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Hot Doug's
Categories: Restaurants Fast Food Restaurants Hot Dogs Fast Food, Hot Dogs [Edit]
3324 N California Ave(between Henderson St & Roscoe St)
Chicago, IL 60618
Neighborhood: Avondale
(773) 279-9550
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 10:30 am - 4 pm
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Drive-Thru:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
2033 reviews for Hot Doug's
Review Highlights
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"The duck fat fries were outstanding as well." In 747 reviews -
"Doug's visionary encased meats can't be beat." In 202 reviews -
"The Foie Gras was amazing and creamy." In 423 reviews
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- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
2032 reviews in English
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Review from Raymond S.
Chicago, IL
5/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
So I decided to check this out during NATO Monday since I had the opportunity to work from home. Apparently hundreds of other people employed in the loop worked from home that day had the same damn idea, so we still had to wait an hour during lunch time.
I admit I hated the fact that I looked to be apart apart of the sheepish Chicago ant-mentality of shamelessly waiting in long lines for trendy basic food spot, but I wasn't disappointed when we finally got a seat. The dogs were amazing. And even more impressive was the fact that the fries were great, when normally spots like this skimp on their quality. And Doug was cool as hell, and you can tell he definitely cares about his customers through his interaction. Doug, you made a fan out of me. But don't expect me to come out on a Saturday. No way in hell. -
Review from Eric H.
5/21/2012
During the sixties and into the late seventies a whole generation of liberal white Americans participated in numerous counter cultural movements including joining with Black and brown human rights activists and every day people to fight for justice from Selma Alabama to Vietnam . Today their children can be found standing in long lines at Hot Dougs. Hot Dougs is a right of passage and an usherance into a cultural club of American pop consumerism.
I went there once along time ago with a friend from India who was studying American political culture during the 1960's and 70's and I felt bad when I could not explain why so many seemingly educated Chicagoans could make an event out of standing in a long line in the cold to eat greasy fries and designer nine dollar hot dog that taste similar to a polish suasage or bratwurst sold down the street for a a dollar ninety five. All I could say was out of Woodstock, mass consumerism based upon nostalgia for 1950's segregation replaced civic engagement for white liberals in the form of cultural phenomenas like Hot Dougs cause, you know the Elvis dog is just so like uhm totally rad.
So the moral of the story is, if you wanna the best Polish in Chicago, go to Sam's Red Hots on the Armitage, just remember no one has ever died from eating here and the Latin Kings and Insane Unknowns on the corner are far more entertaining than jabbering hipsters with captions over their heads that read "Empty" -
Review from Jonathan W.
Chicago, IL
5/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
I stopped reading somewhere between the 1694th and 1843rd review and I guess I'll just give you my take on things.
Going to Hot Doug's is like going to see the Mona Lisa. You spend most of your day planning for the voyage, hoping for a spiritual experience, only to find something small and marginally interesting behind the velvet rope as you are fight your way through the crowds.
This guy is a genius. You go to any city in the US and say "I'm from Chicago" and people will say "ohh...Hot Doug's!" I don't know how he has been able to get the spin machine working but I think I needed to fend off at least three different Food Network crews while I was there at 1:48 on some random Tuesday.
Excellent product but not culinary nirvana. Well prepared, well-conceived and well-crafted sausages. But it's a sausage, and if you or I made a sausage (even our first crack at making a sausage) it would taste 80% as good because it's just salty meat. Elk tastes like bison tastes like alligator tastes like pig tastes like turkey tastes like lips and assholes.
The food is good. The line obviously adds mystique. There is no magic here. I can't really offer any better options but if you want "Chicago Dog" go to Portillo's or, hell, Home Depot.
I'm handicapping a 3.5 to 4 star meal with a huge BS factor (ala Kuma's Korner). -
Review from Alan C.
5/22/2012
2030 reviews can't be wrong. We made the mistake of coming here during lunchtime and had to wait about 40 minutes but it was well worth it. Just like I had seen on tv and heard from other people, the food here was everything I expected. I honestly thought with their popularity that they would charge more but the prices were fairly reasonable. I like that. I'm just really sad that we came here on a Thursday and didn't get to try the duck fat fries. Sadddddd.
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Review from Michelle W.
New York, NY
5/24/2012
On my third visit to Chicago, I finally checked off this place on my to-eat list! It took an hour of commute and almost an hour wait, but the encased meat do not disappoint! Being a foie gras fans, of coz I ordered the foie gras duck sausage. I love its creamy texture and some how the rich and bold flavor of the duck sausage reminds of Chinese sausages. To my surprise, I like the blue cheese and pork sausage even more. It's soooooo juicy I wanted to get another one without the bun :)
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Review from Paul K.
