Protip: Try it at least once Highlights: They are pretty efficient with their orders. Fries are included and the highlight of the meal for me personally. I'm not really into hot dogs, but I thought it was pretty good. Lowlights: Lines are a little long with a constant stream of people queueing read more

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

Came here for the first time since my friend who grew up here, highly recommended it. I bought the polish dogs and hotdogs. Both are crazy flavorful and delicious, especially the polish dogs that has an amaaazing snap as you bite into it. My coworkers ordered the pork chop burger and she thought it was delicious and flavorful as well. The dogs came with grilled onions and peppers. Messy, but very delicious. This shop is a small hole-the-wall, but have decent prices and the staff are fast and friendly. Our orders came out within a minute after ordering our food. They have street parking and I think there's a small lot in the back. read more

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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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Remember the Aretha Franklin scene in the 'Blues Brothers', that's the real thing. Maxwell Street. I remember when I was a teenager, one of my first jobs was on Maxwell Street. It was nestled next to the South Water Markets produce warehouses, where my buddy Tommy and I would shop for his dads, produce stand in the wee hours of the morning on the weekends. When your a kid your braver than you are bright. We laugh about now. Who knew back then that his sisters would yell at his pop for allowing two 15-year-old boys without driver's licenses to operate the beat-up pickup truck to hustle produce on the docks for the family produce stand in the middle of the night. Much less, in one the most questionable of neighborhoods around. After we loaded up, we would hang around until early afternoon to help some of 'the guys' sell their wares of whatever was available that week off the back of their trucks (wink, wink), and make a few bucks. For over 100 years Maxwell Street was the largest open-air flea market in America. it enabled generations of immigrants to establish themselves and move up and out in America. You could buy anything from new gym shoes to underwear, socks, and clothing to hubcaps, toys, furniture and household wares, and even a Cadillac on that street. Everything had a price. Literally. Their motto: 'Cheat you fair'. (I wish I could claim that motto.) The market is one of my fondest memories filled with hardboiled characters that ranged from Jimmy Cagney real-life gangsters types, and others straight out of 'Shaft' or 'Super-fly' and other nefarious types. Bent noses were everywhere. I'm fairly certain that's where I earned my slightly tilted nose. Then we grab a sandwich from Jim's Original. It's known for a few things Maxwell Street is. A big thing is Chicago street food. One of the oldest around is Jim's Original hotdog stand on Union St. just south of Roosevelt snuggled tightly next to the Dan Ryan expressway. For its first 80 years, it was located on the corner of Halsted St. & Maxwell St. when I first started going there. I still go there today. Today, like then you walk up and see the steam rolling out of the windows and the sweet smells of street eats. They have a solid hot dog one of the best in the city. What they are really known for is the deep-fried polish on a poppyseed hot dog bun, smothered in grilled onions and mustard. Throw a few of their vinegar, serrano hot peppers on the and crunchy french fries, and boy, you got it going on! My personal favorite is the age-old standby, Bone-In Porkchop sandwich on a hamburger bun and smothered in grilled onions and mustard. THIS, my yelpers is a true Chicago sammich. The chop is not a sliver cut, no, it's a thick-cut grilled Porkchop on that bun. It's basic, it's da bomb. They ain't playin' around. The grilled onions, that's the key here. Being as Jim's Original is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year that grill only stops to get cleaned now and then while the others continue to work. The grease on the grill is the deal. It's shall I say, seasoned? That's what makes the onions what they are and gives that taste you can't get elsewhere. No how, no way. Now, there are questions you don't ask in this neighborhood, like "what's your name friend". I mean, even though it's gentrified in the past ten plus years and from the outside looks like University City yuppie, hipster hell, it's really still just the old Maxwell St. neighborhood. No there are no bathrooms you can use so don't ask. No there is no seating or tables to sit at, so don't ask. Just park curbside, step out, order your grub, and go back to your car. Then like me, open your SUV hatchback or sit on your hood or sit in your car with doors locked if you're shall we say, shy. Take in the impressive array of city lights and the street sounds. It's part of the experience. It sits in an urban mixed-use industrial, residential neighborhood so with that camped along the curbs you might catch a glimpse of the occasional 'rodent'. It's grease, meat, potatoes, (I never said it was particularly healthy, just tasty as hell.), and the like on a city street so the occasional drunk fools don't know what a garbage can is. Don't be one of them. Ignorance of the law of street etiquette and class is no excuse. You might get the occasional fist-to-cuff late nights, just consider it dinner and a show. You get all kinds at Jim's Original, Coppers, robbers, city workers, working girls, college kids, mom and pops, city teenagers, tourists, and those trying to re-visit and get a taste of their pasts before they moved to the suburbs. Like I said it's the Maxwell Street neighborhood and you get every race, creed, and color at Jim's and we all sit on our cars, on the street, and eat like good Chicagoans. Though it can get a bit dicey late-late night on weekends, there are always enough good folks around to look out for you. It urban, it's city, it's real, it's Chicago street food. read more

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The food was Nasty and so was the service. I'm never going back again. The young man was so rude and NASTY.

