There is the Chicago Hot Dog, and there is the Chicago Depression Dog. This place has the Chicago Depression Dog, This is the same Dog as Gene and Judes, so if you want the tomatoes, pickles this is not for you! As far as I am concerned the Depression Dog is the REAL Chicago Hot Dog because it is the one I grew up with! It was- and still is the dog sold on a LOT of Chicago hot dog stands. The mysterious mustard and thin hot dog are a tradition they chose not to mess with. Dog and Fries taste fresh, just like the late, great Demon Dogs under the L near DePaul University. For all you Gene and Juders this place has the SAME hot dog and the SAME fresh cut fries wrapped together in parchment, so if G and J is a littler farther away, this place will not disappoint. In addition it is a Drive Thru so for this old man who has to walk with a stick, it has the edge over J and G! The place has that old 50's drive in vibe as an added bonus! I have tried at home to make the hot dog and fries like these Chicago Legends. I Just can't get it right. One of the sweet mysteries of life- or at least Chicago. If you want the old fashioned Chicago Depression dog this is IT! read more

Used to be our go to place for yummy hotdogs but when last there the hotdogs were tasteless. My husband asked what's up with the hotdogs the guy just smiled. They clearly downgraded BUT raised the prices!! No thanks read more

Good place for a quick bite from a nearby hot dog stand. You'll be happy no matter what you order. I especially love how nice the staff is here. read more

Service with a smile! Get'em while they're hot, char dogs with everything and the fresh cut fries!! #shoplocal

I haven't been back to Chicago since moving away more than 10 years ago so when I recently visited, I knew I had to have a Chicago dog. I found Rand Red Hots through Yelp. I ordered a hot dog with everything, which came with a decent amount of natural cut fries for $2.99 and a coke ($1.50). The hot dog was good but it didn't have the usual Chicago hot dog toppings and the roll didn't have poppy seeds. It was missing the tomato wedges and a pickle spear. The relish wasn't the bright green kind but I was fine with it. Fries, on the other hand, were perfect. Being a huge fan, I know my fries and these were some of the best I've had. The place had a nice retro look and was clean. The workers were doing their jobs, nothing more, nothing less. As long as they're fast and get my order right, I don't need a big greeting smile. There was plenty of parking and ample seating, especially if weather is decent enough to sit outside. Because the dog didn't have the topping the way I was looking forward to it, I have to drive down the road to try another place that does. read more

Rand Red Hots - Hot Dogs Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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Cash only, we bring $100 bill and they can't break it. For a cash only establishment, inconvenient in this era. Food was good but they got our order wrong. The bench to eat on wasn't wiped down. I think I'll give this place another chance. read more

I liked the hot dog and might go back again but the problem is they only take Cash, so on my second time I had no cash like I did the first time, I had only cash with me because I forgot my cards at home, but on my second time there it was a bad experience for me to go to the drive way and let me order but when I got to the window to pay they said "we only take cash" so I left. read more

Dogs are good but not quite a Chicago hot dog. Fries are good. Drive thru needs work...

Gold.... No issues mentioning Rand Red Hots in the same breath as Gene n Judes... This is a great chow scene. Maxwell Street Polish, loaded dog w/sport peppers and a large Diet Coke... my standard order. read more

Best hot dogs in town. I was never disappointed with the Rand Hot Dogs. Served with Fries. read more

Hot dogs and shakes :) my favoriteeee! Reasonable prices and fast service- thank you to the guys that work hard there

I couldn't agree more with someone whom said "if you like Gene and Jude's, this is your place" no lines nice staff and tables to consume your hot dogs (They are dog friendly, leashes, and on the patio) they always give my dog a treat read more

Rand Red Hots - The Bud - Hot Dogs Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

2nd and last time we will spend our money here. Totally underwhelming. Disgusting fries and since when is a Polish the same size and taste as a hot dog? Vienna must be embarrassed to have this dump advertising their products. Terrible excuse for a Chicago hotdog stand. read more

While I am a huge fan of Gene's and Jude's, it was nice to find a place in the suburbs that could compare to that snap hotdog taste. My fiancé and I wanted to try this place, as we would always drive by when we would visit his grandfather. We finally decided to stop and sample the goods! First thing, make sure you have cash! No electronic transmissions! They do have an ATM, so don't panic if you're short. I had a hotdog with fries, and a tamale. My fiancé got a char-dog and and regular hotdog with fries. He said the char-dog was interesting, and would probably order it again. My hotdog was good, as it was a Vienna! I had mustard, onions, relish, and peppers on mine (you have to make it clear if you want peppers), and the dog was good, bun steamed, and there were plenty of peppers added on. My fiancé did not like the hotdog, he said it seemed smaller than a regular Vienna, and tastes different. The fries, we both agree, were good, but Gene's and Jude's are still better. They are crispy on the outside, and have a that smooth center. They are NOT crinkle fries! They are homemade, so you're in luck there! The tamale was a Supreme tamale, and it was the bunches and not the roll. I was pleasantly surprised by this, because most places do not sell the bunches anymore, so total props to them for that! Now the price: extremely reasonable! Our three hotdogs with fries, tamale, and large Diet Coke came out to around $15.00! Plenty of food for the price! We said we would come back if we were in the area, as they do sell other things besides hotdogs, but we also said Gene's and Jude's will always be number one for us. As my fiancé said, "When you're spoiled your whole life, it's hard to turn away!" read more

