Going somewhere in the summer in Bourbonnais usually involves stopping at this classic drive in. It has the basic stuff like hot dogs and the toppings, along with drinks and some other food like pretzels. Jaenicke's has been in business since 1940, and is pretty much at landmark status. A place mostly frequented by locals, but some fans come from afar. The prices are pretty good, even after all these years it seems, and you can get a lot for not a lot. A big time popular place in the summer around here. It's a classic but it still gets quite a few people, and there's usually a line. The food is pretty much simple and there's nothing really special. It's about $3 for a pretzel, including a side of cheese. Slightly better than those boxed frozen ones. Most of the draw is the hot dogs. These are basic looking, and can come with their signature chili sauce. Also ice cream. They have the required root beer floats. Burgers are another of the eats. The stuff usually comes out pretty fast, which is great for how busy it can get. Have the best experience here in the summer when it's warmer and you can sit on the outside tables and eat the nostalgic food. It's pretty good prices for what they have. This isn't great, but it's pretty okay for around here though. read more

Jaenicke's Drive In - Pretzel - Fast Food Near Me - Bourbonnais, Illinois

The food is amazing, I really love their chili cheese fries and the service is great! They're really nice and the whole place has a such nice ambiance vibe, I love going here more often than other places. read more

Food is always good. Service is fast and friendly. Even the soft drinks are extra special .

Excellent and unique menu. A true classic. The chili dog is my go to. We go every time we are in town.

I love Jaenicke's, especially their sauce buns! My husband and I got engaged at the Kankakee location 43 years ago.

The food was not good. Familiar , but lacking in taste. The hot dog was unremarkable, barbecue sandwich had grainy, dry texture and little taste read more

Has been a staple in the area for many decades. Nothing fancy just good food. Service is good. I've been going there since they had car hops! When I was a lot younger we used to hang out there. read more

4.1 This is your classic ballpark stand. They got it all: dogs, Italian beef, cheese fries, burgers, and the list goes on. Better show up early because this place is packed out for those looking for a cheap, nostalgic experience. Great place to go take your family, or hang out with some lifelong friends. Memories are flowing from the roots of this building. DISCLAIMER: This is not to be confused with a fancy Michelin restaurant. Would not suggest this for an engagement dinner, but appreciate it for what it is. Just your All-American Drive-In. read more

A Chicago dog made with a cheap, pork 8/1 frank dressed with mustard, onion, jalapeños and pickle chips??? Horrible!!! At least the root beer was good. No car service that you would expect from a drive in. read more

3.9 Great ballpark food vibe with awesome prices for what you get. From the corn dogs to the atomic fries to the hot dogs. Not prime time cuisine but great atmosphere and the food is pretty decent. Recommend if you got a late night craving or need a snack attack. read more

Nothing to write home about as they say. Hot dog was ok but it was steamed. Fries were hot but tasteless. Whole thing was lacking. $7 for boring. Honestly McD has more flavor. read more

Well, let's just call it what is is......."A Religious Experience". I have been a REGULAR at Jaenicke's since the 1968. So, after 50 years of patronage, I believe that I can certainly endorse this establishment. Furthermore, when one drives over 2 hours for a "Red Hot Run", it's not just to see the flat highways of Illinois. This is one of the places from my golden childhood in Kankakeeland. Jaenicke's has been a staple point of destination after Minor League, Little League, Junior High events, High School hangout, College, Weddings, Funerals, Wakes, Graduations, Reunions & special times. Without question, the consistency of their menu has remained after all these years! Signature items: Deluxe Red Hot (Sauce, Cheese & Onions), Homemade Creamy Root Beer, Green River Floats, Sauce Buns & the Italian Beef (Double Provolone & Peppers w/ Au Jus). I have been lucky enough to have been the 1st customer of the season 3 x. The annual pilgrimage from Indiana to Illinois has been repeated for decades. I even have an original painted menu board hanging in my kitchen when they remolded years & years ago. We have tried to duplicate the "sauce" recipe countless times for all of us out of towners. It's just not the same. This "sauce" is local legend. It's almost puree and is on the sweet side. Warning: It's very addicting. You may need an intervention as you can't eat just one. Think about it? They have Sauce Buns on the Menu and it's a Big seller. What is a Sauce Bun? A steamed hot dog bun with just the sauce on it. No, it's not a Sloppy Joe. This is way beyond that correlation. This is a Bend a Knee moment. So, Get in your Plane, Train or Automobile, set the GPS and head out. Tell them Beaumont sent you! read more

