Hot Doug's
|
Hot Doug's was a really fun experience that I'm happy to say I've participated in. Some of the dogs were better than others, but there are so many to choose from, and the menu is continually ever-changing, so ideally you could try a different dog every day and have a different experience every time. For us, the wait was so excruciatingly long I couldn't see myself going back too often, even if I did live in Chicago. Then again, the foie gras truffle dog was so amazing, I might be wrong. Try the Foie gras and truffle duck sausage or any dog that catches your fancy.
While waiting in line at Oklahoma Joe's in Kansas City, we came upon a plaque: Anthony Bourdain's 13 places to eat before you die. And, as we were reading of all the exotic and wonderful sounding places on the list, only a handful of which are in the US (including Oklahoma Joe's, of course), we noticed this place, Hot Doug's, among them. Knowing we were going to Chicago soon, we made it a point to check it out.
Located about 20 minutes north of the Chicago city center, we followed our iphone gps to this small, unassuming, diner-type restaurant on the corner, in the middle of a residential neighborhood. And, streaming out from the door, a huge line of anxious, hungry customers that wrapped around the corner and continued halfway down the block.
At this point, we were very hungry ourselves and we weighed the options of waiting in line, or trying to find somewhere else to eat. But, lured by Anthony's full-hearted recommendation, and a bevy of people who apparently also thought this was something worth waiting for, we decided to join the line and wait.
And wait we did. Over an hour and a half to get through the front door and up to the counter. We should have brought a snack.
While waiting in line at Oklahoma Joe's in Kansas City, we came upon a plaque: Anthony Bourdain's 13 places to eat before you die. And, as we were reading of all the exotic and wonderful sounding places on the list, only a handful of which are in the US (including Oklahoma Joe's, of course), we noticed this place, Hot Doug's, among them. Knowing we were going to Chicago soon, we made it a point to check it out.
Located about 20 minutes north of the Chicago city center, we followed our iphone gps to this small, unassuming, diner-type restaurant on the corner, in the middle of a residential neighborhood. And, streaming out from the door, a huge line of anxious, hungry customers that wrapped around the corner and continued halfway down the block.
At this point, we were very hungry ourselves and we weighed the options of waiting in line, or trying to find somewhere else to eat. But, lured by Anthony's full-hearted recommendation, and a bevy of people who apparently also thought this was something worth waiting for, we decided to join the line and wait.
And wait we did. Over an hour and a half to get through the front door and up to the counter. We should have brought a snack.
Atmosphere
Once inside, the restaurant is nothing remarkable, though it's primary color scheme of red, blue, and yellow makes everything cheerful. The menu is posted on the wall as you walk in and, although there was a paper version of it floating around in line, the real menu is made up of the many specials that are displayed on bright, red, hot dog-shaped boards on the wall. You order at a counter and then sit at one of the many round tables or high stools lined up along the windows and your food is brought to you. Loud peppy alternative pop/rock plays overhead, giving everything a fun and upbeat air and keeping your head bopping. The place is crowded, but not unpleasantly so.
Service
The one thing that baffles me about Hot Doug's is that there is only one small counter and only one person handling all the orders and all the money. And, as easy as ordering a hot dog sounds, at Hot Doug's, it is quite a complicated affair, with many choices, options, and decisions. Granted, our counter person was funny, personable, and friendly, but he was also in no hurry to get things done. Perhaps the idea of only one, very slow, counter person keeps Hot Doug's authentic and charming, but it also contributes to the very, very, VERY long waits. Maybe that is the plan, to appear as if there is a great demand by continually having a wait out the door but, personally, I would appreciate a larger order counter and a much shorter wait. Call me crazy!
Food
Not wanting to waste our very long wait, we ordered a variety of dogs. The specials were so outrageous that it was difficult to decide, but we finally settled on the following:
Chicago Dog ($1.75) with the works- This was our 'control' dog, the most normal of all the dogs, and the one against which to compare the specials. A steamed dog coming with relish, pickles, mustard, and tomatoes (we took out the onions), this was a nicely flavored, well-balanced, and multi-textured dog, both crunchy and salty, with a nice, bread-y, soft bun. I've read that, as far as a traditional Chicago dog goes, this may not be the best, but it was still very good. James said it needed ketchup. I believe you can be thrown out of Chicago for comments like that!
