North Shore Hot Dog Stand Miscellany

I grew up and currently live in the suburbs of Chicago's North Shore. It seems to me, and I will admit that i haven't given this a whole lot of thought, that the area is populated by hot dog stands that are just a little bit different than those located in our fair city's other environs. Hot Dog stands up north are a little grander and have menus that are a little more all encompassing then say a Gene & Jude's or a Jim's Original. Furthermore, some of them take the carnival-ishness to the next level, employing magicians and clowns to entertain the masses on the weekends. For better or for worse, this is where I live and eat hot dogs. I started this list in another thread, but think it deserves to be expanded and improved on here. Please submit anything that i have left out and i will edit the post. My hope is to make this list complete.

Chicago's North Shore, for the purposes of this project, will be defined as those suburbs adjacent to Lake Michigan from Evanston to Lake Forest and those suburbs located just west of those that are adjacent to the lake.

Evanston

Wiener and Still Champion
802 Dempster St
Evanston, IL, 60202
(847) 869-0100
GNR award-winning favorite of this board. Excellent hot dog in the traditional chicago style. IMHO What really really shines here are the unparalleled french fries and corn dogs with homemade dipping sauce.

Mustard's Last Stand
1613 Central Street
Evanston, IL, 60201
(847) 864-2700
a Northwestern and evanston institution in the shade of Dyche Stadium.

D & D Dogs
825 Noyes St.
Evanston, IL 60201
Attached to D & D Finer Foods on Noyes St. On my one visit recently I tried the "World Famous" Italian Beef. Not a fan.

Bill's Drive In
120 N Asbury, Evanston
847-491-9844
I skip the skinless dogs and go with the 30's style burger.

The Little Island
2600 Crawford Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201
Vienna products, fresh cut fries.

Wild Dogz
1625 Chicago Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 869-9453

Edzo's Burger Shop
(847) 864-3396
1571 Sherman Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
http://www.edzos.com
Promising Evanston newcomer from LTHforum.com's own Elakin. This outstanding burger shop also serves Vienna Beef hot dogs. Fresh cut fries and hand dipped shakes round out the menu.



Skokie

Poochie's Hot Dogs [new location]
3602 Dempster St
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 673-0100
GNR Winner. Great dogs and killer cheese fries.
Notable Char Salami.

Portillo's
9400 Skokie Boulevard
Skokie, IL, 60076
(847) 933-0700
Corporate dog maligned by many but will do in a pinch when you need a dog late or just want a drive thru

Herm's Hot Dog Palace
3406 Dempster St
Skokie, IL 60076
847-673-9757
Herm's spacious, by hot dog stand standards, seating, well managed natural casing Vienna hot dogs and crisp thin fries (Per GWiv)

Hot Dog Island (CLOSED)
4925 Dempster
Skokie, IL 60077
846-763-8282
Long-time stand relocated to the old Mage's space. Serving Vienna products.

Dengeos
3301 Main St
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 677-7911
Known primarily for gyros, also serving traditional hot dog stand fare.

Wilmette

Irvings for Red Hot Lovers
3207 Lake Avenue
Wilmette, IL, 60091
(847) 251-6300
Used to be a favorite of mine but has declined over the years since Irving died. Still a serviceable dog. NOTE: NO LONGER USING VIENNA PRODUCTS(1/14) I no longer consider this a serviceable dog. (1/14)

The Chuck Wagon (Sams)
1120 Central Avenue
Wilmette, IL, 60091
(847) 256-0120
Im not sure they even serve hot dogs here (do you need to serve hot dogs to be a hot dog stand?) Outstanding burgers, gyros and burgers topped with gyros as well as great fries. A Wilmette institution.

Glenview

fRedhots & Fries [closed]
1707 Chestnut Ave
Glenview, IL, 60025
(847) 657-9200
New arrival and GNR award recipient. Exotic dogs, great fries with dipping sauces.

Dear Franks of Glenview
2841 Pfingsten Rd
Glenview, IL 60026
(847) 498-1717
Glenview outpost of Deerfield original. ‎

Gold Coast Dogs
1845 Tower Rd
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 724-0123
Suburban spin off of downtown (now closed) original.

P.J. Moondoogies
1702 Milwaukee Ave
Glenview, IL 60025
(847) 699-8330
50's themed hot doggery

The Works
2676 Golf Rd.
Glenview, IL 60025
847-724-0616
Proudly serving dogs since April 1976

Winnetka

D's Haute Dogs [closed]
551 Lincoln Ave
Winnetka, IL 60093
Winnetka new comer.

