I had been craving burger and fries so I decided to try America's Dog because there was no America's Burger nearby. I went in today (a weekday) at 1.30pm. There were 2 customers inside. Now I probably should have order a Dog with it being famous for dogs. I got my food to go. I waited for the said 5-7 minutes I was told it would take. I work 1 block away yet my food was cold when I got back to work. Meh. Taste - Meh. I am intrigued enough by the vast array of hot dog options that I will probably go back to try them, but I'd say that will be it.
Review Source:We stopped here on our last day in Chicago, because we had to have a hot dog while in the city. The dogs were just average. We got dogs that ranged from the Chicago dog, Richmond dog, and Dallas dog. I probably should have gone with the Chicago dog for the true experience. I was looking for an AMAZING hot dog, and this just wasn't it. It took a few minutes for someone to even come out of the back and take our order. If I had the choice, I would find another hot dog place in the future.
The one positive thing was being able to buy a $9 lunch for two people in Chicago!
Terrible service. Quintessential "don't have a clue." 10 minutes to assemble a dog at very low volume time? Not waiting for fries to cook- just unable to prepare a simple redhot. Terrible. Other loop location seems fine. These folks needs to revisit what they're trying to do at this location.
Review Source:First off, let me say that this is not the place to go if you're in a hurry (i.e. on your lunch break). When I walked in around 12:30, the place was practically empty. A couple of people were waiting on their food, but nobody ahead of me in line, and only a handful of people eating. I placed my order for the bourbon street chicken dog, fries and drink and waited. And waited...and waited... as one after another people who'd ordered after me were served. After the sixth one, I went up and asked if they could change my order to go, because I no longer had time to stay and eat in. They said yes, and only THEN did they even start making my order. I waited, and waited and waited some more before I finally got my meal, and left. In total it was close to 20 minutes. It took less time to walk there and back and it's at least four blocks.
As far as the hot dog itself is concerned, I was disappointed. It had such potential, but fell flat. The pretzel bun was way too big for the sausage, so I mostly ate bun. The "slaw" was not impressive, and I could hardly even see or taste the remoulade.
The fries were good, but nothing you couldn't get at a dozen other places nearby.
Will I go back? Doubtful, and definitely not on my lunch break. Not worth the wait.
We ordered the Buffalo Dog (buffalo sauce and blue cheese), curly fries, and cheddar fries.
Fries: Fantastic, similar to Arby's curly fries and were crispy-melty with the cheese sauce.
Buffalo Dog: The flavors spoiled each other. Â I usually love blue cheese with buffalo sauce, but something about this particular combination of especially pungent salty cheese with the vinegary sauce on top of that processed hot dog flavor was kind of unpleasant. Â The hot dog and toppings seemed small and unimpressive compared to what I expected from the photos and price. Â It was okay, but I'd never get it again.
Service: Bad.
Before I ordered the cheddar fries I asked if I could get sauce on only half (sharing with a friend who didn't like cheese), and the cashier said yes, but it would cost the same. Â That was fine. Â We noticed a woman preparing the cheese fries a few minutes later and tried to stop her as she smothered all the fries in cheese. Â We told her we asked for cheese on half and she rolled her eyes in disgust and said "you didn't say cheese on half." Â The man who took the order watched but didn't say a word. Â She then angrily grabbed the fries, dumped out half, threw a new scoop in and shoved the box out at us, with her head turned to the side, eyes staring at the ceiling like we were the most idiotic jerks in the world. Â We repeatedly thanked her and she wouldn't acknowledge us.
When I noticed my Buffalo Dog didn't have the jalapenos I ordered, I didn't dare go back and ask for some.
Bottom line, there are much better hot dog places in the city with better value, better dogs, and friendlier  and faster service.  I am not sure if this location is just alone in this, but I usually end up waiting 20 mins for a hot dog.  I am not sure why it takes so long, but this seems to always happen.  Also, the staff here tends to be on the rude side. Â
The food is just not really good either. Â Why does the Cincinnati dog not come with cheese? Â Shredded mild cheddar is a staple of a Cincinnati Cheese Coney, yet America's Dog doesn't come with it. Â
Not sure what people are raving about the curly fries for. Â They are not any good people. Â Arby's has better curlies. Â
Again, don't go here if you want a hot dog. Â There are plenty other local joints doing ti better.
I've had the hot dogs here and they're good but they're kind of expensive for what you get. I'd recommend the other sandwiches instead. Â I've had the Buffalo chicken and the grilled chicken sandwiches and the Korean BBQ pork sandwich and those are all good. Had the italian beef this week and it was bigger than most and was pretty good.
