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A Chicago-style hot dog.
Lola’s Red Hots is a great Chicago spot.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Where to Eat Hot Dogs in Chicago

Enjoy them Chicago-style, Detroit-style, or even gourmet-style, but never, ever eat them with ketchup

by Ashok Selvam Updated
3 comments / new
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Lola’s Red Hots is a great Chicago spot.
| Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago
by Ashok Selvam Updated
3 comments / new

The traditional Chicago-style hot dog comes “dragged through the garden,” but there are always new purveyors ready to shake things up with gourmet sausages and inventive toppings. The only rule is that ketchup is reserved exclusively for fries and young children who don’t know any better.

Vienna Beef has a monopoly on hot dog stands, and they’ve become the taste of Chicago. However, other sausage makers do great work, so look out for variation.

For updated information on coronavirus cases, please visit the city of Chicago’s COVID-19 dashboard. Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may still pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission. The latest CDC guidance is here; find a COVID-19 vaccination site here.

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Superdawg Drive-In

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The special Superdawg proprietary all-beef sausage is perfectly complemented by pickled tomatoes. Enjoy it in the privacy of your car at one of the city’s only true drive-ins while admiring anthropomorphic sausage mascots Maury and Flaury, based on the stand’s owners. There’s also a suburban location in Wheeling.

6363 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646
(773) 763-0660
(773) 763-0660
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Also featured in:

Wolfy's

Copy Link

There's a certain joy driving down Peterson and seeing that iconic Wolfy's sign with the fork and lights. The jumbo char dog is the proper choice here.

2734 W Peterson Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
(773) 743-0207
(773) 743-0207
Wolfy’s [Official Photo]

Byron's Hot Dogs

Copy Link

Byron's boiled dogs are probably one of the best examples of the Chicago-style dog. The empire may have shrunk — at one time Byron's had locations in front of Wrigley Field and in Lincoln Park where the massive Crate & Barrel store now stands. But the hot dogs always deliver a quality bite.

1701 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 271-0900
(773) 271-0900

Flub A Dub Chub's

Copy Link

This delightful dog slinger is partially hidden in a basement along Broadway in Lakeview, so keep an eye out. The pulled pork chub dog is a fan favorite, and so is the quarter-pound “Chubby.”

3021 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 857-6500
(773) 857-6500

The Wiener's Circle

Copy Link

The Wiener’s Circle isn’t a joke. Sure, most of its popularity comes from the scathing insults delivered by its counter servers late at night, after the bars empty out. But that’s just a much needed checks and balances system that’s quieted many a bro through the years. In 2021, ownership unveiled a renovation that includes a back bar and patio. The classic stand reminds the same with, arguably, the best char dogs in the city.

2622 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 477-7444
(773) 477-7444
A brown sign that reads “We sells wieners.”
The Wieners Circle has been upgraded.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Also featured in:

Gene & Jude's

Copy Link

The Depression Dog variant is what makes Gene & Jude's an institution. Stuffed with french fries, this variant gives Chicagoans a reason to visit the suburbs.

2720 River Rd, River Grove, IL 60171
(708) 452-7634
(708) 452-7634
A row of Depression Dogs on a counter. Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

Fixin’ Franks/Home Depot

Copy Link

Not all Home Depots are created equal. There are six in Chicago (Avondale, Bucktown, Chatham, West Rogers Park, Chatham) and five in the suburbs (Evanston, Mount Prospect, two in Niles, Oak Lawn), all with special hot dog stands supplied by Makowski Sausage, a beloved South Side sausage maker. Fixin’ Franks also sells wagyu sausages from Vander Farms.

Home Depot, 2570 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Chicago's Dog House

Copy Link

The spiritual successor to Hot Doug's is often on the summer festival circuit. But stop by Chicago’s Dog House’s Lincoln Park location for the full arsenal of sausages named for local celebrities, including the Chance the Snapper Dog, which contains smoked alligator sausage, caramelized onions and sweet chili sauce.

816 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 248-3647
(773) 248-3647
Chicago’s Dog House [Official Photo]

Also featured in:

Redhot Ranch

Copy Link

Red Hot Ranch’s all-natural sausages with their casing that just has enough bite are no longer a secret. The double dog is the way to go, as the sausages are a bit slimmer than at most places. There’s a second location in Lakeview, and, on the South Side, the same owners run 35th Street Dogs near Sox Park which has an identical menu.

2449 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 772-6020
(773) 772-6020

Also featured in:

Original Jimmy's Red Hots

Copy Link

Jimmy's has instituted a complete ban on ketchup since it opened in 1954. Instead, customers can dip their fries in a house-made habanero hot sauce. In a small concession to changing times, Jimmy’s now serves a veggie dog.

