When I was growing up for us it was "Jordy's" at Skokie Blvd and Golf Rd.

In the exact spot where years earlier in the 60's and early 70's stood the original Door County Fisheries...a dark and small Chicago institution for bagels and smoked fish.

AaronSinger wrote:

AlexG wrote:Add Jim's Char-Broil formerly in Evanston on Sherman to the RIP. Also, not to long ago, there was a mediocre hot dog joint a block to the east on Orrington close to the old Border's location. And there was another not very good hot dog place at the northeast corner of Davis and Oak where the Pineyard Chinese restaurant is now.

I have no clue what the name of the place on Orrington was. I remember stopping in a couple times, nothing great, but they did have Vienna Beef, and there weren't that many places in downtown Evanston. I want to say that it closed just a few years ago.

"Chicago Style Carry-Outs"? I remember going to this place often enough, and I didnt think it was that bad, myself But then I didnt really go for the hot-dogs - I think it was for a pretty reasonable gyro, mostly (and maybe an odd burger or two).


c8w

I updated this post a bit today after visiting Josh's in Northbrook. Josh's and WASC are imho the best hot dog stands on the North Shore. If anyone has anything to add to the list, let me know.

Fredhots in Glenview closed quite some time ago, unfortunately

Was the "update" saying that Michael's in Highland Park was sold from 1/14/2014 or a previous year ?

tem wrote:Was the "update" saying that Michael's in Highland Park was sold from 1/14/2014 or a previous year ?

Given that it sold a while ago I doubt that it's from this year.

elakin wrote: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.

Here's a Tasty Pup story from the 80's. My Dad took my brother and I there at the recommendation of one of his friends. We probably ordered at least 6 hot dogs between us at the minimum, three fries, three drinks. Anyway, we each took a bite, shouted expletives, threw all of it immediately went into the garbage. It was HORRIBLE. We headed north, ending up at Ira's on Sanders (I don't know how I remember these stories).

Northfield
U Dawg U
300 Happ Rd, Northfield, IL 60093
(847) 441-6200

Excellent service, excellent food in the Chicago "stand" tradition.

Moishe Pippicks was on Dempster just east of Chicago Ave. It closed and became a Salvation Army and then Blind Faith Cafe

jilter wrote:Northfield
U Dawg U
300 Happ Rd, Northfield, IL 60093
(847) 441-6200

Excellent service, excellent food in the Chicago "stand" tradition.

Last summer while just driving around I found U Dawg U, I had low expectations based on its location, but was pretty happy with what I got. I wouldn't go out of my way to go there again, but if I'm up in that area I'll definitely stop by. Super nice people too.

Just swung into Winnetka for an appointment and a quick lunch at D's Haute Dogs...and they're closed. Gone. Kaput. The sign on the door mentions the cost of their recent expansion and increases in rent.

I've noticed there is always an aversion to mentioning any of the Wally's Fast Food locations.

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

.
It is also a Greater Neighborhood Restaurant.

***

I didn't know Michael's in HP had sold. I had noticed a lot of bold signage in the windows advertising delivery. I thought to myself their business must be dropping off. Now when I read of the food slipping and new ownership, this probably accounts for these changes.

Stopped by Irving's for Red Hot Lovers recently, got the 1/4lb char cheese burger with everything, double dog with everything, cheese fries, strawberry shake and diet pepsi (y'know, cause of calories).





Hot dogs were their own brand, not Vienna. IMHO looked and tasted pretty much the same though, natural casing, sufficient beefy flavor, poppy seed bun. Solid chicago style dog.
Fries were hand cut, crisp, no black spots on them. They came unsalted, not sure if that was overlooked or cheese fries come unsalted because the cheese makes up for lack of salt.
Cheese topping was Merkt's cheddar, the wife didn't care for it at all, she thought it looked and tasted like old or spoiled cheese. I told her it's supposed to come grainy and has a really sharp, slightly funky flavor but she's not a fan.