Rattlesnake with Forrest Berry Sweet Mustard and Ricotta Salata ($9.00) - We had to try this for the sheer outrageousness of it. The sausage itself was rich and chewy but not really unusual tasting, and the ricotta was slightly salty, but the forrest berry mustard (I have no idea what a forrest berry is but it basically tasted like raspberry) balanced out the saltiness and the richness with a nice and welcome sweetness. Overall, we found this dog to be a little dry, but the flavor components were fun, and I loved the bread-y, doughy finish of the soft white bun.
Sauccion Alcassione ($8.00)- Bacon sausage with caramelized onions and double-cream brie. Wow! If you want rich, here it is. The bacon sausage tasted exactly like bacon, but with the texture of sausage. The brie added a nice, creamy richness, and the onions brought it a little texture and sweetness. This dog was surprisingly not salty, but tasted extremely decadent. I could never eat a whole one, but a few bites were good.
Foie Gras and Sauternes Duck Sausage, with Foie Gras Mousse and Truffle Aioli. ($9)- Holy Cow!!! The ultimate sausage and the one, I believe, that made Anthony Bourdain put this place on the 13 list in the first place. The saltiness and chewiness of the dog, complimented by the rich foie gras mousse and scented truffle, finished with that delicious bun, this was the best dog, sausage, whatever, EVER!! Man, I could eat this often, very often. Too bad I don't live in Chicago. Well, probably good I don't. Whatever dog you pick here, I highly recommend this one. PS. James did not like this one. But, as he also wanted a Chicago dog with ketchup, what does he know?!
Duck Fat Fries ($3.75)- These are famous at Hot Doug's and served on on Fridays and Saturdays. Thin, home-cut fries fried in duck fat, they sounded great but left us disappointed. They had an interestingly rich aftertaste but, for us, they were overcooked, tough, and cold.
Chicago Dog ($1.75) with the works- This was our 'control' dog, the most normal of all the dogs, and the one against which to compare the specials. A steamed dog coming with relish, pickles, mustard, and tomatoes (we took out the onions), this was a nicely flavored, well-balanced, and multi-textured dog, both crunchy and salty, with a nice, bread-y, soft bun. I've read that, as far as a traditional Chicago dog goes, this may not be the best, but it was still very good. James said it needed ketchup. I believe you can be thrown out of Chicago for comments like that!
Rattlesnake with Forrest Berry Sweet Mustard and Ricotta Salata ($9.00) - We had to try this for the sheer outrageousness of it. The sausage itself was rich and chewy but not really unusual tasting, and the ricotta was slightly salty, but the forrest berry mustard (I have no idea what a forrest berry is but it basically tasted like raspberry) balanced out the saltiness and the richness with a nice and welcome sweetness. Overall, we found this dog to be a little dry, but the flavor components were fun, and I loved the bread-y, doughy finish of the soft white bun.
Sauccion Alcassione ($8.00)- Bacon sausage with caramelized onions and double-cream brie. Wow! If you want rich, here it is. The bacon sausage tasted exactly like bacon, but with the texture of sausage. The brie added a nice, creamy richness, and the onions brought it a little texture and sweetness. This dog was surprisingly not salty, but tasted extremely decadent. I could never eat a whole one, but a few bites were good.
Foie Gras and Sauternes Duck Sausage, with Foie Gras Mousse and Truffle Aioli. ($9)- Holy Cow!!! The ultimate sausage and the one, I believe, that made Anthony Bourdain put this place on the 13 list in the first place. The saltiness and chewiness of the dog, complimented by the rich foie gras mousse and scented truffle, finished with that delicious bun, this was the best dog, sausage, whatever, EVER!! Man, I could eat this often, very often. Too bad I don't live in Chicago. Well, probably good I don't. Whatever dog you pick here, I highly recommend this one. PS. James did not like this one. But, as he also wanted a Chicago dog with ketchup, what does he know?!
Duck Fat Fries ($3.75)- These are famous at Hot Doug's and served on on Fridays and Saturdays. Thin, home-cut fries fried in duck fat, they sounded great but left us disappointed. They had an interestingly rich aftertaste but, for us, they were overcooked, tough, and cold.
Cleanliness
Even with the incredibly high turnover, the tables at Hot Doug's were very clean. The checkered floors seemed a little grubby, and the bathrooms a little worse for wear, but that's part of the charm, I guess.
Pros
The most interesting, creative, and outrageous hot dogs and sausages on the planet! A really fun thing to experience and a whole different perspective on an American classic.
Cons
Long, long waits, and cold, overdone duck fat fries.
