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Jim's Original Hot Dog
Category: Restaurants Hot Dogs Hot Dogs
1250 S Union AveChicago, IL 60607
Neighborhood: University Village
(312) 733-7820
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6 am - 6 am
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Dive-y, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
190 reviews for Jim's Original Hot Dog
Review Highlights
"I always go for the bone in pork chop sandwich."
(in 33 reviews)
"Maxwell Street Polish (9.99999999999/10."
(in 15 reviews)
"Polish--HUGE delicious comes with grilled onions."
(in 38 reviews)
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190 reviews in English
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Review from Scott M.
Chicago, IL
11/18/2011
I'm not a poet by any means, but Jim's Original is SO good...I had to try:
Oh, Jims, how I love your food;
morning, night, sober or drunk;
I'm almost always in the mood.
You make a damn good polish,
and follow it with an awesome fry.
You really have no competition;
even if Express does try.
Right off the highway;
your location is ideal;
It takes about 30 seconds to get your food;
No...I'm being for real.
I've tried the entire menu;
there's not a thing I won't eat.
and with fries included with everything;
your prices cannot be beat.
So if you havn't yet tried Jims
go and order one of everything.
So enough you'll agree with me, when it comes to the Polish
Jim's Original is the king.
EAT AT JIMS! :) -
Review from Tiffany L.
Waukegan, IL
1/10/2012
Is there anything better than a greasy polish (and "free" fries) a night of imbibing? I think not.
Actually, I take that back -- I don't need any alcohol in my system to dine here. I'm even willing to stink up my car. Come here and enjoy a polish (don't go to the place next door). You'll be glad you did. -
Review from Michael R.
Chicago, IL
12/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Jim's is like the other maxwell's..... great, cheap and fast.
They are great for late night food after going out.
Personally, I prefer the food at the maxwell's on 31st, just east of halsted but this is still not bad. I just don't prefer the fries at jims. -
Review from Mike B.
12/1/2011
When the minotaur is hungry, the minotaur is HUNGRAAY
On the late night, when nothings open but strip clubs and casinos, I almost always try to make it to Jim's Original. Orders come quick, prices are as cheap as it gets, and (most importantly) the food is AMAZING. About 99% of the time, I get the Polish & fries. Regardless of the time of day, this place almost always has a line. Never to worry, the line moves very quickly, and usually im in and out in 3 minutes or less. Its so good, I usually cant wait and just eat it in my car - and im not the only one. Ive been coming to this spot since high school, and will continue to go as long as I am in Chicago.
Keep up the good work Jim's!!
Sincerely,
The minotaur (who doesnt take showers) -
Review from Ames H.
Chicago, IL
2/7/2012
Haha, I'm a Chicago native and this is my go-to place with my friends after a late night. The fries are amazing; extra crispy. Jim's over Maxwell's any day. I usually go for their pork polish dog or pork chop sandwich with everything (mustard and grilled onions). Just recently tried their fish sandwich and it was so bomb. Like all fast-food, this should be eaten in moderation. :)
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Review from Andrew T.
Updated - 1/31/2012
Ask for ketchup. I dare you.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/8/2011
Amazing hot dogs, polish, fish and pork chops. Open late, always hot food and great service. Free… Read more »
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Review from Boon K.
1/7/2012
Best polish you can get in town, there is just the perfect char and the perfect snap you get when you bite into this wonderful joy. The grill onion just makes it even better. There is also this pork chop sandwich that you can't really find anyway else too.
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Review from Kymberly J.
Oak Park, IL
12/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
There is definite hype about this place because a similar looking hotdog stand is right next door that does not have the buzz circulating around Jim's. I didnt find it overwhelmingly fantastic. The dogs do have the bit that I like but it gets lost in the bun and taken over by too much mustard. It's cheap and it comes with free fries and it's open 24 hours.
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Review from Josh B.
Wheaton, IL
1/6/2012
Jim's is everything Chicago dive food is about. People of all types at all times come for a polish or a pork chop sandwich, in the rain, in the snow, with the biting cold wind blowing on their faces, or the hot Summer Sun beating down on their heads. Jim's is just the f*cking bomb.
