Hey ding dongs, how about putting some prices on your online menu....
(1)
John K.
Absolutely love this place. From the onion blossom, French onion soup to the Rib-eye and T-Bone Al's kicks butt. Cindy was a great server, she wasn't wearing a bra.
(4)
Brian H.
I Remember Old Als. Whatever happened last ten years definitely was backwards. Asking for pepper was a problem.wanted to spice up my steak. They bring back water with pepper in it n says -this is pepper sauce...um..no...fire your cook..its,water & pepper. The manager wanted to comp meal..when bill came..no price reduction.I ask for manager and she left already or thats,what they told me. The new manager refused..then u refused to pay for the 3 hr meal ordeal. They phoned manager and comped meal. Never Again...Als is all about gimmi n go.
(2)
Leonard W.
Move the bus! Whenever someone mention's this place to me I'm hoping there is a story with those words in it about this place either that or how Chef Robert Irvine (Restaurant Impossible) come in with his tough love and made them change the menu and showed them how to add some salt and pepper to the food Why on earth do they have a menu the size of a 4 year old is beyond me. The food just didn't hit the spot for me. Although it was cooked how I asked for it. I didn't get much taste in my sandwich. Tasted part of friends dish still was impressed. The steaks in the front when you walk down the stairs are impressive to look at but I wouldn't want to spend money to find out if it was the same like the two dishes that I tried.
(2)
Tina N.
I must say, I was slightly skeptical walking into the basement & gazing at the decor, but don't let all of that fool you. The matter at hand is good service & good food. Both were achieved during our visit. Our server (I think her name was Carrie) was amazing. She was knowledgeable, friendly & really took her time with us. I had the surf & turf (filet and lobster). Filet cooked medium & was perfectly done I might add. Add the veggies and the side of whipped potatoes, which were absolutely fabulous & you've got a completely perfect meal! Oh & the rather large signature margarita for 13 bucks will have you singing their praises walking out the door : ) Thanks Al's, it was memorable!
(4)
Mariana O.
Generous portions. That's all I feel like saying. Generous yummy portions. Sometimes they go a little to heavy on the salt (for my taste) but sometimes it's a hit! Nonetheless, go for the experience. You will not be disappointed.
(4)
John B.
All I can say is you better come really hungry!! You get so much food. The Texas tea is absolutely awesome and the food is great. Out of 10 for service I give them a 10!!!! You will not be disappointed with Als chop house
(4)
John K.
Great food & reasonable prices. Have LARGE portion of steaks. Nice wine & beer lists. Will be going back soon
(5)
J W.
After reading reviews saying the portions were large I I asked the waiter if we could split an entree. He said, yes. He neglected to tell us there would be an added charge of $4.49 for doing so. After receiving our bill and noticing the charge I confronted the waiter asking why he didn't tell us about the fee when I explicitly asked him about splitting the meal. He responded saying the fee is written on the menu. We used the flashlight on our phone to read the menu as the restaurant is dark. The faucet fixture in the bathroom is unique. The whipped potatoes with bacon and cheese is tasty. The complimentary apple on the way out was a nice touch.
(4)
Cheryl W.
I came here because I had a Groupon. What a waste of money and time. We ordered a ribeye and prime rib. Both medium rare. The prime was damn near raw and the ribeye was over cooked. I don't send food back because of horror stories on 20/20. So lesson learned will never come here again
(1)
David N.
Stopped in the other day with reservations for 6 p.m., and had a very pleasant dining experience. Seated quickly, with table service immediately afterward. Our server throughout was great, awesome attitude, helpful, friendly, and you could tell she enjoyed what she was doing. I ordered the 8oz filet mignon with baked potato...freaking great. Medium rare just as I ordered, and seasoned to perfection. I never thought an 8 ounce filet would fill me up, but this one proved me wrong. While I only partook in domestic libations, my wife thoroughly enjoyed their signature margarita. Definitely happy we stopped in and checked out Al's...one of the best steaks around. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Melody C.
I chose to came here for a date with my boyfriend based on the yelp reviews and we weren't disappointed. It was either here or Texas Roadhouse. Upon arrival, I was skeptical because my boyfriend is picky about eating at places but he loved the decor and the basement setting. I ordered the 52 oz steak and he ordered a burger. We each paid extra for a little something. I, for a french onion soup, and him for a cheddar and extra bacon. What we weren't expecting were the portion sizes. For the size my steak was, i guess that's normal, but his burger was just huge. The steak was cooked to perfection, but my boyfriend ordered his burger medium well, and it looked more like medium. Neither of us finished our meals because of the portion sizes but we were glad to take them home. I took a star off because at first bite, i felt the steak was too charred.
(4)
Angela R.
The best steak I've ever had!!! Had the bone in rib eye, the flavor was phenomenal!! I will be back
Delicious steaks! Went with my family.. We ordered baked French onion soup, salads, and of course various steaks -Prime Rib, Ribeye, and New York Al's is generous with their proportions. The whipped potatoes with bacon and cheese are really good. And the veggies were soft and buttery, yum!! We added mushrooms and onions to one of our meals. Fresh warm bread to start, tasty. Had plenty of leftovers.. The service was fast, staff was friendly and knowledgable. Prices are steep.. Al's is located in a basement; or the lower level of another restaurant. Too many stairs for my Dad, with no elevator. There's no windows and the decor looks outdated. It's pretty dark inside.. The free Wifi was nice, since my cell phone didn't get any reception down there. Overall a decent experience though.
(4)
Rebecca R.
Have gone here a few times with groupons and today was no different. Just another great meal here. Our son had the chicken kabobs, hubby and I both had the filet, him medium rare and mine medium, all three entrees with whipped potatoes. I did ask them to put garlic butter on it or on the side and the flavor just oozed into the steak when I poured a little on top. I'm not real big on plain steak, because I feel like sometimes there isn't enough flavor. That wasn't the case with the addition of the garlic butter on the side and there was no extra charge for that. We both ordered salad and there was a loaf of their raisin bread with butter that came out ahead of time. The bread was really good with the butter. Very soft and fresh. The salad was family style and I got the garlic dressing which was very good. It had a good amount of garlic in it to make it flavorful without being overpowering. Son had the French Onion soup and he really liked it. He is very picky on French Onion and he said it was good and very cheesy. The steaks came out perfectly cooked for both of us and were very tender, not tough at all like others have mentioned. Maybe they ordered theirs cooked to a less pink level? The portions are huge, as we all had leftovers for the next day. In fact, the leftovers from my son's meal could easily feed all three of us again at least once. The broccoli and carrots that came with the meal were cooked fork-tender and were juicy. The whipped potatoes were just heavenly with their bacon and cheese flavoring. Again a huge portion. Son's chicken kabobs had healthy pieces of chicken, green pepper, tomato, onion and a few lonely mushrooms. There must have been a whole green pepper and tomato on his plate. There was no room for dessert and we ended up taking 2 full styrofoam boxes full of the kabobs/veggie and 2 more with our steak leftovers. Reheated- they were very good. Service was friendly and fast - always refilling our drinks before we needed to flag her down. Server's name was Nicole. She was attentive and efficient, which made the whole experience that much better. She made sure our steaks were cooked to our liking and really seemed to want us to be happy with our food. Price with groupon for the three of us was $78 without tip. Groupon was $20. A little more on the pricey side, but well worth it for a good cut of steak. Recommendation - look in the glass case when you come in the door. This shows the size of the portions of meat and chicken - they are all pretty good sized.
(5)
Diana G.
Decided to come here for an early dinner. My guy said a few of his buddies recommended this place so we decided to try them out. Our waiter was very friendly and nice. Bone-In Ribeye - It was a little more well done than I liked, but I'll know next time how to order it. I opted for cheese fries after reading the reviews, but I'll pass next time. The cheese was already getting hard before I got to them. The veggies were okay. Porterhouse - My guy got this and he thought it was too charred and wasn't too happy with it. He told our waiter and the manager came and was so nice about it. I thought they handle the situation nicely and we would both like to come back to give them another try.
(3)
Stefanie A.
The decor is a little bit cheesy, but our steaks were cooked perfectly. The drinks were a tad expensive, but they tasted great. I am surprised this place was not busier, perhaps it is the dated decor. I would suggest this place for a steak night out. The french onion soup was OK, I would opt for a salad next time. The chicken tenders app were good as well. They were definitely not frozen tenders. Unfortunately I didn't try the desserts, but they looked and sounded delicious!
(4)
Harry M.
Go with an appetite or carry home half of your meal. My wife had the portobello sandwich with a bowl of black bean soup and I had the Cajun filet Alfredo with a salad. We had to bring home half of each of our meals. My wife had a turtle martini and I had a Texas chill (non alcoholic) drink. Our bill was about $58.00. You cannot go wrong here for a steak. Nice and tender. There are several vegetarian meals here and some burgers but go for the steaks.
(5)
Susan H.
'Expectation is the root of all heartache." I'm disappointed in you, Al. Located in what is essentially a dank basement, handicapped individuals or those experiencing difficulty with mobility will find the long, steep staircase leading to the restaurant their first obstacle; the second would be trying to enjoy your meal. The decor is truly dreadful. It looks like a Prospector's yard sale. There's certainly no shortage of poorly-done wooden carvings and unimpressive mishmash to catch your eye. While my chicken soup ran oily, the steaks and nut bread with cinnamon butter are a win here. Still, their prices rival much finer steakhouses..only Al's comes without windows or outstanding service. The dust, however, is plentiful! The servers, while polite, looked overwhelmed...partly because Al's has them dressing baked potatoes tableside. How...odd. *raises eyebrow* There's also NO signal in Al's....so they had me sign into their WiFi and then sent me to a restaurant upstairs to access Groupon on my phone. *sigh* Even then, I loathe when servers TAKE your phone and walk away with it to utilize a Groupon. Maybe I have nudies on there, Yo! I advise steering clear of the garlic shrimp. It was sickeningly salty and served atop a bed of rice that hearkens back to my childhood...when Mom was ill and Daddy was left to his own devices in the kitchen. I will say that the manager was professional and removed the charge for the shrimp, but the tiny filet with garlic mashed and some God awful, under-cooked veggies was still $33. Their BBQ chicken breast dinner is of mammoth proportions, but nothing spectacular. I'd rather have a smaller portion for less money. Cheesecake was utterly unimpressive. Then again, I'm a cheesecake snob sooo....At least my martini was tasty and I bagged some bread for the road. Oh, Al!
(1)
Grant P.
Does anyone else use that Find Friends app so you can stalk your pals wherever they are? Well I do. And when both my buddy and his wife disappeared last night when we were meeting up for dinner I found it strange. Turns out, the restaurant is located in a basement and there's no signal down there. But good news? They have free wifi so you'll still know who scored the points in the hockey game. I made the mistake of not checking this place out on Yelp before coming, because if I had, I'd have known that it was a casual atmosphere. My wife and I dressed up a little because we were expecting standard steakhouse atmosphere, not Texas saloon. It's the latter, which is fine. I was just surprised when all my friends were wearing t-shirts and jeans and I had khakis and a polo. Now you know, and knowing is half the battle. *cue THE MORE YOU KNOW* theme. Service was swell, but a little slow. I attribute that to the giant party over at the next table. My group was once that big, but we tend to vote people out Survivor style, so now we're down to a much smaller number. Which is fine, because seriously, when you have parties with that many people getting a table is sometimes a drag. The food was good in a "this is how we've always done things, take it or leave it" type of way. It wasn't stellar, and they weren't experimenting with any standout flavors or ingredients, but it was typical faire and decent. The chicken soup that came with my meal was a little on the bland side, but I tend to like things more flavorful than most and I think the flavors they work with here appeal to the clientele. The portion sizes were plentiful, and I seriously considered taking half my prime rib home. But they're still not the platter-sized prime rib you get form some places. I managed to go for the gold and suffer meat sweats later on. I liked that the veggies it was accompanied by were fresh, and not substandard frozen stuff. The whipped potatoes came in a little metal dish and were baked with cheese and bacon bits. They were a little dry and had kind of a pre-packaged taste. Remember the old Betty Crocker "Twice Baked Potatoes" that were around in the 80s and 90s? You had a bunch of packets of dehydrated potatoes and bacon bits and topping and sorta mixed them up together and baked them? Twice, I'm assuming, but I was a kid and left that stuff up to Grandma. Anyway, the potatoes tasted just like that, but dry. The prices seemed a little steep for what you get. Our bill was about $80 for two beers, a margarita and two prime rib dinners. $35 for a prime rib dinner at a typical steakhouse seems reasonable, or even in the city. But for a texas saloon with a smaller serving size, I was feeling a little bit of sticker shock. I suspect you may be paying for their prime location in Downtown LaGrange. Would I return? Sure, I guess if someone invited me. But maybe I'll just get a burger or regular steak next time. I don't think I'd make this a destination for the prime rib.
(3)
Sarah S.
HUGE portions, Tasty portions also, but huge is an understatement. When you walk in you must go down stairs.. no elevator for those that need assistance. At the host area where you wait to be seated they have examples of dishes and you think.. oh no that can't be actual size.. well it is and I suggest sharing lol I tried the kabobs and filet and both were yummy.. veggies on the kabob could have been cooked a little more, but over all great. Sides were tempting and over the top. Drinks were great along with servers that know the menu and can advise you in the right direction... I will be back, but with my stretchy pants :)
(4)
Don R.
Pretty good spot. Been here a few times. The black bean soup is really good. Waiters are always nice. My last time here this past Sunday, I wasn't 100% pleased with the Jack Daniels steak but everything else was good.
(4)
Yen L.
We went yesterday with a Groupon, though it was actually our second trip to Al's. After two trips there, I would say that they definitely have strengths and weaknesses. My first time out, I had the prime rib special, which was terrific. The steak was cooked perfectly, everything came out hot, portions were good. My husband's NY strip steak was also cooked perfectly. We had a great first experience. This time around, my husband got the prime rib and I went with the Cheese Steak sandwich. I opted for a sandwich because I can't eat undercooked meat for a while and I hate well-done steak. Unfortunately, I can't say the sandwich was as good in quality as the steak. The meat seemed a little too charred, the bread seemed dry. I cannot remember if they toast the bread or not. On the plus side, the sandwich was HUGE. I really had to clamp down to get a whole bite in my mouth. Service both times was good. Pleasant, a tad slow, but we came at somewhat busy times. Either way, I thought the service was one of their strong points. Overall, though, I don't think we'd be back unless we had another Groupon. We don't find it to be totally worth the drive from the city and worth the full price.
(3)
Garry W.
Still have not been back there (2010) since my wife had a bad steak and the manager treated us like we were from Green Bay.
(1)
Kyle P.
Portions are huge - you will either stuff yourself silly or have leftovers for the next day. Food is also very tasty. Service was great and super friendly. Not the fanciest of decor - but I'm okay with that.
(4)
Alisa M.
Love their steaks. Huge portions and are reasonably priced. Located in downtown LaGrange. The decor is similar to an old western saloon style place. Staff is friendly and I have never been disappointed by anything I've ordered. The bread is so good with chunks of raisins and comes with warm cinnamon sugar butter! I usually get the bone in ribeye or the Al's Top sirlon (I think it's about 56oz) for about $38. This includes soup or salad and a side. Again, portions are huge. I usually share my steak and there are still leftovers for the next day!
(4)
Rosalind T.
They replaced my burnt steak with a well done bone in Ribeye (it was even bigger than the one they have replaced)....I were very satisfied when I left the restaurant and i will always be loyal to them....probably will go there before the end of the month...
(5)
Stephanie H.
I went here for dinner last night, and oh my goodness, my stomach was not prepared for this meal. For appetizers, we ordered the onion blossom. The spicy ranch was delicious. I ordered the ribs and sirloin for my entree, and it was all delicious. I substituted my fries for cheese fries, and they were SO GOOD. The portions here are out of this world. My boyfriend ordered the 56 oz. steak, and could barely finish a third of it. I ordered the Texas Sunset for my drink, and it was not good. It was a blended drink, and there was way too much ice. The service was good in that the servers helped each other so people asked if we needed any thing and removed our dirty dishes, but our personal server was just okay. We waited over 30 minutes for our meal, and he didn't check up on us during the entire waiting period. Other than that, the service was good!
(4)
Jo H.
Food is delightfully tasteful and filling but the prices are on the higher side. This should have a $$$ not $$ as far as prices. Service was very attentive and friendly. Side note: you will not have any cell signal but they have free wifi
(4)
Suzanne Z.
If you leave hungry from Al's, you've done something wrong! Everything here is Texas sized! I've been here many times to eat and have had many family parties here. They are very accomodating for the parties, and even use the site next door (Casa Margarita) if you need more space. Everything I've tried is good. I LOVE their cinnamon butter and bread. It's addicting. Their burgers are 1 pound monsters! Their filet mignon was tasty and cooked as I requested. Their signature cocktails will take you the whole meal to drink and are also great. I've never had any issues with service. They make sure your party is staffed appropriately to ensure timely delivery of food. Great place all around!
(4)
Dan M.
I should've has listened... anytime the positive reviews say "how much food you get", RUN...don't walk away.. Clearly a low quality business. Owners are clearly skating and have given up on providing a quality meal. Instead of a 32oz piece of crap, how about a nice 16oz cut that melts in your mouth. Service was good. What I would expect from any restaurant. The only reason this place gets even 1 star...
(1)
Craig V.
On 6/20 had dinner there with friends and it was excellent. I had the ribeye medium my wife had the filet rare both were cooked perfect. Great waitress , great food. Will be back.
(5)
Adam J.
One of the best steaks I've had. Price is expensive but you definitely get what you pay for. Cool underground restaurant with a nice bar and "southern cowboy" style atmosphere. No cellphone service prepare to be off the grid for an hour.
(5)
Shauna F.
This was my boyfriend's and my fourth time eating at this restaurant and we still have not been disappointed. We love coming here and crave it all the time! The cuts of meat are HUGE and the sides that come with it are even bigger! A little pricey but well worth it!
(5)
Chris L.
The Al's Char House experience.... Where to start? Al's is sort of a hidden in plain site Steak House in the heart of Downtown LaGrange. It's on the lower level of another restaurant called Casa Margarita, so you have to go down a flight of stairs to actually get to Al's. Once you're down there your initial impression is that your stuck in a bad rodeo western movie from 1955. The decor could use a little updating but then again it does fit the theme perfectly. When you first walk in you approach the counter which has a see through glass display with some of the cuts of steak they have that night. And oh my do they have some big cuts. If you've ever watch the Great Outdoors and seen John Candy polish off the old 96'er and said to yourself "I could do that no problem" Al's is definitely the place for you. They have some mega sized cuts of steak. I decided to go with the Prime Rib on my most recent trip which I was a little disappointed with. it was good, but just not up to the usual standard I have at Al's. I've had many of their other cuts though and they are all fantastic. They have lots of side dishes and options to go along with your steak. I'm partial to getting the fry's and grilled onions. I never even though of having grilled onions with steak until I went to Al's but I tried them one time and now I'm hooked. I'd highly recommend giving them a try. The twice baked potato is really good as well. And if your looking for a god soup or appetizer the Baked French Onion is great. Plan to wait a little while for your steak, especially the bigger cuts. Definitely give Al's a try if your in the neighborhood!
(4)
Rocky G.
It was this Sunday afternoon and I read all the reviews for ALS Charhouse, most were good some were bad, but we had a Groupon so we headed there from Alsip, so here is my review We did have a reservation and only had to wait like 10 minutes for our table, the place was packed, it took a few minutes for our server to get to us, but Ruben made up for it wit his friendly and great service. The steaks were the best ever, cooked to perfection. So all I can say to those people who only gave one or two stars, are you sure you were in the right restaurant? On our way out I met the owner, yes his name is Al, Thanks Al for a great meal with great service and great prices. We will be back soon.
(5)
Valerie A.
Enjoyed the grilled shrimp appetizer the rice with it was amazing. Ordered the surf and turf special, steak was cooked perfectly and the lobster was like butter. Sat at the bar and the bartenders were great very attentive to customers while making waitstaff drinks. The manager Natasha was very welcoming and never stopped moving! All around great experience can't wait to visit again after the renovations are complete.
(5)
Tatiana G.
Definitely quantity over quality kinda place. Don't waste your money. If I hadn't used a Groupon I would have been even more disappointed to pay full price. I had the "stuffed" blue cheese burger that was not stuffed. It was dry and disappointing. My husband had the steak sandwich which had dry tasteless hunks of beef.
(1)
Matt P.
Zero stars. This place is absolutely atrocious. Do not make the same mistake we made and stay as far away from Al's as possible.
(1)
Chris M.
