Jimbo’s Hot Dogs

Stopped in today for lunch. First of all Semper Fi to you Jim! I asked Jim to decide for me and he served up an awesome meal! I can’t wait to come back to try something else just as tasty!

Hotlink was awful. They don’t grill the links and they are very bland. I also want expecting my link to be sliced either. I’m not coming back. $ 6.10 for a hotlink and a 7up is way to much. The only thing that was good was the ice cold 7up

Good Hotdogs, Good Price, Good People… I am a Fan!

Ever since Royal Frankfurters closed on 4^th street there has been a serious gap in San Rafael for good, simple, old fashioned, no frou frou, no BS hotdogs. Well, just hop on US 101 N and get off at Freitas Parkway heading north on Redwood Highway (frontage) and stop at Jimbo’s for a great, old fashioned east coast all beef dog.
I’m no Joey Chestnut but I HAD to have 2!

I’ve been meaning to stop by Jimbos. On my way home from work, I decided today was the day. I parked my motorcycle and walked up to the Old School Hot Dog Joint and realized it was cash only, so I jumped back on the bike and I headed to the nearest bank machine. When I returned, the proprietor thanked me for coming back and I sheepishly told him I forgot cash. I had the Polish dog, a 12oz Can of Soda and Chips and it was $ 7 bucks and change. I then apologized being there 30 min till closing time (I worked fast food… I know the struggle) but he shrugged it off. The proprietor was very nice, courteous, accommodating and made some suggestions, the service was quick and the Polish dog was damn good. Next time, I’m getting the Chili Dog. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a no nonsense hot dog place.

If you happen to be driving down Highway 101 or bailing somebody out of jail Jimbos hotdogs is next-​door be sure to try them out excellent hot dog friendly people.

5 stars for this family run business. If Unilocal decides to flag this because it’s honest and fully 5 star because they make a great dog, fun atmosphere and just a good ol experience.
My son loved the vibe and the food.
Help keep it local, help keep it honest (that means you too Unilocal)
Eat at Jimbos!

This joint rocks! I love hotdogs. The people are nice and the food is good. Can’t get better than that! I could eat 100 kraut dogs from this place.

I got their polish dog and all their fixings. Love that you can get fresh tomatoes, jalapeño spread, pepperonchini spread, relish, onion, grilled onion, ketchup, 2 different mustard… I’m sure I’m forgetting something. Buns were warm, soft, and had a pleasant sweetness to them. 2 people with chips and drink under $ 20 for lunch… can’t beat that!

Yeah you’ve heard about the dog which is as good as hot dog gets. I usually get the polish dog which is not as good as Costco’s but I prefer the heart of this little place. The sandwiches are surprisingly good, too, though limited in bread choices to white, wheat, and soft roll.
Mostly the stars is for the fact that there really is nothing like this place anywhere else and I just want him to stay in business.
I would probably eat here more if younger (health) or carry cash regularly.

This is a review of lunch at Jimbo’s Hot Dogs in San Rafael.
The term they don’t make em like they used to get thrown around a lot. Well, Jimbo’s is proof that some folks still do make em like the used. to. I grew up in north east Tennessee. There were lots of joints like this around. After I moved to California, I saw fewer and fewer of them. They are nearly extinct now.
To say there ain’t nothin’ fancy about Jimbo’s would be a vast overstatement. Heck, my seat didn’t even have a back on it.
The restaurant is clean but it is bit worn.
There are some outside tables out front. There are some basic tables inside. There are some kinda funky low counters to sit at. These are right beside the area where the food is being made. So, they offer a bit of a show.
Jimbo’s has lots of regulars. It is the kind of place where the regulars know what the other regulars eat and they figure that Arnold might just not be back from vacation yet.
I got there. I decided to dive into the line. Something tells me, there are often lines here. One of the two men will take your order and one or both of the two men will make your food. They are very friendly. They are also really into making your dogs. These guys take pride in what they are getting ready to serve you. It isn’t a blazing fast process. But they apologize for every slight delay.
Before long, I had my two dogs. I had a Jimbo with spicy mustard and ketchup. I also had a chili cheese dog with onions. They were both great. Their dogs have a nice snap. They have long buns with a slightly sweet flavour. They have lots of fixin’s to choose from. Right in front of you, they will make it exactly like you want it.
These dogs scream out for a big side of crinkle cut fries. But, alas, they have no fries. My only true negative though was the chili. It was a tad on the bland side.
Recently, in a friend invite or a compliment or Unilocal smoke signals, someone mentioned that I do not hand out many five star reviews. That is true. With Jimbo’s I came very close. I think, in the end, it was the chili. If the chili had knocked it out of the park, Jimbo’s would be putting up the «We got a five star review from Mark D.!» poster now.
I got my dogs, a Coke, and a bag of chips for $ 12. Now that is a deal!
Overall — This is pretty much what a hot dog dive should be. They take pride in their work. They hail from a different age. They make great old school hot dogs.

