This is one of those places where you say - "man oh man" this is so good food with an even better price. I had a Cheeseburger and Fish fillet with fries and a Watermelon Italian Ice. I have tried every item on their Neighbors menu and I can't wait to try every item on Express Grill menu. I asked the guy serving me "are you guys better" and he said "f@&$ yea". I absolutely love that haha. I usually don't like cockiness but I appreciate the person making my burger having enough confidence to say that. For that reason, I'll be back many times over. Vibes top tier. As I write this review, I honestly want to go back tonight haha I live nearby and this is one of those places where I'm going to be devastated moving away just because of this food...Thank you Express Grill, see you soon! (Also, I can't figure out who's better so I need to score this the exact same as their neighbor. It's too tough for me. I'm Switzerland). Personal Review: 9.3/10 read more

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Do not be deterred if you see the longer line next door. Express grill is so much better. They were welcoming unlike the rude employees and service at Jim's. The employees wanted your business and made everything fresh to order. I had the fish sandwich and it was amazing. It was so hot and fresh I failed to take pics. We will be back and they have a shorter wait time. read more

Good portions. More fries and xtra peppers.. you won't be disappointed , I got the polish with everything

This place is next to Jim's hot place. So I tried them (both). They offer the same menu items - and Express Grill falls short, compared to Jim's. The pork chop sandwich was ok....just (nearly as flavorful as Jim's. The onions on the sandwich or hotdog....we're quite mushy (compared) to Jim's. And again, (not) as flavorful. read more

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I used to frequent this place fairly often when I lived closer. I was stuck in traffic on 90/94 (surprise, surprise) so I decided to hop off and grab a bite after so many years...still so good! Yes, the prices have gone up, but they needed to (thank you [Insert name of whichever politician you choose to blame] lol). I went to my old favorite: Cheese Burger with grilled onions and hot peppers, no mustard (mustard on a burger? still can't do it!). The steamed bun was just so perfect and they melt the cheese so perfectly! The hot peppers are HOT! And guess what hasn't changed...free fries...a lot of them! Keep doing your thing guys! read more

Express Grill - Cheese Burger & Free French Fries - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Yum-yum, if you want an authentic Maxwell Street Polish, it's this place or Jim's Original Hot Dog a few feet to the north on Union Street.  As I last visited Jim's whilest I was on Union St, I stopped here this time for a Polish, with the free fries (ha), grilled onions, hot peppers, and mustard for $5.30 all-in (taxes included in listed price).  Deeelicious, and a real Chicago street food treat!  The Polish had a nice snap and a nice mild kick to it too. A fun foodie stop 4sure if you're in the area and they do take credit cards now.  By the way, Express Grill and Jim's have virtually identical menus and prices but different owners (I read but not sure it's true that they were feuding cousins or brothers from the olden days??) who are competitors operating just a few footsteps apart.   Fortunately there are plenty of stylish Chicago, or er make that Chicago-style customers for both! read more

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Been eating here since I was a kid in the 80s. Great food, great people! It's a Chicago staple and for many years, people have been coming here and lovin it! read more

One of two outstanding polish stands in The Chi!!! The story of the two cousin that split is legendary here and is still the talk between the two stands. A favorite among the Chicago locals, the polish sausages here are good. Grilled onions and hot peppers on the side. Toss in a bag of fries and it's a party. The cost is fair, all things considered. Right off the freeway, you can grab a bite to eat and a pop to wash it down. read more

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I try not to leave reviews (especially bad ones) but my husband and I have ordered here more than once. Each time they're always missing something, or the food just isn't as good as it can be. My Italian beef (buy one get one free) off of Uber was missing cheese, and our burgers as well. I give it a 2 because all the food was there this time but of course there's things missing that makes the meal complete. Maybe it would have been different if we went in to eat. read more

Express Grill - Dry food :( - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