Updated - 5/20/2012 5 Check-ins Here
Over 2000 reviews and I am doing an update? Well I just have to tell someone about the smoked knockwurst special sausage I had. It was the best sausage I have ever had. Doug also added a 4 cheese Mayo and fried onions rings sprinkles. Every bit was pure heaven. I would hope he makes this one a regular on his menu.
Listed in: 5 Five Stars from my lists, Places I go in the Windy City, 4 or 5 Stars that are only I…
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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10/25/2010
I know it is just a hot dog place but the owner is amazing in how he takes care of people. We had a… Read more »
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Review from Kenneth S.
Los Angeles, CA
5/22/2012 5 photos
The hotdog meat here is better than other places but I prefer the bun at Frank and Dawg's. Overall great place to eat, good sevice, and friendly atmosphere. There's always a line but it moves along quickly.
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Review from John L.
Chicago, IL
5/13/2012
Hot Doug's is a part of my history! I went to Lane Tech for high school and I use to go to Doug's when it was on roscoe and Oakland. The place was so different from big boy gyros and other hot dog places. My lunch mates and I loved the dogs and we went almost EVERYDAY our sophomore year- he even signed our year books. It was so hip and he'd put vh1 on the tv. I still have a monkey pin I got from Doug's and I keep it on an old belt I had. I feel like I've seen Doug's place grow from the beginning and he has remained genuine.
First time I had rabbit, elk, buffalo, antelope, kangaroo and much more. My favorite was something called the frankenwurst- 10in hotdog with 1.5 in diameter- stupendous. I'd go eat Doug's and then go to gym class and outperform everyone due to the warrior topping on hot Doug's dogs.
Then, it happened. Dougs burned to the ground. The people above him were careless and and those hot dogs were too charred. However, like the Phoenix Doug is, he rose from his ashes and moved across the river. 1st day he opened a new location, I ran during lunch to get there. I literally climbed the fence separating high school property from public property, crossed the river and ran to Doug's all sweaty and all- I felt like the girl in "The Village" finding the cure for Joachim Phoenix. Ever since, Doug is so nice and he knows what it means to make loyal customers.
Anyway here's the low down:
Price- great price for what you get. Regular dog is $1.50 (cash only). Special dog is around $7 but they are so unique- fois gras done, chicken peanut dog, alligator...dog.
Quality- can' be beat. Char dog is my fav. My friend use to love char and fried. Fries are good to and very homemade.
Quantity- you can get a good amount of food for what you pay- Frankenwurst- $10 maybe.
Atmosphere- lots of blue, red and yellow. Very retro place with lots of memorabilia.
Staff- Doug is rude- he's like his own Ed debevics but he's actually loveable. He gives tough love and has helped me grow in my career.
Check this place out and buy as much as you can because you probably won't go everyday- unless you are a sophomore at lane tech and have 4th period lunch -
Review from Justin S.
Saratoga, CA
5/15/2012
I had already mentally braced myself for the line, so waiting in line with good company wasn't too bad. However, we may have underbudgeted our time here (took us approx 1hr, 15 minutes to order) so it pushed back our itinerary. Because of this, it made me question whether the line was worth it.
Food:
Foie Gras Hotdog -- Very interesting concept to put on hotdog. Extremely savory as I wolfed it down.
Elvis -- I love polish hotdogs (Kielbasas) and they put relish, a pickle, and grilled onions on it. For $3, it was worth it.
Overall rating: The food was a 5/5. However, the line made the experience less pleasurable (obviously out of anybody's control, but I feel necessary to factor it into my review). It reminds me of the Boiling Crab scenario. Is it worth it to wait this long for a similar experience you can get somewhere else? I think I'll agree with our cab driver in that there are comparable places out there without the wait.
See attached picture for foie gras and elvis side by side. -
Review from Allison S.
Dorchester, MA
5/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
Hot Doug's really is the place to go for hot dogs and sausages. Hands down. Chicago-style hot dog? On the menu. Venison sausage? On the menu. Elk sausage? On the menu. I know what you're thinking, but it was absolutely fabulous.
The inside is super small and fully decorated with almost every kind of hot dog and sausage-related signs and decor you can imagine. We waited an hour and fifteen minutes to just order our food. I definitely wouldn't call this place "fast" food by any means, but I think it's worth the wait. You're not allowed to sit down until after you order. Surprisingly enough, the tables turn over pretty quickly so no one is ever with food and without a seat. Once you place your order, it comes out fast and you consume it fast. I guess that's where the "fast" in the "fast food" saying comes from.