Make sure you go visit this place if you love steak. Run, don't walk to this restaurant, just be careful about the stairs leading down to this restaurant, this place is located below a Mexican restaurant. If you are hungry walking in to this place, don't you worry, you will be full afterwards. The steaks are huge and the sides are good too. Prices are very reasonable too. Not one steak is over $40, compared to most steak places in and around Chicago, this is as good of price you will see. Our server, Nicole, was very attentive to our table and did apologize when she took her time, she was also in charge of a large table right next to us. Server also explained to us that they tend to over serve the food at this place and she was not kidding. Our drinks were never empty for long. She repeated our orders back to us for accuracy. The steaks were great and cooked perfectly to order. The house specialty whipped potatoes were great. They serve a loaf of bread that is like a pumpernickel bread with raisins and walnuts in it and it comes with cinnamon butter. Wish I would had taken a loaf home. Left this place feeling very satisfied and with some to take home. Mind you had to climb those same stairs to get out but well worth it. My family and I are definitely coming back, maybe I will try another steak and maybe get a loaf of that bread to go. Since this place is in a basement, you will be talking to your friends and family since you will not get cell reception down there, which is not a bad thing.
(5)
William G.
Best part of this place is the location and that's it. Food was good, manager started arguing with employee, and then they played some Eminem song that was little bit awkward even though I love his music, but not while I'm having a nice dinner with my wife. I liked my server but I think she got fired through my lunch. Ribs was good, pork chops were huge and good. Pretty pricey I would say, but def will not be going back.
(2)
RACHEL K.
We took my sister in law from out of town here last night for a nice steak dinner. We were really disappointed with the entire experience. It took the waitress awhile to come over and greet us, then longer to get drinks. She took our order and repeated it twice (ceasar salad with dressing on the side for all of us) - then came back and told us that somehow they still put dressing on the salads, so we had to wait for them to remake them. Salad was good, really good ceasar dressing. We ordered two filets, medium, and a tbone medium well. The filets were charred on the top and overcooked (medium well). We didnt make a fuss - but they were not juicy at all and had no flavor and needed salt or something. The veggies had a sugary sweet sauce and that sauce ended up on your steak - gross! THe mashed potatoes were good. We had ordered a bottle of red wine to come out with dinner and the waitress tells us the bartender had to "go in the back" for it...so the wine didnt come out until halfway thru our meal. This was so disappointing - business was slow so there was no excuse for slow service or an overcooked steak. And for the amount of money you're paying for cocktails, steaks, and a bottle of wine, i would expect better. I did message the business on here and hope to hear back. I would like to give this place another shot, but it's going to take a LOT.
(1)
Jon B.
We ordered some Ribeyes at Al's and asked for them Pittsburgh style. You would think that a place called a "Char-House" could cook a Pittsburgh style steak, but you would be wrong. The steak had zero char and looked like it was cooked on a frying pan. For $30! I could have gone to Jewel and cooked a better steak for $8. Not to mention that a Ribeye is supposed to be fatty, and a good cut should almost melt in your mouth. You shouldn't have to rip the flesh from flesh. This was not a tender ribeye you would expect. This place was truly not a good steak house. In fact, it was horrible. Spend an extra $10, go to Morton's, and get a real steak. My friend's comment about his boxed up leftovers as we were leaving pretty much sums it up: "Here, give this to your dog on my behalf." That was roughly the quality of the meat we got.
(1)
Maria M.
A steak house? My husband and I ordered the 8 oz filets. We got chared crisp chunks of steak with only the middle edible. The house whipped potatoes were nasty orange glue like substance with bacon flavor, couldnt bring my self to eat them. The salad was barely recognizable being chopped to smithereens. The tomatoes were the size of a pencil eraser. The bread was more of a breakfast item being a raisen nut with cinnamon butter on it. Wait staff was good. Over all not a steakhouse experience with a hefty $27.00 per plate price to remember. Our group dropped a heft $300.00. One and done.
(1)
Janet A.
The service was excellent! We were seated quickly, our server was very attentive & knew the menu. BUT the food was sub par (especially considering the high cost of the entrees!). The whipped potato side dish tasted like it was out of a box & the ranch dressing was watery. Considering the other options for a great steak- we're giving this restaurant a pass.
(2)
Lisa T.
We stopped by on a Monday night without a reservation and were seated immediately. The basement setting makes you feel like you are walking into an old-timey movie, very fun! I ordered the bone-in new york strip and he ordered the full slab of ribs. Both portion sizes were just immense! We only ate half and packaged a whole second dinner to take home for the next day. The ribs were amazing, fall off the bone, tender and scrumptious. The new york strip was a little over done for my liking, I typically order medium, but at this restaurant I will order medium rare from now on. But the flavor and tenderness of the meat was delicious, and did I mention how BIG the portions are! Service was perfection, our thanks to Angel for a lovely evening. Definitely going back for another special evening in the future!
(5)
Mark Z.
This place has a leg up on the Golden Steer and Tom's Steak House. Much better menu and if you have the time forget about the other two and make the drive. Just don't order the seafood you won't be happy. If your going to a steak house get the steak or why bother. Will I return YES The Rush on Roosevelt
(4)
Elizabeth E.
Food is outstanding, but the service is what will make me come back. Can not say enough about the wonderful waiter he truly went above and beyond!!! Can't wait to come back and try some more out of this world steaks!
(5)
Carlo B.
Our server Shawn and Maya are excellent! I love this place. My favs on the menu are Rib Eye steak, Onion blossom, the black bean soup, and the sweet carrots they serve on the side. They can improve on their bread and that side dish baked potato. Please improve on the kind of music you play. Its a horrid playlist unrelated and uncomplimenting to your ambiance , and the sound system is loud and intrusive and unpleasant. The music actually ruins your appetite. But I still give your 4 stars because my medium rare steeak is always perfect and the servers are superb!
(4)
TheRealTruth C.
All I can say is huge portions is the only good thing. I order the ribeye with bone it wasn't even hot when I got it plus it wasn't seasoned. None of our food was. It was the worst ribeye I ever had. Plus on the menu it states "NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WELL DONE" !!!! WT.... I have never heard of that so I take it they can't cook a well done steak if you want it. Oh yeah and the shrimp were very undercooked and unseasoned, they were mushy. If you get a booth don't look at the walls because they have dust and dirt on the ropes and weird things hanging that they call art. Splashes of steak sauce on the wall.....really! Very overpriced for the place. I would not recommend if you like flavor, cleanliness, and hot food for a good price. Waste of time and money. :-( :-(
(1)
Chris W.
I've been Al's a few times over the years. I remembered today why I don't frequent more often. While the decor might seem dated as a few others mention, I feel it adds to the charm. Hey, it's lasted longer than just about any restaurant in LaGrange. Our waiter earned a 5 of 5, helping my overall rating. He was quick with drink refills and stopped by the right amount of times to check in. It comes down to the food. I had the larger of the two filets. It left me hoping there was A1 on the table (which, to me, a good steak should never need). It was a little tough and not a melt in your mouth type filet you might get elsewhere. The whipped potatoes were so so. My girlfriend had the lemon chicken. Sure, it's a steak place, but it's not a difficult dish. Portion was generous, but just so so. She had a baked potato and the waiter brought sour cream and bacon bits to the table and asked what she wanted. One the one hand, it was a unique touch. One the other, at this point, the customer should have just been able to serve them self.
(3)
Jennifer W.
Food and service was excellent. Waitress had great knowledge and recommendations. Would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys a great steak.
(4)
Sylvia M.
Had dinner with my grandma tonight. Service was great, James is a great server! Food was delicious & I had enough to save some for lunch tomorrow. Already looking forward to it.
(4)
Darrell S.
Went back to try Al's again much much better food was good steak was cooked perfect and the chops weren't burnt.will be going back see you soon
Do I start with the poor service . . . . or the old, dusty decor? Or that the fact that this steakhouse is in the basement of a Mexican restaurant What I will say is, surprisingly enough, the best thing about Al's CharHouse . . . .was the steak! Let's start with that steak. My friend was hungry enough to order a Porterhouse which came looking like a beef roast filling the plate it came on. It was perfectly cooked and actually quite tasty. My ribs were tender and fell off the bone. So the two stars are for the entrees. And the prices were cheap! That giant porterhouse only cost $32! As for the rest of the food- we weren't so impressed. The salad comes to the table in a combined bowl that you serve yourself with the dressings on the side. Mostly iceburg lettuce with stale bread thrown in as croutons- this was a miss. Top it with dressing that tastes like they just poured them out of a bottle and it was very unmemorable. As were the sides that went with our entrees. My baked potato was fine but I didn't like the way the server slopped the toppings on for me. Let me do my own please! And my friends "Signature whipped potatoes" were dry. Service was non existent. We waited over 20 minutes for someone just to come to our table to take a drink order. And once our order was placed- it was another 30 minutes to get our salads. Trust me- this is not a place you'll want to linger in. And the decor? I get they are going with cowboy theme- but the cactus and saddles are dusty, and the place just feels old. Couple that with the servers come out clapping and singing for birthdays,and I had to listen to (and smell) a bus person spraying down the tables as they cleaned them and this was just a step above a dingy diner. If you go- go with an appetite. The burgers are huge- 1 pound of beef each! The steaks and other entrees fill the platters, so volume seems to be the name of the game here. We took home most of our food- partly just to get out of there- but mostly because it was just too much food to eat. I'm sure Al's is perfect for the multitude of families in the area. But for this restaurant lovin' gal, I think I'll eat my steak elsewhere. Where there isn't clapping and the singing of "Happy Birthday" while I sip my wine!
(2)
A N.
Okay for those of you who are looking for a fancy looking/decorated restaurant, this is not it. BUT - if you are a dry aged steak fan, I highly recommend this place for their steaks alone. I have not tried anything aside from the steaks, but each time I go they are phenomenal. Very tasty and tender meat. The service is good as well. The desserts are so-so. If you like rich stuff like caramel topped cheese cake and brownie with ice cream, it's that type of stuff. But the steak and reasonable prices will have you coming back every time. Much cheaper than anywhere in Chicago & a lot of food. The bone in ribeye is the best. Would have given it 5 stars if it was not in the basement. I think the owner should move Casa Margarita downstairs and Al's upstairs seriously.
(4)
Jessica H.
Oy. Not sure where to begin with this one. We came here because we had a coupon. Everything in the restaurant is covered in dust and the place smells like mildew. Seems like everything at Al's has been reheated in a microwave. Our "whipped potatoes with cheese and bacon" that were billed as the house specialty were dry and flavorless. The prime rib I ordered medium rare came medium well and had a strange texture. The pecan pie I foolishly ordered for dessert (I should have just stopped after the bad entree) came freshly microwaved, complete with some extra lava-hot spots and some cold spots. Double yuck. The one bright spot was that the service was really good - our waitress was very attentive and extremely friendly. I was with enjoyable company which made the night nice, but I would never return to this restaurant. Another Yelp review called this place a perfect before restaurant on Kitchen Nightmares, and I think that pretty much sums up my experience as well.
(1)
Laura H.
New to the area from Springfield, Illinois, last night was my first time ordering/eating Al's Char-House's food. I ordered a carry-out meal, consisting of an 8 oz. filet and 16 oz. ribeye, as well as sides of whipped potatoes, steamed vegetables, one french onion soup and one black bean soup. The meat was excellent, as were the vegetables, all perfectly flavored to perfection. Today I had the pleasure of eating the black bean soup and my oh my...the BEST black bean soup on the planet!!! I will dine in the next time I go, for the warm atmosphere created by the central fire pit I saw while picking up my order was incomparably inviting on that cold night! =) LOVE!
(5)
MaryRose D.
The wait staff here is awesome. I did not try the food, but hung out with friends at the bar. Great service, cold beer, good humored staff. What more could I want?
(4)
Meliza L.
They charge you an extra fee for splitting a dish, almost $5. And the waiter didn't tell us before hand.
(3)
Sandy R.
Bring ur Appetite! CharBurgers as big as ur head! Good too; Cooked to order. Our server was professional, friendly, helpful, & so accommodating to our family w/2 kids. We really enjoyed our visit.
(3)
Tenkie P.
This was the worst restaurant I've ever been to. Food was extremely bland and overpriced. the ambience was just totally OFF. What is with THE STAIRS?!!! Just a really weird experience for me.
(1)
Suzanne A.
Good food, HUGE portions. .. beware - the burger is a FULL pound! The kitchen service was slow (Saturday night at 5), although our waitress was great.
(4)
Rick H.
We have been frequenting this establishment for about 18 years. (yeah, we are older but still feisty and put 6k in road trips on the Harley, not the Scooter chair, in just the last year) and have never had a bad dining experience at Al's. We have been there for at least 80 dinners. First off, this is a Steakhouse and has been in the same downstairs location since its inception. Al has consistently endevoured over the years to provide the best quality meats in generous portions at a great price. If that is what you want, then Al's is the place for you !! I am totally sold on Al's king cut Filet Mignon. Yes, you can get better if you want to go to Mortons or Ruths Chris, but be prepared to spend at least twice as much. My wife loves the BBQ Ribs and the Teriyaki Steak and usually alternates between the two dishes. When you find entrees that totally work for you, it is hard to experiment :) However, if you want flat panel TV screens all over the walls showing the daily game, with generic bar food, then this is also not the place for you ... We have been to the Mexican restaurant upstairs, Casa Margarita, and their food is very good and much preferable to the bland food of the other Mexican restaurant around the corner on Calendar Court. Al's Charhouse pre-dates Casa Margarita at that location by about 10 years. So if you are a Beef Loving Carnivore, then at least one visit to Al's Charhouse should be on your list. (Your list will be updated with many more returns after that).
(4)
MoonUnit Z.
We went there for dinner this evening with my parents. The food was great. My mom said the roasted vegetables were the best she has ever had. The salad was good as was the chicken noodle soup. We ordered two petite filets, a rib eye, and a salmon. Very good ... generous portions and no one left hungry. That being said, the service was horrible. We got there about 7 pm and it was not very crowded at all. We did not get our entree until almost 8 pm. Granted we got an appetizer and soup and salad, but there was a lot of down time in between. It was the first time we were there, and I will go back. It is NOT handicapped accessible which is not very good. My dad had a hard time walking up and down the stairs. The bathrooms reminded me of something out of That 70's Show .... in fact, the entire place could use some updating ... but then, we were there for the food which was great!
(4)
Rachel C.
I didn't believe anyone could possibly finish a 3 1/2 pound steak until I ate here last night and my brother in law took on the feat (and accomplished). Boy oh boy, we're talking PORTIONS here. So much food that you can't help but leave with your pants unbuttoned. This place is cool, the steaks are outstanding, comparable to any big name, upscale steak house in Chicago but for half the price. A neat Western Theme, attentive service, BIG and STRONG drinks (just the way I like 'em) and most importantly, good food! We had a large party and the service was wonderful. I'd definitely go back, only next time I'll make sure I skip breakfast and lunch!
(5)
Tanya S.
Food is ok. Everything is TEXAS style- HUGE, even the drinks. Taste-wise nothing was outstanding. Atmosphere is cool- you step out of LaGrange into a Texan saloon.
(2)
Joyce D.
This restaurant has the best steaks you will probably ever eat in your life. Really. For that, I would rate it 5 stars. That being said as a full dinning experience, Al's has some work to do. The establishment is in a basement that hasn't been renovated, updated or modernized in at least 30 years which for the upscale LaGrange strip location, is a shame. Not ideal for a meeting that requires technology as you get NO bars whatsoever and they do not have wi-fi. I immediately thought of it as a candidate for an episode of Restaurant Impossible. It's old and a little dirty; the cushions are visibly soiled. They still do the clap, clap, sing, sing deal that was played out years ago. There were at least 5 birthdays during our visit. They don't let you dress your own baked potato; the server said she had to do it for me and when they brought out the bowl of salad for the table, the plates were dripping wet. If you want a good steak, go for it; you will not be disappointed. But take that excellence with a grain of salt when compared to an overall dining experience.
(3)
Joe G.
I have been coming to Al's Char House for several years, Huge portions at reasonable prices here, this visit was was no different. Great meal, a 16oz New York Strip cooked medium with sauteed onions and a baked potato with vegetables- Awesome! Our table was well served by our waitress the entire time, no problems. If you're looking for a Brand New Squeaky clean Steak house- go to Gibsons in Oak Brook, but be ready to pay for it. If your looking for a delicious Steak at a reasonable price- Al's Char House is for you. Enjoy!
(4)
Veronica A.
Oh Al's steakhouse...where do I start? One Friday night, a few friends and myself decided to try Al's. I use to live less than a mile away from the place and have always been tempted to try it. As all the other reviewers described its in the basement of Casa margarita restaurant. We got there a around 10:15PM. Since it was a Friday, the website said it was open until 11. Once we stepped inside we were given a sharp look by the hostess, the reason why: there were no other souls in the place except the cooks who were also mopping the floors. Even the bartender had her jacket on. Once we were seated, the hostess asked What beverages we wanted. After a long week of work, it's only obvious we all wanted a strong drink with our steak. What bothered me was the rolling of the eyes the bartender did as she took off her jacket, because the hostess told her we ordered a lot of drinks. Excuse me, but when did 3 martinis and 2 beers become a lot drinks?!? The drinks were okay, they could have been a bit stronger, but ive had worse. Anyways, I digress. If the dirty looks from the hostess and bartender weren't awkward enough, they decide to turn off the music while we wait for our food. But good for us, we all had a lot of catch up to do, so we spent the time chatting away. Once the food came, we all looked at the food and then each other. A frozen dinner would have looked more pleasing than the dishes they brought us! Not only did the food look gross and like they all took turns spitting in it, but it was extremely salty and flavorless! So I don't know what was worse, the horrific platters or the customer service. Al's never again!!
(1)
Dana V.
We've been going to Al's for over a year now and they never disappoint!! Their burgers are HUGE, the margaritas are amazing and are also HUGE, and the steaks are out of this world! We love to come here for special occasions like birthdays, especially for Al's three and a half pound steak that all the men in my family love to order, especially my husband. The bloomin onion and cheese fries are both crazy good, especially the zesty ranch dipping sauce they come with. The steak kabob was downright shocking in its size as well as the amazing flavor. We've also tried many of the sandwiches and my daughter loves the kids chicken tenders which are more than enough for any child and not too bread-y. The service is also amazing; we usually have a large party and Al's always gets everything right which can be pretty hard with substitutions and other complications that come with really boisterous families ordering sides of this and extras of that and hold the so-and-so. It can be an expensive night out but worth it. The best part is that the portions are so large that there's always something to take home!!
(4)
Susan S.
We went there for the groupon we just purchased. Horrible Service experience and horrible experience with the groupon. We wanted to order one steak and one prime rib special. they would not allow us to use the groupon towards the $18.99 special. not sure why because they aren't losing out. So instead of giving them our money we split a meal. The prime rib we ate was good - food quality good but took 45 mins to come out. They were NOT busy -it was a sunday. However the waiter next to our table told his table they are previously prepared it will be a 5 min wait and bam they got theirs rather quickly. I thought the prices were high for the steaks and meats. I have had better for a better price. The atmosphere is very old. The booth we sat it probably had never been washed down or cleaned at all. Very dated. the booths all have "fabric cushions" worn out and gross. The bathrooms were gross. it was extremely hot in there and just not comfortable. Then the manager stopped at our table by mistake because she thought we had a bad steak (it was the table next to ours) and then we told her our problem she blew it off and walked away and didn't even listen. I think they are always on groupon every week cause they know their business is horrible and they need it. Take a pass.
(2)
Michael O.
Awful. Way over priced. All the chairs and booths are garbage. Place has went to Crap. We used to go twice a year. We took a few years off. We will not go back. Longhorn is half the price and three times better. Never again.
(1)
Paul N.
Most definitely one of the best places to eat a steak and the place is clean and friendly service.AMAZING EXPERIENCE
(5)
Nancy L.
This place is great! I would recommend reservations because it does get really busy during dinner service. The service is great, the portions are huge and the steaks are tender and juicy.
(4)
Jeff H.
Boys night out and our pilgrimage for meat landed us at Al's. Walking in the door, we were not only greeted immediately by the Hostess, but a refrigerated case displaying the biggest steaks we have ever seen. After seeing those, I get the western, cowboy theme. Yea, its probably a bit corny but the restaurant was well lit and clean and best of all, there was meat! Lots of meat! We were already feeling pretty good about Al's by now and we have not even sat down. We were seated promptly and our server stopped by right away to take drink orders. Aside from the steaks, the menu was nicely varied, with plenty of fish, chicken and salad choices. There is also a full selection of normal" sized steaks on the menu if you did not want one of the enormous 24oz to 56oz ones. Prices were very reasonable compared to what other places in the area charge for steaks. The onion blossom was good and salad came in a serve yourself bowl with dressings on the side. Big surprise here....We all ordered steak! Two ribeyes and a strip steak were served promptly, all perfectly done, juicy and flavorful. The sweet carrot and broccoli vegetables, whipped potatoes were excellent! Portion sizes were huge which left us no room for dessert! Bottom line is you are not going to get a better steak in the area unless you go to a Mortons or Gibsons and pay a whole lot more. We left completely full, with our quest for meat fulfilled and knowing we will be back!
(4)
John M.
I have been here maybe four times, always a good experience! I have had the porterhouse each time and it is truly massive. Look, have the soup, you aren't going to finish the steak! I really like their French Onion soup, nice flavor and a vast amount of cheese. I did the whipped potatoes, which are cheesy and bacony and very good, We did Margaritas with dinner and they are pretty big too! The staff are friendly and I have never felt rushed, and you will have enough steak for another meal at least.
