MY, OH MY! BEST truffle fries I've EVER HAD!! and yes, I've had a lot of truffle fries! lol!! I ordered these along with my brunch dog. Although I typically don't like "sweet meat" this flavorful combo was finger-licking GOOD! A bit too much sauce on top, but it didn't drench the dog itself! Also, can I go back to these damn fries?! They were sooo good (and a HUGE portion), that I packaged these up to go! Then, I ate them on the drive to the airport, as I was flying home that day.. so tasty!
(4)
Jennie C.
I have to confess: I'm not a fan of hotdogs. So imagine my surprise when I realized how much I like this place. Unlike the artificial dogs you get at the supermarket, these dogs are homemade, with a very delicate skin. There's never a line/wait, and I love the crazy flavor combinations, which have a good balance of sweet, sour, savory so that every bite was a delight. Perfect sustenance for furniture shopping!
(4)
Matt C.
Was a pretty cool place and wasn't very busy when I was there. The only complaint is the price, but you are definitely getting specialty "dogs". I had the lobster roll which was pretty good, but by far the priciest thing on the menu, but that is to be expected. I also had a brat which you could tell they made. The onions were delicious, but the best part of both is their buns. They are like pieces of Texas toast or something folded and baked to act like a bun. Everything was delicious and the place is cool with a back patio area
(4)
scott s.
Was psyched to try it but it wasn't for me. just wasn't a big fan of the sausages. I can definately see how many people would enjoy the food though so I would still reccomend going. Fresh ingredients, great combinations, solid sauces and creative concepts. Staff was friendly. Carmelized onions were really good with a long slow cook. If it wasn't for not liking the style of sausage, it would be a big thumbs up, but that's personal taste.
(3)
Erica L.
Triple Truffle Fries. That's the real reason I go here...and to accompany Hubby as he tastes his way through the hot dog menu, of course. During the summer the line can be down the narrow alley. Thankfully, it's the dead of winter, and we didn't wait at all this time around. They also let you choose a "notorious" celebrity from the wall of shame that serves as your table identifier. Hubby almost always picks that girl nobody likes on "Family Guy". I also love the lobster roll-style buns that are buttered to perfection that they use for all their dogs. I could eat those alone all day. The Brunch Dog is breakfast on a bun. Hubby really liked the Krazy Kimchi Dog. I'm sad they stopped serving the classic Chicago dog (or maybe it was all in my imagination, but I thought they did a long time ago); I guess it's not really a classic Chicago dog if it's not served on a poppy seed bun? Then the TTF...double fried waffle fries crisped to perfection with the trifecta of truffle seasoning...truffle oil, truffle salt, and truffle butter. *moment of silence* Need I say more. We even took my in-laws here the last time they were in town. Of all the places we went out to eat that weekend, including a pricey sushi and an equally pricey steak restaurant, their favorite was this spot.
(4)
fran a.
This place is fantastic! I use to go to Hot Dougs when they first opened their location off California & I stopped going because I refuse to wait down the block) . No offense to Doug but this place Franks & Dawgs is better!! I love hot dogs! Dare I say it's one if my favorite foods ( besides French fries.. Which are awesome here!! Perfectly crisp!) Go here! You won't regret it
(5)
Wisa F.
So gooood!!! Been here twice with friends. First time was a year ago, the last time was last month. The food is amazing. Truffle oil fries are phenomenal!! This last time I went, I ordered the Bahn Mi. My friend ordered the chilaquiles. My Bahn Mi was awesome. I love pickled daikon. It had a great crispness to it. My friend said the chilaquilles was excellent, and she wanted to bring her mom to try it. The staff is friendly and fun. I hope to go again sometime soon.
(5)
Ludovico Z.
After actually going here: I must say that the food is great! The portions are a bit small, so you do have to order a few to items if you want to be full. The quality however is excellent. Am a huge loyal fan now!
(5)
Garrett Y.
I had a quick lunch here a few weeks ago. I had the mac and cheese dog and an order of truffle fries. Overall, I had a very good experience here and there were a few other dogs that I'd like to check out in the future. The dogs here are not your run of the mill Chicago dog. They are more creative and "artisan". But along with that, the prices are a little higher than what you find at another fast food/dog place.
(4)
Brian M.
Overall I'd give this place a 3.5 out of 5 stars. Came here with my gf and we ordered the turdoggen, the lamb- ourghini, and the brunch dawg. You get to pick a picture of a shamed celeb, we picked trump, and you go sit down and they brought over the dogs. First off, the buns were a lot thicker than I'm used to, not in a bad way at all just be prepared for that. The buns were buttered and griddled to make it nice and crispy. Our favorite was the brunch dog by a landslide. Omg it was so good with the egg and the maple aoli it was exactly like a breakfast dream in my mouth. I definitely would recommend coming back just for that dog alone. The lamb one was pretty good, the giardiniera was a nice acidic balance to the richness of the dog and the bun. The least favorite one of ours was the turdoggen. There was just a lottt going on and it didn't feel like the flavors really went well together. I was a little disappointed with it because I really wanted to like it but I just felt let down. Overall, I'll definitely come back to try the different kind of dogs they have and to get the brunch dog again.
(3)
Alan W.
Very carefully crafted sausages with a lot of thought into the flavor. It's not just a hot dog by any means. The brunch dog is the classic here. I've been here about 4-5x. Tasted the sampler. They also have a guest chef put together something for the menu which is rotating. Never been disappointed by these guys. If you choose this or hot Doug's you can't go wrong. These are both excellent places to eat with different concepts.
(5)
Jackie M.
Creative and well done. Poutine and dessert - were the outstanding surprise for me even if that dessert dog was a melted mess, the chocolate and everything was very tasty. Everyone was happy with their dog except the salmon version because it's technically not a dog. Left my friend feeling a bit ripped off. Ingredients are superb. Albiet a bit pricey, I'ld go back.
(4)
Keith C.
No line when we got there. The dogs here are all unique so if you're looking for a regular hot dog, don't come here. Ordered the: - Krazy Kimchi (Spicy beef sausage, braised short rib & turnips, kimchi, wild rice & basil) - Banh Mi (Lemongrass & coriander chicken sausage, pickled daikon & carrot, sriracha mayo, jalapeno, cilantro, spicy pickled duck egg) - Peking Duck (a sesame duck sausage, pickled cucumber, hoisin aioli, scallion, crispy peking duck skin and puffed rice) The Peking Duck dog was the best. It actually tasted like peking duck. Unfortunately, this is a special and is not available all the time like right now. The Krazy Kimchi was really good as well. I didn't really like the Banh Mi. I mean, it was good but compared to the others, it didn't stand up to them. Each dog cost almost $10 so if you go, plan on opening up your wallet.
(5)
Jessica M.
How do you fancy a gourmet hot dog? Franks n Dawgs has the answer for ya! Chicagoesque: A dawg with pickles, relish, caramelized onions, and mustard. Surf n turf: Half lobster and half beef sausage with a kimchi mix. Reuben Pulaski: Polish sausage with the usual and some potato cake. Waffles fries: Golden and twice fried. Awesome toasted buns and all. Innovative combinations and such. Do I really want to pay $6-12 for a dawg? No, amigo, I still like my dawgs cheap and dirty. No pun or twist intended.
(3)
Jeff Z.
So I must say that the wife and I are obsessed with this place. In our last 3 trips to Chicago we've been here 4 times, but our last trip a month ago was our favorite. We got our usual Gales root beer, which is awesome "true" root beer, and the truffle Mac and cheese on the side which was excellent as usual. This time we tried a "shrimp Po boy" style sausage which was excellent. I didn't even know they made shrimp sausage, but it tasted very high quality! We also had a chicken tikka style sausage which was my favorite. Wow! Great flavor that resembled the Indian chicken tikka masala dish. Most of their sausages/dogs are on brioche buns which are to die for. I anticipate we'll be back!
(5)
Vy M.
Love the idea and decoration of this place. Many of the specialty hot dogs are named after someone famous. Though, the same hotdog name can be changed a few times. No idea why they do this? However, the creations are a bit too exotic for me. I love trying new things but some of the flavoring just didn't work for me. Long waits so try to come during the off hours.
(3)
Nathaniel C.
Experienced this food at Lollapalooza and it was very,very good. Had the delicious Mac and Cheese dog and the triple truffle fries; Wow. Also, I wasn't drunk. (a sober palate is a trust worthy palate) Eat here and win.
(5)
Hang T.
My friends and I tried four of the hot dogs on the menu. The only two I remember are the Krazy Kimchi and the Double Ducker. I would say that the hot dogs are not your average hot dogs. They are so creative with the names and the ingredients. The ingredients blended in well together with the sausage, but there were some kinks here and there. Well, at least with my double ducker. With my double ducker, the sausage was not great on its own. It needed all the toppings in every bite and the toppings were not evenly distributed and enough to spread across the entire hot dog. I just wanted a little more cohesion with the whole thing. The krazy kimchi one was tasty. My own suggestion is that they serve the kimchi cold and put it on the hot dog last because hot, soggy kimchi is not very good. My favorite items were the waffle fries and the bun! Cooked perfectly and complimented the sausages so well. The bun is the one thing they have that is better than Hot Doug's
(4)
Ada H.
In my opinion this is the best gourmet hot dog place in the city!!! The different in-house sausages are delicious! But the secret ingredient is the bun. They said they order them from a local bakery and they're delicious. It's basically a bun that you find with lobster rolls, but here it's for the dawgs. I've tried most of the dogs, and my favorites are the brunch dog and the fried oyster dog. And I always try the dog of the month for variety. Must go if you love dogs!!! You can't ever go wrong with the triple truffle fries either. Truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle salt. What more could you want with your waffle fries? The staff is also always friendly and very knowledgable about their craft!
(5)
Michael U.
Items sampled include: Brunch Dog - Slagel farms pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo Pork of July - Pork loin & caramelized onions sausage, house smoked pulled pork, cherry bourbon BBQ sauce & our house slaw Double Ducker - Duck sausage, duck confit salad, pickled shiitake mushrooms, shaved torchon au foie gras & maple mustard Chicagoesque - All natural (nitrate free & uncured) 100% beef artisan 18 pound skinless frank , house pickles, cherry tomato relish, caramelized onions & beer mustard Truffle Mac n' Cheese - Bratwurst sausage, truffle mac 'n' cheese with parmesan, brioche bread crumbs & thyme Sweet Home Chicago - French toast, stuffed with chocolate ice cream, bananas, kiwis, strawberries, freeze dried mango, chopped almonds & butterscotch sauce With late dinner plans at The Bristol along with a friend but my family in town to allow for ample snacks and bites our second pre-dinner stop featured Franks & Dawgs where the table of five worked through a quintet of artisan sausages with all house-made accoutrements plus dessert; each selection truly unique and although not quite as high quality as those at Hot Doug's just as (if not more so) audacious. Ordered at the counter from a young man named Steve who offered up suggestions based on what he liked and what was on special that day it would be only moments after seating before our 'dawgs' arrived and although my choice of the double ducker would prove a bit less textural or snappy than I'd have preferred each of the other options was quite nicely prepared - the brunch dog particularly impressive with the casing on the sausage giving way to a supple interior while the bacon added crunch and the runny egg made this much more a fork and knife effort than something managed by hand. Not to be outdone, the Mac n' Cheese, though a bit overdone with truffle oil, was a great balance of textures and flavors - the thyme a great accent to the punchy brat. With good food, friendly servers, and a great price without the excessive lines or limited hours of other local encased meat providers Franks n' Dawgs is definitely worth stopping by for a bite and it was good enough to get me to visit the group's second location, The Peasantry, just two days later...
(4)
Carlos P.
This place was really really good! My gf and I came here for the first time being that we are from Cali and man were in for a good treat! Out of the 4 items we got, 3 were super good and one was ok I gave 5 stars cause what we liked made up for it, starting with the brunch dog, pure amazing! And my gf got the slammin salmon dog, we thought it was an actual salmon link but they just put salmon chunks In the dog which was so damn bomb! The truffle fries are must! You have no other choice! Lol...and the last one was the taco dog, it was just ok the problem was the sausage link, it was chorizo mixed with pork, I was expecting more of a chorizo sausage more than anything, and I wasn't to big on the queso fresco on top of it it was just lacking that punch to the dog and it didn't meet my expectation, but hey I'm sure they have other great ones that I will be trying when I go back
(5)
Greg K.
I never plan on having a complaint at this place. For gourmet dogs, this place is in the upper echelon. BYOB. They don't have regular Chicago style dogs, but I'm not mad at them.
(5)
Megan B.
Out of towners-this place does not serve Chicago dogs. It wasn't posted on Internet and after fighting for parking, we only turned around to go elsewhere.
(3)
Matt G.
This place is a ton of fun. There is a lot of variety and everything ive had has been very goodm burnch dog cant go wrong. But the reuben pulaski. Come on dude. Awesome stuff!!! Fries are awesome too. The owner used to work the registwr...not sure anymore. But he was very welcoming and cared about the product. Hot dougs is gone. Come here.
(5)
Jon F.
Place is a joke. Took them 50 minutes to bring me a hotdog. And they didn't have like half of whats on their menu, in stock. Bwahahahahaha. Also? It tasted...so so.
(1)
Nicole M.
Came here on a Sunday afternoon, place wasn't that busy, just a couple people. Staff there was pretty friendly. I got the brunch dog and my boyfriend got the cheesehead also got some cheese fries. The brunch dog was good, very messy. Probably the only thing I would eat on the menu besides a hot dog. My boyfriend said the cheesehead was just average nothing wowing... He wished he got something more crazy. And the cheese fries were alright, just some soggy fries with melted cheese.
(3)
Scott S.
excellent. didn't know what to expect. didn't seek it out. went in for a 'snack' after trader joes (across the street). had the dog with mac & cheese on it. 'twas yummy and a good snack for 2. surely a good meal for 1. fries looked great at next table over. ALL of the dawgs looked and sounded (description wise) great and yummy. will gladly go when shopping at tj in the future.
(4)
Jason A.
Brunch dog - Amazing and unique. Mac&Cheese - Best ever. Truffle fries - Holy $H*T!! Expensive for a "hot dog" place, but it's not exactly a "hot dog" place.
(5)
Grant P.
All right, so every weekend my wife and I eat out at least twice. Normally we have one nice meal and one whateverwefeellike meal. I thought this was going to be the whateverwefeellike, but it turned into the nice. Why? Because they have awesome stuff here. I'm telling you, the second I got home I started looking them up online so I could see what I was going to have when I came back. That's normal, right? And also? We walked here from Lincoln Park Zoo. Hey, I'm from the suburbs, we think parking at the end of the lot at Target is a long walk. There are blisters on my feet from hoofing it in sh*tty worn out sandals, but I would do it again. Onto the food! I did the Dawg Flight so I could try as much as possible. But more on that later. My wife was the clear winner today as she ordered the Bacon Mac 'n Cheese Dog, which was a thing of beauty. The truffle mac 'n cheese is magical. I was feenin' for another bite, even tho I had my own sampler to try. Put that stuff on top of a bacon dog and it's heaven on a bun. In fact, this truffle business they have going on. Fries, mac 'n cheese, etc. It's a wonderfully wonderful good thing. The fries were like nothing I'd tasted before. We also did some Fried Green Tomatoes, because, well, we had to. My wife wouldn't have forgiven me if we hadn't. And guess what? She didn't like the coating. I thought it was good. If you get these regularly somewhere else, you can skip them. They're average good. Not the best I've had, but certainly nowhere near bad. They came with a nice basil aoli. Finally, onto my Dawg Flight. I sampled the Krazy Kimchi, the Banh Mi, and the Muscles from Brussels the latter, which was my favorite. Can't say anything bad about it. I didn't care for the Kimchi, but that's not the dog's fault. I hate kimchi. In fact, everyone I know hates kimchi. But apparently since this is one of the most popular dawgs on the menu, not everyone everyone knows hates kimchi. I flicked some of it off and ate the dawg, which in itself wasn't bad. But still not my favorite. The beef sausage was kind of dry. I'm indifferent toward the Banh Mi. It was tasty, but I think the sausage got a little lost in all the toppings. Will I return? Yes! Will I bring friends? Yes! But now that I've sampled a few, I think I know how we should handle this next time. Between my wife and me, we should just order three dawgs and split them so we can sample the most (that is if I can fight that Bacon Mac 'n Cheese away from her).
(5)
Rick T.
Gourmet Hot Dogs. Those 3 words sound so good together. Minimal line when we arrived. My favorites were the Krazy Kimchi Dog, the Chili Cheese Dog and the Brunch Dog. Some of these items have been featured on both Food Network and Cooking Channel shows. Their Triple Truffle (waffle) Fries were good but they were made even better by the chipotle ketchup (as well as jalepeño ketchup) bottle available at each table. There's a variety of "dawgs" to choose from (as you can see here: franksndawgs.com/menu ) and I'll definitely be back to try more. Food aside, I loved their use of popular yet disliked celebrity/politician photos to place on your table (instead of numbers) so their server can accurately deliver your food. Lastly, they sell ginger beer. Any restaurant that carries a supply of this particular beverage can always expect the scale to be tipped in their favor when deciding between restaurants.
(4)
Elvin W.
Food: BRUNCH DOG - OMG, that is so bomb!!! I also tried their tur-dogging, it was meh, but BRUNCH DOG!!!! The truffle fries we got was super salty - but good if it wasn't so salty. Price: Average hot dog was $7 Overall: 2nd favorite food place in Chicago.
(5)
Mary B.
Theoretically, the typical GNO (aka Girls' Night Out for those of you not familiar with Miley Cyrus' hit song, a throwback from her original Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus days) is without sausages present. This is precisely why I decided that for GNO last Saturday, my friends and I would trek all the way to Lincoln Park to Franks 'n Dawgs, home to award-winning artisan sausages. Stalking the menu before our adventure, the restaurant promised to "redefine your sausage experience." A friend (who shall remain anonymous *cough cough Anna*) remained unimpressed and opted to stay in Hyde Park. But oh man, did she miss out... Arriving at the restaurant, we were instantaneously greeted by the friendly and jolly staff of the establishment. Upon placing your order at the front counter, diners get to select a laminated picture of a famous celebrity to mark their table instead of the conventional table number. My friends and I immediately selected Lindsey Lohan out of the line-up (hehe punny because it is indeed her mugshot) and chose a booth. The food was served pretty quickly and we began the typical Instagram ritual associated with food that looks delicious and isn't served at the dining hall. Before ordering my sausage, I asked the workers for suggestions and recommendations. One guy speedily answered anything. All doubts I had with his advice quickly vanished at the arrival of our food. Everything looked and smelled amazing. I got to try two different "dawgs" from the menu: the Brunch Dog & the Chilaquiles Dawg. Both were extremely different but extremely satisfying. The Brunch Dog is a Slagel farms pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo. I love the idea of "breakfast for dinner" and this item embodies that idea. Think breakfast sandwich replaced with an easier to eat alternative. The maple mayo was eccentric and incredible. The Chilaquiles Dawg is a Habanero goat sausage, fried egg, queso fresco cheese, tomatillo salsa, red pepper relish, tortilla strips & cilantro. Labeled as an "adventurous" selection by the guy behind the counter, the spice and combination of flavors was spectacular. Very hard to eat but the juxtaposition of textures found in the toppings provided a crunchy yet juicy layer to the delightful sausage underneath was remarkable. I will definitely be returning to this fine establishment sometime soon and I highly recommend that you venture to Lincoln Park to "redefine your sausage experience" as well. Their wieners are definitely winners. Mary
(4)
Bud M.
Back for more Bacon Mac and Cheese and the wife ordered Muscles From Brussels plus the requisite Truffle Fries. Can't go wrong for a Xmas Shopping Lunch.
(4)
Melly R.
Delicious hot dogs all around, cool place to hang out and munch. Although it's pricey for hot dogs, I like to think of it as a luxury hot dog lol. It is definitely not your typical hot dog so if you want something more traditional this probably isn't the place for you. I, however, would definitely come back .
(4)
Paulette A.
Love love love this place. Very casual easy dining and BYOB!! No Chicago style dogs which is a plus in my book. The Brunch dog is amazing and is also at the owner's other restaurant, The Peasantry, on their brunch menu. GO HERE!
(5)
Jan S.
I didnt have too much expectation coming into Franks n Dawgs. Everything from the logo to the aesthetic of the restaurant's website is a little out-dated and cheesy. Although they have the worst slogan ever, "5 star dinning on a bun" (tourist trap much?)- at the end of the day, Franks 'n' Dawgs is serving up some delicious and tasty sausages. Food: Brunch Dog - Pork Loin sausage, fried egg, bacon, drizzled with maple mayo.The sausage was moist, porky and not greasy at all. The maple mayo added a nice touch of sweetness to the savory bacon. Good balance of sweet vs savory - overall it captured the essence and taste of a traditional breakfast platter. Even Graham Elliot recommended it on F&W magazine! Great White - Scallop sausage, shark bacon, pineapple relish and cilantro. This one caught my eyes right away when I was ordering. Bay Scallop sausage -made in house? The taste of the sausage is exactly as expected - the fresh scallop flavor really shines through. Its unique, but the texture is a little more mushy than I like. Pineapple relish and cilantro were pretty much non-existance, they were too delicate to compliment the strong seafood flavor. The shark bacon was a little fishy and salty, didnt help the balance of flavor. Sausage was good, but the condiments were disappointing. Triple Truffle Fries - These fries are soaked in truffle flavor. Truffle butter, truffle salt, truffle oil. If you're a fan of truffle, do not miss this. For me, it was just trying too hard. Great casual spot for some truly gourmet hot dogs. I love that most of the sausages on their menu are made in-house.(TIP: look for the little chef hat on the menu) There are real men working in the kitchen, calling out orders, and making every hot dog to order. Pretty neat. The sausages are much more refined than I expected, dont come here expecting to find a chicago hot dog.
(4)
Louis R.
Skinny bearded hipsters makin my bahn mi $11.00 hot dog. Worth it.
(4)
Doug G.
It was delicious. The kimchi dog and the brussle sprout dog were delicious, though a bit overpriced at $9. Their take on poutine solid, though needs cheese curd in my opinion. And then 6 hrs later it began. 18 hrs of miserable stomach pain and vomiting. Thanks franks n dawgs!
(1)
Jason A.
This is my go to spot in Chicago for fancy sausages. They have a nice staple of 5-6 that stay the same with a variable selection that ranges greatly stretching the boundaries of what you can imagine. My personal favorites are the banh mi and porkgasm. Be adventurous, I've never had a combination that didn't work. The truffle fries are a must try, my favorite part especially with the chipotle ketchup. You get a famous villain to put on your table as a receipt, its a bit cheesy and stale, I could really do without this part. The prices are a bit expensive, I've never gotten out for under $40 for lunch. The price is worth it as I've never experienced a wait and I always walk out so full a small dinner is in order.
(4)
Erich D.
This spot, featured about a hundred times over on food and travel shows, creates some really good hot dogs with artisanal sausages created in-house on the same kind of buttery grilled bun that is more often used with lobster rolls. There are a ton of dawgs to choose from, all described equally deliciously, so to get a taste of some of the best they had to offer I ordered the Dawg Flight which comes with a chef's choice of three different half sausage sandwiches and fries though I upgraded to a side of the ultra savory triple truffle fries. My Dawg Flight consisted of the KRAZY KIMCHI (spicy beef sausage, braised short rib, turnips, kimchi, toasted wild rice and basil), the SPRING VEAL (veal sausage, asparagus, spring mushrooms, shaved red onions and cured egg yolk), and the TUR-DOGGIN (turkey and date sausage, crispy duck confit, herb garlic aioli, pickled onion relish and pickled carrots). Each was equally unique in terms of flavor and very tasty. I enjoyed them all but my favorite of the three was probably the Tur-Doggin. No need for extra condiments to dress the dogs here, it would probably be considered sacrilegious to do so actually. The Triple Truffle Fries were extremely decadent as these crisscut fries were cooked using truffle oil, truffle butter and topped with truffle salt. Yeah, the heavenly truffle flavor was plainly evident. Bringing a little bit of extra levity, instead of having number placards associated with your order you get to choose a photo of a celebrity from their wall of shame for the servers to identify your order. Some of these characters include Michael Vick, Mel Gibson, Meg from Family Guy, and plenty others. I chose The Hoff. Haha! Staff was friendly and helpful.
(4)
Rachel M.
Experienced this wondrous truffle filled dream at Lollapalooza!!! We ordered Truffle Fries, Truffle Mac&Cheese and Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese Dog. I dont know why Truffle doesnt get too much hype from a lot of top chefs but I am a believer!!! After having it at Lolla i couldnt have enough!! I ate it 2 days in a row!!! A MUST MUST MUST!! I am just sad that now that i'm back home in DC, I cannot have this again until i got back to Chitown =( So i guess a trip is in my future!!! I knew i shouldn't have written this while i am hungry!! I WANT THIS NOW!
(5)
Christina A.
The poutine was wonderful. Fries with foie gras gravy and duck confit. Yum. My husband and I tried the Krazy Kimchi and the Reuben Pulaski. We both enjoyed the Reuben much more. The flavors worked really well together. The Krazy Kimchi casing was chewy instead of having that delicious snap it should. A bit of a turn off to me.
(4)
Alethea B.
This place is delicious! It definitely has style and some amazingly crafted dawgs to choose from. I had the brunch dawg with a side of triple truffle fries. They were both great. However, I was still a little hungry after. Bigger portions please?
(4)
Alec K.
This place is literally the epitome of a sausage heaven. I was completely blown away by the taste of the brunch dog. This place certainly lives up to the reputation. It is definitely one of my favorite spots in Chi. You need to try this spot.
(5)
Justin B.
There's no question that Franks 'N' Dawgs serves great food. The sour taste in my mouth afterwards was really just tied to the cost...they don't lie to you when they say that it's "5-Star Dining on a Bun" because I dropped $10 on a pretty small hot dog (Chicagoesque), an incredible bun, super-fresh toppings and a small order of waffle fries. In fact, my wife and I split that, and we both thought, "damn, we'd need at least another round of dog/fries and maybe dessert" to be full, and the idea of dropping $25 to eat at a hot dog place roughly equates to dropping $50 at a burger place for two people, or $8 for one cupcake, or $6 for one chicken wing. Yikes! Service and space (back patio) were great, and the 15-minute wait was fine. But Phil's Last Stand and Haute & the Dog do a great dog for less than half the price, and I just think that price matters with choices as good as the ones in Chicago. Hell, even Hot Doug's is not expensive, so these prices just seem way out of whack with other hot dog stands in town. $6 is the minimum, and you can drop $13 on a dog at this place!
(4)
Judy H.
Make sure you come after working out and leave some time afterwards for a good nap. These are heart-stopping, gourmet hot dogs. I highly recommend getting the Brunch Dog. It has a sunny-side up fried egg on top (and who doesn't like a fried egg?) and the mix of savory and sweet with the maple mayo was done really well. I tried the Great White...I didn't like the shark bacon. It was too dry and salty. FYI, they make their own sausage links from scratch every day. They use really awesome buns, not regular hot dog buns, and they make all the difference in the world. Also, don't forget to get an order of the Triple Truffle Fries. They're waffle-cut fries covered in truffle everything (oil, butter, and salt). The side portion is enough to share, but they were gone in seconds with me and my friends, so you may want to get your own.
(4)
Tuyet H.
I love the unique style of hot dogs here. Definitely not a hot dog you'll eat on the reg. my fave has to be the toast buns they used. Not to mention their awesome waffle fries!!! So good! The brunch dog is a must try. Not a place for those who trying to watch their weigh for sure.
(5)
Stephanie S.
Really inventive hot dogs. Don't be a tool by ordering one of these specialty concoctions sans an ingredient. It's a slap in the face - these guys craft the food to meld into one superfood, so forget the fact that "onions are icky" and just get it as-is. Get the truffle fries and say thank you. The brunch dog and the bayou dog are my two faves. The line is always out the door, but suck it up and it'll go fast. Pick Blago as your celebrity at the register. Take a seat. Eat. Get messy. Leave out the correct door. Go home - fall asleep.
(4)
leslie m.
I had wanted to eat here for a long time and finally made it happen today. Not only were the guys behind the line super friendly and informative, explaining the different menu components and where all of the sausage came from (in house, Chicago or midwest) but the food was awesome too. I had the Krazy Kimchi dog and my friend had the brunch dog with Truffle fries. The truffle fries were perfect especially when paired with the locally made spicy ketchup (Jalapeno and Chipotle). I love that you pick a celebrity from the wall of shame to mark your table and order (we had Joan Rivers). This place is so awesome that when my friends brunch dog came and he wanted them to cook the egg differently, not only did they take it back without batting a lash they sent us a free order of fried pickles on the house! I cannot say enough good things about this place and will definitely be back.
(5)
Amit P.
I would recommend F'N'D over those other gourmet hot dog places.. The food is well executed and offers a variety of combinations. I would recommend ordering the Dawg Flight, this way you're able to try 3 different types of sausages, and then pair that with their truffle fries. My favorites are the Tur-Doggin, Muscles from Brussels, and the classic Brunch Dog. PS... its BYOB which is always a plus!! :)
(5)
Angie K.
When I first visited Franks 'N' Dawgs, I was really hyped since I've heard nothing but great things. Unfortunately, the more often I've gone, the more disappointments I've experienced. The place is a little weird, since you have to walk through a little alley to get to the actual restaurant. The line (yes, there's going to be one) extends outside the door, so beware in the winter months. When you place your order, they give you a funky picture to put on your table to bring your food to you after. It's a comic touch and I can dig it. It's BYOB, but I learned that a little too late so I did not take part in bottle-popping. The first time I went was last summer and had the Sighing Fu, their vegetarian dog. I'm a pescatarian but didn't know of their fish options until later. The bun was yummy, warm and soft and the truffle fries were pretty damn good but the dog itself was just ok. I love Indian food so I was excited to try their take in hot dog form. It was way too spicy and the dog just wasn't that good. It took me about 15 minutes to get my mouth to return to its normal temperature because I was literally dying. The flavors were ok, nothing out of this world but I didn't want to base my review just on that, so I gave it another shot. A few months later, I tried the Slammin' Salmon dog and it was just horrific. It tasted like I just opened up a .99 can of Salmon and plopped it onto bread and closed it up. Zero flavor, no seasonings and it was bitter cold. I was so disappointed, I scooped out the insides and just ate the roll. This was a carry-out order, so I didn't feel like walking back at night just to complain. The prices are pretty high for hot dogs and I understand they use exotic stuff, but for a simple person like me, it's not my cup of tea. Since my options are few and far between, I probably won't return to Franks but I know that a lot of meat eaters can't get enough of it, and that's cool.
(3)
Kevin K.
What else is there to say about a place that makes their own sausages. Love the variety and just absolutely fantastic fries....so good. Hot Dougs what? This place is awesome.
(4)
T T.
Franks 'N' Daawgs has some truly amazing sausages. The epic pork-gasm (bacon sasuage with bacon jam, pork belly, chicharrons, and ham dust) was deliciously sweet and savory, and the brunch dog (with pork loin sausage, bacon, fried egg, and maple mayo) was equally tasty (especially the maple mayo). The Urbanbelly Chix (Vietnamese chicken sausage with curry mayo and crispy shallots) was not quite as good, but I thought the crispy shallots were yummy. I would skip the sides. The beet salad had a lot of goat cheese (which was unfortunately not marked on the menu), and the Lyonnaise fries with braised pig cheek was actually pretty disgusting (the fries were soggy, and the cheek had a very unpleasant taste). We're usually ones to finish our dishes, but this was too much. The poached egg on the fries was perfectly done, though. The Anzac cookie was very buttery (it kind of crumbles in your hand), and the taste of the cookie comes predominantly from the golden syrup (it's hard to taste the coconut). Also, they have an excellent assortment of sodas!
(4)
Allen B.
Although I no longer consume fast food-esque foods, I believe that Franks N Dawgs deserves a Yelp review. I visited this joint after a long morning of moving my personal items into my new place. A friend recommended it, so I decided to take myself and my co-horts (who helped me move) to enjoy some hot dogs. I have to say, I was pretty satisfied at the menu. I didn't know what to expect before going in there and thought I'd be getting a "glorified" version of a regular Chicago dog. My mistake folks. They had gourmet dogs. Crazy delicious gourmet dogs. I purchased the Tur-Doggin (Turkey & date sausage, crispy duck confit, herb garlic aioli, pickled onion relish & pickled carrots), acclaimed by the Cooking Channel, Chicago's Best, and 190 North. I also ordered the Triple Truffle Fries (Yukon Gold waffle cut fries, truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle salt & freshly chopped herbs) alongside my dog. Crazy tasty and bombazee like Patrick Swayze (as stated in a previous review I had on another restaurant). If you like dogs (furry), then don't go here, but if you like dogs (hot) then go here. Done.
(4)
Jennifer N.
I went here this past weekend during my visit to Chicago and I really enjoyed the variety of dogs they had here. Everything was unique! I ordered the Urbanchix dog, which is a Vietnamese chicken sausage with basil leaves and other toppings. I really liked it! Loaded with flavor. My brother got the dog with the shark bacon - he was actually disappointed with how salty the shark bacon was. My sister and friend enjoyed the dogs they got - one with mushrooms the other with the fried egg. The cheese fries were a bit disappointing - lack of flavor, but the truffle waffle fries were great! Definitely a spot to check out. The staff were all friendly and helpful as well.
(4)
Cory G.
My wife and I went here for lunch today and it surpassed our expectations. The staff is great with first timers, happily explaining the different dogs and making recommendations. The majority of the dogs are house made sausages, and you can absolutely taste the quality. But what really sets these apart from any other hot dog place is the bun. The butter toasted New England style bun brings these to an whole other level. The toppings are all unique and though you might not think they would, they blend together perfectly. I can easily say this is the best dog I have ever had and I can't wait to try the next one on the menu. Do yourself a favor and go here.
(5)
Kristina A.
I fantasize about food pretty regularly, but I never thought I'd obsessively daydream about a hot dog. Okay, fine, to be fair it's not just a hot dog. My bf and I split the Muscles from Brussels and the Banh Mi sausages and left super, super satisfied. The sausages were so flavorful, the bun was soft and chewy, and the toppings were interesting and complementary. The Muscles from Brussels was tasty and easy to eat compared to the super messy Banh Mi. But, I'm guessing that was just because it was exploding with deliciousness. Trust me, it's so worth it. We also got a side of the cheese fries and had to restrain ourselves from licking the bowl clean of the cheese sauce. We will definitely be back to tackle the waffle fries and reunite with the Banh Mi sandwich.
(5)
Jennifer J.
Being a hot dog enthusiast and a sausage enthusiast, I was not impressed. This place, although, is NOT a hot dog joint. They bill themselves as 5 star dining on a bun, and that is what attracted me - the menu was REALLY fun to read, and I though I was going to get a sausage fantasy fulfilled. But.... The bun was dry, and in my opinion way too large, so a very LARGE dry bun (more like really thick sliced bread). The actual sausage, which was pretty good in most of the varieties we sampled, was dwarfed the bun - the dry bread that really tasted old - did we just come on a bad day???? Unsure, but the bread/bun was offensive. The truffle fries were pretty good - but I think many establishments lean on truffle flavored something when the rest of their menu is not strong enough to stand out on its own. Or maybe this really was a bad day/time to come because I found these "triple truffle fries" quite dry - were they old? I have heard many people really gushing over them - but I have had much MUCH better truffle fries at MANY other places. The menu, although, LOOKS like it can stand on its own. I must say VERY inventive and intriguing. Actually, entertaining. Even more entertaining than Hot Doug's menu! We ordered the Krazy Kimchi (REALLY GOOD if you stripped the dry bun monstrosity away) the Cheese Head (meh), a few others (so unmemorable that which choices escape me), the fries... Hot Dougs menu, while maybe not as punchy, delivers MUCH better dogs/sausages EVERY time. That is why I will wait on that line any time I get the chance. Don't get me wrong, we tried several - and they were ok, so long as about half of the bun was removed. I mean, they were stellar compared to a hot dog from the grade school cafeteria line... but I have had much better from random hot dog stands in comparison to their "Chicagoesque" dog and I have had better sausages elsewhere.
(2)
Mat M.
I enjoyed my experience at Franks 'N' Dawgs. Three of us went and had these dogs: Pizza Dog BLT Dog Brunch Dog Pork of July They were delicious. They had great buns (similar to texas toast) and the dogs were huge. More than enough food for 3 people. We also had the fried green tomatoes and fried pickles. I appreciated that the staff was invested in their business and asked several times how things were. The only negative I can see is getting there by 7:30 on a weekday. Makes sense for them since the neighborhood is more retail and quiet by then.
(4)
Diana B.
Yelpers! You have officially steered me wrong! I can see how some people might like this. I liked the concept, just not the execution. Fusion dogs can be good, but not when they are laden with copious amounts of grease. I have a tuff tummy, but they got me running. I don't want to bag on them too much because I don't like doing that, so I'll start with some positives. The guy seemed to really love what he was doing. He definitely loves encased meats, so do I, great. Menu was full of exciting options, some scary, some interesting, few were normal. I ordered the mussels from Brussels. My friend ordered the Mexican inspired dog and chili cheese fries. We sat and waited patiently, the tables were clean and the patrons seemed to be happy, we were excited! The food was delivered timely and looked great. Soon after the first bite, we decided against the place for a few good reasons. The casing was tuff and too thick, it also ripped away from more than the bite I took. The meat was very greasy, the toppings were fried and full of grease and the bun was buttered, just adding more grease. I could only get through half before I needed to leave from nausea..
(2)
Brooke D.
I don't usually like hot dogs but these are AMAZING!!!! My husband dragged me here since he was dieing to try it (again I usually hate hot dogs so I wasn't interested). I was sold when I saw someone order the chicken hot dog. Since then we have gone a few times and it is absolutely divine!
(5)
Jack P.
I'll bet that no-one else whose been here had the experience I did watching my lunch companion trying to eat one of Frank's delicious and generous sausages in a bun with a plastic knife and fork, turning it into one incredible mess which looked like Clybourn Road Kill (soon to be a new menu item.) I, on the other hand, took my sausage and bun forcefully, gripped it with two hands and munched away on its flavor and texture in about one-fourth the time as my friend. I spent the rest of my time watching the deconstruction across the table. I had the spicy beef sausage with Kimchi and other toppings. He had the Pork Loin sausage with equally creative toppings. We shared some waffle fries. We didn't spend a lot of time with the menu: but clearly, there are so many great combinations to try. I love the style of buns which are your standard Lobster Roll style vs. the common hot dog bun. All crispy and buttery and soft. And there is a lobster roll on the menu ($17.95) Service is the hybrid variety like Hot Doug's (apologize for that reference, guys.) You order at the counter-they bring it to you. The staff was great. Our server was very outgoing and helpful. The bill was $26.00 for two, So OK for the lunch budget. And I left a tip here, which I don't always do at a self-serve. It was well-deserved. By the way, the sausage fest theme carries through to staffing. They were all guys. It was easy to get in and get out on a weekday afternoon, which is a real positive. I could do without the esoteric "mixed tape" which we all had to listen to. The place would be just fine without music. Otherwise a great first time, and I hope to come back with a bigger group and share. And not have to witness the slaughter of a perfectly innocent sausage.
(4)
Pamela M.
After hearing my friend rave that this hot dog joint is better than Hot Dougs, I was excited to visit Frank & Dawg's. No lines AND better tasting food than one of my fave places in the world?! This place was a must visit! Disappointingly, F & D was a bummer mediocre experience. Not a fan of the oily brioche buns or the higher prices. Their fancy menu sounded dreamy. I ordered the Lamborgini which included: lamb barese sausage, house giardiniera, Calabrian chili aioli, and deep fried basil. The Lamb dog was good, not great. I figured with a laundry list off foreign ingredients that I was in for a memorable hot dog experience. The taste was definitely lacking in complexity. The truffle waffle fries were doused in everything truffle which I loved because I love truffle anything and could eat truffles for every meal and everyday, BUT even a 'trufflephile' like myself found these $4.50 small portioned fries to be a bit much. Even though the service was great and the food came out promptly, and their tasty, crispy truffle waffle fries are more satisfying than Hot Doug's duck fat fries, I would still wait outside in the bitter cold for the long lines to dwindle and freeze my face off to get a Hot Doug's creation.
(3)
Mike F.
So, I'm posting this review for a friend of mine as he isn't technologically savvy, but his claims were definitely warranted. This is the email he sent to them: "I ordered a regular dog and cheese fries and after 1 bite, I threw my food out. The dog tasted like a Ball Park frank and the fries were soggy and over seasoned. It was upsetting to learn you do not have regular pickles, only bread and butter ones. There was more ketchup on the bun than dog. The fancy sausages you serve might be good, but I will never know. Frank n Dawgs is a disgrace to the Chicago hot dog." Nothing wrong with that?! However, I guess the folks that work there have their heads up their you know what's because this was the response: Now the best part, their response: "I'm sorry you did not have a great experience at Franks 'n' Dawgs. The issue unfortunately, might be that we are NOT a hot dog joint and hence we do not offer a Chicago Hot Dog. Franks 'n' Dawgs has been on TV 14 times in 3 years and we've won numerous awards for our house made sausages that are made by culinary trained chefs that have a fine dining background. The only reason we offer a hot dog at all is mainly for children or for unadventurous diners. We do a gourmet version of the Chicago dog called the Chicagoesque which has caramelized onions, cherry tomato ketchup, bread and butter pickles and beer mustard. If you were looking for a Chicago dog, I'm baffled as to what made you choose Franks 'n' Dawgs? What made you think that we are a hot dog joint? I'm also confused with your comment about our fries - our standard fries are only served with some sea salt and as they are waffle cut fries, it's pretty much impossible for these to be soggy. Thanks, Alexander" The best part of the the whole response, "What made you think that we are a hot dog joint?"... Maybe the name, jackass.
(1)
Emselan G.
I was in Chicago for few days, visiting my parents, and tried this place. All I can say... Franks 'N' Dawgs - excellent food, friendly staff. It is nice place, it's reasonably priced, great service, and fantastic food. A real gem. To start off, we tried the Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese, which was a hit. It was good, the portions are great. We also ordered the Lamb-orghini and Double Ducker and they tasted great. The staff were super nice; service was quick and friendly. Thoroughly impressed.
(5)
Leah C.
I reallyyy wanted to love this place. I read the reviews before I went and was super excited to try a crazy Chicago hot dog with the triple truffle fries that everyone was raving about. Unfortunately, I left with a, "It was good but eh..." impression. My BF and I ordered the Cheese Head (sausage, gouda, onion, mushrooms), Epic Pork Gasm, triple truffle fries, and the truffle mac and cheese. I liked (not loved) the Cheese Head - good quality meat, lots of flavor - my only small issue was the toppings seemed a little skimpy. My boyfriend loved the Epic Pork Gasm - how could he not with the many layers of pig?! As for the side dishes... the triple truffle fries were good and you could definitely taste the truffle but overall I thought they were on the greasy side. Points for being waffle cut though! The truffle mac and cheese was the least impressive thing we ordered. It was under salted / generally under seasoned... aka very bland. Moreover, the cheese sauce was on the runny side. If you're debating whether you should get it or not, I would say don't bother. Overall, I left with two issues nagging at me: 1. While the food was pretty good, I don't think it was good enough to justify the prices. $12 for a hot dog? After eating said hot dog, I definitely think that's steep. 2. The establishment itself seemed to be having an identity crisis. On one hand, it's a hot dog joint with an order at the counter service, self-serve pop machine, and infamous celebrity table markers (i.e. Lindsay Lohan/Charlie Sheen). On the other hand, it uses nice, fancy, modern plates to serve the food and the bathroom was really nicely decorated (albeit disgustingly dirty). So are they striving for the divey atmosphere or the upscale hot dog model? You tell me.
(3)
Mandy C.
Two of the things that caught my attention at Franks 'N' Dawgs are one, homemade sausages and two--holy by-gally, the buttery french toast they used as a bun! So if you want a regular classic and traditional Chicago hot dog, don't look for it here! Anyhow, after staring at the long and vivid menu, the Krazy Kimchee dog was caught my eyes. The sausage was top with some spicy brisket and then top with some spicy kimchee. Despite how delicious it looked and tasted, this thing was pretty hard to eat. It was hard to get a bite with everything in it unless you use your hand and take them apart. I also tried their Triple Truffle Fries, which I recommend. The truffle flavor wasn't overwhelming and the waffle cut definitely held onto lots of flavors. All in all, I really like the bread, like really like the bread...just not sure with all the stuff that goes into it. The price was on the more expensive side for a hot dog but since it's gourmet, I can see why.
(3)
Shaina K.
This place is eeeexxxxpennnsive. A hot dog meal for two people (with no drinks) was over $30. Kind of ridiculous for two hot dogs, and two sides. The portions were pretty small, but we were satisfied when we were finished. But, it was good! Everything came out hot and fresh, and the mac n' cheese was pretty good (such a small portion though!). The fries were good, and I liked my kiminchi dog, but I'm not sure if I'd order it again. The dining room is tiny, but it's filled with pretty cool pictures. I really liked that they don't use a number system (to bring food to the tables), but rather a picture system. We had crazy Mel Gibson. Funny :) So, although the food was good, I am not sure how frequently we will be headed over here as there are numerous hot dog places throughout the city that produce a equal quality product for much less.
(4)
Chicago T.
DO NOT EAT THERE if you are looking for a Chicago hot dog experience. The first thing we learned when one member of our party asked for a Chicago style hot was an abrupt "we don't sell Chicago style hot dog, read the sign on the lower part of the counter." This person who reminded me of Napoleon Dynamite acted insulted that we had asked for a Chicago Style hot dog and then proceeded to denigrate the Chicago dog. He described Chicago hot dog as a hot dog with a Greek salad dressing on top of it. Then we learned from this guy that you cannot transfer ingredients from one sandwich to another. They only serve the sandwich exactly how it is described on the menu. The guy explained that in an blunt fashion. There isn't a hot dog joint in this city where you cant get a hot dog like you want it! Okay, the place came highly recommended, I got lucky with street parking, we were hungry, we came in wanting to like this place and this counter guy was doing the opening scene on the movie Gravity. We decided to push past this horrendous intro to Frank N Dawgs and ordered two sandwiches with a side of truffle fries. We sat down and my companion said, "I'm still trying to like this place". Our food was served. Mine was a brat. I later counted the number of ingredients. It was eleven not counting the bread. BTW, their bread is very tasty but to big for the sandwich I had. It was impossible to discern the taste of the undercover brat. I almost needed an emergency response with the" jaws of life" to extricate a few pure bites of my brat before declaring it DOA. It wasn't nasty. It was just sooo bland. Like the blandest "boudin" sausage you could ever imagine. Thus the 11 ingredients. My companion's sandwich had a similar script. The truffle fries should be renamed as truffle oil with potatoes. We had to wipe our oil soaked fingers each time we went into the basket to retrieve a fry. All righty then. The history of the Chicago hot dog goes back to the Chicago Worlds Fair in 1893. People visit Chicago from different parts of the country and the world to experience our museum's, architecture, zoos, and our foods. Among them, the Chicago style hot dog. This is a hot dog town. In other cities you will see restaurants that boast Chicago Style Hot Dogs. When people outside of the USA learn I'm from Chicago, they almost invariably mention, Al Capone, Michael Jordan, pizza and hot dogs. So Frank "N" Dawgs, instead of honoring the Chicago Hot Dog, denigrates it. Oh, I almost left this out. We both agreed they have the most amazing fountain Coke we have ever tasted.
(1)
John W.
I've been a devoted fan for a long time now. This is a great hot dog place that serves great hot dogs. I agree with everyone else that the truffle fries are absolutely awesome. One grievance: they recently got rid of a menu staple, which happened to be my favorite: the "Chicagoesque" dog. I wish they would bring it back.
(4)
Jacob A.
Excellent food and excellent service! Always something good here! Good variety! Even veg friendly! The lines are very manageable. Sometimes its long but they do have some down times and thats usually when I go. Check it out people!
(5)
Lan N.
Franks N Dawgs is legit. I didn't have much time in Chicago and had to choose 1 hot dog joint. After some research and suggestions, I ended up here. There are so many choices that I wish I had 3 stomachs so I could try more. I ended up getting the Chicagoesque and my wife got the famous Brunch Dog. We also shared the triple truffle fries. Chicagoesque was a more "standard" hot dog. It was a gourmet take of the chicago dog. Super tasty. I think the bread puts it on a new level. It is the same kind of bread you get with a lobster roll. toasted nicely on the ouside and so fluffy. We asked the guy at the counter what's their most popular and he said their claim to fame was the brunch dog. My wife didn't need to hear more and ordered that. It had a hint of maple so it was like brunch in a bun. Super delicious and messy with the egg. Triple Truffle Fries. If you like the taste of truffle, do yourself a favor and get them. Dip them in the ketchipotle and you got yourself some amazing potatoes. You also get your choice of a mugshot to choose from to eat with you. I saw Mike Tyson and chose him off their wall of shame. Will definately come back if given the chance!!
(5)
John B.
I'm basing this rating on an exchange between a friend of mine and whoever responded to his email to Franks 'N' Dawgs. The friend in question sent an email complaining about he quality of the hot dog. Granted, he requested it w/ ketchup so draw your own conclusions regarding his tastes. The real issue here was the sophomoric and irony laced response from Franks 'N' Dawgs. i.e. "If you were looking for a Chicago dog, I'm baffled as to what made you choose Franks 'n' Dawgs? What made you think that we are a hot dog joint?" Here is the exchange: Nameless Friend: I ordered a regular dog and cheese fries and after one bite, I throw my food out. The dog tasted like a Ball Park frank and the fries were soggy and over seasoned. It was upsetting to learn you do not have regular pickles, only bread and butter ones. There was more ketchup on the bun than dog. The fancy sausages you serve might be good, but I will never know. Frank n Dawgs is a disgrace to the Chicago hot dog. Nameless Franks 'N' Dawgs Response: I'm sorry you did not have a great experience at Franks 'n' Dawgs. The issue unfortunately, might be that we are NOT a hot dog joint and hence we do not offer a Chicago Hot Dog. Franks 'n' Dawgs has been on TV 14 times in 3 years and we've won numerous awards for our house made sausages that are made by culinary trained chefs that have a fine dining background. The only reason we offer a hot dog at all is mainly for children or for unadventurous diners. We do a gourmet version of the Chicago dog called the Chicagoesque which has caramelized onions, cherry tomato ketchup, bread and butter pickles and beer mustard. If you were looking for a Chicago dog, I'm baffled as to what made you choose Franks 'n' Dawgs? What made you think that we are a hot dog joint? I'm also confused with your comment about our fries - our standard fries are only served with some sea salt and as they are waffle cut fries, it's pretty much impossible for these to be soggy.
(1)
Jaime G.
If you're gonna have a dog in chicago out side of one of the ballparks, might as well make it a "Dawg". Franks n Dawgs serves up some tasty gourmet dogs that are nothing like you've had before. The tur-dogin turkey dog with crispy duck confit and picked carrots is really tasty and unique. Or the Lamborghini lamb dog, or crazy kimchee which a brat with seared beef covered in kimchee. My fav has to be the brunch dog pork lion dog, bacon, and maple mayo under a fried egg. All come with a fresh fresh bun that is grilled with butter. Pair with some truffle waffle fries and root beer and it's a awesome dog!
(4)
Alex N.
I had the brunch dog and my dad had the bacon mac and cheese dog. Neither one was an explosion of taste. I like that they source local ingredients, make the sausage in house, and make everything fresh, but overall, it's still not an amazing dog. The triple truffle fries were good, but it is a small amount for $6. The dogs are a lot more show than taste imo.
(3)
Edwin W.
Not a bad alternative for those who don't want to be a slave to Hot Doug's business hours. We were recommended the flight (which is 3 half sausages with fries) having not been here before. We also tried the onion rings. Everything was tasty and did not disappoint. From the waffle fries to each of the franks. I definitely will be coming back to try some of the other franks.
(3)
Nick D.
Best sausages in Chicago!!! They really need to change the name, this place is way more than hot dogs. Technically they don't even have hot dogs and get upset if you order a Chicago dog, which upset me to the point of anger. But I calmed down in a hurry when I heard about the bacon sausage, lamb sausage, shark bacon!?, and pheasant sausage. Seriously insane goodness. Even the bun was awesome, it's a savory New England lobster roll. Hot Doug's is closing this summer and I'm seriously not sad anymore. But Franks N Dawgs is about to get a lot more attention! Best Hot Dogs (homemade sausages) in Chicago!
(5)
Christy L.
I wanted a unique dog without an hour wait and remembered reading an article on Franks N Dawgs. I headed over there, walked straight to the counter, sought advice on the menu and opted for the sampler. With it, I tried three of Franks more popular hot dogs: The Lamb-orghini, the Tur-Doggin, and a special Fourth of July dog, topped with pulled pork. The sampler also included their fries. The Lamb-orghini was amazing and the Fourth of July special was a close second. I wasn't much a fan of the Tur-Doggin; the casing was tough and the meat had a slightly odd flavor. The fries came out piping hot and were tasty but didn't hold as nice a flavor once they cooled off - I recommend eating them quickly with the jalapeno ketchup. Service was friendly and efficient; they brought my meal out within 5 minutes of placing my order. If you're seeking a unique "hot dog" experience and don't want to wait for an over-hyped place, check out Franks 'N" Dawgs.
(4)
Wayne H.
They have a kimchi dog, the only one I know in existence. But they don't open Mondays. Weird.
(3)
Rachel H.
Apparently those rave reviews of the buns here are as accurate as finely tuned machinery. Those buns are amazing. I'm not even a carb lover and I'd eat a few plain. Similar to a lobster roll bun, with a flat bottom so your goodies don't fly out, these buns are like a grilled cheese minus the cheese and very buttery. Lest you think I'm all buns, we did try them with things in them. I had the Pork of July with a really great pork loin sausage, topped with pulled pork and slaw and my friend had the Tur-Doggin, of which I snagged a bite. That crispy duck on top was delicious. Truffle fries were buttery, salty, crispy with just a hint of truffle. Perfect. We took our dawgs out to the patio, dubbed the Eternity Garden, which may be a misnomer because of some not so eternal looking plantlife, but I thought it was funny. As was the random mix of music. Service was quick and friendly, and would have no doubt been more informative had I not been all "give me this pork sausage now or I'll kill you" in my mind. Good times.
(5)
Sar D.
Amazing food and even better service. They gave us a ton of time to decide, gave tips, and even free coconut cookies! Byob which was awesome. You can run across the street to trader Jo's and grab some wine or beer. A Chicago must. These guys deserve all the accolade.
(5)
Marie B.
I've never been a hot dog person, but this place is beyond a typical hot dog. It's over the top calorie intake, but it's a must try. The BF had the Pork of July, shredded pork on top of the "dawg" & I had the pork-gasm...both well executed! I would like to go through the whole menu, but my cholesterol couldn't take it!
(4)
cully j.
Chicago's dirty little secret: this place is even better than that other sausage superstore across town, and without the wait. The buns alone are worth the trip -- buttery lobster rolls that perfectly compliment the inventive sausages and toppings. The cheese fries and scallion pistou were unparalleled, and no surprise -- he showed us how the cheese sauce isn't your typical goop, but actual real good cheese fired out of a CO2 compressor. This is the new must-go when I've got visitors in town.
(5)
Amy N.
I drive from Dayton, Ohio to eat here. I've never had anything that disappointed. Easily my favorite gourmet "haute" dog place in Chi. I just wish with all of my being for them to bring the cheese curds back!
(5)
J T.
These dawgs are awesome. I had the reuben dawg and it was perfect. I sampled my friend's mac and cheese dawg and it was pretty good, too. The menu might be just a little bit too big so it's tough picking just 1 to try. The cheese curds were way overpriced for the amount you get but the dawgs are well worth it and I will be back to try more.
(4)
Charles R.
Two stars for misleading people to believe these are amazing hot dogs, overcharging, serving mediocre "truffle fries," and bad service. OVERRATED. Only word to describe this place. If you've eaten here and designated Frank-n-Dawgs as "one of the best places to eat in Chicago," then clearly you need to get your fatass out to Jimmy's Hot Dogs, where you get the REAL DEAL of a Chicago Hot dog. My truffle fries were oily, expensive, and had little added 'flavor.' they tasted like fried potatoes. that's it. I had to put ketchup on them so they'd taste better. kinda pathetic. I got the duck confit hotdog, and it tasted like a dry overly spiced italian sausage smothered in mayonnaise. That's it. It was a dish I could make at home for a quarter of the price, if not better. I didn't feel fancy eating this 'Duck confit' dog I heard so much about, as I have a tendency to try foods that sound fancy and have French names. I have eaten a lot of weird dishes with complex flavor profiles that resonate on the pallate. My meal, however, tasted of a hodgepodge of flavors fighting against one another. I didn't appreciate that, as I am politically liberal and became immediately offended. It was an unpleasant meal, and although I didn't enjoy it, I will come back and try something different. This is Chicago, not New York. You wanna get better reviews, you better start offering some Midwestern Hospitality. Get over yourselves and your crappy dry duck confit wieners and oily fries. Gordon Ramsey would have spit it on the floor.
(2)
Julia Sabrina D.
I want to start off by writing .. I originally wrote this while at Franks... But I was freezing and was a bit upset.. So I will try and give better details... I wanted this place to be amazing, I'd seen it before on different shows and was hoping for the best.. I waited to come here for a while and was so let down, not only by the food but the atmosphere... We came in at 8, the only people in the place... It's not a traditional hot dog place. . but I am adventurous and love to try new things... I was hoping there would be something similar to a Chicago style hot dog.. Sadly there isn't... Prices are steep for a hot dog... We placed our order, sat down and waited for our food... needed to keep our jackets on since the employee is holding the door open for a customer that ran across the street..which is nice though it's 17 degrees outside and not warm at all in this place.. So he gets back to sweeping and lifting chairs around us... Our food arrives all was fine but not what I expected... Cheese fries are more like fries with some type of cream drizzle... Though the sauce that came with it was tasty... But I have no idea what that little magical green sauce was... I had a chili cheese dog... again that odd cream sauce on top... During our meal it was made clear it's 35 minutes till closing time... I understand having to do your closing duties.. but working in customer service, I wouldn't want to make my customers feel rushed or sweep while a customer is eating... I don't care for dust in my food, I don't know many people that do... DID I MENTION IT"S FREEZING... Through it but the highlight is listening to the employees talk about their night out. Note the sarcasm? P.S. if you get a salad, know that you will be receiving a cup of salad... Jeez talk about tiny... same goes for the chili... not spicy and again that cream sauce...
(1)
Don W.
I've only been here once, but it was enough to get hooked. The guy behind the counter was totally chill and really friendly. The food was delicious and served quickly. And the restaurant was clean and comfortable. They've even got a hollywood wall of shame filled with pics of trainwrecked stars you can choose from to use in place of a number for your table. I had the Reuben Pulaski. It tasted just like a Reuben sandwich. This made for a somewhat strange, but satisfying experience. The waffle fries were cooked to perfection. My friend ate the Epic Pork-gasm, and it was indeed epic, according to him. Well... I'm not sure if he used those exact words, but it was something along those lines. And aside from the standard soft drinks, they've also got a great selection of beverages that you won't find at your typical hot dog stand. The food stands on it's own, so it's more than just an alternative to Hot Dougs, but if you drive by Hot Dougs and get scared away by the RIDICULOUS line, then you should definitely come here, because they're comparable.
(4)
Kristin M.
I did this backwards. I had tried Alexander Brunacci's new spot, The Peasantry, on Diversey. So naturally I had to come to the original. Housemade sausages? Yes please! After much deliberation, I decided on the Tur-Doggin, a turkey and date sausage topped with crispy duck and pickled carrots. This thing is enormous, and tastes as good as it sounds. Honestly, the most exciting thing here, though, is the bread. I saw my fellow Yelpers raving about it and thought, it's just bread, relax. No, it's worth the hype. It's a perfectly buttery toasted lobster roll (ie flat on the bottom, so it stands up!) that tastes like a grilled cheese minus the cheese. It's the perfect receptacle for all that sausage-y goodness inside. I also tried a bite of the Pork of July, it's pork sausage topped with pulled pork that really is genius. The truffle fries are delicious, the same ones they serve at The Peasantry. They must be double fried because they're crispy and golden, not the typical soggy mess waffle fries can be. The space is not as small as I pictured, and the back patio is nice, and is apparently BYOB. Service is super fast. I had originally given this 4 stars, but am now revising it after going to Hot Doug's and deciding Franks n Dawgs is BETTER! Beware, prices add up quickly when you order your dog, add some truffle fries and toss in a drink. But really, I didn't mind.
(5)
Art V.
I came here with good referrals. My friends told me that these dogs were great. As i was walking in i saw all their credentials and i said to my friends "we are about to get amazed." To start out I think the owner was the one who took our order. He was a little cocky and rude about his answers (similar to "you like it or you dont"). But hey, coming from Los Angeles, when someone is like that and you are recommended to their place, they have something to brag about. Boy was i wrong. I went for their Lamb-orghini dog and was really disappointed. Im not saying it was bad, but it did not live up to the hype. As a first time comer to Chicago, I've had some amazing pizza, sandwiches, and italian beef. I was hoping the same here for hot dogs. Not the case. I hope either the owner cools it a bit more on his way of treating customers or improves their food. Looking forward to seeing some improvement for my next time i come.
(2)
David D.
The Epic Pork-gasm was comically good. Highly recommend the brunch dog and the poutine as well.
(5)
May B.
Yummy! This place is great! This was a our first visit and man was it good. We arrived as they opened and we were still probably the fifth or six person to order. We got the Krazy Kimchi, the Frank n'Stein, the Reuben Pulaski, and the Triple Truffle Fries. My favorite was the Reuben Pulaski, although the sausage I don't believe is made in house (and you could tell it just wasn't as good as the others), the toppings and overall taste was definitely the best. It had a serious Reuben taste. Delicious. The Krazy Kimchi was pretty good, for some reason I was expecting the braised short rib was going to be more sweet like a Kal-bi, but it was just plain braised short rib, which was still good, just less Korean tasting. The kimchi was good, not too strong on the pickled taste, just enough to add to the flavor of the dog. The Frank n'Stein was oh so rich. It was definitely yummy, but probably too much for us to take by the end of the meal (yes I shared three dogs and fries with just one other person). If you're ordering this one, you may not want to get too much more. The fries were waffle fries, which are my least favorite type of fries, but the triple truffle part, well how can they be bad? I can't wait to come back and try some other things off their menu!
(5)
Stephanie L.
I like! YUM! I love a good hot dog and this is the place to get it. Totally reasonable in price. Lots of variety. BYOB (stop at the TJ's across the street for your booze-y fix or the Binny's a couple of block away)! We had: Lobster Roll-deliciously tender lobster with all of the appropriate fixings Pork of July-DELICIOUS! Fried Oyster dog-YUM! Fried Pickles-first experience and I am in love, especially with the sauce that they provide Honestly, I dont think that you can go wrong here. If you love a good dog, this is the place to go. Not to mention, the bread they use makes the dogs. Its fantastic. I have to say the little, short, red head (maybe manager??), is a complete dick. He needs an attitude adjustment. He is a jerk to everyone so I dont think it was just us. I guess what do you expect, he possibly runs a hot dog shop? Oh well. Other than that, the servers, the other cooks, etc are really nice. We went here on the 105 degree day and let me tell you, I dont think the A/C was working so that is a bit annoying as well. I honestly would go back here for my pork fix. I would recommend everyone to check it out. Its cheap, easy, and FANTASTIC!
(4)
Ben P.
This place is overrated. Food is OK. Customer service is terrible. Our fries were served at least 10 minutes before our dogs, without a dish for ketchup. After we ate all of them before the food came out, I asked our waiter if we can have a few more fries to have with our meal since they were up so early. He'll "see what he can do" - never comes back. I don't know of any other restaurant that considers fries an appetizer - it's a side dish, and they should be served hot with my meal, not when it's convenient for the kitchen and waiter to serve them. We had a Brunch dog and Salmon dog. Both were OK but nothing incredible. The food sounds really good on the menu but is overpriced for what you get. The Brunch dog had a piece of egg shell in it. On the way out I spoke with the manager to give him some feedback from this unpleasant first-time experience. I got an "I'm sorry" for the egg shell, and a "thank you" for my feedback as he's walking away from me. No overall apology, no offer to comp anything or to earn my business back with a coupon for next time. Your restaurant sucks. I will not be returning.
(1)
Cris G.
Hotdogs...hotdogs...All kinds of hotdogs that you think never existed ... tasteful and a fun place to hang out , it's even byob. . You guys should never skip the truffle fries!!
(5)
Chet M.
Tip jar? $19+ for a dog, fries and coke and you put a tip jar out there? You guys just took all the class out of your tasty dogs and truffed up fries. Next time I come here and see that tip jar, I'm doing a 180 to UB dogs!
(3)
Mike C.
Located in the DePaul neighborhood Frank's N Dawgs sells over priced sausages to entitled douchebags and tourists. Not much flavor for being "5 star dining in a bun". Sorry suckers I'd rather get a real hot dog without the pretension at any of 1000 hot dog stands across this city. But keep coming back, you have money to burn.
(2)
Abe R.
As much as I want to enjoy these upscale hot dog joints I always find myself disappointed after I pay my tab and realize that the food wasn't nearly adequate enough in both taste and portion. My visit here today went as follows. 1. Chicagoesque: All natural (nitrate free & uncured) 100% beef artisan 1/8 pound skinless frank , house pickles, cherry tomato relish, caramelized onions & beer mustard. This dog which costs a whopping $5.45 was a joke. Aside from the boring, skimpy toppings, the dog itself was horrid. Flat tasting, no snap, and just soft and mushy. Awful... 2. Waffle Fries-Yukon Gold waffle cut fries - twice fried. At $3.00 per serving this actually tends too be an alright deal. The flavor is decent and the crispiness was spot on. However at $3.00 you could be so much more generous and creative considering how cheap potatoes are in bulk. Scam... 3. Fried Pickles- Matilda beer battered bread 'n' butter pickles served with giardiniera aioli. This was the biggest con of the entire meal. I believe there were 12 total pickle slices in the entire serving and @ $4.00 this was unimaginable. How can you honestly serve these with a straight face? Your telling me that for $4.00 all you can muster up is 12? Besides the fact that they are not that good, the utter idea that you can serve just twelve is preposterous. F'ing joke... In closing this place sucks.... Enjoy Suckas'!!!
(1)
Lamaine M.
Tried this place out after seeing its feature on the food network and my god they make the best hotdogs..I love their creativeness with the ingredients..I cannot wait to eat here again
(5)
Lochin S.
Tur doggin, black sheep, little piggie, lyonaisse fries, truffle fries. Speechless, all I can come up with is SICK AND OMG. Excerpts from our table; - we need one of these in the burbs - I could here every day - best fries ever - sick sick sick ugh -wish I could eat more -we have to try somthing else! all around great experience, great parking, no wait, seats outside. realy when does that ever happen? brought our own Two Brothers beers and it was a perfect afternoon.
(5)
Randy T.
Everyone knows Doug Sohn's semi-eponymous Hot Doug's is the king of unique and imaginative combinations of the meat-in-tube-form arts. I, myself, braved the long line in the frigid Chicago winter several years ago to eat at Hot Doug's and found it to be the best hot dogs/sausages I've ever had. But recently, I had heard about a competitor to the throne. His name is Joe Doren and he boasts at having "5 star dining on a bun" at his restaurant. You know that during this Chicago trip it was a must to stop there. There was a short line of eager patrons waiting to provide their order to the man himself Chef Doren, who was cheerfully at the register. No problem, it gave us time to choose what we wanted. The Lyonnaise Fries, Sweet Veal Dog, Brunch Dog, and Chicagoesque Dog would be our selections. Lyonnaise Fries: This could be a meal in itself. Delicious golden fries, chunks of juicy braised pork, a smattering of frisee, and sitting atop of it all is a beautiful poached egg orb. Puncture the orb and a golden river of egg yolk dribbles down all over the other components creating a luscious sauce. The only downside was that the fries can get soggy, possibly from the juices of the braised pork and a little from the egg yolk. Sweet Veal Dog: I was uncertain what the third dog would be. So I asked Chef Doren what he recommended. And this is the one he chose for me. Hmm...I was excited to try this but it wasn't a hit for me. The bacon cured sweetbreads were dry and partially leathery in texture. The pickled chanterelles and corn were too overwhelmingly acidic. My palate was awash with pickling juices and my mouth would almost pucker at every bite. If you don't like that feeling, probably best stay away from this dog. Brunch Dog: A dog I had seen on TV and immediately fell in love with. Thank you, Andrew Zimmern for showing this on your Chicago episode. My life's quest turned to eating that dog. It IS breakfast in a bun. The meaty pork loin sausage, smokey and salty bacon, drizzled with sweet maple mayo. Oh yeah, and adorned with a sunny side up fried egg. Heavenly. I wish I could eat this for breakfast every single day. And I would gladly be on Lipitor to do so. Chicagoesque Dog: She wanted to get this since she fell in love with the traditional Chicago dog at Portillo's. It winks to the traditional dog, but it has an identity all its own. You get sweet from the grilled onions, tangy from the beer mustard, and a bright fruitiness from the tomato relish. It's a solid dog, but I would choose more of the imaginative dogs before selecting this one again. So does Franks N Dawgs knock off Hot Doug's off its throne? I'd have to say no, not quite yet. The value at Hot Doug's, the game meat sausages, the foie gras dog, and those sinfully good duck fat fries appeal to me more. But this does not mean I won't come back to Franks N Dawgs. It just means I'll have to bring out my inner Joey Chestnut to sample dogs from both.
(4)
Nicole M.
Wow. People on here weren't kidding about the triple truffle fries. Party in my mouth. If you go there GET THEM! As for the hot dogs- anything but your average dog. I had the Tur-Doggin. Delicious. Yes the prices are a little steep for a hot dog but they are good and it's all for the experience. The type of place you want to check out and return every once in a blue moon to try something new on the menu. It's worth checking out.
(4)
Luke D.
Hype machine in full effect. FND is overrated and overpriced. The staff is nice and helpful, but when you pay $40 for 2.5 people to eat hot dogs, there should be at least one "oh snap" moment (final tally: 0). The company motto should be "overthink it; overcharge it." It's as though someone set out to make a needlessly more complex, inferior and pricier version of Hot Doug's. The "Big Cheesy" was comically devoid of cheese. The Indian veggie dog was mediocre. The tofu wasn't even warm and the toppings were just OK. My son (who literally eats everything) waved off the regular hot dog after two bites; my friend thought it wasn't as good as a traditional hot dog stand version (going so far as to say the United Center has better). The fries accompanying the kid's dog were average. The best thing we had were the cheese curds. Service here is flat out terrible as the dishes all arrive at different times. This seemed to happen to everyone in our immediate seating area. I cannot recommend FND on any level. If our bill was $12 I might have a different attitude, but not at these prices.
(1)
Nicole E.
On this glorious Saturday, much to my dog delight, Franks 'N' Dawgs delivered. If I weren't so full, I'd immediately go back and eat some more. My only regret is that I couldn't try everything on the menu. Though for two people we came close. Aside from the amazing meats and how beautiful the hot dogs looked (I know it sounds silly, but the presentation was beautiful!) their buns (New England Style Lobster Rolls, buttered and toasted) are crazy good and the truffle fries are absolutely, completely, unequivocally the best. I didn't dare use ketchup... and I adore condiments. The place isn't very big and you'll most likely have to wait for a table if you get there at prime eatin' hours. But I promise you it's worth it. To make life easy while ordering, they have an Ipad there to scroll through the menu in case you haven't made up your mind by reading the sign. Thought that was a nice touch. For a little kitsch, you get to pick a celebrity from their wall of shame so they know how to find your table. Very creative rather than just giving a name or a table number. Now, for the only reason you're reading this -- the FOOD. (If I were religious I'd be making a sign of the cross right now). They have a Dawg Flight - Highly recommended if you want to try a few different tastes. It's 1/2 of 3 hot dogs and truffle fries so it's a lot of food. Ours came with The Southerner, Tur-Doggin and Krazy Kimchi. We had also asked the guy at the counter what his favorites were. So we also ordered the Tur-Doggin (not knowing it was on the sampler) and the Sweet Veal. I would highly recommend the Tur-Doggin. Hands down our favorite. The Southerner was also amazing! And again - do not leave without eating the truffle fries. The orders are smaller, but they are big, waffle cut fries. So I still think 2 people can share easily. But if you're in a total pig-out mood, get your own. We ended the delight with the Key Lime S'more. It was alright. But looking back I'd have rather tried the mac n cheese for dessert :) Our smorgasboard of delights came out to $45. Pricey, but we ordered a bit too much food for 2 people. I think you could easily get away with a dog a person and split a fry and leave for $30-$35. Which I feel is reasonable for how good the food is.
(5)
Ashley B.
Um. Yes. Just went here for the first time today. My first impression when I walk in was that it just felt like a small diner, very cool, unassuming, and somewhat kitschy. THEN I got to the menu and it took forever for me to decide because it all sounded so great! I ended up going with the Tur-Doggen, which was excellent. The sausage itself was perfectly seasoned and juicy, but the duck confit on top really completed everything. The aioli and picked veggies gave it some really nice texture as well. Overall, amazing. The fries were also outstanding and my ginger drink complemented everything perfectly. I didn't even think I'd write such a complex review for a HOT DOG place, but this is not your average Cubbie dog at the field! On top of that, they give you a celebrity's photo to pin to your table to identify where to bring your food, we had Nick Nolte of course. It was awesome. We ate outside and it was GORGEOUS out so it made things that much better. Overall, just a nice, chill, atmosphere. Now I just need to come back during the weekend and take advantage of the BYOB factor :)
(5)
K R.
Great food! Krazy kimchi dog is delicious as are the truffle fries. You may think it's hard to justify spending $8-10 on a hot dog, but everyone should experience this at least once!
(4)
Luan N.
#3 on my Chicago Hot Dog Shrine Overall prices a bit higher than Hot Doug's but taste doesn't deliver like Dougie!
(3)
Emma C.
Yeah NO. First of all, stop bragging that you don't have a Chicago-style dog. You're in Chicago. Why is that a selling point? Lose the 'tude, make the BEST, and I'll recognize. Meanwhile. High concept, expensive sausages. But I'd pay double to get that hot greasy mess out of my colon. Regrets within the hour.
(1)
Justin H.
I hesitated before coming here. I was only visiting Chicago for a weekend, and I wanted to try a sausage/hot dog place. Franks 'N' Dawgs does not have the famous Chicago Dog and the franks are not regular hot dogs but more on the artisanal sausage side. I had the Banh Mi dog and my wife had the Tur-Doggin, both of which were delicious. After eating our hot dogs, were still hungry and asked the friendly guy who took our order what he suggested to get on the side, he said their most popular side was the Triple Truffle Fries, but his personal recommendation fried leek rings. Given the quality of the hot dogs, we ordered both. The triple truffle fries were good, but nothing special, though their popularity suggests this is a minority opinion. The fried leek rings on the other hand were an inspired take on onion rings. Unfortunately, looking at their menu they are sadly no longer available. I'm tempted to rate four stars to get their attention so they bring back the leek rings, but the dogs were too good not to give them five.
(5)
Austin F.
They call themselves "5-star dining" for a hot dog joint and boy are they not kidding. I had never been here before so I expected just some fancy type hot dogs with a few extras and basically a regular menu to go along with it; that is not the case. Their menu consists of a concoction of hot dog creations and side dishes that you would definitely see in high end restaurants - like brussel sprout salads and lyonnaise fries. This place is just a little too high-end for me, which just judging purely from the sign you would assume it was just another hot dog joint, not a gourmet-type restaurant where their basic hot dog is $7-13, so this place isn't exactly cheap. So my only issues with this place is that the hot dogs to me are just "too much", not that they taste bad, but I guess I just prefer to dine more simplistically when it comes to dogs/sausages and everything here has multiple toppings and whatnot. To conclude: if you are looking for some creative, fancy type hot dogs that think out of the box and are willing to pay for it, I would come here. If you are just looking for a quick modest lunch this is probably not for you.
(3)
Terri B.
Such a cool concept and executed magnificently! There were four of us eating here each one having something different and not one complaint! The Slammin Salmon was out of this world. I live in Edinburgh and so I don't have the luxury of coming back here until the next time we travel over to see my partners brother! I like the experimentation going here....they don't seem to be concerned with the barriers that other chefs are. Oh and I love the concept of other chefs in the area 'doing battle'. A Chicago 'Must Do/See/Try'.
(5)
Irene W.
Must try the tripple truffle fries! So gooood~~~ The hot dogs are also good. This place is different than other hot dog's place because they have a lot of different garnishes on top. The sausage itself is normal in a good way but nothing special. If you are looking for different sausage meat go to Hot Doug.
(5)
Juliana K.
Waffle fries were amazing! I forgot the names of the hot dogs we had, but they were okay. They were made with unique sausages and interesting toppings but didn't fall in the wow categorie. The set up of the restaurant is odd and off putting. The staff is nice but we spent a ton of time in line which ruined the mood a bit.
(3)
Fiona C.
Cool place with the different dogs. Love that everything is natural and local. We ordered the tur-doggin (sounds awesome but fell a little short on taste - it was good but not great) and the urbanbelly chix (very yummy!). Truffle fries were nice and potatoey. A little too overpriced.
(3)
Helen N.
I have been looking forward to visiting this place because of all the amazing reviews. Happened to be in the neighborhood furniture-shopping, and decided to try it for lunch. Ordered truffle fries, a chiliquiles dog and a chicken tika masala with my partner in crime. The truffle fries were fresh and decent with the creative ketchup choices. However, everything went downhill from there. The sausages' casing was too soft and chewy, which made each bite very difficult and the flavors failed to come together with everything crumpling. I definitely saw the intention of creating a gourmet hot god and the ingredients were fresh and good, but it is far from the perfection that I experienced from going to hot doug's every time. Has potential but needs better execution.
(2)
Richard L.
Two things you try in Chicago. One... The deep dish pizza... Two.. The hotdogs!!! Being a New Yorker, hot dogs are from a little dirty stand boiled in filthy water by a sketchy dude, a Nathan's dog, or good o' Grey's Papayas dog. Just ketchup, mustard. Chicago, they pimp there dogs, like an episode of Cribs. This place was highly recommended by blogs, eater, and many itineraries. Arriving to the place, we were overwhelmed. Who knew hotdogs can be so complicated. Different kinds of meats, toppings, and celebrity faces for your order number. We ended up deciding on urban belly chix and the tur-duggin', and Charlie Sheen. The dogs were tasty. Really taste the different kinda of meat and the tasty toppings. Fresh off the grill and flavorful. Also order triple truffle fries which were okay, just too oily. Two upsetting things... One, fresca from the fountain.. Was seltzer! What the... Sigh... And when did hotdogs and fries for two people.. Cost about 40$? I would rather get my dirty water hot dog from the shady street vendor in nyc than the pimply college kids in Chicago.
(3)
Agnes L.
Never liked hot dogs much until moving to Chicagoland five years ago. But I never knew they could be bold, innovative and gourmet ... and without chili as a topping (I'm a former metro Detroiter who frequented National Coney Island diners). So after seeing this spot on the Cooking Channel, I immediately bookmarked it on Yelp and put it on my Chicago Bucket List. When friends from out of town visited this weekend and we worked up an appetite after walking around the Lincoln Park Zoo, it seemed like the appropriate time to try it out. Moments to remember: *Super casual atmosphere with BYOB and funny celeb photos as table markers. *Varied menu with too much I wanted to try - finally chose the Double Duck. It was incredibly filling and rich with the juicy duck confit, rich pate, spicy arugula, savory grain mustard, etc. on top of the thick sausage all within the buttery toasted bun. *Fun and unusual sides - I went with the Brussel Sprouts Salad that was a refreshing complement to the rich dog. The fresh sprouts were shaved thinly, tossed in zesty lemon juice and mixed up with crunchy pistachios and salty parm. *Ultra friendly guests - A woman sitting next to me and my friends gave us her entire bowl of Triple Truffle Fries because she was full from her hot dog. We gobbled up the fries because they were crispy on the outside, soft on the side with the right amount of seasoning. Couldn't believe we scored the $5 side for free spontaneously. Moments not to remember: *Tables and counter space were not regularly maintained - empty bottles and crumpled up napkins lingered on emptied areas. Although, I understand that it was a generally busy Saturday afternoon. *Truffle Mac N' Cheese was a bit too oily and not as cheesy as I would like
(4)
Mike O.
On my list of MUST VISITS for whenever guests come to Chicago. Great food, a little more expensive than your average hot dog (~ $9.00 each) but they're also bigger and way better. Even their dessert dog is good. Fully recommend! The ONLY bad thing I can say about this place is that they're not open enough hours! Closed on Mondays? What nonsense is this? I want dawgs every day!
(5)
Diane N.
Definitely a place I would come back to if I were to ever visit Chicago again. Chef was very friendly and helpful. Food was on point. Must get: truffle fries and Lamb-orghini Price was reasonable. I really liked it because it was something new and not just a regular chicago hotdog. if you like trying different and unique foods, I would definitely recommend this place. hotdogs with a great twist.
(4)
J T.
Got turned onto their food at Lolla. Thank God! We visit here regularly...the service is usually friendly..the place is cold in the winter months...but the food...Lord, it's great. Favorite restaurant in Chicago. Been to the most expensive steakhouses all over town...but I'll take the porkgasm dog or the mac and cheese dog any day. And the truffle fries...a don't miss. My mouth is watering while I write this...be sure to try this place!
(5)
Alicia S.
This was random find while exploring the area and wow did we get lucky! I had a Truffel MacN'Cheese dog, it was delicious. All the menu items are a bit unusual, but worth the try if you are a foodie or adventuress eater at all. You must also order a side of the waffle fries. They don't come with, the dog will be to much alone anyway, but fries to share with friends will top of the deliciousness!
(5)
Jared W.
I live out in the northwest suburbs, so I don't head into the city too often, but after hearing about this place, my wife and I decided that we had to vist. I'm glad we did. It was very worth it. I had the brunch dog, and my wife had the Perenially Pork. Both were excellent. We shared the truffle fries, and enjoyed the different types of ketchup to go with them. There's really nothing negative I can say about this place, and if you're ever anywhere near Lincoln Park, make this a place you check out.
(5)
Alex R.
A little pricey but I have honestly tried almost everything on the menu, and every time I go I find myself stuffed and feel like the price was worth it.
(5)
Ken N.
The 5 stars is simply for their Krazy Kimchi dog. I didn't get a chance to try anything else on the menu since this was a take out order for me. But boy oh boy, it saddens me to say that I prefer this over my beloved foie gras at Hot Dougs. Especially since stupid California banned foie I have been severely deprived. The braised short rib with kimchi topping gave it a very nice flavor. Definitely not dry like other reviews. Add the lobster roll bun and you have a masterpiece in your mouth. From what I hear, the wait here isn't bad either. Definitely give it a shot and see for yourself why I'd go here over Hot Dougs.
(5)
Matthew K.
Having recently heard rave reviews from Check, Please! (on which it won a rare three concurring positive reviews) and word-of-mouth alike, my girlfriend and I recently stopped at Franks N' Dawgs while we were in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Unfortunately, it seemed that we were not the only ones who had recently been enticed by the glowing reviews on Check, Please! and I was disappointed to learn that the lobster roll, the banner item at Franks N' Dawgs, had been sold out for hours. The staff was very conciliatory about the situation and bought drinks and dessert for us. Having had the rug pulled out from underneath us, we were unsure of what to order. Fortunately, the staff was very helpful in this regard, and we ordered the "Lamb-orghini," a lamb sausage, and the "Pork of July," a polish sausage that features caramelized onions. Both the selections were quite tasty, and I had an overall positive experience. Nevertheless, I decided to hold off on writing a review until trying their famed lobster roll. Finding myself in the neighborhood weeks later, I dropped in again to sink my teeth into the savory seafood treat. I was kind of taken aback by the price of the sandwich, which weighed in at a hefty $20. I figured it must be worth it after all the positive feedback it had received, so I ordered one for my girlfriend and one for myself. To my surprise, the roll was embarrassingly below par. I truly couldn't taste the lobster and, halfway through eating it, I seriously wondered if I were eating potato salad. Taking the sum of my experiences into perspective, I must give Franks N' Dawgs a 2/5; even though my first experience was positive, I cannot say that I couldn't have had a more positive experience in any number of sausage shacks in Chicago. The lobster roll is a load of hype and a complete rip-off.
(2)
Edward S.
My go to encased meat spot. Huge menu, some great, some just ok. I think most of the dogs that have another meat on top don't work well. The toasted brioche bun they use is just ridiculous, and their waffle fries (standard) are fried perfection. If it's your first time, definitely ask what is on their rotation, you get 3 halves of their menu and a side of waffle fries, so you can definitely let your taste buds wander. Also, be prepared to choose a shameful celebrity as your order number (Dennis Rodman) Dogs I've had over 3 visits. Kimchi Dog - being Korean, was disappointed by this one. The braised beef had no business being on a hot dog. Pork of July - Again, I don't think the meat on meat works well. Lamborghini - Flavor was great, but I found the sausage a little dry. Urbanbelly Chix - Definitely enjoyed this one Turdoggen - My favorite here so far, the duck confit is delicious and the carrots add a satisfying crunch. Cheesehead - though this one is an imported sausage, it is extremely good. Carmelized onions, grilled portabellas, smoked gouda... ain't nothing wrong with that.
(3)
Zvez K.
All I have to say is YUM! Great service and great food. You must try the bacon and Mac and cheese dog. Great music and atmosphere.
(4)
Jay C.
I may not be used to big city prices for a hot dog (only reason it doesnt get a five star). But that would be my only complaint. Food was awesome. I got the pork of July, best damn dog I ever ate. My buddy got the last lobster roll and my brother almost cried. Will be going back on my next visit to chi-town. Love the unique options.
(4)
Jason R.
We did a weekend trip to Chicago and this was definitely a highlight! I only had one dawg (perennial pork) but really wish I would have ordered two. I can't say I've tried the other Chicago gourmet hot dog places to compare, but I'd tell anyone to put this on their list. Pretty fun atmosphere in the place, and I thought the wait wasn't bad at all, although it started getting crowded later. We went on a Saturday afternoon.
(5)
Beth R.
If you're anything like me, you are a quasi-vegetarian whose heart belongs to a bona fide meat lover. You've earned gold stars for trips to Hot Doug's; you've been patient through the whole bacon craze; you've kept your eyes on your porridge on Irish breakfast mornings. But check it out: there is a secret place where you can both get what you crave. That secret place is Franks N Dawgs. My first time, I was skeptical. I don't really like tofu dogs, nor any other meat facsimile (your Boca Burger, your veggie sausage links). Luckily, they don't make their vegetarian sandwich a wanna-be meat sandwich. It celebrates and elevates tofu for what it is: a protein source that will taste like what you pair it with. Theirs is dressed up with portabello mushroom, eggplant relish, goat cheese (fine, chevre) and a green spread that is suspiciously like pesto. Is that a fine-tasting tofu or what? Also on my first visit, they were out of the Brussels sprouts salad, which made me both sad and glad: sad for me, but glad that anyone consuming the dozens of types of meat on the menu was also getting some greens in too. Today though, they had it, we had it, and it was unusual and wonderful. The B-sprouts are shredded and tossed with shaved Parmesan, pistachios and some citrus. Bold and beautiful. Finally, the icing on the cake of the Franks N Dawgs experience is the service. (But Beth D., this is a counter-service hot dog place. What service?) This service: the charming Australian who takes your order is helpful, cheeky, and knows his franks from his dawgs. If he were a Yelp review, he'd be through the roof on Useful/Funny/Cools. I think he has something to do with the selection of celebrities/ass clowns you use to identify your table after you order. Also, the small staff of servers are nice as can be. On today's visit, our server finished her shift and changed out of her FnDwear. On her way out, she still served a table, bussed a table, helped a party with a wheelchair-bound person, and kept a pleasant attitude about it all. She doesn't work for tips or on commission; she just understands how to provide good service. Four solid stars for this hot dog place, from this non-eater of hot dogs.
(4)
Heather S.
I came across this place on accident. Well, not really on accident, because since Yelp came around accidents are pretty much obsolete for me. I had been dying to try a Chicago dog, as repulsing as it looked/sounded, and was nearing the end of my week long visit. Superdawg was bookmarked, but without access to a car it was looking more and more unlikely that we'd be able to hit it up. So after browsing Yelp/Serious Eats I came across Franks 'N' Dogs. Without bothering to check the hours I headed over with my friend early on a Monday - only to find it closed. Lesson learned...or so I thought. I ended up going to Downtown Dogs that day, but after seeing photos of that Brunch Dog, I knew I had to come back the next day (and the last day of my visit). I showed up about 30 minutes before it opened, because clearly I hadn't really learned my lesson - and still didn't know how to properly check the hours - so I wandered around Crate & Barrel to kill some time. At 11:31am I reappeared. I wound up waiting on a short line that had already formed despite the place just opening and when my order was ready to be taken my mouth was already watering. I asked for some recommendations before ultimately deciding on the Brunch Dog, a pear iced tea, and a Sarah Palin placard. (She's my hero.) I really wanted to try the truffle fries, but didn't want to over eat since I still had a few more places to try before catching my flight. So I (foolishly) opted out. Turns out this nice guy (I'm pretty sure he was a vendor for F&D) didn't want to eat all his fries and offered me a couple... wow. I can't believe I didn't order them. I'm kicking myself just thinking about them. They were so good. No, really....so good. Don't be an idiot like a certain "Steak Expert" - just get them. You: "Oh, but they're fatty." Me: "How dare you! You're the one in a sausage/hot dog place. Maybe you're the one who's 'fatty.'" You: "Ouch." Me: "Sorry, that was a little much... just order the fries. Thanks." Next up: The Brunch Dog. The most amazing sausage I have ever consumed. I am not lying about this. I wouldn't ever lie about something so serious. From the sausage itself, to the fried egg on top, to the bacon, to the maple mayo, right down to the bun... it was just absolutely perfect. A perfect, sloppy, mess.. that was straight up scrumptious. I will never have another sausage like it - and for that I am extraordinarily saddened. I mean maple mayo? WHAT GENIUS THOUGHT OF THAT? My stomach is weeping at the thought of it. I'm weeping at the thought of it. Needless to say I left Franks 'N' Dawgs with a huge smile and gave myself a pat on the back for making the effort to get there before I headed back to NY. It was one of the best decisions I've made in a life full of poor ones.
(5)
Tai Z.
Wow. I could eat the Kimchi Dog all day, every day. This was probably the most memorable dining moment in my recent trip (back) to Chicago. I wish I skipped the lobster roll. It was good, but I wish I saved room for some of the other sausage-based offerings. By the time the corn-dog sampler came around we were way too full to enjoy them.
(5)
Chris B.
Pretty good food but the owner of this place is the reason for an average review. He said they didn't serve sport peppers because it's not a hot dog place. Uh..the name of the place is Franks 'n Dawgs and you're trying to tell me it's not a hot dog place? Also..you are in Chicago, where sport peppers are a staple. I've been eating for awhile now and know what I like; I don't need an Australian transplant to tell me that I can't put sport peppers on my hot dog.
(3)
Padme A.
Great Hot Dog Joint. Love the mystery corn dogs and truffle fries. Kinda bad location for parking. Good service. Great Chef. The are running out of room inside. I hope they expand or open a second location. Maybe somewhere with outside seating!
(4)
Jim F.
The triple truffle fries were 10 stars, I swear if they poured that truffle butter over one of my shoes, I'd eat it. The.selection of gourmet sausages is creative and impressive. I had the pork of July, and the sausage alone was great the pulled pork on top of it was wonderfully gluttonous. My wife had a sausage with truffle mac n cheese on top of it, I took a bite and it was very rich, but was too subtle to enjoy with the big flavors from line still in my mouth. These are gourmet dogs, so don't compare the prices to your average hot dog stand.
(5)
Aldi J.
Yes, it's expensive, but then again this is not your average hot dog. I've been here a few times and I've enjoyed several of their creations. The last time I went, I had the Tur-Doggin and the Krazy Kimchi. The Krazy Kimchi has to be one of my favs. Do not leave this place without trying the the Triple Truffle Fries. Yes, they are that good. Get an order, use some of their chipotle ketchup, and thank me later.
(4)
Seth F.
I'm sure they won't be thrilled with this moniker, but it's really Hot Doug's Light. Not in the sense that it offers lighter fare, but that it also offers interesting combinations of encased meats. Admittedly, it's slightly less interesting and I've had a much lower success rate with my orders here than I have at Hot Doug's (hence the "Light" in my assigned moniker), but Franks 'N Dawgs comes without an annoying wait and doesn't require as much travel, and that is far from insignificant. Some of my favorites are the Krazy Kimchi, BLT and the Brunch Dog.
(4)
Danny Y.
Stopped by with a group of friends, who collectively ordered 6 different dogs. Interestingly enough, my favorite of the day was actually the Kimchi dog, which I was absolutely certain I'd hate. Love the bun, but unfortunately the meat needs a little bit more work. The lamb and pork were all overdone and dry. The breakfast dog looked great until I tasted the meat, which again was on the dry side. The truffle fries were the highlight of the day. Definitely get that if you stop by! All in all, sadly didn't live up to the hype.
(3)
Mad I.
Why are people waiting in line at Hot Dougs??? Same idea...... The fiance and I had 2 dawgs and 2 apps. Truffle Fries: mmmmm, and truffle butter at the bottom to sop up... Fried pickles: all breading (while its good breading) no pickle, measly 6 pieces... Tur Dogen: good The one with the orange marmalde on it....meh... A tad too expensive but do it at least once
(4)
J G.
This place has amazing gourmet dogs.... This place is amazing.
(5)
Fumi M.
I know that everyone has their personal favorite hot dog joint in this down. Since I am not a native or a local, my vote really does not count. And even though you did not ask me for my opinion, I will let you know that for my moneies I'd go with not your ordinary hot dog joint but the Frank' N' Dawgs. Out of everything we tasted, we highly recommend the Pork-gasm, which consists of bacon sausage stuffed between nice brioche bun that is smothered in bacon jam, whiskey glazed pork belly, also slathered in baconaise, all of this is topped off with chicharrón and generous sprinkle of ham dust if you can picture that. Are you kidding me? The scary part is how easy it all went down the hatch. Epic Pork-gasm is about right. Guys behind the counter are very friendly and extremely cool cats. Place is spicken clean, food is great, and the location is spectacular just around the corner from Goose Island Pub. The only reason I am giving it a 4 star is simply due to the fact that I have only been here once.
(4)
Alex M.
Let me start by saying, my boyfriend and I have been to Franks 'N' Dawgs several times, and we love the food there. The reason for the low rating is not at all due to the quality of food they serve. The lack of stars is unfortunately due to almost everything else. One of the main things that has frustrated us is their hours, or lack thereof. For a successful restaurant to not be open past the time most people are getting off work, is lunacy to me. Because of the food and the publicity that they have received from being on multiple food shows, they could capitalize on having longer hours. I spoke to one of the chefs last time we were there and he said they were very low staffed. I can understand and sympathize with that, but in this volatile market for restaurants, that will prove to be a vicious cycle and they will lose customers in the long run. Knowing their crazy schedule already, my boyfriend and I finally made it back here (after several failed attempts due to the previously mentioned schedule) at around 4:45 since there was a ton of traffic in the area. Thinking they closed at 5 during the week, we were surprised to see on the front door (the one right before you enter, not the gate) that they closed at 7. We thought we were in the clear and breathed a sigh of relief. Immediately when we came inside, we noticed that the 2 chefs were working frenetically even though there was no one else in the restaurant. One of them greeted us, but seemed very exasperated. While we took a few minutes to weigh our options, that same chef closed the front gate and door behind us. We asked him about it and he said that the hours on the front door were wrong and they close at 5. Since we knew they were closing up and we have both worked in the restaurant industry, we ordered a Southerner, the Dawg of the Month (the quiche dawg), and triple truffle fries to go. The chef said our order would be ready soon. We ended up waiting quite a while as there was an order ahead of us for people sitting outside. When one of those people came back in after receiving their order, the chef gave me a look of exasperation, like I would understand his plight. Then, a woman with 4 little boys including a baby in a carrier came in the exit door (which was apparently not properly closed since there is no handle, but also no sign saying that it's the exit door). The woman sets down the baby and her other kids at a table and gets them set up so she can order. Her husband then walks in. The chef gives me another exasperated look. The chef went over to them and tells them that the restaurant has closed even though it's only a few minutes after 5 and they had obviously put forth a lot of effort to come there with all those kids. I could only imagine what those parents were thinking and also realized that they probably would never come back. After the family picked up and left, the chef went over to the exit door and tightly shut it. He then told us that people will pry open that door even though it doesn't have a handle. It occurs to me now that he didn't even consider that perhaps it was the lack of proper signage about hours and it being an exit door that caused people to go in that door instead of people being malicious and wanting to make his day longer. Eventually we got our food and went home to eat. I noted that when I went through the exit door, I had to make a considerable effort to close the door since it didn't automatically and had no handle to aid me. We thought the ordeal was over and were prepared for a great meal, one we'd been waiting a while to experience again. The dawgs were great, but the chefs had majorly skimped us on the fries. We were splitting them so we each got about 3 fries each...6 fries for $6 is not a good trade-off in my book. My overall view of Franks 'N' Dawgs is great food, but with a staff and schedule which is not customer-focused. I think people would love to come here as a destination late-night eating spot, I know I would. Also, a little understanding about what a customer wants once they get in the door wouldn't go unnoticed, whether that be making a to go order for someone who has come a couple minutes after close or the right portion of food. I was tempted to give them one star for this visit, but gave them 1 additional because the food quality is exceptional. I hope that the owners see this and think about my suggestions, because if not, who knows how long it will be around.
(2)
Matt T.
Amazing food, had the sampler (dog flight?)....and the truffle waffle fries. A lil' pricey but well worth it. Stop in if you are in the area, you will not regret it. They also have flavored ketchups if you dine in.
(5)
Roxy A.
Obviously if you're into hot dogs Frank N Dawgs is definitely a place to try..it's a bit on the pricier side (expect to pay about $10 for a dawg) but they've got quite the menu with pretty innovatitive interpretations of the all american classic. Went here for the first time & took some friends that were visiting from out of town. My dad raved about the Brunch hot dog (french toast bun with a sausage hot dog topped with a fried egg and maple mayo). There were a bunch of us so we all ordered different dawgs from the menu. The dogs are definitely a bit pricier than your average $5 Chicago dawg, but with the ingredients and the TLC that are put into these dawgs you can kind of understand why it's priced that way(average $10/dawg). The portions are pretty big and will definitely fill you up, get some fried pickles and fries to share. I also like the added touch of instead of picking a number for the table you get to choose a random celebrity (we chose Dennis Rodman).
(4)
Burt M.
Hot Dougs rival. Breakfast dog is okay, sounds better in theory. They keep adapting, being creative, taking customers opinions and actually testing them out. Staff is by far my favorite.
(4)
Sruts A.
One of my favorite hot dog places in the city - gourmet, nonetheless so the price is a bit on the higher side. I liked the Brunch Dawg; I think they had one called Black Sheep - loved that one! I just hope I lived closer to the place!
(5)
Hoa T.
This was by far some of the best hot dogs I have ever tasted. I had the sampler so 3 smaller hot dogs. What they put on the hot dogs enhance them to another level. These are not your typical dogs, these are gourmet creations. The buns served their purpose and enhanced the dogs to perfection. And I love the fact that my vegetarian friend brought me here during my visit. Yes, they have a vegetarian option. Love this place. Will definitely come back.
(5)
Ariel L.
I decided to give this place another chance. I ordered the "Da Ringer" and the "Chicagoesque". The two dogs and a drink cost me $17.00. That's right, $17 mutha fuckin dollars. Had i gotten another fancy dog, my tab would have been closer to $20+. Were the dogs good? Yes. Were they great? No. And the buns are french toast. There is so much butter in the bun, and so much bun, that it almost drowns out all of the other flavors. I still can't get over the price. Until it drops, they are sitting still at 3 stars and 3 stars only. At least there was no wait at 1PM...
(3)
Nick S.
This was my second visit to Franks. The first time was pretty good, but was hoping for a encore on my second. I have to say that Franks delivered. We got the Lamb sausage, Mystery Corn Dog sausage (which was a polish), the Bratwurst, and the Truffle Fries (they're only available on weekends!) Everything was delicious, and I felt like I was going to have a heart attack after ward. The perfect finisher for a hot dog place. The dogs are just as good as the dogs at Hot Doug's. Best part is waiting a fraction of the time for the food. Can't beat that!
(4)
Adam S.
Amazing gourmet hotdogs. This place is certainly worth the stop if you're in the area. I tried the 'Spoiled Brat', the 'Chicagoesque Dawg', and the 'Krazy Kimchi Dawg'. All were quite good, though the Kimchi Dawg was best. I hope I'll get a chance to try the other styles the next time I'm in Chicago. I think their prices are slightly higher than their gourmet hotdog competitor farther north, but you won't be waiting an hour in line. I do wish they stocked hot peppers, though.
(4)
Jake D.
Awesome!
(5)
Emily Z.
okay I went back and tried the Tur-Dawgin and it was AMAZING ! It was sooo moist and sweet and the bun was just as fabulous as I remember ! My friend who doesn't eat hot dogs even tried one (only after the owner assured her that they only use the best cuts of meat and gave her a chili dog without casing!) we also got chili cheese fries to split and I wasn't impressed with those, but who really needs fries when you have a huge delicious dog. There service is great, they take time to describe things for you, and they always check up on you half way through !! This is seriously my new secret indulgence !!!
(5)
James R.
Gourmet Sausages! I had Fiery Francesca, Lamb-orghini, Pork of July, Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese Dog, Cheese Head Lyonnaise Fries, Sweet Home Chicago and all were delicious. My favorite was the Lamb-orghini. The Lyonnaise fries were delightful, the braised pig cheek in it was so juicy and tasty. The bun/bread is amazing, I think it is brioche, it has a great taste, soft and just a little crispy on the outside. I'm going back to try a long list of sausages: Krazy Kimchi, Brunch Dawg, Double Ducker, Fried Oyster Dog, Bayou Dog, Reuben Pulaski, Da Ringer, Epic Pork-gasm and Urbanbelly Chix.Also , the Great White sounds intriguing, its a Bay scallop sausage, Great White shark bacon, pineapple-pepper relish and fresh cilantro. Great food. I came here to see how it stands up to Hot Doug's and it does a good job. I prefer Frank's 'N' Dawgs bun and fries, but I still think Hot Doug's has better sausages, it's a close one though. It's like watching Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, to excellent contenders.
(4)
Andy M.
Dear Hot Doug's. You know I love you and always will, so please forgive me and the review I'm about to write. Holy encased meat bonanza, Batman!!!! I think I'm in love. With a Bratwurst. Frank's 'N' Dawgs is the bomb. This place is a Green Bay Packer fan's wet dream. The menu is filled with Hot Dogs, Brats, and every sausage imaginable. This is a sausage fest that I can actually enjoy. I was about to tell you about the beautiful retro, Art-Deco interior, but really, who gives a shit. Frank's 'N' Dawgs is all about comfort food and lots of it. This is not your average Hot Dog joint. There's nothing wrong with ordering a $2.00 Vienna beef with all the toppings, but if you are looking for a typical Chicago style hot dog, this is not the place for you. The menu listed at least twenty different items. I narrowed it down to two. I went with the Cheese head and a Chili Cheese dog. The Cheese head is a Brat served with Caramelized onions, mushrooms0 and cheese. It was delicious. The Chili-Cheese dog was loaded to the nines with every topping imaginable. I enjoyed it, but the Cheese head was the star of the show. Two things really stand out about Frank's 'N' Dawgs. The first thing is the size of the sandwiches. They are on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for. They're huge and loaded with toppings. The other thing that makes Frank's 'N' Dawgs exceptional is the bread they use. Their sandwiches are served on buttered, New England lobster rolls. The closest thing I can think of to describe the rolls, is they have the taste and consistency of Garlic bread. Trust me, it works well. My bottom line on Frank's 'N' Dawgs is truly delicious. A great concept, delicious food and wonderful people makes this encased meat extravaganza a must visit for the sausage lover. I haven't been this impressed by a joint in a long time. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Vanesa V.
Why wait in a 2 hr line at hot dougs when you can get just as good of a hot dog at franks! I got the tur-doggin which was amazing! I don't eat pork or beef so I was really happy they had other options for me here to try. If only we had more time in Chicago to come back here again, this place is definitely worth it!
(5)
Cindy B.
The window outside Franks 'N' Dawgs says "Five star dining in a bun" and it's exactly that. When I first walked in, the guy behind the counter asked if it was my first time in to which I answered in the affirmative. This is when he gave me an interesting rundown of the menu. The items with chef hats next to them are sausages that are made in house (pretty cool), then there is a charity hot dog item where a $1 of each sale goes to a specific charity (also pretty cool), and then there is a "Iron Dawg" section that consists of 2 dogs that were created by 2 staff members that are competing against each other based on sales for that item (cool and fun). I particularly liked that there is a "Iron Dawg" section because it seems like a great way to promote ingenuity with creating menu items. Anyway, I digress.... It took me a long time to decide what I wanted. Everything looked fantastic on the menu. I finally decided on the Chicagoesque (Boars Head 100% all beef 1/8 pound skinless frank, house pickles, cherry tomato relish, caramelized onions & beer mustard). Before sitting down at my table, I was told to pick a picture from the "Wall of Shame" to affix to my table so they can bring me my order. LOL! I went with Pee Wee because I love Pee Wee. I sat down and didn't have to wait very long to get my dog. The Chicagoesque was fantastic. I loved the combined taste of the pickles, the relish, onions, and mustard. It was like nothing I have ever experienced on a hot dog. I definitely look forward to coming back again to try different menu items, hopefully before I leave to LA or on my next trip to Chicago.
(5)
Dennis S.
Hot dog stands are overrated. But not this one! This is a whole new level of hot dog experience. So many great choices, so little time. Friendly staff, quick service, and delicious food. Awesome ingredients. One of the best brats I've ever had, with terrific red cabbage. The duck, turkey, and date sausage was equally good. I'm already planning my choice for next time. Good fries. Excellent buns. Simply nothing wrong, other than how small the wait-in-line-to-order space is. I'll survive.
(5)
Jason Z.
I don't know what to say......... I wish they were closer, I'd eat here every day! I have had nothing but great food and great service here. This is to the cooks and staff.... THANK YOU ALL... Keep up the good work!
(5)
Ermelinda C.
The best hot-dogs I have ever had. The very creative menu, the many meat options, and delicious taste blend into an amazing food experience. I love this place and cannot wait to order out from them again!
(5)
Kevin A.
UNHINGING MY JAW...AND MY WALLET I appreciate the creativity that goes into the dogs here and their five star dining on a bun concept. That said, I found the execution to be a little heavy-handed. I found there to be way too many components on some of the dogs and the proportions to be out of whack. Consider the Tur-Doggin which contains turkey and date sausage, topped with duck confit, topped with copious amounts of aioli, topped with pickled onion relish, and finally topped with a heaping mound of pickled carrots. Not only do you have to unhinge your jaw like a python to consume this, all the flavors get muddied and lost in the chaos. There's no way you appreciate the sweetness of the dates with all the grease from the duck confit and the deluge of aioli; all you end up tasting is oil. Also, $24 for two dogs, fries, and a drink is a bit steep. That said, the truffled waffle fries are pretty damn amazing.
I've been here twice. Located in a nice area. Forgot what I ordered the first time but the second time I got the Pork of July (housemade pork loin sausage, pulled pork, house slaw w. cherry bourbon bbq sauce on brioche, $8.50) + virgil's root beer + Fried green tomatoes, which ran about $16. Kinda pricey, but the flavors are definitely there. Oh hell, who am I kidding, the hot dog and tomatoes was DELICIOUS. If you want a traditional Chicago dog I don't think you should go here. This place serves a different breed of hot dogs. Local ingredients. Innovative. Fresh. Delicious. F&D offers a lot of hot dogs. Check out the menu here: franksndawgs.com/menu Definitely recommend this place. Not everyone's cup of tea but I think everyone should at least go once.
(5)
Lolia S.
A fancy take on sausages for foodies, Franks N' Dawgs handcrafts their signature sausages and serves them up on golden buns. They had 24 types of dogs from classic to Iron Dawg winners, global, dessert, etc. with additions like pork belly. Sides include truffled mac & cheese and truffle fries. For dessert you can get macarons from Vanille Patisserie. * Krazy Kimchi ($8.75): their handcrafted beef sausage is topped with beef braised short rib (braised 5 hours, tastes okay, needs more marinade, not that tender), thin slices of turnip (nice, added sweetness), wild rice bits (too hard, weird), big pieces of napa cabbage kimchi (the standard kind), and fresh basil. The beef sausage was beefy and juicy but very salty. The bun did get soggy, but I liked how it was golden, light, sweet, and tender - like French toast. It actually looked like French toast. The sausage was piled too high to lift and eat. Wonderful bun (I would buy/eat it separately) but everything else disappointed. * Triple truffle fries, waffle style were tender inside, slightly crispy outside, covered in oil, very salty The interior has brick walls and booths, resembling a diner. Pick a celebrity magnet to keep you company (I had a hard time finding anyone I liked but settled on Walter Payton).
(3)
Kevin C.
This place is amazing. If you like gourmet hot dogs.. This is the place for you. Well actually they aren't hog dogs. It's a sausage kinda thing. Love it, great atmosphere.
(5)
Meredith K.
I get it. This place is not for people like me. People who don't eat anything with a personality. I feel that I do have to throw in a "get more veg or chicken options please!!!" This place is quirky. You have to enter through the side door but you have to leave through the front door. Is this so they can say goodbye? You also have to pick out a celebrity magnet even if you're the only one eating on the back porch. They play fun music. One min it feels like its 4am and you're at the burrito house and the next you're listening to MJ. The only pure veg option is a tofu dog with curry. I asked if it was hot b/c I am a wimp. The guy told me it had a little heat but not too much. Yeah right. I had to remove most of the potatoes b/c it was spicy. I couldn't identify what the crispy things were either. Was that Special K? The tofu is ok. Maybe a little too salty. The highlight is the bun. Its served in lobster roll bread. Love!! I went with tofu because shark bacon sounds gross and I don't eat duck. That didn't leave me with any other choice! I'm not sure about scallop sausage either...maybe if I'm feeling adventurous. I also got the triple truffle fries which were divine! How did they get waffle fries to be crispy?? A great trick. I loved these fries. You could taste the truffle but it wasn't over powering. The butter made it better too. So with a coke that was 3 things and the total was $16 something. Ouch! The staff is super friendly and keeps it clean. Not sure if I'll be back.
(3)
Laurence K.
A must place fir anyone Delishous had the perinnial pork with habsnero relish fantastic just thevright amount of heat The bun rocks and so does the cheese curds!!
(5)
Rose A.
These hot dogs are pretty amazing. My daughter had the Junior Meal (regular hot dog & fries), my husband had the Krazy Kimchee Dog, and I had the Truffle Mac & Cheese. We also shared the Tripe Truffle Fries. The Krazy Kimchee Dog has a spicy beef sausage, braised short rib & kimchee. Really delicious with just the right amount of spiciness. I substituted the bratwurst in the Truffle Mac & Cheese with a beef sausage and it was topped with, of course, truffle mac & cheese, and parmesan brioche bread crumbs. I loved this dog. The beef sausage had good flavor. The mac & cheese was creamy and went well with the sausage. The bun was buttery and toasted just right. The Triple Truffle Fries were the bomb! Loved the truffle fries! They had these 2 bottles of ketchup on the table, a Ketchapeno and a Ketchipotle. The Ketchipotle is as you would imagine, ketchup with a little smokey heat. The Ketachpeno, which I liked better, had a good kick of tangy spiciness. Both actually went pretty well with the truffle fries. Unopened bottles were available for sale, which i kinda now regret not buying. The decor of the place is simple but what is unique is instead of receiving a plastic number to sit on top of the table so the server knows where to bring your order, you're given a picture of a celebrity's mug shot from the Wall of Shame of your choosing. You then stick the mug shot to the side of your table via velcro. Pretty nifty idea. They have many different dogs on their menu that I'd love to go back and try.
(4)
David R.
Not only will they feed you excellent gourmet sausage creations, they will lay some personality on you as well. If you are lucky enough to come in during a slow time when there are no other customers behind you, perhaps the Australian owner/manager type will take several minutes to walk you through the menu and their general philosophy, then segue into a short discussion of pop culture, crowning everything with genuine warm wishes. That was our lucky and pleasant experience on a recent Saturday mid-afternoon. In addition to the charm of the gracious staff, the celebrity table-identifying cards, the Iron Chef-style menu matchups, the mystery corn dog, and the charity sausage are all nice touches. I love a place with some character. And the food is great, too. This last time I ordered one of the Iron Chef sandwiches: a spicy pork sausage with jalapeno-pickled onions, sliced avocado, a few tortilla strips, and some type of cheese which I can't remember. Absolutely delicious. Previously I had enjoyed the Cheese Head (a sheboygan brat with grilled onions and portabellos and smoked gouda) but there remain so many intriguing sausages to try on future visits (such as the N'awlins the Lamb Keema). On my second visit, I couldn't resist the mystery corn dog, but I cheated a little by asking whether I was allowed to know what the selection was that day or I simply had to take a blind risk. I was informed that it would always be a brat, polish, or andouille. I was rooting hard for the polish, but it turned out to be andouille. The sausage itself was decent, but I didn't care for the polenta breading; perhaps my corn-dog tastes are more pedestrian than my overall encased-meat adventurousness. The fries are excellent, excellent. The slaw is very good, although slightly over-carroty for my taste (it also contains golden raisins, which one can easily eat around if one has hangups about fruit in one's food). We wanted to try the brussels sprout salad but were informed that they sold out for the day before 1pm. Please increase the brussels sprouts order so that we can enjoy next time! But as a consolation, the owner/manager gave us tips on how to make it at home. Oh, and did I mention Coke Zero in the fountain machine? This place is almost perfect.
(5)
Jamil T.
Yea buddy! Highly recommend the Dawg Flight. Three halves of their dawgs chosen as the showcase of the day by the staff. If all else fails, get the Da Ringer. You won't be disappointed. Plus they have truffle fries!!! Pro's: Friendly staff, short wait. Cons: limited seating, but people rotate out of the seats pretty quickly so depends on when you get there. If you don't want to wait in line forever at Hot Doug's, shoot over to Frank N Dawgs. They may not have the duck fat fries, but the hot dog buns more than compensate. Definitely prefer Frank N Dawgs hot dogs over Hot Doug's.
(4)
Adrian K.
