Jim's Original
Order Jim's Original Takeout or Delivery
Jim's Original Photos
Business Info
Jim's Original Popular Dishes
JIM'S ORIGINAL ATMOSPHERE
What's the vibe?
You might also consider
More like Jim's Original
Recommended Reviews - Jim's Original
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
The smell of caramelized onions hits pretty much immediately as you approach the window. No line midday. We were served quickly and got the polish sausage that comes with fries. Both were nice and hot. Fries were crispy and that first snap into the juicy sausage was worth the trip. No seating, so be prepared to eat in your car and get a bit messy. Also be warned the peppers are legitimately spicy, those serranos had my partner sweating. Glad I tried it, but not something I'd eat all the time, great late night drinking kind of food.
After the Foo Fighter concert last night...this place is rocking out the goods! Oh, and you're only seeing part of line were in...and..there's another line on the other side. Bone in pork chop sandwich....I know...nuts to leave the bone in. But, it's so worth it and has a great taste. You'll learn how to work around it! lol.
I've eaten a lot of Polish Sausage in my day and I just assumed it was the kind of thing that couldn'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.
Jim's quickly made its way onto my list of must-haves while in Chicago from the first bite. Their Polish sausages were cooked to perfection, with the loaded grilled onions and peppers serving as the cherry on top (to note, the sandwiches come with fries too so no need to order them on the side.) The service was excellent, delivery was fast, and prices were affordable. Can't wait to be back!
Seen this place pop up multiple times on places to go in Chicago. Finally got a chance to grab a polish sausage, double cheeseburger and fries to go. The polish sausage is as good as advertised, the mustard, onions and the flavor of the sausage meld perfectly. The fries were hot and fresh and really good. However, the burger was just ok, nothing special. Definitely come here and get the polish sausage, top tier!
What left is there unsaid about Jim's Original? Where has it not been featured? Do I even need to bother with this review? The remnant of a neighborhood ruined by an ugly public university. When UI Chicago built its campus, it displaced the Maxwell Street Market. Such cases are sadly too common. And while the neighborhood is ugly in its sanitary banal way, Jim's Original is pure Kino. Yellow on red on a cinder block structure. No place to sit, you stand with your meal on the stainless steal counter that runs the length of the edifice. Traffic streams along on the I-90 in the canyon below you. Behind the window, the griddle supports serried mounds of caramelized onions, rows of sausages resembling Midwest farmland. Here, you can really afford to order both the Maxwell Street Polish - fatty, semi-sweet, coarse filling with onions mustard and pickled serrano - and the pork chop sandwich (on the bone with onions, mustard and pickled serrano). Each item comes with fries. They are, of course, frozen, but the manufacturer thought well enough to give them an added starch coating for increased crunch.
I've had Jim's on my "to do" list since seeing several stories about them. We were in tow from Texas for just a couple of hours on a business trip. Stopped by here just before lunch and a little bummed that there's no inside or outside seating. That didn't stop us from trying own of their polish dogs though. They come with fries and a pretty good deal for both. The sausage was really good, especially with the grilled onions. Even though I ate it right away the bun was still soggy. That was a bummer but didn't stop me from devouring it. Great iconic place to visit!
We came here for per a local's recommendation. They're known for their Polish sausage, so that's what we got. No seating/bathroom available. Literally a building with some standing room area. Service was rude. We changed our soda order as the guy was packing our order into bags and he threw up his arm and was like "what do you want?". Sounded exasperated. Plus, our orders were inconsistent. Some of the Polish sausages came with the sport peppers and others did not. Probably for the best in all honesty, because those peppers were SPICY. The Polish sausage itself was extremely satisfying. Juicy and topped with mustard and grilled onions. Plus the side of complimentary fries didn't hurt. You come here for the dogs, not the service. On a side note, the security guard in front was friendly.
