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    Tamale Queen

    5.0 (1 review)
    InexpensiveFood Stands, Mexican

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    9 years ago

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    Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago

    Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago

    3.9(7.3k reviews)
    3.1 miRiver North, Near North Side
    $$

    Jeremiah was very helpful and polite with my assistance with an error in my order and provided…read moreservice quickly and effectively

    Visited on a very busy weekend and had a good time. Line went to the exterior door to order on the…read morekiosk, took 5-10 minutes to get there. Ordering is straight forward with lots of customizations. Picking up your food is a bit hectic as there is a main pick up counter and a separate area for pick up if they are swamped. It'll be announced on the speakers. Took close to an hour for our order to be called, customers crowd the pick up counter even though they just ordered so be prepared to squeeze past people to get your food. Tables are also taken up by customers waiting for their group to grab their food. Seating is on both levels and outside so it's somewhat plentiful but expect some issues if you go at a peak time. As for the food we got the Italian beef, Chicago hotdog, fries, chocolate cake, and the cake shake. The Italian beef is amazing! Would recommend getting that along with extra peppers! The peppers really bring it all together. The Chicago dog was alright, it is good, fresh, and different from your normal hotdog. Fries were fries, they accommodated the meal well but wasn't anything outstanding. Our uber driver recommended the chocolate cake and the shake. I would say the cake is just average, it was a little under 'moist' status and the fudge icing is a little too sweet but maybe that's just how you would picture chocolate cake. The cake shake is the better version of it, mixed with their chocolate shake it felt nicer to suck it up through a straw. If you sign up for their rewards you'll get the cake for $1 Overall not a bad experience, they are opening a new location by the river in downtown so that might help with wait times. Highly recommend that Italian beef!!

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    Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago
    Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago
    Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago

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    Jim's Original - Polish Sausage Sandwich

    Jim's Original

    4.2(791 reviews)
    1.4 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.

    I've eaten a lot of Polish Sausage in my day and I just assumed it was the kind of thing that…read morecouldn't really be improved upon. I was so wrong. The Polish Sausage they're serving up at Jim's is so much better than any I've had before that it's almost an entirely different thing. It's just so flavorful and delicious. The spicing is phenomenal and the sausage itself is extremely above average. And it's taken over the top by the fresh bun and superb sautéed onions. I joked that we should start every day with one of these sausages, and while we didn't actually do that, I feel like that would've only enhanced our trip.

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    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.

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

    Fatso's Last Stand

    4.1(992 reviews)
    2.7 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.

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    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

    Johnnie's Beef - Combo Beef & Sausage

    Johnnie's Beef

    4.4(2k reviews)
    8.2 mi
    $

    Oh, how I miss that one big guy that used to say, "gimmie a beef, drag it, and a bag to travel"…read more Or, "gimme an ice, cap it, next!" Johnnie's is an icon, just based on the experience of listening to that guy talk. Ah, but he's long gone, and new ownership abounds. But the beef is still great. One of the best beef sandwiches around, combos that are seasoned just right, and Italian ice That hits the spot on a hot summer day. I think the hot dogs are just a throw in, and the fries are decent. But it's the beef that keeps bringing you back. Not much ambiance, unless you want to stand and watch the cars roll by on North Avenue, but the smell of the sausage cooking is intoxicating. The price of the beef has gone up, and I swear it's a tad smaller, but if you're in the neighborhood, nothing hits the spot quite like a Johnnie's beef sandwich. I can still hear the big guy...."Whaddah need, gimmie a beef, wet, sweet and hot, That'l be nine fiffy two, bag it, next!" I miss him...

    We stopped by Johnnie's Beef and tried both the Italian Beef and the Italian Sausage. The Italian…read moreBeef was outstanding. We ordered it dipped, and the beef was tender, flavorful, and packed with rich gravy without becoming soggy. It lived up to the reputation that so many Chicago locals talk about. The Italian Sausage was also excellent, with great flavor and a nice balance of seasoning. Both sandwiches tasted fresh and authentic. The service was fast, the atmosphere was classic Chicago, and it was easy to see why this place has such a loyal following. If you're looking for a true Chicago Italian beef experience, Johnnie's is absolutely worth the trip.

    Photos
    Johnnie's Beef - Happy customers at the front of the long line.

    Happy customers at the front of the long line.