The food is really good and it's fairly cheap too. I highly recommend the corn dog and the elk sausage. Also, get the duck fat fries. The bigger-sized fries are not that far off from regular fries, but the smaller-sized fries are unreal. I. Could. Not. Stop. Eating. Them. It was bad. -
Review from Mira C.
Tustin, CA
First of all, boy am I happy I waited all of about 15 minutes... cause I would be giving them a 2 or a 1 star depending on how long my wait would have been.
We decided to see what the hype was all about so we headed on our way down on a tuesday afternoon. The line was short and sweet and there were many choices to choose from, so we ordered a total of 5 dogs 4 from the specialty list and 1 bridget bardot. (see my pic) and an order of fries, too bad it wasn't the weekend or I would have opted for the fries cooked in duck fat.
As we sat down we got our food in 5 minutes of less... Which was good since we were starving! When I looked at my dogs they didn't look very appealing at all and kinda on the small side for what they were charging, my bill was 45.00! And I was even more disappointed when I took a bite out of each and every one of my dogs ;0(... Nothing to rave about at all! I believe that all good hot dogs should have a snap when you bite into it, none of my dogs had this ;0(...
Overall the service was prompt but my search for the perfect encased meat continues... -
Review from Ted P.
Chicago, IL
5/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
The dogs/sausages are really top-notch - as far as encased meats go, of course... but the thing that really puts Hot Doug's over the top is Doug, himself. He's a genuinely nice guy. He's always friendly and he doesn't turn people away if they're in line by closing time - even when that line is down the block.
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Review from Ateesh V.
Chicago, IL
5/16/2012
Short wait on a weekday during lunch hour
Plenty of free street parking.
Cash only.
Amazing Duck Sausage with foie gras.
I loved the fries (regular ones, not the duck fat variety).
Will come back. -
Review from Chuck A.
5/10/2012
.., sometimes the best way to get to know an animal, is to put it in your mouth.
I get slightly envious, but fall more in love with a city that has a personality only Chicago can provide. Hot Doug's is an experience all it's own. The menu itself is a tasty educational treat that'll leave you wanting more.
Many thanks to Misha Media for treating me while we were in town!!!
We got here right at lunch & the line wasn't too far down the sidewalk, but there was indeed a line. No worries though, it does move on along. All the more time to salivate & build an appetite.
Unless you know what you already want, Doug's menu will keep you undecided for everything sounds good. The prices are ridiculously reasonable so I suggest to try more than 1 dog. CASH ONLY!!! Just a heads up so you don't wait in line for nothing.
I went along & got one of their specials which was a Cognac & Bacon Pheasant sausage w/ Chevre Cream, Wild Boar pate & Truffle Balsamic drizzle. Accompanied with an order of cheese fries & a corndog.
WOW, what a dog! The flavor in that sausage was excellent, great combo of all things tasty, that Truffle Balsamic drizzle was like liquid crack. The Wild Boar Pate was diced up & sprinkled on top, I thought it was cheese at first because they have the same consistency, but you can pick up a hint of that boar. The cheese fries were heavenly, had that ooey gooey cheese that I love & the corndog was great as well.
Had outdoor seating feeling the windy city doing it's thing. Added more to the experience. Hot Doug rang us up himself as well, we'll definately come back. Great food & good times, check it out! -
Review from Lin Lin S.
Los Angeles, CA
5/7/2012
Duck sausage with foie gras mousse (earthy n creamy) and pork sausage with cranberry cream cheese (smokey and sweet). Snappy sausage, perfect pairings. The split top bun is simple yet chewy enough to provide some texture that holds all the ingredients together.
They close at 4pm and cash only. Doug is at the counter taking orders; so nice and easy going. Duck fat fries on fri n sat (couldn't tell the difference).
There will be a wait. don't bother with the regular menu. Get the specialties. 2 people should share at least 3 dogs. -
Review from Leslie G.
4/24/2012
After living in Chicago for almost 7 years, I finally made it to Hot Doug's for the first time. I went with three other people on a Saturday morning. We arrived a little after 10 and there was already a line of about 20 people. The place opens at 10:30, so we had a little bit of a wait, but it wasn't too bad. Once it opened, the line moved fairly quickly. We lucked out because we got the last table available for 4 people.
I chose to stick to the basics and ordered two Chicago dogs plus a side of the duck fat fries to share. These Chicago dogs were the best I've had, no doubt about it. The people I was with ordered a variety of things, including the rattlesnake dog, which they all raved about. The duck fat fries were good, but not great. I've definitely had better fries elsewhere.
I would certainly come back here for more hot dogs, however. I'll have to remember to come here during the week sometime when I have a day off.Listed in: Restaurants
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Review from Nate K.