So thankful for the lady that recommended this spot to us when we were visiting the city! The polish dog had an amazing snap to it inevery bite and I love how much grilled onions they added! The sport pepper added a nice kick as well. We had come to this spot on our last day after eating lunch prior to this and I wish I had more room in my stomach to eat the whole thing because I enjoyed this a lot. Service was quick which is what you expect at a fast food stand. They do give a small discount if you pay in cash.
I won't knock anybody's take on a restaurant based on nostalgic memories. After all, every dish tastes better with a generous dollop of nostalgia. However, as someone who did not grow up eating Maxwell St. Polishes I was very underwhelmed. I couldn't get the full taste experience as the unbelievably squishy bun was drenched with mustard to the point that the whole mess disintegrated when I first picked it up (about 3 minutes after it was made). I couldn't taste anything but mustard, not even the onions which ended up slipping everywhere. I eventually gave up on the bun and finished the sausage by itself. I'll just say that if I ever do this again I'm going with the all-beef version. Fries are included in the price of the sandwich and the serving is a decent size but they're mediocre at best. Even though the fries were freshly cooked they had very little flavor. Considering that they're battered I find that surprising. Then again, the onions from the Polish were completely unseasoned, too. The best thing about the meal was the Diet Pepsi and even though it came straight out of the cooler, it was barely cool. As reasonably priced as the food is, that's how overpriced the sodas are, though. Not cool, guys, in more than one way. Service was interesting as the counterman did not seem to speak English at all and the atmosphere is what it is, a take out window by the highway. Neither really adds to nor detracts from the food. If you're on a nostalgia trip you'll have a great time here. Otherwise it was not worth the time or calories.
Yelpers what's good. Today I felt like having some Chicago Nostalgia food. So I stopped by Jim's original for a good ole Maxwell St. Polish! It's an outdoor only eatery usually long fast moving lines. The smell of the grilled onions hit your nose immediately! I got a polish with onions and mustard and I also got a bone in pork chop sandwich with onions and mustard. And an added bonus FREE FRIES with every order! The polish is still one of my best around nice and juicy (pause) with a nice snap to them. The onions provide a slight sweetness with the tangy bite of the mustard just hits so great!! 8.9/10! The fries were hot, nice crisp on the outside and pillowy inside! 7/10 The Bone in pork chop sandwich was decent nothing special just a Chicago nostalgic sandwich. 6.8/10 Everyone from Chicago has been here and everyone from Chicago will tell you to go here for a real Chicago quick cheap eats experience. Right off the expressway so you can be in and out. And you may want to be in and out especially if you're from out of town. definitely worth stopping by! Remember ALL reviews are subjective
Stopped here for a polish sausage and some cheese fries; just to pick up something quick after coming back from a White Sox game. Speed of service was excellent, as they had my food ready in only a minute or two. Employees were nice. Polish sausage tasted amazing. Grilled onions gave a nice rich flavor to go alone with the bite/snap of the sausage. Bun was soft and tasty. They gave a jalepeno on the side which was very spicy (so be careful about that) but as a person that loves spicy food, I enjoyed the jalepeno too. Cheese fries were crispy, and the cheese itself was hot and warm. This is a perfect place to go if you want a quick meal ate a really solid value.
Iconic spot in Chicago for polish dogs and cheeseburgers! They don't have any seating inside, you basically order from an outside counter on the side of the road and either eat in your car or in the limited seating outdoor area. Wow!! This place is so cheap and I was truly so surprised! The cheeseburger was juicy, immaculate, especially with both grilled and raw onions. Perfect smaller size for me to not get too overwhelmed with the greatness. Doesn't come with lettuce or tomatoes or anything though be WARNED!! The fries were coated in a paprika spice nicely - regular size and not shoestring. It was good, not amazing. Food comes out incredibly quickly after ordering, and they're open late into the night! Note to self: next time try with hot peppers!!
Reviews are largely positive. Many highlight the Polish sausage, hot, crispy fries, fast and efficient service, and affordable prices.
