The 27 Best Hot Dog Spots in Chicago (and the ‘Burbs)
Douse us with poppyseeds and drag us through the garden.
Chicagoans are fiercely proud of their hot dogs—and rightly so. We make the best damn dogs in the nation, without question. And while restaurant trends come and go, many of Chicago’s classic hot dog purveyors are thankfully keeping things as charmingly divey as they’ve been for centuries. We scoured the city (plus the suburbs) for the finest examples of this civic culinary institution, so no matter where you end up, you’re never too far from an epic frankfurter feast.
NORTH SIDE
Wrigleyville & Irving Park
Considered by many to be one of the finest dogs in the city, this no-frills stand. The flagship location, dating to 1975, is conveniently located within stumbling distance of Wrigley Field and excels at authentic Chicago-style creations that add cucumber and green pepper to the equation.
How to book: Stop by for counter service or order take-out online (Lawrence, Irving Park).
Ravenswood
This oft-overlooked cash-only gem sports a few picnic tables outside and just enough retro stylings inside to attract none other than the late-great Anthony Bourdain, as evidenced by the venerable gourmand's 2012 visit. The menu is simple, the fries top-notch, and the vibe utterly enchanting.
How to book: Stop by for counter service.
SOUTH SIDE
Bridgeport
This neighborhood hangout’s signature Duck Inn Dog has won numerous accolades, and deservedly so. Made with all-natural beef and unctuous duck fat in hog casing and grilled to a fine snap, this bad boy will have you coming back for seconds.
How to book: Reserve via OpenTable or order take-out and delivery via Grubhub, Uber Eats, Postmates, Caviar, and Tock.
SUBURBS
Forest Park
This delightfully old-school suburban mainstay has been going strong at the corner of Harlem & Madison since 1947, peddling a standout selection of classic Chicago dogs and fries from a small stand that ain’t trying to fix what ain’t broke.
How to book: Stop by for counter service.
NORTH SIDE
River North, Lakeview & Wicker Park
You know that Hot Doug’s (RIP) highbrow-meets-lowbrow spirit runs strong in this one when your hot dog, burger, lobster roll, or fish tacos arrive alongside fries topped with a whole boatload of foie gras. Pony up, cowboy.
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating or order take-out and delivery via Toast (River North, Lakeview, Wicker Park).
DePaul
Once upon a time, Demon Dogs was every DePaul student’s hard habit to break—that was until the CTA invoked eminent domain on the beloved old stand, expelling it to Hades. Now this spot, stationed near Lincoln and Fullerton, has entered the scene with all the staples plus more exotic picks like alligator sausage with Asian chili sauce and the Midway Monster loaded with bacon and giardiniera.
How to book: Stop by for counter service or order take-out online.
Lakeview
Tucked away in a basement along Broadway and run by a sweet older couple, this is the rare place that makes Lakeview feel like an actual neighborhood. Go for the extra-thick dog—it's called the Chubby, of course.
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating or order take-out via Toast.
Bucktown & Lakeview
The Armitage Avenue branch of this small chain (it's restaurant siblings with Wiener’s Circle and 35th Street Red Hots) hawks a bill of minimalist dogs (mustard, relish, onion, and sport peppers), fresh-cut fries, and fried shrimp. Why would you need anything else, though?
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.
Ukrainian Village & Lincoln Park
Formerly Phil’s Last Stand, this Chicago classic cranks out a steady stream of plenty-good char dogs and fresh-cut fries—though, truth be told, it’s pretty tough to tear yourself away from the In-N-Out-esque smash burgers or plump and crispy fried shrimp.
How to book: Stop by for counter service or order take-out and delivery online.
Humboldt Park
Straightforward dogs, fresh-cut fries fried in sizzling lard, dodgy guys selling pirated DVDs... Jimmy’s is, and hopefully always will be, a true Chicago experience.
How to book: Stop by for counter service or order take-out and delivery via Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash.
Jefferson Park
This bright and quirky drive-in destination’s fleet of carhops have been toting trays of fat, garlicky hot dogs, piping hot piles of crinkle-cut fries, and thick-as-a-brick shakes to hungry Chicagoans since 1948.
How to book: Stop by for drive-in service or order take-out and delivery via Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash.
Albany Park
CTA memorabilia (a lot more cheery than the actual Brown Line turnaround across the street) decorates this friendly, well-run stand, which serves a few gourmet-style dogs alongside the classics.
How to book: Stop by for counter service or order take-out and delivery via Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash.
Rogers Park
Expect perfectly charred, no-nonsense dogs (plus burgers, Italian beef, cheese steaks, gyros, chicken nuggets, salads, and milkshakes) sold beneath a great '60s-era sign. Pro tip? Stick to the meat here and grab your fries elsewhere.
How to book: Stop by for counter service.
