After Mysterious Shutter, Paradise Pup May Reopen Friday to Sling Suburban Hot Dogs

The Internet is speculating why Paradise Pup, a suburban hot dog stand in Des Plaines, suddenly closed on Tuesday night. Police, IRS, and FBI said nothing to the suburban Journal & Topics newspaper, despite the reported presence of cars with flashing lights late on Tuesday. Owners George and Tony Manos are quiet but there was a sign posted on the door reading “closed due to family emergency.” The only response made public was a direct message from the Paradise Pup Facebook page the claimed the restaurant would reopen on Friday.

“The good thing is [we] will be open tomorrow,” the unidentified person running Paradise Pup’s Facebook wrote to Eater Chicago. “Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet.”

The person didn’t give identification or provide further info. The response only adds to the mystery surrounding the shutter. Paradise Pup has operated for 36 years in the Northwest Suburbs at 1724 S. River Road in Des Plaines. Guy Fieri visited in 2007 and put Paradise Pup on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Just a short drive from O’Hare International Airport, the stand serves standout burgers, Chicago-style dogs, and milkshakes.

The news has evoked emotional responses. A thread on the LTHForum message board contained rumors that aren’t grounded in any facts. A Reddit thread did the same.

Neighboring business owners didn’t know why Paradise Pup closed. Journal & Topics reported that on late Tuesday night several cars, including one with flashing lights, pulled into the stand’s parking lot. Paradise Pup has been closed ever since.

Check back for any updates.

UPDATE: It’s back open.