, but customer service is worse than dmv. Way to go staff you poorly represented your company , therefore we will not be going back to this location. I suggest management hire individuals with a sliver of work ethic.
(2)
Ashley K.
The service was good my visit. I think it was the owner, but he was nice and helpful when picking my food. As far as the food. Its average. I gotbthe chk philly with fries. I think as far as a philly cheesesteak place it should have been bigger with more authentic ingredients. The fries should have home cut and mushrooms fresh, but alll the ingredients appeared to have been right out of the can. And $10 is a bit high for the meal. There were only 3 of us in the shop, and I see why. I would eat here again, but definitely with a coupon. I wont pay $10 again.
(3)
Mark H.
I recently got a Groupon and bought two phillys for myself since my wife didn't want any and I like to over-indulge. The cheesesteaks are about ten dollars a piece. I one one with whiz and one with provalone. It was my first time getting whiz and I wasn't impressed. Maybe you gotta get extra or maybe it's not my taste - i dunno. The sign in the restaurant says they used some high quality meat and it did taste a little more quality than other place - it didn't have alot of that chewy fat. The bread was just alright. I ate the sandwich in the parking lot and it was decent, but not life-changing. The other sandwich I put in the fridge and ate the next day reheated in the microwave. It actually tasted better to me reheated sorta like chinese food, so you don't gotta worry about stuffing the whole sandwhich inside you if you can't eat it all on the first go-around. The staff decently friendly and tried to help me out.
(3)
Freddy N R.
Food was ok. It wasn't bad but it certainly wasn't anything special and certainly wasn't worth the money. Spent $26 for two philly cheese and fries. Money not well spent. Won't be going back. Like I said it wasn't bad but it just wasn't worth it.
(2)
Heather M.
Meh. Only ok for the price. Staff is super helpful and I really wanted to like it, but other places are better.
(2)
John L.
Terrible. The cashier/order taker was more interested in talking to her daughter about her boss wanting to give her more hours then listening to my order. After, giving me a dirty look as if I interrupted her. I am the paying customer! Then it took over 20 min for a single sub, I being the only customer in the place. Plus the cook was not wearing gloves and was taking phone orders over their dirty black phone, without washing his hands. Conclusion, food was sparse and not good. I will not be back or recommend anyone else here.
(1)
Sylke L.
I ordered a 9-inch philly cheese and fries, it definitely satisfied my stomach but wasn't the best philly I've ever had. The meat lacked taste and they didn't put in much tomatoes or lettuce so that was disappointing. I loved the fries! Very salty so wash it down with water.
(3)
Chris E.
Well the MMA fights on the TV and the F*** bombs coming out of the kitchen and the ordertaker with the dishes in the ear lobes SHOULD have been a clue. But no I had to stay...... and you guessed it GROSE. The Philiy Chamber of Commerse should ask these guys not to use the name Phily Cheez Steak. Definatly pass on by......................
(1)
Carmen D.
Let me start by saying I DO NOT feel good leaving this review... I'm a philly cheese steak lover and I feel there is really no wrong way to make one. That being said, I called last night to order my sandwich, so that my husband can pick it up on the way home, and the guy that answered seemed...just there. A hollow piece of flesh just there because he's got to make money somehow. No greeting, no name, I literally had to ask questions that he, as the order taker, should be asking me. I said I wanted the philly, he said and I quote, "uh ok". Didn't ask what size, offer a different cheese, asked if I wanted mayo or anything on it. I had to ask what size does it come in, what kind of bread, what other cheese can I get other than cheese whiz, and then I pause. He is silent for a few seconds, and says "ok" but with more of a question mark at the end. So I ask how much is the total, instead of him telling me, and he's about to hang up, and I asked how long. The guy never even asked my name. I tried calling back to add mayo, nobody answered. Fast forward to actually eating my sandwich. It was a super greasy mess and the onions were soggy. It lacked flavor, and I couldn't even finish eating it. Charley's subs at the mall has more flavor! Now I know philly subs are greasy, etc., but with flavor and not the excess of grease on this particular one... i don't think I will be going back there again...
(2)
Reina R.
I had the BBQ philly, it was to-die-for delicious! I enjoyed every last bite & I will definitely be there again. Everything was made fresh & tasted like so. I don't understand all the negative reviews, I love this place! The guy who took my order was also super nice & even gave us an extra cup for free. The only downside was that I felt it was a bit overpriced, but to give the benefit of the doubt it WAS a huge sandwich & definitely satisfied me.
