Working A Shift At Chicago's #1 Italian Beef Sandwich Shop | Help Wanted | Bon Appétit

Ever wonder what it's like to work a shift behind the counter at a legendary Chicago sandwich shop? Join chef and comedian Cody Reiss as he gets a crash course on what it takes to keep the operation on track at Al’s #1 Italian Beef, courtesy of owner Chris “Bones” Pacelli.
Follow Cody on Instagram: / codyreiss
Director: Ian Stroud
Director of Photography: Brian Wingert
Editor: Misa Qu
Host: Cody Reiss
Guest: Chris Pacelli
Coordinating Producer: Tommy Werner
Line Producer: Jen McGinity
Production Manager: Janine Dispensa
Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Hymes
Casting Producer: Vanessa Brown; Thomas Giglio
Talent Booker: Cynthia Simpson
Camera Operator: Jana McLain
Assistant Camera: Shawna Gish
Audio: Dan Seiler
Production Assistant: Reggie Swoverland
Staff Editorial Consultant: Ryan Harrington
Researcher: Vivian Jao
Post Production Supervisor: Andrea Farr
Post Production Coordinator: Scout Alter
Supervising Editor: Eduardo Araujo
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell
Graphics Supervisor: Ross Rackin
VFX: Lea Kichler
Filmed on Location at Al's Italian Beef
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[@MrXNITROx]

dying at him guessing the seasoning and Bones getting more and more nervous

[@IlIlIlIlIlIlIlIl-v9h]

Visible nervousness 😂😂😂😂

[@EtoDemerzelSpaceBurial]

He looked more annoyed than nervous lol

[@adamlul]

Cody was about to get shanked if he didn’t shut his mouth

[@bobbymoss6160]

@@adamlul He would've been whacked and cut up if he wasn't with a crew.

[@TheReddfox44]

Not going to lie I stopped watching the vid at this point. Just to disrespectful for my taste.

[@ricecraker]

He looked so genuinely happy to see a photo of the two of them together. It was wholesome.

[@reekhadol]

Out of all the tough guy owners on this show Bones was definitely the nicest, when Brad was doing this everyone would chew him out all the time!

[@JohnnyLikesToEatStuff]

He works better than Brad tho, he's got restaurant experience.

[@GC-ps9mn]

​@@JohnnyLikesToEatStuffdoes Brad not have restaurant experience? He went to culinary school though didn't he?

[@yourface3154]

@@GC-ps9mn Brads been in culinary school for like 35 years, lol.

[@simonl.6338]

Where's Brad?

[@jgvtc559]

​@@yourface3154still ain't graduated Super duper senior

[@michaelmungin5732]

New drinking game: Take a shot every time Bones says "Introduce"

[@NittanyNation22]

Im hammered

[@markvillalobos2355]

It’s pronounced “innerduccce”

[@jackpeller4934]

Unbearable listening to this word salad with a limited vocabulary...😮

[@shikawgoh]

As a Chicagoan I have to say, giardiniera is by far the most unique regional food item we have. If you even utter that word outside of the basic Chicagoland area, nobody knows what you’re talking about. But it is so delicious and in my humble opinion, completely transforms an Italian beef sandwich.

[@Robcarpentier12]

I completely agree. Wouldn't even order an Italian beef if it didn't come with giardiniera! Friends and family that have moved away get very excited when I ship them a jar for Christmas lol

[@Jude74]

Unique as in still tasty, Malort is probably the most infamous.

[@maximusthemerciful9452]

What are you talking about? I grew up Connecticut where there are a ton of Italians who know what giardiniera. I’m sure every Italian family on the east coast is well aware of what it is. Now Italian beef sandwiches are definitely a Chicago only thing.

[@shikawgoh]

⁠I should clarify, per wiki….”Chicago-style giardiniera is commonly made spicy with sport peppers or chili flakes, along with a combination of assorted vegetables, including bell peppers, celery, carrots, cauliflower, and sometimes gherkins or olives, all marinated in vegetable oil, olive oil, soybean oil, or any combination of the three. Some commercially prepared versions are labeled "Chicago-style giardiniera". Also, it’s a mainstream item that everyone knows here in the Chicagoland area and can be bought or used as a topping at seemingly every kind of food joint or grocery store. In other words, it’s not just an item that would be known in predominately italian circles.

[@TasteTestTitan]

FACTS!!

[@peterlangendorff9846]

This is the only video I’ve come across that truly reveals the secrets of Chicago Italian beef. This is the ONLY way to do it, and all the best beef places do it more or less the same way. This video is GOLD.

[@Colegatez]

Nope,he didn't reveal what's in that spice packet..so you sir are a liar.

[@Aldolador1]

"Has anyone been cut on it before?", to which the owner replies "It's a rotating razor blade." 😂

[@mrb2643]

Sure, sure, of course. That's obvious .. In other words

[@mrvalski]

What a sweetheart of an owner.

