Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Jeff's Red Hots

    4.3 (214 reviews)
    InexpensiveHot Dogs, Burgers
    Closed Closed
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Jeff's Red Hots Takeout or Delivery

    Jeff's Red Hots Photos

    Business Info

    JEFF'S RED HOTS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Jeff's Red Hots

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    cars parked in front of the restaurant
    Victor M.

    When in Chicago, you must try a Chicago style Red Hot. What is a Chicago Red Hot you ask? It is far from the $1.50 hot dog that you can get at Costco nor is it as cheap. But Chicago Red Hots usually uses a Vienna Beef hot dog on a sesame bun. You can add any condiments that floats your boat, but after growing up in Chicago, I have never cared for any other brand of hot dogs except the all beef VIenna hot dogs. Jeff's Red Hots is one of the last remaining hot dog stands in Chicago that brings back those lunch memories of a childhood long passed. They do a decent job at the Chicago style Red Hots with the trademark flavor and casing of the Vienna frankfurther. It is well cooked with a sesame bun that is fresh and soft. Their thin fries are average as I got a batch that could have used another minute in the fryer and may have been sitting in the heat lamps a little too long. The #4 special Red Hot with fries and a fountain drink though is a real bargain at $7.99. Service was adequate for a fast food place. Cash payment is preferred as credit card payments incur an extra $1 charge. I can't speak for the other items on their menu, but if it is as good as their Red Hots, you can't go wrong at Jeff's Red Hots.

    Hot dogs
    Drake M.

    First a little story, I like beer, but on occasion, I like mixed cocktails. The danger about mixed cocktails is when they go down easy, you always want another one. You say mixed cocktails and hot dogs...just read the rest of my review. I parked in the lot and proceeded to warm greetings. After scouring the menu, I zeroed in on my hot dogs. They have a two hot dog special with fries and a small drink. The gentleman behind the counter asked, "How would you like your dogs?" I told him Chicago Style. The two guys worked in tandem like a well-oiled deep fryer. I'm glad that I had cash on me because this is a cash-only joint. If you don't have cash on you, there is an ATM. I received my dogs and fries and sat down. I noticed right away it was a snap dog. Huzzah!! Everything was spot on, the freshness of the tomatoes, juicy sport peppers, onions that had a bite, and the pickle was the proper size for an all-in-one bite. The fries were done right. They were crispy, hot, and well-salted. You wouldn't believe how many people can't get their fries right. Now back to the mixed cocktail...As I was heading out I ordered a third dog to go. When I get a dog that has the right balance of flavor and it goes down smooth, I have to get a third dog to eat in the secrecy of my car. Don't judge me, go judge for yourself, a new favorite of hot dog place of mine.

    Friend from Korean is a Chicago style hot dog virgin no more!
    Michael B.

    Best in class joint. Authentic quality and decor, classic Chicago dog house menu. Fast service, tasty grub!

    Yuck Chicken
    Kathy Q.

    Has anyone noticed the changes in food and service quality at our beloved Jeff's? My family has enjoyed their food for more than 30 years. Lately, it has been frustratingly awful. My regular go-to was their grilled chicken on a pita...Juicy, chargrilled, and subtly seasoned with perfect flavor. Steve was a genius I miss him horribly. Since the change my favorite dish has been served partially raw, dried out, and rubbery, and today it was juicy but not grilled...as if it had been boiled. See pics below...would you eat that??? Yuck. I did not order boiled chicken, it is supposed to be grilled chicken. When I called to let them know once again it was not right. I asked for Barbara and got Monte instead. He said he was a manager but did not listen to me. He continually talked over me and even said if I didn't like the rubbery boiled chicken to just not eat there a message delivered allegedly from Barbara herself. He tried to justify the boiled chicken saying they didn't grill it because it dries it out...THIS HAS MOTIVATED ME TO AMEND MY PREVIOUS 5 STAR to a 1...I would do a negative if I could. It has gotten so bad. Save your money take it to any one of the hundreds of other restaurants in the area and enjoy quality food and service. It could not possibly be any worse than this new wannabe Jeff's. The funny thing is... Steve was able to deliver a perfectly juicy grilled chicken breast every time. Never once had to complain or supervise the cooking to get it right. My husband gave up on them in January after repeatedly having bad experiences with their Gyros. According to him, the only thing they can do right nowadays are pizza puffs and you can get those anywhere. Per Mr. Monte's statement, I will go elsewhere to spend my money from now on. Sadly the Jeff's I knew and loved is gone.

