"You must try the duck fat fries, you won't regret it."
(in 344 reviews)
"Chicago, hands down, has the most amazing encased meats in the nation."
(in 113 reviews)
Loading...
- Hours:
Mon-Sat. 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good for:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- None
924 reviews for Hot Doug's
Review Highlights
Loading...
Go ahead, make all the crude jokes you want, but I am infatuated by Doug Sohn's sausage. Seriously, at almost 1000 reviews you arent going to hear anything new from me that hasn't already been said, but kids, this place is no joke. There is a reason people line up to come here and it ain't for the scenic neighborhood.
If you live within a mile of this place and know about the Foie Gras and Sauternes Duck Sausage then I feel sorry for you. Because if I lived any closer half my paycheck would go towards ordering this insane concoction on pretty much a daily basis and my doctor would be having a shit fit over my sudden hardening of the arteries.
I know from now on I will have dreams of that Truffle Aioli, but lest I start looking like an encased meat myself, I know my tryst's with Doug and his magnificent sausage must be few and far between.
Fino a quando ci incontreremo di nuovo il mio amore!
I paid $9 for a stomach ache.
Doug does seem like a pro though. Apparently encased meats drowned in foie gras is just not for me.
Sorry to disappoint you Ryan L, I will not be going back.
Also James, I CAN'T handle encased meats. Got it?
Me and Amisha S. came here on a Friday afternoon at around 3pm. I was surprised that there was a line wrapped around the building at this time of day. I'd see the lines shown on "No Reservations" but figured it was just the lunch time rush. On, the bright side you get to smell the intoxicating duck fat fries wafting from the front door as people slowly get to enter. After waiting a little over an hour, we got to the friendly Doug at the counter who helped us order. I will admit was a bit overwhelmed by all the tube meat choices and didn't want to make a bad choice after all the opportunity cost involved. We ordered the Keira Knightly, The Dog (w/ chili & cheese), an Irish banger special, and the duck fries! I know realize Irish bangers are too bland for my taste, but everything else was yummy.
I'd like to come back if I was in town again to try more offerings, but might not be willing to wait 1+ hrs again. Maybe its not as bad on the days duck fries are not available? 3.5 stars for me!
Came on a Saturday thinking to grab lunch. Lunch ended up as early dinner as the line took 2.5 hrs!!
By the time we got to the counter, I was starving and wanted to order everything on the menu to make sure I didn't miss out. I couldn't even finish 2 dogs.
I love duck. Foie gras over duck sausage is amazing $9. Might be the most expensive encased meat out there.
Other specialty encased meat is around $7.50 a pop and regular hot dogs are around 2.75. Alligator one was superb. Atomic bomb was pretty high up there on my list. Nice kick that wont burn ur mouth.
Remember to get the duck fat fries offered Fridays and Saturdays!
I wish that Hot Doug's had a larger location, because it really is tough to stand outside smelling the grill and watching other people eat for a half-hour. The line on weekends is rough on a hangover, but the greasy food can cure that hangover right up. The combinations of meat, cheeses, and sauces isn't rivaled anywhere else in the city. The rotation of sausages makes it impossible to have a favorite, although I do try and order any cherry-pork sausages I see rotated onto the menu.
I can't think of anything new to contribute to the other great reviews. The service is excellent, and this place is a real Chicago staple. The duck fat fries kind of go through your system like White Castle sliders, but the taste is something that needs to be experienced!
Don't kill for for not giving it five stars... So I took my dad here in February, he had no idea what it was and we waited in line for over an hour. I swore after that I would never go back because it was just OK.... But when a avid foodie friend came to visit he insisted that we needed to go. You would have thought I learned my "line" lesson the first time but no, we ended up waiting almost two hours. I don't know if it was the excitement of my guest, my grumbling stomach or the fact that it was really great but the second time was AMAZING. Almost well worth the wait.
The duck fat fries are wonderful and the dogs are original and delish. The line maybe the only downfall but it can be avoided if you get there early!
On a rainy Wednesday when I called in sick from work, I ended up having one of the best food experiences of my life.
I woke up this morning with my body feeling like a big fat bruise. I was nauseated and achy. The cold and rainy weather reflected exactly how I felt, Shitty!!!. On this dreary day, I did something that I very rarely do. I called in sick to work. I crawled back into bed for some quiet, blissful sleep. I woke up around noon totally famished. And I was hungry for something that I swore off as a kid. I actually had a craving for a Hot Dog.
