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    Nicky's Hot Dogs

    4.4 (128 reviews)
    InexpensiveHot Dogs
    Open 10:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Nicky's Hot Dogs Photos

    NICKY'S HOT DOGS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Milton H.

    The roast beef was just "ok". The chili cheese fries were pretty decent. The prices are a bit steep and they charge one dollar for a refill which is completely wrong in my opinion. If it wasn't for that I would have given them four stars.

    Hannah H.

    I AM SO IN LOVE WITH NICKY'S!!! This gem of a place has been around since the late '60s - this small carry-out place that some counter seating offers hot dogs, burgers, Italian beef, sausages, grilled chicken, steak sandwiches, hoagies, gyros, fried shrimp and fish, and various sides (YES, they even have pizza puffs!). I came here and ordered: +the Big Baby Double Cheeseburger with everything - this was kind of like a smash burger with patties that had crispy edges, loaded with toppings, and super juicy - YUM! +a Gyro sandwich - an amazing gyro sandwich - I asked mine to be well-done/crispy, and it was perfectly delivered! Stuffed to the max in the fresh buttered up pita with fresh toppings +Chili Cheese Fries - probably the best chili fries I've had - the chili was ON POINT, and the cheese was thick and creamy, and not your typical 'thin, plastic-y, nacho cheese' sauce! +a large RC Cola - so refreshing! Everything was made-to-order, piping HOT, and so so so good - I couldn't scarf down the food fast enough, and I was only planning on sampling so that I had room to check other eateries afterwards. It wasn't happening - I couldn't stop! Staff here are very friendly and efficient; they make your food 110% on point! There's a lot adjacent to the place, and it can get tight; super popular with the locals and it gets filled quickly. There's also street parking, too. Check Nicky's out - this is quintessential Chicago eats! LOVE! +delicious food - 110% on point! +amazing chili cheese fries! +yummy gyros! +Big Baby Double Cheeseburger - yas! +friendly staff! +parking lot available

    Small fries
    Michelle H.

    This lil spot is small but mighty. It was hoppin' the entire time we were there. So I wasn't very hungry but wanted a snack until mealtime so I ate a couple of nuggets n fries, hubby got the hot dog special, which I took a bite of...everything de-lish. I'm hoping to bring my appetite back before I leave the city. The small fries are super plentiful but the large fries are sized re-diculous!!

    a sign for the restaurant
    Anthony D.

    The Best spot for the best Burgers and hot dogs ! A little spot on Archer and Austin that's been around forever! Great service by some of the fastest workers around ! The home of the Big Baby ! You will never be disappointed! You have to try their Pizza puffs and Gyros! Highly recommend

    Barbara S.

    Coming from California Nicky's is on point compared to Tommy's Burgers. Everything was very tasty and yummy. Staff was great, nice.

    Y C.

    So My Husband and myself Drive from the West Burbs for This Nickys hot dogs "ONLY". We have been to nickys hot dogs on 35th western which we do not like.. Their fries are fat and different. We been to the Nickys on 47th st by cicero and we were NOT Satisfied.. once we find a Great Place to eat we Stick with that place and are Loyal Customers to them. If i could give Nickys 20 stars i would. This Nickys is a Great Franchise to eat at. It is not just some hot dog stand... They are Kind ,Great Customer Service , Fast and safe with serving their food. It is Always Clean. The Employees are Always smiling and just make you Feel like Family. We have met the Father and Son who work their. Very Friendly and welcoming to Everyone. I do not know of Any business that takes care of customers and treats them like Family like Nickys does. We Highly Recommend this Nickys . THEY ARE WORTH THE TRIP. Their food is Always hot and Delicious... The other Nickys are a Disappointment so do not waste your money at those other Nickys come to this one on Archer /Austin You will not be sorry. We Love Supporting This nickys.. Thank You to the Owner & Son and their Staff.. We are Very Pleased with their business.

    Beef sausage combination sandwich with hot peppers.

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    8 months ago

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    2 months ago

    great food service friendly atmosphere always stop in for the gyro!! everything on the menu is excellent!!

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    11 months ago

    So good! Must get the hot dogs and Big Baby. Extra onions. Best Chicago style hot dogs and awesome service.

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Nicky's has great Chicago style dishes. The employees create a really friendly environment. Pride of the Southwest Side!!!

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Every thing about this small place was outstanding, their service was second to none. Yes I would recommend this place.

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    3 years ago

    Always great food and service I have been going to Nicky's for over 27 years ! Place is clean and staff very friendly!

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great food as always! Friendly employees and great prices. Always has fresh fries and delicious food.

