I blame it on Rachel Ray. She made a steak sandwich and fries that looked so good, they stayed on my mind. Just gnawing at me. Unrelenting. I had to have it! Whenever I splurge on "fast food", I make sure that it's real food, from a family owned restaurant. No processed chemical garbage from a chain I thought about a place that I had seen several times and always made a mental note to stop in some time. Today was the day I would check out Scooby's. The minute I walked in the door I saw a sign with the special of the day. It was a skirt steak sandwich with fries. Okay- this was meant to be. The sandwich was delicious and the fries were incredible. The staff was friendly and courteous. The place was clean & cute. I'll be back.
(4)
Jillian H.
The Philly Italian sausage sandwich was decent but the fries are soggy and oily. The decor is kitschy. The customer service could be better. I think there are better options in the area but not bad if you're wanting a quick bite.
(3)
S E.
Got the standard hot dog and fries. Hot dog was a little thin and was lacking that snap of a good Chicago dog. Fries are hand-cut and are pretty good. Prices were a little higher than expected. Overall, okay, but nothing to write home about.
(3)
Greg B.
Best dogs in the northwest suburbs hands down! Fresh cut fries make it even better. Only other dogs I'll enjoy is hens and Jude's
(5)
Tom S.
I am painting contractor. I drive all over the Chicago land. Many place they cut or/and put in the hot oil to cook police dog faster. All the juice will never remain in the police dog. Not in here. It is best police dog ever. I love to try other menu on my next visit. Only miner issue is parking lot is little bumpy.
(5)
Dan B.
I've been to quite a few Hot Dog places called Scooby's, While they often share general traits such as a design aesthetic and similar menu's, they all do differ somewhat wildly as well. From checkerboard floors to neon lights they're all similar in decor, but not necessarily similar in food. Before jumping into the review of this particular Scooby's I should probably go over some general observations about the others I've visited. Scooby's in West Chicago makes a very solid hot dog, the condiments there aren't too heavily applied, the frankfurter is a little longer than the bun. There has been at times a slight bologna flavor to the sausage but overall I'm happy with their food though not necessarily their pricing. The Downers Grove Scooby's makes a similar hot dog. I've never tasted the bologna flavor to it and I recall them being slightly less expensive. So you're probably wondering what's different about this Scooby's than the others? Well that difference is the care put into the actual assembly of the hot dog. The pickle slice on this hot dog was large and in charge. The tomato slices were huge and watery, the mustard and relish were applied a bit too heavily. This resulted in a very sloppy hot dog that nearly fell apart as I attempted to consume it. The taste was overwhelmingly unbalanced with pickle and mustard being the dominant flavors. I suspect that the Scooby's are unrelated to one another and that the style of hot dog assembly differs as well.l was definitely disappointed having tried other Scooby's with much better food. My thoughts on this particular Scooby's or at least the thoughts of another Scooby and his buddy Shaggy on this can be heard in this audio file in the link. (If you're doing this from a smart phone you may need to click the link and hit download file and then play the file back for this to work) picosong.com/eAWn One star for this particular Scooby's, zoinks!
(1)
Jim K.
Passed by many times, decided to stop and try it out for lunch, glad I did. Had the hot dog special, two dogs, fries and coke. Fries were excellent, dogs were good, dressed thru the garden. Lady behind the counter was super nice, service was great, first time visitor but will be back.
(4)
Tamara C.
We paid over $40 for for 5 people. A bit pricy...better off sticking with their hot dogs. If you order the fried mushrooms, don't let them cool. They lose the tasty goodness as they cool. The hot dog was good. The Gyros and the beef sandwich were ok, the fried cheese wasn't good. The fries were soggy. I really can't say that it was a good deal. Perhaps it was a bad day for them?
(2)
Gary B.
Ok so stopped today and ordered a hotdog fries and mozzarella sticks . Asked if ice tea was brewed or from tap it was tap not a fan so asked for water and was told bottled only no tap because they give free refills for pop . Sorry but thats to independent for me walked out the door will not return. That being said the hotdogs are pretty good but so is Johnny's beef just down the street and they where glad to gave me a water .
(1)
Adam H.