Glencoe

Little Red Hen (Jimmy's)
653 Vernon Ave
Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-4900
Better known as a fried chicken/rib joint. They also serve hot dogs and other hot dog stand fare. Stick to the chicken and ribs

Deweys [closed]
667 Vernon Ave
Glencoe, IL 60022
(847) 835-6225
A little upscale, vienna products, everything executed very well. Owned by the people who own Merlos in Ravinia.

Northbrook

Little Louie's Red Hots
1342 Shermer Rd
(at Meadow Rd)
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 498-1033
Old school greasy goodness. The Fries are very good.

Wolfy'S [closed]
873 Sanders Rd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-1177
Very good new comer. Vienna Beef dogs and an excellent char-salami homage to Poochies.

Josh's
873 Sanders Rd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 272-1177
I am going to go out on a limb and say that Josh's is the best hot dog stand on the North Shore. He does everything well and most things are done extremely well. The burgers are fantastic, the dogs are great and the char-salami, which was inspired by Poochies, is better than the original.


Highland Park

Michael's
1879 2nd St
Highland Park, IL, 60035
(847) 432-3338
Hot dog emporium that has grown from a small counter in the 70s to a mega-stand serving dogs, fries and everything in between. I find Michael's to be consistently good, not perfect. Clowns, balloon artists and magicians entertain the throngs on weekends. UPDATE: Michaels has been sold and is no longer using Vienna products. As far as the hot dog itself, there has been a noticeable drop off in quality. (1/14)

Stash's [closed]
610 Central Ave
Highland Park, IL, 60035
(847) 432-6550
When Stash owned the restaurant it was much better but the fries are still pretty good. Huge menu.

Backyard Grill
1826 Second St.
Highland Park, Il 60035
(847) 681-8400
Jack off all trades. Decent hot dogs and fries. Better homemade gyros.

Highwood

The Mean Wiener
532 Sheridan Road
Highwood, IL
847/433-3701
Mon-Thurs: 11 AM to 8 PM
Fri - Sat: 11 AM to 10 PM
Sunday: Closed
Northshore newcomer from the folks who own Once Upon A Bagel in Highland Park. "The Mean Wiener" is a massive half pound black angus dog covered in chili, cheese and onion. My one, and only, visit yielded a product that i did not love (it was unwieldy) but found to have some potential. [Update 2018] The Mean Weiner has grown into its own and has become an excellent option. The Mexican offerings are standout.

Buffo's
431 Sheridan Rd.
Highwood, IL 60040
847-432-0301
More of a pizza/italian sandwich shop, this highwood staple also serves up dogs, polish, etc.

Deerfield

Josh's On The Square
740 Waukegan Rd.
Deerfield, IL 60015
(847)607-9945
Deerfield outpost of Northbrook Hotdoggery. Josh's is my go to Hot dog Stand. He does everything well. Try the patty melt. It is named after yours truly!

Cooker's [closed]
469 Lake Cook Rd
Deerfield, IL, 60015
(847) 897-5880
Solid dog and fries included. Lots of parking, kinda outta the way in a strip mall on Lake Cook

Dear Franks
843 Waukegan Rd
Deerfield, IL, 60015
(847) 945-6666
At one time this stand was excellent but has declined in recent years. Notable for the fact that they serve Sherman's Ice Cream.

Portillos
700 Lake Cook Rd.
Deerfield, IL 60015
(847)597-0010
Deerfield outpost of Chicago based chain.

Bannockburn

Dogout
Bannockburn Green Shopping Plaza
Route 22 and Waukegan Rd
Bannockburn, IL 60015
(847) 317-0347
They serve hot dogs without natural casing at "North Shore" prices. Geared toward kids. No thanks. (per Ram4)

Lake Forest

The Left Bank
659 N Bank Ln
Lake Forest, IL, 60045
(847) 234-4770

This is not a traditional Chicago style hot dog stand. They serve Chili Dogs, Polish and Sloppy Joes. I am pretty sure the dogs are skinless which is not my favorite but the place is worth peeking into if you are hungry.

