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    The Hat Chicago

    3.4 (208 reviews)
    InexpensiveBurgers, Fast Food, Hot Dogs
    Closed 10:30 am - 3:00 AM (Next day)

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    Business Info

    THE HAT CHICAGO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Chris J.

    I stumbled across The Hat during a quick day trip to Chicago. I needed to grab a meal before I hit the road back home. I grabbed a delicious chicken sandwich, fries, and a drink and they really hit the spot. Service was very quick and the restaurant really gave off a great local vibe. I'll be back for sure.

    Bacon cheddar burger had no bacon and covered in slop that is supposed to be cheddar cheese?

    Andrew P.

    The only plus here is that they're open late, but other than that, the food is very much left to be desired. I ordered a Buffalo chicken sandwich and it was mediocre. My partner ordered a Chicago dog, and I thought it was very mid. I guess I'll stick to my other late night spots.

    Char Vegan Burger
    Steve A.

    Could be said this place is old hat. It certainly looks like an old school Chicago greasy grill, whether that's a good or bad thing who knows. The Hat has burgers, but that's just one of many things. Also has one that's plant based. Falafel is another protein choice available as a burger or a side. A few times and I've had the vegan friendly choices. It's surprising this place has a few. The last time it was the Char Vegan Burger, which has got to be the healthiest item. It's about $8 and it's pretty big. This comes on a whole wheat bun, so you get grains and proteins. Be sure they don't put the cheese and mayonnaise on it. They don't seem to know any better and automatically put it on if you don't say to leave it off. Good place to go to even when it's late. It's open until early in the morning. The burgers include the meaty Vienna beef, but there's also the falafel and the other one for vegans.

    a view of a restaurant counter
    Jim U.

    I've ordered from here a few times. I do love the garlic fries. Prices aren't crazy, although their online menu pricing has not been updated. Some things are up to $1 off. So treat them as -ish prices. The burgers are good. Greasy. messy. Make sure you have napkins and I wouldn't recommend for on the go. They are a very good size too. I haven't ordered anything other then burgers as those always seem to be made very well. Current hours as of November 2022 Mon-th 1030am-3AM Fri 1030-4AM Sun 11am-3AM Yes they are open well past midnight every day of the week.

    Michelle L.

    Spotted this place right after clubbing on a Saturday night. Definitely made the right choice because this place definitely hits the spot in terms of after-clubbing food. The food takes a little bit but that's because the chefs/cooks are cooking everything fresh. Appreciate their service a lot! Plus their menu is pretty vast, so whatever you're craving in the moment, they got it (especially the Gyros). Definitely the ambiance was really retro and felt old school with their booths, I loved all the neon signs and felt like a cute little after drinking hangout spot.

    Restaurant Sign
    Mikei J.

    My second time here. First time was in 2019. Food is still tasty. The portions are a lot. Great place to grab something quick. Service is fast and they are friendly. Seating on the inside are a few booths, nothing fancy but it works. The outside seating is spacious and pretty.

    Called 5 times to place order. Was hung up on 5 times in middle of order. Called again twice. Phone was disconnected both times. Called once more. Phone was picked up and hung up immediately. By the way i sat outside and watched this happen. I just don't like ordering in person. If i could give negative stars i would. Moderate line. Just lazy workers.

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    Decent food. Terrible service. Fine ambiance. Nothing special. Better off going to George's on Damen.

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    1 year ago

    Food was good solid chicago street food. Nothing was amazing but it's across from the hotel and good. I would go back.

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    3 years ago

    I'm a fan. Reasonable prices, big portions, fresh food. Cheap and cheerful and open late. What's not to like?

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    Service was pretty good overall the food ok the bbq ribs were very bland, no seasoning and bbq sauce lack flavor for it.

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    Ask the Community - The Hat Chicago

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    Small Cheval- Riverside

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    One of the best burgers I've ever had! Quick service and a…read moresmall to the point menu. The garlic aoli was great with the fries.

    Technically I'd give 4.5 stars because the chicken tenders that say they're famous were just ok…read more But the burger is the closest thing to Au Cheval tastiness than going to the original! This is the sister chain restaurant to Au Cheval, and I decided to try it on my last trip to Chicago. So glad someone told me this place existed. I loved Au Cheval when I went years ago, but we waited 3 hours (for the best burger of my life), but probably would never wait that long again. Their classic double cheeseburger was only $11 and came out super quickly. The meat was seasoned so well, was juicy, and the combo of sauce, cheese, meat, lettuce was perfect. I don't usually love pickles or grilled onions, but I wanted to leave those on to eat the burger how it was intended. I think I added lettuce but no charge. We also got fries which might've been a mistake because I thought they were separate, but they were just ok. Burger was served hot, fries were lukewarm. Chicken tenders were ok but nothing too special or different. Cookies and cream milkshake was delicious, like drinking ice cream. Fast, friendly service, inexpensive but most importantly delicious! Would recommend. The place is small but a great location by the river, and there were tables around the side with a view of the river.