Honolulu, HI
4/22/2012
CASH ONLY! Please heed this warning as you don't want to be the only person in a 50+ person line at 3:00 PM who is carrying only plastic.
That was me, and it is a cold dark place. A few weeks ago, I finally made the pilgrimage to Hot Doug's. I have heard of this place from friends and the Travel Channel, and vowed to stop there the next time I was in the Windy City.
So there I was, it was about 3:15 pm (the place closes at 4:00 pm) and I got in line with about 30 people before me and 20 people behind me. As I waited in line, I saw perfectly prepared hot dogs, of all varieties, and happy people enjoying life. One by one, the line began to move, and my excitement built as i got closer and closer to the counter. What kind of dog should i choose? This was a conversation that was openly being discussed among perfect strangers who all were waiting for hot dog bliss. Then as most dreams (usually of the Jessica Alba variety) do, it came to a crashing end when I saw the sign "CASH ONLY"!
My plastic was completely useless...!
It was one of those nightmarish moments where you scamper for your wallet to make sure you have enough money to pay the check....
And, what I found was about $8 and three dimes and a button from an old dress shirt. I immediately turned to the board is a fevered panic and began crunching the numbers to see what I could afford with the only CASH (and a button) I had on hand.
Then in the midst of my panic state, it was my turn in line. I explained to Doug (who was working) that it was my first time there and that I some how overlooked the whole CASH ONLY thing.... (with a meager smile). Doug was really cool and the woman behind me reassured me that everything would be okay - and that if you're a bit short just tell Doug that **** sent you. So, I ordered with confidence and everything from there fit perfectly into the theme of hot dog happiness. I was able to enjoy two Chicago dogs, a brat with kraut and a root beer with a little help from *****.
Hot Doug's is what everyone says it is - perfect hot dog bliss in one of the greatest food cities in the world. Just remember, bring CASH!Listed in: Hot Dog Heaven!
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Review from Di L.
Visiting Illinois for the week but only a few hours in Chicago so we decided to stop by Hot Dougs for a late lunch since there were so many great reviews on yelp. We went on a Tuesday afternoon around 2 ish so it wasn't super busy. The restaurant is located on a corner and it was basically street parking. We got lucky and found a spot right in front. Between the 4 of us we ordered 2 Chicago hot dogs, 1 Elvis Polish Sausage, 1 Foie Gras and Sauternes Duck Sausage with Truffle Aioli, Foie Gras Mousse and Fleur de Sel, 2 Smoked and Spicy Alligator Sausage with Shrimp Remoulade and Trugole Cheese, and a large fries. My favorite was the alligator! It was the game of the week and my first time trying alligator...eek! But it was actually really good. Too bad we warent here on a Friday or Saturday b/c those duck fat fries sounds delish! Between Hot Dougs and Pinks Hot Dogs in Los Angeles, Hot Dougs is definitely more unique! Where else can you find alligator sausage hot dogs?
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Review from Shawn K.
5/6/2012
This place has over 2000 reviews and a 4.5 rating so it's very unlikely that my review will have an impact. With that said, I felt like I had to review it anyway. I tell everyone I know going to Chicago to visit this place and due to the fact that it's a bit outside of downtown, I often am met with resistance. Those folks simply do not understand the brilliance of "encased meats".
If I can offer you any advice, it's to try anything. At Hot Doug's, I've tried Duck+Foie Gras, Bacon+Elk, Crayfish+Pork, and RATTLESNAKE + Chardonnay. All of them have been amazing. If you're there on the weekend, get the duck fat fries because they're the best fries I've ever had.
Worth the wait. Worth the hype. Hot Doug's is the best food experience in Chicago. -
Review from Aimee M.
4/8/2012
Chances are with almost 2000 reviews on Hot Doug's already, you are not reading my lil ole review. I'm probably going to repeat what others have written...duck fat fries, foie gras, yada yada yada. I don't care, this was an amazing experience and I'm going to sing my heart out.
Arrived here on Good Friday a little after 10am to find a line (already!) of other meat eaters on a Friday during Lent. It doesn't matter what your religion is, when you come to Hot Doug's you celebrate the religion of delicious encased meat. all are welcome! And visiting with a group of meat lovers is a great way to worship!
I ordered the Duck Sausage and the bro and I decided to split the Lamb Sausage and the Chicago Dog.
Foie Gras and Sauternes Duck Sausage, topped with Truffle Aoili, Foie Gras Mousse and Fleur de sel. This is one super rich dog. The sausage was delicious and I loved the Truffle Aoili. The Foie definitely added the richness, I couldn't finish it, I think if I order it next time, I'll ask for more Aoili and half of the Foie. I loved the Aoili--I kept dipping the delicious fries in it.
