River Grove is a sleepy neighborhood of Chicago located about 25 minutes by car Northwest of ‘The Loop’. It’s mostly a residential area with little in the way of restaurants or nightlife, but Gene & Jude’s has been calling Chicagoans, tourists, and hot dog lovers for nearby states for the last 70 years to this modest suburb. It’s iconic and a must-visit on any trip to Chicago, but how has this small joint stood the test of time in a quickly changing food scene?

The sign outside actually says "Gene's and Jude's," but there's only one possessive in the official name, one of many quirks that distinguish this beloved hotdog stand, which has occupied the same parcel in River Grove since 1950. Gene & Jude's favors the "Depression Dog" style, which means that the only condiments to find their way onto their hot dogs are mustard, green relish, onions and sport peppers.

There are lots of places in our great nation to get your hot dog on. Detroit has its Coney Island dogs smothered with chili. Coney Island has its Nathan’s Famous dogs, consumed each year in epic eating contests. Angelenos eat them with pork rinds, fried egg, seaweed and pickled papaya — one hopes not all at once. But Chicago’s hot dogs outshine them all.