(5)
Dr. Nate P.
I was really hoping that there was a cheesesteak that reminded me of home and this place was a big disappointment. Honestly it's probably no better then you would get at any other chain. They can make it more homestyle then I'll be the first in line again.
(2)
Michael O.
I was here back in 2012 The bread was awesome and so was the meat. Been a fan since its first restaurant in coconut creek years ago. This time around things are quite different. Sorry to say the sandwich was sub par compared to my previous outings at Big Al's. I'm only talking about the steak sandwiches. The wraps are good. Meat was thin and bread was soggy. My educated guess is there getting cheaper grade of steak and putting less in sandwich due to the economy. I'll try them again.
(3)
Brock J.
Big Al's should probably just stick to the late night crowd on Atlantic Ave. The food is way overpriced and when your niche is Cheesesteaks and they are just average you probably won't go too far. I will assume the Boynton Store will be closing soon due to the fact there is never anyone in the place while next door the food establishment is always busy. My one bit of advice would be at least work on the Menu for newcomers to pick some different type Phillys, its plain awful what they have now.
(1)
Kerry D.
I'm going to preface this review by saying that I hate giving one star and I completely understand the ridiculousness of a veggie cheese steak- but every other cheese steak place (Great Steak, Charlie's, Philly's Best, etc...) makes them. We approached the counter and my husband placed his order for a regular w/cheese, fries and a drink. Then it was my turn--I asked for a veggie philly - she said, "Uh, we don't do that", I said, okay, could you just make a philly w/peppers, onions and cheese and just leave off the meat? "Uh, (back to the other person behind the counter) can we do a philly w/o meat?" to which the other responded "I don't even understand that question." (Really, lady?) anyway...She offered the cold veggie sub- I asked if they could just make that w/o the vinegar and melt cheese on it...I got a blank stare. I knew it wasn't going to happen, so I ordered fries and a drink and went next door to Five Guys for my sandwich. No big deal, I probably would have given a few stars for my fries, which were hot and fresh and cherry soda, yum! But then...My husband, who never complains about food- was not really eating his sandwich, so I asked if it was what he'd hoped for- from the look on his face, I knew it was not. I figured if I was going to judge the place, I should at least try a bite-- I took a bite and it was just plain bad. Tough, greasy and flavorless. Just to be clear, the one star isn't for the lack of a veggie cheese steak- it's for rude service and bad food. The restaurant was very clean and the soda selection was nice.
(1)
David W.
This place is an absolute mess. The food is sub-par and completely overpriced, the service is terrible and the options nearby are just simply better. Go to five guys next door, Panda Express or even pizza time. Wish I did. Am never going to eat here again!
(1)
Carlos A.
Gross the meat is tasteless the staff is tasteless they reeked of cigarettes the bread is not even toasted should be a crime to make a philly cheesesteak on soggy bread best part of my meal was the cherry fonta and fries in a dam cup waste of $20 dont even bother
(1)
Dustin S.
A cheesesteak doesn't get much better than this. Amarosa rolls delivered straight from Jersey. I know my steaks and I'd say Pat's or Gino's in Philly would have a tough time beating these in a straight up taste test. A little more meat might have helped, but I was still plenty filled on the 9" (that's what she said). If you like spicy, make sure you use the hot pepper paste in the squirt bottle with the sauce bar. Only bummer was they wouldn't sell me a couple rolls to take back to my Philly friends in Cali.
(5)
Matt W.
Anyone who complains about grease is not a Jersey/Philly native and is an idiot. Part of the love of a cheese steak is the grease. This isn't Haute Cuisine, this is Philly street food. Also compared to things I have gotten on Market St, this was lean as could be, while retaining the flavors of home. To many places and people over think the cheese steak like it is some kind of elevated food. No this is Veteran's Stadium ball park food, this is need to grab something off a cart food, this isn't sit down at a table food, this is I hit up the guy wit a cart, and eat on a perk bench good. As for price, have you had a authentic $4 cheese steak? I will pay double to have meat that isn't stringy and full of gristle. Sorry to my home town, but the meat quality is what you pay for. I like a leaner cut with all the same flavor. Also bread....sorry FL, but you can not make bread to save your life, so if I pay more for authentic Philly bread, then so be it. It's better then anything Publix could churn out. Wish it were slightly cheaper, but for a nostalgic taste of home now and again, it does the job.
