Eater Chicago - The End Is Here for Hot Doug'sThe Chicago Restaurant, Bar, and Nightlife Bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52682/favicon-32x32.png2014-10-08T10:36:20-05:00http://chicago.eater.com/rss/stream/66697302014-10-08T10:36:20-05:002014-10-08T10:36:20-05:00Meet the Restaurant That's Replacing Hot Doug's
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<figcaption>Marc Much/Facebook</figcaption>
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<p>Expect Frank Meats Patty to open on California and Roscoe as soon as December 1.</p> <p>While the dust settles following <a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2014/10/3/6905689/the-end-is-near-for-hot-dougs">the closing</a> of Chicago's beloved sausage superstore, a new restaurant group is finalizing plans <a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2014/9/30/6874789/fatsos-last-stand-take-over-hot-dougs-space">to move into</a> the iconic corner space on California and Roscoe.</p>
<p>Per his lease terms, Doug Sohn and team need to pack up his signature decorations (which he'll auction off for charity) and vacate the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://chicago.eater.com/venue/hot-dougs">Hot Doug's</a> space before November 1. Then the group behind <a href="http://www.fatsoslaststand.com/">Fatso's Last Stand</a> and <a href="http://www.lockdownbar.com/">Lockdown Bar & Grill</a> will move in, and hope to open <b>Frank Meats Patty</b> there on December 1.</p>
<p>The boisterous <b>Bob Corbett</b>, general manager of the Lockdown group, brims with excitement for the new project but tempers that with respect for Sohn. "I can't do what (Doug) does," he says. "<b>We're not trying to be Hot Doug's</b>. I stood in line there for years like everyone else."</p>
<p>Corbett says he heard the news about Hot Doug's impending closing the same way as everyone else&#8212;from the news. One of Corbett's partners knows the landlord and they began negotiating the lease.</p>
<p>What they'll open is a fast-casual, affordable, gourmet burger and hot dog place with a <a href="http://www.fatsoslaststand.com/menu/">similar menu to Fatso's</a> but with some new items. In addition to their thin, griddled burgers and char dogs, Fatso's <b>secret menu items</b>, such as their shrimp po'boy that Adam Richman featured on the Travel Channel, will be on the regular menu. He is also considering offering different types of <b>game burgers</b>, such as bison, in the same fast-casual style.</p>
<p>The group will replace Sohn's array of memorabilia with decorations celebrating classic Chicago, such as architecture, sports and politics.They're also purchasing Sohn's kitchen equipment&#8212;meaning the burgers and dogs you eat there will come from the same grills that once cooked the famous foie gras dogs and other Hot Doug's specialties.</p>
<p>Don't expect alcohol at Frank Meats Patty&#8212;at least not in the beginning&#8212;but do expect it to be <b>open later</b> than Hot Doug's notoriously early closing times. Eat-in, carry-out and delivery service will run from lunch through at least 10 p.m. daily.</p>
<p>One of the things Corbett is most looking forward to is serving the locals and other people that couldn't eat at Hot Doug's because they didn't have time to wait in the epic lines or get there during the odd hours. That, combined with Fatso's and Lockdown's high reputations, makes him believe that Frank Meats Patty will be a successful neighborhood place.</p>
<p>"If you serve good food and keep the prices fair, people will come in," Corbett says. "As long as the customers know I'm not trying to be Doug."</p>
https://chicago.eater.com/2014/10/8/6943583/meet-the-restaurant-thats-replacing-hot-dougsDaniel Gerzina2014-10-06T11:19:08-05:002014-10-06T11:19:08-05:00No Extra Ketchup Here: Watch Doug Sohn Place Hot Doug's Final Order
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<figcaption>Doug Sohn and Paul Kelly</figcaption>
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<p>The beloved Hot Doug's owner places the final order breaks out the jokes.</p> <p>What are the perks of having Hot Doug himself as a close friend? <span>One may be having a sausage named after your love of beer. For instance, <b>Doug Sohn</b> named the bratwurst after <b>Paul Kelly</b>, noting that its "soaked in beer, kind of like Paul."</span></p>
