Appreciated greatly, as I had planned on utilizing my Groupon on the way home tonight.

Thanks for the info.

There was a Groupon for fRedhots?

@#$%%^&^%%^#*&%$#!!!!!!!

I used to live pretty close to fRedhots and drove past it to and from work for a while. There is little or no comparison to Hot Doug's, as they are really a sausage shop, while fRedhots is a dog stop. For a good, quick hot dog, you can't go wrong. But that being said don't go too far out of your way to try it...it's not worth driving up from the city or anything like that.

P. Channon wrote:I used to live pretty close to fRedhots and drove past it to and from work for a while. There is little or no comparison to Hot Doug's, as they are really a sausage shop, while fRedhots is a dog stop. For a good, quick hot dog, you can't go wrong. But that being said don't go too far out of your way to try it...it's not worth driving up from the city or anything like that.

I think of it as a lot more than a dog shop, which makes sense given the preferences of the local clientele. In addition to a bevy of artisanal sausages, there are also Vienna Beef hot dogs (at least 4 types), burgers, chicken sandwiches, beef sandwiches, etc. I'm not entirely sure but I think I even recall a few salads on the menu. In the tony northern suburbs, it'd be tough to make it selling sausages alone. I agree, though, that the comparison to Hot Doug's isn't a particularly accurate or relevant one.

=R=

P. Channon wrote:I used to live pretty close to fRedhots and drove past it to and from work for a while. There is little or no comparison to Hot Doug's, as they are really a sausage shop, while fRedhots is a dog stop. For a good, quick hot dog, you can't go wrong. But that being said don't go too far out of your way to try it...it's not worth driving up from the city or anything like that.

Are you sure you're talking about the right place? I live in the city, not too far from Hot Doug's, and while I'm a big fan of Hot Doug's, I think fRedhots and Fries is definitely worth a drive from the city and it's far more than just an ordinary hot dog stand. They offer a number of unusual sausages with interesting toppings, great fries (with many choices for dipping sauces and really great garlic fries), and some other pretty good items (Italian beef for one). The only thing that sets Hot Doug's apart from fRedhots in my book is HD's great sausage toppings, which in my opinion are better than those offered at fRedhots.

BR wrote:

P. Channon wrote:I used to live pretty close to fRedhots and drove past it to and from work for a while. There is little or no comparison to Hot Doug's, as they are really a sausage shop, while fRedhots is a dog stop. For a good, quick hot dog, you can't go wrong. But that being said don't go too far out of your way to try it...it's not worth driving up from the city or anything like that.

Are you sure you're talking about the right place? I live in the city, not too far from Hot Doug's, and while I'm a big fan of Hot Doug's, I think fRedhots and Fries is definitely worth a drive from the city and it's far more than just an ordinary hot dog stand. They offer a number of unusual sausages with interesting toppings, great fries (with many choices for dipping sauces and really great garlic fries), and some other pretty good items (Italian beef for one). The only thing that sets Hot Doug's apart from fRedhots in my book is HD's great sausage toppings, which in my opinion are better than those offered at fRedhots.

I'm 100% certain I'm talking about the same place. I'll try to make it back to take a look at the menu again soon.

BR wrote:

P. Channon wrote:I used to live pretty close to fRedhots and drove past it to and from work for a while. There is little or no comparison to Hot Doug's, as they are really a sausage shop, while fRedhots is a dog stop. For a good, quick hot dog, you can't go wrong. But that being said don't go too far out of your way to try it...it's not worth driving up from the city or anything like that.

Are you sure you're talking about the right place? I live in the city, not too far from Hot Doug's, and while I'm a big fan of Hot Doug's, I think fRedhots and Fries is definitely worth a drive from the city and it's far more than just an ordinary hot dog stand. They offer a number of unusual sausages with interesting toppings, great fries (with many choices for dipping sauces and really great garlic fries), and some other pretty good items (Italian beef for one). The only thing that sets Hot Doug's apart from fRedhots in my book is HD's great sausage toppings, which in my opinion are better than those offered at fRedhots.

I agree with this. I had an alligator andouille sausage with mango chutney topping at fredhots last summer and it was better than anything I've had at hot doug's. I live in the city and try to stop by fredhots whenever I'm reasonably close to it. I stopped by this weekend after a trip to the outlet mall just over the WI border, only to find fredhots closed for vacation - I was devastated.

Also, you could drive up from the city to fredhots, eat, and be back home faster than if you lived on the northside and went to hot doug's.

I think it's on par with Hot Doug's - just a mini version. They don't have nearly the variety and the toppings are pared-down, but if you're in the mood for something off-kilter without waiting in line for an hour, this is a good place to visit. Plus the staff is super nice. Their reindeer dog is really good, though I'm not sure if it's still available now.