    Specials menu as of late November 2020
    Ryan P.

    I've only gone once so far but from what I can tell this place is the gold standard for classic greasy spoons. It didn't look super crowded when I went in for lunch carry out but they were working really hard on several to go and mobile orders at a time. The menu is pretty massive for such a small place and my guess so far is everything on it is great. For my first visit I tried something simple - the half pound burger and fries - and it did not disappoint. They double checked with me first if that's what I actually wanted and I realized later it's because the burger is massive. It was also super tasty and was cooked perfectly. The fries were great too. Going into a place like this I was expecting good but greasy and maybe slightly too salty of fries but what I got were the right temperature, crispy, not greasy at all and salted just right. I will definitely be back to try most of the rest of the menu one thing at a time.

    Gyro Plate
    Noah F.

    Fantastic food. Great prices. Quick and attentive guys in the kitchen. What more do you want?

    Italian Beef
    Jose C.

    We came here for dinner and it was packed! We were fortunate enough to find a seat and got our food very fast. They're menu is extensive and a lot of items looked great and wouldn't mind trying when I return. It is cash only but you can probably feed a family of four for just under a $20 bill. I ordered a hot dog and a chili cheese dog. My wife ordered an Italian Beef with fries and my son also ordered a hot dog. I'll start with the Italian Beef. Unfortunately it was not delicious at all. It was incredibly salty, so of course it lacked flavor and seasonings and the hot peppers didn't help much. We also asked for it dipped but the bread was also dry. The chili cheese dog was good, but not the greatest. They do serve their dogs with poppy seeds so that's a plus, but I've never been a fan of this style chili. As for the hot dog, it was probably one of the best hot dogs I've had in quite some time. It has your typical Chicago ingredients, mustard, tomato, pickle, hot sport peppers, onions and plus one main ingredient that I haven't seen before, sauerkraut. It added some sourness but it didn't overpower the dog, it only enhanced the flavor. The only thing that could of made this hot dog even better was a more snap on the dog. I'll most likely be returning very soon.

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tony D.
    13
    497
    30

    16 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dave C.
    2
    308
    0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    This is my new go-to spot for a quick bite. The gyros are great, the double cheeseburger is great, the service is great. Love this joint.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Food was delicious. The burger is a must here. Check them out. Happy they are in the area.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Adrian C.
    24
    154
    425

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Located in The Portage Park neighborhood of Chicago, Jeff Red Hot's brings original Chicago style hot dogs! 5 out of 5 stars.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jose C.
    3720
    1535
    6735

    7 years ago

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 0
    Love this 8
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Pricey. Food wasn't anything spectacular for the price. It's right off of the expressway so that's convenient for some.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Susan S.
    305
    1040
    6292

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Great staff, great food always fast and hot place never disappoints shoe string fries i love

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of D V.
    0
    3
    0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joe J.
    0
    64
    5

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Good dog with pickle tomato peppers etc.but fries cooked from frozen and everything pricey.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Rosa J.
    541
    1243
    4048

    11 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ken D.
    11
    7
    0

    2 years ago

    Excellent gyro. One of the best I've ever had. Meat was perfect and pita was fresh. Entire menu looks good. Will be back

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Jeff's Red Hots

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Hot Dogs 22,073 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago

    Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago

    3.9
    (7.3k reviews)
    7.2 mi
    $$

    Jeremiah was very helpful and polite with my assistance with an error in my order and provided…read moreservice quickly and effectively