I've been dying to come to this place. And even more so after going Peasantry. So many more I wanna try including the oyster dog, the brunch dog and the lobster roll (only on weekends). I wasn't disappointed. The epic porkgasm - bacon sausage (basically as it's described, bacon flavored sausage um yum!), whiskey glazed pork belly, rich, sweet deliciousness, baconaise, bacon jam, chicharon and ham dust on a sweet bun (almost like that sweet bread you get from a Chinese bakery). Truffle mac n cheese dog - bratwurst, truffle mac and cheese, brioche breadcrumbs and thyme. I didn't get to try it but it went down pretty quickly. I also ordered a side of fried pickles which were delicious, nicely deep fried, tart pickels with a nice spicy giadinera aoili.
Vegetarians in Chicago, never fear, Franks N Dawgs "FU!" is here! I was skeptical of this place after seeing only one veg option, but a friend in town wanted had a Chicago dog on his list, so there we were. There may be only one veg option, don't be FU-led. This veg dog is the real deal. Marinated tofu, eggplant relish (pureed to look like an actual spread!), caramelized portabellas---all on a delectable french toast bun?!! Also, you get to dine with a person or two from the Wall of Shame. I dined with Lindsay Lohan and the Jonas Brothers. It made me feel better about myself. Don't be a fool, and get the FU!
(4)
Sofia J.
Triple truffle fries = YES Tur-Doggin (Turkey & date sausage topped with duck confit, herb garlic aioli, house pickled onion relish & pickled carrots) = A lot going on, but overall delicious Black Sheep (Toasted black pepper lamb sausage, black pepper oyster sauce, buttermilk vinaigrette, pear & red onion slaw & basil) = More straightforward but still really delicious and complementary flavors.
(5)
Kari G.
This was my first time trying Franks N Dawgs. I may have to go back to get another opinion. I had the Tur-Doggin, and it was very delicious. My husband had the Buffalo Chicken hot dog, but he did not find it appetizing and really is an acquired taste. Staff was friendly, and it was wonderful how the iPad was incorporated into the ordering. I think we have to go back just to try other options on the menu.
(3)
Jaci Y.
Franks "N" Dawgs is not your average hot dog eatry, it is close to the same idea as " Hot Dougs" where the owner specializes in homemade sausages and fancy fries, and he mans the cash register. I tried the turkey dawg with some topping on it, and their triple truffle fries, which are also waffle fries. And I liked the names of the hot dawgs more than I liked Hot Doug's names for their dogs, I found Franks to be catcher, and their dining room was bigger and they also accept credit card which is good to know. The people are nice there and It's not a place I would frequent because it's a treat type of hot dawg not your typical $2.50 hot dog that comes with fries, it's a gourmet eatry and I think if you haven't tried it you should because it is a culinary experience.
(4)
Seth K.
I had no idea I could enjoy hot dogs this much. Although it's a little unfair for me to label this place as a "hot dog joint." It really is so much more than that. This restaurant is one that you absolutely should put on your list to stop by and try if you're in the neighborhood. I've eaten a lot of places in Chicago, this may sound odd considering all the steak houses and gastropubs but I put Frank 'n Dawgs on my top 5 list for the city.
(5)
Jason P.
Hot dogs sort of become a requirement when coming to Chicago. My latest hot dog venture took me to Franks 'N' Dawgs, where their home made sausages are made every day and are 100% natural, containing no nitrates, nitrates, or preservatives. The gourmet sausages are then thrown on their much talked about New England style rolls which are baked by a local bakery. All these fresh ingredients is what had earned them featured segments on Food Network and Travel Channel. With all the hype, I had to try this place out. You first walk down a narrow hallway covered with astro turf. You finally make your way inside and above the cashier is the whole lot of sausages that you can order. If you did not have the luxury of checking out the photos of each hot dog online, you're in luck, as there is an iPad by the cash register, where you not only get to pre-judge each hot dog by its contents, but also how visually appealing they look. Because like they say, looks are always the first attraction. If you have any questions, Alexander, who operates the cashier and is the owner, is very friendly and more than helpful in making any suggestions. After you put you order in, you get to pick a photo of a celebrity from the wall of shame as your calling card. You grab a seat and prop the photo beside your table so the staff can easily identify who to serve each order to. For my first visit, I ordered the Boar'n To Be Wild ($9.95), a rendang wild boar sausage topped with togarashi tempura onions, yellow peppers, fried sweet potatoes, Thai basil, mint & sesame seeds. The wild boar sausage did indeed have a nice crunch to the skin and tasted fresh, but it didn't have a lot of flavor like a sausage usually does. I was hoping the frizzled pieces of battered onions and sweet potatoes to give it some sweetness, but it was so subtle that it didn't really do much for me. The yellow peppers were a nice addition to give it some color, but that seemed like its only purpose. I also didn't see or taste any Thai basil or mint. With all these letdowns, I didn't really enjoy the Boar'n To Be Wild. And for $10, I thought prices were a bit steep. The New England style roll was indeed light, yet sturdy enough to not succumb to the soggy and crumbling bun that some vendors make the mistake of. It had a thin layer of butter on the outside, then grilled to give it a nice golden crust, but I would have liked for my bun to be grilled a little bit more giving it a minor black toast color. I also tried the Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese ($6.95), a bratwurst sausage topped with truffle mac 'n' cheese and parmesan brioche bread crumbs. It was simple but tasty, but not enough to warrant a second bite. The bratwurst was average at best and the mac 'n' cheese could have used a sharper and creamier cheese to give it a richer profile. They did get the New England roll right this time. It was left on the griddle longer to give it a golden and black toast color. The Fries ($1.75) served in a white ceramic bowl were subpar. They were greasy and potatoey, but didn't maintain a crisp outside, and easily forgettable. The Triple Truffle Fries ($4.95), waffle cut Yukon Gold potatoes seasoned with truffle oil, truffle butter and truffle salt were amazingly good. They were crisp on the outside with a starchy inside, and contained a subtle salt flavor with a hint of aromatic truffle oil. The Triple Truffle Fries are definitely a must-try. I left Franks 'N' Dawgs sort of let down and disappointed. Prices are not justifiable unless you consider freshly homemade artisanal sausage with all natural ingredients worth your money. I may come back to give Franks 'N' Dawgs another chance and try one of their more popular dogs, but I prefer to go to Portillo's for some simple out-of-this-world hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches.
(3)
Gary C.
There's really nothing like some well-executed encased meat. And truth be told, Franks 'N' Dawgs definitely executes well. After reading many reviews, seeing the "Hot on Yelp" spotlight, and Bizarre Foods episode, my foodie friend and I hopped over to FnD one brisk evening...a half-hour before they closed [730PM???!?!!] Looking at the menu, one might be intimidated by costs, cuz I know I was when I snuck a peek before making the drive. $2.50 for the most basic dawg?? $17.95 for the most pricey?? Geez, Louise. Can one really justify dishing out that many pennies on some encased meat? In short, yes... I didn't do it on this visit but I suggest you try it during yours, ask what the Dawg Flight is for that day. It's $15 for three different dawgs. I can easily justify $5/dawg...and you'll more than likely be more than full. On this visit, I ordered the Truffle Mac n Cheese, Da Ringer, Chili Cheese Fries, and Triple Truffle Fries. I'll being with the encased meats... In general, the dogs are not hugged by your typical bun. It reminds me of sandwich bread, though it's actually a lobster roll. A bit unorthodox, but it's a change that I welcome with open arms. Well done, FnD. The truffle mac n cheese dawg would've been perfect if not for the bread crumbs. I know that bread crumbs commonly top off regular mac n cheese, but it's a bit excess, in my stomach's opinion, since this thing is wrapped in a buttered lobster roll. Da Ringer was legit. The shallot marmalade adds soooooo much to what would be a regularly "good" dog. Pass on the chili cheese fries, it isn't very good. The chili just doesn't deliver. The triple truffle fries, on the other hand, are forreal. Order this bad boy. One of the best things that I like about FnD is the food running system. After you order, you get to choose from the Wall of Shame; celebs who have made quite a name of themselves. They've got all of the greats: Rodman, Tyson, Palin, Kim Kardashian, and so on. I got a good kick out of it.
(4)
Veronica S.
I didn't have the opportunity to visit Hot Doug's while in Chicago, but was just as excited to visit Franks 'N' Dawgs. Featured on the Food Channel, Franks N Dawgs has made a name for itself by serving creative hot dogs as well as side dishes. For the first timer, it's not a bad idea to get the samplings of dogs which comes with 3 half-dogs of various flavors along with their fries. Their triple truffle fries are outstanding and I've never had anything quite like them anywhere else before. Prices add up fast, but typically one hot dog ranges between $4-$7. Amazing and definitely worth a visit!!
(5)
Aaron L.
This will be a regular stop for me when I'm in Chi Town... even if it is not close to DT. Black Sheep = AMAZING!
(5)
Thuc H.
Um..Can anyone say De-Freaken-Lious! This small places put out some awesome sausages, their idea of making street food into something beyond that is awesome. I had the Black Sheep which was mouthwatering btw. Also had the Mystery Corn dog which again was delicious, the price are a bit high for hotdogs BUT you get what you pay for not in quantity but in quality. (which for me anyways is a fair trade...sometimes) Another unique thing about Franks 'N' Dawgs is the ordering system you choose a celebrity as an indicator of your orders.
(5)
Ryan S.
When we're talking hotdogs, I'm not one of those dood's who needs anything more than the standard, Chicago style dog to be happy (better have some of that radioactive-looking, green relish on that sumbitch too!). But, my buddies took me to this joint and let me tell you, it isn't such a bad thing to think outside of the bun. I had the "Pork of July" (Pork loin & caramelized onions sausage, house smoked pulled pork, cherry bourbon BBQ sauce & our house slaw) and it was dangerously good. Like, if I lived closer, I could easily get addicted. To be honest, I would've been perfectly content with just their pulled pork and the cherry bourbon BBQ sauce on the bun, but the link was delicious too. Speaking of the bun, that's the star of the show here at Franks 'n' Dawgs. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that it's probably the best bun I've ever had. It was buttery and rich, and soft and chewy on the inside. And it was toasted to a perfect golden color. It looks like a thick piece of brioche that's been sliced down the middle and has an almost contorted or folded shape. One bite into that bun and I couldn't stop dreaming about how good a grilled cheese would be with it. I can't wait to go back and try their lobster roll on that bun. I'm willing to bet that, even at $17.50 for it, it'll be well worth it.
(4)
Marcus M.
No line, as usual. However, they seemed to be out of some ingredients so some menu items were off the table. The cashier/waiter was extra rude for some reason. He brought all our ordered items at one time except the triple truffle fries. He turned without a word and I asked -very politely- about the fries. His response? "I only have two hands." After all that the fries turned out to be soggy and bland.
(1)
Craig S.
Amazing and delicious. If youre meal leaves you with the feeling of something so comforting and satisfying. You know you found a great spot. If youre looking for the classic, perfect executed Chicago dog, they got it! I recommend the haute dogs. Mussels in Brussels or Bahn Mi Place's fantastic. My Girl and I will bring the beer next time! PS. The fries are legit as well.
(5)
Marie B.
One of my FAVORITES in the city!! * Every gourmet dog I've had has been excellent * Joe D is a genius! * Love the sampler and truffle fries! Yummm x 1000!
(5)
Aprille C.
Maybe I should have done better research. AT & T internet was very sketchy on our iPhones during the trip for searching and yelping. We were hoping for authentic Chicago dogs. But we got gourmet dogs instead. It could have been better. I think he enjoyed his "Chicagoesque" dog better than I did my "Truffle Mac & Cheese" dog. Mine was really dry and I had to add mustard for flavor. Tiny place many subway stops from downtown. Kinda a bummer. And hardly anyone inside even though they'd been on the Food Network with Andrew Zimmern.
(2)
Randal A.
Man I love this place! Certainly not your average hot dog joint; these guys know how to do it right! The concept they have is great - elevating the hotdog to more than just a hotdog, but fine dining on a bun. I've had at least 6 or 7 different dogs here and have never been disappointed. This place is on the same level as Hot Dougs, only you don't have to wait forever. My only disappointment is that I don't live within walking distance.
(5)
Eileen Z.
If you're looking for a "normal" hot dog you won't find it here. The bread is no ordinary hot dog bun, but DELICIOUS and withstands the weight of all the schizoness piled on. They're shooting for a "gourmet" hot dog folks, which I know doesn't sit well with you die hard Chicago-style enthusiasts. Don't get me wrong I AM IN LOVE WITH CHICAGO-STYLE. So if that's what, a classic Chicago, I won't go to Franks N Dawgs, plain and simple. First off, when you enter, enter through the brick-walled hallway on the side lined with that green rug NOT the front. Order THEN seat yourself. There was a little confusion with how to order because there's a sign to "seat yourself" but we eventually figured it out. Pick the table marker of the celebrity you either think needs rehab the most or IQ you question on a daily basis (they use these 'celebrity' table markers in place of using #s). We picked Sarah Palin in light of the recent Common being invited by Obama to a poetry shindig at the White House chaos. The Governator was by far my favorite of the 3 we ordered (Austrian pork & Swiss cheese sausage, savory apple compote, glazed cranberries, white wine mustard sauce & chives). The boyfriend, the breakfast lover, enjoyed the Brunch Dog (pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo). And it's only fitting with the bitterness from the last Superbowl to eat a Cheese Head, right? (Bratwurst sausage, caramelized onions, grilled portabella, smoked gouda & chives). The sausages are made in-house and if there's anything similar between Franks N Dawgs and other Chicago hot dog places, you don't NEED the ketchup to enjoy anything. You'll just butcher the taste experience. BUT if you must, do so with the fries. The ketchup also isn't a typical bottle of Heinz, one is jalapeno-infused, the other is chiptole-infused. What I will knock though is the amount of fries you get in one order. Granted they are Triple Truffle Fries, but I could have ordered plain waffle fries and brought my own truffle oils or salts from home to avoid paying $4.95 for a dinky handful. As a comparison to Hot Doug's, you just can't do it. This place is more of the Kuma's of hot dog joints. But I will say is that this place is much more convenient to get to, only a few blocks from the Armitage brown line stop, without the hour wait. I'll definitely come back though - I want to try the other dogs!
(4)
Chip H.
I accidentally walked by this place today and decided to stumble in. I really had no idea what I was getting into but I will for sure go back. I just wanted a regular hot dog but ended up with the Cheese Head, which is a brat with mushrooms on it. Wow. I literally had to stop and look at what I was eating, it took me by surprise it was so delicious. The bun was amazeballs, kind of like a New England lobster roll. I will be getting the Cheese Head again, but only after I have tried the rest of their delicious treats first. The Burger Dog and The Brunch Dog may be a nice snack as early as tomorrow. One flaw, the fries were cold. Minus 1 star
(4)
Nick J.
Amazing food here. If ur the first time visiter, they usually recommend the Dawg Flight, which includes 3 daily special dogs. The Mussel, the kimchi and the other i forgot the name were all outstanding! And u can pick an celebrity for ur seat- tastewise i guess this place is better than the famed hot dougs.
(4)
Rachel S.
Yeah! Sooooo good! My Chicago friend brought us here for dogs...my first of two hot dog experiences. The Colorado friend and each ate the Chicagoesque (see photo) = delicious! I tried my friend's Truffle Mac n Cheese Dog which was great as well. We shared an order of Lyonnaise Fries (see photo) which were good, but the pigs cheeks threw me off. We dined outside in their courtyard under the pergola. Great spot!!
(5)
Christie B.
I've been to Hot Doug's and I have been to Franks n Dawgs and I can honestly say I like Franks better. Their buns are soooo good. I think it's the best hot dog bun in the city! And I love their truffle fries. I'll take a good truffle fry over a duck fat fry any day of the week. And the beauty of that sentence is you can get truffle fries any day of the week at Franks n Dawgs.
(5)
P. C.
Hot dogs are one of the legendary foods of Chicago and one must have hot dogs when in the city but at Frank N Dawgs you won't your typical Chicago style dog (soft steamed poppyseed bun w mustard and pickle). Instead they have elevated hot dogs with a modern twist. IMO the New England lobster roll bun that is the vessel for the fresh dawgs are buttered and grilled and crispy. It truly made it taste like no other hot dog I've eaten. The many variety and choices on the menu along with quirky names of the dawgs and celebrity call tags made this place more unique. Get there early as lines form quick and tables can be hard to get, unless you don't mind standing out back to eat. Oh, the truffle fries pair well with any of their dawgs! Eat up!
(5)
Jeff W.
Best hot dog's in Chicago? Possibly... everybody has their favorite spots and I can't say I've been to all of them (although plan to), but this is tops for me. It's a mix between a fine dining restaurant and a hot dog stand. (editor's note: I have yet to brave the long line at Hot Doug's and/or Gene and Jude's) I can appreciate that their dogs are hand crafted in house and they refresh their menu monthly with rotating specials and competition sausages. It's on my bucket list to submit an entry. No tasty creations have been made yet. The line here can be long on the weekends, but if you're looking for good eats without having to sit down and have a long meal, then this is a good option in the area. The home made buns that these dogs come on make them stand out. Lightly buttered and baked to perfection. I have yet to get anything that I did not like. Wish I could go into depth about specific dogs but it's been awhile since my last visit. I'll be fixing this soon. Word to the wise: It's hard to decide on ONE dog to get cuz they all sound good. I've been there... "I think I'm gonna get the Truffle Mac n Cheese Dog but the (insert delcious name here) Dog sounds good too, I can't decide"... but don't do it. Don't get both AND a side. Done that... just enjoy the one dog and live to eat another day.
(4)
J D.
Krazy kimchi dog: incredible! Good balance of savory and bitter! The brioche buns are a certain luxury. Brussels sprouts salad was a revelation filled with lemon zest, dill, green pistachios and Parmigiano! This is certainly not any healthier version of a hot dog, but worth every indulgent bite! Staff is welcoming and guides any novice patron through the esoteric menu. It's a cafeteria -style dining room which allows them to focus more on the quality of their food! Note: there is an alley entrance off from the sidewalk.
(5)
Tera D.
I definitely like the concept: gourmet hot dogs without waiting in line at Hot Doug's. And the place was cute and surprisingly crowded despite a slightly offbeat location. Staff was very friendly, and there's lots to pick from on the menu. Now my issue with the place - $9 for hot dogs!?!? I know that's the top end, but quite a few were in the $7-$9 range, and they don't come with fries! Two of us split the brat with mac n cheese on it, and the spicy yucatan. The brat was very mediocre, although the mac n cheese on top was very tasty. They serve that as a side, so maybe I'd get that if I went again. The spicy yucatan was good, nothing too memorable. The truffle fries are also pretty darn expensive considering they don't' come with a fun aoli or dipping sauce, and on their own they're just ok. Overall, I don't think I have any reason to go back.
(3)
Hoang L.
You must be out of your mind if you compare this place to Hot Doug's. I'm gonna get straight to the point: This place is way overpriced. Try it if you want something unique, but not exactly well put together. Busboy / server seemed a bit flustered and accidentally took our celebrity picture (used to bring out the food) before we got our food. It's okay dude, just take a deep breath. Spicy Yucatan - I didn't even want to finish it, and I didn't. I have a sensitive tongue and it was not spicy whatsoever. False advertising. Kimchi Dog - Messy. It was okay. My gripe about this is that it didn't go well together. Korean food should not be on a hot dog. Lamb (can't remember name) - It was recommended by the cashier and the first bite was good. But that's about it. Triple Truffle Fries - $5 for a small portion. Nothing special about it. BIG DISAPPOINTMENT. We didn't even finish it. If you want good fries, DFF at Hot Doug's. Friday or Saturday only. Might worth trying just to say you've tried it, but I would never come back. The annoying babies and kids hitting my chair didn't help either.
(3)
Melissa H.
Franks N Dawgs is a really fun hot dog place. They've got gourmet hot dogs dressed up in the fanciest clothes. :) My Bayou Dog was perfectly seasoned andouille covered in red beans, shrimp, and remoulade. Shrimp on hot dog! SHRIMP ON HOT DOG. Awesome. Both my dinner companion and I loved the fact that the bun is more like a repurposed Texas toast, thick bread toasted with butter. It adds to the flavor of every dog on the menu. The triple truffle fries were perfectly crispy waffle-style fries, with a perfect hint of truffle. Never overpowering. Very rich and a great portion size. The baked beans were very smoky tasting with three different types of beans baked in; I love when folks do that! The cashier was very friendly. Walk on up, order, and pick a character from their Wall of Shame to decorate your table as you wait. This place is very casual feeling, with very non-casual food. I mean, seriously, check out the photos. They're beautiful!!
(5)
Jeff R.
If there is one food that says "Chicago," it's hot dogs. I've never been one to get all hyped up and excited about hot dogs, I like them and eat them at baseball games and back-yard BBQs. If you're like me and looking for something more than an oscar-meyer wiener on a bun, please go and experience Franks. I caution though to not fall into the trap of looking at the menu as "dogs," but truly gourmet dishes. The first thing I noticed inside of Franks was the friendly staff (especially Chef Doren) and inviting decor. The menu is extensive and fascinating. You can choose from classic dawgs, dawgs gone wild, dawgs gone global, or haute dawgs. Some of the meats are prepared in house, and noted on the menu, while others are bought locally but in consultation with Franks. You can't go wrong either way, all the meats I'm sure are fantastic. For my meal I choose a duck based "dawg" served with pineapple chutney, carrots, cilantro and other flavors I can't remember. Erica prefers simpler dogs and opted for the Cheese Heade: Sheboygan, caramelized onions, grilled portabellos & smoked gouda. We ordered a side of cheesy fries for good measure. The food quality here is the real deal. Chef Doren is clearly talented and chooses to display this on buns instead of plates. It's a great concept and well executed. With a paito and BYOB I can see this being a great date place, and something to return to often with such a diverse menu. The pricing could turn some people off ($20 for two dogs and fries), but comparable to similar venues and par the course. If you can just accept that gourmet food CAN be served on a bun, every dollar is justified. I highly recommend checking out the Dawgs and I know I'll go back to see what other interesting flavors are crafted a la bun.
(4)
Kimberly K.
There are definitely some kinks to work out, but the dogs we had were quite good. I had the Chicken alla Naha and my husband had the Tur-Doggin. Both were really good. We also got the triple truffle fries. The flavor is really interesting (in a good way) and the spicy and chipotle ketchups are good too. I am also not a huge fan of their buns. The service was a bit slow, but not too bad. It is also kind of expensive. I'd like the place to feel less corporate and more of a hole in the wall. But, it was good overall.
(4)
Julia S.
Sometimes I think the best thing a new find has going for it is when you stumble upon it by accident. Such was the case for us when, wandering out of a store across the street, looking for something to fill our bellies before heading home from Chicago, we spotted Franks 'n Dawgs. At first I resisted because I'm not the world's biggest hot dog fan. I am, it turns out, the world's biggest triple truffle fries fan because ever since we ate them here I can't stop dreaming about them. I mean that literally. I DREAM about fries. I HAVE A PROBLEM. I'm still not the world's biggest hot dog fan, so it's not like I had a conversion experience. But if you're going to do it, this seems the way. Fascinating combos -- I went straight-up Chicagoesque and the ol' ball and chain had the Tur-Doggen -- served up on a super-quality, freshly baked New England-style bun (think lobster rolls) definitely elevate the standard. Wasn't nuts about the fried green tomatoes, as they were cut too thick for my taste, but next time -- and there will be a next time -- I wanna try the shaved brussel sprouts salad. Also, I will be eating my body weight in truffle fries.
(4)
Ernest S.
Just for their truffle fries alone I would give them 5 stars. Admittedly, the portion is small but it's packed with so much truffle flavor and so good that I don't care. I really enjoy Hot Doug's so I wasn't expecting Franks to wow me. Especially after I saw that the prices seemed even a little higher than Hot Doug's. But after trying the Perennially Pork (my wife's favorite), the Brunch Dog and the Frank'n Stein (my favorite), I think I like Franks better than Doug's. Even with the higher prices, the portions are bigger so I'm okay with that. I also liked the buns they came in. It's not traditional but it's very tasty. I also hate having to wait in that almost always super long line at Doug's so with all that said, Franks is the winner for me. I say come prepared. This is a coma-inducing meal so I wouldn't advise on coming when you have a lot of stuff to get done afterwards.
(5)
David B.
This is the fanciest hot dog place I've ever sampled and I don't mean ambience. There's really no ambience but who cares. The chef (and I mean that seriously) has taken great care in selecting ingredients and putting them into fantastic combinations. The New England "bun" is a meal in itself and it doesn't hurt that they brush it in butter then delightfully toast it. It's literally a cradle for the encased meat. I had the Chicagoesque dog with pickles, tomato relish and beer mustard. I'm glad I don't live in Chicago because I'd find myself in the neighborhood far too often. Visit Franks 'N' Dawgs if you like to experiment with your food. You'll be shocked at how different a dog can be
(5)
Laura C.
If you're a sausage lover, then go here. I am not a huge fan, so this place gets three stars from me. High quality ingredients + one of a kind combinations + great service - slightly expensive = 3 stars. Great place to take tourists. With the relatively expansive menu, I had a hard time choosing just one dog, so I went with the Dawg Flight. Three half dogs and fries for $15? A little pricey, but worth a try. The chef's selection that day was Belly Up - mustard glazed pork belly, pork sausage, fennel and grapes. A little heavy on the mustard, but the grapes added a nice sweetness. Next was the Krazy Kimchi - beef sausage with braised beef, kim chi, puffed rice and basil. I thought this was the best one (although I must admit, I love anything braised). The duck sausage rounded out the trio, topped with lotus root. The buns are from La Briola and are freshly made every day, which makes a huge difference. With a basket full of fries and two varieties of spiced ketchup - jalapeno and chipotle - this meal was more than enough. They also offer plain old "Classic" dawgs, for the less adventurous. Other side options: flavored fries (truffle, chili, Lyonnaise to name a few) as well as baked beans and salads. A few desserts are available from local bakeries, but I was too full to try any. Atmosphere is simple, you walk into the restaurant through a covered alley to the door near the back. It's like a mini golf course ramp, which apparently helps control the long lines that come through. Once you order at the register, which was manned by the head chef - super nice guy from Michigan and well rounded in his culinary career - you pick a card with your most hated celebrity that you velcro to the table - a quirky play on table numbers. It's casual and comfortable with a serve yourself soda machine. Plus, they have a surprisingly nice bathroom with high end touches you wouldn't expect in a hot dog joint.
(3)
Gregory S.
We do love this place! The hardest part is deciding what to order! When I can, I go for lunch on weekdays...less lines to contend with.
(4)
Edgar P.
Being a Chicagoan for 22 years now, one tends to eat a good hot dog or two while living here. Franks 'N' Dawgs is probably the pinnicale of (gourmet) hot dog glory. This place has such a great variety of unique takes on the hot dog, that it's really up to you to decide which route to take when ordering off the menu. My personal favorites would be the Boar'n To Be Wild, Krazy Kimchi, Bayou Dog, and the Belly Up. I like this combo because it's got a little sweet and a little salty combo that I like and it just leaves my mouth watering afterwards. For the side I usually get either The Lyonnaise Fries or the very popular Triple Truffle Fries. The lyonaise Fries are a little different and I wouldn't recommend it for people who are picky with what they eat. It's definitely something different and I would guess that it's really only popular with a small number of people. If you're up for anything, I would say, "Go For It!" If it's your first time, I would bring at least one extra person with you so that you can order twice as much off the menu. I generally take at least one other person so that we can split four to six different things off the menu and it gives us the opportunity to taste more things without overdoing it. Once you order your food, you'll then get the chance to pick one of many shamed, low level celebrities or public figures so they can easily identify your table by. It's a little bit more pricey than your average hot dog but that's obviously because they use better meats and other ingredients than your average dog. If you're in the city and craving a great, fast meal - Go to Franks 'N' Dawgs!!! Check It Out!!! -Papa Bear
(5)
Vee C.
Want the lobster roll? Well you'll have to wait until June. Season ended in October....Instead I tried the Cheese Head dawg! It's not made in-house and maybe that's why I didn't care for it too much. The Bratwurst sausage wasn't so good. The rest was great after I removed the sausage, I enjoyed the caramelized onions, grilled portabella, smoked gouda & chives along with those delectable triple truffle fries!
(3)
Mimi W.
My son, who is a finicky eater, wanted hot dogs for lunch. We had NO IDEA that Franks 'N' Dawgs was not your regular hot dog joint. My son, 11, ordered the corn dog which was actually a bratwurst sausage dipped in polenta batter and deep fried, and cheese fries. I had the Banh Mi: lemongrass & coriander chicken sausage with pickled daikon, carrot, sriracha mayo, jalapeño, cilantro and spicy pickled duck egg. The servings were big, the bun on the Banh Mi seemed a little oversized, but not a big deal. The cheese fries have an airy white cheddar "whiz" and a side of scallion pistou served in a bowl with two forks. My son, however, was not about to share. He ate every bite of his meal. The Banh Mi was the best surprise I've had in a long time eating out. It was fantastic! The lemongrass was very tasty and the toppings complimented the sausage perfectly . It was a perfect lunch. Couldn't be better. We went at 2:45 and there was no line, fast and friendly service. The entire meal with one beverage was $24. We will definitely go back!
(5)
Kenny O.
Well-executed gourmet dogs without the one hour wait *cough*? Count me in! Ambiance: Light-hearted expansive dive. You can tell what kind of man owns this place when you choose a (D) celebrity to take back to your booth as your jeeringly wait for your order. You'll see what I mean when you go there. The food: Oh, my! I had trouble figuring out what I wanted, so I actually made a blind choice (silly me) and went with the Bacon n' Grits. It surely isn't anywhere near the best dog I've had, and certainly not the best I've even had in Chicago, but it was tasty regardless. It was a large, natural-casing dog, and it had a bit of a crunch from the puffed grits. The pork belly wasn't very prominent and I had trouble tasting it (though I could see the large pieces atop my dog). The other toppings weren't really evident either. Would I order it again? Probably not considering the rest of the menu and its seemingly endless selection. The fries. THE FRIES. So I did come here with two friends and we decided to each get one of their special fries. One friend got the cheese fries--they were alright. My other friend got the triple truffle fries--they were pretty bomb. I got the Lyonnaise fries--HOLY SHOOT ME NOW. These fries are worth coming for by themselves. The pig cheek and fried egg turn this into devil's food with the amount of richness they incorporate into the fries. The amount of porky savoriness feels evil, but oh so good. Each. Bite. Too. Good. The service: No real problem! It was pretty slow, but we seemed to be seated right before a rush came in, so I don't blame them for taking 5-10 minutes extra with our ... check. TL;DR. Order the Lyonnaise fries if you like food. Or happiness.
(4)
Adam Y.
Sublime sausage, rolls, and sides. Interior is a bit like the waiting room at an auto shop.
(5)
Kristen M.
I got the tofu dog...which unfortunately I was not a big fan of...the taste was really overwhelming to me and I would not get it again. However, the person I was with loved what they ordered and we also split fried green tomatos, which were delicious.
(3)
Susana L.
This place is perfect. Went there on a sunny start-of-spring day. Very charming entrance up the side and you open the door and immediately got a happy vibe from the rock-reggae music. There were about 6 things I wanted to order on my first visit. Chose the lamb dog. Everything about it was perfect and OFF THE CHARTS! And the side Brussels sprouts salad was very yummy. As great as the food is -- so is the atmosphere and the service. These people know how to snow you the love. This is the kind if place you're dying to show off as a Chicagoan. And the "wall of shame" ordering system is brilliant. Seriously, this place can't get any better!
(5)
Kimberly B.
Going back!! Just went here yesterday and I want to go back today. It's a fun place with great costumer service. The man behind the counter took us through the whole menu and made his Recommendation and they were spot on. I'm a vegetarian so I didn't get the full experience but my boy friends meal looked amazing I had the tofu but put it with Mac and cheese cause the vegetarian dog was Indian inspired and I'm not a fan of Indian food. I'm hoping they come up with a new vegetarian option something more like a sausage. Can't wait to go back.
(4)
Jeff R.
Arrived at noon. Parked right out front. Guy at the counter was super friendly. I had the lamb dog and my wife had the kimchi dog. Both were really tasty on buttered rolls. Truffle waffle fries were good. Kids' options available. I can't tell you which is better - this or Hot Dougs. Both are good. No line here, though, and we didn't have to start lining up at 10 in the morning.
(4)
Phil A.
Gourmet hot dogs! Brilliant concept and brilliantly executed. I try to get something new every time I go in and am never disappointed. Everyone who works there is friendly and enthusiastic about their unique cuisine. The waffle truffle fries are a must.
(5)
Tim B.
We're still fairly new to Chicago and have been beaten down by NYC Hot Dogs the past 7 years so we skeptically went for a Dog this weekend. Never thought I would give a hot dog place 5 stars but damn, I loved this place. Now 5 stars for a Hot Dog joint and I am not saying this is Per Se or Alinea 5 stars but I haven't head a better Dog anywhere. Kimchi, Trump Doe and a regular, truffle fries, regular fries washed down with a Butterscotch Root Beer. Comfort food on "roids" Some say it is pricey, but come on Kimchi Dog is worth $8. Will make the list of great kids places as well.
(5)
Michael S.
Ok. So I am a fan of Hot Dougs, but I am of hot dogs in general as well leading me to this establishment. Looks like some people on here were geeked with talking to the owners. Some were starstruck that Andrew Zimmern went here... Honestly though, I did not feel the same joy that others have felt here... Just wasn't impressive... So came here on a Saturday afternoon. No line at all... Entrance is actually on the side... Unique and it helps for the flow of the place. Seemed promising though if a place is really just that good I would of expected some kind of line after being open this long. I think that says something.. Anyways here is what we got for food: Cheese Head: Seemingly normal brat with gouda, carmelized onions, and portabella mushrooms. I remember thinking and saying there that I can make this at home. Nothing special or remarkable to me. It was just ok. N'awlins: Who dat there gonna be really good? Well this actually was pretty good. I liked the andouille sausage, the shrimp, and the other fixings. It would be better though with something other than just a mustard ketchup though. Definitely something I'd get again. Fries/Truple truffle fries: Fries were fine.. Nothing special... Truffle fries... omg,,, you get such a small amount of those fries. They also didn't taste any special. Maybe they need to amp up the use of the truffle butter, salt, and oil. I can't pinpoint it, but these fries were just not special at all especially for the price. Overall I'd say this place is just ok. It's not a 5 star dining place and I don't think it's 5 star food on a bun. Price was around Hot Dougs, but not as good at all. No colorful host, no super service, nor atmosphere. Oh and their Chicago style dog... Sorry, but you can do so much better almost anywhere. Sorry, but this place isn't that great at all.
This is the kind of place that makes me want to change all my other 5 star reviews to 4 star reviews. They truly deliver as promised. I was just here today, and the quality of service and food felt similar to that of an establishment that had recently opened. Although there is a vegetarian "dawg" option, this isn't a place to go to eat healthfully, although they do seem to use pure, high quality ingredients even in the sausages. I ordered the beet salad and triple truffle fries, and tasted The Brunch Dog and the Justin Cased. The Justin Cased is part of the competition, so I don't know how long it will be there, but I would go now and get it while you can. The description: roasted poblano & quesadilla cheese pork sausage, pickled vegetables, chicharrones & avocado mousse. Sounds good, tastes even better. I can't imagine there could be better truffle fries anywhere in this city. What a terribly great idea to put truffle butter on french fries. I'm trying to forget they exist. Another plus, it is open on Sundays, unlike another gourmet sausage establishment.
(5)
Carl D. S.
I have returned a couple of times and it only gets better. The chef dawgs are getting more elaborate and complex, with truffle fries popping up as an option. The main dawgs are getting slight ingredient tweaks but all in the goal to increase the flavors. The Travel Channel's Andrew Zimmern recently shot a segment for his show. It matters less if you're a Franks or Dougs fan...this place has got a flavor all its own and a really fun place to go to.
(5)
Colleen B.
We gave into the hype and hopped over to Franks N Dawgs a few weekends ago. I really enjoyed my reuben dog - the sausage was amazing. We really liked the lyonmaise fries and I thought the service was really good. I like that the woman taking orders takes her time with each customer and isn't rushing you along, despite how busy the place was.
(4)
Eric V.
It was a rainy Sunday afternoon and the fiancee and I decided to grab a late lunch at F-n- D. After placing our order we took our order picture of Frank Sinatra and grabbed one of the booths along the wall. Not a minute after we sat down, Alexander, the owner, came by and said the wait would be a few minutes longer than usual due to a large order from the group by the window. As I peer over, my inner foodie fan boy gets all giddy as I spot none other than Bizarre Foods' very own Andrew Zimmern! Alexander continued to explain that Andrew was by no means getting preferential treatment, but that they just happen to order quite a bit of food (Andrew was taking his film crew to lunch). It was super nice of Alexander to come over and explain, but we had no problem waiting an extra two minutes given our little pseudo-celebrity sighting. Ok, back to the food... My fiancee ordered her usual Dirty Dog, I got the Spicy Duck, and we threw in an order of Triple Truffle Fries to share. The food was every bit as delicious, if not better, than our last trip here. The Spicy Duck was outstanding The spices of the sausage balanced perfectly with the acidity of the pickled carrots and a touch of sweetness from the pineapple relish. The pork crackling on top got a little lost in the flavors, but that didn't take away from the overall dish. The Triple Truffle Fries were quite good, too, and they're only available on weekends. In case you were wondering, the "triple" comes from truffle butter, truffle salt, and truffle oil. So after the Bizarre Foods crew left, Alexander and his wife, Ellen, came by to chat about their surprise guest. I can honestly say they are the nicest restaurant owners I have ever met in my life!! They are so warm and welcoming. You can tell they have a true passion for their product and really care about the experience of their diners. I really hope they continue to do well. Their food is not only amazing, but you can't help but wish that good things happen to good people. Keep on dishing out the goods F-n-D, you've already made a regular out of me.
(5)
Patrick G.
So I really like sausages (encased meats) of all types. So I definitely have really enjoyed all of my experiences at Franks 'N' Dawgs. I very much have enjoyed all of the specialty sausages here and haven't had a bad one yet. All the spicy ones I've had have been very balanced with just the right amount of heat. The fries here are also excellent. They have also introduced me to KETCHIPOTLE Chipotle Ketchup which is super delicious and they sell by the bottle there. They also introduced me to Gale's root beer which might be the best root beer I've ever had. I bought a couple to go bottles when I first tried it. As others have noted it is a tad pricey on a per sausage basis here. I would like for them to have some "standards" like a Chicago dog or a Polish sausage but I guess you can get those in almost any 4 block radius in Chicago and they want to concentrate on specialty sausages.
(5)
Donald R.
We were making a day of it in the city...trying new places and sights we had heard about, including FnD. It's ok, but overpriced and definitely overrated. Brunch Dog was good but not great. The casing came off completely and I was left with that disgusting looking mess on my plate. Cheese fries were also ok, but overcooked. Waffle fries were not out if the ordinary and a ripoff price wise. Fountain drinks are boring. Two dogs, two fries and two drinks came to $31. Seriously? Ya, seriously.
(3)
Triphena W.
My recent visit was not the same as the first. Smaller portions and anti-climatic dawgs (read: sounded better on paper than they tasted). The differences are noticeable if you compare the photos from my last visit to those of my first. The triple truffle fries looked and tasted different (frozen?). The sausages on the dawg flight seemed to have shrank, resulting in an unwelcome high ratio of bun to sausage. Flavors didn't sing like last time. I was not a fan of the FU vegetarian dawg. I didn't enjoy the flavors, and I found the salsa verde atop unappealing in terms of color and texture. The Krazy Kimchi and Tur-doggin also fell short in the flavor department. I had them during my first visit and thought they were outstanding. What happened?! Service, however, was just as friendly and attentive. Quite disappointed with my most recent meal here, but if people continue to praise Franks N Dawgs, I'd be willing to return.
(2)
Megan G.
I have to admit, I was a little let down once I finally made it to Hot Doug's. I mean, it was good, but I didn't understand the hype. This place is like Hot Doug's, but better, without the insane, outside line. Date and I came here for dinner before a show at Royal George. We were feeling gluttonous, so we ordered 3 dogs and an order of truffle fries to share. There was precisely one person ahead of us in line. ONE. At prime dinner time. I found the menu a little overwhelming (everything sounded fantastic) but we finally settled on the Tur-Doggin (Turkey & date sausage, crispy duck confit, herb garlic aioli, pickled onion relish & pickled carrots), the Krazy Kimchi (Spicy beef sausage, braised short rib & turnips, kimchi, wild rice & basil), and a special, the Mercat's Mole (Chicken mole sausage, charred tomatillo salsa, cotija cheese, tortilla strips & cilantro). I've never been much of a fan of mole, so to my surprise that dog was my hands down favorite. Coming in second was the Tur-Doggin with the Krazy Kimchi in a distant third. Oh, and the truffle fries? Were perfection. It's really easy to overdo truffle oil so as to make whatever you're eating totally overwhelm your tastebuds. These fries had just the right amount. Is Franks N Dawgs a little more expensive than Hot Doug's? Yes. But I will gladly pay to premium to avoid the weird hours and insane lines. Oh, and did I mention Franks N Dawgs is BYOB? Encased meat excellence.
(5)
Xl G.
Saw this place on the Food Network for a special Chicago edition and decided to go try it out with my friend. Their truffle fries were amazing, I also had their fried green tomatoes that weren't bad but all the batter kept falling off, but otherwise the seasoning and flavoring were great. Servers are very friendly and informative. This is not your typical hot dog stand joint. They are very creative with the menu and love to mish and mash different meats, veggies and condiments. My friend had the Lamborgini, which is a lamb based hot dog with all the fixings. I had the tofu dog that was a little strange and spongy. Overall I would definitely come back though to try out some more menu items.
(4)
Kate C.
I cannot express in words how delicious this place is. It would best be captured by one of those cartoons where a salivating wolf's tongue rolls out of its mouth. The food is amazing. Far and away better than Hot Doug's and without the long lines. The staff are really friendly too and will talk to you about the food and how its made, which is great. It feels like they take a lot of pride in their work. I love their special "dawg of the month" because there's always something new and exciting to look forward to. My hands-down favorite, however, is the brunch dog. The way the yolk from the egg drips down and mixes with the maple mayo to form the sauce is just ... perfect. So so very perfect! I also adore the truffle fries. Seriously, if you haven't been here yet you need to go.
(5)
Patty S.
1 word - "Frankenstein" This was absolutely a delicious 'dog.' We also got the duck sausage as well, but I must say the "Frankenstein" was my favorite. Each of their sausages are handmade and specially crafted with all the fixings - no additional condiments necessary. We also got an order of fries and fried green tomatoes with the order. Fries tasted freshly chopped and not out of a bag. The tomatoes had a crispy cornmeal coating, but not much flavor. For 2 of us, it was over $30, which seems pricey for just hot dogs. Although, if you look at the ingredients and the effort that it goes into each of these specially crafted sausages, it seems like a bargin. I would definitely go back on Fri or Sat to have a taste of the truffle fries - YUM!
(4)
Dan H.
I came here with a bunch of friends on a Saturday afternoon. Someone in our group suggested we each here. They hyped it up for me by saying that it's better than Hot Doug's. But honestly, I like Hot Doug's better. I tried the Franken' Stein (foie gras based) and the truffle mac & cheese. The Franken' Stein was not as amazing as Hot Doug's foie gras hot dog. For these two portions (the mac and cheese was really really small), I had to pay over $15. That's a ton of money for one hot-dog and a measly bowl of mac and cheese. But aside from the price, and me constantly comparing it to another hot dog joint, Franks 'N' Dawgs is quite delicious. The selections are varied (extremely creative). If you are craving a more breakfast fare, then they have it. If you crave the traditional Chicago style hot dog, they have that too. Ultimately, though the food was above average, it's a place I would revisit only to show it to my non-Chicago friends. I don't think I would return to this place to eat regularly.
(4)
Chenfei L.
A great place to go if you have a craving for rabbit or scallop sausage. For me this is usually never. But the place is creative and serves a diverse array of sausage-shaped food. The buns are remarkably textured and the truffle fries were decadexcellent. Next time, I'll try one of their more normal hot dogs. As a hot dog snob, I'll up my stars if those normal dogs float my boat.
(3)
Virginia T.
I am a huge fan of sausages, (snicker). However, I recently tried Franks 'N' Dawgs and was not impressed-at all. We planned on dinner at F 'N' D but were shocked when we checked and their hours are only until 7:30pm. So we rushed over for an early dinner. We were perusing the menu. The man behind the counter asked if it was our first time. He pointed out the menu, and the iPad they had sitting on the counter ("if you wanted to look at pictures of the items"). We decided on 3 dawgs, one was the charitable dawg, which I was happy not only sounded good but meant $1 of my purchase went to the Anti-Cruelty Society. One other was one of the "Iron Dawg" competition sausages, and the third was a regular menu dawg. We also ordered cheese fries. The first thing that upset me was that WHILE taking our order, the gentleman behind the counter paused to pick up his cell phone. We weren't even done ordering. In fact, he made a hand motion and mouthed "drinks" at us to ask us if we wanted any beverages with our meal.......you know, since he was ON HIS CELL PHONE. Then (while still on the phone) told us to "pick a mugshot" or something like that, which I gathered later was sort of a number system for the orders.....but that wasn't clear- nor was our Dennis Rodman velcro card ever picked up when we were brought our order.... The first dawg came out- it was supposed to have bacon lardons and had RAW strips of bacon on it. Then (few min later) our second dawg and fries come out. I tell them about the bacon, and he said he would take care of it. Finally, the 3rd dawg comes out, and he brought with it a side of actually cooked bacon lardons. I was perplexed. If it only took minutes to replace the raw bacon why did my dawg come out with raw in the first place?? Why didn't they replace the whole sausage instead of just handing me a bowl with a few replacement lardons-especially on my $9 dawg? Worse still-the fries were cold upon arriving at the table, and looked nothing like the photo. They were not crisp at all anymore, and seemed to be in a heavily onion flavored gloop than melted cheese. The best thing I can say about any of the dawgs is that the buns were good. Nice, NE/Lobster Roll style rolls. The toppings were awkward, and mostly came off when trying to eat the dawgs. The avocado mousse on the one dawg tasted not very much of avocado and looked waaay worse (similar to poo). Pickled veggies on the one dawg were in huge pieces.....even the dawgs themselves were lackluster. Hard to bite through, lacking in big flavors. Meh. I picked at my 1.5 dawgs and the cheese fries and still left hungry. I'm sorry but for over $30+ for 3 dawgs & fries that is ridiculous. P.S. Entrance is a little weird- you walk down the gangway to enter on the side, and you leave out the front door onto Clybourn.
(1)
Dan D.
Absolutely amazing joint! They serve great food and do it with style. The creations thought up by these up and coming Chicago chefs stand alone when it comes to gourmet hot dogs. Try the salmon hot dog if it's still on the menu, its easily one of the greatest and most surprising foods I've ever eaten
(5)
David N.
When you're in Chicago, you must have a pizza pie, yeah the thick stuff with a fork and knife, AND a HOTDOG. I opted for Frank N Dawgs to get my fix. I had the brunch dawg and it was damn good. It's base is a pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo. You wouldn't think that could work but it came together very well!
(4)
Never M.
***A L L H Y P E**** These are the tiniest, most unappetizing and EXPENSIVE dogs ever! Even though the landscape has changed, Chicago is still the city of big shoulders and meat and potatoes. Men here are big and used to large polishes. Ladies; don't even think about feeding your hunny here, he will be disappointed! Unless you plan on spending $60 on hot dogs smh. The portions are for toddlers and my 6'3 police officer did not leave satiated. Ordered the Lobster roll and the Chicago esque dog and something else that escapes me, maybe it just wasn't memorable enough. The Chicago dog was terrible. The lobster roll was awful and very vinegary*. There was no flavor what soever. There isn't much that needs to be done to lobster, it really does stand on its own. Not here, the lobster meat itself was a weird consistency that I wasn't familiar with as if it weren't truly lobster. The truffle cheese fries were incredible, you can't get fries of this caliber anywhere else. Also the bread that the sausages are served on is mind blowing. But nobody goes to hotdog stands for buns lol you go for the whole package. Brace yourself for the layout of this place, it fills up quick and its very aggravating. The fries warrant another trip, but I ain't touchin them sausages ever again for any reason, no sir.
(1)
Ken S.
The brunch dog with maple mayo, bacon, and fried egg was spectacular! The new england style lobster roll bun that is freshly baked daily is simply amazing and goes well with the hotdog. Frank N' Dawgs is a bit of a trek from the train station but the food is well worth it! Will definitely be back here the next time I'm in Chi-town.
(4)
Sherin J.
This place has been on my list for a while and finally made it in on a Friday night - no lines. I tried the taco dawg and the tur-doggin. The tur-doggin was okay but the taco dawg was delicious!!! It was a little smaller than the other sausages so I could've easily had 2. The fries and the green sauce are good as well. Would def. return!
(4)
John O.
I'm a huge fan of Hot Doug's although on this visit he was unfortunately closed for vacation. We visited Franks instead to get our hot dog fix. The hot dog was good but nothing great. The bun was really good but it rich and dominated the taste of the hot dog. I think it was lightly buttered. Service was nice and friendly. The prices are way too high. Give me a break. I think Franks is decent although it not in the same league as Hot Doug's. Not even close.
(3)
Bruce C.
Really friendly staff and excellent gourmet dogs. All kinds of flavor combinations on the menu; we tried only a couple more traditional ones and they were really good. You know how some places will give you a number to display on your table so your food can be delivered when it's ready? Here, they amusingly gave us a choice of infamous celebrity mug shots. We chose Lindsey Lohan.
(4)
S. P.
Really delicious if you like hot dogs. I agree with the previous review that said to skip the sides. I would stick with the regular fries or the truffle fries. The sausages here are great but the buns are really incredible, they help make the meal. The line can be a little crazy, but it's worth trying if you're in the area. The Mac 'n Cheese dog is a favorite.
(4)
Ross N.
4.5 stars. Dropped in with a bud over the weekend based on his multiple stops over the past couple weeks and we were not disappointed. He had the Bayou Dog and I got the Tur-Doggen; side was Lyonnaise fries. The good- both dogs were excellent quality and I think I enjoyed mine a little more than his. Good flavor, not overwhelming and the sausage was really fresh and 'clean' if I can somehow express that for a sausage?.? My bud loves his, especially the blackened shrimp. Hay zeus, the fries alone were a meal themselves and outstanding. I sincerely thought we had filet in there only to realize (I ordered blind w/o looking based on options from server as he passed) it's actually pig cheek. I didn't care as I love pork and we then scarfed the bowl down like Mel Gibson looking for petrol in the Road Warrior. The not-so-bad. The bun. I know we're stepping up all sorts of food round here but mine was little over buttered and took away a little of the wow factor for my ingredients. I will say this again, though, it was delicious and I'll def be back to sample more. With or without a friend. PS- Nick Nolte
(4)
Stephen K.
This place has amazing food and great service. Every time I've been to their brick and mortar store, I've had a good meal with friendly servers. At their Lollapalooza stand this year, Karen replaced my bacon mac and cheese dog after I dropped it on the ground - not everyone would do that. Keep up the good work, guys!
(5)
Omare V.
This is my first Yelp post and I'm glad i'm using it to review Frank N Dawgs. I really enjoyed it. I was really impressed with how the "Dawgs" were prepared. It is a little pricey. I recommended it to my friends. I will definetly stop by again!
(4)
Ernie W.
Called ahead to make sure they were open..hours of operation were in line with our schedule, so we took the 20 min cab ride (we were from out of state) to the franks n dawgs location ONLY to find out they were closed! No sign, no reason...just closed on a Friday afternoon. Lots of people were just as frustrated as us as they pulled up and pulled off as we did. Don't know if I would return due to the schedule inconsistency.
(1)
Joon L.
The hotdog was great! Customer Service was good! $10 for a hotdog, is a little too expensive. Will be back to try the rest..
(4)
Pascal M.
It'd be nice to see less reviews with people knocking THE ORIGINATOR of this concept in their review. A long wait, big deal. Someone in your family likely once told you, "good things come to those who wait." ANNNNNNYWAYS.... Frank and Dawg has a diverse menu full of interesting combinations. They put their own spin on it all by using Texas Toast/ Lobster Roll style buns. Plus, there are a lot of other options besides Dawgs such as a great selection of french fries, salad and vegetable options, and a some great sweets to choose from. When I visited, we tried the Govenator (amazing), the China (good), and the Belly (so-so). The execution and presentation of the dawgs are very nice. The chef has an impressive background and uses sound techniques to harmonize his products. Frank and Dawgs is great. Easy location, vast menu, and a diveish atmosphere that will make you feel good about eating pleasure food.
(4)
Kimberly A.
The savory smells waft throughout this cozy restaurant as you enter. With so many creative choices, it was difficult to try just one! Tur-Doggin: Hands down the favorite of the bunch!!! Turkey sausage topped with duck confit, garlic aioli and pickled carrots. It definitely exceeded my expectations and deserves 5 sporks easily. A MUST-try! Brunch Dog: Won second place in our opinion. Pork sausage with bacon, fried egg, and maple mayo. 4 sporks! This Little Piggy: Pork sausage with pickled red onions and fried oysters. I thought it was ok, no WOW factor. 3 sporks! China Town Duck: 5 spice duck sausage with pickled lotus roots and chili sauce. Weird flavor. Least favorite. Would NOT recommend. 1 spork! Triple Truffle Fries: Waffle fries drizzled in truffle oil, truffle butter and truffle salt. Flavorful and herby. 3 sporks! Not a huge truffle fan, but I could see people going crazy over this. Overall, awesome experience with tasty, juicy sausages and friendly service. Try it if you're in the Chi-town vicinity and go for the mind blowing Tur-Doggin!
(5)
summer c.
Charmingly different dogs. Really quite good and worth the price for the quality. Not your typical dog and a fun outing if your in Chicago and want to do things you can't do anyplace else.
(4)
Doe L.
*update* I got to try the Frankenstein and Double Ducker. I wasn't a big fan of either. For the Frankenstein, all I tasted was onion and this sauce that tasted like champagne to me. The sausage was only there for texture. For the Double Ducker, it's more my preference but I never thought I would ever say, "too much duck!". I never realized how gamey duck tasted until now and I have VERY low gamey tolerance. I was saying how the truffle fries weren't worth it last time but this time, they were ohhhh so much better. There wasn't a big pile of oil sitting on the bottom and the truffle taste was very present this time. It's still so pricey but it edged me closer to thinking it's worth it. *end update* --- I agree that Franks n Dawgs is kinda pricey but you kind of pay for the location and size of the dog. They have an interesting bun choice... It looks like a giant piece of sandwich bread that is cut and "stuffed". It's different! Doughy and slightly crunchy... I really liked it. I wanted to try the franken stein dog but it was sold out! So I got the kimchi dog instead and thought it was deliiiicious. It was a bit overloaded so I had trouble eating it but the flavors were good. I could have used a little more kimchi since I wanted a little more kimchi oomph. I mean... it IS called a kimchi dog! The truffle fries came in some tiny little bowl and was not worth it in my opinion. It was good but too pricey for what you get. The KetChipotle with fries was so yummy that I bought a bottle to bring to work. Next time, I'm going to come back and share my dog with someone else so I can try two at once! We came around 1pm on a sunday and it was pretty empty. The place is kinda small so I feel like it would be a little harder to find a seat once it's packed.
(4)
david k.
great sausage sandwiches, great fires - served on real plates - what more could you want from a 'Dawg' place?
(4)
Sandy N.
Came with two friends to check out the Peking duck dog. As we walked in, you could smell truffle everywhere.. mmmm. We also ordered the Bacon N' Grits dog, Lyonnaise fries, triple truffle fries, key lime s'mores, and a Lamington bite. The Peking duck dog wasn't bad but wasn't very Peking-y, which I was kind of bummed about. The bacon n' grits dog wasn't bad either, though didn't stand out. Lyonnaise fries were kind of cool with the egg but the meat chunks seemed a bit out of place. Triple truffle fries were just as trufflicious as expected.. yum. Lamington bite wasn't too bad, but the key lime s'mores were AMAZING! I would come back just for the s'mores.. really. They have a huge menu so I'm sure that I will have plenty of things to try. While the dogs I had didn't wow me, I didn't take a statistical sample so I won't fault them for it. Truffle fries and s'mores would bring me back though. And there was no wait on a Sunday afternoon. The prices weren't too bad if you split dogs between people (we tried all of these things between three people).
(3)
Joan K.
Wonderful. Need one of these in the western suburbs! How unique and delicious were these creations. My friend and I split three different kinds and I can't tell you which I loved the best! A boatman, a Cajun type and another spicy lamb one. And to top it, was the truffle Mac and Cheese. I wish I lived closer to try all the types, but will definitely be visiting again soon. The best "other" dawg.
(5)
Mark S.
Frank's 'N' Dawgs is a fancy hot dog place, it is not a place to get your traditional Chicago Style Hot Dog, so don't complain. If you want the traditional Chicago Style Hot Dog, go some place else. If you want fancy hot dogs and good fries come here. I like the Bayou Dog over the others and the Cheese Fries are great. I am not a fan of the Chicagoesque, if you want a traditional Chicago style dog, go some place else. There can be a wait and it is only street parking, but Frank 'N' Dawgs is worth the effort to fight the traffic on Clybourn to get there.
(4)
Andrew H.
I love this place. I have not had a sausage here that I did not like. The brunch dog lives up to the hype without a doubt. The fries are wonderful, whether triple truffle or lyonnaise. I really like the "Ketchapeno" sauce on the tables, and the pick a celebrity from the wall of shame adds some fun as well.
(4)
Azize S.
this really is a 5 star sausage place. every touch is artisinal, including the bread. the sausages are unique (kimchee for example). the toppings are playful (i had a turkey sausage topped with toasted ginger marshmellow fluff). the garlic truffle waffle fries are a MUST. I have never had room left to try their desserts. I take friends in town here - its a quick, filling, delicious, unique lunch/dinner spot thats not going to set you back big $$. usually no line or a short line to order.
(5)
Eric F.
I believe in fate.... And fate brought me here while walking for Cigarettes as I refused to go inside a bar/restaurant that my sisters roommate worked at, and had horrible service when I was there my last time in Chicago. I walked by the place and saw pictures of their absurd hot dogs and the mac n cheese one caught my eyes. I kept walking. There's still an inner 5 year old in me when it comes to mac... I could be the most sad person in the world, and it will be easily fixed with a good MAC I saw it again on my walk back and stared at the picture outside the place of business for a solid five minutes..... staring....salivating.... almost openly drooling.... and i decided to go back to my sister because i was sure she wanted to get going. I got no more than five steps away and turned around and in the door I went. Their Mac N Cheese dog was made with a bratwurst and despite how I love various 'wursts' im not a fan of the brat... So i asked what else would be good with the mac n cheese dog.... A quick brainstorm sesh with the workers and the plan was in action: Since the mac n cheese has hints of truffle, they thought it would be great to put the truffle chicken sausage in it. I dont know what else to say.... The experience cant be described in words... just get the mac n cheese dog with the truffle chicken sausage. Thats that... U dont try it out ur destined in life to mess up at frank n dawgs
(5)
John H.
Simply EPIC!! Great sausages, good prices, easy to get to location! A must!
(5)
Alexa H.
Even coming in with some high expectations for the triple truffle fries, I came out loving this place. There are so many delicious-sounding combinations on this menu that it takes some extreme decision making to figure out what to eat. The boyfriend and I split three sausages: Brunch Dog, Turdoggin, and the Truffle Mac'N'Cheese. The first two have sausages made in-house but it really didn't matter. I couldn't imagine that a place that made such well thought out, balanced sausages could buy bad ones. And I was right! All the bites were not only scrumptious but they made you think about the food you were putting in your mouth. The plain fries were really good but the truffle fries are everything I have ever dreamed about. Many places overuse truffle in an attempt to make their fries "the most truffle-y." Even though these have truffle butter, truffle oil and truffle salt, they were perfectly balanced. It's the balance that makes Franks 'N' Dawgs stand out. I will definitely be back for more, especially when the outdoor dining section is open.
(5)
Shirley L.
We tried the Krazy Kimchi, Frank'n Stein, Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese Dog, Le Cassoulet, and Turducken. My favorite was by far the Turducken. All the dogs together tasted great because of the diversity in flavor, although alone I would have considered the Kimchi dog my least favorite. Overall, the buns are in thick toast, similar to what you get with a Lobster Roll. This is why I ultimately prefer this place over Hot Doug's -- the buns are amazing and really help hold the dog and toppings. We also had two orders of the triple truffle fries which were amazing! We came at 730 PM on a Friday and there wasn't a line until a bit later. Overall, highly recommend if you're looking for a unique Chicago hot dog experience.
(4)
Kerry C.
SO GOOD. For many reasons! 1. the ambiance. Seriously, a hot dog place w/ an ambiance. We went on an unseasonably warm October Friday night and it was empty (20 min before closing) and ate outside under xmas lights. Wish we would have known it was BYOB because it would have been perfect to sip our wine and eat our delicious dogs. 2. the food. We split the two Iron Dawgs- Ring around the Posey and Pig Latin. RATP was good- definitely more of a smokey, rich taste. While Pig Latin (I can see why it's the reigning champ) was knock your socks off good. Hard to get in one bite and I was unaware there was pork belly on it until I had an explosion in my mouth. Just speechless that you can get that flavor from a hot dog. And the buns are SO good! Not too much bread. We also split the truffle fries and I've never tasted waffles fries like that. 3. The service. I think we walked in and the owner was working, or else he was just some passionate employee! He helped us through the menu, explained the famous people pick-up tickets (I chose Snoop- obvi) and was in all, so nice and helpful. He directed us outside, came and checked on us, and again, reminded us of BYOB. In all, great experience. Happy I live so close (although my waistline may not be!). HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
(5)
Ben R.
In a word, money! Everything here is fantastic. My favorite is the Epic Pork
(5)
Mark C.
Super good fancy hot dogs....but you definitely pay for the fancy at an average price of around $9-10 just per dog. But, they are terrific. Service can be somewhat slow, but they are made to order. I'm a neighbor and hit it up for lunch about once every 6 weeks. They've got a small back patio as well for outdoor seating (albeit not much of a view of anything). Wish they were open later on Sundays.
(3)
Sarah S.
I tried to go to this place while they were closed for remodeling so that was a FAIL.. I came for another visit and found them open YAY!! I had the kielbasa with the brussel sprout slaw.. both were AWESOME Service was very friendly and patient for newbies. it is a tad pricey for some items on the menu..but to offer such odditys like lobster dogs and turducken dogs... its worth the extra cost. I also sampled the truffle fries and thought they were yummy.. waffle fries are always a winner in my book.
(4)
Bryan G.
Sometimes reading a menu can be deceiving. Specialized ingredients and distinct combinations don't always translate from paper. The total never equaling the sum of its parts. Franks was everything I thought it would be and more. The quality and care that is put into a sausage placed in a paper boat is almost crazy. I started slow by ordering the Cheese Head. It is a Sheboygan Brat with smoked Gouda, perfectly caramelized onions and sauteed portabella mushrooms. The bun was warm, slightly toasted on the outside and soft on the inside. Definitely the best brat I 've ever had. With cheese fries and a drink, it came in under $10. Perfect. Their more unique sausages looked equally delicious varying from duck to andoiulle. You can recognize a culinary method to their madness with choice toppings that correspond perfectly to the type of sausage. This will not be my last visit to Franks.
(5)
Tim H.
Red beans are rice were great. The mystery corn dog sampler will make you love corn dogs. Pleasant service and good food.
(4)
Wombat K.
Oder the Dawg flight and it included the brunch dawg, krazy kimchi and the tur-doggin and I upgraded the fries for the delicious super truffle fries. My favorite was actually the tur doggin dawg to my surprise, the sausage is really tasty on its own, my second favorite was the krazy kimchi and it was my boyfriend's favorite and he had to order a second dawg cause it was that good for him, the dawg is good with all it's component together but not just the sausage alone. My least favorite was the brunch dawg while it was good it was lacking something and I just couldn't put my finger on it. Over all it's a great place and you don't have to wait like at hot Doug's which is not that great anyway. I'll definitely come back here again. Btw the key-lime s'more is super yummy.
(4)
Carolynne M.
With such a temperate name such as "Franks 'n' Dawgs", you would expect that sort of banality you'd get at some suburban hot dog stand, whose only lure is "we sell Vienna Beef dogs!" and offers up undersized meat on dry buns. If that is what you are hoping for, chum, I can direct you to any number of establishments in Vernon Hills or Rolling Meadows. However, THIS is no mere hot dog stand. This is what happens when trained chefs take the idea to the next level. About 20 different sandwiches await you - all of them with such delicious descriptions it was near impossible to choose. Since I am a sucker for anything with the word "spicy" in the title, I chose the Spicy Yucatan, which is a Pork & achiote sausage (made in house!), avocado, pickled habanero red onion, queso quesadilla cheese, deep fried tortilla strips & cilantro. My only complaint was that if there was any habanero or spice in this, I didn't detect it. However, while everything was delicious, the thing that put it over the top for me was the slightly charred New England lobster roll. Its been so long since I have had a lobster roll that it didnt occur to me what it was until later in the evening. But this bun is what pretzel rolls did for burgers. Thick, dense, almost Texas toast-like bread that holds up against any juicy ingredient. It is used in New England primarily for the lobster roll sandwich, which is a messy, dreamy delight of lobster chunks, herbed mayo and celery. So you know this bread can stand up to anything. However, just when I thought things could not get better, my beet salad arrived. Folks, even if you are a hater of the encased meat product, you need to come here for this. It is hands down the most incredible beet salad I have ever had. Roasted red & golden beets, arugula, pickled red onions, orange marmalade, champagne vinaigrette & chevre? Oh man, I would eat this every day if I could. Throw in a cute interior, with a super charming Aussie (who is perhaps the owner? Not sure, but I loved his passion and enthusiasm about all of the items on the menu) and prompt service? I am officially a fan!
(5)
Steven F.
So went in for a duck confit dog, lyonnaise fries and a urbanbelly chix. Every dog bun was toasted to perfection. Confit was undercooked; Chefs, check your product! Sausage was nice, moist and emulsified well. Lyonnaise fries were mushy despite the fact they were eaten first. Flavor was good but there was a pool of vinaigrette at the bottom; unnecessary, serve on side if it's not a poutine jus. Urbanbelly had a nice sausage once again, moist and salted well. Aioli or some component had an aggressive amount of fish sauce. Should be 2.5 stars for buns alone but fries that can't stand up to a vin condemns to 2 stars. Check you food chef!
(2)
Gabe M.
This place is great. My favorite hot dog place in Chicago. Great atmosphere. Great hot dogs. Their Chicagoan is a great chicago dog. The place that really makes it good are the sides. Not just fries, but an excellent brussels sprout salad. Really like it.
(4)
TB H.
Cute fifties style diner with outside eating area. Staff very friendly. BYOB. Started with triple truffle fries. OMG good. You will actually take a bite then say "Oh My God". Tur-doggin - homemade date sausage, duck confit.,garlic aioli and pickled onion relish on a lobster roll. Bun toasted perfectly, sausage fantastic flavor not greasy or oily grilled to perfection with nice char. The duck confit just takes it over the top and relish gives nice balance to cut the richness. Hot dog $8.50. Worth every penny, don't tell but would even pay more. Some other high lights Lyonnasie fries, and the Black Sheep Dawg made out of lamb sausage. Another winner. Go online and check out the menu. Worth the drive, we came from the burbs and will go back. 2 Tur-doggins, Triple Truffle Fries about $24.00 combine that with sitting in outdoors and a few craft beers (remember BYOB) you will not be disappointed. Last minute decision went for the Sweet Home Chicago dessert Dawg. French toast, chocolate ice cream, fresh fruit, butter scotch sauc and cinn almonds. Only item that didn't impress. French toast and ice cream good mix but skimpy on the rest, only $5 but wouldn't order it again. TB H rating closest to 10 you can get. But desert fell flat and brought overall score to a 9.3
(5)
Chris C.
A rarity for me: I have nothing bad to say about this place. The nice Australian approached us as we stood in the doorway looking lost. He gave us the rundown and assured us everything was wonderful. I was prepared for disappointment, but there was none to be found. Everything was great! We ended up getting the sampler that has 3 halves of three different sausages, and fries. It was more than enough to fill us up, and my wife and I were astounded at how tasty everything was. The fries were not exceptional, but I wasn't there for the fries anyway. Much better than Hot Dougs with no wait, and open during the evenings. I'll definitely be back here.
(5)
Amary N.
Awesome dogs!! You get to look at the menu on their iPad. I love the ketchup spicy sauce that they serve. Staff are simply awesome. I don't which to pick, everything is good. You got to eat the hot dogs right away otherwise the bread will turn soggy. That could ruin your experience.
(5)
Steve R.
We stopped in 01/18 based on the reviews. We ordered 5 dogs for our table to share, but the guy who wrote it down put down 6. When the order arrived, we were surprised. After we ate, we stopped back to thank the crew for the good dawgs. At that time the guy who made the error insisted we needed to pay for the extra dawg, even though it was his mistake. We were talking about how we were going to come back, but now we won't based on that. One of our group works in the business and said that this was a major faux pa, insisting the customer pay for their mistake.
(2)
Mike S.
What a pretty neat concept. I came across this place while going to shop at Trader Joe's. I figured I would have one last hoot before eating healthy ;D What a good twist on an original hot dog. They really make it kinda fun for what would normally be just a walk-up, sit down joint. They give you a picture from the Hall of Shame to mark your table with for them to deliver the food to you. The franks are delivered with extravagant looking toppings. It might be 1/2 the reason why it's slightly overpriced, but still a fun place to go to. It's like someone took the idea of a Chicago dog and said, let's try to make it look magazine fancy. I got the Reuben Pulanski. It was hard to bite into, but when I could get all the tastes in one bite, it was pretty rockin.
(4)
Helena G.
I was very curious about hot doug's (yes, I'm not American), so we went in this place to try some. The line was big but didn't take more than 20 minutes. I tasted the Bacon 'n' Grits, it was very good and very different from the conventional hot doug's. It has Bacon sausage, cognac glazed pork belly, fried leeks, puffed grits, grapefruit segments and julienned apples. We also ordered triple truffle fries, they have some freshly chopped herbs on top. They are very good! The owner is very nice and the staff too.
(4)
Bowen W.
very good. lots combinations, all unique. i would go back again. the only reason i give it 4 starts instead of 5 is because I thought it was kind of expensive for hot dogs, even if they are more special than most hot dogs
(4)
Tim W.
The idea is unique, making gourmet hot dogs, but it just wasn't that great. I like the criminal signs for each table and the fries were pretty good.
(3)
Dennis L.
Finally! I have been wanting to visit Franks 'N' Dawgs for about a year now, and I finally made it happen. My wife and I visited for a quick lunch. I decided to go with the Flight of the Day in order to try a few different offerings. The flight came with mini versions of the 3 different dogs and fries. The day I made my visit, the three dogs were the Krazy Kimchi, Chicken Caesar, and Brunch Dog. All of the dogs were delicious, but the Brunch Dog stood out as the most unique and tasty. Seriously, how can you beat a pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, and fried egg drizzled with maple mayo! Simply amazing! I also liked the spicy ketchup options offered at the restaurant. I am a Heinz guy, but they had great flavors and worked great with the crispy french fries. I also had the opportunity to try the Chicagoesque Dog. It's a classic, but it is just plain good! Franks 'N' Dawgs joins Hot Doug's in my top two spots for dogs in Chi-Town.
(5)
Mike D.
The Pepsi of gourmet hot dog joints. That being said save your time and your appetite for Hot Doug's. Don't get me wrong, the food was good but not great. The music was obnoxiously loud and the counter seating left something to be desired. All in all, to me its too similar to Hot Doug's and it has a sign clearly stating that they don't have a authentic Chicago style Dog! Worth a stop if you're nearby but not worth a special trip.
(2)
Heather S.
I have eaten here a few times and the food was good but pricy. I am reducing my stars on my rating because they do not honor their deal on their charity hot dogs. The charity I am involved with never received their promised money and were treated quite rudely. I don't think they are doing their charity dog any more which is probably good but I will be taking my business elsewhere.
I first experienced the food at Lollapalooza last year. I had a chili dog and it was amazing even on a hot day. I've been meaning to visit the restaurant since but seemed to be in the area when it was closed. By golly, I finally made it! The tricky thing about this place is the front door...or at least it was for me. The door is located down a hallway to the right of the building. Thank me later :) I decided on the same thing but added cheese on my fries this time. O M G...it was just as good if not better than at Lollapalooza. I will order the fries well done next time to get extra crip on them. The chili dog is sandwiched in garlic toast (mouth is watering now) and I loved ever single bite. I promise to try something different on the menu at my next visit. See you soon Franks N Dawgs!
(5)
Travis P.
That bun! Those corn dogs! Amazing. Never would have out these toppings on the hot dog by myself. A great hot dog and great fries. A must if you are looking for a new twist on an old favorite.
(4)
Raana A.
Franks N Dawgs is one of my favorite places to go when I'm not in the mood to cook and to indulge in a great meal. Triple truffle fries are one of my favorites, and their veal percik hotdog (date chutney, carrot- ginger aioli, cilantro and toasted almonds) doesn't have is like none other (that i've tried anyway). I 'd give this place another star if they had more non-pork options that compare to the veal percik. The other dog I tried, Tur-Doggin, was pretty good, but some of the other sides (truffle mac and cheese and the sprout salad?) didn't really blow me away. 5 star potential. Definitely worth trying!
(4)
Douglas R.
If you are looking for a steamed-bun Chicago dog...go to hot doug's, wait in line, and enjoy. If you are looking for a unique, more flavorful, and sometimes entertaining fast-dining experience then by all means: head to Franks 'n' Dawgs. The good-humored staff can/will talk you through your first experience. I would recommend being adventurous. I was not in love with the cheese fries (real melted cheddar, i think), but the truffle fries are enough to make up for any perceived foul. Just look at the menu: franksndawgs.com/menu I dare you to find something that doesn't pique your interest. As far as unique, fresh, interesting fast food goes: one would be VERY hard pressed to find a better spot in our fair city. PS: don't take my 'Hoff card. (you'll see what I mean)
(5)
Ted C.
The BEST fries I've ever had in my life....Triple Truffle fries. Mind you they were $5 for about 10 fries, but worth every penny! Oh, and the dawgs were pretty good too! We had the Chicken alla Naha, which was part of their traditional "smack down" dawgs, and it was great...I've never had a chicken dawg before. Also, being that we live in WI, we had to try the Cheese Head (onions, cheese, portabella on a brat)...by far the best brat I've ever had. I highly recommend this place, and look forward to my future visits!
(5)
Dan D.
3.5 Stars. I've been visiting their website for some time now drooling over the pictures of their gourmet dogs. I finally got a chance to go here over the weekend. I got the Cheesehead Dawg, Triple Truffle Fries, and a drink. The dawg wasn't what I had expected. It was good, but not great. Their dawgs are served on a special "bun" that i would compare to a less garlicy, garlic bread. Overall, it looked better than it tasted The biggest draws for me was the Triple Truffle Fries. I've only had truffle fries at one other place, BIG & Little's, so it was nice to finally compare them to another place. Hands down, however, BIG & Little's reign supreme in the fries department. Not only are they cheaper, but each fry seems burst with truffle flavor. Not so with Frank 'N' Dawgs. Very impressed with the service. The guys behind the counter are so helpful and polite. This place is pretty pricey. My bill was a little over $13, but I will definitely come back here again because of their service and creativity with their food.
(3)
Crystal F.
Haven't eaten in, but Franks 'N' Dawgs catered a friend's wedding! That might sound unusual, but it was a bit casual and so really enjoyable rather than a stuffy sit-down meal, or the old-school family-style arrangement. The dogs were absolutely delicious. I may have tried one of each (half-dogs) including the slammin' salmon and the tur-doggin--both gourmet dogs with great flavors. And the brussel sprouts salad was a great alternative to a slaw. I'd love to check out the location.
(5)
Alan R.
The food is absolutely to die for. If the presentation was a bit better this is definitely a five. I ordered a kids hot dog that came with fries for my daughter and a Brunch dog for me. The served everything in the same to go container. Mine came with a fried egg on top. It turned over when I took it out and got all over everything else. Be warned that it can get a bit pricey here. The brunch dog was amazing. A maplesque sausage served with the fried egg, bacon bits, maple mayo on a french toast bun. It was between that and the pork sausage with pulled pork and bbq sauce. I also loved that their regular hot dog comes with a tomato relish instead of the customary chicago pickle relish. I can't stand the neon green. I definitely want to go back, but it was $15 for the entire meal. The fries were also among the best i've ever had.
(4)
Nissan S.
Cute place. Owner was super nice and explained all of the gourmet hot dogs to us. It's a little on the $$$ side.
(3)
Nick C.
To start off, if you're not ok with paying $9 for a hot dog, then you probably will not like this place. This is not a hot dog joint that sells cheap hot dogs. If you want to try amazing, culinary art hog dogs, then you have to pay the price. They do have a $4 hot dog, but why waste your time and money. Get one of their signature dogs. I had the Belly Up and Krazy Kimchi, which were the two the cashier recommended. The ingredients for each hot dog are amazing and one of a kind. I also love the buns as well. Yes, I paid $20 for two hot dogs, but don't regret it what so ever.
(5)
Kelley F.
I am in love with everything here. The line can get a little long right at the lunch hour, so try a 2 or 3 o clock lunch. The truffle mac and cheese is to die for. The truffle fries amazing. The dawgs are so good, you must keep rtying the news ones. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it here.
(5)
Todd A.
Gourmet custom dogs and sausages are the order of the day here. Fries are just ok, the chipotle ketchup rocked, but you can get it from their supplier, it's not their recipe. My girlfriend liked her Beet N'Brat but my Governator causes serious stomach distress from undercooked sausage or an employee sanitation issue which is not my idea of a good time. The table next to us were complaining about the truffle fries, not much truffle flavor, a rip off. I won't be back, can't risk it. Kinda pricey for what you get, Hot Dougs is much better and cheaper too.
(1)
Natalie B.
What a funky and delicious place. Reuben Pulaski dog was amazing. Who could resist a potato pancake on a hotdog? Truffle fries were tasty and just the right amount of flavor. The Corn Dog was haute and awesome. I don't even like hotdogs that much (husband does) and I'm dying to return. Yes it was expensive but the innovativeness and taste were well worth it. Not expensive if you think of it as two meals, which it covered for us since we were so full.
(4)
Chris R.
Went here with my girlfriend yesterday. I ordered the Brunch Dog (the one featured on Food Network and Travel Channel) and she ordered the Reuben Pulaski. Both were amazing! The bun was very fresh and baked that day. Top quality ingredients and interesting flavor combinations. We also ordered the Triple Truffle fries which were some of the best fries I've ever had. Amazing. The owner was very nice. We told him it was our first time there and he showed us pictures of all the various dogs on his iPad. Great atmosphere, dive-like. 5 stars!
(5)
Tom W.
Went for the first time today. The food was great. I got the burger dog. Delicious. When I finally got it. There's the problem. The food came in fits and starts and took far too long. People who came in AFTER I ordered got their food first. And I was actually told that I had to wait until a delivery order was finished. And into that fact that a friend who ordered at the same time got his order a full 15 minutes before I did, and the fries I ordered came in 10 minutes before I acutally got the dog. The side dish is not supposed to come in that much earlier than the main item. The fact that my friends were halfway finished with their meal by the time I got mine just rubs it in more. It tasted great. But with that kind of service, which I've seen improved on by Hardee's, I'm not in any hurry to go back.
(2)
Rob S.
This place is excellent. The tripple truffle fries are a must! They are supurb. To the point when I went for lunch, and again for dinner just to get the fries. The sausages are unique and are topped well. The bun is also unique, light, but fulfilling in the bread to sausage ratio. Plus, they have an interesting method in identifying your table, but I wont spoil that suprise. And they serve Goose Island root beer which I really like as well. Two thumbs up to franks n dawgs!
(5)
Chris K.
A bit overpriced, but the quality of the food here is high and more along the line of gourmet/experimental. Definitely a nice twist to the traditional hot dog, but it's questionable the food here would even be classified as a dog. Yes, I know it's basically encased meats that would warrant the usage of the name "dog," but I think that's a technicality I don't care to follow. Either way, the food here is delicious and definitley fit for a foodie or anyone else, who enjoys good food.
(4)
Thomas R.
Had an excellent 5-spice duck sausage with really great garnish/condiments. Also the truffled mac & cheese was very tasty but not at all hot... too early in the day I think. Super friendly place with a hugely creative menu. I'm sufficiently tantalized by the variety of the menu and its creativity to return again and again.
(4)
Sarah G.
A-MAZ-ING. Great sausages. Great price. Couldn't be happier with this place!
(4)
meghan s.
Best hot dog place I have ever been. The buns are fantastic!! I got the chicken cesar and it was amazing and healthy. It was a chicken sausage with lettuce, croutons, and cesar mayo. It is also nice to have such a quick service and friendly environment. It really made my dining experience joyful. Also, they do not let you clean up your own food. The employees come around and gather your garbage.
(5)
Shaina S.
Being a vegetarian, it is difficult to find a restaurant that has something catered to vegetarians. I am used to the frozen veggie burger that many restaurants serve. Other places serve veggie dogs that are usually boring and taste plain. The first time i ate at Franks n Dawgs, of course i ordered the FU Dawg (vegetarian dawg) and OH MY GOSH was it good. It was soo tasty with all of the toppings that they put on the yummy marinated tofu. The grilled eggplant and portabello mushrooms add so much flavor and the salsa verde is amazing! This place is just too good and the atmosphere is beautiful and comfortable. Such friendly staff, gorgeous, colorful and tasty sausages, and a five star chef! who could ask for more?
(5)
Chris B.
These guys are trying too hard and getting the little things wrong. If Hot Dougs is not making all their sausages in-house, who cares, they are wonderful, who ever is making them. Always easy to eat and you never have to dismantle his work and eat it with a fork. Frank 'N" Dawgs is another story. The Mystery Corn Dawg was one of the weirdest meals I have had in a while. The corn had an odd texture slippery and while it tasted fine, it also didn't have the deep fried crunch you expect with a corn dog, Texas State Fair or Haute. The biggest problem was the sausage. A brat-like sausage with a casing so thick, I couldn't even bite through it. I was starving so I had to dismantle the whole thing and had to squeeze the meat out the casing. Ok, so if this is a homemade sausage, great, but make it so it can be eaten like a hot dog. I needed a steak knife and a fork to eat the damn thing properly. I also had the dirty dog. Sausage was a little easier to eat but not much. You could not possibly wrap your mouth around this thing and eat it. It just isn't possible. Well, maybe a porn star could do it. The bun was good but not the right size for a hot dog. Also, I had to dismantle the damn thing in order to eat it. Ended up leaving 1/4 of it in the box. Fries were good. And so was the mustard you got with the Mystery Corn Dawg. Don't forget the basic stuff here guys. Get the simple stuff perfected and then move on. If Hot Doug's does anything right, is that he never forgets the basics.
(2)
Mike Q.
Awesome flavors, very creative dogs & sausages, very customer-focused guys/owner. You must eat here, you will not regret it.
(5)
Gilbert G.
"I am not impressed with your performance" - GSP I should have had the Brunch Dog.
(3)
Bitty B.
First time fantastic. 2nd time - my Chicagoesque Dog was good, but the fries were soggy with no flavor.
(3)
Jewel L.
We ate there quite by accident. In Chicago for a weekend, my friend and I were shocked that every hot beef place was closed on Sunday. We were driving towards Armitage, and saw the sign. My friend walked up to the window and said they are not Vienna...go look, and see if you want to give it a try, we will. We were both hungry, and it looked lively, full of people, the food looked good, and ok, let's try a different take on the normal Chicago dog. I tried the Summer Feast, and it was just ok. I'd never order it again taste-wise....a traditional Chicago dog has more flavor. My friend went the normal route, and was very disappointed from the pickles to the dog itself. The truffle fries were great....but later we both got sick. I was sick until the next day. I say go elsewhere.
(1)
Victor M.
Lamb sausage was AMAZING! Place could use a little more work when it comes to the decor. Fries were also great.
(4)
Tony G.
I have had lunch here many times as they are so gracious as to give us Apple employees a discount, and I have to say they are probably the most amazing hot dogs ever, the bun itself is ridiculously awesome, I could go and order just a bunch of buns and be happy.
(5)
Tiffany D.
I EFFIN LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!!! OMG! I went last week and got the Charity dog, which was a bratwurst with truffle mac-n-cheese parm cheese and brioche bread crumbs...first anything with truffles in has my money, but this....this idk what to call it but it was heaven in my mouth!!!!! The fries were perfect!! And I was full for my entire 6 hour shift after (amazing cuz usually 2 hours in Im STARVING). But I saw they had ,get this, TRIPLE TRUFFLE FRIES! So I made it my mission to go back on a Saturday and get them....OMG! It was better than sex!!! It is a bit pricey....but its soooooo worth it. They staff now knows me by name because I went everyday since the first day. I havent had the simple hot dogs because there are sooo many options with soooo many topping, and simple isnt in my nature....but its a MUST TRY!!! Go eat indulge!!!!
(5)
Carly G.
I went here last night after work for a quick bite with the boyfriend and his friend. Great choice! I'm always good for a classic hot dog with everything on it! Franks n Dawgs over achieves by far. I only had cash for a regular dog, but the man at the counter (I want to say his name is alexander) overheard me talking to my boyfriend about wanting the Chicagoesque. He upgraded me and threw in a drink. What a sweetheart, and very personable! He explained about all of the gourmet ingredients, their special (and over the top buns that are the most unique) as well as make us feel so welcome. The decor was great too. Clean and inviting, (trust me I have seen hot dog stand owners botch this kinda thing before) they even have a private back patio. Onto my hotdog: the "Chicagoesque" I have never had anything like it. The hot dog itself was fresh and bursting with flavors and was fresh. Not sitting in dog water all day. There was a perfect amount of sauteed onions, crisp pickles and a spicy brown mustard. The topper, my favorite part was the bun. It actually had the sport peppers baked inside the bun. Incredible! Now I know "Hot Dougs" is unbeatable, but this place has the right idea as well. Both are unique, both are delectable. I will end by saying this, I will be trying every dog on the menu.
(5)
Cindy R.
As the daughter of the hot dog king of Montreal, I know my hot dogs! We took our kids and another little friend after soccer in early November. Other than the wait, the food was awesome...the hot dogs were divine and the fries were great too. One of the kids wanted a hamburger, it came on a bun, but was no plain jane hamburger, it was delicious!
(5)
Marshall G.
This is the newest contender for the best specialty dog/sausage in Chicago. And it may soon be the best if they can successfully execute their vision. When I walked in, they told me they were closed. But they hadn't really started to put everything away so they said they'd serve me. It was between the duck/pork or the veal sausage and the two guys behind the counter both recommended the veal with date chutney, carrot ginger mayo, and cilantro. The guy reached for the sausage, paused, and went in back and grabbed a better piece. Then seared it. They use a top-loader bun with the side crust shaved off. It's buttered and toasted like a lobster roll as the sausage cooks. I chatted with the guys. They are passionate about sausages of all kinds. The finished product was excellent. Really good combination of savory, spicy, sweet, and texturally dominant compared to any of the other local spots. They went through 10 bakeries before settling on the bun and it was worth the effort. There is a special concocted by a local high-end chef and each month they will have a new guest chef create a new dog. The customer service was helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable... and it's just a hot dog joint. It's a new spot but as long as their operation stays tight and clean, this may become the new go-to location for specialty dogs.
(5)
Ryan H.
Last night I had the 1/4 pound Chili Cheese Hot Dog - holy crap was it good! The fries were also awesome! I highly recommend this place - forget Hot Doug's and the circus of that place. This place is better - there will or should be lines out the door soon! I can't wait to try other items on the menu - from the looks of all the reviews it doesn't look like I can go wrong with anything I choose on the menu!
(5)
Arthur D.
Avoid the $20 lobster roll. Way too overly priced for what you get which is simply lobster meat on toast and that's it. My standard for lobster roll is Pearl Oyster Bar's (on Cornelia St. NYC) for the quality, flavor, and the fixings (a generous portion of shoestring potatoes and a side salad). It costs $30 but worth $30 unlike FND's $20 lobster roll thats bleh and should be priced $7.50. Friend also ordered FND's cheese fries for $2.50 and he said it tasted as bad as it looked. We'll probably check out FND for its regular offerings - but not anytime soon.
(1)
Peter M.
Had the Chicagoesque. Wonderful set of flavors. Fabulous fries. A little pricey, though.
(4)
Chris C.
The buns are outrageously awesome. I just wish the flavors were more balanced. I'm sure it will only get better with time. I am a fan of the Foss dog.
(4)
Mike T.
I will definitely go back and try the other dogs, but for my first visit, I was not terribly impressed with the $9 Black Sheep and the $9.50 Belly Up. I was mildly impressed for the price. I shared some of the food with my family and they enjoyed the bun, as did I. It was unique, buttery, and tasty. The Black Sheep, a lamb sausage, was good, with onion slaw being a bit strong, but I'm not sure what ingredient was worth the price? Perhaps $7 would have been more reasonable, but if all of the ingredients were fresh and higher end, I suppose that is what you pay for. A good experience, nonetheless. The Belly Up was another pricey one, with only a small sliver of pork belly, but it was good. Definitely worth a try and a good use of flavors. I also ordered the Triple Truffle Fries for $5, which were tasty, but the portions were small and I expected more of the oil to drip off the waffle fries. I also expected more visible herbs, but maybe it wasn't mixed up as well or they skimped off all of the ingredients. The side door and front exit door of the restaurant confused me and made me look sort of stupid as I wandered around the restaurant, but that is ok. I think if I visited this place a couple of more times and tried other things, I may bump up the score to 5 stars. Great potential.
(3)
James S.
Words fail me. Everybody should at least try this place, fantastic.
(5)
D L.
Outstanding hot dogs. Very creative combinations, with quality meats/toppings.
(4)
Laura M.
this place is soooo good!! I am a san francisco local, and hot dogs are not local fare. i might munch on a wiener with ketchup at a tail gate party, but this is absolutely no comparison! not only is everything freshly made, baked, and served in-store, but the choices are so much fun! I cant even remember what the name of my dawg was, but the beef was delicious, with fresh coleslaw n pickles on a freshly baked and toasted bun! WOW! the missing star is because it was almost overwhelming trying to choose 1 dawg to go with my truffle fries and fried green tomatoes along with a Goose Island root beer. I will go out of my way to make a pit stop here next time im in chi town! oh, and Joe was there taking and serving orders.. what a cutie!
(4)
Jen E.
Why is there a line a block long at Hot Doug's when this place exists? We walked right in and had plenty of time to decide what to get. As we were deliberating, the owner explained everything on the menu and helped us decide on two dawgs that we didn't regret. Bf got the brunch dawg and I got the spicy yucatan...plus we shared an order of the truffle fries. AMAZING! While I did enjoy mine, I think I liked the brunch dawg better. I was nervous about it being to sweet with the maple mayo, but it was amazing! Never did I think I'd be able to say that I would be content eating a hot dog for brunch, but I totally would! Bottom line: Brunch Dawg and truffle waffle fries are a must!
(5)
James C.
I have to admit that I was excited when I heard about this place so I raced on over at 3pm on a rainy Wednesday and found myself looking at their menu that had fancy ingredients. That's the fad right? Take something simple and add super expensive ingredients to give it that "on steroids" kind of feel to it. Me and my buddies ordered the Foss Hog (the one with the egg), dirty dog (andouille with rice), and bloody mary dog (i dunno what this one was but it wasn't that good). Foss hog was super salty. The egg is always a good touch but I think I might be getting sick of everyone putting an egg on it to reel me in to buy... cause it always works... you bastards. The sausage was SUPER salty to the point where my chili cheese fries tasted bland. I probably won't get this one again purely cause it still feel like i have a block of salt in my mouth. Dirty dog was exactly the way I expected. The rice doesn't work on a hot dog... it makes it too mushy and it takes away from the flavor of the whole thing and makes it taste more like a burrito. Bloody Mary dog... i dunno. the bread was too much. it's like this tiny sausage (that's what she said) in this giant bun. had olives (i think) and other crap in it... not very good for me but I can see how other people could like it. I'd give this place a try again and order something else but i have to say, i'm disappointed. It really did remind of the equivalent of kuma's corner - big giant dogs with crazy toppings that in the end makes your food taste like a mixture of everything. FnD is to Kumas as Hot Dougs is to DMK. If you haven't tried DMK burgers, check it out... it made kuma's obsolete in my mind. Sorry guys but I wanted to really like you but I can't just yet. I'll come back tho to give the other ones a try after the salt in my mouth is gone.
(3)
Eric P.
I stopped by Franks N Dawgs over the weekend and was impressed by their N'awlins dog. The service, bun and truffle fries are still amazing. However, the fries are so rich that I won't be getting them unless I can share them. I guess I could only eat half by myself, but they are so good I know I won't be able to stop.
(4)
lauren w.
Triple Truffle Fries. Do it. This place is great. No long lines like other gourmet encased meat places. Just really great gourmet hot dogs.
(5)
Samantha L.
I liked Franks N Dawgs but I have to admit it wasn't love. I also have to admit that I have never been to Hot Doug's, but maybe it's a good thing that my review isn't a comparison. I ordered the tur-dawkin. I thought that the turkey and date sausage was awesome. I agree with some of the other yelpers, there was kind of too much going on with the whole thing. The duck confit was pretty greasy, especially with the garlic aioli, and the pickled onion carrot combo thing on top, well, wasn't good. I just didn't like it. Thinking about it now, the first few bites I took were great, then as you keep eating you get all the different flavors and they just didn't go together that well. And it was too much grease, I only ate half and I felt kind of sick. I am giving three stars because even though I didn't particularly like the dawg I got I still think that it is a decent place. The toasted buns are awesome! and worth going back for. My coworker got a jumbo dog with their Guinness mustard and grilled onions, it was great, so next time I will go with that.
(3)
Valerie S.
Gourmet sausages - delicious! This is not your average hotdog stand. If you're looking for a regular Chicago dog do not come here, but if you're looking for the best gourmet sausage you have ever had - come! The service is great. They are super nice...and for what you get it is an AMAZING value!
(5)
Heather G.
I can't say enough great things about this place. Went with a friend for dinner and from the minute we walked in we both looked at each other and knew we'd already be coming back before we ordered. The menu is a little overwhelming - not because there is a ton to chose from, but because everything sounds so interesting - it's hard to decide. So we asked the gentleman at the register, who turned out to be the owner, Alexander (I'll get to how great he is later). He recommended we split the dawg flight, and add one more full dawg on. The flight that day included the Black Sheep, Turdoggin & China Town Duck - to be honest, none of which I would have ordered had I not felt adventorus - but ALL of which I loved! Naturally, we upgraded the fries that come in the flight to truffle (delish) - and we added on the Truffle Mac & Cheese dawg. We split everything and there was not one thing I ate that I didn't enjoy. The Black Sheep probably ended up being my favorite - great flavor with the pear slaw on top of the lamb sausege. My friend and I sat outside and the owner ended up chatting us up, constantly brought us refills and could not have been any nicer. He's the kind of person who will remember you after just one visit. They close at 7:30, but my friend and I were having such an enjoyable time we sat outside until about 8:15 and never felt pressured to leave. Overall a casual and delicious dining experience. Great place to take out of towners to try something new.
(5)
Eldiva S.
My husband had the beef corn dogs & their fries... We both thought the fries were fine. The beef dogs are from Boar's Head-good brand but we expected it to be made on site(like a homemade dog)since it's the "5 Star meal on a bun" concept...so we were disappointed at that. The corn dog batter was tasty though.... One Disturbing Thing - Didn't like that while the chubby kid behind the counter was putting fries into a costumer's order he was also eating them!!!!! WEIRD! Who does that???!!! PLEASE at least wait till after you're done serving and munch all you want- idiot! GROSS Also didn't like that their veggie dog is not a dog at all - but just marinated tofu in a bun. I have a problem with that since it's a hot dog place and I wanted my veggie dog made into a corn dog which they obviously couldn't do... so that was also disappointing and I didn't order it-it's more like a sandwich, not a hot dog. Overall- the concept is cute, but the menu was not appealing to us and we expected things to be more creative, homemade, thoughtfully presented, executed, etc. So if you want a step up from a plain dog-I am sure this will work for you. I think Hot Doug's does a better job of "the 5 star meal on a bun" concept and we will continue to visit them when we want a tasty & creative dog...and they have an actual "veggie" dog!
(1)
Matthew U.
Amazing. Just simply amazing.
(5)
John S.
I've driven by this place numerous times, and finally had the opportunity to try it out for lunch today. I had the "Burger Dog" and have to say, it was absolutely delicious. Had it along with the fresh cut (and very crispy) french fries, which were quite good as well. Like Hot Doug's? Hate the wait? This is your place!
(5)
donna y.
I recently had the burger dawg and it was DELISH! I was intimidated at first by the texas toast-like bun... didn't know how to jam that in my mouth.. but it was surprisingly soft. The meat was also very juicy (it could've been oil) but I enjoyed every bit of it.. It's a bit pricy for dawgs but worth it once in a while.
(4)
John B.
Spectacular!!! I had the Lamb Keema. Fantastic! The person working ( I assume the owner) was very pleasant, helpful and thorough. My large, large friend had the chili dog and was quite satisfied. I highly recommend it and would definitely come back again!!
(5)
Joanne S.
Wow what an interesting restaurant. We went since we had seen it on Bizarre Foods tv program. I couldn't believe I never noticed it before. I have walked passed it several times. For our first round my brother had the Black sheep, mom had the burger dawg and I got the mystery corn dog. We all tried each others. The best in that round was the Black sheep and then the burger dawg. I didn't realize that the corn dog was not a signature house made sausage so it was okay. We also order the triple truffle fries. They were good. Since we were there we decide to go for a second round. We got the Tur-doggin and the Spicy Yucatan and the truffle mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was so amazing creamy and fragrant with truffle. The tur-doggin was different. I am not used to having lots of stuff of my dogs but for these you need it. It adds a complexity to the dog. The buns they use are really good. The Spicy Yucatan was good but didn't seem to spicy to me. For the second round I would go with the Tur doggin and then the spicy Yucatan. My Brother and mom would probably say the opposite. The only negative is the store is small and doesn't have a lot of tables. We had got there probably just in time for lunch rush making it harder to get a table. We had to eat at the stools first but for the second round go to move to a table. If I am in the area I would probably go again but parking in that area is hard. I had to use my secret parking spot but it is a little far from the restaurant. I would suggest going with the house made sausages.
(4)
Alli N.
Amazing truffle fries. I have yet to have a hot dog here I have enjoyed, however. I ordered a Chicagoesque and was treated to half of a hot dog (yes, a hot dog cut in half - I didn't realize expecting a full one would asking for too much), a surplus of caramelized onions and not-yet-pickled pickles. For roughly $30, not worth it. Ok... maybe for the fries. But that's it!
(2)
Ndamukong S.
Fantastic gourmet dogs. Beware, the menu is overwhelming but only because everything sounds delicious. The Kimchee dog was great; the truffle mac n cheese was solid; the mystery mini corn dogs were solid. The place has a nice backyard patio area, it is BYOB, all of the workers were very nice...the only thing I'd do different is get 2 dawgs instead of 1 dawg and basically 2 sides.
(5)
dave h.
Quick review: good to very good, but not as good as Hot Dougs.* More in depth review: I've eaten at FnD about 6 or 7 times now, so I think I've gotten a pretty good idea what this place is about, So, I'll break it down for you like this: Buns: this is the one category where FnD beats every other dog place in town. These are lightly griddled brioche buns, almost like unsweetened French toast. Really unbelievable, and the best part of these dogs. I'd make a visit here just for a plain dog on these wonderful buns. The Sausages: FnD has made a big deal of distinguishing itself from Hot Dougs because its sausages are made in-house. However, I don't care where they're made, so long as they taste good, and I've found the sausages to be a mixed bag. Some have been excellent: especially the Veal Percik. Others have been flat out gross. I sampled the mystery corn dog, and the sausage casing was so thick that it wouldn't break off. As a result, every bite ended with a flaccid piece of dead skin hanging over the edge of the dog. Not appealing at all. Toppings/Combos: again, a mixed bag. Some I loved. The veil percik is the best I've had at FnD, and on par with some of Hot Doug's best. Unfortunately it's not a permanent member of the menu. Others, just meh. It seems like a lot of the varieties rely upon some form of pickled vegetable. I'm not against pickling per se, but it does tend to overwhelm the flavors in some of the dogs. Hot Dougs may seem like a hodge podge, but there's really a method to the madness that is pure genius. I've probably been to HD's about a 100 times. You could amputate a couple of my fingers on one hand, and I could still count the number of times I had something that was less than great at HD's. Fries: Pretty good, but every time I've gone they've had a different variety so it's tough to gauge. Nothing to blow you out of the park though. Best fries in the city are still at Suzies. Service: Has been excellent until my last visit. I got there Saturday afternoon, and the line was short (only two small groups in front of me). However, it took nearly a half an hour to get my order in and get the sausage to my table. I'll chalk this up to an anomaly though. Shit happens at every restaurant, and the service has otherwise been stellar. Also, I've never had to deal with any Hot Doug-esque lines...so that's a huge plus. The fact that you can consistently get one of these gourmet sausages, within about 10 minutes, is truly great. So that's it. I definitly would recommend making a trip for any sausage connoisseur * I know it's probably not fair to compare FnD to Hot Dougs, but the comparisons are inevitable, and provide a great bench mark for reviewing.
(3)
fabiola b.
I love the FRIES! The hot dogs are very unique in taste. You must be prepared to think out of the box! I ordered a completion dog called "just in case" it was OK I guess I was not expacting the poblano pepper and Quezo fresco to be in the sausage. Also the vinegar was a little to much for my taste buds. My husband got a sotherb dog delicious! It has corn bread, BBQ and the meat was very smoky. My mother-in- law had the Frank and beans I think I will order that next time. It was also delicious with baked beans on top! My son who is 1 loved his plain hot dog with fries! They were so nice they gave us a free drink for him! Next time I'm in the mood for unique hot dogs I'll be heading there.
(4)
R R.
So my boyfriend and I have been talking about going here since it was featured on Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimerman.. As the vegetarian in the relationship, I was excited tom see they had a veggie dog option. We went there on a Thursday evening and was surprised to see no lines or packed seating like on the show. We ordered based on the pictures on the display Ipad on the counter. (cool!). To start the portion is large, so you only need one, especially if you order fries or the Truffle mac and cheese. My boyfriend, got the Black Sheep (based on what was featured on Bizarre Foods). He was not overly impressed and felt there was too much bread. He thought the bun was more Texas Toast than hot dog bun. I got the only Veggie option, The Fu (Marinated tofu with grilled eggplant relish, caramelized portabellas, Italian salsa verde & chèvre). It was good. I could not finish it because it was too big and the verde was a little overwhelming). The Mac and Cheese was very good but again it is heavy so share it between 2 people. Overall, the experience was ok. I think we went in with inflated expectations and we were slightly disappointed. But we will be back for that truffle mac and cheese! If you want to have a gourmand experience in a hot dog, this may be you place ; but it you want an old fashion chitown style dog in meat and veggie options, there are better choices in the city. Happy Hot dog hunting! Chitown Veg Gal
(3)
James O.
I've slowly been eating my way through the menu, and have loved everything I've tried so far. The food is entertaining as well as delicious. Strong recommendation.
(5)
Eric H.
Best new food on the market. When I looked at the menu I had no idea what to get, but the guy behind the counter made some suggestions and I end up picking the Spoiled Brat. Unbelievable. Fries were awesome and they make those on the premise as well apparently as they do the sausage. Everything was extremely fresh and creative, including the staff. They're definitely on to something here. Now if they would only add pie to the menu.
(5)
Bob D.
We've been here twice in the past two months and will be a regular here. The sausages are great, and the fries (both truffle and cheese) shouldn't be missed. The buns really bring everything together.
(5)
Adam K.
I have been here, I wanted to see if it is like hot dougs.or worse, or better, it seems like its more improved, and I hate waiting 1 hour for hot dougs in the snow. Plus I live near here. sorry doug, new kid on the block. After eating here, its obvious that hot Dougs is in trouble. Even tho it seems like this guy is tryin to rip off hot Dougs in every way. I cannot stress enough the importantance of ordering the right thing, to start, try the Chicagoesque. It has all the trappings of a traditional Chicago style dog but a gourmet twist that does not leave u feeling like u jst ate at blackbird, I scarfed mine quickly. I also recommend the spicy duck, which, while not spicy, is as tasty as a Vietnamese sandwich from bon bon (c my review of bon bon on north ave). When I first reviewed this place I got the rueben polanski which was too heavy and over powering. If your here try something simple like the two dogs I suggested and u will not b disappointed. I will b back. Also the truffle fries are unreal.
(4)
Tess G.
We just got home from Franks n Dawgs and I am not going to be able to say enough good things in this one review. First time there tonight and Alexander, the owner, could not have been more helpful. Everything looks good on the menu so it is difficult to choose. My boyfriend and I went with the Brunch (a must) and the Belly Up (another must). They were so accomodating and split both of them for us and even let us try a sampling of truffle fries.....because we also ordered the cheese curds and the fried green tomatoes....but everyone said the truffle fries are amazing and they are! The egg was cooked perfectly on the Brunch and the grapes combined with the pork belly on the Belly Up make it so delicious. I love cheese curds (breaded in panko bread crumbs) and these are some of the best I have ever had---definitely worth a try. The other nice thing is the portions are perfect to share. Between the amazing food and the outstanding customer service, this is somewhere I will be telling others about and taking people back to as well. Even after just one time and based on others reviews....Im sure everything is great on the menu!
(5)
Dan S.
2nd best high end hot dog spot. Still excellent, but sorry, hot dougs the original place with this concept wins.
(5)
Christopher J.
This place was great, if you are in the neighborhood you need to drop on by, and I would say it is worth going out of your way. I had their duck/pork sausage dog, the clever name escapes me at the moment. It had pieces of crackling, carrot slaw and pineapple on top. It looked great and tasted fantastic. The Spoiled Brat was great too, both sausages were cooked perfectly. It was not busy at all, so I wonder what it will be like when the line is getting crushed and there is a line out the door. The buns were more the New England style, no crust on the sides, so they are very conducive to buttering and browning the outside of the bun. This is a great idea and seems to resonate with the previous reviews. Why bother to butter and toast the inside of a bun if you are going to cover it in sauce...Franks N Dawgs are spot on with this nice touch. As for the duck dog, the only thing I would add is a touch of mayo spiced with some sriracha Rooster sauce, that would have made the dog an unhinged masterpiece. The fries were good, but not off the chart, so save space and order three dogs and split them with a friend for an improvised tasting menu.
(4)
Dan N.
Seeing this place on the Food Network, combined with rave reviews from several friends, I was pretty pumped to try Franks 'N Dawgs, to say the least. Really cool place, unique, housemade sausages, a menu that's always changing, and an on-going gourmet sausage competition make this place really one-of-a-kind. I had to try the "Brunch Dawg" (formerly known as the "Foss Hog"), since that's what I had seen on TV. It was good, don't get me wrong, but I'm not so sure that I'd order it again (it's one of those things that I've never really seen anywhere else, so you gotta try it, right?). The bun and the maple dressing and sausage were amazing, I'm just not sure I'm a huge fan of that ingredient combination on my dawg. I also had the "triple truffle fries" which were delicious, although I expected to find actual truffle shavings on my fries, which I did not. I'm definitely anxious to get back here to see what else this place has got to offer!
(4)
Laura R.
Great, helpful staff. Triple Truffle fries were awesome, as well as the whole hot dog (or sausage, depending on which option) experience. Definitely going back!
(4)
Katy M.
We had Franks 'n' Dawgs last year at Lollapalooza and LOVED IT. So when we were shopping in Lincoln Park today, we decided to pop in. Mistake...it was one of the worst dining experiences I've had since moving to the city. The guy who took our order was a jerk - he was contentious about EVERY thing we ordered. My boyfriend had seen a picture of the chili dog in the hallway, but when he ordered it we were informed that Franks 'n' Dawgs is a gourmet restaurant and all employees have fine dining experience, so they don't serve "chili dogs" - then why advertise it? I ordered the fried green tomatoes and they were only okay. Will not be returning.
(1)
Nicholaus H.
Damn!!! Truly exceptional in every way. I was of the mindset that you don't mess with our perfect Chicago hot dog. I am now a complete convert. I went on a Thursday around 3 and had no wait. My friend ordered the breakfast style dog and my girl got the crazy Kim chi, My boy inhaled his so I presume he was pleased. I tried the Kim chi dog and that one may be my favorite, however the govenator was amazing as well. I started with the Yucatan because of my addiction to habeneros, awesome! Upon ordering, the owner, Alexander complemented us on our choices as we had selected all sausages made in house. the execution of everything was flawless, perfect balance of perfectly prepared ingredients. After demolishing the first round we all decided that we needed more. As we heaped praise upon Alex we told him that we were all fine dining servers. He brought us out the best baked beans that I have ever had made with root beer and had a nice spice to them. He also brought out a beet, arugula and goat cheese salad that I loved even thought I hate all those items alone. The Brussels spout slaw is also tasty and unique. Simply put a must hit . I am spoiled with food daily as I am an aspiring chef and work at Bennys Chop house. This place has some of the best food I have eatin in years.
(5)
Brad Z.
get the turdoggen, you won't be disappointed. i got the dog flight, it was good but i really wished i just had 1 big turdoggen, that crispy duck confit and herb garlic aioli def made it.
(4)
Matt G.
I was hoping for a less-crowded Hot Dougs, and instead got sick. I went with my wife, and was very excited. I ordered the "Mystery Corn Dog", of which I should've been more leery of the title. It was a polenta-encased mystery sausage. The Corn-dog part was disgusting: it tasted like flavorless, fried cream of wheat around a greasy sausage. The sausage was horrendous. Crunchy (in the middle, not the outside), and a flavor of mashed meats. I assume it was a spicy veal sausage, but never got an answer. My wife got a jumbo dog, which was fine I guess. Anyway, it made me sick, and I usually have an iron stomach. It's taking a lot of will power to write this review, and not gag just thinking about it! Thye need to do their research on what tastes good together; not just put fancy ingredients together because they sound fancy. Just go to one of the million Vienna Beef stands, and you'll be better off. Or, just stick with Doug's, and you can never go wrong.
(1)
David L.
my review will be compared to hot dougs since my go to spot for gourmet sausages was closed during xmas break. pretty small joint but has character and clean. sausages: A- wide selection of sausages and also cool they have local chefs battle like iron chef on new sausages. tried the turkey dinner and also the mac n cheese dawg. turkey was interesting with actual turkey and carrots on top. very creative and tastey. mac n cheese dawg was aite..good sausage but jus mac n cheese on top of it. Buns: A+ they use a texas toast like bun that is lightly buttered and toasted. this is awesome and better than the simiple bun at hot dougs Fries: B tried the normal cheese fries..the cheese was stuck on the paper plate and fries were pretty standard but nothing spectacular overall it's a great place for sausages and rivals with hot dougs (still my #1 sausage spot). prices are comparable (about $6 for a dawg) but still spend about $10-$15 when you order fries and a drink.
(4)
William L.
One line summary : Fundamentally this is a good place, however, the main problem with it (among some glaring flaws) is that it doesn't make the concept of the gourmet hot dog its own and lack of individuality hampers these creative chefs more than any limitation to a certain form of food (more on this later). Assuming it has no competitors I would still find some pros and cons. The pros are solidly there, the management is very good, there is good patter, attention to detail in service, and a good conveying of the concept. I fundamentally believe that the chefs can produce a quality product. Similarly the bun is exceptional and the truffle fries are exceptional - especially the fry part (more on this). These pros should be experienced, and yes I would go back for the truffle fries. However I do have some issues with the concept itself - it borrows too much at times and at other times how it borrows is confusing. Case in point - The "Iron Chef" competition supposedly pits two chefs creations against each other. However, and this is a big however for foodies, this is not really a well structured, let alone a faithful competition. Simply you don't get to see what the guest chefs can do since they use different "main ingredients" and thus the intrigue is lost. Similar things can be said about the incorporation of stars within the theme, the reinvention of the Chicago dog, and a few minor issues. A more major problem is the disconnect in the notes of the hot dogs/sausages and their toppings. This major flaw means a few things - first and most importantly that irrespective of the quality of the ingredients, or the care in producing those ingredients, a "sandwich" is produced that seems like it might as well be a salad with an afterthought of meat. Ironically, this is apparent in contrast to the Chicago hot dog whose "dragged through the garden approach" produces a cohesive melding of meat and vegetables lacking here. Second, the main premise "the best handcrafted gourmet hot dogs and sausages bar none" fails when you dissect the sandwich. Taste the encased meats by themselves and at times (not all the time) you will find them bland, unremarkable, and not as expected. This becomes readily apparent when comparing it to what should be its competition - Paulina Meat Market (among dozens of other local shops). The sausages and dogs should be able to stand on their own in all their naked glory. Third, lets talk about the two common sides the fries and the beans. Those fries, no not the truffle fries, the regular fries that supposedly come out of the same kitchen as those truffle fries. To be kind they are limp, and unevenly seasoned. They are remarkable but not in a good way. Yet in the beans we find the real crux of the problem with the business - a lack of cohesion and focus on a vision. The beans have variety, they are somewhat exotic, and they contain good amounts of bacon/pork - yet they miss the mark because the flavors do not come together. The varied ingredients are too varied and make it difficult to gauge when the varieties of beans are all cooked right at the same time, thus complicating a dish by adding risks that do not pay off here (though they could if executed differently). Similarly the BBQ flavors lack the finesse that a visiting southerner would expect, and the pork products though plentiful do not have the vibrancy and clarity of porky bacon goodness that should be there. Fourth and lastly, irrespective of if the product is done by famous chefs, irrespective of if it uses good quality ingredients (which is inherently subjective since the issue is if the ingredient is used well not what it is), irrespective of if the inside is slightly upscale - the final product isn't as good as Hot Dougs. What perhaps is more disconcerting is that Frank N' Dawgs seems to just copy Hot Dougs with a variation reminiscent to "Coming to America's" parody of McDonalds, MacDonalds. Like Dougs they forecast the dogs, Like Dougs, they incorporate stardom and naming parodies, Like Dougs they focus on turning encased meats into a shrine. Honestly it is the little things that make it seem contrived in a way and unoriginal. And yes, there is abundant room for competition and innovation. How do you think the Chicago dog survived? How about the (Hawaii) Puka dog? or the (Detroit) Coney Island dog? Simply you don't have to copy to make something great. (Wikipedia it if you are not convinced en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho… ). That said it really was decent if discombobulated and not as finessed as it should have been. However despite all of this I do think that Joe Dorian is an incredible asset that even Doug would approve of - I believe the issue isn't skills, but the awkwardness which stems from Alexander Brunacci's challenge. Similarly Alexander Brunacci is charming, persuasive, patient, and willing to refine his product. I look forward to it coming into its own - Alex embrace your food geek.
(3)
Amy H.
