Stopped by The Wiener's Circle and had a fun Chicago experience. I had the Chicago style hot dog, and 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. read more

You can't come to Chicago and not get a red hot, which is why we found ourselves driving fairly out of 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. read more

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Burgers, hotdogs ARE indeed pretty decent. That being said, most of the business from this place either comes from next door (the bar), or locals. I don't forsee the food here being anything fantastic where you would make a long haul just to come here. (Al's, Johnnie's Beef, Gene & Jude's a bit closer to the suburbs, and just have better dogs and/or beefs). This also needs to be said - many employees are rude, condescending -- you will hear continuous foul language when you're here. There are even signs hung throughout the place implying that this atmosphere exists. Saw a few customers being yelled at or talked down to - SOME of it can be sarcasm or playful, but other times - clearly not. It seems they can also use their "fine print" to seemingly get away with having their employees talk S*t to customers that they truly don't like. Place is also highly political (woke) to one side - in that they don't seem to care if they p/o 40-50% of customers outside of their circle... Their right to be I guess, but you may take that into consideration also if this is a place you want to give your dollars to if you are just coming for a hotdog; plenty of other places to spend at. read more

If you are in the Wieners Circle area, you stop at Wieners Circle; even if you just had lunch or dinner. First of all, they win the sign game... every. single. time. I will continually support WC as their signage says everything I am usually thinking. We got a few dogs and an order of cheese fries. I ordered the cheese fries and had to slap hands many times as the family was trying to steal them. Food was hot and delicious and it was served with a side of sass. The Wieners Circle is small in space but big with personality. read more

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Okay, I just have to say, you really find out how many sensitive people there are in the world when you come here! My husband and I were visiting from Omaha but he's a Chicago dog fan, so he's followed WC on Insta and knew the dogs are served with a side of sass. I expected it and had fun with it, but I was surprised to see how many people looked so confused and hurt. Did you not know where you're coming? There's even a sign lol anyways, enough of that. It was fun, come for laughs but wear your thick skin. The dogs were good, but honestly I'm a bigger fry fan than a dog fan. The fries were crispy and delish. I got ketchup for my fries, but never for the dogs! I forgot to ask for a chocolate shake, but there was only a vanilla shake option anyways. Have fun when you come here, enjoy the food, and don't let the sass bring you down. read more

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Fawking great place. Came at a "normal" evening time but the bid a gal behind the window was such a...peach. The dogs were chard just almost perfectly and everything was nice and quick. If I had had another drink, I could've said this place was relaxing. I'm looking forward to being back and hopefully there's something good behind the counter, besides the food. read more

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Tasty chicago dog and super crispy fries! Cheap and quick meal, and you can't go wrong with a Chicago dog. There is some bar seating inside, but you come for the ordering experience anyway. Expect some quick wit and raunchy humor when ordering or waiting and you'll enjoy the visit. read more

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First I would like to say, 5 stars for the best dawg and fries in Chicago. One star for the "twist milkshake" I asked for. If you don't mind being yelled at and vulgar language this is your place. I personally fell that bit out Biscuit Bitch in Seattle to shame. It's small and boarder line gross but as mentioned earlier the best dawg and fries in Chicago. The ladies are friendly and the shakes are NOT on the menu for a reason. The "milk shake" is a very poorly executed flashing by one or both of the ladies depending on how much you spend and the worst part is you don't actually get a milk shake just the memory you can't unsee. So stick to the dogs and burgers and save your "milk shake" money for the strippers. read more

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This hot dog spot is known for being rude to their customers, but it's part of the charm that they're known for. Their Chicago dog is genuinely solid. I ordered the Char Polish, and it was absolutely perfect. It had a great snap and a nice char from the grill and comes loaded with the classic Chicago-style hot dog toppings. There are a ton of customers who are regulars. The owners can definitely tell if you're a regular or a tourist because they recognize their regulars. If this spot is good enough for regulars to come back from time to time, then it must mean their food hits the spot! I also grabbed an order of fries without cheese (though they're known for their cheese fries), but I honestly prefer their hand-cut fries more. They came out super hot, fresh, and crispy. The exterior of the fry had a nice crunch, while the inside of the fry remained nice and soft. Honestly, that's my definition of the perfect fry! read more

