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    Jeff's Red Hots

    4.3 (214 reviews)
    InexpensiveHot Dogs, Burgers
    Closed 10:30 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Jeff's Red Hots Takeout or Delivery

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    JEFF'S RED HOTS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    cars parked in front of the restaurant
    Victor M.

    When in Chicago, you must try a Chicago style Red Hot. What is a Chicago Red Hot you ask? It is far from the $1.50 hot dog that you can get at Costco nor is it as cheap. But Chicago Red Hots usually uses a Vienna Beef hot dog on a sesame bun. You can add any condiments that floats your boat, but after growing up in Chicago, I have never cared for any other brand of hot dogs except the all beef VIenna hot dogs. Jeff's Red Hots is one of the last remaining hot dog stands in Chicago that brings back those lunch memories of a childhood long passed. They do a decent job at the Chicago style Red Hots with the trademark flavor and casing of the Vienna frankfurther. It is well cooked with a sesame bun that is fresh and soft. Their thin fries are average as I got a batch that could have used another minute in the fryer and may have been sitting in the heat lamps a little too long. The #4 special Red Hot with fries and a fountain drink though is a real bargain at $7.99. Service was adequate for a fast food place. Cash payment is preferred as credit card payments incur an extra $1 charge. I can't speak for the other items on their menu, but if it is as good as their Red Hots, you can't go wrong at Jeff's Red Hots.

    Hot dogs
    Drake M.

    First a little story, I like beer, but on occasion, I like mixed cocktails. The danger about mixed cocktails is when they go down easy, you always want another one. You say mixed cocktails and hot dogs...just read the rest of my review. I parked in the lot and proceeded to warm greetings. After scouring the menu, I zeroed in on my hot dogs. They have a two hot dog special with fries and a small drink. The gentleman behind the counter asked, "How would you like your dogs?" I told him Chicago Style. The two guys worked in tandem like a well-oiled deep fryer. I'm glad that I had cash on me because this is a cash-only joint. If you don't have cash on you, there is an ATM. I received my dogs and fries and sat down. I noticed right away it was a snap dog. Huzzah!! Everything was spot on, the freshness of the tomatoes, juicy sport peppers, onions that had a bite, and the pickle was the proper size for an all-in-one bite. The fries were done right. They were crispy, hot, and well-salted. You wouldn't believe how many people can't get their fries right. Now back to the mixed cocktail...As I was heading out I ordered a third dog to go. When I get a dog that has the right balance of flavor and it goes down smooth, I have to get a third dog to eat in the secrecy of my car. Don't judge me, go judge for yourself, a new favorite of hot dog place of mine.

    Friend from Korean is a Chicago style hot dog virgin no more!
    Michael B.

    Best in class joint. Authentic quality and decor, classic Chicago dog house menu. Fast service, tasty grub!

    Specials menu as of late November 2020
    Ryan P.

    I've only gone once so far but from what I can tell this place is the gold standard for classic greasy spoons. It didn't look super crowded when I went in for lunch carry out but they were working really hard on several to go and mobile orders at a time. The menu is pretty massive for such a small place and my guess so far is everything on it is great. For my first visit I tried something simple - the half pound burger and fries - and it did not disappoint. They double checked with me first if that's what I actually wanted and I realized later it's because the burger is massive. It was also super tasty and was cooked perfectly. The fries were great too. Going into a place like this I was expecting good but greasy and maybe slightly too salty of fries but what I got were the right temperature, crispy, not greasy at all and salted just right. I will definitely be back to try most of the rest of the menu one thing at a time.

    Yuck Chicken
    Kathy Q.

    Has anyone noticed the changes in food and service quality at our beloved Jeff's? My family has enjoyed their food for more than 30 years. Lately, it has been frustratingly awful. My regular go-to was their grilled chicken on a pita...Juicy, chargrilled, and subtly seasoned with perfect flavor. Steve was a genius I miss him horribly. Since the change my favorite dish has been served partially raw, dried out, and rubbery, and today it was juicy but not grilled...as if it had been boiled. See pics below...would you eat that??? Yuck. I did not order boiled chicken, it is supposed to be grilled chicken. When I called to let them know once again it was not right. I asked for Barbara and got Monte instead. He said he was a manager but did not listen to me. He continually talked over me and even said if I didn't like the rubbery boiled chicken to just not eat there a message delivered allegedly from Barbara herself. He tried to justify the boiled chicken saying they didn't grill it because it dries it out...THIS HAS MOTIVATED ME TO AMEND MY PREVIOUS 5 STAR to a 1...I would do a negative if I could. It has gotten so bad. Save your money take it to any one of the hundreds of other restaurants in the area and enjoy quality food and service. It could not possibly be any worse than this new wannabe Jeff's. The funny thing is... Steve was able to deliver a perfectly juicy grilled chicken breast every time. Never once had to complain or supervise the cooking to get it right. My husband gave up on them in January after repeatedly having bad experiences with their Gyros. According to him, the only thing they can do right nowadays are pizza puffs and you can get those anywhere. Per Mr. Monte's statement, I will go elsewhere to spend my money from now on. Sadly the Jeff's I knew and loved is gone.

