I have never been disappointed with this place, and the entire Wolfies Team are wonderful. So you got great food, and great service. They seem to really understand their clients. They seem strong even with all the freaking street work being done around them. I wish them well. The only thing I can say that I don't like, is the way the parking lot is. I wish they would open up that alley so people can get out safer. Both sides put you on crazy Peterson and it's a dangerous crossing, or they should buy that abandoned gas station next door to them and make it for parking. other then that, it's a great place to go. I recommend it to Everyone.
(Title above says Cheap and Healthy. I never said Healthy. Cheap and yummy yes)
I've been going to Wolfys since I was a kid and up thru highschool when they changed owners a number of years ago i thought wern't going to be as good . but thank god i was wrong they have kept there standards and upgraded the resturant also they added some kick ass stuff to the menu but kept all the old stand bys like there jr hamburgers polish and hotdogs. but they added Gyros greek chicken and mozzarlla cheese sticks. this place is awesome. and now that there is no flukys they are one of the only places you can get a good hotdog in west rodgers park. wolfys i salute you!!!
Review Source:This is one of those places I have have gone to the whole time I have been in Chicago. Â This is the classic hot dog place, Â all of the food you can expect and also a good Greek chicken.
The prices are in line with all of the other places in the area, and they say to find the best places for fast food  is look for the cops and the cabbies.  This parking lot always has a good supply of both.
Go here and you won't be disappointed.
I've been eating at Wolfy's my whole life and I love the food, juicy hotdogs, great fries, anything you order is great and good service. Â But today the place was a mess.I'm disappointed in Wolfy's today. Â The place was dirty, tables were filthy, floor was covered with food making eating there very unappetizing. When I go off my diet to enjoy my hot dog and fries, I'd like to eat at a clean table and not step in squashed fries on the floor underneath me. None of the workers were cleaning any of the tables and there were plenty of workers behind the counter. Â There's no excuse. Â Maybe it has to do the owner not being there at the time?? I'll still always eat there, but hope it's cleaner next time.
Review Source:I've been coming to Wolfys for 20 years and the food is great and so is the service. Â I enjoy everything on their menu, from burgers to hot dogs to the pizza puff. There is something about their grilled chicken sandwich that makes me weak in the knees. I'm so glad there are still local burger/hot dog joints that are still in business. Wolfys is great and the prices are very reasonable.
Review Source:French fries are McDonald's style which I love (I can't stand steak fries). Â Gyros taste like gyros from other places (I'm pretty sure Kronos has a monopoly in Chicago).
Hot dog toppings have good proportions. Â Not a fan of pickle spears (I prefer the sliced kind) but that's a personal preference.
Overall solid 4 stars. Â Prices are slightly on the high side compared to other hot dog joints in the city.
Hello, FOOD SNOB here.
While on my way to a business appointment on the north side of the city, what should I pass by to my surprise but the famous Wolfys. Â A Chicago landmark if you would want to say. Â Naturally I had to try it. Â
I never in my life thought I would go CRAZY Â over a Hot Dog. Â This was truly the best, tastiest, most delicious Hot Dog I ever had. Â The North side truly has the best Hot Dog joints around. Â The tomatoes, onions, hot peppers, relish etc. were all fresh. Â But the meat itself was very very tasty.
I may not be up that way for a long time but Wolfys is now my #1 Hot Dog in CHI TOWN.
This is a first for me. Never before have I updated a one star review to four.
Okay, so I still maintain their fries aren't great. And their service is hit-and-miss, yes. But GOOD GOD their hot dogs are good. The mere memory of these deeply flavorful, perfectly prepared jumbos sends me into wistful reminiscence of three days ago, when I was here devouring them. I was coming back from delivering work to the office, and I felt like a hot dog. Got two jumbos, a drink and fries. Most of the fries here I didn't end up finishing, (this is usual for me,) but the hot dogs are seriously one of a kind.
They don't just toss those jumbos on a grill for a minute, oh no. First they grill them and roll them around. Then they put them under a metal lid on a flat-metal grill. Then they spray them with a liquid, (I presume for flavor.) Then, back on the normal grill. After that, they put on the toppings, and you get your hot dog. The process is not so quick you can really call it fast food anymore -- but who cares, whatever they do to that Vienna beef, they've done right.
