Hot Doug's, Chicago

This place gets a lot of press, and for good reason – the variety of sausages they offer is amazing. However I’m not quite convinced it was worth the 60+ minutes I had to wait in line. If you can manage to find a time when there isn’t as long of a wait, then definitely stop in.

Favorite Dish: Doug's menu changes weekly (sometimes daily), so there is always something new to try. My favorite was a spicy Thai sausage topped with peanut sauce and coconut.

Whatever you order, the duck fat fries are a must - however they're only available on Fridays and Saturdays.

If you haven't been to Hot Doug's in awhile, check the address, the original location burned down and they reopened at 3324 N. California.

I first heard about Hot Doug's through my VT friend Dave (dlandt) so when Hot Doug's was recently written up as a 4 fork review (don't miss it) in the Chicago Tribune Cheap Eats, we headed over to see what the fuss was about.

It probably wasn't a good idea to go the weekend after the write up as there was a long line out the door on Saturday afternoon. The line doesn't go as quick as you'd think but on the bright side you have plenty of time to peruse the menu of usual offerings and the variety of specials being offered.

I'm not a fan of the traditional Chicago dog, I can't stand mustard or relish, so I normally don't think about going to hot dog places. Don't even think about ordering ketchup on a dog in Chicago!

If you want a traditional Chicago dog, this is probably not the best place. But if you want a dog that's out of the ordinary, Hot Doug's is the place. There is a game of the week special, it was rabbit for our visit, not nearly as exotic sounding as the rattlesnake or alligator specials the Tribune reviewed. There are also several other specials that include less traditional offerings such as Cajun sausage.

Favorite Dish: By the time we got to the front of the line we were starving, after much debate I tried one of the other specials, an uncured pork sausage with cheddar horseradish sauce and bacon-delicious!

Duck fries, fries cooked in duck fat, are offered on Friday and Saturday and are a must according to the reviewers although they didn't excite me. They reminded me a bit of frites that come with steak frites at French bistros, deep fried and crunchy.

Hot Doug's specializes in serving a Chicago Classic, the Hot Dog. Although they will make them to order, and have a variety of good sausages to choose from, they will generally serve a traditional dog. There will not be ketchup on it. Most items are under $4, some are under $3. Despite its common appearance, the owner has a master's degree in Culinary Arts, or so I'm told.

Favorite Dish: Hot dogs, but they make other good things as well.

Several gourmet hotdogs and duck fat fries. One of the best places to eat in Chicago but it is always packed. WELL worth the wait.

Favorite Dish: Always changes... I ususally go with the game of the week.