Hot Doug's: User Reviews

Most Overrated
By thegrandexample from marquette park, April 14, 2008

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I went into my Hot Doug's experiance expecting something completely different. Food was good however is not your typical hot dog stand. Be prepared for lacking service and long lines of north side hipster folk.

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Wonderful! Will be back soon and often.
By candace from Hyde Park, January 26, 2008

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Last weekend, when temperatures reached below zero, my friends and I ventured to Hot Doug's on California Avenue to partake of their encased meat creations. We waited in the cold for 15 minutes before getting inside for a longer wait. I wore double pants in preparation. It was well worth it. The best things I have every tasted! My friend had the Blueberry and Merlot Venison Sausage with Strawberry-Cherry Crème Fraîche, Smoked Gouda Cheese and Citrus-Infused Dried Blueberies. I had the Hickory-Smoked Cajun Pork Sausage with Chipotle-Horseradish Dijonnaise and Vieux Brugge Cheese. We split a large order of hand cut french fries. Yummy! Delicious! Orgasmic! If you visit Chicago or if you are a local that has never been, you have to try Hot Doug's. The service was very very friendly. We were seated quickly after our order. The decor is fun and lively, especially the American Gothic parody in the ladies' room. And the prices are so very low for the quality of food you are served.

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Wonderful! Will be back soon and often.
By candace from Hyde Park, January 26, 2008

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Last weekend, when temperatures reached below zero, my friends and I ventured to Hot Doug's on California Avenue to partake of their encased meat creations. We waited in the cold for 15 minutes before getting inside for a longer wait. I wore double pants in preparation. It was well worth it. The best things I have every tasted! My friend had the Blueberry and Merlot Venison Sausage with Strawberry-Cherry Crème Fraîche, Smoked Gouda Cheese and Citrus-Infused Dried Blueberies. I had the Hickory-Smoked Cajun Pork Sausage with Chipotle-Horseradish Dijonnaise and Vieux Brugge Cheese. We split a large order of hand cut french fries. Yummy! Delicious! Orgasmic! If you visit Chicago or if you are a local that has never been, you have to try Hot Doug's. The service was very very friendly. We were seated quickly after our order. The decor is fun and lively, especially the American Gothic parody in the ladies' room. And the prices are so very low for the quality of food you are served.

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Sausage Heaven
By KB from Edgewater, November 21, 2007

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Great food and nicely priced. The regular menu is very moderately priced and the quality excellent. The specials range 6.50-7.50 but are fabulous tasting gourmet-like treats. Good fresh cut fires, nice selection of drinks (Canfield's 50/50!). Doug is a funny guy, very nice, staff has been nice on my visits, they have a tough job keeping those dining in moving. Place is kitchy and clean but small. Expect to wait 15 minutes to order during lunch rush.

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Amazing!
By Stephanie from Lincoln Square, October 27, 2007

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This is more than just a hot dog stand, Hot Dougs is a way of life. My sister and her husband from Philadelphia insisted we visit Hot Dougs after seeing a feature on Food Network. It exceeded expectations. The Hungarian dog and Uber Garlic celebrity dog of the day were phenonomal. And, the duck fried french fries were spectacular. The servers were speedy and friendly and Doug was a fantastic host offering tips on what to add on your dog. He was much friendlier than any of than of the guys serving up Cheesesteaks in South Philly.

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The food tastes good and...
By Veronica from Chicago, IL, May 30, 2007

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The food tastes good and is offered at a great price. However, I rarely go there because of the cramped quarters and snippy staff. Recently, my husband was the third one in line to order, so I grabbed a table for two. Seconds later, I was asked to get up and leave the table by a server. Keep in mind there were about 7 empty tables. Apparently Hot Doug's has trained its staff to monitor all empty tables like hawks. You can't actually sit down unless you've placed your order, making would-be patrons feel like loitering annoyances. Perhaps if I had been 9 months pregnant...

Great hot dog/sausage joint on...
By Ryan from Lyons, IL, April 19, 2007

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Great hot dog/sausage joint on the near northwest side. The options are plentiful, and the creations are heavenly. From grilled, garlicky andouille to apple-smoked cheddar sausage, this place rocks. Duck fat fries on Saturday are good, as are the affordable fountain drinks.

The place is almost "too cool" for its own good, and some of the patrons act accordingly (read: pretentious, slacker, annoying arty folk abound), and you can expect to wait in line for up to 30 minutes outside (and in the wintertime it's brutal), but the owner delivers quality sandwiches at affordable prices, and I'd go back again and again. Hot Doug's is very good.

The wife and I loved...
By Robert from Chicago, IL, March 8, 2007

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The wife and I loved it so much we have already been back twice.

Creative food, fun decorations and fantastic staff.

I'm a vegetarian and I...
By Chi-Catherine from Chicago, IL, January 5, 2007

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I'm a vegetarian and I LOVE Hot Doug's. My fiance even brought Hot Doug's to my office for my boss and co-workers a few weeks ago and the next day I got a raise... coinsidence? I think not! In all honesty, this is one of my all time favorite places and the only negative thing I have to say is that I wish they were open later so I could enjoy the fine fare other days than Saturday. Doug Sohn is my hero!