    Gyro Plate
    Noah F.

    Fantastic food. Great prices. Quick and attentive guys in the kitchen. What more do you want?

    Italian Beef
    Jose C.

    We came here for dinner and it was packed! We were fortunate enough to find a seat and got our food very fast. They're menu is extensive and a lot of items looked great and wouldn't mind trying when I return. It is cash only but you can probably feed a family of four for just under a $20 bill. I ordered a hot dog and a chili cheese dog. My wife ordered an Italian Beef with fries and my son also ordered a hot dog. I'll start with the Italian Beef. Unfortunately it was not delicious at all. It was incredibly salty, so of course it lacked flavor and seasonings and the hot peppers didn't help much. We also asked for it dipped but the bread was also dry. The chili cheese dog was good, but not the greatest. They do serve their dogs with poppy seeds so that's a plus, but I've never been a fan of this style chili. As for the hot dog, it was probably one of the best hot dogs I've had in quite some time. It has your typical Chicago ingredients, mustard, tomato, pickle, hot sport peppers, onions and plus one main ingredient that I haven't seen before, sauerkraut. It added some sourness but it didn't overpower the dog, it only enhanced the flavor. The only thing that could of made this hot dog even better was a more snap on the dog. I'll most likely be returning very soon.

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    16 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Love, love this place. It's a great place when craving some fast food but no wanting something like McDonald's!!

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    8 years ago

    Anyone that rates this less than 5 stars is absolutely insane. Best hotdog joint in the city don't @ me

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    8 years ago

    Delish and Jeff is awesome. Good food great price. Best gyro in town. Plenty of options to choose from

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    Page 3 of 6

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    Devil Dawgs-Gold Coast

    Devil Dawgs-Gold Coast

    4.4(310 reviews)
    7.3 miNear North Side
    Locally owned & operated
    Outdoor seating

    Small entry way but you don't need much to order food. They have seating outside as well if you're…read moreinterested. You have the option of placing an order at the kiosk or with an employee. Being a newbie I wasn't sure where to start as the menu is a lot to take in. I settled on: Double backyard burger no cheese or tomato - 7/10 - I like my doubles a little thinner, not a slight to them just what I was expecting. I could've definitely did one burger and been satisfied. Burger was seasoned decent and the pickles were really good. Icelandic dog (no honey mustard, added relish). -10/10 - I loved everything about this dog. The bite, the spice, the toppings.

    Never had a Chicago style hot dog before and that was something on my Chicago bucket list during my…read morerecent trip. No idea how this compares to other places in the city but the one I got here was everything I hoped for and more. Top tier hot dog. Even if the bun was split in two and the whole thing was falling apart. My son got a cheese slider and we each got a drink and shared a small bag of fries. All together the total came to $26.05. It was incredibly crowded; it was hard to squeeze into the shop to order. But once we did, the food came out relatively quickly and we were lucky to get a table outside in the shade where it was quite pleasant. Just a block off of Michigan Avenue so easy to get to. Would definitely return the next time I'm in town and would recommend to others.

