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Thanks to a reader for shooting this video of the line outside Hot Doug's on Saturday. That was one muggy day to be waiting in line for hot dogs, even those the caliber of Doug Sohn's.
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Thanks to a reader for shooting this video of the line outside Hot Doug's on Saturday. That was one muggy day to be waiting in line for hot dogs, even those the caliber of Doug Sohn's.
I've never been there, but NO hot dog can be that good.
No...it is. Duck fat fries, hot dog creations that are pure gourmet, perfect veggie and veggie corn dogs, and just plain old encased meats that are PERFECTION. Worth every second.
The weekends are INSANE, during the week is quite a bit better. He could easily open another location, but I get the feeling that Doug likes being the place you have to wait for, and more power to him.
The line also moves pretty damn quick. That said, I wouldn't wait in it to only get a regular chicago-style dog. Too many places do that just as well in the city without the crowd. The long wait at Hot Doug's is WELL worth it for his gourmet dogs, however. I'm also so-so on the duck fat fries (which is what creates the long lines on friday and saturday), but other people obvioulsy love them.
I dont understand the appeal of the duck fat fries either. Tried them a few times and feel they are pretty much just a richer, greasier, french fry. The regular fries are already really good.
fries + thuringer + veggie corndog = happiness.
Hot Doug's was great when it was a neighborhood place on Roscoe. The notoriety and long lines have kind of spoiled the experience for me.
Having had the duck fat fries a few times I'll third the 'what's the big deal?' sentiment. While I love Hot Dougs, screw waiting in line like that.
Dont fool yourself, the lines were already there at the old place in Roscoe Village. However, it was nice to be able to pop in and grab a quick lunch prior to all the much deserved hype.
that is one hell of a line. Personally I've never been there, so while I'm sure you're all correct about its awesomeness, I don't think I'd be willing to wait that long. You can't crave something you've never tried! In all honesty its part of what's keeping me form going in the first place. Makes me kind of sad because I keep hearing such good things. :(
Been there once when it was on Roscoe but I didn't really see what the big deal was other than having to pay a boat load of money for a dog, fries,and a pop.
Hot Dougs!? Again! This place gets way too much credit, long lines kill this place. In this recession time is money.
Are you all Jim Derogatis in disguise? "It was way better before all the hype...man".
Why not accuse the guy of selling out? Or say that his first album was better with the different flavor of ketchup. Wait, mixing metaphors...
The gourmet dogs are pricey. Hence, "Gourmet". The regular menu is quite reasonable.
The way I see it, Hot Dougs is a labor of love for Doug and company. He's not open all hours or expanding like crazy. He's running the place on terms that work for him. Doug's a friendly guy, always a peach to his customers and he makes damn fine, and very creative, food.
You want to slag on someone, Three words "Rock Star Dogs". I live near by and the three times I stopped in they screwed up my order every time, tried to over-charge me twice and were surly hipster dicks the whole way through. No lines there though. Hmmm.
Do you live in a 3rd World Country?
Then why are you waiting in line for food?
Sure, it's a great place but way over hyped.
But I love all those pudgy hipsters!
Beer + hot dogs = fat ass!
Beer + hot dogs = fat ass!
*Sigh*
A)They don't serve beer.
B) Let's see your pic Michael Phelps.
I went last Thursday around noon, and the line was just barely out the door. We had our food within 10 minutes. It was definitely worth the wait. I wouldn't call the food served hot-dogs by any means, unless you simply consider any encased meat in a roll a hot dog.
Given I wasn't crazy about the regular fries, the homemade sausages are outstanding. That combined with the numerous variety of cheeses make the end result well worth the wait. If you're annoyed by the time you get to the counter, Doug's attitude will turn that around in a second with his friendliness.
I wouldn't know about "better before the hype," and frankly I don't care. I feel the quality of food and service is well worth the price, and I will continue to frequent the shop.
