True Chicagoans know there is only one golden rule to living in the city — no ketchup on hot dogs.
If you adhere to that rule and opt to dress your dogs the traditional way — with mustard, relish, chopped onions, tomato wedges, a pickle, sport peppers and celery salt on a Chicago style bun — or opt for another variation, here are the best hot dog joints in the city and suburbs.
Big Guy’s Sausage Stand
- Address: 7021 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn
A spin on what you may think of a traditional dog, Big Guy’s serves up sausage dogs with a twist for any tastebuds. Try their jumbo 9-inch hot dog, bratwurst, Italian sausage and Polish sausages.
Boz Hot Dogs
- Address: Various locations
The menu varies by location at this restaurant, but all of them feature regular and jumbo all-beef hot dogs, bratwurst and Polish sausage.
Byron’s Hot Dogs
This hot dog restaurant features hot dogs, chili dogs, corn dogs, Polish sausages, bratwurst and more. Pair your dog with onion rings, fries or mac and cheese.
Chicago’s Dog House
- Address: 816 W. Fullerton, Chicago
Choose from a classic dog, specialty dog or gourmet dog in the heart of Lincoln Park. It specializes in the iconic Chicago style hot dog and classic Maxwell Street Polish sausage. Be sure to check out their frips – hand drilled potato, curly and fried (add chili and cheese).
Fatso’s Last Stand
Fatso’s takes a traditional Chicago style dog to the next level, with additional toppings like cheese and macaroni and cheese, because cheese makes everything better. Their housemade jalapeño relish is also a must-try.
Fat Tommy’s
- Address: 3031 W. 111th St., Chicago
They have plenty of specialty hot dogs to choose from including “The New Yorker,” “The Slaw Dog,” “Ditka Dog,” “The Cleveland” and “The Grabbler.” Also offers kraut dogs, bratwurst, corn dogs, chili cheese dogs, Chicago style and their Fat Tommy (Fat Dog).
Fixin’ Franks
- Addresses: Various locations
Have a Wagyu beef hot dog at the stand inside Chicago-area Home Depot stores.
Flub A Dub Chub’s
- Address: 3021 N. Broadway, Chicago
Visit this hot dog restaurant, which is hidden in a basement. There are many unique options such as “The Flubby,” “The Pulled Pork Dog,” “The Durkalski,” “Speiser Chili Cheese Dog,” “The Willie Dog” and more.
Fred and Jack’s
- Address: 7600 S. Yale Ave., Chicago
This restaurant started off as a pushcart about 70 years ago serving the West Chatham community. Try a chili cheese dog, grilled jumbo dog, double hot dogs, Italian double sausage and more.
Gene & Jude’s
- Address: 2720 N. River Road, River Grove
We’re big fans of the slogan at Gene & Jude’s Red Hot Dog Stand — “No seats. No ketchup. No pretense. No nonsense.” The iconic River Grove restaurant nails it every time with their “old style” Chicago hot dog. At Gene & Jude’s, the crispy fries are piled right on top of the hot dog so you don’t have to stop eating one to bite another.
Jimmy’s Red Hots
- Address: 4000 W. Grand Ave., Chicago
This walk-up restaurant sells Vienna Beef Polish Sausages, Vienna Beef Hot Dogs and Veggie Dogs. Try their tamales inside a steamed bun, too.
Jim’s Original
The “Original” Stand is the longest operating hot dog stand on Maxwell Street. Try their all-beef hot dogs with French fries or cheese fries and an ice-cold pop.
Lola’s Coney Island
- Address: 2858 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago
It’s Chicago’s first Detroit style coney island. The restaurant is named after the owner’s daughter, Lola. Their menu features Detroit style coneys, Chicago style hot dogs, New York style hot dogs, Polish sausage and vegetarian hot dogs from Beyond Meat sausage.
Lulu’s Hot Dogs
- Address: 1000 S. Leavitt St., Chicago
This classic hot dog spot is located near UIC and offers hot dogs, cheese dogs, chili cheese dogs and corn dogs.