This location never gets very busy and has a lot of seats so it's a good place to get lunch downtown or to get something to eat on the way to Grant or Millennium parks.
Solid dogs. Â Cinci & the Richmond were awesome.
The order taker misunderstood my order and shorted our group a dog. Â The manager saw the displeasure I was sharing with my party at our table, and came out from behind the counter to help us out. Â Got us the missing dog no questions asked, and threw us a comp mac 'n chz. Â Well done sir. Â
That's how you get repeat business!!!
*very cold inside. Turn the heat up!!
The Chicago Dog was not the greatest ever, it was overpriced and the guy putting together my order was more interested in how his hair looked than my order. Â Then the fry guy starts cleaning one of the friers while frying my fries. Â I'm sure some of the cleaning solution got in my fries. Â This is not the most famous dog in Chicago by far, I think I even got a better one from a street corner cart. Â Let's be reasonable people.
Review Source:America's vs. Max's Chicago-Style Dog
hotter sport peppers
sweet bread and butter pickle
poppy seed bun
lots of seating, clean and a little more expensive...I'd rather be across the street at Max's. Just feels like more care was put into each hot dog that they put together. Feel free to make your own comparison. It's not like it takes that much effort to just cross the street.... =P
I came here yesterday because I bought a Groupon Now voucher. Â The interior was cute and filled with good old Americana memorabilia. Â The service was mediocre. The cashier hurried me through my order, even though I was the only one in line, and wasn't very friendly.
Then, it took me about 12 minutes to get my order, a San Fransisco hot dog and sweet potato french fries. Â The hot dog was delicious, the perfect size and toppings. The sweet potato fries were okay, not spectacular. They were a little bland, and not very sweet potato-y.
All in all, an okay experience all around, but I am now very curious to try more of their fun hot dogs. Maybe I will eat in the next time I go, and have a better experience!
Probably best described as Subway but with hot dogs--the feel of the place, the seating, etc. Good variety, but not the place to go if you just want a Chicago dog.
This particular location was fairly dirty the day I ate there, which I would maybe ignore but not for a chain place like this.
The service was friendly, but the food was eh. Â I had the Chicago dog. Â If you've had one, you've had them all. Â The decor was too kitschy for my liking, telling some story about how "two brave and noble brothers set forth on this land to find the greatest hot dogs ever!" Â Oh spare me with the BS.
The one upside was being surprised by their CURLY FRIES. Â I hadn't had those in ages!
Fine if you're hungry, but I've had better.
Dear Lord,
I pray today to thank you for not allowing me to starve in a land where hot dogs are devoured with everything but the kitchen sink exploding out of their stale buns. We have had this discussion/prayer before. I tried, Lord, I tried to enjoy Chicago-style hotdogs like you asked. But Lord, they are disgusting. So I thank you for guiding me down Adams where a glowing light emitted from this heavenly restaurant: America's Dog.
Thank you, God, for allowing me to live in a time and land where a gal can have a choice in her hotdogs. I know this like I know Jesus loves me, because the Bible told me so, just like the menu of America's Dog told me I could have a Dallas dog with the fixings you intended to top a perfect hotdog: chili, onion and shredded cheddar. (Mustard at the self-serve counter) That's the way you meant for hotdogs to be enjoyed, and so it shall be! When my hunger is more than I can bare, you provided me with the Atlanta dog: with coleslaw, chili, onion, mustard and ketchup.
Thank you, Lord. It's true you really do look out for us Southerners in times of dire need, like looking for a respectable hotdog above the Mason-Dixon Line.
Amen.
I've been here many times. Â As a Chicagoan I can say the Chicago Dog tastes like the real thing. Â Today I got the "Milwaukee Dog", which is actually a bratwurst with brown mustard and sauerkraut. Â It's very good, and I'm pleasantly surprised to find a take-out place that sells brats, which is strangely rare.
The food is consistently good, though it's not exactly healthy so I limit myself to a couple visits per month. Â I always upgrade to the jumbo dog, which is enough to feel satisfied without overdoing it.
I highly recommend the Dallas Dog, which has chili, shredded cheddar cheese and chopped onion. Â Just make sure you have a breath mint for when you're done!
The curly fries are nicely seasoned, not too greasy, and few of them are those petrified ones you end up throwing away.
I have had their wraps a couple times. Â They are quite tasty but a bit light for $6. Â I usually find myself reasoning that I could go to Chipotle instead and get a football-sized burrito for the same price. Â Still, it's a nice healthier option.
