Jeff's Red Hots

First time here coming from another state down south and I highly recommend this establishment had to try the chicago style hot dog and a chili n cheese the vienna beef hot dog was incredible the snap of the hotdog was very nice had a snap on every bite so I had to get a third the onion Rings were very good as well staff was amazing

You guys are very sweet and fast. Awesome team. They have great service. I been going there for years. Since I was a little girl, my father used to take me here prices are great. Love how they keep it old school

My neighborhood spot: I come in, like, once a week for a hot dog, cheeseburger, or gyro. And it’s one of the best dogs in the city! Love the sauerkraut.

Every time I go there's a problem. I have to ask them to lightly cook everything from my burger to my fish sandwich but the fries are always half cooked half raw. I ordered a lightly cooked fish sandwich that was not only burnt but parts of the fish were black and looked really old. The food looked so bad I refused to put it in my mouth. I paid 8 of my hard earned dollars for that sandwich that came with NOTHING ELSE FOR 8 BUCKS. Im done! Jeff's has seen the last of my money.

Had a community meeting and we were excited to try Jeff’s. Delicious Chicago style hot dogs! 🌭

I love the hot dogs: great flavor! The bun was fresh and tasty as well. They have many other options in their menu. Friendly service. This place is CASH ONLY (they have an ATM tho).

My husband and I have gone to Jeff's, on/off for over 30yrs and he has always ordered the farm steak sandwich. This sandwich was his favorite when Mr Vrettos either prepared it, himself, or someone else. Recently, my husband ordered the same sandwich and the meat was not cooked through. Needless to say, he was not happy. When my husband told the gentleman at the register, he offered to make another sandwich but my husband declined as my son and I were done with our meals. Also, since when is sourcraught automatically added to a burger? This should be a requested condiment. This is our last visit to this establishment (sadly) and what ashame to the Vrettos bros legacy.

Come on! These guys have been around forever. The best of the best food great service. Everybody works hard in there. I only miss one thing that they stopped making and that's the tuna sandwich with fries. I wish they'd bring it back

I've driven past this establishment/ neighborhood fixture for years but am not a hot dog/ burger kinda girl so I've never stopped in. Today as I was about to make my usual stop at Starbucks when something said, "c'mon.... Shake it up." So I waltzed in the door & ordered a polish as if I'd been a regular for years. When I got to the register I realized it was CASH ONLY & no ATM on site. The owner said " it's on me. Stop by another time & we'll get squared away." Who does that in this day & age!!? Not Starbucks. I polished off my polish at one of their many outdoor picnic tables. Then immediately went to an ATM & returned to say an emphatic thank you. That's what local business is all about. I will certainly be back to grab a polish & fries ( if I'm feeling indulgent) in the future. Friendly customer service like that is rare & deserves to be celebrated.

Love their double cheeseburger! You can even add sour kraut if you please. The fries are awesome, thin cut and double fried. The gyros are from the gods, cut from the spit and crisped on the grill!

Best in class joint. Authentic quality and decor, classic Chicago dog house menu. Fast service, tasty grub!

When in Chicago, you must try a Chicago style Red Hot. What is a Chicago Red Hot you ask? It is far from the $1.50 hot dog that you can get at Costco nor is it as cheap. But Chicago Red Hots usually uses a Vienna Beef hot dog on a sesame bun. You can add any condiments that floats your boat, but after growing up in Chicago, I have never cared for any other brand of hot dogs except the all beef VIenna hot dogs. Jeff's Red Hots is one of the last remaining hot dog stands in Chicago that brings back those lunch memories of a childhood long passed. They do a decent job at the Chicago style Red Hots with the trademark flavor and casing of the Vienna frankfurther. It is well cooked with a sesame bun that is fresh and soft. Their thin fries are average as I got a batch that could have used another minute in the fryer and may have been sitting in the heat lamps a little too long. The #4 special Red Hot with fries and a fountain drink though is a real bargain at $7.99. Service was adequate for a fast food place. Cash payment is preferred as credit card payments incur an extra $1 charge. I can't speak for the other items on their menu, but if it is as good as their Red Hots, you can't go wrong at Jeff's Red Hots.

HORRIBLE FOOD!! how can you mess up hot dogs and fries? Save your money and time stop at the next hot dog place you see!

