17 best Chicago-style hot dogs you need to try

Hot Dogs - Route 66 Haute Dogs - Source: Getty
Hot Dogs - Route 66 Haute Dogs - Source: Getty

17 best Chicago-style hot dogs you need to try

Hot Dogs - Route 66 Haute Dogs - Source: Getty
Hot Dogs - Route 66 Haute Dogs - Source: Getty

Hot Dogs are one of the popular street foods in America, and they come in different varieties, from Chili dogs to Chicago-style hot dogs. Chicago-style hot dogs are all beef dogs usually served in poppy seed and are topped with onions (often caramelized), mustard, sport pepper, pickle, celery salt, etc. This list of best Chicago-style hot dogs to try is curated with the help of online reviews from Google and Yelp, as well as other internet sources.

17. Fat Johnnie's Famous Red Hots - Western Ave

Signboard of Fat Johnnie's Hot Dogs(Image via Facebook/@Fat Johnnie's Hot Dogs)
Signboard of Fat Johnnie's Hot Dogs(Image via Facebook/@Fat Johnnie's Hot Dogs)

Fat Johnnie's Famous Red Hots is a long-standing, cash-only "hole-in-the-wall" sort of place that has been in service since the 70s. Their Chicago-style hot dogs are not only considered to be one of the top places to get a Chicago Dog but are also very affordable.

16. Jr’s Red Hots - Armitage Ave

Chicago-style hot dog and fresh-cut fries from Jr’s Red Hots. (Image via Instagram/@jrsredhots)
Chicago-style hot dog and fresh-cut fries from Jr’s Red Hots. (Image via Instagram/@jrsredhots)

Jr's Red Hots is at no. 14 in Yelp's ranking of best Chicago dogs in Chicago. Other than their hot dog items like Italian Beef, milkshakes are also pretty popular among customers. Christopher Merill shared his experience via Google. According to him, the Chicago dog has a vinegary flavor with fresh toppings and is a snappy hot dog.

15. Chicago’s Dog House - Fullerton Ave

Chicago-Style Hot Dog from Chicago's Dog House. (Image via Instagram/@chicagosdoghouse)
Chicago-Style Hot Dog from Chicago's Dog House. (Image via Instagram/@chicagosdoghouse)

The Chicago-style dog (a vegetarian alternative is also available) is served classically with poppy seed buns and a generous amount of toppings like tomatoes, a pickle, dyed relish, and sports peppers. Nicole den Bok, on Google reviews, found the vegan Chicago dog to be delicious while wishing she had ordered a dinner-sized meal.

14. Luke's Italian Beef - Jackson Blvd

Chicago Style Hot Dog from Luke’s Italian Beef. (Image via Instagram/@lukeschicago)
Chicago Style Hot Dog from Luke’s Italian Beef. (Image via Instagram/@lukeschicago)

Luke's Italian Beef has previously been featured in our Best Places to Get Italian Beef in Chicago listicle and, surprisingly, is not the only one to do so. Their Chicago-style hot dogs consist of Vienna beef served on a soft poppy seed bun and topped with classic toppings like onion, mustard, pickle, tomato, celery, salt, and sports peppers.

13. Byron's Hot Dogs - W Irving Park Rd

Hot dog from Byron’s Hot Dogs. (Image via Instagram/@byronshotdogs)
Hot dog from Byron’s Hot Dogs. (Image via Instagram/@byronshotdogs)

Byron's Hot Dogs is a family-owned establishment that serves a variety of items, from Hot dogs and Italian sandwiches to cheeseburgers. The most recommended item at Byron's is their Chicago-style hot dogs, which are served in a bun without poppy seeds and served with classic toppings like onions as well as unique toppings like lettuce and green peppers.

12. Dave's Red Hots - Roosevelt Rd

Hotdog and Fries from Dave's Red Hot (Image via Facebook/@Dave's Red Hot )
Hotdog and Fries from Dave's Red Hot (Image via Facebook/@Dave's Red Hot )

This is the third hot dog place on this list to have "Red Hots" in the name, but trust me, this isn't the last place either. Dave's Chicago Dogs, started in 1938, serves soft steamed buns with Vienna beef with mustard and topped with pickles, peppers, relish, onions, etc., and is served alongside hand-cut fries.

11. Devil Dawgs - Multiple Locations

Hot dogs from Devil Dawgs. (Image via Instagram/@devil.dawgs)
Hot dogs from Devil Dawgs. (Image via Instagram/@devil.dawgs)

Devil Dawgs is a counter-serve establishment that is available in multiple locations in Chicago and serves a variety of hot dogs, from Chicago dogs to Icelandic Dogs. Devil Dawg's Chicago-style dogs are described as "snappy" and are served on a bun with a unique array of toppings like dijon mustard, ketchup, house-made remoulade, and shallots alongside the usual onions.