They have a pulled pork sandwich which is very good. Â There are days when I want a meatier lunch but don't want a burger or dog, and this is a great option. Â The meat is very tender, tasty, and has just enough BBQ sauce.
The place itself is always clean, the staff is courteous and service is usually pretty fast. Â Today I had my food in hand within five minutes of walking in the door. Â A meal with a dog, fries and soda is about $7. Â Not bad by downtown standards.
Nothing here will have you raving and dragging in friends, but it's consistently good and convenient.
Swung by here for a quick snack while waiting for the line outside the Art Institute to die down (<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-art-institute-of-chicago-chicago#hrid:KpPfhxasfazIraFgwP6gRQ">http://www.yelp.com/biz/…</a>).
It's a decent hot dog joint with counter service and well-decorated walls. They advertise themselves as Hot Dogs Across America, two brothers that took a cross-country road trip to find the best hot dogs from across our great nation.
Problem is, unlike say, Pink's in LA, which doesn't have a traditional "hot dog," these guys decided to settle in Chicago to open up their business. Naturally, a tourist like me is looking strictly for a Chicago-style hot dog. If you're in Chicago, do you really want a "Houston" dog (which FYI, is just chili)? The answer is no.
As for the Chicago dog, the toppings were solid, and the peppers were on the spicy side. For the portion size, the prices are a little too steep: $3.09 for a regular, +$0.79 for all-natural (whatever that means), +$0.40 for jumbo. They also offer a veggie dog substitute, but unfortunately no chicken/turkey dog for the non-red meat eaters.
If I lived in Anywhere, USA, this place might garner a fourth star, but in Chicago, land of the hot dog, expectations are a little bit higher.
Just terrible. Â Expensive and a waste of time, you will likely leave, like I did, wondering why you even bothered.
Here's the deal - the dogs aren't good. Â The service is slow. Â The food is expensive.
I got the baltimore dog, which was supposed to be deep fried and covered in "cheddar cheese". Â It wasn't covered in cheese, it was covered in cheap, plasticy cheese sauce. Â Not the same thing. Â The interior of the restaurant was hotter than it was outside (and it was in the 80's when I went).
It took over 10 minutes to get my baltimore dog and fries after ordering, and they were dead. Â If you think this place is any good, you've probably either been sucked in by the hype or haven't ever had a decent chicago dog.
I won't be returning - I can go across the street and pay less for 2 delicious chicago dogs for less money and not have to wait 10 minutes to get it.
Plus, my food made me sick - explosively so. Â It is painfully obvious that America's Dog is owned by people who *think* they know how to properly run restaurants. Â They say on their corporate website that the owners are a father who has been in the biz for decades, another son who claims to be a chef (no chef worth his salt would substitute cheese sauce for cheddar cheese) and another son with years of experience in running the front of house (again - he must have missed the whole idea behind speed of service).
These guys lie on their site about how much they care. Â They don't. Â They just want to make money. Â In the restaurant business, you can want to make money - but you absolutely must care.
Fail. Â Avoid, unless you are trying to lose weight by emptying your bowels.
A great joint indeed. Heard about it from friend regarding its variety of dogs. And their "dogs across the country' club is quite cool, you can try out every different dogs everytime and get membership to the club!
I had the Italian Combo. Order this if you are really hungry, it's a lot of meat and a nice Italian sausage. Make sure you get the sweet peppers.
Sweet potatoes fries and popcorn chicken are good sides.
Will try out other dogs next time. (Baltimore Dog sounds quite awesome)
I stumbled on America's Dog after some lunch time shopping one day. I'm glad I did. They have a ton of different hot dog choices, all city themed. I've tried both the Vienna beef hot dogs and the veggie dog, both were good.
The service is pretty good. I'm not entirely sure why it takes so long to get your hot dog, but it's just as fast as a Corner Bakery, Cosi, or other loop lunch spot. Plenty of seating for the lunch hour, and it's very clean.
Getting off the red line on my way to Union Station, I decided to use Yelp for the first time, to try and find a quick place to get something vegetarian. As I usually end up sub shop type places, I was looking for something different. I decided to try America's Dog, as I had just come from a Cubs game and had been wishing they had veggie dogs; I was pleasantly surprised with my experience. Their veggie dogs are actually longer than the buns, something I've never seen. The dog was grilled with just a bit of blackening to make it a little crispy (I used my "don't ask, don't tell" policy about a separate spot for grilling vegetarian food). I would definitely go again.