(5)
Jamarri G.
First off let me say that my server Danny way amazing. Very friendly, attentive, and knowledgable. When he told me that no matter the size of my steak that the cooks have gotten getting the temp to science he was right. I had the 16oz New York strip med and it was perfect. My bf had the 32oz Texan and it was also perfect. I hate carrots but my server recommended I try them and he was right they were amazing. The whipped mash and salads were also great. I would say this place is a must go. The service was great and the portions are amazing for the price.
(5)
Jen M.
I ate here for my cousin's rehearsal dinner, so we had a set menu. For about $20/person we were served delicious brown bread with cinnamon butter, house salad, our choice of sirloin, lemon chicken, 1/2 slab ribs, chicken cabob, or cajun catfish. All entrees came with a baked potato and veggies. And everyone got ice cream for dessert. For the price, the food was very delicious and the servings were enormous. The server even told us that all the portions were half the normal portion!!! Unbelievable. I had the cajun catfish, which was excellent. It was very flaky and tender, lightly seasoned, and served with a cajun sauce. It also came with a side of dirty rice, which was very soft and flavorful. The veggies were also good and well seasoned. We would definitely come back again for dinner or even set up another event. Beware the serving sizes, however. I would definitely recommend sharing.
(4)
Jenn M.
Holy shitballs this place is horrible!!! The one star is completely 100% for the service. I don't know where these four and five-star reviews are coming from. We started with an onion blossom and it had so much corn meal that it was gritty. I have no idea what kind of sauce came with it but it was thick and flavorless. The meals came with house salad that was swimming in an Italian dressing that was sickeningly sweet. I had BBQ chicken which was okay but the sauce tasted like it had tons of sugar in it. The veggies were cooked to oblivion and the potato was dry and bland because they don't actually let you put the condiments on yourself. My son's filet was livery and just disgusting. This kid will completely tear up a steak and he wouldn't eat two bites of it. Husband tasted it and then spit it out Hubby ordered the excessively enormous cheeseburger and didn't even eat 1/4 of it. He claims it was the worst food he ever had. The decor is dated and dingy looking. The "plants" had about an inch of dust. I'm thankful the lighting was dim where we were sitting. Want to see the "before" of an episode of "Kitchen Nightmares", head to the Char-House. Unfortunately, you won't be able to come back for the "after".
(1)
Judy S.
Al's was crowded on a Sat. night, and it's been in business for many years; so we thought it would be a good experience. We went here expecting large meal portions because many of the reviews mentioned that, and we weren't disappointed on that note. The food was actually quite delicious. Decor is casual with a cowboy/western theme, and it appeared to be clean and well-kept. Our waiter Patrick took excellent care of us -- attentive but not overbearing. Prices are on the low end of high. (Most steaks about $25-$30.) The steak cuts are on display in a cold case and labeled at the hostess station, so you can see the sizes before you order. I had pork chops "regular style," which was 3 thick chops served with choice of potato and delicious fresh veggies + soup or salad. I have to say they were the most tender, tastiest, juiciest pork chops I've ever eaten! About $22. And I took 2 chops home to enjoy later. My husband had the Texas steak, which he enjoyed very much. I think it was about $27. It was cooked exactly as he'd requested. We thought it was odd that their signature bread is a dark raisin bread. Seems an odd pairing for steak and "manly" meats. All in all, my 3-star rating is due to the prices juxtaposed with the atmosphere. I prefer a nice steakhouse ambiance when we spend this much for a night out. (Yes, there are suburban restaurants where you can find this.) Also, I'd prefer different bread. Otherwise, we were happy with our choice.
(3)
Kathy M.
Went to Al's for my birthday. Steaks were not great, vegetables were not cooked & whipped potatoes were horrible! Only thing good was the waiter, Patrick!
(1)
Mark C.
My rating: 3 stars. My wife's rating: 2 stars. We had the chicken & steak kabob and the short ribs. The food was okay. The country western theme was nice, but the top 20 hits background music and onion blossom suddenly made everything seem far more TGI Fridays than an authentic country-western steak restaurant. We had a coupon, and the portion sizes were Texas-sized leaving us leftovers for days.
(3)
Mike C.
Al's Charhouse is a place that one of my friends introduced me to awhile back. I had never heard of it, and it intrigued me when he said it was in the basement. However, my mind goes to Al Capone hangout type place. I loved it the first time I went, the food was great, and the service had been excellent. The next time I went, the food was just good, but the service was excellent. However, that was probably because I ordered something out of my norm. After that, every trip had been great and the service always excels. I even took a date here because you do not get cell service, so you are not constantly checking your device, and the service and food were great. Last night was no different. I had to be in the area and I did not want to sit in traffic on the way home. As a result, I looked at Groupon deals in the area. I called early in the morning, and someone answered the phone. I did not see what time they opened, but I asked and it was 4pm. The person on the phone was very polite and professional, and she did not mind that I was calling hours before they opened. She allowed me to use the Groupon the same day, but for 6-8 hours later that day, but I would call in advance and verify if you want to do the same day. The hostess was nice, had a great smile, and she gave me the option on where I wanted to seat. The other waiters and waitresses smiled and greeted me as I walked by. Alejandra was my waitress and she was great. She brought my drink out right away. She brought my soup out right away. It did take a little bit for the steak to come out, but it is a 32 oz steak. I would be scared if they brought it out with no wait time. I would think that it was undercooked, precooked and then heated up in the microwave, or just cooked in the mircowave. It is just like Ruths, Mortons, and the other steak places where you ask for it and you get it (note- the quality is not the same). I wanted the 32 oz boneless Ribeye, but cooked like one of their other cuts. In addition, I wanted fresh blue cheese crumbles on my steak, and they make it happen. No complaints, just a smile and great service. Their portion sizes are huge, plus their prices are great. I always take food home and I have enough for a good size meal the next day or two (depending on the size of the steak). I am not a person to send back food. I have been to higher quality food places, and received steaks that were not as good as I have had before. When you pay that much money for steak, you expect consistency. I have never had a bad steak from Al's, but I have on one occasion received an ok steak from Al's. The of the other times the food has been great. I would consider Al's food quailty to be high, like the big steak places. However, as other reviews have said, the place is outdated. Personally, I would rather they keep the prices the same, and have outdated furniture, as opposed to updating their restaurant and increasing the food prices. However, for the price I pay I will choose Al's as my steak place. Luckily, it is not closer to where I live, because my waistline would just get bigger. I look forward to my next visit. Great food and great service!
(5)
Theodore B.
Food has always been great, I have been going here for fifteen years. I love the tri-tip sandwich it's filet on buttery roll with blue cheese. Al's makes the biggest margarita in town, two hand to take a drink.
(5)
Charlie M.
I will make this short and to the point! I've been here twice and here is what I think Pros: Very low priced steak, quick pick-up service, large sides, cool hidden spot to eat Cons: It took forever to get out food when we dined in, waiter seemed awkward, and steak is not top quailty.
(4)
Wesley S.
Al's Char House is primarily a place to eat steak. The steaks are mediocre quality, but Al's gives large portions and prices are low. The restaurant is in the basement space of a commercial building. (Upstairs is a Mexican restaurant.) Consequently, the dining area and bar are windowless. Tables have candles. The floor space is partitioned several times to match the layout of the dining room, and leave a central area free for the dance floor. As you are led to your table, you feel as though you are going down a cul-de-sac that includes your table plus a few others. A heavy wooden "fence" surrounds the cul-de-sac. The overall feel of the restaurant's space is one of some privacy. However, the loud Country and Western background music, plus conversation at other tables, breaks up that feeling somewhat. As you enter the restaurant, you will see the steaks, the actual cuts of meat, displayed in a glass case under the cash register. That way, you can see what the steak looks like uncooked: strip steak, T-bone. A Texas sirloin, or any less familiar cut, can be seen here, so you know what the item is. The steaks are not prime quality, but they make a satisfactory steak meal. Each meal comes with a simple, but large salad bowl, the vegetable of the day and a potato. I recommend the double-baked potato. The vegetable, like the salad, is something simple, such as carrots or broccoli, steamed, and sometimes over-steamed. There is also the uncommon option of adding au jus to the steak order. Finally, there is a small loaf of fresh bread, but, unfortunately, some kind of doctored up whipped butter. Overall, the double-baked potato is pretty good, a nice item. Everything else is ok, but mediocre. Desserts are likewise pretty mediocre. The restaurant has a full bar. Parking is usually available in the free village parking garage across the street. The total bill is reasonable, and definitely appropriate, not out of line, for the quality of the meal and the class of the dinner experience. Overall, portions are large. You should expect to take some of the dinner home. Al's is a decent, but unremarkable steak house.
(2)
Erin B.
I can't believe that I haven't written a review for this place yet. I practically lived here when I was living in the burbs! I am a huge fan of their blue filet sandwich, which of course is filet with blue cheese on a garlic toasted bun--YUM! Portions here are off the chart, so come hungry! Sure the decor is a bit cheesy, and it is in a basement, but the food is well worth it!
(4)
Padme A.
The Best Steak House around. Quality meats. Giant drinks. Huge portions. When you walk in, you see the texas size chunks of beef under the counter like a butcher. And yes, those are the actual sizes you will get. Think John Candy and the ol' 96er. The best meal here is the Cajun Ribeye with mushrooms and onions. Make sure to order it this way. It's so much flavor. The marinate it for hours if not days. The cheddar mashed potatoes and brown sugar carrots are awesome! The only complaints: Not so good service. A little over priced. The sharing charge they charge for two or more is pretty lame. Worth the trip.
(4)
Michael S.
To say this place serves big portions is an understatement. The portions are HUUUGE!! Been here a couple of times now and haven't been disappointed yet. I really appreciate steakhouses such as Ruth's Chris, Gibsons, Mortons, but sometimes I just want quantity. This is where Al's steps in. The quality of meat is decent. It's not high caliber beef, but it's something like the ones you pick up at the grocery store. Below are some points about this place.. Char-house sirloin: This is the steak that I've always gotten here. 3.5 pounds (yes that's a lot of meat!) of beef that pretty much gets delivered to you on a big platter. It's thick and very lightly seasoned. It's pretty much just lots of beef. Usually, I don't like using A1 or any other steak sauce as the meat should be flavor enough, but I do use A1 here. Not a bad thing.. I just needed more flavor. The meat inside seems to be one temperature less than what you order... understable with the thickness of the meat, but I think they should explain that when ordering. Usually I like my steak rare or medium rare at nicer places and go with medium to medium well with lesser steak houses. I ordered the steak medium here and inside it's a bit rare. Again, order one temperature up than you usually do. Sweet potatoes: Whipped sweet potatoes with bacon. This was good. I wasn't totally taken with this, but I liked the extra potato option here. Veggies: The veggies that came on the side were pretty tasty. Carrots were really soft and sweet. I liked them. Mushrooms: Ordered mushrooms on the side (3 dollars?!?) and it's pretty decent. Nothing spectacular. Be careful with the ordering of sides. They add up. Service: They aren't the nicest or the best here for service. The last time we went the waitress was a bit short with some people in the group asking about how big some portions are. We know they're big. We just wanted to know how big. Not too much to ask for right? Also, we shouldn't have to ask for more water. If you see the glass is low, you come around with a pitcher and you fill the glass up. Value: I split the char-house sirloin and have had awesome Thai beef salad for days afterward (just have to cook the beef more.) Even with not the best service (you go into some places expecting not so great service) the meat is more than ok and at a good price for the portion. Overall, this place is A-OK with me. Wouldn't call myself a fan so Al's Charhouse is a 3 out of 5.
(3)
Carol H.
Steaks are aged and not very flavorful, service was fantastic though. May go back to try a burger.
(3)
Sandy R.
My mother in law booked them to host my bridal shower. It was actually help upstairs at Casa Margarita but the menu was off Al's special event menu. It was before the restaurant opened which was nice! EVERYTHING was perfect. They were so accommodating, helpful, they did not rush us to leave. They moved things the way wanted and even adjusted the heat for us. I recommend them for any event that you are hosting!
(5)
Matt J.
From the outside, Al's looks like you're entering a tourist trap. Inside and down the stairs to Al's, you are in an unpretentious setting with very friendly wait staff. Menu is printed on a gigantic piece of paper. If there are only two of you, sit on the same side of the table to read it, then switch back to sitting across from each other, otherwise, you look creepy. The food is great. My wife had the queen filet and loved it. I had the tilapa and it came as two good sized filets. We had the caesar salad, which, unfortunately, we didn't notice, was $3 extra, each. That's the only negative. We each had a baked potato that was very big. The floor plan is a little tricky with 2-3 steps into almost every seating area, so be careful. It's a casual place to get a good meal.
(4)
SsaawwA A.
We take food to go most of the time in all restaurants. we've been going there for years and it keeps happening. Their food is good but don't order it to go! They only give you a fraction of the normal sized portion. ie. appetizers or soups, even entrees. it's a shame cause you pay the same price. If they want to add $1 or $2 for the packaging that's okay. But come on be consistent.
(2)
Ted d.
The bottom line is great stuff. Had the Jack Daniels steak, baked French onion soup, salad and fresh bread. All the food is is great. The service is friendly. The atmosphere is rustic. The onion blossom is amazing. Big portions at a reasonable price and you will have lunch or dinner left over for the next day. Afterwards you can walk and shop downtown La Grange.
(4)
Michael W.
Prices are great for the steaks but not a fan of the mildew odor due to the basement locale. I've been here twice. The first time was a five-stars experience. The second time a three-star experience. The second time the steak didn't seem that good - not really great quality. It may have been a little overcooked too. If you have the money, go to Morton's Steakhouse downtown for the best steak experience you'll ever have. If you want a big steak on-the-cheap, go here. If possible, I'd give it 3.5 stars.
(3)
Jim M.
Had dinner there tonight. We had a party of five and we were seated quickly and had drinks and an appetizer. We then ordered dinner and two in the group split their order with the other two. The waitress mentioned that there was a splitting fee. I was OK with that and thought it would be 2-3 dollars. This restaurants idea of splitting a meal is handing the other person a plate when the food arrives. No extra anything, no dividing the food, nothing. I was shocked when the bill came and saw that I was charged $4.99 twice, once for each person who split their order. And the second person didn't even get a second plate until halfway through their meal! The food was good but I resent them padding the bill with these made up charges. I reflected my displeasure in my tip and commented that I had deducted the splitting fee from my normal 20-25% tip. I won't patronize a restaurant that feels the need to gouge its customers in this fashion. You shouldn't either. Many other good choices within walking distance of this place.
(2)
Annie P.
I grew up in the LaGrange area and recently stopped into Al's with some friends. The service was slow, the waitress seemed annoyed to be working that day. The portions are huge just like every one says yet that doesn't justify the poor quality. Most of my meal was either overly bland or overly salted. When the menu says steamed vegetables they should not be cooked and salted to death. Also, when my friend ordered a burger well done, it should be well done, not rare. Gordon Ramsey should have headed over here instead of wasting his time on a total failure on Calendar Court, at least this place still has some potential. It's just sad to see it be a shell of it's former glory. PS Please get rid of the ridiculously huge menus, it's embarrassing.
(1)
Kristina B.
This is truly a little hidden, hole in the wall, gem. Friendly, quick service and a relaxed atmosphere. Portions so big that it's unbelieveable. By the time we got here, we were starving and ready to order the whole menu. We remembered how big their portions are (a hamburger basically takes up an entire plate) so we decided to split an entree. You've got to try the cheese fries- heaven on a plate. Crispy fries smothered in melted cheese, spicy ranch, and bacon. Legit cannot stop eating these! We also got bowls of french onion soup, which is served with garlic bread- genius, why didn't I think of that!!! Soup was great, not too salty and extra cheesy :) Next up was the Philly cheesesteak sandwich- and ive never tried one before. I was too full to eat it at the restaurant, so we took it home- but it was still delicious. This sandwich was served on garlic bread, which gave it that extra layer of flavor. With all that melted mozzarella cheese, it was just heaven! FYI- absolutely no cell phone reception here- so you'll actually have to talk to your dinner companions ;)
(4)
Sam C.
Al's Char House is one of the best steak house place I've ever gone. You definitely get a lot for your money. This place has got to be the best bangs for your buck steak places in the Chicago area. Since the steaks are so thick, order a template above what you're used to. So if you want medium rare, then you should order medium. The vegetables that comes with the meat are awesome fantastic. Soft and delicious! The atmosphere gives you off the vibe of being in a speakeasy during the Capone era.
(5)
Kevin S.
Rather than portion control, they practice portion-out-of-control. HUGE servings of charred delicious meat with all the usual suspects along side. This is what I call Old Skool and it's a good little place convenient to Midway airport if you are staying nearby, as I was.
(4)
Gregor B.
I wasn't really impressed with al's charhouse. The steaks are just not really tasty, and there's nothing really unique to try at this place. There drinks, like the toasted almond and cowboy wrangler, though, are pretty great. So i commend their bartender, but I would never go back for their food. Buffalo wings and potato skins are hard to screw up, but i've had plenty of the afforementioned items in my life. If i go out, i wanna try something different that's made by an actual chef with creativity.
(1)
Tio S.
Al's Charhouse, you have exceeded my expectations. Once I digest this huge meal, which may take a few days, I will gladly be thinking of going back again! The portions are absolutely huge, but that doesn't necessarily mean the quality is bad. The steaks are perfectly marbled -- I had the huge Ribeye -- and very flavorful. Everything here is pretty basic, but good. I came with a group of 8 for a birthday, and we started with a huge appetizer platter, and the grilled portabello mushroom and rice platter. The appetizer platter had potato skins loaded with cheddar cheese, bacon bits and onions; chicken wings; fried fish; and cheese fries. It's your basic heart attack platter, but it was freakin' awesome! I'm not a huge fan of mushrooms, but everyone at the table seemed to enjoy the grilled portabello mushroom plate. Each person either got a salad or soup. Those that got the salad were served a chilled plate with your dressing, and you served yourself from the communal salad bowl. It was your standard dinner salad, with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and croutons. Nothing special. I should have gotten the french onion soup -- which looked like a meal in itself. The french onion soup was covered in cheese, and served with a huge piece of garlic bread. It smelled and looked delicious! We also were served this awesome walnut raisin bread with cinnamon butter. My wife and I both had the ribeye, which we both enjoyed . Some others at our table had the sirloin - even bigger than the ribeye - and one guy got it served cajun style with a spicy rub, which was really good. If you go here, I think you should stick with the steaks. Someone else at my table ordered the hamburger -- which was gigantic - and another ordered a grilled portabello mushroom sandwich, and seemed to like them both. The restaurant is located in a dark, dingy basement, and decorated like with cheesy Texas-style decor (cactus; pictures of bulls; etc) - but it works. I liked this place, and will definitely be back. Try it - you'll probably like it!
(4)
Dwaine H.
Large but tasteless, expensive steaks.
(1)
Michelle S.
Came here with a group of 10 people for a birthday dinner. Waitress was completely flustered the whole entire time, which is understandable on a busy night; however, she acted rude and inconvenienced by us. She took our drink orders, those came fairly quickly, but after a half hour, all of our drinks were empty and she was nowhere to be found. We sat another 20 minutes until she came to take our food order and we had to ask her if she could take our drink orders again. Long story short, we sat for two and a half hours waiting for our food, without our waitress coming to our table once. Every table around us, mostly people who arrived after us, got their food before us. Food arrived and most of our steaks weren't cooked properly but waitress wasn't around to tell. Very, very bad experience and a total waste of 3 and a half hours. Will not be returning.
(2)
Jacques C.
Low prices and large portions for so-so food. I had a half slab of ribs which was dry and could not be redeemed by the steak sauce. My friends had a steak which was tough, for one, and a gigantic burger which she hardly made a dent in for the other. Sides were mushrooms (mediocre), onions (OK) and fries (below par.) Service was pleasant but hurried. We will not go back.
(1)
Patti D.
I have been going to Al's since before it was Al's (Anybody remember INKAHOOTS?) At risk of dating myself, I must say this place has seen many changes over the years; some good, some bad. The good - being there a couple of nights ago, the food was better than in previous visits (more steak, less gristle!) very attentive service, the teamwork was noticed and appreciated, and the pacing of the meal was very well done. The bad - poor Market Price (the long-loved eel in the tank) apparently succumbed to a power outage, and who ever thinks that the oddly "HIP"??? music being played way too loudly goes with the cowboy decor, the ambiance, or even the clientele needs to rethink their decision! I would come much more often if the music were better, cell phone service were better, and the steaks consistently better! Good luck to the new owners, I hope this LaGrange staple can keep up with the growing competition in the area.
(3)
Miriam C.