Wow...totally annoyed. I work next door to this establishment, so I was very excited that there would be a "convenient" new place to grab food on my lunch breaks. I was very wrong. And I say this after giving the place a 2nd shot because I knew that they were new and getting the hang of things. So, the first time I went a couple of weeks ago I ordered a basic chili dawg and fries to go, only to get back to work and open up a container of chili cheese fries. So...today I popped in to grab a corn dog and fries to go. Um...it took 45 minutes to get my order, and it was absolutely disgusting. They totally need to get their system down, I only had 4 people in line in front of me, and it still took the guy behind the register a good 20 minutes to get through everyone. Then, waiting another 25 minutes for my order was totally ridiculous. Then...to finally get back to work and have a corn dog that has the batter all soggy from some dijon sauce they threw in the container, and the sausage didn't even taste or look completely cooked through. I feel like I'm going to puke. I'm definitely never going back. Very disappointing since I love hot dogs and they are so close to my work. I only hope this review can save someone else from wasting their entire lunch break on a nice day to complete and utter chaos and food that tastes vile.
(1)
Don D.
Had the Ruben Pulaski and have never had anything that brought so many separate flavors together to form something so delicious. It was so amazing that I was eyeballing the menu looking for something else to try. That's when I was pleasantly surprised by a basket of their truffle oil waffle fries; again, not being all to familiar with gourmet fast food...I wasn't sure what to expect...they were excellent and I highly recommend them as a nice compliment to whatever type of encased meat you decide upon.
(4)
Bobby M.
This place is ridiculous! Went there today and had a spicy duck sausage and it was unbelievable. I've wanted to go to Hot Doug's, but I won't even bother. The staff was also super friendly and very knowledgeable. I highly recommend Frank's n Dawgs. Seriously try this place, you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Blair H.
Better than Hot Dougs. There I said it. The Foss Hog is amazing.
(5)
M L.
My meat-eating friends like this pace, but as an ex-meat-eater who enjoys the vegetarian recreation of a real Chicago Dog , I must warn other like-minded veggies: "Frank's 'N' Dawgs" isn't even attempting that trick. Maybe 2 slices of tofu with mushrooms on top is what modern vegans want, but I want a Hot Dog!
(2)
Daniel H.
5 if a lil cheaper but sausage is great! cool staff
(4)
Lisa W.
Skeptical if anyone else could do this well again. (and I happen to know the owners). But there is no AGAIN here. This is a whole new concept in "hot dog" eating that is both accessible to everyone and able to please the most discerning palate. A lifelong hot dog eater who has gone recently vegetarian, I was very pleased with their vegetarian offering (not just a soy dog), but also loved my taste of their non-veggie corn dog. And love that everything is locally made/sourced...And that sauerkraut is wonderful. This is the best thing to happen to North and Clybourn since traffic lights!
(5)
John A.
I went to Franks N Dawgs a few weeks back and had an okay experience so with both me and my wife off work today, I thought it would be something different for us to do for lunch. After checking the website, it listed that Franks N Dawgs WAS OPEN on Mondays. So we drove all the way from Oak Park to find the restaurant closed with a paper sign on the door saying it will no longer be open on Mondays as of several weeks ago. Is it really too much to ask for them to update their expensive-looking website? It would probably take less time than it took to make the paper sign they taped to the door. Honestly, the food was not that good that it's worth my time to show up not knowing if the place will be open or not. Who knows what other information might be wrong on the website. If Franks N Dawgs doesn't care enough about it's customers to give them the correct hours, they certainly don't want my business. I'll be going back to Hot Doug's, at least their dogs are delicious.
(1)
Susan C.
I went here to try their hotdogs since it's not a regular hotdog you would get at the usual places. I had their Reuben Pulaski which I love sauerkraut and I love it. I also love their truffle fries which that is the first time I had truffle. I have yet to go back to try their truffle mac and cheese. I would definitely recommend this place to my friends if they want try some different with their hotdog.
(4)
Michelangelo V.
Honest review: best hot dogs in Chicago fresh nothing frozen or fake everything on the menu is great its expensive but worth it Dont get the lobster roll its mot thay great its really expensive n not that good its a hot dog place shouldnt be on the menu n the tur doggin dog is not that good the best thinga are is brunch dog truffle fries mac n cheeze get these things n i swear best meal of ur life
(5)
Nick L.
Hot damn that's delicious. Look, I love a good old fashioned dog just like any red blood American badass, but; this right here is some culinary karate ready and willing to mix it up with your mouth parts. Get in, order up, sit down and salvage.
(4)
Hannah C.
Oh my god the amount of truffle going on in this place. The truffle fries are literally gleaming with truffle oil. The Mac and cheese reeks of it. Honestly, the entire place smells like truffles. And that is WONDERFUL. Whatever sauce they put on the brunch dog was fantastic. The bacon mac and cheese dog was also very good. These sausages are ultra flavorful - these really aren't hot dogs with toppings. My only almost-complaint is they don't really gave that skin-bursting-with-juice texture - it's just meat throughout. Not necessarily a problem, but I wasn't prepared for it.
(4)
Lindsey C.
After a failed attempt at going to Hot Dougs (now closed), we headed to Franks n Dawgs which has been said to be a close comparison. We arrived at the restaurant with no wait. Walked right up to the counter and placed our order. Our group ordered a variety of items, including the Brunch dog (pork sausage, egg, bacon and maple mayo). They usually have special dogs on the menu that change often. The sides were good (waffle fries, truffle Mac, truffle fries). Definitely would go back and try some other dogs at Frank n Dawgs.
(4)
Lucian M.
Superbly unexpected. I came here wanting a Chicago dog and left eating a bun mi dog. It was delish as was the truffle fries. Oh and the buns, holy Moses, they are baked tighter together so the crust is only on the top and bottom, leaving the sides to be buttered and toasted. As for the Mac and cheese side, I seriously think there's crack or something in it. It's so good I'm sure someone is going to make it illegal. Get it while you can, little slices of heaven never ever lasts long enough.
(5)
Steve N.
Franks 'N' Dawgs do not serve Chicago style hot dogs but craft artisan sausages aka gourmet aka fancy hot dogs. It was featured on the Travel Channel, Food Network, and Cooking Network. They have a laundry list of specialty sausages and serve a few things with truffle. It's located in Wicker Park and you enter through a walk way. We arrived right when it opened and were in a rush to get inside to avoid the Chicago wind. It was only meant to be a snack but a "snack" has a different definition when it comes to two overeating fat asses like my buddy and myself. It's a little small shop and has a very divey and hipster feel to it. The two chill workers had a lot of recommendations and pretty cool even though they looked like hipsters. Totally judging here. Now, the food. We had the following items: 1) Triple Truffle Fries - The Yukon Gold waffle cut fries includes freshly chopped herbs, truffle salt, truffle oil and truffle butter. To be clear, it's not the Nicki Minaj type of truffle butter. It's golden waffle fries with a crunchy outside and a soft inside. With anything truffle, the aromas of the truffle is very apparent and strong. It had the slightly garlicky taste associated with truffles but it was missing the earthy flavor. I still prefer my truffles shaved versus being drowned out with other ingredients. 2) The Southerner - It's Slagel Farms pork loin, caramelized onions sausage, corn bread, cherry bourbon BBQ sauce and scallions. This was definitely flavorful and the sausage had the juicy bite to it like a Chicago Hot Dog. This was an overall sweet hot dog in taste with the caramelized onions, corn bread and cherry bourbon sauce versus the usual tangy and sour taste of a Chicago hot dog. 3) The Brunch Dog - It's Slagel farms pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo. The smokey bacon wasn't overly smokey per se. I didn't taste it and it wasn't overpowering the other ingredients. However, I really like the sunny side up egg and the maple mayo was a nice touch. It looked like an aioli sauce. I always have mayo in my hot dogs cause that's what Southern Californians use as a condiment. I definitely enjoyed the Brunch dog over the Southerner. Overall, Franks N Dawgs provides a great alternative to Chicago Hot Dogs. I'm sure Chicagoans were ready to hang Franks N Dawgs for breaking away from the traditional Chicago dogs. People were probably scratching their heads like how the Hip Hop community did with Meek Mill's Drake diss track "Wanna Know" but at least Franks N Dawgs food was good.
(4)
Amanda M.
The lamb-orghini was amazing and I'm not even a big fan of lamb. The house giardiniera was refreshing. Truffle mac 'n' cheese was also amazingly yummy. Honestly, I prefer this place over Hot Dougs. Their dawgs are much more cohesive and balanced and explosive with flavor whereas Hot Dougs while still very good was somewhat cheese heavy and two dimensional sometimes with their creations. The only drawback for Franks 'N' Dawgs is that their hours are kinda odd. I wished they opened past 5pm, especially on the weekends.
(5)
William B.
They make outstanding and interesting hot dogs here -- my favorite was a Korean dog with kim chi, short rib and toasted rice on top of a house-made and interestingly-spiced beef sausage; though I also sampled the "brunch" dog with is brilliant in a bacon/egg/syrup kind of way, if a tad under-salted. There were at least a half-dozen other dogs on the menu I wanted to try too. This is the kind of place where you stand slack-jawed staring at the menu because you want to order all of the things. (They're friendly about slicing things in half, though, if you want to share.) I am sad to say that I didn't ever make it to Hot Doug's before it closed (those lines!) but my friends who have say Franks N Dawgs might be as good or better on many axes. And unlike Hot Doug's there was basically no line on a weekday, even in the middle of what could be the lunch rush. My only fear in writing this review is that too many of you will come and change that.
Just so so. Doesn't worth the price. The salmon hot dog is rather plain. The Brussels salad tastes bitter and sour. This place is overrated.
(2)
Angela C.
I always knew that sausages were tasty, but I had no idea they could be this delicious. Franks n Dawgs has opened my eyes to the expansive world of seductive sausage heaven! I got a Vietnamese style dog with a lemongrass sausage and it was delicious. There were so many intriguing options that it was really hard for me to choose. I was very happy with my choice, though. I definitely need to come here more often, especially now that Hot Doug's closed. I loved the table markers too. Very creative. This place has quality and character everywhere!
(4)
Kasia L.
I had the tur-doggin, after a lot of changing my mind and being unable to pick just one. I was pleasantly surprised at how fantastic it was - truly delicious and I will gladly return to try other menu items in the future. Downside - I was the only person in placing an order at the time and it took the cook approx. 20 min. to make my order. I'm in-between on this, as someone who is experiencing cooking in the industry at the moment; while I thought the dog itself had a lot of components that might take a bit to put together (so understanding of having a bit of a wait), I couldn't help but feel as though the boh was taking his time a bit too leisurely.
(4)
Julie T.
The truffle fries are what got me. Those were the best fries I've ever tasted and I wished I grab some to go. I got 'The Kid' hotdog and man was the spice no joke. It was so spicy I learn not to get that ever again, way too spicy for me! It's extremely unbearable spicy. Can't wait to try other things on the menu! So I'll be back soon to give it another chance.
(3)
Emily P.
I'd give this place a 3.5/5 stars. If you know what to expect, I think this place is quite good. They do not serve Chicago style hot dogs so go elsewhere for that. BUNS. Their dogs are served on a Texas Toast sort of thick, garlicky bread. I love it. It does tend to fall apart while I eat it though. This is a hot dog joint. It's obviously not a five start restaurant. They let you choose a person from their Wall of Shame. You stick this star's picture on your table (instead of a table number. It's unique). Their hot dogs aren't cheap. For two hot dogs, two fries, and two fountain drinks the total was just under $40. Just remember though, that they put a bit more effort and ingredients into their dogs. Overall, they have really unique hot dogs. I enjoyed both the Krazy Kimchi and Lamb-orghini hot dogs. Their Triple Truffle Fries are delicious.
(3)
Jennifer K.
Franks 'N" Dawgs is a good alternative if you have enough of Chicago style hot dogs and want to have something else. The varieties here is really good. Even hard to pick which one to try as they are all really interesting combination. But it is quite pricey for what you paying for sausage and bun in a land of hot dogs, Hot Dog VS Sausage? or just a Hot Dog dressed up with exotic toppings with fancy topping?
(3)
Sheena P.
REALLY? I visited Chicago and was sooo excited to try this place because hot dogs is a must here! SO SO disappointed! Here's what I got: Bacon truffle Mac and cheese hot dog: Mac had absolutely NO flavor (which means no truffle) and it was borderline cold. I'm assuming they made it before opening because we were the first customers to arrive for the day. The dog itself was alrite - very sausagey and not like a typical hot dog. Meh. Tur-doggin: please skip this hot dog!!!! The taste of the dog was weird and NOT good! The herb aioli sounded better than it tasted. The flavors did not mesh well and was just randumb. Skip skip skip. Waffle fries with triple truffle: um okay I tasted no truffle oil, no truffle butter, no truffle salt. Literally just crispy waffle fries. If you don't dip it in ketchup and really concentrate on the taste, you might taste a light hint of truffle. DO NOT COME HERE!
(1)
Nicole G.
It's just okay , if you're Hot Doug's fan, you'll be disappointed like me , sausage is kinda dry , only thing I like is the crispy truffle fries , (but for $6 the portion is so small ), waited for 30 mins on a slow Tuesday afternoon ( only 3 tables total -- hubby kept trying to tell me during that long wait : really slow means really fresh ) ,crispy fries won't make me wanna go back there anytime soon.
(3)
Dave W.
I want to like this place, especially with the departure of the legendary Hot Doug's, but I struggle to find anything to get excited about here. Their dogs and sausages, while inventive, are pricey, sloppy to eat, served on a bland slice of bread, and just not that great. I can't say I've eaten anything here that I'd prefer over a standard Chicago-style dog. The dark interior occupies an underwhelming middle ground between hot dog stand casual and industrial chic, although there's a sunny seasonal back patio. Hot Doug's deserves a worthy successor, but at least for me, Frank 'N' Dogs falls short.
(3)
Cinthya Q.
This place is a great local spot. First off, I love the atmosphere. It's young and hip without the pretension that hangs around most Lincoln Park spots. The staff is very friendly and the table markers are hilarious! The menu is eclectic offering over 10 different types of sausages. Personally I love the Brunch dog (it's breakfast in every bite). The Lamb-orghini was equally tasty. The lobster roll was not my favorite but was good enough. My favorite things on the menu are the sides. Amazing! You have to try the brussels sprouts salad, the truffle fries, and the cheese curds. Yummers! The only negative about this place are the prices. Though typical for Lincoln Park it feels weird to pay $50 for dawgs and fries.
(4)
Steve A.
So if you're in the mood for a hotdog, this might not be the best choice, since there's even a sign saying they don't do Chicago dogs. They also don't do anything else recognizable as a conventional hotdog. But they do make some interesting gourmet dogs. We tried three that were somewhat similar: Banh Mi, Tur-Doggin and (the day's special) Quiche Dawg. All were based upon interesting sausages with a number of savory toppings, and all tasted somewhat similar. Interesting, but perhaps not gourmet. We also tried the mystery corn dog platter. To me, the mystery was how anyone could mistake these for corn dogs! There isn't a conventional cornbread coating, just a thing slurry of paste that has been deep fried to a crunchy consistency. There were several different sausages involved; the only clearly identifiable one was lamb. The best dog was actually not a dog, it was the Slammin' Salmon, which was sort of like lox on a bagel but in a bun. Speaking of buns, that's probably the best thing about the place. Rather than conventional hotdog buns, they use squared off chunks of bread that are grilled with butter to a nice golden brown. If you're looking for something different--and by that I mean different from a hotdog--it's worth a try.
(4)
Taylor O.
The place has an interesting menu of dogs and sides to choose from. I ordered the "Cheese Head" and loved the mushrooms and onions on it. My husband's bacon mac and cheese dog wasn't quite as good. Triple truffle fries are worth trying. We had to wait ten minutes to order in the nearly empty restaurant while someone took a break outside... Then had quite a long wait for our food. Not bad overall for a unique take on this style of food!
(3)
Sharon R.
It's been a while since I've been here. All a great place and today, we got the bacon mac n cheese, pork of July, and triple Truffle fries. And let me just say YUMMY IN MY TUMMY! The bacon mac n cheese is like eating your hot dog and your side of Truffle mac n cheese together. No need to get a side of you're going with this bad boy. Definitely a must try!
(5)
Danny M.
We came on a Wednesday for late lunch and there was no line! We ordered the fried cheese curds, Krazy Kimchi, and Reuben Pulaski. The cheese curds were disappointing. It was $5 and there was no more than 10 small pieces. I had the Reuben Pulaski and it was really good. I tried the gf's Krazy Kimchi and it was no where near as good as mine. The people working there was friendly and I will definitely come back to try more items.
(4)
Rebecca C.
This isn't my first time coming here and there will never be a last. I've been here probably 10 times. This place is around other cool shops/stores so you can have places to walk of the amazing food you just ate. YOU WILL HAVE TO ORDER THE TRUFFLE FRIES...AMAZING IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. The artisan bread is unbelievable. I could just eat the bread alone. It the perfect mix between sweet and salty. Ask for the beer mustard on your hot dog, which is the best condiment they have. However, the do not always have the beer mustard. The inside is very cute, but can become VERY crowded since this is an obvious favorite hot dog places among many. I always avoid the lunch hours and when they first open in the morning. I wish they closed later on the week days, but ooo well. I drive an hour to get to this places.. WELL WORTH IT! :)
(4)
Paul L.
I've been many times but today, wrong! The sausage was dry and bland held together by a fried egg, totally tasteless. My gut has been upset since trying to eat it. What happened here?
(2)
Amy W.
NOTE - CLOSED MONDAYS! Okay learned the above lesson the hard way...we scoured the menu for about 1 hour deciding what to get, and on the way out the door to re-check the address - we noted the Monday closure. Well I gotta tell you it is a damn good thing I had one meal left the following day before I returned to San Fran or there would have been some hell to pay. I've been obsessed with Hot Dougs (never been) but know the have a huge line - AND this was a place I could turn my friend onto that was in her own neighborhood. We were the only ones in the place (they told us later that they are considering a move more downtown to get more traffic). I ordered the bacon sausage with truffle mac and cheese, and my friend got the brunch dog (also bacon sausage with an egg, maple mayo and bacon bits). Let me say right off that this place's buns are off the chain delicious, I mean like crack good, sorta a cross between a brioche and a Hawaiian roll, (east coast style bun) and grilled in butter to be crispy and soft all at the same time. The bacon sausage was everything it says it is, a bacony sausage - now who can't like that? The truffle mac and cheese was standard. But it is like that saying that the compilation is more than the sum of its parts. One fine meal. My friends (I did not get a bite) looked amazing and the quivering egg atop was a thing of beauty -she was covered in yolk, but didn't seem to mind a bit. We had also ordered the poutine, with fois gras (Banned in my home state of CA and I was super excited to sink my teeth in). Sadly, after we ordered and sat down to await our meal, the guy chef came over to say he hadn't prepped the poutine- so they were out. I was pretty sad and he said he'd make something close for us. It was fries and cheese curds (yeah baby - fried cheese curds!!), and fries with a blue cheese gravy and duck confit. Yummy yum, but I wanted the fois gras dammit. I wish they would (retail) sell the bulk sausages and rolls to go.
(4)
Jess C.
Since moving to Chicago, I have re-discovered my love for hot dogs. This city is crazy about them! I'll be honest, I prefer plain jane hot dogs but I had to try this place out for its reputation alone. Did you know all their sausages are made that day? Sign me up! I ordered the classic Chili Cheese Dog and was pretty tasty but I was expected more cheese. Great bun for each sausage. Don't forget to try Ketchipotle sauce!
(4)
Tricia D.
Ahh, review #100 of 2013 belongs to Franks 'n Dawgs! (Cue applause) "5-star dining on a bun" is Franks 'n Dawgs slogan! Ah yes, this would explain why they have words like bechamel and remoulade on the menu and ingredients such as daikon and tarragon. They really had us at buttered brioche. Brioche buns are fantastic in their own right and definitely 1005x better than your boring, staling white hot dog bun from the supermarket. We didn't have to wait for a table, given it was 3pm on a Saturday afternoon. What was the grub for $73, you ask? Two peking duck sausages with scallions and crispy skin (the best part), a corned beef sausage with a hash brown nest and poached egg, pheasant and raisin sausage with chutney and almonds, pork and shrimp sausage with shrimp tempura on top, and sides of truffle waffle fries and cheese curds. Whew! With the exception of a 1/3 of a sausage, the 2 of us polished everything off, agreed we had overdone it calorie consumption wise, and rolled out of there. It was unanimous that the duck sausages were our favorite, and the sides rocked our socks off! As you may have noticed, be prepared for the price point. This isn't your typical hot dog stand pricing! Each one will run $10-13, but is a hearty serving. Fun side note: when you dine in, you choose a placecard from the "wall of shame" (instead of your typical black number on a white card) to indicate where the servers should send your order. Choices include Sarah Palin and the Brady Bunch.
(5)
Teejay B.
I won't lie, this was our second choice for hot dogs in Chicago. Mostly because they don't sell Chicago style dogs and we had never had one before. Once we got to our first choice and the line was out the door and into the next city, we came here. Man, am I glad we did! I LOVE weird combos for normal food. Anyone who throws random stuff on a hot dog is ok in my book. For table markers, you can pick from an array of lovely pictures off the celebrity wall of shame. We, of course, chose Dennis Rodman. Although after we sat down, I noticed a picture of Britney Spears with a shaved head and was immediately bummed she didn't grace our table with her beautiful presence. We ordered the southerner and the dawg of the month, the quiche. I'll be damned if those weren't some of the finest combinations of flavors on a hog dog that I've ever had. Excuse me...hot "dawg". The southerner had a cookout feel to it with the perfect amount of BBQ sauce. It was hard to choose which one I liked more since the quiche dog had pickled onions on it. Pickled anything is the bees knees. I'm definitely glad we stumbled in to this gem of a hole in the wall. Perfection!
(5)
Ashley M.
I ordered the the Banh Mi dawg and it was pretty good. The fries were subpar, we had to order regular fries because they were out of waffle fries, how annoying. Overall it was pretty good and not your typical hot dogs.
(4)
Clarice W.
4.5 stars. When I reflect on my meal at Franks 'N' Dawgs I will admit that my first thoughts are of the bun. Oh, that bun!! Thick, chewy, carb heaven. I'll never look at another hot dog bun again. Now, if the bun alone is that incredible, just think about what that says about the rest of the dog... These are serious sausages with serious toppings. Every element of my Epic Pig-gasm, from the sweet bacon jam to the crispy chicharrones, was spot on. These dogs not only tapped into my street food cravings, but also provided novel tastes and textures to satisfy the foodie in me. Why choose one if you can have both!? However, I will make one small caveat - and I can't believe I'm even saying this - I almost felt like there was too much bacon. Now, hear me out: I love bacon about as much as it gets, but after my third bite I felt myself searching for more of that fantastic sausage flavor. The toppings, though amazing, did overwhelm a bit. If I return again I'll opt for another dog. If I haven't shocked you all enough with my "too much bacon" comment, I'll go out on another limb: I think these fries are overrated. Waffle fries are my all time favorite fry but I found these to be a tad on the soft side. The truffle fries everyone mentions were no better than the ones I've had elsewhere (no worse, either). Truffle fries are everywhere nowadays and Franks 'N' Dawgs is just one other business that offers them. Want to know what you don't see everywhere though? A Franks 'N' Dawgs sausage. As an out-of-towner, I guarantee you that any time I have another sausage, I'll be thinking of Franks 'N' Dawgs...and most likely, wishing I was there again.
(5)
George A.
Updated review: My plan was to have the guys pick me something different every time and then give my opinion, cancel that. New plan, start on the left side of the menu and move right until I have tried everything. The reason for this is the combinations of flavors are too unique not to experience. Do not be afraid of trying a dog because you do not like one of the ingredients. Remember, these guys emphasize their background in fine dining. No single ingredient will overpower the entire dish. Every flavor is complimented and sometimes slightly offset by another. If it's your first time I recommend you order whatever you are craving that day. On your next visit you should try something different. 5 stars for variety and originality.
(5)
Sarah S.
Bumping Franks N Dawgs up to the five stars they deserve. Hands down best dawgs in the city. They are so creative, flippin' delicious, friendliest staff, fantastic side items...I'm obsessed. Skip the long line at Hot Doug's and come to this tastier, less crowded specialty hot dog shop in the Goose Island area on Clyborne (within walking distance of the brewery). My Top Dawgs: Brunch Dog ($8.50) - Slagel farms pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo. Perfect for hangovers and hands down my favorite hot dog they offer. Bacon Mac n Cheese Dog ($7.50) - Bacon sausage, truffle mac n cheese with parmesan, brioche bread crumbs & thyme. They've amped this dog up a bit since the last time I tried it and it not reigns as one of my absolute favorites. I'm a huge mac & cheese fan in general but this dog has the mac & cheese with that truffle flare. Epic Porgasm ($9) - Bacon sausage, bacon jam, whiskey glazed pork belly, baconaise, chicharrons, and ham dust. Holy Pig Meat! I just tried this for the first time yesterday and it was filled with so many types of pig and this made my pig face happy. Oink oink. Special Mention: Triple Truffle Fries ($4.95) - Yukon Gold waffle cut fries, truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle salt & freshly chopped herbs. These fries are the best fries on the face on the planet. I'm not big on fries but these have my heart. They are soaked in everything truffle leading to an explosion of flavor in your mouth - no ketchup needed! And there are still SO many more hot dogs on the menu I want to try. It's hard to try new doggies when I know the fantastic ones here and always want to stick to the tried & true meats. I have yet to try the Corn Dog Flight ($7.95) or normal ol' Hot Dog Flight ($15 for 3 half dogs). Yesterday the three in the hot dog flight were Sogni di Porcellino, Tur-Doggin and the Krazy Kimchi but they are always changing. Come to Franks n Dawgs and experience what a real gourmet Chicago hot dog is! AND ---- BYOB!!!!
(5)
Sonny S.
Stumbled upon Franks 'N' Dawgs while getting lost driving around in Lincoln Park and decided to try it out. These are the times that I don't mind getting lost, lol. Apparently, FnD has been featured on a ton of food and travel shows garnering attention for their house-made sausages and interesting flavor combinations; Seeing the accolades displayed outside, I knew I was in for a good meal - JACKPOT! The entrance can be confusing because there's a door in front of the restaurant, but that's the actually the exit. To get to the entrance, you have to go down a creepy little alley. Once you're in, the space is small with booths on both sides of the restaurant. The menu is posted on the wall and you place your order at the window; when your order's ready, they bring your food to the table. It took me forever to choose what I wanted -- everything looks so damn good! Try to come in a group so you can sample more items. TRIPLE TRUFFLE FRIES waffle fries + truffle oil + truffle butter + truffle salt = HOW CAN YOU GO WRONG? BRUNCH DOG This is the quintessential breakfast hot dog and comes topped with Slagel farms pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo; that runny yolk makes this dish with the sweetness from the maple mayo EPIC PORK-GASM If you're a pork lover like me, you will LOVE this dog; they use pork SIX ways here - GENIUS; it comes with Bacon sausage, bacon jam, whiskey glazed pork belly, baconaise, chicharrons, and ham dust note: you will need a nap afterwards DOUBLE DUCKER This was one of the more decadent dogs we ordered and came with duck sausage, duck confit salad, pickled shiitake mushrooms, foie gras torchon and maple mustard; absolutely rich and delicious - the acidity from the pickled shiitakes balanced the richness from the other components I can't really pick one that I liked more than the other; everything was that good and the best part? They toast their buns like ones you'll find when you get lobster rolls. The rolls were so buttery, toasty and warm - can't wait to go back and try the other dogs!
(4)
Piya P.
Three stars might be too generous.. Can I give them 2.5 stars?! I went in on a Wednesday around 1pm. I understand that they probably just went through a lunch rush hour but they should clean off the tables regardless! After picking out my Sammy Sosa table thing, all I saw was garbage and dirty dishes on most of the tables while I was trying to find a seat. I ordered the taco dawg. The toppings were tasty and my first couple bites were pretty awesome. But then, when I got closer to the center of the sausage, it was still a bit undercooked!! I pointed out to one of the workers but he said it's the marinade or seasoning that makes the sausage look pinkish red inside. Umm NO! It was pink AND mushy on the inside. I've handled food before, I know the difference between cooked and uncooked meat.. Blehh. Lost my appetite, didn't even want to order anything else so I left the place very hangry. The truffle fries were awesome though, would definitely go back for those.
(3)
Drew M.
The few times I've been to this place, it's always been a lot emptier than it should be. If I somehow controlled the consciousness of a large enough group of people via some hive-mind deal, this joint would be packed from opening to closing. Many, many highlights, but to me the most compelling reason to come is the bacon mac 'n' cheese dog. Not only is the bacon sausage the most efficient, inventive solution to the false choice between bacon and sausage -- the truffle mac 'n' cheese is really, really sublime. Like, I'm not that big a fan of mac 'n' cheese, but I'd eat this one by the heap. And on top of a bacon sausage? Come on, does the pope -- I'm not going there. Another gem, to me anyway, is the Julia Child dog with the steak au poivre sausage and a really awesome cognac something something sauce. It's a wonderful feast of flavors that really makes you wish the dogs were a bit larger here. The truffle parmesan fries are also an utter delight and some of the best I've had anywhere. The hot-dog buns are also perfectly toasted and richly buttery. The downside? The wait might be a little long for a hot dog -- but that's kind of the norm at many brick-and-mortar gourmet-hot-dog establishments; especially ones with such a range of products. No matter; they're more than worth the wait.
(5)
Jamie B.
Unique hot dog options. Different textures and flavors! Prepare for messy but amazing! I had the Julia's love child that had asparagus on top! Hard to find and a little on the divey side. They have a dog with a fried egg on top! Service was mediocre. Instead of getting a number or giving a name for your order they have pictures of defamed celebrities such as Dennis Rodman or Lindsey Logan! Lol! They carry Argo tea and coke products. The signage is very confusing one saying they are open until 9pm and the other sign saying open until 5pm....
(4)
kathryn T.
I am moving from Chicago so I am trying to get in to all of these little places that I have always wanted to go to. So, obviously before my departure I had to stop by Frank 'N' Dawgs and it. was. amazing! I had the Floss Hog (Bacon, maple mayo, fried egg on top) and my taste buds as far as hot dogs go have become smug. Next time I am in Chicago I will be making a special trip just get one of these hot dogs! Oh, and the staff were really nice and explained the entire menu to me since I had never been before. Overall A+
(5)
Mike M.
I have never been to the "other" hot dog place over on california, so my review may be off base without a comparison. That being said I have tried several of the sausages and none disappoint. From the bun to the top notch gourmet toppings and truffle fries, this place sure deserves 5 stars. Only knocked off 1 star since they no longer have cheese curds on the menu.
(4)
Char Y.
We came by accident while walking by. I heard of this place before and were excited to try interesting or unusual hot dogs. We ordered mystery corn dog - loved the dog, not so much the polenta coating spicy duck dog - really good, except the pork chips on top chili fries - ok, both fries & the chili I got the above and a drink & it was $22. CRAZY! I love their dog buns, but I do agree it overtakes the dogs itself. The dogs are very yummy, but not worth the price.
(3)
Ahmad A.
I'm actually being generous by not giving this place 1 star. This is one of those places that runs entirely on hype. The food isn't bad (it isn't great either), but with the ridiculous prices they charge, I'm surprised they're still in business. I went here with a friend, and the total came out to $52 for a meal to only fill our appetite, not exceed it. The Kimchi Dog and Truffle fries were decent.
(2)
Jonathan G.
Look out, Hot Doug's!!! If you like hot dogs, if you like sausage, you must go to Franks and Dawgs soon. I can imagine within months there will be a long wait for this amazing new restaurant. The beef curry sausage is out of this world. The service is great, and the chefs, not cooks, know what they are doing. The buns are gourmet breads,a nd could survive on their own. Amazing combinations of flavors and ingredients with a beautiful presentation will make this place a new "it" spot. It's easy to get to as well. Go. Now.
(5)
Jimmy P.
I had the honor of eating: - China Town Duck - 5/5. This sausage was juicy and perfectly cooked. - Chili Fries - 4/5. Great mild chili and good fries. - Truffle Fries - 5/5. $%#@. Crispy. Waffle. Truffle. Garlic. If I lived closer to Franks 'N' Dawgs I'd be fat.
(5)
Lisa N.
I went here with a group of friends since it gets great reviews and it is open later than Hot Doug's. As a group, I think we tried (and shared) just about every dog on the menu. What can I say, Hot Doug's has spoiled us. This place tries but does not succeed. At all. Except for the brussel sprout salad and the truffle fries, which were the only redeeming parts of the meal. The menu items are generally overpriced, too. The only reason I could see going back to Franks 'N' Dawgs is for the brussel sprout salad if I had already paid to park somewhere in the neighborhood.
(1)
R. N.
While it may be a bit of a rip off of Hot Doug's, it's really good and more convenient to downtown. I've eaten here a number of times and pretty much everything is delicious. Staff is nice too, kid friendly, just great.
(5)
Chrisna A.
This is the best dining option there is along the desolate stretch of Clybourn between Cortland/Racine and North. Not that that's much of a compliment, but I actually really like this place. The truffle fries in particular are great. One of the special hot dogs, the wonderful fries, and a drink will easily clear $15. This may seem pricey, but I haven't had many $15 meals in Chicago (or anywhere, for that matter) that I've enjoyed as much or more than the one I had here.
(5)
Nick M.
-5 Stars. 2 weekends ago me and my 4 friends met up and went to try Franks N Dawgs. We all had one of the sausage meals with french fries. At the time we were eating we were pretty impressed with the food - especially the unique buns used which were a nic
(1)
Seeshil P.
Came here for my birthday once and this place was awesome. I had about two specialty dawgs and they were both amazing.
(5)
Paul C.
The poor man's Hot Dougs--except for it's not, because the dogs are at least as expensive if not more. I'd be the first to admit I like what they're trying here. Gourmet hot dogs shouldn't only belong to Hot Doug for him to meter out at his whim. Why must all of Chicago wait in long lines for delicious hot dogs? More places should try to do what Doug does. In terms of idea, Franks gets an A for effort, but a D for nice try. The food here looks great, gourmet ingredients and probably the best buns I've had in Chicago. Unfortunately the sausages themselves just don't deliver on taste. How can you serve me an exotic sausage with truffle oil and various gourmet spices and have it taste bland? So, so sad. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by, but this is not worth a special trip for. For now, Hot Doug maintains his tyrannical grip on the most delicious sausages in Chicago.
(2)
Athene C.
Went in with high expectations and left disappointed. Pleased that there was no line, since considering that we live near Hot Doug's was a huge plus. I ordered a bratwurst with a beet salad on top. My husband had the Spicy Yucatan and coleslaw. The brat was completely forgettable. It had no distinct flavor and no snap when you bit into it. The beet salad was so huge (in quantity and cut of the beets) that I needed a fork just to be able to eat it. And the bun was what appeared to be Texas toast. !?!?!?!!? It also came with an orange marmalade. Very sweet ... very off putting. I describe this restaurant as an encased meat emporium more concerned with what goes on top of the sausage than the flavor of the sausage itself. It is a poor man's Hot Doug except that Hot Doug's is half the price. Cute decor. Pretentious dogs. Wouldn't go back.
(2)
Gina S.
I just ate there the other day and wow, was I impressed. This is not your average hot dog stand. Everything was delicious! I will be making many more trips here over the years. The truffle fries were outstanding!!!.
(4)
Paul L.
the Tur-Doggin and Belly-Up were so good I had to quiet everyone at my table so I could let the fucking goodness soak in. Pardon my french, but fuckin-a it's good. Truffle fries were meh. Try the chipotle/ketchup mix they have at the tables. Duck Confit and Porkbelly don't equal cheap dogs people, you should know that.
(5)
KChicagoan S.
I was so excited to check this place out - and on the Sunday before I start the big "get ready for summer diet," this was my choice for my so-called "last meal." I got the brat topped with truffle mac n' cheese and my husband got the spicy yucatan. the brat was fine - i've had johnsonville's straight from jewel that taste exactly the same. The mac n' cheese was fine, but nothing over the top. My husband's "spicy" yucatan should have been called the flavorless yucatan. the sausage has absolutely NO flavor - the only thing either of us could taste was the avocado, and for $9, the expectations were set pretty high. We ordered 2 dogs, 1 order of the truffle fries (which were actually pretty good, but came in at $4.95 for a single order) and 1 soda and ended up spending $25. We left feeling ripped off, unimpressed and still hungry. I doubt I'll ever visit this place again...
(2)
Wesley H.
Awesome. It's inevitable to make comparisons with Hot Doug's. I'll say this: the buns here (which aren't actually buns), beat Hot Doug's--it's actually a THICK buttery toast sliced down the middle. So does the lack of long lines. Parking is less convenient, however. Expect to spend a little more for a hot dog and sides though, $10+. However, these are pretty hefty dogs. Service here is fantastic. The guy at the cash register (the owner?) is super friendly and very willing to explain the menu to you. He also recognized me on my second visit, which gets extra points. Their changing menu has plenty of interesting categories and themes, including an Iron Chef challenge, a charity dog, and certain items only available on certain days. The atmosphere is clever, with celebrity tiles handed to you to identify your order and urban photography and artwork on the walls. Lots of red, like a hot dog joint should be. Fits into the Lincoln Park scene pretty well. I like judging places by their fries, and I gotta say their fries are some of the best I've had, a really nice brown crisp, but still retains the softness that fries should have. Reminds me of Demon Dogs, kinda (tear). The "grown-up" special ketchup goes great with the fries too. I've tried about 6 of their dogs, but the best dog I've had is the Brunch Dog. Never seen an egg between two buns before (ho ho!), but it works super well. The maple mayo is exquisite! Adds a breakfast syrup taste to the combination. The owner (I think) came out to talk to us after we finished, and you can tell he just loves his job. That's ALWAYS something I love seeing. He told us about starting up several months ago and how tough it was dealing with former "It's the Beef" customers coming by, but explaining how he's really enjoying earning confidence from the community. Definitely going back when I'm in town.
(5)
Jeff R.
Why can't I just have a damn hot dog? Why does everything have to be a foodie deconstructionist creation? There's nothing more annoying than a gourmet take on food for normal people. That said, it was pretty good. A creative presentatio to be sure, but it took FOREVER to get my food! (Hence the three star rating.) I walked in not knowing it was a fancy-schmany hot dog place. I just wanted some dinner, quick, as I was on break from work. Also, too pricey for what it was. I am not hating on it. It just was not the experience I was looking for today.
(3)
Emily S.
Because I dragged my husband to Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Crate & Barrel and Home Depot on a home improvement day, I let him choose our lunch stop. Frank n' Dawgs it was. I had the dog topped with truffled mac and cheese. I felt the mac and cheese could have had more truffle flavor, but overall it was good. I really liked the buns - toasty and thick and kind of reminded me of Texas toast in hot dog bun form. The fries were fantastic. I definitely felt a little queasy later - I think the richness of the sausage and the mac and cheese and the thick bun were a little too much for my stomach. I'd go back, but would probably opt for something a little simpler next time.
(3)
Neal K.
I've passed by this place 100 times and never gave it a thought until darting in out of the snow during a one of many holiday shopping trips last month. I thought to myself yeah, this place has "gourmet" dogs. We'll see. I've gotta tell you the care these folks put into creating these flavor combinations is impressive. The owner an Aussie seems to really love what he's doing here - and I do too! Highlights so far - Pig Latin with pork sausage, glazed pork belly and cabbage slaw, Kimchi Dog with beef sausage, brazed short rib and house-made mild kimchi. I really liked the ketchipotle with the fries and the caraway and carrot slaw. You really feel like you're eating something worthwhile sitting in this place. Also love the music - 5 of my top 10 favorite bands played on the loudspeakers the first time i visited this joint! You've gotta love someone who is so excited to share his passion with you. He even takes the utmost of care holding your basket of fries with 2 hands as he places it down in front of you as if it were a fragile treasure brought from a faraway place just for you. I've been back once a week since...
(5)
Richie D.
So I have given up on trying to get in the doors of Hot Dougs, at least temporarily. I heard of Franks 'n Dawgs through chit-chatting with Nicole V. and after finding the hidden 'alley' entrance. I had a few things on my Yelp check-list: 1) French Fries--Check! They are cut and fried twice in house, while being not too greasy, yet greasy enough to taste all the oil goodness. 2) Pay attention to the Bun--Check! All of their dawgs are served on their lightly toasted bread which is baked fresh daily. 3) Savor the Sauces--Check! Their sauces are made specifically for eat dawg recipe. 4) Tur-Doggin'--Check! I loooove anything replaced with turkey, so a turkey and date sausage, with crispy duck confit, herb garlic aioli, house pickled onion relish & pickled carrots is heaven. Actually, it was almost too much for my taste buds with the confit that I could only have a few bites :X. Shhh don't tell! Thankfully my partner finished it off. 5) Lamb Keema Dog--Check! When I have a taste for lamb, I gotta have it. This dog pleased my desires with a lamb stuffed sausage, english peas, cucumber salad, pearl onions & socca. Truly delectable and unique to say the least! Each of the cooks wears their fun chef uniforms and truly take pride in their jobs--it shows. I love that on their website you can suggest your ideas of a future dawg. If you win they give you a $75 gift card and a dollar for each hot dog sold! If I could change anything about Franks 'n Dawgs it'd be the location since it's not too easy to get to without a car. On another note, it may be a good thing being that these hot dogs are...hot dogs...and addictive. After all, FnD is in the most appropriate city possible since Chicago is home to the hot dog!
(5)
Zach Y.
One of the main reasons I miss living in chicago. They do gourmet encased meat better than anyone. LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. Also they are one of the few places I have been that actually makes truffle fries that are worth the price. The place is an orgiastic feast for the senses. Way better than hot dougs without the 2 hr wait
(5)
Teresa T.
Weiners so juicy they'll make you blush. Awesome food, crazy amazing buns, and laid back staff. A little pricey, but totally worth the quality.
(5)
Kato t.
Who'd a thought good ol street food like hot dogs could be GOURMET?? I mean, it is a true testament to the human spirit, where a man can actually transform hot dogs into a premium taste in your mouth that is equal to heavenly fine dining. Also, the selection on the menu is mind boggling; I didn't know you could do so many dam things to a HOT DOG!! The two that are always particularly good to me are the "FU DOG" which happens to be vegetarian, and the "CHINA TOWN DOG" which is a Chinese 5 spice duck sausage, pickled lotus roots, scallion radish slaw & Mae Ploy chili sauce. There's like 50 more on the menu if you can come enough to try em all. I think it's one of Chicago's treasures and fine treats, I feel Chi Town citizens are lucky to have access to it. Alexander the owner is such a gentle guy, that you can't but help enjoy the food even more because you internally feel the food has been prepared with love. He's a quite and kind dude and he's happy to have you, that's a big plus in my book. And speaking of sweet, the deserts are to die for. Nothing like a filling gourmet hot dog to be followed with a gourmet piece of heaven for desert. The one desert I like in particular is the "SWEET HOME CHICAGO" which is French toast, stuffed with chocolate ice cream, bananas, kiwis, strawberries, freeze dried mango, chopped almonds & butterscotch sauce. I think it's a great family place to enjoy a fun eat that's unique only to Chicago. And it's even a better place to hang with friends and celebrate good times with some tasty eating. I always feel like taking some more home to go but unfortunately the food is not really meant to go, it's meant for you to come on in, comfortably gorge on a sweet feast, go out happy. Then come back again and enjoy it all over again. Which...! I shall happily do. Thanks for comin here to Chicago, Frank n Dawgs. We own you now! You're OUR treasure ;D
(4)
Maggie J.
I had so many great meals on my recent trip to the Midwest, but this place stands out among the rest. The passion and energy that Alexander, the owner, puts into this place is contagious. From the carefully and creatively crafted menu to the gourmet chipotle ketchup, this place gets it unbelievably right on all counts. I ordered the truffle mac' n' cheese dog and the waffle cut truffle fries, which I'm still dreaming and salivating about almost a week later. The staff is unbelievably patient and helpful, so my recommendation is to take your time when ordering and check out the pictures of all their amazing gastronomic creations on the ipad at the register. Your fellow diners will understand if it takes a while to navigate the impressive menu of what I dub as "food porn"! This is an absolute "must-go-to" destination restaurant for anyone living in or visiting Chicago. An added bonus is that it's directly across from the Crate and Barrel Outlet! I have only 2 regrets about this place: 1) that I can't give it more than 5 stars and 2) that it's over 2,000 miles from where I live (which is actually probably a VERY good thing for my waistline)!
(5)
Joe B.
I dig this place. Shit, I excavate this place! More so than Hot Dougs, which isn't meant to take anything away from them. Huge list of gourmet sausages, larger than Hot Doug's 8 sausage list. They serve the sausage on a toasted roll, not on an ordinary hot dog bun. This is a great touch which makes the eating experience elevated a notch. Try the Truffle Oil Waffle Fries. "Christ on Water!" Delicious. Nice, clean interior with character, nice, motivated staff.
(5)
b t.
It's so hard to not compare this with other housemade sausage shops in town, especially when the other one's sooooooooo good, but i'll try to keep this FnD centric and keep the comparison's till the end (if you make it that far) I've been in to F n D's many times - 6-7 probably. They have a great range of selections, both in general, and seasonally (BLT dog is my favorite dog here, but in the winter it comes off the menu because you can't get a tomato worth it's weight in salt in Chicago till summer). The sausages are good, and although the flavor combos of toppings SOUND good, i've been left wondering what would this have tasted like if the toppings were done right! Here's a couple specific examples of what i'm talking about. Smokin Trout - Good flavor, great trout, great smokiness - toppings worked out great with the trout, but i think the trout was sitting in the rear most part of the refrigerator, and was only scooped out the split second before it was served to me because I swear, like Flick, I thought my tongue was going to stick to it with the first bite. it was FREEZING cold. Now, I'm absolutely one for sanitary conditions, and not leaving things like smoked trout salad next to the grill for three days, but it was a shock. first because it wasn't a sausage (WHAT?), secondly because it was sooo cold, it was completely unenjoyable. The Southerner - why on earth is there cornbread, on TOP of this dog? hint - ditch the bun, and serve this ON cornbread. Peking Duck - I swear i thought the puffed rice were little fried worms or something crazy for the first couple bites of this dog. This definitely was one of the better dogs I've had here. Great flavor combination, for some reason i think it was double cased (i know it wasn't), because the casing on the sausage seemed to be much harder to get through than most - this is a good dog though - if you go, try it, you won't be disappointed. Da Ringer - Good sausage. Bacon on top? Winner! Sides? I know, 95% of the people that read this would smack me in the face, but when there are all these sausages to pick from, I'd rather double down on dogs and skip the fried taters, pickles, curds, etc... I had the Red Beans once...that'll never happen again. If you like fries I hear they're good. Overall FnD's is a good lunch spot if you're in the area. I think FnD's could benefit from a little more salt IN the sausages. They use great meat, have great combinations of spices in the sausages, but sometimes, i just wish there was a little salt in the meat to perk up the flavors. Final scores Sausages - that's what this place is all about right? 4 stars toppings (more the execution of said toppings) - 3 stars overall options and selection - 4 stars Just a little tweaking and this place could soar, you certainly can't beat the fact that you're not waiting outside for 30 minutes to get in, but i think there's a reason why you're not. As for the comparison between this and the other local shop, i'll just say this, I've never been sitting in the other shop, thinking about FnD's sausages, but pretty much every time I'm in FnD's, I'm thinking about HD's.
(3)
vivian c.
Like many others, we've driven by and never noticed it until andrew zimmern reviewed it on his show. So it's a little more pricey than hot doug's, but: 1) the line is 15" tops 2) gourmet chef, amazing combinations of often homemade sausages, great bun 3) across the street from trader joe's so we go before doing our grocery shopping 4) we've seen families chowing down- is kid-friendly and there are veggie-dogs too! YUM!
(5)
Kelly H.
Yes. This was my husband's pick for lunch (let's face it, encased meat is typically a man thing) and although I was skeptical, I enjoyed every bite. It was hard to decide what to try, but we both loved our choices (he had the Krazy Kimchi and I had one of the "Iron Dog" specials) We ordered the truffle fries and sad to say they were kinda disappointing. I would have liked a truffle mayo or some sort of sauce with them. One other downside--we ordered a kids meal for our daughter and they forgot the fries which came with it. We eventually got them after asking 2 times but by that time we had all finished our dogs. We are big Hot Doug fans, but now that we have the kid standing in the line that long doesn't work for us. This place obviously has a better location. It is kinda expensive, maybe they gotta pay for that LP space, but I think the ingredients are probably worth it. It's fun too--instead of taking a number to your table so they can bring out your order you pick a disgraced celebs picture. Go.
(4)
Lisa T.
Oh. my. lord. This place seriously just keeps stepping it up a notch. The variety of sides they have now is phenomenal and they are even offering a few somewhat healthy side options in case you're actually trying to avoid a heart attack. The brussel sprouts salad is my new favorite side, period. As in, my new favorite side salad in GENERAL, not just at F'n'D. The shaved brussel sprouts, pine nuts, and parmesan are a combo I would have never thought of and oh is it good. Go for the brussel sprouts over the coleslaw every time people! After a nice chat with the manager/owner who regularly works the register (who's name I forget....again...I suck....), he told me that they are also turning the beet/goat cheese salad that tops one of the dawgs into it's own side salad. Which is surely going to be awesome. Now, let's be honest, despite my complete love for the brussel sprouts salad, the side you all really want is the triple truffle fries. They are waffle fries (the very, very best type of fry, period) in all their truffle glory. (Fri-Sun only, just FYI). I somehow haven't managed to sample the truffle mac and cheese so far, but it's very safe to say that I will be making it happen sometime this winter. Another review update to come!
(5)
Daniel M.
My second review of this place and it still blows my mind every time. The past few times I have been there they have added more tasty additions to the menu. The new additions of the Perennially Pork, the Spicy Yucatan, the Jorge and Le Cassoulet are all fantastic. The greatness never stops with this place, I also finally got around to trying the Peking Duck, which was also amazing. Finally tried the truffle fries which were amazing. Dont put ketchup on them if you get them, it totally kills the rich truffle flavor. I have been here countless times, as I work a block away. I can't wait to see what future creations they come up with. And as always the staff is very polite and willing to answer any questions and walk you through their menu. Like a true showman, this place always leave me wanting more.
(5)
Ashley K.
Hmm. I'm not sure where to start with this place. This is another place that I so wanted to love but I just don't. I am an admitted Hot Doug's addict but I went in fully willing to give this place a shot at competing for my love. I liked that we only waited about 3 minutes in line and then about 10 to get our food. But that's pretty much where it ended for me. I ordered the Turdoggin, after a painstaking decision between that, the N'awlins Dog, and one of the Iron Dawg competitors, whose name escapes me. I should have stuck with my sausage rule that pork is generally best. But I didn't, and opted for the Turdoggin. The sausage was a slightly weird consistency for me and had a faint metallic taste, reminiscent of liver. No good. The casing was also pretty tough and was difficult to bite through. The duck confit was not confit-ed enough for me: it was cold and not particularly tender. I will say that I was crazy about the bun they used. Buttery and delicious. Unfortunately, the bun should not be the high point of a gourmet hot dog. Now, the truffle fries. I may have mentioned once or twice that I love fries. Little known fact about me: I have a jar of truffle salt that I may or may not eat out of my palm on a near daily basis. Clearly these puppies should have been the things that dreams were made of. But they weren't. The fries were hot and crisp, and I love me a waffle fry, but they seriously lacked on truffle flavor. How, you ask, is that possible when these things are coated in truffle butter, truffle oil and truffle salt? I'm not sure either. I just know they weren't. For regular fries they were good, but at $4.95 - I want my truffleness. There are a lot of dogs that sound tasty so I'm certainly willing to give this place another go, especially because the wait time was minimal compared to Hot Dougs (not that I mind the wait there. See Hot Dougs review). Plus, I want to give the truffle fries another whirl, as I'm hoping I just got a less than truffley batch. Don't disappoint me again Franks N Dawgs.
(2)
Victor M.
I really like their buns and I appreciate the short wait. But I'm sorry to say I'm still a fan of Hot Dougs. The different combinations of ingredients is good, but not the best. I didn't get Wow'd like I anticipated. And this place is rather pricey. Triple Truffle Checker Fries attack was more like.. a handful of squirty squirty Truffle Oil Checker fries. This place can fulfill my cravings... but not really the best.
(3)
B C.
My jaw dropped and I may have drooled a little on the floor. I once was blind but now I see... I've been living in hot dog mediocrity my entire life. Finally, they've taken it to a higher level. Here's one way to look at it. Imagine the McDonalds quarter pounder is the only burger you've ever had, and then one day, you seize a burger at Kuma's Corner. It's a culinary evolution so distant that they're practically 2 different species. Franks 'n' Dawgs has hot dog creations for every taste, every mood. I had some of the Reuben Pulaski and some of the Krazy Kimchi. It's a bittersweet experience because while both were outstanding, among the best dogs I've had in my life, they're also competing with about 20 other equally appealing options. Next time I have to try something new. You could choose randomly from their menu and be happy with the outcome. The set-up is casual and fun too. We had the dubious honor of being the Casey Anthony table.
(5)
Lauren C.
LOVE. I decided to treat myself after a doctor's appointment, as I like rewarding myself for doing things I don't always want to do. I came into Franks n Dawgs and was warmly greeted by the super nice guy behind the counter. I was a little overwhelmed by the menu options, but he showed me the handy iPad that features the menu for easy scrolling - AND there are pictures of all of the options! I love pictures of food. I chose the Turdoggin, a turkey and date sausage topped with duck confit, herb garlic aioli, house pickled onion relish & pickled carrots. Because I really believe in a rewards system, I added some fries and a fountain drink to my order, since I wanted to leisurely enjoy my meal while reading my book. If you have your meal at the restaurant, you're asked to choose a tablecard from their Wall of Shame so they can deliver your food to your table. The Wall of Shame is hilarious - it features photos of Lindsay Lohan, Kim Kardashian, and other shameful celebrities. It's something that makes Frank 'n Dawgs unique - and I'll definitely remember this the next time I come in! My meal was perfect. The fries were crispy and salty - the way I like them. The Turdoggin was out of this world. The buns are almost like fancy rolls, and if I wasn't a meat eater, I would just come in and order the buns. The sausage was full of flavor and the toppings were perfect. I was curious as to how the carrots would complement the sausage, but the flavors were perfect together. I was asked by a couple of people how my meal was, which I always appreciate, and it truly was perfect. I would definitely come back here to try other things on the menu - the triple truffle fries sound fantastic!
(5)
Courtney J.
As I was walking down Clybourn today I stumbled upon Franks 'N' Dawgs. What a great stumble, I must say! The workers were very helpful in making my decision of what to get off of their very intriguing menu. Even though I was apprehensive as I read the ingredients that were incorporated in the Tur-Doggin, I went for the kill, and boy I am glad I did! What a tasty "Haute Dawg!" I can't even express how well all of the ingredients went together and the bun itself was absolutely wonderful. I also got the Triple Truffle Fries which were ah-mazing as well. Great place, wonderful people, tasty food, and a fun atmosphere to boot!
(4)
Matthew S.
Franks 'N' Dawgs is as great as everyone says it is. I like that they are open when they say they are going to be (unlike hot dougs). My father and I shared The Chicken Ala Naha, Spicy Carnitas, and the Belly Up. My favorite was the Belly up that has a piece of pork belly with brown mustard on top. The bread is also perfect. We also shared the triple truffle fries and the chili fries. After all of that food you would think we both would have some awful gas. However, the quality of the ingredients kept us from a smelly ride back to Skokie. Everything about this place is better than Hot Dougs. I love the creativity here.
(5)
Kyle G.
Franks 'N' Dawgs is UNREAL but I'm going to make this short and sweet. GET THE TRUFFLE FRIES! with THE BRUNCH DOG, if they have it. if not, any of their house made specialty sausages (Items with the chef hats next to them). I've had tried four so far and they have all been amazing. This place is so great that I'm going to make it a point to go about once a week and try something new.
(5)
Fallon D.
Oh how I love a good hot dog. Combine that with an Aussie working the couner who's always willing to chat about his sausages and you've got a happy girl. The boy is always thrilled to try some new pork creation while I'm content with my lamb keema (bring that back soon! Please?) As a lady who doesn't dig on the swine it's nice to still have plenty of options. Add a Gale's root beer (cardomom and ginger, it's so spicy) and BYOB and it's a match made in heaven. And as if they haven't already done enough, they've got ketchapeño and a wall of fame with Kaner. I do look forward to the new Wall of Shame though. Just bring back my Keema, that thing is made with angel tears.
(5)
Rodrigo D.
The dogs are good, but nothing out of this world. 2 hot dogs, order of fries, and a couple of root beers for $26. I would definitely recommend trying this place once, but whether you become a repeat customer is up to your experience. Cool factor: You get to pick up a D list celebrity card that you velcro on to the edge of your table, so that they can link the order with the table.
(3)
Carl F.
Excellent combinations. Go with friends and split the dogs - too many fantastic options
(5)
Tricia R.
After having been a loyal Hot Doug's fan for the last couple of years, I was pretty skeptical of Frank 'n' Dawgs, thinking it was just another gimmicky fancy schmancy hot dog place that's trying too hard to be like Doug's. But this is not the case with Frank 'n' Dawgs. Majority of their sausages are made in-house, and many of the people there are chefs who were formally trained and who really know what they're doing. We ordered the Tur-Doggin, Belly-Up, Brunch Dog, and Chicken alla Naha, all of which were awesome, with the latter probably being the best of the four. The triple truffle fries (waffle fries!) were perfectly crispy and not too truffle-y, which is a good thing. A bit of a small portion for fries, but we also had an order of regular fries to fill us up more. After eating here, I realized this place is not to be compared with Hot Doug's. Aside from the less traditional more special sausages, Doug's also showcases traditional sausages (i.e. andouille, thuringer, etc), topped with the customer's choice of also traditional toppings. Frank 'n' Dawgs is solely about the fancy toppings on a bun, so don't be coming here if that's not what you want. Some pluses over Doug's is that Frank 'n' Dawgs doesn't have ridiculously long lines, and their hours are more normal-work-people-friendly. This place is definitely worth coming back to.
(5)
Angela S.
We had the cheese head, spoiled braut and cheese fries. Wish I had gotten to the waffle cut fries too! The dogs were really good - who knew portabella mushrooms went so well with gouda and brats? Their buns are amazing, I could eat them by themselves. I loved their wall of shame :)
(4)
Lala S.
HOLY S#@$! This place is awesome. I love sausage as much as the next girl, but this place rocks. Their brioche buns are so freaking good. I will say that this place can get a little pricey and is definitely pricier than Hot Dogs. They also have more gourmet-like combinations, whereas, i think Hot Dogs, has a no thrills approach to their encased meats. So the only reason I docked this place a star was for price (I even used my DePaul discount and our meal costs $31 for 2 sausage sandwiches, order of fries, green tomatoes, and 2 drinks) but I understand, they use high-quality ingredients. The meat quality, however, is amazing. All the sausages are super tasty and juicy. I tried the Little Piggy which was amazing. It was a pork sausage topped with Fried Oysters and condiments. AMAZING! My boyfriend had the burger-something or other which was also very good. The cocktail onions were a nice touch. The Triple Truffle fries were really tasty but for being Triple, I felt like it was missing a Truffle Aioli or something. The Fried Green Tomatoes were really good except you only get 3 measly pieces for $5! I will be back...I'm hooked!
(4)
Kelly B.
Goodbye Hot Doug's. Hello Frank 'N' Dawgs! You're closer to me, you don't have an hour-long line outside, you're dogs and fries are unique and tasty, you're BYOB, and you're owner is super sweet. I had the Mac and Cheese dog and truffle fries. They were... how should I put it... amazeballs. For a gourmet hot dog, I think the price is worth it and you'll be full afterwards. The buns are awesome. They are more like big pieces of bread than buns. And they have cute outdoor seating which is nice. The do have ONE veggie burger with tofu for you herbivores out there. The others are all meat and delicious!
(4)
Robyn T.
No long lines? Gourmet hot dogs, many made in house? Delicious french fries AND Rishi iced tea?! When I'm in the mood for a hot do Franks N Dawgs is THE place to go...no denying it. The homemade hot dogs are huge and I'm a lady that can usually eat a few hot dogs...my turkey dog was so packed with flavor and goodness I could barely finish it. Loved the sense of humor that abounds in this place too. All diners get to select their celebrity photo of choice upon ordering and the friendly staff will bring the dogs to your table. Good deal, right?
(5)
Joiya M.
Very good hot dawgs my dawg!! If you follow Andrew Zimmern here then you made a good choice a little pricey but you get what you pay for. Black Sheep = Baaaa Baaahh Bad as Hell!!!! (that's in a good way folks) Bayou Dog = It taste like the whole Louisiana on a bun...Go SAINTS!! I would come again for sure cause one thing they have to perfection is the bun...ummmm that bun was off the chain I could eat that plain with some butter and be in hog heaven. They can keep them hard azz fries but who needs fries anyway when you got a whole darn meal in a hot dog bun.
(4)
Charlayne A.
OMG! best hot dog I've ever had! We got a recommendation from a friend's Uncle (who lives in Chicago). I don't want to hype it up too much, but basically Franks N Dawgs has an awesome menu (which changes every month). Also, the owner (and staff) are very helpful and friendly. They have an iPad with images of the hot dogs so you can see before you choose. Also, they are eco-conscious - compostable cups, locally acquired ingredients (when possible), and super creative. I love the names of the hot dogs on the menu and the "wall of shame/celebs who have been in the 'dog' house." AND, most of the dawgs are made FRESH everyday (look for the chef's had logo next to the menu item). They also don't use unhealthy additives - and the dawgs are made by trained chefs! Ok, enough about the restaurant...and back to the food. I had the Brunch Dawg - which was awesome. I went with the dawg that won a lot of awards... The dawg was tasty, the bread was delish and the egg was an added bonus! If you live in Chi-town, you are lucky because you can visit everyday. If you are just visiting - I would add Franks N Dawgs to your list of places to go to - its totally worth it! Lastly - if you can't decide, you might try the dawg fight (3 different dawgs) or just close your eyes and point.
(5)
Katrina M.
I'm a fool for that CHEESE HEAD dawg. Holy crap, I have never tasted such a tasty brat, and they totally hit the spot with the portabella mushrooms and my favorite, caramelized onions. The triple truffle fries were amazing too..I probably said wow after every bite of those. They came out the kitchen warm and incredibly crispy. The staff is so wonderful! Big ups to them and for accommodating to our group of 16 :)
(5)
Edward P.
It's the buns! Unique place in a city of great dog joints. I really enjoyed the dogs here. Laid back, great service. I will be back.
(5)
James E.
Love this place! Some of the best gourmet sausages I've ever feasted on. Don't miss out on the triple truffle fries... those things are killer. And please please please if you are here on a Sunday afternoon... just get the brunch dog. You won't be disappointed... just don't expect to stay clean. And yes... I prefer this place to Hot Doug's hands down.
(5)
Jason G.
Pretty tasty eats. I've been here twice and had good experiences both times. The buns are very tasty and there is an extensive menu of usual and unusual hot dog treats. Fair warning, the corn dog is not your average county fair snack. It is a gourmet sausage with a polenta breading. You're kids will probably be disappointed and the batter is supposed to have a soft texture. The guy at the counter is a little too chatty though. Sometimes I just want to order my food and sit down. Plus when you have a line of people, your patrons appreciate politeness but quickness.
(3)
Michael H.
The Jury is still out on this joint.. I have to go back and try some more of their dogs before I pen my all-important review!! GTFJD
(3)
Kyle H.
YUM. I am a whore for hot dogs, I have been ever since I was a kid. While I'll never turn down a classic Chicago style dog, I will still try any gourmet sausage that is placed in front of me. I haven't been to Hot Doug's, as it's super far from my house and apparently has like, a mile long line the entire time it's open. Franks n Dawgs is much closer and even though my opinion is one sided, totally comparable if not better. Hype does not always make a place the best. My only grievances are that, for as busy as it is, it seems to have a bit of a lack of seating. However, there was an outdoor seating area, but it was pouring rain monsoon-style when we were there, so that option was out. The guy who took our order was SO NICE, we joked about us being the Jonas Brothers (you're given a cut out of a celebrity to bring to your table in lieu of a number or your name being called out) and he was smiling the whole time. One of the other employees seemed perhaps a little bitter with the way he asked people to shift in the line - I understand that it's very annoying to have long lines of people clogging up a small space, but there is nowhere to form a line and that's something worth considering. We all got our own sausage, they were all divine, and we all shared the truffle fries, mac and cheese and brussels sprout salad - all awesome. Definitely worth checking out, consider going for lunch before you go grocery shopping, since the Trader Joe's and Aldi are right across the street and everyone knows you should never go grocery shopping when you're hungry if you don't want to walk out with the whole store. :)
(4)
Chloe C.
After seeing Frank N Dawgs on the Zimmerman show, I had to experience it for myself. My bf and I came her the other day for lunch and we ordered the bacon mac and cheese, truffle fries and the great whale? The bacon mac n cheese dawg was amazing! Truffle fries was tasty but a bit too oily. Great whale was.. eh... I love seafood, but maybe not so much as a "dawg".
(4)
Marilyn M.
I came across this place while hunting for sports wear a couple doors down....I had no ideal this place existed but wanted to check it out and Im so glad I did...the menu was pretty gourmet for hot dogs they do everything home made and the chef was really nice....I loved it....I will def . go back.
(5)
Michelle H.
Now let me preface this that I am with the majority of Chicago as a solid customer at Doug's. This place was straight up disappointing. On a normal day I wouldn't have even tried this place, knowing that it's a doug rip-off. But today, I was into it. So my boyfriend and I take a quick stroll to Franks n' Dawgs. I ordered the Cheese Head and it was straight up gross. The sausage itself was just not right. The casing was way too thick. I mean I love pig intestine as much as the next person, but sweet god, this was way too thick! I never do this but I had to say something. I was just majorly disappointed. I walk up and say I would like a chicago dog instead of the cheese head. They were really easy going about it, which was cool. My Chicago Style Hot Dog finally came out and I was excited. Yeah, it was different then the normal chicago style I'm used too, but hey I'll give it a chance. It was good, but no Super Dawg. I also ordered the truffle fries and they were good but a little overpriced. The thing that may have tipped me off about this place was the plaque with the owner's bio on it. Really? All I could think was what a joke. Yeah, I said it.
(1)
Kathryn M.
Yum. I love me some battered and fried hotdog, and this Corn Dawg delivered the goods! Polenta battered? Um, yes. Please. Served with whole grain mustard, a deliciously sweet dipping sauce, and pickled (?) carrots - this was heaven on a stick. The sausage was juicy, the polenta soft, the outside crispy. This ain't no State Fair corn dog, that's for sure. We also tried the Dirty Dog, an andouille sausage served over dirty rice and topped with hush puppies and a tomato cherry chutney (or something like that). Again, delicious. What a great combination for a dog. Can't wait to try some of the others! I can think of no better way to ring in the official start of summer in Chicago than with a hotdog on a sunny patio (well, okay , I CAN, but this way was pretty nice too.)
(5)
Sara P.
Now let me preface this by saying that I have been to Hot Doug's. Franks 'N' Dawgs was excellent, and I'd have to say, a bit better than Hot Doug's. My boyfriend and I split the Spoiled Brat and the Foss Hog. My favorite was the Foss Hog, with delicious bacon, maple mayo, a fried egg, all atop a pork loin sausage. It was a delicious taste explosion. Plus--and here is where FND outstrips Hot Doug's--the bun was sturdy, grilled in something delicious, and added even more to the encased meat and its toppings. The truffle fries were out of this world too. "Bizarre Foods" from the Travel Channel was filming when I was there, so I bet this place will become much more popular once the episode airs, meaning a longer line will probably form (very short wait right now). So...get there while you can before this hot dog joint also gets a 2 hour wait.
(5)
Jennifer A.
I saw them featured on Bizarre Foods, and after seeing the amazing menu choices, had to try it. I should add, i havnt eaten a hot dog in over 5 years...not my normal food path. My husband went the traditional route and got a chili dog...which he had nothing bad to say about. I had the Tur-Doggin:Turkey & date sausage topped with duck confit, herb garlic aioli, house pickled onion relish & pickled carrots. With a side of amazing skinny fries. Hell-o! very good! Very cheap!
(4)
Steven R.
This is a wannabe and rip off of Hot Doug's. Even with that, the dogs sound good but for some reason don't taste that good. Overrated in my opinion.
(2)
Jess H.
This place is located in the cute shopping, area near Goose Island Brewery and the Crate n Barrel outlet - so it's always a good reason to stop by. I am giving a three star rating to my unfortunate experience of showing up when they had ran out of buns for the day and opted to have a corndog instead. The outer crust of the 'dog' was definitely fried but seemingly not cooked all of the way through - a soggy, fried dog is not the most appetizing. I look forward to returning and trying one of their other menu options - I feel my rating could be higher!
(3)
Don J.
Nice place with a different take on hot dogs with some of their different hot dogs working and tasting good with others falling short of the mark. The place is generally so busy you need to line up in an alleyway which isn't as bad as it sounds. Its covered and they have the menu in the alleyway so you can pick what you want while you wait. When I was there we tried the Triple Truffle Fries (which are the exact same as you can get in the Trump Hotel but about half of the price), the Spicy Carnita, the Brunch Dog and the Krazy Kimchi. The spicy carnita had a very tasty sausage in it with a great bun but the spicy pumkin puree doesnt really work and I scraped that off the sausage. The Krazy Kimchi was very nice and one of the best dogs on the menu. The Brunch dog was my personal favourite which bearing in mind all the various types of hot dogs they have, is probably one of the more traditional hot dogs that they have. Service is very good and friendly and I will go back but probably not at a peak lunch time period to avoid the line.
(3)
Kathleen I.
I felt like I was cheating on Hot Dougs by coming here, but they were open at 8pm on a Saturday night. That my friend, is something Hot Dougs doesn't do. The type of place is quite similar in the sense it is fancy hot dogs. I ordered the Truffel mac and cheese as well because well I hate french fries. The mac and cheese was AMAZING. The food was great, a bit expensive for hot dogs, but worth it. The atmosphere was great as well, and the service exceptional. I truly enjoyed the place and will be back.
(5)
Richard R.
I had a specialty dog which I forgot what it was... anyways... wow best hot dog I've ever had... Unfortunately, when I went they did not have the truffle fries... they only serve them on certain days. I really wanted to try them... next time hopefully. The dog didn't fill me up and it was around $9 if I remember correctly. This is my only complaint... If I wanted to get stuffed I would have to shell out $20 and that's a pricey lunch... but what I tried was really tasty.
(4)
Angela F.
This is my favorite place in the world:) Everything in here is amazing and I have never been let down! The buns are heavenly! I love the Tur-doggen and the truffle fries are amazing. My husband and I actually have to split up the bowl of fries so that we don't fight for them!
(5)
Vodka Sauce C.
The bun , the dog , the truffle fries . really nothing else to say . PHENOMENAL !! AA++
(5)
B C.
Top notch cuisine. Yes, I called a "hot dog" cuisine, and you will too after you have tasted their succulent sausage sandwiches. They make most of the sausages on site and have freshly baked artisanal buns. The toppings are a perfect combination to the individual sausage that still sings out among the tasty toppings. The coleslaw is a creative rendition of the classic with caraway seeds and dried grapes. Check it out! You will not be disappointed. Well, you will be disappointed that you could not stretchyour belly and try more on your first trip, but you can, and will, go back.
(5)
Winston G.
I thought the sausages here were excellent, even if they do distinguish between the sausages made on the premises (chef hat to the left side of the sandwich name) with sausages they ship in. I had their Spicy Yucatan, which is a Achiote pork sausage, habernero pickled red onions, sliced avacado, and queso quesadilla cheese on a New-England style lobster roll bun (I am automatically predisposed to liking a place more for using this type of bun). Given my low-carb diet, I ordered this sans the bun (cried a bit inside). However, my friends thought the bun was unique and buttery, but one of my friends still preferred a regular hot dog bun. Overall, the sausage I had was flavorful and rich in taste, but not overwhelmingly oily. The garnishes provided a nice balance, especially the cheese and avacados. My main complaint was that the sausage on its own was a bit small, especially at it's $9 price tag. Most people could easily eat two of these, which makes this place very pricey for lunch. However, I would probably come back again for their waffle truffle fries (which I had ONE of today), as those tasted really good (and I am a sucker for waffle fries). 4 stars, no more and no less. Pictures and more reviews: thegluttonousjd.com/2011…
(4)
Leslie S.
Loved it. Great creative dogs with wonderful ingredients...and the truffled waffle fries were excellent!
(5)
Selena L.
I had the Crazy Kimchee dog and fell in love! The meat was perfect. Only request would be: more kimchee please. Can't wait to go back and try their other creations!
(4)
Nimit P.
I loved this place. They grind almost all their meats for their dogs/sausages in house and they have tons of interesting creations to indulge in. Very comparable to Hot Dougs but with it's own flare (and wildly more convenient to Lincoln Park dwellers) I give this place my definite stamp of approval. They have a bunch of great sides (truffle mac and cheese) as well, the only slight downside is it can get a little pricey in the end. We split three dogs and two sides between two people and it cam out to around $40 (bear in mind that was plenty of food and we didn't even finish all of it). Otherwise it's a great spot for a small group, not a ton of space inside so groups of four to six tops I think- but you can carry out as well. Go there, eat well, leave happy.
(4)
Tim R.
Awesome gourmet hot dogs and truffle fries. Nice place to take people from out of town.
(5)
Bruce B.
Krazy Kimchi dog with a side of fries....delicious. If this place was closer to Uptown, I would be a fat. Great service, even better food, and very entertaining table cards to reserve your both. I got to stare at the beautiful baby killer, Casey Anthony, while chowing down. I'm not sure why I was amused, but I need to come back here and try more dogs.
(4)
Jake C.
Best hot dog I've ever had. You must note, this is NOT a traditional Chicago hot dog joint. In fact, you can't even get a classic Chicago-style dog (well, maybe you can ask for one, but it isn't on the menu). If Charlie Trotter opened a hot dog joint, this would be it. The buns are awesome: they look like little cozies made of french toast, and stand up perfectly on their own. They taste delicious, but don't overpower the dog or the other condiments. The two dogs that we tried were both excellent: many obscure and upscale-sounding ingredients that somehow blend into a perfect party in your mouth. I had the "Chicagoesque" and I would not hesitate to order it again, after I've tried all the other ones that are tempting me! The cheese fries were excellent and gooey, and the "Ketchipotle" ketchup was awesome! I'm going to have to see if I can find that at World Market. Aside from the wondrous collection of hot dogs, made from various ciritters, they also have a selection of "Junior Dogs" for kids, and a couple of impressive looking desserts. Also, a yummy-sounding mac-and-cheese that I'll have to try someday. The staff was uniformly friendly, helpful, and enthusiastic. They seemed to genuinely enjoy seeing people come in for a bite. They give you your choice of laminated celebrity photos to take to your table after you order and pay, so that the servers can find you to bring your food when it's ready. She choose Johnny Depp before I had a chance to ask for Da Coach. Being a total cheapskate, It's rare for me to give five stars to a place that costs $20 for lunch for two. But Franks 'N' Dawgs is worth it. Final point: the soda fountain has COKE ZERO! All fast food places should have Coke Zero, but alas, they don't yet. Hopefully, I'll live long enough to see an enlightened world where Coke Zero completely replaces the vile Diet Coke at soda fountains throughout the land!
(5)
Ashley O.
Go here and get the Chicagoesque. It is the best hot dog I've ever eaten. The dog is succulent and flavorful, the bun is toasty, and the toppings are a beautiful combination of flavors I would never expect on a hot dog. The guys who put these dogs together absolutely know what they are doing. I have also had their BLT dog which was a bacon-infused sausage topped with tomatoes and romaine lettuce. I would give that a 3 or 4 star: good, but not mind-blowing. I also love that the first time I told the guy to hold the mustard on my hot dog, and then he made me taste it. It's a beer mustard they make in house, and I like seeing the enthusiasm for their product. I have been eating their mustard ever since. The second time I went here I tried their Truffle Waffle Fries which I also highly recommend. The menu is always changing (I think they rotate 4 or so dogs a month) but the Chicagoesque is so good it will be hard to convince me to deviate from it.
(5)
Lidia L.
My boyfriend loved this place. He definitely liked it because it beats waiting in the freezing cold for the long line at Hot Doug's. It was even better tasting. He said it tasted a lot healthier and more fresh than Hot Doug's. Though Hot Doug's is a great place as well.... minus the freezing cold wait. The truffle fries are TO DIE FOR! You can taste the truffle oil in every bite you take and the fries are the waffle cut so they are even better! I would say the truffle fries take it for the win for the 5 stars! The owner came by our table and asked us how we enjoyed it all... A note to all .... THEY HAVE TRUFFLE FRIES EVERYDAY NOW! According to the manager, the demand was so high that they are offering it everyday!
(4)
Rajiv H.
Franks 'N' Dawgs gave me the two best hot dogs I've ever had (if they officially qualify as hot dogs in any way). We live in a city that prides itself on its strong hot dog heritage with everything between Portillo's and Hot Dougs, but Franks 'N' Dawgs is different and ups the game quite a bit. After some consultation with the extremely friendly and helpful man behind the counter, my Wife and I got the Foss Hog and the Lamb Keema respectively. My wife apparently didn't see that the Foss had a fried sunny side up egg on it which she detests, so, we pulled a switcheroo. It didn't matter. They were both ridunkulously good. That's right, ridunkulously. A lot of reviews mention the overpowering buns, and while the bun for the Foss had a stronger flavor than the one for the Lamb Keema, I have to disagree with everyone else. I could taste each individual element in the Foss as well as they way they mingled together in my mouth. The cobb smoked bacon on the Foss was some of the best bacon I've ever had. The Keema was authentic, perfectly cooked, and so flavorful with the cool cucumber salad sauce (a.k.a. raitha) being perfect for a warm summer day. It is pretty expensive, even for a gourmet hot dog. With the truffle waffle fries (awesome, though not nearly as good as DMK's parmesian truffle fries) and the two dawgs it came to $24, but we were definitely full after. The location is terrible for a place like this, but with how good they are I sure hope they'll survive.
(5)
Monica L.
Talk about amazing!!!! Pork of July talk about yum!!! And omg the truffle fries.....TO DIE FOR! NOMMERS!
(5)
Johnnie F.
This would ordinarily be a 4-5 star review - from the dogs to the amazing service (will explain why it fell short in a moment). They have a gal walk around asking everyone how their dining experience is going ... and the chef came out and personally asked me how my dogs were... and it wasn't just lip-service - he engaged me in conversation. So why only 3 stars? I honestly think they can serve hot-dogs like these in a much nicer "non-fast-food" environment. Sure, I can see why they make it that way - where you order at a window and sit down at hard-seated tables... but I can tell you, if they actually had a wait-staff I probably would have ordered a great deal more and stayed longer, had the atmosphere been better. Another minus: If you order a number of items, it'll probably run you over $20-25 bones ... personally again, I think it's worth every bit - but others might feel no hotdog is worth this. I think they are, but would be much more so if the place was decked out better.
(3)
Anna V.
Love the Brunch Dog!! The maple mayo is awesome, and the egg is always cooked perfectly. The buns they use are really soft and full of buttery goodness. I was a big fan of the Dirty Dog, but I think it might have been seasonal. The truffle fries are also delicious, we got it with fresh shaved truffles. Yum! The dessert is also really creative and tasty. It looks like a hot dog, but the bun is actually filled with ice cream and other sweet dessert stuff. The people there are also super nice and friendly, and I always feel so welcomed when I'm there. Highly recommend this place, I've definitely become a regular!
(5)
Jason B.
This place rocks. I've had four sausages here. Each one has been better than the last. Everyone that isn't happy because this isn't Hot Doug's needs to keep in mind that they are still in their soft opening and trying stuff out. The grand opening is scheduled for April 15. The reviewer the criticized the "chubby kid behind the counter" for eating the fries needs to learn a little bit about how quality restaurants work. The "chubby kid" used to work at Blackbird and then was at Sixteen in the Trump Tower. He was probably tasting a fresh batch of fries to make sure they were cooked correctly. This place is only going to go up from here. I agree with the other reviewers that it is a bit pricier than Hot Doug's, but I think this can be justified because of the higher rent at this location and the fact that they make most of their own sausages (the exceptions are the hot dogs and the german sausages which require a finer grind). What really makes this place is the buns. They are almost like brioche!
(5)
Kevin T.
Still awesome...staff still friendly. Huge assortment. Something for everyone. Love this place.
(5)
eric m.
How do you separate yourself from other hot dog joints; whats gonna draw them back? The bread. The bread is amazing! Its like a sweet hawaiian roll. It sops up all the savory goodness from their dawgs. The lyonnaise fries was a great addition and by far one of the best fries options you can get anywhere in Chicago.
(5)
Deirdre R.
Innuendo be damned, I loved incased meat. Hot dogs, chicken sausage, brats, you name it, I want to eat it. The concept of Franks N Dawgs delights me. It's '5 star dining on a bun' which means that the expert chefs have crafted unique sausages and homemade toppings and condiments to accompany them. Still don't get it? Just imagine your favorite flavors and cuisine served up hot dog style. One look at the menu and you'll realize that the folks at Franks and Dawgs have not limited themselves to the traditional meats and condiments that you find on a bun. They've got everything from a Chicken Caesar dog topped with creamy Caesar mayo to a Cheesehead brat piled high with portabella mushrooms and caramelized onions. I had the opportunity to try a handful of the artisan franks and each one had the perfect medley of flavors and the gourmet toppings that complemented the dogs perfectly. Other standouts included the beef curry dog topped with a crunchy Asian slaw and the to-die for mystery corn dog (aptly named for the fact that you have no idea what type of sausage you're getting). The corn dog is dipped in a polenta batter and fried to a golden perfection- the texture was like nothing I've ever tried. While the meat and toppings would be delicious standing alone, the toasted buns they are served on take them to the next level- seriously, next level. The buns at Franks N Dawgs really deserve their own review, they are that good. They are sort of a cross between a traditional hot dog bun and Texas toast. They are browned up on the grill right next to the dogs and what results is a bun sturdy enough to handle the meat and piled high condiments but still soft and crunchy. You just need to try it to understand. I really appreciate a restaurant that sticks to one concept and style of food and then executes it to perfection, and that's what Franks N Dawgs has done. Perfect gourmet hotdogs, scratch made toppings and hand cut fries served in a casual setting for a reasonable price. Great addition to the neighborhood. Check it out.
(5)
Rick C.
This place was dope. I can see how there are comparisons with Hot Doug's, but there are distinct differences. First off, they're open later and we were able to walk right in and order our food without waiting an hour outside....for now. From the sound of things, I think business is going to pick up big time. We went nuts and ordered two dogs a piece along with fries and a drink. The only excuse I can make for ordering so much food is that I was drinking at the Cubs game all afternoon. These sausages are quite a meal. We ordered the Beef Curry sausage with orange marmalade, the Turdawgen(turkey and date sausage) with duck confit, the lamb sausage with cucumber, yogurt sauce, peas, and socca chips, and the mystery corn dog. They were all good. My favorite was the lamb. It was juicy, well spiced, and all the toppings helped accentuate the sausage. My least fav was the mystery corn dog. The sausage was a good regular beef hot dog. The polenta batter was a bit mushy. The gentleman that took our order was super cool. He was informative and made some good recommendations. Also, all sausages should be served on these buns. They held up awesomely...is that a word? I'd definitely recommend it.
(4)
John W.
This place is teetering on the edge of greatness. First off, there are a lot of dogs here. An overwhelming amount, and each one is so different, it's hard to get a handle on exactly what you want. If they could figure out a mini-dog sampler plate, it would outsell everything else. I settled on the Lamb Keema and the Knocked Up. The Lamb was done up like a British occupation of an Indian staple, complete with mushy peas. I liked it, but like most British food, it could have used some more spice. The Knocked Up didn't have that issue. It came with grilled eggplant, goat cheese, salsa verde...lots of flavor. But the flavor of the knockwurst was completely lost. I should have asked to have the sausages switched. I shouldn't complain, though. I gobbled both with fries. Well, half of both. They're a touch bigger than I expected but not giant. The french fries were really, really good, and even stayed crisp after the bike ride home. I'm tempted to compare it to that other place, but they're just too different. Both have really great dogs, Franks has no desire to be a mecca for tourists and suburbanites. What it is, however, is a place to impress someone with a really great meal and no hassle.
(5)
Megan H.
I also had high expectations and felt sort of let down. I ordered the brat with the mac n cheese on top. I think there was a problem with textures since the brat had absolutely none. I wish it would have been griddled or something. The mac n cheese was decent but it did nothing for the sandwich. There needed something crunchy and bread crumbs on top didn't help. However, maybe I ordered wrong. My fiance really did like his dog. My personal feeling is that they try too hard with some of the toppings and yes, it's super pricey. Our two dogs, order of regular fries and one drink came to $25. However, the buns they use are fantastic.
(2)
Veera R.
Some friends were in town from Florida and I wanted to take them to Hot Doug's for lunch on a warm Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, they were closed for vacation for a couple weeks, little did I know this was a blessing in disguise. Another friend of mine had recommended the place, and after taking a look at the menu on the interweb, I knew this was a "must try" place. When we got there, the place was a ok size. The day we went, space was limited, because they were filming a new show on the new Cooking Channel, starring one of the contestants from the Food Channels "The Next Food Network Star", I can't remember the name of the show, but it will be on this fall. To the food..... I had the Dirty Dog, which was a heart attack disguised as encased meat, but boy was it worth it. The Andouille with dirty rice, hush puppies & cherry tomato relish were awesome, I had to slow down my pace of eating because I was enjoying it so much and wanted to make sure I could taste each ingredient! HA! My second dog was the Lamb Keema Dog (Lamb, English peas, cucumber salad, pearl onions & Socca), I thought of it as a gyros disguised at a hot dog. I immediately noticed that there were peas on the hot dog and I was a little iffy on this topping when I saw it, but after one bite, all my worries went away, delicious. I also tried a bite of my friends truffle fries, wow were they good. If I didn't feel sorry for my arteries, I would have definitely ran up to the counter and ordered myself a side. Now for those of you who do not believe in paying a premium for a gourmet hot dog, then this is not the place for you, but if you are up to at least try something new once, then you must come here. I had my 2 dogs and a medium drink and it came out to be a little over $16, but since I do not eat here on a regular basis, it was worth every penny and you better believe I will be coming back!
(5)
Nicolas H.
Might be my new go-to place for hot dogs. The selection is unreal and the quality of the dogs is awesome. I had the special dog Foss Hog which was their homemade pork sausage topped with bacon and a fried egg. Definitely not something I'd get on a regular basis, but it was damn good. The fries were good as well, fresh and hot. The only negative I can think of it's a little pricey for a hot dog place (although I guess we are paying for high quality ingredients, at least that's what I'll tell myself to rationalize spending more than $10 on a hot dog and fries). I'm excited to come back to try some of the other surprising items...
(4)
Steve J.
Get ready for the smackdown.... Attention all celeb Chefs: please stop trying to reinvent my Chicago Hot Dog! It's like seeing a movie adaptation of a horrible old 70's sitcom like Rhoda or Maude. You're left thinking- what? why was this movie EVEN MADE?? Stick with your gleaming, open kitchens and chemistry sets- you have success there and there you should stay. Pros: -My buddy Mike bought -Classic dog w/mus&onions was huge -The bun was actually excellent- light and airy- toasted -ClyCorridor- easy access from many neighborhoods Cons: -Parking is a bitch if you dont have skills -Bourgeois prices could be knocked down one dollar across the board -FRIES ARE EXTRA?!? C'MON! Change some things and I'll try it again...otherwise Superdawg still rules.
(2)
Leilani F.
I hate giving BAD reviews, but I just HAVE to here. The first time I visited this place, all I wanted was a Chicago-Style dog. Easy, right? Not so here. You cannot order one here, because they don't have one on the menu. This is CHICAGO boys, and even though you are a "hautedog" joint, you are still a hotdog joint. If you don't offer Chicagoans a Chicago style hotdog, it's sort of insulting to us. Anyhow, today I gave this place another try. I opted for the "N'awlins Dawg," described as Andoiulle sausage, fried okra, shrimp, and chives. Sounds delicious, right? Hrm.... When I opened my take out box and saw the creation in front of me, my first thought was: "not what I expected." It was missing the chives first of all. I had also imagined fried okra like my grandma made- green, slimy, and delicious with little black char spots on it. What I saw on top instead was the JALEPENO POPPER of fried okra. A fried casing around a perfect vegetable- more like an appetizer at Chili's than a topping on a "haute dog." Next were the shrimp. Thought I'd get some yummy shrimp on top of my dog- NOT battered and fried shrimp. Again, they screamed appitizer, not topping. I also saw a tail on one of them and thought to myself, "how am I to bite into this like a hotdog now?" Am I just going to be swallowing tails? How is my healthy heart going to handle FRIED & BREADED okra & shrimp on top of a sausage?" It could have, and WOULD have been sooooo much better if they would have just let the toppings speak for themselves rather than FORCING them to be good by battering and frying them. Aren't there supposed to be good chefs here? Needless to say I ate the POPPER first, leaving 1/2 of the breading behind and begging for more okra, ate the shrimp next, and by the time I got to the sausage, I was already feeling a little ill from all of the grease in my stomach. I took a bite of the sausage, and the casing was so tough that I heard it break between my teeth. The meat, while well spiced, was too oily and I honestly didn't think I could continue. No, I didn't eat anymore of it, and ended up throwing my lunch and my money in the garbage. So not only did I not get a hotdog for lunch, but I hardly got anything for lunch, and felt my body begging for something GOOD. If you want an awesome "haute dog", got to HOT DOUGS!!! They know what's up. Don't waste your money on Pizza Hut when you live in a city that has Lou Malnati's and Pequods. Too much fried guys. Seriously. Eww. Quit now.
(1)
Paul B.
Wow! What I had for dinner was EXACTLY what I was hoping for and maybe a little bit more... Pros: Convenient location Short lines (less 5 minutes) Variety of delicious made in house encased meats (can't really call it sausage) They will allow you to split the dawgs into 'flights' between two people Cons: I can't fit more into my stomach If you're reading this review, do yourself a favor and don't get a regular old dog or a Chicago style. I love Chicago styles don't get me wrong, but you can get a Chicago style ANYWHERE. Definitely splurge and get something exotic. I split the Foss Dog and the Nawlins dog and both were amazing. The fried egg on the Foss definitely sets it apart. Next time I will be trying the Veal dog and either the lamb or beef curry, cant wait! Definitely check this place out!
(4)
Nancy S.
I'm a lifelong Chicagoan, and I can't believe I've not eaten here sooner. The idea of a gourmet dog just didn't seem appealing. If you are on the fence like I was, make no mistake, it's worth hopping off. I had the Governator. It was very good. The guy taking my order described it as having that sweet and savory combination; he was spot on. I definitely will go back for the Brunch Dog and FU. I also had the triple truffle fries. (Try saying that rapidly and repeatedly.) The seasoning was perfect. They came out hot and oh so crisp on the outside, creamy on the inside. Next time I have to bring a couple of friends so we can try several different dogs and sides. Make sure to bring an empty stomach because the portions are huge. I finished my sausage but couldn't finish the fries. Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention how attentive the staff was. Service was fast (well, they are a hot dog joint, I suppose). The chef and the floor guy checked on me three times during my 45 minute visit. The chef even offered to refill my water cup. That kind of attention and friendliness speaks volumes in my book. They've just acquired a new loyal customer.
(4)
Meredith F.
When I hear of a new hot dog joint in Chicago - it is a must that I give it a try. When it comes to hot dogs I know a good place when I see it, and Franks n' Dawgs is one place that I will definitely visit again and again. My sister and I were greeted by the owner who took our order and told us all about the restaurant and where the ideas for some of the menu items originated. I had the Reuben dog and a jumbo hot dog - both were amazing. My sister had the mystery corn dog and the dirty dog - again amazing. This place really takes hot dogs and sausages to a new level in a very un-intimidating atmosphere. I fully intend to become a regular there!
(5)
Kimberly H.
This place was great! We went in a 7 on a Thursday, so it was empty just before closing. We had the dawg flight with triple truffle fry upgrade. The dogs were messy to cut apart and share, but oh so tasty. The triple truffle fries were amazing! Especially because we could dip them in ketchupotle or ketchupeño, so much better than regular ketchup! We also had a side of fried pickles and the shaved brussel sprout salad. The pickles weren't that great, but brussel sprouts were fabulous. I know that might sound weird, but they were! The price for all that was $30, and we had bought some beers at Binny's since BYOB is a big plus! I highly recommend this place, and will be back again. I just need to save a little for my fancy sausage fund, and wait until the timing is right to avoid a rush, yet also get there before closing. If their hours were a little longer, and the prices a little lower, this would have been a 5 star rating, and I'd plan to come back more often!
(4)
Kelly A.
Besides the fact that the dawgs are AWESOME, I'd like to compliment Zach, who is Franks n Dawgs' best asset and PR man. He's charming and extremely helpful. He always remembers me when I go in. If only all businesses could have such great employees! 5 stars for Zach!!
(5)
Kyle P.
Really good and you should at least give it a try but it is a little pricey for hot dogs.....I knew it would be but still it is a little hard to spend $20 at a hotdog place.....make sure you try the cheese fries
(4)
Emily M.
This place is great. I can't wait to go back and try more. I ordered the Truffle Mac N Cheese dog and the Tur-Doggin. The Truffle Mac N Cheese dog? Amaaaaaazing. I'm also mac n cheese obsessed. But its amaaazing. I'd order the mac n cheese plain but combined with the dog it's heavenly. The Tur-Doggin I didn't like as much. That doesn't mean it's not good. This just means I didn't know what I was getting myself into.. like the pickled carrots. Wasn't a fan. My boyfriend got the Porkgasm and before I could remember to ask for a bite, it was gone and he said he loved it, so that's that. The buns are different but they're good. I still prefer your traditional hotdog bun though, because I like the bread to meat ratio better. These buns are just too much bread for me and it gets in the way of the contents of the bun. We got there right when they opened at 11:30 on a Friday. It wasn't crowded when we got there or when we left. We also had no problem finding parking on Clybourne, however by the time we left at noon, the street was all parked up. Now, I'm going to have to compare this place to Hot Doug's: it's good but not as good. However, I doubt you'll ever wait longer than 10-15min here and they have better hours. So weigh the pros and cons yourself. I would like to continue frequenting both, but it would depend on the situation.
(4)
Christina K.
Franks 'N' Dawgs is such a fun place to go for any hotdog lover. My boyfriend and I have been here 2 or 3 times and we are never disappointed. Each time I come here I stare at the menu for about 5 or 10 minutes before deciding because there are always new tasty choices! Last time I came here I ordered the Truffle Mac N Cheese Dog and let me tell you - wow, unbelievable, spectacular. The owner is so much fun and I love how you can choose from the "Celebrity Hall of Shame" as your table number. And who knew that you could submit your own hot dog recipes and if it's chosen you get a gift card and $1 per purchase? Crazy. This place is one of a kind.
(5)
Brian E.
This is gonna be trouble. A stone's throw from my new apartment and the Foss Hog is fantastic: "Pork link, Cob smoked bacon, fried egg & maple mayo" *drools* It's as good as it sounds (at least to us carnivores). I'll be back very soon to try some other things on the menu. If this place was open late, it would be the death of me.
(4)
Stephen C.
I love this place, I got the Cheese Head and it was delicious. Will be back to try out the large selection.
(4)
Jayme N.
De-licious. Hearty, flavorful food that is clearly made with love. It seems like some of the other reviewers are hating on this place basically, because it wasn't what they expected. These are sausages. This is what my german great grandpa would have made if you asked him to make sausage. They are thick-skinned, juicy, flavourful, and fresh. They are not dainty or easy to eat with one small hand; but they are goooood. Every bit as good as Hot Doug's without the lines. Treat yourself.
(4)
Miss O.
Truffles waffle fries. Melt in your mouth corn dog. Outdoor patio. I might venture to say its better than hot Doug's...
(5)
Shelden E.
I'm going back. The place opened seven weeks ago and yesterday was my first time. I had the Mysterious Corn Dawg and enjoyed it, but I do have a complaint. The fried corn dog feel was not crunchy enough. I like the crispy crust on a corn dog, whereas this was a little to soft and slippery. However, the sausage was still very good and same with the two different types of mustard. Again, I am going back because one of the employees was telling us that with certain meals, the sausages are made in-house. Also the chef who came up with dishes used to work for Wolfgang Puck. So clearly I gotta try a bunch of different things, and NOT a boring hot dog. Take note the place is BYOB.
(4)
Mike D.
Walking around in the city makes you hungry. What a relief to wind up walking by this joint on the way to the red line after a days of hiking around town! Take the side entrance going in!! ;) Tables and your order are identified by celeb photo coaster things given to you after you place your order. What do I recommend? Well, last time I was in, I had the Brunch Dawg... Pork loin sausage, bacon, fried egg made that baby up! Anyone wanna share a Dawg Flight with me?
(5)
Melissa M.
My favorite meal is breakfast, so when I saw the brunch dog on the menu, I knew what I was ordering. The sausage was homemade (any with the chef's hat next to them are) and the bun was different, in a good way. The staff were friendly and informative. I also enjoyed the fact that you get to pick a sliding celeb (i.e. Charlie Sheen, Lindsey Lohan, etc.) for your table marker - fun!
(3)
Camille P.
So much more than 'franks 'n' dawgs'! Their logo says it all: "5 star dining on a bun". It's true. Wonderful, flavorful, interesting (for a bun though some are pretty classic combinations). I'm glad I went with 4 other people because there's no way I could have selected one dawg.
(5)
J K.
This place is a must if you like sausage and gourmet preparations. It was my first time there so I decided to try the chefs choice, flight of 3 halves. Turdoggin, Krazy Kimchie and Mussels from Brussels were all great but the last 2 were exceptional stand outs, as was my sons Bayou dog. Try the triple truffle fries too.
(5)
Colleen D.
Finally got to this place. It was very quiet on a Saturday night. Since the menu is really overwhelming, I split the two Iron Chef competition dogs with a friend. I have to say, Bill Kim's Urbanbelly Chix with the curry mayo and pickled green papaya was the bomb. The truffle fries were also awesome but really, they are truffle. Truffle makes everything better. I did not know that Franks 'N' Dawgs is BYOB and has an outdoor patio. Next time!
(4)
A S.
If you are looking for the best Chicago-style Vienna hot dog with green relish and a poppy seed bun, this is not the place for you. But there is no where in town that comes close for interesting and creative dog-type sandwiches. Maybe duck, maybe lobster, maybe you'll be surprised. I stop by whenever I can; tho' I'm sometimes disappointed that the dog that I've ordered before has circulated off the menu, there is always something that is intriguing and tasty. Lots of reviewers have appropriately mentioned the truffle fries, but you are really depriving yourself if you don't get the brussel sprout slaw, with pistachios. I never cared for brussel sprouts before, but I wouldn't miss these. I think a mark of a good chef is to expand your palate, and they certainly do that here. And they put their creations on wonderful buns.
(5)
Temi C.
Hot dogs with accessories. =) I tried the N'awlins Dog: andouille sausage topped with fried shrimp and okra. The sausage was flavorful and the bun fantastic. I'm not sure if they make their buns from scratch, but they tasted homemade. Prices for a full meal run about $10 and the byob option is always appreciated.
(4)
Alex H.
Fuck me these hot dogs are creative and delicious. Nice hipster staff.
(5)
Tom K.
Lamb Keema perfectly cooked. Long line on a saturday around lunch, be prepared to wait a while. Spicy ketchup was surprisingly good.
(4)
Tony M.
Amazing forget hot dougs this is the spot no waiting in line food is great had frank n stien which is the duck liver dog yummmmm
(5)
Adam P.
I like this place. I had the Krazy Kimchee Dog with short rib. It was delicious! Also, I would say it's worth coming here just for the Triple Truffle Fries alone, which are a waffle-cut fry with truffle oil and what I'm guessing is some sort of truffle butter, and an other truffle ingredient I can't place, but sprinkled with parsley. It's a little on the pricey side of things, but you have to keep in mind that these are not your cheaper ingredients and there are real chef's creating food that is far from normal. Chicago is full of hot dog joints, so if you just want a hot dog and fries, you could probably get a better deal elsewhere, but this is a fantastic place for foodies or anyone who is tired of the same old thing. I also appreciate the fact that they take credit cards.
(4)
A W.
We went here after a soggy day at Wrigley this past weekend. I had the turdoggin and she had the corn dog. Although I enjoyed the turdoggin, I found it a bit dry. I did enjoy the pickled carrot julienne's on top. We both enjoyed her corn dog very much. If we go back on our next trip to Chicago I'd want to try this place again, but get a different menu item.
(4)
Kristin S.
I think I'm a convert. Waffle truffle fries officially kick the crap outta duck fat fries. Plus, there was NO wait at Franks n' Dawgs when I went with two other people a couple weeks ago on a Saturday (open after 4pm!). We were greeted by a super friendly cashier who gave us some recommendations, let us take our time to review the giant, mouth-watering menu, and then let us choose which celebrity we'd like to use as our table number. (We chose Conan. Love you Coco!) The only thing I was not super impressed with was the corn dog. I actually didn't really like it at all since the breading fell off the (was it a bratwurst?) mystery sausage too easily and the skin of the sausage in the center was too strong. Keep it simple with the classics, guys. I did LOVE the overall gourmet feel of this place and everything else I tried. The other sausages were heavenly and oh so delicious. I need another moment of silence for those waffle truffle fries, though. Oh man. I had the beef curry dog with was freshly made and super flavorful. I also tried some of the duck sausage which was also great. With no wait, fantastic food and a friendly staff, this might be the new gourmet sausage joint of choice for me and my out-of-town visitors!
(5)
Mike M.
This place was delicious! So good in fact, that I went back the very next day for lunch (Sunday) and they were closed. My heart was broken...and it was my birthday. They make a good portion of their sausage on location unlike other places. I had the Foss Hogg which came complete with a fried egg on top. It was evil and delicious. The owner talked to us for a while and seemed like a great guy. Extremely friendly and helpful. I will go here every time I am in Chicago. And by the way, the sausage is better than Hot Doug's. There I said it. (There is also little to no wait).
(5)
Anthony A.
We're starting to see these upscale hot dog places pop up all over Chicago, but this place does it right. Not only do they have differentiated hot dog offerings, but it's all about the bun. They use some sort of gourmet bread which they grill and turn into a bun: OUTSTANDING. We ordered three hot dogs between two of us to go for some variety. For some reason, my truffle fries weren't up to par, but I will chalk it up as an outlier. Staff is incredibly friendly and engaging. I like Hot Doug's, like everyone else, but I think this place is up there in terms of quality and experience, and I don't need to wait in line for an hour. Definitely worth your time and money!
(4)
Sara P.
Holy hot dog heaven! Went here for lunch on a Saturday...laughing as we walked in at the couple storming out because all they had were hot dogs. Um, it's a hot dog restaurant, get over it. Looking at the menu, I was a bit overwhelmed by all the choices, and in the end, settled on just a plain kosher-style dog. Boring decision, but delicious none-the-less. The bun was enough to make anyone happy. My finace, an expert in all things Chicago hot dog, really liked his plain dog as well, but said he missed the Chicago style- the poppy seed bun, the celery salt...all the things I don't understand, not being a native Chicagoan. We also ordered the cheese fries, but were slightly disappointed in the lack of cheese. For sure we will be back...and for sure I will venture into a slightly more risky style hot dog. On a side note, someone near us had the corndog, and I came thisclose to reaching over to his table and taking a bite. What? I was hungry. Geez.
(4)
Buggin O.
the franks and dawgs are for the most part... flavah! i'd stick with the ones that they make in-house. they make real good sausage--taste like real meat. they want a lot of cheddah for a dawg ($10 easy) but then again, people don't blink for $10 burgers so why not a sausage. still hard to stomach though. like $6 for a regular chicago style dog (1/8th pound). common man! you need as least 1.5 dogs and some side to make it a meal. so like $20 bones per person. fries are good and the special spicy ketchups they got is worth buying a bottle. after a while, you kinda just want a regular dog ' though cause they put too much toppings and sauce sometimes. you kinda just want to let the meal and bread speak for itself. know what i'masayin?
(4)
Phil T.
The best hot dog I've ever had, a turkey and date/duck confit/ pickled carrot combination, very pleasant service, excellent choices and great fries. My girlfriend's hot dog, a gouda- and mushroom topped bratwurst was almost as delicious. Certainly a dish I wouldn't hesitate to order on another occasion. I would place this in the pantheon of cheap gourmet options in Chicago today. Strong recommend.
(5)
Angie S.
My parents came into town for the weekend and I wanted to impress them with my hot boyfriend and awesome food. They grew up here in Chicago, so I knew no ordinary hot dog joint would work. I had to step it up a notch. At first my parents didn't understand the concept of gourmet hot dogs, nor did they understand the price. But when we walked in we were greeted by this awesome dude, who also happens to be the owner. He made my parents laugh and helped them decide what to order. (I think my dad liked him more than my boyfriend!) So totally one star goes to you, owner dude! Both my parents got the "Spoiled Brat" my boy got the "Foss Hog" and I got the "Dirty Dog". I thought mine was weak in comparison to the other two. I was really looking for some major crunch with the hush puppies and was majorly disappointed. The Andouille Sausage was really good, but just over powering. So there goes a point. My parents let me nosh on their brat (like the spoiled brat I am. Get it, eh eh?) and it was really delicious. The mustard was excellent and applied just right. My boyfriend, however, was the big winner of the evening. His Foss Hog was the best thing I've eaten all year. I can still taste it and crave it at 2 in the morning after a night of drinking. I would never have thought of putting a fried egg on a hot dog. I love it. I love it so much that everywhere I go now I'm trying to put fried eggs on things. I'd totally come back just for that one dog. Oh, and one last thing. We didn't do the truffle fries. Maybe I'm not the foodie I think I am, but I don't understand the truffle craze. Duck fat fries, I'll take two at a time, but triple truffle fries just didn't sound worth the almost $8. And the owner kept pushing them on us. Desperation is an awful cologne my friend.
(4)
Jonathan A.
There's another Sausage King of Chicago, and his name isn't Doug. I'm sure Frank's and Dawgs is already tired of the comparisons. But given Hot Doug's popularity, it should be a compliment. Frank's and Dawgs was awesome! And I didn't have to wait an hour in line. I came here for lunch after reading the review in the Reader, with my hopes high that this could be even half as good as the other well known sausage establishment in Chicago. I was afraid it wouldn't live up to the hype. I was wrong. Frank's 'N Dawgs succeeded in every possible way. My friend and I tried 4 different sausages and they were all outstanding. Favorites were probably the Beef Curry and Lamb Keema. The descriptions on all the dogs sound interesting if nothing else, and they look amazing. But most importantly they taste as good as they look and sound. Actually the big surprise for me was how good the bun was. It wasn't just your average hot dog bun, but felt more like a freshly baked and lightly toasted roll. Light and crispy like Texas toast. The chef here, Joe Doren used to be chef at Blackbird and 16, I have been to neither, but it's obvious he knows what he is doing. And further more, they make many of their own products in house. I just found out recently that this is not the case at Hot Doug's which is a big surprise to me. Other things F&Ds has going for it..they are opened Mondays, and stay open til 7pm during the week. It's BYOB, they have a back patio, the prices are comparable to HD's and they have really good and considerate service. I don't really get some of the mediocre reviews here. I guess my experience was 5 stars all the way.
(5)
Megan P.
Yes to the Truffle Mac Dog and yes to the Triple Truffle Fries. There is hidden patio seating in the back where your pup can join you! We will definitely be back soon.
(5)
Olivia M.
I love this place! Great food and even better service. They have a unique menu, lots of options, and I've never had to wait for a table. Their staff is extremely friendly - especially the head chef.
(5)
Kristie W.
I loved that this place had humanely-sourced hot dogs without a ton of preservatives! The Chicagoesque was amazing, although the toppings did make the dog soggy by the second half. The bun was mind-blowingly good and different, and the truffle fries and cheese curds just put the meal over the top. Easily a better experience than Hot Doug's, not because of food (Hot Doug's is slightly better, although the fries are way soggier), but because it was fast, close to town, and no long line to wait in. I love the trend toward high-end, responsibly sourced ingredients in "fast food" style places!!
(4)
Robin W.
Absolutely go out of your way for this place. The lamb keema dawg I enjoyed for lunch today was both delicious AND good looking. The four others with me enjoyed their dogs, too. We tried three sides -- the brussels sprouts salad, triple truffle fries and truffled mac and cheese. All were delicious. Plus: they support charities with a "charity dawg of the month," use all "green" utensils and cups, and engage meaningfully in making sure that their business is a positive and fun contribution to their customers' lives.
(5)
scott B.
Ate here twice last week. Tried 4 sausages and two kinds of fries.I'm a big fan of Hot Doug's and was itchin' to try this place. Ordered the Hot Dog flight for take out the first time and liked two of the four I tried (I found out when I got home they they gave me one wrong sausage. Liked the New Orleans sausage, but the bun couldn't hold it all. The regular fries were nothing special. My review is really 2 1/2 because they have Fresca at the soda fountain. My two star rating is based on two things. The wrong kind of bun/bread can ruin any concoction. The bun they use is the same bun they use to make a clam role. You know, the one that looks like a Folded piece of Bread. I have struggled to keep every sausage bun from falling apart. The bun at Hot Doug's is superior. If you want good truffle fries, Try Burger Bar down the street. THOSE are truffle fries. These are just OK and overpriced. Save the calories and order an extra sausage instead of fries. Kind of pricy, but if your want Hot Douglike faire without having the time to kill an extra 45 minutes. This place will do. There is free parking a block west.
(2)
Roam and H.
The food lives up to its tag line 'five star dining on a bun'. Alexander has got this place buttoned up and sorted out, every dish is consistent in quality and surprises. There are real Chefs at the helm [not minimum wage employees with a pulse] they are passionate about the food they create and they deliver. Lots of the items are made-in-house and others are sourced or made in collaboration with another top quality food purveyor [such as those to-die-for buns]. Where do I start with recommendations here. The sides are a meal to themselves with the clear winner for the night being the 'Triple Truffle Fries' [yukon gold waffle cut fries, truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle salt & freshly chopped herbs] crispy crunchy salty fried goodness. Someone requested that I make them the 'Brussel Sprouts Salad' [shaved brussel sprouts, blood orange oil, lemon zest, toasted pistachios, dill & parmesan cheese] I think next time they come over I am going to just buy some from Franks'n'Dawgs there is no way anyone could top it. And then we come to the 'Lyonnaise Fries' [hand cut fries, braised pig cheek, arugula, poached egg &; a dijon mustard vinaigrette] are you kidding me - so good - they are worth the trip alone. I think you if want to take the guess-work out of it order the 'Dawg Flight', it is a sausage sampler [Chef's selection of 3 house made sausage sandwiches & fries] who could resist that offer. One of our vegetarian friends said that the 'FU' [marinated tofu with grilled eggplant relish, caramelized portabellas, Italian salsa verde & chèvre] was some of the best tofu they had ever eaten. You can't go wrong, select a meat lamb, turkey, beef, pork and go for it. Or try the 'Mystery Corn Dawg' [gourmet sausage generously coated in Anson Mills polenta batter] and let your taste buds decide what you just bit into. More from the Blog: Roam & Home - wp.me/p13q2t-1dB
(5)
Angela T.
Can I just say triple truffle fries? Soooooo good. I thought that the combination of truffle butter, oil and salt would basically have to be good, but they are beyond delicious. I was disappointed at first when they were brought out and I first saw they were waffle cut because all of my previous experiences with waffle fries were a soggy mess. Not these ones. They remained crisp throughout, thanks to them being double fried. I had the belly up, which had pork sausage, pork belly, pickled fennel and macerated grapes. I found that the pork belly didn't have enough depth to really add to the dawg; it was more like a limp piece of bacon that wasn't sure if it should get crispy like bacon or become tender like a juicy thick slab of braised pork belly, so it just floundered somewhere in the middle. At lollapalooza, I had the Fingerlingin Good, Andouille sausage, Fingerling potato salad, and a beer mustard vinaigrette. That made for a very good flavor profile. I can't wait to try out some of their other offerings: black sheep and krazy kimchi. I love me some Hot Doug's, but I also have love for Franks 'N' Dawgs. Daily in-house made artisan sausages and accroutements along with fresh baked bread wins me over.
(5)
Courtney B.
Awesome dogs and the BEST root beer I have had in a while. Also, did I mention the mac n cheese? Divine. Period.
(5)
LT B.
The best sausages I've ever had, and one of the best meals i've ever had. Gourmet sausages, with gourmet creative toppings, in a new england style bun. I wish i had enough room for the delicious looking side dishes. I really wish SF had a place like this. Rosamunde doesnt even come close.
(5)
Janowski A.
AMAZING!!! I got the bloody mary dog. First, they used thick toast for the buns (yum!!). It was perfectly spiced and melted in your mouth. The owner was super nice and helpful in picking out just the right dog for you :) They were a little pricey, but worth the money!
(5)
Jeanus T.
Very very very good dogs and the bread they use is just amazing!! Get the truffle fries too! Very good. I bet you this is easily one of the best hot dog place in Chicago. A large variety to choose from too. Must try!
(5)
Chris S.
Look out Hot Doug's, there's competition in town! I had the spicy duck dog and my sis had the foss hog. We split cheese fries. The dogs were good. I wouldn't say out of this world, but definitely good. Having the kitchen run by a "fine-dining refugee chef" means nice attention to detail. Like well-grilled buns for the dogs and real, but not excessive amounts of, cheese on the fries. I walked away from lunch feeling satisfied--not greasy, not stuff--and that is always a sign of food done well. I'll be back to this spot, hopefully before the rest of Chicago goes nuts over it.
(4)
Paul S.
Franks 'N' Dawgs definitely changed the way I see hotdogs. Never again I will probably be satisfied with just a regular dog. Maybe it's because I'm a sucker for gourmet sandwiches but this place, man, their dogs were awesome! I don't care that we had to fight our way through a thunderstorm and eat my hotdog soaking wet..... it was well worth it. I ordered the spicy duck sausage and about 5 minutes through our order Alexander, the owner, courteously told us that they didn't have the spicy duck sausage anymore so I just went for my second choice, the Lamb Keema. He was so sorry about what happened that he even gave us a complimentary corndog! So now about the food. The Lamb Keema was amazing, I don't think there are other words that can describe that hotdog. It was so juicy and tender, just perfect. And the homemade bread it was wrapped in was the best hotdog bun I've ever had too. Buttery, soft, and even a little crunchy. Now, about that corndog... Best corndog ever and I've had my fair share with corndogs. Polenta battered and a succulent Polish sausage inside? Come on now... You'll wind up ignoring those state fair corndogs after having this one. So if you're in Chicago, want some good vibes, a gourmet hotdog experience, nice people, and great customer service... head down to Franks 'N' Dawgs. You won't regret it.
(5)
Lois A.