You have to understand that I ate so many hot dogs as a kid, that I rarely crave them as an adult. During the summers of my youth, you could find me at one of two places. At one of my little league games, or at Wrigley Field. Needless to say, I ate so many Hot Dogs and Brats that I wanted to name my first born Frankfurter.
We first did a drive by of Hot Doug's to see how long the line was. To our surprise, there was nobody waiting outside. As we entered, the line was about 10 deep. The line moved surprisingly fast. We had our food in 10 minutes. When we got to the counter, we got to meet Hot Doug himself (Doug Sohn). Doug took Carolynne's order and then asked what Derrek Sanderson would like. He obviously noticed my Boston Bruins cap. He made a great first impression by mentioning one of my favorite hockey players of all time. After talking hockey for a few minutes, he took our order. I ordered the Dave Kingman Dog and (one of the daily specials) the Mole, Smoked Chicken Sausage.
The Kingman Dog was a spicy, Chicken Sausage that was packed with Flavor. The Caramelized onions were a nice touch. The Mole Chicken Sausage was out of this world. It was covered with a spicy Mole Sauce with pepper jack cheese. We also split an order of fries. Hot Doug's doesn't offer the fries made in goose oil during the week, but I can't imagine them being much better than the fries that we had. They were hand cut fries that were tender and delicious.
The highlight of the meal for me was sampling some of Carolynne's Foie gras Dog. Other than the controversial ban by the City of Chicago, I had never even heard of the stuff. But the creamy liver sausage blew me away. It was a wonderful slice of decadence.
I have always believed that there was a fine line between Genius and Insanity. The strange combination of sausages and toppings at Hot Doug's walks that line. I have always been amazed by how some Chefs can come up with different combinations of food that you would never even dream of. And the great ones can turn it into a delicacy. If there was a Nobel Prize for Cased Meat, Hot Doug's gets my nomination.
The Bottom line is this. If you have not been to Hot Doug's, get your ass over there. What have you been waiting for? Don't worry about the line, it moves faster than you think. You will not get a better dining experience for your hard earned dollar. This place is a Gem, and a must visit for any foodie in Chicago.
Do you guys know what the secret is to beat the wait? CALL AHEAD. I've done this several times now, and the dirty looks you get from people waiting in line as you walk right up to the counter to grab your grub are fucking priceless! Their menu is online. Call ahead!!
(Foie gras is soooo good. I would eat it with a spoon).
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
7/28/2007
Hot Doug's never fails to put a smile on my face :) I pop in about once a month, and what with all… Read more »
A.D.I.D.A.H.D.
All day i dream about hot dougs.
These hot dogs owned me.
The specialty dogs are so rich and full of flavor I almost couldn't handle it. I ate two bites, and had to take a break. Even the regular dogs are yum.
-1 for the long wait (2 hours on a Saturday).
+1 for Doug manning the counter (awww you care!)
Dang. I just had it yesterday, but I'm already craving it again...
Get this, I don't even like duck but on a whim on Monday I ordered the duck sausage with sauternes & foie gras and it was freaking unbelievable.
What a GREAT place to go for lunch. I really hesitate writing yet another positive review because I don't want this place to get any more crowded but I really, really loved it. Please expand and /or build another one! Doug is awesome and super nice, your food comes out piping hot and prepared perfectly. The fries, even if not sizzling in duck fat, are great.
One of the best meals I've had in my lifetime and that's pretty darn incredible for an encased meats emporium.
Hot Doug's has the best encased meats I can remember. Try everything here, it's good! I think they only have them Saturday so you have to come at least once on Saturday and try the duck fat fries, yum.
Line gets pretty ridiculous, but you can call ahead.
This place makes me miss Chicago.
I met a guy while waiting in line here last week who told me that he recommended Hot Dougs to his dad for a small business lunch and that it was the best piece of advice he had ever given anyone, bar none. Interpret that how you will.
The dogs are worth the wait. Don't let the long line discourage you. I will definitely come back and try some more of their interesting hot dog combinations.
36 min in line. No seats. $16 for a hot dog, fries and a drink. Ate outside on the curb.
MAN!
... Well worth it. Man I miss Chi.
Arrived at Doug's on a Saturday morning and we were greeted with a long line out front. We waited for a total of 2 hours to get our food. Sounds crazy right? But I'm telling you it was worth every minute. The anticipation to get your hands on the famous duck fat fries and the Foie Gras and Sauternes Duck Sausage. This was the weird part for me, I knew the food was going to be so bad for me, yet I was willing and able to scarf it all down. The great mystery of the universe I suppose.