I always come for the polish. No onions, with a piece of cheese, and loads of their really spicy serrano peppers marinating in their own juices. The polish is so crisp and juicy, and probably one of the tastiest things I've ever eaten. The peppers go perfect with the polish. They can be really damn spicy some times, but so good. I don't know what it is about the fries, but they always come out so crisp and potatoey.
If you're looking for the best Polish on the planet, come to Jim's. Between the atmosphere, the location, the people, and the food, Jim's is one of those true Chicago gems that deserves a visit by everyone, and a 5/5 on my review. -
Review from Diana G.
I ordered the polish and pork chop sandwich. I only ate the polish and thought it was ok. I think I prefer the Maxwell on 31st or maybe just more use to it.
Man, the hot peppers they give are HOT! They are no joke! Eat with caution!
They were super quick. It was all done and packaged before we even paid! -
Review from Arnold P.
Indianapolis, IN
12/11/2011
Placed looked dirty and kind of in a bad neighborhood but hey, all the good food joints are in the "hood" I got the original polish dog and boy it was hot and juicy and oh so good. Not the best hot dog ive ever had but maybe the best polish dog ive ever had.
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Review from Alan A.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
8/10/2011
I have had many great memories here and have seen everything from old men getting into fights over change on the ground to grown men wearing only diapers covered in blood. If you ask any UIC student about Jims they will say "I go there when I'm drunk" and that may hold true. But if you have never been there before, be sure to go at any time and you'll be in for a greasy, inexpensive treat. And if you have a student ID you get a free can soda!
If you want to impress people order a "Polish con todo" (polish with everything).
The smell of Jims is so strong that once you enter University Village you can smell the food. And if you live in the adjacent James Stukel Towers, the smell of Jims seeps through the vents and will make you gag on occasion.
This place will have a full line at 2am Thurs-Saturday filled with people who have sinned tremendously the past few hours. They also accept card which gives it an edge over the nearby Maxwell Street Hot Dogs! This is a UIC student favorite and inconveniently located on the hidden Union St right before entering the expressway. If you have not gone to Jims you have not experienced life!
P.S. Stay away during the Black History Month $1 Hour, the lines are extremely long and people buy shopping bags worth of food! Better off waiting a few hours and paying an extra buck! Also Jims does not go well with cheap beer! -
Review from Jimmy P.
Glenview, IL
10/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is the only Hot Dog Stand that I know of that will have the following people in line for a hot dog or polish or pork sandwich at 2 in the morning: College Student, Police, Pimp, Drug Dealer, Prostitutes, Pastor, family, rich man, poor man, homeless and etc.....
I LOVE this place!
This Hot Dog Stand is over 20 miles from my home but I will drive to get a Polish and Pork Sandwich with 2 cokes for $9.35(free fries)
Warning!!! The HOT peppers are really HOT!!!
If you are adventurous, visit this stand at 2am on Friday or Saturday morning and you will get to see a cross section of Chicago's communities. It could be fun. Be careful.
Gotta LOVE this restaurant. -
Review from Jeff G.
1/1/2012
i can't believe i'd never been as i've probably driven passed it on the highway 1000 times, but i'm glad i now know about it so i can go stop in when in the area and in need of a dog or polish and fries.
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Review from Kristen L.
Glenview, IL
7/10/2011
For a place that's open 24/7, 365 days a year, they sure have their polishes down to a tee.
The onions are grilled to perfection and the polish has a nice snap from the sausage casing as soon as you bite into it. Each burger/polish/hot dog on the menu comes with a side of fries and everything on the menu is about $3-5. You get more than you pay for and you get your food very quickly.
The one downside is that there' s no seating, but there's plenty of sidewalk space available, which is what I usually do when I'm there.
Great for lunch/dinner or a midnight snack. -
Review from donovan k.
Elgin, IL
10/10/2011
Jims is everything you could ever want polish sausage to be. Yes you will smell all day long. Yes your stomach will hate you. Yes it is incredibly cheap and delicious. Yes you should go get one right now
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Review from Dubbs M.
