The Subs At This Old-School Illinois Deli Have Been Worth The Drive Since 1960

Sixty-plus years of slicing deli meat to order. That’s the quiet flex behind one sandwich counter just outside Chicago, where the Italian sub still comes stacked with mortadella, capicola, and Genoa salami.

The menu reads like a deli lover’s wish list. There’s mile-high corned beef, pastrami, a sandwich called the Herbie, and cannoli for anyone saving room.

I like how none of it tries to be trendy.

This Illinois spot keeps its setup plain and its focus on the bread and fillings. Hand-sliced meats, fresh Italian bread, and a splash of oil and vinegar do the heavy lifting.

I believe that kind of restraint is getting rare, and I can’t imagine a better reason to plan a lunch run.

So why would anyone cross Chicagoland for a sub? The answer starts with a counter that has been doing one thing well for decades.

An Italian Sandwich Shop Holding Its Ground Near O’Hare

Planes rumble overhead not far from a sandwich counter that has been feeding Franklin Park since 1960. Al & Joe’s Foods & Liquors, Inc. is a veteran Italian deli known for subs, pizza, and pasta.

The name sounds like a corner market, and the roots are just as neighborly. Most folks simply call it Al & Joe’s, which is easier to say with a mouthful of salami.

Franklin Park sits right next to O’Hare International Airport in the western Chicago suburbs. That location makes the deli a handy stop for travelers, hotel guests, and anyone working nearby.

For Illinois families, the setup is refreshingly simple. You order at the counter, your sandwich gets built, and lunch is sorted without a long sit-down production.

The menu leans Italian, but it doesn’t stop there. Deli classics like corned beef and pastrami share the board with Italian subs and hot sandwiches.

It’s the kind of place where the food carries the whole show. No gimmicks, no themed decor, just sliced meats, good bread, and decades of practice behind the counter.

That longevity says plenty on its own. A sandwich shop doesn’t stick around for more than six decades by accident.

Six Decades Of Subs And Still Slicing

Back in 1960, the Chicago suburbs were growing fast and lunch counters were everywhere. Plenty of them are long gone, yet Al & Joe’s is still turning out subs today.

That staying power is the headline here. The shop describes itself as an old-school deli, and the label fits its no-frills approach.

Family ownership has long been part of the story. In more recent times, the store has seen updates and a newer owner, with the space looking freshly refreshed inside.

Change can make longtime fans nervous, and that’s fair. The good news is that the core idea hasn’t wandered off: quality meats, cheeses, and sandwiches built to order.

I like that the shop never chased fads to stay relevant. While food trends came and went, the Italian sub stayed exactly where it belonged.

There’s something reassuring about a place that knows what it is. In Illinois, where diners and delis carry real weight, that steady identity counts for a lot.

Menus can shift with new management, so check ahead if you have your heart set on a specific sandwich. A quick look before you go may help avoid lunchtime disappointment.

The Italian Sub Is The Reason You Came

Mortadella, capicola, and Genoa salami walk into a sandwich. That’s not a joke, it’s the lineup behind the Italian sub that put this counter on the map.

Provolone joins the meats, along with lettuce, tomatoes, and a dressing of oil and vinegar. Giardiniera adds that briny, peppery kick Chicago-area sandwich fans expect.

The bread is fresh Italian bread, soft inside with a chewy outer bite. It holds everything together without collapsing into your lap.

A 12-inch version wraps up tight and travels well. That makes it ideal for eating in the car, at a park, or on a hotel bed after a long flight.

The Italian sub is easily the most talked-about item on the menu. Close behind is the advice to get the oil, which longtime fans treat like a rule rather than a suggestion.

Kids who balk at spicy toppings can skip the giardiniera. Ask for it plain, and the meats and cheese still do plenty of work.

Good luck stopping at half. The sub tends to disappear faster than anyone plans for.

Mile-High Corned Beef Earns Its Altitude

Italian deli, Jewish deli classic. The mile-high corned beef might be the most delicious contradiction in Franklin Park.

The sandwich is stacked tall with sliced corned beef, and it’s a major reason people seek this place out. It comes across lighter and less greasy than some heavier versions around Chicago.

That style suits anyone who loves corned beef but dreads the afternoon food coma. You get plenty of meat without feeling like you need a nap in the parking lot.

A half corned beef, half pastrami combo on rye with Swiss is a smart move for first-timers. It lets you sample both without committing to a single team.

Soups can round out the meal nicely. Options have included split pea, chili, and chicken noodle, though offerings change, so check ahead.

Families splitting lunch should consider sharing one big sandwich and adding a soup. It’s an easy way to keep portions and budgets in check.

Don’t expect knishes or matzo ball soup here, since this remains an Italian shop at heart. The corned beef just happens to be a very welcome guest.

Pastrami Fans Have A Few Tricks Up Their Sleeves

Ask for it toasted with extra Swiss. That’s the kind of insider move that turns a good pastrami sandwich into a memorable one.

Pastrami is one of the most-mentioned sandwiches at Al & Joe’s, right after the Italian sub and corned beef. It’s sliced and stacked to order, so you can tweak it your way.

Getting the pastrami with juice is another popular request. Pair it with a pickle and a peach tea, and lunch feels complete.

Rye bread is the classic pick here. The sturdy slices stand up to warm meat and melted cheese without turning soggy.

Availability of pastrami and corned beef has varied at times. If either is the main reason for your trip, check ahead before making the drive.

For picky eaters, a pastrami sandwich can be surprisingly kid-friendly. Hold the mustard, keep the cheese, and many younger diners will happily dig in.