Review Source:Writing this, as a native, just is not fair. Â There are so many dog joints in this town that reflect the "true" dog place. Â BUT...this place has variety. Â And Vienna Beef. Â And a honest-to-goodness polish. Â Lots of seating. Â Clean (almost too clean). Â Fast...friendly....
What kills me? Â 2 dogs and a pop...almost $10. Â This is steep. Â Steep but manageable, because I have gone more than enough. Â Â There is a lot I can whine about, but not the dogs. And not the Maxwell Polish.
I am not a hot dog person, but this place has some really good tasting hot dogs! I'm sure the toppings had something to do with it. I had a hot dog that was a new creation on the menu. I forget the name but it had chorizo, japalenos, nacho cheese, and tortilla chips on it! REALLY YUMMIE. We also ordered the Dallas dog and the Chicago dog. No complaints there either! They have a lot of different hot dog creations that looked good. We also tried the onion rings. Freshly fried, nicely battered, and very crunchy! Prices are reasonable.
Review Source:I love the idea of this place. It's fun and creative while being mildly interesting too. How do people all over the country like their hot dogs? You can find out here, although I wouldn't vouch for their accuracy. (I mean, who really knows? I never heard of a Dallas dog when lived there.) And the food isn't half bad either.
Unfortunately, they are never open. Not really never, of course, but at least three times when I worked next door I'd stop by at a time when they were supposed to be open according to their door and they weren't. Not sure what's up with that, but they lose at least one star for it.
Prices are reasonable. I mean, it's hot dogs and fries. How bad can it really be?
Speaking of the fries, the cheddar fries are all gooey and wonderful. Highly recommended. Use a fork.
Well, I don't work next door anymore so I figured they've lost their chance to gain back that star and it was time to review the place. Overall, I'd call it an interesting idea with average or even below average execution. Give it a try though, if they're open anyway.
I wouldn't say I looove hot dogs, I just like them. I can appreciate a good dog every once in a while. So when I had family in town from Mexico, I made them eat the most American foods I could think of (per their request). Though I had never been here, I thought 'well.. I COULD take them to a place I really love but it would just be a Chicago dog---this place promises MORE!'
And so.. we came here. They made the dogs unusually fast. I had a Chicago dog and another with cheese. On a future day, I had an Italian sausage with cheese. I don't love the cheese but it does make it taste slightly better. Anyway, the hot dog itself was better than Oscar Meyer but didn't taste anything like Vienna Beef (my fav). The condiments on the Chicago dog were ehhh.. tomato was pretty bad, pickle was okay. I need 'wow!' to make it worth it.... and the family from Mexico wasn't so happy either. :*( Â Â
I haven't gone back after those two initial visits, we gave them a fair chance.. but every once in a while, I think to myself "that italian sausage with cheese was pretty good.." and then I think "was it?! was it really?!" and then I wonder why I am debating myself. But, that's neither here nor there..
So I would start by saying that i am rather new to the Downtown Chicago area. But in my short time I have had some "damn" good hot dogs. I was going to America's Dog to see how they size up on the competition.
Well... The service was great! The people behind the counter were very friendly and quite humorous.
And... They have this philly dog that you can custom to your liking. I would have to say that is an awesome idea. However, even after throwing all the chili, mustard, onions, and peppers i wanted it still didn't compare to that guy walking down Chicago with a Vienna Beef Cart.
Overall... Good, filling, and generally ok.
This is a great alternative to McDonald's, Chipotle, Potbelly or any other fast-food chain restaurant downtown. Â
I ordered the San Francisco Dog, which has chili, mustard, ketchup, relish, onion, pickle, tomato, shredded cheddar cheese and celery salt. Â Mostly, it was all that I would want on such a crowded hot dog. Â I suppose the bun was a little wimpy, but, really, what bun could stand against so many toppings?
Overall, this restaurant has a great concept (Representing different American cities with their way of making a hot dog.), friendly service, clean atmosphere and most excellent curly fries. Â Go here if you're craving something delicious in the fast and greasy kind of way.
Stopped in the other day for a quickie. Really was excited to stop in and grab a dog, of course I had to try the Chicago Style. It wasn't bad it was not the best I have ever had. The two gentlemen working were not very enthused about working here, kinda brought the mood down. Over all if was not a bad place to eat at, just not sure that I'll be back anytime soon.
