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Categories: Food Stands, Hot Dogs [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Near North Side, River EastGrand (Red)
Mon-Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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Its been a couple weeks now but I just found out that someone bought this lot with plans for (another??) big condo building.
I hope whoever builds this new building offers Joe a spot for a new hotdog stand. This place was the best. We miss you!!!
Hot Diggity Dog is a small shack serving lunch entrees, including hot dogs. It's randomly located among high-rent buildings and was a welcome surprise when we stumbled upon it.
Their counter is somewhat high; you'll have to crane your neck to make eye contact with the cashier, unless you're Yao Ming. "Hot Dog Joe" greeted us and took my order for a single hot dog (roughly $5). I omitted uttering "Chicago-style" since when in Chicago, there's really no other way to order.
Our hot dog came out expertly cut into three portions - they helpfully took the initiative to do so when they heard my friends and I deliberating on how to split it. Packed to perfection, it was an interesting take on the Chicago-style: it didn't go overboard on filling, the meat casing was solid, and the bun wasn't overwhelming. (Want ketchup? There's some by the door.) I'm no hot dog purist by any means, but I can tell you it was a tasty treat.
Worth a trip. After all, if this place is good enough for Hugh Hefner to visit, it should be good enough for you, too.
I am so so depressed to say that Hot Diggity Dog is closing for good before the end of September. I think the last day is the 15th.
R.I.P. Hot Diggity. You will be missed.
I have no idea why hardly anyone has mentioned the Italian Beefs at Hot Diggity Dog -- but I'll do… Read more »
Moved to Ft. Lauderdale two months ago, come back to chicago and realize that I am staying just one block away from HDD, walk over there as soon as i'm checked in only to find that its gone. I just stood there in disbelief. I think my eyes might have even gotten watery. This was my wife and I's favorite hot dog place in all of chicagoland.
I knew we shouldn't have moved. Bad things are happening. I just hope that McCain isn't elected president; then the whole country will be in the shitter.
Great Hot Dog Place. Try the Polish....its awesome....crispy outside, juicy inside. Just wish they… Read more »
Hot Diggity Dog is closing?
Oh well, at least I tried it before they demolished it. Actually, I hope they find a new home.
You can say that this review is a historical record of some pretty fine dogs on the cheap. I got the jumbo dog and it tasted better than anything I got from New York. I love the fact that they add some condiment peppers that give it a special zest and crispiness to the dog when you bite in.
Hot, thick, and juicy is how I like 'em and Hot Diggity Dog did not disappoint. And I like 'em cheap.
The hot dogs from here are tasty, too.
A first-time visitor to this city, I had to get a true 'Chicago Style' dog and I heard that this place was good. holy freakin' sh!t I'm a believer.
This place is a glorified shack in a parking lot (check out the pic I added) but it's damn good. They always are. I got a Jumbo with everything, and since it's considered sacrilege to use ketchup, I ate it as is. The peppers are very hot--just the way I like 'em--and it was overall one of the best hot dogs I've ever had. I got another small one to go.
This is right next to my condo.
Too bad this will be torn down soon with the construction of a new 50 story condo building.
Great cheap dogs and fries. Perfect for when the Fiance is out fo town.
Great dogs, good fries, good shakes, good prices.
What's there to disappoint? If it's good enough for Hugh Hefner, Anna Davlantes (NBC 5 anchor) and 2 dozen construction workers, it's good enough for me!
I got the zesty polish with mustard and grilled onions. The onions were perfectly done and the polish a solid 4 on 1-5 zesty scale. The bun was plain, but the thick chocolate milkshake made up for it quite nicely.
When grease is a-callin' my name, Hot Diggity will answer.
This place is awesome. Two Chicago dogs with everything for under $5. Where else in the Loop can you get lunch for under $5? Plus, you'll be in and out in under 5 minutes!
Don't let the exterior of the place deceive you - it looks like a dirty garage in the middle of the North Loop. And the inside's not much better. But they're good dogs (and polishes) for a really reasonable price.
Solid hotdog place - I've yet to try Portillo's but I heard this place was famous for some Jay Leno shoot or something...
The owner is a friendly guy, serves up the dogs real quick. I had a jumbo polish and a Chicago's hot dog (after reading the article on the wall apparently locals omit the (Chicago)). Both satisfied my cravings, but the regular dog seems a bit small - always go for the jumbo.
Also, seems like depending on what time you go, it sports lots of local riffraff. Fairly extensive greasy menu - I intend to try a corn dog, vienna Italian beef sandwich and a brat at some point. The biggest minus to this place is that it's not open on Sundays.
I usually try to limit my reviews to cases where I have something to add. In this case, the other reviews get it right and mention everything I would ... but since I was a visitor to Chicago, I thought it right to put in a good word for the good city and the good food therein.
This strikes me as a classic Chicago hot dog stand. The fries were nice a crispy, just as I like them. I regret not trying the strawberry shake. The dog was good, moist, beautiful.
And yes, best of all, this is one of the best deals I found in my few days hanging out at the near north Sheraton. Most of the other places around there are a bit expensive and fancy, or at least sit-down. So, if you're looking for an inexpensive, good, quick, informal alternative in the area, this place deserves special recognition.