RIP

Mage's
4925 Dempster
Skokie, IL 60077

M & H Grill (No Name Hot Dog Stand)
960 Green Bay Rd.
Winnetka, IL 60093

Little Herm's
? Dempster St
Skokie, IL 60076

Original Hot Dog Island
2690 Golf Rd
Glenview, IL 60025

Big Al's
Glencoe, IL 60022

Best Kosher Outlet
Highland Park, IL

Fine's Red Hots
Highland Park, IL

Gold Coast Dogs
Highland Park, IL

Mike's
Evanston, IL

Schmendl's
Wilmette, IL

Moishe Pipik's
Evanston, IL

The Hut
Skokie, IL

The Corner Hut
Skokie, IL

Stash's [closed]
Highland Park, IL, 60035

Great post. A slight typo:
Poochie's Hot Dogs
3832 Dempster St
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 673-0100

Also - Hot dog Island on Dempster is closed.
Also - another post indicated that Ira's in Northbrook is closed and will become Wolfy's.

One of the owners of Ira's is my cousin's father-in law. I knew he sold Ira's, but I didn't know it's going to be a Wolfie's. Considering that I might be working down the street from there later this year (I hope), this will be one of my lunch places.

Dear Franks at Pfingsten and Willow is excellent. I prefer it to the one in Deerfield. It was previously U Dawg U.

Bannockburn

Dogout
Bannockburn Green Shopping Plaza
Route 22 and Waukegan Rd
Bannockburn, IL 60015
(847) 317-0347
They serve hot dogs without natural casing at "North Shore" prices. Geared toward kids. No thanks.

Michael's in HP was my hot dog stand growing up. I remember it from the time it had just the counter and a couple tables along the south wall. I remember countless meals there after Little League games, for birthday parties, Bar Mitzvahs, etc. I finally introduced my wife to Michael's last year when we were back up in HP for something. I was amazed that the same photos are still on the walls! Was fun to see some of my friends, their siblings, etc. 20-25 years ago...

Thanks, additions made. There must be some others I have missed. Anyone? Next Ill Start a RIP section. Please add those too.

Just noticed - it's Wiener and Still Champion ("i before e except after c ...") Probably applies to Mean Wiener, too.

nr706 wrote:Just noticed - it's Wiener and Still Champion ("i before e except after c ...") Probably applies to Mean Wiener, too.

To continue the sidebar, I'm guessing the correct spelling comes not from the ENGLISH rule of "i before e," but from the GERMAN word "wienerwurst," or sausage from Vienna (or Wien, as Vienna is called in Austria).

tarte tatin wrote:I'm guessing the correct spelling comes not from the ENGLISH rule of "i before e," but from the GERMAN word "wienerwurst," or sausage from Vienna (or Wien, as Vienna is called in Austria).

Reminds me of my college days, when I was hitchhiking from Zagreb to Vienna. On my hitchhiking sign, I wrote "Wein," so it looked like I was asking for a ride to get some wine. That wouldn't have been bad, but Vienna was our destination. We got there anyway.

Back to the topic ...

Additions made and spelling corrected. Thanks any others?

OK- for the RIP portion - what was the name of the hot dog stand on the west side of Green Bay Rd in Hubbard Woods?

Dave148 wrote:OK- for the RIP portion - what was the name of the hot dog stand on the west side of Green Bay Rd in Hubbard Woods?

I have fond memories of this place, but I can't remember the name. The little hut is still standing, empty.

Darren72 wrote:

Dave148 wrote:OK- for the RIP portion - what was the name of the hot dog stand on the west side of Green Bay Rd in Hubbard Woods?

I have fond memories of this place, but I can't remember the name. The little hut is still standing, empty.

That was M & H Grill. A great place and site of my first-ever date!

RIP also, Big Al's in Glencoe, which was my main hotdog stand growing up.

=R=

Ron, I forgot about Big Al's. That takes me back.

Many updates but looking to make this complete.

There's another Dear Franks in Skokie in the Crossroads Shoping Center. It's not a favorite of mine, but it's there.

Darren72 wrote:I have fond memories of this place, but I can't remember the name. The little hut is still standing, empty.

Yes...Ronnie is Correct on the name. My aunt and uncle owned it and i would work there when I came back for college breaks, vacations, etc and then on Saturday when i graduated and had a regular corporate job. Great memories.

The plan was/is to demolish everything to the corner and put up a strip center. Not sure what the hold up is.

My kids and a lot of their friends called M & H "Vienna Beef," because that's what the sign in the window said.

Jonah

D's Haute Dogs is a welcomed addition to Winnetka. Decent dogs and friendly staff. On the east side of the tracks I hope it gets the much needed foot traffic to say afloat. Song O Sixpence around the corner closed and the new cupcake shop a few doors down does not seem busy. These are tough times.

stevez wrote:There's another Dear Franks in Skokie in the Crossroads Shoping Center. It's not a favorite of mine, but it's there.

If you mean Village Crossing Shopping Center then they are in Niles. Is there another in Skokie?

