Maxwell Street Polish

Stand-up counter at Grand and Pulaski running since the 1950s. Regulars rate the Polish above the red hots, and it comes buried under hand-cut fries.

1948 carhop drive-in with the famous hot dog figures on the roof. The Whoopskidawg is its Polish with grilled onions, the house answer to the Maxwell Street.

Ukrainian Village stand where every sausage goes over charcoal. The charred Maxwell-style Polish comes on a poppy seed bun with grilled onions; picnic-table patio.

Family-run North Side hot dog spot with the giant fork-speared hot dog sign. Its char-grilled Vienna Polish shows up on critics' lists.

Tiny old-school Bridgeport stand a short walk from the Sox ballpark and a classic pregame stop. Polish with a heap of fresh-cut fries.

Quirky basement hot dog shop in Lakeview with walls covered in customers' drawings. The Mr. Big is its Polish, piled with grilled onions.

24-hour West Side walk-up window carrying on the old Maxwell Street market-stand style: Polish with griddled onions, mustard and fries, often with a pork chop sandwich.

Flagship of the chain that started as a hot dog trailer in 1963. The dipped beef and char-grilled Maxwell Street Polish are both staples, and it's open until 1 a.m.

The other half of the Maxwell Street Polish rivalry, a few doors from Jim's on Union. Polish with a good snap, charred grilled onions and mustard, served from early morning to 1 a.m.

Round-the-clock Bridgeport stand near the White Sox ballpark, serving Polish with grilled onions and pork chop sandwiches at any hour.

The stand that has served the Maxwell Street Polish since 1939: grilled Polish, sweet grilled onions and mustard, with fries included. This is its North Side stand; the historic flagship on Union Ave has been told to relocate to Pilsen, so check before heading there.