Bob-O's Hot Dogs [Chili Dog Leaves me Cold]

LTHForum,

Clean, bright, lots of seating, big menu, parking, large sign drawing me in moth to flame. Lots of activity at noon, friendly efficient woman at the register, couple of well priced daily specials. Looks promising.

Was in the rare mood for a chili dog a common, though rarely satisfying, hot dog stand menu item, Bob-O's no exception.

Bob-O's Chili Dog w/onions, sport peppers and fries



I liked the fresh cut skin-on fries, but the insipid skinless dog and bland chili were so neutral flavored even the one-two punch of onions and sport peppers couldn't make the little doggy bark.

In reading a post or two it seems Bob-O's is known, at least around LTH, for burgers. I liked the fries and no nonsense atmosphere at Bob-O's, I'll give them one more go for a burger.

Enjoy,
Gary

Bob-O's Hot Dogs
8258 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL
773-625-9840

The burger is quite good as well as the meatball.
Sorry you got a bum item

-Ramon
(mobile)

I've been going to Bob-O's since the l960s. Don't get there now very often. Not the best hotdog place but certainly good if you are in the area.

Ramon wrote:The burger is quite good as well as the meatball.
Sorry you got a bum item

-Ramon
(mobile)

Decent, but not revelatory, beef as well.

I had the burger today, ok at best.

Mrs Willie had a couple dogs, I forgot to inspect them so I don't know if they are skin on dogs.

Fries were best thing about the meal.

They have a trio offering 3 mini sandwiches: Italian sausage, Italian beef, meatball. Supposedly beef is made in-house.

I've been going to Bob-O's for 10+ years now, usually in the summer though when I can sit outside. I've never been a huge fan of their burgers - they're decent though. But the Italian beef is made in house and it is very good. I particularly like the cheesy beef with giardiniera . . . an extremely underrated sandwich if you ask me. And their fries are excellent, some of the very best in Chicago and they've gotten so much better over the years. Cheesy beef and fries is my usual order, though I also enjoy their Maxwell Street Polish, even if not one of the best versions I've had.

As I mentioned in the Rand Red Hots thread, one of RRH's owners is the son of the owner(s) of Bob-O's, though I'm not certain if the son is also involved in Bob-O's.

BR wrote: But the Italian beef is made in house and it is very good. I particularly like the cheesy beef with giardiniera . . . an extremely underrated sandwich if you ask me. And their fries are excellent, some of the very best in Chicago...

fries were excellent, my post doesn't exactly speak highly enough about them.

I should have gone with my gut & had the homemade Italian beef but was in a burger mood due to recent trip to Italy (amazing how much I crave burger & steak upon getting back from an international destination). I don't know if I will get a cheesy beef, I had one once at Zippy's in Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates, the supposed 'home of the cheesy beef' and really didn't dig it. I think all locations of Zippy's are closed now.

Sweet Willie wrote:I don't know if I will get a cheesy beef, I had one once at Zippy's in Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates, the supposed 'home of the cheesy beef' and really didn't dig it. I think all locations of Zippy's are closed now.

I'm with you there. To me, cheesy beef is like a hot dog with ketchup. The straight ahead beef at Bob-O's is very good, though. It used to be a regular stop a few years back, but for some reason (mainly because I've been favoring Jay's on Narragansett for my neighborhood beef lately), I haven't been in a while. Maybe we should meet up there for lunch one of these days soon.

stevez wrote: Maybe we should meet up there for lunch one of these days soon.

good suggestion, from the Events Forum see: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=38945

Bob-O's has a very good beef sandwich and fresh cut fries. Definitely a solid place. But if I'm in the area, I'm heading for one of my top 5 beefs - Mr. Beef and Pizza on Harlem at Irving Park 5 minutes east.

BR wrote:I've been going to Bob-O's for 10+ years now, usually in the summer though when I can sit outside. I've never been a huge fan of their burgers - they're decent though. But the Italian beef is made in house and it is very good. I particularly like the cheesy beef with giardiniera . . . an extremely underrated sandwich if you ask me. And their fries are excellent, some of the very best in Chicago and they've gotten so much better over the years. Cheesy beef and fries is my usual order, though I also enjoy their Maxwell Street Polish, even if not one of the best versions I've had.