(4)
Bill S.
The place is a real restaurant vs the take out only stand on Atlantic Ave. The food is the same and represents one of the best Cheese Steaks around. Sure it is not like up in Philly, but dude, we are in Florida.
(3)
Patty W.
I haven't had a philly cheese steak in forever, so my husband and I decided to check this joint out. We had a buy one, get one free coupon to apply towards the bill. The triple threat cheese steak oozed a lot of cheese and it was delicious. Chris didn't complain about the bacon bleu either. We liked our sandwiches, even though it wasn't worth waiting 20 minutes for. There was only two people ahead of us before we ordered, so the time wasn't expected to be that long. Also, we didn't realize how expensive they are. A regular sub ranges around 8 bucks. Eh, I'll save the money and go somewhere cheaper. Sorry :(
(3)
Thomas W.
I would usually slay some place like this for a terrible experience but hey it is what it is. My service wasn't terrible, executed quickly, but once i received my original with wiz and onion i noticed the onions weren't evenly mixed on the sandwich just clumped in areas and none in other spots causing overwhelming soggy coldish onions to be the king of the sandwich in half the sandwich and the other half was hit or miss if there was any or some wiz there. The meats just bland, i cant accept this if the onions and the wiz were there to kick it up and add some flavor but it just wasn't executed properly with inconsistency's across the board, place could earn a 4 star if there staff gave half a **** about the product they hand to the customers. no more than 4 stars for a "philly spot in Florida" fries are just normal fries nothing special there either. I rather of went to 5 guys next door.
(3)
Bonnie K.
Too greasy. Not impressed. Philly Grill in Lake Worth is by far much better.
(2)
Thomas W.
Dear Big Al; I'm sorry buddy, but you give cheesesteaks a bad name. I ordered a 9" (supposedly large) wit onions and wiz'. Oh, and a birch beer. Total check? $11.09. I loved the birch beer- it's hard to find these days! I even enjoyed reading the "phun Philly facts" strewn about the walls. The problem lies in the cheesesteaks itself. It was on the small side. I'm sorry but for $9.00 I expect more than 9" of bread with a few ounces of sliced meat that was had gristle running through it. It was tough to chew and so greasy it was entirely unpleasant. Now ad onions- more grease. I think I'll be able to skip the bran cereal in the morning - my colon is well lubricated. Al, you seem like a nice guy. You look a bit like my grandfather. If you really want to make it in the world of cheesesteaks I suggest you mosey on over to D'best in Boca Raton - you could learn a few tricks about value, flavor and authenticity. If I had known I was in for a high colonic disguised as a sandwich I would have just gone to Mickey D's. Sincerely, Tom PS: I think it's only fair that you mail me an extra roll of toilet paper - I'm gonna need it.
(1)
James F.
The Good: Free toppings bar. The Bad: Greasy food, overpriced menu, mediocre service. Quick Tip: Be careful when you open your sandwich, all the toppings fall right out since they are so greasy and lubricated. With Five Guys right next door, Big Al's is going to have to do better than tasteless, greasy and overpriced subs. Big Al must not season his meat because the cheesesteaks here taste like something grandma would approve of. Sure there is a toppings bar, but I don't want to unroll my "get the f out" style wrapped cheesesteak because all the toppings fall out of the bread as soon as you open it up! One thing Big Al's should be commended on is the way they manage to make a cheesesteak dry and greasy at the same time! Will wonders never cease? One thing you might appreciate about this store is the lively staff chatter. I found it comforting that the guy packing my order was "ready to go home", since "it's time to star cleanin". Please keep in mind that this was 8 pm Thursday. But on the upside of my staff issues, at least the cashier wiped her nose only three times while taking my order. Oh, they also had a tip jar reminding me that tipping is good karma. Five guys doesn't have a tip jar, their food tastes better, costs less, better service etc etc. Food is edible here but far from a good value.
(2)
Kd F.
This place has the best philly cheesesteak and fries in florida its a nice change from subway or firehouse.
(5)
M J.