I don't always write updates, but when I do, I prefer them to be about gyros and fries. I had a bad morning this past weekend, so I wanted to treat myself (treat yo self) and get something especially tasty. I was bombarding the Yelp search engine for nearby gyro places I haven't tried, and when everything I found in a 5 mile radius* was closed, I knew I always had Scooby's on reserve for a go-to delicious feel-good meal. Please note that I normally select Scooby's as a destination, not a fall back, but on this day I was feeling adventurous at first (then just plain hungry). [*Note: I carry out, so 5 miles is my radius of limitation] I have always said that for one to enjoy a gyro, one must commit to the gyro. I really do say this and I think I make a valid point because gyros are awesome, but they definitely stick with you all day. I'm happy I committed to this gyro, because it was fantastic, and they really loaded it up. Not only do the gyros rock, their fries will always blow me away. On occasion, if my parents ever got a jones for Johnnie's Beef, they would get the sandwich, but stop at Scooby's on the way home to get a load fries and a Green River. To be objective and give constructive criticism, the gyro tasted great, but some pieces were a little well done. I vastly appreciate this imperfection over the greasy/slimy gyros I've gotten elsewhere in the past, I just thought it needed to be addressed. Although it would be nice, I know I can't eat gyros every weekend; I'd go broke and get fat, but I really enjoy what Scooby's has to offer. And with all the madness in the world these days, it's really nice to have comforting food offered so close to home.
(4)
Mark S.
Thank you for the fatty, tough, very low quality beef you put on my beef sandwich. I really enjoyed it. Are you kidding me? I'm amazed this place is still open.
(1)
Thomas K.
Coming from MKE, I don't get to experience to many hot dog joints. This place was a random drive-by. Dingy outside, unique and clever inside. Felt like I was in a 50's diner. I asked the guy behind the counter to recommend a good eat for me. He recommended #1: 2 hot dogs with fries and soda. I was expecting a huge dog loaded fully to the top... to the point where I would need a fork to eat it. Instead the dog was really thin, and was not so loaded. 4 stars because it was still really good.
(4)
Ellie B.
Attention Yelpers: I issue this challenge - find a better hot dog joint in the Northwest Suburbs than Scooby's Red Hots. Yes, I ask you to step up to the plate and find a better spot for your Chicago Dog fix in or around Arlington Heights. Because I have yet to do so myself. And I am A-OK with that! Scooby's is everything you expect your neighborhood dog stop to look like - welcoming, kitschy signs, diner decor, friendly staff, and hot, delicious mounds of affordable, tasty foods dished up fast. Foot long polish? Coming right up! Hot gooey pizza puff? You bet your money! Tamale Sundae? It's your call on the onions, chief! Fresh, homemade fries, salty, hot and good? AMEN! No matter how busy, how long the line, the counter staff never fails to disappoint in taking your order with a smile filling, your styrofoam cups of GREEN RIVER (!!!!!!!) lickety split. Of course you'll need a large green river to wash down all the eats because they give you healthy portions for your buck. Don't worry, if you run low, refills are always on the house. Their 6 month anniversary is right around the corner, and next week would be an awesome time to give them a try. They'll be dishing out $1 hot dogs and tamales, $2 pizza puffs and $3 gyros and meatball sandwiches. They have other discounted menu items in that price range between 7.9.09 and 7.12.09, but the prices are always fair, special deals or not. Even if you don't find yourself in this neck of the woods often, you'll inevitably find yourself stuck in traffic westbound or eastbound on I-90 at some point during your tenure as a Chicagoan. Rather than deal with wall to wall traffic, cheesy radio commercials and truck drivers cutting you off, do yourself a favor. Get of at the Arlington Heights Road exit. Head north. Stop at Scooby's and sip on a Green River and chow on a gyros and fries (extra sauce, of course!) and wait out the war zone we call rush hour traffic. You'll thank me. And it's much more fun than road rage. And WAY tastier than the food at the Des Plaines Oasis.
(5)
Rene P.