Jeff's is the consummate Chicago Fast Food Restaurant. They do everything well, I have never had a bad experience eating here for the past 40 something years. They use to be a cash only business with an ATM in the shop. Apparently they accept cards adding a $1 fee for processing. The food is fantastic and priced reasonably. If your looking for a great Chicago Dog, Gyros, Cheeseburger, pizza puff, .........this is the quentisential hot dog joint!

The hot dogs are freaking amazing real Vienna hot dog if you from Chicago you know the staff great you and welcome you by the time your down paying their practically giving you the food fast service but the hot dog and was unique in a good way with all the topings that first bite gets you right away if you know a good hot dog you know it when it comes from Vienna highly recommend coming in you will not leave disappointed

Fantastic food. Great prices. Quick and attentive guys in the kitchen. What more do you want?

Has anyone noticed the changes in food and service quality at our beloved Jeff's? My family has enjoyed their food for more than 30 years. Lately, it has been frustratingly awful. My regular go-to was their grilled chicken on a pita...Juicy, chargrilled, and subtly seasoned with perfect flavor. Steve was a genius I miss him horribly. Since the change my favorite dish has been served partially raw, dried out, and rubbery, and today it was juicy but not grilled...as if it had been boiled. See pics below...would you eat that??? Yuck. I did not order boiled chicken, it is supposed to be grilled chicken. When I called to let them know once again it was not right. I asked for Barbara and got Monte instead. He said he was a manager but did not listen to me. He continually talked over me and even said if I didn't like the rubbery boiled chicken to just not eat there a message delivered allegedly from Barbara herself. He tried to justify the boiled chicken saying they didn't grill it because it dries it out...THIS HAS MOTIVATED ME TO AMEND MY PREVIOUS 5 STAR to a 1...I would do a negative if I could. It has gotten so bad. Save your money take it to any one of the hundreds of other restaurants in the area and enjoy quality food and service. It could not possibly be any worse than this new wannabe Jeff's. The funny thing is... Steve was able to deliver a perfectly juicy grilled chicken breast every time. Never once had to complain or supervise the cooking to get it right. My husband gave up on them in January after repeatedly having bad experiences with their Gyros. According to him, the only thing they can do right nowadays are pizza puffs and you can get those anywhere. Per Mr. Monte's statement, I will go elsewhere to spend my money from now on. Sadly the Jeff's I knew and loved is gone.

New prices waaaaay too expensive!! Hot dog is just a hot dog, nothing fancy or worth almost 8.00 even with the fries. Not my favorite place anymore.

I never grow tired of Jeff Red Hots. Jeff's has been here for decades and I always end up coming back for their Vienna Beef Hotdogs & fries, both which are excellent. The snap of the Vienna casing coupled w/sauerkraut is a combination that can't be matched. Match this w/their perfectly cooked fries (these need to be eaten on the spot) a lethal combination of a delicious meal. I have tried a few of their other items like their gyros & cheeseburgers, they are good but for me there is NO replacement for the hot dogs cooked in water & their fries, the perfect one 2 combination. The fries have to be eaten fresh & on the spot as they tend to get soggy when placed in a bag You can't miss @ Jeff's. Sadly I found out recently Steve passed away in 2021, but his daughter has taken over and transitioned seamlessly still producing awesome food. The hot dog w/sauerkraut & fries is a can't miss combo. I will continue to be a lifelong customer

The turkey burger is SO GOOD! Juicy ground turkey, made even tastier by all the flavors of that seasoned grill. If you get everything on it, you can taste all the flavors coming together and becoming even more yummy after you've eaten it!

Great staff, great food always fast and hot place never disappoints shoe string fries i love

First a little story, I like beer, but on occasion, I like mixed cocktails. The danger about mixed cocktails is when they go down easy, you always want another one. You say mixed cocktails and hot dogs...just read the rest of my review. I parked in the lot and proceeded to warm greetings. After scouring the menu, I zeroed in on my hot dogs. They have a two hot dog special with fries and a small drink. The gentleman behind the counter asked, "How would you like your dogs?" I told him Chicago Style. The two guys worked in tandem like a well-oiled deep fryer. I'm glad that I had cash on me because this is a cash-only joint. If you don't have cash on you, there is an ATM. I received my dogs and fries and sat down. I noticed right away it was a snap dog. Huzzah!! Everything was spot on, the freshness of the tomatoes, juicy sport peppers, onions that had a bite, and the pickle was the proper size for an all-in-one bite. The fries were done right. They were crispy, hot, and well-salted. You wouldn't believe how many people can't get their fries right. Now back to the mixed cocktail...As I was heading out I ordered a third dog to go. When I get a dog that has the right balance of flavor and it goes down smooth, I have to get a third dog to eat in the secrecy of my car. Don't judge me, go judge for yourself, a new favorite of hot dog place of mine.