Luke’s on Harlem
- Address: 3130 N. Harlem Ave., Chicago
Create your own Vienna all-beef hot dog or sausage with condiments such as sweet peppers, mozzarella, chili, cheese, relish and more. Also has pizza, burgers and Italian-style beef sandwiches.
Memo’s Hot Dogs
- Address: 1447 W. 18th St., Chicago
This family-owned and Hispanic-owned business is located in the heart of Pilsen. Try their chili dog, Chicago style hot dog, Diablo hot dog or Polish dog.
Mickey’s Drive-In
It’s family owned and has been around for the last 60 years. Enjoy a Chicago style hot dog with fries or an Italian sausage with mozzarella and hot peppers.
Mustard’s Last Stand
- Address: 1613 Central St., Evanston
This no-frills, family-run fixture located off the parking lot of Northwestern’s football stadium, making it a great place to hang out on game day. Here, simplicity shines — their juicy Vienna pure beef hot dogs are cooked to perfection and topped with the standard fresh fare you’d expect on a Chicago style dog.
Paradise Pup
- Address: 1724 S. River Road, Des Plaines
Stop by and grab a red hot of a char sausage along with some crinkle cut fries or beer battered onion rings. Be sure to top off your meal with a milkshake or a malt.
Portillo’s Hot Dogs
- Address: Various locations
Chicago street food known for their unique hot dogs and sausages. Toppings include pickles, tomatoes, peppers, grilled onions, relish and more.
Scooby’s Hot Dogs
- Address: Various locations
You can order Chicago dogs, burgers, Polish sausages, pizza puffs, gyros and much more.
Shake Shack
- Address: Various locations
This hip hamburger and shake restaurant got its roots as a hot dog cart in Madison Square Park in Manhattan and has expanded to 262 locations in the U.S. Their hot dogs are 100% beef and can be topped with cheese sauce and bacon to spice it up. Try their many flavors of shakes, floats and frozen custard. They have non-dairy shakes and frozen custard, too.
Superdawg Drive-In
Superdawg is a 75-year-old, family-owned hot dog stand with a carhop service. Located in the Gladstone Park neighborhood on the northwest side of the city, you can’t miss the two giant hot dogs standing on the roof of the nostalgic looking building. Unlike most hot dog places in the city, Superdawg doesn’t use Vienna Beef hot dogs, but rather, a proprietary beef blend to create a delicious bite.
The Duck Inn
- Address: 2701 S. Eleanor St., Chicago
Stop by and try their Duck Inn Dog, which is a tribute to the classic Chicago style hot dog. It is topped with homemade mustard, relish, tomatoes, onions, hot peppers, pickles and celery salt on a brioche poppy seed bun.
The Hot Dog Box
- Address: 15 W. Washington St., Chicago
This shop is owned by a father and daughter duo and is home to the steak dog. Try their MACDOGS, fries, corn dog nuggets, fried pickles and loaded fries.
Widen’s Hot Dogs
- Address: 9424 W. 143rd St., Orland Park
This family-owned and operated shop has been open for more than 30 years. Try their signature “Widen’s Hot Dog” or a Maxwell Polish, Char Dog, Low Fat Dog and more. Add a side of loaded “Widen’s Super Fries,” funnel fries, cheese curds or a Chil-ito.
Wolfy’s
- Address: 2734 W. Peterson Ave., Chicago
Another “can’t miss” hot dog place — not only because of its food — but also because of the humungous hot dog speared on a fork on the roof, Wolfy’s has been serving the Peterson Park neighborhood for more than 50 years. According to employees and die-hard customers, the jumbo char dog is the proper choice to order on a visit to Wolfy’s.
35th Street Red Hots
- Address: 500 W. 35th St., Chicago
White Sox fans might fondly know 35th Street Red Hots that’s just down the street from Guaranteed Rate Field. When baseball season is over, you can still enjoy these classic hot dogs all year long.
Follow Chicago Parent on Instagram.
