Gene & Jude’s

Great place and packed too if you go around lunch time. But even then it’s a quick long line. I was blessed like 5 times going there for lunch with beautiful office woman ahead of me in the line so the view was great. not creepy hard breathing or anything but it helps

Been around since dirt. This place serves a hot dog with a tight casing. A hot dog with a snap. «Chicago Style» — bun, dog, mustard, onions, relish, celery salt: THATS ALL.
Fries are piled high on the dog. All for around $ 4 with drink. If you’ve never been, you should. This is one of a few old school Chicago classics that are «disappearing.»
Eat in your car or stand inside.
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The French Fries are great! I’ve been eating «Rubber Dogs» from Gene’s & Jude’s since 1959 when they were 25 cents and there are many places that give you more of a choice now.
Not a thing has changed or been offered differently in 50 years there. So if you like tomatoes or a pickle spear on your Dogs, forget this place, sorry, but the «Homemade Fries» are the only special thing about Gene’s & Jude’s as far as I’m concerned. The place is well known and loved by many in the area that I suppose aren’t interested in a real «Chicago Style Dog» with all the trimmings on it. I’d rather have a hotdog from «Pops Place» at Grand & Thatcher, River Grove because I can get a Freshly Steamed Bun, Celery Salt, Onions, Relish, Peppers, Tomatoes, Pickle Spear and whatever other condiments on it that I want. And then get the French Fries from Gene’s & Jude’s. lol
Oh, and I forgot to mention that Pop’s Place Delivers Chicago Style Hotdogs locally if you phone your order in to them. That’s something that Gene’s & Jude’s will never do if they haven’t added a service or new product in all these years, why should they if people line up and are content with what is basically a «No Frills» Hotdog?

Was driving by earlier and I noticed that there was no line (Witch is weird cause there’s usually for miles). Soo I decided to use the opportunity and get me a Hot Dog with everything on it. Really was great, but I suggest you get the fries on the side because that’s just too much in one hot dog bun: D. Tastes great and the guys that work there are pretty cool. Definitely the best hot dogs in the area.
Btw don’t ask for ketchup (It’s like a rule in Chicago).

Easy 5 stars for Gene and Jude’s. I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, and it never disappoints. There’s a feeling of nostalgia every time I pull into the parking lot. That’s what’s so great about it – pretty darn close to nothing has changed! It’s a small menu, hotdogs and tamales really. The hotdogs come with fries on top, and you get to choose your condiments. Don’t you dare ask for ketchup though, this is a true Chicago joint! Also, due to tight space, there’s no tables but you can stand and eat around the perimeter on the ledge they put up.
All in all, a marvelous Chicago establishment. Don’t ever change!

The tradition continues. My Dad took me, my first time taking my nephew.
Now he understands a good hotdog «snaps».
Great food, always nostalgic.

My Mecca for hot dogs and the best frys you will ever have… place is my Graceland. Don’t ask for ketchup over here… It’s just the experience it’s like the good ol time eating your food on top of your car. Gene and Jude’s #1

Been here multitudes of times going back probably 20 years to when I was a kid.
— Historic
— Good hotdogs (one of a kind Vienna flavor, made especially for G&J’s), decent prices.
— Many RUDE employees, punk employees.
Have seen this various times going back years, but based on the fact this place has SO much business and always will, a few dozen or even hundred disgruntled customers will not hurt their pocketbook. Employees range in age from about 18-​maybe 30ish (and there is huge turn-​over rate, but there’s at least one employee we have seen there for several years now, perhaps a crew chief or something) — I have seen them yell, scream at, and curse at customers who may simply ask a question or misunderstand what they say.
«We don’t have no f-​n ketchup here», «Go to f-​n McDonald’s next door for your f-​n ketchup». And, «Cash only, we don’t take no f’n credit cards».
At 99.3% of other places, employees like this would be canned on the spot. The other day I was in here, one employee turned to another employee and it seemed like he pointed at me from behind the counter, as if to comment/​snicker at my hair or something. I simply gave him a thumbs up. For those not in the know, they do not offer ketchup here, you may ask at your own risk. Again though, with the huge turn-​over rate and the fact that this place is so busy that if you walked in there and applied for a job, somebody would probably hire you on the spot. This is probably why Gene and Jude’s management «looks the other way» at employee behavior.
Historic, good hot-​dogs, beware of punk employees who can get mouthy or confrontational.

Love the Vienna beef hot dogs with the casing that gives it the extra crunch-​never had them served this way before. Bring cash and don’t ask for ketchup! I promise there’s a hot dog under all those French fries! Love the hot peppers that were tucked in there as well to give it the extra kick

My med school friend recommended this place, so I decided to check it out since I was heading west-​ish to St. Louis anyway.
There wasn’t much of a wait when I came, but even when the line is long, it moves quickly. There are no seats inside, and a lot of people get their order to-​go, but their is a counter inside along the perimeter of the restaurant if you want to stand and eat your meal while there.
Head up to food area and put in your order with one of the servers. They will bring your food to you and then you pay at the register at the end. The menu is simple with just a few items.
The most notable feature of the hot dog was that they put the fries inside the dog! And apparently Chicago-​style means no ketchup, but if you ask for all the standard toppings it comes with onions, mustard, and relish. I also ordered a tamale to try, which was a bit plain.
The hot dog was good. but I think I prefer a toasted bun and the hot dog meat was good but nothing spectacular. Don’t hate me, Gene & Jude’s diehard fans, but I think the food here is solid but not out-​of-​this-​world. To date, my favorite hotdogs are still Top Dog in Berkeley, CA. I tried City Dogs in Richmond, VA during med school, but Top Dog is still my all-​time fave.

