Rene G wrote:

Da Beef wrote:While the "Chicago Style dog" is more well known with its poppy seed bun, pickles, tomato, celery salt etc...The real original Chicago style is that served at G&Js.

I call them depression dogs and they are becoming harder and harder to find.

You're free to call them whatever you want, of course, but that term might be confusing. For many decades Fluky's has been known for their fully dressed "Depression sandwich—a hot dog with mustard, relish, onion, pickles, pepper, lettuce, tomatoes and french fries."

cito wrote:December 13, 2008--- A day that will live in infamy.....

From the Gene & Jude's Secret Menu

How do you go about ordering that when you get to the counter? ( since I order the same and feel weird at times explaining it )

Hi,

Maybe you missed this story upthread.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

Maybe you missed this story upthread.

Regards,

I did...thanks for the heads up.

Rene G wrote:You're free to call them whatever you want, of course, but that term might be confusing. For many decades Fluky's has been known for their fully dressed "Depression sandwich—a hot dog with mustard, relish, onion, pickles, pepper, lettuce, tomatoes and french fries."

aka a Chicago dog minus the poppy seed bun and celery salt plus lettuce? Is there a term for that style? Or are they just called minimalist dogs?

Da Beef wrote:Or are they just called minimalist dogs?

Not if they have lettuce and tomato on them.

stevez wrote:

Da Beef wrote:Or are they just called minimalist dogs?

Not if they have lettuce and tomato on them.

I meant what hot dogs ala Gene & Jude's, Jimmy's and Demon Dogs are called...NC dog in a well steamed cheap bun, mustard, onions, sport peppers and relish if you must, topped fresh cut fries.

Is minimalist dog the most common term used when referring to that style?

had a double dog with everything last night. so good. wow, just too tasty, and under 3 bucks? it tasted so d--m good!

I'd like to share a particularly pleasing presentation at Gene & Jude's. Here's a recent hot dog, exactly as unwrapped, with no rearranging of the fries.



A thing of beauty, isn't it?

Rene G wrote:A thing of beauty, isn't it?

Just like the good lord meant a hot dog to look.

stopped at gene & jude's today got 2 dogs everything & tamale
fires .

Grabbed a couple dogs at G&J today. I hadn't been there for awhile and I'm glad to report that they are as good as ever. I must say, however, that I don't remember the casings on the hot dogs being as chewy as they seemed today. They haven't changed casings, have they? It was almost like a hot dog condom.

G & J voted #1 hot dog stand in the country. Trib blurb with links to magazine article:
http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/ ... he+Stew%29

My question is, is this place worth going to instead of hot doug's? I am a huge fan of hot doug's, and seeing as how it is only 10 minutes from my house by car (where Gene and Jude's is probably abour 45 or more), I'm wondering if it's worth the trip. Anyone been to both but prefer Gene and Jude's based purely on food?

Suiname wrote:My question is, is this place worth going to instead of hot doug's? I am a huge fan of hot doug's, and seeing as how it is only 10 minutes from my house by car (where Gene and Jude's is probably abour 45 or more), I'm wondering if it's worth the trip. Anyone been to both but prefer Gene and Jude's based purely on food?

I drove past G&J twice a day, 5-6 days a week, for nearly 8 months while working in Rosemont. I stopped there twice in all that time and reminded myself that it really is *that* overrated to me.

It's a fine option if you're in the area (I don't think it's bad by any means, just massively overrated). But not at all worth a 45+ minute drive, and not a better stop than Hot Doug's.

Suiname wrote:My question is, is this place worth going to instead of hot doug's? I am a huge fan of hot doug's, and seeing as how it is only 10 minutes from my house by car (where Gene and Jude's is probably abour 45 or more), I'm wondering if it's worth the trip. Anyone been to both but prefer Gene and Jude's based purely on food?

Totally different animals. If I wanted a plain hot dog Hot Doug's is not where I would go.

Suiname wrote:My question is, is this place worth going to instead of hot doug's? I am a huge fan of hot doug's, and seeing as how it is only 10 minutes from my house by car (where Gene and Jude's is probably abour 45 or more), I'm wondering if it's worth the trip. Anyone been to both but prefer Gene and Jude's based purely on food?

It's a classic and certainly worth the trip on occasion. That being said, you can get a very good depression dog at Red Hot Ranch which may be closer to you if you live that close to Hot Doug's.

