Disappointing first visit. I walked in before another group, but they were helped and served before me, which wasn't a great first impression. I ordered the Philly and cheese fries. The Philly lacked flavor, and the peppers and onions tasted like they may not have been fresh. The cheese on the fries was clumpy and had an off taste. That said, I know this place is known for its hot dogs, so I'm willing to give them another try before making a final judgment. read more

Irving's For Red Hot Lovers - Cheese looked very clumpy with an odd taste to it. - Fast Food Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

Congratulations to Irving's for 50 years!! This is a great casing dog. It's always served on a soft poppy seed bun and the snap is something to be remembered. I love it with a little bit of sauerkraut and the peppers of the correct amount of heat to make me buy more into their dog read more

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Nothing better than finishing up church at OLPH and getting some Irving's right after! The owner is as nice as can be, and they've got a big menu--hot dogs, polish sausages, cheeseburgers, mozzarella sticks, cheese fries with Merkts--all of it is good and quality. We have loved this place for many years. No complaints here. read more

An old school Chicago Hot Dog joint. The food is decent. Place is clean with friendly service. Seating is available inside. These places are more about nostalgia than food. read more

I have been coming here since I was old enough to walk here from my house. Happy to help them celebrate their 50th anniversary. Food tasty as always brings back. Great memories. read more

This is the most pathetic excuse for a tamale boat I've ever had. Do you see chilli ? Maybe a dusting. If you're going to charge people for something then put some on so can get some with each bite. And this was advertised as a large tamale. It's the same size as a Tom Tom tamale but cut in half. It looks like someone puked in the dish. The hot dog bun is cold. The hot dog is over cooked. If you're reading this review, look up another hot dog place in the area. Don't waste your money here any worse than this place. read more

Irving's For Red Hot Lovers - Supposed to be a tamale with chilli - Fast Food Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

Great place right here located in the plaza. The service is always great. The food is always made fresh to order.

Been going here for 40 years and it went through a drought of not being great for 10 years or so, but the last 5 years they have really gone back to being great! burgers dogs just hit the spot when needed! read more

We needed a pit stop on the way up to Ravinia and didn't want to pay $200 for a meal up there, so we pulled off and got a reasonable one here! The menu covers all the comfort food basics, and they quickly prepared a fresh meal for us. I just had a Chicago dog and fries which was classic and hit the spot. It takes a minute to get used to the rapid fire clipped questions that come at you, seemingly designed to get them through a crowded noisy line (it wasn't crowded when we went). Bathroom and environs were well worn but clean. read more

If you're looking for the "iconic" Chicago hot dog, this is the place!! In fact they were just inducted into the vienna beef "Hall of Fame" - only 150 in the country. They also have great burgers and chicken sandwiches... and the fries.... AMAZING!!! . K+M read more

I came here with my boyfriend for lunch after hearing some family memories and remembering the location from his days at Loyola. The ordering set up here is really odd. There's no defined "pay here" and "pick up" areas. The guy that helped us was really friendly and nice! I had a patty melt and fries. My patty melt was two slices of grilled white bread with meat and cheese and grilled onions. Rye bread is like a required for a patty melt. Tasted ok, though. Criss-cut fries were ok, but I feel like they were deep fried twice or something. Very hard and crunchy. He had a gyros combo. His food seemed decent. Lunch for two of us was about $24.00. Prices are pretty reasonable. Seating here is very limited. A few booths and couple of high top tables. I imagine most people who come here get food to go. Overall, I might come back, but honestly the hot dog/italian beef/burger places around the Chicagoland area are pretty abundant. read more

To be sure this is no Little Island. I'd stick with the dogs as they are near perfection. Burgers are just ok pretty sure frozen patties. If I have the time I go to Little Island in Evanston every time read more

Cold hot dog drenched in mustard . I asked for easy mustard . The place smelled . I like to give places a second chance . But I can't with this one . read more

This place is a staple on the North Shore. Solid quick food. Great staff and always my go to cheese fries. Wish we lived closer. Always consistent and clean. Support local it worth it. read more

I grew up going to Irvings and lately it has really felt like it is going down hill. I love a good dive, but everything feels dirty. The tables, behind the counter. The gentleman behind the counter handled my food with barehands, which is in violation of code. I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich and the chicken was so thin -- I felt so ripped off. I understand times are hard for everybody, however what they charged me for was really not okay. read more

Irving's For Red Hot Lovers - Barely any chicken - Fast Food Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

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This is an old favorite of my in-laws and a must-stop when we visit. There is a little crust around the edges, but the food delivers. We're partial to the gyros, but you can;t really go wrong. Definitely greasy goodness all around! read more