Ok, onto the food, first things first make sure you bring cash, cash is king here, no credit. Good thing my buddy had cash ready to go. Now here comes the hardest part, deciding what to order. There are plenty of choices ready for you and your stomach is limited. I had the duck fat fries, the Uber Garlic Pork Sausage with Chili-Garlic Mustard, and the Mole and Chipotle Smoked Chicken Sausage. I was most intrigued by the duck fat fries, they taste like regular fries but they are heavy and make you full real quick. O by the way, my heart stopped for a second or two eating them. I thought I needed a defibrillator to get my heart going again. The quality of the sausages are top notch, very succulent and plenty of flavors. I really like the garlic pork sausage and I will also try the foie gras next time I'm in town.
Doug's is a great outing and the quality and uniqueness can't be beat. Now it's time to run 20 miles to burn off one duck fat fry.
I'm not a big hot dog person but I gotta admit..I like this place :)
I had the Salma Hayek, too bad it's not as spicy as I hoped. My friends had The Dog & The Keira Knightley and they loved it. It can get pretty expensive...$8 for a hot dog? :O
I'm just going to echo what 900 other reviews have already said. Hot Doug's actually lives up to all the hype.
1) Got there right when they opened on Saturday AM and I didn't expect a 40 min wait, mostly outside in the rain and cold. I kept asking myself, "Who [else] eats hot dogs at 10:30AM?!" And then I realized that these were my kind of people, in my kind of town. God I love hot dogs.
2) Hot Doug's excels at both the bread and butter dog and the gourmet. Best Chicago Dog ever! Had mine deep-fried (!!!) and it had perfect snap with fresh, high-quality toppings. The wild boar sausage was fantastically tender and well-paired with the smoked gouda
3) If possible, avoid sitting at the counter facing cold, starving patrons waiting in line. It made me feel truly gluttonous to be inhaling my duck fries and multiple hot dogs with people literally going hungry right before my eyes.
Visiting Hot Doug's provided the best culinary experience I had during my recent trip to Chicago. I was standing in (an arguably short by some NYC standards) line with hungry anticipation and saw the "cash only" sign. I dug through my pockets to see what I had: 15 dollars to feed both myself and a friend. "Not a problem," I thought.
Technically it wasn't: I got up to the counter and order a grilled Portuguese Linguica accompanied with a saffron rouille and 12-yearManchego cheese. My friend ordered a The Dog and a small fountain soda. We had some money left so I asked the gentleman behind the counter (Doug?) for a recommendation. "The Thuringer," he said.
Heaven. The linguica in particular was one of the best things I have ever eaten...and my round belly can attest to many things consumed. My only regret was that we didn't have any more money to try anything else on the menu and that it wasn't Friday or Saturday so I could get fries cooked in duck fat.
Writing this I can't help but think, "Can they ship one to me right now?"
Not much to write that already hasn't been written. I will say that I stopped by here on a Monday at 12:30 pm while out running errands. The line was already inside the door and I was in and out (got my order to go) in 15 mins.
I broke vegetarian for this place. Not disappointed in the least.
I like this place so much that I break my 2 "I will never" statements about buying food.
I Never #1 - I will never go get cash special for a restaurant. They should take credit/debit cards.
For Hot Dougs, I will ATM it without even blinking,
I never #2 - I'm not going to wait in a long line for food. This is Chicago and there are too many places that have delicious food.
For Hot Dougs, I break this rule except when it's below 0 and that's where I draw the line. The line moves Ok - but it's is so worth what's inside.
Ok - now the inside.... it's the Mecca of encased meats. A dozen or so celebrity named sausages.... my favorite is the Marty Allen - Beef, Pork, and Garlic, Grilled....with my favorite toppings and a side of Duck fries! Damn... I've made myself hungry....
Then there's the specials - They've got a specials menu that's about as large as the regular menu, but it's headlined by a Celeb of the week, and a game of the week. The selections are amazing, and totally worth straying from your normal favorite..
Are you all out of your minds? It's a flippin hot dog stand!!! I've tried most of the regular dogs and a few specialty sausages and they are good but certainly not worth waiting in line for more than 10 minutes let alone an hour. And yes I've had the duck fat fries(a few years ago early and only waited 10 minutes). Are the fries good? I guess but it's a flippin french fry.
Don't get me wrong, I like the place and Doug is really nice but something is going on in Avondale.
I think it's something in the water making you fools wait in line for an hour for sausages and burgers from Kuma's.
