Zebra's Gourmet Hot Dogs

When I heard this place was opening mere blocks from home, I was pretty excited despite the decidedly lukewarm Time Out review. While it's not like you can't get a dog around here - Everything's Fried-type places are a dime a dozen, presumably because the cop shop on Halsted fuels the demand - there's nothing special enough to waste stomach space on. If I want a dog, I'd rather make a trip out of it and get a good one. So my hopes were high.

I'm glad to report that I did not hope in vain. The menu is pretty straightforward, with your choice of an all-beef Nathan's dog dressed in an interesting assortment of toppings, a Polish, or a ham 'n swiss sandwich. For $5 ($7 for the sandwich) you get a dog and either hand-cut fries or fresh corn fritters with a generous dose of powdered sugar. Drinks are $1. I was in a certain mood that only cheese goo can assuage, so I got the special, a dog with cheese sauce, bacon, and green onions. My husband got the classic Chicago dog. The dogs were served in a bolillo-type roll rather than a standard bun, which was a good move given the heft of the dog and toppings combined. An S. Rosen would have disintegrated. Both were great (it helped that I was really feeling the cheese sauce) and we got one each of the fritters and the fries for sampling purposes. The fritters are amazing, hot and delicious, and I kept eating them long past the point of physical comfort.

Time Out poo-poohed the fries as not being worthwhile, and though I agree that the fritters are the thing to get, the fries are fine too. They're not a standout draw like the fries at Hot Doug's or WASC, but you're not going to curse yourself for ordering them, either.

Nice couple behind the counter, too.

Zebra's Gourmet Hot Dogs
3551 S Halsted
Chicago, IL 60609

after a ramova's lunch, we stopped in just to try the fritters. i highly recommend them without powdered sugar.
that way they sorta go ok with a dog. they were lightly fried and greaseless. though i found the few corn kernals inside to be rather dried up.

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:When I heard this place was opening mere blocks from home, I was pretty excited despite the decidedly lukewarm Time Out review. While it's not like you can't get a dog around here - Everything's Fried-type places are a dime a dozen, presumably because the cop shop on Halsted fuels the demand - there's nothing special enough to waste stomach space on. If I want a dog, I'd rather make a trip out of it and get a good one. So my hopes were high.

What about Bridgeport's excellent 35th Street Red Hots (500 W 35th)? To me it's easily among the best in the city and one I'm happy to make a special trip to visit. The owners of 35th Street Red Hots have opened a newer place with identical food, Redhot Ranch, that many people are fond of.

Suzy Creamcheese wrote:The fritters are amazing, hot and delicious, and I kept eating them long past the point of physical comfort.

A couple weeks ago I hid a fritter pic in the Openings thread, likely never to be seen again. Here are some more Zebra photos. All I've had there so far is a fritter (without powdered sugar) and thought it was very good indeed. I like that they're doing some things a little differently.

Rene G wrote:What about Bridgeport's excellent 35th Street Red Hots (500 W 35th)? To me it's easily among the best in the city and one I'm happy to make a special trip to visit. The owners of 35th Street Red Hots have opened a newer place with identical food, Redhot Ranch, that many people are fond of.

I have passed by it many times, but never stopped in. I'll have to give it a try. Especially since I've found Zebra's Chicago dog to be the weakest thing I've tried. Can't put my finger on why - maybe the roll? - but it just seems wrong somehow. Now, the Polish I had tonight was just perfect.

I walked in and there is nothing special about the decor but once you speak to the staff and receive your food you know you've walked into a different kind of hot dog place. The selection of different themed dogs blew my mind and I've now had almost all of them and loved them all! This is a must try!
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no kill la