In the midst of yet another mind numbingly bad workday, my pal and I decided we needed milkshakes as badly as any junkie needs his fix. The fresh strawberry shakes here did not disappoint. I got the cheeseburger with everything, though I could have gone lighter on the grilled onions. Nice thick slice of pickle though. Mmmm. The burger was big, juicy, and cheap. Cheese fries were also a highlight of an otherwise dull day. Service was quick, thank goodness because it was so hot in the little shack it made the great outdoors seem downright chilly. Cash only, but there's an ATM inside. They also have Ms. Pac Man for a quick game while you wait for your dogs.
OH MY! If this is the same Hot Diggity Dog from my hometown of Gurnee, their hot dogs are the BEST CHICAGO STYLE Vienna wieners you can find around! They put all the goodies including the dyed green relish, mustard, onion pieces, pickle, the WHOLE WORKS! While it is ever so greasy, well worth stomach ache and a Chicago-must-do.
I love this place, particularly in the summer when I want to enjoy my lunch 'al fresco.' New owner Joe took things over for 'the big guy' who retired to Florida in the past year or so.
Hot Diggity has a fine Chicago hot dog (no ketchup!), a decent chili dog, piles of skinny fries, and little paper cups for pumping your own ketchup into.
Al fresco dining is along the west side of the building. My favorite table is the rickety wooden picnic table in the back next to the dumpster!
Quick, cheap, good location and quality food. Great place for a fast meal and on a day when you only have 3 bucks in your wallet!
Chicago dog was well prepared- onions were grilled to perfection (no burnt pieces). The chocolate shake was tasty too.
My friends and I came here for authentic Chicago dogs and were somewhat disappointed. The hot dog did not come w/ a poppyseed bun, had only one piece of tomato rather than two, and did not have that crisp crunchy casing that I was looking forward to! Hot dogs cost $2.50 (include tax already). The fries were good, though (shoestring and crispy). I had really wanted to try Hot Doug's but they were closed for the weekend! :(
Really liked the Chicago dog. Soda cups are a little sticky. =/ The people behind the counter are nice. Hope to go again.
Can't believe it is done. Maybe if they stayed open for the late night crowd...
Being new to town, I quickly realized the need to have an authentic Chicago-style dog. Hot Diggity Dog is one-block from my apartment, so I thought I'd check it out and, apparently, I had come to the right place. The service was quick and friendly, and the food inexpensive and tasty.
I've since had Chicago-style hot dogs elsewhere, and this place is still my favorite. The french fries are good too; crisp and hot - perfect, in my opinion. There is counter space around the perimeter, where we ate our food, and outside seating as well. My advice: Order two, or a jumbo. You'll be glad you did.
The best hot dog I have ever had, ever! Great hot dogs, oh man, I want to go back to Chicago just for the hot dog!
Hot Diggity Dog is a good substitute for my favorite place for hot dogs, but maybe only because it's nearby my office. They have a pretty good sized menu and the service is friendly. Their prices are right too. The corn dogs are excellent, but beware, the ketchup packets contain some pretty bad tasting ketchup!
Right across the street from where I usually stay when I'm in Chicago. I love this place, but not being a local I'm no expert on the local cuisine :)
What girl craves hot dogs? Sad but true, I do. I love the chili dogs at Hot Diggity Dog. Come by on a summer stroll. Cheap, tasty, and quick.
Very good hot dogs. Juicy with tomatoes, mustard, bright green relish, pickle, onions, and 2 hot peppers. Had to take out the peppers. I'm a wimp. Got a jumbo dog and Polish dog Chicago style. It was a between lunch and dinner snack. :) Could've eaten a few more and called it a dinner, but I was only in for a few days, so I had to leave room for other deliciousness.
A diamond in the suck of Streeterville eats. Good Chicago dogs, good fries, small, quick, not too skeevy, good prices... There's really nothing else around there like it, so if you need a hot dog, it's all there is (not that that's a bad thing). It's no Hot Doug's, but really, what is?
what girl doesn't crave hot dogs/cheeseburgers and french fries? oh, well, maybe you vegetarians. five stars for what it is. which, in my humble opinion, is incredible. we got a chicago dog loaded with everything (except the celery seed but all you have to do it request it!), a cheeseburger with everything, one basket of perfectly crisp and salty french fries big enough for two hearty appetites, and the best chocolate shake since the drugstore in my hometown 15 years ago. all for $11.75. dirt cheap and excellent and served with a smile by the friendly guy always working the register. the only gripe i could possibly have about this place is the lack of later night availability. and by later night, i mean they close at 5 on the weekends which is saddening, but probably prevents me from making excessively poor diet decisions on a weekly basis.
joe, please comeback or re-open up somewhere else!!!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! !!!! It cant be… Read more »
it seems like a normal hot dog joint to me. i ordered a chili dog and a strawberry shake. chili, hot dog, and bun were nothing out of the ordinary. the strawberry shake, however, was pretty good. in downtown, the prices seem good, but diggity dogs realistically has average to above average prices when compared to the rest of the city.
Neighborhood: The Loop
Category: Hot Dogs
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