O to the M to the G. Finally made it to this mecca of hot dog joints on a cold October morning. Showed up at 12pm on a Saturday (bad idea)...waited for 1.5 hours in shorts (just came from a run to lessen the absurd amount of calories I was about to devour). By the way, great crowd of people to wait in line with-friendly, hilarious & hungry. The group behind us brought a six pack of beer-very smart people...I'll be stealing that idea on my next Doug run.
In my tummy!...ordered the Dave Kingman (Sante Fe chicken sausage-little bit of a kick to it!), the B.L.T. (who knew bacon sausage even existed?!), and a corndog. I loved the corndog-great breading & perfectly deep fried. (Can't beat it for $1.50!) The B.L.T. had the perfect mix of coleslaw & cherry tomatoes but I didn't really get that "bacony" taste. The duck fat fries were yummy...perfect ratio of crunch to soggy! Doug was even there to take our order!
All (hot) dogs go to heaven because these are simply well...divine!
The line is always out the door but it's cool because your iPhone will keep you busy. Doug actually has worked there every time I have been and he's a pretty interesting character. Try the foie gras dog and while you are at it, get the duck fat fries (drooling over the memory of that absolutely sinful treat) but they are only available on Friday and Saturday.
There is absolutely nothing like a Chicago hot dog and these are the best. The skin breaks as you bite in making that gentle snapping sound that warns you of the meaty, juicy, warm flavors about to assault your taste buds. You will need to take a moment after your first bite and just be in the moment - you literally won't be able to talk because you are so overwhelmed and happy.
When I come back to Chicago, it's definitely a place that I make every effort to eat at and die of happiness for a little while.
http://jimandbrittneye.../
Still on our quest to make our way through the Á la Card list, we decided to take an afternoon off for Jim to experience some serious sausage. Even though it was 1pm on a February weekday, the line still wrapped around the building, as usual. But we weren't swayed.
The first time Brittney went to Hot Doug's, she was still eating meat. And visions of ostrich sausage and duck fat fries danced in her head. This was going to be interesting...
When we finally reached the counter after 45 minutes of taking turns to be in the sunlight and rubbing our denim-clad jeans with our hands, I approached Doug with a plea. "It's great to see you again, Doug. Kate says hi. So... well... um, last time I visited, I still ate meat, but now I don't. Is there any way I can order one of the special sausages but get a veggie dog instead? I'll pay the price for the special!" Without hesitation, the ever-friendly Doug replied, "Why would you do that? You can pay the price of a veggie dog. What would you like?" The Pete Shelley (AKA veggie) is only $2.75. Doug is a saint!
After some friendly hassling from Doug about "when I'd be coming back over from the dark side," I ordered the Pete Shelley with apple chutney and manchego cheese.
Although I did miss the heartiness of a real-meat sausage, these ingredients could make anything taste like heaven. Whether this was meant to be boar, rabbit, or dinosaur, it likely would've been a little juicier with some animal fat, but the cheese and chutney were really tasty.
I also ordered the Pete Shelley with Chipotle Dijonnaise and Burning Nettles Smoked Gouda Cheese.
Again, a veggie dog is a little slight for such a big bun, but I paid under $3 for some awesome ingredients. Good show, old chap.
...and of course, cheese fries (minus the duck fat). These chips are cooked in, um, regular fat?
My heart might have stopped momentarily after ingesting maybe half of these, but that didn't stop them from being delicious.
Jim, being the meat fanatic that he is, was like a kid in a candy store... Or like a man in a sausage store. He ordered the Foie Gras and Sauternes Duck Sausage with Truffle Aioli, Foie Gras Mousse and Sel Gris.
In honor of this great city, he also ordered a traditional Chicago dog... and how could he resist the duck fat fries?
Hot Doug's is a serious must for all that call themselves Chicagoans. It's not in the most convenient location in the city, and there will definitely be a wait, but it's well worth it. Hot Doug's never disappoints.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
1/27/2008
This place is a serious gem. Based on a few pushes from an old flame and a coworker who actually… Read more »
I'm not a huge hot dog fan, but Hot Doug's is pretty amazing. I would recommend not going on a weekend unless you are in line when they open the doors. Our first attempt was foiled after waiting for an hour and only moving maybe 5 people deep in the line.
We went back on a Monday morning before noon. I couldn't believe a line was already forming on a week day. After eating here, I can see why. Doug is really great about explaining what extras should put on your hot dog selection to guarantee an explosion in your mouth. While the Chicago style hot dog is an easy choice, don't neglect the specials board. Everything our table ordered was delicious. For a hot dog joint, I was really impressed.