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Nicky's Hot Dogs

    Review Highlights - Nicky's Hot Dogs

    I always get a big baby, fries, and a lemonade, but I would definitely try something else on their menu.

    Mentioned in 38 reviews

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    Devil Dawgs-Gold Coast

    Devil Dawgs-Gold Coast

    4.4(284 reviews)
    10.3 miNear North Side
    Locally owned & operated
    Outdoor seating

    My friend was visiting from San Francisco and she wanted to try a Chicago dog so I took her to…read moreDevil Dawgs. Devil Dawgs makes the best Chicago dog I've ever had! So fresh and flavorful. She is pescatarian so it was awesome that she was able to get a veggie dog Chicago style. She also had the Icelandic Dawg which she said was very good as well. My Chicago dog came out very fast but her veggie dog took about 10 minutes. I love how the location is close to magnificent mile so it was easy to grab the dogs then go back to shopping. If you need to take someone to get a Chicago dog I highly recommend Devil Dawgs!

    I ordered the 5-piece chicken strips with fries, a side of cheese sauce, and the devil sauce -- and…read morewow, this hit exactly how I needed it to. The chicken strips were perfectly crispy on the outside and super juicy on the inside. You can tell they're made fresh -- not dry at all, just tender and flavorful with that golden crunch in every bite. The fries were just as good -- hot, crispy, and the perfect base for that cheese sauce. Speaking of the cheese... so smooth and rich, it honestly made the whole meal even better. And the devil sauce?? SO good. It has that perfect balance of heat and flavor -- not overwhelming, but definitely gives a little kick that keeps you going back for more. Everything together was just one of those simple but so satisfying meals. Perfect portions, great flavor, and exactly what you want when you're craving comfort food. Definitely would order this again -- no question.

    Photos
    Devil Dawgs-Gold Coast
    Devil Dawgs-Gold Coast
    Devil Dawgs-Gold Coast

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    Al's Beef

    Al's Beef

    4.3(465 reviews)
    9.8 miRiver North, Near North Side
    $$

    First time in Chicago so I had to try the national sandwich of Chicago! Al's beef has been serving…read moreup Italian Beef sandwiches since 1938. They have won several awards for their sandwiches and are said to have the best Italian Beef in Chicago. With all this being said, this was certainly a must eat on my trip! Their menu consists of their famous Italian beef, along with Chicago dogs, burgers, sausage sandwiches, chicken, and fries. There is definitely something for everyone here. The inside is casual and reminiscent of a fast food eatery. Really liked the yellow accents throughout the restaurant. I will also note that it was extremely clean inside, which is always appreciated. Ordering is simple and they will call your ticket number when your food is ready. All the food is served made to order and very fresh and doesn't take too long to come out! I ordered the Regular Beef, wet, with both hot and spicy peppers per the workers suggestion. Ordering the sandwich wet simply means the bread is dunked in the gravy/aus jus. If you want the real deal, this is how you order it. The peppers are optional as well, but complete the sandwich. The sandwich consists of their famous Italian beef roasted and sliced, served on freshly baked French bread. I can see why this sandwich is so highly regarded. The Italian beef that is made in house each day is tender, flavorful, and just perfect! It isn't chewy or tough either. The sweet and spicy peppers paired nicely with the savory beef. And the fresh French bread covered in the gravy--phenomenal! The gravy adds a lot of flavor to the sandwich. You do have to eat it quickly, otherwise the bread will fall apart, oh but it is so worth it. I got fries with a side of cheese sauce to go with the sandwich. By far some of the best fries I've had. Not super crispy, but not soggy either, the texture was just right. They were salted perfectly and dipping them in their velvety cheese sauce was a treat! A regular sub is roughly 6 inches and quite filling. The sandwiches are stuffed with ample amounts of beef. The price is also excellent considering how much you get. Overall, I would say Al's Beef lived up to all its praise. My sandwich was very memorable and was like nothing I'd had before. Everything is so fresh, between their beef, bread, and fries, it is all made in house. This isn't just some fast food spot, it is an institution. I was impressed with everything I ordered, especially the fries. They take a lot of pride in what they serve. This is evident in their customer service. If you are visiting Chicago, don't think, just go--you won't regret it!