There is a quaint little orange bldg that has people lined up waiting for their opening time - just for red hots! Yep! Red Hots! That's the name they call their hot dogs in these great soft buns and some super red sauce that is a slimmed down version of chili without the meat. Like it was strained and kept the best flavor for the red hot sauce!! Me? I get mine with cheese sauce, onions and relish on TOP of the red hot sauce...cause I'm just special! No, really it's called the Deluxe! I'm just special because no one else in OUR family orders it, so I'm special, right? Now, hot dogs are not their only offering. They are great at multiple food selections, like BBQ beef, corn dogs, onion rings, fries, fried pork sandwich, root beer floats, green rivers, etc... So why is it that I can NEVER order anything but my deluxe? Because I always go with these fancy ideas of mixing it up, but once I hit that outdoor window to order and carry it to the picnic tables...I crumble at the scent of red hots! Completely crumble! read more

Just went Jaenicke's in Bourbonnais and even though my Kids swear the one in Kankakee is better (I also agree the sauce is better) I opted out because I was closer to the one in Bourbonnais. I know being lazy is a poor excuse. They used to have a guy that drove classic cars cooking so I never had a bad experience. Well, he must not be there anymore. Young girl in the back making the orders. Hotdog did not seem to be all the way cooked; bun was cold, and she must have stock in the company because the sauce was not visible until I got home and put on my reading glasses. Although I say it jokingly the statement is more true than false. I am not sure how long people are going to pay Chicago like premium prices and in return receive crap. Bourbonnais Jaenicke's will never get another penny of my money and I will drive a little further and hopefully receive a better product for the price in my opinion. The owner of the one in Bourbonnais should be ashamed to allow this to happen. read more

I am not a big hot dog fan but do like a good Chicago style dog every once and awhile. What we tried here was I don't even know how to explain it. A tiny skinny thing they call a hot dog plain on a bun if you want to add their sauce it cost extra. It was already close to $4 for this thing. The root beer was to heavy and went flat within the hour. They really need a Portillo's in this area. read more

The nostalgic feeling is still there but that's it! Best think on the menu is the root beer or bottled water. This place has such good potential. The only people that eat here are the locals and that's it. It's slowly fading away and I hope someone can turn this place around finally and sell good food. My ex loves this place but again she's a local and has no idea what good food is either. read more

Still in awe that you can get food this amazing for this cheap anywhere, plus the wait is never too bad either. How can a little drive-in be unironically probably the best barbeque place in town? My only complaint is that you have to sit out in the sticky heat with the bugs but I guess you could just bring it back into your car if need be. Otherwise this is the type of place that's just so good, it makes you feel like you've wasted money if you go to many other places. I'm not a hot dog guy but the deluxe red hots are so great that they may have converted me. read more

Jaenicke's Drive In - Deluxe red hot, corn dog nuggets, water - Fast Food Near Me - Bourbonnais, Illinois

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This place is delicious if you're wanting Midwest comfort food. The sauce bun with cheese and onions is what they're known for and don't forget their classic root beer. If you're not in the mood for a sauce bun, try their home style sweet barbecue. We finished our meal with a chocolate shake. We love Jaenicke's! read more

I'll score the food here a total of 5 stars. Got a hot dog with fried pickles and a sauce bun, ( GREAT) with the homemade root beer that I couldn't get enough of. But the hot dogs were suppose to be Chicago style. Really?! Who put sliced pickles and jalapeños on a Chicago dog? Suppose to be a pickle wedge and sporties. Great food though. read more

Jaenicke's Drive In - a sign for the drive in - Fast Food Near Me - Bourbonnais, Illinois

I finally tried this place after hearing good things about it, and seeing long lines while driving by. I was not impressed at all! I ordered a couple of their "Chicago dogs". They should call them Kankakee dogs. Shame on them! They came with mustard, onions, sport peppers and hamburger pickles. No tomatoes, cucumbers, celery salt. The order taker had an attitude, and their counter was chaos. The people that frequent this dump obviously have never ventured north of I-80! read more

