Al’s #1 Italian Beef has expanded to the beef-loving state of Texas, and saying it has been a hit is an understatement.
On Feb. 4, the Chicago-based chain on Taylor Street that claims to have invented the city’s famous Italian beef sandwich, opened its first out-of-state location in Addison, Texas, a suburb of Dallas.
According to Essa Zedan, owner of the franchise, a lot of interest in the new location was expected.
“A lot of people were making inquiries and calling,” said the Chicagoland native, who moved to Texas five years ago. “People saw the construction and were curious.”
The story was first reported by DNAinfo.com earlier today.
But what no one foresaw was how popular this sandwich, largely unavailable outside of Chicago, would be in the Lone Star State.
“For the first few days, there were lines out the door from opening to close,” Zedan said. “We sold over 500 sandwiches the first day, and that’s just beef sandwiches, not even including the other products.”
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By the chain’s first Saturday in business, they had completely sold all of their food and had to shut down the restaurant early.
“Saturday night I was about to jump in a truck and drive to Houston to pick up supplies,” Zedan said. “Luckily there was a truck that came, and all Sunday we prepped (before re-opening).”
Zedan said the unprecedented level of business is likely attributable to the many Chicago transplants in the area. “There are so many Chicago natives in Texas. They say, ‘Thank god you guys are here, I’ve been here 20 years, I’ve been waiting for you guys to come.'”
Coupled with the locals who have been told by Chicagoans that “they have to try the Italian beef,” an influx of customers the first week could hardly have been a shock.
Still, “Nobody expected that response,” Zedan said. “Not even corporate expected the blow up that we had.”
Since opening, there have been “thousands and thousands of people,” come in, and the location has already sold over 11,600 sandwiches.
A good omen for Zedan, who just applied last week to open a second Al’s Beef in Las Colinas, Texas, also in the Dallas area.
“It’s just a great sandwich,” Zedan said.
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