Johnnie’s Chicago Red Hots

Sad day. I came in today only to find they closed forever. I’ve been coming here since 1984. They were so nice.

A great Chicago Vienna Beef, wonderful owners, and been around for almost 15 years. It is a sad day that they close their doors starting March ’14. His hot dogs were also out quick, the fries perfectly done, and good conversation to be had. You’d be hard pressed to find an authentic Chicago dog in Phoenix this tasty. Poppy seed buns, great pickles, the works. The place was always packed during lunch, frequented by people from the hospital across the street and business folks. Decently priced and great to pop in and have satisfy your craving.
Mr. Chang knew almost every customer that came in the door, their story, and their order. His wife is also a sweetheart. I will miss this place.

Delicious Chicago Vienna Beef juicy hot dog with the works, and made from scratch french fries for $ 4. Best deal in town. Thanks for reading. The Bike Chaplain

I’ve been a loyal fan of Johnnies since before I was born. The quality is consistent and always good. «Johnnie» (as it seems most people call him) is courteous and professional, and is always fun to talk with. His product is delivered quick and delicious, and is one of a kind in the midtown area. He’s been in the business for 27 years and is finally closing up in March of ’14-​get there quick if you want to have the chance to try a great dog.

I give Johnnie’s Chicago Red Hots three stars for what it is and where it is. It is a hot dog stand in Phoenix trying to make a Chicago style hot dog, polish or italian beef.
Did they acocmplish their mission — yes. Would they get three stars if they were back in Chicago, no — I have had better, much better.
But, as a place where I can get my chicago hot dor, polish or Italian beef sandwhich they hit the spot. From the exterior signage to the interior posters of the Bears and Cubs the place could be right off any corner in chicago.
The hotdog was spot on chicago syle.
The fries were fresh cut and reminded me of Gene and Jude’s fries.
The Italian beef was a bit of a disappointment. The flavor was nearly dead on (though a bit salty). The roll was good. The hot Giardinara was a nice touch. But the amount of meat was miserable. It was so little meat that the sandwich easily closed (not to happen at a Buona Beef or Portillos back home).
The couple that runs the place were very friendly and attentive.

Best THEE best hot dog ever!

Johnnies is the best hotdog. I get a hotdog in every town I visit. Johnnies is better than Portillo’s in Chicago. The hotdogs are awesome. I always get cheese in a cup with my fries. Johhnie (chang) is great as is his wife. I’ve been coming here for 15 years. They always ask about my business and my daughter. Simply te best dog in town. Check it out.

The place is filthy looking, the Chicago dog was Ok and the fries are absolutely disgusting.

I had a chili and cheese dog. It was ok but I expected better. They put beans in their hot dog chili which was part of the reason I wasn’t blown-​away I’m sure. And it seemed a little pricey. I would be willing, however, to come back and give other dogs a try. Fries were homemade and good.

A small mom&pop hot dog joint with a variety of dog styles and Italian beef sandwiches. I got the garbage dog, consisting of cheese, chili, sauerkraut, & cole slaw. I don’t know if the toppings are homemade, but they taste good. I liked the french fries, they taste like «real» fries and not some bag of ore-​ida potato paste. The prices were low, I feel like I got a good deal. The owners were absolutely wonderful. If it weren’t for the billion degree heat, Johnnie’s could totally have been a dog joint in Chicago.

Stopped by for a quick dog at lunch. The service was fast and friendly, the hot dog was pretty authentic for a Chicago style, I especially liked the Slaw Dog. Heartbreak however over the french fries, I hoped for good things with the house made fries, what we got was soggy fried that were wrapped the instant them came out of the cooker for the 5 minute drive back to work.
Might stop by for a dog in the future, will probably pass on the fries but my guess is I will scope out some of the other dog spots first.

Johnnie’s joint speaks for itself, it’s been in this town for longer than many of us have been around, he runs the place himself and has been critiqued more than most others in this town over the years.
He has a simple, yet good and tasty product, and Johnnie is a true great himself. His heart of gold is apparent as soon as you hear him talk. He is an honest and fair business man, and would do more than most to make his customers happy.
His place has that old school look, and makes you feel like you are sitting in Phoenix during an earlier generation. As I said, simplicity is very apparent, but the nostalgic atmosphere and Johnnie in there chatting with the crowd makes it a very happy and quick lunchtime experience.
The Chicago Style Dogs are done as they should be, and the Chili Cheese Fries aren’t too bad either.
There isn’t a whole lot to comment on for this place, except that a good guy like this who takes so much pride in his business, deserves a great review for that alone. When someone puts love into their business, it comes out in their product, end of story.
If you want a good, yet simple Chicago Style Hotdog, give Johnnie a shot, you will love chatting with him if nothing else.
Cheers! :)

The Chicago hot dog at Johnnie’s is simply the best Chicago hot dog I’ve ever had. Even compared to the ones I’ve had in Chicago. I generally order two hot dogs, a side of fries, and a soda, and I get out of there well-​fed for under $ 10.

