Rene G wrote:gp60004 wrote:So are you saying that Gene and Jude's used to be where Polk and Western is located now?
That question has come up before and I wish I could answer it. Here’s what I think I know. A sign at Gene & Jude’s reads, “Relished Since 1946 at Polk and Western.” I’m not sure exactly where they were located back then but they probably moved to River Grove around 1955 (see next paragraph), earlier than I would have guessed. Polk & Western opened in 1948. I always assumed they are still in their original location but don’t know for sure. Assuming they haven’t changed their name I doubt they moved far. It seems most likely to me that at one time both Gene & Jude’s and Polk & Western were located in different buildings near the intersection of Polk and Western. Other scenarios are certainly possible.
Rene G wrote:G Wiv wrote:Drove by Al's Red Hots yesterday, 3/20/08, around 2pm and it was shut up tight. Mid afternoon on a Thursday seems an odd time to be closed, I wonder if they are down for the count.
Thankfully, another false alarm. I think Al's might have been closed temporarily for repairs but they were open today, 4/28/08, and doing good business. In this picture from earlier today Al's might not look open but I'm certain it was (note open door).
Rene G wrote:Al's Red Hots has a history of "playing possum" but I have to say things are not looking very hopeful for this venerable hot dog stand.
Al's Red Hots, June 2011
Cathy2 wrote:I passed Al's today to find it is in the midst of a remodelling. Their is a new mustard yellow marquee with red letters declaring, "Al's Red Hots Under the El." It doesn't appear to have reopened yet, but it is not RIP either.
drgale wrote:Sorry, LTH Forum, but you're incorrect. Al's Red Hots was not the oldest Hot Dog Stand in Chicago. Superdawg opened at Milwaukee & Devon in 1948, a year earlier.
Before it was called Al’s Under The "L," it was Al’s Red Hots and before that, going back to 1949, it was a Jewish guy named Al slinging red hots, cheeseburgers, and Polish sausages out of a trailer at Lake Street and Francisco Avenue.
“This paid for my college,” said Gina Fountain, proprietor of Dave’s Red Hots in Lawndale, the oldest stand, dating to 1938.
The oldest hot dog stand in Chicago dates back to 1938. That’s not, however, what makes Dave’s Red Hots special. It’s not even a milestone anniversary this year, its 83rd in the Lawndale area on the West Side of the city.
tjr wrote:Wow, check the prices in that Block Club article originally published in 2016. A dog and fries for under $4?! and in one case, with "pop" for under 3!!
Dave’s Red Hots, Chicago’s oldest hot dog stand, is even older than we thought