Al's Drive In - Maywood

Had To go back twice to see if it was just an off day. Long time customer I grew up in Maywood. Al's has fallen off. Fries were the reason to go there not any more. That Cucumber sauce on the burgers not the same. I have never gotten a stale bun from this place but now it's a roll the dice thing. The only thing that's been consistently good is the fried rice. Disappointed in my childhood spot. I guess things can't always stay the same.

Maywood Oldest Restaurant. Historical. Parking: Parking lot. 30 Spaces. Wheelchair accessibility: There's a wheelchair ramp.

We have driven past this place many times. Al 's Drive-in American and Chinese is such so random pairing. Come as you are or eat in your car is a strange slogan. This place did not disappoint; hot dogs, hamburgers, fried catfish on the American side. Fried rice and stir fry on the Chinese side. I found the fried catfish excellent. It has a cornmeal breading, and it was tender. The hot dog was boiled and has a natural casing. The stir fry was sauce was tasty but was a bit on the runny side. I would frequent this place if I lived near by. The only dinning choices are the picnic benches or the fore mentioned eating in your car.

I would give it another star if the hot dogs and other food eas alright but I go here for there amazing beef fried rice

If you read any of the reviews for Al's Drive In online, people have a ton of nostalgia for this place. I find nostalgia for a restaurant can play a negative role for those who don't have the association, but that wasn't the case for me who only ate here for the first time today. The Chicago dog and super taco were solid but the combination fried rice was the hero for me. Never thought l'd find this kind of wok hei flavor from a Chicago Red Hots institution in Maywood, IL that would remind me so much of the fried rice I grew up with at my Chinese immigrant family's restaurant in Arizona. Honestly just throw in some bean sprouts and you'd have a 1:1 copy. I may not have the same nostalgia that a lot of the usuals have with Al's, but that familiar taste of home is so present in every bite of this fried rice. I'm immediately transported to teenage me devouring a large combination fried rice at my own family's restaurant after working a full day's 12hr shift in the summer and immediately passing out in my bed when I got home. I wish I had started coming here sooner.