10. Wolfy’s - Peterson Ave

Hot dogs from Wolfy’s. (Image via Instagram/@wolfyschicago)
Hot dogs from Wolfy’s. (Image via Instagram/@wolfyschicago)

Wolfy's Chicago-style serves almost everything from chili dogs to Chicago-style hot dogs. Since this list is about Chicago dogs, let us see how their Chicago is served. Wolfy's Chicago-style hot dogs are made of charred Vienna beef and classic toppings, and one can also opt for sweet peppers instead of hot peppers for a unique taste.

9. Fatso's Last Stand - Chicago Ave

Hotdogs from Fatso's Last Stand. (Image via Instagram/@fatsoslaststand)
Hotdogs from Fatso's Last Stand. (Image via Instagram/@fatsoslaststand)

Fatso's Last Stand is one of the most recommended places to get Chicago dogs. According to online reviews, the Chicago dog is served in a grilled bun with a standard amount of toppings like celery salt, pepper, etc. They are also said to serve a Chicago-style veggie dog, in case that's your style.

8. Jimmy’s Red Hots - Grand Ave

Hot dogs from Jimmy's Red Hots Chicago. (Image via Instagram/@jimmysredhots)
Hot dogs from Jimmy's Red Hots Chicago. (Image via Instagram/@jimmysredhots)

Jimmy's Red Hots is a counter-serve establishment that serves their popular item, the Chicago-style hot dogs, in their own unique way, depression style, with minimal toppings. It is served with fries that were described as "messy and soggy" by Abraham M (Honest Ape Abe) via Google. This might seem like a complaint, but it is a compliment.

7. Redhot Ranch - Armitage Ave

Hotdogs and Fries from Redhot Ranch (Image via Official Webiste/@redhotranchchicago.com)
Hotdogs and Fries from Redhot Ranch (Image via Official Webiste/@redhotranchchicago.com)

Redhot Ranch serves a certain style of Chicago-style hot dogs called the depression dogs, which are hotdogs served with minimal toppings like mustard, onions, relish, and sports peppers, so if you are looking for extravagant toppings that include tomatoes or pickles and more, then you might get disappointed. They also come with crispy fries like the usual Chicago dogs.

6. Fixin’ Franks - Avondale

Food from Fixin’ Franks. (Image via Instagram/@fixinfranks)
Food from Fixin’ Franks. (Image via Instagram/@fixinfranks)

Fixin Franks is a hot dog stand that is right across from Portfillo's store and is also right near Portfillo's store in this list. Their Wagyu Beef Chicago-style hot dogs are served with slits on the flavorful meat so that the juice from it wets the buns; it is topped generously with classic toppings.

5. Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago - Ontario St

Food from Portillo's Hot Dogs. (Image via Instagram/@portilloshotdogs)
Food from Portillo's Hot Dogs. (Image via Instagram/@portilloshotdogs)

Looks like Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago is the perfect place to get not just Chicago dogs but also Italian Beef sandwiches, as they have also been featured in our list of best Italian beef sandwich spots in Chicago. A snappy beef hotdog topped with celery salt, pickle, pepper, and onions creates a great flavor and texture.

4. Jim’s Original - S Union Ave

Polish Sausage from Jim's Original. (Image via Instagram/@jimsoriginal)
Polish Sausage from Jim's Original. (Image via Instagram/@jimsoriginal)

Jim's Original, an old-school hot dog stand established in 1939, is famous for their hot dogs sold for a standard rate. Their take on the Chicago-style hot dogs means a Vienna beef hot dog is topped with caramelized onions and serrano peppers and is served with crispy fries but no ketchup.

3. The Wiener's Circle - N Clark St

Signboard of The Wieners Circle. (Image via Instagram/@wienerscircle)
Signboard of The Wieners Circle. (Image via Instagram/@wienerscircle)

The Wiener's Circle is popular not just for its food but also because the staff here roast their customers, so if you can't take a little bit of heat from the roast, this place may not be for you. Their charred Chicago-style hot dogs are pretty popular with their poppy seed bun, which is perfectly seasoned with classic toppings and served with fries.

2. Gene & Jude’s - N River Rd

Hotdogs and Fries from Gene & Jude's Hot Dogs. (Image via Instagram/@geneandjudeschicago)
Hotdogs and Fries from Gene & Jude's Hot Dogs. (Image via Instagram/@geneandjudeschicago)

Gene & Judes is a hot dog restaurant in River Grove that is said to serve one of the best Chicago-style hot dogs in the U.S. The soft bun is filled with yellow mustard, onions, and other classic toppings and is served with fries. Keep in mind that they don't serve ketchup with the dogs, just like many Chicago-style restaurants.

1. Superdawg Drive-In - N Milwaukee Ave

Hot dog from Superdawg Drive-in. (Image via Instagram/@superdawgdrivein)
Hot dog from Superdawg Drive-in. (Image via Instagram/@superdawgdrivein)

Superdawg is topping this list with high ratings on Google and Yelp but has been recommended multiple times on Reddit and even topped Time-out's list of best places to get hotdogs in Chicago. Coming to their Chicago dog, Maggie P mentions on Google Review that Superdawg's Chicago dog has a snappy hotdog with fresh toppings.

Edited by Anshika Jain
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