I tried this place for lunch on the way to a work meeting & needed something quick. Bad decision! The sandwich just tasted of grease, hardly any meat & way overpriced for the poor quality. I won't be back & have shared my experience with friends & family. Don't waste your time or money!
(1)
Corey C.
the cheesesteaks are hit or miss. a little overpriced as well.
(3)
David M.
Since living in Delray Beach I have taken the tour of downtown Atlantic Avenue about 100 times, more or less. Everytime I passed Big Al's I promised myself that I was going to sample some of his original philly cheesesteak sandwiches. So when I finally ventured into the sidewalk venue I was more than happy to sample one of the best philly cheesesteaks I have ever had and vowed to return. When I spotted the new location on Congress avenue a few weeks ago I thought I would drop in and have a sandwich as soon as possible. I have a lot of nice things to say about this place. First of all the bathrooms are immaculate. The whole place is clean. Michelle and I ordered Philly cheesesteaks; mine with whiz, hers with provolone, and both "wit" onions. Fries and diet cokes completed the order. The fries were superb and what can you say about a fountain diet coke. But the sandwiches just didn't hit the spot the way they did in downtown Delray. The roll was perfect. Soft and tasty. The whiz was almost non-existent and the steak looked and tasted like steakums from your local Publix. The onions were a little crunchy like they were undercooked and the whole sandwich reminded me of dorm food when I was in college. Now, don't get me wrong. I've never had an "authentic" philly cheesesteak. I've never been to Pat's or Geno's. In fact I've never even been to Philly so who am I to compare? Maybe this is what Philly people call authentic? I think not! I remember the best steak subs I ever had. Dan's subs on Sunrise Boulevard, across from the railroad tracks near downtown Fort Lauderdale. There's a Home Depot there now. Dan threw the thinly sliced ribeye on the flat grill where the onions were already sizzling then as the meat and onions cooked he chopped them up with the side of his spatula until they became a complete mixture. If you wanted mushrooms he tossed them in near the end then placed slices of your selected cheese on top, scooped it all up and dropped it into a waiting subroll. Served in a basket with some of the best, piping-hot fries I ever tasted. There was a big difference in the taste and consistency of the sub I had downtown compared to the one on I had at the Boynton facility. I think I'll check out the Delray location and see if it has changed. Let me know your experience by commenting on my blog..
(3)
Elijah C.
For a Philly cheese steak tasting this good in Florida. 5 stars all the way. Whenever I pass it I have to go get a cheese steak real fast.
(5)
victoria r.
Best PhillyCheesesteak I've had in Florida. Tasty and fresh. Great location! Recommend if you're in the mood for cheesesteak.
(3)
Jake D.
Best Cheesesteak in the area. Went---Wit Whiz and Wit Onions. Truly awesome. My better half got Cheesesteak with provolone. Big mistake. Once again I win.
(4)
Melissa M.
Checked this place out yesterday after the game. First of all, the decor is nicely done with Philadelphia sports teams items. Really clean. I had the cheese steak wit Provolone, onions and mushrooms. A little dry that way, I may try the cheez whiz next time. The fries were so tasty, I ate mines and some of my beau's.Also they use sliced ribeye so the meat can be a little chewy and fatty at times. Overall, the sandwich was good and I'll be back.
(4)
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Address :1000 N Congress Ave,Ste M 100
Boynton Beach, FL, 33426
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Derek A.
2 words YUM-ME! Everyone there was friendly and gave their personal favorites. Large portions, great food, wonderful place.
(5)Charles K.
3 stars because big als is definitely a-ok, the only problem being in boynton now is that im used to their building in delray. The delray big als really hooks it up real nice like in comparison.
(3)Herbert E.
Even from the outside, it's hard to miss through the glass windows inside Al's, their proclamation of being the best Philly has to offer. I have a feeling Philly would be disappointed in Al, for Al's is as "Philly" as wiener schnitzel is American. Boy do they have options, including the traditional cheesesteak. Chicken is also available. Whether anything is fresh in house I can't tell. Usually when ordering it appears pre-cooked meat is grilled for the sole purpose of hearing it up. Sure this could be done in an effort to deliver orders quicker during rush but you lose so much freshness. What also lacks is seasoning. Each time I've been, the sandwich has also been watered down by moisture after a hot sandwich is wrapped in the paper wrapping. And then buns leave something to be desired. They are not as warm and soft as they could be. Their fries are great and Al's has an incentive card offering a free 6" and 9" after 9 previous purchases of said size. It's not a bad place, but no better than Subway's Philly. Their pros are that it's quick, clean and got a perfect score on its latest health inspection.