Suiname wrote:My question is, is this place worth going to instead of hot doug's? I am a huge fan of hot doug's, and seeing as how it is only 10 minutes from my house by car (where Gene and Jude's is probably abour 45 or more), I'm wondering if it's worth the trip. Anyone been to both but prefer Gene and Jude's based purely on food?

G & J and Hot Doug's are two completely divergent concepts.

Hot Doug's fancies itself, and can largely be considered, a "gourmet" hot dog emporium.

Gene's and Jude's is as basic, down-to-earth, no-frills hotdog joint as has perhaps ever been conceived.

The lines can be equally long at popular feeding times, but you'll never have to wait as long at G & J.

Having eaten at both places, being an undying fan of Gene's and Judes, and having enjoyed my meal at Hot Dougs, I guess I'd have to respectfully suggest that you make your visit to River Grove when you're in the area or at ORD some time. Just my $0.02.

Grizzly wrote:

Suiname wrote:My question is, is this place worth going to instead of hot doug's? I am a huge fan of hot doug's, and seeing as how it is only 10 minutes from my house by car (where Gene and Jude's is probably abour 45 or more), I'm wondering if it's worth the trip. Anyone been to both but prefer Gene and Jude's based purely on food?

G & J and Hot Doug's are two completely divergent concepts.

Hot Doug's fancies itself, and can largely be considered, a "gourmet" hot dog emporium.

Gene's and Jude's is as basic, down-to-earth, no-frills hotdog joint as has perhaps ever been conceived.

The lines can be equally long at popular feeding times, but you'll never have to wait as long at G & J.

Having eaten at both places, being an undying fan of Gene's and Judes, and having enjoyed my meal at Hot Dougs, I guess I'd have to respectfully suggest that you make your visit to River Grove when you're in the area or at ORD some time. Just my $0.02.

I'm with you, Grizzly. The concept of “best” seems especially pointless when comparing two places that share a specialization in sausage sandwiches but that’s about it. There’s a big world of wieners out there.

Now to Suiname’s question, I’ve been to both a few times, and I guess I can honestly say that the experience at G&J’s has been more consistently satisfying but that’s due in part to the fact that when I go there, I know exactly what I’m going to get. And I get it every time. At Doug’s, a landmark, a culinary must-visit, I’m usually having Sohn’s creations for the first time (I don’t think I’ve ever ordered the same dog twice), and they’re fascinating and creative, but not better than G & J's, or v.v.

Suiname wrote:My question is, is this place worth going to instead of hot doug's? I am a huge fan of hot doug's, and seeing as how it is only 10 minutes from my house by car (where Gene and Jude's is probably abour 45 or more), I'm wondering if it's worth the trip. Anyone been to both but prefer Gene and Jude's based purely on food?

I prefer Gene & Jude's by a wide margin, if you're talking about a traditional Chicago hot dog with minimalist toppings and great hand cut fries. If you're looking for a bigger variety of sausage choices with some imaginative toppings, then Hot Doug's (or fRedhots) would be my choice. The regular dogs at Hot Doug's are good I suppose, but I find them not to be the reason I visit.

Grizzly wrote:

Suiname wrote:My question is, is this place worth going to instead of hot doug's? I am a huge fan of hot doug's, and seeing as how it is only 10 minutes from my house by car (where Gene and Jude's is probably about 45 or more), I'm wondering if it's worth the trip. Anyone been to both but prefer Gene and Jude's based purely on food?

G & J and Hot Doug's are two completely divergent concepts.

Hot Doug's fancies itself, and can largely be considered, a "gourmet" hot dog emporium.

Gene's and Jude's is as basic, down-to-earth, no-frills hotdog joint as has perhaps ever been conceived.

The lines can be equally long at popular feeding times, but you'll never have to wait as long at G & J.

Having eaten at both places, being an undying fan of Gene's and Jude's, and having enjoyed my meal at Hot Doug's, I guess I'd have to respectfully suggest that you make your visit to River Grove when you're in the area or at ORD some time. Just my $0.02.

I did wait in line at G&J for 45 minutes once.

stevez wrote:

Suiname wrote:My question is, is this place worth going to instead of hot doug's? I am a huge fan of hot doug's, and seeing as how it is only 10 minutes from my house by car (where Gene and Jude's is probably abour 45 or more), I'm wondering if it's worth the trip. Anyone been to both but prefer Gene and Jude's based purely on food?