Went for dinner early Saturday evening. Service was great. No wait for a table, it wasn't too busy either. By the time we left it seemed like the usual dinner crowd was coming in. Food is delicious, I have been here about 5 times and have not been disappointed with the quality. I give it four stars because I ordered the sirloin and mahi-mahi combo, and was disappointed that the fish had some garlicky spread on top. This was not described on the menu, it is not for me. My husband said it was great, I am not a fan of surprise ingredients though. Their menus are funky- they are like a poster board, and they only gave us one menu for me and my husband to share. Then again, who needs two poster boards on one table? The vegis on the plate were super yummy, so was the rice, which seems to be on all combinations platters. One of the downsides for me is the plates. They serve the food in aluminum plates, yuck (makes me think I am like an inmate or in hospital) It makes this grinding noise when you are cutting the delicious meat, I always ask for a regular plate, all the severs have been super nice about it too.I think the purpose is to serve your food nice and hot, the plate seems to retain some heat, again, I guess. Not to pricey for steak dinner for two. We didn't have any drinks, and I only had coffee. The check was like $63 I think. Not bad I think.
(4)
Carmella P.
Yippee-i-ki-ay! This place is a hoot 'n a holler! And the meat's pretty damn fine too. Forget the dudes who carped about the decor and style of the place, and just go and enjoy Al's for what it is, a casual place to get a huge hunk of tasty hoof at an affordable price. It ain't swanky, but it ain't tryin' to be which means I had a swell time!
(4)
John T.
I absolutely love this place! I got the big daddy 64oz steak and was very pleased in the way that it was cooked. The portions are great and the prices are even better! I recommend this place to everyone that asks about a good place to go for a nice steak in the 'burbs.
(5)
Colleen M.
Loved loved looooooved it!!! My husband and I were heading to a different steak house and he reminded me we saw the episode of Chicago's Best featuring Al's.... It is much closer than the regular place we go. I had such a taste for prime rib it was silly... so off we went! Location is prime right downtown, we arrived at 8:15pm and the restaurant was in full swig. We got seated right away even being packed! We sat maybe all of 30 seconds before being greeted by Danny our server. Ordered drinks and appetizer... Drinks came fast , appetizer was out in no less than 5 min from ordering it (blooming onion)... Placed our dinner order... 16oz prime rib for me and the 48oz porterhouse for him. The raisin nut bread is awesome, the baked French onion had a nice hearty beef flavor as it should and Caesar salad was good. When the meal came we both were just shocked at the sizes and portions... Holy cannoli they're huge!!!! Table side dressing of the baked potatoes was nice. Needless to say no we didn't finish but leftover are always good with steak! We were in and out in 1 hour 15 min... I feel like I needed to be wheeled out to the car I'm so stuffed! Thank you Al's for an amazing dinner.... We will be back for sure!
(5)
Jake D.
If yawn had a taste, the steak here would win hands down. At downtown prices, just do yourself a favor and GO downtown. Large cafeteria-tasting portions don't translate to good food. If you need to stay suburban, head north and west for true steak options in the Oak Brook/Lombard area.
(2)
Susan M.
GROSS! Tasteless meat at high end steakhouse prices and gluttonous portions to make up for the lack of quality. This restaurant is to steak like Long John's is to seafood. ICK.
(1)
Kathi K.
We went to Al's today for a combined Mother's Day/Birthday celebration. We've been there several times over the years, though it's been a while since our last visit. Portions continue to be large, the bread and carrots are still delicious. We had two steak orders at the table, two chicken, one fried shrimp. Half of all the orders went home for lunch tomorrow. Two complaints were that the veggies although very good, were not warm, and my mother's shrimp were small and overdone. (She didn't want to complain, but I feel she should have.) Service was friendly and timing was appropriate. The birthday brigade came out to sing for my daughter, though I noticed only she received a complimentary ice cream roll dessert, whereas in years past everyone at the table received one. Oh, well, we didn't finish our dinners anyway, so we obviously didn't have room for dessert. As to decor, the big fish tanks are gone, victims of a power failure, according to a waitress. Otherwise not much has changed since the place opened. Upholstery on the booths are showing their age and could use a sprucing up. TVs are still bulky tubed models and most were not connected to cable, which was a disappointment to the Black Hawk fans in the group. Several around the bar were non-functional. (How much does it cost to replace a TV?) Jazz music playing was a little loud and speakers were brassy; a bit much for background music.
(3)
Justyna K.
My friend and I decided to meet up, and La Grange is the perfect mid-point between us. I let her do the research, and she chose Al's Char-House because her husband wanted steak. Sounds good to me! We arrived 15 minutes late, because apparently there was an event going on in La Grange and parking was impossible to find! They even had signs to different parking locations, and some of them were full. Anyway, the restaurant is located in a basement, very very dark, small, cramped basement. They gave our reservation away because we were late. I was not pleased with how they treated us We told the hostess we were late, and she said it's fine but seemed very stressed out. Then the manager came out and told us she had to give our reservation away. "We usually keep the table for ten minutes, but I kept it fifteen minutes for you" she said, pointing to a "7:15" written down in red pen on her reservation sheet. What is this, grade-school? Do I get an F for being late? OK, they need to get their ish together with the organization, here. We decided to wait at the bar, sipping on some wine and watching the bussers leave dirty tables untouched for fifteen minutes. We were finally seated in a corner booth, which was impossible to get into because there was a table of 9 set up right in front. A table of 9 super-loud obnoxious men who thought it was funny to play games that always ended up with someone showing the middle finger to everyone at the table. Service was horrible. We asked for ketchup three times, the waitress never brought it over. We had to ask for water two times. When she finally brought our drinks (ahhh, beer in giant beer glasses!) we told her we were ready to order. Her response? "Give me a second, I will be right back" Really? No, that's what we tell you when we're not ready to order yet. I had a real craving for a salad, so I can't comment on the steak, but from what I saw on my friends' plates, it looked gigantic (scary!) and delicious. The cheese fries were probably the best fries I have ever tried, but I'm not sure they were worth the 50 minute wait. I won't come back here. I felt like I was at Dick's Last Resort. Treated like crap with equally charming patrons inside. It's just not what I was expecting. If you want to try a steak the size of a baby, sure, try it out.
(3)
Analicia E.
Usually 9 times out of ten they will make the steak as you wanted. My husband and I go often for affordable steak and lobster dinners. Thats where I got engaged
(4)
Gregg L.
One of the best steakhouses in the suburbs. All the steak cuts are huge, but are still cooked to perfection, even the giant 96'er....yes a 96oz steak. Damn do they taste great! They also have great bacon n cheddar twice baked potatoes.
(5)
Jillian M.
I have only ever had the lemon chicken on both occasions that I was here....it's the best I've ever had. I can't speak for the steak, as I personally have not tried it, but my husband liked it. Definately worth a try if you're in the area.
(4)
Justin G.
I walked by on a Sunday and noticed the sign, "Sunday Special: $16.95 Prime Rib" and i wasn't about to argue. Al's is good if you go in knowing a few things: It is a Texas style Steak House with gun decor and it is in the basement under Casa Margarita and there are steps everywhere. Most meals on the menu are about $30+ except for th Sunday Prime Rib special; which is a 12oz cut with soup or salad and a potato or rice, with cooked vegetables and it starts around 12pm-close. However, things can add up, as every little extra thing seems to cost about $3. Upgrade to Baked French Onion soup, then add $2.75. Add sauteed onions, another $2.95, same with mushrooms. However, the onions and mushrooms are enough for an entire table of four people. I would add the sauteed onions, as it made the prime rib taste AWESOME! Do without the other extras and you can have a pretty decent steak meal for a smaller price than most steak houses. Also know that most people walk out of here with leftovers.
(4)
Jessica M.
I've been to Al's Char House a few times, and I have to say -- when you're in the mood, it really hits the spot. I like having an unpretentious, down-home steakhouse close by. My husband and I usually split the "King filet" dinner, and it's more than enough food! It comes with bread (LOVE the raisin bread they serve), soup or salad, and we always get a baked potato (which comes with little serving dishes of butter, sour cream, and bacon). YUM. I'm getting hungry writing this. We usually also get the ice cream sundae for dessert, but make sure you order extra chocolate sauce. Service is good, ambience is fun and homey. We'll be back many times!
(5)
Andrew Y.
Al's is one of the best steak houses in the western suburbs..everything in here is massive...the steaks are huge, the long islands are huge, the sampler platter is huge, the bread is great, the salads are good.... heres the thing with al's..dont expect your steak to be cooked like gibsons or any other fancy place..the steaks are all prepared very lightly seasoned on grills...the flavor is completely different here than a fancy steakhouse..its like grilling your own steaks in your backyard...the mushrooms are pretty good..the potatoes are huge both sweet and regular...sometimes it takes a while in here so come prepared for a long meal..but that doesnt mean its the service thats bad..sometimes cooking a 64oz porterhouse or the 96 oz takes a little bit..you gotta make room on the grill take the stairway to heaven downstairs..get a long island ice tea..i think they call it texas tea there..and get ready to saddle up for a long night of steak
(4)
Karen B.
Things at Al's come in one size BIG. The prices are moderate, however the portion sizes are extra large and the food is good quality. Steaks are always cooked to order and delicious. My husband and I had our first date here and have gone here many times since. They get crowded so expect to wait on weekends. I would say the service is average, nothing special and sometimes even a little slow (especially at the bar). But the food makes up for it. To be able to get a good quality steak at a casual restaurant is nice. Do not confuse them with Casa Margarita which is upstairs because they may share a front door but that is it. .
(5)
Ken D.
Other than the beef sometimes being a bit dry, the portions are incredible for the $.
(4)
Cheryl V.
Attention: Carnivores, belly up to the trough! Which is to say, I thought I was a true carnivore, but I failed miserably at this establishment. All negativity aside, the service was excellent. But the meal failed to deliver. My fiance and I visited Al's for date night (he'd been here before and knew what to expect). This was my first visit and it didn't occur to me to ask about portion size or about unique characteristics. I'll know better next time. A little background: My fiance is 'king carnivore' known fondly amongst family and friends as the steak 'grill master'. He can finesse flavor out of grilled shoe leather. So by his loving hands, I've enjoyed a well seasoned/garnished, average sized steak that leaves room on a plate for a baked potato and tasty veggies. Warning: Expect whatever cut of steak ordered to require a plate of its own. We're talking enormous. Unfortunately, I did not receive this warning and was the unsuspecting victim of platter shock. MY steak was so HUGE it took my breath and appetite away. My mind kept saying to me, 'It's a side of beef'! I ordered my steak medium,although due to its thickness it was still very rare (it was easily 3 inches thick), I could only eat a bit of the edges. It totally lacked flavor in my opinion. My fiance's steak was ordered well done. I think it was a 26 or 30 oz porterhouse. We waited about twenty minutes for both steaks and I kid you not, his steak was delivered BLACK! BLACK! But guess what, he likes well done, over cooked meat---yuk! I was so grossed out. So he ate roughly half of it and took the rest home. The garlic mashed potatoes, were served in a cast iron side dish, leveled off for portion control and were the consistency of kindergarten paste. However, the CARROTS that are served as the standard vegetable were the best part of the meal, cooked tender crisp and very sweet. The warm bread was kinda bizarre, brown with raisins (I don't understand why they were used to compliment a steak meal). The french onion soup was awesome. So at least you know I didn't leave there hungry. But I did leave there sober. Though I've read here that the Texas Tea packed a wallop, the golden margaritas we ordered (on the rocks, no salt) failed to deliver even a mild buzz @ $9 a pop, that was rather disappointing. Our bill was about $85 including tip (do you know how many steaks my honey could've grilled at home for that price? OK well, I digress). I took home about 18oz of my baby 20 oz Porterhouse. (By the way, its rather dark here, and me with no glasses. I never saw the 20 ounces coming) LOL. There was so much left of my rare steak that I made enough beef stroganoff to feed FOUR the next day! No kidding! If you enjoy a well-seasoned steak, perhaps you can improve your visit by requesting more seasoning? I don't know, give it a try. Believe it or not, using a Christmas gift certificate earlier in the year, we ate at Chili's and their steaks TASTED better! My suggestion: if you must dine here order something like chicken, burger or fish, a chicken only be so big, right? Right? I wouldn't recommend this place to impress a first date. Definitely, not for kids (I don't think they have kid sized portions). Seniors and the ambulatory challenged will have trouble maneuvering the stairs and the restaurant itself. But truck drivers, cowboys and true carnivores will feel right at home. Hee-haw!
(3)
Dylan E.
You'd better bring a large appetite when you come to Al's! This place is fantastic. The pricing may seem overwhelming at first, but you'll soon change your mind when you see how much food you get. I've been to Al's several times and every single time has been fantastic. The wait staff are friendly and are very willing to be of help. Their menu selection is great and full of many things that the whole family can enjoy. I usually get the Cajun Filet Alfredo and I always end up having left overs for the next day (which is a plus). Their baked potatoes are the size of footballs and they load 'em up with great toppings. I also recommend trying their cheese fries. Their burgers are the size of your head and cooked to perfection. I've taken my girlfriend and a couple friends here before and they all seem to enjoy it as much as I do. If you're looking for a fun, western atmosphere with Texas styled servings, I recommend taking a venture to Al's Char House. YOU WON'T REGRET IT!
(5)
Shannon Z.
I love this place! The portions are big enough to make about 2 more meals out of them, the prices aren't high for what you're getting and the steaks are great! I went here once and ordered a porterhouse, not realizing how big it would be. I managed to eat a small portion before I was full and I had enough left for about 4 more meals. It looked like a pot roast it was so big. And good too. It's a haul for me to go here to eat, but it's very worth it.
(4)
Amanda C.
We went here during the week. We had been craving steak for awhile and when we walked by this place that serves a "king filet," we thought we would be in heaven. We had to meander around town for about 45 minutes because it didn't open until 4pm and we were a little early. Super cute town. Of course when we were seated, we were the only 2 in the restaurant. The decor is 1900 Texas. Not my scene but it's a steakhouse, so I get what they are trying to achieve. The booths were upholstered in fabric from the 80's. I would update that. The bread served at the start of the meal is a sweet walnut raisin bread. I didn't like it but my boyfriend did. I just thought a Texas steakhouse would serve a rustic white or wheat bread. It just seemed out of place. Our appetizer was the onion blossom. Breaded and deep friend onion served with a spicy ranch sauce. That was delicious. It's hard to disappoint me with a fried onion though. I had a Caesar salad to start and my boyfriend had the black bean soup. I didn't eat my salad because it tasted "off." The lettuce wasn't washed and the dressing tasted like it turned. My boyfriend enjoyed the soup, but I didn't taste it. We both ordered a king filet, I had the creamed potatoes with bacon and my boyfriend had the baked potato. Or filet's were ordered medium. My potatoes tasted like glue with a hint of bacon, couldn't eat them. My boyfriends potato was topped table-side (I always like this) with butter, sour cream, and bacon. I tasted it and it was delicious. I should have got that! Our filet's were a huge and expensive nightmare. Completely overcooked except for the very center which was completely rare. I'd rather have rare than well done, which was most of the steak. I was so sad. If you're in the steakhouse business and you are going to serve a massive filet, make sure your chef knows how to cook them properly or it's just robbery. The roasted vegetables (squash, broccoli, and carrots) that come with the meal were very tasty. Wish I had more of those and less of the glue potatoes. We wont return, but I did want to give it 2 1/2 stars because our waiter Nick was delightful. Or total ticket came to around 85 dollars before the tip.
(2)
jenise r.
I've had my eye on this place for awhile now so decided to go here on my birthday. I got the Jack Daniel's Steak. It was a great sized steak in a sweet and tangy sauce. I meant to get the double baked potato but they gave me a regular one. It was fine, I wasn't in the mood to explain I meant the other one so I ate it. They ask if you want butter, sour cream and bacon on it. The carrot slices were sweet and huge and steamed perfectly so was the broccoli. The hub got the T-bone. And boy was that a HUGE chunk of meat! His came with rice I really enjoyed his. And we both got the creamy chicken soup and fried onion blossom. Which is a lot better than the Chili's version everyone knows they're used to ;) The place is pretty big and spacious and the wait staff was excellent and made sure we had everything we needed. It was a good experience and I will go back.
(3)
Michelle H.
Calling all steak lovers: Huge steaks and chops, all great cuts of meat cooked to perfection every time (me- I like it bloody red). For a reasonable price you can get the steak of your liking accompanied by delicious garlic shrimp, steamed veggies, and for the potato, go for the twice-baked, it doesn't get any better. The service is always great, and they have banquet rooms available. A couple events I've gone to here have turned out beautifully. A nice place to go with a group. The restaurant itself is actually located in the basement of the building it's housed, which gives it a somewhat cavernous atmosphere.
(5)
Petra S.
The steaks are big and good here, I love the salad bowl for the table, and the twice baked potato is too good to share. The room is horrid, dark with bad decorations and a dance floor that the tables sit on. It has industrial pipe beams, almost looks like an old disco that they stuck some western chachkes into. The staff must turn over often, we never see the same people working when we come.
(4)
Matt K.
The food was good but it was apparently too much to bring a party of 6 there. We waited 30 minutes just to get seated when there were plenty of open tables and nobody else was waiting. Then it took them another 30 to take our order, and another 30 to actually get the food, and some of the orders came out completely wrong. It took a hurculean effort to get the wait staff's attention. We were given a $20 gift certificate by the management as compensation but I really think our meal should have been free. I would only go back to order out -- I've got to say, at least, that their food is good.
(2)
Brian M.
I like this place. Close to home, good food, and they had a giant eel in a tank. Who doesn't love giant eels? The steaks are huge and tasty. The french onion soup is really good. The carrots they give you with dinner are really friggin good. Prices are decent, and I always leave there exploding, yet still have a doggie bag. Good times.
(4)
Judy S.
I took my entire family (11) to Al's to celebrate my husbands birthday and was I given the suprise of my life. We had dinner reservations for 6 pm and all of my guest were there 15min early to be seated. We got to our table exactly at 6 pm. We immediatly ordered our food since their steaks are pretty large. Our food did not come out until an 1 1/2 hour later and let me tell you the food was horrible. My husbands steak was still mooing and he ordered his steak medium but the steak was ice cold. Waitress didn't know the difference between a porter house and a t-bone steak, everyone at the table got the wrong steak and the wrong side dishes and to top it off their food was also cold. When we said something they took the food to the back and re-heated the same steaks which made it worse. I wanted to cry because they ruined my husband's bday dinner. I took the manager to the side and he apologized and said that he was sorry and would take care of the issue. My family and I tried doing the best with what we had but the food was horrible. We sent all the food back with the exception of my 6 yr old nephews burger, we asked for the bill and it was $385.96 the manager had only deducted my husbands meal, he said that's all he was authorized to do. I asked to speak with the owner and he told me the owner wasn't there but I wasn't ignorent I've met the owner before so I skipped the manager and went straight to the owner. I explained to him what happened and he gave me $100 of my bill but he didn't get the point. It wasn't about getting a discount its about how unhappy I was with the service and they ruined a family night out. The moral of the story is that all NEVER, NEVER GO BACK TO AL'S!
(1)
Charles R.
great place for big boy eaters...32oz ny strip for $29.00 and tasted great! good sides..good drinks..great service...and a huge steak for the same price as downtown steakhouse 8oz portion....western-y style deco i little tacky but...huge meal..good service... good price
(5)
Suzanne C.
BIIGG MEEEAAATTT!!!! This place has an overwhelming way of feeding you, and thats not in a bad way! good soups, kickin salad, hot black bread w/raisins & this yummy whipped honey butter and thats just to start! Appetizers and then the MEAT. For 27.95(ish) I had Prime Rib about 2" thick, garlic shrimp on a bed of rice pilaf, twice baked potato w/cheddar & bacon..(mmm.bacon), steamed big hunks of veggies, sauces a half a lemon (for the shrimp). It was a hilarious thing when the waitress asked if we wanted dessert. The manager and wait staff attentive and very welcoming...say hi to their pet EEL! (btw...I had leftovers for 3 days)
(4)
Elizabeth L.
I have been going to AL's for many years. I have always been quite pleased. Well, up until a couple of weeks ago. My husband and I went there with another couple. The first thing we all noticed was that the drinks had very little alcohol in them. I ordered a Texas Tea (their equivalant to Lond Island Ice Tea) and I couldn't believe I couldn't taste any alcohol. 2 other people got Bloody Marys that tasted like tomato juice. The soup and salads were fine. The steaks came and we were 'ALL' dissaponited. My Prime Rib was absolutely flavorless. After I made a comment the others chimmed in with the same complaint. I have always been so happy with their food and drinks. I suppose we will give them another try, but I am indeed leary.
(2)
Rebecca M.
Agree that this is definitely ok, but not a destination. We were attending a concert at the Rialto Square Theater so looking for something in the area. Although our reservations were for 6, we made it to our 8 concert only by constantly pressing the server. We were seated quite promptly, but our order wasn't taken for 30 minutes and, then because, we asked the manager to move things along. The food was average at best. My steak was fine, but over-cooked, the fish of a friend's was coated in a rather thick batter. The double baked potatoes, however, were outstanding!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Scott M.
Hey ding dongs, how about putting some prices on your online menu....
(1)John K.
Absolutely love this place. From the onion blossom, French onion soup to the Rib-eye and T-Bone Al's kicks butt. Cindy was a great server, she wasn't wearing a bra.
(4)Brian H.
