Fat Johnnie’s Famous Red Hots

I’ll be honest probably the best hot dog in the city. Forget the North Side they have got nothing on the South Side. Grant it it is not in the best neighborhood but it’s not that bad they don’t keep late hours so you will be fine. My favorite is a hot dog with everything and peppers. If you are making this a destination get a dog with everything, a father-​in law, a nacho, and a suicide for your drink. Some more pretentious people may say the place looks like it should be condemned, well damm them and give it a try. Your taste buds will thank you…

I have been coming here for years. My mom worked at Kraft foods on Rockwell before they closed down and she introduced me to Fat Johnnies one day while I was taking her to work. I was skeptical but since she ranted and raved I decided to try it out. I have been a customer ever since. I love that the products are beef and they are so tasty! My favorite is the Super Sundae which is a tamale topped with chili, tomatoes, jalapeños, onions and melted cheese. I hold the onions though. Service is quick and courteous and prices are very reasonable.

Best hot dogs in the city. Don’t be afraid of the location or the dirtiness of the place. It adds character.

Fat Johnnie’s attains low-​end, eat-​on-​the-​sidewalk perfection. I enjoyed an excellent Chicago dog, the ingredients threatening to topple over but remaining in place. I also liked the «mother-​in-​law,» which features a tamale in a hot dog roll. It’s inexplicable but intriguing if you’re not afraid of carbs.
I got the «suicide» soda, just a mix of everything. No need for you to try that. The menu isn’t super-​long. They have Polish sausages. They probably don’t have salads.

Who says simple can’t be perfection? This spot makes the best hotdogs in Chicago. Period. It’s located in a sh*thole so nasty you’ll question your wits for going there to get said hotdogs, but if you get deep into the selections on subsequent visits you’ll discover the secret… everything is good. The Mighty Dog is a true game changer and the Super Polish is sublime. I recommend those two legends out of the gate.

Fat Johnnie’s gives it to you straight. Hot dogs and tamales and chips and soda, all of which is pretty cheap and pretty damn tasty, especially the chili dog I took down a few days ago with a bag of Jay’s BBQ chips and a root beer. (Total: $ 4.25.) The shack isn’t much to look at but I was able to snag the one picnic table next to the shack to enjoy this meal. I wish this was closer but it was worth the ride.

The are DELICIOUS!!! Little hole in the wall spot it looks crappy but ohhhhh my word you will leave satisfied. The customer service is outstanding. Loved loved loved my food.

Finally made it to this spot! Enjoyed the Mighty Dog in all of its splendor and it was surprisingly light given the ingredients. Highly recommend stopping here if you find yourself in Marquette Park.
I found myself wondering what the Mighty Dog would taste like if they used the tamale corn husk instead of a hot dog bun. It might be a nice development for those who want to cut back on their carbs, as well as do further justice to the ingredients that make this dog special.

Stop reading this, stop talking about it. Just go.
Chicago staple. Friendly service. Unbeatable prices.
Why are you still reading this? GO! (oh, and plan to eat there — outside, the dogs don’t travel well) (oh, and finish it off with Rainbow Cone for a true Chicago experience)

I can see salvation from the #49 Western Ave bus. The glowing lights, and the arrow pointing to on of the BEST hot dogs in America (as just voted on by Food and Drink). It’s not fine dining, or table cloth service. As a matter of fact, it’s nothing more than a shack with a couple benches in front. What the place lacks in aesthetics, it makes up for in The Dog.

Best Hot Dogs in Chicago. Don’t expect to be impressed by the ambience. This is a small trailer set among shady used car dealers. They still manage to make the best dogs around. They use David Berg Frankfurters, which have more flavor (garlic) than most. I would recommend the ‘Fat One’, a quarter pound of beef on a perfect bun with mustard. There are, of course, other toppings available but I’m a purist.

Excellent! Probably the best hot dog I have ever had, large size and generous chili, I think it was called the super dog, For $ 2.75 I had what I needed, until I got a block down the street and wanted to turn around and get another!
Looked like a cross between and ice fishing hut and a speak easy from the roaring 20’s but what the heck, who needs to know what is going on behind the plywood front, just like who needs to know what goes into a hot dog! Best dog I have had in Chicago that is for sure, and the added excitement of the neighborhood makes it seem so «bad»!