[@DennyLoggins]

The line cook behind him banging out multiple subs. While he's making the one. Is the epitome of short order skill 😂😂 I'd absolutely demolish one of those subs if I ordered one

[@mellownessuperstar2618]

Oh my Lord that dipped italian beef looked outstanding. Starving now.

[@jpjordan90]

The slicer cutting the celery was incredibly satisfying

[@kindabluejazz]

Most people would never get a chance to see the raw ingredients of those flavor packs up close - they'd just taste it in the jus after cooking and filtering. By listing the ingredients out loud and on camera, Cody walked a fine line of violating the sanctity of Al's kitchen.

[@MikeMPharmaCyclist]

Well.. the ratio is also critical, so even if you guessed every ingredient there's a lot more to figure out.

[@kindabluejazz]

@@MikeMPharmaCyclist Sure, it's all important, but it helps to know. Certain ingredients can be very hard to identify, especially if it's not native or common. When tasting food I often say "I taste something very unusual, but what is it?" In Mexican hot sauces, it's often a very specific variety of pepper that we don't normally see in supermarkets. In the recipe for Coca-Cola - how many would be able to identify neroli, coriander, nutmeg and lavender in it?

[@MikeMPharmaCyclist]

@@kindabluejazz yeah I definitely agree that just being able to see the dry mix and having a chance to hopefully identify correctly each ingredient would be a huge leg up over trying to dissect the final product. However, I think even with that leg up it would still be very very difficult to properly reproduce the recipe without a ton of experimentation and time. For that reason I really don't think the owner was very nervous about this whole thing as many of the comments say... hard to tell if people are truly serious online lol

[@Schiffon]

Won’t it be his job to dump the spice packets in the future? He can decipher ingredients then! 😋

[@kindabluejazz]

@@Schiffon Often people that have access to 'trade secret' formulas or recipes are required to sign NDA agreements, where they're penalized if they publicly disclose or try to profit off of the information.

[@kevinskula7053]

That owner cool af 😂😂😂 real Chicago Italian pops

[@kiriakoz]

how can you not like him? I love these kinds of people that like to almost put on a tough exterior but their geniune kindness still shines through.

[@MercSLRFan]

Bones is the type of guy who never forgets the cannoli

[@dwayneflorence4482]

Most won’t get that reference 😂

[@themeatpopsicle]

Introductions are everything at Al's #1

[@hamsicle]

Gotta have people know each other. Best way to run a business.

[@edmondlau511]

Glad to see they still wrap the fries with the hotdog. That’s the way I remember them doing it when I was a student at the University of Illinois at Chicago many years ago. In my opinion, Al’s has a better beef sandwich than Portillos but Johnny’s in Elmwood Park is the best to me.

[@whitesox452]

Portillos is a 6.5/10 compared to johnnies, al's, mr. beef, romas. I do agree tho that johnnies is the best in the whole chicagoland area

[@charlesfinnegan7930]

Johnnies combo is exceptional as well. They are the only place I have seen that cooks the sausage over hot coals.

[@ephraimhill1109]

I've missed this guy. "Are you on your phone or what?" Cracked me up!

[@ithanglow]

Lmao that had me laughing. “We’re in the middle of training!”

[@michaelkurtz1967]

French bread has to be structurally strong to hold up to au jus. Turano bakeries is the bakery of choice for many Italian beef shops. Standard market bread pales in comparison. Excellent food at Al's.

[@dvzuniga1]

You know what you're talking about, sir. Love Turano bread in Berwyn.

[@whitesox452]

@@dvzuniga1 Turano and gonnella

[@drjekelmrhyde]

​@whitesox4524 and if you can't find those, S Rosen in a pinch.

[@garyhorvath2957]

Turano is the best

[@IlIlIlIlIlIlIlIl-v9h]

Interviewer: can I guess? Owner: you won’t be able to guess Interviewer: *guessing everything in the seasoning Owner: *Surprised pikachu*

[@SeargentGlitter]

it’s not as much guessing when you’re combing through the spice and seeing whole mustard seeds and stuff. plus there’s some fairly common and strong smells i’d assume

[@rbibbe34]

@@SeargentGlitterit’s kinda hipster smugish to prove he knows the recipe. Kinda cringey actually to do the “hmmm yeee hmm yeee I know it hehe”

[@GrizzO12]

@@rbibbe34that’s what i thought too. he always does this and just sounds annoying lol

[@theyreMineralsMarie]

Bossman reminds me so much of my grand father. Rough and kinda rude, stroked out voice, but actually a really nice guy.

[@K슬기]

Just finished watching BA's Lucas Shin eating dim sum in HK - the contrast between that and this video couldn't be greater. Appreciating the diversity in content and food/personalities featured

[@headweasel93]

What a great and genuine character.

