Rene G wrote: Let's see if anyone can spot a major change in the building since these pictures were taken.
PIGMON wrote:Pepsi, no Coke.
The Lovely Donna wrote:The only difference I know of now is that they have a gun under the counter
chicagostyledog wrote:. . . the large Vienna Beef sign in the parking lot has a new bullet hole in the "V."
Rene G wrote:The bullet hole isn't all that new but it certainly adds a nice touch of urban authenticity. These photos were taken in April of 2005.
G Wiv wrote:LTH,
Seldom have I disagreed more strongly with David Hammond.
Chicago Reader, Jimmy's Red Hots
Enjoy,
Gary
David Hammond wrote:So, alleged bullet holes, a good guy owner, amusing local characters and pleasant childhood memories must yield a superior hot dog? Baloney.
stevez wrote:Was this your one and only visit to Jimmy's?
David Hammond wrote:stevez wrote:Was this your one and only visit to Jimmy's?
No but it will be my last.
And the fries reminds me that I have been meaning for ages to report on Jimmy's, the classic hot dog shack on Pulaski and Grand. Famous as much for its nighttime black market, and being the alleged progentor of VI favorite eatery, Gene and Judes, I was for ages, remiss in trying it. Finally, one day, the Ultimo dragged me there after another meal. We both found the dogs odd to say the least, and they excused it that afternoon as the fault of their inventory re-filling. They had been delivered the wrong dog they cried. Willing to buy that, I tried again recently. Nope.
Jimmy's hot dog is, if you can imagine this, even skinnier than Gene and Judes. It is skinless, mushy and as I said above, possessing an odd taste that is different than the standard Vienna. What Jimmy's does continue to have, is very good french fries.I actually would give Jimmy's the nod over G&J when it comes to spuds. Crisper, just as fresh, and with the superior option of a special hot sauce, which is similiar to David Schy's ketchapeno.
Vital Information wrote:Jimmy's hot dog is, if you can imagine this, even skinnier than Gene and Judes. It is skinless, mushy and as I said above, possessing an odd taste that is different than the standard Vienna.
David Hammond wrote:The dogs we had sure seemed skinless to me.
Is it possible that like the take-away sacks, Jimmy's uses whatever wieners they can get?
Rene G wrote:David Hammond wrote:I was also surprised by your comment about unsalted fries. In my experience, those guys don't mess around when wielding the salt canisters.
Rene G wrote:Here are a few shots of the umbilicus.
Rene G wrote:David Hammond wrote:The dogs we had sure seemed skinless to me.
Is it possible that like the take-away sacks, Jimmy's uses whatever wieners they can get?
I think Jimmy's can be highly variable. Sometimes, even when the owner is working, they serve hot dogs that have been simmering too long. In my many visits to Jimmy's I've had some less than satisfactory experiences but I'm pretty sure I've never been served a skinless hot dog. Even if the snap isn't there it's easy to tell by looking at the ends. I was also surprised by your comment about unsalted fries. In my experience, those guys don't mess around when wielding the salt canisters.
Santander wrote:I was struck by the skinless, snap-less dog, unsalted fries bug on my visit to Jimmy's last week after drinks at Weegee's (which was fantastic). Poor steamed, stale bun and textureless dog . . .
aschie30 wrote:Ditto, ditto and ditto. My first visit to Jimmy's yielded the same underwhelming experience. Flaccid, skinless dog & mushy bun. I appreciate that they decline to "run through the garden" and minimize the toppings, but I suppose that can be remedied anywhere by just customizing your dog upon ordering. The fries were *almost* its saving grace - yet they were woefully unsalted, and in bad need of ketchup. Based upon this one visit, I have a hard time seeing how Jimmy's stands out from other corner hot dog stands.