Hot Doug's!: The Sausage Superstore & Encased Meat Emporium
Superdawg
Vienna Beef Factory Store and Deli
Wiener Circle
Restaurants / Hot Dogs
Al's Italian Beef From its humble beginning back in 1938, brother Al Ferreri, sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Chris Pacelli, Sr., began experimenting with what is known today as Chicago's # 1 Italian Beef Sandwich, an honor bestowed upon it by Chicago Magazine in 1980.
Fat Johnnies Red Hots Fat Johnnies a Chicago favorite for 36 years is one of the few remaining classic hot dog stands left in the city. If you want a classic dog then try the ever famous mother-in-law in a bun, you will not be disappointed....
Hot Doug's!: The Sausage Superstore & Encased Meat Emporium Hot Dougs bills itself as this very cool spot. With a black-and-white checkered floor, bright yellow walls and a line of customers forever snaking out the door, it serves the city's wildest wieners. There's a fine classic Chicago dog glowing with the requisite fluorescent green relish, plus more than a dozen others. Check out from the haute (saucisse de Toulouse, roasted garlic aïoli, and Belletoile triple-cream cheese) to the eccentric (goji-berry pheasant sausage, jerk mayonnaise, and cheese-stuffed sweet peppers). Go on a Friday or Saturday when owner Doug Sohn, a Kendall College Culinary Arts grad, makes duck-fat fries! A must have......
Jim's Original (Maxwell Street) The legend of "Jim's Original" all started about 66 years ago, when a young, bright-eyed European immigrant named "Jimmy" arrived in America. Jimmy began working at the above small open-air hot dog stand and eventually took over its management. He made it literally "World Famous." He piled the succulent polish sausages high on the grill and made the sandwich as we make it today, with sweet grilled onions and a smear of mustard. Perhaps there has never been a pleasure as great and as simple as taking a bite into one of Jimmy's original sandwiches.
Mr. Beef - On Orleans The Italian-beef sandwich is one of the best in the city. There is a spicy, tantalizing sweetness to the meat that is incomparable.
Mustard and Onions Grill For the early morning walking folks on their way to work drop by for the no frills gourmet coffee. Enjoy organic donuts and read the newspaper while seating along the river-walk. For the lunch crowd thats looking for a quick yet quiet time alone just follow your nose to the mouth watering aroma from a giant pile of onions grilling. Feast upon grilled pork chop sandwiches, Polish sausage, Vienna hot dogs, burgers or chicken sandwiches.
Superdawg Superdawg has long been in the upper echelon of Chicago’s great hot dog restaurants. Recently remodeled, the old drive-in maintains tremendous appeal and still has genuine car hops and “Suddenserver” automated order system. A pair of ten-foot statues of a male and female hot dog (known as Flaurie and Maurie) are dressed in leopard-skin togas and stand atop the roof, winking electrically, and meals are presented across the counter packed in a cardboard box that announces, “Your Superdawg lounges inside contentedly cushioned in Super-fries, comfortably attired in mustard, relish, onion, pickle, and hot pepper.”
Vienna Beef Factory Store and Deli You won’t find a fresher dog than at Chicago's very own Vienna Beef Factory Store and Café. Their hot dogs, sausages, sandwiches and soups come straight from the plant and are served up by seasoned deli pros. You can even buy dogs by the case. So stop by for lunch.
Wiener Circle This fast-food joint specializing in Chicago-style hot dogs and cheese fries is a classic late-night, post-bar stop.