<p>"It's not named after me, it's named after my drinking problem," Kelly quipped on Friday, the last day of operations at <b><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/venue/hot-dougs" class="sbn-auto-link">Hot Doug's</a></b>.</p>
<p>Kelly also earned the honor of standing behind the cashier's counter and taking the final sausage order at the hot dog stand—from Sohn. Sohn, who set a new standard for casual dining in the country in part through the consistency of quality service and food, wanted to be the final customer at his establishment.</p>
<p>While Sohn said he'd practiced acting as a customer, Kelly did not. Instead, the material for his Sohn imitations came from years of friendship.</p>
<p>"Hi, welcome to Hot Doug's?" Kelly said with a high voice inflection and smile all too familiar to customers.</p>
<p>The following video is the final order taken at Hot Doug's. It's a five-minute-plus performance of repeated inside jokes, laughter and emotion, the closing of a memorable chapter in Chicago food history. Enjoy.</p>
<p><iframe width="853" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/mhKhBKp2w_0" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><b><i>—Ashok Selvam</i></b></p>
https://chicago.eater.com/2014/10/6/6919447/hot-dougs-final-order-videoEater Staff2014-10-03T20:31:47-05:002014-10-03T20:31:47-05:00Chicago's Sausage King Has Left the Building — Hot Doug's is Closed
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<figcaption>Doug Sohn placing the final order | Ashok Selvam</figcaption>
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<p>200 customers, a politician, an E-list celebrity as the last customer, and champagne made it into Chicago's most beloved hot dog stand on its last day.</p> <p>The lights powered down and friends uncorked champagne as a disco ball whirled over the cashier's counter, signifying the end of the line for Chicago's famous <b><a href="http://chicago.eater.com/venue/hot-dougs" class="sbn-auto-link">Hot Doug's</a></b>.</p>
<p><span>Around 6:35 p.m., owner <b>Doug Sohn himself made the final order</b>, doing his best impression of his most clueless customers over the restaurant's 11 years.</span></p>
<p><span>"Is the 'Atomic Bomb' spicy?" Sohn jokingly asked friend Paul Kelly, who assumed Sohn's customary position behind the counter. </span></p>
<p><span></span><span>"It's very mild," Kelly retorted, doing his best impression of his friend. Of course, the Atomic Bomb sausage is infamously spicy.</span></p>
<p><span>When Sohn eventually settled on a char dog, the staff in back—the ones doing the actual work—had a response for their boss.</span></p>
<p><span>"<b>We're all out of char dogs</b>," one of the cooks yelled back.</span></p>
<p><span>So while some customers left in tears, the staff at Hot Doug's made sure customers heard plenty of quick-witted banter on this last day. It's the kind of signature chatter that has endeared Sohn to so many over the years.</span></p>
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<p><span>Sohn even joked about the foie gras, the beloved yet controversial ingredient that earned him a fine in 2007 when Chicago banned the ingredient.</span></p>
<p><span>"It's actually not the most expensive," Sohn said. "It's the profit margin."</span></p>
<p><span>Everyone in line was served, and the only thing they ran out of on Friday was the chili.</span></p>
<p><b>Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan</b> even stopped by and hugged Sohn's girlfriend Barbara Tyksinski. Apparently the Madigan family, including Lisa's father, Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan, have been patrons since Doug first started slinging sausage at the old Roscoe Village location. Don't worry, Lisa Madigan didn't throw around any of her family's famous political clout to circumvent the line. She left without any food.</p>
<p><span>While Sohn may have made the final order, <b>Joe Hehl</b> was the last in line, entering the queue at 6:42 a.m. Three minutes later staff cut the line off. For this final day, Sohn wanted to limit service to <b>200 customers</b>. He didn't want to stretch into the night when some customers may be a little tired or boozy. And, oh yes, those waiting in line had a few drinks.</span></p>