Great local hotdog spot. Being that I am from the neighborhood, I appreciate that there is a place like this since they are pretty rare in our area. Prices are decent, service is good, and decor seems to fit the vibe of the restaurant. Seems like the owner is always there, or at least he's always there when I'm there, which is good to see. And they serve GREEN RIVER, a Chicago classic! The food is standard, no complaints. Good cheeseburgers, kosher vienna hotdogs, italian sausage, gyros, etc. As for the fries, I happen to love them, but it is very hit or miss with people because I know that some of my friends aren't to fond their fries either. They are on the greasy side, but I like how they are thicker which allows them to get slightly crispy on the outside and super soft on the inside. They also cook them to a bit of a darker golden brown, which I think gives them great flavor. But that's just what I think. All in all, Scooby's is a great choice if your in the neighborhood and looking for a good local place to grab a quick bite that will be satisfying and cheap. I definitely recommend it! NOTE: Minimum purchase with a credit card is $5, and they don't give out free cups of water. I wouldn't have mentioned the last part, but there is a sign at the register that says "Bottled Water Only." I guess it's pretty important. lol
(4)
Elizabeth T.
Hotdogs - Awesome! Fries - not so awesome. Wilted & very oily. I like mine thin & crispy. Service - Very nice/friendly staff Price - Cheap Ambiance - Your typical mom & pop hotdog joint w/ 4 tables It's "aight".
(3)
Jay W.
2 stars only because the fries are OK & hot dogs are OK. Chili is from a can. Otherwise very expensive for what you get. Someone on Yelp recommended the ribeye steak sandwich. $6 for the thinnest, blandest excuse for a piece of "meat" I've ever had. Worst steak sandwich in memory. I didn't want pop, asked for water. They only sell bottled water, no glasses of ice water. I'm being nice with 2 stars. If your taste for fast food transcends the high school palette, you won't like this place. My friend's 5 yr old loves this place, it's right up her alley. People should be a lot friendlier. I won't go back. Try Riviera in downtown Arl Hts instead. Or Johnny's on Golf & Mt Prospect.
(2)
Nadine C.
i love scooby's! the hot dogs are great, and the fries are fresh cut and amazing! this place is like the suburban gene and jude's for me, only the hot dogs come with more toppings. :) always pleasant, fast, and friendly service! excellent hot dog place, way better than portillo's!
(5)
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Address :1039 South Arlington Heights Road
Arlington Heights, IL, 60005
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Drive-Thru : No
Kathleen P.
I blame it on Rachel Ray. She made a steak sandwich and fries that looked so good, they stayed on my mind. Just gnawing at me. Unrelenting. I had to have it! Whenever I splurge on "fast food", I make sure that it's real food, from a family owned restaurant. No processed chemical garbage from a chain I thought about a place that I had seen several times and always made a mental note to stop in some time. Today was the day I would check out Scooby's. The minute I walked in the door I saw a sign with the special of the day. It was a skirt steak sandwich with fries. Okay- this was meant to be. The sandwich was delicious and the fries were incredible. The staff was friendly and courteous. The place was clean & cute. I'll be back.
(4)Jillian H.
The Philly Italian sausage sandwich was decent but the fries are soggy and oily. The decor is kitschy. The customer service could be better. I think there are better options in the area but not bad if you're wanting a quick bite.
(3)S E.
Got the standard hot dog and fries. Hot dog was a little thin and was lacking that snap of a good Chicago dog. Fries are hand-cut and are pretty good. Prices were a little higher than expected. Overall, okay, but nothing to write home about.
(3)Greg B.
Best dogs in the northwest suburbs hands down! Fresh cut fries make it even better. Only other dogs I'll enjoy is hens and Jude's
(5)Tom S.
I am painting contractor. I drive all over the Chicago land. Many place they cut or/and put in the hot oil to cook police dog faster. All the juice will never remain in the police dog. Not in here. It is best police dog ever. I love to try other menu on my next visit. Only miner issue is parking lot is little bumpy.
(5)Dan B.