I prefer Gene & Jude's by a wide margin, if you're talking about a traditional Chicago hot dog with minimalist toppings and great hand cut fries. If you're looking for a bigger variety of sausage choices with some imaginative toppings, then Hot Doug's (or fRedhots) would be my choice. The regular dogs at Hot Doug's are good I suppose, but I find them not to be the reason I visit.

Completely agree Steve - and I also prefer the fries at G&J's. Just note if you make the trek to G&J's: no tables, limited room to stand up and eat along the long counter, nearby forest preserve a nice spot to dine but probably not for a few months.

I prefer, by a lot, G & J, but it's not that its really a better place than Hot Doug's, pretty much as Hammond explains. Now, being on record, maybe the first to say so on the Internet , that G & J is the world's greatest, I am a bit surprised that they won this competition. I'm not really sure how one does such.

What I love about Gene and Jude's is that it is the purest, best expression of an item of my youth. It not only tastes like the best hot dog I can remember; the whole place carries that aroma, that Proustian smell of things past. That's one of the reasons that dingy-ness never bothered me because we associate much more with our noses than we do with our eyes. Yet, that's a youth growing up in the Chicago area. Without those specific memories and connections, it's just a hot dog. I guess what I'm saying is that everyone should have their own world's greatest hot dog stand.

Gene and Jude's is the best hot dog in Chicagoland, and anywhere else for that matter. There is something about that aroma of Gene and Jude's that follows you into your car, and it even stays there for a day or two. It's wonderful, truly wonderful. And the fresh cut fries inside the bun with that world famous Vienna beef dog is truly legendary. According to the author of Never Put Ketchup On A Hot Dog, that idea was conceived at Gene and Jude's, and then spread everywhere else. On the other hand, if I want something exotic, I'll head over to Hot Doug's or Fredhots. You can never go wrong with Hot Doug's or Fredhots.

It's truly a blessing by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself to live near Gene and Jude's for hot dogs, Alpine for Italian Subs in Elmwood Park, and especially Johnnie's for Italian Beef/Italian Sausage with sweet peppers.

I Can't Imagine Living Anywhere Else,

deepdish

I think my family would be fine with me saying "I miss gene and jude's more than my own family". San Diego is a great place, but these posts definitely make me miss home. Sure we have Portillo's out here, but boy do I miss the best hot dog joint in the world.

deepdish wrote:And the fresh cut fries inside the bun with that world famous Vienna beef dog is truly legendary. According to the author of Never Put Ketchup On A Hot Dog, that idea was conceived at Gene and Jude's, and then spread everywhere else.

I love Gene & Judes, but I highly doubt that claim.

Gene & Judes last Tuesday about 2.00 PM with blizzard rolling in would have been a cinematographer's dream come true. Plenty of hard faced, gritty looking and unhumorous Chicago types lined up or chowing down before the impending doom. Two dogs with fries went a long way for me as shelter from the storm.

Thanks for everyone's answer to my question, I think I will have to head up there next time I have to pick someone up from the airport. I agree, getting a regular dog at Hot Doug's is just a waste of an order, you could be eating rattlesnake sausage or something equally as crazy and delicious.

Ursiform wrote:

Suiname wrote:My question is, is this place worth going to instead of hot doug's? I am a huge fan of hot doug's, and seeing as how it is only 10 minutes from my house by car (where Gene and Jude's is probably abour 45 or more), I'm wondering if it's worth the trip. Anyone been to both but prefer Gene and Jude's based purely on food?

It's a classic and certainly worth the trip on occasion. That being said, you can get a very good depression dog at Red Hot Ranch which may be closer to you if you live that close to Hot Doug's.

Or to the Vienna Beef Cafeteria if it's just the standard, basic hot dog (vs "gourmet" at Hot Doug's) that's desired.

Panther in the Den wrote:
I did wait in line at G&J for 45 minutes once.

Once?

45 minutes is the standard wait at Hot Doug's, isn't it?

I'm sure that I won't make any new friends when I say that I just don't get the magic of eating at Gene and Jude's. One visit was enough. Thirty minute wait. Barely lukewarm, dirty water hot dog. Large chunks of very smelly onion instead of fresh,finely chopped, and absolutely the very worst french fries I have ever been served-cold, limp, undercooked grease sponges that were plain inedible. For me to NOT finish a hot dog says something. There was nothing about the visit that would make me excuse an off day and try the place again. I was pissed that I wasted the time and even more pissed that I threw away the money on this "treat". Give me a Portillo's, Parky's, hell, anybody other than G and J's. Sorry if I offended any G and J purists, but the place just didn't work for me.