We had 2 hot dogs, 2 cheeseburgers and 1 bratwurst. Easy ordering and pickup. Hot dogs were yummy, cheeseburgers were classic-- 1 sister mentioned it being a bit overcooked but we attribute that to the cooking style and wasn't a big deal; the bratwurst was good too! The mozzarella sticks and sweet potato fries as sides were amazing!!! Definitely recommend both options. Thanks, Irving's For reference: double pure beef red hot: grilled onions, relish, ketchup, sweet peppers, and celery salt. sweet potato fries and mozzarella sticks. pure beef red hot: sauerkraut and celery salt; cheeseburger with tomato, mayo, and ketchup; cheeseburger with tomato lettuce mayo and ketchup -- all $36 for 5 people. read more

Irving's For Red Hot Lovers - Irving's Pure Beef Red Hots, Irving's Double Pure Beef Red Hots, Beer-Battered Mozzarella Sticks, and Sweet Potato Fries. - Fast Food Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

Nothing like an authentic Chicago style hot dog. Good Chicago dog joints are all over the metropolitan area, but north of Mustard's Last Stand in Evanston, this is the only game in town. And it's right off I-94 so just a perfect location for driving home after a Northwestern home game. Service is good, no danger of some idiot putting ketchup on my dog. That's justifiable homicide you know. There are two hot dog places near where I live in Milwaukee both claiming to serve up Chicago style hot dogs but both places try to put ketchup on and of course that's why they need the bullet proof glass. I don't know who would complain about the prices here, this is the North Shore. Other than my car, the cheapest car in the lot was a two year old Jaguar. The prices here a right in line with the neighborhood. I am pretty sure I was in line behind someone's butler last time I was here. I don't know about anything else on the menu besides the hot dogs and fries, and I don't know why you would even think about ordering anything besides hot dogs and fries. Oh, sorry, yeah the polish and fries are also good. But really I wouldn't even glance at the rest of the menu. Don't forget the Omeprazole. read more

Irving's For Red Hot Lovers - a car parked in front of a donut shop - Fast Food Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

Irving's is a North Shore staple. I have been coming here with my family for 20+ years and have never been disappointed. The gyro burger, Chicago dogs, char-cheddar dogs, and cheddar fries are all incredible. The staff is super friendly and have all worked here for decades, love the service and friendly conversations every time we walk in. Can't wait to go back next week! read more

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Visiting family in the area and stopped by to enjoy some Chicago deliciousness. I love that they offer both a jumbo hot dog and a double dog and you can get your dog steamed/boiled or char-grilled. Great burgers and Italian Beef too and don't forget the awesome cheddar fries with the thick cheese. read more

Irving's For Red Hot Lovers - First two boards of menu as of November 2021 - Fast Food Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

Great food and quick service at affordable prices! Good selection of appetizers and shakes too.

Good spot. Never disappointed. Burgers, dogs, gyros, all good. Merkts cheddar is the only cheese fry I'll order. My only complaint is their cheese fries are so overpriced and the smallest portion I've ever seen for the price. Little island had the same fries but they're better and give you way more. But still I like Irving's a lot. Service is really good too read more

Maybe two decades and some years back Chicago had it's own Irving's location till they moved. Bleh! I remember walking there with my old man and getting all sorts of delicious char foods. For my young age I never understood what the heck, "for red hot lovers" meant but assumed it had to do with dating. "So this is where I could take chicks" (I was under ten, alright) Obviously it's meaning is for those that love red hots or hot diggity dogs as my Ma so lovingly likes to call them. Irving's is a char house, so most of your favorites you would love. Full staff with many working the line so you get your food pretty quickly. This place is tiny compared to the store they once had in Peterson Park. Weekday afternoons are usually busy with service folk and local corporate types. They are found in a strip mall with ample parking. Seating is the curved wooden booth style and they have booths for two and up to four. During Lent or when I feel like it, I'll stop by and have their fried fish (cod) sandwich. Shredded lettuce, tartar the way it should be and a thick slice of sandwich style tomato. Hits the spot, but just for (reminiscing) I'll have a red hot also. Not the best when following each other. A perfect order with some friends would be a few char favorites and definitely some cheese fries. Their food isn't heavy, so you can leave feeling satisfied and not bloated. Always made fresh to order. Recently Irving's had an offer through Groupon, so thank you Irving's for offering them, I made great use of those and probably stopped over more often than I have in the not so recent past. read more

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Finally, I can cross Chicago hotdogs off my Foodie must do list. This small bustling place was fun, super fast and mostly frequented by locals, which is always a great sign. It was all delish: Jumbo bacon hot dog - awesome juicy dog, crispy bacon, two slices of tomato, pickle. Polish sausage - very very good Kids burger meal came with yummy fries and 12 oz drink Beer battered fried Mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce- the bomb. We washed it all down with cold root beer. It's the kind of local fast food place where you call out your order and find a stool to sit on while you just happily munch on your hot goodies. Next time I want to try the grilled salami sandwiches... Just wish they offered deep fried cheese jalapeños. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Irving's has been doing it right for years. Dogs beef. It's all good here. Can't go wrong with anything you choose. You'll like bit here.

