Fat Johnnie's Famous Red Hots

"Fat Johnnie’s is an iconic hot dog stand on the Southside. Yes, this little shack looks like it’s going to blow over, but it’s been surviving Chicago winters since 1972, and Fake Spring is a good time to enjoy standing outside while eating a very good red hot or “mother-in-law” (a tamale on a hot dog bun topped with chili)." - adrian kane, john ringor, nick allen

"What To Get: Red hot (a hot dog), Mother-In-Law (tamale in hot dog bun with chili), Mighty Dog (hot dog and tamale in hot dog bun with cheese and chili). What To Know: Fat Johnnies is a tiny trailer with a walk-up window in Marquette Park. It opened in 1972, is cash only, and looks like a strong wind might blow it over." - adrian kane, john ringor, nick allen, veda kilaru

"This famous Marquette Park staple has been serving hot dogs to locals, travelers, and celebrities alike for countless years — all from a shack. As the popularity grew over the years, the concept and principles have remained the same, simply serve everyone the best hot dog possible. There is a large variety of hot dogs to choose from — or go with the classic Chicago style. There’s also the infamous “Mother-in-law” — a tamale smothered in chili that comes on a hot dog bun. The shack’s exterior underwent a much-needed facelift in 2022." - Ashok Selvam, Eater Staff

"Chicago is a hot dog town - everyone knows that. But historically speaking, there were also times when people couldn’t even afford the meat on a hot dog, which is why this is a tamale town too. Nobody knows for sure where the Chicago style cornmeal tamale originated, but it's a thing. And that’s why you can find both hot dogs and tamales individually on a bun, and it’s also why you can get a hot dog and tamale combo. And if none of this makes any sense to you, then you need to check out Fat Johnnie’s Famous Red Hots. photo credit: Christina Slaton Fat Johnnie’s, one of the city's many iconic hot dog stands, sits unceremoniously off of Western between 72nd and 73rd. Sandwiched between a Popeyes chicken on one side and an empty lot and used car dealership on the other, you’ll half expect this little shack to fall over with one good gust of wind. We are by no means professional architects a la one George Costanza, but we know enough about gravity to be amazed by the fact this place is still standing. Structural miracles aside, it’s a place every Chicagoan, whether homegrown or transplant, needs to try. Bring cash and come hungry, or at least plan on making multiple trips. The regular red hot and polish stack up with the best the city offers, but that’s only where the fun begins. Other items like the tamale, tamale sundae, mighty dog, and mother-in-law are all things you should consider trying. Fat Johnnie’s is literally a shack, so eat on the sidewalk, eat in your car, or if it’s nice outside eat on one of the two picnic benches in the adjacent vacant lot. Most importantly, get to Fat Johnnie’s and eat something. Food Rundown photo credit: Christina Slaton Red Hot The usual with all the trimmings. Note the pickle isn’t so pickleish - it’s more of a cucumber. Polish Sausage instead of vienna beef. The good stuff on it remains the same. photo credit: Christina Slaton Mother-In-Law A tamale on a bun with chili. You should also consider the father-in-law, which is the same thing plus cheese. Super Sundae A tamale served in a bowl with chili and cheese. Perfect for anyone on a paleo diet. Mighty Dog A hot dog and a tamale on a bun with chili and cheese. It’s ridiculous and amazing at the same time, and it’s mandatory you try it at least once. Suicide Soda A hit of everything from the soda fountain: Cola, Diet Cola, Fruit Punch, Grape, Lemonade, Orange, Root Beer, 7-Up, and Strawberry. Interesting, to say the least." - Sam Faye

"Mexico City natives would agree that everything tastes better stuffed inside a bolillo roll, including tamales. The carb redundancy is found in the popular streetside breakfast torta de tamal, also known as “guajolota,” in which a roll, is stuffed with the patron’s tamal of choice. Fat Johnnie’s serves a local variation known as the Mother-In-Law, which features chili-covered hot tamales instead of a sausage in a poppy seed hot dog bun. Smaller than its Mexican counterparts, the mass-produced hot tamale (known as such in the singular in the Southern vernacular; the others are known as “tamal” in Spanish) is made from cornmeal, which gives it a gritty texture." - Brenda Storch