Went for a little late night drive down Lake Shore in Chicago like my boyfriend & I used to do in high school. Since it was a far trip, we looked up late night eats in Chicago and decided on hot dogs. It was between this and Superdawg but I was wanting a Polish sausage more so came down to Jim's Original! Doing more research it's apparently been popular for over 80 years, and honestly I can see why. The Polish sausage was delicious! I got no onions since I don't like them but the hot pepper & the mustard was super good with it. My boyfriend got a hot dog to try out & it wasn't anything special, no snap to it. Clearly Polish sausages are their game. Fries come with all sandwiches & they were above average, battered & crispy. Got a side of cheese sauce to dunk them in & it was perfect. Great price for the city, great food, super fast service, & open late, what more could you ask for. read more

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It's the original Polish stand at Maxwell St that moved when they redid the area Best polish I've ever had! read more

This is a Chicago favorite even for the locals. The story of the break of the two cousins is crazy, especially since they're right down the street from one another. When I used to eat polish sausages, this was the be-all place to be. The grilled onions and the polish were a perfect combination. The bread is oh so soft and mouth watering. Wow!!!! Always a line here and since they're open 24-7, you don't have to worry about not getting your polish-fix. The price is fair and it's always a good thing to get a pop, as they call it, in addition to the FREE fries you get in the bag. You can see evidence of the goodness by the greasy oil stain on the bag. Lol. And the fries WERE AMAZING!!!!!! Right off the freeway, it's a no-brainer. Just stop, grab one and go. read more

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The hot dogs here are great! The service was what you would expect in the area quick,but abrupt. You can pull right up to the curb and get out and order right at the counter which appears to be clean and nicely kept. I would recommend this restaurant to visitors. The building is old but on good condition. read more

Best polish sausage and hotdogs in Chicago. Not going to argue about it. Fries are surprisingly amazing too. read more

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

Those complaining that Jim's is a terrible place to grab a Chicago Hot Dog. ..they are correct. That's because Jim's doesn't sell Chicago Hot Dogs, they sell hot dogs with mustard, grilled Spanish onions and sport peppers. Tourist get a pass for not knowing the difference between a Maxwell St. Dog, a Depression Dog and Chicago Hot Dog. If you're a local, you should be embarrassed. lbvs. ..And every true Chicagoan knows Jim's is for polishes or bone-in porkchop sandwiches, not hot dogs. Jim's isn't a must try because of the food, but rather it's longstanding history and connection with the city. It's been 80 plus years and has been a right a passage for millions of drunk-post club-20 something year olds prowling for sustenance on the late night. The smell of grilled onions has enticed me to make regrettable food decisions countless nights. The greasy bag of pork, beef, fries, mustard, sport peppers and those famous onions may not agree with your tummy, but try at least once with tempered expectations. Pro Tip: Chicago Hot Dog - Fatso's or Flub a Dub Chubs Depression Dog - Red Hot Ranch or 35th St Red Hots Maxwell St. Dog - Jim's, Express Grill or Original Maxwell St. read more

Jim's Original - Terrible decision on the late night. ..smh. I liked it, but my stomach didn't. - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Man I had a great time here the hot dog was great the burger was goated and the fries with cheese was a hit service was nice I always come here when I come to Chicago. read more

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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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Saturday night at Jim's Original was an eye opening experience. Clientele is very colorful and the food is so delicious and prices are super affordable. All food items come with fries. We had the polish dog (mustard on the side-no packets, so the staff wrapped the mustard in paper for me) with Spanish onions and the spiciest pickled peppers (didn't look like jalapeños Or habaneros, but I was breathing fire after the first bite). It was a cool February night, so the pepper really kept us warm. The polish sausage's casing popped when we bit into it and the bun was very soft and delicious. The best value in Chicago. read more

Jim's Original - Fast service and great value - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Be ready for poor customer service and sub par food. Dumb a$$ can't get an order right to save their lives and can't speak English.

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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I've passed by this place countless times and finally decided to check it out. It's usually busy and I happened to go at 10pm on a Saturday and it was a small quick line. The guy taking orders kind of spoke loudly to make sure you can hear him so don't be alarmed. It's for your benefit to keep the line moving. I ordered two Polish Sausage Sandwiches with everything which means steamed bun, generous sized sport peppers, a heaping amount of grilled onions, and mustard. Every "sandwich" comes with free fries. Something you need to know prior, the prices on Yelp are way off. It wasn't $3.50; my two sausages cost $13 and change, double the posted price. Personally, I find it an okay deal. I wish it were cheaper without the fries, which were greasy and not impressive. The highlight here is really the Polish sausage or hot dog. Despite the fries, I thoroughly enjoyed the substantial and flavorful sausages with sport peppers, grilled onions, and mustard. The sport peppers provide a good kick, but it fades quickly--an absolute must for the Polish! A nice quick hot meal especially for on the go! read more

Jim's Original - Polish Sausage Sandwich with everything. Steamed bun, Huge sport peppers, grilled onions, and mustard! - Hot Dogs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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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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no frills but overall experience was great and tasted like what true chicago cuisine is

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

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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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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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

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

Great food even better service. Love them! Can't wait to be back. Love the history behind them. So convenient and everything is super quality! read more

I'm from Kansas City Missouri came to Chicago for a weekend trip with my family my last day I stayed longer just to try their Polish sausage they were so delicious that I got some fresh to go home and cook I wish I would have got more I wish it was a way that I could order and have them sent to me in Kansas City I've told everyone I know here that when they go to Chicago they must visit jail the original public sausage place read more

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

I lived there in Chicago most of my life and went to Jew town and every chance I got I went down to Jew town and got a polish sausage and it was so good believe me once you try it you will be hooked line and sinker read more

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

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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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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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

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

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

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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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

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

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.

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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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