Jim's Original new chicken Polish is great alternative to the classic

In the pantheon of Chicago-invented foods, the Maxwell Street Polish ranks as my second favorite of all time (after the jibarito).

• Slathered in mustard and caramelized onions, this juicy pork link delivers smoke, garlic, fat, acidity and sweetness in every bite.

Yes but: A lot of folks don't eat pork, and, for years, the only alternative at Maxwell Street mecca Jim's Original has been a beef Polish that kinda tastes like a big hot dog.

• So I was dying to know if Jim's new chicken Polish ($7.36) might offer an improvement and open new horizons for kosher and halal eaters.

The verdict: This juicy, well-seasoned sausage packs fantastic flavor and texture, and to be honest, I might not have known it was chicken if no one told me.

The bottom line: Pollotarians rejoice! The classic Maxwell Street Polish is now in reach.