Chicago, IL
9/27/2011
There is no other Jim's No place n Chicago quite captures the true historical Chicago hot dog taste like Jim's .Their fries are addicting and the smell takes you back to when they were oroginally on maxwell street.I remember coming to Jim's & maxwell street as a kid for clothing and the latest gear of the time period .Jim's fit in well w/ the back drop of an open makret in the street .( there was always a guy selling ceramic giraffes by Jim's) on weekends the sellers would impromptus do jam sessions by the cassette / 8track / record guy ,man that was hot now that i think of it .Jim's pleases and the circuses of today still live up to its historic past . A true Chicago legendary jewel of times gone by .
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Review from Binh N.
Chicago, IL
8/23/2011
Good food and cheap. Open all the time.
Love the food, especially when I'm drunk. -
Review from Jason B.
Chicago, IL
9/30/2011
Jim's gets 5 stars for its amazing Polish sausage. It's the Platonic ideal of the Chicago Polish. The porch chop is great, too.
But as the years go by, the shady element that hangs out in front of this and it's neighboring hot dog stand just keep me away. They need to get better security and keep people from loitering here. I'm not sure why they don't do this. At any given time there are 20-30 shady characters hanging around the place. Even running to the car with just enough cash for my order (leaving the girlfriend in the car with the keys, doors locked), no cell phone, no valuables of any kind, I still feel unsafe.
Granted, sometimes the urge will outweigh my self-preservation instincts, but there's a time in life where the desire to live outweighs culinary adventurousness and the drunken urge for greasy food. For that reason, I'm restricting my visits to daytime hours. -
Review from Jay C.
New York, NY
10/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great late night spot after the club to grab a sausage hotdog or pork chop sandwich in the chi-town The sausages are cooked freshed and serverd on a warm bun with mustard. I came here late night after the club on my night on the town in Chicago with friends. Nothing fancy but good and will do the job late night.
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Review from Will V.
5/22/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Best. Polish. In. Chicago.
I'm giving four stars only because of two minor complaints- I wish there were some benches or tables nearby to sit down and eat the amazingly tasty and HUGE Polish sausage I got at Jim's. And they forgot the sport peppers, which I absolutely love, even though I often have difficulty keeping them in the bun when I'm chomping down on a dog or Polish. The grilled onions are great, and the fries are so crispy and tasty. For less than $5 for a big Polish, fries, and a bottled water, this place is a great value. Bring cash. -
Review from Josh S.
Chicago, IL
9/11/2011
I do not see what the appeal is. The food was mediocre at best, they screwed up our order (by putting mustard on EVERYTHING, pork sandwich, burger, hot dogs..) Yes, it was fast and cheap, but I was very disappointed, especially seeing all the rave yelp reviews.
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Review from Sal C.
Brea, CA
9/5/2011
Delicious polish dogs! We also happened to be there when they were celebrating their 75th anniversary, so we got each one w/ fries for 75 cents!
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Review from Tawheed H.
Richmond, VA
10/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
All that n a bag of fries! Free fries w/ every sandwich. We got both a Vienna dog and a Polish sausage, both of us preferred the Polish, not knocking the Vienna... we just preferred the Polish.
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Review from Jenny F.
4/14/2011
I'm surprised Jim's doesn't have more reviews! This place is as good as it gets for greasy, cheap, delicious, good at any time of the day, makes you want to take a powerwasher to your arteries food.
It's right next to Maxwells, but I promise you Jim's wins you over with just one fry. (I dare you to try Maxwell's fries and come to the same conclusion). Both are just a kitchen with a counter --no seats, no tables, just good food, friendly ppl, and fast service.
Everything is made to order, you can feed an army for under $10, their porkchop sandwich is so legit it has BONE in it, and everything comes with a free side of fries. Yes, even the fries come with a free side of fries--and trust me, after you taste them, you'll be SO glad they do!
Polish--HUGE delicious comes with grilled onions. A lot of my friends like the fish sandwich, but I haven't tried that yet.