(3)B F.
I haven't been here in about a year and now I remember why. The food is mediocre at best. But the service is some of the worst I've ever seen. No personality, no greeting and no efficiency in customer service. If the customer service was better it would make the whole experience better as well. Now let's talk about the food. The food is not bad I had the cheese steak with whiz. Not enough meat and certainly not enough cheese whiz. That stuff should be dripping out of your sandwich all over your hands and down your arm. And it certainly was not. All in all I think it'll be another year before I come back if I ever do.
(2)Alex B.
Very clean. Friendly, fast service. He asked how we wanted the cheesesteak, and if we wanted fries. Very attentive. Good food for the price. I will definitely be going back.
(5)Neil Z.
I did not like their food at all. I've had some really good cheese stakes but this is not one. I can only summarize by saying I did not like anything about the cheese steak. Admittedly I have never had one in Philadelphia but honestly, if this is "authentic" as I've been told than I will not get one if I go to Philly.
(1)Chris D.
Cheese steaks are above par, but customer service is worse than dmv. Way to go staff you poorly represented your company , therefore we will not be going back to this location. I suggest management hire individuals with a sliver of work ethic.
(2)Ashley K.
The service was good my visit. I think it was the owner, but he was nice and helpful when picking my food. As far as the food. Its average. I gotbthe chk philly with fries. I think as far as a philly cheesesteak place it should have been bigger with more authentic ingredients. The fries should have home cut and mushrooms fresh, but alll the ingredients appeared to have been right out of the can. And $10 is a bit high for the meal. There were only 3 of us in the shop, and I see why. I would eat here again, but definitely with a coupon. I wont pay $10 again.
(3)Mark H.
I recently got a Groupon and bought two phillys for myself since my wife didn't want any and I like to over-indulge. The cheesesteaks are about ten dollars a piece. I one one with whiz and one with provalone. It was my first time getting whiz and I wasn't impressed. Maybe you gotta get extra or maybe it's not my taste - i dunno. The sign in the restaurant says they used some high quality meat and it did taste a little more quality than other place - it didn't have alot of that chewy fat. The bread was just alright. I ate the sandwich in the parking lot and it was decent, but not life-changing. The other sandwich I put in the fridge and ate the next day reheated in the microwave. It actually tasted better to me reheated sorta like chinese food, so you don't gotta worry about stuffing the whole sandwhich inside you if you can't eat it all on the first go-around. The staff decently friendly and tried to help me out.
(3)Freddy N R.
Food was ok. It wasn't bad but it certainly wasn't anything special and certainly wasn't worth the money. Spent $26 for two philly cheese and fries. Money not well spent. Won't be going back. Like I said it wasn't bad but it just wasn't worth it.
(2)Heather M.
Meh. Only ok for the price. Staff is super helpful and I really wanted to like it, but other places are better.
(2)John L.
Terrible. The cashier/order taker was more interested in talking to her daughter about her boss wanting to give her more hours then listening to my order. After, giving me a dirty look as if I interrupted her. I am the paying customer! Then it took over 20 min for a single sub, I being the only customer in the place. Plus the cook was not wearing gloves and was taking phone orders over their dirty black phone, without washing his hands. Conclusion, food was sparse and not good. I will not be back or recommend anyone else here.
(1)Sylke L.
I ordered a 9-inch philly cheese and fries, it definitely satisfied my stomach but wasn't the best philly I've ever had. The meat lacked taste and they didn't put in much tomatoes or lettuce so that was disappointing. I loved the fries! Very salty so wash it down with water.
(3)Chris E.
Well the MMA fights on the TV and the F*** bombs coming out of the kitchen and the ordertaker with the dishes in the ear lobes SHOULD have been a clue. But no I had to stay...... and you guessed it GROSE. The Philiy Chamber of Commerse should ask these guys not to use the name Phily Cheez Steak. Definatly pass on by......................
(1)Carmen D.
