Our Story
“Jimmy’s is a purist’s hot-dog stand. No seating, no char-anything, and for crissakes, no ketchup. You’ll find nothing but tasty Vienna Beef hot dogs and Polishes served on steamed buns, and rolled up into paper with a load of greasy, hand-cut fries. As a consolation for the much-maligned ketchup-lover, Jimmy’s sells a decent housemade habanero hot sauce to dip your fries in, or to pour on your supreme tamale. It’s open late-night, which is the best time to catch sketchy parking-lot antics.”
— Time Out Chicago
No Ketchup Since 1954
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.
Today, Jimmy’s Red Hots is a Chicagoland hot dog stand located on Chicago’s West Side, historic Humboldt Park, at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Pulaski. We go back to when Pulaski was still called Crawford! Jimmy’s is consistently voted top dog in local and national polls. We are proud to serve our neighbors and visitors, and continue to be a top spot for first responders, veterans and the local workforce. We believe strongly in supporting our community other family businesses.
Jimmy’s continues to be family owned and operated. For over 65 years, we’ve tried our best to keep serving what Chicago knows to be the best Depression style hot dogs and polish sausage. We do it our way or no way. What you see is what you get. You get what you pay for. No charge for the entertainment.
We only serve Vienna beef products topped with fresh condiments. Need a kick? Add some of our famous Habanero Hot Sauce made fresh in house.
What makes a depression-style hot dog? The traditional all-beef hot dog is topped with yellow mustard, chopped white onions, sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, and sport peppers.
Why red hot? Back in the day, red dye #40 was added to hot dog meat to make it more marketable. And the term “red hot” was born. But that was then. No artificial coloring is added to our dogs.