Read the full review summary in the app
2 years ago
3 years ago
Another street food in Mexico which deserves a try when passing by, it has unique taste with mustard dressing. read more
Saw this restaurant on Somebody Feed Phil! Was excited to try it out! Got the polish sausage hot dog. Loved the onions on it, meat itself was flavorful. The pepper on the side was very spicy. The fries and cheese sauce were average. Quick service and friendly workers. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
5 years ago
If in Chicago, this is a must visit!! One of those hole in the walls, underrated and won't hear much about unless you know a local. The greasiest most delicious and flavorful hot dogs I've had! Was able to try both the beef and pork, both had its own kick, so can't go wrong with either. It comes with grilled onions and fries. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
We have seen this place on YouTube and our trip this year includes Chicago ,well we had to come here..Not disappointed. Fantastic fast service.. But the food! OH boy that was just sensational .. We got cheeseburger ,Polish sausage and a pork chop .. Amazing..The 3 of them all with chips(fries) was $18. Left $20. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
If the lights are too bright, make them DIM If you say Duncan, I say TIM I suck at basketball, I'm nothing but RIM But at 4am for hot dogs, go see JIM If you go to war, you might lose a LIMB If your hair's too long, you might need a TRIM If you like a guy, get your loving from HIM But at 5am for hot dogs, go see JIM Jim's is really good but it definitely isn't as good as I remember. In the folklore of my mind it was one of the highlights of the Chicago food scene, but now I can see why I don't go there very often. The Chicago dog is not a real Chicago dog. It's just a hot dog with some onions on it. "Maxwell Street Style" if you will. The sign clearly shows that if you order a hotdog you'll get all the Chicago stuff on it but no you won't. I have no idea if you will get it if you ask for it but it was too late after waiting in line for f***ing 20 minutes. Not to mention all the abuse and the panhandling that you have to deal with at 4 in the morning waiting for food. There were some guys trying to start a fight and then there was an older blonde girl who kept trying to get me to buy her something. She was dressed expensively. There are homeless people all over here, starving. She should gtfo. If she was super attractive maybe. Just kidding. Kind of kidding. I also got their burger which is pretty good but nothing to write home about unless you're using snail mail. The highlight of the agenda is the Polish - mainly because of the excellent Polish sausage that they use on it. It's hot and juicy and crunchy and reminds me of the one at Ted's Hot Dogs in Buffalo. But despite this being an institution that's been around for nearly a century, I can't really give it 5 stars. I love that it's open at 5 in the morning but now that they've jacked up their prices to nearly $5 per item and now that I realize there is so much superior Chicago food, I'm sticking with four. read more
3 years ago
Delicious food and quick service! Nothing fancy, staple of Chicago. So glad we prioritized this spot to try. The sausage was amazing. Hotdog is juicy and pork chop sandwich was also nice. But my favorite was the sausage! read more
I used to visit this place in my clubbing days in Chicago.I flew into Midway on a late flight and was hungry so I stopped by. Unfortunately it wasn't what I remember from back in the early 2000's. They got my order wrong but corrected it but they gave me way more food than I ordered. I just got impatient and paid for it. Maybe it'll be better next time read more
5 years ago
Fast fast this is your place.. They now sell Italian ice..yessssss,. Strawberry and lemon ice ..perfect for this weather.. read more
7 years ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
4 years ago
Classic Chicago.. Always a reliable go to for lunch or dinner. One Polish and One Hot Dog both with everything is my order. Quick service. read more
When I went to UIC, many a nights would end here with me getting a hot dog. It was cheap. The hot dog had a snap. Fries were so great. I'm sure I went here over 100 times as a college student. I went last night when in the area and in need of some fast, cheap, alcohol-soaking-up food. It did the job once again like the ol' days. The guys working were all nice and respectful plus really quick in giving me my order. read more
6 years ago