Surprised I haven't wrote a review about this place, I've been going here since high school. Never let me down, hotdogs got a nice crispy casing, pop always tastes better than the actual can and solid food in general. I think it's cash only but def worth it if you're in the area.

Excellent gyro. One of the best I've ever had. Meat was perfect and pita was fresh. Entire menu looks good. Will be back

Pricey. Food wasn't anything spectacular for the price. It's right off of the expressway so that's convenient for some.

I've only gone once so far but from what I can tell this place is the gold standard for classic greasy spoons. It didn't look super crowded when I went in for lunch carry out but they were working really hard on several to go and mobile orders at a time. The menu is pretty massive for such a small place and my guess so far is everything on it is great. For my first visit I tried something simple - the half pound burger and fries - and it did not disappoint. They double checked with me first if that's what I actually wanted and I realized later it's because the burger is massive. It was also super tasty and was cooked perfectly. The fries were great too. Going into a place like this I was expecting good but greasy and maybe slightly too salty of fries but what I got were the right temperature, crispy, not greasy at all and salted just right. I will definitely be back to try most of the rest of the menu one thing at a time.

I usually have no problems with this place... However, they don't give you the cucumber sauce when you order the gyros. 4 times in 2 months they "forgot " the side sauce that is a huge part of the sandwich. It's not a mistake as they claim, it's deliberate to cut down their cost. They have a simple fast food job, and they can't even do their job because of money. They also manipulated the strip mall parking lot so only their customers can use it. I'm sure none of this would happen if the original owner Steve was still around...

Some things are better left in the past. Some things you have to revisit to remind yourself why it's better left there. All in all, Jeff's didn't hit the same. Overall, stick with their hotdogs and burgers. The dogs have a really great "snap" to them and is your standard dog with sports peppers, pickles and sauerkraut(optional). Tried their gyro and italian beef and it wasn't the best but also not the worst just a good in between. Disappointed in their fries. Although it may have been an off day, they were always very memorable in being crispy, tasty and not overly salty. This time around they were pretty limp and tasteless. I don't think Jeff's is going anywhere anytime soon so they are doing something right. A solid choice for a hot dog/burger hankering. Cash only.

The best dogs in chicago , underrated . Gyros are great , fries are to skinny , i prefer fresh cut like jimmys , awesome polish , this place is a gem its greek owned great establishment i just hope it stays greek owned and not turned into a mexican restaurant

Came here after a long day at work. Staff was welcoming and chill. Prices are good. Got a number 1 which is a double cheeseburger with fries and a drink. Really good value for money and great tasting food. My first time here but definitely not my last

I definitely recommend the gyros at Jeff's Red Hots. It's delicious and the serving is huge. Looking at the other reviews, I have plenty more orders to try but this really is my go-to place for gyros in the area.

We came here for dinner and it was packed! We were fortunate enough to find a seat and got our food very fast. They're menu is extensive and a lot of items looked great and wouldn't mind trying when I return. It is cash only but you can probably feed a family of four for just under a $20 bill. I ordered a hot dog and a chili cheese dog. My wife ordered an Italian Beef with fries and my son also ordered a hot dog. I'll start with the Italian Beef. Unfortunately it was not delicious at all. It was incredibly salty, so of course it lacked flavor and seasonings and the hot peppers didn't help much. We also asked for it dipped but the bread was also dry. The chili cheese dog was good, but not the greatest. They do serve their dogs with poppy seeds so that's a plus, but I've never been a fan of this style chili. As for the hot dog, it was probably one of the best hot dogs I've had in quite some time. It has your typical Chicago ingredients, mustard, tomato, pickle, hot sport peppers, onions and plus one main ingredient that I haven't seen before, sauerkraut. It added some sourness but it didn't overpower the dog, it only enhanced the flavor. The only thing that could of made this hot dog even better was a more snap on the dog. I'll most likely be returning very soon.

Good dog with pickle tomato peppers etc.but fries cooked from frozen and everything pricey.

My brother Phil was raving about this for a few years we went it was pretty darn good . Yummy fries good hotdog. Menu looked okay!!

Always consistent and fast service. Rating is only for food. In a very very inconvenient location, one of the worst I've dealt with to get a meal.

