Gene & Jude’s garnered national attention in 2012 when Rachel Ray and three judges from Serious Eats named Gene & Jude’s the No. 1 hot dog in America. A Chicago institution since 1946, this neon-lit neighborhood stand-up-counter-only spot is famous for its Depression-style hot dogs, hand-cut fries and tamales. Hot dog purists rave about the steamed, natural casing all-beef Vienna dogs, which are served simply with yellow mustard, sweet relish, onions, hot sport peppers and fries. Don’t ask for ketchup. There isn’t any. The fries are hand-cut from potatoes, sunk into the fry oil, then poured sizzling over the dogs to keep them hot before they are wrapped in paper and served. Grab plenty of napkins.