The Lamb Sausage, topped with spicy Harissa and Feta. This was very tasty also. I didn't like the texture of the sausage (a little dry for me), but the flavors together was good.
The Smoked and Spicy Alligator Sausage with Shrimp Remoulade and Goat Cheese--I got to try this one and even though it was only a couple of bites, this one was definitely my favorite of the day. So flavorful--who knows, if i had a whole one, i might have left speaking a cajun accent!
The poor Chicago Dog was almost an afterthought since I was already full from the other dogs. But the taste of Sweet Home Chicago was there--this was one solid dog.
**For the stroller set. This is not the place to bring a stroller--unless HD is not full of folks. I got here when the place was fairly empty so my little guy in his umbrella stroller maneuvered well. (and we're talking the basic basic umbrella stroller--the one that looks like it's for dolls. Anything bigger would have been a horrible hindrance) Grab the table in the corner near the window--a great place for stroller and table as there's not room for anything else and stroller is out of the way of anyone tripping. Because of the long line we had to walk through on leaving, I carried little boy out while my brother carried the folded stroller. Worked well without running over people's feet with stroller wheels. If I would have gotten here any later, said stroller would have stayed in the car and I would have toted the prince in the baby bjorn. Momma comes prepared! -
Review from Ken C.
4/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
If you could only eat at one place in Chicago, then this is the place that I'd tell you to go.
It was certainly the most memorable. But if you want to come here, I'd recommend that you come early or prepare to wait a long time. The line always goes around the corner and it can go really far.
Their most popular items are their Foie Gras Hot Dog and their Duck Fat Fries. The fries fried in duck fat are only available on Fri and Sat. The Foie Gras Hot Dog is surprisingly rich and creamy. They top the hot dog with generous portions of foie gras and a foie gras mousse. You can't miss the flavors. It has nice texture and it's a tasty dog. I can see why it is the most popular item.
Hot Doug's also specializes in sausages featuring exotic meats. They've stuffed antelope, game, rabbit, alligator, corned beef, and even bacon into their casings. And they're all pretty solid. Their hot dogs are full of flavors...It's really hard to go wrong. I'd recommend choosing the dog with the flavors you're craving (eg: sweet, spicy, salty, savory, etc..).
I'd also recommend that you get one of their regular Chicago dogs. It's only $2 and it's the best "Chicago dog" that i've had in the city. The sausage had a nice snap, the ingredients were fresh, and it was just a damn good hot dog.
The duck fat fries were good fries, but I don't think that you're missing anything if you skip them. If you are only going to have one opportunity to come here in your life (as was the case for me), then I'd recommend that you get a Chicago Dog for $2, try their foie gras dog, and get one more exotic hot dog. If you have friends with you, then you can split more. I believe that if you're willing to brave the long lines, then you might as well make the most of your experience by coming with a respectable appetite. Bon Appetit.Listed in: Best in the Midwest
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Review from Lauren G.
get a load of the weenies here at hot doug's.
man, i haven't had a hot dog in over two years. and i miss them, i really do. i used to eat at crif dog's and grey's papaya in manhattan all of the time, and ever since i became vegetarian, hot dog's are a lunch that i truly regret not being able to eat every now and then.
so when my brother suggested going to hot doug's after he picked me up at o'hare, i was pleased as hell to see that they have a meatless dog on the menu. he assured me after waiting on line for almost an hour that the food inside would be worth it, and he was right. i got a the veggie dog chicago style and it tasted fantastic. i'm not sure if it was because the bun was so loaded with extras that i couldn't really tell it was a meatless hot dog, but who cares. it tasted amazing. the fries were good too.
they also sell Tab in a can here. in case you felt like drinking a Tab in the can. or, right here is fine.*
my parents had fries made in duck fat. i was repulsed by this, but they scarfed that shit down like nobody's business so i guess it's safe to say it tasted good.
it was pretty inexpensive, it tasted divine, and they had really cool decor. i am proud to say that my brother's band had an 45" EP hanging on the wall along with a picture fo sid vicious eating a hot dog. that made me a proud little sister.
*did anyone get my European Vacation reference? -
Review from Jonathon B.
Silver Spring, MD
5/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'm not a fan of hot dogs but these were amazing. Loved every type I tried. Will definitely go back! FYI Cash only.
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Review from Rachel A.
Jackson Heights, Queens, NY
4/26/2012 1 photo
Chicago has always been famous for their hot dogs and Hot Doug's does it well. It's a staple in Chicago and an institution in the hot dog realm. Los Angeles has their Pink's, New York has Crif Dogs, and Chicago has Hot Doug's.