It’s too funny that people will actually wait in lengthy lines for a simple minimalist style dog.
The bun sucks and the hot dog presentation is a hurried sloppy mess. But your supposed to «follow the leader» and adore the hell out of Gene & Jude’s because that’s what you do!
And, «I think they cheat». The hot dog itself is flavor enhanced by comparison to other Vienna natural casing hot dogs…“strictly my opinion”.
Another thought; A smart entrepreneur would sell packets of ketchup at the price of gold for those desperate souls in need… a fun thought at that.

Arrived around 2PM on a Saturday afternoon. The place was jammed luckily there is an adjacent parking lot with plenty of parking. The line inside wrapped around into a que line that was two rows deep. The total wait was quicker than expected-​about twenty minutes.
The food: very limited menu you can either get a hotdog or tamale with an assortment of condiments. The hotdogs are not authentic «Chicago Style» as they do not include choice of pickles, tomatoes or celery salt. The hotdogs are served in what is described as a «Depression Dog» with the choices of mustard, relish, onion and sport peppers. The dog itself is generic Vienna beef. The fries are fresh cut and made to order.
Service: I would have given G&Js a 3-​star review if not for the quality service. With the mass amount of people putting in orders it would be easy for them to lose track of your order in the mass assembly line. A young gentlemen was very courteous and helped us through the line making sure our order was correct double checking and asking us if we wanted extra of anything.

The best hot dog in Chicago! The fresh cut fries are outstanding. The line was quite long, but it moves pretty quick. Their menu is simple, single vienna dog or double dog and fresh cut fries. I swear I can eat like 10 hot dogs. Cant beat the price at less than $ 3. You can see them making and preparing your hot dog while you wait in line. The downside: It’s in an odd location, no seats inside. Small private lot. Cash only!

Sometimes, we scratch our heads and wonder why an establishment is so popular?
At Gene and Jude’s, I did just that, wonder why the line to get served was 30 to 40 people deep. There must be something fabulous that all these people continued to flock inside and wait. While you can’t eat inside, the parking lot was filled to capacity with people eating their hot dogs by their vehicles.
The main item at Gene & Jude’s is a Chicago Vienna hot dog and fries and a drink. I didn’t even see a cheese dog offered, a Polish sausage or ketchup for those that are bucking Chicago tradition of only mustard on your wiener. Ah they did sell tamales but that’s about the only exception.
Sometimes tradition trumps taste as is the case with this long time establishment. However, don’t tell the die hard fans it’s not that great, you wouldn’t want to start a riot out in the parking lot to the background music of 1950’s Elvis songs coming from inside. These patrons have been coming here since they were kids and aren’t about to let their childhood’s fade away that quickly.
As for my verdict on the hot dog, the hype of this place far exceeds the goodness of the product offered. My Vienna hot dog would bounce off the pavement if I accidentally dropped it. These hot dogs are deep fried and rubbery. It’s not my style of eating a Vienna hot dog which should be steamed to perfection. The fries were very good but excessively greasy.
There are countless hot dog stands in Chicago that serve up a Vienna hot dog correctly, this isn’t it. I hate to break your bubble, folks.
While the hot dog wasn’t bad and there is something to be said for longevity and bucking trends. I can only in good conscientious, give Gene & Jude’s three (3) stars. ***
This place is a gold mine and a testament that most people will eat just about anything and like sheep, follow the crowd.

Love this place for a cheap double dog with fries! I love a Chicago-​Style dog, so if you need ketchup or cheese I suggest bringing your own or finding another place for dogs. Cash only, this place is usually packed, so be prepared to stand in line. The staff works super fast and it’s completely worth it. Don’t be salty about the cash, wait, or the limited condiments. if you’re giving a negative review for this place, you should have done your research before you came here. Best Chi City dogs! Two thumbs up! Yum!

Still the best Chicago hotdogs and fresh cut fries. Hands down since 1946.
If you ask for ketchup, you’re not from around here. McDonald’s is next door.

One of the best hot dog places around! Every time I’m in the neighborhood, I stop by and pick up hot dogs for everyone at work. The dogs are made simple and simple is great. Just don’t ask for ketchup! Hot dogs don’t have ketchup unless your a kid under 10 lol

Great hot dogs! Love how they have only a few things on the menu and is plain and simple! The hot dogs and fries are prepared and made in front of you! They put the fries on top of the hot dog!!! Great place to hangout on a summer night with friends out in the parking lot!
The reason for the four stars is because of the service! Some of them can be a bit rude…
Also, don’t you dare ask for ketchup!!!

A hot is NOT just a hot dog. They are really good here.
But even better are the fries. Perfect. Right amount of crispy to soft and just the right amount of salt. They come out hot and perfect every single time. Just thinking about them makes me want some right now.

SO LEGIT.
Need something to do on your day off?
Find a friend and drive 45 minutes in pre-​rush hour traffic to Gene & Jude’s! It’s not worth the drive to the ‘burbs otherwise, but for a day when you’re bored (and too cold for outdoor activities) you might as well pop in some roadtrip music and get a hot dog or four at a Chicago institution.
They only serve hot dogs, fries, and soda here. Or a packaged tamale if you’re the sad vegetarian friend who has to tag along :(Don’t get those, even if that’s what you are.
The hot dogs are very simple, but so satisfying. And cheap! Get the fries on top, not on the side. The gentle heat and steam and grease makes the dog taste better, even if you won’t be able to eat the entire pile along with the hot dog.
If I lived nearby… I’d be really fat by now.

Awesome Hot Dogs. I was there the first time today and I was really surprised of how many people what’s this hot dogs. I love it.