Andrew / August 21, 2003 11:25 AM

I like Hot Doug's, but my favorite isn't in the city. Toré & Luke's on Rt.12 in Palatine is excellent, and they give you a ton of fries.

Mmmm, fries...

+mojan. / August 21, 2003 12:01 PM

I've eaten, like, two hot dogs in two years. Once was at a Cubs game, which although not the tastiest, certainly the best place to eat a hot dog is at a baseball game. The other time was at Demon Dogs on Fullerton, and -- licks lips -- mm, yummy. Is it lunchtime yet?

Phineas / August 21, 2003 12:33 PM

As one who refrains from ingestion of the piggies and moo-cows, I don't have broad hot dog stand experience. But Huey's in Andersonville puts out a bitchin' veggie dog. So if that's anything to judge by, there you go.

And I've yet to actually go there, but I also have to throw a vote to Super Dawg, just for the bizarre anthropomorphic wieners on top of the place.

lacey / August 21, 2003 12:48 PM

I majorly second Huey's and their fantastic veggie dog. Get one with everything on it. YUM.

Naz / August 21, 2003 1:01 PM

I mention this only because of the crazy atmosphere and not for the actual food (since I don't eat meaty meat, I can't comment) but The Wiener Circle has great rude customer service and wonderful obnoxious drunk f@#ks to just get you in a stellar late night mood.

brian / August 21, 2003 1:03 PM

Superdawg. Hands-down. Not the cheapest, but you can't go wrong with glow in the dark relish.

Oh, and I miss the 24hr Polish sausage places on South Halsted (nee Maxwell St.)

stephen / August 21, 2003 1:21 PM

Second on the Wiener's Circle, the meaty meat is pretty good, and its always a party there if you go late at night. Plus you can hear the staff call each other bitches.

jim / August 21, 2003 1:28 PM

I've always been a fan of Murphy's on Belmont and the little Muskie's on Lincoln.

Kevin / August 21, 2003 2:47 PM

Demon Dogs. But then I'm a huge fan of Chicago, the band, so I'm biased.

j/k about the Chicago part. Great dogs though.

Wiz of Odds / August 21, 2003 4:20 PM

Maxwell Street closed!? The place on 31st!? When did that happen? Damnit! Given that, it has to be Super Dawgs. The sexy girl hot dawg draws you in, and then you stay for the delicious fare. Sox Park has the best sports-arena hot dogs, and there always seems to be a cute cashier-girl at Roasters on Taylor Street.

ryan p / August 21, 2003 4:23 PM

Weird enough, the little hot dog stand at O'Hare is quite dope. Of course, each dog is about eleven thousand dollars.

kegz / August 21, 2003 4:23 PM

Gene & Jude's in River Grove, no questions asked.

paul / August 21, 2003 4:28 PM

Wrigley Field is the best place to eat a dog. I can't believe nobody's mentioned that yet.

The best dog, however, goes to Superdawg, or Mustard's Last Stand, in Evanston .

Naz / August 21, 2003 4:53 PM

Mojan mentioned that in the second entry. Paul, you don't read the posts do you? ;)

dce / August 21, 2003 10:13 PM

Though it's a bit of a chain, Max's is the place to score a quality polish with grilled onions and spicy mustard while in the Loop.

Ian / August 22, 2003 8:20 AM

1st place: Doggie Diner on Armitage, 2nd place: Hot Doug's on Roscoe, 3rd place: Herm's Hot Dog Palace in Evantston (I suspect the signage company @#$%ed up and was supposed to be Herb's Hot Dog Place).

stephen / August 22, 2003 9:49 AM

Hmm, the Hot Dog Palace must be where all the weapons of mass destruction are. ;)

Paul / August 22, 2003 11:22 AM

I pledge allegiance to Hot Doug's. No doubt.

paul / August 22, 2003 1:58 PM

I don't read them very well apparently.

brian / August 22, 2003 1:58 PM

You know, I'm not such a fan of Gene and Jude's. I'd give them an big ok compared to other dogs.

Andrew / August 22, 2003 2:03 PM

Enough of the best; which are the worst?

My vote? That little donut/hotdog shack next to Wrigley on Clark St.

kegz / August 22, 2003 2:47 PM

hehe, that's funny Brian, because "big ok" is pretty much what I think of Superdawg. Superdawg is A+ on atmosphere, but way overpriced and really not so good as they used to be. Sounds like I should try Hot Doug's, lots of rave reviews.

I've had a dog at that place, Andrew. I'm with you, they're awful. Also pretty bad is Parsee's near Harlem & Higgins.

christiana / August 22, 2003 4:26 PM

OMFG Superdawg! Hands down, best hot dogs EVER. Gene & Jude's holds the second place spot.

The thing with Superdawg though: they don't put celery salt on their hot dogs. Why? This has perplexed me since I was 5. It's not a hot dog without celery salt.

Lacey / August 22, 2003 11:03 PM

I am a meat-eater, but I classify hot dogs as "ambiguous meat" and rarely ever consume them--I'm not really sure exactly what's in them (unless I buy them myself). Thus, I'm all over veggie dogs. I have no idea what's the worst because I'm *afraid* to try "real" hot dogs. Yep.

Andrew / August 24, 2003 10:52 AM

You don't know what's in the veggie dogs either, you know.
;)

amyc / August 24, 2003 3:21 PM

It's carrot snouts and tofu anuses!

lacey / August 25, 2003 10:11 AM

Gosh, I hope it's lots of red #20 and partially hydrogenated oils! Yum!

brian / August 25, 2003 10:19 AM

GEORGE'S HOT DOGS on Damen at Cortland. It's somewhat obscure, but the dogs are top-notch. Great little neighborhood food stand, run by an old Greek guy.

brian / August 25, 2003 10:21 AM

What the heck *is* celery salt anyway?? And when is it ever used besides on hot dogs?

I can't think of the "worst" hot dog. I know they are ambiguous meat; that's why I like them. I much prefer anonymous ambiguity to having to pick through odd animal parts while dining. Like, say, ribs. Blech.

Benjy / August 25, 2003 11:05 AM

As a hard core carnivore, I cast my vote for best hotdog for Wiener Circle--both for the food itself and the ambiance (especially late nite). The best suburban dog award goes to Michael's In Highland Park.

Is there such thing as a bad hot dog in Chicago?

g.klay / August 25, 2003 1:08 PM

Dad's Garage in Atlanta has the world's best hotdog.
Whee! Atlanta jokes that nobody gets!

Alice / August 25, 2003 4:24 PM

Alright. Since this discussion is still alive and kicking, I'll throw in my vote for Ralph's Place in Park Ridge. Not as good as it used to be, but when I was a kid, it was the place for great hot dogs.