Woke up on a Saturday morning and have been «taking care of myself» for a whole week now since wife is out of town. Was supposed to recaulk the bathtub, but couldn’t find the caulk gun or the caulk. So instead I go looking up best hot dogs in Chicago. Was a little saddened that nothing popped up in the SW ‘burbs where I now reside, but another site gave me Fat Johnnie’s and FJ’s was where I went!
Had the mother-​in-​law, mighty dog, and a fat one. Why? Because I could and it was delicious. Ate in the car as I didn’t want my food to get cold on the way home and besides being a bit messy everything was good. I wouldn’t call it the best, but I did like the tamale with the dog.
Only con was didn’t get to see this infamous Johnnie. Neighborhood seemed fine with the Popeye’s next door.
I’m not going to call myself a Southsider yet and I have aspirations to take my kids someday to places like Superdawgs, Byron’s, and Wolfy’s on the Northside, but definitely I’ll let them eat here… as long as they don’t ask for ketchup or cheer for the Sox…

Probably the biggest surprise I’ve had in the hot dog world. The shack-​like exterior hides a bounty of deliciousness inside. I had the Super Fat One which is a ¼# dog with chili, cheese and tomatoes. I’ve had hundreds of hot dogs all over the country and this place is in the top 3.

It is almost impossible to choose BESTs when it comes to Chicago foods. You would have to sub categorize everything to even get close. The most one could do is to say YOU MUST TRY FAT JOHNNIES HOT DOGS AND OR POLISH SAUSAGES. In addition, you must return and order each style they offer (weekly).

Just wow is all I can say. I got a cheese double dog, and it was THAT good! Definitely somewhere to go again.

Let me be upfront and say, «Yes, It is a dive, Hot Dog Shack.» But don’t let the looks fool you! And if you haven’t seen it yet, this place was voted by TWO Major Magazines as the best Hot Dog in the USA ! Ranked number one over some major Hot Dog Joints.
Bottom Line: Get the «Mighty Dog» or «Mighty Polish.» It is insane! Hot Dog with Cheese Sauce, Chili Sauce, Cucumber Slice, Tom Tom Tamale, Tomatoes, Onions, Sport Peppers… God, I’m getting hungry just by writing this.
And, Every time I go there without fail, they are so very courteous. They keep calling me «Sir» and I keep looking around see who they’re talking too. LOL
Best «Dog» in the good ol’ U.S. of A. and Polite to boot! Go get yourself some!

Oh Boy, you’re for a treat when it comes to the amazing Fat Johnnie’s.
Often times mistaken as a dump or an abandon RV. If you judged a book by it’s cover, you would be so sadly mistaken on this account.
This place is the Gem of the Southside Chicago. It looks like you got the wrong place, but trust me you didn’t.
I like Fat Johnnie’s for their Chili Cheese Dogs… these are the best I’ve ever had. And, I try a lot.
I think Fat Johnnie claims to have been the inventor of the Chili Cheese dog, and so do about 10 other places. But, that doesn’t matter they do them right.
Now the neighborhood is bad, I used to live in Marquette Park area, and would come out here whenever I could. But, even though it’s bad don’t let that change your opinion about this place. Just go when it’s light outside and you will not have anything to worry about. Except the occasional homeless person asking for money. Don’t show fear and you have nothing to worry about.
I was talking to a friend once about this place and they said… «Oh yeah, Fat Johnnie’s, I was mugged there before… Can’t wait to go back.» That makes me giggle whenever I think about it.
You can not find another dog anywhere with as much character and flavor as this place. Go, you won’t be disappointed. Even if you get mugged.

Anyone who calls Fat Johnnie’s overrated should be burned at the stake.
That being said, holy crap this place is amazing! Simple and delicious just like a hotdog should be…
The Good– Johnnie serves up every single order fresh, so cool to see a local legend still around after 42 years in business! My kids devoured a cheese dog each in two minutes flat. Insane. The tamales are actually really good which was surprising. The chili and cheese was beyond words. Johnnie slices up tomatoes and cucumber fresh to order then lays on the celery salt. This is a quaint little building and may have you questioning it at first glance, then you see the table where he sat with Anthony Bordain and his various awards… Really cheap!
The Bad– Crybabies saying that it’s overrated or a sketchy neighborhood may keep you away from here which would be a shame!
The Ugly– Parking is terrible in the city, you already know that.
Come say hi to Johnnie, he’s a great guy and his food is amazing.
Cash only!
THE BEST HOTDOG IN THE COUNTRY!!!

Little dump hot dog stand in a dangerous hood. So don’t drive from Wilmette or Tinley Park for your city hot dog experience. That being said, if you’re driving by at noon, the dogs here are great.
Five stars for the food, one star for the gang bangers and bad guys that make us have to avoid this neighborhood.