Gene & Jude's in Illinois

I can't believe that there is no mention of Gene & Jude's here! The best red hots and fries I've ever had! Their menu is simple:

Hot dogs (Vienna Kosher, steamed buns with no poppy seeds)
French fries (Fresh-made)
Tamales
Pop (Yes, it's pop, not soda! )

And that's it! They're very specialized... and the choice of toppings is also limited: Onions, mustard, relish, sweet peppers. That's it! Don't ask for ketchup, or you may be asked to leave!

The fries are cut right behind the counter, and pretty much dropped straight in the oil. It's all served up in a brown paper bag, and no chairs, just a counter that circles the restaurant.

A couple of my friends moved to North Carolina, and drove back several times, just to go to G&J's! They're that good!

At least, that's what I think. Anyone else?

BTW, they're at the corner of River Road and Grand Ave. in River Grove, Illinois. Open at 11 evey day, I think, 'til midnight or so.

you should try M and H grill in winetka. 966 greenbay rd. one of those places that have been there for 30 years.... unfortunatly it will be closing soon. Best fries that you will ever have

I love that place. But, those are "Sport Peppers" not sweet peppers.

My kids and I love Gene & Jude's. A double dog with fries is just $2.20, and extra fries (a huge order) are just $1. A restaurant can't be any simpler, and I like the no-frills atmosphere.

I absolutly love this place! Best damn hot dog in Chicago. And probably the best fries in the universe!
I miss the Thirsty Whale though...

I used to go there an awful lot because I was at The Thirtsy Whale an awful lot,they were ok,but after living out of state for 3 years all I can think about is Jimmy's!

Wow! Never thought I would see this place on Raodfood but it got here! I lived in Elmwood park for quite a few years and spent my lunch hours there at least two days a week. I also remember that they used to peel the potatoes in the back and load up a shopping cart with them. Great fries and the dogs were perfect!

Yea, all they had was a counter inside but I used to go out and sit in the car and eat em while listening to Rushbo.

Hey, as long as we are on the subject, my other favorite place was Luke's on Harlem just south of Addison. Grand Dog was not bad (Grand Avenue west of Harlem) but the best thing there was their beef sandwiches.

I would almost trade my Chritmas Prime Rib for a few dogs, greesy fries, tamales and yes, a POP! Don't see them here in Denver much except a place called "Chicago" on Colfax. Miss em!

Have a great Holiday all!

Don

Hey, Chicagostyledog, I think Russels is still there. The last time I stopped in was about 6 or 7 years ago when I still lived in the Chicago area. I think that place has to be 50 years old, at least. I remember going there in the 50's and 60's both with my parents and also as a teen.

I always alternated between their great BBQ Pork Sandwiches and the the slab ribs along with a nice cold beer! Ahhhh. Next time I am back there on business I will have to check it out! If you hear they are still open, let me know. I'll do some checking also.

Don

Inquiring minds want to know the difference between sweet peppers and sport peppers.

Are sport peppers what you get from a vendor at a football game or what?


Wally

Sweet peppers are usually quartered green bell peppers, roasted, and put into a beef stock with herbs (like basil) and whatever else you have on the spice rack. You would have them with Beef Sandwiches, layered on top, and if you want to, dip the buns into the juice to make them as "wet" as you want. Gotta roast em to get the sweetness!

Sport Peppers are the small green (about one to two inches long) that you can find in jars at the market. Slip two or three into a Hot Dog. They are a bit "crunchy" and have a bit of "heat" associated with them (depends on the brand).

Hope this helps. I would guess there are many ways to make the "Sweet" peppers but this is my favorite way.

Don

FYI (chicagostyledog) and others.

I just searched the Yellow Pages on the Net and found both Russels BBQ (Thatcher and North Avenue, Elmwood Park, IL) and Gene and Jude's (River Grove).

Both appear to be ALIVE and WELL today!

Don

Yes, Gene and Judes is the best hot dog in Chicago (and hence the best hot dog in the world).

A primer on Chicago hot dogs can be found here:

http://vitalinformation.blogspot.com/2004_02_22_vitalinformation_archive.html#107757203676818217

Within this primer is a report I have done on Gene and Judes.

Russell's BBQ is still on Thatcher, and it has changed little (thank goodness) since "The Old Days". Although it's not what I would refer to as "gourmet" BBQ, the beef and pork sandwiches are pretty darn good. I haven't tried the ribs, but from the amount of orders which travel past me while I'm eating, they must also have merit. For the past few months Russells has been running ads in the Chicago newspapers touting a milestone anniversary (40th perhaps?). My only question would be how do the people who live in the condos next door survive the smell of BBQ 24/7 without going insane???