    Visited on a very busy weekend and had a good time. Line went to the exterior door to order on the…read morekiosk, took 5-10 minutes to get there. Ordering is straight forward with lots of customizations. Picking up your food is a bit hectic as there is a main pick up counter and a separate area for pick up if they are swamped. It'll be announced on the speakers. Took close to an hour for our order to be called, customers crowd the pick up counter even though they just ordered so be prepared to squeeze past people to get your food. Tables are also taken up by customers waiting for their group to grab their food. Seating is on both levels and outside so it's somewhat plentiful but expect some issues if you go at a peak time. As for the food we got the Italian beef, Chicago hotdog, fries, chocolate cake, and the cake shake. The Italian beef is amazing! Would recommend getting that along with extra peppers! The peppers really bring it all together. The Chicago dog was alright, it is good, fresh, and different from your normal hotdog. Fries were fries, they accommodated the meal well but wasn't anything outstanding. Our uber driver recommended the chocolate cake and the shake. I would say the cake is just average, it was a little under 'moist' status and the fudge icing is a little too sweet but maybe that's just how you would picture chocolate cake. The cake shake is the better version of it, mixed with their chocolate shake it felt nicer to suck it up through a straw. If you sign up for their rewards you'll get the cake for $1 Overall not a bad experience, they are opening a new location by the river in downtown so that might help with wait times. Highly recommend that Italian beef!!

    Photos
    Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago
    Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago
    Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago

    See all

    Al's Beef

    Al's Beef

    4.3
    (469 reviews)
    7.1 mi
    $$

    One of Chicago's most renowned Italian Beef Sandwiches, originating in 1938. A special trip to try…read moreit, and it was truly satisfying. Regular Combo: A combination of beef and sausage. The meat portion was very generous; the beef was thinly sliced ​​but juicy and not dry or hard at all; the sausage had a rich smoky flavor, not too salty, and tastes a lot like Harbin red sausage. Al's Classic Hand-Cut Fries: They were piping hot when I received them, so touching! I couldn't taste the hand-cut texture, but there was a spice powder similar to salt and pepper, and the flavor was quite good.

    3-ish stars rounded up. The roast beef was a little on the dry-stringy side but the bread was…read morespongy-soft (absorbed the beef drippings so well!). Kinda skimpy on the fixings on the Chicago dog, but still gets the job done if you're craving a Chicago dog. Fries are the type that are greasy to the touch; not my fave style of fries but I know it's a well-liked one to others. Super friendly lady at the cashier (all smiles, patient, and offered menu help)! Also fast service (got my order within a few minutes). I visited on a Saturday late afternoon and it was very chill here (also shoutout to the early 2000's era music playing :p it was a vibe). Overall I'd say it's not a bad food spot at all if you want a quick bite and want to be a little away from the Magnificent Mile crowds.

    Photos
    March 5, 2024
    March 5, 2024
    Keto style double with bacon
    Keto style double with bacon
    Italian Big Beef

    See all

    Italian Big Beef
    Jim's Original

    Jim's Original

    4.2
    (793 reviews)
    7.9 mi
    $

    A LOCAL CLASSIC! I…read moreloved this spot so much I ended up coming back twice. It has that classic late night comfort food vibe and feels like one of those staple spots you have to try at least once. First night I ordered a polish hot dog with everything on it and a fish sandwich w/ extra grilled onions. Super cool that your order comes with fries and I added a cheese cup both times. In my opinion the fries were mid the first go around, but second time they were better. Definitely tasted better dipped in cheese. They were kinda airy in texture, if that makes sense. Polish hot dog was around a 6.5-7/10 for me. It did taste better warmed up the next day. What I was most obsessed with was the double cheeseburger and fish sandwich! both were easily a 10/10. Super good prices and worth the money. Also, the chile peppers were sooo bomb and hotter than I expected ! I wanted to eat them all, but they were packing some serious heat! The lemon Italian ice is where it's at, make sure to order one! You can also mix it with strawberry, but both times people recommended the lemon and now I see why. The line gets super active and busy past 10-11pm, but during the daytime it's way less crowded. Even when it gets packed the line moves pretty quick. They stay open late and close at 1am which is nice.