4000 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 384-9513
(773) 384-9513

Also featured in:

Lola’s Coney Island

Copy Link

A love letter to Detroit, Lola’s Coney Island is a small restaurant that imports hot dogs, chili (from the National Chili Company, if you’re partisan), Better Made potato chips, Faygo, and Sanders bumpy cake from the Motor City. The stand also sells traditional Chicago-style red hots and a truly lovely avgolemono soup.

2858 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 687-9459
(773) 687-9459
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Fatso's Last Stand

Copy Link

Grilling a hot dog isn't a novice's task. The counter crew at Fatso's are experts: its char dog is one of the best in the city. The West Town staple now has a Lincoln Park location.

2258 W Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 245-3287
(773) 245-3287
Fatso’s Last Stand [Official Photo]

Also featured in:

Duk's Red HOTS

Copy Link

There used to be 16 locations of this chain and now only one remains along Ashland in West Town. Duk’s was famously threatened by Disney attorneys angry about the stand’s original name “Donald Duk’s.” The stand has a modest patio is open late. They serve Vienna Beef and also deep-fry their sausages, as opposed to the traditional boil or grilling methods. They don’t make places like this anymore. 

636 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 733-0069
(312) 733-0069
A hot dog stand’s patio area in the sun. Ashok Selvam/Eater Chicago

Also featured in:

Liberation Kitchen

Copy Link

The quest for a vegan hot dog is one that comes with much peril. The sausage needs the right texture and cooked properly. The bun is also not an easy feat to execute. Upton’s Naturals, the vegan food company, knows this and has applied their commitment to quality at their restaurant, Liberation Kitchen. The Chicago-style Updog is almost a perfect copy of the original hot dog, and the toppings are expertly applied. For a true “dragged through the garden” experience, order online. This isn’t just for vegans. Omnivores looking to reduce their meat consumption would be wise to enjoy.

2054 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 872-7838
(312) 872-7838

Also featured in:

The Hot Dog Box

Copy Link

The father-daughter team of Bobby and Brooklyn Morelli became a sensation shortly after they opened their first location at Boxville, the shipping container complex in Bronzeville. The duo have since moved operations to the North Side to Portage Park. Selections include a signature filet mignon dog and salmon and vegan varieties.

15 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
A person’s hand reaches out with a hot dog in a bun. Daija Guy/Eater Chicago

More in Maps

Devil Dawgs on State

Copy Link

Started near outside the Fullerton El stop as compensation for the loss of Demon Dogs, a beloved hot dog stand/shrine to the band Chicago, Devil Dawgs satisfied the neighborhood’s yearning for great hot dogs and fresh-cut fries (if not light rock) before moving downtown. There are now additional locations in Lakeview, the Gold Coast, and Wicker Park.

767 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 583-9100
(312) 583-9100

Also featured in:

Lulu's Hot Dogs

Copy Link

This classic hot dog spot near UIC has been around since 1968. In addition to Italian beef, gyros, and Polish sausages, it serves the elusive turkey leg, a classic but nowadays seldom seen Chicago street food.

1000 S Leavitt St, Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 243-3444
(312) 243-3444

Dave's Red Hots

Copy Link

Chicago’s oldest hot dog stand has been open since the early 1930s and has always been a family-owned business: first the Kaplans, then the Karms, and now the Fountains. The Karms originally refused to serve their hot dogs with any condiments besides mustard, pickles, and peppers, but restrictions have loosened over the years. Still, no ketchup is allowed.

3422 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60624
(773) 722-9935
(773) 722-9935

The Duck Inn

Copy Link

The Duck Inn's duck fat dog is the kind of mad scientist genius diners have come to expect from chef Kevin Hickey, who led two restaurants to Michelin stars before opening his own place in 2014. The hybrid beef/duck link is a welcome addition to Chicago's hot dog landscape.

2701 S Eleanor St, Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 724-8811
(312) 724-8811
Duck Inn [Official Photo]

Also featured in:

Maxwell Street Depot

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While developers continue to reshape 31st Street, much to the chagrin of many locals, Maxwell Street Depot continues to serve Polish and hot dogs 24 hours a day.

