Chicagoland Hot Dogs
The only rule is no ketchup, ever, if we get a report one of your pictures in this passport has ketchup we will find you and we will ban you - ok maybe not ban but we will find a way to publicly shame you. Anyways, every neighborhood has that place the locals swear by. This passport covers 28 of the best hot dog spots across Chicagoland. Can you snag a Chicago style hot dog at all of them?
Entries
- 1. Al's Italian Beef
A Chicago institution since 1938. Born in Little Italy and now citywide. Known for slow-roasted Italian beef sandwiches but the Vienna Beef hot dog is a staple. Multiple locations.
- 2. Bob-O's
A beloved stand in Dunning on the Northwest Side. Neighborhood institution known for hot dogs and Italian beef. Cash-only, no-frills, deeply local.
- 3. Budacki's
A no-frills drive-in on Damen near Lawrence in Lincoln Square. Classic two-dog-and-fries combo. Cash-only old-school counter service since the 1960s.
- 4. Byron's Hot Dogs
A neighborhood fixture on Lawrence Avenue in Uptown, celebrated by the Vienna Beef Hall of Fame and famously visited by the Obamas. St. Rosen's buns, Vienna Beef, done right.
- 5. Chicago's Dog House
In Lincoln Park on Fullerton. Known for creative specialty dogs alongside the classic Chicago style. One of the more adventurous menus on the passport.
- 6. Clark Street Dog
A Lakeview late-night institution on North Clark Street. Open until 4am on weekends. Chicago dogs, Italian beef, gyros, and zero pretension.
- 7. Dave's Red Hots
Chicago's oldest hot dog stand, open since 1938 on Roosevelt Road in Lawndale. A West Side pillar. Cash only, no frills, deeply rooted in the neighborhood.
- 8. Devil Dawgs
A modern Chicago chain with multiple locations including South Loop and Lakeview. Vienna Beef, house-made toppings, and a counter-service vibe built for the current generation.
- 9. Fatso's Last Stand
In Ukrainian Village on 111th Street. Char dogs grilled over flame, never steamed. Known equally for its smash burgers and milkshakes. A neighborhood overachiever.
- 10. Flub A Dub Chubs
Hidden in the basement of a Lakeview building on Broadway. Famous for its Wall of Shame featuring photos of customers who asked for ketchup. The Chubby is a quarter-pound Vienna Beef with all the works.
- 11. Gene and Jude's
A River Grove institution since 1946. Serves the Depression Dog: Vienna Beef with mustard, relish, onion, sport peppers, and fresh-cut fries piled on top. No ketchup, no tomatoes, no pickle, no seats inside. Widely considered the best in the country.
- 12. George's
In Bucktown since 1948. Family-owned for over 75 years. Greek and American Chicago street food, anchored by a classic Vienna Beef hot dog.
- 13. Home Depot
Most home depots in the Chicagoland area will have a hot dog store in side the store.
- 14. Hot Dog Box
A family-owned stand run by musician Bobby Morelli and his daughter Brooklyn, operating out of Urbanspace in the Loop. Creative specialty sausages alongside a classic Chicago dog.
- 15. Jeff's Red Hots
A family-owned stand in Portage Park since 1977. Featured on Chicago's Best for its chili dog. Natural casing Vienna Beef, snap in every bite, neighborhood loyalty for decades.
- 16. Jim's Original
On Union Avenue near Maxwell Street since 1939. One of the oldest continuously operating stands in Chicago. Known equally for the Chicago dog and the original Maxwell Street Polish. Open 24 hours.
- 17. Jimmy's Red Hots
Cash-only and ketchup-free since 1954 on Grand Avenue in the Humboldt Park area. A West Side classic that does not compromise. One of the most no-nonsense stands in the city.
- 18. Kimski
A Polish-Korean restaurant on 31st Street in Bridgeport, attached to Maria's Packaged Goods. The hot dog here is a collision of Chicago and Seoul. Not a traditional stand, but one of the most interesting dogs on the passport.
- 19. Kong Dog
Korean corn dog spot on Taylor Street in Little Italy. Battered, fried, dusted in sugar, and drizzled with sauce. A completely different kind of hot dog experience.
- 20. Lulu's
A neighborhood fixture in University Village near UIC since 1968. Vienna Beef dogs served the traditional way, wrapped in paper with fries. A Vienna Beef Hall of Fame honoree.
- 21. Mister J's
Classic joint, simple and straightforward spot. Enjoy the pictures on the wall and make your choice of hot dog
- 22. Portillo's
Started as a hot dog trailer in Villa Park in 1963 and grew into a Chicago institution. Now the default answer when someone out of state asks what a Chicago dog is. Multiple locations.
- 23. Redhot Ranch and 35th Street Red Hots
The same team, the same dog: a Depression-style Vienna Beef with fresh-cut fries tucked in. Born near Guaranteed Rate Field in Bridgeport in 2005, now with locations in Bucktown and Lakeview. Founded by the original owners of The Wieners Circle.
- 24. Slim's
On Montrose Avenue in Ravenswood. Halal Vienna Beef jumbo dogs with all the classic Chicago toppings. A neighborhood stand that earns its regulars.
- 25. Superdawg
A drive-in on Milwaukee Avenue in Norwood Park since 1948. You order through a speaker from your car. The giant hot dog mascots on the roof are named Maurie and Flaurie. One of the last original drive-ins in America.
- 26. The Wieners Circle
A char dog stand on Clark Street in Lincoln Park. Famous for two things: the best char dog in the city and the staff's legendary late-night trash talk. Open until 4am on weekends.
- 27. Vienna Beef Factory Store
The source. Located on Morgan Street in Bridgeport, a short walk from the factory where Chicago's most iconic dogs are made. The most literal stop on this passport.
- 28. Wolfy's
On Peterson in West Ridge. The jumbo char dog with a pickle spear that bites back. Featured in the opening credits of While You Were Sleeping. One of the friendliest stands in the city.
- 29. Wrigleyville Dogs
On Clark Street steps from Wrigley Field since 1991. Family-owned, cash only, open until 5am. The canonical stop before or after a Cubs game.