Walking up to this place I thought to myself this is the place where all the drunk UIC students probably go to at night. Except I went in the afternoon and there were no students. Food (6.5/10): Each item comes with fries. You can also ask for peppers but man they are hot. I asked for extra but only ate half of one. Judge me if you want. Message me if you eat more than one. Ordered the cheeseburger and polish dog. They're good but honestly missing a good sauce to really make this place a go to. Id come back for drunchies but otherwise not. Reminds me of Red Hot Ranch, which imo is better. Except there's no Red Hot Ranch in the area. Value (6/10): Standard pricing. ~$10 a person Service/ambience (7/10): It's a pickup only joint. Theres two lines which may look long. But the service is blazing fast. The dude taking your order literally starts making it in front of you before you grab your wallet. By the time you walk over to the other dude to pay your order is ready. All in less than a minute. They don't mess around. read more

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Made a quick stop to Jim's Original on Friday afternoon. For cheap and delicious food, this is the spot. Nearly everything on the menu looked awesome, but the Polish Sausage Sandwich is the signature item for a reason. Quality: The Polish Sausage Sandwich is a juicy and delicious sausage covered in grilled onions, smeared with mustard, and served on a soft roll. Simple and excellent. The Chicago Hot Dog was solid, but I would definitely just select sausage on a future visit. Very good fries came with each item, and the Cup Of Cheese makes everything better. Quantity: Huge portions, crazy considering the low prices. Value: $6.20 for the Polish Sausage Sandwich. $5 for the Hot Dog. $.65 for a Cup Of Cheese. Ambiance: Jim's Original is a fast-food stand located in the University Village area of Chicago. Down a side street, it is a odd area especially for being so close to the college. No indoor or outdoor dining area, just a small building where you order at one window and pay at the next. They also have security to dissuade guests from lingering. I grabbed my food and walked a few blocks to some seating by the school. Crowd: A good number of folks waiting for their food. Not surprising that delicious and cheap food draws a crowd. Service: Extremely fast, don't worry if you see a line, it will fly by. Parking: Street parking can be found easily. read more

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Jim's is a Chicago institution. I can't count (or remember) how many times I slipped off of the Ryan and into Jim's greasy arms late at night after a night of alcohol and debauchery. This time, it was 12:30 PM and the lines were still there and the sausage and onions were still hot enough to burn my face off. Great stiff, but is there a a Chicago Dog option? Methinks not. Have the Polish & fries, though. They're spectacular! read more

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We drove 2 hours to stand in line for our order to be totally wrong.. there were no onions on the burger and no peppers on the Polish or pork chop sandwich. Unbelievable since they only offer 3 condiments on their sandwiches, mustard, onions and peppers.. read more

Jim's Original - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Delicious food as always, you can't go wrong here. Hot dogs are hella yummy! One of the best Chicago dogs you will ever find.

Located right off of the expressway in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago, Jim's Original AKA Maxwell St is an iconic Hot Dog Stand known for their Chicago Style Polish sausages with onions. Open late daily. Fast & friendly service. read more

As I walked up to Jim's for the first time, I saw two lines of people waiting to order and then smelled the aroma of onions coming off the grill and suddenly became more hungry and almost giddy as I got in line to order! I had heard of Jim's before but hadn't made it a priority to visit this Chicago staple--it has been established for over 80 years. And even on a weekday around 2:00, past lunch time, surprisingly there were quite a few of people waiting to place their order, mostly policemen, construction workers, and security guards. Soon after I ordered a polish with everything; everything is mustard, grilled onions, and a pickled pepper. And a polish is short for a polish sausage served on a soft hot dog bun. Jim's serves hot dogs, hamburgers, pork chop sandwiches and more, but I suggest trying the polish with everything partly because that's what made Jim's so well known. Apparently, the polish sausage is a secret recipe. After you place your order with the cook you move to another line to pay. It was at that time I decided I wanted fries. So I said, 'Oh, I'd like to add fries.' To which the cashier replied quickly, "They come in the bag." And at the same time gave me the bag with the polish already inside. Wow! I was totally shocked, fries came with the polish, good deal. I also ordered a orange soda by a brand name I've never heard of but of course you go with the flow at a place that's been around for 80 years. Overall, the polish was tasty but my preference is for more flavor. Sort of similar to a mild or hot italian sausage that has a distinct flavor...I was looking for that in the polish. It wasn't bad and I'll go back again but was expecting something more robust. I noticed Jim's has a long steel counter outside like a bar where you can eat after you get your food, but I visited Jim's during Covid, so it was best to eat in the car like several others. read more