Stopped by to try the Gyros I have to do pickups in the area and I will stop back next time for sure!

Classic Chicago-style fast food place. Delicious food with unbeatable prices. The staff is excellent and fast moving. Jeff is gregarious and takes pride in the service he provides. I am surprised every time I go here at the quality of the food for the price I pay. My go-to order is the superdog with fries. It is one massive hotdog that they char nicely with split ends. The fries and onion rings all come in massive bags. One order will more than suffice for 2-3 people. All of the toppings are fresh. They even sell high-quality small batch olive oil, made by someone related to Jeff I believe. There's just a general sense of quality even though it is low-cost fast food. They have a large menu, and I haven't tried the majority of it. As far as hot dogs go, I can assure you this is one of the best in the city. The place itself is teeming with Chicago culture and is an excellent stop for the classic dog and fries meal.

Great place to get a dog or burger.I also enjoy their BLTs. They have theee best old school skinny fries cooked just right. You can call ahead for pickup or dine in either works out just great. closed sundays dont forget they have shakes as well !!

Looking for delicious fast food? Look no further. You've found it. Jeff's Red Hots will satisfy your hunger for whatever fried or grilled goodness that you're craving for. I've had their pizza puffs before and that was the perfect balance of crispyness on the outside and ooey gooey pizza cheesiness on the inside. Today I had the pleasure of trying their 1/2 lb grilled cheese burger for the first time and it was great. Nice and juicey on the inside with just a bit of the grilled crispiness on the edges. The fries are not too greasy and the perfect balance of crisp. My husband loves their turkey subs and it comes in a nice portion too. They also serve gyros, hot dogs, polish, fish sticks, tamales, just about anything that you can think of that can be fried or grilled and slapped in between some buns! Make sure you got cash with you when you come visit, as that's all they take. No plastic. However, they do have an ATM inside the restaurant in case you need to get some. Inside, the place is large enough for you to dine in and enjoy your food while it's still hot and fresh off the grill.

Consistently delivers what you'd expect. Good place, good food. Cash only.

Fantastic! I lived in the neighborhood for a long time yet was told that this is not a good place. Not sure why my friend said that? The Jeff burger and hotdogs are very delicious. The people who work here are very kind. Jeff passed away last year yet the high quality continues on.

How have I not reviewed Jeff's yet?! I've never had anything from them that I haven't liked. My go to is a Chicago style hot dog, and throw some kraut on it. The beefs are great. I LOVE their gyros, and if you get the plate order an extra pita, because they give you enough meat for two sandwiches. Have you heard of a francheezy? Neither had I, but it's a hot dog stuffed with cheese, wrapped in bacon, and deep fried.... so bad for you, but so good! I love their fries too, thin cut & crispy. They're cash only, but they have an ATM inside. Try them if you haven't, then thank me later.

Absolutely love this place!! Great cheeseburgers!! Been going here for 20 years. One of the few places that still makes sauerkraut for burgers and dogs. Never had my food made wrong. This is a solid staple of 6 corners.

Excellent hot dogs!! Still wish they took cash! Best dogs in the area! 2 thumbs up!

Jeff's is "The Bomb"!! Every time I visit my daughter on Dakin Ave, I make the trip to Jeff's for one of the best hot dogs I've eaten. Their Gyro is massive and is a classic. The Jeff's Burger is also a definite winner!

I believe it's a family owned business . I've been coming here since I was a teenager and I forgot about this place . I havnt been in so long . And coming back and seeing the same faces brings back memories . They are so friendly and welcoming . I totally forgot how much I used to always order their BANANA MILK SHAKE . Soooooooo good! MUST TRY ! Fresh bananas too and not that fake powder crap. Honestly you can't go wrong here when craving a burger / polish / or gyro . Honestly I'm never disappointed with anything I order . I'm so happy they've been opened for all these years . We need more Gems in the neighborhood.