    3-ish stars rounded up. The roast beef was a little on the dry-stringy side but the bread was…read morespongy-soft (absorbed the beef drippings so well!). Kinda skimpy on the fixings on the Chicago dog, but still gets the job done if you're craving a Chicago dog. Fries are the type that are greasy to the touch; not my fave style of fries but I know it's a well-liked one to others. Super friendly lady at the cashier (all smiles, patient, and offered menu help)! Also fast service (got my order within a few minutes). I visited on a Saturday late afternoon and it was very chill here (also shoutout to the early 2000's era music playing :p it was a vibe). Overall I'd say it's not a bad food spot at all if you want a quick bite and want to be a little away from the Magnificent Mile crowds.

    Photos
    Al's Beef - March 5, 2024

    March 5, 2024

    Al's Beef - Keto style double with bacon

    Keto style double with bacon

    Al's Beef - Italian Big Beef

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    Italian Big Beef

    Jim's Original - Polish Sausage Sandwich

    Jim's Original

    4.2(790 reviews)
    8.2 miUniversity Village
    $

    A LOCAL CLASSIC! I…read moreloved this spot so much I ended up coming back twice. It has that classic late night comfort food vibe and feels like one of those staple spots you have to try at least once. First night I ordered a polish hot dog with everything on it and a fish sandwich w/ extra grilled onions. Super cool that your order comes with fries and I added a cheese cup both times. In my opinion the fries were mid the first go around, but second time they were better. Definitely tasted better dipped in cheese. They were kinda airy in texture, if that makes sense. Polish hot dog was around a 6.5/7 out of 10 for me. It did taste better warmed up the next day. What I was most obsessed with was the double cheeseburger and fish sandwich! both were easily a 10/10. Super good prices and worth the money. The lemon Italian ice is where it's at, make sure to order one! You can also mix it with strawberry, but both times people recommended the lemon and now I see why. The line gets super active and busy past 10-11pm, but during the daytime it's way less crowded. Even when it gets packed the line moves pretty quick. They stay open late and close at 1am which is nice.

    I've eaten a lot of Polish Sausage in my day and I just assumed it was the kind of thing that…read morecouldn't really be improved upon. I was so wrong. The Polish Sausage they're serving up at Jim's is so much better than any I've had before that it's almost an entirely different thing. It's just so flavorful and delicious. The spicing is phenomenal and the sausage itself is extremely above average. And it's taken over the top by the fresh bun and superb sautéed onions. I joked that we should start every day with one of these sausages, and while we didn't actually do that, I feel like that would've only enhanced our trip.

    Photos
    Jim's Original - Short line today

    Short line today

    Jim's Original - Before.... Polish Sausage Sandwich

    Before.... Polish Sausage Sandwich

    Jim's Original - Sign from around the corner.

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    Sign from around the corner.

    Gene & Jude's - Single w/ extra mustard

    Gene & Jude's

    4.2(2.6k reviews)
    10.1 mi
    $

    Still the Greatest hotdog on the planet after eating here for 45+ years and my parents eating years…read moreand years before me everything is still the same ambience inside of the restaurant. It's standing room only to eat your hotdog. The line is always out the door, 15 minute wait for the greatest hotdog known to man. The food taste exactly the same as it did 45 years ago the service is faster than ever the inside has never changed since I was a little kid after many nights of being at the thirsty whale which was adjacent behind Gene and Jude's is where all the rockers hung out and the greatest bands of Chicago came through ..their we would eat hotdogs at two and three in the morning. My children are now full teenagers, and got to experience the Gene and Jude hotdog and we're delighted beyond belief now living outside of Chicago coming into town to have the greatest hot dog and still be exactly the same. The fries are exactly the same ,the inside exactly the same, with a few more awards. This is 100% the best Chicago, hot dog and greatest hotdog on the planet. You must visit this place just to experience the years and years and years of excellence. Enjoy!!... May it bless your life as it has mine. God bless Gene and Jude's team. Keep the tradition and hots going. PS don't forget to get your Gene and Jude's merch. It is now available. Cheers

    Obviously we had to come to Gene's & Jude's…read more Long before we planned our Chicago trip, I can remember seeing a feature about the place on TV. It was a no-brainer. The place is kind of out of the way, but hey, we had a car and some free time, so why not? I, of course, got the Hot Dog w/ Fries ("mustard, relish, onion, sport peppers") and yep it's a superior dog. I'm not sure if the copious fries really added anything to it, but the snap of the wiener and the tasty condiments added up to an extremely enjoyable experience. I can see why Gene's & Jude's is so highly regarded. It's a cool place (and super affordable, too).

    Photos
    Gene & Jude's - The inside of the restaurant

    The inside of the restaurant

    Gene & Jude's - Single Hot dog/with Fries

    Single Hot dog/with Fries

    Gene & Jude's - Nov 2025.

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    Nov 2025.