The Wieners Circle - Fries - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Stopped in here on the behest of my husband who wanted to get yelled at. Anyway it was an enjoyable experience. He was on their nerves a bit but they were nice to me. Shout out to Toni who was entertaining and made our quick visit so much fun. For food, our Chicago Hot Dog was good. The buns were S.Rosen so quality and soft. The hot dog was charred just right. All in all, would return. read more

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You don't come here for the food; you come here for an experience. The food is just alright, but I'd highly recommend the chocolate shake. This place is an icon and you should come by. read more

About 20 years ago, my buddies and I wound up at Wiener's Circle. I got a couple double char red hots, and they were, to this day, the single best hot dogs I have ever had! I knew they were open late, so when I got my rental car at O'Hare, I drove straight here. It was a Thursday night, close to 1:30am, and there was a group of 3 leaving, and just myself. No hootin and hollerin and none of the late night Wiener's Circle charm. A little bummed, but whatever......... I ordered a char red hot, a char Polish and an order of cheese fries. Total was just over $21.00. How were they? Char Red Hot- Right when I got my dog, I knew that it wasn't going to live up to past expectations. It just looked a little "off". I took a bite in and unfortunately the bun was not really fresh. Definitely not soft, and bordering on stale/crispy. The dog itself wasn't that great either. It had some tough outer skin on it. I ate it, but it was meh. Char Polish- Same boat as the char dog. Just not good, bun sucked. Cheese Fries- The redeemer! These fries were bomb! They use the Merkts cheddar cheese and melt it over freshly cut fries. These were piping hot and the Merkts cheese was nice and sharp and tasted great! Damn fine cheese fries, and these were just as good as I had remembered. I ate my food and was on my way. I'm telling myself that it was a bit my fault that it wasn't that good, showing up at 1:30am on a Thursday night with nobody else in there. Could be? I planned to return during the daytime hours one of my other days in town, but just didn't have enough time. I'll always have the memories from 20 years ago of when this was GREAT! read more

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I've lived in Chicago majority of my life so I've always heard of The Weiner's Circle. I don't live far so I see the funny sayings on their sign, how they dress up for Halloween, etc. This was my first time going. The atmosphere is cool. It's a hot dog stand so you get what you get. The service is hilarious because the gag is they have a "talk down to you" atmosphere. I was asked, "What do you want, B*^#+?!" I laughed. The issue with The Weiner's Circle is the food. 100% horrible. It was me, my husband and our kids. Do you know how bad you have to be for a 13 year old boy to not eat a burger, or polish, or fries? As you can see from the photos the french fry bags were soaked from grease. Absolutely disgusting. They gave us whatever kind of cheese that was in a cup for cheese fries. Gross. The kids didn't eat the burgers, They said it was dry. I didn't eat my polish. We had to throw away $60+ worth of food and go get something else. We will not be returning. I like the energy and the staff but the food is a NO! I do not recommend. read more

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Ugh. The food is OK but the service is pretty terrible. Not sure it's worth the wait and the rudeness you get to pay for greasy "just ok" food but you do you. read more

A trip to Chicago isn't complete without a late night stop at The Wieners Circle. Good char dogs and fries, with the best show in town. Not for the faint at heart, the banter is X rated, but hilarious. read more

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If you're in the area, the Wieners Circle is definitely worth the visit! They are well known for their 'rude' service, but if you come during the day, you can experience a more 'normal' ordering experience! The food (both during the day and night) are absolutely delicious! This is a great place to order a classic Chicago style hot dog. I love a Polish dog and they do it right here! Loaded with toppings. Everything is so flavorful. I also recommend their cheese fries! These might be the best thing here. They are a big portion though, so I recommend splitting with someone else. They have a few benches outside to sit at. Overall a I highly recommend! read more