I had the Lamb Keema and the Dirty Dog. I wanted to try the Dirty Dog because it sounded great but also because by buying that special dog some proceeds would be donated to Paws....that's awesome. The Lamb Keema was by far my favorite. The cucumber salad and peas on it tasted great and it was moist and juicy. It tasted the way I'd hoped it would taste. The buns were great and the fries were good. I also enjoyed the cole slaw. The Dirty Dog is Andouille with dirty rice, hush puppies and cherry tomato relish. Loved the dirty rice and cherry tomato relish but would probably order a different dog next time. The Cheese-Head looked excellent. Service was great and this place was spotless. I'd want to give 3-3.5 stars for the food but the service is why I'm giving 4. The people here couldn't be nicer.
(4)
Josiah R.
I've been here twice now, once with the woman and once with g'ma. Both times my world was rocked. While I wish fries were included, I can easily overlook that because I had a peking duck dog and my taste buds were driven wild. I've also had the Masala Dawg, and that has been my favorite thus far. Grandma had the naw'leans dawg and she said it was a taste of her childhood in MS. $9 seems steep for a 'hot dog' but it's not just a hot dog. It's an experience, one that I wouldn't mind having again and again. You won't see stuff like this anywhere else. I try to hit em up every 2-3 months. Every bite of each one I've tried is legit, and their fries are very good, too.
(5)
Ray P.
I was home ill. * cough cough * Aaaaand, around lunch time I got hungry. Starve a fever, feed a cold? Or, something like that. I wanted a hot dog. And, I was in no mood to sit in the drive-thru lane at "bor-dill-oh's" (you get my drift). * ding * "What was that place the fat, bald bug and worm eatin' dude from Travel Channel went to with Kevin the Pang? FrankNsteins? Franks and beans? Franks N Dawgs! * ding ding ding ding ding !* I hop into my jalopy and head up Clybourn. I walked in the "front door" (this, folks, is where America lags behind other countries in edu-ma-cation -- I did NOT read the instructions to walk down the alley to the "entrance". Duh). I did not do my research, as I was assaulted by a menu with too many choices and not enough time. The register-dude, sensing my dazed confusion asks (quite politely, I might add, and in an Aussie accent, which further confused me), "First time here?" Sheepishly, I respond, "Ayup." He excitedly runs down the menu, informing me that they do make their own sausages in-house, and those sandwiches are denoted by chef's hats on the menu. That did not further filter it down, and, using his spidey-sense offers, "Our most popular is the Brunch Dog." Pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo. They had me at "pork...." So, I ordered my brunch dog, with a small fries, and a small drink (note: refills are available...small drink will suit you just fine). And, I select Hassselhoff as my order indicator (if you dine in, in order to match you up to your order, you select from the 'celebrity wall of disdain' -- Lilo, Nick Nolte, Pee Wee Herman, Sarah Palin, The Brady Bunch -- and stick the placard on your table. They will find you, believe me). The wait's not too long...of course, the joint is not terribly busy on a Wednesday afternoon at 1PM. Waiting at my table, I notice other patrons' food around me -- the Lyonnaise fries look interesting, the truffle mac-n-cheese smells pretty darn good. Then I get my sandwich -- The Brunch (unch unch unch) Dog (og og og) (echo echo echo...hello hello hello? Manny Moto moto moto). It looks good. Very good, in fact, topped with a fried egg, chunks of bacon strewn throughout, good hefty drizzle of maple mayo. First bite -- messy. The pork loin sausage is pork-y (one critique -- season that bad boy before putting it into the casing, and possibly while cooking it), meat-y, but a bit underwhelming had it been alone on a bun. The bacon "chunks" (more like bits) are bacon-y goodness and quite tasty, lending a nice crunchy, fatty, unctuous texture. Fried egg? Lovely (NEEDS SEASONING). The surprise was the maple mayo -- who'd have thunk maple and mayonnaise as a sauce? I could've used more as a dipping sauce. And, I love the bun! Unique shape. Holds ingredients well. And.....wait for it....flat-bottomed, so your whole sandwich doesn't just roll over. Brilliant. The fries. Good, not great. Mostly underwhelming. Why, you might ask? BECAUSE THEY NEEDED SEASONING (getting a sense of a theme here?). However, they have these two ketchup mash-ups, one with jalapeno and the other with chipotle, that were fantastic. Why didn't I get one of the other , specialty fry dishes (i.e., truffled or lyonnaise)? At $5 and $7 respectively, it was a bit more expensive than I would've like to pay for fries, and there's quite a bit -- more a dish to share than for one. I know, I know, 4 stars. I DO like FnD, but I do want to go back and try some other sandwiches, and maybe those lyonnaise fries. But, I am a fan, and outside of a bald, bug-eating, fat dude's recommendation to eat there, I will go again. Maybe I'll try one of the "contest" sandwiches (where they pit sausage creations from local chefs against each other). Well done, Franks 'n' Dawgs. Well done. P.S., if you've ever seen Hot Tub Time Machine, every time I say, "Franks 'N' Dawgs," it feels like I'm saying, "....sux c*** -n- d***."
(4)
Zac G.
This place has redefined the hot dog in such a delicious way. The ingredients and sauces are great, and I love the buns.
(5)
Eric M.
My mouth is watering just remembering my visit here. The selection of hot dogs is pretty large. All have a very interesting flavor combinations, so don't expect just a simple dog when you come here. I really like the fact that they have a chef's challenge. I was told they have two dogs a month that are creations by chefs from well known restaurants. My wife actually went with the Hoss Dog which was a pork sausage with bacon, maple mayo, and a fried egg on top. It was outstanding. I went with one of their local options the Tur-Doggin. This turkey dog is topped with duck confit and a picked carrot relish. It too was outstanding. We also had the cheese fries which were ok, but not as interesting as their dogs so they seem a little plain. I'm really looking forward to going back here and trying all of these amazing creations.
(4)
K B.
This place is worth repeat visits. First, the place is small and cozy and you're greeted by a friendly and knowledgeable cashier. Second, truffle fries. Good god! and I don't even like fries. Third, the condiments on the table are best left alone, serving solely as decor. Fourth, dude these dogs are good. We tried the Lamb-orghini, the Pork of July, and the Krazy Kimchi. Each were delicious, though the Lamb-orghini was the standout of the 3, although the Kimchi paired best with the bun. The challenge for both the Pork and the Kimchi is getting both meats in one bite, which is probably why I preferred the Lamb. I'll be trying the Brunch and the Tur-Doggin next time.
(5)
Heather K.
Wow, this place exceeded my expectations. First off, the brussel sprout side dish is amazing. Must learn how to make this.... I went with a party of three and we tried the Vegetarian option, tofu with portobello and a pesto sauce, the macaroni and cheese sausage, chicken cesar sausage, truffle fries, cheese fries, and the brussel sprout salad. Everything was tasty, everything was quick, everything was devoured in under 10 mins. Truffle fries and brussel sprout salad are great side dishes. The buns are sooo good. I can only speak for the vegetarian option and while it was good I would appreciate it if they took a stab at creating a meatless version of a dog or sausage rather than a few pieces of tofu. Either way, I'd absolutely order it again and so would my companions.
(4)
Dell C.
You must try the "lamb-bergini" sausage. Do yourself a favor - taste it first! The lamb flavor is so perfect, you won't want to add any condiments!
(5)
betsy b.
It's worth coming here for the truffle fries alone. They are an amazing bowl of goodness. The dogs themselves weren't bad but they were completely overpowered by the massive bun that filled me up too fast. I went with the cheese head (brat with onions, portabellas and gouda) and my husband had the daringer (some german sausage with bacon fat on it).....I think he was a little turned off by the bacon fat but the sausage was really tasty. The line doesn't move too fast but once you order the food comes out really quick. I need more of those fries!!!!!
(4)
John R.
Everything about Frank and Dawgs is carefully crafted, from their non-traditional gourmet hot-dogs to their equally gourmet appetizers and sides. I would only extend the word "gourmet" to the food and its preparers, as the atmosphere is everything you would want in a hot dog joint-- relaxed and conveniently located with friendly, upbeat staff. Each dog and side has a number of gourmet ingredients, each well thought out and working with the dish. You will have a hard time picking a dog and side as the variety is tremdous. The truffle fries are fantastic but I wouldn't rule out the Brussel Sprouts Salad or the Creole red beans. I prefer Frank and Dawgs to Hot Doug's, though I am still a big fan of both. I have seen a few gimmicky imitation hot dog joints that boast non-traditional ingredients, but don't come anywhere close to these two in taste and quality. There's a care in their gourmet ingredients that just is not matched. Dawgs meets and exceeds Doug's in both taste, quality, variety, and presentation. It's my preference. They're both fantastic, but I find Frank and Dawgs to be a little more fresh. Though it's slightly more expensive, it has normal operating hours and accepts credit/debit. So you don't have to have a day off to get Dawgs during the week and you won't have to wait an hour just to order on the weekend. Doug's is delicious, but their preparation is a little sloppy at times. You will never get a smashed bun at Dawgs as their MO would never allow it. On the flip side, hot dog purest might not like that the bun more closely resembles a carefully constructed texas-toast-like hoagie, but this is a plus to me. Again, I am a fan of both Doug's and Dawgs, it's just nice to be able to get a great Hot Dog on my own time. Going to Doug's is a huge production, whereas Dawgs is anything but.
(4)
Jason C.
Despite what several other reviewers state, Franks 'n' Dawgs is NOT just another sausage joint trying to compete with Hot Doug's. It's more like the Kuma's Corner of sausages-- the solid base sausages are made extra special by excellent choices in toppings, condiments, and buns. My personal favorite here is the Foss Hog: a pork link covered with smoked bacon, a fried egg and maple mayo on a brioche-style bun. Yes, this is real. Yes, you need it in your mouth. I've tried a good percentage of the menu, and I haven't had anything to complain about. Delicious sausages, friendly service, and a good-sized seating area make this a unique alternative to the city's other sausage powerhouse.
(5)
Dan A.
Hidden gem! You like dogs hit this place!
(5)
Anthony N.
Good LORD!! Thess dawgs are truly a slice of heaven!! the Kimchi is delicious and the breakfast sausage is to die for. Seriously, hands down the best. The staff was really nice and 10/10 just perfect !!! This place should be a Chicago landmark! Listen, If you are in Chicago and you do not go grab a dawg at Frank 'N' Dawgs it is like going to Rome without visiting the Colosseum. I am serious! Hot Doug, well, maybe we need a battle on Travel Channel for these dogs !!! My vote goes to Franks !
(5)
Josh N.
Freakin' love the BLT dog, the mac n cheese dog could be better but still great. The buns are buttery goodness. I recently tried the pork dog with the shredded pork on top, it was awesome. They tell you which dogs are freshest and they make some daily. I'll see you there.
(5)
Trent C.
First of all, a confession. I went to Franks 'n' Dawgs after first going to Hot Doug's and decided that waiting for 45 minutes in line (at 2:30) on a Saturday afternoon in the driving snow was too much. I'd heard about Franks 'n' Dawgs as being just about as good as Hot Doug's and thought it was about time I got myself to Clybourn and out of the snow. First of all, they need a bigger entrance as there is probably only room for about 4 people in the line before it goes out the door. In the summer, I'm sure it would be nice to wait in the alleyway, but in the winter, it probably wouldn't fly with some people. There is definitely enough choices on the menu that you're bound to at least find something you'll like, or are willing to try. Every dog has a unique name. I chose the Reuben Pulaski and a large fries, but almost went with the Krazy Kimchi or the Governator. Even at 3:00 on a Saturday the place was busy but we didn't have to wait more than 5 minutes in line. After chatting with the fellow Aussie behind the counter, I was given the Cate Blanchett magnetic portrait and found my way to the booth. No less than 5 minutes later and my dog was in front of me begging to be inhaled. The buns are incredibly tasty and you definitely get a larger than normal dog. The dogs are juicy and everything tastes fresh. The fries are some of the better fries I've had in a while, but far from the best. I didn't try the Triple Truffle Fries, but will consider it the next time I'm thinking of going to Franks 'n' Dawgs. The prices are a little more than your typical Chi-town dog but you are also getting a unique product so it's somewhat understandable. You have the option, if you're hungry enough, to order the Dawg Flight, which has 3 dogs chosen as a sampler by the chef, but be prepared to fork out $15. Everything ranges in the $4-10 range. While I would definitely go back again, it remains to be proven if this can stack up to Hot Doug's. I feel like a few (dozen) more trips are necessary to fully make the decision. One place that is worthy of a stop when in the area, just make sure to bring an appetite.
(4)
Ingrid H.
A little bummed. Stopped here for lunch having heard this was a little like another famous sausage emporium and alas--not so much. The andouille was of all things bland--and the fries left a lot to be desired (in fact, "Where's the beef"--the previous occupants of the space--had far superior fries). But, don't let this review turn you totally off. A decent place if you're in the neighborhood. Just won't go out of my way next time ...
(3)
Michael B.
This is a fun spot to bring friends and grab a dog. I love the options they have especially for brunch. The sides are great to share with the group.
(4)
Paul T.
I'm a long time fan of Hot Doug's but this place is super and you don't have to wait an hour and half to get in. If you want to take someone to an fancy sausage place for lunch, this is definitely the place to go. The atmosphere is a little more upscale than Doug's. So next time you drive by Hot Doug's and the line is to the alley, try this place. Only problem is the serving of fries with the combo is too small. Sausages are delicious and made by hand.
(5)
Josh C.
Diverse selection of gourmet dogs...with the likes of truffle, foie gras, and cheese curds on the menu. Good eats!
(4)
Jay J.
It's like they say gourmet hot dogs. You add $5 to everything just because it's "gourmet". This is o.k. and yes it's different but the receipt leaves an aftertaste....
(3)
Michael N.
Saw it on Man vs. Food! I had the Krazy Kimchi Dawg and fell in love with the first bite. If you order your dog with fries, its only enough for one person FYI. I need to go back to try others! A must visit when you're in Chicago.
(5)
Jason C.
Reuben Pulaski - enough said! The dog has a potato pancake on it! This place is great. Alexander, the owner, is super friendly and nice. Go here, check it out! Just as good as Hot Dougs and no 2 hour wait.
(5)
Johnny A.
Pretty reasonable prices for the quality of food you get here and it being Lincoln Park. Franks and Dawgs (F-N-D as i will be calling it now) has Fresh ingredients and I went on a Saturday afternoon and only was 3 people deep in line. In and out in 20 minutes is pretty good is you ask me. I am also a fan of there frankfurter style buns they use and they have chipotle ketchup , super yummy. I will definitely be making another stop at F-N-D!!
(4)
Jeremy G.
Best part - the bread wrapped around the dawg. The hot dogs and combinations themselves are great, but the bread is what makes it awesome.
(5)
Pha L.
Definitely a gourmet hot dog heaven. The lobster rolls was nice a toasty on the outside while hot and fluffy on the inside. They make the sausage in house so that's a plus. For 2 people, we had 4 hot dogs on our table on top of fried cheese curds and fries. I would difinitely order the waffle fries instead of regular fries. The side portions were a little small. Don't expect to be paying 3-4 dollars for hot dogs. These are adequately priced. The toppings missed their mark and the sausages were a little dry eventhough it's house made.
(4)
Michael G.
Dominant! Forget anyone complaining about the "reinvention" of Chicago style hot dogs; Franks 'N' Dawgs is doing interesting & delicious things, and should be tried at least once by everyone. Curtis Duffy's "Duffy Duck" is fantastic! I've not had a bad sausage here yet(the accompanying sauces/toppings/condiments are brilliant), but as good as the Mystery Corn Dog is, it was a bit "doughier" than I like; does anyone make a Crispy-Crunchy-Corn-Dog?! The crispy fries are very good too(I had a "soggy" order once- great flavor, bad texture). Superdawg, and other "classic" joints(try Paradise Pup on River Road near Oakton; Poochies on Dempster is great too) will always be the "Greats", but it is nice to see creative people challenging "tradition". I first tried Franks 'N' Dawgs after reading Michael Nagrant's "Resto" column in New City on April 1, 2010. The place was great then, and it is still great. Their continued brilliant use of herbs, fruits, vegetables, sauces, and spices in their toppings/dressings is fantastic. And the creativity in the sausages themselves is equally brilliant; and delicious! They are about 1 year old now, and handle their large crowds very well; the food arrives quickly, fresh, and amazingly flavorful!
(5)
Bart D.
I wouldn't go out of your way to stop in at Franks 'N' Dawgs, but if you are in the neighborhood and are looking for something a little different, then Franks 'N' Dawgs is a good pick. Food was good, but not amazing. I had the Beef Curry sausage and a side of fries. Both were OK, but a little on the bland side. Halfway through the meal I kind of lost interest in what I was eating. I was still hungry so I finished my food. It just seemed to be missing that certain something that makes you want to finish your meal and then have more even though you're stuffed... The staff was friendly and seemed to enjoy working there.
(3)
Loc H.
fast service, great buns, great hot dog! i had the mac n cheese truffle dog and it was everything i had hoped for. it was so big, i had to eat the toppings off with a fork. the bun is what really does it for me though... both sides completely buttered to perfection, and the toast on the crust... so amazing. can't wait to be back in chi town!
(5)
Kristen D.
I needed a quick bite between appointments so I did the basic Mac and Cheese dog of you consider that a basic dog. It was made with a beer brat and truffled Mac and cheese. I liked the flavor of the brat. After trying to like truffled Mac I realized I just don't, but it didn't keep me from eating all of it so it can't be that bad. I liked the flavor of the brat but felt it actually over powered the bun. I would definitely return and will try the fries. The multiple combinations looked amazing but definitely something you'd want to share.
(3)
Jennifer D.
Um, Frank's must have made a change since the earliest bad reviews came out because I am in love with this place! After going vegetarian for 2 years, I have slowly been making my way back. Hadn't had hot dogs/sausage forever, walked into this place because it smelled amazing. And it tasted amazing too. I loved the corndog, it was so different. People have reviewed that they weren't into it, but anyone ordering it should know that it's sausage, not a hotdog under there. Also, the sauces they gave with it were crazy good!! The people that work there are cool and funny. Shout out to my guy from New England Culinary Institute.... Vermont! The owner is awesome too. This place makes me happy I have reintroduced meat into my future! I am for sure going back. You go, Franks!
(4)
Anthony R.
Triple Truffle Fries. That's all you really need to know. I visited this place for the 1st time yesterday with a friend and after we left those fries were all we could think about. To start off, we got there around 2pm and the place had some people in it but there was no line and plenty of place to sit down - just how I like it. The staff was very friendly and extremely helpful. The first thing the girl behind the counter asked was if we had ever been to Franks N Dawgs before and we both said no. She then helped us navigate the menu a little bit (chef's hats on the menu means the sausage is made in-house, etc.) and pointed out the iPad on the counter that would show us pictures of all the wonderful creations this place has come up with. We settled on the Frank'n Stein and the Chicagoesque with an order of Triple Truffle Fries and an order of regular fries. I had the Frank'n Stein because I am a sucker for anything having to do with foie gras. My friend had the Chicagoesque. Both were very good. I can't say I tasted the foie gras directly but the overall flavor of the Frank'n Stein was unbelievable. The dogs come on those same buns that lobster rolls usually do and you could just eat that alone and it would be good. I suppose this "breaks" tradition of using a poppy seed bun or whatever but who cares? All I care about is if it tastes good...and it does! The regular fries were OK. Something I had never seen before was that this restaurant offers two ketchup alternatives: Ketchapeno & Ketchipotle. I'm from Milwaukee so not sure if this is something unique to Chicago or something I just haven't seen yet where I live. Both have a slight kick but the Ketchipotle has a smoky flavor to it so if you aren't into that you probably won't like it. I thought the Ketchapeno was pretty good and gave the fries the extra little kick they needed. Now, let's get to those Triple Truffle Fries. I knew they would be good from the second I smelled them when they came to our table. They looked and smelled like they came from heaven. White truffle oil. Truffle butter. Truffle salt. Oh. My. God. And they weren't greasy at all. It might be the best thing I've ever put in my mouth. They were so good we talked about coming back later that night and just ordering these fries for dinner. So good. Do not order any other sides if you come to this restaurant. Just order these...a lot of them. The place is fun as you get to pick from national and local "celebrity" picture magnets at the counter where you order to take back to your table so the staff knows who ordered what. Franks N Dawgs is kind of expensive for cased meats, but then again they just aren't slapping a hot dog in a bun. Overall this place rocks. Great food. Great service. Nice ambiance. I can't wait to come back.
(4)
Sam W.
Better than Hot dougs. Yes I said it, house made sausages, owners and staff are super nice and give great service. Been here about 5 times and each sandwich is better than the next. Bring your nicest bottle of wine and sit out back in the summer you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Jenna P.
It was an absolute pleasure to dine here. Do not come if you are looking for a cheap, regular Chicago dog.... this is something totally different! Service was quick (and on a Saturday!) and staff members were friendly. We were served by the 5-star chef himself, who was exceptionally polite and helpful. I had the Truffle Mac n Cheese dog, and it was perfection. The mac n cheese was wonderful and totally unique. The brat was flavorful and juicy. And the bun was golden, buttery, and toasted. All three of these components separately were delicious, but when put together SUBLIME. I have never tasted anything quite like it. When was the last time you bit into a hot dog and closed your eyes just to savor every bite? Yeah, that is worth $6 in my book!! The bf had the Tur-Doggin, which was also incredible (although he only let me have one bite!). The triple truffle fries, while expensive ($4.25 for not that many fries), were absolutely exquisite. We're talking golden crisp perfection. Add in a bit of smoky chipotle ketchup, and they were to die for. I will absolutely be back, and I'm already looking forward to it!
(5)
Danielle D.
This is the 2nd time my boyfriend and I ended up at this fabulous joint! The first time we were doing a little shopping and we were starving. We saw the sign for hot dogs and my boyfriend was down. Normally I am not a hot dog girl at all so I wasnt thrilled. That changed quickly. The Menu is wild, yeah they have your run of the mill hot dog, but why would you ever get that when there are so many other tempting choices? what we've tried: Tur-Doggin - Turkey & Date Sausage topped with duck confit, herb garlic aioli, house pickled onion relish & pickled carrots (normally pickling sounds gross to me - but the flavors blend together fabulously) Foss Hog -Pork Loin Sausage w/ cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & maple mayo Reuben Pulaski -Polish Sausage, sauerkraut, thousand island dressing, potato cake & chives .......and the Truffle Fries are to die for- yum. So thats what we've tried. I really want the dessert Sweet Home Chicago, but I am so full when I leave that I havent found room for it yet :( (french toast, stuffed with chocolate ice cream, bananas, kiwis, strawberries,mango & Butterscotch sauce) Highly Recommended!!! Run dont walk..... you wont be disappointed. best part........ Sausages are made in house 100% Natural No Nitrates- Fillers
(5)
Min P.
kimchi dog.
(5)
R K.
What a complete disappointment. The triple truffle fries didn't have any truffle flavor :( and the "Chicago"-esque dog should NOT have the word Chicago anywhere near it - what about this dog is at all a Chicago dog? It's a hot dog- sliced in half lengthwise covered in a bunch of sugary nonsense? I'm sad.
(2)
Katie H.
Gourmet on a bun is right! I love this place great service and amazing food! I always get the fu dawg which is tofu, portabello mushrooms, creamy feta pesto on a fresh artisan bun if u have never been check it out it won't disappoint
(5)
Skittle J.
O.M.G. I am in love with these hot dogs. As if the taste alone wasn't enough, then they had to tell me that they marinate their tofu for 4-6 weeks minimum! That's some dedication to the cause right there. I'm hooked. I ate here last week for the first time and I have been craving it every day since. I ordered the original tofu dog, and Ben ordered the tofu dog with the spoiled brat toppings. I'm not sure I could choose a favorite if I had to. They were both delicious. The other two dogs that were ordered in our party also looked amazing! The owner is so nice and chatted with us for a good 30 minutes about all sorts of things. I have a feeling every visit to Chicago I make in the future will definitely not be complete until I eat here. YUM!
(5)
ben w.
Great food, I had the everyone loves romesco and the macaroni and cheese. I got my daughter the dog and fries, she polished the fries off and they were nice enough to give her a complimentary bonus order. The service was great, everyone was very friendly and talkative. Very quick with no wait on a weekday at 2:30. If you want something more adventurous than a standard Chicago dog than this is the place for you!
(5)
Joe T.
I'm on board with all the positive reviews. They have a menu that changes frequently so there's always something new to try. That can be risky and you may end up with an 8 dollar hot dog you don't like, but if you follow it up with a Sweet Home Chicago dessert dog, you won't be disappointed. Ice cream on a french toast bun. I also grabbed a macaron at the counter made by a pastry shop down the street. It was AMAZING. I would recommend this place to anyone but expect to spend some money. If you're like me, one hot dog isn't enough and if you stack dessert on top you could be looking at a $30 hot dog meal. You'll be talking about the experience though for sure.
(5)
ashleigh t.
Nice staff, yummy, clean, and great atmosphere!!!!
(5)
Pheebe L.
The Triple Truffle Fries were so good! Black sheep is my fave. The chef was there to ask if everything was ok. Will definitely be back many times.
(4)
Jacob D.
Pretty great place. I'm saying this place is flawless, but they are 6 weeks old and are damn close. I went with three other guys and we each got something different. Each tasted great and very different. We even ordered a regular hot dog afterward, just to taste that as well. The chef even it up in 3rds and brought out a bunch of relish and mustard. It an amazingly nice gesture. Really nice guys, great hot dogs. I hope they stick around for a while.
(5)
Ngoc H.
This place is awesome. Cam here on a random lunch get together and had their Krazie Kimchi. It was pretty good but their triple truffle fries are to die for. I'm already a big fan of waffle fries, but to throw truffle oil on them... oh my, The service was phenomenal. The person who took the order, i was to assume he is the owner, was very knowledgeable when it came to food. We had a little conversations and he showed us the iPAD that was right on the counter in front of him that showed us pictures of what they food looked like and a little description of it just in case you didn't know what you wanted. I thought that was genius. The place was a little hot and they ran out of ice for the ice machine for a little bit but I can't blame them with the crazy heat we've been having, especially when there's people constantly walking in and out of the joint. The place is clean and parking wasn't too bad to find. They also make their own ketchup, which they don't call ketchup lol, you can get a chipotle or jalapeno concoction! Overall, really interesting twist on just a hot dog. Prices are reasonable for the quality of food you get. MUST TRY!
(5)
Jeff V.
Now this is what I am talking about. Look out Hot Dougs - this is some serious competition. My wife and I each tried a seperate dog. She has the Brunch Dog and I had the Reuben. First lets start with the bun, which can always be a make or break deal. For us - it was make. It was the right combination of soft where it needed to be and sturdy enough to hold it all together. My wife is convinced the Brunch dog tasted better but I loved them both. If you love Reubens - then this is a terrific dog. The truffle fries were solid but nothing to write home about. The service was terrific. We had a server who continually checked us on while we ate outside and she ran back in to get us refills. The only thing we found unnecessary were the celebrity mugshots that gave us for table markers. Not needed. Besides that this place was awesome and I will make sure I got back before I leave Chicago next month.
(5)
Lyn B.
The hot dogs here were so unique, and the atmosphere was really comfortable! I have heard this place be compared to Hot Doug's, and I must say- I liked this better than Hot Doug's! The combinations were really interesting... and I am glad I tried a few different dogs here, but if (when) I return, I think I might just stick with the Chicago dog, it was that good.
(5)
Lauren B.
The sausages were really good. I haven't tried Hot Doug's yet, so I have nothing to compare it to. I looovved the truffle fries. So delicious. I wasn't that impressed with the mac and cheese. Kuma's or Feast has a better mac. But overall I really enjoyed Franks n Dawgs
(4)
Jake F.
We stumbled upon Frank's while doing some shopping on Clybourn. Being from Wisconsin, this place is heaven. The best gourmet sausages and hot dogs around. The chef is culinary trained on the East Coast and it really shows. His ingredient selection makes each hot dog/sausage sandwich unbelievable. The staff is really nice and the place clean. It was busy when we were in there, but I get the feeling it always is. This place is an absolute must. One of the best meals I have had in Chicago!
(5)
Steve S.
It's a shame to see the vast majority of the sub-par reviews here are mostly out of people's mismatched expectations on price. If you think it's too expensive, walk out instead of buying something! I get it, the name and the sign don't exactly align with the gourmet food and some (but not all) of the prices, but geez... All that being said, no gourmet sausage on the menu is more than about $9 or $9.50, and many are around $6.50-7.50. I don't find this to be outlandishly expensive. Everything I've had at Franks 'n Dawgs has been top notch. It's a bit tough for me to order at Franks 'n Dawgs because I'm a freakishly picky eater, so I'm special ordering everything (hold this, hold that) and they've never once made a mistake - which shouldn't necessarily be noteworthy, but as a picky eater believe me - this is an accomplishment. Their regular fries are delicious, though if you feel like splurging you should definitely try the truffle fries. What really makes it all is the ingredients - especially the buns. They're perfect. Give Franks 'n Dawgs a try or two - just know that it's not a "hot dog place" and don't walk in expecting to pay $6 for lunch and you'll more than likely come out pleased.
(5)
Joyce C.
Today was our third time here. I wanted to show my diet who was boss and the truffle fries kicked its ass!! Whoo!! The first time we were here, we ordered 4 dogs, fries and a drink for two people. It was awesome, and yes, completely unnecessarily gluttonous. I think we got the turdoggin, the lamb keema, a beef curry dawg and a corn dog. The lamb keema I thought was the best of the bunch, YUM!! It was like a gyro in a bun. The second time we were here was during the filming of "Bizarre Foods" with Andrew Zimmern. Not only did we see Rick Moonen and Kevin Pang here talking and hanging out with Andrew, but our backsides were also filmed for that episode. Awesome. Oh and a group of us got to enjoy a whole buncha dogs and the truffle fries were introduced to us for the first time. Waffle fries tossed in truffle oil with truffle shavings?? Hell yes, please!! I tried the Foss Hog, a sweet pork link served with bacon, maple aioli and a fried egg and it was freaking delicious. The fried egg was soooo rich and decadent against the sweet aioli and savory pork. We also tried the cheese head and the dirty dawg. So, the last time we came was about a year ago. This time we got the "Belly Up" and the "Boar'n to be Wild". Both were good (as expected). The Belly Up had some kick to the sausage and the macerated grapes and dill added a nice freshness to the dog and helped cut the richness of the piece of fried pork belly on the top of the dog. The Boar'n to be Wild was a milder dog, with the fixin's on top which reminded me of something that 's totally escaping me right now. It was tasty though. We'd heard that the bun production had now been outsourced to a local bakery, I think to Labriola. Now, I LOVED how the brioche style bun before was delicately fluffy with a perfectly crisp outside and a soft buttery inside . Sad to say, no more. Now the bread is heartier, with a significant crusty layer, which makes the dog a little harder to eat. The meat to bread composition has been thrown off, and I'm not a fan. The dogs and the toppings are still tasty though, hence the 4 stars. I'd definitely still come back, but I hope they'll fix the bun situation soon!!
(4)
Ben F.
Bayou dog + triple truffle fries. Ridiculous.
(5)
sheena r.
i went with the Black Sheep, and i knew i shouldnt have. i do enjoy my share of lamb, but when i want a sausage, i want a sausage. it turned out to be more of a "gyro" shaped sausage, than a sausage. but it was good. but i wouldn't order it again. the lyonnaise fries were not for me, which is sad. i knew i should have went truffle,but i felt adventurous. sometimes that whole adventurous with food thing gets in the way of me actually enjoying my food. i will be back though. my friend had the mystery corn dog, which was amazing. polenta batter? yes please. [although now they've switched to a mystery corn dog platter..i'll still dig it].
(3)
Jody C.
Ever since my first visit I have been a fan and over a dozen visits later, I still love it here! My favorite is the truffle fries- I crave these! All of their dawgs are great- my favorite being the BLT one when it is in season. Their food is original and delicious! On top of that what really makes this place stand out is the excellent service and staff. No matter how long of a line they have, they will take the time to explain the menu to new-comers. This place is passionate about their food! Its also BYOB which is awesome. I bring all of my out of town guests here- and everyone loves it!
(5)
Veronica C.
This place is the trifecta of happiness. Super good food, Super nice people, and a really good cheap eat. The chef is from the Culinary Institute of New England, which is in VT, where I am from. I had to mention that to the lovely Aussie who was taking my order, and he said "the chef would love to hear that!" and out the chef came! He was really sweet, taking the time out to chat about Vermont and how we missed it while my food was being prepared. They even made sure to tell me how much time was left! The food...the hot dogs were AWESOME! A must to check out!
(5)
Erin G.
My friends can not get enough of this place! I am not that big into sausages, but I did enjoy the hot dog that I had. I thought the truffle mac & cheese was by far my favorite thing on the menu! Way less crowded than Hot Dougs and around the same price. If you love home made sausages, then defintiely check out their creations !
(3)
Jon M.
This must be my favorite Chicago restaurant! I haven't been to Hot Doug's, but it would be impossible to be better than Franks N Dawgs. My favorite is the Bayou Dawg - with beans, TENDER blackened shrimp, and some kind of aioli sauce. Out of at least 10 items I've ordered the only thing I haven't enjoyed here was the lobster roll, but I don't know why I decided to order something like that here anyway (very small amount of lobster meat). Stick to the turdawgin or the dawg with pork belly on top. The employees are always nice and I don't know if I'm just lucky, but I never have to wait in line. I should give this place a bad review to keep it to myself! mmmmm
(5)
Missy S.
I found this place one day shopping with my mom and we were in desperate need of a quick bit to eat to refuel. We happened to stumble across this place and i so happy to have found a new hot dog joint. I had the fu dog and it was to die for. They serve them on these french toast like buns and have very unique topping combos. Its a bit on the pricier side but defiantly well worth it. On my next visit I think I will try the truffle fries.
(5)
Sandra L.
It was a great place where you can find things like a brunch dog and a turkey/date sausage with duck confit. Haute dawgs !! Before you go, I would look up the menu online--a lot of people stood froze at the counter looking at the menu for a long time (hard to read fonts). Also, skip the sides especially the truffle fries--they underwhelmed me. Stick to the frankfurters. For dessert, they have a hot dog bun (french toast) stuffed with ice cream and fruit. Best thing about my experience, having the chef/owner help me pick the "Krazy Kimchi" (who doesn't like sausage, braised short rib, and kimchi in a bun? He also recommend the "Tur-Doggin" and the "Belly Up"for my next visit. They have 27 different dawgs to choose from ;-P
(5)
Joanna E.
It's hard when you're the new kid on the scene and everyone's comparing you to your older brother, right? I'm sorry to say I 100% agree with Ian M. on this one. Toasted buns= fantastic. And while Franks is trying really hard to be robust and eek out new flavor combos, it just isn't Hot Doug's. I appreciate that they're open in the evenings and that their locale is a little closer but not sure that merits 2-3$$ more per dawg. Plus, I got the veal percik which was perfect--until I found 3 quarter sized pieces of cartilage in the dog. That's one way to ruin the next bite. Please fix this Franks!!! You would have been great otherwise and worth the price!!!
(2)
Katie D.
Loved the bun! My husband had the truffle mac n' cheese brat and truffle fries-- I just went with a plain old hot dog. I love that bun. I actually thought it was genius! Call me a carb-lover but it was great! My husband loved his food, too. I would definitely go back!
(4)
Jennifer Y.
Great food. Service was ok (the owner, who I think is the guy who speaks with an accent is really nice and patiently explains things on the menu) except for this red headed jerk who works behind the counter which I am knocking off 3 stars for because he was just that rude. The waitress had accidentally spilled some water on our table (and she apologized repeatedly) and he started laughing and said we deserved it. Apparently he was a little ticked off because we grabbed an extra empty plate from the counter (the waitress was no where to be found) so we could share our food with each other. We apologized to him when he started yelling at us but apparently he's got a permanent chip on his shoulder. The owner really needs to fire him as I can see from other yelp reviews that I am not the only customer who has experienced his lack of manners. The food is great but I will not return because this red headed guy seems like the type who would spit in your food. Gross.
(2)
Nate L.
Love the dogs itself, but did not like the buns dog was sitting on. It's almost like garlic bread with flat bottom and slit in the middle for the dogs to sit in. Nice concept but it didn't do it for me, and plus, I don't like greasy buns. Decor is pretty average. Their twist on a korean dog was pretty decent, I'm Korean and I've never thought of putting kimchi on my hot dogs, although it was not homemade, it tasted really good. Probably try the truffle fries next time and different dogs. But I've had my fix on exotic dogs for now and plus, Navy's Physical Health Assessment is coming up so i need to stay away until june!
(4)
Brad C.
Hell Ya! Franks 'N' Dawgs is great and I don't know why haven't been back. Sure Hot Dougs is great but I don't usually have time to wait 45 minutes for a couple dogs. I've gone to Franks 'N' Dawgs twice both times for lunch and I was able to walk right up and place my order. Both times I've gone I've ordered different dogs and they have all been damn good. The couple I can remember are the Beef Curry, Lamb Keema and the Dirty Dog. Each time I go I'm pretty sure I'm going to try something new because there are some great combos on the menu.
(5)
Suzy D.
My husband and I were at Petco picking up some stuff for our dog and decided to walk over to Franks 'n' dawgs and grab lunch. We came here around 11:15 so there was no line. We were both eager to try everything on the menu, but we decided to just order 2 dogs each. I got the two iron chef dogs, one was called something Naha (by the chef from Naha) and one was called le merguez (lamb, greek yogurt, chutney). My husband got the brunch dog and the truffle mac n cheese dog. We also got some lyonnaise fries to share. First of all, everything was delicious. However, for us the standouts were the brunch dog (fried egg, pork sausage, maple mayo) and the le mergeuz. So delicious. The mac n cheese dog was tasty and you could definitely taste the truffle, but the mac n cheese kind of overpowered the flavor of the meat. The fries were good, but I think next time we come we'll get the truffle fries. We forgot that the lyonnaise fries had a sauce on them so they were kind of soggy and we like our fries crispy. Very tasty though. We will be back to try more!
(4)
Chris J.
What a great place. Unfortunately, my kids and I eat hot dogs way too often. However, it's hard to call the food here a hot dog. Each hot dog is more like a meal (which we learned when we tried eating two each, which we would easily do with a normal dog). My sons tried the plain dog on the great toasted bun, and after his first bite, my son Alex said it was by far the best hot dog he has had in his life. He tried the corn dog next, and had a hard time picking a favorite. My other son Ryan loved the fries (we all did). I had the New Orleans Dawg, which was also great, and very unique. We've been there twice since they opened, and will definately be back again. We looking forward to the outdoor seating area when the weather gets better...hopefully soon. We all highly recommend this place, but as tempting as they all may be, make sure you order them one at a time.
(5)
Molly L.
This is a hidden gem. Amazing everything but the truffle fries and mac and cheese dog are insane. If you are thinking of waiting in line for Hot Doug's, I advise you to check this place out.
(5)
Sourma K.
As soon as I saw Boar's Head hot dogs I knew this was a good place. Its the best gourmet hot dog I've ever had, it was the Lamb Keema and it tasted like a gyros but in the shape of a lamb sausage w/ some yogurt sauce and other trimmings. It was worth every penny and cannot wait to go back.
(5)
Rainier R.
I think it was a great experience having these gourmet dogs, but I think I'm kind of indifferent to it.
(3)
Charles S.
This place rocks! I've been here twice and can't wait to go back. First time I had the "burger" dog and the regular Chicago dog. The second time I had the white brat with mac & cheese. The brat was a white sausage like the kind you would find in Germany. Sorry, I don't remember the real names for any of these. The ketchup comes in two spicy options. The mustard is gourmet, like everything else there. The guys behind the grill are like hot dog chefs and the owner is very friendly. I guess I would be friendly too if I were charging over $7 a dog on average, JK! The dining area is cozy,clean, and not crowded or loud like at Hot Doug's. Give this place a shot, but be warned you may never go back to Portillo's again.
(5)
johnny b.
fine if walking by worth a look. mine wasn't that great but probably just the choice. Was well done I just didn't like the flavor but I would try here again..
(3)
Joshua P.
Oh yea, triple truffle fries all the way. Honestly, I come here just for those. Not that the dogs aren't good, because they are. They have very interesting creations and they work well together. Not too crazy about the bread, but hey, not going to get picky here. I like the wall of shame idea, where by they use celeb pictures to identify your table. Its a fun idea. Also, unlike hot doug's, there is hardly ever a wait. At least every time I've gone. I hate to compare them to hot doug's because what they do is unique in their own respect. So you shouldn't either! Come check them out when you have a chance.
(5)
Michelle L.
I love a good Chicago style hot dog, but my first visit to Frank n Dawgs I decided that being adventurous was the way to go... I had the dirty dog, my husband the lamb keema, and we shared cheese fries a cheese head and some truffle fries... dirty dog: absolutely wonderful! Our friends raved about this one so I really didn't think it would live up to their hype but I was wrong, the andeouli sausage was moist and spicy, and the rice on the bottom, while I thought would be a weird filler, was actually quite flavorful and a great compliment. But the bun...wow it was amazing, fresh, light, buttery. Unfortunately my husband wasn't a big fan of his lamb keema otherwise I would have had my dirty dog all to myself! My big downer - the cheese fries. I love French fries. I love cheese. I love real-cheddar cheese sauce fries. But these fries were overcooked, way too crispy, were not hand-cut, and just had a sprinkling of grated cheese on top. Can I get some real-cheddar sauce, please? Along with hand-cut fries, please? I'm paying for it... But my day was saved by my friends who had the good sense to order the truffle fries...these are how fries should be done! Such a unique flavor with the right amount of salt, I could have eaten 2 orders just by myself. Oh, and we saw Andrew Zimmern filming for an upcoming Bizarre Foods, which was fun! I expect this place to get a lot busier once the episode airs so get your fix now.
(4)
John P.
What a find! I was walking along the sidewalk up N. Clybourn and spotted Franks 'N' Dogs. Hmmm This is what we've been looking for - delicious, gourmet-quality dogs with LOTS of varieties. We entered and knew immediately this was THE place. After staring at the extensive menu for a few minutes, the ultra-tech savvy guy behind the counter said, "Here, check this for a more visual idea of what we offer." Right in front of us was a properly tilted, for easy viewing, iPad2 that had every menu item described. A quick tap, produced a full screen, high-rez image of the delicacy. How cool! We both decided upon The Cheesehead which was a 10+! It arrived amazingly well-plated for presentation and the made-on-premises dog, really a high quality sausage, was superb. Equally outstanding was the "bun" which was reminiscent of a top quality lobster roll found along the Maine coastline. It was perfectly grilled & hand-split for accommodating the dog and other ingredients. This place even has a unique-to-Chicago ketchup called "Ketchapeno" that was also a 10 on the condiment scale. It had the perfect kick that added to the overall experience. We'll be back!
(5)
P S.
Great hot dogs. Amazing amount of variety. The truffle fries are a must.
(4)
Moe f.
Sweet, a place to get an upscale sausage with no wait! Gotta love that they make about half the sausages in-house. I had the Foss Dog which was a special made of pork loin and had a fried egg on it. Loved it. Fries were spot on(and they have malt vinegar handy). Friendly, helpful service, I'll be back.
(4)
Joy D.
On the sign out front, it say's "5 Star Dining on a Bun", and I agree! After seeing an article on hot dog places in the Chicago area, I checked this place out and was shocked to find a place I like even better than Hot Doug's. Oh, I'll always go to Hot Doug's just because of the charm of the owner and the vibes, but as for the actual food -- I've found a new favorite. The Triple Truffle Fries made me moan, they were Sooooooo good! They stuff their own sausage. Pretty amazing! The staff are friendly and the service is relaxed.
(5)
Leigh K.
Two words: truffle fries! Also to note; they are vegetarian because they are cooked in vegetable oil! Holy gosh, they are delicious. I will totally get these again. I've been here three times and got two different duck sausages and the last time I had a turkey one. I definitely preferred the duck to the turkey. There was a lot more flavor (read: fat) in them. Zachary is obsessed with this place at the moment, so I have tagged along, but I like Chicago's Dog House a bit more so far. It doesn't seem like Franks N Dawgs has caught on yet, but I feel like it will soon, so catch it now!
(4)
Kris R.
who knew a hot dog place would treat me like a princess? i came in w 5 of my coworkers. once we sat down (i picked tina fey again) the owner came to me and asked if i had done that review i did last week. i shook his hand and said, yes, that's me. he so graciously made the dessert dawg for us, which was excellent. i also got to try gale gand's rootbeer, which awesome as well! i felt like VIP. yelp does wonders. this time, i had the turdoggin, which was delicious. i still like the nawlins dawg the best. i also had my OWN truffle fries, hey-o! SO SO SO goood. thing is, i can't keep coming back every friday because i'm trying to watch my figure. i can pretend this salad is a dawg, though. i should say, when i want to indulge on fridays, i WILL come here. see you guys again soon! xoxo!
(5)
Ian M.
I'm going to get the pressing concerns out of the way: this place is not a carbon copy of Hot Doug's. And eating there for its grand opening, it will have some work ahead of it to prove it deserves its own line out the door. That said, i enjoyed my "harvest dog" well enough, a bockwurst with cherry tomatoes, chives and corn relish. The ingredients really made fresh-tasting contrast to your usual greasy dog, and as the last reviewer noted, that toasted bun is phenomenal. The fries were crisp and fresh, and free fountain drink refills were appreciated. Service was prompt (though I was the only one in there) and very friendly, and the prices of the signature dogs fall two or three dollars below those Hot Doug's (though I hope in the future they will adopt a similar weekly rotation of specials to keep things exciting). I'd say it's worth sausage cents to give it a shot.
(4)
Celtic B.
A solid 3.5 stars. The dog I had here was great, The Krazy Kimchee. Lots of flavor from the beef sausage, an excellent bun and a great balance of meat to bun to garnish. I thought the cheese fries were kind of weak. The cheese was melted over the fries and it hardened up right away. When I want cheese fries I need my cheese to be creamy, and that was not the case with these. Kind of pricey - I think I'd rather go to Doug's next time I want a gourmet dog.
(3)
Dina I.
totally different than Hot Doug's but just as tasty in my opinion. Some days, I just crave a dog specifically from Franks 'N' Dawgs...
(4)
Manny A.
We were riding around heading for a place to eat and I happened to spot this place among a row of storefronts and was immediately intrigued. We found street parking pretty easily and went in. We went for the basic hot dogs just to check them out. The hot dogs were meticulously prepared and delicious. The Truffle Fries were surprisingly good, especially for someone burnt out on fries. The service was laid back but attentive. Overall, a great experience.
(5)
Kelly M.
SO BOMB! I love this place! Everything is good .. their truffle fries are the best thing since sliced bread. Just thinking about their food makes my mouth water. I'm one who likes to order the same thing everytime at restaurants, but here I try something new every time and love everything I've had. I even get to sit with Snoop Dogg. It's also SO much more convenient than Hot Doug's, you don't have to wait in line forever either .... you will love it, I promise!
(5)
Jen H.
Cased meat and truffles? Cue Homer Simpson drooling.... I tried the truffle mac n cheese sausage with a side of truffle fries. (I am on a truffle kick). I could have devoured a bucket of just the mac n cheese! Hubs had the turkducken dog...crazy, but he loved the duck confit topping. yep, truffle and duck confit...not your average hot dog place!
(4)
Bobby W.
Man oh man. This place blew my mind. They took it to the next level for me. That pillow-soft, buttery grilled bun, tender sausage and unique range of toppings. We tried the brunch dog and the turdoggen, both were incredible. We were there at lunch time on a really nice day and were able to find seats no problem, which was a bonus!
(5)
Emmy B.
Love it, and still thinking about the Beet and Brat! Minus 1 star, because I did not care for the truffle fries. They just tasted oldish-oily. Not because they were, I just think some people like them, some people don't. Too small a place to eat there, take it to go.
(4)
Michael S.
Dogs were good. I think we wanted it to be more than it was. We'll stop in again if we're in the neighborhood, but not a good enough dog to walk out of your way to get to.
(3)
Lucas K.
This review is very clearly colored by the following facts: A. I've never been to Hot Doug's, though I plan to solve that soon; B. I didn't have any sides; and C. They didn't have the dog I originally wanted (the Kimchi one). So disclaimed, begin the review! I got the Spoiled Brat when they told me they didn't have the Kimchi dog; I only found out later by dropping some eaves that they make their own kimchi, so that's pretty cool. The brat itself was tasty, but the casing was a bit rubbery and didn't snap off like a good sausage should. The condiments they put on were delicious, and matched up really well, but I wish there had been JUST a teensy bit more. The bun itself was delicious as well, but it just didn't hold the dog as well as a traditional bun would have; it was a little clunky. All that aside, I was very impressed with their drink selection (Gale's Root Beer was tasty and unique) and the staff were all obviously friendly and enjoyed what they were doing, so I really can't bitch too much. Overall, definitely worth a visit, but I'm looking forward to trying Hot Doug's and comparing in the near future.
(3)
Mike D.
Wow. Being a hot doug's fanatic, I thought I would be sadly dissapointed by Franks. However, I refuse to let a good dog go untried, so I ventured in at 12:15, no line, very few people. I ordered, got my food pretty quick. I tried the breakfast dog, which was great. Even surviving the trip home, the egg was just cooked enough to make the yolk soft but not runny, the sausage was well spiced and tasty. The maple mayo brought it all together, making it taste like a breakfast. The Truffle fries are great tasting, but a little steep at almost 5 bucks for an order. The buns are actually something to write home about. They're great and really make the dog.
(5)
Amber V.
Great hot dog joint! The owner/manager was super nice and my hubby & I loved the veal percik. The only downside to this fantastic upscale hot dog joint is that the decor doesn't match the food. The menu has slips of paper for each item and all in all the actual restaurant is nothing special. The food, now that's a different story! Check it out!
(4)
Haley S.
i really wanted a gourmet dog without the wait that you have to endure at other places, but i guess the wait at those other places is worth it. i was UNimpressed with Franks N Dawgs. The brat (i had the cheesehead) was engulfed by a brioche bun so in the end i realized i was eating more bun than dog, not cool F'n Dawgs. The truffle fries are good but you get a handful for $5 and i dont think they'll make me come back. adorable man at the front with the cute little accent won't even get me to go back. i guess this makes me a Hot Doug's girl all the way, sorry F'n Dawgs
(2)
Colt E.
I love Franks N Dawgs. I really do. I'm very close to preferring it over Hot Dougs. The flavors are just as good. They make their own dogs and even their own condiments. The service is amazingly friendly and you generally don't have to wait terribly long. Oh and did I mention that wonderful french toast bun. Mmmm.
(5)
shai h.
The triple truffle fries put all other truffle fries I've eaten to shame. I had the Krazy Kimchi dog. It was amazing. The bread that the dogs are served in are crazy awesome. My bf had the one with the shoestring fries. Also delicious. The owner (I think) was really passionate and enthusiastic. They make a lot of the sausage in house. Great place!
(5)
Nicole V.
The other day my honey and I happened to be in the neighborhood where Franks 'N' Dawgs is located (I've heard good things) so in we went. WOW. The menu was full of these amazing gourmet dog combinations, we could hardly make a decision. Finally, after talking it over with one of the incredibly nice owners...I decided on the Tur-dawgen and my guy went with the Dirty Dog (proceeds go to a monthly charity, PAWS...scoring them a HUGE plus). We decided to get our food to go and chatted a bit with the owners before heading home with our dogs. Upon unwrapping these masterpieces we were immediately happy we decided to give these dawgs a try! My tur-dawgen was amazing, the turkey was flavorful, fantastic aioli, perfect pieces of duck and just the right amount of sweetness in the pickled carrots...delicious! I also tried a bite of the Dirty Dog and it was tasty as well. Just the right mix of spice and savory with those amazing hush puppies on top. The new managers of this place have really gotten it right. I believe Hot Dougs may finally have a little gourmet dog competition. I'll definitely be going back...next time I've got to try the beef curry.
(5)
Alex M.
Everything here is so good. Truffle fries are out of this world. There is no other place like this in all of Chicago.
(5)
Jaime G.
If you're gonna have a dog in chicago out side of one of the ballparks, might as well make it a "Dawg". Franks n Dawgs serves up some tasty gourmet dogs that are nothing like you've had before. The tur-dogin turkey dog with crispy duck confit and picked carrots is really tasty and unique. Or the Lamborghini lamb dog, or crazy kimchee which a brat with seared beef covered in kimchee. My fav has to be the brunch dog pork lion dog, bacon, and maple mayo under a fried egg. All come with a fresh fresh bun that is grilled with butter. Pair with some truffle waffle fries and root beer and it's a awesome dog!
(4)
Garrett Y.
I had a quick lunch here a few weeks ago. I had the mac and cheese dog and an order of truffle fries. Overall, I had a very good experience here and there were a few other dogs that I'd like to check out in the future. The dogs here are not your run of the mill Chicago dog. They are more creative and "artisan". But along with that, the prices are a little higher than what you find at another fast food/dog place.
(4)
Matt C.
Was a pretty cool place and wasn't very busy when I was there. The only complaint is the price, but you are definitely getting specialty "dogs". I had the lobster roll which was pretty good, but by far the priciest thing on the menu, but that is to be expected. I also had a brat which you could tell they made. The onions were delicious, but the best part of both is their buns. They are like pieces of Texas toast or something folded and baked to act like a bun. Everything was delicious and the place is cool with a back patio area
(4)
scott s.
Was psyched to try it but it wasn't for me. just wasn't a big fan of the sausages. I can definately see how many people would enjoy the food though so I would still reccomend going. Fresh ingredients, great combinations, solid sauces and creative concepts. Staff was friendly. Carmelized onions were really good with a long slow cook. If it wasn't for not liking the style of sausage, it would be a big thumbs up, but that's personal taste.
(3)
Erica L.
Triple Truffle Fries. That's the real reason I go here...and to accompany Hubby as he tastes his way through the hot dog menu, of course. During the summer the line can be down the narrow alley. Thankfully, it's the dead of winter, and we didn't wait at all this time around. They also let you choose a "notorious" celebrity from the wall of shame that serves as your table identifier. Hubby almost always picks that girl nobody likes on "Family Guy". I also love the lobster roll-style buns that are buttered to perfection that they use for all their dogs. I could eat those alone all day. The Brunch Dog is breakfast on a bun. Hubby really liked the Krazy Kimchi Dog. I'm sad they stopped serving the classic Chicago dog (or maybe it was all in my imagination, but I thought they did a long time ago); I guess it's not really a classic Chicago dog if it's not served on a poppy seed bun? Then the TTF...double fried waffle fries crisped to perfection with the trifecta of truffle seasoning...truffle oil, truffle salt, and truffle butter. *moment of silence* Need I say more. We even took my in-laws here the last time they were in town. Of all the places we went out to eat that weekend, including a pricey sushi and an equally pricey steak restaurant, their favorite was this spot.
(4)
fran a.
This place is fantastic! I use to go to Hot Dougs when they first opened their location off California & I stopped going because I refuse to wait down the block) . No offense to Doug but this place Franks & Dawgs is better!! I love hot dogs! Dare I say it's one if my favorite foods ( besides French fries.. Which are awesome here!! Perfectly crisp!) Go here! You won't regret it
(5)
Wisa F.
So gooood!!! Been here twice with friends. First time was a year ago, the last time was last month. The food is amazing. Truffle oil fries are phenomenal!! This last time I went, I ordered the Bahn Mi. My friend ordered the chilaquiles. My Bahn Mi was awesome. I love pickled daikon. It had a great crispness to it. My friend said the chilaquilles was excellent, and she wanted to bring her mom to try it. The staff is friendly and fun. I hope to go again sometime soon.
(5)
Ludovico Z.
After actually going here: I must say that the food is great! The portions are a bit small, so you do have to order a few to items if you want to be full. The quality however is excellent. Am a huge loyal fan now!
(5)
Charlene L.
MY, OH MY! BEST truffle fries I've EVER HAD!! and yes, I've had a lot of truffle fries! lol!! I ordered these along with my brunch dog. Although I typically don't like "sweet meat" this flavorful combo was finger-licking GOOD! A bit too much sauce on top, but it didn't drench the dog itself! Also, can I go back to these damn fries?! They were sooo good (and a HUGE portion), that I packaged these up to go! Then, I ate them on the drive to the airport, as I was flying home that day.. so tasty!
(4)
Jennie C.
I have to confess: I'm not a fan of hotdogs. So imagine my surprise when I realized how much I like this place. Unlike the artificial dogs you get at the supermarket, these dogs are homemade, with a very delicate skin. There's never a line/wait, and I love the crazy flavor combinations, which have a good balance of sweet, sour, savory so that every bite was a delight. Perfect sustenance for furniture shopping!
(4)
Brian M.
Overall I'd give this place a 3.5 out of 5 stars. Came here with my gf and we ordered the turdoggen, the lamb- ourghini, and the brunch dawg. You get to pick a picture of a shamed celeb, we picked trump, and you go sit down and they brought over the dogs. First off, the buns were a lot thicker than I'm used to, not in a bad way at all just be prepared for that. The buns were buttered and griddled to make it nice and crispy. Our favorite was the brunch dog by a landslide. Omg it was so good with the egg and the maple aoli it was exactly like a breakfast dream in my mouth. I definitely would recommend coming back just for that dog alone. The lamb one was pretty good, the giardiniera was a nice acidic balance to the richness of the dog and the bun. The least favorite one of ours was the turdoggen. There was just a lottt going on and it didn't feel like the flavors really went well together. I was a little disappointed with it because I really wanted to like it but I just felt let down. Overall, I'll definitely come back to try the different kind of dogs they have and to get the brunch dog again.
(3)
Alan W.
Very carefully crafted sausages with a lot of thought into the flavor. It's not just a hot dog by any means. The brunch dog is the classic here. I've been here about 4-5x. Tasted the sampler. They also have a guest chef put together something for the menu which is rotating. Never been disappointed by these guys. If you choose this or hot Doug's you can't go wrong. These are both excellent places to eat with different concepts.
(5)
Jackie M.
Creative and well done. Poutine and dessert - were the outstanding surprise for me even if that dessert dog was a melted mess, the chocolate and everything was very tasty. Everyone was happy with their dog except the salmon version because it's technically not a dog. Left my friend feeling a bit ripped off. Ingredients are superb. Albiet a bit pricey, I'ld go back.
(4)
Keith C.
No line when we got there. The dogs here are all unique so if you're looking for a regular hot dog, don't come here. Ordered the: - Krazy Kimchi (Spicy beef sausage, braised short rib & turnips, kimchi, wild rice & basil) - Banh Mi (Lemongrass & coriander chicken sausage, pickled daikon & carrot, sriracha mayo, jalapeno, cilantro, spicy pickled duck egg) - Peking Duck (a sesame duck sausage, pickled cucumber, hoisin aioli, scallion, crispy peking duck skin and puffed rice) The Peking Duck dog was the best. It actually tasted like peking duck. Unfortunately, this is a special and is not available all the time like right now. The Krazy Kimchi was really good as well. I didn't really like the Banh Mi. I mean, it was good but compared to the others, it didn't stand up to them. Each dog cost almost $10 so if you go, plan on opening up your wallet.
(5)
Jessica M.
How do you fancy a gourmet hot dog? Franks n Dawgs has the answer for ya! Chicagoesque: A dawg with pickles, relish, caramelized onions, and mustard. Surf n turf: Half lobster and half beef sausage with a kimchi mix. Reuben Pulaski: Polish sausage with the usual and some potato cake. Waffles fries: Golden and twice fried. Awesome toasted buns and all. Innovative combinations and such. Do I really want to pay $6-12 for a dawg? No, amigo, I still like my dawgs cheap and dirty. No pun or twist intended.
(3)
Jeff Z.
So I must say that the wife and I are obsessed with this place. In our last 3 trips to Chicago we've been here 4 times, but our last trip a month ago was our favorite. We got our usual Gales root beer, which is awesome "true" root beer, and the truffle Mac and cheese on the side which was excellent as usual. This time we tried a "shrimp Po boy" style sausage which was excellent. I didn't even know they made shrimp sausage, but it tasted very high quality! We also had a chicken tikka style sausage which was my favorite. Wow! Great flavor that resembled the Indian chicken tikka masala dish. Most of their sausages/dogs are on brioche buns which are to die for. I anticipate we'll be back!
(5)
Vy M.
Love the idea and decoration of this place. Many of the specialty hot dogs are named after someone famous. Though, the same hotdog name can be changed a few times. No idea why they do this? However, the creations are a bit too exotic for me. I love trying new things but some of the flavoring just didn't work for me. Long waits so try to come during the off hours.
(3)
Nathaniel C.
Experienced this food at Lollapalooza and it was very,very good. Had the delicious Mac and Cheese dog and the triple truffle fries; Wow. Also, I wasn't drunk. (a sober palate is a trust worthy palate) Eat here and win.
(5)
Hang T.
My friends and I tried four of the hot dogs on the menu. The only two I remember are the Krazy Kimchi and the Double Ducker. I would say that the hot dogs are not your average hot dogs. They are so creative with the names and the ingredients. The ingredients blended in well together with the sausage, but there were some kinks here and there. Well, at least with my double ducker. With my double ducker, the sausage was not great on its own. It needed all the toppings in every bite and the toppings were not evenly distributed and enough to spread across the entire hot dog. I just wanted a little more cohesion with the whole thing. The krazy kimchi one was tasty. My own suggestion is that they serve the kimchi cold and put it on the hot dog last because hot, soggy kimchi is not very good. My favorite items were the waffle fries and the bun! Cooked perfectly and complimented the sausages so well. The bun is the one thing they have that is better than Hot Doug's
(4)
Ada H.
In my opinion this is the best gourmet hot dog place in the city!!! The different in-house sausages are delicious! But the secret ingredient is the bun. They said they order them from a local bakery and they're delicious. It's basically a bun that you find with lobster rolls, but here it's for the dawgs. I've tried most of the dogs, and my favorites are the brunch dog and the fried oyster dog. And I always try the dog of the month for variety. Must go if you love dogs!!! You can't ever go wrong with the triple truffle fries either. Truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle salt. What more could you want with your waffle fries? The staff is also always friendly and very knowledgable about their craft!
(5)
Michael U.
Items sampled include: Brunch Dog - Slagel farms pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo Pork of July - Pork loin & caramelized onions sausage, house smoked pulled pork, cherry bourbon BBQ sauce & our house slaw Double Ducker - Duck sausage, duck confit salad, pickled shiitake mushrooms, shaved torchon au foie gras & maple mustard Chicagoesque - All natural (nitrate free & uncured) 100% beef artisan 18 pound skinless frank , house pickles, cherry tomato relish, caramelized onions & beer mustard Truffle Mac n' Cheese - Bratwurst sausage, truffle mac 'n' cheese with parmesan, brioche bread crumbs & thyme Sweet Home Chicago - French toast, stuffed with chocolate ice cream, bananas, kiwis, strawberries, freeze dried mango, chopped almonds & butterscotch sauce With late dinner plans at The Bristol along with a friend but my family in town to allow for ample snacks and bites our second pre-dinner stop featured Franks & Dawgs where the table of five worked through a quintet of artisan sausages with all house-made accoutrements plus dessert; each selection truly unique and although not quite as high quality as those at Hot Doug's just as (if not more so) audacious. Ordered at the counter from a young man named Steve who offered up suggestions based on what he liked and what was on special that day it would be only moments after seating before our 'dawgs' arrived and although my choice of the double ducker would prove a bit less textural or snappy than I'd have preferred each of the other options was quite nicely prepared - the brunch dog particularly impressive with the casing on the sausage giving way to a supple interior while the bacon added crunch and the runny egg made this much more a fork and knife effort than something managed by hand. Not to be outdone, the Mac n' Cheese, though a bit overdone with truffle oil, was a great balance of textures and flavors - the thyme a great accent to the punchy brat. With good food, friendly servers, and a great price without the excessive lines or limited hours of other local encased meat providers Franks n' Dawgs is definitely worth stopping by for a bite and it was good enough to get me to visit the group's second location, The Peasantry, just two days later...
(4)
Carlos P.
This place was really really good! My gf and I came here for the first time being that we are from Cali and man were in for a good treat! Out of the 4 items we got, 3 were super good and one was ok I gave 5 stars cause what we liked made up for it, starting with the brunch dog, pure amazing! And my gf got the slammin salmon dog, we thought it was an actual salmon link but they just put salmon chunks In the dog which was so damn bomb! The truffle fries are must! You have no other choice! Lol...and the last one was the taco dog, it was just ok the problem was the sausage link, it was chorizo mixed with pork, I was expecting more of a chorizo sausage more than anything, and I wasn't to big on the queso fresco on top of it it was just lacking that punch to the dog and it didn't meet my expectation, but hey I'm sure they have other great ones that I will be trying when I go back
(5)
Greg K.
I never plan on having a complaint at this place. For gourmet dogs, this place is in the upper echelon. BYOB. They don't have regular Chicago style dogs, but I'm not mad at them.
(5)
Megan B.
Out of towners-this place does not serve Chicago dogs. It wasn't posted on Internet and after fighting for parking, we only turned around to go elsewhere.
(3)
Grant P.
All right, so every weekend my wife and I eat out at least twice. Normally we have one nice meal and one whateverwefeellike meal. I thought this was going to be the whateverwefeellike, but it turned into the nice. Why? Because they have awesome stuff here. I'm telling you, the second I got home I started looking them up online so I could see what I was going to have when I came back. That's normal, right? And also? We walked here from Lincoln Park Zoo. Hey, I'm from the suburbs, we think parking at the end of the lot at Target is a long walk. There are blisters on my feet from hoofing it in sh*tty worn out sandals, but I would do it again. Onto the food! I did the Dawg Flight so I could try as much as possible. But more on that later. My wife was the clear winner today as she ordered the Bacon Mac 'n Cheese Dog, which was a thing of beauty. The truffle mac 'n cheese is magical. I was feenin' for another bite, even tho I had my own sampler to try. Put that stuff on top of a bacon dog and it's heaven on a bun. In fact, this truffle business they have going on. Fries, mac 'n cheese, etc. It's a wonderfully wonderful good thing. The fries were like nothing I'd tasted before. We also did some Fried Green Tomatoes, because, well, we had to. My wife wouldn't have forgiven me if we hadn't. And guess what? She didn't like the coating. I thought it was good. If you get these regularly somewhere else, you can skip them. They're average good. Not the best I've had, but certainly nowhere near bad. They came with a nice basil aoli. Finally, onto my Dawg Flight. I sampled the Krazy Kimchi, the Banh Mi, and the Muscles from Brussels the latter, which was my favorite. Can't say anything bad about it. I didn't care for the Kimchi, but that's not the dog's fault. I hate kimchi. In fact, everyone I know hates kimchi. But apparently since this is one of the most popular dawgs on the menu, not everyone everyone knows hates kimchi. I flicked some of it off and ate the dawg, which in itself wasn't bad. But still not my favorite. The beef sausage was kind of dry. I'm indifferent toward the Banh Mi. It was tasty, but I think the sausage got a little lost in all the toppings. Will I return? Yes! Will I bring friends? Yes! But now that I've sampled a few, I think I know how we should handle this next time. Between my wife and me, we should just order three dawgs and split them so we can sample the most (that is if I can fight that Bacon Mac 'n Cheese away from her).
(5)
Rick T.
Gourmet Hot Dogs. Those 3 words sound so good together. Minimal line when we arrived. My favorites were the Krazy Kimchi Dog, the Chili Cheese Dog and the Brunch Dog. Some of these items have been featured on both Food Network and Cooking Channel shows. Their Triple Truffle (waffle) Fries were good but they were made even better by the chipotle ketchup (as well as jalepeño ketchup) bottle available at each table. There's a variety of "dawgs" to choose from (as you can see here: franksndawgs.com/menu ) and I'll definitely be back to try more. Food aside, I loved their use of popular yet disliked celebrity/politician photos to place on your table (instead of numbers) so their server can accurately deliver your food. Lastly, they sell ginger beer. Any restaurant that carries a supply of this particular beverage can always expect the scale to be tipped in their favor when deciding between restaurants.
(4)
Elvin W.
Food: BRUNCH DOG - OMG, that is so bomb!!! I also tried their tur-dogging, it was meh, but BRUNCH DOG!!!! The truffle fries we got was super salty - but good if it wasn't so salty. Price: Average hot dog was $7 Overall: 2nd favorite food place in Chicago.
(5)
Mary B.
Theoretically, the typical GNO (aka Girls' Night Out for those of you not familiar with Miley Cyrus' hit song, a throwback from her original Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus days) is without sausages present. This is precisely why I decided that for GNO last Saturday, my friends and I would trek all the way to Lincoln Park to Franks 'n Dawgs, home to award-winning artisan sausages. Stalking the menu before our adventure, the restaurant promised to "redefine your sausage experience." A friend (who shall remain anonymous *cough cough Anna*) remained unimpressed and opted to stay in Hyde Park. But oh man, did she miss out... Arriving at the restaurant, we were instantaneously greeted by the friendly and jolly staff of the establishment. Upon placing your order at the front counter, diners get to select a laminated picture of a famous celebrity to mark their table instead of the conventional table number. My friends and I immediately selected Lindsey Lohan out of the line-up (hehe punny because it is indeed her mugshot) and chose a booth. The food was served pretty quickly and we began the typical Instagram ritual associated with food that looks delicious and isn't served at the dining hall. Before ordering my sausage, I asked the workers for suggestions and recommendations. One guy speedily answered anything. All doubts I had with his advice quickly vanished at the arrival of our food. Everything looked and smelled amazing. I got to try two different "dawgs" from the menu: the Brunch Dog & the Chilaquiles Dawg. Both were extremely different but extremely satisfying. The Brunch Dog is a Slagel farms pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo. I love the idea of "breakfast for dinner" and this item embodies that idea. Think breakfast sandwich replaced with an easier to eat alternative. The maple mayo was eccentric and incredible. The Chilaquiles Dawg is a Habanero goat sausage, fried egg, queso fresco cheese, tomatillo salsa, red pepper relish, tortilla strips & cilantro. Labeled as an "adventurous" selection by the guy behind the counter, the spice and combination of flavors was spectacular. Very hard to eat but the juxtaposition of textures found in the toppings provided a crunchy yet juicy layer to the delightful sausage underneath was remarkable. I will definitely be returning to this fine establishment sometime soon and I highly recommend that you venture to Lincoln Park to "redefine your sausage experience" as well. Their wieners are definitely winners. Mary
(4)
Bud M.
Back for more Bacon Mac and Cheese and the wife ordered Muscles From Brussels plus the requisite Truffle Fries. Can't go wrong for a Xmas Shopping Lunch.
(4)
Melly R.
Delicious hot dogs all around, cool place to hang out and munch. Although it's pricey for hot dogs, I like to think of it as a luxury hot dog lol. It is definitely not your typical hot dog so if you want something more traditional this probably isn't the place for you. I, however, would definitely come back .
(4)
Paulette A.
Love love love this place. Very casual easy dining and BYOB!! No Chicago style dogs which is a plus in my book. The Brunch dog is amazing and is also at the owner's other restaurant, The Peasantry, on their brunch menu. GO HERE!
(5)
Jan S.
I didnt have too much expectation coming into Franks n Dawgs. Everything from the logo to the aesthetic of the restaurant's website is a little out-dated and cheesy. Although they have the worst slogan ever, "5 star dinning on a bun" (tourist trap much?)- at the end of the day, Franks 'n' Dawgs is serving up some delicious and tasty sausages. Food: Brunch Dog - Pork Loin sausage, fried egg, bacon, drizzled with maple mayo.The sausage was moist, porky and not greasy at all. The maple mayo added a nice touch of sweetness to the savory bacon. Good balance of sweet vs savory - overall it captured the essence and taste of a traditional breakfast platter. Even Graham Elliot recommended it on F&W magazine! Great White - Scallop sausage, shark bacon, pineapple relish and cilantro. This one caught my eyes right away when I was ordering. Bay Scallop sausage -made in house? The taste of the sausage is exactly as expected - the fresh scallop flavor really shines through. Its unique, but the texture is a little more mushy than I like. Pineapple relish and cilantro were pretty much non-existance, they were too delicate to compliment the strong seafood flavor. The shark bacon was a little fishy and salty, didnt help the balance of flavor. Sausage was good, but the condiments were disappointing. Triple Truffle Fries - These fries are soaked in truffle flavor. Truffle butter, truffle salt, truffle oil. If you're a fan of truffle, do not miss this. For me, it was just trying too hard. Great casual spot for some truly gourmet hot dogs. I love that most of the sausages on their menu are made in-house.(TIP: look for the little chef hat on the menu) There are real men working in the kitchen, calling out orders, and making every hot dog to order. Pretty neat. The sausages are much more refined than I expected, dont come here expecting to find a chicago hot dog.
(4)
Louis R.
Skinny bearded hipsters makin my bahn mi $11.00 hot dog. Worth it.
(4)
Doug G.
It was delicious. The kimchi dog and the brussle sprout dog were delicious, though a bit overpriced at $9. Their take on poutine solid, though needs cheese curd in my opinion. And then 6 hrs later it began. 18 hrs of miserable stomach pain and vomiting. Thanks franks n dawgs!
(1)
Jason A.
This is my go to spot in Chicago for fancy sausages. They have a nice staple of 5-6 that stay the same with a variable selection that ranges greatly stretching the boundaries of what you can imagine. My personal favorites are the banh mi and porkgasm. Be adventurous, I've never had a combination that didn't work. The truffle fries are a must try, my favorite part especially with the chipotle ketchup. You get a famous villain to put on your table as a receipt, its a bit cheesy and stale, I could really do without this part. The prices are a bit expensive, I've never gotten out for under $40 for lunch. The price is worth it as I've never experienced a wait and I always walk out so full a small dinner is in order.
(4)
Erich D.
This spot, featured about a hundred times over on food and travel shows, creates some really good hot dogs with artisanal sausages created in-house on the same kind of buttery grilled bun that is more often used with lobster rolls. There are a ton of dawgs to choose from, all described equally deliciously, so to get a taste of some of the best they had to offer I ordered the Dawg Flight which comes with a chef's choice of three different half sausage sandwiches and fries though I upgraded to a side of the ultra savory triple truffle fries. My Dawg Flight consisted of the KRAZY KIMCHI (spicy beef sausage, braised short rib, turnips, kimchi, toasted wild rice and basil), the SPRING VEAL (veal sausage, asparagus, spring mushrooms, shaved red onions and cured egg yolk), and the TUR-DOGGIN (turkey and date sausage, crispy duck confit, herb garlic aioli, pickled onion relish and pickled carrots). Each was equally unique in terms of flavor and very tasty. I enjoyed them all but my favorite of the three was probably the Tur-Doggin. No need for extra condiments to dress the dogs here, it would probably be considered sacrilegious to do so actually. The Triple Truffle Fries were extremely decadent as these crisscut fries were cooked using truffle oil, truffle butter and topped with truffle salt. Yeah, the heavenly truffle flavor was plainly evident. Bringing a little bit of extra levity, instead of having number placards associated with your order you get to choose a photo of a celebrity from their wall of shame for the servers to identify your order. Some of these characters include Michael Vick, Mel Gibson, Meg from Family Guy, and plenty others. I chose The Hoff. Haha! Staff was friendly and helpful.
(4)
Rachel M.
Experienced this wondrous truffle filled dream at Lollapalooza!!! We ordered Truffle Fries, Truffle Mac&Cheese and Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese Dog. I dont know why Truffle doesnt get too much hype from a lot of top chefs but I am a believer!!! After having it at Lolla i couldnt have enough!! I ate it 2 days in a row!!! A MUST MUST MUST!! I am just sad that now that i'm back home in DC, I cannot have this again until i got back to Chitown =( So i guess a trip is in my future!!! I knew i shouldn't have written this while i am hungry!! I WANT THIS NOW!
(5)
Christina A.
The poutine was wonderful. Fries with foie gras gravy and duck confit. Yum. My husband and I tried the Krazy Kimchi and the Reuben Pulaski. We both enjoyed the Reuben much more. The flavors worked really well together. The Krazy Kimchi casing was chewy instead of having that delicious snap it should. A bit of a turn off to me.
(4)
Alethea B.
This place is delicious! It definitely has style and some amazingly crafted dawgs to choose from. I had the brunch dawg with a side of triple truffle fries. They were both great. However, I was still a little hungry after. Bigger portions please?
(4)
Alec K.
This place is literally the epitome of a sausage heaven. I was completely blown away by the taste of the brunch dog. This place certainly lives up to the reputation. It is definitely one of my favorite spots in Chi. You need to try this spot.
(5)
Justin B.
There's no question that Franks 'N' Dawgs serves great food. The sour taste in my mouth afterwards was really just tied to the cost...they don't lie to you when they say that it's "5-Star Dining on a Bun" because I dropped $10 on a pretty small hot dog (Chicagoesque), an incredible bun, super-fresh toppings and a small order of waffle fries. In fact, my wife and I split that, and we both thought, "damn, we'd need at least another round of dog/fries and maybe dessert" to be full, and the idea of dropping $25 to eat at a hot dog place roughly equates to dropping $50 at a burger place for two people, or $8 for one cupcake, or $6 for one chicken wing. Yikes! Service and space (back patio) were great, and the 15-minute wait was fine. But Phil's Last Stand and Haute & the Dog do a great dog for less than half the price, and I just think that price matters with choices as good as the ones in Chicago. Hell, even Hot Doug's is not expensive, so these prices just seem way out of whack with other hot dog stands in town. $6 is the minimum, and you can drop $13 on a dog at this place!
(4)
Judy H.
Make sure you come after working out and leave some time afterwards for a good nap. These are heart-stopping, gourmet hot dogs. I highly recommend getting the Brunch Dog. It has a sunny-side up fried egg on top (and who doesn't like a fried egg?) and the mix of savory and sweet with the maple mayo was done really well. I tried the Great White...I didn't like the shark bacon. It was too dry and salty. FYI, they make their own sausage links from scratch every day. They use really awesome buns, not regular hot dog buns, and they make all the difference in the world. Also, don't forget to get an order of the Triple Truffle Fries. They're waffle-cut fries covered in truffle everything (oil, butter, and salt). The side portion is enough to share, but they were gone in seconds with me and my friends, so you may want to get your own.
(4)
Tuyet H.
I love the unique style of hot dogs here. Definitely not a hot dog you'll eat on the reg. my fave has to be the toast buns they used. Not to mention their awesome waffle fries!!! So good! The brunch dog is a must try. Not a place for those who trying to watch their weigh for sure.
(5)
Stephanie S.
Really inventive hot dogs. Don't be a tool by ordering one of these specialty concoctions sans an ingredient. It's a slap in the face - these guys craft the food to meld into one superfood, so forget the fact that "onions are icky" and just get it as-is. Get the truffle fries and say thank you. The brunch dog and the bayou dog are my two faves. The line is always out the door, but suck it up and it'll go fast. Pick Blago as your celebrity at the register. Take a seat. Eat. Get messy. Leave out the correct door. Go home - fall asleep.
(4)
leslie m.
I had wanted to eat here for a long time and finally made it happen today. Not only were the guys behind the line super friendly and informative, explaining the different menu components and where all of the sausage came from (in house, Chicago or midwest) but the food was awesome too. I had the Krazy Kimchi dog and my friend had the brunch dog with Truffle fries. The truffle fries were perfect especially when paired with the locally made spicy ketchup (Jalapeno and Chipotle). I love that you pick a celebrity from the wall of shame to mark your table and order (we had Joan Rivers). This place is so awesome that when my friends brunch dog came and he wanted them to cook the egg differently, not only did they take it back without batting a lash they sent us a free order of fried pickles on the house! I cannot say enough good things about this place and will definitely be back.
(5)
Amit P.
I would recommend F'N'D over those other gourmet hot dog places.. The food is well executed and offers a variety of combinations. I would recommend ordering the Dawg Flight, this way you're able to try 3 different types of sausages, and then pair that with their truffle fries. My favorites are the Tur-Doggin, Muscles from Brussels, and the classic Brunch Dog. PS... its BYOB which is always a plus!! :)
(5)
Angie K.
When I first visited Franks 'N' Dawgs, I was really hyped since I've heard nothing but great things. Unfortunately, the more often I've gone, the more disappointments I've experienced. The place is a little weird, since you have to walk through a little alley to get to the actual restaurant. The line (yes, there's going to be one) extends outside the door, so beware in the winter months. When you place your order, they give you a funky picture to put on your table to bring your food to you after. It's a comic touch and I can dig it. It's BYOB, but I learned that a little too late so I did not take part in bottle-popping. The first time I went was last summer and had the Sighing Fu, their vegetarian dog. I'm a pescatarian but didn't know of their fish options until later. The bun was yummy, warm and soft and the truffle fries were pretty damn good but the dog itself was just ok. I love Indian food so I was excited to try their take in hot dog form. It was way too spicy and the dog just wasn't that good. It took me about 15 minutes to get my mouth to return to its normal temperature because I was literally dying. The flavors were ok, nothing out of this world but I didn't want to base my review just on that, so I gave it another shot. A few months later, I tried the Slammin' Salmon dog and it was just horrific. It tasted like I just opened up a .99 can of Salmon and plopped it onto bread and closed it up. Zero flavor, no seasonings and it was bitter cold. I was so disappointed, I scooped out the insides and just ate the roll. This was a carry-out order, so I didn't feel like walking back at night just to complain. The prices are pretty high for hot dogs and I understand they use exotic stuff, but for a simple person like me, it's not my cup of tea. Since my options are few and far between, I probably won't return to Franks but I know that a lot of meat eaters can't get enough of it, and that's cool.
(3)
Kevin K.
What else is there to say about a place that makes their own sausages. Love the variety and just absolutely fantastic fries....so good. Hot Dougs what? This place is awesome.
(4)
T T.
Franks 'N' Daawgs has some truly amazing sausages. The epic pork-gasm (bacon sasuage with bacon jam, pork belly, chicharrons, and ham dust) was deliciously sweet and savory, and the brunch dog (with pork loin sausage, bacon, fried egg, and maple mayo) was equally tasty (especially the maple mayo). The Urbanbelly Chix (Vietnamese chicken sausage with curry mayo and crispy shallots) was not quite as good, but I thought the crispy shallots were yummy. I would skip the sides. The beet salad had a lot of goat cheese (which was unfortunately not marked on the menu), and the Lyonnaise fries with braised pig cheek was actually pretty disgusting (the fries were soggy, and the cheek had a very unpleasant taste). We're usually ones to finish our dishes, but this was too much. The poached egg on the fries was perfectly done, though. The Anzac cookie was very buttery (it kind of crumbles in your hand), and the taste of the cookie comes predominantly from the golden syrup (it's hard to taste the coconut). Also, they have an excellent assortment of sodas!
(4)
Allen B.
Although I no longer consume fast food-esque foods, I believe that Franks N Dawgs deserves a Yelp review. I visited this joint after a long morning of moving my personal items into my new place. A friend recommended it, so I decided to take myself and my co-horts (who helped me move) to enjoy some hot dogs. I have to say, I was pretty satisfied at the menu. I didn't know what to expect before going in there and thought I'd be getting a "glorified" version of a regular Chicago dog. My mistake folks. They had gourmet dogs. Crazy delicious gourmet dogs. I purchased the Tur-Doggin (Turkey & date sausage, crispy duck confit, herb garlic aioli, pickled onion relish & pickled carrots), acclaimed by the Cooking Channel, Chicago's Best, and 190 North. I also ordered the Triple Truffle Fries (Yukon Gold waffle cut fries, truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle salt & freshly chopped herbs) alongside my dog. Crazy tasty and bombazee like Patrick Swayze (as stated in a previous review I had on another restaurant). If you like dogs (furry), then don't go here, but if you like dogs (hot) then go here. Done.
(4)
Jennifer N.
I went here this past weekend during my visit to Chicago and I really enjoyed the variety of dogs they had here. Everything was unique! I ordered the Urbanchix dog, which is a Vietnamese chicken sausage with basil leaves and other toppings. I really liked it! Loaded with flavor. My brother got the dog with the shark bacon - he was actually disappointed with how salty the shark bacon was. My sister and friend enjoyed the dogs they got - one with mushrooms the other with the fried egg. The cheese fries were a bit disappointing - lack of flavor, but the truffle waffle fries were great! Definitely a spot to check out. The staff were all friendly and helpful as well.
(4)
Cory G.
My wife and I went here for lunch today and it surpassed our expectations. The staff is great with first timers, happily explaining the different dogs and making recommendations. The majority of the dogs are house made sausages, and you can absolutely taste the quality. But what really sets these apart from any other hot dog place is the bun. The butter toasted New England style bun brings these to an whole other level. The toppings are all unique and though you might not think they would, they blend together perfectly. I can easily say this is the best dog I have ever had and I can't wait to try the next one on the menu. Do yourself a favor and go here.
(5)
Kristina A.
I fantasize about food pretty regularly, but I never thought I'd obsessively daydream about a hot dog. Okay, fine, to be fair it's not just a hot dog. My bf and I split the Muscles from Brussels and the Banh Mi sausages and left super, super satisfied. The sausages were so flavorful, the bun was soft and chewy, and the toppings were interesting and complementary. The Muscles from Brussels was tasty and easy to eat compared to the super messy Banh Mi. But, I'm guessing that was just because it was exploding with deliciousness. Trust me, it's so worth it. We also got a side of the cheese fries and had to restrain ourselves from licking the bowl clean of the cheese sauce. We will definitely be back to tackle the waffle fries and reunite with the Banh Mi sandwich.
(5)
Jennifer J.
Being a hot dog enthusiast and a sausage enthusiast, I was not impressed. This place, although, is NOT a hot dog joint. They bill themselves as 5 star dining on a bun, and that is what attracted me - the menu was REALLY fun to read, and I though I was going to get a sausage fantasy fulfilled. But.... The bun was dry, and in my opinion way too large, so a very LARGE dry bun (more like really thick sliced bread). The actual sausage, which was pretty good in most of the varieties we sampled, was dwarfed the bun - the dry bread that really tasted old - did we just come on a bad day???? Unsure, but the bread/bun was offensive. The truffle fries were pretty good - but I think many establishments lean on truffle flavored something when the rest of their menu is not strong enough to stand out on its own. Or maybe this really was a bad day/time to come because I found these "triple truffle fries" quite dry - were they old? I have heard many people really gushing over them - but I have had much MUCH better truffle fries at MANY other places. The menu, although, LOOKS like it can stand on its own. I must say VERY inventive and intriguing. Actually, entertaining. Even more entertaining than Hot Doug's menu! We ordered the Krazy Kimchi (REALLY GOOD if you stripped the dry bun monstrosity away) the Cheese Head (meh), a few others (so unmemorable that which choices escape me), the fries... Hot Dougs menu, while maybe not as punchy, delivers MUCH better dogs/sausages EVERY time. That is why I will wait on that line any time I get the chance. Don't get me wrong, we tried several - and they were ok, so long as about half of the bun was removed. I mean, they were stellar compared to a hot dog from the grade school cafeteria line... but I have had much better from random hot dog stands in comparison to their "Chicagoesque" dog and I have had better sausages elsewhere.
(2)
Mat M.
I enjoyed my experience at Franks 'N' Dawgs. Three of us went and had these dogs: Pizza Dog BLT Dog Brunch Dog Pork of July They were delicious. They had great buns (similar to texas toast) and the dogs were huge. More than enough food for 3 people. We also had the fried green tomatoes and fried pickles. I appreciated that the staff was invested in their business and asked several times how things were. The only negative I can see is getting there by 7:30 on a weekday. Makes sense for them since the neighborhood is more retail and quiet by then.
(4)
Diana B.
Yelpers! You have officially steered me wrong! I can see how some people might like this. I liked the concept, just not the execution. Fusion dogs can be good, but not when they are laden with copious amounts of grease. I have a tuff tummy, but they got me running. I don't want to bag on them too much because I don't like doing that, so I'll start with some positives. The guy seemed to really love what he was doing. He definitely loves encased meats, so do I, great. Menu was full of exciting options, some scary, some interesting, few were normal. I ordered the mussels from Brussels. My friend ordered the Mexican inspired dog and chili cheese fries. We sat and waited patiently, the tables were clean and the patrons seemed to be happy, we were excited! The food was delivered timely and looked great. Soon after the first bite, we decided against the place for a few good reasons. The casing was tuff and too thick, it also ripped away from more than the bite I took. The meat was very greasy, the toppings were fried and full of grease and the bun was buttered, just adding more grease. I could only get through half before I needed to leave from nausea..
(2)
Brooke D.
I don't usually like hot dogs but these are AMAZING!!!! My husband dragged me here since he was dieing to try it (again I usually hate hot dogs so I wasn't interested). I was sold when I saw someone order the chicken hot dog. Since then we have gone a few times and it is absolutely divine!
(5)
Jack P.
I'll bet that no-one else whose been here had the experience I did watching my lunch companion trying to eat one of Frank's delicious and generous sausages in a bun with a plastic knife and fork, turning it into one incredible mess which looked like Clybourn Road Kill (soon to be a new menu item.) I, on the other hand, took my sausage and bun forcefully, gripped it with two hands and munched away on its flavor and texture in about one-fourth the time as my friend. I spent the rest of my time watching the deconstruction across the table. I had the spicy beef sausage with Kimchi and other toppings. He had the Pork Loin sausage with equally creative toppings. We shared some waffle fries. We didn't spend a lot of time with the menu: but clearly, there are so many great combinations to try. I love the style of buns which are your standard Lobster Roll style vs. the common hot dog bun. All crispy and buttery and soft. And there is a lobster roll on the menu ($17.95) Service is the hybrid variety like Hot Doug's (apologize for that reference, guys.) You order at the counter-they bring it to you. The staff was great. Our server was very outgoing and helpful. The bill was $26.00 for two, So OK for the lunch budget. And I left a tip here, which I don't always do at a self-serve. It was well-deserved. By the way, the sausage fest theme carries through to staffing. They were all guys. It was easy to get in and get out on a weekday afternoon, which is a real positive. I could do without the esoteric "mixed tape" which we all had to listen to. The place would be just fine without music. Otherwise a great first time, and I hope to come back with a bigger group and share. And not have to witness the slaughter of a perfectly innocent sausage.
(4)
Pamela M.
After hearing my friend rave that this hot dog joint is better than Hot Dougs, I was excited to visit Frank & Dawg's. No lines AND better tasting food than one of my fave places in the world?! This place was a must visit! Disappointingly, F & D was a bummer mediocre experience. Not a fan of the oily brioche buns or the higher prices. Their fancy menu sounded dreamy. I ordered the Lamborgini which included: lamb barese sausage, house giardiniera, Calabrian chili aioli, and deep fried basil. The Lamb dog was good, not great. I figured with a laundry list off foreign ingredients that I was in for a memorable hot dog experience. The taste was definitely lacking in complexity. The truffle waffle fries were doused in everything truffle which I loved because I love truffle anything and could eat truffles for every meal and everyday, BUT even a 'trufflephile' like myself found these $4.50 small portioned fries to be a bit much. Even though the service was great and the food came out promptly, and their tasty, crispy truffle waffle fries are more satisfying than Hot Doug's duck fat fries, I would still wait outside in the bitter cold for the long lines to dwindle and freeze my face off to get a Hot Doug's creation.
(3)
Mike F.
So, I'm posting this review for a friend of mine as he isn't technologically savvy, but his claims were definitely warranted. This is the email he sent to them: "I ordered a regular dog and cheese fries and after 1 bite, I threw my food out. The dog tasted like a Ball Park frank and the fries were soggy and over seasoned. It was upsetting to learn you do not have regular pickles, only bread and butter ones. There was more ketchup on the bun than dog. The fancy sausages you serve might be good, but I will never know. Frank n Dawgs is a disgrace to the Chicago hot dog." Nothing wrong with that?! However, I guess the folks that work there have their heads up their you know what's because this was the response: Now the best part, their response: "I'm sorry you did not have a great experience at Franks 'n' Dawgs. The issue unfortunately, might be that we are NOT a hot dog joint and hence we do not offer a Chicago Hot Dog. Franks 'n' Dawgs has been on TV 14 times in 3 years and we've won numerous awards for our house made sausages that are made by culinary trained chefs that have a fine dining background. The only reason we offer a hot dog at all is mainly for children or for unadventurous diners. We do a gourmet version of the Chicago dog called the Chicagoesque which has caramelized onions, cherry tomato ketchup, bread and butter pickles and beer mustard. If you were looking for a Chicago dog, I'm baffled as to what made you choose Franks 'n' Dawgs? What made you think that we are a hot dog joint? I'm also confused with your comment about our fries - our standard fries are only served with some sea salt and as they are waffle cut fries, it's pretty much impossible for these to be soggy. Thanks, Alexander" The best part of the the whole response, "What made you think that we are a hot dog joint?"... Maybe the name, jackass.
(1)
Emselan G.
I was in Chicago for few days, visiting my parents, and tried this place. All I can say... Franks 'N' Dawgs - excellent food, friendly staff. It is nice place, it's reasonably priced, great service, and fantastic food. A real gem. To start off, we tried the Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese, which was a hit. It was good, the portions are great. We also ordered the Lamb-orghini and Double Ducker and they tasted great. The staff were super nice; service was quick and friendly. Thoroughly impressed.
(5)
Leah C.
I reallyyy wanted to love this place. I read the reviews before I went and was super excited to try a crazy Chicago hot dog with the triple truffle fries that everyone was raving about. Unfortunately, I left with a, "It was good but eh..." impression. My BF and I ordered the Cheese Head (sausage, gouda, onion, mushrooms), Epic Pork Gasm, triple truffle fries, and the truffle mac and cheese. I liked (not loved) the Cheese Head - good quality meat, lots of flavor - my only small issue was the toppings seemed a little skimpy. My boyfriend loved the Epic Pork Gasm - how could he not with the many layers of pig?! As for the side dishes... the triple truffle fries were good and you could definitely taste the truffle but overall I thought they were on the greasy side. Points for being waffle cut though! The truffle mac and cheese was the least impressive thing we ordered. It was under salted / generally under seasoned... aka very bland. Moreover, the cheese sauce was on the runny side. If you're debating whether you should get it or not, I would say don't bother. Overall, I left with two issues nagging at me: 1. While the food was pretty good, I don't think it was good enough to justify the prices. $12 for a hot dog? After eating said hot dog, I definitely think that's steep. 2. The establishment itself seemed to be having an identity crisis. On one hand, it's a hot dog joint with an order at the counter service, self-serve pop machine, and infamous celebrity table markers (i.e. Lindsay Lohan/Charlie Sheen). On the other hand, it uses nice, fancy, modern plates to serve the food and the bathroom was really nicely decorated (albeit disgustingly dirty). So are they striving for the divey atmosphere or the upscale hot dog model? You tell me.
(3)
Mandy C.
Two of the things that caught my attention at Franks 'N' Dawgs are one, homemade sausages and two--holy by-gally, the buttery french toast they used as a bun! So if you want a regular classic and traditional Chicago hot dog, don't look for it here! Anyhow, after staring at the long and vivid menu, the Krazy Kimchee dog was caught my eyes. The sausage was top with some spicy brisket and then top with some spicy kimchee. Despite how delicious it looked and tasted, this thing was pretty hard to eat. It was hard to get a bite with everything in it unless you use your hand and take them apart. I also tried their Triple Truffle Fries, which I recommend. The truffle flavor wasn't overwhelming and the waffle cut definitely held onto lots of flavors. All in all, I really like the bread, like really like the bread...just not sure with all the stuff that goes into it. The price was on the more expensive side for a hot dog but since it's gourmet, I can see why.
(3)
Shaina K.
This place is eeeexxxxpennnsive. A hot dog meal for two people (with no drinks) was over $30. Kind of ridiculous for two hot dogs, and two sides. The portions were pretty small, but we were satisfied when we were finished. But, it was good! Everything came out hot and fresh, and the mac n' cheese was pretty good (such a small portion though!). The fries were good, and I liked my kiminchi dog, but I'm not sure if I'd order it again. The dining room is tiny, but it's filled with pretty cool pictures. I really liked that they don't use a number system (to bring food to the tables), but rather a picture system. We had crazy Mel Gibson. Funny :) So, although the food was good, I am not sure how frequently we will be headed over here as there are numerous hot dog places throughout the city that produce a equal quality product for much less.
(4)
Chicago T.
DO NOT EAT THERE if you are looking for a Chicago hot dog experience. The first thing we learned when one member of our party asked for a Chicago style hot was an abrupt "we don't sell Chicago style hot dog, read the sign on the lower part of the counter." This person who reminded me of Napoleon Dynamite acted insulted that we had asked for a Chicago Style hot dog and then proceeded to denigrate the Chicago dog. He described Chicago hot dog as a hot dog with a Greek salad dressing on top of it. Then we learned from this guy that you cannot transfer ingredients from one sandwich to another. They only serve the sandwich exactly how it is described on the menu. The guy explained that in an blunt fashion. There isn't a hot dog joint in this city where you cant get a hot dog like you want it! Okay, the place came highly recommended, I got lucky with street parking, we were hungry, we came in wanting to like this place and this counter guy was doing the opening scene on the movie Gravity. We decided to push past this horrendous intro to Frank N Dawgs and ordered two sandwiches with a side of truffle fries. We sat down and my companion said, "I'm still trying to like this place". Our food was served. Mine was a brat. I later counted the number of ingredients. It was eleven not counting the bread. BTW, their bread is very tasty but to big for the sandwich I had. It was impossible to discern the taste of the undercover brat. I almost needed an emergency response with the" jaws of life" to extricate a few pure bites of my brat before declaring it DOA. It wasn't nasty. It was just sooo bland. Like the blandest "boudin" sausage you could ever imagine. Thus the 11 ingredients. My companion's sandwich had a similar script. The truffle fries should be renamed as truffle oil with potatoes. We had to wipe our oil soaked fingers each time we went into the basket to retrieve a fry. All righty then. The history of the Chicago hot dog goes back to the Chicago Worlds Fair in 1893. People visit Chicago from different parts of the country and the world to experience our museum's, architecture, zoos, and our foods. Among them, the Chicago style hot dog. This is a hot dog town. In other cities you will see restaurants that boast Chicago Style Hot Dogs. When people outside of the USA learn I'm from Chicago, they almost invariably mention, Al Capone, Michael Jordan, pizza and hot dogs. So Frank "N" Dawgs, instead of honoring the Chicago Hot Dog, denigrates it. Oh, I almost left this out. We both agreed they have the most amazing fountain Coke we have ever tasted.
(1)
John W.
I've been a devoted fan for a long time now. This is a great hot dog place that serves great hot dogs. I agree with everyone else that the truffle fries are absolutely awesome. One grievance: they recently got rid of a menu staple, which happened to be my favorite: the "Chicagoesque" dog. I wish they would bring it back.
(4)
Jacob A.
Excellent food and excellent service! Always something good here! Good variety! Even veg friendly! The lines are very manageable. Sometimes its long but they do have some down times and thats usually when I go. Check it out people!
(5)
Lan N.
Franks N Dawgs is legit. I didn't have much time in Chicago and had to choose 1 hot dog joint. After some research and suggestions, I ended up here. There are so many choices that I wish I had 3 stomachs so I could try more. I ended up getting the Chicagoesque and my wife got the famous Brunch Dog. We also shared the triple truffle fries. Chicagoesque was a more "standard" hot dog. It was a gourmet take of the chicago dog. Super tasty. I think the bread puts it on a new level. It is the same kind of bread you get with a lobster roll. toasted nicely on the ouside and so fluffy. We asked the guy at the counter what's their most popular and he said their claim to fame was the brunch dog. My wife didn't need to hear more and ordered that. It had a hint of maple so it was like brunch in a bun. Super delicious and messy with the egg. Triple Truffle Fries. If you like the taste of truffle, do yourself a favor and get them. Dip them in the ketchipotle and you got yourself some amazing potatoes. You also get your choice of a mugshot to choose from to eat with you. I saw Mike Tyson and chose him off their wall of shame. Will definately come back if given the chance!!
(5)
John B.
I'm basing this rating on an exchange between a friend of mine and whoever responded to his email to Franks 'N' Dawgs. The friend in question sent an email complaining about he quality of the hot dog. Granted, he requested it w/ ketchup so draw your own conclusions regarding his tastes. The real issue here was the sophomoric and irony laced response from Franks 'N' Dawgs. i.e. "If you were looking for a Chicago dog, I'm baffled as to what made you choose Franks 'n' Dawgs? What made you think that we are a hot dog joint?" Here is the exchange: Nameless Friend: I ordered a regular dog and cheese fries and after one bite, I throw my food out. The dog tasted like a Ball Park frank and the fries were soggy and over seasoned. It was upsetting to learn you do not have regular pickles, only bread and butter ones. There was more ketchup on the bun than dog. The fancy sausages you serve might be good, but I will never know. Frank n Dawgs is a disgrace to the Chicago hot dog. Nameless Franks 'N' Dawgs Response: I'm sorry you did not have a great experience at Franks 'n' Dawgs. The issue unfortunately, might be that we are NOT a hot dog joint and hence we do not offer a Chicago Hot Dog. Franks 'n' Dawgs has been on TV 14 times in 3 years and we've won numerous awards for our house made sausages that are made by culinary trained chefs that have a fine dining background. The only reason we offer a hot dog at all is mainly for children or for unadventurous diners. We do a gourmet version of the Chicago dog called the Chicagoesque which has caramelized onions, cherry tomato ketchup, bread and butter pickles and beer mustard. If you were looking for a Chicago dog, I'm baffled as to what made you choose Franks 'n' Dawgs? What made you think that we are a hot dog joint? I'm also confused with your comment about our fries - our standard fries are only served with some sea salt and as they are waffle cut fries, it's pretty much impossible for these to be soggy.
(1)
Alex N.
I had the brunch dog and my dad had the bacon mac and cheese dog. Neither one was an explosion of taste. I like that they source local ingredients, make the sausage in house, and make everything fresh, but overall, it's still not an amazing dog. The triple truffle fries were good, but it is a small amount for $6. The dogs are a lot more show than taste imo.
(3)
Edwin W.
Not a bad alternative for those who don't want to be a slave to Hot Doug's business hours. We were recommended the flight (which is 3 half sausages with fries) having not been here before. We also tried the onion rings. Everything was tasty and did not disappoint. From the waffle fries to each of the franks. I definitely will be coming back to try some of the other franks.
(3)
Nick D.
Best sausages in Chicago!!! They really need to change the name, this place is way more than hot dogs. Technically they don't even have hot dogs and get upset if you order a Chicago dog, which upset me to the point of anger. But I calmed down in a hurry when I heard about the bacon sausage, lamb sausage, shark bacon!?, and pheasant sausage. Seriously insane goodness. Even the bun was awesome, it's a savory New England lobster roll. Hot Doug's is closing this summer and I'm seriously not sad anymore. But Franks N Dawgs is about to get a lot more attention! Best Hot Dogs (homemade sausages) in Chicago!
(5)
Christy L.
I wanted a unique dog without an hour wait and remembered reading an article on Franks N Dawgs. I headed over there, walked straight to the counter, sought advice on the menu and opted for the sampler. With it, I tried three of Franks more popular hot dogs: The Lamb-orghini, the Tur-Doggin, and a special Fourth of July dog, topped with pulled pork. The sampler also included their fries. The Lamb-orghini was amazing and the Fourth of July special was a close second. I wasn't much a fan of the Tur-Doggin; the casing was tough and the meat had a slightly odd flavor. The fries came out piping hot and were tasty but didn't hold as nice a flavor once they cooled off - I recommend eating them quickly with the jalapeno ketchup. Service was friendly and efficient; they brought my meal out within 5 minutes of placing my order. If you're seeking a unique "hot dog" experience and don't want to wait for an over-hyped place, check out Franks 'N" Dawgs.
(4)
Wayne H.
They have a kimchi dog, the only one I know in existence. But they don't open Mondays. Weird.
(3)
J T.
These dawgs are awesome. I had the reuben dawg and it was perfect. I sampled my friend's mac and cheese dawg and it was pretty good, too. The menu might be just a little bit too big so it's tough picking just 1 to try. The cheese curds were way overpriced for the amount you get but the dawgs are well worth it and I will be back to try more.
(4)
Rachel H.
Apparently those rave reviews of the buns here are as accurate as finely tuned machinery. Those buns are amazing. I'm not even a carb lover and I'd eat a few plain. Similar to a lobster roll bun, with a flat bottom so your goodies don't fly out, these buns are like a grilled cheese minus the cheese and very buttery. Lest you think I'm all buns, we did try them with things in them. I had the Pork of July with a really great pork loin sausage, topped with pulled pork and slaw and my friend had the Tur-Doggin, of which I snagged a bite. That crispy duck on top was delicious. Truffle fries were buttery, salty, crispy with just a hint of truffle. Perfect. We took our dawgs out to the patio, dubbed the Eternity Garden, which may be a misnomer because of some not so eternal looking plantlife, but I thought it was funny. As was the random mix of music. Service was quick and friendly, and would have no doubt been more informative had I not been all "give me this pork sausage now or I'll kill you" in my mind. Good times.
(5)
Sar D.
Amazing food and even better service. They gave us a ton of time to decide, gave tips, and even free coconut cookies! Byob which was awesome. You can run across the street to trader Jo's and grab some wine or beer. A Chicago must. These guys deserve all the accolade.
(5)
Marie B.
I've never been a hot dog person, but this place is beyond a typical hot dog. It's over the top calorie intake, but it's a must try. The BF had the Pork of July, shredded pork on top of the "dawg" & I had the pork-gasm...both well executed! I would like to go through the whole menu, but my cholesterol couldn't take it!
(4)
cully j.
Chicago's dirty little secret: this place is even better than that other sausage superstore across town, and without the wait. The buns alone are worth the trip -- buttery lobster rolls that perfectly compliment the inventive sausages and toppings. The cheese fries and scallion pistou were unparalleled, and no surprise -- he showed us how the cheese sauce isn't your typical goop, but actual real good cheese fired out of a CO2 compressor. This is the new must-go when I've got visitors in town.
(5)
Amy N.
I drive from Dayton, Ohio to eat here. I've never had anything that disappointed. Easily my favorite gourmet "haute" dog place in Chi. I just wish with all of my being for them to bring the cheese curds back!
(5)
Cris G.
Hotdogs...hotdogs...All kinds of hotdogs that you think never existed ... tasteful and a fun place to hang out , it's even byob. . You guys should never skip the truffle fries!!
(5)
Chet M.
Tip jar? $19+ for a dog, fries and coke and you put a tip jar out there? You guys just took all the class out of your tasty dogs and truffed up fries. Next time I come here and see that tip jar, I'm doing a 180 to UB dogs!
(3)
Charles R.
Two stars for misleading people to believe these are amazing hot dogs, overcharging, serving mediocre "truffle fries," and bad service. OVERRATED. Only word to describe this place. If you've eaten here and designated Frank-n-Dawgs as "one of the best places to eat in Chicago," then clearly you need to get your fatass out to Jimmy's Hot Dogs, where you get the REAL DEAL of a Chicago Hot dog. My truffle fries were oily, expensive, and had little added 'flavor.' they tasted like fried potatoes. that's it. I had to put ketchup on them so they'd taste better. kinda pathetic. I got the duck confit hotdog, and it tasted like a dry overly spiced italian sausage smothered in mayonnaise. That's it. It was a dish I could make at home for a quarter of the price, if not better. I didn't feel fancy eating this 'Duck confit' dog I heard so much about, as I have a tendency to try foods that sound fancy and have French names. I have eaten a lot of weird dishes with complex flavor profiles that resonate on the pallate. My meal, however, tasted of a hodgepodge of flavors fighting against one another. I didn't appreciate that, as I am politically liberal and became immediately offended. It was an unpleasant meal, and although I didn't enjoy it, I will come back and try something different. This is Chicago, not New York. You wanna get better reviews, you better start offering some Midwestern Hospitality. Get over yourselves and your crappy dry duck confit wieners and oily fries. Gordon Ramsey would have spit it on the floor.
(2)
Julia Sabrina D.
I want to start off by writing .. I originally wrote this while at Franks... But I was freezing and was a bit upset.. So I will try and give better details... I wanted this place to be amazing, I'd seen it before on different shows and was hoping for the best.. I waited to come here for a while and was so let down, not only by the food but the atmosphere... We came in at 8, the only people in the place... It's not a traditional hot dog place. . but I am adventurous and love to try new things... I was hoping there would be something similar to a Chicago style hot dog.. Sadly there isn't... Prices are steep for a hot dog... We placed our order, sat down and waited for our food... needed to keep our jackets on since the employee is holding the door open for a customer that ran across the street..which is nice though it's 17 degrees outside and not warm at all in this place.. So he gets back to sweeping and lifting chairs around us... Our food arrives all was fine but not what I expected... Cheese fries are more like fries with some type of cream drizzle... Though the sauce that came with it was tasty... But I have no idea what that little magical green sauce was... I had a chili cheese dog... again that odd cream sauce on top... During our meal it was made clear it's 35 minutes till closing time... I understand having to do your closing duties.. but working in customer service, I wouldn't want to make my customers feel rushed or sweep while a customer is eating... I don't care for dust in my food, I don't know many people that do... DID I MENTION IT"S FREEZING... Through it but the highlight is listening to the employees talk about their night out. Note the sarcasm? P.S. if you get a salad, know that you will be receiving a cup of salad... Jeez talk about tiny... same goes for the chili... not spicy and again that cream sauce...
(1)
Don W.
I've only been here once, but it was enough to get hooked. The guy behind the counter was totally chill and really friendly. The food was delicious and served quickly. And the restaurant was clean and comfortable. They've even got a hollywood wall of shame filled with pics of trainwrecked stars you can choose from to use in place of a number for your table. I had the Reuben Pulaski. It tasted just like a Reuben sandwich. This made for a somewhat strange, but satisfying experience. The waffle fries were cooked to perfection. My friend ate the Epic Pork-gasm, and it was indeed epic, according to him. Well... I'm not sure if he used those exact words, but it was something along those lines. And aside from the standard soft drinks, they've also got a great selection of beverages that you won't find at your typical hot dog stand. The food stands on it's own, so it's more than just an alternative to Hot Dougs, but if you drive by Hot Dougs and get scared away by the RIDICULOUS line, then you should definitely come here, because they're comparable.
(4)
Kristin M.
I did this backwards. I had tried Alexander Brunacci's new spot, The Peasantry, on Diversey. So naturally I had to come to the original. Housemade sausages? Yes please! After much deliberation, I decided on the Tur-Doggin, a turkey and date sausage topped with crispy duck and pickled carrots. This thing is enormous, and tastes as good as it sounds. Honestly, the most exciting thing here, though, is the bread. I saw my fellow Yelpers raving about it and thought, it's just bread, relax. No, it's worth the hype. It's a perfectly buttery toasted lobster roll (ie flat on the bottom, so it stands up!) that tastes like a grilled cheese minus the cheese. It's the perfect receptacle for all that sausage-y goodness inside. I also tried a bite of the Pork of July, it's pork sausage topped with pulled pork that really is genius. The truffle fries are delicious, the same ones they serve at The Peasantry. They must be double fried because they're crispy and golden, not the typical soggy mess waffle fries can be. The space is not as small as I pictured, and the back patio is nice, and is apparently BYOB. Service is super fast. I had originally given this 4 stars, but am now revising it after going to Hot Doug's and deciding Franks n Dawgs is BETTER! Beware, prices add up quickly when you order your dog, add some truffle fries and toss in a drink. But really, I didn't mind.
(5)
Art V.
I came here with good referrals. My friends told me that these dogs were great. As i was walking in i saw all their credentials and i said to my friends "we are about to get amazed." To start out I think the owner was the one who took our order. He was a little cocky and rude about his answers (similar to "you like it or you dont"). But hey, coming from Los Angeles, when someone is like that and you are recommended to their place, they have something to brag about. Boy was i wrong. I went for their Lamb-orghini dog and was really disappointed. Im not saying it was bad, but it did not live up to the hype. As a first time comer to Chicago, I've had some amazing pizza, sandwiches, and italian beef. I was hoping the same here for hot dogs. Not the case. I hope either the owner cools it a bit more on his way of treating customers or improves their food. Looking forward to seeing some improvement for my next time i come.
(2)
David D.
The Epic Pork-gasm was comically good. Highly recommend the brunch dog and the poutine as well.
(5)
May B.
Yummy! This place is great! This was a our first visit and man was it good. We arrived as they opened and we were still probably the fifth or six person to order. We got the Krazy Kimchi, the Frank n'Stein, the Reuben Pulaski, and the Triple Truffle Fries. My favorite was the Reuben Pulaski, although the sausage I don't believe is made in house (and you could tell it just wasn't as good as the others), the toppings and overall taste was definitely the best. It had a serious Reuben taste. Delicious. The Krazy Kimchi was pretty good, for some reason I was expecting the braised short rib was going to be more sweet like a Kal-bi, but it was just plain braised short rib, which was still good, just less Korean tasting. The kimchi was good, not too strong on the pickled taste, just enough to add to the flavor of the dog. The Frank n'Stein was oh so rich. It was definitely yummy, but probably too much for us to take by the end of the meal (yes I shared three dogs and fries with just one other person). If you're ordering this one, you may not want to get too much more. The fries were waffle fries, which are my least favorite type of fries, but the triple truffle part, well how can they be bad? I can't wait to come back and try some other things off their menu!
(5)
Stephanie L.
I like! YUM! I love a good hot dog and this is the place to get it. Totally reasonable in price. Lots of variety. BYOB (stop at the TJ's across the street for your booze-y fix or the Binny's a couple of block away)! We had: Lobster Roll-deliciously tender lobster with all of the appropriate fixings Pork of July-DELICIOUS! Fried Oyster dog-YUM! Fried Pickles-first experience and I am in love, especially with the sauce that they provide Honestly, I dont think that you can go wrong here. If you love a good dog, this is the place to go. Not to mention, the bread they use makes the dogs. Its fantastic. I have to say the little, short, red head (maybe manager??), is a complete dick. He needs an attitude adjustment. He is a jerk to everyone so I dont think it was just us. I guess what do you expect, he possibly runs a hot dog shop? Oh well. Other than that, the servers, the other cooks, etc are really nice. We went here on the 105 degree day and let me tell you, I dont think the A/C was working so that is a bit annoying as well. I honestly would go back here for my pork fix. I would recommend everyone to check it out. Its cheap, easy, and FANTASTIC!
(4)
Ben P.
This place is overrated. Food is OK. Customer service is terrible. Our fries were served at least 10 minutes before our dogs, without a dish for ketchup. After we ate all of them before the food came out, I asked our waiter if we can have a few more fries to have with our meal since they were up so early. He'll "see what he can do" - never comes back. I don't know of any other restaurant that considers fries an appetizer - it's a side dish, and they should be served hot with my meal, not when it's convenient for the kitchen and waiter to serve them. We had a Brunch dog and Salmon dog. Both were OK but nothing incredible. The food sounds really good on the menu but is overpriced for what you get. The Brunch dog had a piece of egg shell in it. On the way out I spoke with the manager to give him some feedback from this unpleasant first-time experience. I got an "I'm sorry" for the egg shell, and a "thank you" for my feedback as he's walking away from me. No overall apology, no offer to comp anything or to earn my business back with a coupon for next time. Your restaurant sucks. I will not be returning.