Let me start by saying I DO NOT feel good leaving this review... I'm a philly cheese steak lover and I feel there is really no wrong way to make one. That being said, I called last night to order my sandwich, so that my husband can pick it up on the way home, and the guy that answered seemed...just there. A hollow piece of flesh just there because he's got to make money somehow. No greeting, no name, I literally had to ask questions that he, as the order taker, should be asking me. I said I wanted the philly, he said and I quote, "uh ok". Didn't ask what size, offer a different cheese, asked if I wanted mayo or anything on it. I had to ask what size does it come in, what kind of bread, what other cheese can I get other than cheese whiz, and then I pause. He is silent for a few seconds, and says "ok" but with more of a question mark at the end. So I ask how much is the total, instead of him telling me, and he's about to hang up, and I asked how long. The guy never even asked my name. I tried calling back to add mayo, nobody answered. Fast forward to actually eating my sandwich. It was a super greasy mess and the onions were soggy. It lacked flavor, and I couldn't even finish eating it. Charley's subs at the mall has more flavor! Now I know philly subs are greasy, etc., but with flavor and not the excess of grease on this particular one... i don't think I will be going back there again...
(2)Reina R.
I had the BBQ philly, it was to-die-for delicious! I enjoyed every last bite & I will definitely be there again. Everything was made fresh & tasted like so. I don't understand all the negative reviews, I love this place! The guy who took my order was also super nice & even gave us an extra cup for free. The only downside was that I felt it was a bit overpriced, but to give the benefit of the doubt it WAS a huge sandwich & definitely satisfied me.
(5)Dr. Nate P.
I was really hoping that there was a cheesesteak that reminded me of home and this place was a big disappointment. Honestly it's probably no better then you would get at any other chain. They can make it more homestyle then I'll be the first in line again.
(2)Michael O.
I was here back in 2012 The bread was awesome and so was the meat. Been a fan since its first restaurant in coconut creek years ago. This time around things are quite different. Sorry to say the sandwich was sub par compared to my previous outings at Big Al's. I'm only talking about the steak sandwiches. The wraps are good. Meat was thin and bread was soggy. My educated guess is there getting cheaper grade of steak and putting less in sandwich due to the economy. I'll try them again.
(3)Brock J.
Big Al's should probably just stick to the late night crowd on Atlantic Ave. The food is way overpriced and when your niche is Cheesesteaks and they are just average you probably won't go too far. I will assume the Boynton Store will be closing soon due to the fact there is never anyone in the place while next door the food establishment is always busy. My one bit of advice would be at least work on the Menu for newcomers to pick some different type Phillys, its plain awful what they have now.
(1)Kerry D.
I'm going to preface this review by saying that I hate giving one star and I completely understand the ridiculousness of a veggie cheese steak- but every other cheese steak place (Great Steak, Charlie's, Philly's Best, etc...) makes them. We approached the counter and my husband placed his order for a regular w/cheese, fries and a drink. Then it was my turn--I asked for a veggie philly - she said, "Uh, we don't do that", I said, okay, could you just make a philly w/peppers, onions and cheese and just leave off the meat? "Uh, (back to the other person behind the counter) can we do a philly w/o meat?" to which the other responded "I don't even understand that question." (Really, lady?) anyway...She offered the cold veggie sub- I asked if they could just make that w/o the vinegar and melt cheese on it...I got a blank stare. I knew it wasn't going to happen, so I ordered fries and a drink and went next door to Five Guys for my sandwich. No big deal, I probably would have given a few stars for my fries, which were hot and fresh and cherry soda, yum! But then...My husband, who never complains about food- was not really eating his sandwich, so I asked if it was what he'd hoped for- from the look on his face, I knew it was not. I figured if I was going to judge the place, I should at least try a bite-- I took a bite and it was just plain bad. Tough, greasy and flavorless. Just to be clear, the one star isn't for the lack of a veggie cheese steak- it's for rude service and bad food. The restaurant was very clean and the soda selection was nice.
(1)David W.
This place is an absolute mess. The food is sub-par and completely overpriced, the service is terrible and the options nearby are just simply better. Go to five guys next door, Panda Express or even pizza time. Wish I did. Am never going to eat here again!
(1)Carlos A.
Gross the meat is tasteless the staff is tasteless they reeked of cigarettes the bread is not even toasted should be a crime to make a philly cheesesteak on soggy bread best part of my meal was the cherry fonta and fries in a dam cup waste of $20 dont even bother
(1)Dustin S.