411 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 326-3514
(312) 326-3514

Also featured in:

Fred & Jack's

Copy Link

Since its humble beginnings as a push cart around 70 years ago, this Chicago hot dog stand has been serving the West Chatham community. It’s been around so long since the original owner, Jack Gullickson, purchased his kitchen equipment from Ray Kroc when the McDonald’s founder was still a humble salesman. The hot dogs and fixings are a little sweeter than at other stands, but everything is top-notch down to the sport pepper. There’s also plenty of Mexican fare, as the store is now owned by the El Gran Burrito chain.

7600 S Yale Ave, Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 783-9700
(773) 783-9700
A color photo of the Fred & Jack’s hot dog stand. Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

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Superdawg Drive-In

6363 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646

The special Superdawg proprietary all-beef sausage is perfectly complemented by pickled tomatoes. Enjoy it in the privacy of your car at one of the city’s only true drive-ins while admiring anthropomorphic sausage mascots Maury and Flaury, based on the stand’s owners. There’s also a suburban location in Wheeling.

6363 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646
(773) 763-0660
(773) 763-0660
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Wolfy's

2734 W Peterson Ave, Chicago, IL 60659

There's a certain joy driving down Peterson and seeing that iconic Wolfy's sign with the fork and lights. The jumbo char dog is the proper choice here.

2734 W Peterson Ave, Chicago, IL 60659
(773) 743-0207
(773) 743-0207
Wolfy’s [Official Photo]

Byron's Hot Dogs

1701 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

Byron's boiled dogs are probably one of the best examples of the Chicago-style dog. The empire may have shrunk — at one time Byron's had locations in front of Wrigley Field and in Lincoln Park where the massive Crate & Barrel store now stands. But the hot dogs always deliver a quality bite.

1701 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 271-0900
(773) 271-0900

Flub A Dub Chub's

3021 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657

This delightful dog slinger is partially hidden in a basement along Broadway in Lakeview, so keep an eye out. The pulled pork chub dog is a fan favorite, and so is the quarter-pound “Chubby.”

3021 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 857-6500
(773) 857-6500

The Wiener's Circle

2622 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

The Wiener’s Circle isn’t a joke. Sure, most of its popularity comes from the scathing insults delivered by its counter servers late at night, after the bars empty out. But that’s just a much needed checks and balances system that’s quieted many a bro through the years. In 2021, ownership unveiled a renovation that includes a back bar and patio. The classic stand reminds the same with, arguably, the best char dogs in the city.

2622 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 477-7444
(773) 477-7444
A brown sign that reads “We sells wieners.”
The Wieners Circle has been upgraded.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Gene & Jude's

2720 River Rd, River Grove, IL 60171

The Depression Dog variant is what makes Gene & Jude's an institution. Stuffed with french fries, this variant gives Chicagoans a reason to visit the suburbs.

2720 River Rd, River Grove, IL 60171
(708) 452-7634
(708) 452-7634
A row of Depression Dogs on a counter. Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

Fixin’ Franks/Home Depot

Home Depot, 2570 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Not all Home Depots are created equal. There are six in Chicago (Avondale, Bucktown, Chatham, West Rogers Park, Chatham) and five in the suburbs (Evanston, Mount Prospect, two in Niles, Oak Lawn), all with special hot dog stands supplied by Makowski Sausage, a beloved South Side sausage maker. Fixin’ Franks also sells wagyu sausages from Vander Farms.

Home Depot, 2570 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Chicago's Dog House

816 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

The spiritual successor to Hot Doug's is often on the summer festival circuit. But stop by Chicago’s Dog House’s Lincoln Park location for the full arsenal of sausages named for local celebrities, including the Chance the Snapper Dog, which contains smoked alligator sausage, caramelized onions and sweet chili sauce.

816 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 248-3647
(773) 248-3647
Chicago’s Dog House [Official Photo]

Redhot Ranch

2449 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Red Hot Ranch’s all-natural sausages with their casing that just has enough bite are no longer a secret. The double dog is the way to go, as the sausages are a bit slimmer than at most places. There’s a second location in Lakeview, and, on the South Side, the same owners run 35th Street Dogs near Sox Park which has an identical menu.

2449 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 772-6020
(773) 772-6020

Original Jimmy's Red Hots

4000 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60651

Jimmy's has instituted a complete ban on ketchup since it opened in 1954. Instead, customers can dip their fries in a house-made habanero hot sauce. In a small concession to changing times, Jimmy’s now serves a veggie dog.

4000 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 384-9513
(773) 384-9513

Lola’s Coney Island

2858 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

A love letter to Detroit, Lola’s Coney Island is a small restaurant that imports hot dogs, chili (from the National Chili Company, if you’re partisan), Better Made potato chips, Faygo, and Sanders bumpy cake from the Motor City. The stand also sells traditional Chicago-style red hots and a truly lovely avgolemono soup.