As I mentioned in the Rand Red Hots thread, one of RRH's owners is the son of the owner(s) of Bob-O's, though I'm not certain if the son is also involved in Bob-O's.

Oh yes, I went to Bob O’s based on a tip from the always-reliable Da Beef, and this sandwich is indeed very good. They use a crustier bread than the run of the mill Gonnella roll, and the sandwich is overflowing with tender, thin sliced beef. Good construction too, as my dipped sandwich held together all the way til the last bite. Best beef sandwich I’ve had in recent memory.

Can I ask a side question here? I've noticed on many of the "you gotta try..." places for beef one mentions with special emphasis that it's "homemade". Is this special mention to imply that many of the other popular beef stands are using bought in meat? I've tried a bunch of what were supposed to be top-selling precooked, pre-sliced, "Italian Beefs" from various suppliers only to be left underwhelmed.

We have been seasoning and roasting our beef down our selves from day one, but if there is a brand out there that has folks standing in line I'd sure be willing to try it.

Had the trio today, three 3" sandwiches (Ital beef, Ital sausage, meatball). I enjoyed the sausage & the meatball, beef was dry.

I think we showed up too early & the beef had been sitting in the gravy for too long. Probably a much better beef if coming during a rush where the beef is getting heated in the gravy but doesn't have time for all the fat/moisture of the beef to cook out.

Fries again were delicious.

Sweet Willie wrote:Had the trio today, three 3" sandwiches (Ital beef, Ital sausage, meatball). I enjoyed the sausage & the meatball, beef was dry.

I think we showed up too early & the beef had been sitting in the gravy for too long. Probably a much better beef if coming during a rush where the beef is getting heated in the gravy but doesn't have time for all the fat/moisture of the beef to cook out.

Fries again were delicious.

Beef tasty, but definitely dry. I've experienced dry beef at Bob-O's before, but never this dry . . . still flavorful though. It's been a long time since I tried the meatball, though I had a bite today - very nice - good flavor and lightly packed. And yes, terrific fries as usual.

D.G.Sullivan wrote:Can I ask a side question here? I've noticed on many of the "you gotta try..." places for beef one mentions with special emphasis that it's "homemade". Is this special mention to imply that many of the other popular beef stands are using bought in meat? I've tried a bunch of what were supposed to be top-selling precooked, pre-sliced, "Italian Beefs" from various suppliers only to be left underwhelmed.

I can't say for sure if precooked packaged beef is widely used but certainly a lot of these middle-tier beef joints are serving product that tastes exactly the same. When you eat a lot of these sandwiches from different places you start to recognize that generic chewy texture kind of like bad beef and broccoli from a strip mall Chinese take out joint.

Do you run your own beef stand DG Sullivan?

@ eatingwhiletalking, thanks for the reply, no we're a full menu restaurant downstate but our Italian Beef has consistently been one of our top sandwiches purchased. I'm not looking at it as a shortcut, it just struck me odd that places featuring their beef might be simply cutting open the same bag as the guy down the block.

eating while walking wrote:

D.G.Sullivan wrote:Can I ask a side question here? I've noticed on many of the "you gotta try..." places for beef one mentions with special emphasis that it's "homemade". Is this special mention to imply that many of the other popular beef stands are using bought in meat? I've tried a bunch of what were supposed to be top-selling precooked, pre-sliced, "Italian Beefs" from various suppliers only to be left underwhelmed.

I can't say for sure if precooked packaged beef is widely used but certainly a lot of these middle-tier beef joints are serving product that tastes exactly the same. When you eat a lot of these sandwiches from different places you start to recognize that generic chewy texture kind of like bad beef and broccoli from a strip mall Chinese take out joint.

Do you run your own beef stand DG Sullivan?

FYI - Bob-O's makes their Italian beef from scratch.

D.G.Sullivan wrote:@ eatingwhiletalking, thanks for the reply, no we're a full menu restaurant downstate but our Italian Beef has consistently been one of our top sandwiches purchased. I'm not looking at it as a shortcut, it just struck me odd that places featuring their beef might be simply cutting open the same bag as the guy down the block.

