Jimmy’s Red Hots

Jimmy’s Red Hots is a family-owned hot dog stand at 4000 W Grand Ave, at Grand and Pulaski, in Humboldt Park, where the stand has stood since 1954. The operation describes itself as a purist’s: Vienna Beef dogs and Polish sausage steamed, never charred, served on steamed buns with fresh condiments and rolled up with hand-cut fries. A house-made habanero hot sauce is the sanctioned dip for fries, and a tamale on a bun and a veggie dog round out a short menu. There is no seating, so people eat at the window counters or in cars in the lot.

What to know

• Ketchup has never been allowed.
• Two counters run two separate lines, so pick the shorter one and have the order ready.
• Eater Chicago, Time Out Chicago and The Infatuation all list the stand among the city’s best hot dogs.
• The crowd runs to city workers, first responders and families who have come for decades.