I've got to put in a good word for fRedhots as well. The reindeer sausage, which Pie Lady mentioned, is a Christmastime item that he features every year. I was in a couple weeks ago for a dog and fries (Fred serves natural casing dogs as well as skinless for the kiddies and snap averse) and he was telling me about how he set a new record for the number of reindeer sausages sold this year. 99 times out of 100 when I go to fRedhots it's for a simple Chicago dog, which they do quite well. It's the closest natural casing dog and hand cut fries for many miles around and well worth checking out. Fred generally has at least 5 - 6 different novelty sausages as well as the dogs. The lineup rotates on a monthly basis. I'm also on record as being a fan of the roast beef.

Just an FYI that Fred said he is extending his vacation until March 9th (Per his Facebook Page)

saluki9 wrote:Just an FYI that Fred said he is extending his vacation until March 9th (Per his Facebook Page)

And per the sign on fRedhot's door today.... I headed over there after a doctor's appointment in Glenview this morning, expecting them to be open again after their vacation, only to be disappointed....

According to the Fredhots Facebook page it is now a permanent vacation. No word on why. Huge bummer.

No surprise. Fred had been trying to sell it for some time.

I lament for Gandalf.

Oh joy, I'm sitting on a Groupon.

DANG IT --

Groupon will typically reach out to you to refund the certificate when a place closes (it's happened to me a couple of times) but if they don't, just drop them an email and they'll credit you for it.

Sad, sad news!

Yeah -- I just saw the news on Facebook. Really sorry to lose this place. I'll miss everything, but especially the garlic fries.

I know Fredhots has its fans, but I was there about three weeks ago for the fourth or fifth time and my 21 year-old son called it: "they'll be closed by summer," he said.

He had a veg burger (we never base anything on that!), fries with a dipping sauce and I had the "special burger," with grilled onions and gouda for about 8 bucks.

The real burger was overcooked, dry, tasetless and so not worth 8 bucks. The fries were OK, but, heck, they're fries. I could have gone to NAHA for 10 bucks and had a stellar burger, or even BK if I could muster the courage.

All this to say: no surprise here. I just never understood the love and I live in the hood. Plus, the building has been for sale for years.

really very sad. This was my go to place right near the office.

I'm shocked. I wonder why they closed?

Sorry to hear this. Fred was so nice, always had Springsteen playing (a key bonus for me) and I loved the fries and dipping sauces.

For all the others still holding a Groupon for fRedHots, I contacted Groupon to inform them of the closure. I'll post again when they reply.

I'll really miss fRedHots. I loved the gourmet sausages, the awesome fries and sweet potato fries, and a doggone good italian beef sandwich.

I'm thoroughly disappointed.

I will miss fRedhots as well.
Always had a great meal everytime. My mouth still waters whenever I think of the italian beef and the debris sandwiches. Even when I moved to Kenosha, I wouild still stop by once in a while, since I work in Deerfield.

And if Fred is watching this thread:

Ever think about moving to Kenosha? The only real compitition here would be Trolley Dogs (which is probably the only good Dog place here on the other side of the Chedder Curtain)

DirtyDuckInn wrote:Ever think about moving to Kenosha? The only real competition here would be Trolley Dogs (which is probably the only good Dog place here on the other side of the Cheddar Curtain)

There are currently 14 restaurants serving hot dogs in Kenosha, WI. Seven of them serve Vienna Beef products.

CSD,

You might want to copy your list to add to a Kenosha/Racine dining thread. It will be lost here and a treasure there.

Regards,

chicagostyledog wrote:

DirtyDuckInn wrote:Ever think about moving to Kenosha? The only real competition here would be Trolley Dogs (which is probably the only good Dog place here on the other side of the Cheddar Curtain)

There are currently 14 restaurants serving hot dogs in Kenosha, WI. Seven of them serve Vienna Beef products.

WOW...

Was not aware of that. Ive only been here for about 2 years now and havent seen them here as much as I didnt in the northern burbs.

But then again, with the regular job and performing at the Bristol Faire during the summer, havent had time to explore Kenosha like I should.

Cathy2 wrote:CSD,

You might want to copy your list to add to a Kenosha/Racine dining thread. It will be lost here and a treasure there.

Regards,

I agree

rfleisch1 wrote:For all the others still holding a Groupon for fRedHots, I contacted Groupon to inform them of the closure. I'll post again when they reply.

Groupon is a mensch -- no problem on a refund. Just call their customer service at (877)788-7858 or send a message using http://www.groupon.com/contact-us.

JoelF wrote:

rfleisch1 wrote:For all the others still holding a Groupon for fRedHots, I contacted Groupon to inform them of the closure. I'll post again when they reply.

Groupon is a mensch -- no problem on a refund. Just call their customer service at (877)788-7858 or send a message using http://www.groupon.com/contact-us.

That certainly worked for me, and they said that they might also be able to verify which coupons were not yet redeemed. Still, it seems better to contact them using the above link.

JoelF wrote:

rfleisch1 wrote:For all the others still holding a Groupon for fRedHots, I contacted Groupon to inform them of the closure. I'll post again when they reply.

Groupon is a mensch -- no problem on a refund. Just call their customer service at (877)788-7858 or send a message using http://www.groupon.com/contact-us.

agreed. I bought 4 passes to what turned out to be a crappy rock climbing gym way out in BFE and they refunded half of my money after I called and complained.