Alligator, ostrich, duck... I heard about the wild flavors at Hot Doug's but never did I imagine they would have rattlesnake! I'm not so adventurous that I would order the rattlesnake on my own but my friend did along with the Foie Gras and Sauternes Duck Sausage with Truffle Aioli, Foie Gras Mousse and Fleur de Sel. Talk about rich, sinful, and out of this world snack food. The texture of the rattlesnake meat was very soft. Good thing it had the casing to keep it all together. The foie gras hot dog was heavy. I couldn't imagine one person eating it all by him/herself. It's best cut up and distributed amongst the table. The foie gras on top was shaped in coin slivers. The heat of the hot dog did begin to melt it and only then did the hot dog really come together. The Fleur de Sel helped bring out the flavors. These two hot dogs were not my favorite but in terms of something different and a bang for your buck, these were it. A high end restaurant could do these hot dogs and charge an arm and a leg for them.
I had the brown ale chipotle buffalo sausage, bacon garlic mayo and carragaline farmhouse cheese dog. It was great. Lots of the hot dogs come with some sort of mustard infused sauce. I am not a mustard fan but the sauces are really good and I do like the variety of cheeses they use. They definitely don't skimp on their ingredients. For classics sake, we got a Dave Pound (corndog) and a Classic Chicago dog. What a deal. For about $2 you can indulge in what I call nostalgic bliss and a piece of Chicago. The Chicago dog comes with whichever toppings you want- tomatoes, pickles, mustard, etc. Good luck stuffing it in your mouth. We also got the weekend duck fat fries. I wasn't too impressed with them. They were just regular fries but one serving is plenty for four people. We actually got two fries. Too much but best believe we packed all that food away. Guilty pleasures!
Hot Doug's is a fun stop in the suburbs of Chicago. The line is knee deep. We got there half an hour before they were open and were in the first batch but any later and you could be waiting 2 hours or so. The people come in droves. The jackalope head on the wall is kitschy and oh what a burn to celebrities their hot dog names are. Hot Doug's names their hot dogs after celebrities but once the 15 minutes of fame is up the dogs are renamed. Hot dogs may be referred to as "formerly Anna Kendrick" but Hot Doug's is forever. There is only one Hot Doug's. -
Review from Tina H.
Chicago, IL
3/31/2012
If you're in Chicago and you want one of best it can offer, go and try HOT DOUG'S.
Their Foie Gras Dog is to die for! While waiting in line (there's always a line that winds around the building, so go early), I peered through the window to see these two guys taking their first bite into their Foie Gras dog. One of the guys just closed his eyes and went into ecstasy mode. It was funny watching this go down. Yet it also made my craving for one of Doug's gourmet Hot Dogs.
You'll find the typical Chicago Dogs ($2.00) and Chili Dogs etc. All of these normal hot dogs that you can find anywhere will be under $5. But that's not why you CTA or drive all the way out to Hot Doug's. You go to Hot Doug's to enjoy their Special Menu.
The Special Menu has one of kind hot dogs, like Foie Gras (THE BEST!!!), The Mountain (buffalo + elk + veal sausage!), Taco Hot Dog....I can't name it all. Just check out their website.
The Foie Gras hot dog is (again) OUT OF THIS WORLD. I've never tasted anything like it. It's so unique and delicious. Definitely worth the 20 minute wait outside.
Service: excellent. Doug (the owner and operator) is always there taking orders. He doesn't rush his customers. He answers all questions. He jokes around and he helps us get the order correct (he doesn't jip or trick you). He encouraged us to just share drinks, since it doesn't make sense to get one drink per person. He could have easily made us order more fries, but he helpfully suggested that we go with only one - he claims he doesn't believe in portion control and therefore gives a lot more fries than one person can eat. The duck fat fries (served only on Fri and Sat) aren't all that spectacular. But if you've never tried it. Def try it here.
Drinks: They have unique bottled sodas. Try the Green River - a 7-up/Sprite type of drink, but made of pure Sugar Cane AND no caffeine or artificial flavoring.
If you go, BRING CASH ONLY. They don't accept anything else.
DECOR: Funny. All things playful and hot douggy is all over the wall. I actually enjoy the Yellow, Blue, Red hot dog-esque colors. My kind of place with my kind of humor. It's hard to explain in this brief review...just go check it out yourself.
If you go there, message me and get me a Foie Gras dog! -
Review from Melissa S.
Brookfield, IL
4/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
I was too busy enjoying my delicious $1.50 corn dog to write a review earlier, but here it goes.
CASH ONLY!
Street parking only (not much parking during lunch time) and
$3.00 a dog
fries are additional $3.00
(fries fried with duck fat additional) Saturday/Sunday only
(cheese additional)
Seating is available ONLY once you've put in your order (also limited)
My boyfriend is a hot dog man, so we'll be popping in and out. 1 star down because I've never paid $3.00 for a dog that didn't come with fries -
Review from Toa B.