The prices are higher than in most hot dog joints, but since the hot dogs are better, I think this is forgivable. The decorations are witty, detailed and interesting, which as some people have stated make this place good for dates. I'll probably take my girlfriend here at some point. And that's saying a lot, because there's only one other fast food joint out there I'd take my girlfriend to.
My boyfriend and I always drive down Peterson whenever we go to the city and we've passed up this place several times. Â After an afternoon in the city, we were hungry for a light meal so we stopped by here to eat some hot dogs. Â The hot dogs were great, the service was quick and the location is OK. Â I would definitely come back when traveling to and from the city.
Review Source:Although not the same Wolfy's when run by Mickey Becker up to the early 90's, this place still delivers a solid dog and fries.
And they use to have pretty hot girls work there (Deb, Judy, & Sue), not all ugly dudes like now!
And what's with the closings at 8 PM and early on Sundays? This place use to close at 11:30 PM every day and close completely only on the high holidays.
So was on my way back to Chicago and hot as hell on a 92 Deg day so decided to stop for a cool drink and a bite and then I saw the Wolfy's  sign
Glad I choose to try this place out
One of the best gyros have had in a while!
The meat is thinly sliced and the Tzatziki sauce pieces of cucumbers in it, the pita was so hot from the grill I had to wait for it to cool a little before I could pick it up to eat, I love when steam is rising off my sammich
I asked for a large pink lemonade and it looked like I was at 7-11 the drink was like a super big gulp
must go back and try some other stuff for sure
and the bathroom is clean big plus :)
My fiance and I tried this place after driving by and we were quite pleased.
Burgers were fresh and hot off the grill, chardogs had nice flavor, their new banana chocolate malt was good (a little overpowered by the banana), and it was an overall good experience.
We like older establishments/diners and this was a good, clean place and the service was friendly and fast. We'll definitely go back if we're in the neighborhood, and we'll bring our dog Wolfie.
"What's in a name? that which we call a hot dog
By any other name would taste as sweet"
I'm convinced that only the only way to find a good hot dog joint is by how large and insane their sign is or how retro their decor is.
Wolfy's will always bring back childhood memories for this yelper. I grew up in the area, so going to Wolfy's was a reward for doing good or a special treat (we didn't go very often... what can I say, I was a baaaad boy). Back in the day, I remember it was hard to get a seat on the weekends, they used to fill up so fast. Parents and children stuffing their faces full of hot dogs, gyros, beef sandwiches, burgers, and fries. You could even get an ice cream or a cookie afterward. They were keeping the North side children fat, happy, and more importantly quiet for the parents. Throughout the years I've driven by and stopped on occasion, still seeing families enjoy themselves. But sadly there are a LOT less people.
The staff is kind of cranky sometimes but eventually you'll get a smile and a thanks for coming out from them. Round out the whole experience with old school plastic seats and a Chicago sports team on the tv. If this place doesn't scream Chicago I don't know what does.
They aren't the healthiest but they sure do it that spot!
Wolfy's...wazzzzzzup!?
I mean this in a "sorta-friendly-wow-a-big-hot-dog-on-a-pitchfork-Âon-Peterson" way, but mostly in a "really, you charge 50 cents for pop refills?" shocked kinda way. Besides this minor snafu (I mean really, soda costs about a penny a gallon...so if your customers want an extra swig, fill 'er up and don't make it all weird) Wolfy's is tops at fast food bustin' chops!
And, errr...not to be picky, but the selection is Pepsi products. So, yeah...I wouldn't want a refill of that, but some people might!
If given a choice, I'd have gotten a Chicago-style hot dog, french fries and a chocolate shake. However, I lived vicariously through our Cheeseburger Cartel as they devoured their fast(ish) food meal with little complaint.
We rolled up with 5 kids and 3 adults and left fairly stuffed for $55. Around $6 for a combo meal with a little bit 'o' local to overpower the Big Macs and Whoppers. Lots of indestructible seating. Cubs playing on a TV in one corner. Sox in the other. Gyros on the offer. A Greek Salad for me (wheeee!), plenty of salty french fries, a few chicken sandwiches, and a whole buncha burgers. A semi-friendly dude at the counter that didn't blink an eye at our motley crew. Credit card acceptance. $2.50 for 5 kids refills (booo!). Wipe up. Roll out.
