Mystery Diner: Al's Steak House & Banquets in Joliet consistently delivers great food

JOLIET – Al’s Steak House & Banquets serves the best steak in the world.

So said a friend of mine, an international traveler. I can’t vouch for “best in the world,” but I can say Al’s Steak House consistently serves an excellent charbroiled steak – hand cut daily by the restaurant’s chefs, according to Al’s website.

I was so pleased with my first steak, I returned several more times and ordered the same entree.

According to its website, Al’s Steak House & Banquets was established in 1959, making it one of Joliet’s first upscale dining restaurants. The banquet rooms, which can accommodate 15 to 150 people, were formerly a lounge where live bands played.

The restaurant also hand cuts its chops, has fresh fish delivered daily, and offers a variety of specials, an elaborate salad bar, and Sunday brunch, the website states.

I love filet mignon, medium rare. Each time I went to Al’s, I ordered the 8-ounce version and received perfection. Because I feel a really great steak should rule the meal, I round out my entree with a simple green salad from the salad bar and a baked potato.

Despite having no room for dessert, on my most recent trip to Al’s I couldn’t pass up the rich and creamy cheesecake, topped with a strawberry and raspberry sauce. I would have preferred more fresh fruit and less sauce, but that’s me.

My companion ordered the broiled salmon, which was free of bones and cooked a perfect medium. It was well-seasoned – as was the rice pilaf accompanying it – with a hint of lemon.

In addition to the entree, my companion also had French onion soup served the way this person likes it – well-seasoned broth, tender onions, not too much cheese and plenty of croutons.

For dessert, my companion ordered tiramisu, which this person said was “well-soaked with a nice alcohol.” Its texture was light and rich in all the right places. Like the appetizer, the portion was generous. Two people could easily share one piece.

I should mention we did start the meal with an appetizer: the combination platter. This consisted of generous portions of zucchini, mushrooms, onion rings, ribs, shrimp, garlic bread, mini tacos and mini burritos, almost a feast unto itself.

And by the way, the coffee is really good, too.

• The Mystery Diner is a newsroom employee at The (Joliet) Herald-News. The diner’s identity is not revealed to the restaurant staff before or during the meal. The Mystery Diner visits a restaurant and then reports on the experience. If the Mystery Diner cannot recommend the establishment, we will not publish a review.

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IF YOU GO

WHAT: Al’s Steak House & Banquets

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. In addition, Sunday brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE: 1990 W. Jefferson St., Joliet

KNOW MORE: Call 815-725-2388 or visit www.alssteaks.com.