A cheesesteak doesn't get much better than this. Amarosa rolls delivered straight from Jersey. I know my steaks and I'd say Pat's or Gino's in Philly would have a tough time beating these in a straight up taste test. A little more meat might have helped, but I was still plenty filled on the 9" (that's what she said). If you like spicy, make sure you use the hot pepper paste in the squirt bottle with the sauce bar. Only bummer was they wouldn't sell me a couple rolls to take back to my Philly friends in Cali.
(5)Matt W.
Anyone who complains about grease is not a Jersey/Philly native and is an idiot. Part of the love of a cheese steak is the grease. This isn't Haute Cuisine, this is Philly street food. Also compared to things I have gotten on Market St, this was lean as could be, while retaining the flavors of home. To many places and people over think the cheese steak like it is some kind of elevated food. No this is Veteran's Stadium ball park food, this is need to grab something off a cart food, this isn't sit down at a table food, this is I hit up the guy wit a cart, and eat on a perk bench good. As for price, have you had a authentic $4 cheese steak? I will pay double to have meat that isn't stringy and full of gristle. Sorry to my home town, but the meat quality is what you pay for. I like a leaner cut with all the same flavor. Also bread....sorry FL, but you can not make bread to save your life, so if I pay more for authentic Philly bread, then so be it. It's better then anything Publix could churn out. Wish it were slightly cheaper, but for a nostalgic taste of home now and again, it does the job.
(4)Bill S.
The place is a real restaurant vs the take out only stand on Atlantic Ave. The food is the same and represents one of the best Cheese Steaks around. Sure it is not like up in Philly, but dude, we are in Florida.
(3)Patty W.
I haven't had a philly cheese steak in forever, so my husband and I decided to check this joint out. We had a buy one, get one free coupon to apply towards the bill. The triple threat cheese steak oozed a lot of cheese and it was delicious. Chris didn't complain about the bacon bleu either. We liked our sandwiches, even though it wasn't worth waiting 20 minutes for. There was only two people ahead of us before we ordered, so the time wasn't expected to be that long. Also, we didn't realize how expensive they are. A regular sub ranges around 8 bucks. Eh, I'll save the money and go somewhere cheaper. Sorry :(
(3)Thomas W.
I would usually slay some place like this for a terrible experience but hey it is what it is. My service wasn't terrible, executed quickly, but once i received my original with wiz and onion i noticed the onions weren't evenly mixed on the sandwich just clumped in areas and none in other spots causing overwhelming soggy coldish onions to be the king of the sandwich in half the sandwich and the other half was hit or miss if there was any or some wiz there. The meats just bland, i cant accept this if the onions and the wiz were there to kick it up and add some flavor but it just wasn't executed properly with inconsistency's across the board, place could earn a 4 star if there staff gave half a **** about the product they hand to the customers. no more than 4 stars for a "philly spot in Florida" fries are just normal fries nothing special there either. I rather of went to 5 guys next door.
(3)Bonnie K.
Too greasy. Not impressed. Philly Grill in Lake Worth is by far much better.
(2)Thomas W.
Dear Big Al; I'm sorry buddy, but you give cheesesteaks a bad name. I ordered a 9" (supposedly large) wit onions and wiz'. Oh, and a birch beer. Total check? $11.09. I loved the birch beer- it's hard to find these days! I even enjoyed reading the "phun Philly facts" strewn about the walls. The problem lies in the cheesesteaks itself. It was on the small side. I'm sorry but for $9.00 I expect more than 9" of bread with a few ounces of sliced meat that was had gristle running through it. It was tough to chew and so greasy it was entirely unpleasant. Now ad onions- more grease. I think I'll be able to skip the bran cereal in the morning - my colon is well lubricated. Al, you seem like a nice guy. You look a bit like my grandfather. If you really want to make it in the world of cheesesteaks I suggest you mosey on over to D'best in Boca Raton - you could learn a few tricks about value, flavor and authenticity. If I had known I was in for a high colonic disguised as a sandwich I would have just gone to Mickey D's. Sincerely, Tom PS: I think it's only fair that you mail me an extra roll of toilet paper - I'm gonna need it.
(1)James F.