In my constant pursuit for the best Chicago dog, I felt utterly compelled to stop by Wolfy's and give their dog a whirl. Â Well, along with it being a classic Chicago institution, they serve up a hell of a dog. Â
I stopped by for dinner and was pleasantly surprised and joyed that they serve the infamous 2-dog special...but I was a little taken back by the price being $6.59. Â Nonetheless, when I got the dogs, I understood why....they are fat as hell! Â I don't know if Vienna beef actually makes different circumferences of hot dogs, but these mutha's were huge. Â As well, the fixings were super well executed, with a fresh tomato and huge pickle and a generous shake of celery salt. Â I will say, however, that the 2-dog special was almost too much! Â I know, I never thought i'd say such a thing, but man, were they big hot dogs. Â The fries, however, left a lot to be desired. Â Overall, an excellent joint.
Wolfy's!!
What is not to like? Cash only, inexpensive value menu- you can order by the numbers, makes it nice and simple!
Hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, gyros, cheese fries- all found here! My favorite? The hot dog, cheese fry, med drink combo for under 5$. You can name your toppings. I prefer relish, pickle, and tomato! If you want, mustard, peppers, onion, (even ketchup if you have to have it) are available.
These are skinny style Chicago dogs. Do not be expecting a thick, fat and juicy one, 'cause you will not get it. However, a tasty slim works just as well!
Order, wait while it is assembled, and enjoy!
Wolfy's is possibly my favorite hot dog place in Chicago. I live around the corner from Byron's and I feel disloyal saying it, but... so be it.
I've always loved the snap that the Wolfy's dog has. I don't know what animal pieces or technique gives the hot dog a snap but I don't care... it's just delicious.
They have those skinny fries that I like because they come out crispy and stay crispy. They have good cheese sauce too... not that chunky wannabe cheddar stuff.
I'd mention Green River too but that ectoplasm is a little much for me.
Please don't take away my True Chicagoan card for admitting that!
I drive past that giant hot dog on a daily basis. At night it lights up like a vegas grease pit. Today I finally found a few minutes to pull in. Ordered a 2 hot dog special (2A numerically).
I usually don't ask for much in a chicago style hot dog as long as it's not soggy and as long as it doesn't have ketchup on it. Â It was done pretty well. No complaints here. Mustard, neon green relish, onion, tomato slices, big thick pickle spear. Hotdog didn't have much snap to it, but it wasn't like tire rubber. The only problem was the price. The special was more than $6. The same combo at most places would be more like $4.
The menu looked pretty standard for a hot dog place. They also had the usual burgers, gyros. I heard the cheese fries are pretty good. I'll have to sample some for myself some other day.
And although I had cash on me at the time, I was delighted to see an ATM inside.
Vienna Beef and poppy seed buns at their best!
Wolfy's has been one of my favorite places to eat since I started eating solid food! I remember when my parents asked me where do you want to eat tonight? I'd always say WOLFY'S!!!!!!!!
I never forgot about this place, but when we moved away to the burbs for a while I wasn't able to go... so it sadly became an out of site out of mind type of thing. Now I am back in the city, and luckily one day while driving I came across it and all the wonderful Wolfy's memories came back! I am so happy I rediscovered it and now can go whenever I want to without permission from my parents =o)
Images that always stuck in my head - the famous sign outside, the stained glass image of "Wolfy" and their version of the painting "American Gothic" with a hot dog on the pitchfork!
I can't believe it has taken me this long to review Wolf's. I have been going there since I was in my 20's and I am positively geriatric now. When I first got married we moved about 4 or 6 houses north of Wolfy's. I remember my mother being concerned that our apartment would smell like hot dogs and french fries. No such luck. Well that was 26 years ago, and I was already a long time customer.
I LOVE Wolfy's hot dogs. Always have, always will (unless they make some crazy changes). I am faithful to the dog, but the hubby orders various things. At the moment he is on a Philly cheese steak kick. He likes it (obviously) and as he is originally an east coaster, I assume that is a pretty good review!!
It is always clean, which is amazing considering it is most often haunted by teens from Mather H.S. For that reason (the haunting), I tend to get my orders to go. For a great Chicago dog, you just can't beat Wolfy's!!!!