<p><span>Hehl, who was suffering form a sore throat while waiting out in the damp and cold conditions, said he wasn't nervous about bearing the responsibility of being the last customer. Kelly told him he was a celebrity.</span></p>
<p><span>"<b>You're more of an ‘E-List' celebrity now</b>," said Kelly, who Sohn named the menu's bratwurst after: It's "soaked in beer, kind of like Paul."</span></p>
<p><span>Doug's dining room was more empty than usual, as most customers made mass carry out orders. Sohn said the <b>average customer order was about $60</b>.</span></p>
<p><span>Sohn and Tyksinski have a road trip planned next week, but Sohn surprised her by naming Friday's "Celebrity Sausage" after her. The celebrity rotates in name and ingredients, and Tyksinski was moved by the gesture.</span></p>
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<p>After the lights dimmed, <b>staff served champagne to customers as a thank you</b>. Eventually, everyone raised a toast to Sohn. Staff planned to put up paper over the windows for privacy and celebrate through the night.</p>
<p><span>"<b>L'chaim</b>," Sohn said with a wry smile, displaying the same look of content his customers have shown through the years after a meal at Hot Doug's.</span></p>
<p><b><i>—Ashok Selvam</i></b></p>
https://chicago.eater.com/2014/10/3/6906071/hot-dougs-closedEater Staff2014-10-03T14:34:52-05:002014-10-03T14:34:52-05:00The End is Almost Here for Hot Doug's
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<figcaption>Ashok Selvam</figcaption>
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<p>The line thins and employees and customers reflect.</p> <p>As the line grew smaller and morning turned to afternoon, both customers and staff at <a href="http://chicago.eater.com/venue/hot-dougs" class="sbn-auto-link">Hot Doug's</a> know the end is near.</p>
<p>The restaurant had all hands on deck today, staffing 12 instead of 10, and employing the help of family members on Friday's final day.<br><br>One of those employees was <b>Marco Roman</b>. He has worked as a bus boy for 11 years, dating back to Hot Doug's original location in Roscoe Village. He will miss this job.<br><br>"It wasn't a job, it was more like a family," Roman said.<br><br>Roman, who also works at a fire-suppression company, will celebrate with his coworkers today after the final customer is served. The plan is to put up paper to cover the windows and have a postmortem celebration.</p>
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<br><br>While Roman hopes his boss, Doug Sohn, opens another restaurant, Sohn seems intent on staying out of the restaurant business.<br><br>Friday's line moved brisk, much faster than in recent days, with customers waiting on the final encased meats. Staff didn't want to close much past the 4:30 p.m. closing time.<br><br>The dining room was not full of customers, as the majority in line made large carry out orders. One table was dedicated for workers to prep those to go orders.<br><br>One customer, Erin English, left Doug's tears saying "<b>it was like losing a friend</b>." She later admitted to being sleep deprived from waiting in line overnight.<br><br>"I know it's ridiculous," she said. "But I just need a nap."<br><br>While the rain muted the line a bit, the biggest noise came from the anti-Doug contingent. A man with a rolled up yoga mat under his arm screamed an obscenity while navigating his way through the line. He was angry at the inconvenience.<br><br>Still, patrons posed with Sohn for photos with the majority leaving with huge grins of content having one last change to hang out with their beloved friend.</p>
<p><b><i>—Ashok Selvam</i></b></p>
https://chicago.eater.com/2014/10/3/6904839/the-end-is-almost-near-for-hot-dougsEater Staff2014-10-03T12:26:16-05:002014-10-03T12:26:16-05:00D-Day is Here: Hot Doug's Opens Doors One Last Time
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<figcaption>Ashok Selvam</figcaption>
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<p>The last celebrity sausage is named after Doug's girlfriend, customers make an epic sign, and more from the Hot Doug's scene.</p> <p>The soggy crowd of about 500 standing outside <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://chicago.eater.com/venue/hot-dougs">Hot Doug's</a> Friday morning roared around 10:30 a.m.</p>
