As a world-famous hot dog sculptor and reviewer, I have sampled dogs from every corner of the…read morecivilized world. Yet somehow, I had never tried a true Chicago-style hot dog. That changed when I arrived at Byron's Hot Dogs, an old-school Chicago stand near Wrigley Field that locals and visitors consistently praise for its classic dogs, friendly service, and affordable prices. The location was warm and welcoming, and the staff patiently explained the entire process. You order at the counter, then move down the line while they build the dog to your liking. They also serve burgers, Italian beef, Polish sausages, gyros, fries, and plenty of other options, but I had come for one reason: to experience the Chicago dog in its natural habitat. Then came the great ketchup controversy. I asked for ketchup and was informed that this was a serious violation of Chicago law. Apparently, ketchup does not belong on a Chicago hot dog, and requesting it is roughly equivalent to insulting the Cubs, deep-dish pizza, and the city flag all at once. Unwilling to abandon my artistic vision, I snuck across the street and purchased a bottle. When I returned, I applied a small amount to my hot dog. The moment the ketchup touched the bun, the lights flickered and a smoky figure appeared above the counter. He introduced himself as Ketchu-Potl, ancient deity of forbidden condiments. He cursed me to spend the rest of my life receiving mustard packets whenever I ask for ketchup. Worse, every hot dog I order now arrives with one single mysteriously warm tomato slice in my pocket. Despite the curse, the hot dog was excellent. The classic toppings were fresh and flavorful, and Byron's even offers its own variation with additional lettuce, cucumber, and green pepper--essentially turning the hot dog into a salad on a bun. Byron's is a casual, no-frills spot with a welcoming atmosphere, quick service, and plenty of outdoor seating. It's also a much better value than buying a hot dog inside Wrigley Field. As a lifelong hot dog enthusiast, I'm thrilled to have finally experienced the real Chicago version. Just remember: order it with the works, skip the ketchup, and never underestimate the wrath of Ketchu-Potl.

very good not great byron dog great veggies!…read moreactual jumbo dog in bun below average not juicy almost didnt seem fresh fries and cheese sauce below average however very good service wouldnt recommend this place

I've been exploring different lunch spots whenever I'm in the office. On this particular day, I had…read moreno idea what I wanted to eat, so I walked over to the food hall and decided to try Harry's because their fish sandwich caught my eye. The sandwich was solid and definitely hit the spot. It was made quickly, which is always a plus when you're on your lunch break. My only downside is that it's a bit pricey, especially since it doesn't come with a side. Even so, I'd order it again when I'm craving a good fish sandwich.

They have gluten free buns and turkey burgers! Necessary visit. Every single worker is nice and the…read morecashier seemed eager to help with menu options. With only a few people in front of me, I still only waited about 15 minutes for my order. Someone ordered wings and they looked delicious! The turkey burger is really good and the GF bun holds up well, isn't flaky and falling apart. It is also seasoned well and they offer customizable options. While the burger is very good, the fries are even better. Skinny fries, fresh, hot and seasoned. And they are not at all stingy with the amount you get. I will be a regular here and will for sure taste the wings in the future.

It says "Factory Store": It's a great little Vienna hot dog and sandwich stand!…read more The Vienna Factory Store is a bright clean hot dog stand with 6 stools to sit indoors, at least 28 more spots at picnic red metal tables in an enclosed patio (Dec 2025), and for warm months, more seats at outdoor umbrellaed tables. It's decorated in bright red and yellow, and has a menu of various hot dogs, sausages, and sandwiches, plus fries and soft drinks. There's menus on the wall above the counter, and some specials on cards. We got the $12 two-dog special, which we got done-up as Chicago dogs. We sat at the far end across from the counter, on stools at a narrow window-facing bar-like shelf. Of course the Chicago dogs were delicious, with all the right ingredients including brightly-spicy sport peppers and fresh poppyseed buns. The dogs we got looked kind of small, but were quite filling with all the fixings. (They have a "jumbo" dog for $1 more.) The fries were perfect: piping hot, crispy outside, soft inside. Besides hot dogs, there's hot ready-to-eat Italian beef, Polish sausages, corned beef, pastrami, turkey-pastrami, brisket, and burgers! And there are fridges and freezers full of Vienna products from the factory across the street, plus a shelf full of Vienna merch. It had a steady flow of customers around 11am on a Monday, and the friendly efficient staff kept things moving along. It's easy to drive to, about a mile west of the Dan Ryan East Expressway at Pershing. It's a 20min hike from White Sox Comiskey Park (Rate Field). This place is a must-visit destination for any hotdog fan, especially those who want the perfect Chicago Dog!