"Express Grill" is one of the Chicago institutions many people often pass through after the Jane Byrne Interchange (a junction between Eisenhower, Dan Ryan, and Kennedy). It's a cash-only establishment, but the prices on the menu are very reasonable. With that being said, hubby and I managed to have a meal for two (2) under $10. Yeah, you really don't any any further explanation. The surroundings can be pretty crowded during summer evenings when Chicago experiences her prime time from students hopping from one bar to another, locals hanging out in the University Village, and out-of-town visitors getting their first taste of Chicago-style hot dog. I knew their polish sausage with aromatic grilled onion is the most popular, yet I was in the mood for something round and beefy so I went for a cheeseburger instead. As we placed the order, we were able to watch the grilling actions and the food looked SO, SO delicious! One factor I wanted to point out was that the non-meat toppings were cooked along with the meat. I bet the reason why they were done this way was to have the grilled onion, for example, soaked in the meat juice to enhance the flavor. I personally wouldn't have any problem with meat and non-meat products cooked simultaneously on the same grill as long as nothing is undercooked. My cheeseburger was assembled properly, though I would say the cheese could be melted a bit more as they cooked in my opinion. Anyway, as the name suggested, "Express Grill" owned up to it. The cheeseburger was great for what I paid for. I had no complaint; I was just being slightly critical. read more

Express Grill - Polish - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Been coming to this place for years. I had a double cheese burger that was very tasty. My guy had a double fish Sandwich which he said, was very good something he never had before. Would order it again. You can get very full. The only thing isi don't like peppers. So don't tell them to put them your sandwich. read more

Good! I ate all my food without a picture! So good and come with fries, included with each order! And the hot pepper on the side... I think I'm still sweating from it. read more

Express Grill - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great foods chicago has great food best of best Maxwell Street Polish Original Maxwell Polish Polish Dog read more

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I'm walking down the street when I found this store. I'm starving already so I took my time to come here. It was fast food so I hope they have fast service. They don't have a table and chairs to stay in so I just eat it while walking. I ordered two burgers. And it took so long for my order to come. I thought it was quick. So it served me in a good plastic wrap. One burger that I ate was Express Grill with porkchop, yellow mustard and grilled onions. When I bite it I bite the bone of the pork chop. They should have removed it since it was a burger. But the taste was really good. The one burger was also really good. It came with a tasty patty and fresh veggies. I also taste the cheese and mustard on it. I love this. read more

Good polish. Has a nice snap when you bite. A bit pricey. I think 5.75 for dog and fries. Good to try out when visiting. Too pricey to casually eat all the time read more

This is the place to stop when you are craving a traditional Polish Sausage! The grilled onions are amazing and come with fries. Ironically Jim's Original is more well known for its sausage but the locals prefer Express Grill. What's really awesome is that Express grill is only 50 feet south of Jim's so you can/should try both that's what I did. Express Grill sausages are a little bigger and meatier (less saltier too) and the fries are less seasoned. It's Great late night drunk food at a great price. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Chicago. Cash only stand up tables limited parking. read more

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TL:DR - Express Grill is nearly indistinguishable from Jim's in terms of taste, service, and cheeseburger. Express Grill has a larger polish dog, but tastes similarly to Jim's, but the fries at Jim's are light years better than Express Grill, making Jim's my go to. Being new to Chicago, and just on the otherside of the interstate from Jim's/Express Grill, my friends and I finally had a late night craving for some greasy fast food. Being the yelper I am with a love of taste tests, we decided to do a good ol blind taste test between Jim's and Express Grill. We got a cheeseburger with everything on it, a polish dog with everything on it, and fries from each location. 3 blind taste testers came to nearly the same conclusion, these two places pretty much tasted the exact same, but gun to our head, we preferred the hot dog and burger at Express Grill, but easily preferred the fries at Jim's. The hot dog at both had great snap and identical flavor, with the only differences being that the hot dog at Express Grill was closer to bratwurst size while those at Jim's were more hot dog size. The burger was also very similar, with all three agreeing that the one from Express Grill just had a little more flavor and a little more juicier. The fries was the biggest difference, with Jim's having more crunch while those at Express Grill were more limp and soft. Aside from this, both places were incredibly fast, with both completing the order within 3 minutes of placing the order. All in all, I personally may just go to Jim's as the fries were several steps above Express Grill, while the burger and dog were like a hair better at Express. read more