    Johnnie's Beef - Italian lemonade

    Italian lemonade

    Johnnie's Beef - Italian beef extra dipped with extra hot peppers

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    Italian beef extra dipped with extra hot peppers

    El Secreto del Sabor - Mixto con pollo

    El Secreto del Sabor

    4.2(9 reviews)
    3.6 miHumboldt Park, West Town
    $

    Sabor no more. Must be new owners. I've been going here for 20 years and this little corner had it…read moreall. But now, not even the puertorican accent . The food was ok, or so-so...which is bad considering their history. The lechón was mediocre, no seasoning (before you could see it on there.) now it looks like chicken or turkey. The alcapurrias were super greasy, hollow (?) and flavorless. Alcapurrias should be more substantial, not super soft like these. The rice was ok, but again it had no authentic flavor. The pastelillos (ground beef empanadas) were thin and dry. They may have been from yesterday. The passion fruit juice (parcha) is still delicious and the only good thing I had, besides Coco Rico soda. They must have new owners trying to mimic old recipes because this was our second chance attempt. We will now go to La Bomba, Jibaritos y Más or Las Palmas when they open.

    My co-worker and I headed over to "El Secreto del Sabor" food truck and grabbed a quick lunch…read morebefore driving back to our store for the closing shift. She's Mexican but told me about this place. She said there are several food trucks stationed in Humboldt Park, yet this one is her favorite. I believe I had Puerto Rican food before when I was out and about in the city, though I never paid attention to any aromatic mobile vehicle in this neighborhood. Umm...Rosa J., did I not tell you to stay vigilant? Fortunately I had some cash on hand. I scrambled $7 for an order of bistec mixta, which came with arroz. Wow, the rice was SO fresh, and the steak was easy to chew and flavorful. When the young lady was preparing for my food, I was staring at a copious amount of "frituras." They smelled heavenly and were definitely soliciting my taste bud. Well, I gotta get back to work. Fried food doesn't mesh too well with my working stomach. Surely we will meet each other again when I have a day off. I didn't see any credit card machine inside the truck, so I have no doubt it is cash-only. I didn't really notice if their hours were posted on the exterior. I bet it depends based on weather or seasonality.

    Photos
    El Secreto del Sabor - Papas rellenas

    Papas rellenas

    El Secreto del Sabor - Pastelillos or empanadas stuffed with ground beef. Thin and dry, not as fresh as before.

    Pastelillos or empanadas stuffed with ground beef. Thin and dry, not as fresh as before.

    El Secreto del Sabor - Bisteck mixta

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    Bisteck mixta

    Gene & Jude's - Single w/ extra mustard

    Gene & Jude's

    4.2(2.6k reviews)
    10.4 mi
    $

    Still the Greatest hotdog on the planet after eating here for 45+ years and my parents eating years…read moreand years before me everything is still the same ambience inside of the restaurant. It's standing room only to eat your hotdog. The line is always out the door, 15 minute wait for the greatest hotdog known to man. The food taste exactly the same as it did 45 years ago the service is faster than ever the inside has never changed since I was a little kid after many nights of being at the thirsty whale which was adjacent behind Gene and Jude's is where all the rockers hung out and the greatest bands of Chicago came through ..their we would eat hotdogs at two and three in the morning. My children are now full teenagers, and got to experience the Gene and Jude hotdog and we're delighted beyond belief now living outside of Chicago coming into town to have the greatest hot dog and still be exactly the same. The fries are exactly the same ,the inside exactly the same, with a few more awards. This is 100% the best Chicago, hot dog and greatest hotdog on the planet. You must visit this place just to experience the years and years and years of excellence. Enjoy!!... May it bless your life as it has mine. God bless Gene and Jude's team. Keep the tradition and hots going. PS don't forget to get your Gene and Jude's merch. It is now available. Cheers

    Obviously we had to come to Gene's & Jude's…read more Long before we planned our Chicago trip, I can remember seeing a feature about the place on TV. It was a no-brainer. The place is kind of out of the way, but hey, we had a car and some free time, so why not? I, of course, got the Hot Dog w/ Fries ("mustard, relish, onion, sport peppers") and yep it's a superior dog. I'm not sure if the copious fries really added anything to it, but the snap of the wiener and the tasty condiments added up to an extremely enjoyable experience. I can see why Gene's & Jude's is so highly regarded. It's a cool place (and super affordable, too).

    Photos
    Gene & Jude's - The inside of the restaurant

    The inside of the restaurant

    Gene & Jude's - Single Hot dog/with Fries

    Single Hot dog/with Fries

    Gene & Jude's - Nov 2025.

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    Nov 2025.

    Tamale Queen - foodstands - Updated June 2026

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