Where will the cart be today?
Wednesday through Sunday we are at the West Loop lot. Check our Instagram for any weather changes. Monday and Tuesday we cater off-site.
Wed–Sun at the Lot · Catering 7 Days
Food Truck
Drag It Through the Garden. We'll Handle the Rest.
Find us at the lot Wednesday through Sunday or book the cart for your event. Office lunches, weddings, block parties, and the occasional bar mitzvah.
Today's Special
Maxwell Street Red Hots Special
Ask about today's off-menu special.
About Streetside
From the truck
Same Recipes My Uncle Taught Me in 1989.
Maxwell Street Red Hots is run by two people who grew up eating from Chicago carts in the 80s and got tired of seeing the city's street food turned into an Instagram-only food group. The hot-dog recipe is my uncle's from his 1989 cart on Maxwell Street. The Italian beef gravy is my mother's, with the salt cut by a third because palates have changed. We have been on the West Loop lot since 2019. Open Wednesday through Sunday, catering Monday and Tuesday. Two of us, plus two part-time helpers who work the cart on weekends. The menu does not change much. The classics do not need changing. We use Vienna Beef and Turano rolls because nothing else is right for a Chicago dog or an Italian beef. Vegetarians get a sandwich built around fresh mozzarella and giardiniera. We accept cash, every card, and Apple Pay. We do not accept ketchup requests on the Chicago dog. We will not be moved on this.
— The Crew · Out the window, every shift
Where the Cart Will Be
Wednesday through Sunday at the lot in West Loop. Monday and Tuesday we cater. Follow Instagram for live changes.
- M Mon
- T Tue
- W Wed
- T Thu
- F Fri
- S Sat
- S Sun
- 01MondayCatering only
- 02TuesdayCatering only
- 03Wednesday11am – 8pmLot · West Loop
- 04Thursday11am – 8pmLot · West Loop
- 05Friday11am – 9pmLot · West Loop
- 06Saturday12pm – 9pmLot · West Loop
- 07Sunday12pm – 7pmLot · West Loop
From the Cart
Sandwiches, lines at the lot, and the occasional behind-the-scenes shot.
What Customers Say
Recent feedback from the lot and from catering bookers.
★ 4.9 432 Google Reviews
★★★★★
"The Italian beef at Streetside is the best in the city. Beef is tender, gravy is right, peppers do what peppers should do. I have lived here forty years and this cart is now my go-to."
T., Wicker Park
★★★★★
"Booked the cart for our office's 60-person holiday party. They rolled into the lobby with the cart, served everyone in under an hour, every dietary need was handled. The maxwell street polish was the surprise hit."
M., River North
★★★★★
"Catered a 140-person wedding reception. The line moved fast, the food was hot, the staff was professional, and three weeks later guests are still texting me about the pizza puffs."
J., Logan Square
★★★★★
"I work three blocks from the lot. I am there at least twice a week. The Chicago dog is exactly what a Chicago dog should be. No ketchup. Ever. They have the courage to say no."
K., West Loop
Where to Find Us
Hours, contact and where to reach us. Stop by, swing through, or call ahead to order.
Hours
Wednesday – Thursday 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Mon – Tue Catering only
2100 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60601
Book the Truck for Your Event
Birthdays, weddings, corporate lunches, block parties. We roll up and handle everything.
Get a Catering Quote →Common Questions
Things People Ask
The questions we get on every shift.
How far in advance should I book catering?
Office lunches: one week. Block parties and small events: two weeks. Weddings and 100+ guests: four to six weeks, especially in summer.
Do you offer vegetarian options?
Yes. The Italian-style mozzarella sandwich is fully vegetarian, and we can do a vegetarian Italian beef substitute on request for catering.
Do you accept cards?
Yes. Major cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay at the cart. Catering is invoiced and accepts ACH and card.
Why no ketchup on the Chicago dog?
Because it is a Chicago dog. We are happy to put ketchup on the side. We will not put it on the dog.
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Bring the Truck to Your Party
Pull-up service for backyards, breweries, weddings, festivals, wherever the people are.
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Let's Talk Food
Catering requests, event bookings, or just want to say hey. Drop us a line and we'll get back to you.