I Remember Old Als. Whatever happened last ten years definitely was backwards. Asking for pepper was a problem.wanted to spice up my steak. They bring back water with pepper in it n says -this is pepper sauce...um..no...fire your cook..its,water & pepper. The manager wanted to comp meal..when bill came..no price reduction.I ask for manager and she left already or thats,what they told me. The new manager refused..then u refused to pay for the 3 hr meal ordeal. They phoned manager and comped meal. Never Again...Als is all about gimmi n go.
(2)Leonard W.
Move the bus! Whenever someone mention's this place to me I'm hoping there is a story with those words in it about this place either that or how Chef Robert Irvine (Restaurant Impossible) come in with his tough love and made them change the menu and showed them how to add some salt and pepper to the food Why on earth do they have a menu the size of a 4 year old is beyond me. The food just didn't hit the spot for me. Although it was cooked how I asked for it. I didn't get much taste in my sandwich. Tasted part of friends dish still was impressed. The steaks in the front when you walk down the stairs are impressive to look at but I wouldn't want to spend money to find out if it was the same like the two dishes that I tried.
(2)Tina N.
I must say, I was slightly skeptical walking into the basement & gazing at the decor, but don't let all of that fool you. The matter at hand is good service & good food. Both were achieved during our visit. Our server (I think her name was Carrie) was amazing. She was knowledgeable, friendly & really took her time with us. I had the surf & turf (filet and lobster). Filet cooked medium & was perfectly done I might add. Add the veggies and the side of whipped potatoes, which were absolutely fabulous & you've got a completely perfect meal! Oh & the rather large signature margarita for 13 bucks will have you singing their praises walking out the door : ) Thanks Al's, it was memorable!
(4)Mariana O.
Generous portions. That's all I feel like saying. Generous yummy portions. Sometimes they go a little to heavy on the salt (for my taste) but sometimes it's a hit! Nonetheless, go for the experience. You will not be disappointed.
(4)John B.
All I can say is you better come really hungry!! You get so much food. The Texas tea is absolutely awesome and the food is great. Out of 10 for service I give them a 10!!!! You will not be disappointed with Als chop house
(4)John K.
Great food & reasonable prices. Have LARGE portion of steaks. Nice wine & beer lists. Will be going back soon
(5)J W.
After reading reviews saying the portions were large I I asked the waiter if we could split an entree. He said, yes. He neglected to tell us there would be an added charge of $4.49 for doing so. After receiving our bill and noticing the charge I confronted the waiter asking why he didn't tell us about the fee when I explicitly asked him about splitting the meal. He responded saying the fee is written on the menu. We used the flashlight on our phone to read the menu as the restaurant is dark. The faucet fixture in the bathroom is unique. The whipped potatoes with bacon and cheese is tasty. The complimentary apple on the way out was a nice touch.
(4)Cheryl W.
I came here because I had a Groupon. What a waste of money and time. We ordered a ribeye and prime rib. Both medium rare. The prime was damn near raw and the ribeye was over cooked. I don't send food back because of horror stories on 20/20. So lesson learned will never come here again
(1)David N.
Stopped in the other day with reservations for 6 p.m., and had a very pleasant dining experience. Seated quickly, with table service immediately afterward. Our server throughout was great, awesome attitude, helpful, friendly, and you could tell she enjoyed what she was doing. I ordered the 8oz filet mignon with baked potato...freaking great. Medium rare just as I ordered, and seasoned to perfection. I never thought an 8 ounce filet would fill me up, but this one proved me wrong. While I only partook in domestic libations, my wife thoroughly enjoyed their signature margarita. Definitely happy we stopped in and checked out Al's...one of the best steaks around. We will definitely be back!
(5)Melody C.
I chose to came here for a date with my boyfriend based on the yelp reviews and we weren't disappointed. It was either here or Texas Roadhouse. Upon arrival, I was skeptical because my boyfriend is picky about eating at places but he loved the decor and the basement setting. I ordered the 52 oz steak and he ordered a burger. We each paid extra for a little something. I, for a french onion soup, and him for a cheddar and extra bacon. What we weren't expecting were the portion sizes. For the size my steak was, i guess that's normal, but his burger was just huge. The steak was cooked to perfection, but my boyfriend ordered his burger medium well, and it looked more like medium. Neither of us finished our meals because of the portion sizes but we were glad to take them home. I took a star off because at first bite, i felt the steak was too charred.
(4)Angela R.
The best steak I've ever had!!! Had the bone in rib eye, the flavor was phenomenal!! I will be back
(4)Angelica G.
A lovely, comfortable atmosphere. The staff are so friendly. The food is amazingly delicious. The portions are so unexpected but you get what you paid for. My only negative comment is that my server asked if we wanted Cesar salad or soup but didn't mention there's a $2.99 charge and asked if I wanted sautéed mushrooms and/or onions but again didn't say it would all be a separate charge. She made it sound like it was part of my entrée. This is my second time going and didn't have the same experience as the first time.
(4)Meg P.
Delicious steaks! Went with my family.. We ordered baked French onion soup, salads, and of course various steaks -Prime Rib, Ribeye, and New York Al's is generous with their proportions. The whipped potatoes with bacon and cheese are really good. And the veggies were soft and buttery, yum!! We added mushrooms and onions to one of our meals. Fresh warm bread to start, tasty. Had plenty of leftovers.. The service was fast, staff was friendly and knowledgable. Prices are steep.. Al's is located in a basement; or the lower level of another restaurant. Too many stairs for my Dad, with no elevator. There's no windows and the decor looks outdated. It's pretty dark inside.. The free Wifi was nice, since my cell phone didn't get any reception down there. Overall a decent experience though.
(4)Rebecca R.
Have gone here a few times with groupons and today was no different. Just another great meal here. Our son had the chicken kabobs, hubby and I both had the filet, him medium rare and mine medium, all three entrees with whipped potatoes. I did ask them to put garlic butter on it or on the side and the flavor just oozed into the steak when I poured a little on top. I'm not real big on plain steak, because I feel like sometimes there isn't enough flavor. That wasn't the case with the addition of the garlic butter on the side and there was no extra charge for that. We both ordered salad and there was a loaf of their raisin bread with butter that came out ahead of time. The bread was really good with the butter. Very soft and fresh. The salad was family style and I got the garlic dressing which was very good. It had a good amount of garlic in it to make it flavorful without being overpowering. Son had the French Onion soup and he really liked it. He is very picky on French Onion and he said it was good and very cheesy. The steaks came out perfectly cooked for both of us and were very tender, not tough at all like others have mentioned. Maybe they ordered theirs cooked to a less pink level? The portions are huge, as we all had leftovers for the next day. In fact, the leftovers from my son's meal could easily feed all three of us again at least once. The broccoli and carrots that came with the meal were cooked fork-tender and were juicy. The whipped potatoes were just heavenly with their bacon and cheese flavoring. Again a huge portion. Son's chicken kabobs had healthy pieces of chicken, green pepper, tomato, onion and a few lonely mushrooms. There must have been a whole green pepper and tomato on his plate. There was no room for dessert and we ended up taking 2 full styrofoam boxes full of the kabobs/veggie and 2 more with our steak leftovers. Reheated- they were very good. Service was friendly and fast - always refilling our drinks before we needed to flag her down. Server's name was Nicole. She was attentive and efficient, which made the whole experience that much better. She made sure our steaks were cooked to our liking and really seemed to want us to be happy with our food. Price with groupon for the three of us was $78 without tip. Groupon was $20. A little more on the pricey side, but well worth it for a good cut of steak. Recommendation - look in the glass case when you come in the door. This shows the size of the portions of meat and chicken - they are all pretty good sized.
(5)Diana G.
Decided to come here for an early dinner. My guy said a few of his buddies recommended this place so we decided to try them out. Our waiter was very friendly and nice. Bone-In Ribeye - It was a little more well done than I liked, but I'll know next time how to order it. I opted for cheese fries after reading the reviews, but I'll pass next time. The cheese was already getting hard before I got to them. The veggies were okay. Porterhouse - My guy got this and he thought it was too charred and wasn't too happy with it. He told our waiter and the manager came and was so nice about it. I thought they handle the situation nicely and we would both like to come back to give them another try.
(3)Stefanie A.
The decor is a little bit cheesy, but our steaks were cooked perfectly. The drinks were a tad expensive, but they tasted great. I am surprised this place was not busier, perhaps it is the dated decor. I would suggest this place for a steak night out. The french onion soup was OK, I would opt for a salad next time. The chicken tenders app were good as well. They were definitely not frozen tenders. Unfortunately I didn't try the desserts, but they looked and sounded delicious!
(4)Harry M.
Go with an appetite or carry home half of your meal. My wife had the portobello sandwich with a bowl of black bean soup and I had the Cajun filet Alfredo with a salad. We had to bring home half of each of our meals. My wife had a turtle martini and I had a Texas chill (non alcoholic) drink. Our bill was about $58.00. You cannot go wrong here for a steak. Nice and tender. There are several vegetarian meals here and some burgers but go for the steaks.
(5)Susan H.
'Expectation is the root of all heartache." I'm disappointed in you, Al. Located in what is essentially a dank basement, handicapped individuals or those experiencing difficulty with mobility will find the long, steep staircase leading to the restaurant their first obstacle; the second would be trying to enjoy your meal. The decor is truly dreadful. It looks like a Prospector's yard sale. There's certainly no shortage of poorly-done wooden carvings and unimpressive mishmash to catch your eye. While my chicken soup ran oily, the steaks and nut bread with cinnamon butter are a win here. Still, their prices rival much finer steakhouses..only Al's comes without windows or outstanding service. The dust, however, is plentiful! The servers, while polite, looked overwhelmed...partly because Al's has them dressing baked potatoes tableside. How...odd. *raises eyebrow* There's also NO signal in Al's....so they had me sign into their WiFi and then sent me to a restaurant upstairs to access Groupon on my phone. *sigh* Even then, I loathe when servers TAKE your phone and walk away with it to utilize a Groupon. Maybe I have nudies on there, Yo! I advise steering clear of the garlic shrimp. It was sickeningly salty and served atop a bed of rice that hearkens back to my childhood...when Mom was ill and Daddy was left to his own devices in the kitchen. I will say that the manager was professional and removed the charge for the shrimp, but the tiny filet with garlic mashed and some God awful, under-cooked veggies was still $33. Their BBQ chicken breast dinner is of mammoth proportions, but nothing spectacular. I'd rather have a smaller portion for less money. Cheesecake was utterly unimpressive. Then again, I'm a cheesecake snob sooo....At least my martini was tasty and I bagged some bread for the road. Oh, Al!
(1)Grant P.
Does anyone else use that Find Friends app so you can stalk your pals wherever they are? Well I do. And when both my buddy and his wife disappeared last night when we were meeting up for dinner I found it strange. Turns out, the restaurant is located in a basement and there's no signal down there. But good news? They have free wifi so you'll still know who scored the points in the hockey game. I made the mistake of not checking this place out on Yelp before coming, because if I had, I'd have known that it was a casual atmosphere. My wife and I dressed up a little because we were expecting standard steakhouse atmosphere, not Texas saloon. It's the latter, which is fine. I was just surprised when all my friends were wearing t-shirts and jeans and I had khakis and a polo. Now you know, and knowing is half the battle. *cue THE MORE YOU KNOW* theme. Service was swell, but a little slow. I attribute that to the giant party over at the next table. My group was once that big, but we tend to vote people out Survivor style, so now we're down to a much smaller number. Which is fine, because seriously, when you have parties with that many people getting a table is sometimes a drag. The food was good in a "this is how we've always done things, take it or leave it" type of way. It wasn't stellar, and they weren't experimenting with any standout flavors or ingredients, but it was typical faire and decent. The chicken soup that came with my meal was a little on the bland side, but I tend to like things more flavorful than most and I think the flavors they work with here appeal to the clientele. The portion sizes were plentiful, and I seriously considered taking half my prime rib home. But they're still not the platter-sized prime rib you get form some places. I managed to go for the gold and suffer meat sweats later on. I liked that the veggies it was accompanied by were fresh, and not substandard frozen stuff. The whipped potatoes came in a little metal dish and were baked with cheese and bacon bits. They were a little dry and had kind of a pre-packaged taste. Remember the old Betty Crocker "Twice Baked Potatoes" that were around in the 80s and 90s? You had a bunch of packets of dehydrated potatoes and bacon bits and topping and sorta mixed them up together and baked them? Twice, I'm assuming, but I was a kid and left that stuff up to Grandma. Anyway, the potatoes tasted just like that, but dry. The prices seemed a little steep for what you get. Our bill was about $80 for two beers, a margarita and two prime rib dinners. $35 for a prime rib dinner at a typical steakhouse seems reasonable, or even in the city. But for a texas saloon with a smaller serving size, I was feeling a little bit of sticker shock. I suspect you may be paying for their prime location in Downtown LaGrange. Would I return? Sure, I guess if someone invited me. But maybe I'll just get a burger or regular steak next time. I don't think I'd make this a destination for the prime rib.
(3)Sarah S.
HUGE portions, Tasty portions also, but huge is an understatement. When you walk in you must go down stairs.. no elevator for those that need assistance. At the host area where you wait to be seated they have examples of dishes and you think.. oh no that can't be actual size.. well it is and I suggest sharing lol I tried the kabobs and filet and both were yummy.. veggies on the kabob could have been cooked a little more, but over all great. Sides were tempting and over the top. Drinks were great along with servers that know the menu and can advise you in the right direction... I will be back, but with my stretchy pants :)
(4)Don R.
Pretty good spot. Been here a few times. The black bean soup is really good. Waiters are always nice. My last time here this past Sunday, I wasn't 100% pleased with the Jack Daniels steak but everything else was good.
(4)Yen L.
We went yesterday with a Groupon, though it was actually our second trip to Al's. After two trips there, I would say that they definitely have strengths and weaknesses. My first time out, I had the prime rib special, which was terrific. The steak was cooked perfectly, everything came out hot, portions were good. My husband's NY strip steak was also cooked perfectly. We had a great first experience. This time around, my husband got the prime rib and I went with the Cheese Steak sandwich. I opted for a sandwich because I can't eat undercooked meat for a while and I hate well-done steak. Unfortunately, I can't say the sandwich was as good in quality as the steak. The meat seemed a little too charred, the bread seemed dry. I cannot remember if they toast the bread or not. On the plus side, the sandwich was HUGE. I really had to clamp down to get a whole bite in my mouth. Service both times was good. Pleasant, a tad slow, but we came at somewhat busy times. Either way, I thought the service was one of their strong points. Overall, though, I don't think we'd be back unless we had another Groupon. We don't find it to be totally worth the drive from the city and worth the full price.
(3)Garry W.
Still have not been back there (2010) since my wife had a bad steak and the manager treated us like we were from Green Bay.
(1)Kyle P.
Portions are huge - you will either stuff yourself silly or have leftovers for the next day. Food is also very tasty. Service was great and super friendly. Not the fanciest of decor - but I'm okay with that.
(4)Alisa M.
Love their steaks. Huge portions and are reasonably priced. Located in downtown LaGrange. The decor is similar to an old western saloon style place. Staff is friendly and I have never been disappointed by anything I've ordered. The bread is so good with chunks of raisins and comes with warm cinnamon sugar butter! I usually get the bone in ribeye or the Al's Top sirlon (I think it's about 56oz) for about $38. This includes soup or salad and a side. Again, portions are huge. I usually share my steak and there are still leftovers for the next day!
(4)Rosalind T.
They replaced my burnt steak with a well done bone in Ribeye (it was even bigger than the one they have replaced)....I were very satisfied when I left the restaurant and i will always be loyal to them....probably will go there before the end of the month...
(5)Stephanie H.
I went here for dinner last night, and oh my goodness, my stomach was not prepared for this meal. For appetizers, we ordered the onion blossom. The spicy ranch was delicious. I ordered the ribs and sirloin for my entree, and it was all delicious. I substituted my fries for cheese fries, and they were SO GOOD. The portions here are out of this world. My boyfriend ordered the 56 oz. steak, and could barely finish a third of it. I ordered the Texas Sunset for my drink, and it was not good. It was a blended drink, and there was way too much ice. The service was good in that the servers helped each other so people asked if we needed any thing and removed our dirty dishes, but our personal server was just okay. We waited over 30 minutes for our meal, and he didn't check up on us during the entire waiting period. Other than that, the service was good!
(4)Jo H.
Food is delightfully tasteful and filling but the prices are on the higher side. This should have a $$$ not $$ as far as prices. Service was very attentive and friendly. Side note: you will not have any cell signal but they have free wifi
(4)Suzanne Z.
If you leave hungry from Al's, you've done something wrong! Everything here is Texas sized! I've been here many times to eat and have had many family parties here. They are very accomodating for the parties, and even use the site next door (Casa Margarita) if you need more space. Everything I've tried is good. I LOVE their cinnamon butter and bread. It's addicting. Their burgers are 1 pound monsters! Their filet mignon was tasty and cooked as I requested. Their signature cocktails will take you the whole meal to drink and are also great. I've never had any issues with service. They make sure your party is staffed appropriately to ensure timely delivery of food. Great place all around!
(4)Dan M.
I should've has listened... anytime the positive reviews say "how much food you get", RUN...don't walk away.. Clearly a low quality business. Owners are clearly skating and have given up on providing a quality meal. Instead of a 32oz piece of crap, how about a nice 16oz cut that melts in your mouth. Service was good. What I would expect from any restaurant. The only reason this place gets even 1 star...
(1)Craig V.
On 6/20 had dinner there with friends and it was excellent. I had the ribeye medium my wife had the filet rare both were cooked perfect. Great waitress , great food. Will be back.
(5)Adam J.
One of the best steaks I've had. Price is expensive but you definitely get what you pay for. Cool underground restaurant with a nice bar and "southern cowboy" style atmosphere. No cellphone service prepare to be off the grid for an hour.
(5)Shauna F.
This was my boyfriend's and my fourth time eating at this restaurant and we still have not been disappointed. We love coming here and crave it all the time! The cuts of meat are HUGE and the sides that come with it are even bigger! A little pricey but well worth it!
(5)Chris L.
The Al's Char House experience.... Where to start? Al's is sort of a hidden in plain site Steak House in the heart of Downtown LaGrange. It's on the lower level of another restaurant called Casa Margarita, so you have to go down a flight of stairs to actually get to Al's. Once you're down there your initial impression is that your stuck in a bad rodeo western movie from 1955. The decor could use a little updating but then again it does fit the theme perfectly. When you first walk in you approach the counter which has a see through glass display with some of the cuts of steak they have that night. And oh my do they have some big cuts. If you've ever watch the Great Outdoors and seen John Candy polish off the old 96'er and said to yourself "I could do that no problem" Al's is definitely the place for you. They have some mega sized cuts of steak. I decided to go with the Prime Rib on my most recent trip which I was a little disappointed with. it was good, but just not up to the usual standard I have at Al's. I've had many of their other cuts though and they are all fantastic. They have lots of side dishes and options to go along with your steak. I'm partial to getting the fry's and grilled onions. I never even though of having grilled onions with steak until I went to Al's but I tried them one time and now I'm hooked. I'd highly recommend giving them a try. The twice baked potato is really good as well. And if your looking for a god soup or appetizer the Baked French Onion is great. Plan to wait a little while for your steak, especially the bigger cuts. Definitely give Al's a try if your in the neighborhood!
(4)Rocky G.
It was this Sunday afternoon and I read all the reviews for ALS Charhouse, most were good some were bad, but we had a Groupon so we headed there from Alsip, so here is my review We did have a reservation and only had to wait like 10 minutes for our table, the place was packed, it took a few minutes for our server to get to us, but Ruben made up for it wit his friendly and great service. The steaks were the best ever, cooked to perfection. So all I can say to those people who only gave one or two stars, are you sure you were in the right restaurant? On our way out I met the owner, yes his name is Al, Thanks Al for a great meal with great service and great prices. We will be back soon.
(5)Valerie A.
Enjoyed the grilled shrimp appetizer the rice with it was amazing. Ordered the surf and turf special, steak was cooked perfectly and the lobster was like butter. Sat at the bar and the bartenders were great very attentive to customers while making waitstaff drinks. The manager Natasha was very welcoming and never stopped moving! All around great experience can't wait to visit again after the renovations are complete.
(5)Tatiana G.
Definitely quantity over quality kinda place. Don't waste your money. If I hadn't used a Groupon I would have been even more disappointed to pay full price. I had the "stuffed" blue cheese burger that was not stuffed. It was dry and disappointing. My husband had the steak sandwich which had dry tasteless hunks of beef.
(1)Matt P.
Zero stars. This place is absolutely atrocious. Do not make the same mistake we made and stay as far away from Al's as possible.
(1)Chris M.
Make sure you go visit this place if you love steak. Run, don't walk to this restaurant, just be careful about the stairs leading down to this restaurant, this place is located below a Mexican restaurant. If you are hungry walking in to this place, don't you worry, you will be full afterwards. The steaks are huge and the sides are good too. Prices are very reasonable too. Not one steak is over $40, compared to most steak places in and around Chicago, this is as good of price you will see. Our server, Nicole, was very attentive to our table and did apologize when she took her time, she was also in charge of a large table right next to us. Server also explained to us that they tend to over serve the food at this place and she was not kidding. Our drinks were never empty for long. She repeated our orders back to us for accuracy. The steaks were great and cooked perfectly to order. The house specialty whipped potatoes were great. They serve a loaf of bread that is like a pumpernickel bread with raisins and walnuts in it and it comes with cinnamon butter. Wish I would had taken a loaf home. Left this place feeling very satisfied and with some to take home. Mind you had to climb those same stairs to get out but well worth it. My family and I are definitely coming back, maybe I will try another steak and maybe get a loaf of that bread to go. Since this place is in a basement, you will be talking to your friends and family since you will not get cell reception down there, which is not a bad thing.
