Best Hot Dog Spots in Chicago, Illinois

Localities tend to attach themselves to foods and attractions distinct to their locations. For instance, New York is known for pizza, while the Key West is popular for Key lime pie. In the case of Chicago, it is often described as a city hosting the best hotdogs throughout the United States. With the many hundreds of hot dog joints and stands lining up around many Chicago streets, the competition is quite favorable to hot dog lovers who want to try out the best of Chicago's hot dogs.

For Chicago-style hot dogs, often referred to as the "Chicago Dog," it is typical for establishments to provide out of the ordinary food presentations and specialties for their hot dogs. Usually, restaurants put their own twist on their food to entice both locals and tourists. Confident about how their hotdogs taste, hot dog joints in the city generally don't serve their hot dogs with ketchup, even if the customer asks for it.

Jimmy's Red Hots
4000 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60651; 773-384-9513

The family-owned Jimmy's Red Hots on Chicago's West Side, in between Farfield and Humbolt Parks, has been a city landmark for over 50 years. Keeping up with the times, Jimmy's is known for its cheap, but must-try Chicagoland hot dogs that vary in style, flavors, and ingredients. It is best known for its Depression hot dogs and polish sausage treats. The Depression dog is a term coined from the street cart hot dog vendors serving during the struggling times of the Great Depression. From the classic hot dog aptly called Jimmy's Hot Dog to the specialty Jimmy's Bunch Tamale, Jimmy's offer best quality dogs made of all beef franks and only fresh toppings.

Superdawg
6363 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, IL 60646; 773-763-0660

Opened in the 1940s, Superdawg is an eye-catching Chicago landmark located at the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue, Devon Avenue, and Nagle Avenue in the Chicago's Norwood Park neighborhood. This drive-in hot dog stand with carhop service sports a classic old drive-in charm with a "hot dog couple" mounted on top of its establishment. It also features an engaging color scheme that tends to attract people passing by. Although it serves a variety of sandwiches and other food options, Superdawg is best known for its Chicago-style hotdog and its 1950s-style of taking food orders where diners pull their car up to one of the carports, then order via a retro-looking metallic speaker box.

Wiener's Circle
2622 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60614; 773-477-7444

The Wiener's Circle located along Chicago's North Clark Street is a popular hangout for the younger crowd. Interestingly, it is fully packed even after weekend party nights as it is a favorite comfort food spot for those who just came from bars and clubs. Although most popular for its signature Chicago-style hot dogs, it is also known for its variety of burgers and cheese fries. Wiener's Circle is distinct for its char-grilled food choices, particularly its "chardogs" and "charburgers." Like many prime hot dog spots in the city, it has a "no ketchup allowed policy."

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