Superdawg - Wheeling

Really love the original Superdawg and was excited to find out they were building a second one in the city I formerly called home, Wheeling.

My wife and I were anticipating the opening and when it was finally announced (via Facebook & Twitter - which was a cool move) we jumped into action.

Service was a little slow, but considering we went there on the location's second day I'm not surprised.

The Superdawg, as usual, was awesome. Had a burger in addition, for the first time and wasn't all that impressed by that, however.

It's not exactly right down the street, but a lot closer than the original, so I'll defintely be returning.

oh yeah - we got Flaurie herself on the intercom!

Have to say that I was not very impressed by my first visit to the northerly Superdawg. Everything was close to the original but still unlike it enough for me to easily notice unfortunate differences.

Aesthetically, the space is big and beautiful. The lot and layout of the place are greatly improved over the original location. Stalls entirely surround the building in concentric circles and are easily accessed without having to make 6-point turns. Speaker/order system works well. Interior space is big and bright and inviting. Service, given the off hour of our visit, was surprisingly slow.

The main disappointment, though, was the food, which did not come close to matching up with what's served at the original location. Hot dog tasted like it had been boiled in a bleach bath. Supercheesie (burger) was dry and lifeless. Superchickie was so bad, the only bite I took ended up unswallowed in a napkin. Chocolate shake was passable but had an off undernote, which more or less marred every sip.

Did we catch them on a bad night? I know that even the original location has its detractors but I am not one of them. I've always been a big fan. But this new location, for me, was no more than Superdawg-esque. I hope it was just an off night.

=R=

We actually had a quite enjoyable lunch there the other day. Not an expert on the original, but everything we ordered was very good (Superdawg, Whoopskidawg, grilled cheese for the youngster, chocolate malt). Was it better than say Fredhots or Hot Dougs? No, but again we enjoyed our meal and overall with the atmosphere and the kitsch it was an enjoyable experience and the building/lot is magnificent. In fact, we have to pick up the kids from O'Hare and if I can convince them to set aside Passover for a meal we might make a stop on the way home (would love to Paradise Pup, but timingwise and given the weather report, I anticipate lines down the block).

AlexG wrote:We actually had a quite enjoyable lunch there the other day. Not an expert on the original, but everything we ordered was very good (Superdawg, Whoopskidawg, grilled cheese for the youngster, chocolate malt). Was it better than say Fredhots or Hot Dougs? No, but again we enjoyed our meal and overall with the atmosphere and the kitsch it was an enjoyable experience and the building/lot is magnificent. In fact, we have to pick up the kids from O'Hare and if I can convince them to set aside Passover for a meal we might make a stop on the way home (would love to Paradise Pup, but timingwise and given the weather report, I anticipate lines down the block).

Glad to hear about the positive experience. Tonight was a bit devastating for me, given my appreciation of the original location. I plan to return again soon, probably at a more peak-ish hour next time.

=R=

What are they charging for one of those Super Dawgs in Wheeling?

Cogito wrote:What are they charging for one of those Super Dawgs in Wheeling?

I believe the menu prices are the same at both locations - http://www.superdawg.com/menu.cfm?section=sandwiches

Dave148 wrote:

Cogito wrote:What are they charging for one of those Super Dawgs in Wheeling?

I believe the menu prices are the same at both locations - http://www.superdawg.com/menu.cfm?section=sandwiches

Those prices are correct. We did indeed stop on the way home and this time used the carhop service. Call me a sucker, but it was really fun (the kids got a real kick out of it) and the food was really good. In fact, having just had breakfast a few hours before I didn't initially order, but once the dawgs arrived, resistance was futile and a whoopski was on the way.

They have some nice picnic benches now out back with carhop (bench-hop?) service.

Hot dogs at Wheeling Superdawg tell love story

In 1948 the newlywed couple, of Lincolnwood, opened Superdawg Drive-In restaurant on Devon and Milwaukee avenues in Chicago. Atop their restaurant they mounted two hot dogs: "Maurie" in a Tarzan wrap and "Flaurie" with a coy skirt and bow--fiberglass icons of the couple's love affair with each other and the food.

Sixty-two years later, the couple stood on Milwaukee Avenue once more, joined by three generations of the Berman family and friends May 13, and watched their hot dog alter egos rise again--this time at the restaurant's new location in Wheeling, which opened last January.

The 15' Maurie and Flaurie went up on Thursday: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=380568

ETA: Sorry, Cathy, I missed your link above your quote and my article's sorta redundant! Oh well!