I give four stars only because the wait was so insane the first time we went.
And did I mention how cheap the food is? Three of us ate for less than $15. It was ridiculous.
As with everyone else...this place rocks. Went here for the first time last week and was fortunate that the chill in the air seemed to scare off the line.
There were 6 of us which with the seating in there can be a challenge. We were in line for about 10 minutes, ordered and took an open table. About 5 min later out came the food.
The Weisswurst I had was excellent as were the cheese fries I shoveled into my pie hole.
I will be back to try more things. The BF has yet to be there so I am sure when they return from vacation at the end of Oct, we both will be there to great them.
Side note: the service was excellent!! Not rushed and everything was explained well. For example: I was one of 2 Americans in the group; the other 4 were not fluent in English but this did not deter the workers.
My fiancé and I used to go to Hot Doug's when it was on the other side of the river on Roscoe and Western. We would go 3X a week for lunch when we were in high school. After the fire, we were incredibly disappointed because Hot Doug's seriously has some amazing dogs!
A few years ago however, I was back on break and randomly driving down California when I had discovered that Hot Doug's had risen from the ashes! Whenever i'm in the area I always try to stop in, especially for the duck fat fries--YUM!
The only bummer: be prepared to wait in uber-long lines. Hot Doug's has become quite the celebrity among chicago hot dog places. Not entirely worth the wait if you're just getting a chicago dog, but definitely worth it if you're going to try one of the specialty sausages and meats.
Just one of those Chicago places you have to try if you call yourself a local. I stood in line for, count em, 90 minutes for a hot dog. Regular menu disgustingly cheap-about $2/dog. Their specials are pricey, closer to $8. Meeting Doug was the highlight of the trip!
Who gave this one star? Maybe they waited too long. It doesn't matter though. I went today at around one and really only waited fifteen minutes. I got a Fire Dog (which I refuse to call Kiera Knightly, because I don't think she's hot) and the game of the week: three chili wild boar sausage with chipotle dijonnaise and smoked gouda. And it was delicious. I tried to the foie gras and duck sausage, which was also delicious. As it was my first time getting boar, I was nervous (which I shouldn't have been because I love meat) but when I ordered, Doug was very excited that I did and said "Good, because it's really delicious." And that's when I knew that I had made the right decision.
The fire dog was delicious too; the fact that you can hear the casing snap is awesome. I love it for sure.
I don't think there really can be anything else to be said. I'm sure you've been told to go. So go. If you don't like waiting in line, forego the weekend and skip the duck fat fries. Go at the off times. Just do it. It's delicious and well worth it.
Coming from LA, I have to say that this is better than Pink's of Hollywood. A buddy from ND suggested this as a must-go place during my visit, and I totally loved it. Their Elvis dog is the best polish dog I've had.
Totally worth the hype. I saw this on Bourdain and had to come when we went on vacation in Chicago. We got there at 10:15am, and there was already a line outside the building waiting for the place to open. I got the duck sausage with foie gras and a traditional dog with everything on it, my wife got an italian sausage. Oh, man, and some duck fat fries. If I lived in chicago, I'd come here every morning and try something different. My one regret is that I couldn't eat any more. I really wanted to try the steak sausage with horseradish mayo, the lamb sausage, etc. Living in LA, there's no place that I can get sausage like this. Next time I go to chicago, I am for sure coming back.
Great stuff ... I was this place on travel channel on a couple of their shows ....
So good! I enjoyed it a lot. The best part is the unique game hotdogs, these are hotdogs you probably won't find anywhere else, everything from kangaroo to rattlesnake hotdogs.
I myself had the kangaroo, when i was there, and boy was it worth the wait. Doug, himself, was there and greated me with a warm welcome, just like he did on the tv! TRY THE FRIES!!!!!
So if you are in the mood for something out of the ordinary, DEFINATELY GO HERE!!!
After watching Anthony Bourdain rave about Hot Doug's, I booke a flight and flew to Chicago to see what all the hype was about....It was good, but not great.
I gave it a fair chance though. I tried 5 different hot dogs & the duck fat fries:
The Chicago Style Hot Dog
The Keira Knightly - fire dog
Paul Kelly - bratwurst soaked in beer
The Dave Kingman - chicken sausage sante fe style
The Elvis - polish sausage
The BEST was by far the Paul Kelly & Keira Knightly....full of flavor! The others just tasted like boring Oscar Meyer weiners you could buy at your local grocery store. The duck fat fries were delicious though. Then again anything fried in fat & has the ability to clog your arteries is always happy on the taste buds.