[@DerekDoeing]

Keep bringing the love to Chicago 🥹 Great episode!

[@snwrist_3]

People can say what they want, but Chicago has the best food in the entire country. That is a fact!

[@fk6823]

Al's is absolutely the best there is!

[@anthonylombardo1261]

This guy sounds like the guy who voices Bender and Marcus Fenix (gears) but it’s like he was trapped in Chicago for 10 years and this is now his voice and diet.

[@T2D2024i]

YES! it's crazy how much he sound like him.

[@snowdjagha]

I loved to be introduced to this guy

[@UglyDuckling_XD]

Cody started naming every ingredient spot on and bones snatched that spice bag up so quick 😂

[@tourist9862]

I enjoyed getting introduced to this video

[@austinblackburn2008]

Being on the line is something the majority of people will never understand unless you have been there for a dinner shift... I can still hear the tickets printing out in my dreams/nightmares

[@EliteSports24]

I love this series. Some of the best food content on you tube

[@Hitsujikai]

I’m going to have to keep watching this guy. Personality top notch. And that owner was just classic. Great vid

[@joeyjblack]

Philly cheesteak = frying Italian beef = cooking Had me dying

[@finerbiner]

The bread is the #1 important factor. Proper beef has to be dipped and the bread has to be hardy enough to stay yogether.

[@jernigan007]

i miss those days, working on the line best of times, worst of times

[@billybastar4022]

You have no idea how close you came to adding to the flavor profile of does beefs😂 “eh, does beefs tadeh taste like a little BonApatid guy”😂🤣😂🤣 dem guys don’t play wit secrets

[@Sid-np3hf]

Thaty the best line ever “that’s called cooking “!

[@eightfifty2309]

The owner is so funny! I could listen to him all day!

[@benbechelli319]

This episode rocked! Dip me in the jus baby… sloppy style! Cody should have his own show!

[@joemurray5204]

With a name like Bones I would’ve expected someone 100 times more mean wow, what a sweetheart

[@jayflow7949]

“Are You On Your Phone” Had Me Dying 😂😂💀

[@db___6x]

"This is Italian Tupperware" ❤😂

[@usesumlogicmanlogicman4334]

Eatiing at Als was quintesential Chicago about 7 years ago. I still cherish that t-shirt.

[@Austin.vanderweil]

Literally no one:.... Chris: INTRODUCE

[@alexrubio5296]

Thanks for adding this to my bucket list Bon

[@nickmartin4570]

It's amazing, Chicago is the best

[@40nights40daystv]

I go here all the time, these guys are the absolute goat

[@DAIJJJJ]

the timing of this vid couldn't be better, just finished the bear and I was wondering what an Italian beef sandwich was like

[@sanjoaquinvalleytransparency1]

Same here

[@Jude74]

It’s awesome, that’s what it’s like.😂

[@CroiaCallahan]

Instructing Cody on how to do the beef sammich: “Hand it to the guy” 😅 Only thing missing was the “Baddabing, Baddaboom “!

[@mustafahajj]

That's a NYC Italian thing!

[@usd500]

Here to take notes on the seasoning exposure

[@ramirez21r]

My guys about to get wacked if he keeps trying to guess the spices 😂

[@thejessicawilliamswithyoun4946]

Me thinking of the Beef ... With Matty Matheson 😂 Amazing love in this food 🎉

[@VegasBuggMan]

He did not get the hint to stop naming effing ingredients in the spice pack lol

[@xxelliexx18]

Let's play a game.. take a shot everytime the guys says introduce 🤣🤣

[@boogitybear2283]

The Italian Beef and Breaded Steak Sandwich is the best. My favorite places to eat food are Chicago and New Orleans and everything connected between those cities; Memphis and St. Louis included.

[@NY_AF]

Haha he quickly grabs the bag & pours it into the pot before ol mate guesses the spices & spills the beans

[@Schiffon]

😂 ✔️

[@MrDjmaidi]

Straining hot liquid into a plastic bucket is wild. Iykyk.

[@Christine-nj3kl]

How wonderfully done make me want to go Chicago'.

[@socabwai]

Very patient teacher.

[@chrishelbling3879]

Take a drink every time that guy says "introduces."

[@turmell21]

They were shaking when he was standing next to that massive slicer

[@plankface]

Mr Beef, lol That’s another episode - Al’s is ❤❤❤❤

[@christophertletski4894]

Had a sandwich there and it was fabulous. Can't wait to go Chicago again to have another one.

[@marc_tomas]

I didn't realize making Italian beef involved so much introducing things to things.

[@Mr.JavsOfficial]

One of the best places to eat in Chicago❤ Love my City 🏙️

[@brendangennaro2345]

In what world lmfaooo Al’s is garbage.