(5)William G.
Best part of this place is the location and that's it. Food was good, manager started arguing with employee, and then they played some Eminem song that was little bit awkward even though I love his music, but not while I'm having a nice dinner with my wife. I liked my server but I think she got fired through my lunch. Ribs was good, pork chops were huge and good. Pretty pricey I would say, but def will not be going back.
(2)RACHEL K.
We took my sister in law from out of town here last night for a nice steak dinner. We were really disappointed with the entire experience. It took the waitress awhile to come over and greet us, then longer to get drinks. She took our order and repeated it twice (ceasar salad with dressing on the side for all of us) - then came back and told us that somehow they still put dressing on the salads, so we had to wait for them to remake them. Salad was good, really good ceasar dressing. We ordered two filets, medium, and a tbone medium well. The filets were charred on the top and overcooked (medium well). We didnt make a fuss - but they were not juicy at all and had no flavor and needed salt or something. The veggies had a sugary sweet sauce and that sauce ended up on your steak - gross! THe mashed potatoes were good. We had ordered a bottle of red wine to come out with dinner and the waitress tells us the bartender had to "go in the back" for it...so the wine didnt come out until halfway thru our meal. This was so disappointing - business was slow so there was no excuse for slow service or an overcooked steak. And for the amount of money you're paying for cocktails, steaks, and a bottle of wine, i would expect better. I did message the business on here and hope to hear back. I would like to give this place another shot, but it's going to take a LOT.
(1)Jon B.
We ordered some Ribeyes at Al's and asked for them Pittsburgh style. You would think that a place called a "Char-House" could cook a Pittsburgh style steak, but you would be wrong. The steak had zero char and looked like it was cooked on a frying pan. For $30! I could have gone to Jewel and cooked a better steak for $8. Not to mention that a Ribeye is supposed to be fatty, and a good cut should almost melt in your mouth. You shouldn't have to rip the flesh from flesh. This was not a tender ribeye you would expect. This place was truly not a good steak house. In fact, it was horrible. Spend an extra $10, go to Morton's, and get a real steak. My friend's comment about his boxed up leftovers as we were leaving pretty much sums it up: "Here, give this to your dog on my behalf." That was roughly the quality of the meat we got.
(1)Maria M.
A steak house? My husband and I ordered the 8 oz filets. We got chared crisp chunks of steak with only the middle edible. The house whipped potatoes were nasty orange glue like substance with bacon flavor, couldnt bring my self to eat them. The salad was barely recognizable being chopped to smithereens. The tomatoes were the size of a pencil eraser. The bread was more of a breakfast item being a raisen nut with cinnamon butter on it. Wait staff was good. Over all not a steakhouse experience with a hefty $27.00 per plate price to remember. Our group dropped a heft $300.00. One and done.
(1)Janet A.
The service was excellent! We were seated quickly, our server was very attentive & knew the menu. BUT the food was sub par (especially considering the high cost of the entrees!). The whipped potato side dish tasted like it was out of a box & the ranch dressing was watery. Considering the other options for a great steak- we're giving this restaurant a pass.
(2)Lisa T.
We stopped by on a Monday night without a reservation and were seated immediately. The basement setting makes you feel like you are walking into an old-timey movie, very fun! I ordered the bone-in new york strip and he ordered the full slab of ribs. Both portion sizes were just immense! We only ate half and packaged a whole second dinner to take home for the next day. The ribs were amazing, fall off the bone, tender and scrumptious. The new york strip was a little over done for my liking, I typically order medium, but at this restaurant I will order medium rare from now on. But the flavor and tenderness of the meat was delicious, and did I mention how BIG the portions are! Service was perfection, our thanks to Angel for a lovely evening. Definitely going back for another special evening in the future!
(5)Mark Z.
This place has a leg up on the Golden Steer and Tom's Steak House. Much better menu and if you have the time forget about the other two and make the drive. Just don't order the seafood you won't be happy. If your going to a steak house get the steak or why bother. Will I return YES The Rush on Roosevelt
(4)Elizabeth E.
Food is outstanding, but the service is what will make me come back. Can not say enough about the wonderful waiter he truly went above and beyond!!! Can't wait to come back and try some more out of this world steaks!
(5)Carlo B.
Our server Shawn and Maya are excellent! I love this place. My favs on the menu are Rib Eye steak, Onion blossom, the black bean soup, and the sweet carrots they serve on the side. They can improve on their bread and that side dish baked potato. Please improve on the kind of music you play. Its a horrid playlist unrelated and uncomplimenting to your ambiance , and the sound system is loud and intrusive and unpleasant. The music actually ruins your appetite. But I still give your 4 stars because my medium rare steeak is always perfect and the servers are superb!
(4)TheRealTruth C.
All I can say is huge portions is the only good thing. I order the ribeye with bone it wasn't even hot when I got it plus it wasn't seasoned. None of our food was. It was the worst ribeye I ever had. Plus on the menu it states "NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WELL DONE" !!!! WT.... I have never heard of that so I take it they can't cook a well done steak if you want it. Oh yeah and the shrimp were very undercooked and unseasoned, they were mushy. If you get a booth don't look at the walls because they have dust and dirt on the ropes and weird things hanging that they call art. Splashes of steak sauce on the wall.....really! Very overpriced for the place. I would not recommend if you like flavor, cleanliness, and hot food for a good price. Waste of time and money. :-( :-(
(1)Chris W.
I've been Al's a few times over the years. I remembered today why I don't frequent more often. While the decor might seem dated as a few others mention, I feel it adds to the charm. Hey, it's lasted longer than just about any restaurant in LaGrange. Our waiter earned a 5 of 5, helping my overall rating. He was quick with drink refills and stopped by the right amount of times to check in. It comes down to the food. I had the larger of the two filets. It left me hoping there was A1 on the table (which, to me, a good steak should never need). It was a little tough and not a melt in your mouth type filet you might get elsewhere. The whipped potatoes were so so. My girlfriend had the lemon chicken. Sure, it's a steak place, but it's not a difficult dish. Portion was generous, but just so so. She had a baked potato and the waiter brought sour cream and bacon bits to the table and asked what she wanted. One the one hand, it was a unique touch. One the other, at this point, the customer should have just been able to serve them self.
(3)Jennifer W.
Food and service was excellent. Waitress had great knowledge and recommendations. Would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys a great steak.
(4)Sylvia M.
Had dinner with my grandma tonight. Service was great, James is a great server! Food was delicious & I had enough to save some for lunch tomorrow. Already looking forward to it.
(4)Darrell S.
Went back to try Al's again much much better food was good steak was cooked perfect and the chops weren't burnt.will be going back see you soon
(3)Mintcho M.
I visited this Yelp page to look up the Al's Char-House phone number for a reservation and I was unpleasantly surprised to see the relatively low ratings and reviews. I am very picky about steaks and this restaurant has the best-tasting rib-eye steaks in the 5-10 mile radius that surrounds it, so I can't leave without writing a few kind words. Yes, the decor seems corny upon initial entry, but it's also extremely clean, cozy, and comfortable at the tables. I have not encountered a bad server there and, while food preparation has taken a bit of a wait during busy days, I have never waited longer than half an hour for a steak. This restaurant, overall, has a good, diverse menu. My fiancé swears by Al's chicken Alfredo. Ultimately, I highly recommend Al's and I hope that it will eventually get all of the positive Yelp vibes that it deserves.
(5)Carol K.
Do I start with the poor service . . . . or the old, dusty decor? Or that the fact that this steakhouse is in the basement of a Mexican restaurant What I will say is, surprisingly enough, the best thing about Al's CharHouse . . . .was the steak! Let's start with that steak. My friend was hungry enough to order a Porterhouse which came looking like a beef roast filling the plate it came on. It was perfectly cooked and actually quite tasty. My ribs were tender and fell off the bone. So the two stars are for the entrees. And the prices were cheap! That giant porterhouse only cost $32! As for the rest of the food- we weren't so impressed. The salad comes to the table in a combined bowl that you serve yourself with the dressings on the side. Mostly iceburg lettuce with stale bread thrown in as croutons- this was a miss. Top it with dressing that tastes like they just poured them out of a bottle and it was very unmemorable. As were the sides that went with our entrees. My baked potato was fine but I didn't like the way the server slopped the toppings on for me. Let me do my own please! And my friends "Signature whipped potatoes" were dry. Service was non existent. We waited over 20 minutes for someone just to come to our table to take a drink order. And once our order was placed- it was another 30 minutes to get our salads. Trust me- this is not a place you'll want to linger in. And the decor? I get they are going with cowboy theme- but the cactus and saddles are dusty, and the place just feels old. Couple that with the servers come out clapping and singing for birthdays,and I had to listen to (and smell) a bus person spraying down the tables as they cleaned them and this was just a step above a dingy diner. If you go- go with an appetite. The burgers are huge- 1 pound of beef each! The steaks and other entrees fill the platters, so volume seems to be the name of the game here. We took home most of our food- partly just to get out of there- but mostly because it was just too much food to eat. I'm sure Al's is perfect for the multitude of families in the area. But for this restaurant lovin' gal, I think I'll eat my steak elsewhere. Where there isn't clapping and the singing of "Happy Birthday" while I sip my wine!
(2)A N.
Okay for those of you who are looking for a fancy looking/decorated restaurant, this is not it. BUT - if you are a dry aged steak fan, I highly recommend this place for their steaks alone. I have not tried anything aside from the steaks, but each time I go they are phenomenal. Very tasty and tender meat. The service is good as well. The desserts are so-so. If you like rich stuff like caramel topped cheese cake and brownie with ice cream, it's that type of stuff. But the steak and reasonable prices will have you coming back every time. Much cheaper than anywhere in Chicago & a lot of food. The bone in ribeye is the best. Would have given it 5 stars if it was not in the basement. I think the owner should move Casa Margarita downstairs and Al's upstairs seriously.
(4)Jessica H.
Oy. Not sure where to begin with this one. We came here because we had a coupon. Everything in the restaurant is covered in dust and the place smells like mildew. Seems like everything at Al's has been reheated in a microwave. Our "whipped potatoes with cheese and bacon" that were billed as the house specialty were dry and flavorless. The prime rib I ordered medium rare came medium well and had a strange texture. The pecan pie I foolishly ordered for dessert (I should have just stopped after the bad entree) came freshly microwaved, complete with some extra lava-hot spots and some cold spots. Double yuck. The one bright spot was that the service was really good - our waitress was very attentive and extremely friendly. I was with enjoyable company which made the night nice, but I would never return to this restaurant. Another Yelp review called this place a perfect before restaurant on Kitchen Nightmares, and I think that pretty much sums up my experience as well.
(1)Laura H.
New to the area from Springfield, Illinois, last night was my first time ordering/eating Al's Char-House's food. I ordered a carry-out meal, consisting of an 8 oz. filet and 16 oz. ribeye, as well as sides of whipped potatoes, steamed vegetables, one french onion soup and one black bean soup. The meat was excellent, as were the vegetables, all perfectly flavored to perfection. Today I had the pleasure of eating the black bean soup and my oh my...the BEST black bean soup on the planet!!! I will dine in the next time I go, for the warm atmosphere created by the central fire pit I saw while picking up my order was incomparably inviting on that cold night! =) LOVE!
(5)MaryRose D.
The wait staff here is awesome. I did not try the food, but hung out with friends at the bar. Great service, cold beer, good humored staff. What more could I want?
(4)Meliza L.
They charge you an extra fee for splitting a dish, almost $5. And the waiter didn't tell us before hand.
(3)Sandy R.
Bring ur Appetite! CharBurgers as big as ur head! Good too; Cooked to order. Our server was professional, friendly, helpful, & so accommodating to our family w/2 kids. We really enjoyed our visit.
(3)Tenkie P.
This was the worst restaurant I've ever been to. Food was extremely bland and overpriced. the ambience was just totally OFF. What is with THE STAIRS?!!! Just a really weird experience for me.
(1)Suzanne A.
Good food, HUGE portions. .. beware - the burger is a FULL pound! The kitchen service was slow (Saturday night at 5), although our waitress was great.
(4)Rick H.
We have been frequenting this establishment for about 18 years. (yeah, we are older but still feisty and put 6k in road trips on the Harley, not the Scooter chair, in just the last year) and have never had a bad dining experience at Al's. We have been there for at least 80 dinners. First off, this is a Steakhouse and has been in the same downstairs location since its inception. Al has consistently endevoured over the years to provide the best quality meats in generous portions at a great price. If that is what you want, then Al's is the place for you !! I am totally sold on Al's king cut Filet Mignon. Yes, you can get better if you want to go to Mortons or Ruths Chris, but be prepared to spend at least twice as much. My wife loves the BBQ Ribs and the Teriyaki Steak and usually alternates between the two dishes. When you find entrees that totally work for you, it is hard to experiment :) However, if you want flat panel TV screens all over the walls showing the daily game, with generic bar food, then this is also not the place for you ... We have been to the Mexican restaurant upstairs, Casa Margarita, and their food is very good and much preferable to the bland food of the other Mexican restaurant around the corner on Calendar Court. Al's Charhouse pre-dates Casa Margarita at that location by about 10 years. So if you are a Beef Loving Carnivore, then at least one visit to Al's Charhouse should be on your list. (Your list will be updated with many more returns after that).
(4)MoonUnit Z.
We went there for dinner this evening with my parents. The food was great. My mom said the roasted vegetables were the best she has ever had. The salad was good as was the chicken noodle soup. We ordered two petite filets, a rib eye, and a salmon. Very good ... generous portions and no one left hungry. That being said, the service was horrible. We got there about 7 pm and it was not very crowded at all. We did not get our entree until almost 8 pm. Granted we got an appetizer and soup and salad, but there was a lot of down time in between. It was the first time we were there, and I will go back. It is NOT handicapped accessible which is not very good. My dad had a hard time walking up and down the stairs. The bathrooms reminded me of something out of That 70's Show .... in fact, the entire place could use some updating ... but then, we were there for the food which was great!
(4)Rachel C.
I didn't believe anyone could possibly finish a 3 1/2 pound steak until I ate here last night and my brother in law took on the feat (and accomplished). Boy oh boy, we're talking PORTIONS here. So much food that you can't help but leave with your pants unbuttoned. This place is cool, the steaks are outstanding, comparable to any big name, upscale steak house in Chicago but for half the price. A neat Western Theme, attentive service, BIG and STRONG drinks (just the way I like 'em) and most importantly, good food! We had a large party and the service was wonderful. I'd definitely go back, only next time I'll make sure I skip breakfast and lunch!
(5)Tanya S.
Food is ok. Everything is TEXAS style- HUGE, even the drinks. Taste-wise nothing was outstanding. Atmosphere is cool- you step out of LaGrange into a Texan saloon.
(2)Joyce D.
This restaurant has the best steaks you will probably ever eat in your life. Really. For that, I would rate it 5 stars. That being said as a full dinning experience, Al's has some work to do. The establishment is in a basement that hasn't been renovated, updated or modernized in at least 30 years which for the upscale LaGrange strip location, is a shame. Not ideal for a meeting that requires technology as you get NO bars whatsoever and they do not have wi-fi. I immediately thought of it as a candidate for an episode of Restaurant Impossible. It's old and a little dirty; the cushions are visibly soiled. They still do the clap, clap, sing, sing deal that was played out years ago. There were at least 5 birthdays during our visit. They don't let you dress your own baked potato; the server said she had to do it for me and when they brought out the bowl of salad for the table, the plates were dripping wet. If you want a good steak, go for it; you will not be disappointed. But take that excellence with a grain of salt when compared to an overall dining experience.
(3)Joe G.
I have been coming to Al's Char House for several years, Huge portions at reasonable prices here, this visit was was no different. Great meal, a 16oz New York Strip cooked medium with sauteed onions and a baked potato with vegetables- Awesome! Our table was well served by our waitress the entire time, no problems. If you're looking for a Brand New Squeaky clean Steak house- go to Gibsons in Oak Brook, but be ready to pay for it. If your looking for a delicious Steak at a reasonable price- Al's Char House is for you. Enjoy!
(4)Veronica A.
Oh Al's steakhouse...where do I start? One Friday night, a few friends and myself decided to try Al's. I use to live less than a mile away from the place and have always been tempted to try it. As all the other reviewers described its in the basement of Casa margarita restaurant. We got there a around 10:15PM. Since it was a Friday, the website said it was open until 11. Once we stepped inside we were given a sharp look by the hostess, the reason why: there were no other souls in the place except the cooks who were also mopping the floors. Even the bartender had her jacket on. Once we were seated, the hostess asked What beverages we wanted. After a long week of work, it's only obvious we all wanted a strong drink with our steak. What bothered me was the rolling of the eyes the bartender did as she took off her jacket, because the hostess told her we ordered a lot of drinks. Excuse me, but when did 3 martinis and 2 beers become a lot drinks?!? The drinks were okay, they could have been a bit stronger, but ive had worse. Anyways, I digress. If the dirty looks from the hostess and bartender weren't awkward enough, they decide to turn off the music while we wait for our food. But good for us, we all had a lot of catch up to do, so we spent the time chatting away. Once the food came, we all looked at the food and then each other. A frozen dinner would have looked more pleasing than the dishes they brought us! Not only did the food look gross and like they all took turns spitting in it, but it was extremely salty and flavorless! So I don't know what was worse, the horrific platters or the customer service. Al's never again!!
(1)Dana V.
We've been going to Al's for over a year now and they never disappoint!! Their burgers are HUGE, the margaritas are amazing and are also HUGE, and the steaks are out of this world! We love to come here for special occasions like birthdays, especially for Al's three and a half pound steak that all the men in my family love to order, especially my husband. The bloomin onion and cheese fries are both crazy good, especially the zesty ranch dipping sauce they come with. The steak kabob was downright shocking in its size as well as the amazing flavor. We've also tried many of the sandwiches and my daughter loves the kids chicken tenders which are more than enough for any child and not too bread-y. The service is also amazing; we usually have a large party and Al's always gets everything right which can be pretty hard with substitutions and other complications that come with really boisterous families ordering sides of this and extras of that and hold the so-and-so. It can be an expensive night out but worth it. The best part is that the portions are so large that there's always something to take home!!
(4)Susan S.
We went there for the groupon we just purchased. Horrible Service experience and horrible experience with the groupon. We wanted to order one steak and one prime rib special. they would not allow us to use the groupon towards the $18.99 special. not sure why because they aren't losing out. So instead of giving them our money we split a meal. The prime rib we ate was good - food quality good but took 45 mins to come out. They were NOT busy -it was a sunday. However the waiter next to our table told his table they are previously prepared it will be a 5 min wait and bam they got theirs rather quickly. I thought the prices were high for the steaks and meats. I have had better for a better price. The atmosphere is very old. The booth we sat it probably had never been washed down or cleaned at all. Very dated. the booths all have "fabric cushions" worn out and gross. The bathrooms were gross. it was extremely hot in there and just not comfortable. Then the manager stopped at our table by mistake because she thought we had a bad steak (it was the table next to ours) and then we told her our problem she blew it off and walked away and didn't even listen. I think they are always on groupon every week cause they know their business is horrible and they need it. Take a pass.
(2)Michael O.
Awful. Way over priced. All the chairs and booths are garbage. Place has went to Crap. We used to go twice a year. We took a few years off. We will not go back. Longhorn is half the price and three times better. Never again.
(1)Paul N.
Most definitely one of the best places to eat a steak and the place is clean and friendly service.AMAZING EXPERIENCE
(5)Nancy L.
This place is great! I would recommend reservations because it does get really busy during dinner service. The service is great, the portions are huge and the steaks are tender and juicy.
(4)Jeff H.
Boys night out and our pilgrimage for meat landed us at Al's. Walking in the door, we were not only greeted immediately by the Hostess, but a refrigerated case displaying the biggest steaks we have ever seen. After seeing those, I get the western, cowboy theme. Yea, its probably a bit corny but the restaurant was well lit and clean and best of all, there was meat! Lots of meat! We were already feeling pretty good about Al's by now and we have not even sat down. We were seated promptly and our server stopped by right away to take drink orders. Aside from the steaks, the menu was nicely varied, with plenty of fish, chicken and salad choices. There is also a full selection of normal" sized steaks on the menu if you did not want one of the enormous 24oz to 56oz ones. Prices were very reasonable compared to what other places in the area charge for steaks. The onion blossom was good and salad came in a serve yourself bowl with dressings on the side. Big surprise here....We all ordered steak! Two ribeyes and a strip steak were served promptly, all perfectly done, juicy and flavorful. The sweet carrot and broccoli vegetables, whipped potatoes were excellent! Portion sizes were huge which left us no room for dessert! Bottom line is you are not going to get a better steak in the area unless you go to a Mortons or Gibsons and pay a whole lot more. We left completely full, with our quest for meat fulfilled and knowing we will be back!
