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Jim's Original Hot Dog
Category: Restaurants Hot Dogs Hot Dogs [Edit]
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
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
202 reviews for Jim's Original Hot Dog
Review Highlights
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"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 37 reviews
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202 reviews in English
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Review from Phil S.
5/19/2012
Pretty much the best late night food stop after a long night of drunken shenanigans.
My personal favorite is the pork chop with everything plus cheese. A couple of those spicy pickled peppers and fries completes the grease coating in the stomach to prevent those nasty burning hangover stomach pains.
Cost used to be a lot cheaper back in the day when they were at the old location. Before the entire area was plowed and rebuilt and property value magically escalated to standard ridiculous levels of Chicago property value. I miss the scary ass ghetto location. Talking trash with the DVD and sock vendors and avoiding eye contact with gangsters from the hood packing heat. The fries were better back then too.
Even though prices have damn near doubled and the original flavor is lost, I still love this place after a drunken night in the city. Open 24/7 365 serving your hunger pains at all sorts of strange hours of the day or night. -
Review from Marc R.
5/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
I do like this place. I have often taken people from all over the world to this spot in the middle of the night. I love the double parked cars, the lines, the eating of hot dogs on the little stainless steel shelves, all the steamed onions and the burn your mouth hot peppers. But, since I started eating char-dogs, I have a hard time eating a boiled dog in a bun anymore.
This place is a Chicago icon and you have to go. If it is 3 am, then you must go! But, boy oh boy, I like me my hot dogs charred on a grill! -
Review from Becky F.
Vernon Hills, IL
4/26/2012
oh i forgot to review this place.... folks, if u like/love polishes, this is THE place to come....... with the grilled onions and mustard...... boy oh boy
u must come here for polishes, dont waste your time anywhere else...... -
Review from Kevin W.
3/17/2012
Why the heck is this called Jim s and not Maxwell Street Dogs? And why is it so clean and free of solicitors that now my friends might actually come out of the car to wait in line for a dog instead of making me bring everything to their AMG?
I love their Polish dogs and it's open to the virtual wee hours of the morning. Go to Weiner circle if u want the fun cursing and a "chocolate milkshake" - come here if u want a good big polish dog w free fries for abt 3 bucks. Their sandwich or dog with the porkchop in it is really good too. -
Review from Frank C.
Bloomingdale, IL
4/10/2012
Best polish in Chicago in my opinion. I love their deep fried hot dogs and the best part of this place is the.............................BEST GRILLED ONIONS IN THE WORLD. Mustard and grilled onions baby.
Frank Campeglia
(The Food Club) -
Review from Zee Z.
Newport Beach, CA
3/25/2012 3 photos
There was no way in hell I was going to leave Chicago without having an authentic, Polish Sausage. After doing some research and talking to locals, I was told to hit up Jim's Original.
I was tempted to order the Pork Chop Sandwich (bone-in pork chop ... in a sandwich!?!), but then decided to stick with original plans and order what they are best known for: the sausage.
HELL FUCKING YES, SNAP, it was amazing. I concur with the locals, best in Chicago - if not North America. It's been almost a month now since the sausage graced my mouth, and I salivate every time I think about it.
The only reason why it doesn't get 5 stars is cause of the shitty location (outskirts of downtown, right by the freeway ) and no seating! If it weren't for the crowds of people around, I would fear for my life. -
Review from Jeanetta C.
Chicago, IL
5/4/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Classic favorite! Has'nt changed a bit. Best place in all of Chicago for an ALL BEEF polish Jew Town style.
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Review from Pascal M.
2/12/2012
There's only one thing faster than lightning, that's the service of Jim's Original.
Prepare to be assaulted by the BEST, yeah...THE BEST, street style polish sausage you'll ever have in your lifetime. What's Maxwell? Is that gourmet coffee? Or a gay Internet icon?
The polish has that snap we inhabitants of this city have come to expect with all good encased meats. The polish itself is smoky, juicy, and full of raving garlic flavor we expect with a good polish. The bun and mustard are standard, but their onions are not to be missed out on. The polish will be loaded with caramelized onions that for me, are essential to a truly perfect polish. Careful, your breath will be able to sink a Battleship after wards.
The pork chop sandwich was pretty good too. Bone in, so be mindful to not chip a tooth. After a fellow yelpers review, I really wanna try their fish sandwich now.
Jim's is fast, inexpensive, accessible, and will instantly make you a fan for life. Thank you Jim's for the best polish I've ever had. -
Review from Dino D.
2/16/2012
Might just be the best polish in Chicago. I think this place is one of the best for a hot dog or pork chop sandwich.
I would give it 5 stars but the frozen fries are a disappointment. Gene's and Jude's use hand cut fries and it really compliments the sausage. -
Review from Anchit P.
Oak Brook, IL
2/11/2012
This place is just awesome. Not only are they really open 24/7/365 (I went on Christmas Day and yes, they were open!), but they have THE best fish sandwiches in the entire planet. They are to die for and are perfection. They have plenty of other food as well, like hot dogs, burgers, chicken sandwiches, polish, and a pork chop sandwich, plus whatever canned and bottled drinks you want. Did I mention they give free fries with each sandwich too?
By far the best place to go to if you have a craving for some good old greasy food. Highly recommended. -
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 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 Jake R.
Buffalo Grove, IL
3/31/2012
Although it probably takes years off your life every time you eat here, it's worth it to get a meal for under $5. Everything comes with fries, and you can't beat the prices. The speed of service is unreal, too. You order and it's in your hand, which is great for late night snacks or when it's freezing cold out. Overall, it's a great place to grab a bite.
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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 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 Tom H.
Evanston, IL
2/22/2012
A Chicago institution. Sure, it's lost its former seedy grandeur as the castle amongst the rubble, at the heyday of the original Maxwell Street Market, at Halsted & Maxwell, back in the 1970's. Ignobly, it was transplanted basically onto the southbound onramp of the Ryan, hermetically sealed from time and separated from Chicagoans with finer sensibilities. But the dog/polish/pork chop flingers still look like they may have done time, the food is still great, the patrons are as motley a cross-section of Chicago as you'd wish and the glorious scent of grilled onions still fills the air for blocks in every direction. Jim's should be declared a historical landmark.
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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 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 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 Chapathi J.
Houston, TX
4/8/2012
Awesome and Cheap!
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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 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 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 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 Jimmy P.
Glenview, IL
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Samra M.
2/26/2011
Cheap, cheap, cheap. Their food is pretty good for the price you pay and idk what it is about those fries but I like em! Best drunk food ever =]
Right next to JST, for those of you that go to UIC, for those of you that don't it's a dorm. The guys that work there are nice, and they give you a free drink if you show them your ICard. I get the burger and fries..most likely the fries, cuz theyre good -
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 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 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 Kevin T.
Chicago, IL
2/18/2012
grab a polish from this spot if you want a quick fix with good fries for cheap. whenever i pass this street, i always get jim's and not maxwell's. i spent my UIC days trying to figure out which was better and jim's is the clear winner. perfect for those sloppy nights where greasy food is the ideal cure for a night done right. show your UIC ID and get a free pop too! but once you step up make sure you have your money/UIC card out and know what you're getting because everyone in there is going full speed!