(1)
Mike C.
Located in the DePaul neighborhood Frank's N Dawgs sells over priced sausages to entitled douchebags and tourists. Not much flavor for being "5 star dining in a bun". Sorry suckers I'd rather get a real hot dog without the pretension at any of 1000 hot dog stands across this city. But keep coming back, you have money to burn.
(2)
Randy T.
Everyone knows Doug Sohn's semi-eponymous Hot Doug's is the king of unique and imaginative combinations of the meat-in-tube-form arts. I, myself, braved the long line in the frigid Chicago winter several years ago to eat at Hot Doug's and found it to be the best hot dogs/sausages I've ever had. But recently, I had heard about a competitor to the throne. His name is Joe Doren and he boasts at having "5 star dining on a bun" at his restaurant. You know that during this Chicago trip it was a must to stop there. There was a short line of eager patrons waiting to provide their order to the man himself Chef Doren, who was cheerfully at the register. No problem, it gave us time to choose what we wanted. The Lyonnaise Fries, Sweet Veal Dog, Brunch Dog, and Chicagoesque Dog would be our selections. Lyonnaise Fries: This could be a meal in itself. Delicious golden fries, chunks of juicy braised pork, a smattering of frisee, and sitting atop of it all is a beautiful poached egg orb. Puncture the orb and a golden river of egg yolk dribbles down all over the other components creating a luscious sauce. The only downside was that the fries can get soggy, possibly from the juices of the braised pork and a little from the egg yolk. Sweet Veal Dog: I was uncertain what the third dog would be. So I asked Chef Doren what he recommended. And this is the one he chose for me. Hmm...I was excited to try this but it wasn't a hit for me. The bacon cured sweetbreads were dry and partially leathery in texture. The pickled chanterelles and corn were too overwhelmingly acidic. My palate was awash with pickling juices and my mouth would almost pucker at every bite. If you don't like that feeling, probably best stay away from this dog. Brunch Dog: A dog I had seen on TV and immediately fell in love with. Thank you, Andrew Zimmern for showing this on your Chicago episode. My life's quest turned to eating that dog. It IS breakfast in a bun. The meaty pork loin sausage, smokey and salty bacon, drizzled with sweet maple mayo. Oh yeah, and adorned with a sunny side up fried egg. Heavenly. I wish I could eat this for breakfast every single day. And I would gladly be on Lipitor to do so. Chicagoesque Dog: She wanted to get this since she fell in love with the traditional Chicago dog at Portillo's. It winks to the traditional dog, but it has an identity all its own. You get sweet from the grilled onions, tangy from the beer mustard, and a bright fruitiness from the tomato relish. It's a solid dog, but I would choose more of the imaginative dogs before selecting this one again. So does Franks N Dawgs knock off Hot Doug's off its throne? I'd have to say no, not quite yet. The value at Hot Doug's, the game meat sausages, the foie gras dog, and those sinfully good duck fat fries appeal to me more. But this does not mean I won't come back to Franks N Dawgs. It just means I'll have to bring out my inner Joey Chestnut to sample dogs from both.
(4)
Abe R.
As much as I want to enjoy these upscale hot dog joints I always find myself disappointed after I pay my tab and realize that the food wasn't nearly adequate enough in both taste and portion. My visit here today went as follows. 1. Chicagoesque: All natural (nitrate free & uncured) 100% beef artisan 1/8 pound skinless frank , house pickles, cherry tomato relish, caramelized onions & beer mustard. This dog which costs a whopping $5.45 was a joke. Aside from the boring, skimpy toppings, the dog itself was horrid. Flat tasting, no snap, and just soft and mushy. Awful... 2. Waffle Fries-Yukon Gold waffle cut fries - twice fried. At $3.00 per serving this actually tends too be an alright deal. The flavor is decent and the crispiness was spot on. However at $3.00 you could be so much more generous and creative considering how cheap potatoes are in bulk. Scam... 3. Fried Pickles- Matilda beer battered bread 'n' butter pickles served with giardiniera aioli. This was the biggest con of the entire meal. I believe there were 12 total pickle slices in the entire serving and @ $4.00 this was unimaginable. How can you honestly serve these with a straight face? Your telling me that for $4.00 all you can muster up is 12? Besides the fact that they are not that good, the utter idea that you can serve just twelve is preposterous. F'ing joke... In closing this place sucks.... Enjoy Suckas'!!!
(1)
Lamaine M.
Tried this place out after seeing its feature on the food network and my god they make the best hotdogs..I love their creativeness with the ingredients..I cannot wait to eat here again
(5)
Luke D.
Hype machine in full effect. FND is overrated and overpriced. The staff is nice and helpful, but when you pay $40 for 2.5 people to eat hot dogs, there should be at least one "oh snap" moment (final tally: 0). The company motto should be "overthink it; overcharge it." It's as though someone set out to make a needlessly more complex, inferior and pricier version of Hot Doug's. The "Big Cheesy" was comically devoid of cheese. The Indian veggie dog was mediocre. The tofu wasn't even warm and the toppings were just OK. My son (who literally eats everything) waved off the regular hot dog after two bites; my friend thought it wasn't as good as a traditional hot dog stand version (going so far as to say the United Center has better). The fries accompanying the kid's dog were average. The best thing we had were the cheese curds. Service here is flat out terrible as the dishes all arrive at different times. This seemed to happen to everyone in our immediate seating area. I cannot recommend FND on any level. If our bill was $12 I might have a different attitude, but not at these prices.
(1)
Mike O.
On my list of MUST VISITS for whenever guests come to Chicago. Great food, a little more expensive than your average hot dog (~ $9.00 each) but they're also bigger and way better. Even their dessert dog is good. Fully recommend! The ONLY bad thing I can say about this place is that they're not open enough hours! Closed on Mondays? What nonsense is this? I want dawgs every day!
(5)
Nicole E.
On this glorious Saturday, much to my dog delight, Franks 'N' Dawgs delivered. If I weren't so full, I'd immediately go back and eat some more. My only regret is that I couldn't try everything on the menu. Though for two people we came close. Aside from the amazing meats and how beautiful the hot dogs looked (I know it sounds silly, but the presentation was beautiful!) their buns (New England Style Lobster Rolls, buttered and toasted) are crazy good and the truffle fries are absolutely, completely, unequivocally the best. I didn't dare use ketchup... and I adore condiments. The place isn't very big and you'll most likely have to wait for a table if you get there at prime eatin' hours. But I promise you it's worth it. To make life easy while ordering, they have an Ipad there to scroll through the menu in case you haven't made up your mind by reading the sign. Thought that was a nice touch. For a little kitsch, you get to pick a celebrity from their wall of shame so they know how to find your table. Very creative rather than just giving a name or a table number. Now, for the only reason you're reading this -- the FOOD. (If I were religious I'd be making a sign of the cross right now). They have a Dawg Flight - Highly recommended if you want to try a few different tastes. It's 1/2 of 3 hot dogs and truffle fries so it's a lot of food. Ours came with The Southerner, Tur-Doggin and Krazy Kimchi. We had also asked the guy at the counter what his favorites were. So we also ordered the Tur-Doggin (not knowing it was on the sampler) and the Sweet Veal. I would highly recommend the Tur-Doggin. Hands down our favorite. The Southerner was also amazing! And again - do not leave without eating the truffle fries. The orders are smaller, but they are big, waffle cut fries. So I still think 2 people can share easily. But if you're in a total pig-out mood, get your own. We ended the delight with the Key Lime S'more. It was alright. But looking back I'd have rather tried the mac n cheese for dessert :) Our smorgasboard of delights came out to $45. Pricey, but we ordered a bit too much food for 2 people. I think you could easily get away with a dog a person and split a fry and leave for $30-$35. Which I feel is reasonable for how good the food is.
(5)
Lochin S.
Tur doggin, black sheep, little piggie, lyonaisse fries, truffle fries. Speechless, all I can come up with is SICK AND OMG. Excerpts from our table; - we need one of these in the burbs - I could here every day - best fries ever - sick sick sick ugh -wish I could eat more -we have to try somthing else! all around great experience, great parking, no wait, seats outside. realy when does that ever happen? brought our own Two Brothers beers and it was a perfect afternoon.
(5)
Nicole M.
Wow. People on here weren't kidding about the triple truffle fries. Party in my mouth. If you go there GET THEM! As for the hot dogs- anything but your average dog. I had the Tur-Doggin. Delicious. Yes the prices are a little steep for a hot dog but they are good and it's all for the experience. The type of place you want to check out and return every once in a blue moon to try something new on the menu. It's worth checking out.
(4)
Ashley B.
Um. Yes. Just went here for the first time today. My first impression when I walk in was that it just felt like a small diner, very cool, unassuming, and somewhat kitschy. THEN I got to the menu and it took forever for me to decide because it all sounded so great! I ended up going with the Tur-Doggen, which was excellent. The sausage itself was perfectly seasoned and juicy, but the duck confit on top really completed everything. The aioli and picked veggies gave it some really nice texture as well. Overall, amazing. The fries were also outstanding and my ginger drink complemented everything perfectly. I didn't even think I'd write such a complex review for a HOT DOG place, but this is not your average Cubbie dog at the field! On top of that, they give you a celebrity's photo to pin to your table to identify where to bring your food, we had Nick Nolte of course. It was awesome. We ate outside and it was GORGEOUS out so it made things that much better. Overall, just a nice, chill, atmosphere. Now I just need to come back during the weekend and take advantage of the BYOB factor :)
(5)
K R.
Great food! Krazy kimchi dog is delicious as are the truffle fries. You may think it's hard to justify spending $8-10 on a hot dog, but everyone should experience this at least once!
(4)
Luan N.
#3 on my Chicago Hot Dog Shrine Overall prices a bit higher than Hot Doug's but taste doesn't deliver like Dougie!
(3)
Emma C.
Yeah NO. First of all, stop bragging that you don't have a Chicago-style dog. You're in Chicago. Why is that a selling point? Lose the 'tude, make the BEST, and I'll recognize. Meanwhile. High concept, expensive sausages. But I'd pay double to get that hot greasy mess out of my colon. Regrets within the hour.
(1)
Justin H.
I hesitated before coming here. I was only visiting Chicago for a weekend, and I wanted to try a sausage/hot dog place. Franks 'N' Dawgs does not have the famous Chicago Dog and the franks are not regular hot dogs but more on the artisanal sausage side. I had the Banh Mi dog and my wife had the Tur-Doggin, both of which were delicious. After eating our hot dogs, were still hungry and asked the friendly guy who took our order what he suggested to get on the side, he said their most popular side was the Triple Truffle Fries, but his personal recommendation fried leek rings. Given the quality of the hot dogs, we ordered both. The triple truffle fries were good, but nothing special, though their popularity suggests this is a minority opinion. The fried leek rings on the other hand were an inspired take on onion rings. Unfortunately, looking at their menu they are sadly no longer available. I'm tempted to rate four stars to get their attention so they bring back the leek rings, but the dogs were too good not to give them five.
(5)
Austin F.
They call themselves "5-star dining" for a hot dog joint and boy are they not kidding. I had never been here before so I expected just some fancy type hot dogs with a few extras and basically a regular menu to go along with it; that is not the case. Their menu consists of a concoction of hot dog creations and side dishes that you would definitely see in high end restaurants - like brussel sprout salads and lyonnaise fries. This place is just a little too high-end for me, which just judging purely from the sign you would assume it was just another hot dog joint, not a gourmet-type restaurant where their basic hot dog is $7-13, so this place isn't exactly cheap. So my only issues with this place is that the hot dogs to me are just "too much", not that they taste bad, but I guess I just prefer to dine more simplistically when it comes to dogs/sausages and everything here has multiple toppings and whatnot. To conclude: if you are looking for some creative, fancy type hot dogs that think out of the box and are willing to pay for it, I would come here. If you are just looking for a quick modest lunch this is probably not for you.
(3)
Terri B.
Such a cool concept and executed magnificently! There were four of us eating here each one having something different and not one complaint! The Slammin Salmon was out of this world. I live in Edinburgh and so I don't have the luxury of coming back here until the next time we travel over to see my partners brother! I like the experimentation going here....they don't seem to be concerned with the barriers that other chefs are. Oh and I love the concept of other chefs in the area 'doing battle'. A Chicago 'Must Do/See/Try'.
(5)
Irene W.
Must try the tripple truffle fries! So gooood~~~ The hot dogs are also good. This place is different than other hot dog's place because they have a lot of different garnishes on top. The sausage itself is normal in a good way but nothing special. If you are looking for different sausage meat go to Hot Doug.
(5)
Juliana K.
Waffle fries were amazing! I forgot the names of the hot dogs we had, but they were okay. They were made with unique sausages and interesting toppings but didn't fall in the wow categorie. The set up of the restaurant is odd and off putting. The staff is nice but we spent a ton of time in line which ruined the mood a bit.
(3)
Fiona C.
Cool place with the different dogs. Love that everything is natural and local. We ordered the tur-doggin (sounds awesome but fell a little short on taste - it was good but not great) and the urbanbelly chix (very yummy!). Truffle fries were nice and potatoey. A little too overpriced.
(3)
Helen N.
I have been looking forward to visiting this place because of all the amazing reviews. Happened to be in the neighborhood furniture-shopping, and decided to try it for lunch. Ordered truffle fries, a chiliquiles dog and a chicken tika masala with my partner in crime. The truffle fries were fresh and decent with the creative ketchup choices. However, everything went downhill from there. The sausages' casing was too soft and chewy, which made each bite very difficult and the flavors failed to come together with everything crumpling. I definitely saw the intention of creating a gourmet hot god and the ingredients were fresh and good, but it is far from the perfection that I experienced from going to hot doug's every time. Has potential but needs better execution.
(2)
Richard L.
Two things you try in Chicago. One... The deep dish pizza... Two.. The hotdogs!!! Being a New Yorker, hot dogs are from a little dirty stand boiled in filthy water by a sketchy dude, a Nathan's dog, or good o' Grey's Papayas dog. Just ketchup, mustard. Chicago, they pimp there dogs, like an episode of Cribs. This place was highly recommended by blogs, eater, and many itineraries. Arriving to the place, we were overwhelmed. Who knew hotdogs can be so complicated. Different kinds of meats, toppings, and celebrity faces for your order number. We ended up deciding on urban belly chix and the tur-duggin', and Charlie Sheen. The dogs were tasty. Really taste the different kinda of meat and the tasty toppings. Fresh off the grill and flavorful. Also order triple truffle fries which were okay, just too oily. Two upsetting things... One, fresca from the fountain.. Was seltzer! What the... Sigh... And when did hotdogs and fries for two people.. Cost about 40$? I would rather get my dirty water hot dog from the shady street vendor in nyc than the pimply college kids in Chicago.
(3)
Agnes L.
Never liked hot dogs much until moving to Chicagoland five years ago. But I never knew they could be bold, innovative and gourmet ... and without chili as a topping (I'm a former metro Detroiter who frequented National Coney Island diners). So after seeing this spot on the Cooking Channel, I immediately bookmarked it on Yelp and put it on my Chicago Bucket List. When friends from out of town visited this weekend and we worked up an appetite after walking around the Lincoln Park Zoo, it seemed like the appropriate time to try it out. Moments to remember: *Super casual atmosphere with BYOB and funny celeb photos as table markers. *Varied menu with too much I wanted to try - finally chose the Double Duck. It was incredibly filling and rich with the juicy duck confit, rich pate, spicy arugula, savory grain mustard, etc. on top of the thick sausage all within the buttery toasted bun. *Fun and unusual sides - I went with the Brussel Sprouts Salad that was a refreshing complement to the rich dog. The fresh sprouts were shaved thinly, tossed in zesty lemon juice and mixed up with crunchy pistachios and salty parm. *Ultra friendly guests - A woman sitting next to me and my friends gave us her entire bowl of Triple Truffle Fries because she was full from her hot dog. We gobbled up the fries because they were crispy on the outside, soft on the side with the right amount of seasoning. Couldn't believe we scored the $5 side for free spontaneously. Moments not to remember: *Tables and counter space were not regularly maintained - empty bottles and crumpled up napkins lingered on emptied areas. Although, I understand that it was a generally busy Saturday afternoon. *Truffle Mac N' Cheese was a bit too oily and not as cheesy as I would like
(4)
Diane N.
Definitely a place I would come back to if I were to ever visit Chicago again. Chef was very friendly and helpful. Food was on point. Must get: truffle fries and Lamb-orghini Price was reasonable. I really liked it because it was something new and not just a regular chicago hotdog. if you like trying different and unique foods, I would definitely recommend this place. hotdogs with a great twist.
(4)
J T.
Got turned onto their food at Lolla. Thank God! We visit here regularly...the service is usually friendly..the place is cold in the winter months...but the food...Lord, it's great. Favorite restaurant in Chicago. Been to the most expensive steakhouses all over town...but I'll take the porkgasm dog or the mac and cheese dog any day. And the truffle fries...a don't miss. My mouth is watering while I write this...be sure to try this place!
(5)
Alicia S.
This was random find while exploring the area and wow did we get lucky! I had a Truffel MacN'Cheese dog, it was delicious. All the menu items are a bit unusual, but worth the try if you are a foodie or adventuress eater at all. You must also order a side of the waffle fries. They don't come with, the dog will be to much alone anyway, but fries to share with friends will top of the deliciousness!
(5)
Jared W.
I live out in the northwest suburbs, so I don't head into the city too often, but after hearing about this place, my wife and I decided that we had to vist. I'm glad we did. It was very worth it. I had the brunch dog, and my wife had the Perenially Pork. Both were excellent. We shared the truffle fries, and enjoyed the different types of ketchup to go with them. There's really nothing negative I can say about this place, and if you're ever anywhere near Lincoln Park, make this a place you check out.
(5)
Alex R.
A little pricey but I have honestly tried almost everything on the menu, and every time I go I find myself stuffed and feel like the price was worth it.
(5)
Ken N.
The 5 stars is simply for their Krazy Kimchi dog. I didn't get a chance to try anything else on the menu since this was a take out order for me. But boy oh boy, it saddens me to say that I prefer this over my beloved foie gras at Hot Dougs. Especially since stupid California banned foie I have been severely deprived. The braised short rib with kimchi topping gave it a very nice flavor. Definitely not dry like other reviews. Add the lobster roll bun and you have a masterpiece in your mouth. From what I hear, the wait here isn't bad either. Definitely give it a shot and see for yourself why I'd go here over Hot Dougs.
(5)
Jay C.
I may not be used to big city prices for a hot dog (only reason it doesnt get a five star). But that would be my only complaint. Food was awesome. I got the pork of July, best damn dog I ever ate. My buddy got the last lobster roll and my brother almost cried. Will be going back on my next visit to chi-town. Love the unique options.
(4)
Matthew K.
Having recently heard rave reviews from Check, Please! (on which it won a rare three concurring positive reviews) and word-of-mouth alike, my girlfriend and I recently stopped at Franks N' Dawgs while we were in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Unfortunately, it seemed that we were not the only ones who had recently been enticed by the glowing reviews on Check, Please! and I was disappointed to learn that the lobster roll, the banner item at Franks N' Dawgs, had been sold out for hours. The staff was very conciliatory about the situation and bought drinks and dessert for us. Having had the rug pulled out from underneath us, we were unsure of what to order. Fortunately, the staff was very helpful in this regard, and we ordered the "Lamb-orghini," a lamb sausage, and the "Pork of July," a polish sausage that features caramelized onions. Both the selections were quite tasty, and I had an overall positive experience. Nevertheless, I decided to hold off on writing a review until trying their famed lobster roll. Finding myself in the neighborhood weeks later, I dropped in again to sink my teeth into the savory seafood treat. I was kind of taken aback by the price of the sandwich, which weighed in at a hefty $20. I figured it must be worth it after all the positive feedback it had received, so I ordered one for my girlfriend and one for myself. To my surprise, the roll was embarrassingly below par. I truly couldn't taste the lobster and, halfway through eating it, I seriously wondered if I were eating potato salad. Taking the sum of my experiences into perspective, I must give Franks N' Dawgs a 2/5; even though my first experience was positive, I cannot say that I couldn't have had a more positive experience in any number of sausage shacks in Chicago. The lobster roll is a load of hype and a complete rip-off.
(2)
Edward S.
My go to encased meat spot. Huge menu, some great, some just ok. I think most of the dogs that have another meat on top don't work well. The toasted brioche bun they use is just ridiculous, and their waffle fries (standard) are fried perfection. If it's your first time, definitely ask what is on their rotation, you get 3 halves of their menu and a side of waffle fries, so you can definitely let your taste buds wander. Also, be prepared to choose a shameful celebrity as your order number (Dennis Rodman) Dogs I've had over 3 visits. Kimchi Dog - being Korean, was disappointed by this one. The braised beef had no business being on a hot dog. Pork of July - Again, I don't think the meat on meat works well. Lamborghini - Flavor was great, but I found the sausage a little dry. Urbanbelly Chix - Definitely enjoyed this one Turdoggen - My favorite here so far, the duck confit is delicious and the carrots add a satisfying crunch. Cheesehead - though this one is an imported sausage, it is extremely good. Carmelized onions, grilled portabellas, smoked gouda... ain't nothing wrong with that.
(3)
Zvez K.
All I have to say is YUM! Great service and great food. You must try the bacon and Mac and cheese dog. Great music and atmosphere.
(4)
Jason R.
We did a weekend trip to Chicago and this was definitely a highlight! I only had one dawg (perennial pork) but really wish I would have ordered two. I can't say I've tried the other Chicago gourmet hot dog places to compare, but I'd tell anyone to put this on their list. Pretty fun atmosphere in the place, and I thought the wait wasn't bad at all, although it started getting crowded later. We went on a Saturday afternoon.
(5)
Beth R.
If you're anything like me, you are a quasi-vegetarian whose heart belongs to a bona fide meat lover. You've earned gold stars for trips to Hot Doug's; you've been patient through the whole bacon craze; you've kept your eyes on your porridge on Irish breakfast mornings. But check it out: there is a secret place where you can both get what you crave. That secret place is Franks N Dawgs. My first time, I was skeptical. I don't really like tofu dogs, nor any other meat facsimile (your Boca Burger, your veggie sausage links). Luckily, they don't make their vegetarian sandwich a wanna-be meat sandwich. It celebrates and elevates tofu for what it is: a protein source that will taste like what you pair it with. Theirs is dressed up with portabello mushroom, eggplant relish, goat cheese (fine, chevre) and a green spread that is suspiciously like pesto. Is that a fine-tasting tofu or what? Also on my first visit, they were out of the Brussels sprouts salad, which made me both sad and glad: sad for me, but glad that anyone consuming the dozens of types of meat on the menu was also getting some greens in too. Today though, they had it, we had it, and it was unusual and wonderful. The B-sprouts are shredded and tossed with shaved Parmesan, pistachios and some citrus. Bold and beautiful. Finally, the icing on the cake of the Franks N Dawgs experience is the service. (But Beth D., this is a counter-service hot dog place. What service?) This service: the charming Australian who takes your order is helpful, cheeky, and knows his franks from his dawgs. If he were a Yelp review, he'd be through the roof on Useful/Funny/Cools. I think he has something to do with the selection of celebrities/ass clowns you use to identify your table after you order. Also, the small staff of servers are nice as can be. On today's visit, our server finished her shift and changed out of her FnDwear. On her way out, she still served a table, bussed a table, helped a party with a wheelchair-bound person, and kept a pleasant attitude about it all. She doesn't work for tips or on commission; she just understands how to provide good service. Four solid stars for this hot dog place, from this non-eater of hot dogs.
(4)
Padme A.
Great Hot Dog Joint. Love the mystery corn dogs and truffle fries. Kinda bad location for parking. Good service. Great Chef. The are running out of room inside. I hope they expand or open a second location. Maybe somewhere with outside seating!
(4)
Jim F.
The triple truffle fries were 10 stars, I swear if they poured that truffle butter over one of my shoes, I'd eat it. The.selection of gourmet sausages is creative and impressive. I had the pork of July, and the sausage alone was great the pulled pork on top of it was wonderfully gluttonous. My wife had a sausage with truffle mac n cheese on top of it, I took a bite and it was very rich, but was too subtle to enjoy with the big flavors from line still in my mouth. These are gourmet dogs, so don't compare the prices to your average hot dog stand.
(5)
Heather S.
I came across this place on accident. Well, not really on accident, because since Yelp came around accidents are pretty much obsolete for me. I had been dying to try a Chicago dog, as repulsing as it looked/sounded, and was nearing the end of my week long visit. Superdawg was bookmarked, but without access to a car it was looking more and more unlikely that we'd be able to hit it up. So after browsing Yelp/Serious Eats I came across Franks 'N' Dogs. Without bothering to check the hours I headed over with my friend early on a Monday - only to find it closed. Lesson learned...or so I thought. I ended up going to Downtown Dogs that day, but after seeing photos of that Brunch Dog, I knew I had to come back the next day (and the last day of my visit). I showed up about 30 minutes before it opened, because clearly I hadn't really learned my lesson - and still didn't know how to properly check the hours - so I wandered around Crate & Barrel to kill some time. At 11:31am I reappeared. I wound up waiting on a short line that had already formed despite the place just opening and when my order was ready to be taken my mouth was already watering. I asked for some recommendations before ultimately deciding on the Brunch Dog, a pear iced tea, and a Sarah Palin placard. (She's my hero.) I really wanted to try the truffle fries, but didn't want to over eat since I still had a few more places to try before catching my flight. So I (foolishly) opted out. Turns out this nice guy (I'm pretty sure he was a vendor for F&D) didn't want to eat all his fries and offered me a couple... wow. I can't believe I didn't order them. I'm kicking myself just thinking about them. They were so good. No, really....so good. Don't be an idiot like a certain "Steak Expert" - just get them. You: "Oh, but they're fatty." Me: "How dare you! You're the one in a sausage/hot dog place. Maybe you're the one who's 'fatty.'" You: "Ouch." Me: "Sorry, that was a little much... just order the fries. Thanks." Next up: The Brunch Dog. The most amazing sausage I have ever consumed. I am not lying about this. I wouldn't ever lie about something so serious. From the sausage itself, to the fried egg on top, to the bacon, to the maple mayo, right down to the bun... it was just absolutely perfect. A perfect, sloppy, mess.. that was straight up scrumptious. I will never have another sausage like it - and for that I am extraordinarily saddened. I mean maple mayo? WHAT GENIUS THOUGHT OF THAT? My stomach is weeping at the thought of it. I'm weeping at the thought of it. Needless to say I left Franks 'N' Dawgs with a huge smile and gave myself a pat on the back for making the effort to get there before I headed back to NY. It was one of the best decisions I've made in a life full of poor ones.
(5)
Tai Z.
Wow. I could eat the Kimchi Dog all day, every day. This was probably the most memorable dining moment in my recent trip (back) to Chicago. I wish I skipped the lobster roll. It was good, but I wish I saved room for some of the other sausage-based offerings. By the time the corn-dog sampler came around we were way too full to enjoy them.
(5)
Chris B.
Pretty good food but the owner of this place is the reason for an average review. He said they didn't serve sport peppers because it's not a hot dog place. Uh..the name of the place is Franks 'n Dawgs and you're trying to tell me it's not a hot dog place? Also..you are in Chicago, where sport peppers are a staple. I've been eating for awhile now and know what I like; I don't need an Australian transplant to tell me that I can't put sport peppers on my hot dog.
(3)
Aldi J.
Yes, it's expensive, but then again this is not your average hot dog. I've been here a few times and I've enjoyed several of their creations. The last time I went, I had the Tur-Doggin and the Krazy Kimchi. The Krazy Kimchi has to be one of my favs. Do not leave this place without trying the the Triple Truffle Fries. Yes, they are that good. Get an order, use some of their chipotle ketchup, and thank me later.
(4)
Seth F.
I'm sure they won't be thrilled with this moniker, but it's really Hot Doug's Light. Not in the sense that it offers lighter fare, but that it also offers interesting combinations of encased meats. Admittedly, it's slightly less interesting and I've had a much lower success rate with my orders here than I have at Hot Doug's (hence the "Light" in my assigned moniker), but Franks 'N Dawgs comes without an annoying wait and doesn't require as much travel, and that is far from insignificant. Some of my favorites are the Krazy Kimchi, BLT and the Brunch Dog.
(4)
Danny Y.
Stopped by with a group of friends, who collectively ordered 6 different dogs. Interestingly enough, my favorite of the day was actually the Kimchi dog, which I was absolutely certain I'd hate. Love the bun, but unfortunately the meat needs a little bit more work. The lamb and pork were all overdone and dry. The breakfast dog looked great until I tasted the meat, which again was on the dry side. The truffle fries were the highlight of the day. Definitely get that if you stop by! All in all, sadly didn't live up to the hype.
(3)
Mad I.
Why are people waiting in line at Hot Dougs??? Same idea...... The fiance and I had 2 dawgs and 2 apps. Truffle Fries: mmmmm, and truffle butter at the bottom to sop up... Fried pickles: all breading (while its good breading) no pickle, measly 6 pieces... Tur Dogen: good The one with the orange marmalde on it....meh... A tad too expensive but do it at least once
(4)
J G.
This place has amazing gourmet dogs.... This place is amazing.
(5)
Fumi M.
I know that everyone has their personal favorite hot dog joint in this down. Since I am not a native or a local, my vote really does not count. And even though you did not ask me for my opinion, I will let you know that for my moneies I'd go with not your ordinary hot dog joint but the Frank' N' Dawgs. Out of everything we tasted, we highly recommend the Pork-gasm, which consists of bacon sausage stuffed between nice brioche bun that is smothered in bacon jam, whiskey glazed pork belly, also slathered in baconaise, all of this is topped off with chicharrón and generous sprinkle of ham dust if you can picture that. Are you kidding me? The scary part is how easy it all went down the hatch. Epic Pork-gasm is about right. Guys behind the counter are very friendly and extremely cool cats. Place is spicken clean, food is great, and the location is spectacular just around the corner from Goose Island Pub. The only reason I am giving it a 4 star is simply due to the fact that I have only been here once.
(4)
Alex M.
Let me start by saying, my boyfriend and I have been to Franks 'N' Dawgs several times, and we love the food there. The reason for the low rating is not at all due to the quality of food they serve. The lack of stars is unfortunately due to almost everything else. One of the main things that has frustrated us is their hours, or lack thereof. For a successful restaurant to not be open past the time most people are getting off work, is lunacy to me. Because of the food and the publicity that they have received from being on multiple food shows, they could capitalize on having longer hours. I spoke to one of the chefs last time we were there and he said they were very low staffed. I can understand and sympathize with that, but in this volatile market for restaurants, that will prove to be a vicious cycle and they will lose customers in the long run. Knowing their crazy schedule already, my boyfriend and I finally made it back here (after several failed attempts due to the previously mentioned schedule) at around 4:45 since there was a ton of traffic in the area. Thinking they closed at 5 during the week, we were surprised to see on the front door (the one right before you enter, not the gate) that they closed at 7. We thought we were in the clear and breathed a sigh of relief. Immediately when we came inside, we noticed that the 2 chefs were working frenetically even though there was no one else in the restaurant. One of them greeted us, but seemed very exasperated. While we took a few minutes to weigh our options, that same chef closed the front gate and door behind us. We asked him about it and he said that the hours on the front door were wrong and they close at 5. Since we knew they were closing up and we have both worked in the restaurant industry, we ordered a Southerner, the Dawg of the Month (the quiche dawg), and triple truffle fries to go. The chef said our order would be ready soon. We ended up waiting quite a while as there was an order ahead of us for people sitting outside. When one of those people came back in after receiving their order, the chef gave me a look of exasperation, like I would understand his plight. Then, a woman with 4 little boys including a baby in a carrier came in the exit door (which was apparently not properly closed since there is no handle, but also no sign saying that it's the exit door). The woman sets down the baby and her other kids at a table and gets them set up so she can order. Her husband then walks in. The chef gives me another exasperated look. The chef went over to them and tells them that the restaurant has closed even though it's only a few minutes after 5 and they had obviously put forth a lot of effort to come there with all those kids. I could only imagine what those parents were thinking and also realized that they probably would never come back. After the family picked up and left, the chef went over to the exit door and tightly shut it. He then told us that people will pry open that door even though it doesn't have a handle. It occurs to me now that he didn't even consider that perhaps it was the lack of proper signage about hours and it being an exit door that caused people to go in that door instead of people being malicious and wanting to make his day longer. Eventually we got our food and went home to eat. I noted that when I went through the exit door, I had to make a considerable effort to close the door since it didn't automatically and had no handle to aid me. We thought the ordeal was over and were prepared for a great meal, one we'd been waiting a while to experience again. The dawgs were great, but the chefs had majorly skimped us on the fries. We were splitting them so we each got about 3 fries each...6 fries for $6 is not a good trade-off in my book. My overall view of Franks 'N' Dawgs is great food, but with a staff and schedule which is not customer-focused. I think people would love to come here as a destination late-night eating spot, I know I would. Also, a little understanding about what a customer wants once they get in the door wouldn't go unnoticed, whether that be making a to go order for someone who has come a couple minutes after close or the right portion of food. I was tempted to give them one star for this visit, but gave them 1 additional because the food quality is exceptional. I hope that the owners see this and think about my suggestions, because if not, who knows how long it will be around.
(2)
Matt T.
Amazing food, had the sampler (dog flight?)....and the truffle waffle fries. A lil' pricey but well worth it. Stop in if you are in the area, you will not regret it. They also have flavored ketchups if you dine in.
(5)
Roxy A.
Obviously if you're into hot dogs Frank N Dawgs is definitely a place to try..it's a bit on the pricier side (expect to pay about $10 for a dawg) but they've got quite the menu with pretty innovatitive interpretations of the all american classic. Went here for the first time & took some friends that were visiting from out of town. My dad raved about the Brunch hot dog (french toast bun with a sausage hot dog topped with a fried egg and maple mayo). There were a bunch of us so we all ordered different dawgs from the menu. The dogs are definitely a bit pricier than your average $5 Chicago dawg, but with the ingredients and the TLC that are put into these dawgs you can kind of understand why it's priced that way(average $10/dawg). The portions are pretty big and will definitely fill you up, get some fried pickles and fries to share. I also like the added touch of instead of picking a number for the table you get to choose a random celebrity (we chose Dennis Rodman).
(4)
Burt M.
Hot Dougs rival. Breakfast dog is okay, sounds better in theory. They keep adapting, being creative, taking customers opinions and actually testing them out. Staff is by far my favorite.
(4)
Sruts A.
One of my favorite hot dog places in the city - gourmet, nonetheless so the price is a bit on the higher side. I liked the Brunch Dawg; I think they had one called Black Sheep - loved that one! I just hope I lived closer to the place!
(5)
Hoa T.
This was by far some of the best hot dogs I have ever tasted. I had the sampler so 3 smaller hot dogs. What they put on the hot dogs enhance them to another level. These are not your typical dogs, these are gourmet creations. The buns served their purpose and enhanced the dogs to perfection. And I love the fact that my vegetarian friend brought me here during my visit. Yes, they have a vegetarian option. Love this place. Will definitely come back.
(5)
Ariel L.
I decided to give this place another chance. I ordered the "Da Ringer" and the "Chicagoesque". The two dogs and a drink cost me $17.00. That's right, $17 mutha fuckin dollars. Had i gotten another fancy dog, my tab would have been closer to $20+. Were the dogs good? Yes. Were they great? No. And the buns are french toast. There is so much butter in the bun, and so much bun, that it almost drowns out all of the other flavors. I still can't get over the price. Until it drops, they are sitting still at 3 stars and 3 stars only. At least there was no wait at 1PM...
(3)
James R.
Gourmet Sausages! I had Fiery Francesca, Lamb-orghini, Pork of July, Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese Dog, Cheese Head Lyonnaise Fries, Sweet Home Chicago and all were delicious. My favorite was the Lamb-orghini. The Lyonnaise fries were delightful, the braised pig cheek in it was so juicy and tasty. The bun/bread is amazing, I think it is brioche, it has a great taste, soft and just a little crispy on the outside. I'm going back to try a long list of sausages: Krazy Kimchi, Brunch Dawg, Double Ducker, Fried Oyster Dog, Bayou Dog, Reuben Pulaski, Da Ringer, Epic Pork-gasm and Urbanbelly Chix.Also , the Great White sounds intriguing, its a Bay scallop sausage, Great White shark bacon, pineapple-pepper relish and fresh cilantro. Great food. I came here to see how it stands up to Hot Doug's and it does a good job. I prefer Frank's 'N' Dawgs bun and fries, but I still think Hot Doug's has better sausages, it's a close one though. It's like watching Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, to excellent contenders.
(4)
Andy M.
Dear Hot Doug's. You know I love you and always will, so please forgive me and the review I'm about to write. Holy encased meat bonanza, Batman!!!! I think I'm in love. With a Bratwurst. Frank's 'N' Dawgs is the bomb. This place is a Green Bay Packer fan's wet dream. The menu is filled with Hot Dogs, Brats, and every sausage imaginable. This is a sausage fest that I can actually enjoy. I was about to tell you about the beautiful retro, Art-Deco interior, but really, who gives a shit. Frank's 'N' Dawgs is all about comfort food and lots of it. This is not your average Hot Dog joint. There's nothing wrong with ordering a $2.00 Vienna beef with all the toppings, but if you are looking for a typical Chicago style hot dog, this is not the place for you. The menu listed at least twenty different items. I narrowed it down to two. I went with the Cheese head and a Chili Cheese dog. The Cheese head is a Brat served with Caramelized onions, mushrooms0 and cheese. It was delicious. The Chili-Cheese dog was loaded to the nines with every topping imaginable. I enjoyed it, but the Cheese head was the star of the show. Two things really stand out about Frank's 'N' Dawgs. The first thing is the size of the sandwiches. They are on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for. They're huge and loaded with toppings. The other thing that makes Frank's 'N' Dawgs exceptional is the bread they use. Their sandwiches are served on buttered, New England lobster rolls. The closest thing I can think of to describe the rolls, is they have the taste and consistency of Garlic bread. Trust me, it works well. My bottom line on Frank's 'N' Dawgs is truly delicious. A great concept, delicious food and wonderful people makes this encased meat extravaganza a must visit for the sausage lover. I haven't been this impressed by a joint in a long time. I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Vanesa V.
Why wait in a 2 hr line at hot dougs when you can get just as good of a hot dog at franks! I got the tur-doggin which was amazing! I don't eat pork or beef so I was really happy they had other options for me here to try. If only we had more time in Chicago to come back here again, this place is definitely worth it!
(5)
Cindy B.
The window outside Franks 'N' Dawgs says "Five star dining in a bun" and it's exactly that. When I first walked in, the guy behind the counter asked if it was my first time in to which I answered in the affirmative. This is when he gave me an interesting rundown of the menu. The items with chef hats next to them are sausages that are made in house (pretty cool), then there is a charity hot dog item where a $1 of each sale goes to a specific charity (also pretty cool), and then there is a "Iron Dawg" section that consists of 2 dogs that were created by 2 staff members that are competing against each other based on sales for that item (cool and fun). I particularly liked that there is a "Iron Dawg" section because it seems like a great way to promote ingenuity with creating menu items. Anyway, I digress.... It took me a long time to decide what I wanted. Everything looked fantastic on the menu. I finally decided on the Chicagoesque (Boars Head 100% all beef 1/8 pound skinless frank, house pickles, cherry tomato relish, caramelized onions & beer mustard). Before sitting down at my table, I was told to pick a picture from the "Wall of Shame" to affix to my table so they can bring me my order. LOL! I went with Pee Wee because I love Pee Wee. I sat down and didn't have to wait very long to get my dog. The Chicagoesque was fantastic. I loved the combined taste of the pickles, the relish, onions, and mustard. It was like nothing I have ever experienced on a hot dog. I definitely look forward to coming back again to try different menu items, hopefully before I leave to LA or on my next trip to Chicago.
(5)
Dennis S.
Hot dog stands are overrated. But not this one! This is a whole new level of hot dog experience. So many great choices, so little time. Friendly staff, quick service, and delicious food. Awesome ingredients. One of the best brats I've ever had, with terrific red cabbage. The duck, turkey, and date sausage was equally good. I'm already planning my choice for next time. Good fries. Excellent buns. Simply nothing wrong, other than how small the wait-in-line-to-order space is. I'll survive.
(5)
Jason Z.
I don't know what to say......... I wish they were closer, I'd eat here every day! I have had nothing but great food and great service here. This is to the cooks and staff.... THANK YOU ALL... Keep up the good work!
(5)
Kevin A.
UNHINGING MY JAW...AND MY WALLET I appreciate the creativity that goes into the dogs here and their five star dining on a bun concept. That said, I found the execution to be a little heavy-handed. I found there to be way too many components on some of the dogs and the proportions to be out of whack. Consider the Tur-Doggin which contains turkey and date sausage, topped with duck confit, topped with copious amounts of aioli, topped with pickled onion relish, and finally topped with a heaping mound of pickled carrots. Not only do you have to unhinge your jaw like a python to consume this, all the flavors get muddied and lost in the chaos. There's no way you appreciate the sweetness of the dates with all the grease from the duck confit and the deluge of aioli; all you end up tasting is oil. Also, $24 for two dogs, fries, and a drink is a bit steep. That said, the truffled waffle fries are pretty damn amazing.
I've been here twice. Located in a nice area. Forgot what I ordered the first time but the second time I got the Pork of July (housemade pork loin sausage, pulled pork, house slaw w. cherry bourbon bbq sauce on brioche, $8.50) + virgil's root beer + Fried green tomatoes, which ran about $16. Kinda pricey, but the flavors are definitely there. Oh hell, who am I kidding, the hot dog and tomatoes was DELICIOUS. If you want a traditional Chicago dog I don't think you should go here. This place serves a different breed of hot dogs. Local ingredients. Innovative. Fresh. Delicious. F&D offers a lot of hot dogs. Check out the menu here: franksndawgs.com/menu Definitely recommend this place. Not everyone's cup of tea but I think everyone should at least go once.
(5)
Lolia S.
A fancy take on sausages for foodies, Franks N' Dawgs handcrafts their signature sausages and serves them up on golden buns. They had 24 types of dogs from classic to Iron Dawg winners, global, dessert, etc. with additions like pork belly. Sides include truffled mac & cheese and truffle fries. For dessert you can get macarons from Vanille Patisserie. * Krazy Kimchi ($8.75): their handcrafted beef sausage is topped with beef braised short rib (braised 5 hours, tastes okay, needs more marinade, not that tender), thin slices of turnip (nice, added sweetness), wild rice bits (too hard, weird), big pieces of napa cabbage kimchi (the standard kind), and fresh basil. The beef sausage was beefy and juicy but very salty. The bun did get soggy, but I liked how it was golden, light, sweet, and tender - like French toast. It actually looked like French toast. The sausage was piled too high to lift and eat. Wonderful bun (I would buy/eat it separately) but everything else disappointed. * Triple truffle fries, waffle style were tender inside, slightly crispy outside, covered in oil, very salty The interior has brick walls and booths, resembling a diner. Pick a celebrity magnet to keep you company (I had a hard time finding anyone I liked but settled on Walter Payton).
(3)
Kevin C.
This place is amazing. If you like gourmet hot dogs.. This is the place for you. Well actually they aren't hog dogs. It's a sausage kinda thing. Love it, great atmosphere.
(5)
Ermelinda C.
The best hot-dogs I have ever had. The very creative menu, the many meat options, and delicious taste blend into an amazing food experience. I love this place and cannot wait to order out from them again!
(5)
Jamil T.
Yea buddy! Highly recommend the Dawg Flight. Three halves of their dawgs chosen as the showcase of the day by the staff. If all else fails, get the Da Ringer. You won't be disappointed. Plus they have truffle fries!!! Pro's: Friendly staff, short wait. Cons: limited seating, but people rotate out of the seats pretty quickly so depends on when you get there. If you don't want to wait in line forever at Hot Doug's, shoot over to Frank N Dawgs. They may not have the duck fat fries, but the hot dog buns more than compensate. Definitely prefer Frank N Dawgs hot dogs over Hot Doug's.
(4)
Meredith K.
I get it. This place is not for people like me. People who don't eat anything with a personality. I feel that I do have to throw in a "get more veg or chicken options please!!!" This place is quirky. You have to enter through the side door but you have to leave through the front door. Is this so they can say goodbye? You also have to pick out a celebrity magnet even if you're the only one eating on the back porch. They play fun music. One min it feels like its 4am and you're at the burrito house and the next you're listening to MJ. The only pure veg option is a tofu dog with curry. I asked if it was hot b/c I am a wimp. The guy told me it had a little heat but not too much. Yeah right. I had to remove most of the potatoes b/c it was spicy. I couldn't identify what the crispy things were either. Was that Special K? The tofu is ok. Maybe a little too salty. The highlight is the bun. Its served in lobster roll bread. Love!! I went with tofu because shark bacon sounds gross and I don't eat duck. That didn't leave me with any other choice! I'm not sure about scallop sausage either...maybe if I'm feeling adventurous. I also got the triple truffle fries which were divine! How did they get waffle fries to be crispy?? A great trick. I loved these fries. You could taste the truffle but it wasn't over powering. The butter made it better too. So with a coke that was 3 things and the total was $16 something. Ouch! The staff is super friendly and keeps it clean. Not sure if I'll be back.
(3)
Laurence K.
A must place fir anyone Delishous had the perinnial pork with habsnero relish fantastic just thevright amount of heat The bun rocks and so does the cheese curds!!
(5)
Rose A.
These hot dogs are pretty amazing. My daughter had the Junior Meal (regular hot dog & fries), my husband had the Krazy Kimchee Dog, and I had the Truffle Mac & Cheese. We also shared the Tripe Truffle Fries. The Krazy Kimchee Dog has a spicy beef sausage, braised short rib & kimchee. Really delicious with just the right amount of spiciness. I substituted the bratwurst in the Truffle Mac & Cheese with a beef sausage and it was topped with, of course, truffle mac & cheese, and parmesan brioche bread crumbs. I loved this dog. The beef sausage had good flavor. The mac & cheese was creamy and went well with the sausage. The bun was buttery and toasted just right. The Triple Truffle Fries were the bomb! Loved the truffle fries! They had these 2 bottles of ketchup on the table, a Ketchapeno and a Ketchipotle. The Ketchipotle is as you would imagine, ketchup with a little smokey heat. The Ketachpeno, which I liked better, had a good kick of tangy spiciness. Both actually went pretty well with the truffle fries. Unopened bottles were available for sale, which i kinda now regret not buying. The decor of the place is simple but what is unique is instead of receiving a plastic number to sit on top of the table so the server knows where to bring your order, you're given a picture of a celebrity's mug shot from the Wall of Shame of your choosing. You then stick the mug shot to the side of your table via velcro. Pretty nifty idea. They have many different dogs on their menu that I'd love to go back and try.
(4)
David R.
Not only will they feed you excellent gourmet sausage creations, they will lay some personality on you as well. If you are lucky enough to come in during a slow time when there are no other customers behind you, perhaps the Australian owner/manager type will take several minutes to walk you through the menu and their general philosophy, then segue into a short discussion of pop culture, crowning everything with genuine warm wishes. That was our lucky and pleasant experience on a recent Saturday mid-afternoon. In addition to the charm of the gracious staff, the celebrity table-identifying cards, the Iron Chef-style menu matchups, the mystery corn dog, and the charity sausage are all nice touches. I love a place with some character. And the food is great, too. This last time I ordered one of the Iron Chef sandwiches: a spicy pork sausage with jalapeno-pickled onions, sliced avocado, a few tortilla strips, and some type of cheese which I can't remember. Absolutely delicious. Previously I had enjoyed the Cheese Head (a sheboygan brat with grilled onions and portabellos and smoked gouda) but there remain so many intriguing sausages to try on future visits (such as the N'awlins the Lamb Keema). On my second visit, I couldn't resist the mystery corn dog, but I cheated a little by asking whether I was allowed to know what the selection was that day or I simply had to take a blind risk. I was informed that it would always be a brat, polish, or andouille. I was rooting hard for the polish, but it turned out to be andouille. The sausage itself was decent, but I didn't care for the polenta breading; perhaps my corn-dog tastes are more pedestrian than my overall encased-meat adventurousness. The fries are excellent, excellent. The slaw is very good, although slightly over-carroty for my taste (it also contains golden raisins, which one can easily eat around if one has hangups about fruit in one's food). We wanted to try the brussels sprout salad but were informed that they sold out for the day before 1pm. Please increase the brussels sprouts order so that we can enjoy next time! But as a consolation, the owner/manager gave us tips on how to make it at home. Oh, and did I mention Coke Zero in the fountain machine? This place is almost perfect.
(5)
Seth K.
I had no idea I could enjoy hot dogs this much. Although it's a little unfair for me to label this place as a "hot dog joint." It really is so much more than that. This restaurant is one that you absolutely should put on your list to stop by and try if you're in the neighborhood. I've eaten a lot of places in Chicago, this may sound odd considering all the steak houses and gastropubs but I put Frank 'n Dawgs on my top 5 list for the city.
(5)
Randal A.
Man I love this place! Certainly not your average hot dog joint; these guys know how to do it right! The concept they have is great - elevating the hotdog to more than just a hotdog, but fine dining on a bun. I've had at least 6 or 7 different dogs here and have never been disappointed. This place is on the same level as Hot Dougs, only you don't have to wait forever. My only disappointment is that I don't live within walking distance.
I've been dying to come to this place. And even more so after going Peasantry. So many more I wanna try including the oyster dog, the brunch dog and the lobster roll (only on weekends). I wasn't disappointed. The epic porkgasm - bacon sausage (basically as it's described, bacon flavored sausage um yum!), whiskey glazed pork belly, rich, sweet deliciousness, baconaise, bacon jam, chicharon and ham dust on a sweet bun (almost like that sweet bread you get from a Chinese bakery). Truffle mac n cheese dog - bratwurst, truffle mac and cheese, brioche breadcrumbs and thyme. I didn't get to try it but it went down pretty quickly. I also ordered a side of fried pickles which were delicious, nicely deep fried, tart pickels with a nice spicy giadinera aoili.
(4)
Diane G.
Vegetarians in Chicago, never fear, Franks N Dawgs "FU!" is here! I was skeptical of this place after seeing only one veg option, but a friend in town wanted had a Chicago dog on his list, so there we were. There may be only one veg option, don't be FU-led. This veg dog is the real deal. Marinated tofu, eggplant relish (pureed to look like an actual spread!), caramelized portabellas---all on a delectable french toast bun?!! Also, you get to dine with a person or two from the Wall of Shame. I dined with Lindsay Lohan and the Jonas Brothers. It made me feel better about myself. Don't be a fool, and get the FU!
(4)
Sofia J.
Triple truffle fries = YES Tur-Doggin (Turkey & date sausage topped with duck confit, herb garlic aioli, house pickled onion relish & pickled carrots) = A lot going on, but overall delicious Black Sheep (Toasted black pepper lamb sausage, black pepper oyster sauce, buttermilk vinaigrette, pear & red onion slaw & basil) = More straightforward but still really delicious and complementary flavors.
(5)
Kari G.
This was my first time trying Franks N Dawgs. I may have to go back to get another opinion. I had the Tur-Doggin, and it was very delicious. My husband had the Buffalo Chicken hot dog, but he did not find it appetizing and really is an acquired taste. Staff was friendly, and it was wonderful how the iPad was incorporated into the ordering. I think we have to go back just to try other options on the menu.
(3)
Jaci Y.
Franks "N" Dawgs is not your average hot dog eatry, it is close to the same idea as " Hot Dougs" where the owner specializes in homemade sausages and fancy fries, and he mans the cash register. I tried the turkey dawg with some topping on it, and their triple truffle fries, which are also waffle fries. And I liked the names of the hot dawgs more than I liked Hot Doug's names for their dogs, I found Franks to be catcher, and their dining room was bigger and they also accept credit card which is good to know. The people are nice there and It's not a place I would frequent because it's a treat type of hot dawg not your typical $2.50 hot dog that comes with fries, it's a gourmet eatry and I think if you haven't tried it you should because it is a culinary experience.
(4)
Jason P.
Hot dogs sort of become a requirement when coming to Chicago. My latest hot dog venture took me to Franks 'N' Dawgs, where their home made sausages are made every day and are 100% natural, containing no nitrates, nitrates, or preservatives. The gourmet sausages are then thrown on their much talked about New England style rolls which are baked by a local bakery. All these fresh ingredients is what had earned them featured segments on Food Network and Travel Channel. With all the hype, I had to try this place out. You first walk down a narrow hallway covered with astro turf. You finally make your way inside and above the cashier is the whole lot of sausages that you can order. If you did not have the luxury of checking out the photos of each hot dog online, you're in luck, as there is an iPad by the cash register, where you not only get to pre-judge each hot dog by its contents, but also how visually appealing they look. Because like they say, looks are always the first attraction. If you have any questions, Alexander, who operates the cashier and is the owner, is very friendly and more than helpful in making any suggestions. After you put you order in, you get to pick a photo of a celebrity from the wall of shame as your calling card. You grab a seat and prop the photo beside your table so the staff can easily identify who to serve each order to. For my first visit, I ordered the Boar'n To Be Wild ($9.95), a rendang wild boar sausage topped with togarashi tempura onions, yellow peppers, fried sweet potatoes, Thai basil, mint & sesame seeds. The wild boar sausage did indeed have a nice crunch to the skin and tasted fresh, but it didn't have a lot of flavor like a sausage usually does. I was hoping the frizzled pieces of battered onions and sweet potatoes to give it some sweetness, but it was so subtle that it didn't really do much for me. The yellow peppers were a nice addition to give it some color, but that seemed like its only purpose. I also didn't see or taste any Thai basil or mint. With all these letdowns, I didn't really enjoy the Boar'n To Be Wild. And for $10, I thought prices were a bit steep. The New England style roll was indeed light, yet sturdy enough to not succumb to the soggy and crumbling bun that some vendors make the mistake of. It had a thin layer of butter on the outside, then grilled to give it a nice golden crust, but I would have liked for my bun to be grilled a little bit more giving it a minor black toast color. I also tried the Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese ($6.95), a bratwurst sausage topped with truffle mac 'n' cheese and parmesan brioche bread crumbs. It was simple but tasty, but not enough to warrant a second bite. The bratwurst was average at best and the mac 'n' cheese could have used a sharper and creamier cheese to give it a richer profile. They did get the New England roll right this time. It was left on the griddle longer to give it a golden and black toast color. The Fries ($1.75) served in a white ceramic bowl were subpar. They were greasy and potatoey, but didn't maintain a crisp outside, and easily forgettable. The Triple Truffle Fries ($4.95), waffle cut Yukon Gold potatoes seasoned with truffle oil, truffle butter and truffle salt were amazingly good. They were crisp on the outside with a starchy inside, and contained a subtle salt flavor with a hint of aromatic truffle oil. The Triple Truffle Fries are definitely a must-try. I left Franks 'N' Dawgs sort of let down and disappointed. Prices are not justifiable unless you consider freshly homemade artisanal sausage with all natural ingredients worth your money. I may come back to give Franks 'N' Dawgs another chance and try one of their more popular dogs, but I prefer to go to Portillo's for some simple out-of-this-world hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches.
(3)
Gary C.
There's really nothing like some well-executed encased meat. And truth be told, Franks 'N' Dawgs definitely executes well. After reading many reviews, seeing the "Hot on Yelp" spotlight, and Bizarre Foods episode, my foodie friend and I hopped over to FnD one brisk evening...a half-hour before they closed [730PM???!?!!] Looking at the menu, one might be intimidated by costs, cuz I know I was when I snuck a peek before making the drive. $2.50 for the most basic dawg?? $17.95 for the most pricey?? Geez, Louise. Can one really justify dishing out that many pennies on some encased meat? In short, yes... I didn't do it on this visit but I suggest you try it during yours, ask what the Dawg Flight is for that day. It's $15 for three different dawgs. I can easily justify $5/dawg...and you'll more than likely be more than full. On this visit, I ordered the Truffle Mac n Cheese, Da Ringer, Chili Cheese Fries, and Triple Truffle Fries. I'll being with the encased meats... In general, the dogs are not hugged by your typical bun. It reminds me of sandwich bread, though it's actually a lobster roll. A bit unorthodox, but it's a change that I welcome with open arms. Well done, FnD. The truffle mac n cheese dawg would've been perfect if not for the bread crumbs. I know that bread crumbs commonly top off regular mac n cheese, but it's a bit excess, in my stomach's opinion, since this thing is wrapped in a buttered lobster roll. Da Ringer was legit. The shallot marmalade adds soooooo much to what would be a regularly "good" dog. Pass on the chili cheese fries, it isn't very good. The chili just doesn't deliver. The triple truffle fries, on the other hand, are forreal. Order this bad boy. One of the best things that I like about FnD is the food running system. After you order, you get to choose from the Wall of Shame; celebs who have made quite a name of themselves. They've got all of the greats: Rodman, Tyson, Palin, Kim Kardashian, and so on. I got a good kick out of it.
(4)
Veronica S.
I didn't have the opportunity to visit Hot Doug's while in Chicago, but was just as excited to visit Franks 'N' Dawgs. Featured on the Food Channel, Franks N Dawgs has made a name for itself by serving creative hot dogs as well as side dishes. For the first timer, it's not a bad idea to get the samplings of dogs which comes with 3 half-dogs of various flavors along with their fries. Their triple truffle fries are outstanding and I've never had anything quite like them anywhere else before. Prices add up fast, but typically one hot dog ranges between $4-$7. Amazing and definitely worth a visit!!
(5)
Aaron L.
This will be a regular stop for me when I'm in Chi Town... even if it is not close to DT. Black Sheep = AMAZING!
(5)
Thuc H.
Um..Can anyone say De-Freaken-Lious! This small places put out some awesome sausages, their idea of making street food into something beyond that is awesome. I had the Black Sheep which was mouthwatering btw. Also had the Mystery Corn dog which again was delicious, the price are a bit high for hotdogs BUT you get what you pay for not in quantity but in quality. (which for me anyways is a fair trade...sometimes) Another unique thing about Franks 'N' Dawgs is the ordering system you choose a celebrity as an indicator of your orders.
(5)
Ryan S.
When we're talking hotdogs, I'm not one of those dood's who needs anything more than the standard, Chicago style dog to be happy (better have some of that radioactive-looking, green relish on that sumbitch too!). But, my buddies took me to this joint and let me tell you, it isn't such a bad thing to think outside of the bun. I had the "Pork of July" (Pork loin & caramelized onions sausage, house smoked pulled pork, cherry bourbon BBQ sauce & our house slaw) and it was dangerously good. Like, if I lived closer, I could easily get addicted. To be honest, I would've been perfectly content with just their pulled pork and the cherry bourbon BBQ sauce on the bun, but the link was delicious too. Speaking of the bun, that's the star of the show here at Franks 'n' Dawgs. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that it's probably the best bun I've ever had. It was buttery and rich, and soft and chewy on the inside. And it was toasted to a perfect golden color. It looks like a thick piece of brioche that's been sliced down the middle and has an almost contorted or folded shape. One bite into that bun and I couldn't stop dreaming about how good a grilled cheese would be with it. I can't wait to go back and try their lobster roll on that bun. I'm willing to bet that, even at $17.50 for it, it'll be well worth it.
(4)
Marcus M.
No line, as usual. However, they seemed to be out of some ingredients so some menu items were off the table. The cashier/waiter was extra rude for some reason. He brought all our ordered items at one time except the triple truffle fries. He turned without a word and I asked -very politely- about the fries. His response? "I only have two hands." After all that the fries turned out to be soggy and bland.
(1)
Craig S.
Amazing and delicious. If youre meal leaves you with the feeling of something so comforting and satisfying. You know you found a great spot. If youre looking for the classic, perfect executed Chicago dog, they got it! I recommend the haute dogs. Mussels in Brussels or Bahn Mi Place's fantastic. My Girl and I will bring the beer next time! PS. The fries are legit as well.
(5)
Marie B.
One of my FAVORITES in the city!! * Every gourmet dog I've had has been excellent * Joe D is a genius! * Love the sampler and truffle fries! Yummm x 1000!
(5)
Aprille C.
Maybe I should have done better research. AT & T internet was very sketchy on our iPhones during the trip for searching and yelping. We were hoping for authentic Chicago dogs. But we got gourmet dogs instead. It could have been better. I think he enjoyed his "Chicagoesque" dog better than I did my "Truffle Mac & Cheese" dog. Mine was really dry and I had to add mustard for flavor. Tiny place many subway stops from downtown. Kinda a bummer. And hardly anyone inside even though they'd been on the Food Network with Andrew Zimmern.
(2)
Eileen Z.
If you're looking for a "normal" hot dog you won't find it here. The bread is no ordinary hot dog bun, but DELICIOUS and withstands the weight of all the schizoness piled on. They're shooting for a "gourmet" hot dog folks, which I know doesn't sit well with you die hard Chicago-style enthusiasts. Don't get me wrong I AM IN LOVE WITH CHICAGO-STYLE. So if that's what, a classic Chicago, I won't go to Franks N Dawgs, plain and simple. First off, when you enter, enter through the brick-walled hallway on the side lined with that green rug NOT the front. Order THEN seat yourself. There was a little confusion with how to order because there's a sign to "seat yourself" but we eventually figured it out. Pick the table marker of the celebrity you either think needs rehab the most or IQ you question on a daily basis (they use these 'celebrity' table markers in place of using #s). We picked Sarah Palin in light of the recent Common being invited by Obama to a poetry shindig at the White House chaos. The Governator was by far my favorite of the 3 we ordered (Austrian pork & Swiss cheese sausage, savory apple compote, glazed cranberries, white wine mustard sauce & chives). The boyfriend, the breakfast lover, enjoyed the Brunch Dog (pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo). And it's only fitting with the bitterness from the last Superbowl to eat a Cheese Head, right? (Bratwurst sausage, caramelized onions, grilled portabella, smoked gouda & chives). The sausages are made in-house and if there's anything similar between Franks N Dawgs and other Chicago hot dog places, you don't NEED the ketchup to enjoy anything. You'll just butcher the taste experience. BUT if you must, do so with the fries. The ketchup also isn't a typical bottle of Heinz, one is jalapeno-infused, the other is chiptole-infused. What I will knock though is the amount of fries you get in one order. Granted they are Triple Truffle Fries, but I could have ordered plain waffle fries and brought my own truffle oils or salts from home to avoid paying $4.95 for a dinky handful. As a comparison to Hot Doug's, you just can't do it. This place is more of the Kuma's of hot dog joints. But I will say is that this place is much more convenient to get to, only a few blocks from the Armitage brown line stop, without the hour wait. I'll definitely come back though - I want to try the other dogs!
(4)
Chip H.
I accidentally walked by this place today and decided to stumble in. I really had no idea what I was getting into but I will for sure go back. I just wanted a regular hot dog but ended up with the Cheese Head, which is a brat with mushrooms on it. Wow. I literally had to stop and look at what I was eating, it took me by surprise it was so delicious. The bun was amazeballs, kind of like a New England lobster roll. I will be getting the Cheese Head again, but only after I have tried the rest of their delicious treats first. The Burger Dog and The Brunch Dog may be a nice snack as early as tomorrow. One flaw, the fries were cold. Minus 1 star
(4)
Nick J.
Amazing food here. If ur the first time visiter, they usually recommend the Dawg Flight, which includes 3 daily special dogs. The Mussel, the kimchi and the other i forgot the name were all outstanding! And u can pick an celebrity for ur seat- tastewise i guess this place is better than the famed hot dougs.
(4)
Rachel S.
Yeah! Sooooo good! My Chicago friend brought us here for dogs...my first of two hot dog experiences. The Colorado friend and each ate the Chicagoesque (see photo) = delicious! I tried my friend's Truffle Mac n Cheese Dog which was great as well. We shared an order of Lyonnaise Fries (see photo) which were good, but the pigs cheeks threw me off. We dined outside in their courtyard under the pergola. Great spot!!
(5)
Christie B.
I've been to Hot Doug's and I have been to Franks n Dawgs and I can honestly say I like Franks better. Their buns are soooo good. I think it's the best hot dog bun in the city! And I love their truffle fries. I'll take a good truffle fry over a duck fat fry any day of the week. And the beauty of that sentence is you can get truffle fries any day of the week at Franks n Dawgs.
(5)
P. C.
Hot dogs are one of the legendary foods of Chicago and one must have hot dogs when in the city but at Frank N Dawgs you won't your typical Chicago style dog (soft steamed poppyseed bun w mustard and pickle). Instead they have elevated hot dogs with a modern twist. IMO the New England lobster roll bun that is the vessel for the fresh dawgs are buttered and grilled and crispy. It truly made it taste like no other hot dog I've eaten. The many variety and choices on the menu along with quirky names of the dawgs and celebrity call tags made this place more unique. Get there early as lines form quick and tables can be hard to get, unless you don't mind standing out back to eat. Oh, the truffle fries pair well with any of their dawgs! Eat up!
(5)
Jeff W.
Best hot dog's in Chicago? Possibly... everybody has their favorite spots and I can't say I've been to all of them (although plan to), but this is tops for me. It's a mix between a fine dining restaurant and a hot dog stand. (editor's note: I have yet to brave the long line at Hot Doug's and/or Gene and Jude's) I can appreciate that their dogs are hand crafted in house and they refresh their menu monthly with rotating specials and competition sausages. It's on my bucket list to submit an entry. No tasty creations have been made yet. The line here can be long on the weekends, but if you're looking for good eats without having to sit down and have a long meal, then this is a good option in the area. The home made buns that these dogs come on make them stand out. Lightly buttered and baked to perfection. I have yet to get anything that I did not like. Wish I could go into depth about specific dogs but it's been awhile since my last visit. I'll be fixing this soon. Word to the wise: It's hard to decide on ONE dog to get cuz they all sound good. I've been there... "I think I'm gonna get the Truffle Mac n Cheese Dog but the (insert delcious name here) Dog sounds good too, I can't decide"... but don't do it. Don't get both AND a side. Done that... just enjoy the one dog and live to eat another day.
(4)
J D.
Krazy kimchi dog: incredible! Good balance of savory and bitter! The brioche buns are a certain luxury. Brussels sprouts salad was a revelation filled with lemon zest, dill, green pistachios and Parmigiano! This is certainly not any healthier version of a hot dog, but worth every indulgent bite! Staff is welcoming and guides any novice patron through the esoteric menu. It's a cafeteria -style dining room which allows them to focus more on the quality of their food! Note: there is an alley entrance off from the sidewalk.
(5)
Tera D.
I definitely like the concept: gourmet hot dogs without waiting in line at Hot Doug's. And the place was cute and surprisingly crowded despite a slightly offbeat location. Staff was very friendly, and there's lots to pick from on the menu. Now my issue with the place - $9 for hot dogs!?!? I know that's the top end, but quite a few were in the $7-$9 range, and they don't come with fries! Two of us split the brat with mac n cheese on it, and the spicy yucatan. The brat was very mediocre, although the mac n cheese on top was very tasty. They serve that as a side, so maybe I'd get that if I went again. The spicy yucatan was good, nothing too memorable. The truffle fries are also pretty darn expensive considering they don't' come with a fun aoli or dipping sauce, and on their own they're just ok. Overall, I don't think I have any reason to go back.
(3)
Hoang L.
You must be out of your mind if you compare this place to Hot Doug's. I'm gonna get straight to the point: This place is way overpriced. Try it if you want something unique, but not exactly well put together. Busboy / server seemed a bit flustered and accidentally took our celebrity picture (used to bring out the food) before we got our food. It's okay dude, just take a deep breath. Spicy Yucatan - I didn't even want to finish it, and I didn't. I have a sensitive tongue and it was not spicy whatsoever. False advertising. Kimchi Dog - Messy. It was okay. My gripe about this is that it didn't go well together. Korean food should not be on a hot dog. Lamb (can't remember name) - It was recommended by the cashier and the first bite was good. But that's about it. Triple Truffle Fries - $5 for a small portion. Nothing special about it. BIG DISAPPOINTMENT. We didn't even finish it. If you want good fries, DFF at Hot Doug's. Friday or Saturday only. Might worth trying just to say you've tried it, but I would never come back. The annoying babies and kids hitting my chair didn't help either.
(3)
Melissa H.
Franks N Dawgs is a really fun hot dog place. They've got gourmet hot dogs dressed up in the fanciest clothes. :) My Bayou Dog was perfectly seasoned andouille covered in red beans, shrimp, and remoulade. Shrimp on hot dog! SHRIMP ON HOT DOG. Awesome. Both my dinner companion and I loved the fact that the bun is more like a repurposed Texas toast, thick bread toasted with butter. It adds to the flavor of every dog on the menu. The triple truffle fries were perfectly crispy waffle-style fries, with a perfect hint of truffle. Never overpowering. Very rich and a great portion size. The baked beans were very smoky tasting with three different types of beans baked in; I love when folks do that! The cashier was very friendly. Walk on up, order, and pick a character from their Wall of Shame to decorate your table as you wait. This place is very casual feeling, with very non-casual food. I mean, seriously, check out the photos. They're beautiful!!
(5)
Jeff R.
If there is one food that says "Chicago," it's hot dogs. I've never been one to get all hyped up and excited about hot dogs, I like them and eat them at baseball games and back-yard BBQs. If you're like me and looking for something more than an oscar-meyer wiener on a bun, please go and experience Franks. I caution though to not fall into the trap of looking at the menu as "dogs," but truly gourmet dishes. The first thing I noticed inside of Franks was the friendly staff (especially Chef Doren) and inviting decor. The menu is extensive and fascinating. You can choose from classic dawgs, dawgs gone wild, dawgs gone global, or haute dawgs. Some of the meats are prepared in house, and noted on the menu, while others are bought locally but in consultation with Franks. You can't go wrong either way, all the meats I'm sure are fantastic. For my meal I choose a duck based "dawg" served with pineapple chutney, carrots, cilantro and other flavors I can't remember. Erica prefers simpler dogs and opted for the Cheese Heade: Sheboygan, caramelized onions, grilled portabellos & smoked gouda. We ordered a side of cheesy fries for good measure. The food quality here is the real deal. Chef Doren is clearly talented and chooses to display this on buns instead of plates. It's a great concept and well executed. With a paito and BYOB I can see this being a great date place, and something to return to often with such a diverse menu. The pricing could turn some people off ($20 for two dogs and fries), but comparable to similar venues and par the course. If you can just accept that gourmet food CAN be served on a bun, every dollar is justified. I highly recommend checking out the Dawgs and I know I'll go back to see what other interesting flavors are crafted a la bun.
(4)
Kimberly K.
There are definitely some kinks to work out, but the dogs we had were quite good. I had the Chicken alla Naha and my husband had the Tur-Doggin. Both were really good. We also got the triple truffle fries. The flavor is really interesting (in a good way) and the spicy and chipotle ketchups are good too. I am also not a huge fan of their buns. The service was a bit slow, but not too bad. It is also kind of expensive. I'd like the place to feel less corporate and more of a hole in the wall. But, it was good overall.
(4)
Julia S.
Sometimes I think the best thing a new find has going for it is when you stumble upon it by accident. Such was the case for us when, wandering out of a store across the street, looking for something to fill our bellies before heading home from Chicago, we spotted Franks 'n Dawgs. At first I resisted because I'm not the world's biggest hot dog fan. I am, it turns out, the world's biggest triple truffle fries fan because ever since we ate them here I can't stop dreaming about them. I mean that literally. I DREAM about fries. I HAVE A PROBLEM. I'm still not the world's biggest hot dog fan, so it's not like I had a conversion experience. But if you're going to do it, this seems the way. Fascinating combos -- I went straight-up Chicagoesque and the ol' ball and chain had the Tur-Doggen -- served up on a super-quality, freshly baked New England-style bun (think lobster rolls) definitely elevate the standard. Wasn't nuts about the fried green tomatoes, as they were cut too thick for my taste, but next time -- and there will be a next time -- I wanna try the shaved brussel sprouts salad. Also, I will be eating my body weight in truffle fries.
(4)
Ernest S.
Just for their truffle fries alone I would give them 5 stars. Admittedly, the portion is small but it's packed with so much truffle flavor and so good that I don't care. I really enjoy Hot Doug's so I wasn't expecting Franks to wow me. Especially after I saw that the prices seemed even a little higher than Hot Doug's. But after trying the Perennially Pork (my wife's favorite), the Brunch Dog and the Frank'n Stein (my favorite), I think I like Franks better than Doug's. Even with the higher prices, the portions are bigger so I'm okay with that. I also liked the buns they came in. It's not traditional but it's very tasty. I also hate having to wait in that almost always super long line at Doug's so with all that said, Franks is the winner for me. I say come prepared. This is a coma-inducing meal so I wouldn't advise on coming when you have a lot of stuff to get done afterwards.
(5)
David B.
This is the fanciest hot dog place I've ever sampled and I don't mean ambience. There's really no ambience but who cares. The chef (and I mean that seriously) has taken great care in selecting ingredients and putting them into fantastic combinations. The New England "bun" is a meal in itself and it doesn't hurt that they brush it in butter then delightfully toast it. It's literally a cradle for the encased meat. I had the Chicagoesque dog with pickles, tomato relish and beer mustard. I'm glad I don't live in Chicago because I'd find myself in the neighborhood far too often. Visit Franks 'N' Dawgs if you like to experiment with your food. You'll be shocked at how different a dog can be
(5)
Laura C.
If you're a sausage lover, then go here. I am not a huge fan, so this place gets three stars from me. High quality ingredients + one of a kind combinations + great service - slightly expensive = 3 stars. Great place to take tourists. With the relatively expansive menu, I had a hard time choosing just one dog, so I went with the Dawg Flight. Three half dogs and fries for $15? A little pricey, but worth a try. The chef's selection that day was Belly Up - mustard glazed pork belly, pork sausage, fennel and grapes. A little heavy on the mustard, but the grapes added a nice sweetness. Next was the Krazy Kimchi - beef sausage with braised beef, kim chi, puffed rice and basil. I thought this was the best one (although I must admit, I love anything braised). The duck sausage rounded out the trio, topped with lotus root. The buns are from La Briola and are freshly made every day, which makes a huge difference. With a basket full of fries and two varieties of spiced ketchup - jalapeno and chipotle - this meal was more than enough. They also offer plain old "Classic" dawgs, for the less adventurous. Other side options: flavored fries (truffle, chili, Lyonnaise to name a few) as well as baked beans and salads. A few desserts are available from local bakeries, but I was too full to try any. Atmosphere is simple, you walk into the restaurant through a covered alley to the door near the back. It's like a mini golf course ramp, which apparently helps control the long lines that come through. Once you order at the register, which was manned by the head chef - super nice guy from Michigan and well rounded in his culinary career - you pick a card with your most hated celebrity that you velcro to the table - a quirky play on table numbers. It's casual and comfortable with a serve yourself soda machine. Plus, they have a surprisingly nice bathroom with high end touches you wouldn't expect in a hot dog joint.
(3)
Gregory S.
We do love this place! The hardest part is deciding what to order! When I can, I go for lunch on weekdays...less lines to contend with.
(4)
Edgar P.
Being a Chicagoan for 22 years now, one tends to eat a good hot dog or two while living here. Franks 'N' Dawgs is probably the pinnicale of (gourmet) hot dog glory. This place has such a great variety of unique takes on the hot dog, that it's really up to you to decide which route to take when ordering off the menu. My personal favorites would be the Boar'n To Be Wild, Krazy Kimchi, Bayou Dog, and the Belly Up. I like this combo because it's got a little sweet and a little salty combo that I like and it just leaves my mouth watering afterwards. For the side I usually get either The Lyonnaise Fries or the very popular Triple Truffle Fries. The lyonaise Fries are a little different and I wouldn't recommend it for people who are picky with what they eat. It's definitely something different and I would guess that it's really only popular with a small number of people. If you're up for anything, I would say, "Go For It!" If it's your first time, I would bring at least one extra person with you so that you can order twice as much off the menu. I generally take at least one other person so that we can split four to six different things off the menu and it gives us the opportunity to taste more things without overdoing it. Once you order your food, you'll then get the chance to pick one of many shamed, low level celebrities or public figures so they can easily identify your table by. It's a little bit more pricey than your average hot dog but that's obviously because they use better meats and other ingredients than your average dog. If you're in the city and craving a great, fast meal - Go to Franks 'N' Dawgs!!! Check It Out!!! -Papa Bear
(5)
Vee C.
Want the lobster roll? Well you'll have to wait until June. Season ended in October....Instead I tried the Cheese Head dawg! It's not made in-house and maybe that's why I didn't care for it too much. The Bratwurst sausage wasn't so good. The rest was great after I removed the sausage, I enjoyed the caramelized onions, grilled portabella, smoked gouda & chives along with those delectable triple truffle fries!
(3)
Mimi W.
My son, who is a finicky eater, wanted hot dogs for lunch. We had NO IDEA that Franks 'N' Dawgs was not your regular hot dog joint. My son, 11, ordered the corn dog which was actually a bratwurst sausage dipped in polenta batter and deep fried, and cheese fries. I had the Banh Mi: lemongrass & coriander chicken sausage with pickled daikon, carrot, sriracha mayo, jalapeño, cilantro and spicy pickled duck egg. The servings were big, the bun on the Banh Mi seemed a little oversized, but not a big deal. The cheese fries have an airy white cheddar "whiz" and a side of scallion pistou served in a bowl with two forks. My son, however, was not about to share. He ate every bite of his meal. The Banh Mi was the best surprise I've had in a long time eating out. It was fantastic! The lemongrass was very tasty and the toppings complimented the sausage perfectly . It was a perfect lunch. Couldn't be better. We went at 2:45 and there was no line, fast and friendly service. The entire meal with one beverage was $24. We will definitely go back!
(5)
Kenny O.
Well-executed gourmet dogs without the one hour wait *cough*? Count me in! Ambiance: Light-hearted expansive dive. You can tell what kind of man owns this place when you choose a (D) celebrity to take back to your booth as your jeeringly wait for your order. You'll see what I mean when you go there. The food: Oh, my! I had trouble figuring out what I wanted, so I actually made a blind choice (silly me) and went with the Bacon n' Grits. It surely isn't anywhere near the best dog I've had, and certainly not the best I've even had in Chicago, but it was tasty regardless. It was a large, natural-casing dog, and it had a bit of a crunch from the puffed grits. The pork belly wasn't very prominent and I had trouble tasting it (though I could see the large pieces atop my dog). The other toppings weren't really evident either. Would I order it again? Probably not considering the rest of the menu and its seemingly endless selection. The fries. THE FRIES. So I did come here with two friends and we decided to each get one of their special fries. One friend got the cheese fries--they were alright. My other friend got the triple truffle fries--they were pretty bomb. I got the Lyonnaise fries--HOLY SHOOT ME NOW. These fries are worth coming for by themselves. The pig cheek and fried egg turn this into devil's food with the amount of richness they incorporate into the fries. The amount of porky savoriness feels evil, but oh so good. Each. Bite. Too. Good. The service: No real problem! It was pretty slow, but we seemed to be seated right before a rush came in, so I don't blame them for taking 5-10 minutes extra with our ... check. TL;DR. Order the Lyonnaise fries if you like food. Or happiness.
(4)
Adam Y.
Sublime sausage, rolls, and sides. Interior is a bit like the waiting room at an auto shop.
(5)
Kristen M.
I got the tofu dog...which unfortunately I was not a big fan of...the taste was really overwhelming to me and I would not get it again. However, the person I was with loved what they ordered and we also split fried green tomatos, which were delicious.
(3)
Susana L.
This place is perfect. Went there on a sunny start-of-spring day. Very charming entrance up the side and you open the door and immediately got a happy vibe from the rock-reggae music. There were about 6 things I wanted to order on my first visit. Chose the lamb dog. Everything about it was perfect and OFF THE CHARTS! And the side Brussels sprouts salad was very yummy. As great as the food is -- so is the atmosphere and the service. These people know how to snow you the love. This is the kind if place you're dying to show off as a Chicagoan. And the "wall of shame" ordering system is brilliant. Seriously, this place can't get any better!
(5)
Kimberly B.
Going back!! Just went here yesterday and I want to go back today. It's a fun place with great costumer service. The man behind the counter took us through the whole menu and made his Recommendation and they were spot on. I'm a vegetarian so I didn't get the full experience but my boy friends meal looked amazing I had the tofu but put it with Mac and cheese cause the vegetarian dog was Indian inspired and I'm not a fan of Indian food. I'm hoping they come up with a new vegetarian option something more like a sausage. Can't wait to go back.
(4)
Jeff R.
Arrived at noon. Parked right out front. Guy at the counter was super friendly. I had the lamb dog and my wife had the kimchi dog. Both were really tasty on buttered rolls. Truffle waffle fries were good. Kids' options available. I can't tell you which is better - this or Hot Dougs. Both are good. No line here, though, and we didn't have to start lining up at 10 in the morning.
(4)
Phil A.
Gourmet hot dogs! Brilliant concept and brilliantly executed. I try to get something new every time I go in and am never disappointed. Everyone who works there is friendly and enthusiastic about their unique cuisine. The waffle truffle fries are a must.
(5)
Tim B.
We're still fairly new to Chicago and have been beaten down by NYC Hot Dogs the past 7 years so we skeptically went for a Dog this weekend. Never thought I would give a hot dog place 5 stars but damn, I loved this place. Now 5 stars for a Hot Dog joint and I am not saying this is Per Se or Alinea 5 stars but I haven't head a better Dog anywhere. Kimchi, Trump Doe and a regular, truffle fries, regular fries washed down with a Butterscotch Root Beer. Comfort food on "roids" Some say it is pricey, but come on Kimchi Dog is worth $8. Will make the list of great kids places as well.
(5)
Michael S.
Ok. So I am a fan of Hot Dougs, but I am of hot dogs in general as well leading me to this establishment. Looks like some people on here were geeked with talking to the owners. Some were starstruck that Andrew Zimmern went here... Honestly though, I did not feel the same joy that others have felt here... Just wasn't impressive... So came here on a Saturday afternoon. No line at all... Entrance is actually on the side... Unique and it helps for the flow of the place. Seemed promising though if a place is really just that good I would of expected some kind of line after being open this long. I think that says something.. Anyways here is what we got for food: Cheese Head: Seemingly normal brat with gouda, carmelized onions, and portabella mushrooms. I remember thinking and saying there that I can make this at home. Nothing special or remarkable to me. It was just ok. N'awlins: Who dat there gonna be really good? Well this actually was pretty good. I liked the andouille sausage, the shrimp, and the other fixings. It would be better though with something other than just a mustard ketchup though. Definitely something I'd get again. Fries/Truple truffle fries: Fries were fine.. Nothing special... Truffle fries... omg,,, you get such a small amount of those fries. They also didn't taste any special. Maybe they need to amp up the use of the truffle butter, salt, and oil. I can't pinpoint it, but these fries were just not special at all especially for the price. Overall I'd say this place is just ok. It's not a 5 star dining place and I don't think it's 5 star food on a bun. Price was around Hot Dougs, but not as good at all. No colorful host, no super service, nor atmosphere. Oh and their Chicago style dog... Sorry, but you can do so much better almost anywhere. Sorry, but this place isn't that great at all.
This is the kind of place that makes me want to change all my other 5 star reviews to 4 star reviews. They truly deliver as promised. I was just here today, and the quality of service and food felt similar to that of an establishment that had recently opened. Although there is a vegetarian "dawg" option, this isn't a place to go to eat healthfully, although they do seem to use pure, high quality ingredients even in the sausages. I ordered the beet salad and triple truffle fries, and tasted The Brunch Dog and the Justin Cased. The Justin Cased is part of the competition, so I don't know how long it will be there, but I would go now and get it while you can. The description: roasted poblano & quesadilla cheese pork sausage, pickled vegetables, chicharrones & avocado mousse. Sounds good, tastes even better. I can't imagine there could be better truffle fries anywhere in this city. What a terribly great idea to put truffle butter on french fries. I'm trying to forget they exist. Another plus, it is open on Sundays, unlike another gourmet sausage establishment.
(5)
Carl D. S.
I have returned a couple of times and it only gets better. The chef dawgs are getting more elaborate and complex, with truffle fries popping up as an option. The main dawgs are getting slight ingredient tweaks but all in the goal to increase the flavors. The Travel Channel's Andrew Zimmern recently shot a segment for his show. It matters less if you're a Franks or Dougs fan...this place has got a flavor all its own and a really fun place to go to.
(5)
Donald R.
We were making a day of it in the city...trying new places and sights we had heard about, including FnD. It's ok, but overpriced and definitely overrated. Brunch Dog was good but not great. The casing came off completely and I was left with that disgusting looking mess on my plate. Cheese fries were also ok, but overcooked. Waffle fries were not out if the ordinary and a ripoff price wise. Fountain drinks are boring. Two dogs, two fries and two drinks came to $31. Seriously? Ya, seriously.
(3)
Eric V.
It was a rainy Sunday afternoon and the fiancee and I decided to grab a late lunch at F-n- D. After placing our order we took our order picture of Frank Sinatra and grabbed one of the booths along the wall. Not a minute after we sat down, Alexander, the owner, came by and said the wait would be a few minutes longer than usual due to a large order from the group by the window. As I peer over, my inner foodie fan boy gets all giddy as I spot none other than Bizarre Foods' very own Andrew Zimmern! Alexander continued to explain that Andrew was by no means getting preferential treatment, but that they just happen to order quite a bit of food (Andrew was taking his film crew to lunch). It was super nice of Alexander to come over and explain, but we had no problem waiting an extra two minutes given our little pseudo-celebrity sighting. Ok, back to the food... My fiancee ordered her usual Dirty Dog, I got the Spicy Duck, and we threw in an order of Triple Truffle Fries to share. The food was every bit as delicious, if not better, than our last trip here. The Spicy Duck was outstanding The spices of the sausage balanced perfectly with the acidity of the pickled carrots and a touch of sweetness from the pineapple relish. The pork crackling on top got a little lost in the flavors, but that didn't take away from the overall dish. The Triple Truffle Fries were quite good, too, and they're only available on weekends. In case you were wondering, the "triple" comes from truffle butter, truffle salt, and truffle oil. So after the Bizarre Foods crew left, Alexander and his wife, Ellen, came by to chat about their surprise guest. I can honestly say they are the nicest restaurant owners I have ever met in my life!! They are so warm and welcoming. You can tell they have a true passion for their product and really care about the experience of their diners. I really hope they continue to do well. Their food is not only amazing, but you can't help but wish that good things happen to good people. Keep on dishing out the goods F-n-D, you've already made a regular out of me.
(5)
Patrick G.
So I really like sausages (encased meats) of all types. So I definitely have really enjoyed all of my experiences at Franks 'N' Dawgs. I very much have enjoyed all of the specialty sausages here and haven't had a bad one yet. All the spicy ones I've had have been very balanced with just the right amount of heat. The fries here are also excellent. They have also introduced me to KETCHIPOTLE Chipotle Ketchup which is super delicious and they sell by the bottle there. They also introduced me to Gale's root beer which might be the best root beer I've ever had. I bought a couple to go bottles when I first tried it. As others have noted it is a tad pricey on a per sausage basis here. I would like for them to have some "standards" like a Chicago dog or a Polish sausage but I guess you can get those in almost any 4 block radius in Chicago and they want to concentrate on specialty sausages.
(5)
Chenfei L.
A great place to go if you have a craving for rabbit or scallop sausage. For me this is usually never. But the place is creative and serves a diverse array of sausage-shaped food. The buns are remarkably textured and the truffle fries were decadexcellent. Next time, I'll try one of their more normal hot dogs. As a hot dog snob, I'll up my stars if those normal dogs float my boat.
(3)
Triphena W.
My recent visit was not the same as the first. Smaller portions and anti-climatic dawgs (read: sounded better on paper than they tasted). The differences are noticeable if you compare the photos from my last visit to those of my first. The triple truffle fries looked and tasted different (frozen?). The sausages on the dawg flight seemed to have shrank, resulting in an unwelcome high ratio of bun to sausage. Flavors didn't sing like last time. I was not a fan of the FU vegetarian dawg. I didn't enjoy the flavors, and I found the salsa verde atop unappealing in terms of color and texture. The Krazy Kimchi and Tur-doggin also fell short in the flavor department. I had them during my first visit and thought they were outstanding. What happened?! Service, however, was just as friendly and attentive. Quite disappointed with my most recent meal here, but if people continue to praise Franks N Dawgs, I'd be willing to return.
(2)
Megan G.
I have to admit, I was a little let down once I finally made it to Hot Doug's. I mean, it was good, but I didn't understand the hype. This place is like Hot Doug's, but better, without the insane, outside line. Date and I came here for dinner before a show at Royal George. We were feeling gluttonous, so we ordered 3 dogs and an order of truffle fries to share. There was precisely one person ahead of us in line. ONE. At prime dinner time. I found the menu a little overwhelming (everything sounded fantastic) but we finally settled on the Tur-Doggin (Turkey & date sausage, crispy duck confit, herb garlic aioli, pickled onion relish & pickled carrots), the Krazy Kimchi (Spicy beef sausage, braised short rib & turnips, kimchi, wild rice & basil), and a special, the Mercat's Mole (Chicken mole sausage, charred tomatillo salsa, cotija cheese, tortilla strips & cilantro). I've never been much of a fan of mole, so to my surprise that dog was my hands down favorite. Coming in second was the Tur-Doggin with the Krazy Kimchi in a distant third. Oh, and the truffle fries? Were perfection. It's really easy to overdo truffle oil so as to make whatever you're eating totally overwhelm your tastebuds. These fries had just the right amount. Is Franks N Dawgs a little more expensive than Hot Doug's? Yes. But I will gladly pay to premium to avoid the weird hours and insane lines. Oh, and did I mention Franks N Dawgs is BYOB? Encased meat excellence.
(5)
Xl G.
Saw this place on the Food Network for a special Chicago edition and decided to go try it out with my friend. Their truffle fries were amazing, I also had their fried green tomatoes that weren't bad but all the batter kept falling off, but otherwise the seasoning and flavoring were great. Servers are very friendly and informative. This is not your typical hot dog stand joint. They are very creative with the menu and love to mish and mash different meats, veggies and condiments. My friend had the Lamborgini, which is a lamb based hot dog with all the fixings. I had the tofu dog that was a little strange and spongy. Overall I would definitely come back though to try out some more menu items.
(4)
Kate C.
I cannot express in words how delicious this place is. It would best be captured by one of those cartoons where a salivating wolf's tongue rolls out of its mouth. The food is amazing. Far and away better than Hot Doug's and without the long lines. The staff are really friendly too and will talk to you about the food and how its made, which is great. It feels like they take a lot of pride in their work. I love their special "dawg of the month" because there's always something new and exciting to look forward to. My hands-down favorite, however, is the brunch dog. The way the yolk from the egg drips down and mixes with the maple mayo to form the sauce is just ... perfect. So so very perfect! I also adore the truffle fries. Seriously, if you haven't been here yet you need to go.
(5)
Patty S.
1 word - "Frankenstein" This was absolutely a delicious 'dog.' We also got the duck sausage as well, but I must say the "Frankenstein" was my favorite. Each of their sausages are handmade and specially crafted with all the fixings - no additional condiments necessary. We also got an order of fries and fried green tomatoes with the order. Fries tasted freshly chopped and not out of a bag. The tomatoes had a crispy cornmeal coating, but not much flavor. For 2 of us, it was over $30, which seems pricey for just hot dogs. Although, if you look at the ingredients and the effort that it goes into each of these specially crafted sausages, it seems like a bargin. I would definitely go back on Fri or Sat to have a taste of the truffle fries - YUM!
(4)
Dan H.
I came here with a bunch of friends on a Saturday afternoon. Someone in our group suggested we each here. They hyped it up for me by saying that it's better than Hot Doug's. But honestly, I like Hot Doug's better. I tried the Franken' Stein (foie gras based) and the truffle mac & cheese. The Franken' Stein was not as amazing as Hot Doug's foie gras hot dog. For these two portions (the mac and cheese was really really small), I had to pay over $15. That's a ton of money for one hot-dog and a measly bowl of mac and cheese. But aside from the price, and me constantly comparing it to another hot dog joint, Franks 'N' Dawgs is quite delicious. The selections are varied (extremely creative). If you are craving a more breakfast fare, then they have it. If you crave the traditional Chicago style hot dog, they have that too. Ultimately, though the food was above average, it's a place I would revisit only to show it to my non-Chicago friends. I don't think I would return to this place to eat regularly.
(4)
Dan D.
Absolutely amazing joint! They serve great food and do it with style. The creations thought up by these up and coming Chicago chefs stand alone when it comes to gourmet hot dogs. Try the salmon hot dog if it's still on the menu, its easily one of the greatest and most surprising foods I've ever eaten
(5)
David N.
When you're in Chicago, you must have a pizza pie, yeah the thick stuff with a fork and knife, AND a HOTDOG. I opted for Frank N Dawgs to get my fix. I had the brunch dawg and it was damn good. It's base is a pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo. You wouldn't think that could work but it came together very well!
(4)
Virginia T.
I am a huge fan of sausages, (snicker). However, I recently tried Franks 'N' Dawgs and was not impressed-at all. We planned on dinner at F 'N' D but were shocked when we checked and their hours are only until 7:30pm. So we rushed over for an early dinner. We were perusing the menu. The man behind the counter asked if it was our first time. He pointed out the menu, and the iPad they had sitting on the counter ("if you wanted to look at pictures of the items"). We decided on 3 dawgs, one was the charitable dawg, which I was happy not only sounded good but meant $1 of my purchase went to the Anti-Cruelty Society. One other was one of the "Iron Dawg" competition sausages, and the third was a regular menu dawg. We also ordered cheese fries. The first thing that upset me was that WHILE taking our order, the gentleman behind the counter paused to pick up his cell phone. We weren't even done ordering. In fact, he made a hand motion and mouthed "drinks" at us to ask us if we wanted any beverages with our meal.......you know, since he was ON HIS CELL PHONE. Then (while still on the phone) told us to "pick a mugshot" or something like that, which I gathered later was sort of a number system for the orders.....but that wasn't clear- nor was our Dennis Rodman velcro card ever picked up when we were brought our order.... The first dawg came out- it was supposed to have bacon lardons and had RAW strips of bacon on it. Then (few min later) our second dawg and fries come out. I tell them about the bacon, and he said he would take care of it. Finally, the 3rd dawg comes out, and he brought with it a side of actually cooked bacon lardons. I was perplexed. If it only took minutes to replace the raw bacon why did my dawg come out with raw in the first place?? Why didn't they replace the whole sausage instead of just handing me a bowl with a few replacement lardons-especially on my $9 dawg? Worse still-the fries were cold upon arriving at the table, and looked nothing like the photo. They were not crisp at all anymore, and seemed to be in a heavily onion flavored gloop than melted cheese. The best thing I can say about any of the dawgs is that the buns were good. Nice, NE/Lobster Roll style rolls. The toppings were awkward, and mostly came off when trying to eat the dawgs. The avocado mousse on the one dawg tasted not very much of avocado and looked waaay worse (similar to poo). Pickled veggies on the one dawg were in huge pieces.....even the dawgs themselves were lackluster. Hard to bite through, lacking in big flavors. Meh. I picked at my 1.5 dawgs and the cheese fries and still left hungry. I'm sorry but for over $30+ for 3 dawgs & fries that is ridiculous. P.S. Entrance is a little weird- you walk down the gangway to enter on the side, and you leave out the front door onto Clybourn.
(1)
Colleen B.
We gave into the hype and hopped over to Franks N Dawgs a few weekends ago. I really enjoyed my reuben dog - the sausage was amazing. We really liked the lyonmaise fries and I thought the service was really good. I like that the woman taking orders takes her time with each customer and isn't rushing you along, despite how busy the place was.
(4)
Never M.
***A L L H Y P E**** These are the tiniest, most unappetizing and EXPENSIVE dogs ever! Even though the landscape has changed, Chicago is still the city of big shoulders and meat and potatoes. Men here are big and used to large polishes. Ladies; don't even think about feeding your hunny here, he will be disappointed! Unless you plan on spending $60 on hot dogs smh. The portions are for toddlers and my 6'3 police officer did not leave satiated. Ordered the Lobster roll and the Chicago esque dog and something else that escapes me, maybe it just wasn't memorable enough. The Chicago dog was terrible. The lobster roll was awful and very vinegary*. There was no flavor what soever. There isn't much that needs to be done to lobster, it really does stand on its own. Not here, the lobster meat itself was a weird consistency that I wasn't familiar with as if it weren't truly lobster. The truffle cheese fries were incredible, you can't get fries of this caliber anywhere else. Also the bread that the sausages are served on is mind blowing. But nobody goes to hotdog stands for buns lol you go for the whole package. Brace yourself for the layout of this place, it fills up quick and its very aggravating. The fries warrant another trip, but I ain't touchin them sausages ever again for any reason, no sir.
(1)
Ken S.
The brunch dog with maple mayo, bacon, and fried egg was spectacular! The new england style lobster roll bun that is freshly baked daily is simply amazing and goes well with the hotdog. Frank N' Dawgs is a bit of a trek from the train station but the food is well worth it! Will definitely be back here the next time I'm in Chi-town.
(4)
Sherin J.
This place has been on my list for a while and finally made it in on a Friday night - no lines. I tried the taco dawg and the tur-doggin. The tur-doggin was okay but the taco dawg was delicious!!! It was a little smaller than the other sausages so I could've easily had 2. The fries and the green sauce are good as well. Would def. return!
(4)
John O.
I'm a huge fan of Hot Doug's although on this visit he was unfortunately closed for vacation. We visited Franks instead to get our hot dog fix. The hot dog was good but nothing great. The bun was really good but it rich and dominated the taste of the hot dog. I think it was lightly buttered. Service was nice and friendly. The prices are way too high. Give me a break. I think Franks is decent although it not in the same league as Hot Doug's. Not even close.
(3)
Bruce C.
Really friendly staff and excellent gourmet dogs. All kinds of flavor combinations on the menu; we tried only a couple more traditional ones and they were really good. You know how some places will give you a number to display on your table so your food can be delivered when it's ready? Here, they amusingly gave us a choice of infamous celebrity mug shots. We chose Lindsey Lohan.
(4)
S. P.
Really delicious if you like hot dogs. I agree with the previous review that said to skip the sides. I would stick with the regular fries or the truffle fries. The sausages here are great but the buns are really incredible, they help make the meal. The line can be a little crazy, but it's worth trying if you're in the area. The Mac 'n Cheese dog is a favorite.
(4)
Ross N.
4.5 stars. Dropped in with a bud over the weekend based on his multiple stops over the past couple weeks and we were not disappointed. He had the Bayou Dog and I got the Tur-Doggen; side was Lyonnaise fries. The good- both dogs were excellent quality and I think I enjoyed mine a little more than his. Good flavor, not overwhelming and the sausage was really fresh and 'clean' if I can somehow express that for a sausage?.? My bud loves his, especially the blackened shrimp. Hay zeus, the fries alone were a meal themselves and outstanding. I sincerely thought we had filet in there only to realize (I ordered blind w/o looking based on options from server as he passed) it's actually pig cheek. I didn't care as I love pork and we then scarfed the bowl down like Mel Gibson looking for petrol in the Road Warrior. The not-so-bad. The bun. I know we're stepping up all sorts of food round here but mine was little over buttered and took away a little of the wow factor for my ingredients. I will say this again, though, it was delicious and I'll def be back to sample more. With or without a friend. PS- Nick Nolte
(4)
Stephen K.
This place has amazing food and great service. Every time I've been to their brick and mortar store, I've had a good meal with friendly servers. At their Lollapalooza stand this year, Karen replaced my bacon mac and cheese dog after I dropped it on the ground - not everyone would do that. Keep up the good work, guys!
(5)
Omare V.
This is my first Yelp post and I'm glad i'm using it to review Frank N Dawgs. I really enjoyed it. I was really impressed with how the "Dawgs" were prepared. It is a little pricey. I recommended it to my friends. I will definetly stop by again!
(4)
Ernie W.
Called ahead to make sure they were open..hours of operation were in line with our schedule, so we took the 20 min cab ride (we were from out of state) to the franks n dawgs location ONLY to find out they were closed! No sign, no reason...just closed on a Friday afternoon. Lots of people were just as frustrated as us as they pulled up and pulled off as we did. Don't know if I would return due to the schedule inconsistency.
(1)
Joon L.
The hotdog was great! Customer Service was good! $10 for a hotdog, is a little too expensive. Will be back to try the rest..
(4)
Pascal M.
It'd be nice to see less reviews with people knocking THE ORIGINATOR of this concept in their review. A long wait, big deal. Someone in your family likely once told you, "good things come to those who wait." ANNNNNNYWAYS.... Frank and Dawg has a diverse menu full of interesting combinations. They put their own spin on it all by using Texas Toast/ Lobster Roll style buns. Plus, there are a lot of other options besides Dawgs such as a great selection of french fries, salad and vegetable options, and a some great sweets to choose from. When I visited, we tried the Govenator (amazing), the China (good), and the Belly (so-so). The execution and presentation of the dawgs are very nice. The chef has an impressive background and uses sound techniques to harmonize his products. Frank and Dawgs is great. Easy location, vast menu, and a diveish atmosphere that will make you feel good about eating pleasure food.
(4)
Kimberly A.
The savory smells waft throughout this cozy restaurant as you enter. With so many creative choices, it was difficult to try just one! Tur-Doggin: Hands down the favorite of the bunch!!! Turkey sausage topped with duck confit, garlic aioli and pickled carrots. It definitely exceeded my expectations and deserves 5 sporks easily. A MUST-try! Brunch Dog: Won second place in our opinion. Pork sausage with bacon, fried egg, and maple mayo. 4 sporks! This Little Piggy: Pork sausage with pickled red onions and fried oysters. I thought it was ok, no WOW factor. 3 sporks! China Town Duck: 5 spice duck sausage with pickled lotus roots and chili sauce. Weird flavor. Least favorite. Would NOT recommend. 1 spork! Triple Truffle Fries: Waffle fries drizzled in truffle oil, truffle butter and truffle salt. Flavorful and herby. 3 sporks! Not a huge truffle fan, but I could see people going crazy over this. Overall, awesome experience with tasty, juicy sausages and friendly service. Try it if you're in the Chi-town vicinity and go for the mind blowing Tur-Doggin!
(5)
summer c.
Charmingly different dogs. Really quite good and worth the price for the quality. Not your typical dog and a fun outing if your in Chicago and want to do things you can't do anyplace else.
(4)
Doe L.
*update* I got to try the Frankenstein and Double Ducker. I wasn't a big fan of either. For the Frankenstein, all I tasted was onion and this sauce that tasted like champagne to me. The sausage was only there for texture. For the Double Ducker, it's more my preference but I never thought I would ever say, "too much duck!". I never realized how gamey duck tasted until now and I have VERY low gamey tolerance. I was saying how the truffle fries weren't worth it last time but this time, they were ohhhh so much better. There wasn't a big pile of oil sitting on the bottom and the truffle taste was very present this time. It's still so pricey but it edged me closer to thinking it's worth it. *end update* --- I agree that Franks n Dawgs is kinda pricey but you kind of pay for the location and size of the dog. They have an interesting bun choice... It looks like a giant piece of sandwich bread that is cut and "stuffed". It's different! Doughy and slightly crunchy... I really liked it. I wanted to try the franken stein dog but it was sold out! So I got the kimchi dog instead and thought it was deliiiicious. It was a bit overloaded so I had trouble eating it but the flavors were good. I could have used a little more kimchi since I wanted a little more kimchi oomph. I mean... it IS called a kimchi dog! The truffle fries came in some tiny little bowl and was not worth it in my opinion. It was good but too pricey for what you get. The KetChipotle with fries was so yummy that I bought a bottle to bring to work. Next time, I'm going to come back and share my dog with someone else so I can try two at once! We came around 1pm on a sunday and it was pretty empty. The place is kinda small so I feel like it would be a little harder to find a seat once it's packed.
(4)
david k.
great sausage sandwiches, great fires - served on real plates - what more could you want from a 'Dawg' place?
(4)
Sandy N.
Came with two friends to check out the Peking duck dog. As we walked in, you could smell truffle everywhere.. mmmm. We also ordered the Bacon N' Grits dog, Lyonnaise fries, triple truffle fries, key lime s'mores, and a Lamington bite. The Peking duck dog wasn't bad but wasn't very Peking-y, which I was kind of bummed about. The bacon n' grits dog wasn't bad either, though didn't stand out. Lyonnaise fries were kind of cool with the egg but the meat chunks seemed a bit out of place. Triple truffle fries were just as trufflicious as expected.. yum. Lamington bite wasn't too bad, but the key lime s'mores were AMAZING! I would come back just for the s'mores.. really. They have a huge menu so I'm sure that I will have plenty of things to try. While the dogs I had didn't wow me, I didn't take a statistical sample so I won't fault them for it. Truffle fries and s'mores would bring me back though. And there was no wait on a Sunday afternoon. The prices weren't too bad if you split dogs between people (we tried all of these things between three people).
(3)
Joan K.
Wonderful. Need one of these in the western suburbs! How unique and delicious were these creations. My friend and I split three different kinds and I can't tell you which I loved the best! A boatman, a Cajun type and another spicy lamb one. And to top it, was the truffle Mac and Cheese. I wish I lived closer to try all the types, but will definitely be visiting again soon. The best "other" dawg.
(5)
Mark S.
Frank's 'N' Dawgs is a fancy hot dog place, it is not a place to get your traditional Chicago Style Hot Dog, so don't complain. If you want the traditional Chicago Style Hot Dog, go some place else. If you want fancy hot dogs and good fries come here. I like the Bayou Dog over the others and the Cheese Fries are great. I am not a fan of the Chicagoesque, if you want a traditional Chicago style dog, go some place else. There can be a wait and it is only street parking, but Frank 'N' Dawgs is worth the effort to fight the traffic on Clybourn to get there.
(4)
Andrew H.
I love this place. I have not had a sausage here that I did not like. The brunch dog lives up to the hype without a doubt. The fries are wonderful, whether triple truffle or lyonnaise. I really like the "Ketchapeno" sauce on the tables, and the pick a celebrity from the wall of shame adds some fun as well.
(4)
Azize S.
this really is a 5 star sausage place. every touch is artisinal, including the bread. the sausages are unique (kimchee for example). the toppings are playful (i had a turkey sausage topped with toasted ginger marshmellow fluff). the garlic truffle waffle fries are a MUST. I have never had room left to try their desserts. I take friends in town here - its a quick, filling, delicious, unique lunch/dinner spot thats not going to set you back big $$. usually no line or a short line to order.
(5)
Eric F.
I believe in fate.... And fate brought me here while walking for Cigarettes as I refused to go inside a bar/restaurant that my sisters roommate worked at, and had horrible service when I was there my last time in Chicago. I walked by the place and saw pictures of their absurd hot dogs and the mac n cheese one caught my eyes. I kept walking. There's still an inner 5 year old in me when it comes to mac... I could be the most sad person in the world, and it will be easily fixed with a good MAC I saw it again on my walk back and stared at the picture outside the place of business for a solid five minutes..... staring....salivating.... almost openly drooling.... and i decided to go back to my sister because i was sure she wanted to get going. I got no more than five steps away and turned around and in the door I went. Their Mac N Cheese dog was made with a bratwurst and despite how I love various 'wursts' im not a fan of the brat... So i asked what else would be good with the mac n cheese dog.... A quick brainstorm sesh with the workers and the plan was in action: Since the mac n cheese has hints of truffle, they thought it would be great to put the truffle chicken sausage in it. I dont know what else to say.... The experience cant be described in words... just get the mac n cheese dog with the truffle chicken sausage. Thats that... U dont try it out ur destined in life to mess up at frank n dawgs
(5)
John H.
Simply EPIC!! Great sausages, good prices, easy to get to location! A must!
(5)
Alexa H.
Even coming in with some high expectations for the triple truffle fries, I came out loving this place. There are so many delicious-sounding combinations on this menu that it takes some extreme decision making to figure out what to eat. The boyfriend and I split three sausages: Brunch Dog, Turdoggin, and the Truffle Mac'N'Cheese. The first two have sausages made in-house but it really didn't matter. I couldn't imagine that a place that made such well thought out, balanced sausages could buy bad ones. And I was right! All the bites were not only scrumptious but they made you think about the food you were putting in your mouth. The plain fries were really good but the truffle fries are everything I have ever dreamed about. Many places overuse truffle in an attempt to make their fries "the most truffle-y." Even though these have truffle butter, truffle oil and truffle salt, they were perfectly balanced. It's the balance that makes Franks 'N' Dawgs stand out. I will definitely be back for more, especially when the outdoor dining section is open.
(5)
Shirley L.
We tried the Krazy Kimchi, Frank'n Stein, Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese Dog, Le Cassoulet, and Turducken. My favorite was by far the Turducken. All the dogs together tasted great because of the diversity in flavor, although alone I would have considered the Kimchi dog my least favorite. Overall, the buns are in thick toast, similar to what you get with a Lobster Roll. This is why I ultimately prefer this place over Hot Doug's -- the buns are amazing and really help hold the dog and toppings. We also had two orders of the triple truffle fries which were amazing! We came at 730 PM on a Friday and there wasn't a line until a bit later. Overall, highly recommend if you're looking for a unique Chicago hot dog experience.
(4)
Kerry C.
SO GOOD. For many reasons! 1. the ambiance. Seriously, a hot dog place w/ an ambiance. We went on an unseasonably warm October Friday night and it was empty (20 min before closing) and ate outside under xmas lights. Wish we would have known it was BYOB because it would have been perfect to sip our wine and eat our delicious dogs. 2. the food. We split the two Iron Dawgs- Ring around the Posey and Pig Latin. RATP was good- definitely more of a smokey, rich taste. While Pig Latin (I can see why it's the reigning champ) was knock your socks off good. Hard to get in one bite and I was unaware there was pork belly on it until I had an explosion in my mouth. Just speechless that you can get that flavor from a hot dog. And the buns are SO good! Not too much bread. We also split the truffle fries and I've never tasted waffles fries like that. 3. The service. I think we walked in and the owner was working, or else he was just some passionate employee! He helped us through the menu, explained the famous people pick-up tickets (I chose Snoop- obvi) and was in all, so nice and helpful. He directed us outside, came and checked on us, and again, reminded us of BYOB. In all, great experience. Happy I live so close (although my waistline may not be!). HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
(5)
Ben R.
In a word, money! Everything here is fantastic. My favorite is the Epic Pork
(5)
Mark C.
Super good fancy hot dogs....but you definitely pay for the fancy at an average price of around $9-10 just per dog. But, they are terrific. Service can be somewhat slow, but they are made to order. I'm a neighbor and hit it up for lunch about once every 6 weeks. They've got a small back patio as well for outdoor seating (albeit not much of a view of anything). Wish they were open later on Sundays.
(3)
Sarah S.
I tried to go to this place while they were closed for remodeling so that was a FAIL.. I came for another visit and found them open YAY!! I had the kielbasa with the brussel sprout slaw.. both were AWESOME Service was very friendly and patient for newbies. it is a tad pricey for some items on the menu..but to offer such odditys like lobster dogs and turducken dogs... its worth the extra cost. I also sampled the truffle fries and thought they were yummy.. waffle fries are always a winner in my book.
(4)
Bryan G.
Sometimes reading a menu can be deceiving. Specialized ingredients and distinct combinations don't always translate from paper. The total never equaling the sum of its parts. Franks was everything I thought it would be and more. The quality and care that is put into a sausage placed in a paper boat is almost crazy. I started slow by ordering the Cheese Head. It is a Sheboygan Brat with smoked Gouda, perfectly caramelized onions and sauteed portabella mushrooms. The bun was warm, slightly toasted on the outside and soft on the inside. Definitely the best brat I 've ever had. With cheese fries and a drink, it came in under $10. Perfect. Their more unique sausages looked equally delicious varying from duck to andoiulle. You can recognize a culinary method to their madness with choice toppings that correspond perfectly to the type of sausage. This will not be my last visit to Franks.
(5)
Tim H.
Red beans are rice were great. The mystery corn dog sampler will make you love corn dogs. Pleasant service and good food.
(4)
Wombat K.
Oder the Dawg flight and it included the brunch dawg, krazy kimchi and the tur-doggin and I upgraded the fries for the delicious super truffle fries. My favorite was actually the tur doggin dawg to my surprise, the sausage is really tasty on its own, my second favorite was the krazy kimchi and it was my boyfriend's favorite and he had to order a second dawg cause it was that good for him, the dawg is good with all it's component together but not just the sausage alone. My least favorite was the brunch dawg while it was good it was lacking something and I just couldn't put my finger on it. Over all it's a great place and you don't have to wait like at hot Doug's which is not that great anyway. I'll definitely come back here again. Btw the key-lime s'more is super yummy.
(4)
Carolynne M.
With such a temperate name such as "Franks 'n' Dawgs", you would expect that sort of banality you'd get at some suburban hot dog stand, whose only lure is "we sell Vienna Beef dogs!" and offers up undersized meat on dry buns. If that is what you are hoping for, chum, I can direct you to any number of establishments in Vernon Hills or Rolling Meadows. However, THIS is no mere hot dog stand. This is what happens when trained chefs take the idea to the next level. About 20 different sandwiches await you - all of them with such delicious descriptions it was near impossible to choose. Since I am a sucker for anything with the word "spicy" in the title, I chose the Spicy Yucatan, which is a Pork & achiote sausage (made in house!), avocado, pickled habanero red onion, queso quesadilla cheese, deep fried tortilla strips & cilantro. My only complaint was that if there was any habanero or spice in this, I didn't detect it. However, while everything was delicious, the thing that put it over the top for me was the slightly charred New England lobster roll. Its been so long since I have had a lobster roll that it didnt occur to me what it was until later in the evening. But this bun is what pretzel rolls did for burgers. Thick, dense, almost Texas toast-like bread that holds up against any juicy ingredient. It is used in New England primarily for the lobster roll sandwich, which is a messy, dreamy delight of lobster chunks, herbed mayo and celery. So you know this bread can stand up to anything. However, just when I thought things could not get better, my beet salad arrived. Folks, even if you are a hater of the encased meat product, you need to come here for this. It is hands down the most incredible beet salad I have ever had. Roasted red & golden beets, arugula, pickled red onions, orange marmalade, champagne vinaigrette & chevre? Oh man, I would eat this every day if I could. Throw in a cute interior, with a super charming Aussie (who is perhaps the owner? Not sure, but I loved his passion and enthusiasm about all of the items on the menu) and prompt service? I am officially a fan!
(5)
Steven F.
So went in for a duck confit dog, lyonnaise fries and a urbanbelly chix. Every dog bun was toasted to perfection. Confit was undercooked; Chefs, check your product! Sausage was nice, moist and emulsified well. Lyonnaise fries were mushy despite the fact they were eaten first. Flavor was good but there was a pool of vinaigrette at the bottom; unnecessary, serve on side if it's not a poutine jus. Urbanbelly had a nice sausage once again, moist and salted well. Aioli or some component had an aggressive amount of fish sauce. Should be 2.5 stars for buns alone but fries that can't stand up to a vin condemns to 2 stars. Check you food chef!