I used to work at UIC (the university literally a block away) almost a year ago, and I STILL get cravings for their fries. And at $1.10 for TWO huge bags? Sometimes it's still worth the trip. -
Review from Debbie F.
Chicago, IL
10/16/2011
I like diced, not grilled onions.
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Review from Hoang L.
11/30/2010
Wow, after getting multiple stomachaches from their grilled onions, I decided that I would never come here again despite how good it taste.
The good:
1. It's hella cheap. (used to be much cheaper when it was a shack, literally)
2. They serve grape soda. Yes, Asian people can like grape soda too!
3. It's open all day all night. Good for after the bars and clubs.
4. Jalapeños are HOT!
5. This place was good during my college days years ago, especially because I was poor and stayed up late to study.
6. Polish is tasty and famous, actually.
7. I like the fish sandwich, better than Micky D's!
The bad:
1. Your car will smell for a week no matter how far you live from Jim's or Maxwell's.
2. You will get a stomachache from the grilled onions. Well, you might have a stronger stomach than me so this may vary.
3. The fries are so bad, they beggars won't even take them.
4. Shady area. Expect to be approached by the homeless or poor.
5. Ketchup packets are so small, you need like 20 of them.
6. I believe it's cash only. Understandable though. -
Review from James R.
Chicago, IL
5/15/2011
It's good. Really good. Best food in the Maxwell/Halsted area.
Only trick is finding it - it's hidden behind the parking structure on Maxwell, on Union street along the freeway.
For whatever reason, some of the locals do not like hot dog stands, so they have stuck Jim's and Express Grill out on Union street. Don't let that dissuade you, it's well worth coming here. -
Review from Brian K.
11/16/2010 1 Check-in Here
FAMOUS FOR (My rating in parens)
Maxwell Street Polish (9.99999999999/10)
ALSO TRIED
Pork Chop Sandwich (8/10)
Cheeseburger (10/10)
Hot Dog (5/10)
Fish Sandwich (3/10)
Chicken Sandwich (3/10)
French Fries (8/10)
This place is almost EXACTLY like Express Grill. We used to call this "Jim's" and Express Grill "Maxwell's." Basically, the review is the same as here:
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
...with one exception...
Jim's & Maxwell's kept moving a block at a time because of the UIC expansion. Their original makeshift buildings got torn down so they were in trailers, and then they had to move to another place, and eventually they got a spot in the South Campus of UIC. Facing the establishments, it was always Jim's on the left, Maxwell's on the right. Also, Jim's never had a line or hardly a customer (it seemed), but Maxwell's always had huge lines and tons of customers. You'd feel bad for Jim's as you walk by and they're calling out to you to buy from them!
With the spot in South Campus, they swapped. Maxwell's is now on the left, Jim's is on the right! However, one more thing changed. Jim's changed its fries, and they're a lot better than Maxwell's.
Which makes me wonder...are people just subconsciously inclined to choose the right side over the left side, or was it the fries that made everyone switch? Granted, people believed Maxwells to have a better Polish, and even though it was such a minute difference, it was A difference, so everyone went there. With such a big difference in fries, maybe that's the only reason everyone went to Jim's? The world will never know, I'll ask Mr. Owl next time I see him.
FRIES
In any case, Jim's fries are a little bit thinner than they used to be but most importantly, they're now crispy (not flimsy) and slightly salted! Don't get me wrong, there are certainly better fries out there, but these do taste pretty awesome! They've got a beautiful golden dark brown texture to them and the crunch is just so satisfying! Since they still give you fries with every sandwich, this can be very dangerous, because unlike Maxwells fries, which are a chore to eat, and just becomes waste anyway, these can get real addicting real fast, and if you order a couple sandwiches (or do a "3-Peat" like I used to do in college) you may have a fry problem on your hands! -
Review from Jon O.
Chicago, IL
4/8/2011
Pros: everything is delicious, cheap, fast service, amazing burgers
Cons: cash only, not a lot of parking -
Review from Nina M.
