PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

When Chris Farley did his famous “Da Bears” skits on SNL - this was the Polishes he was talking about! Anyone who has spent more than five seconds in Chicago has undoubtedly heard of a Maxwell Street Polish, since that, hot dogs, beef sammiches and pizza are pretty much what we’re known for. Almost every stand offers one, but there is truly only one place in the whole world to get one, and you need to venture down by UIC to get it! It’s not actually on Maxwell Street anymore, and with so many copy cats, folks may be confused as to which one is the real deal. And besides, where else can $5 get you this full off a whole meal?

Back in the day, Maxwell Street was a pretty seedy area, and while the area has turned around a bit to accommodate the college, it still has its element. When dad said “Lock the doors, kids!” - he meant it! Even so, us white breads would make the trek out this way to get that unforgettable sammich, usually for sneaking into a Sox game, smelling up the car for days!

The Polish comes loaded with heaping piles of grilled onions and slathered with tons of mustard, served on a plain hot dog bun that fell apart within seconds. The free fries that comes with it end up making the paper bag break through, so it’s kind of important to ask for a double bag if it‘s being taken to go. Of course, most folks simply can’t wait that long, and will just eat it on the hood of their cars or on the end of the outdoor counter. Of course, this meal on a bun would not be complete without a grape pop to wash it all down. (Notice I didn’t say “soda”!) And oh yes, by the way - real Chicagoans order two!

Outside of the Polishes, the pork chop sammiches are also very popular, and to a lesser extent, the hot dogs and burgers. Actually, that’s pretty much it for the menu, but hey - when you do one thing right, that’s really all you need! If you want to make yourself feel a little bit less guilty for eating such a gluttonous, artery clogging meal on a bun, order a bottled water. But if you do, be prepared to get an eye roll from the guy in line behind you - the one with the thick mustache and the Bears sweat shirt!