Chicago: Hot Doug's

It was pretty chilly on the day I drove from Madison to Chicago. Walking to the car I encountered something that I don't see very often here in San Diego...... that would be frost.

 

I'm also not quite used to temperatures in the 30's either.

 

Instead of the usual rest stops like we have in SoCal, there are stops above the highway that looks like an overpass. These are called Oasis and contain various fast food shops, restrooms, ATMs, and Gas Stations.

 

My curiosity finally got the better of me, and I stopped at the Belvedere Oasis. The place was very clean, and also had a nice view of the I-90.

 
As another tidbit; did you know the Federal Regulations forbid commercial development of rest areas? Other than a few rest stops that were "grandfathered in", only toll road can offer these type of services. (23 CFR Part 752.5)

I had decided to spend an extra day in Chicago for one main reason...... to eat of course! And there was one place that was a "must try" on my list...... Hot Dougs. Admittedly, I really wandered if Hot Doug's would deliver. My luck really hasn't been that good with places generating so much attention and hyperbole...... the Kogi Taco Truck comes to mind. But after seeing the place for the umpteenth time on No Reservations, and reading numerous reviews and posts (like Passionate Eater's) on the place, even from a couple of San Diego based Food Bloggers like Canine Cologne (read her post here) and Liz of Fooding 411 (her post here), it was without a doubt on my list. Which is why I started driving from Madison at 745 am on a Friday morning. My intention was to arrive at Hot Doug's a couple of minutes before opening........ well Doug's opens at 1030, and I finally found my way there, found parking on the street, and saw a line had already formed out the door at Hot Doug's.

 

Stepping into line and overhearing conversations, it seemed that at least half the crowd were not from Chicago. As for the line, a suited gentleman in front of me, who had a page from a legal pad full of "orders" told the couple in back of him that, "this is nothing....it seems to be a pretty slow day."

So, on this slow day, I made it to the second set of front doors by 1045, and actually into the shop proper at 1050.

 

The line was moving fairly quickly..... and the menu read like a sausage junkie's dream.

Having a couple minutes to read the menu and check out the dining area, something struck me. First off, you can't grab a table or seat until you place your order and pay. Second, Doug Sohn, manning the front counter moves at an unhurried pace. This combined with the fact that folks are eating sausages mean that the dining area turns over very quickly, and it seems that most everyone gets a seat.

Now as to what I came here to eat...... well there were just two things......

 

Of course I was going to have the Foie Gras and Sauternes Duck Sausage ($9). When Doug asked me how I wanted these; I asked him to make it the way he eats it. Doug replied with a smile, and a simple "ok, very good....." Yes...... it was very good indeed.

 
So good I think it deserves another photo.....

 

I thought that perhaps the truffle aioli would just overpower everything; but this was wonderfully rich... decadent.....I felt  like I needed a shower afterwards. The sausage with its mild sweetness was no slouch, and the Foie Gras Mousse with a light sprinkle of sea salt. was pure fatty joy.

I've had Duck Fat Fries before, but wanted to try the version here ($3.50 - Fridays and Saturdays only). These were typically Chicago "Natural" style fries, skin on.

 

These were nice and rich.....the duck fat doesn't really add too much flavor; mainly an additional richness to the fries. They also don't hold up for very long and seem to start getting a bit greasy fairly quickly.

I had intended to hitting XOCO for dinner, but my failure was based on the most basic item on Hot Doug's menu..... the simple Chicago Style Hot Dog ($1.75):

 
Yes, this was my downfall..... Overall a nice, though not amazing Chicago Dog. The dog didn't have quite the snap I like. For once I had enough celery salt on my Chicago Dog... but man, after eating this I was beyond stuffed; I was cross-eyed stuffed and really needed a nap. When I awoke, I just couldn't muster the energy to drive from Arlington Heights, back into Chicago proper.... such is the power of the encased meats at Hot Doug's.

As I left, about 1130, the line outside Hot Doug's stretched down the street.

 

Amazing!

Hot Doug's
3324 North California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618

Open Monday - Saturday 10:30 am - 4:00 pm

Comments

[kat]

I want to try a Chicago Dog :) everytime you have one, you make me want one too...

[bill]

Oh my such a decadent hot dog...Places to travel to eat forgetabout seeing.

[MikeW]

Wow!! I had to take an extra dose of lipitor after looking at that picture but it is now a must try on my next trip to windy city

[Michael]

Nice! Definitely on my bucket list!

[Sandy]

Brother-in-law showed us photos from Hot Doug's and he also had the foie gras & sauternes duck sausage. I forgot what else he had, but it all looked so good.

[foodhoe]

wow... it's not even 8 am and here I am drooling over foie dogs... I can just imagine after finishing both of those hotdogs that you were cross eyed stuffed! I'm also impressed that you drove almost 3 hours for the cause.

[Vicki]

Not going to Hot Doug's is the one thing I regret from my recent Chicago trip!

[Rosa]

That fois gras dog looks absolutely sinful....

[RT]

If you thought the line for Hot Doug's was long, it's nothing compared to XOCO's! I went to both places on a trip to Chicago last year and XOCO is really good, but the 2hr wait was... challenging. I had a mixed mushroom torta with goat cheese and black bean salsa that was so good I ordered a second one immediately! Now I make a variant of it at home.

Also, I really liked The Wieners Circle for the classic Chicago style dog. Just a thought for next time.

[caninecologne]

hi kirk - very nice post! the owner is a cool guy too. we went back a few days later to try their duck fat fries (since it was a wednesday for our 1st visit)...man those were pretty good. we also had it with celery soda (interesting flavor). The dog we chose had "atomic" in the title and I called it the Atomic Dog by mistake and Doug joked about that. Bow wow wow yippy yo yippy yay, bow wow yippy yo yippy yay....

[Kirk]

Hi Kat - I like the combinatino of flavors and textures in the Chicago Dog.... gotta be a Vienna Beef or similar type dog though.

LOL Bill! I agree!

Hi Mike - Hot Doug's really delivered..... they've got a ton of different sausages.

Hi Michael - Happy Holidays! I hope you're able to cross that one off soon.

Hi Sandy - I wish I had more time to check out some of the other sausages.

Hi FH - I actually flew in and out of Chicago, so I had to return..... but I was not to be denied a visit to Hot Doug's.

Hi Rosa - It sure is. I'm wondering how long it's going to be before there are a ton on imitators.

Hi RT - I think I've mentioned in a previous post.... so far I've been to Wiener's Circle, Super Dawg, Gene and Jude's, and Portillo's.

Hi CC - That's funny. Doug Sohn seems such a laid back guy..... very pleasant.

[Passionate Eater]

A shower afterwards? You are hilarious and wonderful Kirk! But yes, I needed that too after eating his hot dog creations!

[Kirk]

Hi PE - It was pretty rich and filling.... but that's what I get for ordering what I did! It's really nice to hear from you PE!