​An Insult Worth the Wait: A Trip to the Wiener's Circle. ​After years of anticipation, I finally made my pilgrimage to the legendary Wiener's Circle, a Chicago institution famous for its late-night hot dogs and notoriously foul-mouthed staff. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint. ​As I stepped up to the counter, I was still trying to decide what to order when the young lady behind the counter asked, "What would you like?" I responded with a simple, "Oh, I'm still looking." That's when she unleashed the verbal onslaught I had so longingly awaited. She launched into a profanity-laced tirade, creatively insulting everything from my indecisiveness to my anatomy. ​Instead of being offended, I was ecstatic. This was the moment I had waited for--a genuine roasting from a true Chicago legend. I happily accepted my schooling and, when it was all over, I gave her a $10 tip. I admit, I was partly motivated by the fear of another epic dressing-down, but mostly, it was a show of respect for her masterful performance. ​Wiener's Circle is more than just a hot dog stand; it's a rite of passage. It's awesome that they've maintained their identity as a true Chicago icon. For me, a good insult--especially from these ladies--is a form of endearment. It's a hilarious and uniquely Chicago experience that you just have to love. ​If you ever go, here's my tip: ask for the chocolate special and make sure you tip well! It's a small price to pay for a lifetime of memories. My rate 5 for the food and for the staff! The ambiance is just as i wished for! Eat inside or outside, it does not matter. Don't tell your out of town guest until after they get insulted! NO KETCHUP! read more

The Wieners Circle - Outside - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We would've loved snarky, asshole humor/banter but we were met with extremely vulgar, one-sided, aggressive shouting. The food was tasty, though. I highly recommend the char Polish dog. The fries are easily big enough for two people, but I would get some to split. They're true "potato" French fries; not battered and greasy. Experience was 0/5, food was 4/5 for a no frills Chicago dog. read more

I had to get a classic Chicago dog even though I'd just got done having dinner at the Mexican restaurant across the street. I was being a bit obnoxious and it fit right in with the staff's equally appalling humor and comments. The dog was great. The line moves fast. read more

Unless you consider vulgar (literally X rated and insulting, without a shred of humor) sexual harassment as "lively banter", avoid this craphole. It used to be good. But now they've got garbage food, slow service and a disgusting atmosphere read more

I get what they're going for but they don't do it well. We came here on the Tuesday we were celebrating Ben Johnson taking his shirt off after a Bears win, and they were giving out free hotdogs. We thought it would be nice to also buy some cheese fries with the dog. It was crowded but not bad, not a line out the door. The lady at the counter was just obnoxious, shouting "b*tch" and "asshole" etc. every five seconds. It didn't come across as cheeky rude humor, it was just annoying and she seemed like she was truly in a bad mood, even yelling at her coworkers. Also the food was nasty. I didn't eat the hot dog so I can't speak to it, but the cheese for their fries was NASTY. It tastes like the cheese from a Ritz was melted - it was grainy and tasted artificial, and the taste was burned onto my tastebuds even after one bite. I would never come back. Bear Down though. read more

This place was recommended to us by our Lyft driver for an authentic memorable Chicago experience. Ward does that they do talk trash or yell at you while you're ordering or when you're leaving and I'm glad he told us, but it was so much fun like they talk trash. It was a great time. We ordered the char dog and the Polish dog and they were so good. You can eat inside but there's more seating outside either way this experience I would absolutely recommend because it's actually really good. it's just so much fun so as soon as you walk in, get your camera ready so that you can hear all of the nonsense ! read more

The Wieners Circle - Char Polish - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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No ketchup allowed!!!!! Classic place with amazing char dogs. French fries are tasty, and the outdoor seating in the back is awesome on a nice day with a Diet Coke. The place is crowded so be prepared to order when you get up there. Line moves quick. It's not your usual sit down lunch place, but if you want a classic Chicago dog and a real feel for what the city is known for, it's a great spot to stop by and won't break your bank. read more

The Wieners Circle - Char Dog - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This place is not for the weak. The workers are funny and makes the ordering process fun, we got our orders in a timely manner and once we sat outside especially during the summertime which is great. Didn't realize this was famous until a couple passerby kept saying this place is famous. The hotdogs were amazing and definitely will be coming back soon. read more