Not sure if it qualifies for the RIP section, but the dogs and sausages at the Best Kosher Outlet on Deerfield Road were the best around.

Another RIP is Fine's Red Hots, which was on Skokie Valley next to New York Bagel and Bialys in the shadow of the old Strike and Spare Bowling Alley and Edens Theater. And of course, there was the Fluky's outpost at Dundee and Landwehr.

When Little Louies relocated a few doors down, it really lost its magic.

Isn't there a dog/gyro place on the Southwest corner of Phingsten and Dundee by the Upper Crust Bagel location?

Many old school HP'ers still refer to Michael's as Nathan's.

iblock9 wrote:

stevez wrote:There's another Dear Franks in Skokie in the Crossroads Shoping Center. It's not a favorite of mine, but it's there.

If you mean Village Crossing Shopping Center then they are in Niles. Is there another in Skokie?

The west end of VC where Dear Franks is Niles. The east end of VC is Skokie. I'm not sure where the boundary line is within the shopping center.

Not sure if they fit, but what about Homer's in Wilmette and Hub's in Skokie?

Now, what I'd really like is a spreadsheet, or a set of codes for each place:
* Condiments: Minimal (e.g. Gene & Jude's) vs Garden
* Notable condiments: Neon relish, sport peppers, celery salt as default, anything else notable
* Fries: Shoestring vs thick; skin on? fresh-cut?
* Char?
* Casing?
* Poppy seeds on bun?

I don't want to go beyond dog and fries, but seeing "cG-fTSF" (condiments:Garden, fries: thick, skin-on, fresh-cut) could be valuable

AlexG wrote:Not sure if they fit, but what about Homer's in Wilmette and Hub's in Skokie?

IMHO - Homer's would be an ice cream destination & Hub's for gyros.

gp60004 wrote:

Darren72 wrote:I have fond memories of this place, but I can't remember the name. The little hut is still standing, empty.

Yes...Ronnie is Correct on the name. My aunt and uncle owned it and i would work there when I came back for college breaks, vacations, etc and then on Saturday when i graduated and had a regular corporate job. Great memories.

The plan was/is to demolish everything to the corner and put up a strip center. Not sure what the hold up is.

OK did a little recognizance drive-by a few hours ago. I did a peek through the windows. Sadly, the place is a mess. However, I'd really kill for the Sprite/Tab sign hanging on the wall behind the counter. I would have taken photos, but the camera on my phone sucks and the sunlight glare messed everything up.

Didn't this place go under a different name before it closed?

Dave148 wrote:

iblock9 wrote:

stevez wrote:There's another Dear Franks in Skokie in the Crossroads Shoping Center. It's not a favorite of mine, but it's there.

If you mean Village Crossing Shopping Center then they are in Niles. Is there another in Skokie?

The west end of VC where Dear Franks is Niles. The east end of VC is Skokie. I'm not sure where the boundary line is within the shopping center.

Hence the name "Village Crossing".

The Works, in Talisman Village Shopping Center in Glenview has been vending dogs since April 1976.

Gone, but not forgotten in Niles are Tommy Tucker's and Tasty Pup, both on Milwaukee Avenue.

Dear Franks has been a got-to for my neighborhood friends for years, even as Jeff Mages' U Dawg U. Alot of the staff is still there, too.

I think they've got great chardogs, polish and an excellent grilled salami. Their burgers are pretty damn good, and "everything" includes kraut on the burgers and dogs.

Plus - they have Coke now instead of Pepsi which is huge for a purist like me.

I don't know if Lincolnwood meets the strict guidelines for the North Shore, but surely you'll make an exception for the inimitable Bunny Hutch! I believe it is already open for business this season.

Bunny Hutch
6438 N. Lincoln Ave.
Lincolnwood, IL 60712
(847) 679-9464

EvA wrote:I don't know if Lincolnwood meets the strict guidelines for the North Shore, but surely you'll make an exception for the inimitable Bunny Hutch! I believe it is already open for business this season.

Bunny Hutch
6438 N. Lincoln Ave.
Lincolnwood, IL 60712
(847) 679-9464

Well, the north branch of the Chicago River runs through Lincolnwood.

Gone, but not forgotten in Niles are Tommy Tucker's and Tasty Pup, both on Milwaukee Avenue.

Tasty Pup recently relocated (after being closed for years) to Park Ridge. They're in Uptown on summit, right near the train station in what used to be a Planet Smoothie. Apparently, it's the same ownership as the old Niles location, although I never tried it back then.

and what about Irvings (for red hot lovers)?