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This is the original Maxwell Street polish. The onions are piled high on the grill and you can smell them around the corner down the old Maxwell street. It is the last visage left from the old Maxwell street market. Come here to get a taste of what Carl Sandburg was talking about in "Chicago", Hog butcher to the world and the City of the Big Shoulders. read more

Jim's Original - Jim's Original street view - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

You can't top the price, or the originality, at Jim's original. I had the Polish, and it was a filling late-night treat for this first-time Chicago visitor. However, I can't say the flavor compared to the meat in my hometown Polish markets (Pittsburgh). Overall, a good stop on any Chicago food tour! read more

This place DOES NOT DISAPPOINT. Arrived there around midnight after a night of surprisingly lackluster food and bar service (in the city, mind you!), these guys knocked it out of the freakin' park. Perfectly cooked delicious hot dog, "everything" is mustard and onions (generous heaps of them). Got 2 of those with a cheese fry. Their fries are extra crunchy and also cooked perfectly. Cheese sauce is just right, and what one should come to expect from such an establishment. Service was also the best of the night, with them double and triple checking orders and giving the customer some responsibility back in making sure it's correct (a relief after having worked at McDonald's, for some time). Super nice guys hustling, slangin' dogs left and right to a customer line that didn't quit despite it being windy and raining sideways. I would have taken more pictures if it weren't raining sideways! Recommended. Anyone who's a fan of the Maxwell series needs to check it out. read more

Jim's Original - Regular dog with everything (mustard and onions) - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Total classic Chicago experience! I only got to try a dog and some fries but I'll be back for more. The dog was perfect, the service was great and the location was iconic. I love Chicago food and this is at the top of the list of places to get it done right read more

Jim's Original - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The ultimate Polish sausage. Grilled onions, mustard, and a pepper, on a steamed poppy seed bun. Awesome! Knocking a star off for the fries, kinda funky tasting. read more

Been coming here for years, I needed to write a review. Jim's know for their smoked polish sausage subs (mmmm...grilled onions and peppers) and 24/7 hours for after your bar binges. Ah, I'm an adult now, so had to grab a sausage sandwich as a snack - smoky delicious with caramelized onions, mustard and spicy sport peppers! Yummmmm. Jim's also had yummy burgers, dogs, fish sandwiches and a great pork chop sandwich to Italian ices. Variety of crispy fries from plain to cheddar cheese sauce soaked fried. Service is always good, sometimes there are lines and a wait but worth it. It is a Chicago institution. read more

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When I lived in the Chicagoland area, Jim's was my go-to spot at the end of a late night of partying. I was recently in town to celebrate my son's birthday and Sunday Funday turned into Sunday Fun-Night. As the clock approached midnight we decided we were hungry and needed something to get us through the remainder of the night. To my surprise he suggested going to Jim's Original. Needless to say, it was definitely one of those proud 'Dad' moments. Jim's Original has been around for 80+ years. While it has relocated a few times over the years due to expansion of the UIC campus, give or take a few blocks, it is mostly in the same vicinity where it started. The menu is fairly simple consisting of burgers, hotdogs, polish sausage, chicken, fish and pork chop sandwiches. The sides include fries and cheese fries along with a variety of sodas for beverage options. The ordering process is quite simple; step up to one window and place your order, move to the next window and pay then wait for your piping hot and delicious food. Having only been here late night, I have always found the staff to be very nice. Even more so considering they are usually dealing with folks who might have had one drink too many. Street parking is available in the area. Lastly, this is not a sit-down restaurant, there are counter spaces just to the side of the ordering area where one can stand and devour their order. read more

Unfortunately my digestive system did not agree with their food. Customer service is a joke.