Everytime I pick up a New Times best of issue I quickly check to see if Johnnie’s has won because it completely deserves it and I am always afraid it might go away.
I began my love for Chicago Style hotdogs when I moved to AZ in 2004 from Texas. After my first hotdog, I frantically searched for any sign with Vienna beef… and then I met Johnnie’s and I was a goner.
The fries are perfect (I get them with chili and cheese) and the hotdog… yuuuummm.
While in college I would go in at least once a week. I would try to spread it out because I was a little ashamed that they knew my order before I said anything.
Now that I am out of college, have a desk job, and my metabolism isn’t that of a 24 year old anymore, I have to limit my visits and pray my business didn’t keep them in business… as my husband rolls his eyes when I tell him that that is my biggest fear…

Chicago style hot dogs which are really tasty, my personal favorite is the jumbo chili cheese. I’ve never been to chicago so I can’t compare them to the «real deal» but these just taste great, and have a perfect amount of toppings. The service here is really good too and quite friendly.
*does not serve coke products

Johnnie’s is fine by me.
I woke up at my friend’s apartment and everyone was still asleep. I was dying of hunger and couldn’t wait till everyone woke up. I stepped out into the quad area and the gate was locked so I had to hop the wall. Considering how hungover I was, I was proud of myself that I did it with such ease. I thought I was gonna struggle with it for a bit.
Johnnie’s was the closest place I found to eat at. I was walking for a long time. I must have just been walking down the wrong damn street because I felt like I was in the goddamned apocalypse. No one was around and my stomach was punishing me.
When I finally arrived I order mah dog and some lemonade and soaked it all up. The hotdog came with fries, which I was not aware of until I got everything together. I was perfectly full. Not too full where I felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest and I was good to go for a long time afterward.
The price was okay. The hotdog that I ate was really tasty. I kind of wish this place was closer to where I live and work because if it did I’d go there for lunch every couple of weeks or something just to hit up the different varieties of hotdogs that they have including various chili dogs and chili dogs with sauerkraut. That sounds pretty amazing.
Everyone who came in after me proudly declared that they were a regular. I was kind of in awe of the established fanbase.
I’m a hotdogger. I am. If I’m in the neighborhood again, I will eat at Johnnie’s.

Johnnie’s deflowered me with their Chicago dog.
I was a virgin to Chicago style hot dogs until Johnnie’s. Z Pizza was getting boring and I was interested in trying something new. I was kind of skeptical from the moment I walked into the store. It was dark and not crowded considering how it was lunch time.
Then I was greeted by a Korean dude and thought, «Oh boy, Korean hot dogs… this should be interesting.» But he was actually really nice. I wasn’t exactly how to order so I just asked him to give me one with everything.
After he was done, I unwrapped my dog to find a shit-​ton of toppings. Onions, tomatoes, pickles, peppers, mustard… all on a poppy seed bun. I heard it was sacrilegious to put ketchup on a Chicago dog so I didn’t but it certainly didn’t need it. The hot dog was awesome and I finished it fast, so fast that I don’t think I gave my stomach enough time to figure out that I’m full. Hence, the reason why I have an eating disorder.
I ordered another one and this one took a bit longer to finish but I don’t like leaving things unfinished, especially food, so down it goes, into my belly.
It wasn’t until years later that I finally made it to Chicago and had lots of Chicago dogs there. Now THAT was the real deal.

Johnnie’s Garbage dog is the work of the God’s. You can’t go wrong with any of the dog’s here so when you can’t make up your mind and everything looks so good — why not just have it all! Seriously try this one.
Be forewarned it can be messy, so get a good grip because once you pick it up you won’t be able to put it down.

Tried Johnnie’s for the first time this past Saturday. They have a good selection of hot dogs with a variety of toppings and Italian beef sandwiches.
I ordered the garbage dog. Sounds disgusting, right? Wrong, it was great!
The owner says «do you know what comes on that dog?»
I said «yeah, all this great stuff!»
He said «no, it’s yesterdays garbage.» and then he laughed.
The garbage dog comes with chili, cheese, kraut and cole slaw. For a side I got the fries. They were pretty good, but a tad burnt, but I didn’t mind they were still good. You can tell they are homemade, no frozen fries here.
My husband ordered the Italian Beef sandwich and he said that was really good.
The owner, is a really great and friendly guy.
The only thing I was disappointed in was they have no fresh brewed tea. It’s Lipton from the fountain, which I’m not crazy about, but I’ll drink it if I’m thristy.

I hadn’t been to Johnnie’s in about 6-​years, but after my kids finished their swim lessons today I wanted to take them somewhere for lunch other than Mickey D’s.
As we hopped into the car, I remembered that Johnnie’s was close and knowing that the kids would go for hot dogs we headed over.
Unfortunately, my 2-​year-​old fell asleep right as we got there, so I carried him in with me — ordered myself a jumbo red hot and a basic dog with ketchup for my 5-​year-​old.
Back when I worked on Central Avenue, it always used to amuse me how this little hole-​in-​the-​wall gets such a professional crowd, and apparently it still does because we were the only non-​business types there for lunch.
My son enjoyed his hot dog and fries and I enjoyed mine as well — even while holding a sleeping 2-​year-​old in my arms.
The place gets 4-​stars because not only is the food great, because even though they don’t have servers, the female owner (of the cute Asian couple referenced in Tammi’s review) saw that my hands were full with two children and not only brought the food to our table but also brought us a glass of water after my 5-​year-​old changed his mind about not getting a drink.