<p>"<b>We are open!</b>" yelled a Hot Doug's staffer as he unlocked and opened the door to the sausage superstore on its final day of business.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/a8LBjzGaV_o" height="480" width="853"></iframe></p>
<p>Proprietor <b>Doug Sohn</b> wore his customary Hot Doug's T-shirt and said he was sorting through mixed emotions, but he wasn't afraid to crack jokes. Sohn's friend, Paul Kelly, will step behind the cashier's counter Friday night and serve Sohn the final sausage. Sohn said he'd even been practicing as a customer, rehearsing lines like asking: "Are you Doug?"</p>
<p>The menu includes a celebrity sausage, as always. Today's celebrity? The "<b>Barbara Tyksinski</b>"—Sohn's long-time girlfriend—which is an escarole guanciale (pork cheeks) topped with parsley, garlic butter and Camembert cheese.</p>
<p>That's what <b>Max Simmons</b> ordered. To the envy of many (but not his wife), Simmons was the first customer served on Friday. An auto worker from Chicago, Simmons ate at Doug's on Thursday, getting in line at 8 a.m. He promptly got back into line and brought a canopy at 4 p.m. Thursday, staying despite heavy rain overnight.</p>
<p>Simmons yawned a few times as he waited while his friends started chanting "King Max." He said he had dined at Doug's "a million times." But it wasn't the food that brought him back, it was Sohn's friendliness. Simmons' friends reiterated that point later in the morning by taping a banner outside the restaurant reading: "<b>the fries are good, the sausages are great. But our friend Doug is why we wait</b>." Customers then began signing the banner high school yearbook-style.</p>
<p>While the rains soaked the customers, their spirits were high in anticipation. A balloon-twister, Scott Ingerson, took the time to create balloon hot dogs for customers.</p>
<p>But not everyone is a fan. A neighbor living above Hot Doug's told CBS2 that she was ready for the lines to go away. "<b>I want it to be over</b>," she told the station before departing for a trip at O'Hare International Airport.</p>
<p>Others living nearby, including Tom Seymour, vented, saying the lines brought traffic which snarled their morning work commute.</p>
<p>But, as the kids say, those were the haters. John Lucas isn't among them. He's washed Doug's windows for the last six years.</p>
<p>"<b>My heart just broke</b>," Lucas said, upon hearing the news of closing. "He's a great guy."</p>
<p><b><i>—Ashok Selvam</i></b></p>
https://chicago.eater.com/2014/10/3/6901281/d-day-is-here-hot-dougs-opens-doors-one-last-timeEater Staff2014-10-03T09:23:11-05:002014-10-03T09:23:11-05:00No Soggy Sausages Here: Enthusiastic Customers Line Up For One Last Hot Doug's Bite
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<figcaption>Hot Doug's last customer, Joe Hehl | Ashok Selvam</figcaption>
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<p>With the line cut off before 7 a.m., these customers are Hot Doug's last.</p> <p>They began chanting his name around 8:30 a.m.<br><br><b>"DOUG! DOUG! DOUG!"</b><br><br>No, the rain didn't scare people off on the final day of business at venerable <a style="font-weight: bold;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://chicago.eater.com/venue/hot-dougs">Hot Doug's</a>—they're lined up for a half-mile down Roscoe Street.<br><br>The first customer is <b>Max Simmons</b>, an auto worker from Chicago. He said he's eaten at Doug's "a million times." He stood with friends under a canopy to protect him from the rain. He got there at 8 a.m. on Thursday, ate, and got back in line at 4 p.m.<br><br><b>Staff cut off the line at 6:45 a.m.</b> That's when <b>Joe Hehl</b> from Lockport arrived. He had only eaten at Doug's once prior, three months ago. The girl he dated introduced him to Doug's and he became a fan.<br><br>"I knew he meant business when the line wrapped around the building," he said.<br><br>All customers in line will be served, staff said. The line wasn't the longest ever, but there are only so many sausages left.<br><br>Simmons said he will miss <b>Doug Sohn</b>, the owner, the most. When Simmons first dined there, Sohn began calling him "Sparky." The name stuck.<br><br>Tents, coffee—even booze&#8212;were all enjoyed by customers in line early Friday morning. One group of customers blasted The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Big Poppa." It's unknown if they were playing it as a reference to Sohn, or just coincidence.<br><br>Sohn arrived much earlier than the 10:30 a.m. opening time and stood at his customary spot behind the counter. He smiled and waved as passersby took photos, Starbucks and breakfast in hand.</p>