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    Devil Dawgs-Gold Coast
    Devil Dawgs-Gold Coast
    Devil Dawgs-Gold Coast

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    Jim's Original - Polish Sausage Sandwich

    Jim's Original

    4.2(798 reviews)
    7.9 miUniversity Village
    $

    A LOCAL CLASSIC! I…read moreloved this spot so much I ended up coming back twice. It has that classic late night comfort food vibe and feels like one of those staple spots you have to try at least once. First night I ordered a polish hot dog with everything on it and a fish sandwich w/ extra grilled onions. Super cool that your order comes with fries and I added a cheese cup both times. In my opinion the fries were mid the first go around, but second time they were better. Definitely tasted better dipped in cheese. They were kinda airy in texture, if that makes sense. Polish hot dog was around a 6.5-7/10 for me. It did taste better warmed up the next day. What I was most obsessed with was the double cheeseburger and fish sandwich! both were easily a 10/10. Super good prices and worth the money. Also, the chile peppers were sooo bomb and hotter than I expected ! I wanted to eat them all, but they were packing some serious heat! The lemon Italian ice is where it's at, make sure to order one! You can also mix it with strawberry, but both times people recommended the lemon and now I see why. The line gets super active and busy past 10-11pm, but during the daytime it's way less crowded. Even when it gets packed the line moves pretty quick. They stay open late and close at 1am which is nice.

    The smell of caramelized onions hits pretty much immediately as you approach the window. No line…read moremidday. 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.

    Photos
    Jim's Original - Short line today

    Short line today

    Jim's Original - Before.... Polish Sausage Sandwich

    Before.... Polish Sausage Sandwich

    Jim's Original - Sign from around the corner.

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    Sign from around the corner.

    Superdawg Drive-In - Superdawg (all the "trimmings"): A hefty Chicago-style hot dog that is absolutely LOADED!

    Superdawg Drive-In

    4.0(2.1k reviews)
    3.7 miNorwood Park
    $$

    Oh, Superdawg...according to Yelp, I've checked in here 17 (!!!!) times, but I'm pretty sure I've…read morebeen here at least 20 times! We live just a mile away from Superdawg and just went here with our 4-year-old son, who calls it "hot dogs on the roof." Whenever I'm hungry for a Chicago dog and delicious fries, I immediately head to Superdawg to satisfy my craving. There is no other place like it, and it's a true Chicago establishment. I like that there are options for where you can eat. You can eat in your car and have the car hop bring you food. You can eat outside at the picnic tables. Or you can order inside and eat in their dining area. I also just found out that they provide catering! Superdawg will always hold a special place in my heart, and I hope that it remains open for generations to come.

    Flew into Chicago late, wanted a taste of Chicago but didn't want to head back into the city so…read moredecided to try Superdawg (on our list for a while). It was almost 11pm (they're open until 2am on Fridays.) and there were at least a dozen other vehicles in their drive-in stalls. Ordered their specialties, a Superdawg and Whoopskidawg with Superfries, Chocolate Super Malt and Black Kows. Service was fast and friendly at 11pm on a Friday. We were eating in our rental car in apx 10 min. It was cool to eat outside on a warm July night in a classic, 1950s style drive-in. The food was excellent, flavorful and fresh. I normally avoid krinkle cut fries because they are usually frozen and mushy or mealy. Not Superfries. These fresh cut fries were practically fried mashed potatoes. We loved them! The drinks were perfect. The Black Kows is basically a root beer float and served with an extra root beer "sidecar." Our only complaints were about errors with the garnishes. We specifically said we wanted all the garnishes on both dawgs and they only gave us the standard grilled onions on the Whoopskidawg and forgot the sport peppers on the Superdawg. Otherwise we loved everything. We might go back next week (before we fly home) because I really want to try their Whoopercheesie Burger and maybe a Supersundae. (Menu Descriptions/Prices) Superdawg Not a wiener - not a frankfurter - not a red hot - but our exclusive... Superdawg™. On a poppy seed bun, we tenderly place the loveliest, juiciest creation of pure beef hot dog (no pork, no veal, no cereal, no filler), formally dressed with all the trimmings, escorted by our often imitated, but never equaled, Superfries™. Served with all the trimmings - golden mustard, tangy piccalilli, kosher dill pickle, chopped Spanish onions and a memorable hot pepper. $9.30 Whoopskidawg Our char-broiled version of a Romanian, Hungarian, Polish sausage; basted in our special sauce, and served on a Whoopskiroll™, with grilled onion and a pickle. $12.05 Superfries For extra pleasure an extra measure of Superfries™. $4.35 or $6.95 - Try 'em with cheese! Supermalts and Supershakes A full pint of smooth creamy refreshment so thick we put straws in them only to prove that you can't draw them through. (We will gladly thin them down, if you prefer them that way.) Flavors: double rich chocolate, mellow vanilla, real-fruit strawberry or pineapple. $5.80 - Regular $7.10 - Large Black Kows A beverage--a dessert--a snack. Chunks of ice cream floating in a foamy sea of root beer. You can drink it. You can eat it. You can do both at once. $6.20