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    Front entrance
    Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago

    Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago

    3.9
    (7.4k reviews)
    2.2 mi
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    Since Chicago is known for the Chicago-style hot dog and Italian beef sandwich, I knew I had to try…read moreboth while in town. Fortunately Portillo's offers both and it was recommended by locals and previous travelers to make this my one restaurant to try both. I arrived on foot on a Saturday before 10pm and there was a long line to order on the kiosks and a security guard by the door. The restaurant has two floors of seating with dated decor all around, assumingly part of the intended vibe of the establishment. The first floor seating was all taken but there were plenty of tables available on the second floor. I was able to try Portillo's hot dog and Italian beef sandwich. The hot dog included mustard, relish, celery salt, freshly chopped onions, sliced tomatoes, pickle, and peppers on a poppy seed bun. The paper wrapper was strategically wrapped around the Chicago dog inside out, knowing that the logo would be clearly visible when people take pictures of the unwrapped hot dog. I ordered a regular hot dog but probably should've ordered a jumbo hot dog for a dollar more since then regular was tiny; for comparison it was definitely smaller than a Costco hot dog. Although the toppings complemented the hot dog well, the bun was soggy from being wrapped in the paper for only a few minutes. The standard big Italian beef sandwich (slightly wet) was much larger for more than double the price of the hot dog, with no Portillo's branding on that wrapper. I was a little too excited to order this that I forgot to add sweet and hot peppers, but the sandwich still tasted very good. After ordering I realized I probably should've ordered the gravy on the side so I can dip the sandwich more, but again it was still very good. For dessert I tried the lemon cake slice and strawberry shortcake. The lemon cake was a little dry and really sweet and the strawberry shortcake had a little too much mascarpone cheese whipped topping for my liking, but of course I didn't have to finish it all. Portillo's is a good option for casual fast food and for travelers to try. I definitely prefer the Italian beef sandwich over the Chicago dog, but that is my personal preference. For a sweet treat, the strawberry shortcake is a nice option if no other dessert places are nearby. To save time during peak hours, it may be a good idea to order ahead on the mobile app.

    I tried to search 'best hot dogs in downtown Chicago' and the search brought up a lot of places…read morewhich would have been an expensive ride, several miles out of the city ... placed which had closed down ... or unrelated restaurants. Despite its 'tourist trap' reputation ... I figured, if they sell a lot of them, they must be good, right? Spoiler alert ... they sucked. Let's talk about the whole ordering system ... Chaotic, confusing, terrible instructions. This is all compounded by them hiring a cranky senior citizen who stands next to the kiosks and rudely scolds you when you aren't following the impossible to understand procedure. The restaurant is a pasta restaurant connected to a hot dog restaurant and looks a lot like the food court of a rest area off the highway, combined with a casino, including creepy mannequins on catwalks and lots of red and purple spotlights and neon. I opted for a regular Chicago dog (jumbo) ... and some sort of special spiced/smoked Chicago dog. It took nearly 20 minutes from order time to the time my bag arrived at the counter. The bottom level doesn't have nearly enough seating for everyone ... and of course no signs direct you to the upper levels, where tons of empty tables are. Filthy, empty tables. Just looking at the dirty tables was enough to give someone food poisoning. Both hot dogs were cold. It was clear they were probably sitting out being thrown into bags, assembly line style, because they didn't taste fresh (or hot). The bun wasn't toasted or buttered ... Just a cold white poppy seed bun for the 'special' dog and a plain white cold bun for the other. Beyond being lukewarm, the hot dogs were pretty bland and tasteless. I could barely taste the relish or mustard. All I could taste was the dill pickle spear resting on top or the odd little spicy peppers with their stem caps. I recommend ordering some dipping sauce, or cheese. I was very disappointed ... which was slightly offset by only wasting $5.50 per hot dog, which was about $5.00 too much but at least not approaching 'bad airport food pricing'. After trying these, I am all set with having another Chicago hot dog. Maybe it would have lived up to the reputation at a fresher place. This is clearly a mass-produced, assembly line kind of tourist trap. There were hundreds of people there at 2 p.m. For reference, my top hot dog spots ... Pink's in Los Angeles ... Ben's Chili Bowl in DC ... Olneyville System in Providence ... Coney Island in Worcester (probably more for nostalgia) ... so it's not like this is my first fancy hot dog experience. One last thing ... the milkshake was no different than McDonalds.

    Photos
    Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago
    Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago
    Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago

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    The Hat Chicago - burgers - Updated July 2026

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