My favorite of all time on Maxwell St. Been going since I was a kid at the original location. So many wonderful meals here. My last meal as a single man was here. Polish, pork chop, burgers, hot dogs, everything on the menu is amazing. The same guys working here for years, and they have always taken great care of us. The place mixes all walks of life. Poor, rich, all races, religions, ethnicities, we are all welcome here. Just don't ever let @jameshanley ever order a pork chop sandwich while in your backseat. read more

For the most part, the food is pretty much the same to what they have at Jim's. The fries aren't always as good but it's a nice alternative when you don't wanna deal with the line at Jim's. The advantage this place has is they offer an option to order ahead of time on a mobile app. Also, they have multiple locations, unlike Jim's. Not sure if they'll do this again, but a long time ago, during Black History Month, they'd have this promo on their food. I think it was a $1 or something on all sandwiches around 3-5pm I wanna say. If they still do, be sure to take advantage of that too. This place is known strictly for the food that needs to just crank out their food ASAP. Not really known for their customer service. It's definitely an "in and out" establishment. read more

Walk-up window. No seating, no shelter, cash only, limited street parking. $3 period gets you a dog, fries and drink. And, it's the classic Chicago Vienna Beef dog with relish, caramelized onions and mustard. A huge jalapeño pepper comes with. Fries are Chicago style, too--large, barely crisp outside and soft inside. Did I mention $3 covers the meal? read more

Everything is always on point and perfect when I come at for bite any time of the night or day their polish sausage is to Chicago style perfect highly recommended coming in and trying this real Chicago food you will not be disappointed at make sure to get a Italian ice cream you will thank me when you try it read more

This spot is the truth, man. I moved up here from Orlando and we have so many food trucks back home for that late night after club fix. When I found these dogs I put all my hopes in them and was HIGHLY SATISFIED thank the lord. I don't eat pork so I had the Beef Polish Sausage Sandwich. So much flavor, piping hot, juicy and quality. The cheese fries were so bomb as well. Not to mention it's such a cheap meal!!! Of course, it's not ideal to eat in your car in some cases. When you come here, you just gotta know what you came for - your inexpensive, no frills, junk food fix from hot dog heaven. read more

A must get when I Chi-town, I sometimes have friends that visit from Chicago bring me some Polish Dogs by air. Just make sure they wrap the works separate with the bun. The Pork Chop is also good, but remember the bone is included, something you might forget when your taste butts come in contact with this treat. There are many Maxwell Streets in Chicago, but his one is the One and Only. Come on and get your Polish (fries Included) and a pop. Well, let the picture I posted speak for it self... read more

Express Grill - Original MWS, Express Grill - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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First time coming here after passing by it millions of times. I must say, the customer service lured me in after deciding whether here or Jim's. The polish dog is amazing, super cooked and the onions did not disappoint either. Fries are eh, but they complimented my Polish dog very well. Price point and service earn this place a 5 star. read more

Express Grill - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The best Polish Sausage hot dog topped with grilled onions and slathered in yellow mustard in Chicago can be found here. That is how it is supposed to be made. It is meatier and plumper than Jim's Original Hot Dog next door. Their French fries are 5x better than Jim's too. Cash only. Service is very good. read more

Greasy delicious unhealthy food and fast service. You get what you pay for and it taste good. Perfect definition of something quick and easy and also filling. read more

Express Grill - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Only place to go for the hang over. Over night shift is the best never fails to amaze. Peppers are extremely hot and the onions are perfectly grilled. My preference is the beef polish. Go there if you want good food only read more