The line is super long ( I waited 45min), but it should be expected.
Overall it was good, but not great.
There is nothing I can say about Doug that has not already been said.
Hot Doug's is a one-in-a-billion hot dog shop, and Doug is a hero in the food world.
I hope Hot Doug's continues to be an iconic beacon for the reinvention of comfort food and American cuisine.
I don't know when this place is not busy.
But go. Just go.
Okay, so, being from Los Angeles, the hot dogs here are done one of two ways: relish, mustard, ketchup and maybe some jalapenos. . .and then there's the ghetto dog way. . .the link wrapped in bacon and grilled on a baking sheet on top of a shopping cart by a Mexican in downtown LA. It's then piled high with grilled onions, peppers, and what else, but a giant jalapeno. Oh and the bun is rolled around in the bacon grease to make it extra delectable.
So when I came to Chicago, even as a dog lover, I was a little hesitant at first to try the dogs here. Pickle, onions (bleh), tomato, and CELERY SALT? That's some crazytalk man. But I mean, it's a Chicago staple, you've got to try it. So my friend and I, being crazy foodies, decided to take the metro, transfer twice, and take a bus all the way to Hot Doug's for some of the best (we've heard) dogs in the city.
After a 90 min trek. . .we made it. The line was wrapped around the building, but there were empty seats inside. Apparently the owner won't let you sit before you eat! But that ensures that everyone who orders food will get to sit and enjoy their meal! And even though this method doesn't seem to make logical sense at first, somehow it all works out.
My friend and I, between the two of us, ordered five dogs: The Dog w/ everything (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) Shrimp and Pork Sausage with goat cheese (http://www.yelp.com/bi...), the Marty Allen w/ everything (http://www.yelp.com/bi...), the Atomic Bomb aka spicy sausage with pepperjack cheese (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) and the Saucisson Alsacienne aka bacon sausage with double cream brie (http://www.yelp.com/bi...). . .oh and of course, an order of small fries. The owner took our order, and I have to say, he is the nicest dude and super efficient. He approved my ordering The Dog with everything on it.
Out of all the fancy dogs I had that day, I actually preferred The Dog. I loved the crunchy pickle, the sweet onions, the juicy tomato and the celery salt. . .yum. I thought the Saucisson Alsacienne was super rich, especially since it was piled high with creamy brie, and the Atomic Bomb was quite spicy as well. I mean, I love cheese and all, but I think I got a near overload, since halfway through the meal, my buddy and I were eating the hot dogs sans the cheese.
I would definitely come back again. . .even though the bill was crazy. . .I think the five dogs and small fries plus two sodas set us back maybe 45 bucks! Insane, but the food was great, the store and service were good and they also have some interesting soda brands in the fridge!
Well since I am off rehabbing from shoulder surgery, I might as well get caught up on some restaurant reviews. My wife and I finally headed up north to try Hot Doug's. A buddy of mine, DJ A. has been teasing me for a while about getting my butt up north to try this place. Well he is right and it definitely was worth the trip.
We ordered the Teuben, a corned beef sausage with russian dressing, sauerkraut and swiss cheese. I had mine without the sauerkraut, as I am not a big fan of sauerkraut (actually I hate the stuff). I also ordered a Tequila and Black Bean Chicken Sausage with Pico de Gallo, Guacamole and Habanero-Jack Cheese. It was another excellent sausage! Finally I ordered the Frankenwurst, one half pound of pure all beef pleasure. My mouth is watering as I type this review!!!
Maria also ordered the Elvis (smoked and savory polish sausage) and the Paul Kelly (bratwurst soaked in beer). She thought they were both excellent, the bratwurst was a little bitter she said, but she thought that was because of too much mustard.
We also shared some fresh cut french fries and a drink. They were good. The line was long the entire time we were there. But the line did always seem to move fast. Our total bill was less than $35 dollars. Our only negative comment would be around the size of the encased meats. If they could only be a bit bigger, it would add even more to the overall greatness of the meal.
Ok, so yes I waited over an hour for a hot dog, WTF. But, honestly, the hot dog, polish, and brat were all pretty damn good. The fries in duck fat were also very tasty. Will I wait an hour again, probably not, but maybe 45 minutes. Should have been 5 stars, but note to Doug, add a window for carry out. DUDE, you have to work on getting those lines moving a wee bit quicker.