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Absolutely love this place. Great skin on hot dog. Super fresh hand cut fries, Good amount. I'm very happy with pricing compared to other fast food. Never been disappointed. KH read more

Holy moly!. Why is it that food that probably isn't that good for you is so darn good. I had their polish with grilled onions & fries. The fries are fresh cut. Forgive me for saying it, but I almost believe this place is better then some of those other hot dog joints out there. So, for those fellow yelpers or reviewers. I'd definitely recommend you stopping on by this place and grabbing a bite to eat. You'll definitely feel satisfied once you get that hot dog / polish and fries craving out of the way. I'm sure you'll be returning, as will I ; ) read more

Rand Red Hots - Polish with grilled onions. - Hot Dogs Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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The hot dogs are awful! They have a hard skin on it which makes it tough to chew and rip. Never understand why there's a line in the drive thru. Wieners are awful! read more

Clean location and nice looking location somewhat slow service despite being empty. Cash only. Food is nothing special. Only had the hot dogs with fries, just nothing special at all. Portillo and Gene & Judes are both 1000% better. Hot dogs were bland, fries were just soggy and tasteless too. If you been to Portillo, Gene & Judes you will be very disappointed. Much better hot dog places in the Chicagoland area. read more

Go here. The dogs are delish and come with fries! The prices are decent. The tamales are not your generic hot dog stand tamales either, they are not salty and homemade. The vanilla shake was very tasty. We went through the drive thru so I cant speak for the inside of the restaurant but the blue eyed drive thru attendant was very nice. Drive thru also moved very quickly. Our food was hot and delish. We will see you this summer Rands Red hots!!!! read more

My hubby got the Maxwell Street Polish without the sport pepper- he declared it delicious! The fries were crispy- he also got a tamale- the cornmeal was cooked perfectly, filling seasoned well- he loved it! I loved the chocolate Malt!!! It was the kind that brought back memories! Thank you for the great visit and the memories read more

Rand Red Hots - Side parking lot!! - Hot Dogs Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

It's everything you want in a chicago hotdog stand. It's straightforward, super affordable, and great atmosphere. Service gets the job done. I wish it wasn't cash only sometimes but I keep cash on me in case I want a cone. Seriously since moving to the area it has made the difference. Loyal customers for life here! read more

High quality weinies and retro atmosphere. My only gripe is they force you to pay CC fees by pointing to their ATM. I guess for cheap weinies I'll do it but I hate waiting longer for weinies because I have to withdraw paper. read more

Omg! I wanted to try a quick bite and for 7 dollars and some change I got a vanilla malt a all beef Viena hot dog and a whole lot of hand cut French fried yummmm and it was so friendly and quick I wanted more and more! Greatest quick bite ever! read more

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Excellent dogs and fries. $12 for 2 meals w drinks. Will be back for sure! Want to try the ice cream. read more

This weenie joint copies Jean & Jude's for the hot dogs anyway. Very solid hot dog and fries all wrapped together. It's more pricy than J&J but it's a worthy place to satisfy a hot dog craving. On my last visit I did try a Maxwell polish. It's not even close to the joints off of Randolph st and the expressway in the big city. Stick with the dogs and you'll be very satisfied I'm sure. If you want a typical Chicago hot dog with all the trimmings (mustard, relish, onion, tomato, sport peppers and celery salt) you'll have to go someplace else. Here it's just mustard, onions and peppers. Plenty of parking. Plenty of seating outside. Inside is mostly countertop dining. Cleaner and shorter lines then the other joint I mentioned. If I lived near J&J I would go there but I don't so I go here if I crave a J&J type hotdog I'll come here. I have to add this little item; J&J simply does not have ketchup. Not for the hot dog...for the fries! This joint does have ketchup so if you like ketchup with you're fries you can have it! Thank you read more

Finally made it out to Rand Red Hots. My Family and friends were shocked I never ate here. Well that's off my bucket list. Good eats for an iconic Hot Dog Joint.Had their Hot dog with everything plus a old school Tamale. Worth the trip and nostalgia. When near Rand stop on by! Cheers! read more