Truly the best fast food in the area hands down! I always love coming to Jim's because they have super quick service and pricing is so cheap for what you get! Each sandwich comes with fries and you can add a can of pop for only $1. They have all the typical fast foods from hamburgers, hot dogs, to polish sausages. The fries are super crispy and you can also request to have jalapeño peppers on the side as well. They do accept card payment which is great and they're always open and is the best late night food too! read more
When I stayed with my big Cuz in Chicago for the summer after high school graduation, he said it was mandatory for me to get a Polish sausage from Jew Town. That was over 20 years ago. To my knowledge, Jew Town is now closed but I longed for that Polish sausage taste I had as a high school graduate. He informed me to drive around Maxwell Street and I'd be sure to find the food treasure I was looking for. On the way to Maxwell Street Depot, I saw a long line at Jim's. I expected the same thing from Maxwell. I can tell you this: That wasn't the case. Nobody was at Maxwell's except us and the tumbleweed I'm sure I saw rolling down the street. Welp, on to Jim's we go. Their Polish sausage had exactly the same wallop that I experienced over two decades ago. It was as if I was an incoming college freshman all over again. Jim's fries were delicious as well, especially with the cheese cup my Fiancé got. The only item that didn't treat me as great this time as it did back then was the pork chop sandwich. It was good but wasn't as seasoned as I remember it being. Nonetheless, the Polish sausage is the Bobby Brown or Justin Timberlake of the group and it's star quality is on full display at Jim's Original. read more
One of our Lyft drivers was promoting the h*ll out of this joint! He said they served the best Chicago style hot dogs & is a spot where locals like to go. Count us in! Located just a few minutes outside of downtown. This place is off the beaten path because it is next to a few store & a residential area. It is a small restaurant, no seating, order at the window, get your food to go or enjoy it at a standing area at the end. No bathrooms. They serve hot dogs, burgers, fries, & more. Hot Dogs: For the price, this is a steal. Good. Has all of the Chicago style toppings. Fries: Make sure to get cheese fries because their cheese is bomb! read more
Update: Just wanted to add that I finally tried their pork chop sandwich and it was also tasty. They onions and the mustard compliment the pork very well. I will probably still stick to the polish though. This is definitely the place to go for a polish. Although any believe they taste just lie their neighbors, there's with out a doubt a different flavor within the polish itself. It felt more cooked and little bit more of a crunch when you bit on the dog. Onions were grilled to perfection making this Maxwell the best in the city. read more
4 years ago
3 years ago
5 years ago
Unfortunately the stars given was strictly for the food. Service definitely leaves something to be desired but I guess that's not a priority. Now, the food....amazing! Came to this place from florida thanks to the Netflix show "Somebody Feed Phil". Had the pork chop sandwich, polish and regular hot dog. The polish (with everything) was definetly the winner! So juicy and satisfying! Was nervous about mustard on everything but when in Rome right? read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
For less than $6, you can get a polish, fries and a can of pop. We came here tonight because hubby had a craving for a Maxwell St polish. This time, he got the beef polish with grilled onions and mustard. The polish tasted pretty good but the bread was too soft/soggy. The fries were crispy but did leave an oily after taste. I hear the pork polish has more flavor (per hubby). Bottom line, this is not a sit down place so the service is pretty fast and the polish is good. read more
5 years ago
Greasy and good as always. Lots of onions. Mustard fingers. Addicting hot peppers. Tried both polishes side by side today. Got them deep fried. I prefer the regular one over the all beef. read more
2 years ago
More info about Jim's Original
1250 S Union Ave
Chicago, IL 60607
University Village
Directions
(312) 733-7820
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
http://jimsoriginal.com
Full menu
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
More Info
Health Score
Jim's Original Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Jim's Original
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
72 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
12 years ago
10 years ago
19 years ago
12 years ago
9 years ago
5 years ago
17 years ago
15 years ago
13 years ago
8 years ago
4 years ago
3 years ago
8 years ago
8 years ago
18 years ago
15 years ago
6 years ago
7 months ago
9 months ago