Just now reviewing after eating here back in July or August. Stopped by with friends after a White Sox game. Ordered a cheeseburger, a polish and a regular hot dog. Each one hit the spot. read more

Express Grill - From left to right....cheeseburger, polish dog, regular hot dog. Free fries with each. - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The polish wasn't bad but still tasted a little bit uncooked. This is obviously a very fast food type of place so this review is strictly based on the Maxwell itself. I think Portillos makes a better polish and of course their neighbors as well. read more

Express Grill - Maxwell Polish - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Thought I'd give Chicago hotdogs another shot after Portillo's disappointed. But I guess I'm just biased towards California bacon-wrapped street dogs. While the dog was good enough, there wasn't anything spectacular about it that would have me craving it again. The Polish Sausage was much the same. Also this place seems like it's in a sketchy area. read more

Express Grill - Doesn't look the most appetizing, but they're good! - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great special the whole month of February. $2 Polish You'll see me there all month even for valentines lol Caramelized onions on a hot dog yummy. Expect long lines specially the $2 polish No seats dine in the street like a true chicagoan Great customer service also unlike the people next doors Fries could be better but can't complain read more

OMG! now your talking some damn good food that gets down to the soul of Chicago! This is what its all about it's Chicago's equivalent of Tommy's Burgers on Rampart street. I've had dreams about this Polish since I was there last and I made my cousins drag me there, I didn't care how safe it was lol. This was delicious, you have to stop there and try it all! read more

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Great late night spot. This reminds me of In N Out burgers on the west coast. I'm not sure why all the Maxwell St locations have to be in the hood though lol read more

Good food, big portions, free fries, cheap prices, and hey you get to eat with your neighborhood pigeons! $4 - You get a big grilled chicken sandwich and a bag of french fries Pro's: Really friendly staff member with a big smile on his face... Maybe cause I'm a suburban white kid who looked out of place. But no, on a serious note he was extremely helpful AND he mentioned that for the entire month of February all Sandwiches are $1.50 M-Thurs from 3pm-5pm. Hot damn! At that price it is worth stocking up my whole fridge for a week. Good times at Maxwells Express Grill. read more

Great food. But another example of BS price gouging. The dog was 3.50 at the start of 2022, if I remember right. Again, great food and staff but over priced. An closed the 18th & Halsted location, for the sake of laying off employees and profits. Welcome to America read more

This is a review of Express Grill. I boldly mention this because there is _another_ hot dog stand very nearby, and in the past, I believe there was a keen possibility that persons reviewing either of these hot dog stands may have mistakenly assigned the attributes of one to the *opposition* hot dog stand. The *opposition* hot dog stand run by a feuding brother of the entrepreneur of Express Grill is at *1250* S. Union Ave. (I shall not mention its name here - it is already confusing enough.) The snag is because; depending on when you were here, you might not especially remember all the details of what you had, much less which stand you visited. But the fog of your memory would express [oops] that this was the northernmost stand. Then, in a lucid state, you logged on to Yelp and looked the venue up. You saw an address of *1236* S. Union. You posted your review of that venue as being "Express Grill". And you were erroneous. There is no stand at 1236 S. Union Ave. That is a non-existant address. (It would be in the middle of the street just south of Roosevelt Rd.) The northernmost stand is *NOT* Express Grill. You reviewed *the opposition*. Please cut out your review of the opposition and paste it into that restaurant's reviews. After we finished videotaping 'Chic-A-Go-Go!' one Saturday evening, I had extra time before I needed to get to the Twisted Spoke. I was on another CTA 1-day pass. I walked over to Halsted St. and caught a #8 Halsted bus south to Roosevelt and walked the two blocks over to Union St. I deliberately chose Express Grill. I opted for the beef Polish ($3.35) and a 20-ounce bottle of black cherry soda ($1.25). My money was collected in a small tip tray. (I haven't seen any business using that since I visited Tokyo.) I had mustard and grilled onions on my polish. It was a good all-beef polish slightly pink on the inside, but with enough roasted meat flavor to be succulent. The french fries at Express Grill are institutional. They're not great. Interestingly, you will get generic ketchup packets for your fries at Express Grill. [Oh geez. How did the "never ketchup!" hot dog purists miss that in their reviews?] In a sense, those who visit here are also doing so to absorb the atmosphere. But unlike Superdawg [c.v.], at Express Grill, it concentrates on its food. The prices are low. It is a solid value for the money. This is the cheapest restaurant in the Roosevelt | Halsted area (to briefly mention the opposition - it charges the same prices - there is no 5¢ or 10¢ undercutting by one stand from the other). Which is likely why it is sequestered off on a freeway frontage road. Fancier, more expensive restaurants and lounges do not want you to know about venues like this, especially when it's walking [or staggering] distance from them. Transit options: Express Grill is open 24 hours a day, and buses which serve it run for all of that time. The #8 Halsted bus runs northbound from here until 1:00 am; southbound until 2:45 am. The #12 Roosevelt bus runs east from here until 12:45 am; west until 1:11 am. After that, catch the #N62 Archer bus [30 minute intervals] on the corner of Halsted & Rochford St. [1230 S.] to downtown. It is a one-mile walk (or bicycle ride) north to the Halsted Blue Line "L" station. read more