Review Source:I have a Friday night ritual nowadays, involving a walk from my office in the Sears Tower all the way across the Loop to the Adams/Wabash stop after picking up dinner at Panda Express - but that's an entirely different review. Â The fact is that on my last trip, I was in no rush, so I decided to take a chance and try out this place I pass by every week. Â And since they initially enticed me to try them out with their monthly special "flight of dogs", I figured it'd be the best way to sample the restaurant, sample the food, and provide me with enough mental fodder to write out a review.
I was not disappointed. Â With the level of mental fodder, that is. Â The restaurant and food were rather disappointing, though.
I need to emphasize that this review does not reflect the ENTIRE menu at this place, nor the chain as a whole. Â It's likely that I got a trainee at a very slow point in the evening who wasn't paying attention or caring about his job performance.
I was glad that upon approaching the register area, I was not hounded to quickly order - which is a turn-off for me in most establishments. Â However, I was standing there, ready to order and it took him about 10 seconds of looking at me to add 2 and 2 and ask me:
Register Guy: "Oh, what can I get for you?"
Me: "I'll do the special flight of mini-dogs."
Register Guy: "The what?"
Me: "The monthly special, on the poster? Â $5 for the three mini chili dogs?"
Register Guy: "Huh. Â Okay..." *pushes buttons on the register for 30 seconds obviously trying to find a way to ring that up* "So all 3 of them?"
Me: "Yes. Â The 'flight' of the 3 mini dogs."
If it's your monthly special and it's past the middle of the month, your employees should be more familiar with it. Â Unless NOBODY orders it EVER. Â Which may be why two of the three dogs are not on the regular menu.
My "mini-dogs" celebrating "National Chili Month":
The Charleston (can be ordered off the menu): Coleslaw, chili, onion & mustard.
The Santa Fe (not on the regular menu): Chili and salsa, topped with fire roasted black beans & corn.
The Berkeley (not on the regular menu): Vegetarian 7 bean chili & green onions.
HERE IS THE REASON WHY I GAVE THIS PLACE TWO STARS.
I don't know if you've ever eaten a hot dog before, but the "toppings" traditionally go BETWEEN the hot dog and the bun. Â I realize the word insinuates it goes ON TOP, but that's only if there are SO MANY toppings by number or volume that the only place left with room is on the actual top.
Apparently my cook did not understand this traditional concept of the "topping" because EACH of my three "mini dogs" were as follows:
- One tiny hot dog about 1/3 as long as a normal hot dog (this is almost acceptable, being "mini", though HALF would have been more proper) placed inside
- One bun, a few inches longer than the dog on each side and THICKER on EACH HALF of the bun than the HOT DOG, completely devoid of toppings aside from
- A pile of toppings placed on TOP of the BUN (nowhere near the hot dog) where it had nowhere to go upon taking a bite other than
- Some napkins (I picked up upon seeing how my "toppings" were being arranged).
So I basically had to eat the toppings off the bun safely, then consume the copious amounts of leftover bun and find the tiny hot dog hidden inside. Â I can only HOPE that the reason for these shenanigans would be that the box they came in was so small that they would have trouble opening the bun so they could place the toppings in the proper spot, which just goes to say that getting mini-dogs from here is likely a bad idea.
As for the taste of the hot dogs, I've had much better chili elsewhere. Â I liked the vegetarian chili better than the regular chili (which means they REALLY screwed up the regular chili because it's hard to make something taste worse than the vegetarian option), but it could also be due to the fact that I did not like their coleslaw (though I'm not a fan of any slaw in general) on the Charleston and the black beans and corn were a detriment on the Santa Fe.
I give them credit on an interesting setup with the layout of the place. Â It's clean, bright, colorful, and you get to watch everything being made thanks to low counters and an open kitchen. Â That's what prevented this place from a 1-star review. Â Of course, if I ever get dragged here again (the only reason why I'd set foot inside once more), I'll be sure to give a sound tongue-lashing to anyone who tries putting my toppings anywhere but their proper place inside the bun.
That was just disgraceful.
One of many locations in Chicago, I've never heard of it until I had it for lunch this week. Â Their angle is hot dogs of regional style. Â The selection looked quite good - generally named by city - such as Chicago (obviously), Buffalo, Houston, New York, Philly... Â I opted for the Dallas Dog. Â I know not everyone is as crazy as I am, but poppyseed buns drive me nuts, so I wasn't excited about that mess. Â The food was just fine - also had curly fries - not the best or the worst hot dog I've ever had.
I'm going right down the middle on this review because while the facility of this location is gorgeous (for a hot dog joint) The food itself while novel wasn't very exciting and like most things in the loop, prices are a little high.
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