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.

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.

Small place but outdoor seating available. Got the Double Fatsos w/cheese combo. A little greasy…read morebut well worth it. Place is pretty clean, staff is nice.

When I heard about a joint known for its pork chop sandwiches, I was intrigued but also skeptical…read more Would the pork chop be tender enough to work in a sandwich? The answer is absolutely. This is one magnificent sandwich. The pork chop is indeed super tender and super flavorful, and it's enhanced by the copious sautéed onions. The soft, fresh bread is the perfect vehicle for the whole thing. Oh, and the included fries are excellent, as well. I really, truly wish we had places like this in Canada. It's just so different and so good.

Excellent polish sausage. Check your order as they forgot to give us fries. We ordered four…read moresandwiches. We also got two orders of the banana pudding. Also very good.

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...

Johnnie's Beef is known. It has a reputation. One that it upholds with every hot dog and beef…read moresandwich they serve. You've undoubtedly heard the rumors and they are true! Choosing an "off" night (example: a weeknight) or during a less-than-ideal time (example: during a snowstorm) will give you the quickest experience for Johnnie's as the line can get LONG and parking is terrible (tiny lot). Note: this was my second visit as my first attempt, on Father's Day 2025, was a magnificent bust. We had no line and plenty of seating this time! They have a big menu, but save the cute stuff for a follow-up visit and get a beef (& hot dog is really hungry). Do yourself a favor and get an Italian Ice too, time of year is irrelevant. You can thank me after your tastebuds recover from being overwhelmed. Is the food THAT much better than other spots, you ask? Not handedly, no. But the whole experience, especially if you wait in line (in the sun as there is zero shade), is what makes this place great. It really is a delightful Chicago experience. Put Johnnie's at the top of your list this summer, plan accordingly, and ENJOY!

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.

If you're looking for a Chicago Italian beef experience, Al's Beef absolutely delivers. I ordered…read morethe Italian Beef sandwich, dipped with hot peppers, and it was phenomenal. The beef was incredibly tender, juicy, and packed with flavor, while the gravy-soaked bread held up perfectly without becoming too soggy. Every bite had the perfect balance of savory beef, spices, and a little kick from the peppers. The the service was witty and quick, and the atmosphere felt authentically Chicago. Whether you're a local or just visiting the city, this is a must-try spot. I can see why Al's Beef has such a strong reputation. I'll definitely be back for another sandwich the next time I'm in Chicago.

I'm a huge Italian beef fan, and J've had countless Italian beef's from Chicago; however, this one…read morewas not hitting the spot for me sadly. The Italian beef tasted really oil and greasy, so it masked the flavor of the beef. Additionally, I usually love giardiniera, but it just tasted off and had such a strong celery taste to it. The hotdog and fries were very good though and had just the right amount of saltiness to it. The service was okay; they took my order very quick and had the food out within a few minutes. The ambiance seemed simple and more like a to-go food spot. It's nice that there's a small parking lot and right on Taylor Street. I would definitely give it a try if you're in the mood for something quick.

Always 5 out of 5 stars!…read more Just returned from a trip and it's always a must to stop in for hot dogs for the family! It did not disappoint! Needed to Chicago food!

It's was a beautiful night yesterday so we decided to go for a ride to grab a hot dog from the…read moreIconic Gene & Jude's. Before we left I checked the website and saw that they were a cash only business. No problem except we took the 30 minute ride and when we arrived I realized I forgot my wallet at home. Fortunately for us it was a nearby Walgreens where we could get cash. My wife had her wallet so I zelled money to her. Once we got back we then saw that they do in fact take debit/ credit cards. Anywho. It was a no frills place very basic aesthetic nothing special to look at. Just a service counter where you can see them preparing the hot dogs. They do however have a steady line of people! They move the line very fast so you're not waiting long at all. We ordered 3 hot dogs with everything (mustard, onions, relish & sport peppers) the basic depression hot dog. They come with fresh cut fries & we got a fountain Cherry Coke to share. I spent $20 even with tip. The hot dogs were good i wasn't disappointed nice soft bun tasty condiments and a great snap to the hot dogs. I'll give it a 7/10. The fries had a decent amount of salt on them a bit oily and not too crispy but they were fair. They don't have any ketchup in the house. We keep tobacco in the SUV so I added some to the fries for a little bit. Without the tobacco the fries were still tasty. A solid 6.5/10. The service was good. Young people with good customer service. I loved it. 10/10 for service. All in all if I'm in the mood for a drive and a hot dogs I'll go back. If you're in the area and like hot dogs check them out. They also sell tamales. ( I didn't order one) 7.3/10..... all in all. It's really more like 3 1/2 stars! Remember Yelpers ALL reviews are subjective!

I had the best experience at this place. The food was absolutely delicious... i tried their Chicago…read moredogs, Chicago sliders, tater tots, and shakes! I stayed in CHICAGO for 7 days and i visited this place all 7 days. I wish we had a location in Southern California! P.S. the service was superb as well! Very fried my staff!

Upon entering the restaurant, I noticed it was full of people and upbeat music was playing. I was…read moreimmediately drawn to their digital menu board. After seeing their vegan options, I was happy to see that they offer vegan hot dogs made two ways but sad that their fries and tater tots are cooked in beef tallow, and surprised that the hot dogs were $7.00 which might be too expensive for some people. After we ordered a vegan Chicago dog with a soda for me and a vegan Chicago dog with a bucket of fries for hubby, our food was quickly prepared and delivered. Although my vegan hot dog was cooked well, I was slightly annoyed at how quickly the dog fell out of the bun and the large amount of neon green relish which minimize the other flavors of the hot dog. Likewise, I was saddened and surprised and that none of their sides (fries and tater tots) are vegan friendly since they cook these items in beef tallow. Overall, while the vegan hot dog was delicious, I feel that $7 is a bit pricey for a vegan hotdog especially when there aren't any vegan sides available.