Lemme get that polish and hot link please! Fries are included...tasty as it gets buddy for your late night eats! And it's not only good drunk, but sober....and that's pretty important! This little hut is open ALL the time....literally ALL the time. A few things to appreciate/understand 1. It's a hut! So no seating and exposure to the elements...it's one of those meals you eat standing outside or sitting in the car...or on the curb. 2. It's delicious and everything comes with a healthy portion of fries (the bad kind of healthy). 3. You're in the city so be mindful of your surroundings, but it's in no way shape or form scary or sketchy. 4. It's decently price since they don't have to pay a lot for rent...you can get a hot dog and fries for $3. 5. It'll hit the spot. read more

There's a reason why there was a line for Jim's but not for this place. REASONS: Soggy doughy FRIES that are a sad excuse for fries.. POLISH was only so-so. Grilled to a point where it would cover the subpar taste of the meat. read more

Polish Sausage Sandwich is the original Maxwell St. Polish. With fries. Served with mustard, grilled onions, and hot peppers. Cheese Burger has a side dish of fries that served with mustard, grilled onions, and hot peppers. Beef Polish Sausage Sandwich is a 100% beef that has a side dish of fries that served with mustard, grilled onions, and hot peppers. All of this free was one of my favorite on their menu. I'm a regular customer here so Id taste all of their menu and I can say is its good. The only problem is sometimes they have a slow service where you will be bored to wait. Sometimes its quick depends if there are few customers and also if you order just some food. Try this place and taste their best. read more

"The Chicago hot dog - we don't have a Chicago hot dog. It's just done street style. But it is a Vienna hot dog. So Vienna beef hot dog. The difference is though; the main thing down here is the grilled onions. That's what people come down here for. The main thing down here is the Polish sausage and the pork chop sandwich." "Especially made for this place here. The polish sausage seasoning? It's my dad's. Some are perfected and whatever, but we own a patent on that. So, the polish itself is made specially for here, you can't find 'em anywhere else." I interviewed staff at both Express Grill and Jim's Original for my journalism assignment. Both are successful family businesses (2 stands of the 40-50 hot dog eateries that used to be on Maxwell Street pre-2001). After the questions, I decided to order the Polish hot dog for myself. The owner insisted it was on the house. Polish Hot dog: 5/5. Was great. Had a unique flavour; didn't taste like it was a normal sausage (i.e. Jim's Original). Onions were browned and not a soggy mess. Fries: 3/5. Served hot and were definitely fresh, but still tasted average (I did fail to use the salt packets provided). read more