(2)
Gabe M.
This place is great. My favorite hot dog place in Chicago. Great atmosphere. Great hot dogs. Their Chicagoan is a great chicago dog. The place that really makes it good are the sides. Not just fries, but an excellent brussels sprout salad. Really like it.
(4)
TB H.
Cute fifties style diner with outside eating area. Staff very friendly. BYOB. Started with triple truffle fries. OMG good. You will actually take a bite then say "Oh My God". Tur-doggin - homemade date sausage, duck confit.,garlic aioli and pickled onion relish on a lobster roll. Bun toasted perfectly, sausage fantastic flavor not greasy or oily grilled to perfection with nice char. The duck confit just takes it over the top and relish gives nice balance to cut the richness. Hot dog $8.50. Worth every penny, don't tell but would even pay more. Some other high lights Lyonnasie fries, and the Black Sheep Dawg made out of lamb sausage. Another winner. Go online and check out the menu. Worth the drive, we came from the burbs and will go back. 2 Tur-doggins, Triple Truffle Fries about $24.00 combine that with sitting in outdoors and a few craft beers (remember BYOB) you will not be disappointed. Last minute decision went for the Sweet Home Chicago dessert Dawg. French toast, chocolate ice cream, fresh fruit, butter scotch sauc and cinn almonds. Only item that didn't impress. French toast and ice cream good mix but skimpy on the rest, only $5 but wouldn't order it again. TB H rating closest to 10 you can get. But desert fell flat and brought overall score to a 9.3
(5)
Chris C.
A rarity for me: I have nothing bad to say about this place. The nice Australian approached us as we stood in the doorway looking lost. He gave us the rundown and assured us everything was wonderful. I was prepared for disappointment, but there was none to be found. Everything was great! We ended up getting the sampler that has 3 halves of three different sausages, and fries. It was more than enough to fill us up, and my wife and I were astounded at how tasty everything was. The fries were not exceptional, but I wasn't there for the fries anyway. Much better than Hot Dougs with no wait, and open during the evenings. I'll definitely be back here.
(5)
Amary N.
Awesome dogs!! You get to look at the menu on their iPad. I love the ketchup spicy sauce that they serve. Staff are simply awesome. I don't which to pick, everything is good. You got to eat the hot dogs right away otherwise the bread will turn soggy. That could ruin your experience.
(5)
Steve R.
We stopped in 01/18 based on the reviews. We ordered 5 dogs for our table to share, but the guy who wrote it down put down 6. When the order arrived, we were surprised. After we ate, we stopped back to thank the crew for the good dawgs. At that time the guy who made the error insisted we needed to pay for the extra dawg, even though it was his mistake. We were talking about how we were going to come back, but now we won't based on that. One of our group works in the business and said that this was a major faux pa, insisting the customer pay for their mistake.
(2)
Mike S.
What a pretty neat concept. I came across this place while going to shop at Trader Joe's. I figured I would have one last hoot before eating healthy ;D What a good twist on an original hot dog. They really make it kinda fun for what would normally be just a walk-up, sit down joint. They give you a picture from the Hall of Shame to mark your table with for them to deliver the food to you. The franks are delivered with extravagant looking toppings. It might be 1/2 the reason why it's slightly overpriced, but still a fun place to go to. It's like someone took the idea of a Chicago dog and said, let's try to make it look magazine fancy. I got the Reuben Pulanski. It was hard to bite into, but when I could get all the tastes in one bite, it was pretty rockin.
(4)
Helena G.
I was very curious about hot doug's (yes, I'm not American), so we went in this place to try some. The line was big but didn't take more than 20 minutes. I tasted the Bacon 'n' Grits, it was very good and very different from the conventional hot doug's. It has Bacon sausage, cognac glazed pork belly, fried leeks, puffed grits, grapefruit segments and julienned apples. We also ordered triple truffle fries, they have some freshly chopped herbs on top. They are very good! The owner is very nice and the staff too.
(4)
Bowen W.
very good. lots combinations, all unique. i would go back again. the only reason i give it 4 starts instead of 5 is because I thought it was kind of expensive for hot dogs, even if they are more special than most hot dogs
(4)
Tim W.
The idea is unique, making gourmet hot dogs, but it just wasn't that great. I like the criminal signs for each table and the fries were pretty good.
(3)
Dennis L.
Finally! I have been wanting to visit Franks 'N' Dawgs for about a year now, and I finally made it happen. My wife and I visited for a quick lunch. I decided to go with the Flight of the Day in order to try a few different offerings. The flight came with mini versions of the 3 different dogs and fries. The day I made my visit, the three dogs were the Krazy Kimchi, Chicken Caesar, and Brunch Dog. All of the dogs were delicious, but the Brunch Dog stood out as the most unique and tasty. Seriously, how can you beat a pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, and fried egg drizzled with maple mayo! Simply amazing! I also liked the spicy ketchup options offered at the restaurant. I am a Heinz guy, but they had great flavors and worked great with the crispy french fries. I also had the opportunity to try the Chicagoesque Dog. It's a classic, but it is just plain good! Franks 'N' Dawgs joins Hot Doug's in my top two spots for dogs in Chi-Town.
(5)
Mike D.
The Pepsi of gourmet hot dog joints. That being said save your time and your appetite for Hot Doug's. Don't get me wrong, the food was good but not great. The music was obnoxiously loud and the counter seating left something to be desired. All in all, to me its too similar to Hot Doug's and it has a sign clearly stating that they don't have a authentic Chicago style Dog! Worth a stop if you're nearby but not worth a special trip.
(2)
Heather S.
I have eaten here a few times and the food was good but pricy. I am reducing my stars on my rating because they do not honor their deal on their charity hot dogs. The charity I am involved with never received their promised money and were treated quite rudely. I don't think they are doing their charity dog any more which is probably good but I will be taking my business elsewhere.
I first experienced the food at Lollapalooza last year. I had a chili dog and it was amazing even on a hot day. I've been meaning to visit the restaurant since but seemed to be in the area when it was closed. By golly, I finally made it! The tricky thing about this place is the front door...or at least it was for me. The door is located down a hallway to the right of the building. Thank me later :) I decided on the same thing but added cheese on my fries this time. O M G...it was just as good if not better than at Lollapalooza. I will order the fries well done next time to get extra crip on them. The chili dog is sandwiched in garlic toast (mouth is watering now) and I loved ever single bite. I promise to try something different on the menu at my next visit. See you soon Franks N Dawgs!
(5)
Travis P.
That bun! Those corn dogs! Amazing. Never would have out these toppings on the hot dog by myself. A great hot dog and great fries. A must if you are looking for a new twist on an old favorite.
(4)
Raana A.
Franks N Dawgs is one of my favorite places to go when I'm not in the mood to cook and to indulge in a great meal. Triple truffle fries are one of my favorites, and their veal percik hotdog (date chutney, carrot- ginger aioli, cilantro and toasted almonds) doesn't have is like none other (that i've tried anyway). I 'd give this place another star if they had more non-pork options that compare to the veal percik. The other dog I tried, Tur-Doggin, was pretty good, but some of the other sides (truffle mac and cheese and the sprout salad?) didn't really blow me away. 5 star potential. Definitely worth trying!
(4)
Douglas R.
If you are looking for a steamed-bun Chicago dog...go to hot doug's, wait in line, and enjoy. If you are looking for a unique, more flavorful, and sometimes entertaining fast-dining experience then by all means: head to Franks 'n' Dawgs. The good-humored staff can/will talk you through your first experience. I would recommend being adventurous. I was not in love with the cheese fries (real melted cheddar, i think), but the truffle fries are enough to make up for any perceived foul. Just look at the menu: franksndawgs.com/menu I dare you to find something that doesn't pique your interest. As far as unique, fresh, interesting fast food goes: one would be VERY hard pressed to find a better spot in our fair city. PS: don't take my 'Hoff card. (you'll see what I mean)
(5)
Ted C.
The BEST fries I've ever had in my life....Triple Truffle fries. Mind you they were $5 for about 10 fries, but worth every penny! Oh, and the dawgs were pretty good too! We had the Chicken alla Naha, which was part of their traditional "smack down" dawgs, and it was great...I've never had a chicken dawg before. Also, being that we live in WI, we had to try the Cheese Head (onions, cheese, portabella on a brat)...by far the best brat I've ever had. I highly recommend this place, and look forward to my future visits!
(5)
Dan D.
3.5 Stars. I've been visiting their website for some time now drooling over the pictures of their gourmet dogs. I finally got a chance to go here over the weekend. I got the Cheesehead Dawg, Triple Truffle Fries, and a drink. The dawg wasn't what I had expected. It was good, but not great. Their dawgs are served on a special "bun" that i would compare to a less garlicy, garlic bread. Overall, it looked better than it tasted The biggest draws for me was the Triple Truffle Fries. I've only had truffle fries at one other place, BIG & Little's, so it was nice to finally compare them to another place. Hands down, however, BIG & Little's reign supreme in the fries department. Not only are they cheaper, but each fry seems burst with truffle flavor. Not so with Frank 'N' Dawgs. Very impressed with the service. The guys behind the counter are so helpful and polite. This place is pretty pricey. My bill was a little over $13, but I will definitely come back here again because of their service and creativity with their food.
(3)
Crystal F.
Haven't eaten in, but Franks 'N' Dawgs catered a friend's wedding! That might sound unusual, but it was a bit casual and so really enjoyable rather than a stuffy sit-down meal, or the old-school family-style arrangement. The dogs were absolutely delicious. I may have tried one of each (half-dogs) including the slammin' salmon and the tur-doggin--both gourmet dogs with great flavors. And the brussel sprouts salad was a great alternative to a slaw. I'd love to check out the location.
(5)
Alan R.
The food is absolutely to die for. If the presentation was a bit better this is definitely a five. I ordered a kids hot dog that came with fries for my daughter and a Brunch dog for me. The served everything in the same to go container. Mine came with a fried egg on top. It turned over when I took it out and got all over everything else. Be warned that it can get a bit pricey here. The brunch dog was amazing. A maplesque sausage served with the fried egg, bacon bits, maple mayo on a french toast bun. It was between that and the pork sausage with pulled pork and bbq sauce. I also loved that their regular hot dog comes with a tomato relish instead of the customary chicago pickle relish. I can't stand the neon green. I definitely want to go back, but it was $15 for the entire meal. The fries were also among the best i've ever had.
(4)
Nissan S.
Cute place. Owner was super nice and explained all of the gourmet hot dogs to us. It's a little on the $$$ side.
(3)
Nick C.
To start off, if you're not ok with paying $9 for a hot dog, then you probably will not like this place. This is not a hot dog joint that sells cheap hot dogs. If you want to try amazing, culinary art hog dogs, then you have to pay the price. They do have a $4 hot dog, but why waste your time and money. Get one of their signature dogs. I had the Belly Up and Krazy Kimchi, which were the two the cashier recommended. The ingredients for each hot dog are amazing and one of a kind. I also love the buns as well. Yes, I paid $20 for two hot dogs, but don't regret it what so ever.
(5)
Kelley F.
I am in love with everything here. The line can get a little long right at the lunch hour, so try a 2 or 3 o clock lunch. The truffle mac and cheese is to die for. The truffle fries amazing. The dawgs are so good, you must keep rtying the news ones. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it here.
(5)
Todd A.
Gourmet custom dogs and sausages are the order of the day here. Fries are just ok, the chipotle ketchup rocked, but you can get it from their supplier, it's not their recipe. My girlfriend liked her Beet N'Brat but my Governator causes serious stomach distress from undercooked sausage or an employee sanitation issue which is not my idea of a good time. The table next to us were complaining about the truffle fries, not much truffle flavor, a rip off. I won't be back, can't risk it. Kinda pricey for what you get, Hot Dougs is much better and cheaper too.
(1)
Natalie B.
What a funky and delicious place. Reuben Pulaski dog was amazing. Who could resist a potato pancake on a hotdog? Truffle fries were tasty and just the right amount of flavor. The Corn Dog was haute and awesome. I don't even like hotdogs that much (husband does) and I'm dying to return. Yes it was expensive but the innovativeness and taste were well worth it. Not expensive if you think of it as two meals, which it covered for us since we were so full.
(4)
Chris R.
Went here with my girlfriend yesterday. I ordered the Brunch Dog (the one featured on Food Network and Travel Channel) and she ordered the Reuben Pulaski. Both were amazing! The bun was very fresh and baked that day. Top quality ingredients and interesting flavor combinations. We also ordered the Triple Truffle fries which were some of the best fries I've ever had. Amazing. The owner was very nice. We told him it was our first time there and he showed us pictures of all the various dogs on his iPad. Great atmosphere, dive-like. 5 stars!
(5)
Tom W.
Went for the first time today. The food was great. I got the burger dog. Delicious. When I finally got it. There's the problem. The food came in fits and starts and took far too long. People who came in AFTER I ordered got their food first. And I was actually told that I had to wait until a delivery order was finished. And into that fact that a friend who ordered at the same time got his order a full 15 minutes before I did, and the fries I ordered came in 10 minutes before I acutally got the dog. The side dish is not supposed to come in that much earlier than the main item. The fact that my friends were halfway finished with their meal by the time I got mine just rubs it in more. It tasted great. But with that kind of service, which I've seen improved on by Hardee's, I'm not in any hurry to go back.
(2)
Rob S.
This place is excellent. The tripple truffle fries are a must! They are supurb. To the point when I went for lunch, and again for dinner just to get the fries. The sausages are unique and are topped well. The bun is also unique, light, but fulfilling in the bread to sausage ratio. Plus, they have an interesting method in identifying your table, but I wont spoil that suprise. And they serve Goose Island root beer which I really like as well. Two thumbs up to franks n dawgs!
(5)
Chris K.
A bit overpriced, but the quality of the food here is high and more along the line of gourmet/experimental. Definitely a nice twist to the traditional hot dog, but it's questionable the food here would even be classified as a dog. Yes, I know it's basically encased meats that would warrant the usage of the name "dog," but I think that's a technicality I don't care to follow. Either way, the food here is delicious and definitley fit for a foodie or anyone else, who enjoys good food.
(4)
Thomas R.
Had an excellent 5-spice duck sausage with really great garnish/condiments. Also the truffled mac & cheese was very tasty but not at all hot... too early in the day I think. Super friendly place with a hugely creative menu. I'm sufficiently tantalized by the variety of the menu and its creativity to return again and again.
(4)
Sarah G.
A-MAZ-ING. Great sausages. Great price. Couldn't be happier with this place!
(4)
meghan s.
Best hot dog place I have ever been. The buns are fantastic!! I got the chicken cesar and it was amazing and healthy. It was a chicken sausage with lettuce, croutons, and cesar mayo. It is also nice to have such a quick service and friendly environment. It really made my dining experience joyful. Also, they do not let you clean up your own food. The employees come around and gather your garbage.
(5)
Shaina S.
Being a vegetarian, it is difficult to find a restaurant that has something catered to vegetarians. I am used to the frozen veggie burger that many restaurants serve. Other places serve veggie dogs that are usually boring and taste plain. The first time i ate at Franks n Dawgs, of course i ordered the FU Dawg (vegetarian dawg) and OH MY GOSH was it good. It was soo tasty with all of the toppings that they put on the yummy marinated tofu. The grilled eggplant and portabello mushrooms add so much flavor and the salsa verde is amazing! This place is just too good and the atmosphere is beautiful and comfortable. Such friendly staff, gorgeous, colorful and tasty sausages, and a five star chef! who could ask for more?
(5)
Chris B.
These guys are trying too hard and getting the little things wrong. If Hot Dougs is not making all their sausages in-house, who cares, they are wonderful, who ever is making them. Always easy to eat and you never have to dismantle his work and eat it with a fork. Frank 'N" Dawgs is another story. The Mystery Corn Dawg was one of the weirdest meals I have had in a while. The corn had an odd texture slippery and while it tasted fine, it also didn't have the deep fried crunch you expect with a corn dog, Texas State Fair or Haute. The biggest problem was the sausage. A brat-like sausage with a casing so thick, I couldn't even bite through it. I was starving so I had to dismantle the whole thing and had to squeeze the meat out the casing. Ok, so if this is a homemade sausage, great, but make it so it can be eaten like a hot dog. I needed a steak knife and a fork to eat the damn thing properly. I also had the dirty dog. Sausage was a little easier to eat but not much. You could not possibly wrap your mouth around this thing and eat it. It just isn't possible. Well, maybe a porn star could do it. The bun was good but not the right size for a hot dog. Also, I had to dismantle the damn thing in order to eat it. Ended up leaving 1/4 of it in the box. Fries were good. And so was the mustard you got with the Mystery Corn Dawg. Don't forget the basic stuff here guys. Get the simple stuff perfected and then move on. If Hot Doug's does anything right, is that he never forgets the basics.
(2)
Mike Q.
Awesome flavors, very creative dogs & sausages, very customer-focused guys/owner. You must eat here, you will not regret it.
(5)
Gilbert G.
"I am not impressed with your performance" - GSP I should have had the Brunch Dog.
(3)
Bitty B.
First time fantastic. 2nd time - my Chicagoesque Dog was good, but the fries were soggy with no flavor.
(3)
Jewel L.
We ate there quite by accident. In Chicago for a weekend, my friend and I were shocked that every hot beef place was closed on Sunday. We were driving towards Armitage, and saw the sign. My friend walked up to the window and said they are not Vienna...go look, and see if you want to give it a try, we will. We were both hungry, and it looked lively, full of people, the food looked good, and ok, let's try a different take on the normal Chicago dog. I tried the Summer Feast, and it was just ok. I'd never order it again taste-wise....a traditional Chicago dog has more flavor. My friend went the normal route, and was very disappointed from the pickles to the dog itself. The truffle fries were great....but later we both got sick. I was sick until the next day. I say go elsewhere.
(1)
Victor M.
Lamb sausage was AMAZING! Place could use a little more work when it comes to the decor. Fries were also great.
(4)
Tony G.
I have had lunch here many times as they are so gracious as to give us Apple employees a discount, and I have to say they are probably the most amazing hot dogs ever, the bun itself is ridiculously awesome, I could go and order just a bunch of buns and be happy.
(5)
Tiffany D.
I EFFIN LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!!! OMG! I went last week and got the Charity dog, which was a bratwurst with truffle mac-n-cheese parm cheese and brioche bread crumbs...first anything with truffles in has my money, but this....this idk what to call it but it was heaven in my mouth!!!!! The fries were perfect!! And I was full for my entire 6 hour shift after (amazing cuz usually 2 hours in Im STARVING). But I saw they had ,get this, TRIPLE TRUFFLE FRIES! So I made it my mission to go back on a Saturday and get them....OMG! It was better than sex!!! It is a bit pricey....but its soooooo worth it. They staff now knows me by name because I went everyday since the first day. I havent had the simple hot dogs because there are sooo many options with soooo many topping, and simple isnt in my nature....but its a MUST TRY!!! Go eat indulge!!!!
(5)
Carly G.
I went here last night after work for a quick bite with the boyfriend and his friend. Great choice! I'm always good for a classic hot dog with everything on it! Franks n Dawgs over achieves by far. I only had cash for a regular dog, but the man at the counter (I want to say his name is alexander) overheard me talking to my boyfriend about wanting the Chicagoesque. He upgraded me and threw in a drink. What a sweetheart, and very personable! He explained about all of the gourmet ingredients, their special (and over the top buns that are the most unique) as well as make us feel so welcome. The decor was great too. Clean and inviting, (trust me I have seen hot dog stand owners botch this kinda thing before) they even have a private back patio. Onto my hotdog: the "Chicagoesque" I have never had anything like it. The hot dog itself was fresh and bursting with flavors and was fresh. Not sitting in dog water all day. There was a perfect amount of sauteed onions, crisp pickles and a spicy brown mustard. The topper, my favorite part was the bun. It actually had the sport peppers baked inside the bun. Incredible! Now I know "Hot Dougs" is unbeatable, but this place has the right idea as well. Both are unique, both are delectable. I will end by saying this, I will be trying every dog on the menu.
(5)
Cindy R.
As the daughter of the hot dog king of Montreal, I know my hot dogs! We took our kids and another little friend after soccer in early November. Other than the wait, the food was awesome...the hot dogs were divine and the fries were great too. One of the kids wanted a hamburger, it came on a bun, but was no plain jane hamburger, it was delicious!
(5)
Marshall G.
This is the newest contender for the best specialty dog/sausage in Chicago. And it may soon be the best if they can successfully execute their vision. When I walked in, they told me they were closed. But they hadn't really started to put everything away so they said they'd serve me. It was between the duck/pork or the veal sausage and the two guys behind the counter both recommended the veal with date chutney, carrot ginger mayo, and cilantro. The guy reached for the sausage, paused, and went in back and grabbed a better piece. Then seared it. They use a top-loader bun with the side crust shaved off. It's buttered and toasted like a lobster roll as the sausage cooks. I chatted with the guys. They are passionate about sausages of all kinds. The finished product was excellent. Really good combination of savory, spicy, sweet, and texturally dominant compared to any of the other local spots. They went through 10 bakeries before settling on the bun and it was worth the effort. There is a special concocted by a local high-end chef and each month they will have a new guest chef create a new dog. The customer service was helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable... and it's just a hot dog joint. It's a new spot but as long as their operation stays tight and clean, this may become the new go-to location for specialty dogs.
(5)
Ryan H.
Last night I had the 1/4 pound Chili Cheese Hot Dog - holy crap was it good! The fries were also awesome! I highly recommend this place - forget Hot Doug's and the circus of that place. This place is better - there will or should be lines out the door soon! I can't wait to try other items on the menu - from the looks of all the reviews it doesn't look like I can go wrong with anything I choose on the menu!
(5)
Arthur D.
Avoid the $20 lobster roll. Way too overly priced for what you get which is simply lobster meat on toast and that's it. My standard for lobster roll is Pearl Oyster Bar's (on Cornelia St. NYC) for the quality, flavor, and the fixings (a generous portion of shoestring potatoes and a side salad). It costs $30 but worth $30 unlike FND's $20 lobster roll thats bleh and should be priced $7.50. Friend also ordered FND's cheese fries for $2.50 and he said it tasted as bad as it looked. We'll probably check out FND for its regular offerings - but not anytime soon.
(1)
Peter M.
Had the Chicagoesque. Wonderful set of flavors. Fabulous fries. A little pricey, though.
(4)
Chris C.
The buns are outrageously awesome. I just wish the flavors were more balanced. I'm sure it will only get better with time. I am a fan of the Foss dog.
(4)
Mike T.
I will definitely go back and try the other dogs, but for my first visit, I was not terribly impressed with the $9 Black Sheep and the $9.50 Belly Up. I was mildly impressed for the price. I shared some of the food with my family and they enjoyed the bun, as did I. It was unique, buttery, and tasty. The Black Sheep, a lamb sausage, was good, with onion slaw being a bit strong, but I'm not sure what ingredient was worth the price? Perhaps $7 would have been more reasonable, but if all of the ingredients were fresh and higher end, I suppose that is what you pay for. A good experience, nonetheless. The Belly Up was another pricey one, with only a small sliver of pork belly, but it was good. Definitely worth a try and a good use of flavors. I also ordered the Triple Truffle Fries for $5, which were tasty, but the portions were small and I expected more of the oil to drip off the waffle fries. I also expected more visible herbs, but maybe it wasn't mixed up as well or they skimped off all of the ingredients. The side door and front exit door of the restaurant confused me and made me look sort of stupid as I wandered around the restaurant, but that is ok. I think if I visited this place a couple of more times and tried other things, I may bump up the score to 5 stars. Great potential.
(3)
James S.
Words fail me. Everybody should at least try this place, fantastic.
(5)
D L.
Outstanding hot dogs. Very creative combinations, with quality meats/toppings.
(4)
Laura M.
this place is soooo good!! I am a san francisco local, and hot dogs are not local fare. i might munch on a wiener with ketchup at a tail gate party, but this is absolutely no comparison! not only is everything freshly made, baked, and served in-store, but the choices are so much fun! I cant even remember what the name of my dawg was, but the beef was delicious, with fresh coleslaw n pickles on a freshly baked and toasted bun! WOW! the missing star is because it was almost overwhelming trying to choose 1 dawg to go with my truffle fries and fried green tomatoes along with a Goose Island root beer. I will go out of my way to make a pit stop here next time im in chi town! oh, and Joe was there taking and serving orders.. what a cutie!
(4)
Jen E.
Why is there a line a block long at Hot Doug's when this place exists? We walked right in and had plenty of time to decide what to get. As we were deliberating, the owner explained everything on the menu and helped us decide on two dawgs that we didn't regret. Bf got the brunch dawg and I got the spicy yucatan...plus we shared an order of the truffle fries. AMAZING! While I did enjoy mine, I think I liked the brunch dawg better. I was nervous about it being to sweet with the maple mayo, but it was amazing! Never did I think I'd be able to say that I would be content eating a hot dog for brunch, but I totally would! Bottom line: Brunch Dawg and truffle waffle fries are a must!
(5)
James C.
I have to admit that I was excited when I heard about this place so I raced on over at 3pm on a rainy Wednesday and found myself looking at their menu that had fancy ingredients. That's the fad right? Take something simple and add super expensive ingredients to give it that "on steroids" kind of feel to it. Me and my buddies ordered the Foss Hog (the one with the egg), dirty dog (andouille with rice), and bloody mary dog (i dunno what this one was but it wasn't that good). Foss hog was super salty. The egg is always a good touch but I think I might be getting sick of everyone putting an egg on it to reel me in to buy... cause it always works... you bastards. The sausage was SUPER salty to the point where my chili cheese fries tasted bland. I probably won't get this one again purely cause it still feel like i have a block of salt in my mouth. Dirty dog was exactly the way I expected. The rice doesn't work on a hot dog... it makes it too mushy and it takes away from the flavor of the whole thing and makes it taste more like a burrito. Bloody Mary dog... i dunno. the bread was too much. it's like this tiny sausage (that's what she said) in this giant bun. had olives (i think) and other crap in it... not very good for me but I can see how other people could like it. I'd give this place a try again and order something else but i have to say, i'm disappointed. It really did remind of the equivalent of kuma's corner - big giant dogs with crazy toppings that in the end makes your food taste like a mixture of everything. FnD is to Kumas as Hot Dougs is to DMK. If you haven't tried DMK burgers, check it out... it made kuma's obsolete in my mind. Sorry guys but I wanted to really like you but I can't just yet. I'll come back tho to give the other ones a try after the salt in my mouth is gone.
(3)
Eric P.
I stopped by Franks N Dawgs over the weekend and was impressed by their N'awlins dog. The service, bun and truffle fries are still amazing. However, the fries are so rich that I won't be getting them unless I can share them. I guess I could only eat half by myself, but they are so good I know I won't be able to stop.
(4)
lauren w.
Triple Truffle Fries. Do it. This place is great. No long lines like other gourmet encased meat places. Just really great gourmet hot dogs.
(5)
Samantha L.
I liked Franks N Dawgs but I have to admit it wasn't love. I also have to admit that I have never been to Hot Doug's, but maybe it's a good thing that my review isn't a comparison. I ordered the tur-dawkin. I thought that the turkey and date sausage was awesome. I agree with some of the other yelpers, there was kind of too much going on with the whole thing. The duck confit was pretty greasy, especially with the garlic aioli, and the pickled onion carrot combo thing on top, well, wasn't good. I just didn't like it. Thinking about it now, the first few bites I took were great, then as you keep eating you get all the different flavors and they just didn't go together that well. And it was too much grease, I only ate half and I felt kind of sick. I am giving three stars because even though I didn't particularly like the dawg I got I still think that it is a decent place. The toasted buns are awesome! and worth going back for. My coworker got a jumbo dog with their Guinness mustard and grilled onions, it was great, so next time I will go with that.
(3)
Valerie S.
Gourmet sausages - delicious! This is not your average hotdog stand. If you're looking for a regular Chicago dog do not come here, but if you're looking for the best gourmet sausage you have ever had - come! The service is great. They are super nice...and for what you get it is an AMAZING value!
(5)
Heather G.
I can't say enough great things about this place. Went with a friend for dinner and from the minute we walked in we both looked at each other and knew we'd already be coming back before we ordered. The menu is a little overwhelming - not because there is a ton to chose from, but because everything sounds so interesting - it's hard to decide. So we asked the gentleman at the register, who turned out to be the owner, Alexander (I'll get to how great he is later). He recommended we split the dawg flight, and add one more full dawg on. The flight that day included the Black Sheep, Turdoggin & China Town Duck - to be honest, none of which I would have ordered had I not felt adventorus - but ALL of which I loved! Naturally, we upgraded the fries that come in the flight to truffle (delish) - and we added on the Truffle Mac & Cheese dawg. We split everything and there was not one thing I ate that I didn't enjoy. The Black Sheep probably ended up being my favorite - great flavor with the pear slaw on top of the lamb sausege. My friend and I sat outside and the owner ended up chatting us up, constantly brought us refills and could not have been any nicer. He's the kind of person who will remember you after just one visit. They close at 7:30, but my friend and I were having such an enjoyable time we sat outside until about 8:15 and never felt pressured to leave. Overall a casual and delicious dining experience. Great place to take out of towners to try something new.
(5)
Eldiva S.
My husband had the beef corn dogs & their fries... We both thought the fries were fine. The beef dogs are from Boar's Head-good brand but we expected it to be made on site(like a homemade dog)since it's the "5 Star meal on a bun" concept...so we were disappointed at that. The corn dog batter was tasty though.... One Disturbing Thing - Didn't like that while the chubby kid behind the counter was putting fries into a costumer's order he was also eating them!!!!! WEIRD! Who does that???!!! PLEASE at least wait till after you're done serving and munch all you want- idiot! GROSS Also didn't like that their veggie dog is not a dog at all - but just marinated tofu in a bun. I have a problem with that since it's a hot dog place and I wanted my veggie dog made into a corn dog which they obviously couldn't do... so that was also disappointing and I didn't order it-it's more like a sandwich, not a hot dog. Overall- the concept is cute, but the menu was not appealing to us and we expected things to be more creative, homemade, thoughtfully presented, executed, etc. So if you want a step up from a plain dog-I am sure this will work for you. I think Hot Doug's does a better job of "the 5 star meal on a bun" concept and we will continue to visit them when we want a tasty & creative dog...and they have an actual "veggie" dog!
(1)
Matthew U.
Amazing. Just simply amazing.
(5)
John S.
I've driven by this place numerous times, and finally had the opportunity to try it out for lunch today. I had the "Burger Dog" and have to say, it was absolutely delicious. Had it along with the fresh cut (and very crispy) french fries, which were quite good as well. Like Hot Doug's? Hate the wait? This is your place!
(5)
donna y.
I recently had the burger dawg and it was DELISH! I was intimidated at first by the texas toast-like bun... didn't know how to jam that in my mouth.. but it was surprisingly soft. The meat was also very juicy (it could've been oil) but I enjoyed every bit of it.. It's a bit pricy for dawgs but worth it once in a while.
(4)
John B.
Spectacular!!! I had the Lamb Keema. Fantastic! The person working ( I assume the owner) was very pleasant, helpful and thorough. My large, large friend had the chili dog and was quite satisfied. I highly recommend it and would definitely come back again!!
(5)
Joanne S.
Wow what an interesting restaurant. We went since we had seen it on Bizarre Foods tv program. I couldn't believe I never noticed it before. I have walked passed it several times. For our first round my brother had the Black sheep, mom had the burger dawg and I got the mystery corn dog. We all tried each others. The best in that round was the Black sheep and then the burger dawg. I didn't realize that the corn dog was not a signature house made sausage so it was okay. We also order the triple truffle fries. They were good. Since we were there we decide to go for a second round. We got the Tur-doggin and the Spicy Yucatan and the truffle mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was so amazing creamy and fragrant with truffle. The tur-doggin was different. I am not used to having lots of stuff of my dogs but for these you need it. It adds a complexity to the dog. The buns they use are really good. The Spicy Yucatan was good but didn't seem to spicy to me. For the second round I would go with the Tur doggin and then the spicy Yucatan. My Brother and mom would probably say the opposite. The only negative is the store is small and doesn't have a lot of tables. We had got there probably just in time for lunch rush making it harder to get a table. We had to eat at the stools first but for the second round go to move to a table. If I am in the area I would probably go again but parking in that area is hard. I had to use my secret parking spot but it is a little far from the restaurant. I would suggest going with the house made sausages.
(4)
Alli N.
Amazing truffle fries. I have yet to have a hot dog here I have enjoyed, however. I ordered a Chicagoesque and was treated to half of a hot dog (yes, a hot dog cut in half - I didn't realize expecting a full one would asking for too much), a surplus of caramelized onions and not-yet-pickled pickles. For roughly $30, not worth it. Ok... maybe for the fries. But that's it!
(2)
Ndamukong S.
Fantastic gourmet dogs. Beware, the menu is overwhelming but only because everything sounds delicious. The Kimchee dog was great; the truffle mac n cheese was solid; the mystery mini corn dogs were solid. The place has a nice backyard patio area, it is BYOB, all of the workers were very nice...the only thing I'd do different is get 2 dawgs instead of 1 dawg and basically 2 sides.
(5)
dave h.
Quick review: good to very good, but not as good as Hot Dougs.* More in depth review: I've eaten at FnD about 6 or 7 times now, so I think I've gotten a pretty good idea what this place is about, So, I'll break it down for you like this: Buns: this is the one category where FnD beats every other dog place in town. These are lightly griddled brioche buns, almost like unsweetened French toast. Really unbelievable, and the best part of these dogs. I'd make a visit here just for a plain dog on these wonderful buns. The Sausages: FnD has made a big deal of distinguishing itself from Hot Dougs because its sausages are made in-house. However, I don't care where they're made, so long as they taste good, and I've found the sausages to be a mixed bag. Some have been excellent: especially the Veal Percik. Others have been flat out gross. I sampled the mystery corn dog, and the sausage casing was so thick that it wouldn't break off. As a result, every bite ended with a flaccid piece of dead skin hanging over the edge of the dog. Not appealing at all. Toppings/Combos: again, a mixed bag. Some I loved. The veil percik is the best I've had at FnD, and on par with some of Hot Doug's best. Unfortunately it's not a permanent member of the menu. Others, just meh. It seems like a lot of the varieties rely upon some form of pickled vegetable. I'm not against pickling per se, but it does tend to overwhelm the flavors in some of the dogs. Hot Dougs may seem like a hodge podge, but there's really a method to the madness that is pure genius. I've probably been to HD's about a 100 times. You could amputate a couple of my fingers on one hand, and I could still count the number of times I had something that was less than great at HD's. Fries: Pretty good, but every time I've gone they've had a different variety so it's tough to gauge. Nothing to blow you out of the park though. Best fries in the city are still at Suzies. Service: Has been excellent until my last visit. I got there Saturday afternoon, and the line was short (only two small groups in front of me). However, it took nearly a half an hour to get my order in and get the sausage to my table. I'll chalk this up to an anomaly though. Shit happens at every restaurant, and the service has otherwise been stellar. Also, I've never had to deal with any Hot Doug-esque lines...so that's a huge plus. The fact that you can consistently get one of these gourmet sausages, within about 10 minutes, is truly great. So that's it. I definitly would recommend making a trip for any sausage connoisseur * I know it's probably not fair to compare FnD to Hot Dougs, but the comparisons are inevitable, and provide a great bench mark for reviewing.
(3)
fabiola b.
I love the FRIES! The hot dogs are very unique in taste. You must be prepared to think out of the box! I ordered a completion dog called "just in case" it was OK I guess I was not expacting the poblano pepper and Quezo fresco to be in the sausage. Also the vinegar was a little to much for my taste buds. My husband got a sotherb dog delicious! It has corn bread, BBQ and the meat was very smoky. My mother-in- law had the Frank and beans I think I will order that next time. It was also delicious with baked beans on top! My son who is 1 loved his plain hot dog with fries! They were so nice they gave us a free drink for him! Next time I'm in the mood for unique hot dogs I'll be heading there.
(4)
R R.
So my boyfriend and I have been talking about going here since it was featured on Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimerman.. As the vegetarian in the relationship, I was excited tom see they had a veggie dog option. We went there on a Thursday evening and was surprised to see no lines or packed seating like on the show. We ordered based on the pictures on the display Ipad on the counter. (cool!). To start the portion is large, so you only need one, especially if you order fries or the Truffle mac and cheese. My boyfriend, got the Black Sheep (based on what was featured on Bizarre Foods). He was not overly impressed and felt there was too much bread. He thought the bun was more Texas Toast than hot dog bun. I got the only Veggie option, The Fu (Marinated tofu with grilled eggplant relish, caramelized portabellas, Italian salsa verde & chèvre). It was good. I could not finish it because it was too big and the verde was a little overwhelming). The Mac and Cheese was very good but again it is heavy so share it between 2 people. Overall, the experience was ok. I think we went in with inflated expectations and we were slightly disappointed. But we will be back for that truffle mac and cheese! If you want to have a gourmand experience in a hot dog, this may be you place ; but it you want an old fashion chitown style dog in meat and veggie options, there are better choices in the city. Happy Hot dog hunting! Chitown Veg Gal
(3)
James O.
I've slowly been eating my way through the menu, and have loved everything I've tried so far. The food is entertaining as well as delicious. Strong recommendation.
(5)
Eric H.
Best new food on the market. When I looked at the menu I had no idea what to get, but the guy behind the counter made some suggestions and I end up picking the Spoiled Brat. Unbelievable. Fries were awesome and they make those on the premise as well apparently as they do the sausage. Everything was extremely fresh and creative, including the staff. They're definitely on to something here. Now if they would only add pie to the menu.
(5)
Bob D.
We've been here twice in the past two months and will be a regular here. The sausages are great, and the fries (both truffle and cheese) shouldn't be missed. The buns really bring everything together.
(5)
Adam K.
I have been here, I wanted to see if it is like hot dougs.or worse, or better, it seems like its more improved, and I hate waiting 1 hour for hot dougs in the snow. Plus I live near here. sorry doug, new kid on the block. After eating here, its obvious that hot Dougs is in trouble. Even tho it seems like this guy is tryin to rip off hot Dougs in every way. I cannot stress enough the importantance of ordering the right thing, to start, try the Chicagoesque. It has all the trappings of a traditional Chicago style dog but a gourmet twist that does not leave u feeling like u jst ate at blackbird, I scarfed mine quickly. I also recommend the spicy duck, which, while not spicy, is as tasty as a Vietnamese sandwich from bon bon (c my review of bon bon on north ave). When I first reviewed this place I got the rueben polanski which was too heavy and over powering. If your here try something simple like the two dogs I suggested and u will not b disappointed. I will b back. Also the truffle fries are unreal.
(4)
Tess G.
We just got home from Franks n Dawgs and I am not going to be able to say enough good things in this one review. First time there tonight and Alexander, the owner, could not have been more helpful. Everything looks good on the menu so it is difficult to choose. My boyfriend and I went with the Brunch (a must) and the Belly Up (another must). They were so accomodating and split both of them for us and even let us try a sampling of truffle fries.....because we also ordered the cheese curds and the fried green tomatoes....but everyone said the truffle fries are amazing and they are! The egg was cooked perfectly on the Brunch and the grapes combined with the pork belly on the Belly Up make it so delicious. I love cheese curds (breaded in panko bread crumbs) and these are some of the best I have ever had---definitely worth a try. The other nice thing is the portions are perfect to share. Between the amazing food and the outstanding customer service, this is somewhere I will be telling others about and taking people back to as well. Even after just one time and based on others reviews....Im sure everything is great on the menu!
(5)
Dan S.
2nd best high end hot dog spot. Still excellent, but sorry, hot dougs the original place with this concept wins.
(5)
Christopher J.
This place was great, if you are in the neighborhood you need to drop on by, and I would say it is worth going out of your way. I had their duck/pork sausage dog, the clever name escapes me at the moment. It had pieces of crackling, carrot slaw and pineapple on top. It looked great and tasted fantastic. The Spoiled Brat was great too, both sausages were cooked perfectly. It was not busy at all, so I wonder what it will be like when the line is getting crushed and there is a line out the door. The buns were more the New England style, no crust on the sides, so they are very conducive to buttering and browning the outside of the bun. This is a great idea and seems to resonate with the previous reviews. Why bother to butter and toast the inside of a bun if you are going to cover it in sauce...Franks N Dawgs are spot on with this nice touch. As for the duck dog, the only thing I would add is a touch of mayo spiced with some sriracha Rooster sauce, that would have made the dog an unhinged masterpiece. The fries were good, but not off the chart, so save space and order three dogs and split them with a friend for an improvised tasting menu.
(4)
Dan N.
Seeing this place on the Food Network, combined with rave reviews from several friends, I was pretty pumped to try Franks 'N Dawgs, to say the least. Really cool place, unique, housemade sausages, a menu that's always changing, and an on-going gourmet sausage competition make this place really one-of-a-kind. I had to try the "Brunch Dawg" (formerly known as the "Foss Hog"), since that's what I had seen on TV. It was good, don't get me wrong, but I'm not so sure that I'd order it again (it's one of those things that I've never really seen anywhere else, so you gotta try it, right?). The bun and the maple dressing and sausage were amazing, I'm just not sure I'm a huge fan of that ingredient combination on my dawg. I also had the "triple truffle fries" which were delicious, although I expected to find actual truffle shavings on my fries, which I did not. I'm definitely anxious to get back here to see what else this place has got to offer!
(4)
Laura R.
Great, helpful staff. Triple Truffle fries were awesome, as well as the whole hot dog (or sausage, depending on which option) experience. Definitely going back!
(4)
Katy M.
We had Franks 'n' Dawgs last year at Lollapalooza and LOVED IT. So when we were shopping in Lincoln Park today, we decided to pop in. Mistake...it was one of the worst dining experiences I've had since moving to the city. The guy who took our order was a jerk - he was contentious about EVERY thing we ordered. My boyfriend had seen a picture of the chili dog in the hallway, but when he ordered it we were informed that Franks 'n' Dawgs is a gourmet restaurant and all employees have fine dining experience, so they don't serve "chili dogs" - then why advertise it? I ordered the fried green tomatoes and they were only okay. Will not be returning.
(1)
Nicholaus H.
Damn!!! Truly exceptional in every way. I was of the mindset that you don't mess with our perfect Chicago hot dog. I am now a complete convert. I went on a Thursday around 3 and had no wait. My friend ordered the breakfast style dog and my girl got the crazy Kim chi, My boy inhaled his so I presume he was pleased. I tried the Kim chi dog and that one may be my favorite, however the govenator was amazing as well. I started with the Yucatan because of my addiction to habeneros, awesome! Upon ordering, the owner, Alexander complemented us on our choices as we had selected all sausages made in house. the execution of everything was flawless, perfect balance of perfectly prepared ingredients. After demolishing the first round we all decided that we needed more. As we heaped praise upon Alex we told him that we were all fine dining servers. He brought us out the best baked beans that I have ever had made with root beer and had a nice spice to them. He also brought out a beet, arugula and goat cheese salad that I loved even thought I hate all those items alone. The Brussels spout slaw is also tasty and unique. Simply put a must hit . I am spoiled with food daily as I am an aspiring chef and work at Bennys Chop house. This place has some of the best food I have eatin in years.
(5)
Brad Z.
get the turdoggen, you won't be disappointed. i got the dog flight, it was good but i really wished i just had 1 big turdoggen, that crispy duck confit and herb garlic aioli def made it.
(4)
Matt G.
I was hoping for a less-crowded Hot Dougs, and instead got sick. I went with my wife, and was very excited. I ordered the "Mystery Corn Dog", of which I should've been more leery of the title. It was a polenta-encased mystery sausage. The Corn-dog part was disgusting: it tasted like flavorless, fried cream of wheat around a greasy sausage. The sausage was horrendous. Crunchy (in the middle, not the outside), and a flavor of mashed meats. I assume it was a spicy veal sausage, but never got an answer. My wife got a jumbo dog, which was fine I guess. Anyway, it made me sick, and I usually have an iron stomach. It's taking a lot of will power to write this review, and not gag just thinking about it! Thye need to do their research on what tastes good together; not just put fancy ingredients together because they sound fancy. Just go to one of the million Vienna Beef stands, and you'll be better off. Or, just stick with Doug's, and you can never go wrong.
(1)
David L.
my review will be compared to hot dougs since my go to spot for gourmet sausages was closed during xmas break. pretty small joint but has character and clean. sausages: A- wide selection of sausages and also cool they have local chefs battle like iron chef on new sausages. tried the turkey dinner and also the mac n cheese dawg. turkey was interesting with actual turkey and carrots on top. very creative and tastey. mac n cheese dawg was aite..good sausage but jus mac n cheese on top of it. Buns: A+ they use a texas toast like bun that is lightly buttered and toasted. this is awesome and better than the simiple bun at hot dougs Fries: B tried the normal cheese fries..the cheese was stuck on the paper plate and fries were pretty standard but nothing spectacular overall it's a great place for sausages and rivals with hot dougs (still my #1 sausage spot). prices are comparable (about $6 for a dawg) but still spend about $10-$15 when you order fries and a drink.
(4)
William L.
One line summary : Fundamentally this is a good place, however, the main problem with it (among some glaring flaws) is that it doesn't make the concept of the gourmet hot dog its own and lack of individuality hampers these creative chefs more than any limitation to a certain form of food (more on this later). Assuming it has no competitors I would still find some pros and cons. The pros are solidly there, the management is very good, there is good patter, attention to detail in service, and a good conveying of the concept. I fundamentally believe that the chefs can produce a quality product. Similarly the bun is exceptional and the truffle fries are exceptional - especially the fry part (more on this). These pros should be experienced, and yes I would go back for the truffle fries. However I do have some issues with the concept itself - it borrows too much at times and at other times how it borrows is confusing. Case in point - The "Iron Chef" competition supposedly pits two chefs creations against each other. However, and this is a big however for foodies, this is not really a well structured, let alone a faithful competition. Simply you don't get to see what the guest chefs can do since they use different "main ingredients" and thus the intrigue is lost. Similar things can be said about the incorporation of stars within the theme, the reinvention of the Chicago dog, and a few minor issues. A more major problem is the disconnect in the notes of the hot dogs/sausages and their toppings. This major flaw means a few things - first and most importantly that irrespective of the quality of the ingredients, or the care in producing those ingredients, a "sandwich" is produced that seems like it might as well be a salad with an afterthought of meat. Ironically, this is apparent in contrast to the Chicago hot dog whose "dragged through the garden approach" produces a cohesive melding of meat and vegetables lacking here. Second, the main premise "the best handcrafted gourmet hot dogs and sausages bar none" fails when you dissect the sandwich. Taste the encased meats by themselves and at times (not all the time) you will find them bland, unremarkable, and not as expected. This becomes readily apparent when comparing it to what should be its competition - Paulina Meat Market (among dozens of other local shops). The sausages and dogs should be able to stand on their own in all their naked glory. Third, lets talk about the two common sides the fries and the beans. Those fries, no not the truffle fries, the regular fries that supposedly come out of the same kitchen as those truffle fries. To be kind they are limp, and unevenly seasoned. They are remarkable but not in a good way. Yet in the beans we find the real crux of the problem with the business - a lack of cohesion and focus on a vision. The beans have variety, they are somewhat exotic, and they contain good amounts of bacon/pork - yet they miss the mark because the flavors do not come together. The varied ingredients are too varied and make it difficult to gauge when the varieties of beans are all cooked right at the same time, thus complicating a dish by adding risks that do not pay off here (though they could if executed differently). Similarly the BBQ flavors lack the finesse that a visiting southerner would expect, and the pork products though plentiful do not have the vibrancy and clarity of porky bacon goodness that should be there. Fourth and lastly, irrespective of if the product is done by famous chefs, irrespective of if it uses good quality ingredients (which is inherently subjective since the issue is if the ingredient is used well not what it is), irrespective of if the inside is slightly upscale - the final product isn't as good as Hot Dougs. What perhaps is more disconcerting is that Frank N' Dawgs seems to just copy Hot Dougs with a variation reminiscent to "Coming to America's" parody of McDonalds, MacDonalds. Like Dougs they forecast the dogs, Like Dougs, they incorporate stardom and naming parodies, Like Dougs they focus on turning encased meats into a shrine. Honestly it is the little things that make it seem contrived in a way and unoriginal. And yes, there is abundant room for competition and innovation. How do you think the Chicago dog survived? How about the (Hawaii) Puka dog? or the (Detroit) Coney Island dog? Simply you don't have to copy to make something great. (Wikipedia it if you are not convinced en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho… ). That said it really was decent if discombobulated and not as finessed as it should have been. However despite all of this I do think that Joe Dorian is an incredible asset that even Doug would approve of - I believe the issue isn't skills, but the awkwardness which stems from Alexander Brunacci's challenge. Similarly Alexander Brunacci is charming, persuasive, patient, and willing to refine his product. I look forward to it coming into its own - Alex embrace your food geek.
(3)
Amy H.
Wow...totally annoyed. I work next door to this establishment, so I was very excited that there would be a "convenient" new place to grab food on my lunch breaks. I was very wrong. And I say this after giving the place a 2nd shot because I knew that they were new and getting the hang of things. So, the first time I went a couple of weeks ago I ordered a basic chili dawg and fries to go, only to get back to work and open up a container of chili cheese fries. So...today I popped in to grab a corn dog and fries to go. Um...it took 45 minutes to get my order, and it was absolutely disgusting. They totally need to get their system down, I only had 4 people in line in front of me, and it still took the guy behind the register a good 20 minutes to get through everyone. Then, waiting another 25 minutes for my order was totally ridiculous. Then...to finally get back to work and have a corn dog that has the batter all soggy from some dijon sauce they threw in the container, and the sausage didn't even taste or look completely cooked through. I feel like I'm going to puke. I'm definitely never going back. Very disappointing since I love hot dogs and they are so close to my work. I only hope this review can save someone else from wasting their entire lunch break on a nice day to complete and utter chaos and food that tastes vile.
(1)
Don D.
Had the Ruben Pulaski and have never had anything that brought so many separate flavors together to form something so delicious. It was so amazing that I was eyeballing the menu looking for something else to try. That's when I was pleasantly surprised by a basket of their truffle oil waffle fries; again, not being all to familiar with gourmet fast food...I wasn't sure what to expect...they were excellent and I highly recommend them as a nice compliment to whatever type of encased meat you decide upon.
(4)
Bobby M.
This place is ridiculous! Went there today and had a spicy duck sausage and it was unbelievable. I've wanted to go to Hot Doug's, but I won't even bother. The staff was also super friendly and very knowledgeable. I highly recommend Frank's n Dawgs. Seriously try this place, you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Blair H.
Better than Hot Dougs. There I said it. The Foss Hog is amazing.
(5)
Mike M.
I have never been to the "other" hot dog place over on california, so my review may be off base without a comparison. That being said I have tried several of the sausages and none disappoint. From the bun to the top notch gourmet toppings and truffle fries, this place sure deserves 5 stars. Only knocked off 1 star since they no longer have cheese curds on the menu.
(4)
Nick L.
Hot damn that's delicious. Look, I love a good old fashioned dog just like any red blood American badass, but; this right here is some culinary karate ready and willing to mix it up with your mouth parts. Get in, order up, sit down and salvage.
(4)
Hannah C.
Oh my god the amount of truffle going on in this place. The truffle fries are literally gleaming with truffle oil. The Mac and cheese reeks of it. Honestly, the entire place smells like truffles. And that is WONDERFUL. Whatever sauce they put on the brunch dog was fantastic. The bacon mac and cheese dog was also very good. These sausages are ultra flavorful - these really aren't hot dogs with toppings. My only almost-complaint is they don't really gave that skin-bursting-with-juice texture - it's just meat throughout. Not necessarily a problem, but I wasn't prepared for it.
(4)
Susan C.
I went here to try their hotdogs since it's not a regular hotdog you would get at the usual places. I had their Reuben Pulaski which I love sauerkraut and I love it. I also love their truffle fries which that is the first time I had truffle. I have yet to go back to try their truffle mac and cheese. I would definitely recommend this place to my friends if they want try some different with their hotdog.
(4)
Pha L.
Definitely a gourmet hot dog heaven. The lobster rolls was nice a toasty on the outside while hot and fluffy on the inside. They make the sausage in house so that's a plus. For 2 people, we had 4 hot dogs on our table on top of fried cheese curds and fries. I would difinitely order the waffle fries instead of regular fries. The side portions were a little small. Don't expect to be paying 3-4 dollars for hot dogs. These are adequately priced. The toppings missed their mark and the sausages were a little dry eventhough it's house made.
(4)
Lucian M.
Superbly unexpected. I came here wanting a Chicago dog and left eating a bun mi dog. It was delish as was the truffle fries. Oh and the buns, holy Moses, they are baked tighter together so the crust is only on the top and bottom, leaving the sides to be buttered and toasted. As for the Mac and cheese side, I seriously think there's crack or something in it. It's so good I'm sure someone is going to make it illegal. Get it while you can, little slices of heaven never ever lasts long enough.
(5)
Michael G.
Dominant! Forget anyone complaining about the "reinvention" of Chicago style hot dogs; Franks 'N' Dawgs is doing interesting & delicious things, and should be tried at least once by everyone. Curtis Duffy's "Duffy Duck" is fantastic! I've not had a bad sausage here yet(the accompanying sauces/toppings/condiments are brilliant), but as good as the Mystery Corn Dog is, it was a bit "doughier" than I like; does anyone make a Crispy-Crunchy-Corn-Dog?! The crispy fries are very good too(I had a "soggy" order once- great flavor, bad texture). Superdawg, and other "classic" joints(try Paradise Pup on River Road near Oakton; Poochies on Dempster is great too) will always be the "Greats", but it is nice to see creative people challenging "tradition". I first tried Franks 'N' Dawgs after reading Michael Nagrant's "Resto" column in New City on April 1, 2010. The place was great then, and it is still great. Their continued brilliant use of herbs, fruits, vegetables, sauces, and spices in their toppings/dressings is fantastic. And the creativity in the sausages themselves is equally brilliant; and delicious! They are about 1 year old now, and handle their large crowds very well; the food arrives quickly, fresh, and amazingly flavorful!
(5)
Bart D.
I wouldn't go out of your way to stop in at Franks 'N' Dawgs, but if you are in the neighborhood and are looking for something a little different, then Franks 'N' Dawgs is a good pick. Food was good, but not amazing. I had the Beef Curry sausage and a side of fries. Both were OK, but a little on the bland side. Halfway through the meal I kind of lost interest in what I was eating. I was still hungry so I finished my food. It just seemed to be missing that certain something that makes you want to finish your meal and then have more even though you're stuffed... The staff was friendly and seemed to enjoy working there.
(3)
Steve N.
Franks 'N' Dawgs do not serve Chicago style hot dogs but craft artisan sausages aka gourmet aka fancy hot dogs. It was featured on the Travel Channel, Food Network, and Cooking Network. They have a laundry list of specialty sausages and serve a few things with truffle. It's located in Wicker Park and you enter through a walk way. We arrived right when it opened and were in a rush to get inside to avoid the Chicago wind. It was only meant to be a snack but a "snack" has a different definition when it comes to two overeating fat asses like my buddy and myself. It's a little small shop and has a very divey and hipster feel to it. The two chill workers had a lot of recommendations and pretty cool even though they looked like hipsters. Totally judging here. Now, the food. We had the following items: 1) Triple Truffle Fries - The Yukon Gold waffle cut fries includes freshly chopped herbs, truffle salt, truffle oil and truffle butter. To be clear, it's not the Nicki Minaj type of truffle butter. It's golden waffle fries with a crunchy outside and a soft inside. With anything truffle, the aromas of the truffle is very apparent and strong. It had the slightly garlicky taste associated with truffles but it was missing the earthy flavor. I still prefer my truffles shaved versus being drowned out with other ingredients. 2) The Southerner - It's Slagel Farms pork loin, caramelized onions sausage, corn bread, cherry bourbon BBQ sauce and scallions. This was definitely flavorful and the sausage had the juicy bite to it like a Chicago Hot Dog. This was an overall sweet hot dog in taste with the caramelized onions, corn bread and cherry bourbon sauce versus the usual tangy and sour taste of a Chicago hot dog. 3) The Brunch Dog - It's Slagel farms pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo. The smokey bacon wasn't overly smokey per se. I didn't taste it and it wasn't overpowering the other ingredients. However, I really like the sunny side up egg and the maple mayo was a nice touch. It looked like an aioli sauce. I always have mayo in my hot dogs cause that's what Southern Californians use as a condiment. I definitely enjoyed the Brunch dog over the Southerner. Overall, Franks N Dawgs provides a great alternative to Chicago Hot Dogs. I'm sure Chicagoans were ready to hang Franks N Dawgs for breaking away from the traditional Chicago dogs. People were probably scratching their heads like how the Hip Hop community did with Meek Mill's Drake diss track "Wanna Know" but at least Franks N Dawgs food was good.
(4)
Amanda M.
The lamb-orghini was amazing and I'm not even a big fan of lamb. The house giardiniera was refreshing. Truffle mac 'n' cheese was also amazingly yummy. Honestly, I prefer this place over Hot Dougs. Their dawgs are much more cohesive and balanced and explosive with flavor whereas Hot Dougs while still very good was somewhat cheese heavy and two dimensional sometimes with their creations. The only drawback for Franks 'N' Dawgs is that their hours are kinda odd. I wished they opened past 5pm, especially on the weekends.
(5)
William B.
They make outstanding and interesting hot dogs here -- my favorite was a Korean dog with kim chi, short rib and toasted rice on top of a house-made and interestingly-spiced beef sausage; though I also sampled the "brunch" dog with is brilliant in a bacon/egg/syrup kind of way, if a tad under-salted. There were at least a half-dozen other dogs on the menu I wanted to try too. This is the kind of place where you stand slack-jawed staring at the menu because you want to order all of the things. (They're friendly about slicing things in half, though, if you want to share.) I am sad to say that I didn't ever make it to Hot Doug's before it closed (those lines!) but my friends who have say Franks N Dawgs might be as good or better on many axes. And unlike Hot Doug's there was basically no line on a weekday, even in the middle of what could be the lunch rush. My only fear in writing this review is that too many of you will come and change that.
Just so so. Doesn't worth the price. The salmon hot dog is rather plain. The Brussels salad tastes bitter and sour. This place is overrated.
(2)
Angela C.
I always knew that sausages were tasty, but I had no idea they could be this delicious. Franks n Dawgs has opened my eyes to the expansive world of seductive sausage heaven! I got a Vietnamese style dog with a lemongrass sausage and it was delicious. There were so many intriguing options that it was really hard for me to choose. I was very happy with my choice, though. I definitely need to come here more often, especially now that Hot Doug's closed. I loved the table markers too. Very creative. This place has quality and character everywhere!
(4)
Kasia L.
I had the tur-doggin, after a lot of changing my mind and being unable to pick just one. I was pleasantly surprised at how fantastic it was - truly delicious and I will gladly return to try other menu items in the future. Downside - I was the only person in placing an order at the time and it took the cook approx. 20 min. to make my order. I'm in-between on this, as someone who is experiencing cooking in the industry at the moment; while I thought the dog itself had a lot of components that might take a bit to put together (so understanding of having a bit of a wait), I couldn't help but feel as though the boh was taking his time a bit too leisurely.
(4)
Julie T.
The truffle fries are what got me. Those were the best fries I've ever tasted and I wished I grab some to go. I got 'The Kid' hotdog and man was the spice no joke. It was so spicy I learn not to get that ever again, way too spicy for me! It's extremely unbearable spicy. Can't wait to try other things on the menu! So I'll be back soon to give it another chance.
(3)
Emily P.
I'd give this place a 3.5/5 stars. If you know what to expect, I think this place is quite good. They do not serve Chicago style hot dogs so go elsewhere for that. BUNS. Their dogs are served on a Texas Toast sort of thick, garlicky bread. I love it. It does tend to fall apart while I eat it though. This is a hot dog joint. It's obviously not a five start restaurant. They let you choose a person from their Wall of Shame. You stick this star's picture on your table (instead of a table number. It's unique). Their hot dogs aren't cheap. For two hot dogs, two fries, and two fountain drinks the total was just under $40. Just remember though, that they put a bit more effort and ingredients into their dogs. Overall, they have really unique hot dogs. I enjoyed both the Krazy Kimchi and Lamb-orghini hot dogs. Their Triple Truffle Fries are delicious.
(3)
Jennifer K.
Franks 'N" Dawgs is a good alternative if you have enough of Chicago style hot dogs and want to have something else. The varieties here is really good. Even hard to pick which one to try as they are all really interesting combination. But it is quite pricey for what you paying for sausage and bun in a land of hot dogs, Hot Dog VS Sausage? or just a Hot Dog dressed up with exotic toppings with fancy topping?
(3)
Sheena P.
REALLY? I visited Chicago and was sooo excited to try this place because hot dogs is a must here! SO SO disappointed! Here's what I got: Bacon truffle Mac and cheese hot dog: Mac had absolutely NO flavor (which means no truffle) and it was borderline cold. I'm assuming they made it before opening because we were the first customers to arrive for the day. The dog itself was alrite - very sausagey and not like a typical hot dog. Meh. Tur-doggin: please skip this hot dog!!!! The taste of the dog was weird and NOT good! The herb aioli sounded better than it tasted. The flavors did not mesh well and was just randumb. Skip skip skip. Waffle fries with triple truffle: um okay I tasted no truffle oil, no truffle butter, no truffle salt. Literally just crispy waffle fries. If you don't dip it in ketchup and really concentrate on the taste, you might taste a light hint of truffle. DO NOT COME HERE!
(1)
Nicole G.
It's just okay , if you're Hot Doug's fan, you'll be disappointed like me , sausage is kinda dry , only thing I like is the crispy truffle fries , (but for $6 the portion is so small ), waited for 30 mins on a slow Tuesday afternoon ( only 3 tables total -- hubby kept trying to tell me during that long wait : really slow means really fresh ) ,crispy fries won't make me wanna go back there anytime soon.
(3)
Dave W.
I want to like this place, especially with the departure of the legendary Hot Doug's, but I struggle to find anything to get excited about here. Their dogs and sausages, while inventive, are pricey, sloppy to eat, served on a bland slice of bread, and just not that great. I can't say I've eaten anything here that I'd prefer over a standard Chicago-style dog. The dark interior occupies an underwhelming middle ground between hot dog stand casual and industrial chic, although there's a sunny seasonal back patio. Hot Doug's deserves a worthy successor, but at least for me, Frank 'N' Dogs falls short.
(3)
Cinthya Q.
This place is a great local spot. First off, I love the atmosphere. It's young and hip without the pretension that hangs around most Lincoln Park spots. The staff is very friendly and the table markers are hilarious! The menu is eclectic offering over 10 different types of sausages. Personally I love the Brunch dog (it's breakfast in every bite). The Lamb-orghini was equally tasty. The lobster roll was not my favorite but was good enough. My favorite things on the menu are the sides. Amazing! You have to try the brussels sprouts salad, the truffle fries, and the cheese curds. Yummers! The only negative about this place are the prices. Though typical for Lincoln Park it feels weird to pay $50 for dawgs and fries.
(4)
Steve A.
So if you're in the mood for a hotdog, this might not be the best choice, since there's even a sign saying they don't do Chicago dogs. They also don't do anything else recognizable as a conventional hotdog. But they do make some interesting gourmet dogs. We tried three that were somewhat similar: Banh Mi, Tur-Doggin and (the day's special) Quiche Dawg. All were based upon interesting sausages with a number of savory toppings, and all tasted somewhat similar. Interesting, but perhaps not gourmet. We also tried the mystery corn dog platter. To me, the mystery was how anyone could mistake these for corn dogs! There isn't a conventional cornbread coating, just a thing slurry of paste that has been deep fried to a crunchy consistency. There were several different sausages involved; the only clearly identifiable one was lamb. The best dog was actually not a dog, it was the Slammin' Salmon, which was sort of like lox on a bagel but in a bun. Speaking of buns, that's probably the best thing about the place. Rather than conventional hotdog buns, they use squared off chunks of bread that are grilled with butter to a nice golden brown. If you're looking for something different--and by that I mean different from a hotdog--it's worth a try.
(4)
Taylor O.
The place has an interesting menu of dogs and sides to choose from. I ordered the "Cheese Head" and loved the mushrooms and onions on it. My husband's bacon mac and cheese dog wasn't quite as good. Triple truffle fries are worth trying. We had to wait ten minutes to order in the nearly empty restaurant while someone took a break outside... Then had quite a long wait for our food. Not bad overall for a unique take on this style of food!
(3)
Sharon R.
It's been a while since I've been here. All a great place and today, we got the bacon mac n cheese, pork of July, and triple Truffle fries. And let me just say YUMMY IN MY TUMMY! The bacon mac n cheese is like eating your hot dog and your side of Truffle mac n cheese together. No need to get a side of you're going with this bad boy. Definitely a must try!
(5)
Danny M.
We came on a Wednesday for late lunch and there was no line! We ordered the fried cheese curds, Krazy Kimchi, and Reuben Pulaski. The cheese curds were disappointing. It was $5 and there was no more than 10 small pieces. I had the Reuben Pulaski and it was really good. I tried the gf's Krazy Kimchi and it was no where near as good as mine. The people working there was friendly and I will definitely come back to try more items.
(4)
Rebecca C.
This isn't my first time coming here and there will never be a last. I've been here probably 10 times. This place is around other cool shops/stores so you can have places to walk of the amazing food you just ate. YOU WILL HAVE TO ORDER THE TRUFFLE FRIES...AMAZING IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. The artisan bread is unbelievable. I could just eat the bread alone. It the perfect mix between sweet and salty. Ask for the beer mustard on your hot dog, which is the best condiment they have. However, the do not always have the beer mustard. The inside is very cute, but can become VERY crowded since this is an obvious favorite hot dog places among many. I always avoid the lunch hours and when they first open in the morning. I wish they closed later on the week days, but ooo well. I drive an hour to get to this places.. WELL WORTH IT! :)
(4)
Paul L.
I've been many times but today, wrong! The sausage was dry and bland held together by a fried egg, totally tasteless. My gut has been upset since trying to eat it. What happened here?
(2)
Amy W.
NOTE - CLOSED MONDAYS! Okay learned the above lesson the hard way...we scoured the menu for about 1 hour deciding what to get, and on the way out the door to re-check the address - we noted the Monday closure. Well I gotta tell you it is a damn good thing I had one meal left the following day before I returned to San Fran or there would have been some hell to pay. I've been obsessed with Hot Dougs (never been) but know the have a huge line - AND this was a place I could turn my friend onto that was in her own neighborhood. We were the only ones in the place (they told us later that they are considering a move more downtown to get more traffic). I ordered the bacon sausage with truffle mac and cheese, and my friend got the brunch dog (also bacon sausage with an egg, maple mayo and bacon bits). Let me say right off that this place's buns are off the chain delicious, I mean like crack good, sorta a cross between a brioche and a Hawaiian roll, (east coast style bun) and grilled in butter to be crispy and soft all at the same time. The bacon sausage was everything it says it is, a bacony sausage - now who can't like that? The truffle mac and cheese was standard. But it is like that saying that the compilation is more than the sum of its parts. One fine meal. My friends (I did not get a bite) looked amazing and the quivering egg atop was a thing of beauty -she was covered in yolk, but didn't seem to mind a bit. We had also ordered the poutine, with fois gras (Banned in my home state of CA and I was super excited to sink my teeth in). Sadly, after we ordered and sat down to await our meal, the guy chef came over to say he hadn't prepped the poutine- so they were out. I was pretty sad and he said he'd make something close for us. It was fries and cheese curds (yeah baby - fried cheese curds!!), and fries with a blue cheese gravy and duck confit. Yummy yum, but I wanted the fois gras dammit. I wish they would (retail) sell the bulk sausages and rolls to go.
(4)
Jess C.
Since moving to Chicago, I have re-discovered my love for hot dogs. This city is crazy about them! I'll be honest, I prefer plain jane hot dogs but I had to try this place out for its reputation alone. Did you know all their sausages are made that day? Sign me up! I ordered the classic Chili Cheese Dog and was pretty tasty but I was expected more cheese. Great bun for each sausage. Don't forget to try Ketchipotle sauce!
(4)
Matt G.
This place is a ton of fun. There is a lot of variety and everything ive had has been very goodm burnch dog cant go wrong. But the reuben pulaski. Come on dude. Awesome stuff!!! Fries are awesome too. The owner used to work the registwr...not sure anymore. But he was very welcoming and cared about the product. Hot dougs is gone. Come here.
(5)
Jon F.
Place is a joke. Took them 50 minutes to bring me a hotdog. And they didn't have like half of whats on their menu, in stock. Bwahahahahaha. Also? It tasted...so so.
(1)
Lauren C.
LOVE. I decided to treat myself after a doctor's appointment, as I like rewarding myself for doing things I don't always want to do. I came into Franks n Dawgs and was warmly greeted by the super nice guy behind the counter. I was a little overwhelmed by the menu options, but he showed me the handy iPad that features the menu for easy scrolling - AND there are pictures of all of the options! I love pictures of food. I chose the Turdoggin, a turkey and date sausage topped with duck confit, herb garlic aioli, house pickled onion relish & pickled carrots. Because I really believe in a rewards system, I added some fries and a fountain drink to my order, since I wanted to leisurely enjoy my meal while reading my book. If you have your meal at the restaurant, you're asked to choose a tablecard from their Wall of Shame so they can deliver your food to your table. The Wall of Shame is hilarious - it features photos of Lindsay Lohan, Kim Kardashian, and other shameful celebrities. It's something that makes Frank 'n Dawgs unique - and I'll definitely remember this the next time I come in! My meal was perfect. The fries were crispy and salty - the way I like them. The Turdoggin was out of this world. The buns are almost like fancy rolls, and if I wasn't a meat eater, I would just come in and order the buns. The sausage was full of flavor and the toppings were perfect. I was curious as to how the carrots would complement the sausage, but the flavors were perfect together. I was asked by a couple of people how my meal was, which I always appreciate, and it truly was perfect. I would definitely come back here to try other things on the menu - the triple truffle fries sound fantastic!
(5)
Courtney J.
As I was walking down Clybourn today I stumbled upon Franks 'N' Dawgs. What a great stumble, I must say! The workers were very helpful in making my decision of what to get off of their very intriguing menu. Even though I was apprehensive as I read the ingredients that were incorporated in the Tur-Doggin, I went for the kill, and boy I am glad I did! What a tasty "Haute Dawg!" I can't even express how well all of the ingredients went together and the bun itself was absolutely wonderful. I also got the Triple Truffle Fries which were ah-mazing as well. Great place, wonderful people, tasty food, and a fun atmosphere to boot!
(4)
Matthew S.
Franks 'N' Dawgs is as great as everyone says it is. I like that they are open when they say they are going to be (unlike hot dougs). My father and I shared The Chicken Ala Naha, Spicy Carnitas, and the Belly Up. My favorite was the Belly up that has a piece of pork belly with brown mustard on top. The bread is also perfect. We also shared the triple truffle fries and the chili fries. After all of that food you would think we both would have some awful gas. However, the quality of the ingredients kept us from a smelly ride back to Skokie. Everything about this place is better than Hot Dougs. I love the creativity here.
(5)
Kyle G.
Franks 'N' Dawgs is UNREAL but I'm going to make this short and sweet. GET THE TRUFFLE FRIES! with THE BRUNCH DOG, if they have it. if not, any of their house made specialty sausages (Items with the chef hats next to them). I've had tried four so far and they have all been amazing. This place is so great that I'm going to make it a point to go about once a week and try something new.
(5)
Fallon D.
Oh how I love a good hot dog. Combine that with an Aussie working the couner who's always willing to chat about his sausages and you've got a happy girl. The boy is always thrilled to try some new pork creation while I'm content with my lamb keema (bring that back soon! Please?) As a lady who doesn't dig on the swine it's nice to still have plenty of options. Add a Gale's root beer (cardomom and ginger, it's so spicy) and BYOB and it's a match made in heaven. And as if they haven't already done enough, they've got ketchapeño and a wall of fame with Kaner. I do look forward to the new Wall of Shame though. Just bring back my Keema, that thing is made with angel tears.
(5)
Rodrigo D.
The dogs are good, but nothing out of this world. 2 hot dogs, order of fries, and a couple of root beers for $26. I would definitely recommend trying this place once, but whether you become a repeat customer is up to your experience. Cool factor: You get to pick up a D list celebrity card that you velcro on to the edge of your table, so that they can link the order with the table.
(3)
Carl F.
Excellent combinations. Go with friends and split the dogs - too many fantastic options
(5)
Tricia R.
After having been a loyal Hot Doug's fan for the last couple of years, I was pretty skeptical of Frank 'n' Dawgs, thinking it was just another gimmicky fancy schmancy hot dog place that's trying too hard to be like Doug's. But this is not the case with Frank 'n' Dawgs. Majority of their sausages are made in-house, and many of the people there are chefs who were formally trained and who really know what they're doing. We ordered the Tur-Doggin, Belly-Up, Brunch Dog, and Chicken alla Naha, all of which were awesome, with the latter probably being the best of the four. The triple truffle fries (waffle fries!) were perfectly crispy and not too truffle-y, which is a good thing. A bit of a small portion for fries, but we also had an order of regular fries to fill us up more. After eating here, I realized this place is not to be compared with Hot Doug's. Aside from the less traditional more special sausages, Doug's also showcases traditional sausages (i.e. andouille, thuringer, etc), topped with the customer's choice of also traditional toppings. Frank 'n' Dawgs is solely about the fancy toppings on a bun, so don't be coming here if that's not what you want. Some pluses over Doug's is that Frank 'n' Dawgs doesn't have ridiculously long lines, and their hours are more normal-work-people-friendly. This place is definitely worth coming back to.
(5)
Angela S.
We had the cheese head, spoiled braut and cheese fries. Wish I had gotten to the waffle cut fries too! The dogs were really good - who knew portabella mushrooms went so well with gouda and brats? Their buns are amazing, I could eat them by themselves. I loved their wall of shame :)
(4)
Lala S.
HOLY S#@$! This place is awesome. I love sausage as much as the next girl, but this place rocks. Their brioche buns are so freaking good. I will say that this place can get a little pricey and is definitely pricier than Hot Dogs. They also have more gourmet-like combinations, whereas, i think Hot Dogs, has a no thrills approach to their encased meats. So the only reason I docked this place a star was for price (I even used my DePaul discount and our meal costs $31 for 2 sausage sandwiches, order of fries, green tomatoes, and 2 drinks) but I understand, they use high-quality ingredients. The meat quality, however, is amazing. All the sausages are super tasty and juicy. I tried the Little Piggy which was amazing. It was a pork sausage topped with Fried Oysters and condiments. AMAZING! My boyfriend had the burger-something or other which was also very good. The cocktail onions were a nice touch. The Triple Truffle fries were really tasty but for being Triple, I felt like it was missing a Truffle Aioli or something. The Fried Green Tomatoes were really good except you only get 3 measly pieces for $5! I will be back...I'm hooked!
(4)
Kelly B.
Goodbye Hot Doug's. Hello Frank 'N' Dawgs! You're closer to me, you don't have an hour-long line outside, you're dogs and fries are unique and tasty, you're BYOB, and you're owner is super sweet. I had the Mac and Cheese dog and truffle fries. They were... how should I put it... amazeballs. For a gourmet hot dog, I think the price is worth it and you'll be full afterwards. The buns are awesome. They are more like big pieces of bread than buns. And they have cute outdoor seating which is nice. The do have ONE veggie burger with tofu for you herbivores out there. The others are all meat and delicious!
(4)
Robyn T.
No long lines? Gourmet hot dogs, many made in house? Delicious french fries AND Rishi iced tea?! When I'm in the mood for a hot do Franks N Dawgs is THE place to go...no denying it. The homemade hot dogs are huge and I'm a lady that can usually eat a few hot dogs...my turkey dog was so packed with flavor and goodness I could barely finish it. Loved the sense of humor that abounds in this place too. All diners get to select their celebrity photo of choice upon ordering and the friendly staff will bring the dogs to your table. Good deal, right?
(5)
Joiya M.
Very good hot dawgs my dawg!! If you follow Andrew Zimmern here then you made a good choice a little pricey but you get what you pay for. Black Sheep = Baaaa Baaahh Bad as Hell!!!! (that's in a good way folks) Bayou Dog = It taste like the whole Louisiana on a bun...Go SAINTS!! I would come again for sure cause one thing they have to perfection is the bun...ummmm that bun was off the chain I could eat that plain with some butter and be in hog heaven. They can keep them hard azz fries but who needs fries anyway when you got a whole darn meal in a hot dog bun.
(4)
Charlayne A.
OMG! best hot dog I've ever had! We got a recommendation from a friend's Uncle (who lives in Chicago). I don't want to hype it up too much, but basically Franks N Dawgs has an awesome menu (which changes every month). Also, the owner (and staff) are very helpful and friendly. They have an iPad with images of the hot dogs so you can see before you choose. Also, they are eco-conscious - compostable cups, locally acquired ingredients (when possible), and super creative. I love the names of the hot dogs on the menu and the "wall of shame/celebs who have been in the 'dog' house." AND, most of the dawgs are made FRESH everyday (look for the chef's had logo next to the menu item). They also don't use unhealthy additives - and the dawgs are made by trained chefs! Ok, enough about the restaurant...and back to the food. I had the Brunch Dawg - which was awesome. I went with the dawg that won a lot of awards... The dawg was tasty, the bread was delish and the egg was an added bonus! If you live in Chi-town, you are lucky because you can visit everyday. If you are just visiting - I would add Franks N Dawgs to your list of places to go to - its totally worth it! Lastly - if you can't decide, you might try the dawg fight (3 different dawgs) or just close your eyes and point.
(5)
Katrina M.
I'm a fool for that CHEESE HEAD dawg. Holy crap, I have never tasted such a tasty brat, and they totally hit the spot with the portabella mushrooms and my favorite, caramelized onions. The triple truffle fries were amazing too..I probably said wow after every bite of those. They came out the kitchen warm and incredibly crispy. The staff is so wonderful! Big ups to them and for accommodating to our group of 16 :)
(5)
Edward P.
It's the buns! Unique place in a city of great dog joints. I really enjoyed the dogs here. Laid back, great service. I will be back.
(5)
James E.
Love this place! Some of the best gourmet sausages I've ever feasted on. Don't miss out on the triple truffle fries... those things are killer. And please please please if you are here on a Sunday afternoon... just get the brunch dog. You won't be disappointed... just don't expect to stay clean. And yes... I prefer this place to Hot Doug's hands down.
(5)
Tim R.
Awesome gourmet hot dogs and truffle fries. Nice place to take people from out of town.
(5)
Bruce B.
Krazy Kimchi dog with a side of fries....delicious. If this place was closer to Uptown, I would be a fat. Great service, even better food, and very entertaining table cards to reserve your both. I got to stare at the beautiful baby killer, Casey Anthony, while chowing down. I'm not sure why I was amused, but I need to come back here and try more dogs.
(4)
Kyle H.
YUM. I am a whore for hot dogs, I have been ever since I was a kid. While I'll never turn down a classic Chicago style dog, I will still try any gourmet sausage that is placed in front of me. I haven't been to Hot Doug's, as it's super far from my house and apparently has like, a mile long line the entire time it's open. Franks n Dawgs is much closer and even though my opinion is one sided, totally comparable if not better. Hype does not always make a place the best. My only grievances are that, for as busy as it is, it seems to have a bit of a lack of seating. However, there was an outdoor seating area, but it was pouring rain monsoon-style when we were there, so that option was out. The guy who took our order was SO NICE, we joked about us being the Jonas Brothers (you're given a cut out of a celebrity to bring to your table in lieu of a number or your name being called out) and he was smiling the whole time. One of the other employees seemed perhaps a little bitter with the way he asked people to shift in the line - I understand that it's very annoying to have long lines of people clogging up a small space, but there is nowhere to form a line and that's something worth considering. We all got our own sausage, they were all divine, and we all shared the truffle fries, mac and cheese and brussels sprout salad - all awesome. Definitely worth checking out, consider going for lunch before you go grocery shopping, since the Trader Joe's and Aldi are right across the street and everyone knows you should never go grocery shopping when you're hungry if you don't want to walk out with the whole store. :)
(4)
Chloe C.
After seeing Frank N Dawgs on the Zimmerman show, I had to experience it for myself. My bf and I came her the other day for lunch and we ordered the bacon mac and cheese, truffle fries and the great whale? The bacon mac n cheese dawg was amazing! Truffle fries was tasty but a bit too oily. Great whale was.. eh... I love seafood, but maybe not so much as a "dawg".
(4)
Marilyn M.
I came across this place while hunting for sports wear a couple doors down....I had no ideal this place existed but wanted to check it out and Im so glad I did...the menu was pretty gourmet for hot dogs they do everything home made and the chef was really nice....I loved it....I will def . go back.
(5)
Michelle H.
Now let me preface this that I am with the majority of Chicago as a solid customer at Doug's. This place was straight up disappointing. On a normal day I wouldn't have even tried this place, knowing that it's a doug rip-off. But today, I was into it. So my boyfriend and I take a quick stroll to Franks n' Dawgs. I ordered the Cheese Head and it was straight up gross. The sausage itself was just not right. The casing was way too thick. I mean I love pig intestine as much as the next person, but sweet god, this was way too thick! I never do this but I had to say something. I was just majorly disappointed. I walk up and say I would like a chicago dog instead of the cheese head. They were really easy going about it, which was cool. My Chicago Style Hot Dog finally came out and I was excited. Yeah, it was different then the normal chicago style I'm used too, but hey I'll give it a chance. It was good, but no Super Dawg. I also ordered the truffle fries and they were good but a little overpriced. The thing that may have tipped me off about this place was the plaque with the owner's bio on it. Really? All I could think was what a joke. Yeah, I said it.
(1)
Kathryn M.
Yum. I love me some battered and fried hotdog, and this Corn Dawg delivered the goods! Polenta battered? Um, yes. Please. Served with whole grain mustard, a deliciously sweet dipping sauce, and pickled (?) carrots - this was heaven on a stick. The sausage was juicy, the polenta soft, the outside crispy. This ain't no State Fair corn dog, that's for sure. We also tried the Dirty Dog, an andouille sausage served over dirty rice and topped with hush puppies and a tomato cherry chutney (or something like that). Again, delicious. What a great combination for a dog. Can't wait to try some of the others! I can think of no better way to ring in the official start of summer in Chicago than with a hotdog on a sunny patio (well, okay , I CAN, but this way was pretty nice too.)
(5)
Sara P.
Now let me preface this by saying that I have been to Hot Doug's. Franks 'N' Dawgs was excellent, and I'd have to say, a bit better than Hot Doug's. My boyfriend and I split the Spoiled Brat and the Foss Hog. My favorite was the Foss Hog, with delicious bacon, maple mayo, a fried egg, all atop a pork loin sausage. It was a delicious taste explosion. Plus--and here is where FND outstrips Hot Doug's--the bun was sturdy, grilled in something delicious, and added even more to the encased meat and its toppings. The truffle fries were out of this world too. "Bizarre Foods" from the Travel Channel was filming when I was there, so I bet this place will become much more popular once the episode airs, meaning a longer line will probably form (very short wait right now). So...get there while you can before this hot dog joint also gets a 2 hour wait.
(5)
Jennifer A.
I saw them featured on Bizarre Foods, and after seeing the amazing menu choices, had to try it. I should add, i havnt eaten a hot dog in over 5 years...not my normal food path. My husband went the traditional route and got a chili dog...which he had nothing bad to say about. I had the Tur-Doggin:Turkey & date sausage topped with duck confit, herb garlic aioli, house pickled onion relish & pickled carrots. With a side of amazing skinny fries. Hell-o! very good! Very cheap!
(4)
Steven R.
This is a wannabe and rip off of Hot Doug's. Even with that, the dogs sound good but for some reason don't taste that good. Overrated in my opinion.
(2)
Jess H.
This place is located in the cute shopping, area near Goose Island Brewery and the Crate n Barrel outlet - so it's always a good reason to stop by. I am giving a three star rating to my unfortunate experience of showing up when they had ran out of buns for the day and opted to have a corndog instead. The outer crust of the 'dog' was definitely fried but seemingly not cooked all of the way through - a soggy, fried dog is not the most appetizing. I look forward to returning and trying one of their other menu options - I feel my rating could be higher!
(3)
Don J.
Nice place with a different take on hot dogs with some of their different hot dogs working and tasting good with others falling short of the mark. The place is generally so busy you need to line up in an alleyway which isn't as bad as it sounds. Its covered and they have the menu in the alleyway so you can pick what you want while you wait. When I was there we tried the Triple Truffle Fries (which are the exact same as you can get in the Trump Hotel but about half of the price), the Spicy Carnita, the Brunch Dog and the Krazy Kimchi. The spicy carnita had a very tasty sausage in it with a great bun but the spicy pumkin puree doesnt really work and I scraped that off the sausage. The Krazy Kimchi was very nice and one of the best dogs on the menu. The Brunch dog was my personal favourite which bearing in mind all the various types of hot dogs they have, is probably one of the more traditional hot dogs that they have. Service is very good and friendly and I will go back but probably not at a peak lunch time period to avoid the line.
(3)
Kathleen I.
I felt like I was cheating on Hot Dougs by coming here, but they were open at 8pm on a Saturday night. That my friend, is something Hot Dougs doesn't do. The type of place is quite similar in the sense it is fancy hot dogs. I ordered the Truffel mac and cheese as well because well I hate french fries. The mac and cheese was AMAZING. The food was great, a bit expensive for hot dogs, but worth it. The atmosphere was great as well, and the service exceptional. I truly enjoyed the place and will be back.
(5)
Richard R.
I had a specialty dog which I forgot what it was... anyways... wow best hot dog I've ever had... Unfortunately, when I went they did not have the truffle fries... they only serve them on certain days. I really wanted to try them... next time hopefully. The dog didn't fill me up and it was around $9 if I remember correctly. This is my only complaint... If I wanted to get stuffed I would have to shell out $20 and that's a pricey lunch... but what I tried was really tasty.
(4)
Angela F.
This is my favorite place in the world:) Everything in here is amazing and I have never been let down! The buns are heavenly! I love the Tur-doggen and the truffle fries are amazing. My husband and I actually have to split up the bowl of fries so that we don't fight for them!
(5)
Vodka Sauce C.
The bun , the dog , the truffle fries . really nothing else to say . PHENOMENAL !! AA++
(5)
Emily Z.
okay I went back and tried the Tur-Dawgin and it was AMAZING ! It was sooo moist and sweet and the bun was just as fabulous as I remember ! My friend who doesn't eat hot dogs even tried one (only after the owner assured her that they only use the best cuts of meat and gave her a chili dog without casing!) we also got chili cheese fries to split and I wasn't impressed with those, but who really needs fries when you have a huge delicious dog. There service is great, they take time to describe things for you, and they always check up on you half way through !! This is seriously my new secret indulgence !!!
(5)
Winston G.
I thought the sausages here were excellent, even if they do distinguish between the sausages made on the premises (chef hat to the left side of the sandwich name) with sausages they ship in. I had their Spicy Yucatan, which is a Achiote pork sausage, habernero pickled red onions, sliced avacado, and queso quesadilla cheese on a New-England style lobster roll bun (I am automatically predisposed to liking a place more for using this type of bun). Given my low-carb diet, I ordered this sans the bun (cried a bit inside). However, my friends thought the bun was unique and buttery, but one of my friends still preferred a regular hot dog bun. Overall, the sausage I had was flavorful and rich in taste, but not overwhelmingly oily. The garnishes provided a nice balance, especially the cheese and avacados. My main complaint was that the sausage on its own was a bit small, especially at it's $9 price tag. Most people could easily eat two of these, which makes this place very pricey for lunch. However, I would probably come back again for their waffle truffle fries (which I had ONE of today), as those tasted really good (and I am a sucker for waffle fries). 4 stars, no more and no less. Pictures and more reviews: thegluttonousjd.com/2011…
(4)
Leslie S.
Loved it. Great creative dogs with wonderful ingredients...and the truffled waffle fries were excellent!
(5)
Selena L.
I had the Crazy Kimchee dog and fell in love! The meat was perfect. Only request would be: more kimchee please. Can't wait to go back and try their other creations!
(4)
Nimit P.
I loved this place. They grind almost all their meats for their dogs/sausages in house and they have tons of interesting creations to indulge in. Very comparable to Hot Dougs but with it's own flare (and wildly more convenient to Lincoln Park dwellers) I give this place my definite stamp of approval. They have a bunch of great sides (truffle mac and cheese) as well, the only slight downside is it can get a little pricey in the end. We split three dogs and two sides between two people and it cam out to around $40 (bear in mind that was plenty of food and we didn't even finish all of it). Otherwise it's a great spot for a small group, not a ton of space inside so groups of four to six tops I think- but you can carry out as well. Go there, eat well, leave happy.
(4)
Johnny A.
Pretty reasonable prices for the quality of food you get here and it being Lincoln Park. Franks and Dawgs (F-N-D as i will be calling it now) has Fresh ingredients and I went on a Saturday afternoon and only was 3 people deep in line. In and out in 20 minutes is pretty good is you ask me. I am also a fan of there frankfurter style buns they use and they have chipotle ketchup , super yummy. I will definitely be making another stop at F-N-D!!
(4)
Jeremy G.
Best part - the bread wrapped around the dawg. The hot dogs and combinations themselves are great, but the bread is what makes it awesome.
(5)
Jake C.
Best hot dog I've ever had. You must note, this is NOT a traditional Chicago hot dog joint. In fact, you can't even get a classic Chicago-style dog (well, maybe you can ask for one, but it isn't on the menu). If Charlie Trotter opened a hot dog joint, this would be it. The buns are awesome: they look like little cozies made of french toast, and stand up perfectly on their own. They taste delicious, but don't overpower the dog or the other condiments. The two dogs that we tried were both excellent: many obscure and upscale-sounding ingredients that somehow blend into a perfect party in your mouth. I had the "Chicagoesque" and I would not hesitate to order it again, after I've tried all the other ones that are tempting me! The cheese fries were excellent and gooey, and the "Ketchipotle" ketchup was awesome! I'm going to have to see if I can find that at World Market. Aside from the wondrous collection of hot dogs, made from various ciritters, they also have a selection of "Junior Dogs" for kids, and a couple of impressive looking desserts. Also, a yummy-sounding mac-and-cheese that I'll have to try someday. The staff was uniformly friendly, helpful, and enthusiastic. They seemed to genuinely enjoy seeing people come in for a bite. They give you your choice of laminated celebrity photos to take to your table after you order and pay, so that the servers can find you to bring your food when it's ready. She choose Johnny Depp before I had a chance to ask for Da Coach. Being a total cheapskate, It's rare for me to give five stars to a place that costs $20 for lunch for two. But Franks 'N' Dawgs is worth it. Final point: the soda fountain has COKE ZERO! All fast food places should have Coke Zero, but alas, they don't yet. Hopefully, I'll live long enough to see an enlightened world where Coke Zero completely replaces the vile Diet Coke at soda fountains throughout the land!
(5)
Ashley O.
Go here and get the Chicagoesque. It is the best hot dog I've ever eaten. The dog is succulent and flavorful, the bun is toasty, and the toppings are a beautiful combination of flavors I would never expect on a hot dog. The guys who put these dogs together absolutely know what they are doing. I have also had their BLT dog which was a bacon-infused sausage topped with tomatoes and romaine lettuce. I would give that a 3 or 4 star: good, but not mind-blowing. I also love that the first time I told the guy to hold the mustard on my hot dog, and then he made me taste it. It's a beer mustard they make in house, and I like seeing the enthusiasm for their product. I have been eating their mustard ever since. The second time I went here I tried their Truffle Waffle Fries which I also highly recommend. The menu is always changing (I think they rotate 4 or so dogs a month) but the Chicagoesque is so good it will be hard to convince me to deviate from it.
(5)
Lidia L.
My boyfriend loved this place. He definitely liked it because it beats waiting in the freezing cold for the long line at Hot Doug's. It was even better tasting. He said it tasted a lot healthier and more fresh than Hot Doug's. Though Hot Doug's is a great place as well.... minus the freezing cold wait. The truffle fries are TO DIE FOR! You can taste the truffle oil in every bite you take and the fries are the waffle cut so they are even better! I would say the truffle fries take it for the win for the 5 stars! The owner came by our table and asked us how we enjoyed it all... A note to all .... THEY HAVE TRUFFLE FRIES EVERYDAY NOW! According to the manager, the demand was so high that they are offering it everyday!
(4)
Rajiv H.
Franks 'N' Dawgs gave me the two best hot dogs I've ever had (if they officially qualify as hot dogs in any way). We live in a city that prides itself on its strong hot dog heritage with everything between Portillo's and Hot Dougs, but Franks 'N' Dawgs is different and ups the game quite a bit. After some consultation with the extremely friendly and helpful man behind the counter, my Wife and I got the Foss Hog and the Lamb Keema respectively. My wife apparently didn't see that the Foss had a fried sunny side up egg on it which she detests, so, we pulled a switcheroo. It didn't matter. They were both ridunkulously good. That's right, ridunkulously. A lot of reviews mention the overpowering buns, and while the bun for the Foss had a stronger flavor than the one for the Lamb Keema, I have to disagree with everyone else. I could taste each individual element in the Foss as well as they way they mingled together in my mouth. The cobb smoked bacon on the Foss was some of the best bacon I've ever had. The Keema was authentic, perfectly cooked, and so flavorful with the cool cucumber salad sauce (a.k.a. raitha) being perfect for a warm summer day. It is pretty expensive, even for a gourmet hot dog. With the truffle waffle fries (awesome, though not nearly as good as DMK's parmesian truffle fries) and the two dawgs it came to $24, but we were definitely full after. The location is terrible for a place like this, but with how good they are I sure hope they'll survive.
(5)
Monica L.
Talk about amazing!!!! Pork of July talk about yum!!! And omg the truffle fries.....TO DIE FOR! NOMMERS!
(5)
Johnnie F.
This would ordinarily be a 4-5 star review - from the dogs to the amazing service (will explain why it fell short in a moment). They have a gal walk around asking everyone how their dining experience is going ... and the chef came out and personally asked me how my dogs were... and it wasn't just lip-service - he engaged me in conversation. So why only 3 stars? I honestly think they can serve hot-dogs like these in a much nicer "non-fast-food" environment. Sure, I can see why they make it that way - where you order at a window and sit down at hard-seated tables... but I can tell you, if they actually had a wait-staff I probably would have ordered a great deal more and stayed longer, had the atmosphere been better. Another minus: If you order a number of items, it'll probably run you over $20-25 bones ... personally again, I think it's worth every bit - but others might feel no hotdog is worth this. I think they are, but would be much more so if the place was decked out better.
(3)
Anna V.
Love the Brunch Dog!! The maple mayo is awesome, and the egg is always cooked perfectly. The buns they use are really soft and full of buttery goodness. I was a big fan of the Dirty Dog, but I think it might have been seasonal. The truffle fries are also delicious, we got it with fresh shaved truffles. Yum! The dessert is also really creative and tasty. It looks like a hot dog, but the bun is actually filled with ice cream and other sweet dessert stuff. The people there are also super nice and friendly, and I always feel so welcomed when I'm there. Highly recommend this place, I've definitely become a regular!
(5)
Jason B.
This place rocks. I've had four sausages here. Each one has been better than the last. Everyone that isn't happy because this isn't Hot Doug's needs to keep in mind that they are still in their soft opening and trying stuff out. The grand opening is scheduled for April 15. The reviewer the criticized the "chubby kid behind the counter" for eating the fries needs to learn a little bit about how quality restaurants work. The "chubby kid" used to work at Blackbird and then was at Sixteen in the Trump Tower. He was probably tasting a fresh batch of fries to make sure they were cooked correctly. This place is only going to go up from here. I agree with the other reviewers that it is a bit pricier than Hot Doug's, but I think this can be justified because of the higher rent at this location and the fact that they make most of their own sausages (the exceptions are the hot dogs and the german sausages which require a finer grind). What really makes this place is the buns. They are almost like brioche!
(5)
Kevin T.
Still awesome...staff still friendly. Huge assortment. Something for everyone. Love this place.
(5)
eric m.
How do you separate yourself from other hot dog joints; whats gonna draw them back? The bread. The bread is amazing! Its like a sweet hawaiian roll. It sops up all the savory goodness from their dawgs. The lyonnaise fries was a great addition and by far one of the best fries options you can get anywhere in Chicago.
(5)
Deirdre R.
Innuendo be damned, I loved incased meat. Hot dogs, chicken sausage, brats, you name it, I want to eat it. The concept of Franks N Dawgs delights me. It's '5 star dining on a bun' which means that the expert chefs have crafted unique sausages and homemade toppings and condiments to accompany them. Still don't get it? Just imagine your favorite flavors and cuisine served up hot dog style. One look at the menu and you'll realize that the folks at Franks and Dawgs have not limited themselves to the traditional meats and condiments that you find on a bun. They've got everything from a Chicken Caesar dog topped with creamy Caesar mayo to a Cheesehead brat piled high with portabella mushrooms and caramelized onions. I had the opportunity to try a handful of the artisan franks and each one had the perfect medley of flavors and the gourmet toppings that complemented the dogs perfectly. Other standouts included the beef curry dog topped with a crunchy Asian slaw and the to-die for mystery corn dog (aptly named for the fact that you have no idea what type of sausage you're getting). The corn dog is dipped in a polenta batter and fried to a golden perfection- the texture was like nothing I've ever tried. While the meat and toppings would be delicious standing alone, the toasted buns they are served on take them to the next level- seriously, next level. The buns at Franks N Dawgs really deserve their own review, they are that good. They are sort of a cross between a traditional hot dog bun and Texas toast. They are browned up on the grill right next to the dogs and what results is a bun sturdy enough to handle the meat and piled high condiments but still soft and crunchy. You just need to try it to understand. I really appreciate a restaurant that sticks to one concept and style of food and then executes it to perfection, and that's what Franks N Dawgs has done. Perfect gourmet hotdogs, scratch made toppings and hand cut fries served in a casual setting for a reasonable price. Great addition to the neighborhood. Check it out.
(5)
Rick C.
This place was dope. I can see how there are comparisons with Hot Doug's, but there are distinct differences. First off, they're open later and we were able to walk right in and order our food without waiting an hour outside....for now. From the sound of things, I think business is going to pick up big time. We went nuts and ordered two dogs a piece along with fries and a drink. The only excuse I can make for ordering so much food is that I was drinking at the Cubs game all afternoon. These sausages are quite a meal. We ordered the Beef Curry sausage with orange marmalade, the Turdawgen(turkey and date sausage) with duck confit, the lamb sausage with cucumber, yogurt sauce, peas, and socca chips, and the mystery corn dog. They were all good. My favorite was the lamb. It was juicy, well spiced, and all the toppings helped accentuate the sausage. My least fav was the mystery corn dog. The sausage was a good regular beef hot dog. The polenta batter was a bit mushy. The gentleman that took our order was super cool. He was informative and made some good recommendations. Also, all sausages should be served on these buns. They held up awesomely...is that a word? I'd definitely recommend it.
(4)
John W.
This place is teetering on the edge of greatness. First off, there are a lot of dogs here. An overwhelming amount, and each one is so different, it's hard to get a handle on exactly what you want. If they could figure out a mini-dog sampler plate, it would outsell everything else. I settled on the Lamb Keema and the Knocked Up. The Lamb was done up like a British occupation of an Indian staple, complete with mushy peas. I liked it, but like most British food, it could have used some more spice. The Knocked Up didn't have that issue. It came with grilled eggplant, goat cheese, salsa verde...lots of flavor. But the flavor of the knockwurst was completely lost. I should have asked to have the sausages switched. I shouldn't complain, though. I gobbled both with fries. Well, half of both. They're a touch bigger than I expected but not giant. The french fries were really, really good, and even stayed crisp after the bike ride home. I'm tempted to compare it to that other place, but they're just too different. Both have really great dogs, Franks has no desire to be a mecca for tourists and suburbanites. What it is, however, is a place to impress someone with a really great meal and no hassle.
(5)
M L.
My meat-eating friends like this pace, but as an ex-meat-eater who enjoys the vegetarian recreation of a real Chicago Dog , I must warn other like-minded veggies: "Frank's 'N' Dawgs" isn't even attempting that trick. Maybe 2 slices of tofu with mushrooms on top is what modern vegans want, but I want a Hot Dog!
(2)
Daniel H.
5 if a lil cheaper but sausage is great! cool staff
(4)
Lisa W.
Skeptical if anyone else could do this well again. (and I happen to know the owners). But there is no AGAIN here. This is a whole new concept in "hot dog" eating that is both accessible to everyone and able to please the most discerning palate. A lifelong hot dog eater who has gone recently vegetarian, I was very pleased with their vegetarian offering (not just a soy dog), but also loved my taste of their non-veggie corn dog. And love that everything is locally made/sourced...And that sauerkraut is wonderful. This is the best thing to happen to North and Clybourn since traffic lights!
(5)
John A.
I went to Franks N Dawgs a few weeks back and had an okay experience so with both me and my wife off work today, I thought it would be something different for us to do for lunch. After checking the website, it listed that Franks N Dawgs WAS OPEN on Mondays. So we drove all the way from Oak Park to find the restaurant closed with a paper sign on the door saying it will no longer be open on Mondays as of several weeks ago. Is it really too much to ask for them to update their expensive-looking website? It would probably take less time than it took to make the paper sign they taped to the door. Honestly, the food was not that good that it's worth my time to show up not knowing if the place will be open or not. Who knows what other information might be wrong on the website. If Franks N Dawgs doesn't care enough about it's customers to give them the correct hours, they certainly don't want my business. I'll be going back to Hot Doug's, at least their dogs are delicious.
(1)
Nick S.
This was my second visit to Franks. The first time was pretty good, but was hoping for a encore on my second. I have to say that Franks delivered. We got the Lamb sausage, Mystery Corn Dog sausage (which was a polish), the Bratwurst, and the Truffle Fries (they're only available on weekends!) Everything was delicious, and I felt like I was going to have a heart attack after ward. The perfect finisher for a hot dog place. The dogs are just as good as the dogs at Hot Doug's. Best part is waiting a fraction of the time for the food. Can't beat that!
(4)
Adam S.
Amazing gourmet hotdogs. This place is certainly worth the stop if you're in the area. I tried the 'Spoiled Brat', the 'Chicagoesque Dawg', and the 'Krazy Kimchi Dawg'. All were quite good, though the Kimchi Dawg was best. I hope I'll get a chance to try the other styles the next time I'm in Chicago. I think their prices are slightly higher than their gourmet hotdog competitor farther north, but you won't be waiting an hour in line. I do wish they stocked hot peppers, though.
(4)
Jake D.
Awesome!
(5)
Char Y.
We came by accident while walking by. I heard of this place before and were excited to try interesting or unusual hot dogs. We ordered mystery corn dog - loved the dog, not so much the polenta coating spicy duck dog - really good, except the pork chips on top chili fries - ok, both fries & the chili I got the above and a drink & it was $22. CRAZY! I love their dog buns, but I do agree it overtakes the dogs itself. The dogs are very yummy, but not worth the price.
(3)
Jonathan G.
Look out, Hot Doug's!!! If you like hot dogs, if you like sausage, you must go to Franks and Dawgs soon. I can imagine within months there will be a long wait for this amazing new restaurant. The beef curry sausage is out of this world. The service is great, and the chefs, not cooks, know what they are doing. The buns are gourmet breads,a nd could survive on their own. Amazing combinations of flavors and ingredients with a beautiful presentation will make this place a new "it" spot. It's easy to get to as well. Go. Now.
(5)
Jimmy P.
I had the honor of eating: - China Town Duck - 5/5. This sausage was juicy and perfectly cooked. - Chili Fries - 4/5. Great mild chili and good fries. - Truffle Fries - 5/5. $%#@. Crispy. Waffle. Truffle. Garlic. If I lived closer to Franks 'N' Dawgs I'd be fat.
(5)
Tricia D.
Ahh, review #100 of 2013 belongs to Franks 'n Dawgs! (Cue applause) "5-star dining on a bun" is Franks 'n Dawgs slogan! Ah yes, this would explain why they have words like bechamel and remoulade on the menu and ingredients such as daikon and tarragon. They really had us at buttered brioche. Brioche buns are fantastic in their own right and definitely 1005x better than your boring, staling white hot dog bun from the supermarket. We didn't have to wait for a table, given it was 3pm on a Saturday afternoon. What was the grub for $73, you ask? Two peking duck sausages with scallions and crispy skin (the best part), a corned beef sausage with a hash brown nest and poached egg, pheasant and raisin sausage with chutney and almonds, pork and shrimp sausage with shrimp tempura on top, and sides of truffle waffle fries and cheese curds. Whew! With the exception of a 1/3 of a sausage, the 2 of us polished everything off, agreed we had overdone it calorie consumption wise, and rolled out of there. It was unanimous that the duck sausages were our favorite, and the sides rocked our socks off! As you may have noticed, be prepared for the price point. This isn't your typical hot dog stand pricing! Each one will run $10-13, but is a hearty serving. Fun side note: when you dine in, you choose a placecard from the "wall of shame" (instead of your typical black number on a white card) to indicate where the servers should send your order. Choices include Sarah Palin and the Brady Bunch.
(5)
Teejay B.
I won't lie, this was our second choice for hot dogs in Chicago. Mostly because they don't sell Chicago style dogs and we had never had one before. Once we got to our first choice and the line was out the door and into the next city, we came here. Man, am I glad we did! I LOVE weird combos for normal food. Anyone who throws random stuff on a hot dog is ok in my book. For table markers, you can pick from an array of lovely pictures off the celebrity wall of shame. We, of course, chose Dennis Rodman. Although after we sat down, I noticed a picture of Britney Spears with a shaved head and was immediately bummed she didn't grace our table with her beautiful presence. We ordered the southerner and the dawg of the month, the quiche. I'll be damned if those weren't some of the finest combinations of flavors on a hog dog that I've ever had. Excuse me...hot "dawg". The southerner had a cookout feel to it with the perfect amount of BBQ sauce. It was hard to choose which one I liked more since the quiche dog had pickled onions on it. Pickled anything is the bees knees. I'm definitely glad we stumbled in to this gem of a hole in the wall. Perfection!
(5)
Ashley M.
I ordered the the Banh Mi dawg and it was pretty good. The fries were subpar, we had to order regular fries because they were out of waffle fries, how annoying. Overall it was pretty good and not your typical hot dogs.
(4)
Clarice W.
4.5 stars. When I reflect on my meal at Franks 'N' Dawgs I will admit that my first thoughts are of the bun. Oh, that bun!! Thick, chewy, carb heaven. I'll never look at another hot dog bun again. Now, if the bun alone is that incredible, just think about what that says about the rest of the dog... These are serious sausages with serious toppings. Every element of my Epic Pig-gasm, from the sweet bacon jam to the crispy chicharrones, was spot on. These dogs not only tapped into my street food cravings, but also provided novel tastes and textures to satisfy the foodie in me. Why choose one if you can have both!? However, I will make one small caveat - and I can't believe I'm even saying this - I almost felt like there was too much bacon. Now, hear me out: I love bacon about as much as it gets, but after my third bite I felt myself searching for more of that fantastic sausage flavor. The toppings, though amazing, did overwhelm a bit. If I return again I'll opt for another dog. If I haven't shocked you all enough with my "too much bacon" comment, I'll go out on another limb: I think these fries are overrated. Waffle fries are my all time favorite fry but I found these to be a tad on the soft side. The truffle fries everyone mentions were no better than the ones I've had elsewhere (no worse, either). Truffle fries are everywhere nowadays and Franks 'N' Dawgs is just one other business that offers them. Want to know what you don't see everywhere though? A Franks 'N' Dawgs sausage. As an out-of-towner, I guarantee you that any time I have another sausage, I'll be thinking of Franks 'N' Dawgs...and most likely, wishing I was there again.
(5)
George A.
Updated review: My plan was to have the guys pick me something different every time and then give my opinion, cancel that. New plan, start on the left side of the menu and move right until I have tried everything. The reason for this is the combinations of flavors are too unique not to experience. Do not be afraid of trying a dog because you do not like one of the ingredients. Remember, these guys emphasize their background in fine dining. No single ingredient will overpower the entire dish. Every flavor is complimented and sometimes slightly offset by another. If it's your first time I recommend you order whatever you are craving that day. On your next visit you should try something different. 5 stars for variety and originality.
(5)
Sarah S.
Bumping Franks N Dawgs up to the five stars they deserve. Hands down best dawgs in the city. They are so creative, flippin' delicious, friendliest staff, fantastic side items...I'm obsessed. Skip the long line at Hot Doug's and come to this tastier, less crowded specialty hot dog shop in the Goose Island area on Clyborne (within walking distance of the brewery). My Top Dawgs: Brunch Dog ($8.50) - Slagel farms pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo. Perfect for hangovers and hands down my favorite hot dog they offer. Bacon Mac n Cheese Dog ($7.50) - Bacon sausage, truffle mac n cheese with parmesan, brioche bread crumbs & thyme. They've amped this dog up a bit since the last time I tried it and it not reigns as one of my absolute favorites. I'm a huge mac & cheese fan in general but this dog has the mac & cheese with that truffle flare. Epic Porgasm ($9) - Bacon sausage, bacon jam, whiskey glazed pork belly, baconaise, chicharrons, and ham dust. Holy Pig Meat! I just tried this for the first time yesterday and it was filled with so many types of pig and this made my pig face happy. Oink oink. Special Mention: Triple Truffle Fries ($4.95) - Yukon Gold waffle cut fries, truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle salt & freshly chopped herbs. These fries are the best fries on the face on the planet. I'm not big on fries but these have my heart. They are soaked in everything truffle leading to an explosion of flavor in your mouth - no ketchup needed! And there are still SO many more hot dogs on the menu I want to try. It's hard to try new doggies when I know the fantastic ones here and always want to stick to the tried & true meats. I have yet to try the Corn Dog Flight ($7.95) or normal ol' Hot Dog Flight ($15 for 3 half dogs). Yesterday the three in the hot dog flight were Sogni di Porcellino, Tur-Doggin and the Krazy Kimchi but they are always changing. Come to Franks n Dawgs and experience what a real gourmet Chicago hot dog is! AND ---- BYOB!!!!
(5)
Megan H.
I also had high expectations and felt sort of let down. I ordered the brat with the mac n cheese on top. I think there was a problem with textures since the brat had absolutely none. I wish it would have been griddled or something. The mac n cheese was decent but it did nothing for the sandwich. There needed something crunchy and bread crumbs on top didn't help. However, maybe I ordered wrong. My fiance really did like his dog. My personal feeling is that they try too hard with some of the toppings and yes, it's super pricey. Our two dogs, order of regular fries and one drink came to $25. However, the buns they use are fantastic.
(2)
Jay J.
It's like they say gourmet hot dogs. You add $5 to everything just because it's "gourmet". This is o.k. and yes it's different but the receipt leaves an aftertaste....
(3)
Michael N.
Saw it on Man vs. Food! I had the Krazy Kimchi Dawg and fell in love with the first bite. If you order your dog with fries, its only enough for one person FYI. I need to go back to try others! A must visit when you're in Chicago.
(5)
Jason C.
Reuben Pulaski - enough said! The dog has a potato pancake on it! This place is great. Alexander, the owner, is super friendly and nice. Go here, check it out! Just as good as Hot Dougs and no 2 hour wait.
(5)
Sonny S.
Stumbled upon Franks 'N' Dawgs while getting lost driving around in Lincoln Park and decided to try it out. These are the times that I don't mind getting lost, lol. Apparently, FnD has been featured on a ton of food and travel shows garnering attention for their house-made sausages and interesting flavor combinations; Seeing the accolades displayed outside, I knew I was in for a good meal - JACKPOT! The entrance can be confusing because there's a door in front of the restaurant, but that's the actually the exit. To get to the entrance, you have to go down a creepy little alley. Once you're in, the space is small with booths on both sides of the restaurant. The menu is posted on the wall and you place your order at the window; when your order's ready, they bring your food to the table. It took me forever to choose what I wanted -- everything looks so damn good! Try to come in a group so you can sample more items. TRIPLE TRUFFLE FRIES waffle fries + truffle oil + truffle butter + truffle salt = HOW CAN YOU GO WRONG? BRUNCH DOG This is the quintessential breakfast hot dog and comes topped with Slagel farms pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo; that runny yolk makes this dish with the sweetness from the maple mayo EPIC PORK-GASM If you're a pork lover like me, you will LOVE this dog; they use pork SIX ways here - GENIUS; it comes with Bacon sausage, bacon jam, whiskey glazed pork belly, baconaise, chicharrons, and ham dust note: you will need a nap afterwards DOUBLE DUCKER This was one of the more decadent dogs we ordered and came with duck sausage, duck confit salad, pickled shiitake mushrooms, foie gras torchon and maple mustard; absolutely rich and delicious - the acidity from the pickled shiitakes balanced the richness from the other components I can't really pick one that I liked more than the other; everything was that good and the best part? They toast their buns like ones you'll find when you get lobster rolls. The rolls were so buttery, toasty and warm - can't wait to go back and try the other dogs!
(4)
Piya P.
Three stars might be too generous.. Can I give them 2.5 stars?! I went in on a Wednesday around 1pm. I understand that they probably just went through a lunch rush hour but they should clean off the tables regardless! After picking out my Sammy Sosa table thing, all I saw was garbage and dirty dishes on most of the tables while I was trying to find a seat. I ordered the taco dawg. The toppings were tasty and my first couple bites were pretty awesome. But then, when I got closer to the center of the sausage, it was still a bit undercooked!! I pointed out to one of the workers but he said it's the marinade or seasoning that makes the sausage look pinkish red inside. Umm NO! It was pink AND mushy on the inside. I've handled food before, I know the difference between cooked and uncooked meat.. Blehh. Lost my appetite, didn't even want to order anything else so I left the place very hangry. The truffle fries were awesome though, would definitely go back for those.
(3)
Drew M.
The few times I've been to this place, it's always been a lot emptier than it should be. If I somehow controlled the consciousness of a large enough group of people via some hive-mind deal, this joint would be packed from opening to closing. Many, many highlights, but to me the most compelling reason to come is the bacon mac 'n' cheese dog. Not only is the bacon sausage the most efficient, inventive solution to the false choice between bacon and sausage -- the truffle mac 'n' cheese is really, really sublime. Like, I'm not that big a fan of mac 'n' cheese, but I'd eat this one by the heap. And on top of a bacon sausage? Come on, does the pope -- I'm not going there. Another gem, to me anyway, is the Julia Child dog with the steak au poivre sausage and a really awesome cognac something something sauce. It's a wonderful feast of flavors that really makes you wish the dogs were a bit larger here. The truffle parmesan fries are also an utter delight and some of the best I've had anywhere. The hot-dog buns are also perfectly toasted and richly buttery. The downside? The wait might be a little long for a hot dog -- but that's kind of the norm at many brick-and-mortar gourmet-hot-dog establishments; especially ones with such a range of products. No matter; they're more than worth the wait.
(5)
Jamie B.