Meal came out to $20 including tax, so pretty standard pricing. They have a few combo meals but those are posted under the main menu board, above the grill. It was quite warm inside, a good 10-15 degrees hotter than outside, and noticeably hot near the grill (felt sorry for that poor grillman!). They obviously didn't have the A/C going, or maybe they don't have A/C, I'm not sure, but perhaps their exhaust fans aren't working so well, they should be pumping out that hot kitchen air more than they are. (?)

Uther, next time go to Poochie's (although they don't salt their fries either which is a sin when it comes to any fries). They must be salted hot out of the fryer. That being said Poochie's will give you perfect the quintessential Vienna experience plus Merkts on your char burger or fresh cut fries if you like. Took a friend from Lake Bluff last week who had never had Poochie's. He loved everything and said, "This is what I remember hot dog stand food tasting like when I was young. Amazing."

Uther wrote:

Stopped by Irving's for Red Hot Lovers recently, got the 1/4lb char cheese burger with everything, double dog with everything, cheese fries, strawberry shake and diet pepsi (y'know, cause of calories).

In my opinion, Irving's is one of the worse hot dog stand around. Doesn't serve Vienna. Even worse, the buns are cold and not steamed. Not sure how they survive.

In my experience the hot dogs at Poochies are inconsistent. During slow periods they are likely to be overcooked and robbed of snap and flavor.

I was planning on Edzo's or Poochies but overshot Dempster (Evanston) and didn't feel like turning around. Also, I hadn't been to Irving's in years and wanted to try them again so stopped by. Maybe because I wasn't expecting much (wasn't impressed with it last time hence the long wait between visits) but the food was pretty solid. Honestly the heat inside the place was the worst part of the experience, I don't mind if a restaurant isn't any hotter than the outdoors but it was quite a bit warmer in there. The poor guys behind the counter must have been wilting, although I'm sure sport peppers I ate contributed
to my overheating. The shake was tasty and helped cool me down a bit.
I wonder why places don't always salt their fries, is it because people want them unsalted? I agree with what a member posted in a different thread, salting them even 5 minutes out of the fryer, the salt doesn't adhere as well to the fries.

I agree Scott, nothing ruins a hot dog like a limp, soggy wiener. Had one at the Red Hot Ranch on Western Ave last week, still edible but wasn't nearly as good as the dogs I had at 35th St last year, those were full of snap and flavor.

Uther wrote:I agree Scott, nothing ruins a hot dog like a limp, soggy wiener. Had one at the Red Hot Ranch on Western Ave last week, still edible but wasn't nearly as good as the dogs I had at 35th St last year, those were full of snap and flavor.

On more than one occasion I've informed the crew at Redhot Ranch (Ashland location) that the dog I'd been served tasted washed out. In each instance, they were happy to drop some new dogs for me. They're incredibly accommodating.

=R=

I'm sure they would have given me a fresh dog, although I'm pretty terrible at asking someone to remake my food unless it's truly inedible. This was just a tired old dog, but my wife seemed to enjoy it, and Lord knows I've eaten worse. What I didn't like so much was the RHR double cheeseburger, had a little too much char bordering on burnt at the ends, still had that char taste in my mouth hours later.

Still missing Weiner and Still Champion. . .

And their fries.

Uther wrote:I'm sure they would have given me a fresh dog, although I'm pretty terrible at asking someone to remake my food unless it's truly inedible. This was just a tired old dog, but my wife seemed to enjoy it, and Lord knows I've eaten worse. What I didn't like so much was the RHR double cheeseburger, had a little too much char bordering on burnt at the ends, still had that char taste in my mouth hours later.

Your comment about the double rhr burger made my mouth water....

Uther wrote: What I didn't like so much was the RHR double cheeseburger, had a little too much char bordering on burnt at the ends, still had that char taste in my mouth hours later.

Said no one ever.

I don't think I've ever had WASC, unfortunately, wonder if the owners opened up somewhere else?

I should say it was more burnt than char taste. I like a good caramelized/char taste, this was straight burnt. Would you eat the burnt bits off the flattop grill that they scrape off to the side when cleaning and think that's good? I mean, maybe a small piece or two if it's not too burnt, but I wouldn't want to make a meal of them.
Maybe it's my fault though, it was just one sizable piece on the edge that was like that and I should have picked it off instead. But I will say the RHR double cheese burger I had at Ashland later that week was better and not burnt at the edge.
I have photos I'll post in the RHR thread later on.