They sure don't know how to make a Chicago Hot dog. There chili cheese fries are to small for what they charge. We ordered to take home as we don't eat on picnic benches. Might try again BUT NOT for a Chicago Hot dog. read more

Well, on a nice day it doesn't get better than this. A dozen picnic benches that are shaded by a group of lovely trees. Very comfortable. As to the food, pretty good, the hot dogs could have used something extra - I should have gotten the chili and cheese like the other reviewers recommended. The root beer was quite delicious. Fries were decent. read more

Jaenicke's Drive In - the outside of the restaurant - Fast Food Near Me - Bourbonnais, Illinois

It's a Bourbonnais Institution, and if you do choose to eat here past the age of 12, it's for the nostalgia. I get your standard hot dog w/ sauce and a root beer. (aka the originals. Don't bother with the other stuff, because it's your basic fried foods that have been added on in recent years.) The root beer is always the better of the two, while the hot dog reminds me of something from the crockpot. Still, I can't help but let my mind wander to the time when I was so psyched for this place to open every summer. It always brings out the kid on me. read more

Local, all American food, old fashioned kind of place you don't see as much of anymore. Good food, a fun kind of place, nice in the summer to get food and drink and sit at one of the out door tables and enjoy. read more

It was nothing special, just ok. Wish it had a BB little more to offer. Hot dogs were decent but the fries were disappointing

I use to eat here when I worked in the area many years ago, so I took a long ride, 45 minutes to get lunch. Still tasting great. For bears fans comming down, it's not a chicago typical hot dog stand. They specialize in a local taste of hot dog with a sauce, like a chili sauce, but sweeter and thinner. They are super hot temperature wise, but delicious. The homemade root beer is great also. I've never had the Italian beef or other products, but I would drive 35 minutes from Orland Park to get the dogs with sauce. Add some onions or cheese whiz to add something extra. Wonderful to sit on the picnic tables under the trees and have a couple of dogs. No they are not Vienna, don't be a hot dog snob, it's the combo of dog and sauce u go for. read more

Jaenicke's Drive In - Fast Food Near Me - Bourbonnais, Illinois

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At least I can say I learned something about myself that I never knew before: I'm a hot dog snob. The hot dogs at this joint are Oscar Meyer quality at best. That's fine. I grew up in the struggle. But if I go somewhere to eat, I want better. Do I go to an Italian restaurant for Chef Boyardee? No, beyotch. I most certainly do not. I'm also not a fan of how they're cooked. Mainly because they don't seem cooked at all. These hot dogs are oddly pale in color. They either boil or steam them. I got chili and cheese on my dog, and even the chili tasted off. Much too sweet...and bad. Needs a different taste that is good. Keep it. read more

Considering I grew up thinking this place was awful, I think 2 stars is generous. My mom is from one of the nearby shitty towns, which explains why she always had to get her fix when we'd visit family. Was headed to the fair when I decided to make my friend try one of their hot dogs, because chances are I'll never get him to come this way again. If you like Chicago dogs or NY dogs or any other "city dog", do yourself a favor and get something else. I don't know what, as I've only ever had their hot dogs, but the only reason they stay in business is because the townies are used to crappy, tastless food. Their root beer is good though. One of the few places I'll actually have it. read more

Nice place. No gluten free options though. You can tell this is a neighborhood hot spot. Very friendly and fast service. Portions a little small. All outdoor seating. read more

Jaenicke's Drive In - If you are lucky, you could visit during Weiner week! - Fast Food Near Me - Bourbonnais, Illinois

Reading some of the other reviews, I'm happy to see I'm not the only one who thinks their hotdogs are "oddly pale". I AM a hotdog snob and was disgusted by the food on my plate. Hotdog fans may cringe, but I'm a ketchup and pickle only guy, so it's ALL about the taste of the dog. At this place I took two bites and threw the rest away. I tried their dog a second time just in case it was a fluke and there was no change. It seems they have perfected the art of destroying a Chicagoland staple. I don't understand how people in this area get excited about eating this crap food. Has anyone down here ever been to Portillos or Maxwell street? The sad thing is all they have to do is spend a little extra money on quality dogs, like Nathan's famous. Which I'm sure they can still buy in bulk. If there was a no star option I would give that. read more

I looooove this place! Any time I'm in the area I always make sure to get a chili dog! And normally I *HATE* chili!