    I've eaten a lot of Polish Sausage in my day and I just assumed it was the kind of thing that…read morecouldn't really be improved upon. I was so wrong. The Polish Sausage they're serving up at Jim's is so much better than any I've had before that it's almost an entirely different thing. It's just so flavorful and delicious. The spicing is phenomenal and the sausage itself is extremely above average. And it's taken over the top by the fresh bun and superb sautéed onions. I joked that we should start every day with one of these sausages, and while we didn't actually do that, I feel like that would've only enhanced our trip.

    Photos
    Short line today
    Short line today
    Before.... Polish Sausage Sandwich
    Before.... Polish Sausage Sandwich
    Sign from around the corner.

    See all

    Sign from around the corner.
    Gene & Jude's

    Gene & Jude's

    4.2
    (2.6k reviews)
    5.3 mi
    $

    No Seats! No Ketchup! No Pretense! No Nonsense!…read more Pay attention! 70 Years. That's right. 70 YEARS!! Ahh yes, Gene & Jude's in River Grove, Illinois. I will always have fond memories of eating a ton of hot dog lunches here. It occurred during my 'serious' working life at Jensen Sound Labs in nearby Schiller Park. Back in the day, Gene & Jude's was a teensey tiny, stand-and-eat-over-a-counter-french-fries-stuffed-into-your-snappy-Vienna-Beef-dog kinda place. It still has a devoted cult following. As it is with all good things, the restaurant has only become bigger and better! Gene & Jude's has such a wonderful location near and around many office buildings that house large companies. And a forest preserve nearby. Today, the same hot dog and fries combo I ate back in the day is still a great value for struggling sound mixers and speaker-based Motorola employees and of course, all the other working class. The snappy Vienna Beef Dog with the only condiments, consisting of yellow mustard, green relish, onions, and sport peppers, then smothered and covered in fries, "Depression style", is currently priced at $4.69! You need to visit this icon if you're ever in the Northwest Chicago area suburbs. You won't regret it.

    Still the Greatest hotdog on the planet after eating here for 45+ years and my parents eating years…read moreand years before me everything is still the same ambience inside of the restaurant. It's standing room only to eat your hotdog. The line is always out the door, 15 minute wait for the greatest hotdog known to man. The food taste exactly the same as it did 45 years ago the service is faster than ever the inside has never changed since I was a little kid after many nights of being at the thirsty whale which was adjacent behind Gene and Jude's is where all the rockers hung out and the greatest bands of Chicago came through ..their we would eat hotdogs at two and three in the morning. My children are now full teenagers, and got to experience the Gene and Jude hotdog and we're delighted beyond belief now living outside of Chicago coming into town to have the greatest hot dog and still be exactly the same. The fries are exactly the same ,the inside exactly the same, with a few more awards. This is 100% the best Chicago, hot dog and greatest hotdog on the planet. You must visit this place just to experience the years and years and years of excellence. Enjoy!!... May it bless your life as it has mine. God bless Gene and Jude's team. Keep the tradition and hots going. PS don't forget to get your Gene and Jude's merch. It is now available. Cheers

    Photos
    The inside of the restaurant
    The inside of the restaurant
    Single Hot dog/with Fries
    Single Hot dog/with Fries
    Nov 2025.

    See all

    Nov 2025.
    The Wieners Circle

    The Wieners Circle

    3.6
    (1.2k reviews)
    5.5 mi
    $

    Stopped by The Wiener's Circle and had a fun Chicago experience. I had the Chicago style hot dog,…read moreand it was exactly what you'd want, classic toppings, plenty of flavor, and a solid dog overall. What really makes this place stand out is the personality. The staff is famously surly, and that's clearly part of the experience, so if you know that going in it adds to the fun. It's more playful than serious and definitely gives the place its own character. I also thought it was cool how they give out free dogs after Bears wins. That kind of generosity and local spirit makes it feel like a true neighborhood staple. Definitely a memorable stop and one of those places that feels uniquely Chicago.

