I went to Al's Cafe mid August. For 2 sandwiches, a Salad, and a Burns malt($5.25) my bill was over $60 dollars.Far too expensive for me to ever go again. Especially as the Food was at best Fair.The other problem is the vagrants in downtown Elgin following you around for handouts . I hadn't realized how low downtown Elgin has sunk. The only Big Biz in Elgin is the Riverboat. SAD!!!!

The best chocolate malt bar none. Forget the straw, you eat it with a spoon. I know I'm dating myself but we used to get our malts from Burns drugstore in Elgin. For the benefit of all you younger people who think all this comes from fast food joints, most drugstores back in the 50's&60's had soda fountains.
About 3 generous scoops of ...

Great malts & icecream creations! Best malts ever! Good sandwiches. The restaurant offers an interesting menu. It's very casual w/ an art house feel. We're always happy when we dine at Al's. It's a little over-priced but fantastic nonetheless. We've been going to Al's for years and will continue to do so.

I love going there for the shakes. Sometimes within the year they hold art galleries outside of their shop. It's a lot of fun. My jazz band played there once before for one of these events.

The food was excellent and truly scrumptious the soups are creamy and to die for. Just a beautiful little restaurant I felt so worm and welcomed. The service was Marvelous!! and are waiter Dan Powers was just fab! I give Al's Cafe & Creamery two stiff thumbs up and recommend it to all.

Awsome food. Fantastic Malts. Great Service. Best of all... REASONABLY PRICED

This restaurant has the best malts in the whole world! Ask for an Al's Secret Recipe chocolate malt! You will love it! Also, the Manhattan Tuna sandwich is great. I love the atmosphere. It reminds me of the early 1900s.

We visited friends who had moved to Elgin and lunched at Al's. It was good! The place is small, homey, and nicely decorated with stained glass. Service by Jeff was friendly, attentive, and helpful. The cafe salad was crisp and had a variety of ingredients. Veggie melt on pumpernickel was very tasty and was not flooded with cheese - there ...

MY HUSBANDS EATS ORGANIC AND IT'S THE CLOSEST THING TO IT. EVERYTHING IS FRESH AND SERVED WITH A SMILE. lOVE THOSE MALTS TOO!