Either you are of the Gene & Jude's, Jimmy's, ... type or of the Fluky's, Wolfy's, ... type. Then you have the "dragged through the garden" places that are on steroids, what, lettuce, raw green peppers and cucumber slices? You can have your GQ Lord Byron and the Mr. eSteamed Murphy's. And finally, foie Doug's is certainly a psychedelic experience with Jim's Original doing the Maxwell St. thang. I'm of the Wolfy's type and the only type that I can't stand is the "through the garden on steriods." Â
The menu has expanded over the years, it has kept up with the times/competition. A very dependable clean place and you may question some of the items, nobody's perfect. The Green River in bottles, got to love that.
The thing that keeps me coming back is the almost always perfect application of the Chicago Seven. The smell of the simmering Vienna's hit you as soon as you come in the door, majestic. Watch it prepared in front of your eyes less than a foot away.
I remember when you couldn't even sit down in the place and now, not only can you sit down, you can also catch a game while your eating. If you really want to eat outside, I guess you could walk over to a park bench at Mather and maybe catch a softball game. No drive-thru, got to get your butt out of the car.
Finally, the coolest hot dog stand sign, probably ever!
I have been going to Wolfy's for years..........always had a solid Chicago hot dog and great food. The french fries are OK, I just don't like the small skinny fries.......most places have those and need to change that!
Wolfy's.........I LOVE your food........but lately the one cashier guy has been kind of rude. and whats with NO CREDIT card? That's crap. It's not like you're a small little hot dog stand. You are an established restaurant........get with the times! He goes "we don't take credit card, there is an ATM over there". What? so now my $10 meal turns into a $12 meal cause I need to with drawl money + $2.00 ATM fee?
I won't stop going to Wolfy's for the food, just they need a brush up on customer service.
Aw, Wolfy's. Hot dog place of my youth. I can still remember the coupons they handed out to kids at Clinton School over 20 years ago. Don't even try to figure out how old I am 'cause I'm quite sad about it-trust me.
The ever so familiar wolf symbol in bright neon lights that welcome you on Peterson was like a siren's call of sorts and it finally brought me back in again. Parking is kind of scary if you don't get in that parking lot quick so be hasty about it!
I yearn for the classic Chicago hot dog. Wolfy's has just the right amount of sport peppers, right size tomatoes and of course, S. Rosen's buns. Thank you for doing it right Wolfy's. They also have the hot dog gum sticks which is fantastic and reminiscent of my youth again. They wrap it up in butcher paper and hand it over promptly with my usual side of cheese fries.
God, I love cheese fries. Hot, crispy, crunchy fries with that awesome hot oozy fake cheese. I wish I could take it back with me but alas, that's why I got the large size (x2).
So if you're heading east bound on Peterson after exiting the Edens, you'll run into this fantastic and historic little hotdog joint about a mile down. Â I'd heard about Wolfy's, seen the sign in film and pics but had never eaten there....astonishingly, as much as I travel around Chicagoland, don't think i've ever driven past the place, either.
Not by design, I literally just happened upon the place as I was looking for some lunch on this stretch of Peterson. Â It took about a nanosecond to decide this would be my lunchtime dining destination.
Good looking menu featuring every conceivable item you'd think of for this sort of drive-in type place....char grilled dogs, beefs, polish, gyros, grilled hamburgers, greek chicken, fantastic crispy french fries, milk shakes, etc, etc; it's easy to see how a place like this has survived in Chicago for nearly a half Century.
I went w the "homemade, fresh daily" Italian Beef, dipped, w. hot peppers and it was outstanding. Â The dogs looked very good too and I like how they have several books titled "No Ketchup on a hot dog" within eye site of the counter where you order. Well in.
(Criminal) 'cash only' but a $2 ATM off to the side of the counter, thanks for that but cmon, get w the program FFS.
I am a big fan of Wolfy's for one reason and one reason only (I am basically a rabid fan of another hot dog place which shall go nameless)
*cough*superdawg*cough*
ANYWAY, the reason why I like Wolfy's is that they show the exterior in my most favourite of chick flicks, While You Were Sleeping (oh Bill Pullman!)
The food ain't half bad either, you can get a hot dog with everything (pickle, tomato, hot peppers, onion, & relish) and a small fries for under $5. Â The hot dog is Vienna Beef and they make the fries fresh to order, so you cant beat it. Â
Like another reviewer said, I would totally come here more often if hot dogs were healthier. Â As soon as they are marketed as a diet food, I am so there!