The Good: Free toppings bar. The Bad: Greasy food, overpriced menu, mediocre service. Quick Tip: Be careful when you open your sandwich, all the toppings fall right out since they are so greasy and lubricated. With Five Guys right next door, Big Al's is going to have to do better than tasteless, greasy and overpriced subs. Big Al must not season his meat because the cheesesteaks here taste like something grandma would approve of. Sure there is a toppings bar, but I don't want to unroll my "get the f out" style wrapped cheesesteak because all the toppings fall out of the bread as soon as you open it up! One thing Big Al's should be commended on is the way they manage to make a cheesesteak dry and greasy at the same time! Will wonders never cease? One thing you might appreciate about this store is the lively staff chatter. I found it comforting that the guy packing my order was "ready to go home", since "it's time to star cleanin". Please keep in mind that this was 8 pm Thursday. But on the upside of my staff issues, at least the cashier wiped her nose only three times while taking my order. Oh, they also had a tip jar reminding me that tipping is good karma. Five guys doesn't have a tip jar, their food tastes better, costs less, better service etc etc. Food is edible here but far from a good value.
(2)Kd F.
This place has the best philly cheesesteak and fries in florida its a nice change from subway or firehouse.
(5)M J.
I tried this place for lunch on the way to a work meeting & needed something quick. Bad decision! The sandwich just tasted of grease, hardly any meat & way overpriced for the poor quality. I won't be back & have shared my experience with friends & family. Don't waste your time or money!
(1)Corey C.
the cheesesteaks are hit or miss. a little overpriced as well.
(3)David M.
Since living in Delray Beach I have taken the tour of downtown Atlantic Avenue about 100 times, more or less. Everytime I passed Big Al's I promised myself that I was going to sample some of his original philly cheesesteak sandwiches. So when I finally ventured into the sidewalk venue I was more than happy to sample one of the best philly cheesesteaks I have ever had and vowed to return. When I spotted the new location on Congress avenue a few weeks ago I thought I would drop in and have a sandwich as soon as possible. I have a lot of nice things to say about this place. First of all the bathrooms are immaculate. The whole place is clean. Michelle and I ordered Philly cheesesteaks; mine with whiz, hers with provolone, and both "wit" onions. Fries and diet cokes completed the order. The fries were superb and what can you say about a fountain diet coke. But the sandwiches just didn't hit the spot the way they did in downtown Delray. The roll was perfect. Soft and tasty. The whiz was almost non-existent and the steak looked and tasted like steakums from your local Publix. The onions were a little crunchy like they were undercooked and the whole sandwich reminded me of dorm food when I was in college. Now, don't get me wrong. I've never had an "authentic" philly cheesesteak. I've never been to Pat's or Geno's. In fact I've never even been to Philly so who am I to compare? Maybe this is what Philly people call authentic? I think not! I remember the best steak subs I ever had. Dan's subs on Sunrise Boulevard, across from the railroad tracks near downtown Fort Lauderdale. There's a Home Depot there now. Dan threw the thinly sliced ribeye on the flat grill where the onions were already sizzling then as the meat and onions cooked he chopped them up with the side of his spatula until they became a complete mixture. If you wanted mushrooms he tossed them in near the end then placed slices of your selected cheese on top, scooped it all up and dropped it into a waiting subroll. Served in a basket with some of the best, piping-hot fries I ever tasted. There was a big difference in the taste and consistency of the sub I had downtown compared to the one on I had at the Boynton facility. I think I'll check out the Delray location and see if it has changed. Let me know your experience by commenting on my blog..
(3)Elijah C.
For a Philly cheese steak tasting this good in Florida. 5 stars all the way. Whenever I pass it I have to go get a cheese steak real fast.
(5)victoria r.
Best PhillyCheesesteak I've had in Florida. Tasty and fresh. Great location! Recommend if you're in the mood for cheesesteak.
(3)Jake D.
Best Cheesesteak in the area. Went---Wit Whiz and Wit Onions. Truly awesome. My better half got Cheesesteak with provolone. Big mistake. Once again I win.
(4)Melissa M.
Checked this place out yesterday after the game. First of all, the decor is nicely done with Philadelphia sports teams items. Really clean. I had the cheese steak wit Provolone, onions and mushrooms. A little dry that way, I may try the cheez whiz next time. The fries were so tasty, I ate mines and some of my beau's.Also they use sliced ribeye so the meat can be a little chewy and fatty at times. Overall, the sandwich was good and I'll be back.
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