Popular Chicago Joint Still Serves Up the #1 Hot Dog in America

It's not a secret that the hot dog remains one of the most popular comfort foods and culinary delights in the Midwest and America at large. But who does it best? Growing up in Chicago, it wasn't hard for me to determine the very best nor was it very difficult to access.

Don't take my word for it. Gene & Jude's, a humble hot dog joint located in River Grove, IL, has been awarded the "#1 Hot Dog in America" by so many outlets and publications that it's become a quintessential part of their branding. I took my girlfriend to the delicious hole-in-the-wall spot this weekend, and it was my first time stopping there for a bite in about two years.

The Origin of Gene & Jude's... So They Say:

Gene and Jude's has been in business since 1946. It began when a city worker named Gene Mormino was at a Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field and came to the realization that adding French fries atop a hot dog would give it the saltiness and crunchiness to dazzle his taste-buds, and those of others too.

Mormino went on to lose his subsequent hot dog stand in a game of cards (as one did in those days), but eventually, he partnered with his friend/coworker Jude DeSantis to start the beloved River Grove hot dog joint that needs no introduction to locals and Chicagoans alike.

A Uniquely Limited Approach to a Hot Dog:

When you hear the word "limited," you might bristle in assuming Gene & Jude's doesn't have a lot of options. While their menu is noticeably small, the emphasis is on simplicity, taste, and quality. You won't find ketchup at Gene & Jude's (thanks to Chicagoans' long-standing aversion to putting ketchup on a hot dog). You'll only find mustard, onions, relish, and sport peppers as toppings.

After whatever garnishes you decide to put on your hot dog, the steadfast workers at Gene & Jude's will pile your dog high with fries. This isn't a conventional "Chicago-style hot dog," but rather, a "Depression dog," which was quite popular during The Great Depression era in America.

My order is the same every time: two double dogs (fries on top), a side of fries, and a small Coke.

The Gene & Jude's Experience:

The line at Gene & Jude's might intimidate you, but I assure you from experience that it moves quickly. I've waited in lines that have wrapped halfway around the building before and still got my food/got out in 30 minutes.

While the restaurant offers a standing-bar for patrons to indulge inside, part of the fun of eating here is taking the food back to your car and eating it in the parking lot. In summer evenings, the lot is packed with high school/college kids who use the parking lot for social gatherings big and small. It's truly a community establishment in every sense of the word.

Read more about Gene and Jude's and their #1 hot dog in America on their website or Wikipedia page.