Great food and fast. If you want the real Maxwell polish and pork chop sandwich, this is it! Service was quick and to the point. Eat at the metal shelf on the building while the food is fresh. Love it! read more

Terrible! bought 2 burgers and a coke. Asked to add raw onion. burgers Came on a stale bun. Meat was old and dry! There was a half gallon of mustard, exaggeration but all mustard. No ketchup! But it had raw onion ! I paid $15 for this garbage !!! read more

Now, this is the original! If you want a Polish sausage on a bun with grilled onions, mustard, and maybe, just maybe, hot sport peppers this is the place. . Jim's Original Maxwell St., Polish. This sits where the original was over 70 years ago. I usually get Polish sausages with just grilled onions and mustard. They are the bomb.com! read more

Ambiance was pure Chicago. Excellent and speedy service. Three adults ate dogs, fries and got three drinks for $20. Can't beat that!

The polish hot dog was a good size and very flavorful. Each order came with free fries so that was a great bonus. The pepper that it came with is SUPER spicy so beware when trying to eat that haha. read more

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Jim's Original on Diversey & Elston needs to be listed. It's been eons since I've been to Jim's Original so I decided to try their new Northside location at Diversey & Elston. It hasn't changed one iota same exact way it's always been. By the time you get your change back they already have your order ready on a tray with napkins, peppers on the side, ketchup packets, etc. The space is spotless and modern, clean bathroom, tables, and chairs. They even have blues playing in the background like Junior Wells singing "Hoochie Coochie Man". read more

Don't let the simple photo in my review fool you - Jim's has hands down the best hot dog I've tasted in Chicago! You order from a small stand located on a street which runs parallel to the highway. The food gets made pretty quickly, and then you proceed to chow down using a counter attached to the side of the building. While this is a very casual and low cost experience, the food is exceptional. I've never seen so much attention to detail put into perfecting a hot dog and fries. The polish is perfectly cooked and well seasoned. The onions are done just right so they are flavorful, yet retain their crunch. To top it off, the fries are extra crispy. Just to reiterate - this is a true Chicago gem that needs to be checked out! read more

Jim's Original - Polish Sausage Sandwich - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It's places like Jim's Original where you can usually find the best food. The Polish is so good and it even comes with fries (as all of their sandwiches do) Ambiance is chill. It's that no-frills, hole in the wall type place that you know you're about to get something so good type of place. Parking is limited to street, but it's pretty easy to come by. read more

Greatest food in the city. The service is quick and simple. The ambience is created by yourself whether it's on the metal table next to the restaurant or the inside of your vehicle. Simply put, it is a must have when in Chicago. read more

These people rude asf!!!! And the food is not as good as it used to be. I was very disappointed.

Cheap, hot and fresh grilled fat pieces of sausage, burgers, fries and more are served here. Lines are long. If you are hungry and looking for a filling lunch meal, look no further. We had to check it out. Servers were super fast as well. read more

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Cheeseburgers, polish, fries, pork chops I now live in Niles so this place is extremely inconvenient

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

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Another street food in Mexico which deserves a try when passing by, it has unique taste with mustard dressing. read more

