Gene’s & Jude’s
As I’ve mentioned before, Chicago is just as famous for its hot dogs as it is for its pizza. In fact, there are more hot dog stands than Burger King, McDonald’s, and Wendy’s restaurants combined. Native Chicagoans are pretty strict about what should be on a Chicago-style dog as well: a steamed or boiled all-beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun topped with mustard, onion, sweet relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices, sport peppers, and a little celery salt. Absolutely NO ketchup! Ever! Chicagoans are adamant about this, and no other establishment exemplifies this strict discipline like Gene’s & Jude’s in River Grove.
This (grammatically incorrect) fast-food haven is an oasis on the desolate stretch of River Road. Customers from all walks of life come from far and wide to make their orders off the very short menu list. You have been warned; this is not the place you’re going to impress your date with. Both the interior and the food servers look a bit unkempt. There are no chairs or tables here, but that doesn’t seem to bother the long line of folks waiting to rest their deliciously greasy fries on a shelf while they stand and eat their red hots.
Hot dogs, double dogs, tamales, and fries—that is it. But when you’re selling some of the best dogs around, is there any point in offering anything else? And just to make sure you won’t be tempted to violate these treats with something as blasphemous as ketchup, Gene’s & Jude’s doesn’t even offer it. At all. Technically, these franks are missing a few ingredients and are not “Chicago-style” hot dogs. However, it does still seem only fair to follow Chicago-style rules. And at these prices, who can complain?
As Gene’s & Jude’s proves, some of the tastiest dishes are the simplest.
Gene’s & Jude’s ($): 2720 River Rd (River Grove); 708-452-7634
Sun – Thurs: 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Fri – Sat: 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Free parking lot
Public trans: (Pace) Bus # 319, 331
8 Comments
Gene and Jude’s is the best hot dog stand in Chicago, hands down. The condiments are mustard, relish, onion, and sport peppers and thats it. Actually this type of hot dog is the classic Chicago style hot dog created a long time before before “the garden on a bun” was created. Along with the fresh cut fries, you cannot get a better deal in the city or probably, in the country, for that matter. At under $2.00 for one dog and $2.20 for a double dog, you can’t go wrong. Compare that with with Super dawg, where a dog and fries will set you back over $4.00 for an overrated hot dog. Try it, you will love it!
[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptNative Chicagoans are pretty strict about what should be on a Chicago-style dog as well: a steamed or boiled all-beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun topped with mustard, onion, sweet relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices, … [...]
[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptNative Chicagoans are pretty strict about what should be on a Chicago-style dog as well: a steamed or boiled all-beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun topped with mustard, onion, sweet relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices, … [...]
Best Hot Dogs I’ve ever had. This is the first place I go to from the airport when visiting the Chi. LOVE THEM!
I agree, G&J’s are definitely among the best.
Gene and Jude’s (yes I say it wrong) is THE dog house. My regular place (since 1968) is Pinks, Hollywood CA ’cause well, I live out there but G & J’s is where I go first in C-Town before all else. ‘Seeze I was born in Chicago 19 and 48 and my heart pangs for the REAL thing. My ‘cuz is a West burb cop and truth be known, he packs a bottle of CATSUP next to the scatter gun. I still love him though! (he eats in the car)
Jack, actually, the way YOU say it (Gene & Jude’s) would be the grammatically RIGHT way to say it.
I’ve actually been to Hollywood a few times, but I have to admit that I’ve not eaten at Pink’s. Instead, I’ve visited that *other* place. I assume, that as a Pink’s fan, you know what I’m talking about. Haha.
Catsup! Blasphemy! But I tell you what, I’ll forgive the cop if you’ll forgive my Hollywood treason.
[...] Gene’s & Jude’s. “Chicago-style” means no ketchup. In fact, this restaurant doesn’t even carry any at [...]