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Barry Nemerow, Former Co-Owner of Chicago’s Famous Wiener’s Circle, Has Died

Services are scheduled for Friday in Skokie

Former Wiener’s Circle owner Barry Nemerow (left) poses at the hot dogs stand with co-owner Larry Gold.
TruTV
Ashok Selvam is the editor of Eater Chicago and a native Chicagoan armed with more than two decades of award-winning journalism. Now covering the world of restaurants and food, his nut graphs are super nutty.

The former co-owner of the The Wiener’s Circle, Chicago’s iconic and controversial late-night hot dog stand, has died. Barry Nemerow, who also co-owned the two Red Hot Ranch locations, died on Wednesday, his business partner Jeff Greenfield confirmed.

Greenfield called Nemerow a "dear friend." The news was too fresh and he declined further comment. Nemerow died at 11:22 a.m. on Wednesday. He was 60.

Nemerow sold his stakes in the 34-year-old Wiener’s Circle in September 2015. Nemerow also owned 35th Street Red Hots in the South Side, but his Lincoln Park hot dog stand and its unique and sometimes rude service was what gave him notoriety. That led to a 2012 reality TV show about the Wiener’s Circle where Nemerow made appearances.

When they opened the second Red Hot Ranch on Ashland, Nemerow and Greenfield sought to give Chicago a burger comparable to beloved California chain In-N-Out.

Services are planned for 11 a.m. on Friday at Chicago Jewish Funerals in Skokie.

The Wiener's Circle

2622 North Clark Street, , IL 60614 (773) 477-7444 Visit Website

Red Hot Ranch

3055 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60657 (773) 661-9377

35th Street Red Hots

500 W 35th St, Chicago, IL 60616 (773) 624-9866