    Photos
    Superdawg Drive-In - Maurie and Flaurie

    Maurie and Flaurie

    Superdawg Drive-In - Cheese burger

    Cheese burger

    Superdawg Drive-In - SuperDawg. (keepsmilingphoto.com)

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    SuperDawg. (keepsmilingphoto.com)

    Devil Dawgs -  South State

    Devil Dawgs - South State

    4.0(1.1k reviews)
    8.3 miSouth Loop
    $
    Locally owned & operated
    Vegan friendly

    You really can't go wrong with a classic Polish topped with grilled onions and mustard. Simple,…read moreflavorful, and exactly what I was craving! This place has a fun, nostalgic vibe that reminds me of neighborhood hot dog stands from the '80s. The vintage photos and décor give it plenty of character, making it feel like an old-school Chicago spot. The fountain drink selection is impressive, with plenty of choices to satisfy just about anyone. The prices are fair, the portions are satisfying, and the restaurant is clean and inviting. My only drawback is the ordering system. While ordering from a touchscreen is quick and efficient, I think it takes away some of the personal interaction between customers and staff. It's not a dealbreaker, but I do miss being greeted by someone behind the counter and placing my order the old-fashioned way. Overall, it's a great place to grab a bite. If you're looking for a tasty Chicago-style Polish in a casual setting, this spot is definitely worth checking out. I'll definitely be back.

    Intrigued by the Icelandic Dawg which has similar ingredients to the traditional Danish Red hotdog…read morewith everything :-). Had to try it out, kinda pricey at $8.50 but hit the spot and has a kick to it! Only thing missing was really the pickles on top :-) Not a really busy location past dinner time. Service was not the fastest, but made to order :-)

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    Devil Dawgs -  South State
    Devil Dawgs -  South State
    Devil Dawgs -  South State

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    Fatso's Last Stand - Char dog, depression style, fries, side of Merkts cheddar sauce.

    Fatso's Last Stand

    4.1(993 reviews)
    5.0 miUkrainian Village, West Town
    $$

    I had read about how Fatso's does the char dog. I made this my last meal in Chicago…read more I went with a char dog, depression style, an order of fries, and a side of the Merkts cheddar. How was it? Fries- Delicious! Fresh cut fries, made right in front of you. They were great! Huge portion, too! Merkts Cheddar Sauce- Hell yeah! Give me a gallon of this, and I will chug it! Such a tasty cheese sauce. Loved dipping my fries in it. Great combo! Char Dog- This dog was delicious! Great char, great toppings. My only beef would be the bun. It definitely could have been more soft/steamed and fresh. It held up pretty well, but there were a couple bites where it broke and flaked apart. Hate when that happens. Still...didn't ruin the overall experience. Had a great last meal in Chicago before I headed to the airport.

    Fatso's Last Stand delivers exactly what its name promises: unapologetically indulgent, old-school…read morecomfort food done right. The burgers are the shining stars -- juicy, generously sized, and cooked to perfection with toppings that strike the perfect balance of classic and creative. Whether you go for a stacked cheeseburger, bacon-loaded option, or a specialty creation, the patties are flavorful and satisfyingly beefy, with a great char and use of quality ingredients that keeps diners coming back. Beyond burgers, the menu also features hearty eats like crispy fries, loaded sandwiches, and thick milkshakes, all served with a no-frills attitude that lets the food speak for itself. Service at Fatso's Last Stand matches the laid-back but attentive vibe of the restaurant -- staff are friendly, efficient, and know regulars by name, creating a welcoming, neighborhood-favorite energy. While the pace can get lively during peak hours, especially on weekends, the team handles the rush with good humor and keeps orders moving. The ambiance is casual and retro in all the right ways, with diner-style seating and a comfortable, unpretentious environment that makes it perfect for relaxed lunches, casual dinners with friends, or late-night burger runs. It's not fancy, but when your focus is on big, delicious burgers and familiar comfort food, Fatso's delivers exactly what you're craving.

    Photos
    Fatso's Last Stand
    Fatso's Last Stand - Merkts Cheddar.

    Merkts Cheddar.

    Fatso's Last Stand - Double Fatso with Cheese + Fries

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    Double Fatso with Cheese + Fries

    Jeff's Red Hots - hotdog - Updated September 2026

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