I've been to quite a few Hot Dog places called Scooby's, While they often share general traits such as a design aesthetic and similar menu's, they all do differ somewhat wildly as well. From checkerboard floors to neon lights they're all similar in decor, but not necessarily similar in food. Before jumping into the review of this particular Scooby's I should probably go over some general observations about the others I've visited. Scooby's in West Chicago makes a very solid hot dog, the condiments there aren't too heavily applied, the frankfurter is a little longer than the bun. There has been at times a slight bologna flavor to the sausage but overall I'm happy with their food though not necessarily their pricing. The Downers Grove Scooby's makes a similar hot dog. I've never tasted the bologna flavor to it and I recall them being slightly less expensive. So you're probably wondering what's different about this Scooby's than the others? Well that difference is the care put into the actual assembly of the hot dog. The pickle slice on this hot dog was large and in charge. The tomato slices were huge and watery, the mustard and relish were applied a bit too heavily. This resulted in a very sloppy hot dog that nearly fell apart as I attempted to consume it. The taste was overwhelmingly unbalanced with pickle and mustard being the dominant flavors. I suspect that the Scooby's are unrelated to one another and that the style of hot dog assembly differs as well.l was definitely disappointed having tried other Scooby's with much better food. My thoughts on this particular Scooby's or at least the thoughts of another Scooby and his buddy Shaggy on this can be heard in this audio file in the link. (If you're doing this from a smart phone you may need to click the link and hit download file and then play the file back for this to work) picosong.com/eAWn One star for this particular Scooby's, zoinks!
(1)Jim K.
Passed by many times, decided to stop and try it out for lunch, glad I did. Had the hot dog special, two dogs, fries and coke. Fries were excellent, dogs were good, dressed thru the garden. Lady behind the counter was super nice, service was great, first time visitor but will be back.
(4)Tamara C.
We paid over $40 for for 5 people. A bit pricy...better off sticking with their hot dogs. If you order the fried mushrooms, don't let them cool. They lose the tasty goodness as they cool. The hot dog was good. The Gyros and the beef sandwich were ok, the fried cheese wasn't good. The fries were soggy. I really can't say that it was a good deal. Perhaps it was a bad day for them?
(2)Gary B.
Ok so stopped today and ordered a hotdog fries and mozzarella sticks . Asked if ice tea was brewed or from tap it was tap not a fan so asked for water and was told bottled only no tap because they give free refills for pop . Sorry but thats to independent for me walked out the door will not return. That being said the hotdogs are pretty good but so is Johnny's beef just down the street and they where glad to gave me a water .
(1)Adam H.
I don't always write updates, but when I do, I prefer them to be about gyros and fries. I had a bad morning this past weekend, so I wanted to treat myself (treat yo self) and get something especially tasty. I was bombarding the Yelp search engine for nearby gyro places I haven't tried, and when everything I found in a 5 mile radius* was closed, I knew I always had Scooby's on reserve for a go-to delicious feel-good meal. Please note that I normally select Scooby's as a destination, not a fall back, but on this day I was feeling adventurous at first (then just plain hungry). [*Note: I carry out, so 5 miles is my radius of limitation] I have always said that for one to enjoy a gyro, one must commit to the gyro. I really do say this and I think I make a valid point because gyros are awesome, but they definitely stick with you all day. I'm happy I committed to this gyro, because it was fantastic, and they really loaded it up. Not only do the gyros rock, their fries will always blow me away. On occasion, if my parents ever got a jones for Johnnie's Beef, they would get the sandwich, but stop at Scooby's on the way home to get a load fries and a Green River. To be objective and give constructive criticism, the gyro tasted great, but some pieces were a little well done. I vastly appreciate this imperfection over the greasy/slimy gyros I've gotten elsewhere in the past, I just thought it needed to be addressed. Although it would be nice, I know I can't eat gyros every weekend; I'd go broke and get fat, but I really enjoy what Scooby's has to offer. And with all the madness in the world these days, it's really nice to have comforting food offered so close to home.
(4)Mark S.
Thank you for the fatty, tough, very low quality beef you put on my beef sandwich. I really enjoyed it. Are you kidding me? I'm amazed this place is still open.
(1)Thomas K.
Coming from MKE, I don't get to experience to many hot dog joints. This place was a random drive-by. Dingy outside, unique and clever inside. Felt like I was in a 50's diner. I asked the guy behind the counter to recommend a good eat for me. He recommended #1: 2 hot dogs with fries and soda. I was expecting a huge dog loaded fully to the top... to the point where I would need a fork to eat it. Instead the dog was really thin, and was not so loaded. 4 stars because it was still really good.
(4)Ellie B.
