Bella Pizza & Hot Dogs - Gene & Judes of the South

LTH,

Last night at my favorite watering hole another patron mentioned this new pizza/Hot dog joint in Woodridge. Now, ordinarily I wouldn't have given a second thought, but 1. I first met this person while standing in line at Paradise Pup (only later learned that we went to the same bar in Lisle) 2. He said that the owners are the Great-nephews of the orignal G&J, and that they are serving the G&J's dogs.

So today I had to pay a visit. Bella is located in one of the strip malls north of the movie theatre on Rt 53 in Woodridge. They have a very large menu consisting of pizza, sandwiches, Italian Beef, and more. I promptly ordered the 2 dog and fresh fries with a drink for $5.50 combo. Then I asked about the relationship with G&J's. The man at the register (one of the owners) said that they are related to the family, and that they are on all of the contracts for G&J's suppliers. I confirmed that they were serving the same dog, and found myself a seat.

When I went to the soda machine I was reassured to the G&J's connection by the selections available: Orange Nehi, Grape Nehi, Green River, RC, etc. When the dogs came out in the brown paper bag I dug in.

Some observations:

- Same snap to the casing as G&J's
- Same fresh cut fries
- Same fries plopped on top of the dog
- Same toppings: onions, relish, mustard, and sport peppers

So, yes they are apparently serving the same product. However, they definitely do not have the same trunover for the hot dogs. My dogs had definitely been sitting around in the water bath resulting in a greyish exterior color. The taste is the same, but unlike G&J's they have ketchup available next to the drink machine.

This place just opened, and the local chamber was there for a ribbon-cutting while we ate. I'll definitely be back in the near future.

Flip

I'll settle for 85% of G&Js if I don't have to drive all the way to River Grove.... I will try to get over there for a second opinion at some point in the near future.

I'm looking forward to seeing additional info and reviews...especially about the italian beef and other non-HD items. Could be a major stopping point for me on my semi-annual trek to DG this summer.

Joe's Place in Westchester was mentioned by yourbar on this thread:

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.ph ... estchester

These are the same folks that own Bella.

Joe's is good, but it doesn't have the same raw pageantry that G & J does.

Even if the dogs and fries are the same, there is something missing.

Haven't been to Bella yet.

Crap. I spelled pagaentry wrong.

saps wrote:
Joe's is good, but it doesn't have the same raw pageantry that G & J does.

Even if the dogs and fries are the same, there is something missing.

Saps, break free of the past, the chains of your memory, and be here and now! Enjoy the dog in front of you without bemoaning where you are not!

Or not, if you don't want to. Of course it isn't the same, but if it is a very good dog and fries, that counts for something. Will go next week.

Flip, do you do addresses?

dicksond wrote:

saps wrote:
Joe's is good, but it doesn't have the same raw pageantry that G & J does.

Even if the dogs and fries are the same, there is something missing.

Saps, break free of the past, the chains of your memory, and be here and now! Enjoy the dog in front of you without bemoaning where you are not!

Or not, if you don't want to. Of course it isn't the same, but if it is a very good dog and fries, that counts for something. Will go next week.

Flip, do you do addresses?

I guess what I'm trying to say is that they do actually taste a bit different, but I don't know if it is a psychological thing or an actual taste difference.

dicksond wrote:Flip, do you do addresses?

I have this problem where I need to try to find information on the internet even when I know nothing about the question.

Here's what I found:
Bella Pizzeria & Hot Dogs
6430 Main Street, Suite 130
Woodridge, IL 60517
630-968-7499

Geez, I don't even know where Woodridge is. What is my deal?

germuska wrote:

dicksond wrote:Flip, do you do addresses?

I have this problem where I need to try to find information on the internet even when I know nothing about the question.

Here's what I found:
Bella Pizzeria & Hot Dogs
6430 Main Street, Suite 130
Woodridge, IL 60517
630-968-7499

Geez, I don't even know where Woodridge is. What is my deal?

Sorry, Dickson. I forgot to post the address, but Joe beat me to the punch. Bella is located in the new shops that have appeared just north of the movie theatre on Rt 53. It is in the building behind the new Blu Coral location.

Flip

I made a special break from my diet to try them out yesterday, a Saturday at 12:30pm, in what should be their prime time.

In a word: meh.
In six words: I will not be going back.

Decent things:
- The fries were good.
- The hot dog tasted sorta like G&J's.
- The slice of thin-crust sausage pizza was ok, far better than Bacci in Downers Grove, but not worth the caloric intake.

Minor issues:
- $2.50 for a single dog and fries. G&J's charges less for a double, but they're not paying Seven Bridges rents.
- Skimpy on the fries, maybe half of what G&J gives you. That annoyed me - charge me the $2.50, but it's a freaking potato, give me a little more...
- RC products

Serious problems:
- The bun was dry as sandpaper. How can you have a dry bun at 12:30pm on a Saturday when all of five people are in the place?
- $2.25 for a large soft drink?? I know soft drink prices have gone up - Wendy's near me is now $1.99 for a 32oz. But $2.25?? (By comparison, this afternoon Taco Grill charged me $1.39 for a soft drink with free refills.)