Hey ChicagoStyleDog, I sell an all beef frank, a Jumbo, and a ragun Cajun, But my biggest seller is my all beef frank.
Cowboy Bob's Texas Weiners

I would buy a tub of KC Masterpiece bbq before i'd eat at Russels. I've never had their ribs but their pork and beef sandwiches are disgusting. Gene and Judes must be a seasonal place because when i used to pick up wife in Rosemont at the Blue Line in the winter they were closed- maybe redecorating? We did find Paradise Pup on River Rd in Des Plaines has a mighty tasty Cheddar Charburger! They also have this french fry thing that has cheddar and sour cream dumped all over it. I live five minutes fom a Russells and i don't recommend.

Russell's sandwiches were excellent about 20+ years ago, when they used to marinate the beef in the sauce and served the sandwiches hot. Now they seem to serve cold sandwiches (not marinated) with fat interspersed throughout. I believe that ownership has changed hands a couple of times throught the last couple of decades. I'm surprised that they are still open, and seem to still have crowds there.

I do like the Pup as well. Try the Oreo shakes in addition to the burgers and dogs.

We were back in Chicago a week ago for vacation and drove by Gene and Judes on River Road. They are still there and the parking lot was full (as it used to be) at lunchtime. We would have stopped but we were on our way to Russels by North Avenue to meet up with some relatives for a famous BBQ'd Pork Sandwich. Still fantastic!

Other stops included Portillo's for a "Combo" and some dogs and tamales. We ate our way thru Chicago again and then to Michigan for som good ribs at Sam's Joint near Plainwell. Another favorite stop. The wine fest in Paw Paw was a "must" and then the Allegan County Fair for more great treats.

Nothing like the good eating in the Midwest.

Don

quote:

Originally posted by chicagostyledog

CB Bob,


Chicagostyledog aka
Grateful Dog
Original Chicago Style Hot Dogs

Did the Dead Heads inspire this name? Also, those new Viennas, are those 8/1's or 10/1's??

Also eagerly awaiting your Monday Report there! Good Luck!!!!!!!

We finally did make it to[url='http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=2284']Gene & Jude's[/url] ... and, of course, loved it!

Those are some mouth watering fries by the looks of it!

with out a doubt the best hot dog and fry combo in chicagoland and suburbs, growing up in skokie and having a dozen vienna stands around all specializing in something of their own but for dogs and fry combo it was a trip out to river rd. if we had a place like that in the palm bchs of florida it would make a mint

Jane and Michael, I can't believe you were within 15 minutes of my home and office and you didn't even give me a call! Ah well, maybe next time.

Buddy

I agree. There's nothing better than a "dynamite stick" from G&J's. When I was a kid, Lippy's Red Hot Ranch aka "The Ranch," 3114 W.Devon, served Vienna Beef natural casing hot dogs with a handful of fries, just like Gene & Jude's. It was short bike ride from my home on Kedvale & Lincoln.

CSD

We were there a month ago (me and my wife) from Denver. We grew up there and the dogs are still great at G&J's. We got off the plane at O'Hare and headed doen River Road right there!~

Don

CSD...where is your cart??? I would love to stop by for some GOOd food....j

These are still my favorite dogs in Chicago, but I have found some better fries at Michael's Beef House in Oak Park, just outside of Chicago. Their fresh-cut fries are crunchy on the outside, and almost mashed-potatoey on the inside. The beefs are OK, Johnnie's down the street are better.

Michael's Beef House
6747 North Avenue (at Oak Park Avenue)
Oak Park, IL

As of May 2007, Gene and Jude's will be closing this location and they will move to Addison IL.

Addison??? Lemme guess- another Walgreen's? Another bank? MORE CONDOS???

quote:

Originally posted by guspas

you should try M and H grill in winetka. 966 greenbay rd. one of those places that have been there for 30 years.... unfortunatly it will be closing soon. Best fries that you will ever have

Gus-better than your fries??? I find that hard to believe. If they are better than yours, those must be some really tasty fries!

Buddy

quote:

Originally posted by lennonlover2005

As of May 2007, Gene and Jude's will be closing this location and they will move to Addison IL.

Update and correction...............

I spoke with Gene & Jude's today. They're opening a second location in Addison in the fall and the original will not be closing.

CSD