Unique hot dog options. Different textures and flavors! Prepare for messy but amazing! I had the Julia's love child that had asparagus on top! Hard to find and a little on the divey side. They have a dog with a fried egg on top! Service was mediocre. Instead of getting a number or giving a name for your order they have pictures of defamed celebrities such as Dennis Rodman or Lindsey Logan! Lol! They carry Argo tea and coke products. The signage is very confusing one saying they are open until 9pm and the other sign saying open until 5pm....
(4)
Lisa N.
I went here with a group of friends since it gets great reviews and it is open later than Hot Doug's. As a group, I think we tried (and shared) just about every dog on the menu. What can I say, Hot Doug's has spoiled us. This place tries but does not succeed. At all. Except for the brussel sprout salad and the truffle fries, which were the only redeeming parts of the meal. The menu items are generally overpriced, too. The only reason I could see going back to Franks 'N' Dawgs is for the brussel sprout salad if I had already paid to park somewhere in the neighborhood.
(1)
R. N.
While it may be a bit of a rip off of Hot Doug's, it's really good and more convenient to downtown. I've eaten here a number of times and pretty much everything is delicious. Staff is nice too, kid friendly, just great.
(5)
Chrisna A.
This is the best dining option there is along the desolate stretch of Clybourn between Cortland/Racine and North. Not that that's much of a compliment, but I actually really like this place. The truffle fries in particular are great. One of the special hot dogs, the wonderful fries, and a drink will easily clear $15. This may seem pricey, but I haven't had many $15 meals in Chicago (or anywhere, for that matter) that I've enjoyed as much or more than the one I had here.
(5)
Nick M.
-5 Stars. 2 weekends ago me and my 4 friends met up and went to try Franks N Dawgs. We all had one of the sausage meals with french fries. At the time we were eating we were pretty impressed with the food - especially the unique buns used which were a nic
(1)
Seeshil P.
Came here for my birthday once and this place was awesome. I had about two specialty dawgs and they were both amazing.
(5)
Nicole M.
Came here on a Sunday afternoon, place wasn't that busy, just a couple people. Staff there was pretty friendly. I got the brunch dog and my boyfriend got the cheesehead also got some cheese fries. The brunch dog was good, very messy. Probably the only thing I would eat on the menu besides a hot dog. My boyfriend said the cheesehead was just average nothing wowing... He wished he got something more crazy. And the cheese fries were alright, just some soggy fries with melted cheese.
(3)
Scott S.
excellent. didn't know what to expect. didn't seek it out. went in for a 'snack' after trader joes (across the street). had the dog with mac & cheese on it. 'twas yummy and a good snack for 2. surely a good meal for 1. fries looked great at next table over. ALL of the dawgs looked and sounded (description wise) great and yummy. will gladly go when shopping at tj in the future.
(4)
Jason A.
Brunch dog - Amazing and unique. Mac&Cheese - Best ever. Truffle fries - Holy $H*T!! Expensive for a "hot dog" place, but it's not exactly a "hot dog" place.
(5)
Loc H.
fast service, great buns, great hot dog! i had the mac n cheese truffle dog and it was everything i had hoped for. it was so big, i had to eat the toppings off with a fork. the bun is what really does it for me though... both sides completely buttered to perfection, and the toast on the crust... so amazing. can't wait to be back in chi town!
(5)
Paul C.
The poor man's Hot Dougs--except for it's not, because the dogs are at least as expensive if not more. I'd be the first to admit I like what they're trying here. Gourmet hot dogs shouldn't only belong to Hot Doug for him to meter out at his whim. Why must all of Chicago wait in long lines for delicious hot dogs? More places should try to do what Doug does. In terms of idea, Franks gets an A for effort, but a D for nice try. The food here looks great, gourmet ingredients and probably the best buns I've had in Chicago. Unfortunately the sausages themselves just don't deliver on taste. How can you serve me an exotic sausage with truffle oil and various gourmet spices and have it taste bland? So, so sad. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by, but this is not worth a special trip for. For now, Hot Doug maintains his tyrannical grip on the most delicious sausages in Chicago.
(2)
Athene C.
Went in with high expectations and left disappointed. Pleased that there was no line, since considering that we live near Hot Doug's was a huge plus. I ordered a bratwurst with a beet salad on top. My husband had the Spicy Yucatan and coleslaw. The brat was completely forgettable. It had no distinct flavor and no snap when you bit into it. The beet salad was so huge (in quantity and cut of the beets) that I needed a fork just to be able to eat it. And the bun was what appeared to be Texas toast. !?!?!?!!? It also came with an orange marmalade. Very sweet ... very off putting. I describe this restaurant as an encased meat emporium more concerned with what goes on top of the sausage than the flavor of the sausage itself. It is a poor man's Hot Doug except that Hot Doug's is half the price. Cute decor. Pretentious dogs. Wouldn't go back.
(2)
Gina S.
I just ate there the other day and wow, was I impressed. This is not your average hot dog stand. Everything was delicious! I will be making many more trips here over the years. The truffle fries were outstanding!!!.
(4)
Paul L.
the Tur-Doggin and Belly-Up were so good I had to quiet everyone at my table so I could let the fucking goodness soak in. Pardon my french, but fuckin-a it's good. Truffle fries were meh. Try the chipotle/ketchup mix they have at the tables. Duck Confit and Porkbelly don't equal cheap dogs people, you should know that.
(5)
KChicagoan S.
I was so excited to check this place out - and on the Sunday before I start the big "get ready for summer diet," this was my choice for my so-called "last meal." I got the brat topped with truffle mac n' cheese and my husband got the spicy yucatan. the brat was fine - i've had johnsonville's straight from jewel that taste exactly the same. The mac n' cheese was fine, but nothing over the top. My husband's "spicy" yucatan should have been called the flavorless yucatan. the sausage has absolutely NO flavor - the only thing either of us could taste was the avocado, and for $9, the expectations were set pretty high. We ordered 2 dogs, 1 order of the truffle fries (which were actually pretty good, but came in at $4.95 for a single order) and 1 soda and ended up spending $25. We left feeling ripped off, unimpressed and still hungry. I doubt I'll ever visit this place again...
(2)
Wesley H.
Awesome. It's inevitable to make comparisons with Hot Doug's. I'll say this: the buns here (which aren't actually buns), beat Hot Doug's--it's actually a THICK buttery toast sliced down the middle. So does the lack of long lines. Parking is less convenient, however. Expect to spend a little more for a hot dog and sides though, $10+. However, these are pretty hefty dogs. Service here is fantastic. The guy at the cash register (the owner?) is super friendly and very willing to explain the menu to you. He also recognized me on my second visit, which gets extra points. Their changing menu has plenty of interesting categories and themes, including an Iron Chef challenge, a charity dog, and certain items only available on certain days. The atmosphere is clever, with celebrity tiles handed to you to identify your order and urban photography and artwork on the walls. Lots of red, like a hot dog joint should be. Fits into the Lincoln Park scene pretty well. I like judging places by their fries, and I gotta say their fries are some of the best I've had, a really nice brown crisp, but still retains the softness that fries should have. Reminds me of Demon Dogs, kinda (tear). The "grown-up" special ketchup goes great with the fries too. I've tried about 6 of their dogs, but the best dog I've had is the Brunch Dog. Never seen an egg between two buns before (ho ho!), but it works super well. The maple mayo is exquisite! Adds a breakfast syrup taste to the combination. The owner (I think) came out to talk to us after we finished, and you can tell he just loves his job. That's ALWAYS something I love seeing. He told us about starting up several months ago and how tough it was dealing with former "It's the Beef" customers coming by, but explaining how he's really enjoying earning confidence from the community. Definitely going back when I'm in town.
(5)
Jeff R.
Why can't I just have a damn hot dog? Why does everything have to be a foodie deconstructionist creation? There's nothing more annoying than a gourmet take on food for normal people. That said, it was pretty good. A creative presentatio to be sure, but it took FOREVER to get my food! (Hence the three star rating.) I walked in not knowing it was a fancy-schmany hot dog place. I just wanted some dinner, quick, as I was on break from work. Also, too pricey for what it was. I am not hating on it. It just was not the experience I was looking for today.
(3)
Emily S.
Because I dragged my husband to Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Crate & Barrel and Home Depot on a home improvement day, I let him choose our lunch stop. Frank n' Dawgs it was. I had the dog topped with truffled mac and cheese. I felt the mac and cheese could have had more truffle flavor, but overall it was good. I really liked the buns - toasty and thick and kind of reminded me of Texas toast in hot dog bun form. The fries were fantastic. I definitely felt a little queasy later - I think the richness of the sausage and the mac and cheese and the thick bun were a little too much for my stomach. I'd go back, but would probably opt for something a little simpler next time.
(3)
Neal K.
I've passed by this place 100 times and never gave it a thought until darting in out of the snow during a one of many holiday shopping trips last month. I thought to myself yeah, this place has "gourmet" dogs. We'll see. I've gotta tell you the care these folks put into creating these flavor combinations is impressive. The owner an Aussie seems to really love what he's doing here - and I do too! Highlights so far - Pig Latin with pork sausage, glazed pork belly and cabbage slaw, Kimchi Dog with beef sausage, brazed short rib and house-made mild kimchi. I really liked the ketchipotle with the fries and the caraway and carrot slaw. You really feel like you're eating something worthwhile sitting in this place. Also love the music - 5 of my top 10 favorite bands played on the loudspeakers the first time i visited this joint! You've gotta love someone who is so excited to share his passion with you. He even takes the utmost of care holding your basket of fries with 2 hands as he places it down in front of you as if it were a fragile treasure brought from a faraway place just for you. I've been back once a week since...
(5)
Richie D.
So I have given up on trying to get in the doors of Hot Dougs, at least temporarily. I heard of Franks 'n Dawgs through chit-chatting with Nicole V. and after finding the hidden 'alley' entrance. I had a few things on my Yelp check-list: 1) French Fries--Check! They are cut and fried twice in house, while being not too greasy, yet greasy enough to taste all the oil goodness. 2) Pay attention to the Bun--Check! All of their dawgs are served on their lightly toasted bread which is baked fresh daily. 3) Savor the Sauces--Check! Their sauces are made specifically for eat dawg recipe. 4) Tur-Doggin'--Check! I loooove anything replaced with turkey, so a turkey and date sausage, with crispy duck confit, herb garlic aioli, house pickled onion relish & pickled carrots is heaven. Actually, it was almost too much for my taste buds with the confit that I could only have a few bites :X. Shhh don't tell! Thankfully my partner finished it off. 5) Lamb Keema Dog--Check! When I have a taste for lamb, I gotta have it. This dog pleased my desires with a lamb stuffed sausage, english peas, cucumber salad, pearl onions & socca. Truly delectable and unique to say the least! Each of the cooks wears their fun chef uniforms and truly take pride in their jobs--it shows. I love that on their website you can suggest your ideas of a future dawg. If you win they give you a $75 gift card and a dollar for each hot dog sold! If I could change anything about Franks 'n Dawgs it'd be the location since it's not too easy to get to without a car. On another note, it may be a good thing being that these hot dogs are...hot dogs...and addictive. After all, FnD is in the most appropriate city possible since Chicago is home to the hot dog!
(5)
Zach Y.
One of the main reasons I miss living in chicago. They do gourmet encased meat better than anyone. LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. Also they are one of the few places I have been that actually makes truffle fries that are worth the price. The place is an orgiastic feast for the senses. Way better than hot dougs without the 2 hr wait
(5)
Teresa T.
Weiners so juicy they'll make you blush. Awesome food, crazy amazing buns, and laid back staff. A little pricey, but totally worth the quality.
(5)
Kato t.
Who'd a thought good ol street food like hot dogs could be GOURMET?? I mean, it is a true testament to the human spirit, where a man can actually transform hot dogs into a premium taste in your mouth that is equal to heavenly fine dining. Also, the selection on the menu is mind boggling; I didn't know you could do so many dam things to a HOT DOG!! The two that are always particularly good to me are the "FU DOG" which happens to be vegetarian, and the "CHINA TOWN DOG" which is a Chinese 5 spice duck sausage, pickled lotus roots, scallion radish slaw & Mae Ploy chili sauce. There's like 50 more on the menu if you can come enough to try em all. I think it's one of Chicago's treasures and fine treats, I feel Chi Town citizens are lucky to have access to it. Alexander the owner is such a gentle guy, that you can't but help enjoy the food even more because you internally feel the food has been prepared with love. He's a quite and kind dude and he's happy to have you, that's a big plus in my book. And speaking of sweet, the deserts are to die for. Nothing like a filling gourmet hot dog to be followed with a gourmet piece of heaven for desert. The one desert I like in particular is the "SWEET HOME CHICAGO" which is French toast, stuffed with chocolate ice cream, bananas, kiwis, strawberries, freeze dried mango, chopped almonds & butterscotch sauce. I think it's a great family place to enjoy a fun eat that's unique only to Chicago. And it's even a better place to hang with friends and celebrate good times with some tasty eating. I always feel like taking some more home to go but unfortunately the food is not really meant to go, it's meant for you to come on in, comfortably gorge on a sweet feast, go out happy. Then come back again and enjoy it all over again. Which...! I shall happily do. Thanks for comin here to Chicago, Frank n Dawgs. We own you now! You're OUR treasure ;D
(4)
Maggie J.
I had so many great meals on my recent trip to the Midwest, but this place stands out among the rest. The passion and energy that Alexander, the owner, puts into this place is contagious. From the carefully and creatively crafted menu to the gourmet chipotle ketchup, this place gets it unbelievably right on all counts. I ordered the truffle mac' n' cheese dog and the waffle cut truffle fries, which I'm still dreaming and salivating about almost a week later. The staff is unbelievably patient and helpful, so my recommendation is to take your time when ordering and check out the pictures of all their amazing gastronomic creations on the ipad at the register. Your fellow diners will understand if it takes a while to navigate the impressive menu of what I dub as "food porn"! This is an absolute "must-go-to" destination restaurant for anyone living in or visiting Chicago. An added bonus is that it's directly across from the Crate and Barrel Outlet! I have only 2 regrets about this place: 1) that I can't give it more than 5 stars and 2) that it's over 2,000 miles from where I live (which is actually probably a VERY good thing for my waistline)!
(5)
Joe B.
I dig this place. Shit, I excavate this place! More so than Hot Dougs, which isn't meant to take anything away from them. Huge list of gourmet sausages, larger than Hot Doug's 8 sausage list. They serve the sausage on a toasted roll, not on an ordinary hot dog bun. This is a great touch which makes the eating experience elevated a notch. Try the Truffle Oil Waffle Fries. "Christ on Water!" Delicious. Nice, clean interior with character, nice, motivated staff.
(5)
b t.
It's so hard to not compare this with other housemade sausage shops in town, especially when the other one's sooooooooo good, but i'll try to keep this FnD centric and keep the comparison's till the end (if you make it that far) I've been in to F n D's many times - 6-7 probably. They have a great range of selections, both in general, and seasonally (BLT dog is my favorite dog here, but in the winter it comes off the menu because you can't get a tomato worth it's weight in salt in Chicago till summer). The sausages are good, and although the flavor combos of toppings SOUND good, i've been left wondering what would this have tasted like if the toppings were done right! Here's a couple specific examples of what i'm talking about. Smokin Trout - Good flavor, great trout, great smokiness - toppings worked out great with the trout, but i think the trout was sitting in the rear most part of the refrigerator, and was only scooped out the split second before it was served to me because I swear, like Flick, I thought my tongue was going to stick to it with the first bite. it was FREEZING cold. Now, I'm absolutely one for sanitary conditions, and not leaving things like smoked trout salad next to the grill for three days, but it was a shock. first because it wasn't a sausage (WHAT?), secondly because it was sooo cold, it was completely unenjoyable. The Southerner - why on earth is there cornbread, on TOP of this dog? hint - ditch the bun, and serve this ON cornbread. Peking Duck - I swear i thought the puffed rice were little fried worms or something crazy for the first couple bites of this dog. This definitely was one of the better dogs I've had here. Great flavor combination, for some reason i think it was double cased (i know it wasn't), because the casing on the sausage seemed to be much harder to get through than most - this is a good dog though - if you go, try it, you won't be disappointed. Da Ringer - Good sausage. Bacon on top? Winner! Sides? I know, 95% of the people that read this would smack me in the face, but when there are all these sausages to pick from, I'd rather double down on dogs and skip the fried taters, pickles, curds, etc... I had the Red Beans once...that'll never happen again. If you like fries I hear they're good. Overall FnD's is a good lunch spot if you're in the area. I think FnD's could benefit from a little more salt IN the sausages. They use great meat, have great combinations of spices in the sausages, but sometimes, i just wish there was a little salt in the meat to perk up the flavors. Final scores Sausages - that's what this place is all about right? 4 stars toppings (more the execution of said toppings) - 3 stars overall options and selection - 4 stars Just a little tweaking and this place could soar, you certainly can't beat the fact that you're not waiting outside for 30 minutes to get in, but i think there's a reason why you're not. As for the comparison between this and the other local shop, i'll just say this, I've never been sitting in the other shop, thinking about FnD's sausages, but pretty much every time I'm in FnD's, I'm thinking about HD's.
(3)
vivian c.
Like many others, we've driven by and never noticed it until andrew zimmern reviewed it on his show. So it's a little more pricey than hot doug's, but: 1) the line is 15" tops 2) gourmet chef, amazing combinations of often homemade sausages, great bun 3) across the street from trader joe's so we go before doing our grocery shopping 4) we've seen families chowing down- is kid-friendly and there are veggie-dogs too! YUM!
(5)
Kelly H.
Yes. This was my husband's pick for lunch (let's face it, encased meat is typically a man thing) and although I was skeptical, I enjoyed every bite. It was hard to decide what to try, but we both loved our choices (he had the Krazy Kimchi and I had one of the "Iron Dog" specials) We ordered the truffle fries and sad to say they were kinda disappointing. I would have liked a truffle mayo or some sort of sauce with them. One other downside--we ordered a kids meal for our daughter and they forgot the fries which came with it. We eventually got them after asking 2 times but by that time we had all finished our dogs. We are big Hot Doug fans, but now that we have the kid standing in the line that long doesn't work for us. This place obviously has a better location. It is kinda expensive, maybe they gotta pay for that LP space, but I think the ingredients are probably worth it. It's fun too--instead of taking a number to your table so they can bring out your order you pick a disgraced celebs picture. Go.
(4)
Lisa T.
Oh. my. lord. This place seriously just keeps stepping it up a notch. The variety of sides they have now is phenomenal and they are even offering a few somewhat healthy side options in case you're actually trying to avoid a heart attack. The brussel sprouts salad is my new favorite side, period. As in, my new favorite side salad in GENERAL, not just at F'n'D. The shaved brussel sprouts, pine nuts, and parmesan are a combo I would have never thought of and oh is it good. Go for the brussel sprouts over the coleslaw every time people! After a nice chat with the manager/owner who regularly works the register (who's name I forget....again...I suck....), he told me that they are also turning the beet/goat cheese salad that tops one of the dawgs into it's own side salad. Which is surely going to be awesome. Now, let's be honest, despite my complete love for the brussel sprouts salad, the side you all really want is the triple truffle fries. They are waffle fries (the very, very best type of fry, period) in all their truffle glory. (Fri-Sun only, just FYI). I somehow haven't managed to sample the truffle mac and cheese so far, but it's very safe to say that I will be making it happen sometime this winter. Another review update to come!
(5)
Daniel M.
My second review of this place and it still blows my mind every time. The past few times I have been there they have added more tasty additions to the menu. The new additions of the Perennially Pork, the Spicy Yucatan, the Jorge and Le Cassoulet are all fantastic. The greatness never stops with this place, I also finally got around to trying the Peking Duck, which was also amazing. Finally tried the truffle fries which were amazing. Dont put ketchup on them if you get them, it totally kills the rich truffle flavor. I have been here countless times, as I work a block away. I can't wait to see what future creations they come up with. And as always the staff is very polite and willing to answer any questions and walk you through their menu. Like a true showman, this place always leave me wanting more.
(5)
Ashley K.
Hmm. I'm not sure where to start with this place. This is another place that I so wanted to love but I just don't. I am an admitted Hot Doug's addict but I went in fully willing to give this place a shot at competing for my love. I liked that we only waited about 3 minutes in line and then about 10 to get our food. But that's pretty much where it ended for me. I ordered the Turdoggin, after a painstaking decision between that, the N'awlins Dog, and one of the Iron Dawg competitors, whose name escapes me. I should have stuck with my sausage rule that pork is generally best. But I didn't, and opted for the Turdoggin. The sausage was a slightly weird consistency for me and had a faint metallic taste, reminiscent of liver. No good. The casing was also pretty tough and was difficult to bite through. The duck confit was not confit-ed enough for me: it was cold and not particularly tender. I will say that I was crazy about the bun they used. Buttery and delicious. Unfortunately, the bun should not be the high point of a gourmet hot dog. Now, the truffle fries. I may have mentioned once or twice that I love fries. Little known fact about me: I have a jar of truffle salt that I may or may not eat out of my palm on a near daily basis. Clearly these puppies should have been the things that dreams were made of. But they weren't. The fries were hot and crisp, and I love me a waffle fry, but they seriously lacked on truffle flavor. How, you ask, is that possible when these things are coated in truffle butter, truffle oil and truffle salt? I'm not sure either. I just know they weren't. For regular fries they were good, but at $4.95 - I want my truffleness. There are a lot of dogs that sound tasty so I'm certainly willing to give this place another go, especially because the wait time was minimal compared to Hot Dougs (not that I mind the wait there. See Hot Dougs review). Plus, I want to give the truffle fries another whirl, as I'm hoping I just got a less than truffley batch. Don't disappoint me again Franks N Dawgs.
(2)
Victor M.
I really like their buns and I appreciate the short wait. But I'm sorry to say I'm still a fan of Hot Dougs. The different combinations of ingredients is good, but not the best. I didn't get Wow'd like I anticipated. And this place is rather pricey. Triple Truffle Checker Fries attack was more like.. a handful of squirty squirty Truffle Oil Checker fries. This place can fulfill my cravings... but not really the best.
(3)
B C.
My jaw dropped and I may have drooled a little on the floor. I once was blind but now I see... I've been living in hot dog mediocrity my entire life. Finally, they've taken it to a higher level. Here's one way to look at it. Imagine the McDonalds quarter pounder is the only burger you've ever had, and then one day, you seize a burger at Kuma's Corner. It's a culinary evolution so distant that they're practically 2 different species. Franks 'n' Dawgs has hot dog creations for every taste, every mood. I had some of the Reuben Pulaski and some of the Krazy Kimchi. It's a bittersweet experience because while both were outstanding, among the best dogs I've had in my life, they're also competing with about 20 other equally appealing options. Next time I have to try something new. You could choose randomly from their menu and be happy with the outcome. The set-up is casual and fun too. We had the dubious honor of being the Casey Anthony table.
(5)
Chris S.
Look out Hot Doug's, there's competition in town! I had the spicy duck dog and my sis had the foss hog. We split cheese fries. The dogs were good. I wouldn't say out of this world, but definitely good. Having the kitchen run by a "fine-dining refugee chef" means nice attention to detail. Like well-grilled buns for the dogs and real, but not excessive amounts of, cheese on the fries. I walked away from lunch feeling satisfied--not greasy, not stuff--and that is always a sign of food done well. I'll be back to this spot, hopefully before the rest of Chicago goes nuts over it.
(4)
Paul S.
Franks 'N' Dawgs definitely changed the way I see hotdogs. Never again I will probably be satisfied with just a regular dog. Maybe it's because I'm a sucker for gourmet sandwiches but this place, man, their dogs were awesome! I don't care that we had to fight our way through a thunderstorm and eat my hotdog soaking wet..... it was well worth it. I ordered the spicy duck sausage and about 5 minutes through our order Alexander, the owner, courteously told us that they didn't have the spicy duck sausage anymore so I just went for my second choice, the Lamb Keema. He was so sorry about what happened that he even gave us a complimentary corndog! So now about the food. The Lamb Keema was amazing, I don't think there are other words that can describe that hotdog. It was so juicy and tender, just perfect. And the homemade bread it was wrapped in was the best hotdog bun I've ever had too. Buttery, soft, and even a little crunchy. Now, about that corndog... Best corndog ever and I've had my fair share with corndogs. Polenta battered and a succulent Polish sausage inside? Come on now... You'll wind up ignoring those state fair corndogs after having this one. So if you're in Chicago, want some good vibes, a gourmet hotdog experience, nice people, and great customer service... head down to Franks 'N' Dawgs. You won't regret it.
(5)
Lois A.
I had the Lamb Keema and the Dirty Dog. I wanted to try the Dirty Dog because it sounded great but also because by buying that special dog some proceeds would be donated to Paws....that's awesome. The Lamb Keema was by far my favorite. The cucumber salad and peas on it tasted great and it was moist and juicy. It tasted the way I'd hoped it would taste. The buns were great and the fries were good. I also enjoyed the cole slaw. The Dirty Dog is Andouille with dirty rice, hush puppies and cherry tomato relish. Loved the dirty rice and cherry tomato relish but would probably order a different dog next time. The Cheese-Head looked excellent. Service was great and this place was spotless. I'd want to give 3-3.5 stars for the food but the service is why I'm giving 4. The people here couldn't be nicer.
(4)
Josiah R.
I've been here twice now, once with the woman and once with g'ma. Both times my world was rocked. While I wish fries were included, I can easily overlook that because I had a peking duck dog and my taste buds were driven wild. I've also had the Masala Dawg, and that has been my favorite thus far. Grandma had the naw'leans dawg and she said it was a taste of her childhood in MS. $9 seems steep for a 'hot dog' but it's not just a hot dog. It's an experience, one that I wouldn't mind having again and again. You won't see stuff like this anywhere else. I try to hit em up every 2-3 months. Every bite of each one I've tried is legit, and their fries are very good, too.
(5)
Ray P.
I was home ill. * cough cough * Aaaaand, around lunch time I got hungry. Starve a fever, feed a cold? Or, something like that. I wanted a hot dog. And, I was in no mood to sit in the drive-thru lane at "bor-dill-oh's" (you get my drift). * ding * "What was that place the fat, bald bug and worm eatin' dude from Travel Channel went to with Kevin the Pang? FrankNsteins? Franks and beans? Franks N Dawgs! * ding ding ding ding ding !* I hop into my jalopy and head up Clybourn. I walked in the "front door" (this, folks, is where America lags behind other countries in edu-ma-cation -- I did NOT read the instructions to walk down the alley to the "entrance". Duh). I did not do my research, as I was assaulted by a menu with too many choices and not enough time. The register-dude, sensing my dazed confusion asks (quite politely, I might add, and in an Aussie accent, which further confused me), "First time here?" Sheepishly, I respond, "Ayup." He excitedly runs down the menu, informing me that they do make their own sausages in-house, and those sandwiches are denoted by chef's hats on the menu. That did not further filter it down, and, using his spidey-sense offers, "Our most popular is the Brunch Dog." Pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo. They had me at "pork...." So, I ordered my brunch dog, with a small fries, and a small drink (note: refills are available...small drink will suit you just fine). And, I select Hassselhoff as my order indicator (if you dine in, in order to match you up to your order, you select from the 'celebrity wall of disdain' -- Lilo, Nick Nolte, Pee Wee Herman, Sarah Palin, The Brady Bunch -- and stick the placard on your table. They will find you, believe me). The wait's not too long...of course, the joint is not terribly busy on a Wednesday afternoon at 1PM. Waiting at my table, I notice other patrons' food around me -- the Lyonnaise fries look interesting, the truffle mac-n-cheese smells pretty darn good. Then I get my sandwich -- The Brunch (unch unch unch) Dog (og og og) (echo echo echo...hello hello hello? Manny Moto moto moto). It looks good. Very good, in fact, topped with a fried egg, chunks of bacon strewn throughout, good hefty drizzle of maple mayo. First bite -- messy. The pork loin sausage is pork-y (one critique -- season that bad boy before putting it into the casing, and possibly while cooking it), meat-y, but a bit underwhelming had it been alone on a bun. The bacon "chunks" (more like bits) are bacon-y goodness and quite tasty, lending a nice crunchy, fatty, unctuous texture. Fried egg? Lovely (NEEDS SEASONING). The surprise was the maple mayo -- who'd have thunk maple and mayonnaise as a sauce? I could've used more as a dipping sauce. And, I love the bun! Unique shape. Holds ingredients well. And.....wait for it....flat-bottomed, so your whole sandwich doesn't just roll over. Brilliant. The fries. Good, not great. Mostly underwhelming. Why, you might ask? BECAUSE THEY NEEDED SEASONING (getting a sense of a theme here?). However, they have these two ketchup mash-ups, one with jalapeno and the other with chipotle, that were fantastic. Why didn't I get one of the other , specialty fry dishes (i.e., truffled or lyonnaise)? At $5 and $7 respectively, it was a bit more expensive than I would've like to pay for fries, and there's quite a bit -- more a dish to share than for one. I know, I know, 4 stars. I DO like FnD, but I do want to go back and try some other sandwiches, and maybe those lyonnaise fries. But, I am a fan, and outside of a bald, bug-eating, fat dude's recommendation to eat there, I will go again. Maybe I'll try one of the "contest" sandwiches (where they pit sausage creations from local chefs against each other). Well done, Franks 'n' Dawgs. Well done. P.S., if you've ever seen Hot Tub Time Machine, every time I say, "Franks 'N' Dawgs," it feels like I'm saying, "....sux c*** -n- d***."
(4)
Zac G.
This place has redefined the hot dog in such a delicious way. The ingredients and sauces are great, and I love the buns.
(5)
Eric M.
My mouth is watering just remembering my visit here. The selection of hot dogs is pretty large. All have a very interesting flavor combinations, so don't expect just a simple dog when you come here. I really like the fact that they have a chef's challenge. I was told they have two dogs a month that are creations by chefs from well known restaurants. My wife actually went with the Hoss Dog which was a pork sausage with bacon, maple mayo, and a fried egg on top. It was outstanding. I went with one of their local options the Tur-Doggin. This turkey dog is topped with duck confit and a picked carrot relish. It too was outstanding. We also had the cheese fries which were ok, but not as interesting as their dogs so they seem a little plain. I'm really looking forward to going back here and trying all of these amazing creations.
(4)
K B.
This place is worth repeat visits. First, the place is small and cozy and you're greeted by a friendly and knowledgeable cashier. Second, truffle fries. Good god! and I don't even like fries. Third, the condiments on the table are best left alone, serving solely as decor. Fourth, dude these dogs are good. We tried the Lamb-orghini, the Pork of July, and the Krazy Kimchi. Each were delicious, though the Lamb-orghini was the standout of the 3, although the Kimchi paired best with the bun. The challenge for both the Pork and the Kimchi is getting both meats in one bite, which is probably why I preferred the Lamb. I'll be trying the Brunch and the Tur-Doggin next time.
(5)
Heather K.
Wow, this place exceeded my expectations. First off, the brussel sprout side dish is amazing. Must learn how to make this.... I went with a party of three and we tried the Vegetarian option, tofu with portobello and a pesto sauce, the macaroni and cheese sausage, chicken cesar sausage, truffle fries, cheese fries, and the brussel sprout salad. Everything was tasty, everything was quick, everything was devoured in under 10 mins. Truffle fries and brussel sprout salad are great side dishes. The buns are sooo good. I can only speak for the vegetarian option and while it was good I would appreciate it if they took a stab at creating a meatless version of a dog or sausage rather than a few pieces of tofu. Either way, I'd absolutely order it again and so would my companions.
(4)
Dell C.
You must try the "lamb-bergini" sausage. Do yourself a favor - taste it first! The lamb flavor is so perfect, you won't want to add any condiments!
(5)
betsy b.
It's worth coming here for the truffle fries alone. They are an amazing bowl of goodness. The dogs themselves weren't bad but they were completely overpowered by the massive bun that filled me up too fast. I went with the cheese head (brat with onions, portabellas and gouda) and my husband had the daringer (some german sausage with bacon fat on it).....I think he was a little turned off by the bacon fat but the sausage was really tasty. The line doesn't move too fast but once you order the food comes out really quick. I need more of those fries!!!!!
(4)
John R.
Everything about Frank and Dawgs is carefully crafted, from their non-traditional gourmet hot-dogs to their equally gourmet appetizers and sides. I would only extend the word "gourmet" to the food and its preparers, as the atmosphere is everything you would want in a hot dog joint-- relaxed and conveniently located with friendly, upbeat staff. Each dog and side has a number of gourmet ingredients, each well thought out and working with the dish. You will have a hard time picking a dog and side as the variety is tremdous. The truffle fries are fantastic but I wouldn't rule out the Brussel Sprouts Salad or the Creole red beans. I prefer Frank and Dawgs to Hot Doug's, though I am still a big fan of both. I have seen a few gimmicky imitation hot dog joints that boast non-traditional ingredients, but don't come anywhere close to these two in taste and quality. There's a care in their gourmet ingredients that just is not matched. Dawgs meets and exceeds Doug's in both taste, quality, variety, and presentation. It's my preference. They're both fantastic, but I find Frank and Dawgs to be a little more fresh. Though it's slightly more expensive, it has normal operating hours and accepts credit/debit. So you don't have to have a day off to get Dawgs during the week and you won't have to wait an hour just to order on the weekend. Doug's is delicious, but their preparation is a little sloppy at times. You will never get a smashed bun at Dawgs as their MO would never allow it. On the flip side, hot dog purest might not like that the bun more closely resembles a carefully constructed texas-toast-like hoagie, but this is a plus to me. Again, I am a fan of both Doug's and Dawgs, it's just nice to be able to get a great Hot Dog on my own time. Going to Doug's is a huge production, whereas Dawgs is anything but.
(4)
Jason C.
Despite what several other reviewers state, Franks 'n' Dawgs is NOT just another sausage joint trying to compete with Hot Doug's. It's more like the Kuma's Corner of sausages-- the solid base sausages are made extra special by excellent choices in toppings, condiments, and buns. My personal favorite here is the Foss Hog: a pork link covered with smoked bacon, a fried egg and maple mayo on a brioche-style bun. Yes, this is real. Yes, you need it in your mouth. I've tried a good percentage of the menu, and I haven't had anything to complain about. Delicious sausages, friendly service, and a good-sized seating area make this a unique alternative to the city's other sausage powerhouse.
(5)
Dan A.
Hidden gem! You like dogs hit this place!
(5)
Anthony N.
Good LORD!! Thess dawgs are truly a slice of heaven!! the Kimchi is delicious and the breakfast sausage is to die for. Seriously, hands down the best. The staff was really nice and 10/10 just perfect !!! This place should be a Chicago landmark! Listen, If you are in Chicago and you do not go grab a dawg at Frank 'N' Dawgs it is like going to Rome without visiting the Colosseum. I am serious! Hot Doug, well, maybe we need a battle on Travel Channel for these dogs !!! My vote goes to Franks !
(5)
Trent C.
First of all, a confession. I went to Franks 'n' Dawgs after first going to Hot Doug's and decided that waiting for 45 minutes in line (at 2:30) on a Saturday afternoon in the driving snow was too much. I'd heard about Franks 'n' Dawgs as being just about as good as Hot Doug's and thought it was about time I got myself to Clybourn and out of the snow. First of all, they need a bigger entrance as there is probably only room for about 4 people in the line before it goes out the door. In the summer, I'm sure it would be nice to wait in the alleyway, but in the winter, it probably wouldn't fly with some people. There is definitely enough choices on the menu that you're bound to at least find something you'll like, or are willing to try. Every dog has a unique name. I chose the Reuben Pulaski and a large fries, but almost went with the Krazy Kimchi or the Governator. Even at 3:00 on a Saturday the place was busy but we didn't have to wait more than 5 minutes in line. After chatting with the fellow Aussie behind the counter, I was given the Cate Blanchett magnetic portrait and found my way to the booth. No less than 5 minutes later and my dog was in front of me begging to be inhaled. The buns are incredibly tasty and you definitely get a larger than normal dog. The dogs are juicy and everything tastes fresh. The fries are some of the better fries I've had in a while, but far from the best. I didn't try the Triple Truffle Fries, but will consider it the next time I'm thinking of going to Franks 'n' Dawgs. The prices are a little more than your typical Chi-town dog but you are also getting a unique product so it's somewhat understandable. You have the option, if you're hungry enough, to order the Dawg Flight, which has 3 dogs chosen as a sampler by the chef, but be prepared to fork out $15. Everything ranges in the $4-10 range. While I would definitely go back again, it remains to be proven if this can stack up to Hot Doug's. I feel like a few (dozen) more trips are necessary to fully make the decision. One place that is worthy of a stop when in the area, just make sure to bring an appetite.
(4)
Ingrid H.
A little bummed. Stopped here for lunch having heard this was a little like another famous sausage emporium and alas--not so much. The andouille was of all things bland--and the fries left a lot to be desired (in fact, "Where's the beef"--the previous occupants of the space--had far superior fries). But, don't let this review turn you totally off. A decent place if you're in the neighborhood. Just won't go out of my way next time ...
(3)
Michael B.
This is a fun spot to bring friends and grab a dog. I love the options they have especially for brunch. The sides are great to share with the group.
(4)
Paul T.
I'm a long time fan of Hot Doug's but this place is super and you don't have to wait an hour and half to get in. If you want to take someone to an fancy sausage place for lunch, this is definitely the place to go. The atmosphere is a little more upscale than Doug's. So next time you drive by Hot Doug's and the line is to the alley, try this place. Only problem is the serving of fries with the combo is too small. Sausages are delicious and made by hand.
(5)
Josh C.
Diverse selection of gourmet dogs...with the likes of truffle, foie gras, and cheese curds on the menu. Good eats!
(4)
Kristen D.
I needed a quick bite between appointments so I did the basic Mac and Cheese dog of you consider that a basic dog. It was made with a beer brat and truffled Mac and cheese. I liked the flavor of the brat. After trying to like truffled Mac I realized I just don't, but it didn't keep me from eating all of it so it can't be that bad. I liked the flavor of the brat but felt it actually over powered the bun. I would definitely return and will try the fries. The multiple combinations looked amazing but definitely something you'd want to share.
(3)
Jennifer D.
Um, Frank's must have made a change since the earliest bad reviews came out because I am in love with this place! After going vegetarian for 2 years, I have slowly been making my way back. Hadn't had hot dogs/sausage forever, walked into this place because it smelled amazing. And it tasted amazing too. I loved the corndog, it was so different. People have reviewed that they weren't into it, but anyone ordering it should know that it's sausage, not a hotdog under there. Also, the sauces they gave with it were crazy good!! The people that work there are cool and funny. Shout out to my guy from New England Culinary Institute.... Vermont! The owner is awesome too. This place makes me happy I have reintroduced meat into my future! I am for sure going back. You go, Franks!
(4)
Jenna P.
It was an absolute pleasure to dine here. Do not come if you are looking for a cheap, regular Chicago dog.... this is something totally different! Service was quick (and on a Saturday!) and staff members were friendly. We were served by the 5-star chef himself, who was exceptionally polite and helpful. I had the Truffle Mac n Cheese dog, and it was perfection. The mac n cheese was wonderful and totally unique. The brat was flavorful and juicy. And the bun was golden, buttery, and toasted. All three of these components separately were delicious, but when put together SUBLIME. I have never tasted anything quite like it. When was the last time you bit into a hot dog and closed your eyes just to savor every bite? Yeah, that is worth $6 in my book!! The bf had the Tur-Doggin, which was also incredible (although he only let me have one bite!). The triple truffle fries, while expensive ($4.25 for not that many fries), were absolutely exquisite. We're talking golden crisp perfection. Add in a bit of smoky chipotle ketchup, and they were to die for. I will absolutely be back, and I'm already looking forward to it!
(5)
Pheebe L.
The Triple Truffle Fries were so good! Black sheep is my fave. The chef was there to ask if everything was ok. Will definitely be back many times.
(4)
Jacob D.
Pretty great place. I'm saying this place is flawless, but they are 6 weeks old and are damn close. I went with three other guys and we each got something different. Each tasted great and very different. We even ordered a regular hot dog afterward, just to taste that as well. The chef even it up in 3rds and brought out a bunch of relish and mustard. It an amazingly nice gesture. Really nice guys, great hot dogs. I hope they stick around for a while.
(5)
Anthony R.
Triple Truffle Fries. That's all you really need to know. I visited this place for the 1st time yesterday with a friend and after we left those fries were all we could think about. To start off, we got there around 2pm and the place had some people in it but there was no line and plenty of place to sit down - just how I like it. The staff was very friendly and extremely helpful. The first thing the girl behind the counter asked was if we had ever been to Franks N Dawgs before and we both said no. She then helped us navigate the menu a little bit (chef's hats on the menu means the sausage is made in-house, etc.) and pointed out the iPad on the counter that would show us pictures of all the wonderful creations this place has come up with. We settled on the Frank'n Stein and the Chicagoesque with an order of Triple Truffle Fries and an order of regular fries. I had the Frank'n Stein because I am a sucker for anything having to do with foie gras. My friend had the Chicagoesque. Both were very good. I can't say I tasted the foie gras directly but the overall flavor of the Frank'n Stein was unbelievable. The dogs come on those same buns that lobster rolls usually do and you could just eat that alone and it would be good. I suppose this "breaks" tradition of using a poppy seed bun or whatever but who cares? All I care about is if it tastes good...and it does! The regular fries were OK. Something I had never seen before was that this restaurant offers two ketchup alternatives: Ketchapeno & Ketchipotle. I'm from Milwaukee so not sure if this is something unique to Chicago or something I just haven't seen yet where I live. Both have a slight kick but the Ketchipotle has a smoky flavor to it so if you aren't into that you probably won't like it. I thought the Ketchapeno was pretty good and gave the fries the extra little kick they needed. Now, let's get to those Triple Truffle Fries. I knew they would be good from the second I smelled them when they came to our table. They looked and smelled like they came from heaven. White truffle oil. Truffle butter. Truffle salt. Oh. My. God. And they weren't greasy at all. It might be the best thing I've ever put in my mouth. They were so good we talked about coming back later that night and just ordering these fries for dinner. So good. Do not order any other sides if you come to this restaurant. Just order these...a lot of them. The place is fun as you get to pick from national and local "celebrity" picture magnets at the counter where you order to take back to your table so the staff knows who ordered what. Franks N Dawgs is kind of expensive for cased meats, but then again they just aren't slapping a hot dog in a bun. Overall this place rocks. Great food. Great service. Nice ambiance. I can't wait to come back.
(4)
Sam W.
Better than Hot dougs. Yes I said it, house made sausages, owners and staff are super nice and give great service. Been here about 5 times and each sandwich is better than the next. Bring your nicest bottle of wine and sit out back in the summer you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Danielle D.
This is the 2nd time my boyfriend and I ended up at this fabulous joint! The first time we were doing a little shopping and we were starving. We saw the sign for hot dogs and my boyfriend was down. Normally I am not a hot dog girl at all so I wasnt thrilled. That changed quickly. The Menu is wild, yeah they have your run of the mill hot dog, but why would you ever get that when there are so many other tempting choices? what we've tried: Tur-Doggin - Turkey & Date Sausage topped with duck confit, herb garlic aioli, house pickled onion relish & pickled carrots (normally pickling sounds gross to me - but the flavors blend together fabulously) Foss Hog -Pork Loin Sausage w/ cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & maple mayo Reuben Pulaski -Polish Sausage, sauerkraut, thousand island dressing, potato cake & chives .......and the Truffle Fries are to die for- yum. So thats what we've tried. I really want the dessert Sweet Home Chicago, but I am so full when I leave that I havent found room for it yet :( (french toast, stuffed with chocolate ice cream, bananas, kiwis, strawberries,mango & Butterscotch sauce) Highly Recommended!!! Run dont walk..... you wont be disappointed. best part........ Sausages are made in house 100% Natural No Nitrates- Fillers
(5)
Min P.
kimchi dog.
(5)
Skittle J.
O.M.G. I am in love with these hot dogs. As if the taste alone wasn't enough, then they had to tell me that they marinate their tofu for 4-6 weeks minimum! That's some dedication to the cause right there. I'm hooked. I ate here last week for the first time and I have been craving it every day since. I ordered the original tofu dog, and Ben ordered the tofu dog with the spoiled brat toppings. I'm not sure I could choose a favorite if I had to. They were both delicious. The other two dogs that were ordered in our party also looked amazing! The owner is so nice and chatted with us for a good 30 minutes about all sorts of things. I have a feeling every visit to Chicago I make in the future will definitely not be complete until I eat here. YUM!
(5)
ben w.
Great food, I had the everyone loves romesco and the macaroni and cheese. I got my daughter the dog and fries, she polished the fries off and they were nice enough to give her a complimentary bonus order. The service was great, everyone was very friendly and talkative. Very quick with no wait on a weekday at 2:30. If you want something more adventurous than a standard Chicago dog than this is the place for you!
(5)
Joe T.
I'm on board with all the positive reviews. They have a menu that changes frequently so there's always something new to try. That can be risky and you may end up with an 8 dollar hot dog you don't like, but if you follow it up with a Sweet Home Chicago dessert dog, you won't be disappointed. Ice cream on a french toast bun. I also grabbed a macaron at the counter made by a pastry shop down the street. It was AMAZING. I would recommend this place to anyone but expect to spend some money. If you're like me, one hot dog isn't enough and if you stack dessert on top you could be looking at a $30 hot dog meal. You'll be talking about the experience though for sure.
(5)
ashleigh t.
Nice staff, yummy, clean, and great atmosphere!!!!
(5)
Ngoc H.
This place is awesome. Cam here on a random lunch get together and had their Krazie Kimchi. It was pretty good but their triple truffle fries are to die for. I'm already a big fan of waffle fries, but to throw truffle oil on them... oh my, The service was phenomenal. The person who took the order, i was to assume he is the owner, was very knowledgeable when it came to food. We had a little conversations and he showed us the iPAD that was right on the counter in front of him that showed us pictures of what they food looked like and a little description of it just in case you didn't know what you wanted. I thought that was genius. The place was a little hot and they ran out of ice for the ice machine for a little bit but I can't blame them with the crazy heat we've been having, especially when there's people constantly walking in and out of the joint. The place is clean and parking wasn't too bad to find. They also make their own ketchup, which they don't call ketchup lol, you can get a chipotle or jalapeno concoction! Overall, really interesting twist on just a hot dog. Prices are reasonable for the quality of food you get. MUST TRY!
(5)
Jeff V.
Now this is what I am talking about. Look out Hot Dougs - this is some serious competition. My wife and I each tried a seperate dog. She has the Brunch Dog and I had the Reuben. First lets start with the bun, which can always be a make or break deal. For us - it was make. It was the right combination of soft where it needed to be and sturdy enough to hold it all together. My wife is convinced the Brunch dog tasted better but I loved them both. If you love Reubens - then this is a terrific dog. The truffle fries were solid but nothing to write home about. The service was terrific. We had a server who continually checked us on while we ate outside and she ran back in to get us refills. The only thing we found unnecessary were the celebrity mugshots that gave us for table markers. Not needed. Besides that this place was awesome and I will make sure I got back before I leave Chicago next month.
(5)
Lyn B.
The hot dogs here were so unique, and the atmosphere was really comfortable! I have heard this place be compared to Hot Doug's, and I must say- I liked this better than Hot Doug's! The combinations were really interesting... and I am glad I tried a few different dogs here, but if (when) I return, I think I might just stick with the Chicago dog, it was that good.
(5)
Lauren B.
The sausages were really good. I haven't tried Hot Doug's yet, so I have nothing to compare it to. I looovved the truffle fries. So delicious. I wasn't that impressed with the mac and cheese. Kuma's or Feast has a better mac. But overall I really enjoyed Franks n Dawgs
(4)
Steve S.
It's a shame to see the vast majority of the sub-par reviews here are mostly out of people's mismatched expectations on price. If you think it's too expensive, walk out instead of buying something! I get it, the name and the sign don't exactly align with the gourmet food and some (but not all) of the prices, but geez... All that being said, no gourmet sausage on the menu is more than about $9 or $9.50, and many are around $6.50-7.50. I don't find this to be outlandishly expensive. Everything I've had at Franks 'n Dawgs has been top notch. It's a bit tough for me to order at Franks 'n Dawgs because I'm a freakishly picky eater, so I'm special ordering everything (hold this, hold that) and they've never once made a mistake - which shouldn't necessarily be noteworthy, but as a picky eater believe me - this is an accomplishment. Their regular fries are delicious, though if you feel like splurging you should definitely try the truffle fries. What really makes it all is the ingredients - especially the buns. They're perfect. Give Franks 'n Dawgs a try or two - just know that it's not a "hot dog place" and don't walk in expecting to pay $6 for lunch and you'll more than likely come out pleased.
(5)
Joyce C.
Today was our third time here. I wanted to show my diet who was boss and the truffle fries kicked its ass!! Whoo!! The first time we were here, we ordered 4 dogs, fries and a drink for two people. It was awesome, and yes, completely unnecessarily gluttonous. I think we got the turdoggin, the lamb keema, a beef curry dawg and a corn dog. The lamb keema I thought was the best of the bunch, YUM!! It was like a gyro in a bun. The second time we were here was during the filming of "Bizarre Foods" with Andrew Zimmern. Not only did we see Rick Moonen and Kevin Pang here talking and hanging out with Andrew, but our backsides were also filmed for that episode. Awesome. Oh and a group of us got to enjoy a whole buncha dogs and the truffle fries were introduced to us for the first time. Waffle fries tossed in truffle oil with truffle shavings?? Hell yes, please!! I tried the Foss Hog, a sweet pork link served with bacon, maple aioli and a fried egg and it was freaking delicious. The fried egg was soooo rich and decadent against the sweet aioli and savory pork. We also tried the cheese head and the dirty dawg. So, the last time we came was about a year ago. This time we got the "Belly Up" and the "Boar'n to be Wild". Both were good (as expected). The Belly Up had some kick to the sausage and the macerated grapes and dill added a nice freshness to the dog and helped cut the richness of the piece of fried pork belly on the top of the dog. The Boar'n to be Wild was a milder dog, with the fixin's on top which reminded me of something that 's totally escaping me right now. It was tasty though. We'd heard that the bun production had now been outsourced to a local bakery, I think to Labriola. Now, I LOVED how the brioche style bun before was delicately fluffy with a perfectly crisp outside and a soft buttery inside . Sad to say, no more. Now the bread is heartier, with a significant crusty layer, which makes the dog a little harder to eat. The meat to bread composition has been thrown off, and I'm not a fan. The dogs and the toppings are still tasty though, hence the 4 stars. I'd definitely still come back, but I hope they'll fix the bun situation soon!!
(4)
Jake F.
We stumbled upon Frank's while doing some shopping on Clybourn. Being from Wisconsin, this place is heaven. The best gourmet sausages and hot dogs around. The chef is culinary trained on the East Coast and it really shows. His ingredient selection makes each hot dog/sausage sandwich unbelievable. The staff is really nice and the place clean. It was busy when we were in there, but I get the feeling it always is. This place is an absolute must. One of the best meals I have had in Chicago!
(5)
R K.
What a complete disappointment. The triple truffle fries didn't have any truffle flavor :( and the "Chicago"-esque dog should NOT have the word Chicago anywhere near it - what about this dog is at all a Chicago dog? It's a hot dog- sliced in half lengthwise covered in a bunch of sugary nonsense? I'm sad.
(2)
Katie H.
Gourmet on a bun is right! I love this place great service and amazing food! I always get the fu dawg which is tofu, portabello mushrooms, creamy feta pesto on a fresh artisan bun if u have never been check it out it won't disappoint
(5)
sheena r.
i went with the Black Sheep, and i knew i shouldnt have. i do enjoy my share of lamb, but when i want a sausage, i want a sausage. it turned out to be more of a "gyro" shaped sausage, than a sausage. but it was good. but i wouldn't order it again. the lyonnaise fries were not for me, which is sad. i knew i should have went truffle,but i felt adventurous. sometimes that whole adventurous with food thing gets in the way of me actually enjoying my food. i will be back though. my friend had the mystery corn dog, which was amazing. polenta batter? yes please. [although now they've switched to a mystery corn dog platter..i'll still dig it].
(3)
Jody C.
Ever since my first visit I have been a fan and over a dozen visits later, I still love it here! My favorite is the truffle fries- I crave these! All of their dawgs are great- my favorite being the BLT one when it is in season. Their food is original and delicious! On top of that what really makes this place stand out is the excellent service and staff. No matter how long of a line they have, they will take the time to explain the menu to new-comers. This place is passionate about their food! Its also BYOB which is awesome. I bring all of my out of town guests here- and everyone loves it!
(5)
Veronica C.
This place is the trifecta of happiness. Super good food, Super nice people, and a really good cheap eat. The chef is from the Culinary Institute of New England, which is in VT, where I am from. I had to mention that to the lovely Aussie who was taking my order, and he said "the chef would love to hear that!" and out the chef came! He was really sweet, taking the time out to chat about Vermont and how we missed it while my food was being prepared. They even made sure to tell me how much time was left! The food...the hot dogs were AWESOME! A must to check out!
(5)
Erin G.
My friends can not get enough of this place! I am not that big into sausages, but I did enjoy the hot dog that I had. I thought the truffle mac & cheese was by far my favorite thing on the menu! Way less crowded than Hot Dougs and around the same price. If you love home made sausages, then defintiely check out their creations !
(3)
Jon M.
This must be my favorite Chicago restaurant! I haven't been to Hot Doug's, but it would be impossible to be better than Franks N Dawgs. My favorite is the Bayou Dawg - with beans, TENDER blackened shrimp, and some kind of aioli sauce. Out of at least 10 items I've ordered the only thing I haven't enjoyed here was the lobster roll, but I don't know why I decided to order something like that here anyway (very small amount of lobster meat). Stick to the turdawgin or the dawg with pork belly on top. The employees are always nice and I don't know if I'm just lucky, but I never have to wait in line. I should give this place a bad review to keep it to myself! mmmmm
(5)
Missy S.
I found this place one day shopping with my mom and we were in desperate need of a quick bit to eat to refuel. We happened to stumble across this place and i so happy to have found a new hot dog joint. I had the fu dog and it was to die for. They serve them on these french toast like buns and have very unique topping combos. Its a bit on the pricier side but defiantly well worth it. On my next visit I think I will try the truffle fries.
(5)
Sandra L.
It was a great place where you can find things like a brunch dog and a turkey/date sausage with duck confit. Haute dawgs !! Before you go, I would look up the menu online--a lot of people stood froze at the counter looking at the menu for a long time (hard to read fonts). Also, skip the sides especially the truffle fries--they underwhelmed me. Stick to the frankfurters. For dessert, they have a hot dog bun (french toast) stuffed with ice cream and fruit. Best thing about my experience, having the chef/owner help me pick the "Krazy Kimchi" (who doesn't like sausage, braised short rib, and kimchi in a bun? He also recommend the "Tur-Doggin" and the "Belly Up"for my next visit. They have 27 different dawgs to choose from ;-P
(5)
Joanna E.
It's hard when you're the new kid on the scene and everyone's comparing you to your older brother, right? I'm sorry to say I 100% agree with Ian M. on this one. Toasted buns= fantastic. And while Franks is trying really hard to be robust and eek out new flavor combos, it just isn't Hot Doug's. I appreciate that they're open in the evenings and that their locale is a little closer but not sure that merits 2-3$$ more per dawg. Plus, I got the veal percik which was perfect--until I found 3 quarter sized pieces of cartilage in the dog. That's one way to ruin the next bite. Please fix this Franks!!! You would have been great otherwise and worth the price!!!
(2)
Katie D.
Loved the bun! My husband had the truffle mac n' cheese brat and truffle fries-- I just went with a plain old hot dog. I love that bun. I actually thought it was genius! Call me a carb-lover but it was great! My husband loved his food, too. I would definitely go back!
(4)
Jennifer Y.
Great food. Service was ok (the owner, who I think is the guy who speaks with an accent is really nice and patiently explains things on the menu) except for this red headed jerk who works behind the counter which I am knocking off 3 stars for because he was just that rude. The waitress had accidentally spilled some water on our table (and she apologized repeatedly) and he started laughing and said we deserved it. Apparently he was a little ticked off because we grabbed an extra empty plate from the counter (the waitress was no where to be found) so we could share our food with each other. We apologized to him when he started yelling at us but apparently he's got a permanent chip on his shoulder. The owner really needs to fire him as I can see from other yelp reviews that I am not the only customer who has experienced his lack of manners. The food is great but I will not return because this red headed guy seems like the type who would spit in your food. Gross.
(2)
Nate L.
Love the dogs itself, but did not like the buns dog was sitting on. It's almost like garlic bread with flat bottom and slit in the middle for the dogs to sit in. Nice concept but it didn't do it for me, and plus, I don't like greasy buns. Decor is pretty average. Their twist on a korean dog was pretty decent, I'm Korean and I've never thought of putting kimchi on my hot dogs, although it was not homemade, it tasted really good. Probably try the truffle fries next time and different dogs. But I've had my fix on exotic dogs for now and plus, Navy's Physical Health Assessment is coming up so i need to stay away until june!
(4)
Brad C.
Hell Ya! Franks 'N' Dawgs is great and I don't know why haven't been back. Sure Hot Dougs is great but I don't usually have time to wait 45 minutes for a couple dogs. I've gone to Franks 'N' Dawgs twice both times for lunch and I was able to walk right up and place my order. Both times I've gone I've ordered different dogs and they have all been damn good. The couple I can remember are the Beef Curry, Lamb Keema and the Dirty Dog. Each time I go I'm pretty sure I'm going to try something new because there are some great combos on the menu.
(5)
Suzy D.
My husband and I were at Petco picking up some stuff for our dog and decided to walk over to Franks 'n' dawgs and grab lunch. We came here around 11:15 so there was no line. We were both eager to try everything on the menu, but we decided to just order 2 dogs each. I got the two iron chef dogs, one was called something Naha (by the chef from Naha) and one was called le merguez (lamb, greek yogurt, chutney). My husband got the brunch dog and the truffle mac n cheese dog. We also got some lyonnaise fries to share. First of all, everything was delicious. However, for us the standouts were the brunch dog (fried egg, pork sausage, maple mayo) and the le mergeuz. So delicious. The mac n cheese dog was tasty and you could definitely taste the truffle, but the mac n cheese kind of overpowered the flavor of the meat. The fries were good, but I think next time we come we'll get the truffle fries. We forgot that the lyonnaise fries had a sauce on them so they were kind of soggy and we like our fries crispy. Very tasty though. We will be back to try more!
(4)
Chris J.
What a great place. Unfortunately, my kids and I eat hot dogs way too often. However, it's hard to call the food here a hot dog. Each hot dog is more like a meal (which we learned when we tried eating two each, which we would easily do with a normal dog). My sons tried the plain dog on the great toasted bun, and after his first bite, my son Alex said it was by far the best hot dog he has had in his life. He tried the corn dog next, and had a hard time picking a favorite. My other son Ryan loved the fries (we all did). I had the New Orleans Dawg, which was also great, and very unique. We've been there twice since they opened, and will definately be back again. We looking forward to the outdoor seating area when the weather gets better...hopefully soon. We all highly recommend this place, but as tempting as they all may be, make sure you order them one at a time.
(5)
Molly L.
This is a hidden gem. Amazing everything but the truffle fries and mac and cheese dog are insane. If you are thinking of waiting in line for Hot Doug's, I advise you to check this place out.
(5)
Sourma K.
As soon as I saw Boar's Head hot dogs I knew this was a good place. Its the best gourmet hot dog I've ever had, it was the Lamb Keema and it tasted like a gyros but in the shape of a lamb sausage w/ some yogurt sauce and other trimmings. It was worth every penny and cannot wait to go back.
(5)
Rainier R.
I think it was a great experience having these gourmet dogs, but I think I'm kind of indifferent to it.
(3)
Charles S.
This place rocks! I've been here twice and can't wait to go back. First time I had the "burger" dog and the regular Chicago dog. The second time I had the white brat with mac & cheese. The brat was a white sausage like the kind you would find in Germany. Sorry, I don't remember the real names for any of these. The ketchup comes in two spicy options. The mustard is gourmet, like everything else there. The guys behind the grill are like hot dog chefs and the owner is very friendly. I guess I would be friendly too if I were charging over $7 a dog on average, JK! The dining area is cozy,clean, and not crowded or loud like at Hot Doug's. Give this place a shot, but be warned you may never go back to Portillo's again.
(5)
johnny b.
fine if walking by worth a look. mine wasn't that great but probably just the choice. Was well done I just didn't like the flavor but I would try here again..
(3)
Joshua P.
Oh yea, triple truffle fries all the way. Honestly, I come here just for those. Not that the dogs aren't good, because they are. They have very interesting creations and they work well together. Not too crazy about the bread, but hey, not going to get picky here. I like the wall of shame idea, where by they use celeb pictures to identify your table. Its a fun idea. Also, unlike hot doug's, there is hardly ever a wait. At least every time I've gone. I hate to compare them to hot doug's because what they do is unique in their own respect. So you shouldn't either! Come check them out when you have a chance.
(5)
Michelle L.
I love a good Chicago style hot dog, but my first visit to Frank n Dawgs I decided that being adventurous was the way to go... I had the dirty dog, my husband the lamb keema, and we shared cheese fries a cheese head and some truffle fries... dirty dog: absolutely wonderful! Our friends raved about this one so I really didn't think it would live up to their hype but I was wrong, the andeouli sausage was moist and spicy, and the rice on the bottom, while I thought would be a weird filler, was actually quite flavorful and a great compliment. But the bun...wow it was amazing, fresh, light, buttery. Unfortunately my husband wasn't a big fan of his lamb keema otherwise I would have had my dirty dog all to myself! My big downer - the cheese fries. I love French fries. I love cheese. I love real-cheddar cheese sauce fries. But these fries were overcooked, way too crispy, were not hand-cut, and just had a sprinkling of grated cheese on top. Can I get some real-cheddar sauce, please? Along with hand-cut fries, please? I'm paying for it... But my day was saved by my friends who had the good sense to order the truffle fries...these are how fries should be done! Such a unique flavor with the right amount of salt, I could have eaten 2 orders just by myself. Oh, and we saw Andrew Zimmern filming for an upcoming Bizarre Foods, which was fun! I expect this place to get a lot busier once the episode airs so get your fix now.
(4)
John P.
What a find! I was walking along the sidewalk up N. Clybourn and spotted Franks 'N' Dogs. Hmmm This is what we've been looking for - delicious, gourmet-quality dogs with LOTS of varieties. We entered and knew immediately this was THE place. After staring at the extensive menu for a few minutes, the ultra-tech savvy guy behind the counter said, "Here, check this for a more visual idea of what we offer." Right in front of us was a properly tilted, for easy viewing, iPad2 that had every menu item described. A quick tap, produced a full screen, high-rez image of the delicacy. How cool! We both decided upon The Cheesehead which was a 10+! It arrived amazingly well-plated for presentation and the made-on-premises dog, really a high quality sausage, was superb. Equally outstanding was the "bun" which was reminiscent of a top quality lobster roll found along the Maine coastline. It was perfectly grilled & hand-split for accommodating the dog and other ingredients. This place even has a unique-to-Chicago ketchup called "Ketchapeno" that was also a 10 on the condiment scale. It had the perfect kick that added to the overall experience. We'll be back!
(5)
P S.
Great hot dogs. Amazing amount of variety. The truffle fries are a must.
(4)
Moe f.
Sweet, a place to get an upscale sausage with no wait! Gotta love that they make about half the sausages in-house. I had the Foss Dog which was a special made of pork loin and had a fried egg on it. Loved it. Fries were spot on(and they have malt vinegar handy). Friendly, helpful service, I'll be back.
(4)
Joy D.
On the sign out front, it say's "5 Star Dining on a Bun", and I agree! After seeing an article on hot dog places in the Chicago area, I checked this place out and was shocked to find a place I like even better than Hot Doug's. Oh, I'll always go to Hot Doug's just because of the charm of the owner and the vibes, but as for the actual food -- I've found a new favorite. The Triple Truffle Fries made me moan, they were Sooooooo good! They stuff their own sausage. Pretty amazing! The staff are friendly and the service is relaxed.
(5)
Leigh K.
Two words: truffle fries! Also to note; they are vegetarian because they are cooked in vegetable oil! Holy gosh, they are delicious. I will totally get these again. I've been here three times and got two different duck sausages and the last time I had a turkey one. I definitely preferred the duck to the turkey. There was a lot more flavor (read: fat) in them. Zachary is obsessed with this place at the moment, so I have tagged along, but I like Chicago's Dog House a bit more so far. It doesn't seem like Franks N Dawgs has caught on yet, but I feel like it will soon, so catch it now!
(4)
Kris R.
who knew a hot dog place would treat me like a princess? i came in w 5 of my coworkers. once we sat down (i picked tina fey again) the owner came to me and asked if i had done that review i did last week. i shook his hand and said, yes, that's me. he so graciously made the dessert dawg for us, which was excellent. i also got to try gale gand's rootbeer, which awesome as well! i felt like VIP. yelp does wonders. this time, i had the turdoggin, which was delicious. i still like the nawlins dawg the best. i also had my OWN truffle fries, hey-o! SO SO SO goood. thing is, i can't keep coming back every friday because i'm trying to watch my figure. i can pretend this salad is a dawg, though. i should say, when i want to indulge on fridays, i WILL come here. see you guys again soon! xoxo!
(5)
Ian M.
I'm going to get the pressing concerns out of the way: this place is not a carbon copy of Hot Doug's. And eating there for its grand opening, it will have some work ahead of it to prove it deserves its own line out the door. That said, i enjoyed my "harvest dog" well enough, a bockwurst with cherry tomatoes, chives and corn relish. The ingredients really made fresh-tasting contrast to your usual greasy dog, and as the last reviewer noted, that toasted bun is phenomenal. The fries were crisp and fresh, and free fountain drink refills were appreciated. Service was prompt (though I was the only one in there) and very friendly, and the prices of the signature dogs fall two or three dollars below those Hot Doug's (though I hope in the future they will adopt a similar weekly rotation of specials to keep things exciting). I'd say it's worth sausage cents to give it a shot.
(4)
Celtic B.
A solid 3.5 stars. The dog I had here was great, The Krazy Kimchee. Lots of flavor from the beef sausage, an excellent bun and a great balance of meat to bun to garnish. I thought the cheese fries were kind of weak. The cheese was melted over the fries and it hardened up right away. When I want cheese fries I need my cheese to be creamy, and that was not the case with these. Kind of pricey - I think I'd rather go to Doug's next time I want a gourmet dog.
(3)
Dina I.
totally different than Hot Doug's but just as tasty in my opinion. Some days, I just crave a dog specifically from Franks 'N' Dawgs...
(4)
Manny A.
We were riding around heading for a place to eat and I happened to spot this place among a row of storefronts and was immediately intrigued. We found street parking pretty easily and went in. We went for the basic hot dogs just to check them out. The hot dogs were meticulously prepared and delicious. The Truffle Fries were surprisingly good, especially for someone burnt out on fries. The service was laid back but attentive. Overall, a great experience.
(5)
Kelly M.
SO BOMB! I love this place! Everything is good .. their truffle fries are the best thing since sliced bread. Just thinking about their food makes my mouth water. I'm one who likes to order the same thing everytime at restaurants, but here I try something new every time and love everything I've had. I even get to sit with Snoop Dogg. It's also SO much more convenient than Hot Doug's, you don't have to wait in line forever either .... you will love it, I promise!
(5)
Ben F.
Bayou dog + triple truffle fries. Ridiculous.
(5)
Jen H.
Cased meat and truffles? Cue Homer Simpson drooling.... I tried the truffle mac n cheese sausage with a side of truffle fries. (I am on a truffle kick). I could have devoured a bucket of just the mac n cheese! Hubs had the turkducken dog...crazy, but he loved the duck confit topping. yep, truffle and duck confit...not your average hot dog place!
(4)
Bobby W.
Man oh man. This place blew my mind. They took it to the next level for me. That pillow-soft, buttery grilled bun, tender sausage and unique range of toppings. We tried the brunch dog and the turdoggen, both were incredible. We were there at lunch time on a really nice day and were able to find seats no problem, which was a bonus!
(5)
Emmy B.
Love it, and still thinking about the Beet and Brat! Minus 1 star, because I did not care for the truffle fries. They just tasted oldish-oily. Not because they were, I just think some people like them, some people don't. Too small a place to eat there, take it to go.
(4)
Michael S.
Dogs were good. I think we wanted it to be more than it was. We'll stop in again if we're in the neighborhood, but not a good enough dog to walk out of your way to get to.
(3)
Lucas K.
This review is very clearly colored by the following facts: A. I've never been to Hot Doug's, though I plan to solve that soon; B. I didn't have any sides; and C. They didn't have the dog I originally wanted (the Kimchi one). So disclaimed, begin the review! I got the Spoiled Brat when they told me they didn't have the Kimchi dog; I only found out later by dropping some eaves that they make their own kimchi, so that's pretty cool. The brat itself was tasty, but the casing was a bit rubbery and didn't snap off like a good sausage should. The condiments they put on were delicious, and matched up really well, but I wish there had been JUST a teensy bit more. The bun itself was delicious as well, but it just didn't hold the dog as well as a traditional bun would have; it was a little clunky. All that aside, I was very impressed with their drink selection (Gale's Root Beer was tasty and unique) and the staff were all obviously friendly and enjoyed what they were doing, so I really can't bitch too much. Overall, definitely worth a visit, but I'm looking forward to trying Hot Doug's and comparing in the near future.
(3)
Mike D.
Wow. Being a hot doug's fanatic, I thought I would be sadly dissapointed by Franks. However, I refuse to let a good dog go untried, so I ventured in at 12:15, no line, very few people. I ordered, got my food pretty quick. I tried the breakfast dog, which was great. Even surviving the trip home, the egg was just cooked enough to make the yolk soft but not runny, the sausage was well spiced and tasty. The maple mayo brought it all together, making it taste like a breakfast. The Truffle fries are great tasting, but a little steep at almost 5 bucks for an order. The buns are actually something to write home about. They're great and really make the dog.
(5)
Amber V.
Great hot dog joint! The owner/manager was super nice and my hubby & I loved the veal percik. The only downside to this fantastic upscale hot dog joint is that the decor doesn't match the food. The menu has slips of paper for each item and all in all the actual restaurant is nothing special. The food, now that's a different story! Check it out!
(4)
Haley S.
i really wanted a gourmet dog without the wait that you have to endure at other places, but i guess the wait at those other places is worth it. i was UNimpressed with Franks N Dawgs. The brat (i had the cheesehead) was engulfed by a brioche bun so in the end i realized i was eating more bun than dog, not cool F'n Dawgs. The truffle fries are good but you get a handful for $5 and i dont think they'll make me come back. adorable man at the front with the cute little accent won't even get me to go back. i guess this makes me a Hot Doug's girl all the way, sorry F'n Dawgs
(2)
Colt E.
I love Franks N Dawgs. I really do. I'm very close to preferring it over Hot Dougs. The flavors are just as good. They make their own dogs and even their own condiments. The service is amazingly friendly and you generally don't have to wait terribly long. Oh and did I mention that wonderful french toast bun. Mmmm.
(5)
shai h.
The triple truffle fries put all other truffle fries I've eaten to shame. I had the Krazy Kimchi dog. It was amazing. The bread that the dogs are served in are crazy awesome. My bf had the one with the shoestring fries. Also delicious. The owner (I think) was really passionate and enthusiastic. They make a lot of the sausage in house. Great place!
(5)
Nicole V.
The other day my honey and I happened to be in the neighborhood where Franks 'N' Dawgs is located (I've heard good things) so in we went. WOW. The menu was full of these amazing gourmet dog combinations, we could hardly make a decision. Finally, after talking it over with one of the incredibly nice owners...I decided on the Tur-dawgen and my guy went with the Dirty Dog (proceeds go to a monthly charity, PAWS...scoring them a HUGE plus). We decided to get our food to go and chatted a bit with the owners before heading home with our dogs. Upon unwrapping these masterpieces we were immediately happy we decided to give these dawgs a try! My tur-dawgen was amazing, the turkey was flavorful, fantastic aioli, perfect pieces of duck and just the right amount of sweetness in the pickled carrots...delicious! I also tried a bite of the Dirty Dog and it was tasty as well. Just the right mix of spice and savory with those amazing hush puppies on top. The new managers of this place have really gotten it right. I believe Hot Dougs may finally have a little gourmet dog competition. I'll definitely be going back...next time I've got to try the beef curry.
(5)
B C.
Top notch cuisine. Yes, I called a "hot dog" cuisine, and you will too after you have tasted their succulent sausage sandwiches. They make most of the sausages on site and have freshly baked artisanal buns. The toppings are a perfect combination to the individual sausage that still sings out among the tasty toppings. The coleslaw is a creative rendition of the classic with caraway seeds and dried grapes. Check it out! You will not be disappointed. Well, you will be disappointed that you could not stretchyour belly and try more on your first trip, but you can, and will, go back.
(5)
Ahmad A.
I'm actually being generous by not giving this place 1 star. This is one of those places that runs entirely on hype. The food isn't bad (it isn't great either), but with the ridiculous prices they charge, I'm surprised they're still in business. I went here with a friend, and the total came out to $52 for a meal to only fill our appetite, not exceed it. The Kimchi Dog and Truffle fries were decent.
(2)
Veera R.
Some friends were in town from Florida and I wanted to take them to Hot Doug's for lunch on a warm Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, they were closed for vacation for a couple weeks, little did I know this was a blessing in disguise. Another friend of mine had recommended the place, and after taking a look at the menu on the interweb, I knew this was a "must try" place. When we got there, the place was a ok size. The day we went, space was limited, because they were filming a new show on the new Cooking Channel, starring one of the contestants from the Food Channels "The Next Food Network Star", I can't remember the name of the show, but it will be on this fall. To the food..... I had the Dirty Dog, which was a heart attack disguised as encased meat, but boy was it worth it. The Andouille with dirty rice, hush puppies & cherry tomato relish were awesome, I had to slow down my pace of eating because I was enjoying it so much and wanted to make sure I could taste each ingredient! HA! My second dog was the Lamb Keema Dog (Lamb, English peas, cucumber salad, pearl onions & Socca), I thought of it as a gyros disguised at a hot dog. I immediately noticed that there were peas on the hot dog and I was a little iffy on this topping when I saw it, but after one bite, all my worries went away, delicious. I also tried a bite of my friends truffle fries, wow were they good. If I didn't feel sorry for my arteries, I would have definitely ran up to the counter and ordered myself a side. Now for those of you who do not believe in paying a premium for a gourmet hot dog, then this is not the place for you, but if you are up to at least try something new once, then you must come here. I had my 2 dogs and a medium drink and it came out to be a little over $16, but since I do not eat here on a regular basis, it was worth every penny and you better believe I will be coming back!
(5)
Nicolas H.
Might be my new go-to place for hot dogs. The selection is unreal and the quality of the dogs is awesome. I had the special dog Foss Hog which was their homemade pork sausage topped with bacon and a fried egg. Definitely not something I'd get on a regular basis, but it was damn good. The fries were good as well, fresh and hot. The only negative I can think of it's a little pricey for a hot dog place (although I guess we are paying for high quality ingredients, at least that's what I'll tell myself to rationalize spending more than $10 on a hot dog and fries). I'm excited to come back to try some of the other surprising items...
(4)
Steve J.
Get ready for the smackdown.... Attention all celeb Chefs: please stop trying to reinvent my Chicago Hot Dog! It's like seeing a movie adaptation of a horrible old 70's sitcom like Rhoda or Maude. You're left thinking- what? why was this movie EVEN MADE?? Stick with your gleaming, open kitchens and chemistry sets- you have success there and there you should stay. Pros: -My buddy Mike bought -Classic dog w/mus&onions was huge -The bun was actually excellent- light and airy- toasted -ClyCorridor- easy access from many neighborhoods Cons: -Parking is a bitch if you dont have skills -Bourgeois prices could be knocked down one dollar across the board -FRIES ARE EXTRA?!? C'MON! Change some things and I'll try it again...otherwise Superdawg still rules.
(2)
Leilani F.
I hate giving BAD reviews, but I just HAVE to here. The first time I visited this place, all I wanted was a Chicago-Style dog. Easy, right? Not so here. You cannot order one here, because they don't have one on the menu. This is CHICAGO boys, and even though you are a "hautedog" joint, you are still a hotdog joint. If you don't offer Chicagoans a Chicago style hotdog, it's sort of insulting to us. Anyhow, today I gave this place another try. I opted for the "N'awlins Dawg," described as Andoiulle sausage, fried okra, shrimp, and chives. Sounds delicious, right? Hrm.... When I opened my take out box and saw the creation in front of me, my first thought was: "not what I expected." It was missing the chives first of all. I had also imagined fried okra like my grandma made- green, slimy, and delicious with little black char spots on it. What I saw on top instead was the JALEPENO POPPER of fried okra. A fried casing around a perfect vegetable- more like an appetizer at Chili's than a topping on a "haute dog." Next were the shrimp. Thought I'd get some yummy shrimp on top of my dog- NOT battered and fried shrimp. Again, they screamed appitizer, not topping. I also saw a tail on one of them and thought to myself, "how am I to bite into this like a hotdog now?" Am I just going to be swallowing tails? How is my healthy heart going to handle FRIED & BREADED okra & shrimp on top of a sausage?" It could have, and WOULD have been sooooo much better if they would have just let the toppings speak for themselves rather than FORCING them to be good by battering and frying them. Aren't there supposed to be good chefs here? Needless to say I ate the POPPER first, leaving 1/2 of the breading behind and begging for more okra, ate the shrimp next, and by the time I got to the sausage, I was already feeling a little ill from all of the grease in my stomach. I took a bite of the sausage, and the casing was so tough that I heard it break between my teeth. The meat, while well spiced, was too oily and I honestly didn't think I could continue. No, I didn't eat anymore of it, and ended up throwing my lunch and my money in the garbage. So not only did I not get a hotdog for lunch, but I hardly got anything for lunch, and felt my body begging for something GOOD. If you want an awesome "haute dog", got to HOT DOUGS!!! They know what's up. Don't waste your money on Pizza Hut when you live in a city that has Lou Malnati's and Pequods. Too much fried guys. Seriously. Eww. Quit now.
(1)
Paul B.
Wow! What I had for dinner was EXACTLY what I was hoping for and maybe a little bit more... Pros: Convenient location Short lines (less 5 minutes) Variety of delicious made in house encased meats (can't really call it sausage) They will allow you to split the dawgs into 'flights' between two people Cons: I can't fit more into my stomach If you're reading this review, do yourself a favor and don't get a regular old dog or a Chicago style. I love Chicago styles don't get me wrong, but you can get a Chicago style ANYWHERE. Definitely splurge and get something exotic. I split the Foss Dog and the Nawlins dog and both were amazing. The fried egg on the Foss definitely sets it apart. Next time I will be trying the Veal dog and either the lamb or beef curry, cant wait! Definitely check this place out!
(4)
Nancy S.
I'm a lifelong Chicagoan, and I can't believe I've not eaten here sooner. The idea of a gourmet dog just didn't seem appealing. If you are on the fence like I was, make no mistake, it's worth hopping off. I had the Governator. It was very good. The guy taking my order described it as having that sweet and savory combination; he was spot on. I definitely will go back for the Brunch Dog and FU. I also had the triple truffle fries. (Try saying that rapidly and repeatedly.) The seasoning was perfect. They came out hot and oh so crisp on the outside, creamy on the inside. Next time I have to bring a couple of friends so we can try several different dogs and sides. Make sure to bring an empty stomach because the portions are huge. I finished my sausage but couldn't finish the fries. Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention how attentive the staff was. Service was fast (well, they are a hot dog joint, I suppose). The chef and the floor guy checked on me three times during my 45 minute visit. The chef even offered to refill my water cup. That kind of attention and friendliness speaks volumes in my book. They've just acquired a new loyal customer.
(4)
Meredith F.
When I hear of a new hot dog joint in Chicago - it is a must that I give it a try. When it comes to hot dogs I know a good place when I see it, and Franks n' Dawgs is one place that I will definitely visit again and again. My sister and I were greeted by the owner who took our order and told us all about the restaurant and where the ideas for some of the menu items originated. I had the Reuben dog and a jumbo hot dog - both were amazing. My sister had the mystery corn dog and the dirty dog - again amazing. This place really takes hot dogs and sausages to a new level in a very un-intimidating atmosphere. I fully intend to become a regular there!
(5)
Kimberly H.
This place was great! We went in a 7 on a Thursday, so it was empty just before closing. We had the dawg flight with triple truffle fry upgrade. The dogs were messy to cut apart and share, but oh so tasty. The triple truffle fries were amazing! Especially because we could dip them in ketchupotle or ketchupeño, so much better than regular ketchup! We also had a side of fried pickles and the shaved brussel sprout salad. The pickles weren't that great, but brussel sprouts were fabulous. I know that might sound weird, but they were! The price for all that was $30, and we had bought some beers at Binny's since BYOB is a big plus! I highly recommend this place, and will be back again. I just need to save a little for my fancy sausage fund, and wait until the timing is right to avoid a rush, yet also get there before closing. If their hours were a little longer, and the prices a little lower, this would have been a 5 star rating, and I'd plan to come back more often!
(4)
Kelly A.
Besides the fact that the dawgs are AWESOME, I'd like to compliment Zach, who is Franks n Dawgs' best asset and PR man. He's charming and extremely helpful. He always remembers me when I go in. If only all businesses could have such great employees! 5 stars for Zach!!
(5)
Kyle P.
Really good and you should at least give it a try but it is a little pricey for hot dogs.....I knew it would be but still it is a little hard to spend $20 at a hotdog place.....make sure you try the cheese fries
(4)
Emily M.
This place is great. I can't wait to go back and try more. I ordered the Truffle Mac N Cheese dog and the Tur-Doggin. The Truffle Mac N Cheese dog? Amaaaaaazing. I'm also mac n cheese obsessed. But its amaaazing. I'd order the mac n cheese plain but combined with the dog it's heavenly. The Tur-Doggin I didn't like as much. That doesn't mean it's not good. This just means I didn't know what I was getting myself into.. like the pickled carrots. Wasn't a fan. My boyfriend got the Porkgasm and before I could remember to ask for a bite, it was gone and he said he loved it, so that's that. The buns are different but they're good. I still prefer your traditional hotdog bun though, because I like the bread to meat ratio better. These buns are just too much bread for me and it gets in the way of the contents of the bun. We got there right when they opened at 11:30 on a Friday. It wasn't crowded when we got there or when we left. We also had no problem finding parking on Clybourne, however by the time we left at noon, the street was all parked up. Now, I'm going to have to compare this place to Hot Doug's: it's good but not as good. However, I doubt you'll ever wait longer than 10-15min here and they have better hours. So weigh the pros and cons yourself. I would like to continue frequenting both, but it would depend on the situation.
(4)
Christina K.
Franks 'N' Dawgs is such a fun place to go for any hotdog lover. My boyfriend and I have been here 2 or 3 times and we are never disappointed. Each time I come here I stare at the menu for about 5 or 10 minutes before deciding because there are always new tasty choices! Last time I came here I ordered the Truffle Mac N Cheese Dog and let me tell you - wow, unbelievable, spectacular. The owner is so much fun and I love how you can choose from the "Celebrity Hall of Shame" as your table number. And who knew that you could submit your own hot dog recipes and if it's chosen you get a gift card and $1 per purchase? Crazy. This place is one of a kind.
(5)
Brian E.
This is gonna be trouble. A stone's throw from my new apartment and the Foss Hog is fantastic: "Pork link, Cob smoked bacon, fried egg & maple mayo" *drools* It's as good as it sounds (at least to us carnivores). I'll be back very soon to try some other things on the menu. If this place was open late, it would be the death of me.
(4)
Stephen C.
I love this place, I got the Cheese Head and it was delicious. Will be back to try out the large selection.
(4)
Jayme N.
De-licious. Hearty, flavorful food that is clearly made with love. It seems like some of the other reviewers are hating on this place basically, because it wasn't what they expected. These are sausages. This is what my german great grandpa would have made if you asked him to make sausage. They are thick-skinned, juicy, flavourful, and fresh. They are not dainty or easy to eat with one small hand; but they are goooood. Every bit as good as Hot Doug's without the lines. Treat yourself.
(4)
Miss O.
Truffles waffle fries. Melt in your mouth corn dog. Outdoor patio. I might venture to say its better than hot Doug's...
(5)
Shelden E.
I'm going back. The place opened seven weeks ago and yesterday was my first time. I had the Mysterious Corn Dawg and enjoyed it, but I do have a complaint. The fried corn dog feel was not crunchy enough. I like the crispy crust on a corn dog, whereas this was a little to soft and slippery. However, the sausage was still very good and same with the two different types of mustard. Again, I am going back because one of the employees was telling us that with certain meals, the sausages are made in-house. Also the chef who came up with dishes used to work for Wolfgang Puck. So clearly I gotta try a bunch of different things, and NOT a boring hot dog. Take note the place is BYOB.
(4)
Mike D.
Walking around in the city makes you hungry. What a relief to wind up walking by this joint on the way to the red line after a days of hiking around town! Take the side entrance going in!! ;) Tables and your order are identified by celeb photo coaster things given to you after you place your order. What do I recommend? Well, last time I was in, I had the Brunch Dawg... Pork loin sausage, bacon, fried egg made that baby up! Anyone wanna share a Dawg Flight with me?
(5)
Melissa M.
My favorite meal is breakfast, so when I saw the brunch dog on the menu, I knew what I was ordering. The sausage was homemade (any with the chef's hat next to them are) and the bun was different, in a good way. The staff were friendly and informative. I also enjoyed the fact that you get to pick a sliding celeb (i.e. Charlie Sheen, Lindsey Lohan, etc.) for your table marker - fun!
(3)
Camille P.
So much more than 'franks 'n' dawgs'! Their logo says it all: "5 star dining on a bun". It's true. Wonderful, flavorful, interesting (for a bun though some are pretty classic combinations). I'm glad I went with 4 other people because there's no way I could have selected one dawg.
(5)
J K.
This place is a must if you like sausage and gourmet preparations. It was my first time there so I decided to try the chefs choice, flight of 3 halves. Turdoggin, Krazy Kimchie and Mussels from Brussels were all great but the last 2 were exceptional stand outs, as was my sons Bayou dog. Try the triple truffle fries too.
(5)
Colleen D.
Finally got to this place. It was very quiet on a Saturday night. Since the menu is really overwhelming, I split the two Iron Chef competition dogs with a friend. I have to say, Bill Kim's Urbanbelly Chix with the curry mayo and pickled green papaya was the bomb. The truffle fries were also awesome but really, they are truffle. Truffle makes everything better. I did not know that Franks 'N' Dawgs is BYOB and has an outdoor patio. Next time!
(4)
A S.
If you are looking for the best Chicago-style Vienna hot dog with green relish and a poppy seed bun, this is not the place for you. But there is no where in town that comes close for interesting and creative dog-type sandwiches. Maybe duck, maybe lobster, maybe you'll be surprised. I stop by whenever I can; tho' I'm sometimes disappointed that the dog that I've ordered before has circulated off the menu, there is always something that is intriguing and tasty. Lots of reviewers have appropriately mentioned the truffle fries, but you are really depriving yourself if you don't get the brussel sprout slaw, with pistachios. I never cared for brussel sprouts before, but I wouldn't miss these. I think a mark of a good chef is to expand your palate, and they certainly do that here. And they put their creations on wonderful buns.
(5)
Temi C.
Hot dogs with accessories. =) I tried the N'awlins Dog: andouille sausage topped with fried shrimp and okra. The sausage was flavorful and the bun fantastic. I'm not sure if they make their buns from scratch, but they tasted homemade. Prices for a full meal run about $10 and the byob option is always appreciated.
(4)
Alex H.
Fuck me these hot dogs are creative and delicious. Nice hipster staff.
(5)
Tom K.
Lamb Keema perfectly cooked. Long line on a saturday around lunch, be prepared to wait a while. Spicy ketchup was surprisingly good.
(4)
Tony M.
Amazing forget hot dougs this is the spot no waiting in line food is great had frank n stien which is the duck liver dog yummmmm
(5)
Adam P.
I like this place. I had the Krazy Kimchee Dog with short rib. It was delicious! Also, I would say it's worth coming here just for the Triple Truffle Fries alone, which are a waffle-cut fry with truffle oil and what I'm guessing is some sort of truffle butter, and an other truffle ingredient I can't place, but sprinkled with parsley. It's a little on the pricey side of things, but you have to keep in mind that these are not your cheaper ingredients and there are real chef's creating food that is far from normal. Chicago is full of hot dog joints, so if you just want a hot dog and fries, you could probably get a better deal elsewhere, but this is a fantastic place for foodies or anyone who is tired of the same old thing. I also appreciate the fact that they take credit cards.
(4)
A W.
We went here after a soggy day at Wrigley this past weekend. I had the turdoggin and she had the corn dog. Although I enjoyed the turdoggin, I found it a bit dry. I did enjoy the pickled carrot julienne's on top. We both enjoyed her corn dog very much. If we go back on our next trip to Chicago I'd want to try this place again, but get a different menu item.
(4)
Kristin S.
I think I'm a convert. Waffle truffle fries officially kick the crap outta duck fat fries. Plus, there was NO wait at Franks n' Dawgs when I went with two other people a couple weeks ago on a Saturday (open after 4pm!). We were greeted by a super friendly cashier who gave us some recommendations, let us take our time to review the giant, mouth-watering menu, and then let us choose which celebrity we'd like to use as our table number. (We chose Conan. Love you Coco!) The only thing I was not super impressed with was the corn dog. I actually didn't really like it at all since the breading fell off the (was it a bratwurst?) mystery sausage too easily and the skin of the sausage in the center was too strong. Keep it simple with the classics, guys. I did LOVE the overall gourmet feel of this place and everything else I tried. The other sausages were heavenly and oh so delicious. I need another moment of silence for those waffle truffle fries, though. Oh man. I had the beef curry dog with was freshly made and super flavorful. I also tried some of the duck sausage which was also great. With no wait, fantastic food and a friendly staff, this might be the new gourmet sausage joint of choice for me and my out-of-town visitors!
(5)
Mike M.
This place was delicious! So good in fact, that I went back the very next day for lunch (Sunday) and they were closed. My heart was broken...and it was my birthday. They make a good portion of their sausage on location unlike other places. I had the Foss Hogg which came complete with a fried egg on top. It was evil and delicious. The owner talked to us for a while and seemed like a great guy. Extremely friendly and helpful. I will go here every time I am in Chicago. And by the way, the sausage is better than Hot Doug's. There I said it. (There is also little to no wait).
(5)
Anthony A.
We're starting to see these upscale hot dog places pop up all over Chicago, but this place does it right. Not only do they have differentiated hot dog offerings, but it's all about the bun. They use some sort of gourmet bread which they grill and turn into a bun: OUTSTANDING. We ordered three hot dogs between two of us to go for some variety. For some reason, my truffle fries weren't up to par, but I will chalk it up as an outlier. Staff is incredibly friendly and engaging. I like Hot Doug's, like everyone else, but I think this place is up there in terms of quality and experience, and I don't need to wait in line for an hour. Definitely worth your time and money!
(4)
Sara P.
Holy hot dog heaven! Went here for lunch on a Saturday...laughing as we walked in at the couple storming out because all they had were hot dogs. Um, it's a hot dog restaurant, get over it. Looking at the menu, I was a bit overwhelmed by all the choices, and in the end, settled on just a plain kosher-style dog. Boring decision, but delicious none-the-less. The bun was enough to make anyone happy. My finace, an expert in all things Chicago hot dog, really liked his plain dog as well, but said he missed the Chicago style- the poppy seed bun, the celery salt...all the things I don't understand, not being a native Chicagoan. We also ordered the cheese fries, but were slightly disappointed in the lack of cheese. For sure we will be back...and for sure I will venture into a slightly more risky style hot dog. On a side note, someone near us had the corndog, and I came thisclose to reaching over to his table and taking a bite. What? I was hungry. Geez.
(4)
Buggin O.
the franks and dawgs are for the most part... flavah! i'd stick with the ones that they make in-house. they make real good sausage--taste like real meat. they want a lot of cheddah for a dawg ($10 easy) but then again, people don't blink for $10 burgers so why not a sausage. still hard to stomach though. like $6 for a regular chicago style dog (1/8th pound). common man! you need as least 1.5 dogs and some side to make it a meal. so like $20 bones per person. fries are good and the special spicy ketchups they got is worth buying a bottle. after a while, you kinda just want a regular dog ' though cause they put too much toppings and sauce sometimes. you kinda just want to let the meal and bread speak for itself. know what i'masayin?
(4)
Phil T.
The best hot dog I've ever had, a turkey and date/duck confit/ pickled carrot combination, very pleasant service, excellent choices and great fries. My girlfriend's hot dog, a gouda- and mushroom topped bratwurst was almost as delicious. Certainly a dish I wouldn't hesitate to order on another occasion. I would place this in the pantheon of cheap gourmet options in Chicago today. Strong recommend.
(5)
Angie S.
My parents came into town for the weekend and I wanted to impress them with my hot boyfriend and awesome food. They grew up here in Chicago, so I knew no ordinary hot dog joint would work. I had to step it up a notch. At first my parents didn't understand the concept of gourmet hot dogs, nor did they understand the price. But when we walked in we were greeted by this awesome dude, who also happens to be the owner. He made my parents laugh and helped them decide what to order. (I think my dad liked him more than my boyfriend!) So totally one star goes to you, owner dude! Both my parents got the "Spoiled Brat" my boy got the "Foss Hog" and I got the "Dirty Dog". I thought mine was weak in comparison to the other two. I was really looking for some major crunch with the hush puppies and was majorly disappointed. The Andouille Sausage was really good, but just over powering. So there goes a point. My parents let me nosh on their brat (like the spoiled brat I am. Get it, eh eh?) and it was really delicious. The mustard was excellent and applied just right. My boyfriend, however, was the big winner of the evening. His Foss Hog was the best thing I've eaten all year. I can still taste it and crave it at 2 in the morning after a night of drinking. I would never have thought of putting a fried egg on a hot dog. I love it. I love it so much that everywhere I go now I'm trying to put fried eggs on things. I'd totally come back just for that one dog. Oh, and one last thing. We didn't do the truffle fries. Maybe I'm not the foodie I think I am, but I don't understand the truffle craze. Duck fat fries, I'll take two at a time, but triple truffle fries just didn't sound worth the almost $8. And the owner kept pushing them on us. Desperation is an awful cologne my friend.
(4)
Jonathan A.
There's another Sausage King of Chicago, and his name isn't Doug. I'm sure Frank's and Dawgs is already tired of the comparisons. But given Hot Doug's popularity, it should be a compliment. Frank's and Dawgs was awesome! And I didn't have to wait an hour in line. I came here for lunch after reading the review in the Reader, with my hopes high that this could be even half as good as the other well known sausage establishment in Chicago. I was afraid it wouldn't live up to the hype. I was wrong. Frank's 'N Dawgs succeeded in every possible way. My friend and I tried 4 different sausages and they were all outstanding. Favorites were probably the Beef Curry and Lamb Keema. The descriptions on all the dogs sound interesting if nothing else, and they look amazing. But most importantly they taste as good as they look and sound. Actually the big surprise for me was how good the bun was. It wasn't just your average hot dog bun, but felt more like a freshly baked and lightly toasted roll. Light and crispy like Texas toast. The chef here, Joe Doren used to be chef at Blackbird and 16, I have been to neither, but it's obvious he knows what he is doing. And further more, they make many of their own products in house. I just found out recently that this is not the case at Hot Doug's which is a big surprise to me. Other things F&Ds has going for it..they are opened Mondays, and stay open til 7pm during the week. It's BYOB, they have a back patio, the prices are comparable to HD's and they have really good and considerate service. I don't really get some of the mediocre reviews here. I guess my experience was 5 stars all the way.
(5)
Megan P.
Yes to the Truffle Mac Dog and yes to the Triple Truffle Fries. There is hidden patio seating in the back where your pup can join you! We will definitely be back soon.
(5)
Olivia M.
I love this place! Great food and even better service. They have a unique menu, lots of options, and I've never had to wait for a table. Their staff is extremely friendly - especially the head chef.
(5)
Kristie W.
I loved that this place had humanely-sourced hot dogs without a ton of preservatives! The Chicagoesque was amazing, although the toppings did make the dog soggy by the second half. The bun was mind-blowingly good and different, and the truffle fries and cheese curds just put the meal over the top. Easily a better experience than Hot Doug's, not because of food (Hot Doug's is slightly better, although the fries are way soggier), but because it was fast, close to town, and no long line to wait in. I love the trend toward high-end, responsibly sourced ingredients in "fast food" style places!!
(4)
Robin W.
Absolutely go out of your way for this place. The lamb keema dawg I enjoyed for lunch today was both delicious AND good looking. The four others with me enjoyed their dogs, too. We tried three sides -- the brussels sprouts salad, triple truffle fries and truffled mac and cheese. All were delicious. Plus: they support charities with a "charity dawg of the month," use all "green" utensils and cups, and engage meaningfully in making sure that their business is a positive and fun contribution to their customers' lives.
(5)
scott B.
Ate here twice last week. Tried 4 sausages and two kinds of fries.I'm a big fan of Hot Doug's and was itchin' to try this place. Ordered the Hot Dog flight for take out the first time and liked two of the four I tried (I found out when I got home they they gave me one wrong sausage. Liked the New Orleans sausage, but the bun couldn't hold it all. The regular fries were nothing special. My review is really 2 1/2 because they have Fresca at the soda fountain. My two star rating is based on two things. The wrong kind of bun/bread can ruin any concoction. The bun they use is the same bun they use to make a clam role. You know, the one that looks like a Folded piece of Bread. I have struggled to keep every sausage bun from falling apart. The bun at Hot Doug's is superior. If you want good truffle fries, Try Burger Bar down the street. THOSE are truffle fries. These are just OK and overpriced. Save the calories and order an extra sausage instead of fries. Kind of pricy, but if your want Hot Douglike faire without having the time to kill an extra 45 minutes. This place will do. There is free parking a block west.
(2)
Roam and H.
The food lives up to its tag line 'five star dining on a bun'. Alexander has got this place buttoned up and sorted out, every dish is consistent in quality and surprises. There are real Chefs at the helm [not minimum wage employees with a pulse] they are passionate about the food they create and they deliver. Lots of the items are made-in-house and others are sourced or made in collaboration with another top quality food purveyor [such as those to-die-for buns]. Where do I start with recommendations here. The sides are a meal to themselves with the clear winner for the night being the 'Triple Truffle Fries' [yukon gold waffle cut fries, truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle salt & freshly chopped herbs] crispy crunchy salty fried goodness. Someone requested that I make them the 'Brussel Sprouts Salad' [shaved brussel sprouts, blood orange oil, lemon zest, toasted pistachios, dill & parmesan cheese] I think next time they come over I am going to just buy some from Franks'n'Dawgs there is no way anyone could top it. And then we come to the 'Lyonnaise Fries' [hand cut fries, braised pig cheek, arugula, poached egg &; a dijon mustard vinaigrette] are you kidding me - so good - they are worth the trip alone. I think you if want to take the guess-work out of it order the 'Dawg Flight', it is a sausage sampler [Chef's selection of 3 house made sausage sandwiches & fries] who could resist that offer. One of our vegetarian friends said that the 'FU' [marinated tofu with grilled eggplant relish, caramelized portabellas, Italian salsa verde & chèvre] was some of the best tofu they had ever eaten. You can't go wrong, select a meat lamb, turkey, beef, pork and go for it. Or try the 'Mystery Corn Dawg' [gourmet sausage generously coated in Anson Mills polenta batter] and let your taste buds decide what you just bit into. More from the Blog: Roam & Home - wp.me/p13q2t-1dB
(5)
Angela T.
Can I just say triple truffle fries? Soooooo good. I thought that the combination of truffle butter, oil and salt would basically have to be good, but they are beyond delicious. I was disappointed at first when they were brought out and I first saw they were waffle cut because all of my previous experiences with waffle fries were a soggy mess. Not these ones. They remained crisp throughout, thanks to them being double fried. I had the belly up, which had pork sausage, pork belly, pickled fennel and macerated grapes. I found that the pork belly didn't have enough depth to really add to the dawg; it was more like a limp piece of bacon that wasn't sure if it should get crispy like bacon or become tender like a juicy thick slab of braised pork belly, so it just floundered somewhere in the middle. At lollapalooza, I had the Fingerlingin Good, Andouille sausage, Fingerling potato salad, and a beer mustard vinaigrette. That made for a very good flavor profile. I can't wait to try out some of their other offerings: black sheep and krazy kimchi. I love me some Hot Doug's, but I also have love for Franks 'N' Dawgs. Daily in-house made artisan sausages and accroutements along with fresh baked bread wins me over.
(5)
Courtney B.
Awesome dogs and the BEST root beer I have had in a while. Also, did I mention the mac n cheese? Divine. Period.
(5)
LT B.
The best sausages I've ever had, and one of the best meals i've ever had. Gourmet sausages, with gourmet creative toppings, in a new england style bun. I wish i had enough room for the delicious looking side dishes. I really wish SF had a place like this. Rosamunde doesnt even come close.
(5)
Janowski A.
AMAZING!!! I got the bloody mary dog. First, they used thick toast for the buns (yum!!). It was perfectly spiced and melted in your mouth. The owner was super nice and helpful in picking out just the right dog for you :) They were a little pricey, but worth the money!
(5)
Jeanus T.
Very very very good dogs and the bread they use is just amazing!! Get the truffle fries too! Very good. I bet you this is easily one of the best hot dog place in Chicago. A large variety to choose from too. Must try!
(5)
Alex M.
Everything here is so good. Truffle fries are out of this world. There is no other place like this in all of Chicago.
(5)
Jason G.
Pretty tasty eats. I've been here twice and had good experiences both times. The buns are very tasty and there is an extensive menu of usual and unusual hot dog treats. Fair warning, the corn dog is not your average county fair snack. It is a gourmet sausage with a polenta breading. You're kids will probably be disappointed and the batter is supposed to have a soft texture. The guy at the counter is a little too chatty though. Sometimes I just want to order my food and sit down. Plus when you have a line of people, your patrons appreciate politeness but quickness.
(3)
Michael H.
The Jury is still out on this joint.. I have to go back and try some more of their dogs before I pen my all-important review!! GTFJD
(3)
kathryn T.
I am moving from Chicago so I am trying to get in to all of these little places that I have always wanted to go to. So, obviously before my departure I had to stop by Frank 'N' Dawgs and it. was. amazing! I had the Floss Hog (Bacon, maple mayo, fried egg on top) and my taste buds as far as hot dogs go have become smug. Next time I am in Chicago I will be making a special trip just get one of these hot dogs! Oh, and the staff were really nice and explained the entire menu to me since I had never been before. Overall A+
(5)
Josh N.
Freakin' love the BLT dog, the mac n cheese dog could be better but still great. The buns are buttery goodness. I recently tried the pork dog with the shredded pork on top, it was awesome. They tell you which dogs are freshest and they make some daily. I'll see you there.
(5)
Michelangelo V.
Honest review: best hot dogs in Chicago fresh nothing frozen or fake everything on the menu is great its expensive but worth it Dont get the lobster roll its mot thay great its really expensive n not that good its a hot dog place shouldnt be on the menu n the tur doggin dog is not that good the best thinga are is brunch dog truffle fries mac n cheeze get these things n i swear best meal of ur life
(5)
Lindsey C.
After a failed attempt at going to Hot Dougs (now closed), we headed to Franks n Dawgs which has been said to be a close comparison. We arrived at the restaurant with no wait. Walked right up to the counter and placed our order. Our group ordered a variety of items, including the Brunch dog (pork sausage, egg, bacon and maple mayo). They usually have special dogs on the menu that change often. The sides were good (waffle fries, truffle Mac, truffle fries). Definitely would go back and try some other dogs at Frank n Dawgs.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Charlene L.
MY, OH MY! BEST truffle fries I've EVER HAD!! and yes, I've had a lot of truffle fries! lol!! I ordered these along with my brunch dog. Although I typically don't like "sweet meat" this flavorful combo was finger-licking GOOD! A bit too much sauce on top, but it didn't drench the dog itself! Also, can I go back to these damn fries?! They were sooo good (and a HUGE portion), that I packaged these up to go! Then, I ate them on the drive to the airport, as I was flying home that day.. so tasty!
(4)Jennie C.
I have to confess: I'm not a fan of hotdogs. So imagine my surprise when I realized how much I like this place. Unlike the artificial dogs you get at the supermarket, these dogs are homemade, with a very delicate skin. There's never a line/wait, and I love the crazy flavor combinations, which have a good balance of sweet, sour, savory so that every bite was a delight. Perfect sustenance for furniture shopping!
(4)Matt C.
Was a pretty cool place and wasn't very busy when I was there. The only complaint is the price, but you are definitely getting specialty "dogs". I had the lobster roll which was pretty good, but by far the priciest thing on the menu, but that is to be expected. I also had a brat which you could tell they made. The onions were delicious, but the best part of both is their buns. They are like pieces of Texas toast or something folded and baked to act like a bun. Everything was delicious and the place is cool with a back patio area
(4)scott s.
Was psyched to try it but it wasn't for me. just wasn't a big fan of the sausages. I can definately see how many people would enjoy the food though so I would still reccomend going. Fresh ingredients, great combinations, solid sauces and creative concepts. Staff was friendly. Carmelized onions were really good with a long slow cook. If it wasn't for not liking the style of sausage, it would be a big thumbs up, but that's personal taste.
(3)Erica L.
Triple Truffle Fries. That's the real reason I go here...and to accompany Hubby as he tastes his way through the hot dog menu, of course. During the summer the line can be down the narrow alley. Thankfully, it's the dead of winter, and we didn't wait at all this time around. They also let you choose a "notorious" celebrity from the wall of shame that serves as your table identifier. Hubby almost always picks that girl nobody likes on "Family Guy". I also love the lobster roll-style buns that are buttered to perfection that they use for all their dogs. I could eat those alone all day. The Brunch Dog is breakfast on a bun. Hubby really liked the Krazy Kimchi Dog. I'm sad they stopped serving the classic Chicago dog (or maybe it was all in my imagination, but I thought they did a long time ago); I guess it's not really a classic Chicago dog if it's not served on a poppy seed bun? Then the TTF...double fried waffle fries crisped to perfection with the trifecta of truffle seasoning...truffle oil, truffle salt, and truffle butter. *moment of silence* Need I say more. We even took my in-laws here the last time they were in town. Of all the places we went out to eat that weekend, including a pricey sushi and an equally pricey steak restaurant, their favorite was this spot.
(4)fran a.
This place is fantastic! I use to go to Hot Dougs when they first opened their location off California & I stopped going because I refuse to wait down the block) . No offense to Doug but this place Franks & Dawgs is better!! I love hot dogs! Dare I say it's one if my favorite foods ( besides French fries.. Which are awesome here!! Perfectly crisp!) Go here! You won't regret it
(5)Wisa F.
So gooood!!! Been here twice with friends. First time was a year ago, the last time was last month. The food is amazing. Truffle oil fries are phenomenal!! This last time I went, I ordered the Bahn Mi. My friend ordered the chilaquiles. My Bahn Mi was awesome. I love pickled daikon. It had a great crispness to it. My friend said the chilaquilles was excellent, and she wanted to bring her mom to try it. The staff is friendly and fun. I hope to go again sometime soon.
(5)Ludovico Z.
After actually going here: I must say that the food is great! The portions are a bit small, so you do have to order a few to items if you want to be full. The quality however is excellent. Am a huge loyal fan now!
(5)Garrett Y.
I had a quick lunch here a few weeks ago. I had the mac and cheese dog and an order of truffle fries. Overall, I had a very good experience here and there were a few other dogs that I'd like to check out in the future. The dogs here are not your run of the mill Chicago dog. They are more creative and "artisan". But along with that, the prices are a little higher than what you find at another fast food/dog place.
(4)Brian M.
Overall I'd give this place a 3.5 out of 5 stars. Came here with my gf and we ordered the turdoggen, the lamb- ourghini, and the brunch dawg. You get to pick a picture of a shamed celeb, we picked trump, and you go sit down and they brought over the dogs. First off, the buns were a lot thicker than I'm used to, not in a bad way at all just be prepared for that. The buns were buttered and griddled to make it nice and crispy. Our favorite was the brunch dog by a landslide. Omg it was so good with the egg and the maple aoli it was exactly like a breakfast dream in my mouth. I definitely would recommend coming back just for that dog alone. The lamb one was pretty good, the giardiniera was a nice acidic balance to the richness of the dog and the bun. The least favorite one of ours was the turdoggen. There was just a lottt going on and it didn't feel like the flavors really went well together. I was a little disappointed with it because I really wanted to like it but I just felt let down. Overall, I'll definitely come back to try the different kind of dogs they have and to get the brunch dog again.
(3)Alan W.
Very carefully crafted sausages with a lot of thought into the flavor. It's not just a hot dog by any means. The brunch dog is the classic here. I've been here about 4-5x. Tasted the sampler. They also have a guest chef put together something for the menu which is rotating. Never been disappointed by these guys. If you choose this or hot Doug's you can't go wrong. These are both excellent places to eat with different concepts.
(5)Jackie M.
Creative and well done. Poutine and dessert - were the outstanding surprise for me even if that dessert dog was a melted mess, the chocolate and everything was very tasty. Everyone was happy with their dog except the salmon version because it's technically not a dog. Left my friend feeling a bit ripped off. Ingredients are superb. Albiet a bit pricey, I'ld go back.
(4)Keith C.
No line when we got there. The dogs here are all unique so if you're looking for a regular hot dog, don't come here. Ordered the: - Krazy Kimchi (Spicy beef sausage, braised short rib & turnips, kimchi, wild rice & basil) - Banh Mi (Lemongrass & coriander chicken sausage, pickled daikon & carrot, sriracha mayo, jalapeno, cilantro, spicy pickled duck egg) - Peking Duck (a sesame duck sausage, pickled cucumber, hoisin aioli, scallion, crispy peking duck skin and puffed rice) The Peking Duck dog was the best. It actually tasted like peking duck. Unfortunately, this is a special and is not available all the time like right now. The Krazy Kimchi was really good as well. I didn't really like the Banh Mi. I mean, it was good but compared to the others, it didn't stand up to them. Each dog cost almost $10 so if you go, plan on opening up your wallet.
(5)Jessica M.
How do you fancy a gourmet hot dog? Franks n Dawgs has the answer for ya! Chicagoesque: A dawg with pickles, relish, caramelized onions, and mustard. Surf n turf: Half lobster and half beef sausage with a kimchi mix. Reuben Pulaski: Polish sausage with the usual and some potato cake. Waffles fries: Golden and twice fried. Awesome toasted buns and all. Innovative combinations and such. Do I really want to pay $6-12 for a dawg? No, amigo, I still like my dawgs cheap and dirty. No pun or twist intended.
(3)Jeff Z.
So I must say that the wife and I are obsessed with this place. In our last 3 trips to Chicago we've been here 4 times, but our last trip a month ago was our favorite. We got our usual Gales root beer, which is awesome "true" root beer, and the truffle Mac and cheese on the side which was excellent as usual. This time we tried a "shrimp Po boy" style sausage which was excellent. I didn't even know they made shrimp sausage, but it tasted very high quality! We also had a chicken tikka style sausage which was my favorite. Wow! Great flavor that resembled the Indian chicken tikka masala dish. Most of their sausages/dogs are on brioche buns which are to die for. I anticipate we'll be back!
(5)Vy M.
Love the idea and decoration of this place. Many of the specialty hot dogs are named after someone famous. Though, the same hotdog name can be changed a few times. No idea why they do this? However, the creations are a bit too exotic for me. I love trying new things but some of the flavoring just didn't work for me. Long waits so try to come during the off hours.
(3)Nathaniel C.
Experienced this food at Lollapalooza and it was very,very good. Had the delicious Mac and Cheese dog and the triple truffle fries; Wow. Also, I wasn't drunk. (a sober palate is a trust worthy palate) Eat here and win.
(5)Hang T.
My friends and I tried four of the hot dogs on the menu. The only two I remember are the Krazy Kimchi and the Double Ducker. I would say that the hot dogs are not your average hot dogs. They are so creative with the names and the ingredients. The ingredients blended in well together with the sausage, but there were some kinks here and there. Well, at least with my double ducker. With my double ducker, the sausage was not great on its own. It needed all the toppings in every bite and the toppings were not evenly distributed and enough to spread across the entire hot dog. I just wanted a little more cohesion with the whole thing. The krazy kimchi one was tasty. My own suggestion is that they serve the kimchi cold and put it on the hot dog last because hot, soggy kimchi is not very good. My favorite items were the waffle fries and the bun! Cooked perfectly and complimented the sausages so well. The bun is the one thing they have that is better than Hot Doug's
(4)Ada H.
In my opinion this is the best gourmet hot dog place in the city!!! The different in-house sausages are delicious! But the secret ingredient is the bun. They said they order them from a local bakery and they're delicious. It's basically a bun that you find with lobster rolls, but here it's for the dawgs. I've tried most of the dogs, and my favorites are the brunch dog and the fried oyster dog. And I always try the dog of the month for variety. Must go if you love dogs!!! You can't ever go wrong with the triple truffle fries either. Truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle salt. What more could you want with your waffle fries? The staff is also always friendly and very knowledgable about their craft!
(5)Michael U.
Items sampled include: Brunch Dog - Slagel farms pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo Pork of July - Pork loin & caramelized onions sausage, house smoked pulled pork, cherry bourbon BBQ sauce & our house slaw Double Ducker - Duck sausage, duck confit salad, pickled shiitake mushrooms, shaved torchon au foie gras & maple mustard Chicagoesque - All natural (nitrate free & uncured) 100% beef artisan 18 pound skinless frank , house pickles, cherry tomato relish, caramelized onions & beer mustard Truffle Mac n' Cheese - Bratwurst sausage, truffle mac 'n' cheese with parmesan, brioche bread crumbs & thyme Sweet Home Chicago - French toast, stuffed with chocolate ice cream, bananas, kiwis, strawberries, freeze dried mango, chopped almonds & butterscotch sauce With late dinner plans at The Bristol along with a friend but my family in town to allow for ample snacks and bites our second pre-dinner stop featured Franks & Dawgs where the table of five worked through a quintet of artisan sausages with all house-made accoutrements plus dessert; each selection truly unique and although not quite as high quality as those at Hot Doug's just as (if not more so) audacious. Ordered at the counter from a young man named Steve who offered up suggestions based on what he liked and what was on special that day it would be only moments after seating before our 'dawgs' arrived and although my choice of the double ducker would prove a bit less textural or snappy than I'd have preferred each of the other options was quite nicely prepared - the brunch dog particularly impressive with the casing on the sausage giving way to a supple interior while the bacon added crunch and the runny egg made this much more a fork and knife effort than something managed by hand. Not to be outdone, the Mac n' Cheese, though a bit overdone with truffle oil, was a great balance of textures and flavors - the thyme a great accent to the punchy brat. With good food, friendly servers, and a great price without the excessive lines or limited hours of other local encased meat providers Franks n' Dawgs is definitely worth stopping by for a bite and it was good enough to get me to visit the group's second location, The Peasantry, just two days later...
