Gene & Jude's Makes the Best Hot Dog in America

By Anthony Todd in Food on Feb 3, 2011 4:20PM

Chicago, be proud. According to Serious Eats
and Every Day with Rachel Ray, Chicago has the best hot dog in America. Well, strictly speaking, River Grove has the best hot dog in America, but we are happy to claim it for ourselves. Serious Eats sent tasters out all over the country to test as many hot dogs as they could get their hands on, and Gene & Jude's, open since 1950, beat them all. The second-generation family business still serves a classic menu of hot dogs and french fries - no fancy fusion dogs here.

“It’s a great honor for anyone to notice us,” said Dan Ciancio, general manager of the stand for 20 years. “We go through a lot of trouble to have such a small menu. We’ve just kept it the same. And I feel proud that we’re doing something right.” Good for them - keep it up!

Gene and Jude's is located at 2720 River Rd. in River Grove.