(4)John M.
I have been here maybe four times, always a good experience! I have had the porterhouse each time and it is truly massive. Look, have the soup, you aren't going to finish the steak! I really like their French Onion soup, nice flavor and a vast amount of cheese. I did the whipped potatoes, which are cheesy and bacony and very good, We did Margaritas with dinner and they are pretty big too! The staff are friendly and I have never felt rushed, and you will have enough steak for another meal at least.
(5)Jamarri G.
First off let me say that my server Danny way amazing. Very friendly, attentive, and knowledgable. When he told me that no matter the size of my steak that the cooks have gotten getting the temp to science he was right. I had the 16oz New York strip med and it was perfect. My bf had the 32oz Texan and it was also perfect. I hate carrots but my server recommended I try them and he was right they were amazing. The whipped mash and salads were also great. I would say this place is a must go. The service was great and the portions are amazing for the price.
(5)Jen M.
I ate here for my cousin's rehearsal dinner, so we had a set menu. For about $20/person we were served delicious brown bread with cinnamon butter, house salad, our choice of sirloin, lemon chicken, 1/2 slab ribs, chicken cabob, or cajun catfish. All entrees came with a baked potato and veggies. And everyone got ice cream for dessert. For the price, the food was very delicious and the servings were enormous. The server even told us that all the portions were half the normal portion!!! Unbelievable. I had the cajun catfish, which was excellent. It was very flaky and tender, lightly seasoned, and served with a cajun sauce. It also came with a side of dirty rice, which was very soft and flavorful. The veggies were also good and well seasoned. We would definitely come back again for dinner or even set up another event. Beware the serving sizes, however. I would definitely recommend sharing.
(4)Jenn M.
Holy shitballs this place is horrible!!! The one star is completely 100% for the service. I don't know where these four and five-star reviews are coming from. We started with an onion blossom and it had so much corn meal that it was gritty. I have no idea what kind of sauce came with it but it was thick and flavorless. The meals came with house salad that was swimming in an Italian dressing that was sickeningly sweet. I had BBQ chicken which was okay but the sauce tasted like it had tons of sugar in it. The veggies were cooked to oblivion and the potato was dry and bland because they don't actually let you put the condiments on yourself. My son's filet was livery and just disgusting. This kid will completely tear up a steak and he wouldn't eat two bites of it. Husband tasted it and then spit it out Hubby ordered the excessively enormous cheeseburger and didn't even eat 1/4 of it. He claims it was the worst food he ever had. The decor is dated and dingy looking. The "plants" had about an inch of dust. I'm thankful the lighting was dim where we were sitting. Want to see the "before" of an episode of "Kitchen Nightmares", head to the Char-House. Unfortunately, you won't be able to come back for the "after".
(1)Judy S.
Al's was crowded on a Sat. night, and it's been in business for many years; so we thought it would be a good experience. We went here expecting large meal portions because many of the reviews mentioned that, and we weren't disappointed on that note. The food was actually quite delicious. Decor is casual with a cowboy/western theme, and it appeared to be clean and well-kept. Our waiter Patrick took excellent care of us -- attentive but not overbearing. Prices are on the low end of high. (Most steaks about $25-$30.) The steak cuts are on display in a cold case and labeled at the hostess station, so you can see the sizes before you order. I had pork chops "regular style," which was 3 thick chops served with choice of potato and delicious fresh veggies + soup or salad. I have to say they were the most tender, tastiest, juiciest pork chops I've ever eaten! About $22. And I took 2 chops home to enjoy later. My husband had the Texas steak, which he enjoyed very much. I think it was about $27. It was cooked exactly as he'd requested. We thought it was odd that their signature bread is a dark raisin bread. Seems an odd pairing for steak and "manly" meats. All in all, my 3-star rating is due to the prices juxtaposed with the atmosphere. I prefer a nice steakhouse ambiance when we spend this much for a night out. (Yes, there are suburban restaurants where you can find this.) Also, I'd prefer different bread. Otherwise, we were happy with our choice.
(3)Kathy M.
Went to Al's for my birthday. Steaks were not great, vegetables were not cooked & whipped potatoes were horrible! Only thing good was the waiter, Patrick!
(1)Mark C.
My rating: 3 stars. My wife's rating: 2 stars. We had the chicken & steak kabob and the short ribs. The food was okay. The country western theme was nice, but the top 20 hits background music and onion blossom suddenly made everything seem far more TGI Fridays than an authentic country-western steak restaurant. We had a coupon, and the portion sizes were Texas-sized leaving us leftovers for days.
(3)Mike C.
Al's Charhouse is a place that one of my friends introduced me to awhile back. I had never heard of it, and it intrigued me when he said it was in the basement. However, my mind goes to Al Capone hangout type place. I loved it the first time I went, the food was great, and the service had been excellent. The next time I went, the food was just good, but the service was excellent. However, that was probably because I ordered something out of my norm. After that, every trip had been great and the service always excels. I even took a date here because you do not get cell service, so you are not constantly checking your device, and the service and food were great. Last night was no different. I had to be in the area and I did not want to sit in traffic on the way home. As a result, I looked at Groupon deals in the area. I called early in the morning, and someone answered the phone. I did not see what time they opened, but I asked and it was 4pm. The person on the phone was very polite and professional, and she did not mind that I was calling hours before they opened. She allowed me to use the Groupon the same day, but for 6-8 hours later that day, but I would call in advance and verify if you want to do the same day. The hostess was nice, had a great smile, and she gave me the option on where I wanted to seat. The other waiters and waitresses smiled and greeted me as I walked by. Alejandra was my waitress and she was great. She brought my drink out right away. She brought my soup out right away. It did take a little bit for the steak to come out, but it is a 32 oz steak. I would be scared if they brought it out with no wait time. I would think that it was undercooked, precooked and then heated up in the microwave, or just cooked in the mircowave. It is just like Ruths, Mortons, and the other steak places where you ask for it and you get it (note- the quality is not the same). I wanted the 32 oz boneless Ribeye, but cooked like one of their other cuts. In addition, I wanted fresh blue cheese crumbles on my steak, and they make it happen. No complaints, just a smile and great service. Their portion sizes are huge, plus their prices are great. I always take food home and I have enough for a good size meal the next day or two (depending on the size of the steak). I am not a person to send back food. I have been to higher quality food places, and received steaks that were not as good as I have had before. When you pay that much money for steak, you expect consistency. I have never had a bad steak from Al's, but I have on one occasion received an ok steak from Al's. The of the other times the food has been great. I would consider Al's food quailty to be high, like the big steak places. However, as other reviews have said, the place is outdated. Personally, I would rather they keep the prices the same, and have outdated furniture, as opposed to updating their restaurant and increasing the food prices. However, for the price I pay I will choose Al's as my steak place. Luckily, it is not closer to where I live, because my waistline would just get bigger. I look forward to my next visit. Great food and great service!
(5)Theodore B.
Food has always been great, I have been going here for fifteen years. I love the tri-tip sandwich it's filet on buttery roll with blue cheese. Al's makes the biggest margarita in town, two hand to take a drink.
(5)Charlie M.
I will make this short and to the point! I've been here twice and here is what I think Pros: Very low priced steak, quick pick-up service, large sides, cool hidden spot to eat Cons: It took forever to get out food when we dined in, waiter seemed awkward, and steak is not top quailty.
(4)Wesley S.
Al's Char House is primarily a place to eat steak. The steaks are mediocre quality, but Al's gives large portions and prices are low. The restaurant is in the basement space of a commercial building. (Upstairs is a Mexican restaurant.) Consequently, the dining area and bar are windowless. Tables have candles. The floor space is partitioned several times to match the layout of the dining room, and leave a central area free for the dance floor. As you are led to your table, you feel as though you are going down a cul-de-sac that includes your table plus a few others. A heavy wooden "fence" surrounds the cul-de-sac. The overall feel of the restaurant's space is one of some privacy. However, the loud Country and Western background music, plus conversation at other tables, breaks up that feeling somewhat. As you enter the restaurant, you will see the steaks, the actual cuts of meat, displayed in a glass case under the cash register. That way, you can see what the steak looks like uncooked: strip steak, T-bone. A Texas sirloin, or any less familiar cut, can be seen here, so you know what the item is. The steaks are not prime quality, but they make a satisfactory steak meal. Each meal comes with a simple, but large salad bowl, the vegetable of the day and a potato. I recommend the double-baked potato. The vegetable, like the salad, is something simple, such as carrots or broccoli, steamed, and sometimes over-steamed. There is also the uncommon option of adding au jus to the steak order. Finally, there is a small loaf of fresh bread, but, unfortunately, some kind of doctored up whipped butter. Overall, the double-baked potato is pretty good, a nice item. Everything else is ok, but mediocre. Desserts are likewise pretty mediocre. The restaurant has a full bar. Parking is usually available in the free village parking garage across the street. The total bill is reasonable, and definitely appropriate, not out of line, for the quality of the meal and the class of the dinner experience. Overall, portions are large. You should expect to take some of the dinner home. Al's is a decent, but unremarkable steak house.
(2)Erin B.
I can't believe that I haven't written a review for this place yet. I practically lived here when I was living in the burbs! I am a huge fan of their blue filet sandwich, which of course is filet with blue cheese on a garlic toasted bun--YUM! Portions here are off the chart, so come hungry! Sure the decor is a bit cheesy, and it is in a basement, but the food is well worth it!
(4)Padme A.
The Best Steak House around. Quality meats. Giant drinks. Huge portions. When you walk in, you see the texas size chunks of beef under the counter like a butcher. And yes, those are the actual sizes you will get. Think John Candy and the ol' 96er. The best meal here is the Cajun Ribeye with mushrooms and onions. Make sure to order it this way. It's so much flavor. The marinate it for hours if not days. The cheddar mashed potatoes and brown sugar carrots are awesome! The only complaints: Not so good service. A little over priced. The sharing charge they charge for two or more is pretty lame. Worth the trip.
(4)Michael S.
To say this place serves big portions is an understatement. The portions are HUUUGE!! Been here a couple of times now and haven't been disappointed yet. I really appreciate steakhouses such as Ruth's Chris, Gibsons, Mortons, but sometimes I just want quantity. This is where Al's steps in. The quality of meat is decent. It's not high caliber beef, but it's something like the ones you pick up at the grocery store. Below are some points about this place.. Char-house sirloin: This is the steak that I've always gotten here. 3.5 pounds (yes that's a lot of meat!) of beef that pretty much gets delivered to you on a big platter. It's thick and very lightly seasoned. It's pretty much just lots of beef. Usually, I don't like using A1 or any other steak sauce as the meat should be flavor enough, but I do use A1 here. Not a bad thing.. I just needed more flavor. The meat inside seems to be one temperature less than what you order... understable with the thickness of the meat, but I think they should explain that when ordering. Usually I like my steak rare or medium rare at nicer places and go with medium to medium well with lesser steak houses. I ordered the steak medium here and inside it's a bit rare. Again, order one temperature up than you usually do. Sweet potatoes: Whipped sweet potatoes with bacon. This was good. I wasn't totally taken with this, but I liked the extra potato option here. Veggies: The veggies that came on the side were pretty tasty. Carrots were really soft and sweet. I liked them. Mushrooms: Ordered mushrooms on the side (3 dollars?!?) and it's pretty decent. Nothing spectacular. Be careful with the ordering of sides. They add up. Service: They aren't the nicest or the best here for service. The last time we went the waitress was a bit short with some people in the group asking about how big some portions are. We know they're big. We just wanted to know how big. Not too much to ask for right? Also, we shouldn't have to ask for more water. If you see the glass is low, you come around with a pitcher and you fill the glass up. Value: I split the char-house sirloin and have had awesome Thai beef salad for days afterward (just have to cook the beef more.) Even with not the best service (you go into some places expecting not so great service) the meat is more than ok and at a good price for the portion. Overall, this place is A-OK with me. Wouldn't call myself a fan so Al's Charhouse is a 3 out of 5.
(3)Carol H.
Steaks are aged and not very flavorful, service was fantastic though. May go back to try a burger.
(3)Sandy R.
My mother in law booked them to host my bridal shower. It was actually help upstairs at Casa Margarita but the menu was off Al's special event menu. It was before the restaurant opened which was nice! EVERYTHING was perfect. They were so accommodating, helpful, they did not rush us to leave. They moved things the way wanted and even adjusted the heat for us. I recommend them for any event that you are hosting!
(5)Matt J.
From the outside, Al's looks like you're entering a tourist trap. Inside and down the stairs to Al's, you are in an unpretentious setting with very friendly wait staff. Menu is printed on a gigantic piece of paper. If there are only two of you, sit on the same side of the table to read it, then switch back to sitting across from each other, otherwise, you look creepy. The food is great. My wife had the queen filet and loved it. I had the tilapa and it came as two good sized filets. We had the caesar salad, which, unfortunately, we didn't notice, was $3 extra, each. That's the only negative. We each had a baked potato that was very big. The floor plan is a little tricky with 2-3 steps into almost every seating area, so be careful. It's a casual place to get a good meal.
(4)SsaawwA A.
We take food to go most of the time in all restaurants. we've been going there for years and it keeps happening. Their food is good but don't order it to go! They only give you a fraction of the normal sized portion. ie. appetizers or soups, even entrees. it's a shame cause you pay the same price. If they want to add $1 or $2 for the packaging that's okay. But come on be consistent.
(2)Ted d.
The bottom line is great stuff. Had the Jack Daniels steak, baked French onion soup, salad and fresh bread. All the food is is great. The service is friendly. The atmosphere is rustic. The onion blossom is amazing. Big portions at a reasonable price and you will have lunch or dinner left over for the next day. Afterwards you can walk and shop downtown La Grange.
(4)Michael W.
Prices are great for the steaks but not a fan of the mildew odor due to the basement locale. I've been here twice. The first time was a five-stars experience. The second time a three-star experience. The second time the steak didn't seem that good - not really great quality. It may have been a little overcooked too. If you have the money, go to Morton's Steakhouse downtown for the best steak experience you'll ever have. If you want a big steak on-the-cheap, go here. If possible, I'd give it 3.5 stars.
(3)Jim M.
Had dinner there tonight. We had a party of five and we were seated quickly and had drinks and an appetizer. We then ordered dinner and two in the group split their order with the other two. The waitress mentioned that there was a splitting fee. I was OK with that and thought it would be 2-3 dollars. This restaurants idea of splitting a meal is handing the other person a plate when the food arrives. No extra anything, no dividing the food, nothing. I was shocked when the bill came and saw that I was charged $4.99 twice, once for each person who split their order. And the second person didn't even get a second plate until halfway through their meal! The food was good but I resent them padding the bill with these made up charges. I reflected my displeasure in my tip and commented that I had deducted the splitting fee from my normal 20-25% tip. I won't patronize a restaurant that feels the need to gouge its customers in this fashion. You shouldn't either. Many other good choices within walking distance of this place.
(2)Annie P.
I grew up in the LaGrange area and recently stopped into Al's with some friends. The service was slow, the waitress seemed annoyed to be working that day. The portions are huge just like every one says yet that doesn't justify the poor quality. Most of my meal was either overly bland or overly salted. When the menu says steamed vegetables they should not be cooked and salted to death. Also, when my friend ordered a burger well done, it should be well done, not rare. Gordon Ramsey should have headed over here instead of wasting his time on a total failure on Calendar Court, at least this place still has some potential. It's just sad to see it be a shell of it's former glory. PS Please get rid of the ridiculously huge menus, it's embarrassing.
(1)Kristina B.
This is truly a little hidden, hole in the wall, gem. Friendly, quick service and a relaxed atmosphere. Portions so big that it's unbelieveable. By the time we got here, we were starving and ready to order the whole menu. We remembered how big their portions are (a hamburger basically takes up an entire plate) so we decided to split an entree. You've got to try the cheese fries- heaven on a plate. Crispy fries smothered in melted cheese, spicy ranch, and bacon. Legit cannot stop eating these! We also got bowls of french onion soup, which is served with garlic bread- genius, why didn't I think of that!!! Soup was great, not too salty and extra cheesy :) Next up was the Philly cheesesteak sandwich- and ive never tried one before. I was too full to eat it at the restaurant, so we took it home- but it was still delicious. This sandwich was served on garlic bread, which gave it that extra layer of flavor. With all that melted mozzarella cheese, it was just heaven! FYI- absolutely no cell phone reception here- so you'll actually have to talk to your dinner companions ;)
(4)Sam C.
Al's Char House is one of the best steak house place I've ever gone. You definitely get a lot for your money. This place has got to be the best bangs for your buck steak places in the Chicago area. Since the steaks are so thick, order a template above what you're used to. So if you want medium rare, then you should order medium. The vegetables that comes with the meat are awesome fantastic. Soft and delicious! The atmosphere gives you off the vibe of being in a speakeasy during the Capone era.
(5)Kevin S.
Rather than portion control, they practice portion-out-of-control. HUGE servings of charred delicious meat with all the usual suspects along side. This is what I call Old Skool and it's a good little place convenient to Midway airport if you are staying nearby, as I was.
(4)Gregor B.
I wasn't really impressed with al's charhouse. The steaks are just not really tasty, and there's nothing really unique to try at this place. There drinks, like the toasted almond and cowboy wrangler, though, are pretty great. So i commend their bartender, but I would never go back for their food. Buffalo wings and potato skins are hard to screw up, but i've had plenty of the afforementioned items in my life. If i go out, i wanna try something different that's made by an actual chef with creativity.
(1)Tio S.
Al's Charhouse, you have exceeded my expectations. Once I digest this huge meal, which may take a few days, I will gladly be thinking of going back again! The portions are absolutely huge, but that doesn't necessarily mean the quality is bad. The steaks are perfectly marbled -- I had the huge Ribeye -- and very flavorful. Everything here is pretty basic, but good. I came with a group of 8 for a birthday, and we started with a huge appetizer platter, and the grilled portabello mushroom and rice platter. The appetizer platter had potato skins loaded with cheddar cheese, bacon bits and onions; chicken wings; fried fish; and cheese fries. It's your basic heart attack platter, but it was freakin' awesome! I'm not a huge fan of mushrooms, but everyone at the table seemed to enjoy the grilled portabello mushroom plate. Each person either got a salad or soup. Those that got the salad were served a chilled plate with your dressing, and you served yourself from the communal salad bowl. It was your standard dinner salad, with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and croutons. Nothing special. I should have gotten the french onion soup -- which looked like a meal in itself. The french onion soup was covered in cheese, and served with a huge piece of garlic bread. It smelled and looked delicious! We also were served this awesome walnut raisin bread with cinnamon butter. My wife and I both had the ribeye, which we both enjoyed . Some others at our table had the sirloin - even bigger than the ribeye - and one guy got it served cajun style with a spicy rub, which was really good. If you go here, I think you should stick with the steaks. Someone else at my table ordered the hamburger -- which was gigantic - and another ordered a grilled portabello mushroom sandwich, and seemed to like them both. The restaurant is located in a dark, dingy basement, and decorated like with cheesy Texas-style decor (cactus; pictures of bulls; etc) - but it works. I liked this place, and will definitely be back. Try it - you'll probably like it!
(4)Dwaine H.
Large but tasteless, expensive steaks.
(1)Michelle S.
Came here with a group of 10 people for a birthday dinner. Waitress was completely flustered the whole entire time, which is understandable on a busy night; however, she acted rude and inconvenienced by us. She took our drink orders, those came fairly quickly, but after a half hour, all of our drinks were empty and she was nowhere to be found. We sat another 20 minutes until she came to take our food order and we had to ask her if she could take our drink orders again. Long story short, we sat for two and a half hours waiting for our food, without our waitress coming to our table once. Every table around us, mostly people who arrived after us, got their food before us. Food arrived and most of our steaks weren't cooked properly but waitress wasn't around to tell. Very, very bad experience and a total waste of 3 and a half hours. Will not be returning.
(2)Jacques C.
Low prices and large portions for so-so food. I had a half slab of ribs which was dry and could not be redeemed by the steak sauce. My friends had a steak which was tough, for one, and a gigantic burger which she hardly made a dent in for the other. Sides were mushrooms (mediocre), onions (OK) and fries (below par.) Service was pleasant but hurried. We will not go back.
(1)Patti D.
I have been going to Al's since before it was Al's (Anybody remember INKAHOOTS?) At risk of dating myself, I must say this place has seen many changes over the years; some good, some bad. The good - being there a couple of nights ago, the food was better than in previous visits (more steak, less gristle!) very attentive service, the teamwork was noticed and appreciated, and the pacing of the meal was very well done. The bad - poor Market Price (the long-loved eel in the tank) apparently succumbed to a power outage, and who ever thinks that the oddly "HIP"??? music being played way too loudly goes with the cowboy decor, the ambiance, or even the clientele needs to rethink their decision! I would come much more often if the music were better, cell phone service were better, and the steaks consistently better! Good luck to the new owners, I hope this LaGrange staple can keep up with the growing competition in the area.