I believe the consensus is Ashland for burgers and Western for dogs.

scottsol wrote:In my experience the hot dogs at Poochies are inconsistent. During slow periods they are likely to be overcooked and robbed of snap and flavor.

In addition to your comment (which I totally agree with) , you are also served either overcooked or really overcooked fries. I’m finding it harder and harder to justify spending almost $10 for 2 dogs and fries there...

cito wrote:

scottsol wrote:In my experience the hot dogs at Poochies are inconsistent. During slow periods they are likely to be overcooked and robbed of snap and flavor.

In addition to your comment (which I totally agree with) , you are also served either overcooked or really overcooked fries. I’m finding it harder and harder to justify spending almost $10 for 2 dogs and fries there...

I have had mostly great experiences at Poochie's over the years so I can't comment on what you have been seeing. What are overcooked fries? Well done? Too burnt? Honestly that sounds good to me. Did you know that depending on the time of the year the sugar content in a Russet Burbank potato can cause it to be darker than usual?

There are that say something and those who don't (and I'm not counting keeping your mouth shut because a restaurant is not worth it no matter what). The ones who say something to an owner who cares might make a big difference. The ones who don't usually say anything and then complain about it usually come back with "they should know how to do it right". Maybe they do know how do it right but the employee doesn't. Maybe they are taking things for granted and need to have a reminder to pay attention. Who knows. If things are sub-par I usually let them know.

If you're ordering a hot dog at Poochie's you're doing it wrong. The grilled salami sandwich is the only item on the menu you need to know about.

I haven't had Poochies in years but plan on going back there soon to give it a try, hopefully it'll be a good experience.
I hardly ever take food back, mostly because if it's edible I figure this is what it is. And if I went through a drive thru even if the food is bad enough to return I'll rarely take the time to turn around and go back through again.
But I do see why telling the workers that something is off would be important to them. In fine dining establishments I think the cooks are constantly tasting the ingredients to make sure they're good, in more casual places not so much. Back when I was in school I had a friend that worked in an ice cream shop and one time he served a customer something with pineapple in it, and the customer told him afterwards he should check the pineapple, it tasted off. My friend tasted the pineapple and he said it was so spoiled it was revolting.

But part of the reason you go to places like Poochies is you want something made reasonably fast, to have to go back and ask for one part of a meal to be remade, extending your visit by 20 minutes or more, can seem like too big of a hassle for some people.

Uther wrote:

Stopped by Irving's for Red Hot Lovers recently, got the 1/4lb char cheese burger with everything, double dog with everything, cheese fries, strawberry shake and diet pepsi (y'know, cause of calories).





Hot dogs were their own brand, not Vienna. IMHO looked and tasted pretty much the same though, natural casing, sufficient beefy flavor, poppy seed bun. Solid chicago style dog.
Fries were hand cut, crisp, no black spots on them. They came unsalted, not sure if that was overlooked or cheese fries come unsalted because the cheese makes up for lack of salt.
Cheese topping was Merkt's cheddar, the wife didn't care for it at all, she thought it looked and tasted like old or spoiled cheese. I told her it's supposed to come grainy and has a really sharp, slightly funky flavor but she's not a fan.

Meal came out to $20 including tax, so pretty standard pricing. They have a few combo meals but those are posted under the main menu board, above the grill. It was quite warm inside, a good 10-15 degrees hotter than outside, and noticeably hot near the grill (felt sorry for that poor grillman!). They obviously didn't have the A/C going, or maybe they don't have A/C, I'm not sure, but perhaps their exhaust fans aren't working so well, they should be pumping out that hot kitchen air more than they are. (?)

Irving's serves Red Hot Chicago hot dogs. When Merkt's cheese is over heated, it becomes grainy, which completely changes the flavor pattern. It should be smooth and spreadable when properly heated. 120 degrees is usually the maximum temperature before it breaks down.
CSD