    You can't come to Chicago and not get a red hot, which is why we found ourselves driving fairly out…read moreof our way to The Wieners Circle. They had some options on the menu but we both opted for the Vienna Red Hot ("char"). It's a solid dog. The wiener is, perhaps unsurprisingly, the star of the show. It's got a terrific char and an irresistible snap. The flavor is better-than-average, too. The condiments didn't really do much for me, and I found something on there just way, way too salty. (The pickle, maybe?) Anyway, it's a quick, cheap, easy meal. I'd certainly eat it again.

    Photos
    Late Night Stop @ The Wiener's Circle.2622 N Clark St, Chicago, IL Chicago Institution.Hot Dogs Char Burgers Char Polish.Great Fries.Cool!
    Late Night Stop @ The Wiener's Circle.2622 N Clark St, Chicago, IL Chicago Institution.Hot Dogs Char Burgers Char Polish.Great Fries.Cool!
    Char Turkey Burger w/Cheese & Grill Onions @ The Wiener's Circle.Chicago, IL Hot Dogs Char Burgers Char Polish.Great Fries.Cool!
    Char Turkey Burger w/Cheese & Grill Onions @ The Wiener's Circle.Chicago, IL Hot Dogs Char Burgers Char Polish.Great Fries.Cool!
    Char dog and fries.

    See all

    Char dog and fries.
    Fatso's Last Stand

    Fatso's Last Stand

    4.1
    (993 reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $$

    I had read about how Fatso's does the char dog. I made this my last meal in Chicago…read more I went with a char dog, depression style, an order of fries, and a side of the Merkts cheddar. How was it? Fries- Delicious! Fresh cut fries, made right in front of you. They were great! Huge portion, too! Merkts Cheddar Sauce- Hell yeah! Give me a gallon of this, and I will chug it! Such a tasty cheese sauce. Loved dipping my fries in it. Great combo! Char Dog- This dog was delicious! Great char, great toppings. My only beef would be the bun. It definitely could have been more soft/steamed and fresh. It held up pretty well, but there were a couple bites where it broke and flaked apart. Hate when that happens. Still...didn't ruin the overall experience. Had a great last meal in Chicago before I headed to the airport.

    Fatso's Last Stand delivers exactly what its name promises: unapologetically indulgent, old-school…read morecomfort food done right. The burgers are the shining stars -- juicy, generously sized, and cooked to perfection with toppings that strike the perfect balance of classic and creative. Whether you go for a stacked cheeseburger, bacon-loaded option, or a specialty creation, the patties are flavorful and satisfyingly beefy, with a great char and use of quality ingredients that keeps diners coming back. Beyond burgers, the menu also features hearty eats like crispy fries, loaded sandwiches, and thick milkshakes, all served with a no-frills attitude that lets the food speak for itself. Service at Fatso's Last Stand matches the laid-back but attentive vibe of the restaurant -- staff are friendly, efficient, and know regulars by name, creating a welcoming, neighborhood-favorite energy. While the pace can get lively during peak hours, especially on weekends, the team handles the rush with good humor and keeps orders moving. The ambiance is casual and retro in all the right ways, with diner-style seating and a comfortable, unpretentious environment that makes it perfect for relaxed lunches, casual dinners with friends, or late-night burger runs. It's not fancy, but when your focus is on big, delicious burgers and familiar comfort food, Fatso's delivers exactly what you're craving.

    Photos
    Fatso's Last Stand
    Merkts Cheddar.
    Merkts Cheddar.
    Double Fatso with Cheese + Fries

    See all

    Double Fatso with Cheese + Fries

    Jeff's Red Hots - hotdog - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...