ExpansionWire

Al's Beef, a stalwart Chicago sandwich chain serving one of the best sandwiches in America per Esquire in 2008, is expanding with two SoCal franchised locations in the Chino Spectrum Marketplace and a mixed-used development at 410 W Main St. in Alhambra. While Portillo's has been serving beef and sausage "combos" since 2005, L.A. has lacked a beef shack since the knock-off Mr. Beef in Venice was forced to shutter last year. Although Top Round did recently enter the beef sandwich game. [EaterWire]