I've had Chicago dogs for over 50 yrs , but I've never been charged $9.90 for two dogs and a fry ( no drinks ) in my life ! I won't ever be back to Irvings I wish I could support small businesses , but not them.! read more

I remember liking this place years ago. But honestly this is the worst hot dog I've ever ate. It was so tough I couldn't even chew it. It must be have been in the water a long time. Never again. read more

Best Cheese Fries and Polish Sausages in town. 10/10 would recommend stopping here for a quick bite! Always a family favorite!

Food was ok, but they forgot a burger on my large order after the cook at the grill said he "didn't need to write down the order because he had it memorized". Well, he didn't and it was a huge mistake since a burger was left off the order and I am out the money for it. They need to check the order with the customer before the customer leaves. It want busy and they would still get my business in the future, but now they won't. read more

Listen, this place has perhaps the most awesome chili cheese dog (with onions) I have ever experienced in my entire life. Do you call them Coney dogs? Whatever you call this dog I call 'em delicious! The other food was standard fare. The place needs some updating and a good cleaning but I will be back repeatedly for that chili cheese masterpiece. Side note: while I was inside Irving's 4 red hot lovers a manager from the nearby restaurant Trifecta (you can find my review if you like) charged at me. She said that many people are mad and cursing me over my Yelp review . However, she said she really appreciated my honesty. She was aggressive but we had a very nice conversation. I believe that Yelp helps restaurants get better and saves foodies money and wasted time. read more

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The food was not only hot, but stayed hot. Awesome fries, top quality Merkt's cheddar cheese. Not the watered down plastic cheeze. Burgers are top quality beef. Buns toasted. Grilled Onions. Would definitely come back. Thank you! read more

Big mistake comming here what a rip-off! Sandwich that was six bucks looks like a half sandwich,should of told them to keep it! read more

Irving's For Red Hot Lovers - Cold Italian beef sandwich yay me!! - Fast Food Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

The big guy that is the manager personifies customer service to the max.i have been going here for over 20years.the char polish is awesome.

Had been going here for more than 20 years, was surprised to see they hadn't earned 5 stars. My kids and I love this place, we have been coming here since they were age 5. Stoping here when they visit the area is a family tradition! The owner is working himself with a very nice staff- they are fast, officiant and courteous! Call ahead and try a Polish! read more

Been coming here since I was a kid. Pretty standard Chicago dog. What does stand out for me are the cheese fries. The fries are just ok but they use some neon orange melted cheddar, which looks nasty but it's delicious. read more

I have no complaints about the food. We had their Chicago dog, their charred polish dog and a side of chili. Everything was great. Now the bad part - the man behind the counter was extremely rude. I will not go back again and support a business that condones this type of behavior. read more

Order from here on Grub Hub and was extremely disappointed with my food. I ordered the chicken on pita, The pita was so stale and the chicken was so dry, burned (actually black on the bottom) that i couldn't even bite into it. It went right in the trash. My friend ordered cheese fries and there was less than 1 teaspoon of cheese on the entire order. Soggy and stale. I spoke with someone from GrubHub and they contacted the restaurant and the restaurant told them they will not do anything for me. I even went as far as asking them if they wanted me to take the chicken sandwich out of the garbage to send them a photo of it not even touched. What terrible customer service. They don't answer the phone when you call and they clearly don't care about keeping customers happy. Im new to the area and which I knew better. I will not be ordering from here again. read more

Love this place! Been here forever and so glad they've survived 2020. Everything is great and believe me I've had it all. Dogs are hands down the best around. There is nothing that even comes close. Would've gotten 5 stars but I gotta say my one gripe is the criss cut cheddar fries. I understand cheese is expensive but over $4 for fries and I expect them to at least be a full order. Maybe there were 6 fries total in the entire package. That's like 0.75 per fry....also asked for pickles for two double dogs and a burger and again like enough for barely one of the dogs. All good though, times are tight and I'm sure they are counting every penny. It's my wife who is the complainer, I swear!!! read more

Well Andy this place certainly is not what it used to be. No more Vienna Dogs, no More Coke, no neon relish and no natural case. You have taken the cheap road with Red hot Chicago skinless and Pepsi? Really, Andy. When is the Merkt's going to change to nacho cheese? Not a dime has been put into seating area or equipment. The place needs some help. Time to invest some money Mr Greenspan. read more

Irving's For Red Hot Lovers - Fast Food Near Me - Wilmette, Illinois

Dirty. Ordered ice cream on a hot day. It was like soup. I threw out the ice cream or white sugar souip. YUCK