DOWNTOWN
River North
Sure, it’s a chain, but this celebrated Chicago original really did get its humble start in the blue-collar suburb of Villa Park back in the 1950. And, unsurprisingly, the real-deal dogs continue to hold their own to this very day.
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating or order take-out and delivery via Grubhub and Postmates.
West Loop
You might expect one of the last surviving workingman’s greasy spoons in all of Downtown to make a quality classic Chicago dog (the kind stacked tall with pickle spears, neon relish, tomatoes, sport peppers, celery salt, etc.), and, guess what? You’d be correct.
How to book: Stop by for counter service or order take-out and delivery via ChowNow and Caviar.
SOUTH SIDE
Bridgeport
Bridgeport may be the home of hot dog tradition, but the fast-rising neighborhood also stands at the cutting edge of hot-dogdom thanks to the Polish-Korean fusion dog (topped with house-made kimchee) from this hip, innovative family joint attached to much-loved Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar.
How to book: Stop by for counter service.
Bridgeport
If there’s anywhere you ought to find a hot dog unchanged by time, it’s in the shadow of Guaranteed Rate Field, and this 35th Street institution makes it happen with its vintage vibes and tasty sausages.
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating or order take-out and delivery via GrubHub, Postmates, Uber Eats, and Toast.
University Village/Little Italy
Dating back to the old Maxwell Street location in the 1930s, this two-steps-below-no-frills stand takes you back to the primordial beginnings of Chicago dogs, and even better, the Polish sausage—the 24-hour friend of the working man.
How to book: Stop by for counter service or order take-out and delivery via DoorDash.
Marquette Park
Lots of places call themselves a “hole in the wall,” but Fat Johnnie’s literally is one—it's the kind of walkup stand that looks like it’s literally about to fall down. The David Berg kosher-style dog doesn’t have the spice of a Vienna Beef dog (even though it comes from the same company), but this is one of the few spots you can still try a Mother-in-Law, the dog-less tamale in a bun that became a fixture of Depression-era Chicago.
How to book: Stop by for counter service or order take-out and delivery via Uber Eats.
South Chicago
First opened as a 1950s-era joint and now stashed in a newer building in the shadow of the Skyway, this friendly old-school dive still cooks up a trusty lineup of good old dogs, Italian beef, and Chicago-style gyros for the masses.
How to book: Stop by for counter service or order take-out and delivery via Grubhub, Uber Eats, Seamless, and Postmates.
Mount Greenwood
This little stop-off is hawking genuine Vienna Beef dogs and delicious fresh-cut fries in the southernmost point in the city. That counts for something, right?
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating or order take-out and delivery via Grubhub.
SUBURBS
River Grove
Allegedly founded when one of the owners lost his original stand at Polk and Western in a card game, this vintage stand draws lines out the door every weekend for fresh-cut fries and minimalist dogs. Forget all that tomato-and-pickle-on-top business—this is mustard, relish, onion, and sport peppers territory. And if you have the audacity to request ketchup, you’re going to have to slink in shame to the McDonald’s next door for it.
How to book: Stop by for counter service.
Bannockburn
Bannockburn has serious Ye Olde Scotland vibes, and The Dogout is fittingly located in what looks like a strip mall built to defend it against the Visigoths Roll up to enjoy a solid dog while imagining the clans of Orangetheory and Sport Clips rising up alongside you to fight for FREEDOM!
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.
Des Plaines
There are lots of hot dog stands that try to evoke the 1950s, but Rand Red Hots is the rare one that does it so convincingly that we had to look up how old it really is. Nope, it only goes back to 2013, but it’s an old soul—the straightforward dogs, wrapped with the fries (contributing crucial mustard-onion flavor to your taters), could have walked right out of Gene’s & Jude’s, and the prices, if not quite 1950s-level cheap, are at least extremely reasonable.
How to book: Stop by for counter service.
Park Ridge
It’s hard not to smile on a hot summer day when you catch site of this family-friendly stalwart’s penguin sign. The dogs are good, not great (they’re skinless, for one thing), but the soft-serve ice cream and the off-the-beaten-path location on a quiet stretch of Busse Highway make you feel like you’re in a small town far, far away from Chicago’s hustle and bustle.
How to book: Stop by for counter service.
Berwyn
Call this joint the little stand that could. At Big Guys, which operates out of a former Parky’s (a local hot dog chain in the near west suburbs), you could easily go for a fine Vienna Beef dog or a standout hand-formed burger. But the best things here are the sausages, all made in-house like their famous Maxwell Street Polish.
How to book: Stop by for counter service or order take-out and delivery via Toast.
Highland Park
The North Shore may be one of the richest places in America, but it often feels like old-school America at the same time, and few places fit that mold more than this 40-year-old institution. Rest assured a long line of future executives got their start with summer jobs flinging char dogs and fries, here.
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served patio seating or order take-out and delivery via Toast and DoorDash.