2858 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 687-9459
(773) 687-9459
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

Fatso's Last Stand

2258 W Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

Grilling a hot dog isn't a novice's task. The counter crew at Fatso's are experts: its char dog is one of the best in the city. The West Town staple now has a Lincoln Park location.

2258 W Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 245-3287
(773) 245-3287
Fatso’s Last Stand [Official Photo]

Duk's Red HOTS

636 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

There used to be 16 locations of this chain and now only one remains along Ashland in West Town. Duk’s was famously threatened by Disney attorneys angry about the stand’s original name “Donald Duk’s.” The stand has a modest patio is open late. They serve Vienna Beef and also deep-fry their sausages, as opposed to the traditional boil or grilling methods. They don’t make places like this anymore. 

636 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(312) 733-0069
(312) 733-0069
A hot dog stand’s patio area in the sun. Ashok Selvam/Eater Chicago

Liberation Kitchen

2054 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60612

The quest for a vegan hot dog is one that comes with much peril. The sausage needs the right texture and cooked properly. The bun is also not an easy feat to execute. Upton’s Naturals, the vegan food company, knows this and has applied their commitment to quality at their restaurant, Liberation Kitchen. The Chicago-style Updog is almost a perfect copy of the original hot dog, and the toppings are expertly applied. For a true “dragged through the garden” experience, order online. This isn’t just for vegans. Omnivores looking to reduce their meat consumption would be wise to enjoy.

2054 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 872-7838
(312) 872-7838

The Hot Dog Box

15 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602

The father-daughter team of Bobby and Brooklyn Morelli became a sensation shortly after they opened their first location at Boxville, the shipping container complex in Bronzeville. The duo have since moved operations to the North Side to Portage Park. Selections include a signature filet mignon dog and salmon and vegan varieties.

15 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
A person’s hand reaches out with a hot dog in a bun. Daija Guy/Eater Chicago

Related Maps

Devil Dawgs on State

767 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605

Started near outside the Fullerton El stop as compensation for the loss of Demon Dogs, a beloved hot dog stand/shrine to the band Chicago, Devil Dawgs satisfied the neighborhood’s yearning for great hot dogs and fresh-cut fries (if not light rock) before moving downtown. There are now additional locations in Lakeview, the Gold Coast, and Wicker Park.

767 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 583-9100
(312) 583-9100

Lulu's Hot Dogs

1000 S Leavitt St, Chicago, IL 60612

This classic hot dog spot near UIC has been around since 1968. In addition to Italian beef, gyros, and Polish sausages, it serves the elusive turkey leg, a classic but nowadays seldom seen Chicago street food.

1000 S Leavitt St, Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 243-3444
(312) 243-3444

Dave's Red Hots

3422 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60624

Chicago’s oldest hot dog stand has been open since the early 1930s and has always been a family-owned business: first the Kaplans, then the Karms, and now the Fountains. The Karms originally refused to serve their hot dogs with any condiments besides mustard, pickles, and peppers, but restrictions have loosened over the years. Still, no ketchup is allowed.

3422 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60624
(773) 722-9935
(773) 722-9935

The Duck Inn

2701 S Eleanor St, Chicago, IL 60608

The Duck Inn's duck fat dog is the kind of mad scientist genius diners have come to expect from chef Kevin Hickey, who led two restaurants to Michelin stars before opening his own place in 2014. The hybrid beef/duck link is a welcome addition to Chicago's hot dog landscape.

2701 S Eleanor St, Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 724-8811
(312) 724-8811
Duck Inn [Official Photo]

Maxwell Street Depot

411 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60616

While developers continue to reshape 31st Street, much to the chagrin of many locals, Maxwell Street Depot continues to serve Polish and hot dogs 24 hours a day.

411 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 326-3514
(312) 326-3514

Fred & Jack's

7600 S Yale Ave, Chicago, IL 60620

Since its humble beginnings as a push cart around 70 years ago, this Chicago hot dog stand has been serving the West Chatham community. It’s been around so long since the original owner, Jack Gullickson, purchased his kitchen equipment from Ray Kroc when the McDonald’s founder was still a humble salesman. The hot dogs and fixings are a little sweeter than at other stands, but everything is top-notch down to the sport pepper. There’s also plenty of Mexican fare, as the store is now owned by the El Gran Burrito chain.

7600 S Yale Ave, Chicago, IL 60620
(773) 783-9700
(773) 783-9700
A color photo of the Fred & Jack’s hot dog stand. Kim Kovacik/Eater Chicago

Related Maps