[@laurenpelaez8970]

You MUST go to Johnnies Beef in Chicago its AMAZING

[@CarlCollinsTV]

Making a dipped beef or breaking your kneecaps. He seems comfortable with both. 😂

[@joesiu93]

Went to HS down the street. Love Al's!!!

[@DarwinsBeerReviews]

I was waiting for Cody to try to list the giardiniera spices and watch Bones give him the evil eye again.

[@dasledogg64]

Awesome episode, made me very hungry!

[@christopherbrownlee4768]

Giardenira that's only celery would disappoint me. I want some olives and all that.

[@keithss67]

Love some Italian beef

[@powpowpowlo4080]

I'll be back in a couple weeks to make sure!

[@RichardLasquite]

The conspicuous timing of this. 👀👀👀

[@butcho7492]

Epic sandwich- epic restaurant!

[@darkhorse99900]

I feel like they don't like each other LOL

[@ducciwucci]

that's just how chicagoans interact with everyone

[@gypsy5445]

Makes me want to go to Chicago!❤

[@yogiegemini2053]

This is the best beef sandwich restaurant. I wish we had a restaurant on the south side. There was a spot on Stoney Island 15 years ago. It wasn't a place that I would visit once a week, maybe once every two months because of the prices. BUT, we do have Buona Beef in Beverly @ 106th and Western Ave. Excellent beef sandwiches. Now I'm hungry but it's 7:13 am.😤

[@cle-chi]

on 87th by western (next to shell gas station) is the best BEEF sandwich in the city. jj maxwell?? They cook the sausage on charcoal grill too. amazing flavor!!. Truss me. They even got Italian ice

[@yogiegemini2053]

@cle-chi I know exactly where you're talking about its 79th and western. There's a McDonals behind the building. I'll check it out. Thanks 👍

[@briangleason5597]

Excellent Beef. I Miss Chicago food.

[@cordellpeeples6810]

Why do I love chris

[@sofixmasnahxd]

Am I the only one getting The Bear vibezz??

[@MrJaybeezy123]

Number one? Everyone knows that goes to Mr. Beef. Edit: got to the end and even the owner knows it 😂

[@mammontustado9680]

Did Bones just learn the word "introduce" that morning? 😂

[@chadwi4648]

FX put this guy and the owner of this place as the "loan never paid off esque side plot" for another season of the BEAR.

[@mattyyy1103]

By far the best in the city

[@brendangennaro2345]

Al’s is straight up garbage tf are you talking about. 🗑️

[@Jim58223]

Now that Brad started his own channel, they trying to find replacements that vaguely resemble him.

[@typhvam5107]

I wondered what happened to him, whats the channel?

[@Jim58223]

@@typhvam5107 @bradleone

[@B0H0]

I didn't know he started his own channel, thank you! Always loved when he was in videos and missed him recently, thanks again.

[@hadoken99]

This dude is no Brad leone

[@MylesManning987]

Mr.Beef as Mr. Beast😂😂😂

[@Fizzyxd]

I just ate dinner and now I'm hungry again after watching this video.

[@nikmelgoza9637]

The only thing I miss about the Midwest is the food and family

[@better20]

theres only so many spices that can go in a spice pack like that for italian beef. its the amount of each that matters which he would never be able to guess on the fly. cumin, celery seed, paprika, bay leaf all super common and not really secret.

[@audrey20061]

Legend has it, italian beef needs cheese & hot peppers

[@charlesfinnegan7930]

Cheese is not authentic to that sand.

[@Phoebetheboss]

ITALIAN TUPPERWARE 😂😂

[@kelefane6233]

Nice people at Al's.

[@cudomoney]

Juat started this series and i immediately got a new episode?? thanks!

[@elluisito000]

I miss Chicago 😢

[@barflentigo7060]

New Brad just dropped

[@PrettyGoodLookin]

Just use a bunch of spices that you like. Make it your own. You can't go wrong.

[@jeremygarza4936]

“We’re gonna introduce this sandwich to this customer”

[@thisisthepart311]

If you close your eyes it's Dany Devito teaching Cody how to make sandwiches

[@timivers8823]

That's great!

[@chunkylover469]

Hands down best beef in Chicago, no others compare

[@scenicdepictionsofchicagolife]

Jays though. Also Johnnies.

[@Ben.Kenobi87]

@@scenicdepictionsofchicagolife True Johnnies is best

[@charlesfinnegan7930]

Lol Buona just ask WGN lol

[@Spawn-wt6ul]

@@scenicdepictionsofchicagolife JAYS IS GODLIKE, my favorite.

[@cle-chi]

Jj sausage 87th by western is KING!! got italian ice also

[@calvinkillman2893]

This guy said “we’re gonna introduce it to” like 70 times