Crap crap crap crap Chicago dog is crap chili cheese fries crap don't know what the hell they're doing lady was nice out the window kind of stupid couldn't get to order right the first time and second time got it right food is crap I'll never eat there again read more

Jaenicke's Drive In - Shit ty chicago dog. Not even close. - Fast Food Near Me - Bourbonnais, Illinois

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MMMM, Jaenicke's. Some of the best chili dogs ever. The sauce is so sweet and yummy. I remember growing up in Kankakee and going to the Jaenicke's Drive-In for chili dogs, sauce buns (no dog), and root beer. They had the best root beer. If you find yourself in Bourbonnais and see the orange drive through that is Jaenicke's..STOP! Get a chili hot and a root beer. read more

If you grew up in the Kankakee area....you grew up eating Jaenicke's every summer and waited every winter for it to reopen. This is truly the kind of place you have to be a local to really appreciate. As I grew up in the area, I think it's the most amazing food on the planet--the place is very nostalgic and comforting to me. However, after reading the reviews, I can agree with these negative findings: 1. Yes, if they can go generic...they do. The ketchup packets, styrofoam cups, and hot dogs are all bulk items from Sam's Club or something. Not important to me, but yeah. 2. This place is entirely staffed by high school girls. Although I have never experienced rude service...it does always appear rushed. My favorite items are the sauce buns (steamed bun full of their famous sauce) with cheese and onion added, cheese fries, red hots, fried pickles with ranch, and their homemade [diet] root beer. Yummmm. ***This location DOES accept credit/debit cards now! :) read more

I've had my eye on this place for a couple months now. Service was quick, and food was fresh. I got a breaded tenderloin (thank goodness for the Midwest), and fries. Hubs got a BBQ pulled pork sandwich, and then ultimately decided to order another tenderloin instead, after seeing mine, haha. We gave the toddler the rest of his pulled pork, so it all worked out. Not sure if we'll go again, but I enjoyed the experience. read more

Jaenicke's Drive In - Tenderloin w/mustard and lettuce (best way to eat it). - Fast Food Near Me - Bourbonnais, Illinois

Hands down, a Bourbonnais tradition. Negative reviewers need to consider that this is a hot dog place, not gourmet cooking! If you are looking for fast food that is different from the burgers the cookie cutter chains serve, Jaenicke's is the place to go. Get a chicago style dog with cheese fries! You won't be disappointed! read more

A local owned hot dog stand that stands a favorite for many of the locals. Enjoyed the chilli cheese fries from this place. The chili sauce is sweet and savory and when mixed with cheese makes for a scrumptious meal. read more

Jaenicke's Drive In - Fast Food Near Me - Bourbonnais, Illinois

I know many of the reviews say you have to be a local to understand this place. Well, what I understand after going there is that the locals in this area need to take a trip up north to some other towns that have REAL Chicago style hot dogs, beef, gravy bread, cheese fries, etc. I was getting my order to take home and the woman at the window hands me the dogs in an open container and I said, "I need a bag for this to take home." Couldn't even get the words out because she was already slamming the window. So, we decided to eat outside. Watch out for the birds if you choose to eat outside! LOL GROSS GROSS GROSS. I had a sauce bun and fried pickles. Excuse me? THREE fried pickles? That's it??? My sister had a red hot and fries with cheese. She said she'll never go there again. The only good thing about this place is the root beer. read more

Having worked there, I can guarentee not all the people who work there are related. YES they are a family owned business, but the only people who work there that are realated are the owners. Anyways, just a heads up- they accept debit/credit cards now. Food is great. - get the chili sauce! read more

If any of Food Network's shows make it to our area, I'm determined that they'll stop by Jaenicke's. Their hot dogs are amazing, and while I'm not a fan of the sauce, I can definitely see where it would appeal to a lot of people. For me, the sandwiches are the way to go. Whether it's an Italian Beef, Meatball Sandwich, or the Chicken Tenderloin... you can't go wrong! My wife is a fan of the root beer, we both love the green river, and I swear that you can't get a better cherry coke in the area. The ONLY drawback I can think of is that you need to make sure you've got cash, as that's the only tender they accept. Still a five star in my book! read more