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Al's Red Hots, Oldest Hot Dog Stand In Chicago [Pictures]

Al's Red Hots, Oldest Hot Dog Stand In Chicago [Pictures]
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  • Post #31 - December 15th, 2008, 12:14 pm
    Post #31 - December 15th, 2008, 12:14 pm Post #31 - December 15th, 2008, 12:14 pm
    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.

    My speculation was incorrect. Polk & Western Hot Dogs was indeed the original Gene & Jude's. Bob Schwartz, Senior Vice President at Vienna Beef, discussed this at some length in his lecture to Culinary Historians of Chicago. The short story is that Gene lost his original shop in a poker game. You can read more in Bob Schwartz's book, Never Put Ketchup on a Hot Dog.
  • Post #32 - December 15th, 2008, 6:17 pm
    Post #32 - December 15th, 2008, 6:17 pm Post #32 - December 15th, 2008, 6:17 pm
    You know, that makes it even more of a shame that P&W uses skinless "Big City Reds" hot dogs. Sigh. At least the fries are tasty.
    Ed Fisher
    my chicago food photos

    RIP LTH.
  • Post #33 - June 2nd, 2011, 10:34 pm
    Post #33 - June 2nd, 2011, 10:34 pm Post #33 - June 2nd, 2011, 10:34 pm
    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).

    Image

    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
    Image

    Al's Red Hots (closed)
    2908 W Lake St
    Chicago
  • Post #34 - June 25th, 2011, 9:48 pm
    Post #34 - June 25th, 2011, 9:48 pm Post #34 - June 25th, 2011, 9:48 pm
    HI,

    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.

    I drove past and couldn't circle back for a picture.

    Regards,
    Cathy2

    "You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
    Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways,
  • Post #35 - July 8th, 2011, 10:47 am
    Post #35 - July 8th, 2011, 10:47 am Post #35 - July 8th, 2011, 10:47 am
    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
    Image

    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.

    A fully remodeled Al's should reopen sometime in the not-too-distant future. The owner assured me the red hots—natural casing Viennas—will remain the same.

    Al's Red Hots, July 2011
    Image

    Al's Red Hots (temporarily closed)
    2908 W Lake St
    Chicago
  • Post #36 - October 23rd, 2011, 8:11 am
    Post #36 - October 23rd, 2011, 8:11 am Post #36 - October 23rd, 2011, 8:11 am
    Al's is now OPEN.

    Image

    I was passing by on my way to Peoria Packing on Saturday and didn't hve time to stop in but I hope to try it soon.
  • Post #37 - November 7th, 2011, 6:37 pm
    Post #37 - November 7th, 2011, 6:37 pm Post #37 - November 7th, 2011, 6:37 pm
    Al's is back (yet again). Now under new management, Al's has been extensively remodeled but the dog and fries are still good.

    Image

    Image

    As before, it's a skinny, natural casing Vienna with mustard, onions, relish and sports. Spuds are fresh-cut and twice-fried. The batch I had was perfectly cooked to deep golden and moderately salted, putting them among my favorites. My only quibble is the bun seemed barely steamed. Hopefully that's an aberration.

    Al's is certainly one of the classics and it's good to see it back. Despite the title of the thread, Al's has probably never been the oldest hot dog stand in Chicago. I don't think I ever said that without a lot of qualification (see earlier in this thread). Unfortunately it seems "Al's is the oldest" has now been repeated in several places on the internet so I guess it has become truth.

    Al's Under the "L"
    (was Al's Red Hots)
    2908 W Lake St
    Chicago
    773-826-1239
    Mon-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-midnight
  • Post #38 - July 27th, 2021, 6:53 am
    Post #38 - July 27th, 2021, 6:53 am Post #38 - July 27th, 2021, 6:53 am
    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.
    Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.
    Digital Research Library of Illinois History Journal™ https://drloihjournal.blogspot.com/p/index.html
    The Illinois History Store - https://www.zazzle.com/store/illinoishistory
  • Post #39 - July 27th, 2021, 8:16 am
    Post #39 - July 27th, 2021, 8:16 am Post #39 - July 27th, 2021, 8:16 am
    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.

    https://blockclubchicago.org/2018/07/17 ... r-decades/
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
  • Post #40 - August 23rd, 2021, 6:44 am
    Post #40 - August 23rd, 2021, 6:44 am Post #40 - August 23rd, 2021, 6:44 am
    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.

    https://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/r ... story.html
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard
  • Post #41 - August 23rd, 2021, 11:08 pm
    Post #41 - August 23rd, 2021, 11:08 pm Post #41 - August 23rd, 2021, 11:08 pm
    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!!
  • Post #42 - August 24th, 2021, 6:59 am
    Post #42 - August 24th, 2021, 6:59 am Post #42 - August 24th, 2021, 6:59 am
    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!!

    Gene & Jude's is still under $4 with fries, as is Rand Red Hots in Des Plaines. Depression dog FTW.
    What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
    -- Lin Yutang
  • Post #43 - September 20th, 2021, 4:25 am
    Post #43 - September 20th, 2021, 4:25 am Post #43 - September 20th, 2021, 4:25 am
    Dave’s Red Hots, Chicago’s oldest hot dog stand, is even older than we thought

    https://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/r ... story.html
    Never order barbecue in a place that also serves quiche - Lewis Grizzard

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