If you’re walking into Jim’s Original, we probably know your order: a Maxwell Street Polish sausage sandwich topped with grilled onions and mustard. It goes down easily and remains a popular order in Chicago, but that may soon be coming to an end at this location.
The Chicago hot dog stand known for its Maxwell Street Polish sausages is set to embark on a new chapter as it prepares to relocate from its long-standing flagship location. The decision comes after the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) announced its plans to redevelop the area.
In a heartfelt post, the operators of Jim’s Original announced that UIC informed them of its redevelopment plans for the location at 1250 S. Union Ave. As a result, the restaurant will need to leave the location by June 30.
The post, which also cited rising rent and other costs, indicated that Jim’s Original will open in the fall at 551 W. 18th St., about a mile away in Pilsen. The hot dog stand’s operators hope to negotiate with UIC for a later move-out date until redevelopment begins.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Jim’s Original has been at its current location since 2005. It is close to the original hot dog stand that opened in 1939 at Maxwell and Halsted streets, which was operated by James “Jimmy” Stefanovic at the northwest corner of the intersection.
You can still visit Jim’s Original at their other location, 2775 N. Elston Ave.