Jeff's Red Hots is a Portage Park represent. It's located on Cicero, near the Six Corner. Based on their stellar Yelp rating, I know many see Jeff's as an old friend, part of the family, and their childhood memory. This evening was my first time visiting Jeff's Red Hots. Although Jeff's didn't stimulate nostalgia, it could be on my "dog-joint" rotation when I'm on the go in the city. Having a great credit history doesn't get you a hot dog meal here at Jeff's, so bring some cash or use their ATM onsite if you're willing to pay for the transaction surcharge. Hubby and I had the two (2) dog combo (fries were included) and one (1) fountain drink, for $11. I had to say that they weren't the best I've ever had, yet they were a solid B plus in my book. For something that tasted better than my college Genetics exam, it certainly has made a passing grade. I browsed through Jeff's menu as I was finishing up my food; it appeared to be quite extensive. Other than the standard Chicago street fare, I saw spinach puffs, spaghetti with meatballs, and breakfast items as well. I can see myself come back here, try other items, and hope at least one (1) thing can impress me and turn myself into a regular since I will soon be residing in Portage Park.

Can't go wrong with this Chicago institution! Any of their four combos which includes a plentiful fry and a drink of your choice always hits the spot! Their double cheese burger or gyro sandwich is a can't miss!

Quick Tip: Cash Only, but there's an ATM inside I can't count how many times I've passed this place throughout my life, and today, yes, on April 1, 2017, I finally came in to try it out. Let me tell you, the 5 stars doesn't represent food so good it'll melt in your mouth, or a location so beautiful you're stunned by every corner. No! This place is an old school food joint with all the American classic essentials; Burgers, Fries, Gyros, Hot Dogs, soups, etc. And let me tell you ladies and gentleman, it'll be a regular check in for me from now on. The Gyro with Fries (#3) tasted as good as it should have, the service was amazing, and the spot looks as spot on as it did when it opened.

CASH ONLY Fast fresh food at incredibly affordable prices. The menu is enormous, makes me wish I lived nearby, so I could eat my way through. The fries are fresh cut and come out piping hot. The dogs were delish.

My wife and I were looking for a good hot dog while in Chicago. WE FOUND IT!! This place has a HUGE menu including Gyro's, chili, fries, even a fried salami sandwich. We had a polish dog, their red hot Chicago dog and a 1/2 lb. burger. We will definitely find our way back here again before we leave town.

Better have cash if you want to enjoy really good food! Their grilled cheese is good , their spaghetti plate is even better. I definitely recommend this joint for hot dogs, gyros, Italian Beef etc.. prices are amazing and they have a super friendly staff. You can check out their menu online and order to be picked up and even dine in. If your looking for a shake I recommend their Oreo shake! Thanks Jeffs for great service!

Wow! I was pleasantly surprised by this local hot dog spot. I've driven by here millions of times and was always reluctant because it's a cash only spot. But let me tell you it's worth taking out cash and checking this place out. They put sauerkraut on their hot dogs......yes sauerkraut.....and although I was put off by everyone's review that liked it I wanted to try it for myself. I ordered a hot dog with sauerkraut and a plain one just in case I hated the taste.....but was taken aback when I preferred the one with sauerkraut. You can't even taste the difference but at the same time it tastes incredible. Definitely give this neighborhood place a try! *Four stars only because it's cash only.

The first time that I went to Jeff's I ordered 2 hot dogs and fries, didn't realize that it was cash only and I didn't have my debit card. The cashier, who I assume was the owner, gave me the food and told me to enjoy it. It was one of the best hot dogs that I have ever had. Went back the next day to get another dog and settle the check. Jeff's is fast, clean, friendly, and the definition of a classic Chicago fast food restaurant. They will always have my business.

Absolutely, the best bang for your buck. Food is made to order. Menu is great. Everything is fresh and delicious. Breakfast, lunch & dinner. Jeff's Red Hots never disappoints.

This place is great! The larger gauge model train running around the perimeter of the room is a very nice touch! And I really like the fact the Jeff is behind the counter on a Friday night! The quality of the food is very good and they are playing old school music and I like it! It's not a fancy place, just an old school classic hot dog joint but they do have a little extra something! The people are nice and I do like the style of the place. They do have some healthy options on the menu too, like turkey burgers, salads and other stuff. If you're in the neighborhood definitely give this place a try. It's authentic for sure. The hot dogs are those Vienna type that are the little bit thinner and have the casings that have that really nice snap to them oh, very nice.

Not a bad little spot at all for some decent Chicago style fast food. Good wings, great gyro meat! I'd definitely recommend this spot for a on the go or pick up for lunch. They have a wide selection of food on their menu to chose from. Food is fair priced and good portions serving. Cash only! Keep in mind!

Solid neighborhood spot! We normally get gyros, double bacon cheeseburgers or hot dogs but I see people ordering food across the menu all the time and have no doubt it's also good. They always give you a heaping order of fries by throwing extra into the bag. Thank you!