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Not the place for those with social anxiety LOL. Part of this place's gimmick is that the workers yell and cuss you. The hotdogs overall were good, no complaints! Definitely recommend getting the char polish dog. read more

The Wieners Circle - Char Polish & Char Dog - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Yesss a quality Chicago dog experience. Old school menu. Lots of photos and money on the wall. Fresh order of fries that are like five guys. Super good. And the classic red Vienna char dogs were great. read more

The Wieners Circle - Vienna Red Hot - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

No longer live in Chicago. But I was in town and in the neighborhood so I walked by and decided I needed my Chicago hot dog fix prior to leaving town. They offer you steamed or char option, and I went char with all the fixings. Very polite in the daytime for sure, lol. I ate outside in the beautiful fall weather and scarfed down my dog. It's exactly as I wanted it to be, and everything you expect when ordering Chicago style hot dogs. They have burgers, polishes, etc and cheese fries If you're there at night order that chocolate shake "wink wink". Don't forget to tip the staff, they're great! Support small businesses! read more

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The dogs ... great. The fries ... the best I have ever had. The emotional abuse caused by the girl behind the counter will be with me for a lifetime. There is fun in chiding and sarcasm, but the verbal abuse at my son and then subsequently me has destroyed a great 3 day vacation celebrating his college graduation. Was there a hint of truth in her reuse comments? Yes. Did she know that attacking him verbally would put him on a trajectory to subsequently shut down, divert his hurt to me, ruin an other wise flawless vacation? No. But it did. Be kind. You never know what damage you will cause. I am thick skinned. I am the youngest of 6 kids who grew up in the north. If you got to me, you know you have gone too far. read more

The Wieners Circle - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

One of the best and unique experiences due to the staff! Come to get served, literally and figuratively because the hot dogs aren't the only thing being roasted! Can't go wrong ordering the classic and char cheddar dog, delicious. read more

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Great Chicago style dogs. Get them all-the-way. And remember no ketchup (the Dirty Harry way, ifkyk). read more

We heard about an event of discounted hot dogs due to Chappell Roan's performance at Lollapalooza. Many fans came to get some hot dogs. We arrived at Weiner Circle close to 4 pm, we stood near the entrance with our dog. We saw some fabulous drag queens all donned up looking absolutely beautiful. When 4 o'clock rolled around, we went in to place in our order. I ordered the Chicago style hot dog (for Joseph) and a vegetarian hot dog for me. The service ended up being quick. Weiner Circle developed a reputation of the staff cursing at the customers. Upon seeing a long line build up outside of Weiner Circle, the staff worked quickly. The female manager used the microphone to get the customers pumped about being at the Weiner Circle. The vegetarian hot dog tasted fine. It came with small hot green peppers, radish, and tomatoes. The drag queens made the experience fun and noteworthy. When placing orders, expect to hear from the foul mouth staff. read more

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The famous Wiener's Circle. I lived in Chicago for years, moved away and now I'm back and this was my first time trying them out. It is a classic touristy spot known for the late night insult fest. I went during the day and did not encounter that. They were actually quite nice. It was empty and they have built out the back as well, which during the summer it must be lovely. The hot dogs were average dogs. I really didn't like having tomato slices, diced is the way to go. The fries needed more crunch and salt. Overall, there are other much better hot dogs spots in the city. read more

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The food is not worth the price. To greasy and tasteless. Money well spent across the street!