Chicago, IL
9/5/2010
Though I made my way here (before they moved 50 ft to the south) many a night and many a day while I lived across the street. I still do not know the difference between Jim's Original and Maxwell St. Polish. I think their fries are different.
I like their chicken sandwiches and I like their half price food from 3-5pm in February. It's practically free!
Great place, did not buy socks here though or bootleg dvds. -
Review from laneka g.
Chicago, IL
11/11/2011
so the only thing i eat from here is hot dogs, simple hot dog with cheese and ketchup only. if the line here is to long i will simply cross over to express. most people i know have this weird loyalty to either here or there and will go so far as to call the other nasty. prices are the same food taste the same they are the same
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Review from Kyle M.
Chicago, IL
11/1/2010
It's honestly hard to believe that after going to UIC for over 3 years I've never heard of Jim's. Hidden right behind the tallest dorm on campus, this gem is honestly worth every penny. Just after one visit it became a standard for me and a friend.
First time I went: Polish sausage. Easily the best Polish I've had. Stacked high with grilled onions, and delicious fries, for 3.25, you can't go wrong. Today I had the pork chop sandwich. Also delicious. The bone inside did make it a little cumbersome to eat, but it was easily (and worthwhile-y!) manageable. This place deserves all the reputation it has. Great food, great prices, fast service, I don't know what else to ask for from a stand that's been open for over 70 years. -
Review from Dave A.
Brookston, IN
1/12/2011
I had seen a postcard of this place a few years back at the Chicago Cultural Center, then I actually stumbled onto one night about midnight driving home to Indiana. It's won-der-full!
The Vienna beef dogs are fantastic and so are the Polish sausages. Cheese dog is messy but worth it. The buns are steamed - it shows they really care. Everything comes with a monster gob of really good French fries AND they even have RC Cola!
The original Jim's Original on 1250 S Union Avenue is worth driving WAY out of your way to get to. Open 24 hours a day. The experience to me is best in the middle of the night, though it's swell any time. You got to try it! -
Review from Mike K.
Chicago, IL
6/8/2010
Everyone knows, especially as you get a little older, that if you're out all night drinking that you'll have to have something to eat at the end of the night or face the inevitable hangover the next morn, er, afternoon.
Everyone also knows that between Division and Roosevelt there is a dearth of fast food places to suit this need outside of the McDonald's on Ontario and the dumpy joints on Division between State and Dearborn. I think King Daley somehow doesn't allow any late night fast food joints in the immediate area surrounding the Loop to keep any riff raff out, at least until the Taste.
This is where Jim's comes in to fill the gap. (Okay, I cheated, as Jim's is a block south of Roosevelt. Be very afraid, North Siders.). It's a 24-hour mustard mecca adjacent to the Dan Ryan expressway.
Be advised when you come to Jim's late night that you're going to encounter your hard core city ghetto scene, hoopties and all. You'll feel a little uncomfortable and like all hell might break loose at any second, but if you're polite and don't ask for ketchup on anything you should be fine.
Speaking of ketchup, I just don't subscribe to this whole "no ketchup on hot dogs" thing. To me, it's not a hot dog without ketchup. And I'm no carpetbagger. Maybe this is a hard core city thing? Anyway, they won't put ketchup on anything here. They will slather everything in mustard, including a burger. If you want ketchup, you'll get a crooked look and a handful of packets in your sack.
You get a decent burger here for a couple dollars or a double for about four. Fries are included. They slap mustard on it unless you say otherwise. You can also grab a can of grape pop if you like.
All in all Jim's is a bit scary but is a pretty good deal and fills the drunk food gap in the area surrounding the Loop. If you're hammered late night somewhere in or just outside of the Loop and have access to a hoopty (don't drink and drive!), this is your destination.
It's 3 1/2 stars, but I'll mark up to four. -
Review from Edward W.
10/31/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Polish with extra grilled onions that melt in your mouth. Crunchy fries included.
I've never had anything else here. No matter what you have a taste for, when you get within a few blocks of this place your taste buds will start screaming Polish With Grilled Onions! It's kind of like one of those cartoons when we we're kids. When you get in the area of the restaurant your nose will know. You will get a smile on your face and you will begin to float. Close your eyes and you will arrive at the grill minutes later salivating like a hungry dog. -
Review from Raquel D.