(3)Miriam C.
Went for dinner early Saturday evening. Service was great. No wait for a table, it wasn't too busy either. By the time we left it seemed like the usual dinner crowd was coming in. Food is delicious, I have been here about 5 times and have not been disappointed with the quality. I give it four stars because I ordered the sirloin and mahi-mahi combo, and was disappointed that the fish had some garlicky spread on top. This was not described on the menu, it is not for me. My husband said it was great, I am not a fan of surprise ingredients though. Their menus are funky- they are like a poster board, and they only gave us one menu for me and my husband to share. Then again, who needs two poster boards on one table? The vegis on the plate were super yummy, so was the rice, which seems to be on all combinations platters. One of the downsides for me is the plates. They serve the food in aluminum plates, yuck (makes me think I am like an inmate or in hospital) It makes this grinding noise when you are cutting the delicious meat, I always ask for a regular plate, all the severs have been super nice about it too.I think the purpose is to serve your food nice and hot, the plate seems to retain some heat, again, I guess. Not to pricey for steak dinner for two. We didn't have any drinks, and I only had coffee. The check was like $63 I think. Not bad I think.
(4)Carmella P.
Yippee-i-ki-ay! This place is a hoot 'n a holler! And the meat's pretty damn fine too. Forget the dudes who carped about the decor and style of the place, and just go and enjoy Al's for what it is, a casual place to get a huge hunk of tasty hoof at an affordable price. It ain't swanky, but it ain't tryin' to be which means I had a swell time!
(4)John T.
I absolutely love this place! I got the big daddy 64oz steak and was very pleased in the way that it was cooked. The portions are great and the prices are even better! I recommend this place to everyone that asks about a good place to go for a nice steak in the 'burbs.
(5)Colleen M.
Loved loved looooooved it!!! My husband and I were heading to a different steak house and he reminded me we saw the episode of Chicago's Best featuring Al's.... It is much closer than the regular place we go. I had such a taste for prime rib it was silly... so off we went! Location is prime right downtown, we arrived at 8:15pm and the restaurant was in full swig. We got seated right away even being packed! We sat maybe all of 30 seconds before being greeted by Danny our server. Ordered drinks and appetizer... Drinks came fast , appetizer was out in no less than 5 min from ordering it (blooming onion)... Placed our dinner order... 16oz prime rib for me and the 48oz porterhouse for him. The raisin nut bread is awesome, the baked French onion had a nice hearty beef flavor as it should and Caesar salad was good. When the meal came we both were just shocked at the sizes and portions... Holy cannoli they're huge!!!! Table side dressing of the baked potatoes was nice. Needless to say no we didn't finish but leftover are always good with steak! We were in and out in 1 hour 15 min... I feel like I needed to be wheeled out to the car I'm so stuffed! Thank you Al's for an amazing dinner.... We will be back for sure!
(5)Jake D.
If yawn had a taste, the steak here would win hands down. At downtown prices, just do yourself a favor and GO downtown. Large cafeteria-tasting portions don't translate to good food. If you need to stay suburban, head north and west for true steak options in the Oak Brook/Lombard area.
(2)Susan M.
GROSS! Tasteless meat at high end steakhouse prices and gluttonous portions to make up for the lack of quality. This restaurant is to steak like Long John's is to seafood. ICK.
(1)Kathi K.
We went to Al's today for a combined Mother's Day/Birthday celebration. We've been there several times over the years, though it's been a while since our last visit. Portions continue to be large, the bread and carrots are still delicious. We had two steak orders at the table, two chicken, one fried shrimp. Half of all the orders went home for lunch tomorrow. Two complaints were that the veggies although very good, were not warm, and my mother's shrimp were small and overdone. (She didn't want to complain, but I feel she should have.) Service was friendly and timing was appropriate. The birthday brigade came out to sing for my daughter, though I noticed only she received a complimentary ice cream roll dessert, whereas in years past everyone at the table received one. Oh, well, we didn't finish our dinners anyway, so we obviously didn't have room for dessert. As to decor, the big fish tanks are gone, victims of a power failure, according to a waitress. Otherwise not much has changed since the place opened. Upholstery on the booths are showing their age and could use a sprucing up. TVs are still bulky tubed models and most were not connected to cable, which was a disappointment to the Black Hawk fans in the group. Several around the bar were non-functional. (How much does it cost to replace a TV?) Jazz music playing was a little loud and speakers were brassy; a bit much for background music.
(3)Justyna K.
My friend and I decided to meet up, and La Grange is the perfect mid-point between us. I let her do the research, and she chose Al's Char-House because her husband wanted steak. Sounds good to me! We arrived 15 minutes late, because apparently there was an event going on in La Grange and parking was impossible to find! They even had signs to different parking locations, and some of them were full. Anyway, the restaurant is located in a basement, very very dark, small, cramped basement. They gave our reservation away because we were late. I was not pleased with how they treated us We told the hostess we were late, and she said it's fine but seemed very stressed out. Then the manager came out and told us she had to give our reservation away. "We usually keep the table for ten minutes, but I kept it fifteen minutes for you" she said, pointing to a "7:15" written down in red pen on her reservation sheet. What is this, grade-school? Do I get an F for being late? OK, they need to get their ish together with the organization, here. We decided to wait at the bar, sipping on some wine and watching the bussers leave dirty tables untouched for fifteen minutes. We were finally seated in a corner booth, which was impossible to get into because there was a table of 9 set up right in front. A table of 9 super-loud obnoxious men who thought it was funny to play games that always ended up with someone showing the middle finger to everyone at the table. Service was horrible. We asked for ketchup three times, the waitress never brought it over. We had to ask for water two times. When she finally brought our drinks (ahhh, beer in giant beer glasses!) we told her we were ready to order. Her response? "Give me a second, I will be right back" Really? No, that's what we tell you when we're not ready to order yet. I had a real craving for a salad, so I can't comment on the steak, but from what I saw on my friends' plates, it looked gigantic (scary!) and delicious. The cheese fries were probably the best fries I have ever tried, but I'm not sure they were worth the 50 minute wait. I won't come back here. I felt like I was at Dick's Last Resort. Treated like crap with equally charming patrons inside. It's just not what I was expecting. If you want to try a steak the size of a baby, sure, try it out.
(3)Analicia E.
Usually 9 times out of ten they will make the steak as you wanted. My husband and I go often for affordable steak and lobster dinners. Thats where I got engaged
(4)Gregg L.
One of the best steakhouses in the suburbs. All the steak cuts are huge, but are still cooked to perfection, even the giant 96'er....yes a 96oz steak. Damn do they taste great! They also have great bacon n cheddar twice baked potatoes.
(5)Jillian M.
I have only ever had the lemon chicken on both occasions that I was here....it's the best I've ever had. I can't speak for the steak, as I personally have not tried it, but my husband liked it. Definately worth a try if you're in the area.
(4)Justin G.
I walked by on a Sunday and noticed the sign, "Sunday Special: $16.95 Prime Rib" and i wasn't about to argue. Al's is good if you go in knowing a few things: It is a Texas style Steak House with gun decor and it is in the basement under Casa Margarita and there are steps everywhere. Most meals on the menu are about $30+ except for th Sunday Prime Rib special; which is a 12oz cut with soup or salad and a potato or rice, with cooked vegetables and it starts around 12pm-close. However, things can add up, as every little extra thing seems to cost about $3. Upgrade to Baked French Onion soup, then add $2.75. Add sauteed onions, another $2.95, same with mushrooms. However, the onions and mushrooms are enough for an entire table of four people. I would add the sauteed onions, as it made the prime rib taste AWESOME! Do without the other extras and you can have a pretty decent steak meal for a smaller price than most steak houses. Also know that most people walk out of here with leftovers.
(4)Jessica M.
I've been to Al's Char House a few times, and I have to say -- when you're in the mood, it really hits the spot. I like having an unpretentious, down-home steakhouse close by. My husband and I usually split the "King filet" dinner, and it's more than enough food! It comes with bread (LOVE the raisin bread they serve), soup or salad, and we always get a baked potato (which comes with little serving dishes of butter, sour cream, and bacon). YUM. I'm getting hungry writing this. We usually also get the ice cream sundae for dessert, but make sure you order extra chocolate sauce. Service is good, ambience is fun and homey. We'll be back many times!
(5)Andrew Y.
Al's is one of the best steak houses in the western suburbs..everything in here is massive...the steaks are huge, the long islands are huge, the sampler platter is huge, the bread is great, the salads are good.... heres the thing with al's..dont expect your steak to be cooked like gibsons or any other fancy place..the steaks are all prepared very lightly seasoned on grills...the flavor is completely different here than a fancy steakhouse..its like grilling your own steaks in your backyard...the mushrooms are pretty good..the potatoes are huge both sweet and regular...sometimes it takes a while in here so come prepared for a long meal..but that doesnt mean its the service thats bad..sometimes cooking a 64oz porterhouse or the 96 oz takes a little bit..you gotta make room on the grill take the stairway to heaven downstairs..get a long island ice tea..i think they call it texas tea there..and get ready to saddle up for a long night of steak
(4)Karen B.
Things at Al's come in one size BIG. The prices are moderate, however the portion sizes are extra large and the food is good quality. Steaks are always cooked to order and delicious. My husband and I had our first date here and have gone here many times since. They get crowded so expect to wait on weekends. I would say the service is average, nothing special and sometimes even a little slow (especially at the bar). But the food makes up for it. To be able to get a good quality steak at a casual restaurant is nice. Do not confuse them with Casa Margarita which is upstairs because they may share a front door but that is it. .
(5)Ken D.
Other than the beef sometimes being a bit dry, the portions are incredible for the $.
(4)Cheryl V.
Attention: Carnivores, belly up to the trough! Which is to say, I thought I was a true carnivore, but I failed miserably at this establishment. All negativity aside, the service was excellent. But the meal failed to deliver. My fiance and I visited Al's for date night (he'd been here before and knew what to expect). This was my first visit and it didn't occur to me to ask about portion size or about unique characteristics. I'll know better next time. A little background: My fiance is 'king carnivore' known fondly amongst family and friends as the steak 'grill master'. He can finesse flavor out of grilled shoe leather. So by his loving hands, I've enjoyed a well seasoned/garnished, average sized steak that leaves room on a plate for a baked potato and tasty veggies. Warning: Expect whatever cut of steak ordered to require a plate of its own. We're talking enormous. Unfortunately, I did not receive this warning and was the unsuspecting victim of platter shock. MY steak was so HUGE it took my breath and appetite away. My mind kept saying to me, 'It's a side of beef'! I ordered my steak medium,although due to its thickness it was still very rare (it was easily 3 inches thick), I could only eat a bit of the edges. It totally lacked flavor in my opinion. My fiance's steak was ordered well done. I think it was a 26 or 30 oz porterhouse. We waited about twenty minutes for both steaks and I kid you not, his steak was delivered BLACK! BLACK! But guess what, he likes well done, over cooked meat---yuk! I was so grossed out. So he ate roughly half of it and took the rest home. The garlic mashed potatoes, were served in a cast iron side dish, leveled off for portion control and were the consistency of kindergarten paste. However, the CARROTS that are served as the standard vegetable were the best part of the meal, cooked tender crisp and very sweet. The warm bread was kinda bizarre, brown with raisins (I don't understand why they were used to compliment a steak meal). The french onion soup was awesome. So at least you know I didn't leave there hungry. But I did leave there sober. Though I've read here that the Texas Tea packed a wallop, the golden margaritas we ordered (on the rocks, no salt) failed to deliver even a mild buzz @ $9 a pop, that was rather disappointing. Our bill was about $85 including tip (do you know how many steaks my honey could've grilled at home for that price? OK well, I digress). I took home about 18oz of my baby 20 oz Porterhouse. (By the way, its rather dark here, and me with no glasses. I never saw the 20 ounces coming) LOL. There was so much left of my rare steak that I made enough beef stroganoff to feed FOUR the next day! No kidding! If you enjoy a well-seasoned steak, perhaps you can improve your visit by requesting more seasoning? I don't know, give it a try. Believe it or not, using a Christmas gift certificate earlier in the year, we ate at Chili's and their steaks TASTED better! My suggestion: if you must dine here order something like chicken, burger or fish, a chicken only be so big, right? Right? I wouldn't recommend this place to impress a first date. Definitely, not for kids (I don't think they have kid sized portions). Seniors and the ambulatory challenged will have trouble maneuvering the stairs and the restaurant itself. But truck drivers, cowboys and true carnivores will feel right at home. Hee-haw!
(3)Dylan E.
You'd better bring a large appetite when you come to Al's! This place is fantastic. The pricing may seem overwhelming at first, but you'll soon change your mind when you see how much food you get. I've been to Al's several times and every single time has been fantastic. The wait staff are friendly and are very willing to be of help. Their menu selection is great and full of many things that the whole family can enjoy. I usually get the Cajun Filet Alfredo and I always end up having left overs for the next day (which is a plus). Their baked potatoes are the size of footballs and they load 'em up with great toppings. I also recommend trying their cheese fries. Their burgers are the size of your head and cooked to perfection. I've taken my girlfriend and a couple friends here before and they all seem to enjoy it as much as I do. If you're looking for a fun, western atmosphere with Texas styled servings, I recommend taking a venture to Al's Char House. YOU WON'T REGRET IT!
(5)Shannon Z.
I love this place! The portions are big enough to make about 2 more meals out of them, the prices aren't high for what you're getting and the steaks are great! I went here once and ordered a porterhouse, not realizing how big it would be. I managed to eat a small portion before I was full and I had enough left for about 4 more meals. It looked like a pot roast it was so big. And good too. It's a haul for me to go here to eat, but it's very worth it.
(4)Amanda C.
We went here during the week. We had been craving steak for awhile and when we walked by this place that serves a "king filet," we thought we would be in heaven. We had to meander around town for about 45 minutes because it didn't open until 4pm and we were a little early. Super cute town. Of course when we were seated, we were the only 2 in the restaurant. The decor is 1900 Texas. Not my scene but it's a steakhouse, so I get what they are trying to achieve. The booths were upholstered in fabric from the 80's. I would update that. The bread served at the start of the meal is a sweet walnut raisin bread. I didn't like it but my boyfriend did. I just thought a Texas steakhouse would serve a rustic white or wheat bread. It just seemed out of place. Our appetizer was the onion blossom. Breaded and deep friend onion served with a spicy ranch sauce. That was delicious. It's hard to disappoint me with a fried onion though. I had a Caesar salad to start and my boyfriend had the black bean soup. I didn't eat my salad because it tasted "off." The lettuce wasn't washed and the dressing tasted like it turned. My boyfriend enjoyed the soup, but I didn't taste it. We both ordered a king filet, I had the creamed potatoes with bacon and my boyfriend had the baked potato. Or filet's were ordered medium. My potatoes tasted like glue with a hint of bacon, couldn't eat them. My boyfriends potato was topped table-side (I always like this) with butter, sour cream, and bacon. I tasted it and it was delicious. I should have got that! Our filet's were a huge and expensive nightmare. Completely overcooked except for the very center which was completely rare. I'd rather have rare than well done, which was most of the steak. I was so sad. If you're in the steakhouse business and you are going to serve a massive filet, make sure your chef knows how to cook them properly or it's just robbery. The roasted vegetables (squash, broccoli, and carrots) that come with the meal were very tasty. Wish I had more of those and less of the glue potatoes. We wont return, but I did want to give it 2 1/2 stars because our waiter Nick was delightful. Or total ticket came to around 85 dollars before the tip.
(2)jenise r.
I've had my eye on this place for awhile now so decided to go here on my birthday. I got the Jack Daniel's Steak. It was a great sized steak in a sweet and tangy sauce. I meant to get the double baked potato but they gave me a regular one. It was fine, I wasn't in the mood to explain I meant the other one so I ate it. They ask if you want butter, sour cream and bacon on it. The carrot slices were sweet and huge and steamed perfectly so was the broccoli. The hub got the T-bone. And boy was that a HUGE chunk of meat! His came with rice I really enjoyed his. And we both got the creamy chicken soup and fried onion blossom. Which is a lot better than the Chili's version everyone knows they're used to ;) The place is pretty big and spacious and the wait staff was excellent and made sure we had everything we needed. It was a good experience and I will go back.
(3)Michelle H.
Calling all steak lovers: Huge steaks and chops, all great cuts of meat cooked to perfection every time (me- I like it bloody red). For a reasonable price you can get the steak of your liking accompanied by delicious garlic shrimp, steamed veggies, and for the potato, go for the twice-baked, it doesn't get any better. The service is always great, and they have banquet rooms available. A couple events I've gone to here have turned out beautifully. A nice place to go with a group. The restaurant itself is actually located in the basement of the building it's housed, which gives it a somewhat cavernous atmosphere.
(5)Petra S.
The steaks are big and good here, I love the salad bowl for the table, and the twice baked potato is too good to share. The room is horrid, dark with bad decorations and a dance floor that the tables sit on. It has industrial pipe beams, almost looks like an old disco that they stuck some western chachkes into. The staff must turn over often, we never see the same people working when we come.
(4)Matt K.
The food was good but it was apparently too much to bring a party of 6 there. We waited 30 minutes just to get seated when there were plenty of open tables and nobody else was waiting. Then it took them another 30 to take our order, and another 30 to actually get the food, and some of the orders came out completely wrong. It took a hurculean effort to get the wait staff's attention. We were given a $20 gift certificate by the management as compensation but I really think our meal should have been free. I would only go back to order out -- I've got to say, at least, that their food is good.
(2)Brian M.
I like this place. Close to home, good food, and they had a giant eel in a tank. Who doesn't love giant eels? The steaks are huge and tasty. The french onion soup is really good. The carrots they give you with dinner are really friggin good. Prices are decent, and I always leave there exploding, yet still have a doggie bag. Good times.
(4)Judy S.
I took my entire family (11) to Al's to celebrate my husbands birthday and was I given the suprise of my life. We had dinner reservations for 6 pm and all of my guest were there 15min early to be seated. We got to our table exactly at 6 pm. We immediatly ordered our food since their steaks are pretty large. Our food did not come out until an 1 1/2 hour later and let me tell you the food was horrible. My husbands steak was still mooing and he ordered his steak medium but the steak was ice cold. Waitress didn't know the difference between a porter house and a t-bone steak, everyone at the table got the wrong steak and the wrong side dishes and to top it off their food was also cold. When we said something they took the food to the back and re-heated the same steaks which made it worse. I wanted to cry because they ruined my husband's bday dinner. I took the manager to the side and he apologized and said that he was sorry and would take care of the issue. My family and I tried doing the best with what we had but the food was horrible. We sent all the food back with the exception of my 6 yr old nephews burger, we asked for the bill and it was $385.96 the manager had only deducted my husbands meal, he said that's all he was authorized to do. I asked to speak with the owner and he told me the owner wasn't there but I wasn't ignorent I've met the owner before so I skipped the manager and went straight to the owner. I explained to him what happened and he gave me $100 of my bill but he didn't get the point. It wasn't about getting a discount its about how unhappy I was with the service and they ruined a family night out. The moral of the story is that all NEVER, NEVER GO BACK TO AL'S!
(1)Charles R.
great place for big boy eaters...32oz ny strip for $29.00 and tasted great! good sides..good drinks..great service...and a huge steak for the same price as downtown steakhouse 8oz portion....western-y style deco i little tacky but...huge meal..good service... good price
(5)Suzanne C.
BIIGG MEEEAAATTT!!!! This place has an overwhelming way of feeding you, and thats not in a bad way! good soups, kickin salad, hot black bread w/raisins & this yummy whipped honey butter and thats just to start! Appetizers and then the MEAT. For 27.95(ish) I had Prime Rib about 2" thick, garlic shrimp on a bed of rice pilaf, twice baked potato w/cheddar & bacon..(mmm.bacon), steamed big hunks of veggies, sauces a half a lemon (for the shrimp). It was a hilarious thing when the waitress asked if we wanted dessert. The manager and wait staff attentive and very welcoming...say hi to their pet EEL! (btw...I had leftovers for 3 days)
(4)Elizabeth L.
I have been going to AL's for many years. I have always been quite pleased. Well, up until a couple of weeks ago. My husband and I went there with another couple. The first thing we all noticed was that the drinks had very little alcohol in them. I ordered a Texas Tea (their equivalant to Lond Island Ice Tea) and I couldn't believe I couldn't taste any alcohol. 2 other people got Bloody Marys that tasted like tomato juice. The soup and salads were fine. The steaks came and we were 'ALL' dissaponited. My Prime Rib was absolutely flavorless. After I made a comment the others chimmed in with the same complaint. I have always been so happy with their food and drinks. I suppose we will give them another try, but I am indeed leary.
(2)Rebecca M.
Agree that this is definitely ok, but not a destination. We were attending a concert at the Rialto Square Theater so looking for something in the area. Although our reservations were for 6, we made it to our 8 concert only by constantly pressing the server. We were seated quite promptly, but our order wasn't taken for 30 minutes and, then because, we asked the manager to move things along. The food was average at best. My steak was fine, but over-cooked, the fish of a friend's was coated in a rather thick batter. The double baked potatoes, however, were outstanding!
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