My favorite place for great hot dogs!

Decidedly un-​ironic, this place is exactly how other reviews have described it.
I liked it, and it worked good as a pit stop for my kids on the way to Stinson Beach.
Don’t expect anything crazy, fancy, new wave, or out of the ordinary and you will do just fine by this place.
Remember though, cash only.

Jimbo’s is now the last dedicated hot dog restaurant in Marin. There used to be two; there was a place called Royal Frank down in San Rafael, that was a worthy competitor, but they closed (owner retired). Someone else bought the name and re-​opened, but it’s no longer a hot dog place.
The current owner of Jimbo’s has owned and operated the establishment for 25 years as of today, August 1, 2014 (I just called him to ask him how long he had owned it and he said that, coincidentally enough, it was 25 years, exactly, today). But the business has been there since 1972. That’s 42 years. That, alone, ought to say something about the quality.
I’ve been going to Jimbo’s since about 1990. I’ve watched the owner gradually turn grey and his kids grow up! He is now watching my own kids, who love to go there, grow up as well.
We LOVE this place. This is a true, dyed-​in-​the-​wool hot dog/​sausage joint. The chili dogs are highly recommended but the plain old Jimbo is a solid meal as well. Prices are moderate, cash or (local) checks only; no credit/​debit. I don’t blame the owner for not taking cards; in a small operation like that, the cost is just too high.
The décor has not changed in the over twenty years I’ve been going there and it looked dated even then. Who cares? I don’t. I’m there for the food. In fact, this old-​school décor is comforting to me in some deep way I can’t quite put my finger on.
For me, the main thing that matters is the food, followed by service, and the friendly owner, has the service side covered.
Some reviewers were put off by the décor; well one of the best meals I ever had in my life was in a dirty little hole-​in-​the-​wall restaurant in Hong Kong, so the décor has never been high on my list. For me substance is always more important than style, and Jimbo’s is a no-​nonsense, old school hot dog joint just like the kind I grew up going to in my youth in the 1970’s in New Jersey. Keep on keep’in on!

It’s a cash only place. No frills but great hot dogs for sure. Chili dog and cheese dogs are great. Would be 5 stars if they took ATM or Visa cards.
You may have to wait in line during lunchtime but definitely worth the wait.

Once again Unilocal has helped me find something awesome this place has the best chili dog in Marin or that I’ve actually ever eaten I recommend it highly

It was definitely chilly outside today… so I pull out my trusty Unilocal app and look for what? Chili Dogs! Me and a co-​worker of mine, with similar urges, decided to come here.
Love the small mom & pop feel of this place. The guy was very friendly and jovial. Loved the hot dog. Simply lunch for less than $ 5!
If you want a hot dog, give this place a try! I will definitely be back… after my chili dog coma.

One of the best Polish Chili dogs I’ve had. Great customer service, too!

The hot dogs themselves are very good. Making them into a chili dog is even better. Being able to finish the experience with an It’s-It makes it great.
I found it odd that the ketchup and mustard were applied behind the counter, but then I thought about it… it’s a lot cleaner! Every time I pick up a container of ketchup or mustard at a restaurant, it kinda grosses me out because I wonder how many other people have put their filthy mitts on the bottles. Here, they’re behind the glass and are applied by the cook. No germs on my hands… which would immediately go into my mouth on my sandwich!
Service is very accommodating. I think we were asked «Anything else? You want more cheese? You need more mustard? You sure you don’t want onions on there?» like 6 times. When I said «not too much» on the mustard, a thin line was applied and then she looked to me for approval. Bravo!
Décor is straight out of the…60s? You can eat inside or outside on the funky little tables. They had bottled sodas and I think bottled beers too. So glad we spotted this little place off the highway and wound around the side road until we found it. Yummy!

We’ve been coming to Jimbo’s for almost 10 years. The dogs are great. In a world filled with food trends (the Yuppie-​fying of cupcakes and hipster food carts comes to mind) Jimbo’s bucks the cookie cutter way of doing things. Jimbo’s is not fancy. Jimbo’s is not hip. But Jimbo’s is retro in an honest to goodness way. From the sign out front to the old-​timey counter and spinny cushioned seats. Jimbo’s is REAL. The dogs are Schwarz brand. The owner is passionate about hot dogs and prepares both the dogs and the toppings with care. It shows in his attitude and how he puts together your dog. He has spoiled my son so that at home he will only eat natural casing hot dogs with diced tomato, yellow onion and brown mustard. It’s known as «Jimbo’s style» in our house. OK. Enough writing. Time to go to Jimbo’s!