Jim’s Original Is Leaving the Maxwell Street Area After Nearly 90 Years

One of Chicago’s most iconic food institutions is preparing for a major change.

Jim's Original announced it will leave its longtime home at 1250 S. Union Ave. near University of Illinois Chicago and relocate to East Pilsen later this year.

The restaurant’s new permanent location will be at 551 W. 18th St., with an opening currently expected in fall 2026.

The move marks the end of an era for the legendary stand, which has operated in the Maxwell Street area since 1939 and became one of the city’s most recognizable late-night food destinations.

Why Jim’s Original Is Moving

According to the restaurant, the relocation is tied directly to redevelopment plans by UIC, which owns the current property.

Jim’s Original said it must vacate the Union Avenue site by June 30, 2026, though management is currently negotiating with the university in hopes of extending operations there “for several more years” if redevelopment timelines allow.

“It’s bittersweet, but we’re looking forward to what’s next and building a great new permanent home for Jim’s Original,” management wrote in a social media statement announcing the move.

UIC has not publicly detailed what will replace the site.

The restaurant also faced operational changes in recent years. In 2021, UIC required Jim’s Original to scale back its longtime 24-hour model and close between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. as part of broader efforts to reduce crime around campus.

For a business built around late-night crowds, those restrictions significantly changed operations.

A Chicago Food Landmark Since 1939

Jim’s Original is more than just another hot dog stand.

The restaurant is widely credited with helping popularize the Maxwell Street Polish sausage, served with grilled onions, mustard and sport peppers, along with its well-known pork chop sandwich.

For decades, the stand anchored the historic Maxwell Street corridor, an area long associated with immigrant communities, street vendors and the famous Maxwell Street Market.

The restaurant originally operated near Halsted and Maxwell streets before eventually moving to Union Avenue, where it became a staple for UIC students, downtown workers, concertgoers and late-night diners.

Over nearly nine decades, Jim’s Original evolved into one of Chicago’s most recognizable street-food institutions, frequently featured in travel guides, food shows and “must-visit” Chicago lists.

What’s Coming to East Pilsen

The new East Pilsen location will take over the former home of Ken Tone’s Drive-In, a longtime diner space at 18th Street and Jefferson that closed in recent years.

Renderings released by the restaurant suggest Jim’s Original could return to a 24-hour model at the new location, reviving part of the identity many longtime customers associate with the stand.

The business also confirmed that its core menu and cooking style are staying exactly the same.

“Thank you for showing up, spreading the word, and making Jim’s Original part of your story,” management wrote. “We’ll keep the grills going and we can’t wait to keep serving you at our next home.”

More to Explore: Chicago Common Construction Moves Forward on Two West Loop Residential Buildings

Stay Connected

Ranked among the top 1% of real estate teams in the Chicagoland market, Cory Tanzer and the Cory Tanzer Group are experts in helping buyers and sellers navigate today’s market across Downtown Chicago, the North Shore, and the Western Suburbs. Recognized for their neighborhood expertise in areas such as University Village, University Commons, South Loop, and Pilsen, the team helps clients stay one step ahead by understanding where the Chicago market is headed next.