Wolfy's has been around for 40 years, known for their Chicago-style hot dogs and their HUGE hot dog on a fork above the sign. Â Every time you drive by on Peterson, you can't miss it. Â My family used to go here whenever we were in the neighborhood. Â
And folks, Wolfy's made it to Vienna Beef's "Hall of Fame". Â Who knew they had a Hall of Fame? Â :)
This is pretty much your quintessential Chicago hot dog place with a few nice touches that makes it stand out amongst lesser dog shops.
They serve an excellent, by the book, Chicago style dog along with some tasty fries and a drink for five bucks. Vienna beef w/ a natural casing, bright green relish, onions, tomatoes, sport peppers, celery salt, and a big kosher pickle to top everything off. I came looking for an excellent dog and they delivered.
I also noticed they serve Dr. Browns soda along with Green River. Always a good time.
Bottom line, one of the best dogs I've had a long time. If I could give 4.5 stars I would... the only thing stopping them from having a perfect score is the competition. Superdawg is still the reigning champ in my book.
I work round the bend from time to time from this glorious joint.
I never had a hot dog outside of Donald's or a ball park until this place. I still recall the first sitting with my first hotdog. And another. And another. And another.
I was thinking about a fifth, but that didn't pan out unfortunately.
I seriously think the best grease joints are by middle schools or high schools. If you can look out of a stand and not see an educational institute near by, well, it's not a GOOD grease joint.
Wolfy's is a classic Chicago hot dog stand with a great sign. There's a lot of history at this joint.
The building and grounds are kept clean and there is adequate parking. However, it can be difficult to negotiate a left turn into or out of the lot. There's no left turn lane and Peterson is well traveled.
Double door (air lock) entry doors lead you into the restaurant. The menu board, counter and kitchen areas are nice and clean. Counter people are courteous, but lack personality and interaction with patrons. Public bathroom is accessed behind the service counter and through the back room. Fixed seating is a little tight for a typical fast food patron.
I ordered an Italian Beef combo, which includes fries (not fresh cut) and fountain drink. There was no extra charge for sweet peppers. The beef was excellent--probably the best I've ever had. I will definately be back for another.
I came back for a drink refill and was surprised they charged for them, but when I handed over the cash, the owner asked me to put it in the charity contribution box on the counter. A nice gesture.
There's a sign on the wall that says, "No Loitering, seating limited to 20 minutes." I can understand why they would feel it necessary to have this sign, but it seems tacky to me.
If you've never been, Wolfy's is definately worth a try. I'll be back for the Italian Beef.
I don't make it out for hot dogs all that often. Something about what it does to my breath. Wolfy's, however, was worth the afternoon of hot dog breath.
I got the char-dog, and it was stellar. The dog was just charred enough, and all the fixin's were fresh and crisp. The side of fries was good too. They serve big fat steak fries...far better than those wimpy little ones.
I agree with Max G. Wolfy's is definitely among the best hot dogs in Chicago.
Remember when you would scrape your knees and get back up and play for hours? You know, the good old days where even a huge scratch wouldn't stop you? When the simple things in life made you smile and get all giddy like a snow cone from the ice cream truck? I miss those days, I was invincible.
I used to love coming here after school at St. Hilary's when my mom wanted to visit my aunt. I always ordered the cheese fries and a hot dog. Wolfy's always did do everything right. Classic fast food dining at a decent price. I could not ask for anything more. I can't wait to visit so I could go back and sit at "my booth" and order the same thing.
When I was little my dad would sometimes take me there, and then when I was working around there, it was always awesome for that half hour break. Â OMG the cheese fries and the Phily's and the sausages and dogs and just YUM!
The guys are always nice.
There's enough food, that you CAN manage to keep it under $10 easy, as long as your eyes aren't bigger than your stomach.
Take it to go or eat there, typical hot dog joint plastic booths, and usually baseball on the TVs
Just fantastic. Â Clean, simple, good food. Â Love the menu, love the staff, and love the hotdogs. Â You cannot beat Wolfy's for exquisite burgers, hotdogs and cheese fries. Â Did I mention clean? Â This place seems to have gotten a lot of great reviews by other -ahem- places, not to be mentioned here.
But the burgers- man. Â Order it any way you please and it will be prepared to your liking, hot and within minutes. Â You just can't beat it. Â Get thee to Wolfy's!
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,611 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,972 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,318 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,915 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,987 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