Well said Albany. Also what does waiting in line for food have to do with living in a third world country? Are you a typlical American who can't wait for anything and only eats at fast food places. Oh wait, I forgot, you're David Beckham so it would ruin your hot-bod right? At least these people are getting off their asses to get their food instead of just sitting in their cars at the drive-thru. Its a bit extreme granted, but clearly these people think its worth it.
ps-(insert sarcasm here)the hipsters won't eat here. its too "mainstream."
ps-(insert sarcasm here)the hipsters won't eat here. its too "mainstream."
Heh, pretty much every time I've been there I've seen tattooed bike messenger types (who are more fit than pretty much any keyboard cowboy on here, myself included) roll up and grab some food.
Support your local encased meats emporium dammit!
haha I know, I was just trying to make a joke about how everyone wants to piegon hole everyone else and how people are complaining about the hype. I've got no beef with hipsters or any other urban subculture for that matter. But I do like beef and I hear Hot Doug's is the place to get it.
Since when does saying that you don't wanna wait in a line out the door make you some kind of curmudgeonly hater? Hot Doug's is great, but fuck lines like that, seriously.
It's a MUCH better wait during the week if you have the day off or something. Going on the weekend is pretty much an exercise in extreme frustration, plus the clientele is also different. Doug is seriously nice though, he makes everyone feel comfortable and gives great suggestions if you don't know what you want.
I don't want to tell the man how to run his obviously very successful business, but maybe having a menu board outside on on the window would be good?
A LOT of people going for the first time get jammed up by the counter staring at the multi-tude of options. Gapers block for hot dogs.
This is in no way a comment on the quality of the food served at Hot Doug's, nor an assessment of the people standing in this particular line (although there is a distinct ... something... about the vast majority of them that is eerily similar), but eff standing in a line that long for some food. NO, I don't gorge myself on fast food on a daily basis and I work out at least four times a week. YES, I am willing to wait for a good meal within a reasonable time. But I'm trying to imagine the reasoning that makes a person look at a line abuot 50-60 people long outside of a small restaurant say, "The items sold here are so good that I am willing to go to the very end of this line and wait an undetermined amount of time for it." If you're an out-of-towner I can understand waiting for something you may have heard raves about. But if you live here and saw this line, ignored the very real option of coming back another time and chose to stand in line, well, I just wanna know, "why?"
Funny that Doug has (probably unknowingly) made himself a local celebrity by having a store that so many love. Nice to see that there have not been any bad reviews but a couple of "eh - it's ok," (with me being one of those people) so I suppose I'll try it again soon.
Another note, the ONE time I went in there he must have been having a bad day because he was kind of surly when I asked him questions about the menu. Seemed like he had better things to do than answer what I asked. S'ok though -I tend to be a jerk more than I should (but I'm working on it! I swear!) so I suppose that getting it returned to me is fair.
One last thing for now - if you are looking for a fansastic gyro give Nick's Drive, 7216 N. Harlem a try.
Yeah I love Doug's too, but I won't wait in any type of line like that unless I absolutely have to. I loathe lines. I loathe people even more, and being around them, well certain types at least, who Dougs seems to attract. It's one thing to HAVE to do the line thing at like the DMV (well not anymore since we sit down now, but back in the day...boy) or the grocery store or something, but if it's an option? Hell no eff that, 23 skiddoo. I think some people like me just really really hate lines. I don't go to Great America or anything that requires a long line in order for me to feel satisfied. I'd much rather bbq with a couple friends on the lake and avoid people as much as possible.
Because maybe, just maybe, you work full-time, making it difficult to enjoy Hot Doug's on any time other than Saturday, and are reminiscing about the bacon jalapeno duck sausage coated in blue cheese and drizzled with honey, and so you think it's worth an hour wait to have a delicious meal made for you by a friendly neighborhood institution you love but don't very often get to make it out to. But no, of course, you wait because you're a hipster. Not that I was in the line or anything....