Wolfy's in Northbrook....Whaaaa?

I found myself in Northbrook today at around 1:30 famished after being held hostage in client meetings most of the morning. I was trying to think of a place nearby to grab a quick bite when I remembered Ira's; that stalwart of a hot dog stand in the land of suburbia near where I was. Imagine my surprise when I pulled up and found not Ira's, but an actual branch of Wolfy's.

Wolfy's Northbrook Location


I asked the guy behind the counter how long this place has been a Wolfy's and he answered with a deadpan face, "Since 11:30 this morning." I thought (in a Jewish accent), "Look at me...Mr. opening day!"

I ordered the best thing on the Wolfy's menu (at least at the flagship store), a polish. I even sprang for the full meal, which included fries and a drink. Things were moving a bit slow, it was the first day, after all; but then there was an invasion (by foot & bike) of a good portion of a local Jr. High graduation class (some still wearing green graduation gowns) who had just been released from school for the summer. That brought things to a screaming halt and threw the place up for grabs (in a good "School's Out for Summer and I just Graduated" kind of way). Luckily, my order got in just before the invasion. Even though it took a longer than normal time to get my order, it was nothing compared to the wait of the people who ordered after me.

Graduates Waiting to Graze


The line quickly grew all the way to the front door shortly after I took this picture.

Despite the opening day issues (which I'm sure will be worked out in very short order) the food was as good as the original. Wolfy's polish remains my favorite version in the city, and now I can get one in Northbrook (I'm not sure how often I'll take advantage of that opportunity, but at least I know I can).

Wolfy's Polish & Fries


So, I'd call this exciting news for the hot dog lovers in the Northern suburbs. Go check out Wolfy's!

Wolfy's
873 Sanders Rd
Northbrook, IL 60062
847-272-1177

Editied to correct spelling

great news steve-been waiting for the changeover as I was never a fan of Ira's mainly because thr guy behind the counter was pretty abrasive to customers most of the time..this is a 5 min jaunt from work

Good to know as I periodically go to a client's offices not too far from there.

Also, perhaps may make sense to correct the spelling in the subject line for search purposes (I believe it is Wolfy's not Wolfie's).

Ok, my usual question: Neon or dark green relish?
The original Wolfy's I believe is a Neon stalwart, Ira's never was.

JoelF wrote:Ok, my usual question: Neon or dark green relish?
The original Wolfy's I believe is a Neon stalwart, Ira's never was.

I don't know. I'd never order relish on a polish. I'm strictly a mustard and grilled onion man.

Matt wrote:Also, perhaps may make sense to correct the spelling in the subject line for search purposes (I believe it is Wolfy's not Wolfie's).

You are correct, as is revealed in Steve's picture. I've ammended the subject line to enable for more accurate searching -- actually, Steve beat me to it.

I always enjoyed Ira's but I didn't eat there often enough that I'm likely to miss it. I'm sure I'll be giving Wolfy's a try soon enough. Thanks, Steve, for the ultra-fresh news.

=R=

Matt wrote:Also, perhaps may make sense to correct the spelling in the subject line for search purposes (I believe it is Wolfy's not Wolfie's).

I never claimed to be literate. I corrected the spelling in my OP.

stevez wrote:
I asked the guy behind the counter how long this place has been a Wolfy's and he answered with a deadpan face, "Since 11:30 this morning." I thought (in a Jewish accent), "Look at me...Mr. opening day!"

That brought a smile to my face


Where I grew up you started at Ruby's and "graduated" to Wolfy's. I haven't been there in years, but It is nice to know it is still going strong and great as ever.

stevez wrote:

JoelF wrote:Ok, my usual question: Neon or dark green relish?
The original Wolfy's I believe is a Neon stalwart, Ira's never was.

I don't know. I'd never order relish on a polish. I'm strictly a mustard and grilled onion man.

Understood, and agreed -- although I might add some sport peppers.
But somewhere behind the counter is probably some relish, unless they've decided to join the Gene and Jude's school of minimalism. I gotta know.

Luckily, it's one of the closer stands to my house, it's not that hard to find out.

Hmm... I'm a little disappointed not to see any skin on the fries. Not fresh-cut? Ira's never was.

Been waiting for this one to open up. I work about 2 min away. Next week I'll be there for sure.

I live walking distance, was never a huge Ira's fan (same reason as earlier poster, owner rubbed me the wrong way) so am looking forward to getting over and checking it out.

And I know one of the kids in that photo Steve!

JoelF wrote:

Hmm... I'm a little disappointed not to see any skin on the fries. Not fresh-cut? Ira's never was.

Wolfy's has always used food service fries.

Sad for me, having grown up a long, long time ago (we're talking more than 20 years ago) around the corner from Ira's. When I was young, Ira's and Little Louie's (near downtown NBK) were my two favorite hot dog joints around (loved the greasy brown bag at Little Louie's, stuffed with fries), but Ira's was my personal favorite and I spent the better part of 10 or more years hanging out there. It was definitely that small, neighborhood joint with a few employees and they treated everyone well and that used quality ingredients and turned out a great dog.