The drive thru is a little confusing when i went there, but food was great and worth the stop

Absolutely delicious hot dog and fries, consistent great. The joint is small, but we normally take the food to go or eat outsides. Customer service here is friendly as well. read more

The real deal period consistency is a mark of a great eatery Maxwell street polish grilled, awesome cheers read more

I live dangerously close to this place. They get pretty busy around lunch and dinner but the line goes by quickly. CASH ONLY! Which is kinda a pain but helps me not go there as much. Whenever I have a sweet tooth I stop by and get a chocolate malt, and I must say whatever whipped cream they use is great and is how whipped cream should taste! Also love their dogs. The fries are hit or miss, sometimes mine are way too soggy and oily. But overall im pretty satisfied and will continue coming back! read more

The fries were excellent; fresh cut and hot. But the hot dogs were small, Watery and only came with onion relish and yellow mustard (no Chicago hot dog). IMO Come for the fries alone, and sandwich up elsewhere. read more

Very, very limited menu. Dogs and polish sausage. Done to perfection. Fries a really fresh and good. Quick service.

I was somewhat in the area again, so I had to make the trek over to this place . Once again, I was blown away by how good the dog and fries were and I am not a French fry fanatic. I finished every one and double checked that none had escaped. I ordered two dogs this time. I was stuffed but happy. I recommend that you check this place out for yourself. Cheers to all read more

Rand Red Hots - Fantastic dog + fries!! - Hot Dogs Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

If you're just in the mood for a hot dog and fries, I don't know if it gets any better than here. You can get the dog (regular or charred) with fries and grilled onions, for only $2.89, and the fries are very good! They also have plenty of parking, a nice drive through lane, a couple of shaded outdoor dining tables, and vintage decor. It was just what we were looking for at the time. Counter guy (don't know if he was owner or not) was friendly. Will be back! Cash only. read more

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My mom has a Mother's Day tradition of bringing the family to Gene & Jude's for hot dogs, however Gene & Jude's was still closed this Mother's Day due to recent flooding. Thanks to the reviews comparing the two we wound up at Rand Red Hots instead. The hot dogs are very good, in fact I am not sure I would be able to tell the Rand Red Hot dogs apart from the Gene & Jude's ones in a blind taste test. It's great to have access to such good hot dogs so much closer to home. The fries were also excellent, though somewhat less greasy than the G&J ones (some folks might well appreciate the relative lack of grease). My family and I only had hot dogs and fries, so we can't comment on the other menu options, but we are sure to be back in the future to give them a shot. As others have mentioned, the restaurant is very clean and even seemed to have a bathroom, which is nice. There was also outdoor seating to enjoy in the warm weather days ahead, if you'd rather sit outside at a table than the hood of your car. ;) Conveniently there is also a drive-thru. They did have bottles of ketchup available on the counter, most likely for the fries, but I'm not sure how they'd react if you try to put it on your hot dog. All in all Mother's Day was still a success thanks to Rand Red Hots. I would definitely recommend it to Gene & Jude's fans and hot dog fans in general. We were able to walk up and order without waiting in a line, and as convenient as that was we need this place to stay in business, so please stop by here soon! read more

Don't eat here. I always thought the people who worked are not very nice until I went there during the COVID 19 time and the traffic on Rand and River roads construction. They like to keep your change in the drive through. BS for a crushed dog and some fries. Eat somewhere else. read more

High 3.5 Simplicity & old school is key here. Only 7 food items don the menu board, plus 9 beverages & desserts. Food is nothing special, but it isn't bad. It's standard drive-in/hot dog stand food, with decent prices & fresh cut fries included with all sandwiches. The entire lot is big for a drive-in restaurant, making vehicle entry and exiting the premises easy. The seating area outside is spacious and covered, the inside is clean and roomy. read more

Rand Red Hots - Food menu - Hot Dogs Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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Vintage drive in feel is well preserved, the vibe was quite nice! The staff was very nice and professional! Drive through was quick and efficient. Food also came out quick (I only got two hot dogs with fries.) Plenty of parking and clean outdoor eat space to enjoy your food! read more

Rand Red Hots - Hot dog with everything (mustard, relish, onions, sport peppers) and fries! - Hot Dogs Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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With so many hot dog joints in Chicago do you really need to come all the way out here? Yes you do. I thoroughly enjoyed my double chars. read more

Rand Red Hots - The essentials, double char Chicago style wrapped in with fries. - Hot Dogs Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois

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Holy Hell is this Hot Dog stand is awesome!! The staff were nicer than hell. The cleanliness of the place was spot on clean! The food was simple, tasty and priced just right! You need to go here even if it's just once. Hell, I wanna go back!! Great job people!! read more

Rand Red Hots - Hot Dogs Near Me - Des Plaines, Illinois