Attention Yelpers: I issue this challenge - find a better hot dog joint in the Northwest Suburbs than Scooby's Red Hots. Yes, I ask you to step up to the plate and find a better spot for your Chicago Dog fix in or around Arlington Heights. Because I have yet to do so myself. And I am A-OK with that! Scooby's is everything you expect your neighborhood dog stop to look like - welcoming, kitschy signs, diner decor, friendly staff, and hot, delicious mounds of affordable, tasty foods dished up fast. Foot long polish? Coming right up! Hot gooey pizza puff? You bet your money! Tamale Sundae? It's your call on the onions, chief! Fresh, homemade fries, salty, hot and good? AMEN! No matter how busy, how long the line, the counter staff never fails to disappoint in taking your order with a smile filling, your styrofoam cups of GREEN RIVER (!!!!!!!) lickety split. Of course you'll need a large green river to wash down all the eats because they give you healthy portions for your buck. Don't worry, if you run low, refills are always on the house. Their 6 month anniversary is right around the corner, and next week would be an awesome time to give them a try. They'll be dishing out $1 hot dogs and tamales, $2 pizza puffs and $3 gyros and meatball sandwiches. They have other discounted menu items in that price range between 7.9.09 and 7.12.09, but the prices are always fair, special deals or not. Even if you don't find yourself in this neck of the woods often, you'll inevitably find yourself stuck in traffic westbound or eastbound on I-90 at some point during your tenure as a Chicagoan. Rather than deal with wall to wall traffic, cheesy radio commercials and truck drivers cutting you off, do yourself a favor. Get of at the Arlington Heights Road exit. Head north. Stop at Scooby's and sip on a Green River and chow on a gyros and fries (extra sauce, of course!) and wait out the war zone we call rush hour traffic. You'll thank me. And it's much more fun than road rage. And WAY tastier than the food at the Des Plaines Oasis.
(5)Rene P.
Great local hotdog spot. Being that I am from the neighborhood, I appreciate that there is a place like this since they are pretty rare in our area. Prices are decent, service is good, and decor seems to fit the vibe of the restaurant. Seems like the owner is always there, or at least he's always there when I'm there, which is good to see. And they serve GREEN RIVER, a Chicago classic! The food is standard, no complaints. Good cheeseburgers, kosher vienna hotdogs, italian sausage, gyros, etc. As for the fries, I happen to love them, but it is very hit or miss with people because I know that some of my friends aren't to fond their fries either. They are on the greasy side, but I like how they are thicker which allows them to get slightly crispy on the outside and super soft on the inside. They also cook them to a bit of a darker golden brown, which I think gives them great flavor. But that's just what I think. All in all, Scooby's is a great choice if your in the neighborhood and looking for a good local place to grab a quick bite that will be satisfying and cheap. I definitely recommend it! NOTE: Minimum purchase with a credit card is $5, and they don't give out free cups of water. I wouldn't have mentioned the last part, but there is a sign at the register that says "Bottled Water Only." I guess it's pretty important. lol
(4)Elizabeth T.
Hotdogs - Awesome! Fries - not so awesome. Wilted & very oily. I like mine thin & crispy. Service - Very nice/friendly staff Price - Cheap Ambiance - Your typical mom & pop hotdog joint w/ 4 tables It's "aight".
(3)Jay W.
2 stars only because the fries are OK & hot dogs are OK. Chili is from a can. Otherwise very expensive for what you get. Someone on Yelp recommended the ribeye steak sandwich. $6 for the thinnest, blandest excuse for a piece of "meat" I've ever had. Worst steak sandwich in memory. I didn't want pop, asked for water. They only sell bottled water, no glasses of ice water. I'm being nice with 2 stars. If your taste for fast food transcends the high school palette, you won't like this place. My friend's 5 yr old loves this place, it's right up her alley. People should be a lot friendlier. I won't go back. Try Riviera in downtown Arl Hts instead. Or Johnny's on Golf & Mt Prospect.
(2)Nadine C.
i love scooby's! the hot dogs are great, and the fries are fresh cut and amazing! this place is like the suburban gene and jude's for me, only the hot dogs come with more toppings. :) always pleasant, fast, and friendly service! excellent hot dog place, way better than portillo's!
(5)