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Jeff's Red Hots

4.3 (216 reviews)
InexpensiveHot Dogs, Burgers
Open • 10:30 am - 7:00 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

Order Jeff's Red Hots Takeout or Delivery

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JEFF'S RED HOTS ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Dogs allowed
Good for groups

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Jeff's Red Hots
Phil S.

04/23/26 - Best Hot Dog in Chicago Vienna beef w/Sauerkraut & fries $7.79. Getting expensive. First of all Vienna Beef is an excellent hot dog, but you add the sauerkraut & you have a masterpiece. They also have excellent fries cut thin.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gyro Plate
Noah F.

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

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Reviews are largely positive. People highlight the classic Chicago hot dogs, excellent fries, friendly fast service, and an old-school diner vibe.

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7 years ago

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3 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

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4 years ago

Consistently delivers what you'd expect. Good place, good food. Cash only.

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10 years ago

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9 years ago

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20 years ago

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4 years ago

Stopped by to try the Gyros I have to do pickups in the area and I will stop back next time for sure!

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Ask the Community - Jeff's Red Hots

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Devil Dawgs-Gold Coast

4.4(312 reviews)
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In the moment review : Sweet Orange vanilla shake: 3.5/5…read moreBlue demon dog: 3.5/5 Solid, soggy bread , spicy mustard was good added the peppers Hot chile dog: 2/5 Soggy bread, chili was bland In retrospect: It's good for what it is, a hype hot dog spot with cool and unique menu items that can sometimes be extreme. I knew my shake was over the top so I should've expected really bold flavoring, it was just a bit too intense for me. I also don't recall being able to choose a size and this amount of shake is wayyy too much even for two people. My boyfriend and I shared and still couldn't finish it. The hot dogs I guess should be consumed there and in the moment. Ours were wrapped all of 5 minutes and the bread was already soggy. The chili dog was underwhelming. The little peppers they sell on the side and in some Dawgs are fire!!!! Best thing I had was their onion rings. Super good rings here. Crunchy and tasty. They come with a sauce. I don't remember which one I got but it tasted like raw seasoning. Also wayyyy too heavy. I was super bloated after this meal. Def a one n done for me. I enjoyed it but wouldn't go back.

Small entry way but you don't need much to order food. They have seating outside as well if you're…read moreinterested. You have the option of placing an order at the kiosk or with an employee. Being a newbie I wasn't sure where to start as the menu is a lot to take in. I settled on: Double backyard burger no cheese or tomato - 7/10 - I like my doubles a little thinner, not a slight to them just what I was expecting. I could've definitely did one burger and been satisfied. Burger was seasoned decent and the pickles were really good. Icelandic dog (no honey mustard, added relish). -10/10 - I loved everything about this dog. The bite, the spice, the toppings.

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Devil Dawgs-Gold Coast
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Jim's Original - Polish Sausage Sandwich

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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.

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Short line today

Jim's Original - Before.... Polish Sausage Sandwich

Before.... Polish Sausage Sandwich

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Devil Dawgs -  South State

Devil Dawgs - South State

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Great place for a hot dog! This location is a short walk from the Field Museum. I had the Chicago…read moredog and tots, and it was good! You can't go wrong with a classic. Service is counter only, and you have to order at a kiosk. The interior is what you would expect for this type of establishment. Cool framed photos and memorabilia. I'll definitely return next time I'm in Chicago again.

We went to Devil Dawgs after doing the architecture tour because we needed something to put in our…read morestomachs. My husband suggested it, so we went. At first, I was like, "Hey, get me a sandwich." But when we got there, it looked divey, so I said, you know what, let's see! We grabbed a high-top table, but listen: seating is limited, okay? Don't come in there thinking you finna have a whole big, huge party! It is a small space, but we were able to secure our seats, watch the cooks do their thing, and order our food. Everything came out relatively quickly. The whole place has a fun vibe. Pictures on the ceiling, bright colors. Of course, the name Devil Dawgs made me think about the Marine Corps. If you know, you know! I had the Dragonfruit Shake, and oh my goodness. My husband had the Maxwell Street Polish, which I absolutely loved seeing because I grew up eating them. I used to get mine off 95th & Dan Ryan.. so that brought back some memories. And Hubs tore that thing down! Now, my hot dog? Listen, the picture is diabolical, okay? But it was EV-ER-Y-THING! I need to sound it out phonetically because it was literally everything, okay?! It was loaded, messy, and doing exactly what it needed to do. And listen, I am perfectly fine with a messy dog as long as it is good, and it absolutely was! The food came out quick, fast, and in a hurry. You won't be sitting around waiting forever. If you need to catch a plane, train, automobile, or whatever else, you are going to get where you need to go because that food is coming out, okay? If we ever come back to the area, we are definitely hitting up Devil Dawgs again. For sure!

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Devil Dawgs -  South State
Devil Dawgs -  South State
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Fatso's Last Stand

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Jeff's Red Hots - hotdog - Updated October 2026

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