Jimmy’s Red Hots, affectionately called Jimmy’s, was founded by Jimmy Farrugia in 1954. Today, Farrugia’s family owns and operates the establishment, continuing a legacy which has spanned generations.

Jimmy’s serves the classic Chicago dog, which consists of yellow mustard, chopped white onions, sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear and sport peppers. Getting the hot dog plain is not a bad choice either for those who are not into these condiments, like myself.

Anyone who is familiar with Jimmy’s knows there is one condiment to never ask for: ketchup. If a customer asks for ketchup, a worker will immediately point to a “No Ketchup” sign. Farrugia strongly believed that ketchup does not belong on Chicago-style hot dogs. Jimmy’s website makes such philosophy emphatically clear. 

 “Our founder, the original Jimmy, understood great taste and quality ingredients. That is why he instilled in us that you never put ketchup on a Chicago-style hot dog,” as stated from the ‘Our Story’ section from the Jimmy’s Red Hots website. 

In spite of a small menu and cash being the only acceptable form of payment, that does not stop Chicagoans from venturing to Chicago’s West Side to grab a bite to eat.

For this review, I purchased a Vienna Beef Polish Sausage and a Vienna Beef Hot Dog, accompanied by their signature Fresh Cut Fries, and a large Lemonade.

The Vienna Beef Hot Dog is a must-try. It is not the ordinary hot dog you can grab from any other hot dog stand. Upon first bite, the consumer is transported to a beef utopia. It is not too overwhelming or filling, leaving plenty of room for the rest of your order. The buns are also over-steamed, so they avoid sogginess.

The Vienna Beef Polish Sausage has been a staple of Jimmy’s for seven decades. Think of it as a jumbo hot dog, or, better yet, two hot dogs morphed into one. If the Vienna Beef Hot Dog proved futile in its efforts to satisfy cravings, the Vienna Beef Polish Sausage will undoubtedly finish the job.

Of course, no trip to Jimmy’s is complete without indulging in their signature Fresh Cut Fries. Imagine trying french fries for the first time as a child. The first bite will alter the way the consumer thinks about french fries. The consumer might wonder what the recipe is or if other hot dog stands serve fries that resemble those from Jimmy’s.

Full disclosure, I added ketchup to the fries to enhance the already rich flavor. There is no law saying ketchup doesn’t belong on french fries, so I avoided violating their philosophy.

This was all washed down by a large Lemonade, which was a perfect balance of sweet, tart and refreshing. 

While Jimmy’s is more of a takeout place with little to no seating, it is a place to satisfy hot dog cravings for any meal.