Eater Chicago - The End is Almost Near for Hot Doug'sThe Chicago Restaurant, Bar, and Nightlife Bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52682/favicon-32x32.png2014-10-03T14:34:52-05:00http://chicago.eater.com/rss/stream/66697362014-10-03T14:34:52-05:002014-10-03T14:34:52-05:00The 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 Staff