My fave hot dog in the city!!! Service is pretty fast and the quality is top notch. Great snap and a bit of a crunch. Reasonable prices too. read more

The Wieners Circle - Char Dog - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

It's always an experience here and the char dog? One of the best when dragged through the garden! And gotta have those fries. Somehow found the restraint to not get them with cheese sauce. So there was verbal abuse from the staff and they made me pick up the food when my partner was perfectly willing (they're traditional that way). The exchange with another couple was pure entertainment and they ended up walking out due apparently to a severe lack of humor. read more

The Wieners Circle - Char dog with fries - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

my best friend was sexually harassed and verbally assaulted here. DO NOT GO HERE. we went in super excited to try our first chicago style hot dog and left in literal tears and WITHOUT the food we paid for. the check out person also practically forced my friend to give them a cash tip and then proceeded to make aggressive, sexual and extremely inappropriate comments to my friend. after my friend reacted to these comments the situation just escalated. the check out person started yelling at us both, calling us bitches and demanding we 'sit the fuck down' while they make our food. the chef came out and then added to the situation by calling me Ellen which is wild. these people were CLEARLY under the influence. at this point we don't feel safe and we walk out. DO NOT GO HERE. it was the WORST. i wish i could give zero stars. read more

Rarely does a hotdog, even the famed Chicago dog excite me the way they do here. It's the show, it's the entertainment. it's the reason we sit at the bar and not at a table when we are out drinking. We like watching bartenders make the drinks in the same way we like watching people get berated while ordering here. You know how most places you eat your food facing the window/outside, here I'm looking back at the counter waiting for a good laugh or a chocolate shake.....why go to Zanies for a roast when you can come here. It doesn't have the fancy carhop drive thru like Superdawg or the fancy red and white tablecloths of Portillo's. It's a big yellow sign where the first thing I see is that Vienna Beef V. The small patio and small indoors was recently updated to add an evening bar patio in the back, but keeps all it's charm. I come here a few times a year, but the bar wasn't open each time i've been. I'll rectify that this fall. The prices are reasonable across the board, but you'll not find people ordering some of the menu, their core business is their core menu. Doubles and singles of the chardog, burger and red hot, fries. I've never seen the turkey, beyond or chicken be ordered before. Personally eating a single char dog (that little char goes along way for texture) isn't enough and to me is always unbalanced in the meat to garden ratio, so the double is my go to, less so with the burger because the bun always falls apart, especially since it's not wrapped in a diaper. You must commit to the Japanese pinch technique to enjoy the double. The other part of my usual order is the red hot single because lets be honest eating vienna beef hot dogs can get boring regardless of toppings and sometimes that little extra zing from the polish livens things up. The weiners circle knows how to get a crowd going, knows how to give you an experience. It's in a tidy neighborhood, but it's still Chicago. The service is as good as you want it to be. If you came here thinking it's one of the other famous hot dog staples you'll be disappointed, but food for food and being truly unique it's more Chicago than the others. Don't make it on their wall of shame, you'll do well to read the room while waiting in line because if your timid, shy, confused, hesitant or distracted you'll be on the firing line, but don't act too unbothered because that's worse. read more

When in Chicago you need to get your hot dogs from the Wiener Circle. The key is to get on the good side of the staff. You may know this place by reputation, so don't mess this up. How to do this - be confident and precise in your order. They don't have time to deal with your wishy-washy indecisiveness. I recommend the char polish Chicago style, but I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu. It's been a while since I've been here, and love what they did with the back. Came during the day so didn't get to experience the nighttime bar, but a great upgrade from the dusty parking lot. read more

The Wieners Circle - Wiener Circle - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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My hot dog was ICE cold. My first experience here. Awful. Would never come back even if I was starving. I would rather not eat anything than eat here again. read more

I lived a brief walk from The Wiener's Circle for a decade and had to return on a recent visit to my hometown. I got what I deserved! I miss their parking behind the building, but that's neighborhood progress, maxing out property space. About 20 interior spaces are marked by stools, but the experience is the staff's sassy approach, which is the visit's fun. They crushed me, and I enjoyed the heck out of it, particularly all of the abrupt sexual innuendo! I loved my chardog, but I received much criticism about using ketchup. Well, I am a native, and I don't give a damn. Relish rocked, and celery salt is a MUST in this town. A heaping order of fries was precisely as I remembered them. My friends who came with me loved every minute and enjoyed me bearing the brunt of the verbal barrage. But we all loved our food, which ALWAYS kicks ass. read more

The Wieners Circle - American Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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