    The Wieners Circle - Hot dog

    The Wieners Circle

    3.6(1.2k reviews)
    11.5 miLincoln Park
    $

    Stopped by The Wiener's Circle and had a fun Chicago experience. I had the Chicago style hot dog,…read moreand it was exactly what you'd want, classic toppings, plenty of flavor, and a solid dog overall. What really makes this place stand out is the personality. The staff is famously surly, and that's clearly part of the experience, so if you know that going in it adds to the fun. It's more playful than serious and definitely gives the place its own character. I also thought it was cool how they give out free dogs after Bears wins. That kind of generosity and local spirit makes it feel like a true neighborhood staple. Definitely a memorable stop and one of those places that feels uniquely Chicago.

    You can't come to Chicago and not get a red hot, which is why we found ourselves driving fairly out…read moreof our way to The Wieners Circle. They had some options on the menu but we both opted for the Vienna Red Hot ("char"). It's a solid dog. The wiener is, perhaps unsurprisingly, the star of the show. It's got a terrific char and an irresistible snap. The flavor is better-than-average, too. The condiments didn't really do much for me, and I found something on there just way, way too salty. (The pickle, maybe?) Anyway, it's a quick, cheap, easy meal. I'd certainly eat it again.

    Photos
    The Wieners Circle - Late Night Stop @ The Wiener's Circle.2622 N Clark St, Chicago, IL Chicago Institution.Hot Dogs Char Burgers Char Polish.Great Fries.Cool!

    Late Night Stop @ The Wiener's Circle.2622 N Clark St, Chicago, IL Chicago Institution.Hot Dogs Char Burgers Char Polish.Great Fries.Cool!

    The Wieners Circle - Char Turkey Burger w/Cheese & Grill Onions @ The Wiener's Circle.Chicago, IL Hot Dogs Char Burgers Char Polish.Great Fries.Cool!

    Char Turkey Burger w/Cheese & Grill Onions @ The Wiener's Circle.Chicago, IL Hot Dogs Char Burgers Char Polish.Great Fries.Cool!

    The Wieners Circle - Char dog and fries.

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    Char dog and fries.

    Fatso's Last Stand - Char dog, depression style, fries, side of Merkts cheddar sauce.

    Fatso's Last Stand

    4.1(993 reviews)
    8.3 miUkrainian Village, West Town
    $$

    I had read about how Fatso's does the char dog. I made this my last meal in Chicago…read more I went with a char dog, depression style, an order of fries, and a side of the Merkts cheddar. How was it? Fries- Delicious! Fresh cut fries, made right in front of you. They were great! Huge portion, too! Merkts Cheddar Sauce- Hell yeah! Give me a gallon of this, and I will chug it! Such a tasty cheese sauce. Loved dipping my fries in it. Great combo! Char Dog- This dog was delicious! Great char, great toppings. My only beef would be the bun. It definitely could have been more soft/steamed and fresh. It held up pretty well, but there were a couple bites where it broke and flaked apart. Hate when that happens. Still...didn't ruin the overall experience. Had a great last meal in Chicago before I headed to the airport.

    Fatso's Last Stand delivers exactly what its name promises: unapologetically indulgent, old-school…read morecomfort food done right. The burgers are the shining stars -- juicy, generously sized, and cooked to perfection with toppings that strike the perfect balance of classic and creative. Whether you go for a stacked cheeseburger, bacon-loaded option, or a specialty creation, the patties are flavorful and satisfyingly beefy, with a great char and use of quality ingredients that keeps diners coming back. Beyond burgers, the menu also features hearty eats like crispy fries, loaded sandwiches, and thick milkshakes, all served with a no-frills attitude that lets the food speak for itself. Service at Fatso's Last Stand matches the laid-back but attentive vibe of the restaurant -- staff are friendly, efficient, and know regulars by name, creating a welcoming, neighborhood-favorite energy. While the pace can get lively during peak hours, especially on weekends, the team handles the rush with good humor and keeps orders moving. The ambiance is casual and retro in all the right ways, with diner-style seating and a comfortable, unpretentious environment that makes it perfect for relaxed lunches, casual dinners with friends, or late-night burger runs. It's not fancy, but when your focus is on big, delicious burgers and familiar comfort food, Fatso's delivers exactly what you're craving.

    Photos
    Fatso's Last Stand
    Fatso's Last Stand - Merkts Cheddar.

    Merkts Cheddar.

    Fatso's Last Stand - Double Fatso with Cheese + Fries

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    Double Fatso with Cheese + Fries

    Nicky's Hot Dogs - hotdog - Updated June 2026

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