You are absolutely correct. Many of the hot dog joints around town use pre-packaged, similar stuff and it drives me crazy. Even friends that I know who own a hot dog joint in the North Shore did that. They asked me to try a sample of the beef, telling me it was the best around, which I was more than happy to do. But I cannot hold back, I am not a yes man. I told him his beef tasted like so many others. It was the gravy that really ruined it - typical, pre-packaged, salty crap. He actually thought his beef was somehow special. What the hell are guys like him thinking?!

I have yet to find a place that serves a killer, made in house Italian Beef on the North Shore. Why? Because it's a lot of work for the real thing. That's why it's not around the country. And if it is, I shudder to think how mediocre they are. But if any are doing it from their own recipe - good for them.

BR wrote:
FYI - Bob-O's makes their Italian beef from scratch.

Yep, I don't doubt it. Bob O's is definitely not a mediocre middle of the pack precooked beef joint.

Vienna beef hot dog & fries from this past week. Their fries are among the best Chicago has to offer.

I completely agree. Bob-Os has become a regular stop for me. Between the beef, their meatball sandwich and the natural casing dogs (coupled with those fries), there are enough truly great items to keep me coming back.

I actually like their pizza burger. Though I have to admit that's partially because it's a tough item to find.

Photographic evidence from elsewhere on the internet indicates they're opening another location at the former Original Roma's at 6175 N Milwaukee. Help wanted!

https://old.reddit.com/r/ChicagoNWside/ ... ecome_2nd/

They also make a very good barbecue beef sandwich. Reminiscent of a sloppy joe with sliced beef.

Sweet and not too tangy.

Cool! Another very good beef and hot dog joint with fresh cut fries closer to home. A friend of mine lives on Holbrook and Milwaukee which is a block away. He's going to be happy.

Transit oriented development!
This could be the result of the new Pace Pulse Milwaukee Ave. route opening up the area to more visitors not necessarily residing on the northwest side of Chicago.
I should be visiting this area more frequently since I now can get a bus back to the Jefferson Park transit center at 12:05 am, rather than 9:05 pm. {Yes, I would have to walk back the mile or so.}

I was the Bob-O's OP in 2009, didn't particularly like the chili dog, at the time they used skinless hot dogs. More current posts, and my recent inquiry, indicate they switched to natural casing. Time to update.

I still have not had a Bob-O's hot dog, or burger for that matter, but Italian beef is terrific, melt in your mouth tender, juicy, full flavor, w/giardiniera and hand cut fries. Bunch tamale a tasty little snack and exemplary french fries make for destination dining of the Chicago fast food variety.




Bob-O's, count me a Fan!

Had to visit the CBP at O'Hare yesterday. In town and close to Bob-O's for maiden visit. Has been on my list for a long time. Got there early, got dipped beef with hot along with fries. Fries were very good. Beef was an enigma. Beautiful looking and texture, but the gravy (juice, jus, ....) was bland. No taste jumped out. Could have been Campbell's beef consomme from a can, that bland. The peppers saved it from being disposed. Could have went to Frannies (hadn't been in over 20 years, but was very good back then and they've lasted......) around the corner. Fries are comparable but the gravy has some taste. Bummer.

Puckjam wrote:... but the gravy (juice, jus, ....) was bland. No taste jumped out. Could have been Campbell's beef consomme from a can, that bland.

I’ve been having this experience at several places lately... at well respected and highly recommended places...

Serrelli's Finer Foods
6454 W North Ave, Chicago


Marco's Beef & Pizza
6008 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago


What’s up? I always figure they are running low on ‘juice’ and are watering it down?

How can one person have a great experience with a full flavored juice and another, blah?

Is it due to the visit is during off peak hours? When I have this experience I commit to visiting again during peak hours before writing off these well regarded places.

I don’t know? They should be able to provide a superior product for every sandwich.

I don't understand it. I usually drive to O'Hare for international travel and this was a test to see if Bob-O's could become my regular stop on way out or in. That way I can avoid most of the airplane food. Quite disappointing. Not sure what the issue was as I was there shortly after 11:00 AM. Many people with good taste buds liked this place and the looks and texture of the beef were very good. But a beef without good gravy is just a beef sandwich. For me, gravy makes the sandwich. I make a very good rendition but it takes two days. I will make huge batches when I do and it freezes well. I always concentrate on making the gravy as tasty as possible. Not really that hard with some effort. Maybe an off day for them, but hugely disappointing for me. I only get small windows to get beefs when I am down there and this wasted my time and calories.