3/20/2012
Not sure if there's anything left to say about this place that hasn't already been said.
Having read about Hot Doug's in some magazine I can't seem to recall or maybe it was the travel channel, but regardless, I was going to drop by during my 3 day stay in Chicago as part of a cross country trip.
I was not disappointed. I ended up getting 'The Dog', 'The Elvis', and my sister got 'The Sal' dog and we also got an order of the duck fat fries. We both got our hot dogs deep fried. My goodness, can hot dogs really be this good... Oh the 'snap'. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G
One of the best hot dog joints in all of America. -
Review from Bri A.
4/10/2012 2 photos
I'm not a huge sausage fan but I had to see what the hype was about. I've been here twice in the past year and have loved everything I've tried! I happened to go at the right times and never had to wait more than 15 minutes in line. Doug himself is right there behind the counter taking your order, which is pretty cool. He's a nice guy!
My most recent visit was last week and I tried:
-The Mountain Man - I don't remember exactly what was on this but it was good! I had it last year as well. I like the mix of game meats in this sausage
-Spicy Alligator- my favorite! This had cajun shrimp remoulade and goat cheese. This is also on this week's menu so if you go, get this!
I can't remember what else I had in the past but I remember it being DELICIOUS. I love the unique combinations of sauces and cheese. Doug really knows how to pair them well with the meat. I also like the exotic meat they use. Where else can you have alligator or rattlesnake sausage? (If you do know of another place, do tell!) -
Review from Jen O.
Chicago, IL
5/14/2012
This place is amazing. The wait is well worth it. I had my sister and brother-in-law in town this weekend and they loved this place. Duck-fat french fries were amazing. We went shortly after they opened for the day, just before lunch on a Friday, and waited a half hour or so - not too bad from the lines I've seen before.
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Review from Royal L.
Chicago, IL
4/9/2012
I can't believe I haven't reviewed Hot Doug's. Wow. I've been going here like 4 years, I've probably been here over 100 times, maybe more.
Unequivocally, it's the best restaurant in the City of Chicago. Everything about it is just right. Doug believes in bringing gourmet food in at a fraction of the price elsewhere. There's almost never a bad item on the menu.
From Doug, to the music, to the wait, to the thoughtfulness of the menu, to the help, and decent parking availability, everything is just right.
Not much else to say. It's simply the best. -
Review from Gary L.
Chicago, IL
5/21/2012
Great "encased meat emporium." If you've ever wanted some exotic meat, Doug has made it.
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Review from John S.
Chicago, IL
5/13/2012
Hot Doug's isn't just a place that sells Hot Dougs. It's a place that sells dreams. And by sell, I mean at a discount. And by dreams I mean rabbits. Or alligators. Or elk. Or Kangaroo. I've had experiences at this place that almost made me cry-- that's how happy I was. The line might seem long but the mix of toppings will change you. The service is impeccable because Doug Sohn is a world-class host. The cheese fries are the best anywhere and the decor and environment is so much fun, it's great for repeat visits. He plays his own eclectic mix of music and the crowd is a who's who of Chicago luminaries, in addition to enthusiastic tourists from around the world. Hot Doug's may not be the cure for sadness and depression but it sure can help.
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Review from Salvador S.
Denver, CO
5/4/2012
Best hot dogs I've ever had!!! If you are in Chicago you need to go and experience a hot dog here. I took a 30 min train ride, a 30 min bus ride, waited in line in the rain for 40 min. I would do it all over again just for 1 more hot dog.
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Review from Christina G.
Chicago, IL
4/12/2012
Such long a long line, at any time of the day the place is open, is an indication of how great this place is.
I've been here a couple of times, and you seriously cannot go wrong with any of the food options. We've tried the boar and rabbit, both were tasty. The fries complement the meal. I go for the cheese fries every time.
The guy taking orders is the nicest guy. Everyone working there is top notch. Even though the wait is long, it surprisingly doesn't take very long for your order to come out once you place it.
Definitely stop here if you're a Chicago visitor, and be sure not to miss it if you're from Chicago. -
Review from Eric t.
3/23/2012
Really great hot dogs. Cool staff. I missed the duck fat fries since they only serve on the weekends, so that's what's holding up the last star.
I really appreciated the strange dog concouctions and it was pretty nice in side. line was long but it was a breeze really. Definitely going to try the duck fat fries next time (can I get cheese on them too?). -
Review from Andrea L.
3/28/2012
Hot Doug's is oh so totally worth it.