9/15/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Jim's has been my saviour. They are always there for me when I need them the most. Be it drunk, hungover, lazy to cook - they are down the street, ready and waiting to fill me with some good ol' greasy, Maxwell style polish and fries...for under $4 bucks. Score. This is good stuff - not good for your waistline, but good for filling your belly. I get the works and add ketchup on my own - don't ask for it on your polish - but you can ask for packets for your fries, of course. Be aware of the pepper - it's hot stuff. Little bites or you'll start breathing fire from your nose.
I used to go next door and still may, on occassion or if persuaded by others, but I think I prefer the fries here. It's usually crispy, just the way I like 'em. Maybe it depends when you go - but I have pretty much covered all times of day - it's places like this that force me to keep the other 'Gym' in my life around. -
Review from Ray P.
5/23/2010
I remember having Maxwell Street polish with my dad growing up. He'd take me to this general area, and we'd buy a couple, sit in the car, and have a father-son moment. It was one of those things that Sout' siders did back in the day.
Fast forward to today, and Jim's is still one of the best meal values in town (outside of the infamous "dollar menus" or perhaps Taco Bell). For something like two bits (okay, I'll admit, a little more than two bits, but, not by much) you can get yoru choice of the original Maxwell Polish, hamburger, cheeseburger, amongst other things, WITH fries. You can even get a pork chop, (on bone! you know what they say, the closer to the bone, the sweeter the meat....thanks for that one dad!) sandwich (haven't tried it....sounds interesting and delicious).
I'm a Polish guy -- sausage, grilled onions, yellow mustard. That's it. I usually opt out of the pepper, as I'm not sure what to make of it, and, frankly, it does not taste very good to me at all. Excellent sausage - expertly grilled, sweet, savory, snap to the casing, delicious. Perfect accompaniments in the grilled onions and yellow mustard. Do NOT ask for ketchup on your Polish.
I also had a hamburger (in the name of Yelp, I bought two meals). The patty was over done - I like crispy edges on my burger patties, but, not when the center of the patty is hard and dry, like meat-flavored styrofoam. The only condiments were the grilled onions, yellow mustard, and relish (I asked for ketchup, and I was handed packets of, well, ketchup).
Yes, the fries are free. And, not particularly good. Unless you win the lottery and get some from a freshly fried batch. Mine were soggy, mashed (as in mashed potatoes -- they stuff the fries into a little brown bag), and way too salty (and I like my salt....proven by the salt lick in my living room). Eat at your own peril.
But definitely go for the polish. At less than a five-spot for the meal AND a soda, it's the best value in the city. Now, I'm not a doctor (but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express), but, I don't recommend having Jim's for every meal....unless you carry an AED in your car and your are the primary shareholder of a pharmaceutical company that specializes in cholesterol drugs, then it's okay. And, if you try the pork chop sandwich, let me know how it is!Listed in: Welcome to Chicago!
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Review from Phil J.
6/27/2010 3 Check-ins Here
24/7 baby!
Other restaurants/fast-food joints that have "Maxwell Street Polish" on their menu should just remove the words "Maxwell Street" ....they don't come close. They simply don't deserve to bear the title.
Jim's Original is THE SPOT to hit up if you want to know what a Maxwell Street Polish is. The best polish sausage, with grilled onions, sport peppers, and mustard. Sounds simple, yet, nowhere else does it taste as good. Their Bone-In Pork Chop Sammich is awesome too.
When I think of late night bites, Jim's Original is definitely always under consideration. It's open 24/7 baby!Listed in: LATE NIGHT GRUB
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Review from Darren F.
Chicago, IL
7/14/2011
Jim's is just good! everything there is delicious and cheap! the fries is outstanding! reason for 4 stars instead of 5 stars is because sometimes the pork chop and the chicken sandwiches can be a little on the dry side. the fish sandwich is very good, the grill onion and tarter sauce makes it so perfect. the food is served really fast and its open 24/7!