<p><b><i>—Ashok Selvam</i></b></p>
https://chicago.eater.com/2014/10/3/6900205/last-hot-dougs-customersEater Staff2014-10-02T15:07:47-05:002014-10-02T15:07:47-05:00Today's Hot Doug's News: Barbecue Pops Up in Line and a Bagpiper Plays 'Amazing Grace'
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<p>One day before D-Day, here's your daily dose of Hot Doug's.</p> <p>T-minus one day before the sausage superstore closes for good. The line has become so epic, where people are now waiting the night before, that people may need to eat while they wait to eat.</p>
<p><b>Rub's Backcountry Smokehouse</b>'s Jared Leonard and Gary Wiviott seized the opportunity to feed the captive audience—by setting up a smoker and serving brisket to the hungry masses of humanity that line Roscoe Street and through the Northwest Side, <a href="http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20141002/avondale/hot-dougs-line-thursdays-menu-includes-30-pounds-of-brisket">DNAinfo reports</a>. <span>The crafty barbecuers reportedly started smoking brisket at 10 p.m. last night and snagged a spot outside <a href="http://chicago.eater.com/venue/hot-dougs" class="sbn-auto-link">Hot Doug's</a> at 4 a.m. </span></p>
<p>Meanwhile, the solemn atmosphere shared by thousands of mourning Doug's fans was encapsulated by a poignant musician outside. A <b>single bagpiper</b> was heard by the masses after breaking into a version of "Amazing Grace."</p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/samjcharles">@samjcharles</a> omg</p>
— Hot Doug's (@hotdougs) <a href="https://twitter.com/hotdougs/status/517731543607832577">October 2, 2014</a>
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<p>And finally, more people are offering to sell places in line—or even wait in it for you and deliver the food to your door. <a href="http://www.redeyechicago.com/viral/redeye-selling-spots-in-hot-dougs-line-20141001,0,776173.htmlstory">RedEye reports</a> that the spot-selling price has risen to <b>$300</b> and users of TaskRabbit are offering to wait in line for you—for <b>$15-18 an hour, </b>which neither Doug Sohn nor Twitter followers condone.</p>
<p>Stay tuned for more coverage of the final day tomorrow.</p>
https://chicago.eater.com/2014/10/2/6895205/hot-dougs-barbecue-pop-up-line-bagpiperDaniel Gerzina2014-09-30T14:26:54-05:002014-09-30T14:26:54-05:00Fatso's Last Stand Owners Set to Take Over Hot Doug's Space
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<figcaption>Marc Much/Facebook</figcaption>
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<p>Will they serve hot dogs in the home of Hot Doug's?</p> <p>Will another of Chicago's best hot doing joints replace the most famous hot dog joint in Chicago's history? <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/dining/chi-hot-dougs-the-exit-interview-20140929-story.html#page=1">The <i>Tribune</i> is reporting</a>, nestled in an interview, that Doug Sohn revealed that the people behind <b>Fatso's Last Stand</b> and <b>The Lockdown</b> will take over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://chicago.eater.com/venue/hot-dougs">Hot Doug's</a> space after Sohn vacates the storefront at the end of the month. Hot Doug's is closing on Friday, in case you missed the lines that may be visible from space.</p>
<p>There's no word yet on the specific concept for the space, but chances are that it will feature something casual and American. <a href="http://www.fatsoslaststand.com/">Fatso's </a>(<a href="http://chicago.eater.com/2014/5/6/6228955/name-game">formerly</a> Phil's Last Stand) sells some of the best-regarded hot dogs in the city alongside other Chicago greasy staples, and <a href="http://www.lockdownbar.com/">Lockdown</a>, while also featuring a full bar and full service, is best known for its burgers.</p>
<p>Eater reached out to Fatso's and Lockdown ownership—stay tuned for more details.</p>
https://chicago.eater.com/2014/9/30/6874789/fatsos-last-stand-take-over-hot-dougs-spaceDaniel Gerzina