My boy and I stood outside in the freezing Chicago weather (the day before the temperature jumped up to the 70s) for about 40 minutes. We braved the line that bizarrely snaked around the shady (freezing) side of the building. We waited in the first lobby by the entrance. We waited in the second inner lobby. We waited in the line to the cash register to order, and by god, did Doug seem like a heavenly avatar of bounteous sausages by the time we reached him!
We split one order of duck fat fries and four sausages between us: the foie gras dog, the weekly game special which was wild boar w/ marsala, the brigitte bardot (andouille) which was not spicy enough, but still a classic, and linguica.
I could not stop moaning from actual food-induced pleasure. I don't know whether this level of happiness was induced solely by the food. After all, I was finally inside the warm cozy restaurant. I was also finally eating after the 5 hour flight, 2 hour ride to our AirBnB apartment, 7 hours of sleep, half hour of travel and 40 minute wait. Hot damn though, those sausages were fucking amazing.
The fries were great, however, the sausages were really the most amazing things I feel like I've ever eaten (in terms of Western food).
Hot Doug's is the BEST.
Oh my god, and the prices are so reasonable too!!!! -
Review from Ethan N.
Colton, CA
3/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
On this last trip to Chicago I was asked "If you only had time to eat at one place in Chicago, where would it be?" My instantaneous and emphatic answer was Hot Doug's. No Alinea, No L2O, I want Hot Doug's.
Let me say this first, there is NO reason for Doug or his staff to be as nice and welcoming as they are. They make the meat equivalent of black tar heroin, and they could treat me like utter garbage and I would still come back. But anyone who comes here is impressed that Doug himself is taking your order and is nice as could be. The rest of the staff is great as well and always offer to take your tray and garbage for you. We had our suitcases with us this last time and they found a place to store them for us while we were there. I mean crap dude, they must serve hundreds of people EVERY day and they are willing to go out of their way to accommodate some obvious out-of-towners. Doug even told us that if we wanted to order more we could just bypass the line and order from the side. Dude ... you rule man.
We always get the foie gras dog. I would liken it to petting a platypus. It's something that just shouldn't exist but there it is in front of you and you just need to partake somehow (I do realize platypi have poisonous barbs. I would avoid those obviously). Sorry, got off track. The foie gras dog is truly a pinnacle of food in some way. It's right up there with the first tomato sauce or the first loaf of bread. The first time I ate it I felt a sense of fulfillment, like an empty spot in the collective human existence had been filled by a sausage. It was a moment of clarity where all I could do was smile and say "Oh, I see. I get it now. It all makes sense."
We also always get an original Chicago style hot dog which I think is the best I've had in Chicago. It's just perfect.
Beyond that we always get a few more, but our choices depend on how our fancy is tickled that particular day. This last time I tried the portobello mushroom and swiss cheese pork dog with duck fat sauteed mushrooms and duck cracklings. It was DAMN good. Not foie gras dog good, but nearing it.
I'd come with some friends and get a whole bunch of different dogs. Go nuts, it's not that expensive at all. I will come here EVERY time I'm in Chicago and will another hot dog will never satisfy me like these ones do. -
Review from Mallory S.
Boston, MA
3/20/2012
Made sure to stop by Hot Doug's during my first visit to Chicago! It was Thursday morning at 10:30am and guess who was at Hot Doug's...? Everyone! I waited for about an hour but it was delicious!
I made the mistake of going by myself -- so I couldn't finish everything (duck fat fries, duck sausage w/ fois gras and chicago dog). The Dog (Chicago style hot dog) was my favorite.
And for only $3?! What a deal! Cash only! Friendly service but expect to wait. -
Review from Raggio W.
San Diego, CA
3/31/2012
There is no shortage of fine dining restaurants in the windy city, but a true Chicago culinary trip will never be complete without a taste of the famous hot dog. Hot Doug's needs no introduction for those living in Chicago. Even when we arrived at opening time, the wait was at least an hour long during the bitter cold winter. The line can be two hours long during the warmer months. The average of 4 1/2 stars rating with almost two thousands reviews should tell you something.
Love the unusual meat selections and flavor combinations. Think pomegranate puree with sheep's milk cheese. Where else can you find snake or alligator sausages in your hot dog? The special menu changes on a regular basis, so don't expect to find that elk sausage the next time. I recommend people to try the foie gras and duck sausage. My only disappointment was the duck fat fries. Not crazy about them without the crunch. -
Review from Lily L.
Brisbane, CA
5/3/2012
Finally went this saturday around 11am and waited for an hour or so. Totally worth it but then when I got the foi gras hot dog...It was so small. My bf and I also ordered the duck fat fries... yummy. Overall the food was delicious but I was not full in the end.
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