I believe every deli has one sandwich that reveals how much care goes into the counter. At this Illinois shop, pastrami makes a strong case for that title.

Herbies, American Subs And A Surprising Chicken Salad

Some sandwiches get the spotlight, while others quietly win over the room. The Herbie belongs in that second group.

Along with the Herbie, the menu has included an American sub and a chicken parmesan sandwich. That variety helps when the group can’t agree on one order.

The chicken salad deserves its own mention. It mixes in grapes, onion, and celery, giving it more personality than the average deli scoop.

Meats and cheeses get sliced to order across the board. That attention shows up in sandwiches that feel built, not assembled from a pile of premade parts.

The American sub is a solid fallback for kids or anyone who prefers milder flavors. Ham, turkey, and cheese fans usually find their comfort zone there.

Daily specials can help stretch the budget too. Prices and specials change, so check ahead or look at the board when you arrive.

Variety is a quiet strength at Al & Joe’s. You can return a dozen times and still have something new to try, which is a fun problem for any sandwich lover.

Pizza, Pasta And Desserts Worth Saving Room For

Cannoli near a sandwich counter feels like destiny. At Al & Joe’s, the sweet side of the menu is hard to ignore.

Desserts have included cannoli, tiramisu, Oreo cheesecake, Reese’s cheesecake, and toffee Heath cookies. That’s a serious lineup for a place famous for subs.

Kids tend to zero in on the cheesecakes and cookies right away. Parents, meanwhile, might sneak a cannoli for the ride home.

Pizza and pasta are part of the Italian roots too. The shop has long served them alongside its sandwiches, giving families options beyond bread and cold cuts.

Pizza availability and quality can vary, so the subs remain the safest bet. Think of pizza as a bonus round rather than the main event.

A dessert split three ways can turn a quick lunch into a small celebration. It’s also a handy reward for little ones who waited patiently in the car.

Selections rotate, so the case may look different on your visit. That unpredictability is half the fun, and it gives you another excuse to come back.

Plain Room, Friendly Counter, Zero Pretense

Fancy it is not. The setup here is spartan, and that’s exactly the point.

Al & Joe’s has a casual, neighborhood deli feel. You order at the register, and there’s space to sit down if you’d rather eat on the spot.

The staff has a reputation for being friendly and quick. First-timers who feel lost at the menu board can ask for guidance and get pointed toward a favorite.

That makes the stop easy with kids in tow. No dress code, no lengthy wait for a server, and no pressure to linger.

The space has been updated in recent times and looks fresher than its 1960 roots suggest. Even so, the spirit stays firmly old school.

I like how the room lets the sandwiches speak. Without distractions, your attention goes right where it belongs, on that wrapped sub in front of you.

Card machines can have off days, as one cash-only moment showed. Carrying a little cash may help keep lunch smooth if technology acts up.

Travelers And Day-Trippers Can Swing By Easily

Flying out of O’Hare and craving something better than airport food? The answer sits just a short drive away.

You’ll find the deli at 10348 Addison Ave, Franklin Park, IL 60131. It’s in the western suburbs, close to the airport and nearby hotels.

Travelers using park-and-stay deals at nearby hotels have made it part of their routine. A sandwich before a flight beats a sad terminal wrap every time.

From downtown Chicago, the drive often takes around half an hour or more, depending on traffic. Interstate routes toward O’Hare tend to get you close quickly.

Plenty of folks travel much farther. Some make a 50-minute trip on a regular basis just for a sub, which tells you something about the pull.

For Illinois families heading out on a Midwest road trip, the location works as a smart first stop. Grab sandwiches to go and you’ve got lunch handled for the highway.

Traffic near O’Hare can be unpredictable, especially at rush hour. Leaving a little extra time may help keep everyone calm and hungry in the good way.

Hours, Budget And Ordering Smarts

Early birds get the sub. Al & Joe’s opens at 7 AM Monday through Saturday and runs until 6 PM.

Sunday hours are shorter, from 8 AM to 4 PM. Hours can change, so check ahead before planning a late Sunday visit.

That early start makes breakfast-time pickups possible for road trips. You can grab sandwiches in the morning and have lunch ready for the afternoon.

Prices land in reasonable deli territory, with portions that feel solid for what you pay. Big stacked sandwiches and extras can add up, while daily specials help keep costs lower.

Families can save by sharing a 12-inch sub. One long sandwich cut in pieces often feeds two smaller appetites with room for dessert.

Sandwiches are made to order rather than sitting premade. That means a short wait at busy moments, but the freshness is part of the deal.

Ordering tip: decide on toppings before you reach the counter. Oil, giardiniera, toasting, and extra cheese are the common choices, and knowing your plan keeps the line moving.

A Sub Run That Earns A Spot On The Calendar

Some lunches fade from memory by dinner. A well-built Italian sub from this Franklin Park counter tends to stick around a lot longer.

Al & Joe’s Foods & Liquors, Inc. has kept its formula steady since 1960. Fresh bread, meats sliced to order, and friendly service still sit at the center.

New ownership has brought a refreshed space and continued focus on quality meats and cheeses. Like any long-running shop, experiences can vary day to day, so patience helps.

For Illinois families, it hits a sweet spot. Kids get simple sandwiches and cheesecake, while adults get pastrami, corned beef, and that famous Italian sub.

It also makes a terrific travel-day tradition near O’Hare. Starting or ending a trip with a proper deli sandwich just feels right.

I can’t imagine a better excuse for a weekday detour. Pack napkins, plan for oil, and maybe grab an extra cannoli for whoever stayed home.

After more than six decades, this deli still gives people a reason to drive. That’s a pretty tasty legacy for a no-frills counter on Addison Avenue.