Jim's Original - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Firstly, a big thank you to Chicago Yelp friend Stephen C who gave me the steer to think about this place from his recent review.  I've passed by this place a million times as it's visible right off the Dan Ryan expressway, but I really never thought to stop by.  Stephen's review gave a good, historical, and inspiring perspective of the place and it's renown.  I complimented him, and told him the next time I head to Chinatown for our grocery run, I'll swing by, and that's exactly what happened on this sunny cold day and just 2 weeks later. I picked up their pork chop with bone sandwich (another personal rec from Stephen) for $5.75.  With a polish sausage priced at $5.30, the pork chop sandwich also looked on the surface to be a much better value.  And like the menu says, "free" fries with any sandwich, ha, and the price includes tax!  Great deal!, and it was, and the side of fries was also generous.  The pork chop I had was a little on dried-out side after our 30 minute drive back home, but no complaints really given the price, and the exceptional "no-frills" value makes this place a 5 star real deal.  Pork chop is served with delicious grilled onions and mustard. I plan to come back one day just to have their Maxwell Street polish.  FYI, if you happen to be there M-F between 3-5pm this month, their polish is only $2 for their Winter Blues Special!  Having their polish and the smell of their grilled onions may help remind me of the days when my father actually brought me to the original Maxwell Street as a kid, but I honestly don't remember anything about eating, just the delicious food smells. The place was steady busy at 1:30pm on a cold Friday.  I got my sandwich in about 3 minutes, and customers come and go, and everyone just parks right out front on Union Ave.  It was funny in that as I was headed westbound on Roosevelt, I was to make a left turn at Union, and there was suddenly a long line of cars doing the same, and I thought what the heck, why is everybody turning down that dumpy little street.  I actually went around, made a u-turn and later realized that that traffic was all for Jim's!  Oh well, t'was a fun city food stop indeed. read more

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Good pork chops and burgers! Fast service, friendly workers, and a chill and sometimes busy ambiance. Convenient stop for a quick bite when in the area. read more

To start it off the sausage was amazing so much flavor with all the fixens on top like the mustard and the onions must try

Have a late night junk food craving but most places around you are closed? This is it. At 4am, if you're feelin' a decent hot dog or burger, come here. This is a very "no frills" type of place being a stand on the corner of some random service road next to the highway right by UIC. The fact that this place is 24/7 makes it very appealing to those with some late night munchies (or even better, drunchies). We came on a random Tuesday night just before 1am. I don't normally eat this late, but every once in a while ain't gonna kill ya, right? Anyways, when we arrived there was only one party ordering next to us, and it definitely seemed pretty dead, but after we ordered, the place was PACKED. We were lucky we had gotten our food just before the rush because we got to sit in the car and watch everyone show up after us. As far as the food most importantly: We both ordered Polish sausage with beef dogs (or sandwiches as they call it). It came with two little bags of fries and the total was around $11. Yeahhhh they were pretty good. The chili's the put on the dogs are pretty spicy too. I liked the spice level. Personally, I've had a few Chicago dogs in my life (just moved here) and this one certainly wasn't the best I've had. Would I come back? Ehhh yeah, maybe if I was kind of in the area OR I was drunk at 4am and needed a drunchies fix I guess. I think overall though for the convenience, the quickness, and taste, it's definitely a good option. I think I wanna come back and try some other stuff on their menu though. Even just getting a regular dog is on my mind. Wish I was hungry enough to just order both of those myself. Next time for sure! read more

Great place for cheap eats To-Go. All sandwiches come with free fries and the default toppings are mustard, hot pepper, and grilled onions. The star ingredient is the sweet, grilled onions. The polish sausage is already flavorful in a soft bun but the soft, sweet onions add more awesome flavor on top of that! Don't skip the onions! read more

Jim's Original - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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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

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A great dog at a great price. I think I paid about $6 for a polish and soda? Just be warned that the peppers that come on the dog are very very spicy. I'm no stranger to spice but biting into this left my whole mouth numb and eyes watering. The service was very quick. This is essentially a hot dog stand so the ambiance is very casual. read more

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

Jim's Original - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

One Hispanic guy was EXTREMELY RUDE! HE would yell NEXT before your order was taken. I'll never go there again! When he yelled NEXT, I should've gone NEXT door! ... and in his haste, he got my order wrong! People, including me were complaining! My order was being paid for. I was NOT getting it for free! I will NOT go there again and I refuse to get treated this way! The guy before and the Lady after were complaining! NEVER AGAIN! read more

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

Jim's Original - Polish Sausage Sandwich Vienna Beef Hot Dog Sandwich - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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

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