We made the trek out here since the new/old spot in Bucktown doesn't appear to be opening anytime…read moresoon (sad). Let me tell you - the best hotdog I've had in a while. Fresh. Tasty. I can tell the people here love their job. All of the other stuff is overpriced but go for the dog and fries!

Delicious!!! Juiciest burgers and real potato fries - thicker with skin on…read more I got the classic burger and my partner got the turkey burger. Went both loooved them. Went back less than a week later for another dose and am craving another one right now! FYI - Only carry-out so don't expect to eat there. And parking can be tricky

So i saw this spot mentioned on instagram as a top 3 burger so i had to check it out , Glowing in…read morethe middle of the Pilsen area this place has a great street appeal , Who doesnt like a Walk up spot , The staff is very friendly and easy to talk to, I ordered the Signature Double Classic Craft Burger Its 2 prime beef patties w American cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, and craft white sauce, , i tried to figure out the sauce, I'm guessing it has a bit of Horseradish in it Nevertheless a good quality burger made to order , comes w fries that seamed freshly cut, and were perfectly seasoned , i also got a Mexican coke which comes in the bottle , My food was delicious , Overall a great experience worthy of a visit

I really enjoyed the tacos from here, they were $4 ea - if you want the lunch special with rice and…read morebeans it's $15 for that and 3 tacos. Both the carne asada and the al pastor were super flavorful - I think I preferred the Al pastor slightly. The green salsa had a kick to it and was great on the tacos. @main_guy_eats

Best tacos in Chicago hands down! I've gone to the location on 450 N Cityfront in DT Chicago. Steak…read moretacos is like crack I keep coming back!

You really can't go wrong with a classic Polish topped with grilled onions and mustard. Simple,…read moreflavorful, and exactly what I was craving! This place has a fun, nostalgic vibe that reminds me of neighborhood hot dog stands from the '80s. The vintage photos and décor give it plenty of character, making it feel like an old-school Chicago spot. The fountain drink selection is impressive, with plenty of choices to satisfy just about anyone. The prices are fair, the portions are satisfying, and the restaurant is clean and inviting. My only drawback is the ordering system. While ordering from a touchscreen is quick and efficient, I think it takes away some of the personal interaction between customers and staff. It's not a dealbreaker, but I do miss being greeted by someone behind the counter and placing my order the old-fashioned way. Overall, it's a great place to grab a bite. If you're looking for a tasty Chicago-style Polish in a casual setting, this spot is definitely worth checking out. I'll definitely be back.

Intrigued by the Icelandic Dawg which has similar ingredients to the traditional Danish Red hotdog…read morewith everything :-). Had to try it out, kinda pricey at $8.50 but hit the spot and has a kick to it! Only thing missing was really the pickles on top :-) Not a really busy location past dinner time. Service was not the fastest, but made to order :-)

Finally in the South Loop! This is their second location in Chicago. They have the best hot dogs…read moreever!!! Previously I had only had regular hot dogs and polishes. Today I was in the neighborhood and stopped in to get lunch be or my husband and I. We both got the chili cheese dogs and they were out of this world. My hot dog melted in my mouth. We also got 2 Polishes to take home and they were awesome Everything was made fresh and was hot and delicious. The owner was on site and was so friendly and helpful. They always have the best service and are quick and attentive to their customers. This is a True Chicago Staple! If you haven't been to Fat Johnnie's you need to get there immediately! Can't wait to go back soon. This location is delivery/pickup/and catering!

I was not expecting to find a vegan restaurant while walking along Riverwalk. But it was a nice…read moresurprise to come across Feed Your Head and experience a plant-based Chicago dog! For those uninformed (like me before the experience), a Chicago dog comes with yellow mustard, onions, pickle relish, tomato wedges, a pickle, celery salt, and peppers on a poppy seed bun. The Kielbasa vegan sausage is made in-house and is very tasty! Both Meateater Hubby and I liked it so much, we went back a few hours later to order another! On the menu, it's called the "606" Chicago Dog. https://bit.ly/3Zmg8jQ The guy working behind the counter, who may have been the owner, was super cool and friendly to talk to. The menu is small but I think it's perfect for its size since this location is a food stall. I would love to work my way through the menu eventually. Already looking forward to my next visit to Chicago so I can come back to this place.

Love love love! This was my first time in Chicago so I wanted the full experience of a meatless…read moreChicago dog. This didnt disappoint. The shop is along the water tucked away on the river walk. The server behind the counter was so personable and also gave a few other recommendations of things to do while I was in town. Along with my dog, I got the strawberry cheesecake. That was a little pricy however a nice portion and bigger than what I expected. The vegan sausage was packed with flavor and had all of the fixings. You also can't beat the view along the water.