But as business boomed, Ira's changed ownership (at least a couple times if I'm not mistaken), expanded, added tables . . . and all of the charm and most of the care put into the place departed. Gone was the attention to the perfect hot dog, and in came the 20 or so varieties of chicken sandwiches and salads and whatnot.

I stopped visiting Ira's several years ago so while I'm kind of disappointed to see Wolfy's move into the location (perhaps I hoped that the real Ira would ride back into town and re-open), as far as I'm concerned the Ira's that inhabited that location for the last 15 or 20 years was not the Ira's that existed when I loved it.

Head's Red BBQ wrote:great news steve-been waiting for the changeover as I was never a fan of Ira's mainly because thr guy behind the counter was pretty abrasive to customers most of the time..this is a 5 min jaunt from work

That was the reason why I stopped going to Ira's. Always got attitute when I went there. After the second time, I gave my business to Cookers.

Definately will check the new place out.

Wow, in a previous life I worked up in Northbrook and hadn't thought of Ira's in a VERY long time. Thanks for reminding me (it was never more than OK IMO) and giving my mind's eye an idea of the the exact location of the new Wolfy's . . . should I ever find myself up that way again.

I thought Ira's went downhill in recent years and I'm not sad to see it go.

I used to hit Wolfy's a lot when I was on Peterson Ave, a great hot dog. Sure the fries are nothing special, but they are decent. I'm hoping and praying this new location will be one of my lunch spots soon, because that means I'll be working at a new job around the corner.

Congratulations Josh! I'm so very proud of you! Josh Kaplan, one of the owners of the Northbrook Wolfy's is a Hot Dog University graduate.

When to Wolky's at Northbrook yesterday. Arrived just when the lunch rush was started.
Had a polish with onions and mustard. Polish hada nice char on it and a good snap when bitten into. Not stingy with the mustard and onions like its predecessor.

Also ordered what was called a Triple Stack Fries ( I dont know if they have that at the original sine Ive never been there). It was fries with Merkts cheese, sour cream and bacon. Now when I say bacon, Im not talking about precooked, prechopped stuff but bacon that was put in the griddle and cooked and cut right there. Absolutely sinful.

A few more of those and I dont know how Im going to fit in my costume when the faire season starts!! :LOL:

Im going back today. Will try and take a photo of the Triple Stack Fries if I get a chance.

Went today and it wasnt all that much IMO. Pretty much typical of a north suburb hot dog stand if you ask me. The only thing that stood out was the chaos in the order line as well as among the cooks. They all looked completely lost and wait times were incredible for a fast food type place (and this was after lunch rush).
Gotta love a cook dripping in sweat who has to jam his finger all the way through my burger as its cooking to see if its done. Top it off with some unmelted cheese and you got yourself a one time only customer.

Head's Red BBQ wrote:Gotta love a cook dripping in sweat who has to jam his finger all the way through my burger as its cooking to see if its done. Top it off with some unmelted cheese and you got yourself a one time only customer.

Banner quote, please.

cito wrote:Banner quote, please.

huh????

Head's Red BBQ wrote:

cito wrote:Banner quote, please.

huh????

Referring to the changing quotes next to the LTH banner on the homepage.

Dave148 wrote:

Head's Red BBQ wrote:

cito wrote:Banner quote, please.

huh????

Referring to the changing quotes next to the LTH banner on the homepage.

ok now i understand..thanks

Head's Red BBQ wrote:Went today and it wasnt all that much IMO. Pretty much typical of a north suburb hot dog stand if you ask me. The only thing that stood out was the chaos in the order line as well as among the cooks. They all looked completely lost and wait times were incredible for a fast food type place (and this was after lunch rush).
Gotta love a cook dripping in sweat who has to jam his finger all the way through my burger as its cooking to see if its done. Top it off with some unmelted cheese and you got yourself a one time only customer.

They had been open for only 1 week when you were there. Perhaps they opened before they were ready and that's bad; but it seems a bit hasty to write them off so soon.

The place doesn't flow right when there's a crowd. They really need to take orders on the south side of the restaurant. That was one thing about IRA's that they shouldn't have changed. The people in line to order have their asses in the faces of the customers sitting and eating.

Kesey wrote:The place doesn't flow right when there's a crowd. They really need to take orders on the south side of the restaurant.

That is an excellent observation!

I live down the street, and like others, I didn't like going because of the previous owner. We've now been, and it was good. I wasn't bowled over, but it's an easy walk for my family, so we'll be going again. Really, all I needed was a change in ownership.

Head's Red BBQ wrote:Gotta love a cook dripping in sweat who has to jam his finger all the way through my burger as its cooking to see if its done.

That observation turned me off so much, I will never eat at this place.

Sandman - im sure worse goes on in better places but when you witness stuff like this it tends to burn ya up a little..especially after a long wait in line

I live right around the corner from Wolfy's so I figured I would give it a try this weekend.

Stopped by in the middle of the lunch rush for a jumbo char dog. The dog was ok, but not spectacular.

The deal killer for me is the weak frozen fries. I can't see why I would be back when cookers is only a few minutes drive and Fredhots only a few more than that. Two much better options.