(4)Carlos P.
This place was really really good! My gf and I came here for the first time being that we are from Cali and man were in for a good treat! Out of the 4 items we got, 3 were super good and one was ok I gave 5 stars cause what we liked made up for it, starting with the brunch dog, pure amazing! And my gf got the slammin salmon dog, we thought it was an actual salmon link but they just put salmon chunks In the dog which was so damn bomb! The truffle fries are must! You have no other choice! Lol...and the last one was the taco dog, it was just ok the problem was the sausage link, it was chorizo mixed with pork, I was expecting more of a chorizo sausage more than anything, and I wasn't to big on the queso fresco on top of it it was just lacking that punch to the dog and it didn't meet my expectation, but hey I'm sure they have other great ones that I will be trying when I go back
(5)Greg K.
I never plan on having a complaint at this place. For gourmet dogs, this place is in the upper echelon. BYOB. They don't have regular Chicago style dogs, but I'm not mad at them.
(5)Megan B.
Out of towners-this place does not serve Chicago dogs. It wasn't posted on Internet and after fighting for parking, we only turned around to go elsewhere.
(3)Matt G.
This place is a ton of fun. There is a lot of variety and everything ive had has been very goodm burnch dog cant go wrong. But the reuben pulaski. Come on dude. Awesome stuff!!! Fries are awesome too. The owner used to work the registwr...not sure anymore. But he was very welcoming and cared about the product. Hot dougs is gone. Come here.
(5)Jon F.
Place is a joke. Took them 50 minutes to bring me a hotdog. And they didn't have like half of whats on their menu, in stock. Bwahahahahaha. Also? It tasted...so so.
(1)Nicole M.
Came here on a Sunday afternoon, place wasn't that busy, just a couple people. Staff there was pretty friendly. I got the brunch dog and my boyfriend got the cheesehead also got some cheese fries. The brunch dog was good, very messy. Probably the only thing I would eat on the menu besides a hot dog. My boyfriend said the cheesehead was just average nothing wowing... He wished he got something more crazy. And the cheese fries were alright, just some soggy fries with melted cheese.
(3)Scott S.
excellent. didn't know what to expect. didn't seek it out. went in for a 'snack' after trader joes (across the street). had the dog with mac & cheese on it. 'twas yummy and a good snack for 2. surely a good meal for 1. fries looked great at next table over. ALL of the dawgs looked and sounded (description wise) great and yummy. will gladly go when shopping at tj in the future.
(4)Jason A.
Brunch dog - Amazing and unique. Mac&Cheese - Best ever. Truffle fries - Holy $H*T!! Expensive for a "hot dog" place, but it's not exactly a "hot dog" place.
(5)Grant P.
All right, so every weekend my wife and I eat out at least twice. Normally we have one nice meal and one whateverwefeellike meal. I thought this was going to be the whateverwefeellike, but it turned into the nice. Why? Because they have awesome stuff here. I'm telling you, the second I got home I started looking them up online so I could see what I was going to have when I came back. That's normal, right? And also? We walked here from Lincoln Park Zoo. Hey, I'm from the suburbs, we think parking at the end of the lot at Target is a long walk. There are blisters on my feet from hoofing it in sh*tty worn out sandals, but I would do it again. Onto the food! I did the Dawg Flight so I could try as much as possible. But more on that later. My wife was the clear winner today as she ordered the Bacon Mac 'n Cheese Dog, which was a thing of beauty. The truffle mac 'n cheese is magical. I was feenin' for another bite, even tho I had my own sampler to try. Put that stuff on top of a bacon dog and it's heaven on a bun. In fact, this truffle business they have going on. Fries, mac 'n cheese, etc. It's a wonderfully wonderful good thing. The fries were like nothing I'd tasted before. We also did some Fried Green Tomatoes, because, well, we had to. My wife wouldn't have forgiven me if we hadn't. And guess what? She didn't like the coating. I thought it was good. If you get these regularly somewhere else, you can skip them. They're average good. Not the best I've had, but certainly nowhere near bad. They came with a nice basil aoli. Finally, onto my Dawg Flight. I sampled the Krazy Kimchi, the Banh Mi, and the Muscles from Brussels the latter, which was my favorite. Can't say anything bad about it. I didn't care for the Kimchi, but that's not the dog's fault. I hate kimchi. In fact, everyone I know hates kimchi. But apparently since this is one of the most popular dawgs on the menu, not everyone everyone knows hates kimchi. I flicked some of it off and ate the dawg, which in itself wasn't bad. But still not my favorite. The beef sausage was kind of dry. I'm indifferent toward the Banh Mi. It was tasty, but I think the sausage got a little lost in all the toppings. Will I return? Yes! Will I bring friends? Yes! But now that I've sampled a few, I think I know how we should handle this next time. Between my wife and me, we should just order three dawgs and split them so we can sample the most (that is if I can fight that Bacon Mac 'n Cheese away from her).
(5)Rick T.
Gourmet Hot Dogs. Those 3 words sound so good together. Minimal line when we arrived. My favorites were the Krazy Kimchi Dog, the Chili Cheese Dog and the Brunch Dog. Some of these items have been featured on both Food Network and Cooking Channel shows. Their Triple Truffle (waffle) Fries were good but they were made even better by the chipotle ketchup (as well as jalepeño ketchup) bottle available at each table. There's a variety of "dawgs" to choose from (as you can see here: franksndawgs.com/menu ) and I'll definitely be back to try more. Food aside, I loved their use of popular yet disliked celebrity/politician photos to place on your table (instead of numbers) so their server can accurately deliver your food. Lastly, they sell ginger beer. Any restaurant that carries a supply of this particular beverage can always expect the scale to be tipped in their favor when deciding between restaurants.
(4)Elvin W.
Food: BRUNCH DOG - OMG, that is so bomb!!! I also tried their tur-dogging, it was meh, but BRUNCH DOG!!!! The truffle fries we got was super salty - but good if it wasn't so salty. Price: Average hot dog was $7 Overall: 2nd favorite food place in Chicago.
(5)Mary B.
Theoretically, the typical GNO (aka Girls' Night Out for those of you not familiar with Miley Cyrus' hit song, a throwback from her original Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus days) is without sausages present. This is precisely why I decided that for GNO last Saturday, my friends and I would trek all the way to Lincoln Park to Franks 'n Dawgs, home to award-winning artisan sausages. Stalking the menu before our adventure, the restaurant promised to "redefine your sausage experience." A friend (who shall remain anonymous *cough cough Anna*) remained unimpressed and opted to stay in Hyde Park. But oh man, did she miss out... Arriving at the restaurant, we were instantaneously greeted by the friendly and jolly staff of the establishment. Upon placing your order at the front counter, diners get to select a laminated picture of a famous celebrity to mark their table instead of the conventional table number. My friends and I immediately selected Lindsey Lohan out of the line-up (hehe punny because it is indeed her mugshot) and chose a booth. The food was served pretty quickly and we began the typical Instagram ritual associated with food that looks delicious and isn't served at the dining hall. Before ordering my sausage, I asked the workers for suggestions and recommendations. One guy speedily answered anything. All doubts I had with his advice quickly vanished at the arrival of our food. Everything looked and smelled amazing. I got to try two different "dawgs" from the menu: the Brunch Dog & the Chilaquiles Dawg. Both were extremely different but extremely satisfying. The Brunch Dog is a Slagel farms pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo. I love the idea of "breakfast for dinner" and this item embodies that idea. Think breakfast sandwich replaced with an easier to eat alternative. The maple mayo was eccentric and incredible. The Chilaquiles Dawg is a Habanero goat sausage, fried egg, queso fresco cheese, tomatillo salsa, red pepper relish, tortilla strips & cilantro. Labeled as an "adventurous" selection by the guy behind the counter, the spice and combination of flavors was spectacular. Very hard to eat but the juxtaposition of textures found in the toppings provided a crunchy yet juicy layer to the delightful sausage underneath was remarkable. I will definitely be returning to this fine establishment sometime soon and I highly recommend that you venture to Lincoln Park to "redefine your sausage experience" as well. Their wieners are definitely winners. Mary
(4)Bud M.
Back for more Bacon Mac and Cheese and the wife ordered Muscles From Brussels plus the requisite Truffle Fries. Can't go wrong for a Xmas Shopping Lunch.
(4)Melly R.
Delicious hot dogs all around, cool place to hang out and munch. Although it's pricey for hot dogs, I like to think of it as a luxury hot dog lol. It is definitely not your typical hot dog so if you want something more traditional this probably isn't the place for you. I, however, would definitely come back .
(4)Paulette A.
Love love love this place. Very casual easy dining and BYOB!! No Chicago style dogs which is a plus in my book. The Brunch dog is amazing and is also at the owner's other restaurant, The Peasantry, on their brunch menu. GO HERE!
(5)Jan S.
I didnt have too much expectation coming into Franks n Dawgs. Everything from the logo to the aesthetic of the restaurant's website is a little out-dated and cheesy. Although they have the worst slogan ever, "5 star dinning on a bun" (tourist trap much?)- at the end of the day, Franks 'n' Dawgs is serving up some delicious and tasty sausages. Food: Brunch Dog - Pork Loin sausage, fried egg, bacon, drizzled with maple mayo.The sausage was moist, porky and not greasy at all. The maple mayo added a nice touch of sweetness to the savory bacon. Good balance of sweet vs savory - overall it captured the essence and taste of a traditional breakfast platter. Even Graham Elliot recommended it on F&W magazine! Great White - Scallop sausage, shark bacon, pineapple relish and cilantro. This one caught my eyes right away when I was ordering. Bay Scallop sausage -made in house? The taste of the sausage is exactly as expected - the fresh scallop flavor really shines through. Its unique, but the texture is a little more mushy than I like. Pineapple relish and cilantro were pretty much non-existance, they were too delicate to compliment the strong seafood flavor. The shark bacon was a little fishy and salty, didnt help the balance of flavor. Sausage was good, but the condiments were disappointing. Triple Truffle Fries - These fries are soaked in truffle flavor. Truffle butter, truffle salt, truffle oil. If you're a fan of truffle, do not miss this. For me, it was just trying too hard. Great casual spot for some truly gourmet hot dogs. I love that most of the sausages on their menu are made in-house.(TIP: look for the little chef hat on the menu) There are real men working in the kitchen, calling out orders, and making every hot dog to order. Pretty neat. The sausages are much more refined than I expected, dont come here expecting to find a chicago hot dog.
(4)Louis R.
Skinny bearded hipsters makin my bahn mi $11.00 hot dog. Worth it.
(4)Doug G.
It was delicious. The kimchi dog and the brussle sprout dog were delicious, though a bit overpriced at $9. Their take on poutine solid, though needs cheese curd in my opinion. And then 6 hrs later it began. 18 hrs of miserable stomach pain and vomiting. Thanks franks n dawgs!
(1)Jason A.
This is my go to spot in Chicago for fancy sausages. They have a nice staple of 5-6 that stay the same with a variable selection that ranges greatly stretching the boundaries of what you can imagine. My personal favorites are the banh mi and porkgasm. Be adventurous, I've never had a combination that didn't work. The truffle fries are a must try, my favorite part especially with the chipotle ketchup. You get a famous villain to put on your table as a receipt, its a bit cheesy and stale, I could really do without this part. The prices are a bit expensive, I've never gotten out for under $40 for lunch. The price is worth it as I've never experienced a wait and I always walk out so full a small dinner is in order.
(4)Erich D.
This spot, featured about a hundred times over on food and travel shows, creates some really good hot dogs with artisanal sausages created in-house on the same kind of buttery grilled bun that is more often used with lobster rolls. There are a ton of dawgs to choose from, all described equally deliciously, so to get a taste of some of the best they had to offer I ordered the Dawg Flight which comes with a chef's choice of three different half sausage sandwiches and fries though I upgraded to a side of the ultra savory triple truffle fries. My Dawg Flight consisted of the KRAZY KIMCHI (spicy beef sausage, braised short rib, turnips, kimchi, toasted wild rice and basil), the SPRING VEAL (veal sausage, asparagus, spring mushrooms, shaved red onions and cured egg yolk), and the TUR-DOGGIN (turkey and date sausage, crispy duck confit, herb garlic aioli, pickled onion relish and pickled carrots). Each was equally unique in terms of flavor and very tasty. I enjoyed them all but my favorite of the three was probably the Tur-Doggin. No need for extra condiments to dress the dogs here, it would probably be considered sacrilegious to do so actually. The Triple Truffle Fries were extremely decadent as these crisscut fries were cooked using truffle oil, truffle butter and topped with truffle salt. Yeah, the heavenly truffle flavor was plainly evident. Bringing a little bit of extra levity, instead of having number placards associated with your order you get to choose a photo of a celebrity from their wall of shame for the servers to identify your order. Some of these characters include Michael Vick, Mel Gibson, Meg from Family Guy, and plenty others. I chose The Hoff. Haha! Staff was friendly and helpful.
(4)Rachel M.
Experienced this wondrous truffle filled dream at Lollapalooza!!! We ordered Truffle Fries, Truffle Mac&Cheese and Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese Dog. I dont know why Truffle doesnt get too much hype from a lot of top chefs but I am a believer!!! After having it at Lolla i couldnt have enough!! I ate it 2 days in a row!!! A MUST MUST MUST!! I am just sad that now that i'm back home in DC, I cannot have this again until i got back to Chitown =( So i guess a trip is in my future!!! I knew i shouldn't have written this while i am hungry!! I WANT THIS NOW!
(5)Christina A.
The poutine was wonderful. Fries with foie gras gravy and duck confit. Yum. My husband and I tried the Krazy Kimchi and the Reuben Pulaski. We both enjoyed the Reuben much more. The flavors worked really well together. The Krazy Kimchi casing was chewy instead of having that delicious snap it should. A bit of a turn off to me.
(4)Alethea B.
This place is delicious! It definitely has style and some amazingly crafted dawgs to choose from. I had the brunch dawg with a side of triple truffle fries. They were both great. However, I was still a little hungry after. Bigger portions please?
(4)Alec K.
This place is literally the epitome of a sausage heaven. I was completely blown away by the taste of the brunch dog. This place certainly lives up to the reputation. It is definitely one of my favorite spots in Chi. You need to try this spot.
(5)Justin B.
There's no question that Franks 'N' Dawgs serves great food. The sour taste in my mouth afterwards was really just tied to the cost...they don't lie to you when they say that it's "5-Star Dining on a Bun" because I dropped $10 on a pretty small hot dog (Chicagoesque), an incredible bun, super-fresh toppings and a small order of waffle fries. In fact, my wife and I split that, and we both thought, "damn, we'd need at least another round of dog/fries and maybe dessert" to be full, and the idea of dropping $25 to eat at a hot dog place roughly equates to dropping $50 at a burger place for two people, or $8 for one cupcake, or $6 for one chicken wing. Yikes! Service and space (back patio) were great, and the 15-minute wait was fine. But Phil's Last Stand and Haute & the Dog do a great dog for less than half the price, and I just think that price matters with choices as good as the ones in Chicago. Hell, even Hot Doug's is not expensive, so these prices just seem way out of whack with other hot dog stands in town. $6 is the minimum, and you can drop $13 on a dog at this place!
(4)Judy H.
Make sure you come after working out and leave some time afterwards for a good nap. These are heart-stopping, gourmet hot dogs. I highly recommend getting the Brunch Dog. It has a sunny-side up fried egg on top (and who doesn't like a fried egg?) and the mix of savory and sweet with the maple mayo was done really well. I tried the Great White...I didn't like the shark bacon. It was too dry and salty. FYI, they make their own sausage links from scratch every day. They use really awesome buns, not regular hot dog buns, and they make all the difference in the world. Also, don't forget to get an order of the Triple Truffle Fries. They're waffle-cut fries covered in truffle everything (oil, butter, and salt). The side portion is enough to share, but they were gone in seconds with me and my friends, so you may want to get your own.
(4)Tuyet H.
I love the unique style of hot dogs here. Definitely not a hot dog you'll eat on the reg. my fave has to be the toast buns they used. Not to mention their awesome waffle fries!!! So good! The brunch dog is a must try. Not a place for those who trying to watch their weigh for sure.
(5)Stephanie S.
Really inventive hot dogs. Don't be a tool by ordering one of these specialty concoctions sans an ingredient. It's a slap in the face - these guys craft the food to meld into one superfood, so forget the fact that "onions are icky" and just get it as-is. Get the truffle fries and say thank you. The brunch dog and the bayou dog are my two faves. The line is always out the door, but suck it up and it'll go fast. Pick Blago as your celebrity at the register. Take a seat. Eat. Get messy. Leave out the correct door. Go home - fall asleep.
(4)leslie m.
I had wanted to eat here for a long time and finally made it happen today. Not only were the guys behind the line super friendly and informative, explaining the different menu components and where all of the sausage came from (in house, Chicago or midwest) but the food was awesome too. I had the Krazy Kimchi dog and my friend had the brunch dog with Truffle fries. The truffle fries were perfect especially when paired with the locally made spicy ketchup (Jalapeno and Chipotle). I love that you pick a celebrity from the wall of shame to mark your table and order (we had Joan Rivers). This place is so awesome that when my friends brunch dog came and he wanted them to cook the egg differently, not only did they take it back without batting a lash they sent us a free order of fried pickles on the house! I cannot say enough good things about this place and will definitely be back.
(5)Amit P.
I would recommend F'N'D over those other gourmet hot dog places.. The food is well executed and offers a variety of combinations. I would recommend ordering the Dawg Flight, this way you're able to try 3 different types of sausages, and then pair that with their truffle fries. My favorites are the Tur-Doggin, Muscles from Brussels, and the classic Brunch Dog. PS... its BYOB which is always a plus!! :)
(5)Angie K.
When I first visited Franks 'N' Dawgs, I was really hyped since I've heard nothing but great things. Unfortunately, the more often I've gone, the more disappointments I've experienced. The place is a little weird, since you have to walk through a little alley to get to the actual restaurant. The line (yes, there's going to be one) extends outside the door, so beware in the winter months. When you place your order, they give you a funky picture to put on your table to bring your food to you after. It's a comic touch and I can dig it. It's BYOB, but I learned that a little too late so I did not take part in bottle-popping. The first time I went was last summer and had the Sighing Fu, their vegetarian dog. I'm a pescatarian but didn't know of their fish options until later. The bun was yummy, warm and soft and the truffle fries were pretty damn good but the dog itself was just ok. I love Indian food so I was excited to try their take in hot dog form. It was way too spicy and the dog just wasn't that good. It took me about 15 minutes to get my mouth to return to its normal temperature because I was literally dying. The flavors were ok, nothing out of this world but I didn't want to base my review just on that, so I gave it another shot. A few months later, I tried the Slammin' Salmon dog and it was just horrific. It tasted like I just opened up a .99 can of Salmon and plopped it onto bread and closed it up. Zero flavor, no seasonings and it was bitter cold. I was so disappointed, I scooped out the insides and just ate the roll. This was a carry-out order, so I didn't feel like walking back at night just to complain. The prices are pretty high for hot dogs and I understand they use exotic stuff, but for a simple person like me, it's not my cup of tea. Since my options are few and far between, I probably won't return to Franks but I know that a lot of meat eaters can't get enough of it, and that's cool.
(3)Kevin K.
What else is there to say about a place that makes their own sausages. Love the variety and just absolutely fantastic fries....so good. Hot Dougs what? This place is awesome.
(4)T T.
Franks 'N' Daawgs has some truly amazing sausages. The epic pork-gasm (bacon sasuage with bacon jam, pork belly, chicharrons, and ham dust) was deliciously sweet and savory, and the brunch dog (with pork loin sausage, bacon, fried egg, and maple mayo) was equally tasty (especially the maple mayo). The Urbanbelly Chix (Vietnamese chicken sausage with curry mayo and crispy shallots) was not quite as good, but I thought the crispy shallots were yummy. I would skip the sides. The beet salad had a lot of goat cheese (which was unfortunately not marked on the menu), and the Lyonnaise fries with braised pig cheek was actually pretty disgusting (the fries were soggy, and the cheek had a very unpleasant taste). We're usually ones to finish our dishes, but this was too much. The poached egg on the fries was perfectly done, though. The Anzac cookie was very buttery (it kind of crumbles in your hand), and the taste of the cookie comes predominantly from the golden syrup (it's hard to taste the coconut). Also, they have an excellent assortment of sodas!
(4)Allen B.
Although I no longer consume fast food-esque foods, I believe that Franks N Dawgs deserves a Yelp review. I visited this joint after a long morning of moving my personal items into my new place. A friend recommended it, so I decided to take myself and my co-horts (who helped me move) to enjoy some hot dogs. I have to say, I was pretty satisfied at the menu. I didn't know what to expect before going in there and thought I'd be getting a "glorified" version of a regular Chicago dog. My mistake folks. They had gourmet dogs. Crazy delicious gourmet dogs. I purchased the Tur-Doggin (Turkey & date sausage, crispy duck confit, herb garlic aioli, pickled onion relish & pickled carrots), acclaimed by the Cooking Channel, Chicago's Best, and 190 North. I also ordered the Triple Truffle Fries (Yukon Gold waffle cut fries, truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle salt & freshly chopped herbs) alongside my dog. Crazy tasty and bombazee like Patrick Swayze (as stated in a previous review I had on another restaurant). If you like dogs (furry), then don't go here, but if you like dogs (hot) then go here. Done.
(4)Jennifer N.
I went here this past weekend during my visit to Chicago and I really enjoyed the variety of dogs they had here. Everything was unique! I ordered the Urbanchix dog, which is a Vietnamese chicken sausage with basil leaves and other toppings. I really liked it! Loaded with flavor. My brother got the dog with the shark bacon - he was actually disappointed with how salty the shark bacon was. My sister and friend enjoyed the dogs they got - one with mushrooms the other with the fried egg. The cheese fries were a bit disappointing - lack of flavor, but the truffle waffle fries were great! Definitely a spot to check out. The staff were all friendly and helpful as well.
(4)Cory G.
My wife and I went here for lunch today and it surpassed our expectations. The staff is great with first timers, happily explaining the different dogs and making recommendations. The majority of the dogs are house made sausages, and you can absolutely taste the quality. But what really sets these apart from any other hot dog place is the bun. The butter toasted New England style bun brings these to an whole other level. The toppings are all unique and though you might not think they would, they blend together perfectly. I can easily say this is the best dog I have ever had and I can't wait to try the next one on the menu. Do yourself a favor and go here.
(5)Kristina A.
I fantasize about food pretty regularly, but I never thought I'd obsessively daydream about a hot dog. Okay, fine, to be fair it's not just a hot dog. My bf and I split the Muscles from Brussels and the Banh Mi sausages and left super, super satisfied. The sausages were so flavorful, the bun was soft and chewy, and the toppings were interesting and complementary. The Muscles from Brussels was tasty and easy to eat compared to the super messy Banh Mi. But, I'm guessing that was just because it was exploding with deliciousness. Trust me, it's so worth it. We also got a side of the cheese fries and had to restrain ourselves from licking the bowl clean of the cheese sauce. We will definitely be back to tackle the waffle fries and reunite with the Banh Mi sandwich.
(5)Jennifer J.
Being a hot dog enthusiast and a sausage enthusiast, I was not impressed. This place, although, is NOT a hot dog joint. They bill themselves as 5 star dining on a bun, and that is what attracted me - the menu was REALLY fun to read, and I though I was going to get a sausage fantasy fulfilled. But.... The bun was dry, and in my opinion way too large, so a very LARGE dry bun (more like really thick sliced bread). The actual sausage, which was pretty good in most of the varieties we sampled, was dwarfed the bun - the dry bread that really tasted old - did we just come on a bad day???? Unsure, but the bread/bun was offensive. The truffle fries were pretty good - but I think many establishments lean on truffle flavored something when the rest of their menu is not strong enough to stand out on its own. Or maybe this really was a bad day/time to come because I found these "triple truffle fries" quite dry - were they old? I have heard many people really gushing over them - but I have had much MUCH better truffle fries at MANY other places. The menu, although, LOOKS like it can stand on its own. I must say VERY inventive and intriguing. Actually, entertaining. Even more entertaining than Hot Doug's menu! We ordered the Krazy Kimchi (REALLY GOOD if you stripped the dry bun monstrosity away) the Cheese Head (meh), a few others (so unmemorable that which choices escape me), the fries... Hot Dougs menu, while maybe not as punchy, delivers MUCH better dogs/sausages EVERY time. That is why I will wait on that line any time I get the chance. Don't get me wrong, we tried several - and they were ok, so long as about half of the bun was removed. I mean, they were stellar compared to a hot dog from the grade school cafeteria line... but I have had much better from random hot dog stands in comparison to their "Chicagoesque" dog and I have had better sausages elsewhere.
(2)Mat M.
I enjoyed my experience at Franks 'N' Dawgs. Three of us went and had these dogs: Pizza Dog BLT Dog Brunch Dog Pork of July They were delicious. They had great buns (similar to texas toast) and the dogs were huge. More than enough food for 3 people. We also had the fried green tomatoes and fried pickles. I appreciated that the staff was invested in their business and asked several times how things were. The only negative I can see is getting there by 7:30 on a weekday. Makes sense for them since the neighborhood is more retail and quiet by then.
(4)Diana B.
Yelpers! You have officially steered me wrong! I can see how some people might like this. I liked the concept, just not the execution. Fusion dogs can be good, but not when they are laden with copious amounts of grease. I have a tuff tummy, but they got me running. I don't want to bag on them too much because I don't like doing that, so I'll start with some positives. The guy seemed to really love what he was doing. He definitely loves encased meats, so do I, great. Menu was full of exciting options, some scary, some interesting, few were normal. I ordered the mussels from Brussels. My friend ordered the Mexican inspired dog and chili cheese fries. We sat and waited patiently, the tables were clean and the patrons seemed to be happy, we were excited! The food was delivered timely and looked great. Soon after the first bite, we decided against the place for a few good reasons. The casing was tuff and too thick, it also ripped away from more than the bite I took. The meat was very greasy, the toppings were fried and full of grease and the bun was buttered, just adding more grease. I could only get through half before I needed to leave from nausea..
(2)Brooke D.
I don't usually like hot dogs but these are AMAZING!!!! My husband dragged me here since he was dieing to try it (again I usually hate hot dogs so I wasn't interested). I was sold when I saw someone order the chicken hot dog. Since then we have gone a few times and it is absolutely divine!
(5)Jack P.
I'll bet that no-one else whose been here had the experience I did watching my lunch companion trying to eat one of Frank's delicious and generous sausages in a bun with a plastic knife and fork, turning it into one incredible mess which looked like Clybourn Road Kill (soon to be a new menu item.) I, on the other hand, took my sausage and bun forcefully, gripped it with two hands and munched away on its flavor and texture in about one-fourth the time as my friend. I spent the rest of my time watching the deconstruction across the table. I had the spicy beef sausage with Kimchi and other toppings. He had the Pork Loin sausage with equally creative toppings. We shared some waffle fries. We didn't spend a lot of time with the menu: but clearly, there are so many great combinations to try. I love the style of buns which are your standard Lobster Roll style vs. the common hot dog bun. All crispy and buttery and soft. And there is a lobster roll on the menu ($17.95) Service is the hybrid variety like Hot Doug's (apologize for that reference, guys.) You order at the counter-they bring it to you. The staff was great. Our server was very outgoing and helpful. The bill was $26.00 for two, So OK for the lunch budget. And I left a tip here, which I don't always do at a self-serve. It was well-deserved. By the way, the sausage fest theme carries through to staffing. They were all guys. It was easy to get in and get out on a weekday afternoon, which is a real positive. I could do without the esoteric "mixed tape" which we all had to listen to. The place would be just fine without music. Otherwise a great first time, and I hope to come back with a bigger group and share. And not have to witness the slaughter of a perfectly innocent sausage.
(4)Pamela M.
After hearing my friend rave that this hot dog joint is better than Hot Dougs, I was excited to visit Frank & Dawg's. No lines AND better tasting food than one of my fave places in the world?! This place was a must visit! Disappointingly, F & D was a bummer mediocre experience. Not a fan of the oily brioche buns or the higher prices. Their fancy menu sounded dreamy. I ordered the Lamborgini which included: lamb barese sausage, house giardiniera, Calabrian chili aioli, and deep fried basil. The Lamb dog was good, not great. I figured with a laundry list off foreign ingredients that I was in for a memorable hot dog experience. The taste was definitely lacking in complexity. The truffle waffle fries were doused in everything truffle which I loved because I love truffle anything and could eat truffles for every meal and everyday, BUT even a 'trufflephile' like myself found these $4.50 small portioned fries to be a bit much. Even though the service was great and the food came out promptly, and their tasty, crispy truffle waffle fries are more satisfying than Hot Doug's duck fat fries, I would still wait outside in the bitter cold for the long lines to dwindle and freeze my face off to get a Hot Doug's creation.
(3)Mike F.
So, I'm posting this review for a friend of mine as he isn't technologically savvy, but his claims were definitely warranted. This is the email he sent to them: "I ordered a regular dog and cheese fries and after 1 bite, I threw my food out. The dog tasted like a Ball Park frank and the fries were soggy and over seasoned. It was upsetting to learn you do not have regular pickles, only bread and butter ones. There was more ketchup on the bun than dog. The fancy sausages you serve might be good, but I will never know. Frank n Dawgs is a disgrace to the Chicago hot dog." Nothing wrong with that?! However, I guess the folks that work there have their heads up their you know what's because this was the response: Now the best part, their response: "I'm sorry you did not have a great experience at Franks 'n' Dawgs. The issue unfortunately, might be that we are NOT a hot dog joint and hence we do not offer a Chicago Hot Dog. Franks 'n' Dawgs has been on TV 14 times in 3 years and we've won numerous awards for our house made sausages that are made by culinary trained chefs that have a fine dining background. The only reason we offer a hot dog at all is mainly for children or for unadventurous diners. We do a gourmet version of the Chicago dog called the Chicagoesque which has caramelized onions, cherry tomato ketchup, bread and butter pickles and beer mustard. If you were looking for a Chicago dog, I'm baffled as to what made you choose Franks 'n' Dawgs? What made you think that we are a hot dog joint? I'm also confused with your comment about our fries - our standard fries are only served with some sea salt and as they are waffle cut fries, it's pretty much impossible for these to be soggy. Thanks, Alexander" The best part of the the whole response, "What made you think that we are a hot dog joint?"... Maybe the name, jackass.
(1)Emselan G.
I was in Chicago for few days, visiting my parents, and tried this place. All I can say... Franks 'N' Dawgs - excellent food, friendly staff. It is nice place, it's reasonably priced, great service, and fantastic food. A real gem. To start off, we tried the Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese, which was a hit. It was good, the portions are great. We also ordered the Lamb-orghini and Double Ducker and they tasted great. The staff were super nice; service was quick and friendly. Thoroughly impressed.
(5)Leah C.
I reallyyy wanted to love this place. I read the reviews before I went and was super excited to try a crazy Chicago hot dog with the triple truffle fries that everyone was raving about. Unfortunately, I left with a, "It was good but eh..." impression. My BF and I ordered the Cheese Head (sausage, gouda, onion, mushrooms), Epic Pork Gasm, triple truffle fries, and the truffle mac and cheese. I liked (not loved) the Cheese Head - good quality meat, lots of flavor - my only small issue was the toppings seemed a little skimpy. My boyfriend loved the Epic Pork Gasm - how could he not with the many layers of pig?! As for the side dishes... the triple truffle fries were good and you could definitely taste the truffle but overall I thought they were on the greasy side. Points for being waffle cut though! The truffle mac and cheese was the least impressive thing we ordered. It was under salted / generally under seasoned... aka very bland. Moreover, the cheese sauce was on the runny side. If you're debating whether you should get it or not, I would say don't bother. Overall, I left with two issues nagging at me: 1. While the food was pretty good, I don't think it was good enough to justify the prices. $12 for a hot dog? After eating said hot dog, I definitely think that's steep. 2. The establishment itself seemed to be having an identity crisis. On one hand, it's a hot dog joint with an order at the counter service, self-serve pop machine, and infamous celebrity table markers (i.e. Lindsay Lohan/Charlie Sheen). On the other hand, it uses nice, fancy, modern plates to serve the food and the bathroom was really nicely decorated (albeit disgustingly dirty). So are they striving for the divey atmosphere or the upscale hot dog model? You tell me.
(3)Mandy C.
Two of the things that caught my attention at Franks 'N' Dawgs are one, homemade sausages and two--holy by-gally, the buttery french toast they used as a bun! So if you want a regular classic and traditional Chicago hot dog, don't look for it here! Anyhow, after staring at the long and vivid menu, the Krazy Kimchee dog was caught my eyes. The sausage was top with some spicy brisket and then top with some spicy kimchee. Despite how delicious it looked and tasted, this thing was pretty hard to eat. It was hard to get a bite with everything in it unless you use your hand and take them apart. I also tried their Triple Truffle Fries, which I recommend. The truffle flavor wasn't overwhelming and the waffle cut definitely held onto lots of flavors. All in all, I really like the bread, like really like the bread...just not sure with all the stuff that goes into it. The price was on the more expensive side for a hot dog but since it's gourmet, I can see why.
(3)Shaina K.
This place is eeeexxxxpennnsive. A hot dog meal for two people (with no drinks) was over $30. Kind of ridiculous for two hot dogs, and two sides. The portions were pretty small, but we were satisfied when we were finished. But, it was good! Everything came out hot and fresh, and the mac n' cheese was pretty good (such a small portion though!). The fries were good, and I liked my kiminchi dog, but I'm not sure if I'd order it again. The dining room is tiny, but it's filled with pretty cool pictures. I really liked that they don't use a number system (to bring food to the tables), but rather a picture system. We had crazy Mel Gibson. Funny :) So, although the food was good, I am not sure how frequently we will be headed over here as there are numerous hot dog places throughout the city that produce a equal quality product for much less.
(4)Chicago T.
DO NOT EAT THERE if you are looking for a Chicago hot dog experience. The first thing we learned when one member of our party asked for a Chicago style hot was an abrupt "we don't sell Chicago style hot dog, read the sign on the lower part of the counter." This person who reminded me of Napoleon Dynamite acted insulted that we had asked for a Chicago Style hot dog and then proceeded to denigrate the Chicago dog. He described Chicago hot dog as a hot dog with a Greek salad dressing on top of it. Then we learned from this guy that you cannot transfer ingredients from one sandwich to another. They only serve the sandwich exactly how it is described on the menu. The guy explained that in an blunt fashion. There isn't a hot dog joint in this city where you cant get a hot dog like you want it! Okay, the place came highly recommended, I got lucky with street parking, we were hungry, we came in wanting to like this place and this counter guy was doing the opening scene on the movie Gravity. We decided to push past this horrendous intro to Frank N Dawgs and ordered two sandwiches with a side of truffle fries. We sat down and my companion said, "I'm still trying to like this place". Our food was served. Mine was a brat. I later counted the number of ingredients. It was eleven not counting the bread. BTW, their bread is very tasty but to big for the sandwich I had. It was impossible to discern the taste of the undercover brat. I almost needed an emergency response with the" jaws of life" to extricate a few pure bites of my brat before declaring it DOA. It wasn't nasty. It was just sooo bland. Like the blandest "boudin" sausage you could ever imagine. Thus the 11 ingredients. My companion's sandwich had a similar script. The truffle fries should be renamed as truffle oil with potatoes. We had to wipe our oil soaked fingers each time we went into the basket to retrieve a fry. All righty then. The history of the Chicago hot dog goes back to the Chicago Worlds Fair in 1893. People visit Chicago from different parts of the country and the world to experience our museum's, architecture, zoos, and our foods. Among them, the Chicago style hot dog. This is a hot dog town. In other cities you will see restaurants that boast Chicago Style Hot Dogs. When people outside of the USA learn I'm from Chicago, they almost invariably mention, Al Capone, Michael Jordan, pizza and hot dogs. So Frank "N" Dawgs, instead of honoring the Chicago Hot Dog, denigrates it. Oh, I almost left this out. We both agreed they have the most amazing fountain Coke we have ever tasted.
(1)John W.
I've been a devoted fan for a long time now. This is a great hot dog place that serves great hot dogs. I agree with everyone else that the truffle fries are absolutely awesome. One grievance: they recently got rid of a menu staple, which happened to be my favorite: the "Chicagoesque" dog. I wish they would bring it back.
(4)Jacob A.
Excellent food and excellent service! Always something good here! Good variety! Even veg friendly! The lines are very manageable. Sometimes its long but they do have some down times and thats usually when I go. Check it out people!
(5)Lan N.
Franks N Dawgs is legit. I didn't have much time in Chicago and had to choose 1 hot dog joint. After some research and suggestions, I ended up here. There are so many choices that I wish I had 3 stomachs so I could try more. I ended up getting the Chicagoesque and my wife got the famous Brunch Dog. We also shared the triple truffle fries. Chicagoesque was a more "standard" hot dog. It was a gourmet take of the chicago dog. Super tasty. I think the bread puts it on a new level. It is the same kind of bread you get with a lobster roll. toasted nicely on the ouside and so fluffy. We asked the guy at the counter what's their most popular and he said their claim to fame was the brunch dog. My wife didn't need to hear more and ordered that. It had a hint of maple so it was like brunch in a bun. Super delicious and messy with the egg. Triple Truffle Fries. If you like the taste of truffle, do yourself a favor and get them. Dip them in the ketchipotle and you got yourself some amazing potatoes. You also get your choice of a mugshot to choose from to eat with you. I saw Mike Tyson and chose him off their wall of shame. Will definately come back if given the chance!!
(5)John B.
I'm basing this rating on an exchange between a friend of mine and whoever responded to his email to Franks 'N' Dawgs. The friend in question sent an email complaining about he quality of the hot dog. Granted, he requested it w/ ketchup so draw your own conclusions regarding his tastes. The real issue here was the sophomoric and irony laced response from Franks 'N' Dawgs. i.e. "If you were looking for a Chicago dog, I'm baffled as to what made you choose Franks 'n' Dawgs? What made you think that we are a hot dog joint?" Here is the exchange: Nameless Friend: I ordered a regular dog and cheese fries and after one bite, I throw my food out. The dog tasted like a Ball Park frank and the fries were soggy and over seasoned. It was upsetting to learn you do not have regular pickles, only bread and butter ones. There was more ketchup on the bun than dog. The fancy sausages you serve might be good, but I will never know. Frank n Dawgs is a disgrace to the Chicago hot dog. Nameless Franks 'N' Dawgs Response: I'm sorry you did not have a great experience at Franks 'n' Dawgs. The issue unfortunately, might be that we are NOT a hot dog joint and hence we do not offer a Chicago Hot Dog. Franks 'n' Dawgs has been on TV 14 times in 3 years and we've won numerous awards for our house made sausages that are made by culinary trained chefs that have a fine dining background. The only reason we offer a hot dog at all is mainly for children or for unadventurous diners. We do a gourmet version of the Chicago dog called the Chicagoesque which has caramelized onions, cherry tomato ketchup, bread and butter pickles and beer mustard. If you were looking for a Chicago dog, I'm baffled as to what made you choose Franks 'n' Dawgs? What made you think that we are a hot dog joint? I'm also confused with your comment about our fries - our standard fries are only served with some sea salt and as they are waffle cut fries, it's pretty much impossible for these to be soggy.
(1)Jaime G.
If you're gonna have a dog in chicago out side of one of the ballparks, might as well make it a "Dawg". Franks n Dawgs serves up some tasty gourmet dogs that are nothing like you've had before. The tur-dogin turkey dog with crispy duck confit and picked carrots is really tasty and unique. Or the Lamborghini lamb dog, or crazy kimchee which a brat with seared beef covered in kimchee. My fav has to be the brunch dog pork lion dog, bacon, and maple mayo under a fried egg. All come with a fresh fresh bun that is grilled with butter. Pair with some truffle waffle fries and root beer and it's a awesome dog!
(4)Alex N.
I had the brunch dog and my dad had the bacon mac and cheese dog. Neither one was an explosion of taste. I like that they source local ingredients, make the sausage in house, and make everything fresh, but overall, it's still not an amazing dog. The triple truffle fries were good, but it is a small amount for $6. The dogs are a lot more show than taste imo.
(3)Edwin W.
Not a bad alternative for those who don't want to be a slave to Hot Doug's business hours. We were recommended the flight (which is 3 half sausages with fries) having not been here before. We also tried the onion rings. Everything was tasty and did not disappoint. From the waffle fries to each of the franks. I definitely will be coming back to try some of the other franks.
(3)Nick D.
Best sausages in Chicago!!! They really need to change the name, this place is way more than hot dogs. Technically they don't even have hot dogs and get upset if you order a Chicago dog, which upset me to the point of anger. But I calmed down in a hurry when I heard about the bacon sausage, lamb sausage, shark bacon!?, and pheasant sausage. Seriously insane goodness. Even the bun was awesome, it's a savory New England lobster roll. Hot Doug's is closing this summer and I'm seriously not sad anymore. But Franks N Dawgs is about to get a lot more attention! Best Hot Dogs (homemade sausages) in Chicago!
(5)Christy L.
I wanted a unique dog without an hour wait and remembered reading an article on Franks N Dawgs. I headed over there, walked straight to the counter, sought advice on the menu and opted for the sampler. With it, I tried three of Franks more popular hot dogs: The Lamb-orghini, the Tur-Doggin, and a special Fourth of July dog, topped with pulled pork. The sampler also included their fries. The Lamb-orghini was amazing and the Fourth of July special was a close second. I wasn't much a fan of the Tur-Doggin; the casing was tough and the meat had a slightly odd flavor. The fries came out piping hot and were tasty but didn't hold as nice a flavor once they cooled off - I recommend eating them quickly with the jalapeno ketchup. Service was friendly and efficient; they brought my meal out within 5 minutes of placing my order. If you're seeking a unique "hot dog" experience and don't want to wait for an over-hyped place, check out Franks 'N" Dawgs.
(4)Wayne H.
They have a kimchi dog, the only one I know in existence. But they don't open Mondays. Weird.
(3)Rachel H.
Apparently those rave reviews of the buns here are as accurate as finely tuned machinery. Those buns are amazing. I'm not even a carb lover and I'd eat a few plain. Similar to a lobster roll bun, with a flat bottom so your goodies don't fly out, these buns are like a grilled cheese minus the cheese and very buttery. Lest you think I'm all buns, we did try them with things in them. I had the Pork of July with a really great pork loin sausage, topped with pulled pork and slaw and my friend had the Tur-Doggin, of which I snagged a bite. That crispy duck on top was delicious. Truffle fries were buttery, salty, crispy with just a hint of truffle. Perfect. We took our dawgs out to the patio, dubbed the Eternity Garden, which may be a misnomer because of some not so eternal looking plantlife, but I thought it was funny. As was the random mix of music. Service was quick and friendly, and would have no doubt been more informative had I not been all "give me this pork sausage now or I'll kill you" in my mind. Good times.
(5)Sar D.
Amazing food and even better service. They gave us a ton of time to decide, gave tips, and even free coconut cookies! Byob which was awesome. You can run across the street to trader Jo's and grab some wine or beer. A Chicago must. These guys deserve all the accolade.
(5)Marie B.
I've never been a hot dog person, but this place is beyond a typical hot dog. It's over the top calorie intake, but it's a must try. The BF had the Pork of July, shredded pork on top of the "dawg" & I had the pork-gasm...both well executed! I would like to go through the whole menu, but my cholesterol couldn't take it!
(4)cully j.
Chicago's dirty little secret: this place is even better than that other sausage superstore across town, and without the wait. The buns alone are worth the trip -- buttery lobster rolls that perfectly compliment the inventive sausages and toppings. The cheese fries and scallion pistou were unparalleled, and no surprise -- he showed us how the cheese sauce isn't your typical goop, but actual real good cheese fired out of a CO2 compressor. This is the new must-go when I've got visitors in town.
(5)Amy N.
I drive from Dayton, Ohio to eat here. I've never had anything that disappointed. Easily my favorite gourmet "haute" dog place in Chi. I just wish with all of my being for them to bring the cheese curds back!
(5)J T.
These dawgs are awesome. I had the reuben dawg and it was perfect. I sampled my friend's mac and cheese dawg and it was pretty good, too. The menu might be just a little bit too big so it's tough picking just 1 to try. The cheese curds were way overpriced for the amount you get but the dawgs are well worth it and I will be back to try more.
(4)Charles R.
Two stars for misleading people to believe these are amazing hot dogs, overcharging, serving mediocre "truffle fries," and bad service. OVERRATED. Only word to describe this place. If you've eaten here and designated Frank-n-Dawgs as "one of the best places to eat in Chicago," then clearly you need to get your fatass out to Jimmy's Hot Dogs, where you get the REAL DEAL of a Chicago Hot dog. My truffle fries were oily, expensive, and had little added 'flavor.' they tasted like fried potatoes. that's it. I had to put ketchup on them so they'd taste better. kinda pathetic. I got the duck confit hotdog, and it tasted like a dry overly spiced italian sausage smothered in mayonnaise. That's it. It was a dish I could make at home for a quarter of the price, if not better. I didn't feel fancy eating this 'Duck confit' dog I heard so much about, as I have a tendency to try foods that sound fancy and have French names. I have eaten a lot of weird dishes with complex flavor profiles that resonate on the pallate. My meal, however, tasted of a hodgepodge of flavors fighting against one another. I didn't appreciate that, as I am politically liberal and became immediately offended. It was an unpleasant meal, and although I didn't enjoy it, I will come back and try something different. This is Chicago, not New York. You wanna get better reviews, you better start offering some Midwestern Hospitality. Get over yourselves and your crappy dry duck confit wieners and oily fries. Gordon Ramsey would have spit it on the floor.
(2)Julia Sabrina D.
I want to start off by writing .. I originally wrote this while at Franks... But I was freezing and was a bit upset.. So I will try and give better details... I wanted this place to be amazing, I'd seen it before on different shows and was hoping for the best.. I waited to come here for a while and was so let down, not only by the food but the atmosphere... We came in at 8, the only people in the place... It's not a traditional hot dog place. . but I am adventurous and love to try new things... I was hoping there would be something similar to a Chicago style hot dog.. Sadly there isn't... Prices are steep for a hot dog... We placed our order, sat down and waited for our food... needed to keep our jackets on since the employee is holding the door open for a customer that ran across the street..which is nice though it's 17 degrees outside and not warm at all in this place.. So he gets back to sweeping and lifting chairs around us... Our food arrives all was fine but not what I expected... Cheese fries are more like fries with some type of cream drizzle... Though the sauce that came with it was tasty... But I have no idea what that little magical green sauce was... I had a chili cheese dog... again that odd cream sauce on top... During our meal it was made clear it's 35 minutes till closing time... I understand having to do your closing duties.. but working in customer service, I wouldn't want to make my customers feel rushed or sweep while a customer is eating... I don't care for dust in my food, I don't know many people that do... DID I MENTION IT"S FREEZING... Through it but the highlight is listening to the employees talk about their night out. Note the sarcasm? P.S. if you get a salad, know that you will be receiving a cup of salad... Jeez talk about tiny... same goes for the chili... not spicy and again that cream sauce...
(1)Don W.
I've only been here once, but it was enough to get hooked. The guy behind the counter was totally chill and really friendly. The food was delicious and served quickly. And the restaurant was clean and comfortable. They've even got a hollywood wall of shame filled with pics of trainwrecked stars you can choose from to use in place of a number for your table. I had the Reuben Pulaski. It tasted just like a Reuben sandwich. This made for a somewhat strange, but satisfying experience. The waffle fries were cooked to perfection. My friend ate the Epic Pork-gasm, and it was indeed epic, according to him. Well... I'm not sure if he used those exact words, but it was something along those lines. And aside from the standard soft drinks, they've also got a great selection of beverages that you won't find at your typical hot dog stand. The food stands on it's own, so it's more than just an alternative to Hot Dougs, but if you drive by Hot Dougs and get scared away by the RIDICULOUS line, then you should definitely come here, because they're comparable.
(4)Kristin M.
I did this backwards. I had tried Alexander Brunacci's new spot, The Peasantry, on Diversey. So naturally I had to come to the original. Housemade sausages? Yes please! After much deliberation, I decided on the Tur-Doggin, a turkey and date sausage topped with crispy duck and pickled carrots. This thing is enormous, and tastes as good as it sounds. Honestly, the most exciting thing here, though, is the bread. I saw my fellow Yelpers raving about it and thought, it's just bread, relax. No, it's worth the hype. It's a perfectly buttery toasted lobster roll (ie flat on the bottom, so it stands up!) that tastes like a grilled cheese minus the cheese. It's the perfect receptacle for all that sausage-y goodness inside. I also tried a bite of the Pork of July, it's pork sausage topped with pulled pork that really is genius. The truffle fries are delicious, the same ones they serve at The Peasantry. They must be double fried because they're crispy and golden, not the typical soggy mess waffle fries can be. The space is not as small as I pictured, and the back patio is nice, and is apparently BYOB. Service is super fast. I had originally given this 4 stars, but am now revising it after going to Hot Doug's and deciding Franks n Dawgs is BETTER! Beware, prices add up quickly when you order your dog, add some truffle fries and toss in a drink. But really, I didn't mind.
(5)Art V.
I came here with good referrals. My friends told me that these dogs were great. As i was walking in i saw all their credentials and i said to my friends "we are about to get amazed." To start out I think the owner was the one who took our order. He was a little cocky and rude about his answers (similar to "you like it or you dont"). But hey, coming from Los Angeles, when someone is like that and you are recommended to their place, they have something to brag about. Boy was i wrong. I went for their Lamb-orghini dog and was really disappointed. Im not saying it was bad, but it did not live up to the hype. As a first time comer to Chicago, I've had some amazing pizza, sandwiches, and italian beef. I was hoping the same here for hot dogs. Not the case. I hope either the owner cools it a bit more on his way of treating customers or improves their food. Looking forward to seeing some improvement for my next time i come.
(2)David D.
The Epic Pork-gasm was comically good. Highly recommend the brunch dog and the poutine as well.
(5)May B.
Yummy! This place is great! This was a our first visit and man was it good. We arrived as they opened and we were still probably the fifth or six person to order. We got the Krazy Kimchi, the Frank n'Stein, the Reuben Pulaski, and the Triple Truffle Fries. My favorite was the Reuben Pulaski, although the sausage I don't believe is made in house (and you could tell it just wasn't as good as the others), the toppings and overall taste was definitely the best. It had a serious Reuben taste. Delicious. The Krazy Kimchi was pretty good, for some reason I was expecting the braised short rib was going to be more sweet like a Kal-bi, but it was just plain braised short rib, which was still good, just less Korean tasting. The kimchi was good, not too strong on the pickled taste, just enough to add to the flavor of the dog. The Frank n'Stein was oh so rich. It was definitely yummy, but probably too much for us to take by the end of the meal (yes I shared three dogs and fries with just one other person). If you're ordering this one, you may not want to get too much more. The fries were waffle fries, which are my least favorite type of fries, but the triple truffle part, well how can they be bad? I can't wait to come back and try some other things off their menu!
(5)Stephanie L.
I like! YUM! I love a good hot dog and this is the place to get it. Totally reasonable in price. Lots of variety. BYOB (stop at the TJ's across the street for your booze-y fix or the Binny's a couple of block away)! We had: Lobster Roll-deliciously tender lobster with all of the appropriate fixings Pork of July-DELICIOUS! Fried Oyster dog-YUM! Fried Pickles-first experience and I am in love, especially with the sauce that they provide Honestly, I dont think that you can go wrong here. If you love a good dog, this is the place to go. Not to mention, the bread they use makes the dogs. Its fantastic. I have to say the little, short, red head (maybe manager??), is a complete dick. He needs an attitude adjustment. He is a jerk to everyone so I dont think it was just us. I guess what do you expect, he possibly runs a hot dog shop? Oh well. Other than that, the servers, the other cooks, etc are really nice. We went here on the 105 degree day and let me tell you, I dont think the A/C was working so that is a bit annoying as well. I honestly would go back here for my pork fix. I would recommend everyone to check it out. Its cheap, easy, and FANTASTIC!
(4)Ben P.
This place is overrated. Food is OK. Customer service is terrible. Our fries were served at least 10 minutes before our dogs, without a dish for ketchup. After we ate all of them before the food came out, I asked our waiter if we can have a few more fries to have with our meal since they were up so early. He'll "see what he can do" - never comes back. I don't know of any other restaurant that considers fries an appetizer - it's a side dish, and they should be served hot with my meal, not when it's convenient for the kitchen and waiter to serve them. We had a Brunch dog and Salmon dog. Both were OK but nothing incredible. The food sounds really good on the menu but is overpriced for what you get. The Brunch dog had a piece of egg shell in it. On the way out I spoke with the manager to give him some feedback from this unpleasant first-time experience. I got an "I'm sorry" for the egg shell, and a "thank you" for my feedback as he's walking away from me. No overall apology, no offer to comp anything or to earn my business back with a coupon for next time. Your restaurant sucks. I will not be returning.
(1)Cris G.
Hotdogs...hotdogs...All kinds of hotdogs that you think never existed ... tasteful and a fun place to hang out , it's even byob. . You guys should never skip the truffle fries!!
(5)Chet M.
Tip jar? $19+ for a dog, fries and coke and you put a tip jar out there? You guys just took all the class out of your tasty dogs and truffed up fries. Next time I come here and see that tip jar, I'm doing a 180 to UB dogs!
(3)Mike C.
Located in the DePaul neighborhood Frank's N Dawgs sells over priced sausages to entitled douchebags and tourists. Not much flavor for being "5 star dining in a bun". Sorry suckers I'd rather get a real hot dog without the pretension at any of 1000 hot dog stands across this city. But keep coming back, you have money to burn.
(2)Abe R.
As much as I want to enjoy these upscale hot dog joints I always find myself disappointed after I pay my tab and realize that the food wasn't nearly adequate enough in both taste and portion. My visit here today went as follows. 1. Chicagoesque: All natural (nitrate free & uncured) 100% beef artisan 1/8 pound skinless frank , house pickles, cherry tomato relish, caramelized onions & beer mustard. This dog which costs a whopping $5.45 was a joke. Aside from the boring, skimpy toppings, the dog itself was horrid. Flat tasting, no snap, and just soft and mushy. Awful... 2. Waffle Fries-Yukon Gold waffle cut fries - twice fried. At $3.00 per serving this actually tends too be an alright deal. The flavor is decent and the crispiness was spot on. However at $3.00 you could be so much more generous and creative considering how cheap potatoes are in bulk. Scam... 3. Fried Pickles- Matilda beer battered bread 'n' butter pickles served with giardiniera aioli. This was the biggest con of the entire meal. I believe there were 12 total pickle slices in the entire serving and @ $4.00 this was unimaginable. How can you honestly serve these with a straight face? Your telling me that for $4.00 all you can muster up is 12? Besides the fact that they are not that good, the utter idea that you can serve just twelve is preposterous. F'ing joke... In closing this place sucks.... Enjoy Suckas'!!!
(1)Lamaine M.
Tried this place out after seeing its feature on the food network and my god they make the best hotdogs..I love their creativeness with the ingredients..I cannot wait to eat here again
(5)Lochin S.
Tur doggin, black sheep, little piggie, lyonaisse fries, truffle fries. Speechless, all I can come up with is SICK AND OMG. Excerpts from our table; - we need one of these in the burbs - I could here every day - best fries ever - sick sick sick ugh -wish I could eat more -we have to try somthing else! all around great experience, great parking, no wait, seats outside. realy when does that ever happen? brought our own Two Brothers beers and it was a perfect afternoon.
(5)Randy T.
Everyone knows Doug Sohn's semi-eponymous Hot Doug's is the king of unique and imaginative combinations of the meat-in-tube-form arts. I, myself, braved the long line in the frigid Chicago winter several years ago to eat at Hot Doug's and found it to be the best hot dogs/sausages I've ever had. But recently, I had heard about a competitor to the throne. His name is Joe Doren and he boasts at having "5 star dining on a bun" at his restaurant. You know that during this Chicago trip it was a must to stop there. There was a short line of eager patrons waiting to provide their order to the man himself Chef Doren, who was cheerfully at the register. No problem, it gave us time to choose what we wanted. The Lyonnaise Fries, Sweet Veal Dog, Brunch Dog, and Chicagoesque Dog would be our selections. Lyonnaise Fries: This could be a meal in itself. Delicious golden fries, chunks of juicy braised pork, a smattering of frisee, and sitting atop of it all is a beautiful poached egg orb. Puncture the orb and a golden river of egg yolk dribbles down all over the other components creating a luscious sauce. The only downside was that the fries can get soggy, possibly from the juices of the braised pork and a little from the egg yolk. Sweet Veal Dog: I was uncertain what the third dog would be. So I asked Chef Doren what he recommended. And this is the one he chose for me. Hmm...I was excited to try this but it wasn't a hit for me. The bacon cured sweetbreads were dry and partially leathery in texture. The pickled chanterelles and corn were too overwhelmingly acidic. My palate was awash with pickling juices and my mouth would almost pucker at every bite. If you don't like that feeling, probably best stay away from this dog. Brunch Dog: A dog I had seen on TV and immediately fell in love with. Thank you, Andrew Zimmern for showing this on your Chicago episode. My life's quest turned to eating that dog. It IS breakfast in a bun. The meaty pork loin sausage, smokey and salty bacon, drizzled with sweet maple mayo. Oh yeah, and adorned with a sunny side up fried egg. Heavenly. I wish I could eat this for breakfast every single day. And I would gladly be on Lipitor to do so. Chicagoesque Dog: She wanted to get this since she fell in love with the traditional Chicago dog at Portillo's. It winks to the traditional dog, but it has an identity all its own. You get sweet from the grilled onions, tangy from the beer mustard, and a bright fruitiness from the tomato relish. It's a solid dog, but I would choose more of the imaginative dogs before selecting this one again. So does Franks N Dawgs knock off Hot Doug's off its throne? I'd have to say no, not quite yet. The value at Hot Doug's, the game meat sausages, the foie gras dog, and those sinfully good duck fat fries appeal to me more. But this does not mean I won't come back to Franks N Dawgs. It just means I'll have to bring out my inner Joey Chestnut to sample dogs from both.
(4)Nicole M.
Wow. People on here weren't kidding about the triple truffle fries. Party in my mouth. If you go there GET THEM! As for the hot dogs- anything but your average dog. I had the Tur-Doggin. Delicious. Yes the prices are a little steep for a hot dog but they are good and it's all for the experience. The type of place you want to check out and return every once in a blue moon to try something new on the menu. It's worth checking out.
(4)Luke D.
Hype machine in full effect. FND is overrated and overpriced. The staff is nice and helpful, but when you pay $40 for 2.5 people to eat hot dogs, there should be at least one "oh snap" moment (final tally: 0). The company motto should be "overthink it; overcharge it." It's as though someone set out to make a needlessly more complex, inferior and pricier version of Hot Doug's. The "Big Cheesy" was comically devoid of cheese. The Indian veggie dog was mediocre. The tofu wasn't even warm and the toppings were just OK. My son (who literally eats everything) waved off the regular hot dog after two bites; my friend thought it wasn't as good as a traditional hot dog stand version (going so far as to say the United Center has better). The fries accompanying the kid's dog were average. The best thing we had were the cheese curds. Service here is flat out terrible as the dishes all arrive at different times. This seemed to happen to everyone in our immediate seating area. I cannot recommend FND on any level. If our bill was $12 I might have a different attitude, but not at these prices.
(1)Nicole E.
On this glorious Saturday, much to my dog delight, Franks 'N' Dawgs delivered. If I weren't so full, I'd immediately go back and eat some more. My only regret is that I couldn't try everything on the menu. Though for two people we came close. Aside from the amazing meats and how beautiful the hot dogs looked (I know it sounds silly, but the presentation was beautiful!) their buns (New England Style Lobster Rolls, buttered and toasted) are crazy good and the truffle fries are absolutely, completely, unequivocally the best. I didn't dare use ketchup... and I adore condiments. The place isn't very big and you'll most likely have to wait for a table if you get there at prime eatin' hours. But I promise you it's worth it. To make life easy while ordering, they have an Ipad there to scroll through the menu in case you haven't made up your mind by reading the sign. Thought that was a nice touch. For a little kitsch, you get to pick a celebrity from their wall of shame so they know how to find your table. Very creative rather than just giving a name or a table number. Now, for the only reason you're reading this -- the FOOD. (If I were religious I'd be making a sign of the cross right now). They have a Dawg Flight - Highly recommended if you want to try a few different tastes. It's 1/2 of 3 hot dogs and truffle fries so it's a lot of food. Ours came with The Southerner, Tur-Doggin and Krazy Kimchi. We had also asked the guy at the counter what his favorites were. So we also ordered the Tur-Doggin (not knowing it was on the sampler) and the Sweet Veal. I would highly recommend the Tur-Doggin. Hands down our favorite. The Southerner was also amazing! And again - do not leave without eating the truffle fries. The orders are smaller, but they are big, waffle cut fries. So I still think 2 people can share easily. But if you're in a total pig-out mood, get your own. We ended the delight with the Key Lime S'more. It was alright. But looking back I'd have rather tried the mac n cheese for dessert :) Our smorgasboard of delights came out to $45. Pricey, but we ordered a bit too much food for 2 people. I think you could easily get away with a dog a person and split a fry and leave for $30-$35. Which I feel is reasonable for how good the food is.
(5)Ashley B.
Um. Yes. Just went here for the first time today. My first impression when I walk in was that it just felt like a small diner, very cool, unassuming, and somewhat kitschy. THEN I got to the menu and it took forever for me to decide because it all sounded so great! I ended up going with the Tur-Doggen, which was excellent. The sausage itself was perfectly seasoned and juicy, but the duck confit on top really completed everything. The aioli and picked veggies gave it some really nice texture as well. Overall, amazing. The fries were also outstanding and my ginger drink complemented everything perfectly. I didn't even think I'd write such a complex review for a HOT DOG place, but this is not your average Cubbie dog at the field! On top of that, they give you a celebrity's photo to pin to your table to identify where to bring your food, we had Nick Nolte of course. It was awesome. We ate outside and it was GORGEOUS out so it made things that much better. Overall, just a nice, chill, atmosphere. Now I just need to come back during the weekend and take advantage of the BYOB factor :)
(5)K R.
Great food! Krazy kimchi dog is delicious as are the truffle fries. You may think it's hard to justify spending $8-10 on a hot dog, but everyone should experience this at least once!
(4)Luan N.
#3 on my Chicago Hot Dog Shrine Overall prices a bit higher than Hot Doug's but taste doesn't deliver like Dougie!
(3)Emma C.
Yeah NO. First of all, stop bragging that you don't have a Chicago-style dog. You're in Chicago. Why is that a selling point? Lose the 'tude, make the BEST, and I'll recognize. Meanwhile. High concept, expensive sausages. But I'd pay double to get that hot greasy mess out of my colon. Regrets within the hour.
(1)Justin H.
I hesitated before coming here. I was only visiting Chicago for a weekend, and I wanted to try a sausage/hot dog place. Franks 'N' Dawgs does not have the famous Chicago Dog and the franks are not regular hot dogs but more on the artisanal sausage side. I had the Banh Mi dog and my wife had the Tur-Doggin, both of which were delicious. After eating our hot dogs, were still hungry and asked the friendly guy who took our order what he suggested to get on the side, he said their most popular side was the Triple Truffle Fries, but his personal recommendation fried leek rings. Given the quality of the hot dogs, we ordered both. The triple truffle fries were good, but nothing special, though their popularity suggests this is a minority opinion. The fried leek rings on the other hand were an inspired take on onion rings. Unfortunately, looking at their menu they are sadly no longer available. I'm tempted to rate four stars to get their attention so they bring back the leek rings, but the dogs were too good not to give them five.
(5)Austin F.
They call themselves "5-star dining" for a hot dog joint and boy are they not kidding. I had never been here before so I expected just some fancy type hot dogs with a few extras and basically a regular menu to go along with it; that is not the case. Their menu consists of a concoction of hot dog creations and side dishes that you would definitely see in high end restaurants - like brussel sprout salads and lyonnaise fries. This place is just a little too high-end for me, which just judging purely from the sign you would assume it was just another hot dog joint, not a gourmet-type restaurant where their basic hot dog is $7-13, so this place isn't exactly cheap. So my only issues with this place is that the hot dogs to me are just "too much", not that they taste bad, but I guess I just prefer to dine more simplistically when it comes to dogs/sausages and everything here has multiple toppings and whatnot. To conclude: if you are looking for some creative, fancy type hot dogs that think out of the box and are willing to pay for it, I would come here. If you are just looking for a quick modest lunch this is probably not for you.
(3)Terri B.
Such a cool concept and executed magnificently! There were four of us eating here each one having something different and not one complaint! The Slammin Salmon was out of this world. I live in Edinburgh and so I don't have the luxury of coming back here until the next time we travel over to see my partners brother! I like the experimentation going here....they don't seem to be concerned with the barriers that other chefs are. Oh and I love the concept of other chefs in the area 'doing battle'. A Chicago 'Must Do/See/Try'.
(5)Irene W.
Must try the tripple truffle fries! So gooood~~~ The hot dogs are also good. This place is different than other hot dog's place because they have a lot of different garnishes on top. The sausage itself is normal in a good way but nothing special. If you are looking for different sausage meat go to Hot Doug.
(5)Juliana K.
Waffle fries were amazing! I forgot the names of the hot dogs we had, but they were okay. They were made with unique sausages and interesting toppings but didn't fall in the wow categorie. The set up of the restaurant is odd and off putting. The staff is nice but we spent a ton of time in line which ruined the mood a bit.
(3)Fiona C.
Cool place with the different dogs. Love that everything is natural and local. We ordered the tur-doggin (sounds awesome but fell a little short on taste - it was good but not great) and the urbanbelly chix (very yummy!). Truffle fries were nice and potatoey. A little too overpriced.
(3)Helen N.
I have been looking forward to visiting this place because of all the amazing reviews. Happened to be in the neighborhood furniture-shopping, and decided to try it for lunch. Ordered truffle fries, a chiliquiles dog and a chicken tika masala with my partner in crime. The truffle fries were fresh and decent with the creative ketchup choices. However, everything went downhill from there. The sausages' casing was too soft and chewy, which made each bite very difficult and the flavors failed to come together with everything crumpling. I definitely saw the intention of creating a gourmet hot god and the ingredients were fresh and good, but it is far from the perfection that I experienced from going to hot doug's every time. Has potential but needs better execution.
(2)Richard L.
Two things you try in Chicago. One... The deep dish pizza... Two.. The hotdogs!!! Being a New Yorker, hot dogs are from a little dirty stand boiled in filthy water by a sketchy dude, a Nathan's dog, or good o' Grey's Papayas dog. Just ketchup, mustard. Chicago, they pimp there dogs, like an episode of Cribs. This place was highly recommended by blogs, eater, and many itineraries. Arriving to the place, we were overwhelmed. Who knew hotdogs can be so complicated. Different kinds of meats, toppings, and celebrity faces for your order number. We ended up deciding on urban belly chix and the tur-duggin', and Charlie Sheen. The dogs were tasty. Really taste the different kinda of meat and the tasty toppings. Fresh off the grill and flavorful. Also order triple truffle fries which were okay, just too oily. Two upsetting things... One, fresca from the fountain.. Was seltzer! What the... Sigh... And when did hotdogs and fries for two people.. Cost about 40$? I would rather get my dirty water hot dog from the shady street vendor in nyc than the pimply college kids in Chicago.
(3)Agnes L.
Never liked hot dogs much until moving to Chicagoland five years ago. But I never knew they could be bold, innovative and gourmet ... and without chili as a topping (I'm a former metro Detroiter who frequented National Coney Island diners). So after seeing this spot on the Cooking Channel, I immediately bookmarked it on Yelp and put it on my Chicago Bucket List. When friends from out of town visited this weekend and we worked up an appetite after walking around the Lincoln Park Zoo, it seemed like the appropriate time to try it out. Moments to remember: *Super casual atmosphere with BYOB and funny celeb photos as table markers. *Varied menu with too much I wanted to try - finally chose the Double Duck. It was incredibly filling and rich with the juicy duck confit, rich pate, spicy arugula, savory grain mustard, etc. on top of the thick sausage all within the buttery toasted bun. *Fun and unusual sides - I went with the Brussel Sprouts Salad that was a refreshing complement to the rich dog. The fresh sprouts were shaved thinly, tossed in zesty lemon juice and mixed up with crunchy pistachios and salty parm. *Ultra friendly guests - A woman sitting next to me and my friends gave us her entire bowl of Triple Truffle Fries because she was full from her hot dog. We gobbled up the fries because they were crispy on the outside, soft on the side with the right amount of seasoning. Couldn't believe we scored the $5 side for free spontaneously. Moments not to remember: *Tables and counter space were not regularly maintained - empty bottles and crumpled up napkins lingered on emptied areas. Although, I understand that it was a generally busy Saturday afternoon. *Truffle Mac N' Cheese was a bit too oily and not as cheesy as I would like
(4)Mike O.
On my list of MUST VISITS for whenever guests come to Chicago. Great food, a little more expensive than your average hot dog (~ $9.00 each) but they're also bigger and way better. Even their dessert dog is good. Fully recommend! The ONLY bad thing I can say about this place is that they're not open enough hours! Closed on Mondays? What nonsense is this? I want dawgs every day!
(5)Diane N.
Definitely a place I would come back to if I were to ever visit Chicago again. Chef was very friendly and helpful. Food was on point. Must get: truffle fries and Lamb-orghini Price was reasonable. I really liked it because it was something new and not just a regular chicago hotdog. if you like trying different and unique foods, I would definitely recommend this place. hotdogs with a great twist.
(4)J T.
Got turned onto their food at Lolla. Thank God! We visit here regularly...the service is usually friendly..the place is cold in the winter months...but the food...Lord, it's great. Favorite restaurant in Chicago. Been to the most expensive steakhouses all over town...but I'll take the porkgasm dog or the mac and cheese dog any day. And the truffle fries...a don't miss. My mouth is watering while I write this...be sure to try this place!
(5)Alicia S.
This was random find while exploring the area and wow did we get lucky! I had a Truffel MacN'Cheese dog, it was delicious. All the menu items are a bit unusual, but worth the try if you are a foodie or adventuress eater at all. You must also order a side of the waffle fries. They don't come with, the dog will be to much alone anyway, but fries to share with friends will top of the deliciousness!
(5)Jared W.
I live out in the northwest suburbs, so I don't head into the city too often, but after hearing about this place, my wife and I decided that we had to vist. I'm glad we did. It was very worth it. I had the brunch dog, and my wife had the Perenially Pork. Both were excellent. We shared the truffle fries, and enjoyed the different types of ketchup to go with them. There's really nothing negative I can say about this place, and if you're ever anywhere near Lincoln Park, make this a place you check out.
(5)Alex R.
A little pricey but I have honestly tried almost everything on the menu, and every time I go I find myself stuffed and feel like the price was worth it.
(5)Ken N.
The 5 stars is simply for their Krazy Kimchi dog. I didn't get a chance to try anything else on the menu since this was a take out order for me. But boy oh boy, it saddens me to say that I prefer this over my beloved foie gras at Hot Dougs. Especially since stupid California banned foie I have been severely deprived. The braised short rib with kimchi topping gave it a very nice flavor. Definitely not dry like other reviews. Add the lobster roll bun and you have a masterpiece in your mouth. From what I hear, the wait here isn't bad either. Definitely give it a shot and see for yourself why I'd go here over Hot Dougs.
(5)Matthew K.
Having recently heard rave reviews from Check, Please! (on which it won a rare three concurring positive reviews) and word-of-mouth alike, my girlfriend and I recently stopped at Franks N' Dawgs while we were in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Unfortunately, it seemed that we were not the only ones who had recently been enticed by the glowing reviews on Check, Please! and I was disappointed to learn that the lobster roll, the banner item at Franks N' Dawgs, had been sold out for hours. The staff was very conciliatory about the situation and bought drinks and dessert for us. Having had the rug pulled out from underneath us, we were unsure of what to order. Fortunately, the staff was very helpful in this regard, and we ordered the "Lamb-orghini," a lamb sausage, and the "Pork of July," a polish sausage that features caramelized onions. Both the selections were quite tasty, and I had an overall positive experience. Nevertheless, I decided to hold off on writing a review until trying their famed lobster roll. Finding myself in the neighborhood weeks later, I dropped in again to sink my teeth into the savory seafood treat. I was kind of taken aback by the price of the sandwich, which weighed in at a hefty $20. I figured it must be worth it after all the positive feedback it had received, so I ordered one for my girlfriend and one for myself. To my surprise, the roll was embarrassingly below par. I truly couldn't taste the lobster and, halfway through eating it, I seriously wondered if I were eating potato salad. Taking the sum of my experiences into perspective, I must give Franks N' Dawgs a 2/5; even though my first experience was positive, I cannot say that I couldn't have had a more positive experience in any number of sausage shacks in Chicago. The lobster roll is a load of hype and a complete rip-off.
(2)Edward S.
My go to encased meat spot. Huge menu, some great, some just ok. I think most of the dogs that have another meat on top don't work well. The toasted brioche bun they use is just ridiculous, and their waffle fries (standard) are fried perfection. If it's your first time, definitely ask what is on their rotation, you get 3 halves of their menu and a side of waffle fries, so you can definitely let your taste buds wander. Also, be prepared to choose a shameful celebrity as your order number (Dennis Rodman) Dogs I've had over 3 visits. Kimchi Dog - being Korean, was disappointed by this one. The braised beef had no business being on a hot dog. Pork of July - Again, I don't think the meat on meat works well. Lamborghini - Flavor was great, but I found the sausage a little dry. Urbanbelly Chix - Definitely enjoyed this one Turdoggen - My favorite here so far, the duck confit is delicious and the carrots add a satisfying crunch. Cheesehead - though this one is an imported sausage, it is extremely good. Carmelized onions, grilled portabellas, smoked gouda... ain't nothing wrong with that.
(3)Zvez K.
All I have to say is YUM! Great service and great food. You must try the bacon and Mac and cheese dog. Great music and atmosphere.
(4)Jay C.
I may not be used to big city prices for a hot dog (only reason it doesnt get a five star). But that would be my only complaint. Food was awesome. I got the pork of July, best damn dog I ever ate. My buddy got the last lobster roll and my brother almost cried. Will be going back on my next visit to chi-town. Love the unique options.
(4)Jason R.
We did a weekend trip to Chicago and this was definitely a highlight! I only had one dawg (perennial pork) but really wish I would have ordered two. I can't say I've tried the other Chicago gourmet hot dog places to compare, but I'd tell anyone to put this on their list. Pretty fun atmosphere in the place, and I thought the wait wasn't bad at all, although it started getting crowded later. We went on a Saturday afternoon.
(5)Beth R.
If you're anything like me, you are a quasi-vegetarian whose heart belongs to a bona fide meat lover. You've earned gold stars for trips to Hot Doug's; you've been patient through the whole bacon craze; you've kept your eyes on your porridge on Irish breakfast mornings. But check it out: there is a secret place where you can both get what you crave. That secret place is Franks N Dawgs. My first time, I was skeptical. I don't really like tofu dogs, nor any other meat facsimile (your Boca Burger, your veggie sausage links). Luckily, they don't make their vegetarian sandwich a wanna-be meat sandwich. It celebrates and elevates tofu for what it is: a protein source that will taste like what you pair it with. Theirs is dressed up with portabello mushroom, eggplant relish, goat cheese (fine, chevre) and a green spread that is suspiciously like pesto. Is that a fine-tasting tofu or what? Also on my first visit, they were out of the Brussels sprouts salad, which made me both sad and glad: sad for me, but glad that anyone consuming the dozens of types of meat on the menu was also getting some greens in too. Today though, they had it, we had it, and it was unusual and wonderful. The B-sprouts are shredded and tossed with shaved Parmesan, pistachios and some citrus. Bold and beautiful. Finally, the icing on the cake of the Franks N Dawgs experience is the service. (But Beth D., this is a counter-service hot dog place. What service?) This service: the charming Australian who takes your order is helpful, cheeky, and knows his franks from his dawgs. If he were a Yelp review, he'd be through the roof on Useful/Funny/Cools. I think he has something to do with the selection of celebrities/ass clowns you use to identify your table after you order. Also, the small staff of servers are nice as can be. On today's visit, our server finished her shift and changed out of her FnDwear. On her way out, she still served a table, bussed a table, helped a party with a wheelchair-bound person, and kept a pleasant attitude about it all. She doesn't work for tips or on commission; she just understands how to provide good service. Four solid stars for this hot dog place, from this non-eater of hot dogs.
(4)Heather S.
I came across this place on accident. Well, not really on accident, because since Yelp came around accidents are pretty much obsolete for me. I had been dying to try a Chicago dog, as repulsing as it looked/sounded, and was nearing the end of my week long visit. Superdawg was bookmarked, but without access to a car it was looking more and more unlikely that we'd be able to hit it up. So after browsing Yelp/Serious Eats I came across Franks 'N' Dogs. Without bothering to check the hours I headed over with my friend early on a Monday - only to find it closed. Lesson learned...or so I thought. I ended up going to Downtown Dogs that day, but after seeing photos of that Brunch Dog, I knew I had to come back the next day (and the last day of my visit). I showed up about 30 minutes before it opened, because clearly I hadn't really learned my lesson - and still didn't know how to properly check the hours - so I wandered around Crate & Barrel to kill some time. At 11:31am I reappeared. I wound up waiting on a short line that had already formed despite the place just opening and when my order was ready to be taken my mouth was already watering. I asked for some recommendations before ultimately deciding on the Brunch Dog, a pear iced tea, and a Sarah Palin placard. (She's my hero.) I really wanted to try the truffle fries, but didn't want to over eat since I still had a few more places to try before catching my flight. So I (foolishly) opted out. Turns out this nice guy (I'm pretty sure he was a vendor for F&D) didn't want to eat all his fries and offered me a couple... wow. I can't believe I didn't order them. I'm kicking myself just thinking about them. They were so good. No, really....so good. Don't be an idiot like a certain "Steak Expert" - just get them. You: "Oh, but they're fatty." Me: "How dare you! You're the one in a sausage/hot dog place. Maybe you're the one who's 'fatty.'" You: "Ouch." Me: "Sorry, that was a little much... just order the fries. Thanks." Next up: The Brunch Dog. The most amazing sausage I have ever consumed. I am not lying about this. I wouldn't ever lie about something so serious. From the sausage itself, to the fried egg on top, to the bacon, to the maple mayo, right down to the bun... it was just absolutely perfect. A perfect, sloppy, mess.. that was straight up scrumptious. I will never have another sausage like it - and for that I am extraordinarily saddened. I mean maple mayo? WHAT GENIUS THOUGHT OF THAT? My stomach is weeping at the thought of it. I'm weeping at the thought of it. Needless to say I left Franks 'N' Dawgs with a huge smile and gave myself a pat on the back for making the effort to get there before I headed back to NY. It was one of the best decisions I've made in a life full of poor ones.
(5)Tai Z.
Wow. I could eat the Kimchi Dog all day, every day. This was probably the most memorable dining moment in my recent trip (back) to Chicago. I wish I skipped the lobster roll. It was good, but I wish I saved room for some of the other sausage-based offerings. By the time the corn-dog sampler came around we were way too full to enjoy them.
(5)Chris B.
Pretty good food but the owner of this place is the reason for an average review. He said they didn't serve sport peppers because it's not a hot dog place. Uh..the name of the place is Franks 'n Dawgs and you're trying to tell me it's not a hot dog place? Also..you are in Chicago, where sport peppers are a staple. I've been eating for awhile now and know what I like; I don't need an Australian transplant to tell me that I can't put sport peppers on my hot dog.
(3)Padme A.
Great Hot Dog Joint. Love the mystery corn dogs and truffle fries. Kinda bad location for parking. Good service. Great Chef. The are running out of room inside. I hope they expand or open a second location. Maybe somewhere with outside seating!
(4)Jim F.
The triple truffle fries were 10 stars, I swear if they poured that truffle butter over one of my shoes, I'd eat it. The.selection of gourmet sausages is creative and impressive. I had the pork of July, and the sausage alone was great the pulled pork on top of it was wonderfully gluttonous. My wife had a sausage with truffle mac n cheese on top of it, I took a bite and it was very rich, but was too subtle to enjoy with the big flavors from line still in my mouth. These are gourmet dogs, so don't compare the prices to your average hot dog stand.
(5)Aldi J.
Yes, it's expensive, but then again this is not your average hot dog. I've been here a few times and I've enjoyed several of their creations. The last time I went, I had the Tur-Doggin and the Krazy Kimchi. The Krazy Kimchi has to be one of my favs. Do not leave this place without trying the the Triple Truffle Fries. Yes, they are that good. Get an order, use some of their chipotle ketchup, and thank me later.
(4)Seth F.
I'm sure they won't be thrilled with this moniker, but it's really Hot Doug's Light. Not in the sense that it offers lighter fare, but that it also offers interesting combinations of encased meats. Admittedly, it's slightly less interesting and I've had a much lower success rate with my orders here than I have at Hot Doug's (hence the "Light" in my assigned moniker), but Franks 'N Dawgs comes without an annoying wait and doesn't require as much travel, and that is far from insignificant. Some of my favorites are the Krazy Kimchi, BLT and the Brunch Dog.
(4)Danny Y.
Stopped by with a group of friends, who collectively ordered 6 different dogs. Interestingly enough, my favorite of the day was actually the Kimchi dog, which I was absolutely certain I'd hate. Love the bun, but unfortunately the meat needs a little bit more work. The lamb and pork were all overdone and dry. The breakfast dog looked great until I tasted the meat, which again was on the dry side. The truffle fries were the highlight of the day. Definitely get that if you stop by! All in all, sadly didn't live up to the hype.
(3)Mad I.
Why are people waiting in line at Hot Dougs??? Same idea...... The fiance and I had 2 dawgs and 2 apps. Truffle Fries: mmmmm, and truffle butter at the bottom to sop up... Fried pickles: all breading (while its good breading) no pickle, measly 6 pieces... Tur Dogen: good The one with the orange marmalde on it....meh... A tad too expensive but do it at least once
(4)J G.
This place has amazing gourmet dogs.... This place is amazing.
(5)Fumi M.
I know that everyone has their personal favorite hot dog joint in this down. Since I am not a native or a local, my vote really does not count. And even though you did not ask me for my opinion, I will let you know that for my moneies I'd go with not your ordinary hot dog joint but the Frank' N' Dawgs. Out of everything we tasted, we highly recommend the Pork-gasm, which consists of bacon sausage stuffed between nice brioche bun that is smothered in bacon jam, whiskey glazed pork belly, also slathered in baconaise, all of this is topped off with chicharrón and generous sprinkle of ham dust if you can picture that. Are you kidding me? The scary part is how easy it all went down the hatch. Epic Pork-gasm is about right. Guys behind the counter are very friendly and extremely cool cats. Place is spicken clean, food is great, and the location is spectacular just around the corner from Goose Island Pub. The only reason I am giving it a 4 star is simply due to the fact that I have only been here once.
(4)Alex M.
Let me start by saying, my boyfriend and I have been to Franks 'N' Dawgs several times, and we love the food there. The reason for the low rating is not at all due to the quality of food they serve. The lack of stars is unfortunately due to almost everything else. One of the main things that has frustrated us is their hours, or lack thereof. For a successful restaurant to not be open past the time most people are getting off work, is lunacy to me. Because of the food and the publicity that they have received from being on multiple food shows, they could capitalize on having longer hours. I spoke to one of the chefs last time we were there and he said they were very low staffed. I can understand and sympathize with that, but in this volatile market for restaurants, that will prove to be a vicious cycle and they will lose customers in the long run. Knowing their crazy schedule already, my boyfriend and I finally made it back here (after several failed attempts due to the previously mentioned schedule) at around 4:45 since there was a ton of traffic in the area. Thinking they closed at 5 during the week, we were surprised to see on the front door (the one right before you enter, not the gate) that they closed at 7. We thought we were in the clear and breathed a sigh of relief. Immediately when we came inside, we noticed that the 2 chefs were working frenetically even though there was no one else in the restaurant. One of them greeted us, but seemed very exasperated. While we took a few minutes to weigh our options, that same chef closed the front gate and door behind us. We asked him about it and he said that the hours on the front door were wrong and they close at 5. Since we knew they were closing up and we have both worked in the restaurant industry, we ordered a Southerner, the Dawg of the Month (the quiche dawg), and triple truffle fries to go. The chef said our order would be ready soon. We ended up waiting quite a while as there was an order ahead of us for people sitting outside. When one of those people came back in after receiving their order, the chef gave me a look of exasperation, like I would understand his plight. Then, a woman with 4 little boys including a baby in a carrier came in the exit door (which was apparently not properly closed since there is no handle, but also no sign saying that it's the exit door). The woman sets down the baby and her other kids at a table and gets them set up so she can order. Her husband then walks in. The chef gives me another exasperated look. The chef went over to them and tells them that the restaurant has closed even though it's only a few minutes after 5 and they had obviously put forth a lot of effort to come there with all those kids. I could only imagine what those parents were thinking and also realized that they probably would never come back. After the family picked up and left, the chef went over to the exit door and tightly shut it. He then told us that people will pry open that door even though it doesn't have a handle. It occurs to me now that he didn't even consider that perhaps it was the lack of proper signage about hours and it being an exit door that caused people to go in that door instead of people being malicious and wanting to make his day longer. Eventually we got our food and went home to eat. I noted that when I went through the exit door, I had to make a considerable effort to close the door since it didn't automatically and had no handle to aid me. We thought the ordeal was over and were prepared for a great meal, one we'd been waiting a while to experience again. The dawgs were great, but the chefs had majorly skimped us on the fries. We were splitting them so we each got about 3 fries each...6 fries for $6 is not a good trade-off in my book. My overall view of Franks 'N' Dawgs is great food, but with a staff and schedule which is not customer-focused. I think people would love to come here as a destination late-night eating spot, I know I would. Also, a little understanding about what a customer wants once they get in the door wouldn't go unnoticed, whether that be making a to go order for someone who has come a couple minutes after close or the right portion of food. I was tempted to give them one star for this visit, but gave them 1 additional because the food quality is exceptional. I hope that the owners see this and think about my suggestions, because if not, who knows how long it will be around.
(2)Matt T.
Amazing food, had the sampler (dog flight?)....and the truffle waffle fries. A lil' pricey but well worth it. Stop in if you are in the area, you will not regret it. They also have flavored ketchups if you dine in.
(5)Roxy A.
Obviously if you're into hot dogs Frank N Dawgs is definitely a place to try..it's a bit on the pricier side (expect to pay about $10 for a dawg) but they've got quite the menu with pretty innovatitive interpretations of the all american classic. Went here for the first time & took some friends that were visiting from out of town. My dad raved about the Brunch hot dog (french toast bun with a sausage hot dog topped with a fried egg and maple mayo). There were a bunch of us so we all ordered different dawgs from the menu. The dogs are definitely a bit pricier than your average $5 Chicago dawg, but with the ingredients and the TLC that are put into these dawgs you can kind of understand why it's priced that way(average $10/dawg). The portions are pretty big and will definitely fill you up, get some fried pickles and fries to share. I also like the added touch of instead of picking a number for the table you get to choose a random celebrity (we chose Dennis Rodman).
(4)Burt M.
Hot Dougs rival. Breakfast dog is okay, sounds better in theory. They keep adapting, being creative, taking customers opinions and actually testing them out. Staff is by far my favorite.
(4)Sruts A.
One of my favorite hot dog places in the city - gourmet, nonetheless so the price is a bit on the higher side. I liked the Brunch Dawg; I think they had one called Black Sheep - loved that one! I just hope I lived closer to the place!
(5)Hoa T.
This was by far some of the best hot dogs I have ever tasted. I had the sampler so 3 smaller hot dogs. What they put on the hot dogs enhance them to another level. These are not your typical dogs, these are gourmet creations. The buns served their purpose and enhanced the dogs to perfection. And I love the fact that my vegetarian friend brought me here during my visit. Yes, they have a vegetarian option. Love this place. Will definitely come back.
(5)Ariel L.
I decided to give this place another chance. I ordered the "Da Ringer" and the "Chicagoesque". The two dogs and a drink cost me $17.00. That's right, $17 mutha fuckin dollars. Had i gotten another fancy dog, my tab would have been closer to $20+. Were the dogs good? Yes. Were they great? No. And the buns are french toast. There is so much butter in the bun, and so much bun, that it almost drowns out all of the other flavors. I still can't get over the price. Until it drops, they are sitting still at 3 stars and 3 stars only. At least there was no wait at 1PM...
(3)Nick S.
This was my second visit to Franks. The first time was pretty good, but was hoping for a encore on my second. I have to say that Franks delivered. We got the Lamb sausage, Mystery Corn Dog sausage (which was a polish), the Bratwurst, and the Truffle Fries (they're only available on weekends!) Everything was delicious, and I felt like I was going to have a heart attack after ward. The perfect finisher for a hot dog place. The dogs are just as good as the dogs at Hot Doug's. Best part is waiting a fraction of the time for the food. Can't beat that!
(4)Adam S.
Amazing gourmet hotdogs. This place is certainly worth the stop if you're in the area. I tried the 'Spoiled Brat', the 'Chicagoesque Dawg', and the 'Krazy Kimchi Dawg'. All were quite good, though the Kimchi Dawg was best. I hope I'll get a chance to try the other styles the next time I'm in Chicago. I think their prices are slightly higher than their gourmet hotdog competitor farther north, but you won't be waiting an hour in line. I do wish they stocked hot peppers, though.
(4)Jake D.
Awesome!
(5)Emily Z.
okay I went back and tried the Tur-Dawgin and it was AMAZING ! It was sooo moist and sweet and the bun was just as fabulous as I remember ! My friend who doesn't eat hot dogs even tried one (only after the owner assured her that they only use the best cuts of meat and gave her a chili dog without casing!) we also got chili cheese fries to split and I wasn't impressed with those, but who really needs fries when you have a huge delicious dog. There service is great, they take time to describe things for you, and they always check up on you half way through !! This is seriously my new secret indulgence !!!
(5)James R.
Gourmet Sausages! I had Fiery Francesca, Lamb-orghini, Pork of July, Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese Dog, Cheese Head Lyonnaise Fries, Sweet Home Chicago and all were delicious. My favorite was the Lamb-orghini. The Lyonnaise fries were delightful, the braised pig cheek in it was so juicy and tasty. The bun/bread is amazing, I think it is brioche, it has a great taste, soft and just a little crispy on the outside. I'm going back to try a long list of sausages: Krazy Kimchi, Brunch Dawg, Double Ducker, Fried Oyster Dog, Bayou Dog, Reuben Pulaski, Da Ringer, Epic Pork-gasm and Urbanbelly Chix.Also , the Great White sounds intriguing, its a Bay scallop sausage, Great White shark bacon, pineapple-pepper relish and fresh cilantro. Great food. I came here to see how it stands up to Hot Doug's and it does a good job. I prefer Frank's 'N' Dawgs bun and fries, but I still think Hot Doug's has better sausages, it's a close one though. It's like watching Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, to excellent contenders.
(4)Andy M.
Dear Hot Doug's. You know I love you and always will, so please forgive me and the review I'm about to write. Holy encased meat bonanza, Batman!!!! I think I'm in love. With a Bratwurst. Frank's 'N' Dawgs is the bomb. This place is a Green Bay Packer fan's wet dream. The menu is filled with Hot Dogs, Brats, and every sausage imaginable. This is a sausage fest that I can actually enjoy. I was about to tell you about the beautiful retro, Art-Deco interior, but really, who gives a shit. Frank's 'N' Dawgs is all about comfort food and lots of it. This is not your average Hot Dog joint. There's nothing wrong with ordering a $2.00 Vienna beef with all the toppings, but if you are looking for a typical Chicago style hot dog, this is not the place for you. The menu listed at least twenty different items. I narrowed it down to two. I went with the Cheese head and a Chili Cheese dog. The Cheese head is a Brat served with Caramelized onions, mushrooms0 and cheese. It was delicious. The Chili-Cheese dog was loaded to the nines with every topping imaginable. I enjoyed it, but the Cheese head was the star of the show. Two things really stand out about Frank's 'N' Dawgs. The first thing is the size of the sandwiches. They are on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for. They're huge and loaded with toppings. The other thing that makes Frank's 'N' Dawgs exceptional is the bread they use. Their sandwiches are served on buttered, New England lobster rolls. The closest thing I can think of to describe the rolls, is they have the taste and consistency of Garlic bread. Trust me, it works well. My bottom line on Frank's 'N' Dawgs is truly delicious. A great concept, delicious food and wonderful people makes this encased meat extravaganza a must visit for the sausage lover. I haven't been this impressed by a joint in a long time. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Vanesa V.
Why wait in a 2 hr line at hot dougs when you can get just as good of a hot dog at franks! I got the tur-doggin which was amazing! I don't eat pork or beef so I was really happy they had other options for me here to try. If only we had more time in Chicago to come back here again, this place is definitely worth it!
(5)Cindy B.
The window outside Franks 'N' Dawgs says "Five star dining in a bun" and it's exactly that. When I first walked in, the guy behind the counter asked if it was my first time in to which I answered in the affirmative. This is when he gave me an interesting rundown of the menu. The items with chef hats next to them are sausages that are made in house (pretty cool), then there is a charity hot dog item where a $1 of each sale goes to a specific charity (also pretty cool), and then there is a "Iron Dawg" section that consists of 2 dogs that were created by 2 staff members that are competing against each other based on sales for that item (cool and fun). I particularly liked that there is a "Iron Dawg" section because it seems like a great way to promote ingenuity with creating menu items. Anyway, I digress.... It took me a long time to decide what I wanted. Everything looked fantastic on the menu. I finally decided on the Chicagoesque (Boars Head 100% all beef 1/8 pound skinless frank, house pickles, cherry tomato relish, caramelized onions & beer mustard). Before sitting down at my table, I was told to pick a picture from the "Wall of Shame" to affix to my table so they can bring me my order. LOL! I went with Pee Wee because I love Pee Wee. I sat down and didn't have to wait very long to get my dog. The Chicagoesque was fantastic. I loved the combined taste of the pickles, the relish, onions, and mustard. It was like nothing I have ever experienced on a hot dog. I definitely look forward to coming back again to try different menu items, hopefully before I leave to LA or on my next trip to Chicago.
(5)Dennis S.
Hot dog stands are overrated. But not this one! This is a whole new level of hot dog experience. So many great choices, so little time. Friendly staff, quick service, and delicious food. Awesome ingredients. One of the best brats I've ever had, with terrific red cabbage. The duck, turkey, and date sausage was equally good. I'm already planning my choice for next time. Good fries. Excellent buns. Simply nothing wrong, other than how small the wait-in-line-to-order space is. I'll survive.
(5)Jason Z.
I don't know what to say......... I wish they were closer, I'd eat here every day! I have had nothing but great food and great service here. This is to the cooks and staff.... THANK YOU ALL... Keep up the good work!
(5)Ermelinda C.
The best hot-dogs I have ever had. The very creative menu, the many meat options, and delicious taste blend into an amazing food experience. I love this place and cannot wait to order out from them again!
(5)Kevin A.
UNHINGING MY JAW...AND MY WALLET I appreciate the creativity that goes into the dogs here and their five star dining on a bun concept. That said, I found the execution to be a little heavy-handed. I found there to be way too many components on some of the dogs and the proportions to be out of whack. Consider the Tur-Doggin which contains turkey and date sausage, topped with duck confit, topped with copious amounts of aioli, topped with pickled onion relish, and finally topped with a heaping mound of pickled carrots. Not only do you have to unhinge your jaw like a python to consume this, all the flavors get muddied and lost in the chaos. There's no way you appreciate the sweetness of the dates with all the grease from the duck confit and the deluge of aioli; all you end up tasting is oil. Also, $24 for two dogs, fries, and a drink is a bit steep. That said, the truffled waffle fries are pretty damn amazing.
(3)Amber J.
I will have to admit I do not eat hot dogs but my fiancé loves this place and says they are amazing!
(4)Dat D.
I've been here twice. Located in a nice area. Forgot what I ordered the first time but the second time I got the Pork of July (housemade pork loin sausage, pulled pork, house slaw w. cherry bourbon bbq sauce on brioche, $8.50) + virgil's root beer + Fried green tomatoes, which ran about $16. Kinda pricey, but the flavors are definitely there. Oh hell, who am I kidding, the hot dog and tomatoes was DELICIOUS. If you want a traditional Chicago dog I don't think you should go here. This place serves a different breed of hot dogs. Local ingredients. Innovative. Fresh. Delicious. F&D offers a lot of hot dogs. Check out the menu here: franksndawgs.com/menu Definitely recommend this place. Not everyone's cup of tea but I think everyone should at least go once.
(5)Lolia S.
A fancy take on sausages for foodies, Franks N' Dawgs handcrafts their signature sausages and serves them up on golden buns. They had 24 types of dogs from classic to Iron Dawg winners, global, dessert, etc. with additions like pork belly. Sides include truffled mac & cheese and truffle fries. For dessert you can get macarons from Vanille Patisserie. * Krazy Kimchi ($8.75): their handcrafted beef sausage is topped with beef braised short rib (braised 5 hours, tastes okay, needs more marinade, not that tender), thin slices of turnip (nice, added sweetness), wild rice bits (too hard, weird), big pieces of napa cabbage kimchi (the standard kind), and fresh basil. The beef sausage was beefy and juicy but very salty. The bun did get soggy, but I liked how it was golden, light, sweet, and tender - like French toast. It actually looked like French toast. The sausage was piled too high to lift and eat. Wonderful bun (I would buy/eat it separately) but everything else disappointed. * Triple truffle fries, waffle style were tender inside, slightly crispy outside, covered in oil, very salty The interior has brick walls and booths, resembling a diner. Pick a celebrity magnet to keep you company (I had a hard time finding anyone I liked but settled on Walter Payton).
(3)Kevin C.
This place is amazing. If you like gourmet hot dogs.. This is the place for you. Well actually they aren't hog dogs. It's a sausage kinda thing. Love it, great atmosphere.
(5)Meredith K.
I get it. This place is not for people like me. People who don't eat anything with a personality. I feel that I do have to throw in a "get more veg or chicken options please!!!" This place is quirky. You have to enter through the side door but you have to leave through the front door. Is this so they can say goodbye? You also have to pick out a celebrity magnet even if you're the only one eating on the back porch. They play fun music. One min it feels like its 4am and you're at the burrito house and the next you're listening to MJ. The only pure veg option is a tofu dog with curry. I asked if it was hot b/c I am a wimp. The guy told me it had a little heat but not too much. Yeah right. I had to remove most of the potatoes b/c it was spicy. I couldn't identify what the crispy things were either. Was that Special K? The tofu is ok. Maybe a little too salty. The highlight is the bun. Its served in lobster roll bread. Love!! I went with tofu because shark bacon sounds gross and I don't eat duck. That didn't leave me with any other choice! I'm not sure about scallop sausage either...maybe if I'm feeling adventurous. I also got the triple truffle fries which were divine! How did they get waffle fries to be crispy?? A great trick. I loved these fries. You could taste the truffle but it wasn't over powering. The butter made it better too. So with a coke that was 3 things and the total was $16 something. Ouch! The staff is super friendly and keeps it clean. Not sure if I'll be back.
(3)Laurence K.
A must place fir anyone Delishous had the perinnial pork with habsnero relish fantastic just thevright amount of heat The bun rocks and so does the cheese curds!!
(5)Rose A.
These hot dogs are pretty amazing. My daughter had the Junior Meal (regular hot dog & fries), my husband had the Krazy Kimchee Dog, and I had the Truffle Mac & Cheese. We also shared the Tripe Truffle Fries. The Krazy Kimchee Dog has a spicy beef sausage, braised short rib & kimchee. Really delicious with just the right amount of spiciness. I substituted the bratwurst in the Truffle Mac & Cheese with a beef sausage and it was topped with, of course, truffle mac & cheese, and parmesan brioche bread crumbs. I loved this dog. The beef sausage had good flavor. The mac & cheese was creamy and went well with the sausage. The bun was buttery and toasted just right. The Triple Truffle Fries were the bomb! Loved the truffle fries! They had these 2 bottles of ketchup on the table, a Ketchapeno and a Ketchipotle. The Ketchipotle is as you would imagine, ketchup with a little smokey heat. The Ketachpeno, which I liked better, had a good kick of tangy spiciness. Both actually went pretty well with the truffle fries. Unopened bottles were available for sale, which i kinda now regret not buying. The decor of the place is simple but what is unique is instead of receiving a plastic number to sit on top of the table so the server knows where to bring your order, you're given a picture of a celebrity's mug shot from the Wall of Shame of your choosing. You then stick the mug shot to the side of your table via velcro. Pretty nifty idea. They have many different dogs on their menu that I'd love to go back and try.
(4)David R.
Not only will they feed you excellent gourmet sausage creations, they will lay some personality on you as well. If you are lucky enough to come in during a slow time when there are no other customers behind you, perhaps the Australian owner/manager type will take several minutes to walk you through the menu and their general philosophy, then segue into a short discussion of pop culture, crowning everything with genuine warm wishes. That was our lucky and pleasant experience on a recent Saturday mid-afternoon. In addition to the charm of the gracious staff, the celebrity table-identifying cards, the Iron Chef-style menu matchups, the mystery corn dog, and the charity sausage are all nice touches. I love a place with some character. And the food is great, too. This last time I ordered one of the Iron Chef sandwiches: a spicy pork sausage with jalapeno-pickled onions, sliced avocado, a few tortilla strips, and some type of cheese which I can't remember. Absolutely delicious. Previously I had enjoyed the Cheese Head (a sheboygan brat with grilled onions and portabellos and smoked gouda) but there remain so many intriguing sausages to try on future visits (such as the N'awlins the Lamb Keema). On my second visit, I couldn't resist the mystery corn dog, but I cheated a little by asking whether I was allowed to know what the selection was that day or I simply had to take a blind risk. I was informed that it would always be a brat, polish, or andouille. I was rooting hard for the polish, but it turned out to be andouille. The sausage itself was decent, but I didn't care for the polenta breading; perhaps my corn-dog tastes are more pedestrian than my overall encased-meat adventurousness. The fries are excellent, excellent. The slaw is very good, although slightly over-carroty for my taste (it also contains golden raisins, which one can easily eat around if one has hangups about fruit in one's food). We wanted to try the brussels sprout salad but were informed that they sold out for the day before 1pm. Please increase the brussels sprouts order so that we can enjoy next time! But as a consolation, the owner/manager gave us tips on how to make it at home. Oh, and did I mention Coke Zero in the fountain machine? This place is almost perfect.
(5)Jamil T.
Yea buddy! Highly recommend the Dawg Flight. Three halves of their dawgs chosen as the showcase of the day by the staff. If all else fails, get the Da Ringer. You won't be disappointed. Plus they have truffle fries!!! Pro's: Friendly staff, short wait. Cons: limited seating, but people rotate out of the seats pretty quickly so depends on when you get there. If you don't want to wait in line forever at Hot Doug's, shoot over to Frank N Dawgs. They may not have the duck fat fries, but the hot dog buns more than compensate. Definitely prefer Frank N Dawgs hot dogs over Hot Doug's.
(4)Adrian K.
I've been dying to come to this place. And even more so after going Peasantry. So many more I wanna try including the oyster dog, the brunch dog and the lobster roll (only on weekends). I wasn't disappointed. The epic porkgasm - bacon sausage (basically as it's described, bacon flavored sausage um yum!), whiskey glazed pork belly, rich, sweet deliciousness, baconaise, bacon jam, chicharon and ham dust on a sweet bun (almost like that sweet bread you get from a Chinese bakery). Truffle mac n cheese dog - bratwurst, truffle mac and cheese, brioche breadcrumbs and thyme. I didn't get to try it but it went down pretty quickly. I also ordered a side of fried pickles which were delicious, nicely deep fried, tart pickels with a nice spicy giadinera aoili.
(4)Giuseppe D.
Franks 'N' Dawgs truly is everything it's hyped up to be. I've been drooling about coming here for the passed month and finally got the chance today while I was in Lincoln Park. First off, you can tell who the newbies are because you'll see them try to open the door to get in, but can't get in. You have to step a few feet to the right and enter the "hallway" passage to get inside. I made the mistake of trying to open the door and felt like a loser; don't do it! The line was long as everyone said it would be, but it's undoubtedly worth every minute of waiting. The menu is impressively extensive and gives thorough details on each menu item. Given the time I've been waiting to experience Franks 'N' Dawgs, I had to go all-out on the menu when I ordered. I starved myself for a good 24 hours to give me enough stomach space to try more items. Okay, not really, I just eat a lot, so don't judge me when I tell you what I had. Here it is: Brunch Dog: Pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo -This was definitely my favorite dog of the three. The combination of the running yolk and the sweet maple mayo are truly a Heavenly duo. The maple mayo is very sweet and gives a very unique taste to any dog I've ever had. The pork loin breakfast sausage is thick and flavorful, almost has a pinch of spicy taste to it. Overall, my favorite, insane. Rockin' Ricotta: Kielbasa sausage, white bean puree, rapini, ricotta salata & red pepper flakes - My second favorite of the three dogs. The kielbasa, right off the bat, was smoking with flavor. You can see the juice squeeze out as you bite into it; I was licking my fingers clean of the juice, it had that much flavor to it. The white bean puree was surprisingly very very good, and with the rapini on top they mixed well. The addition of ricotta and pepper flakes leveled out what was a very very good sausage dog. Burger Dawg: House ground patty with cheddar, pickle, pickled onions, spicy ketchup & cherry tomatoes - My third favorite of the three. Not to say it was bad, but it was the least amazing of these three masterpieces. Tasted exactly as I'd expected, the ground patty was very thick, smothered with cheddar. Not much to say, it was a burger in dog form, but great nonetheless. Truffle Mac N' Cheese: Parmesan béchamel sauce, white truffle oil, brioche bread crumbs & thyme -Truly amazing. I couldn't have imagined a better side dish than the truffle mac n' cheese. the bechamel sauce and bread crumbs really star for the flavor. I can't really describe how good this was, truly truly great. Tripple Truffle Fries: Yukon Gold waffle cut fries, truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle salt & freshly chopped herbs - The oil makes these fries. You can taste the difference of how they're cooked. A fairly small portion which was a little upsetting, but it tastes GREAT, and especially with the jalepeno ketchup they supply. A pinch of spice with the flavor of the oil turned out great. And lastly, for my beverage, I had the Gale's Root Beer. It's apparently made in Chicago, which makes it that much better to support a Chicago-made product. But this was the most unique, and BEST, root beer I've ever had. Gale's root beer is root beer with cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla flavoring. Need I say more? Just try it! Overall, it easily lived up to my expectations, and exceeded. The service was phenomenal, even the cashier stopped us for a minute of funny conversation and gave great suggestions. After our meal, I stopped back at the counter to shake his hand and throw in a $10 tip, yes, $10, I appreciated it that much. The dogs can be pricey at about $7 a piece, but very worth it.
(5)Diane G.
Vegetarians in Chicago, never fear, Franks N Dawgs "FU!" is here! I was skeptical of this place after seeing only one veg option, but a friend in town wanted had a Chicago dog on his list, so there we were. There may be only one veg option, don't be FU-led. This veg dog is the real deal. Marinated tofu, eggplant relish (pureed to look like an actual spread!), caramelized portabellas---all on a delectable french toast bun?!! Also, you get to dine with a person or two from the Wall of Shame. I dined with Lindsay Lohan and the Jonas Brothers. It made me feel better about myself. Don't be a fool, and get the FU!
(4)Sofia J.
Triple truffle fries = YES Tur-Doggin (Turkey & date sausage topped with duck confit, herb garlic aioli, house pickled onion relish & pickled carrots) = A lot going on, but overall delicious Black Sheep (Toasted black pepper lamb sausage, black pepper oyster sauce, buttermilk vinaigrette, pear & red onion slaw & basil) = More straightforward but still really delicious and complementary flavors.
(5)Kari G.
This was my first time trying Franks N Dawgs. I may have to go back to get another opinion. I had the Tur-Doggin, and it was very delicious. My husband had the Buffalo Chicken hot dog, but he did not find it appetizing and really is an acquired taste. Staff was friendly, and it was wonderful how the iPad was incorporated into the ordering. I think we have to go back just to try other options on the menu.
(3)Jaci Y.
Franks "N" Dawgs is not your average hot dog eatry, it is close to the same idea as " Hot Dougs" where the owner specializes in homemade sausages and fancy fries, and he mans the cash register. I tried the turkey dawg with some topping on it, and their triple truffle fries, which are also waffle fries. And I liked the names of the hot dawgs more than I liked Hot Doug's names for their dogs, I found Franks to be catcher, and their dining room was bigger and they also accept credit card which is good to know. The people are nice there and It's not a place I would frequent because it's a treat type of hot dawg not your typical $2.50 hot dog that comes with fries, it's a gourmet eatry and I think if you haven't tried it you should because it is a culinary experience.
(4)Seth K.
I had no idea I could enjoy hot dogs this much. Although it's a little unfair for me to label this place as a "hot dog joint." It really is so much more than that. This restaurant is one that you absolutely should put on your list to stop by and try if you're in the neighborhood. I've eaten a lot of places in Chicago, this may sound odd considering all the steak houses and gastropubs but I put Frank 'n Dawgs on my top 5 list for the city.
(5)Jason P.
Hot dogs sort of become a requirement when coming to Chicago. My latest hot dog venture took me to Franks 'N' Dawgs, where their home made sausages are made every day and are 100% natural, containing no nitrates, nitrates, or preservatives. The gourmet sausages are then thrown on their much talked about New England style rolls which are baked by a local bakery. All these fresh ingredients is what had earned them featured segments on Food Network and Travel Channel. With all the hype, I had to try this place out. You first walk down a narrow hallway covered with astro turf. You finally make your way inside and above the cashier is the whole lot of sausages that you can order. If you did not have the luxury of checking out the photos of each hot dog online, you're in luck, as there is an iPad by the cash register, where you not only get to pre-judge each hot dog by its contents, but also how visually appealing they look. Because like they say, looks are always the first attraction. If you have any questions, Alexander, who operates the cashier and is the owner, is very friendly and more than helpful in making any suggestions. After you put you order in, you get to pick a photo of a celebrity from the wall of shame as your calling card. You grab a seat and prop the photo beside your table so the staff can easily identify who to serve each order to. For my first visit, I ordered the Boar'n To Be Wild ($9.95), a rendang wild boar sausage topped with togarashi tempura onions, yellow peppers, fried sweet potatoes, Thai basil, mint & sesame seeds. The wild boar sausage did indeed have a nice crunch to the skin and tasted fresh, but it didn't have a lot of flavor like a sausage usually does. I was hoping the frizzled pieces of battered onions and sweet potatoes to give it some sweetness, but it was so subtle that it didn't really do much for me. The yellow peppers were a nice addition to give it some color, but that seemed like its only purpose. I also didn't see or taste any Thai basil or mint. With all these letdowns, I didn't really enjoy the Boar'n To Be Wild. And for $10, I thought prices were a bit steep. The New England style roll was indeed light, yet sturdy enough to not succumb to the soggy and crumbling bun that some vendors make the mistake of. It had a thin layer of butter on the outside, then grilled to give it a nice golden crust, but I would have liked for my bun to be grilled a little bit more giving it a minor black toast color. I also tried the Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese ($6.95), a bratwurst sausage topped with truffle mac 'n' cheese and parmesan brioche bread crumbs. It was simple but tasty, but not enough to warrant a second bite. The bratwurst was average at best and the mac 'n' cheese could have used a sharper and creamier cheese to give it a richer profile. They did get the New England roll right this time. It was left on the griddle longer to give it a golden and black toast color. The Fries ($1.75) served in a white ceramic bowl were subpar. They were greasy and potatoey, but didn't maintain a crisp outside, and easily forgettable. The Triple Truffle Fries ($4.95), waffle cut Yukon Gold potatoes seasoned with truffle oil, truffle butter and truffle salt were amazingly good. They were crisp on the outside with a starchy inside, and contained a subtle salt flavor with a hint of aromatic truffle oil. The Triple Truffle Fries are definitely a must-try. I left Franks 'N' Dawgs sort of let down and disappointed. Prices are not justifiable unless you consider freshly homemade artisanal sausage with all natural ingredients worth your money. I may come back to give Franks 'N' Dawgs another chance and try one of their more popular dogs, but I prefer to go to Portillo's for some simple out-of-this-world hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches.
(3)Gary C.
There's really nothing like some well-executed encased meat. And truth be told, Franks 'N' Dawgs definitely executes well. After reading many reviews, seeing the "Hot on Yelp" spotlight, and Bizarre Foods episode, my foodie friend and I hopped over to FnD one brisk evening...a half-hour before they closed [730PM???!?!!] Looking at the menu, one might be intimidated by costs, cuz I know I was when I snuck a peek before making the drive. $2.50 for the most basic dawg?? $17.95 for the most pricey?? Geez, Louise. Can one really justify dishing out that many pennies on some encased meat? In short, yes... I didn't do it on this visit but I suggest you try it during yours, ask what the Dawg Flight is for that day. It's $15 for three different dawgs. I can easily justify $5/dawg...and you'll more than likely be more than full. On this visit, I ordered the Truffle Mac n Cheese, Da Ringer, Chili Cheese Fries, and Triple Truffle Fries. I'll being with the encased meats... In general, the dogs are not hugged by your typical bun. It reminds me of sandwich bread, though it's actually a lobster roll. A bit unorthodox, but it's a change that I welcome with open arms. Well done, FnD. The truffle mac n cheese dawg would've been perfect if not for the bread crumbs. I know that bread crumbs commonly top off regular mac n cheese, but it's a bit excess, in my stomach's opinion, since this thing is wrapped in a buttered lobster roll. Da Ringer was legit. The shallot marmalade adds soooooo much to what would be a regularly "good" dog. Pass on the chili cheese fries, it isn't very good. The chili just doesn't deliver. The triple truffle fries, on the other hand, are forreal. Order this bad boy. One of the best things that I like about FnD is the food running system. After you order, you get to choose from the Wall of Shame; celebs who have made quite a name of themselves. They've got all of the greats: Rodman, Tyson, Palin, Kim Kardashian, and so on. I got a good kick out of it.
(4)Veronica S.
I didn't have the opportunity to visit Hot Doug's while in Chicago, but was just as excited to visit Franks 'N' Dawgs. Featured on the Food Channel, Franks N Dawgs has made a name for itself by serving creative hot dogs as well as side dishes. For the first timer, it's not a bad idea to get the samplings of dogs which comes with 3 half-dogs of various flavors along with their fries. Their triple truffle fries are outstanding and I've never had anything quite like them anywhere else before. Prices add up fast, but typically one hot dog ranges between $4-$7. Amazing and definitely worth a visit!!
(5)Aaron L.
This will be a regular stop for me when I'm in Chi Town... even if it is not close to DT. Black Sheep = AMAZING!
(5)Thuc H.
Um..Can anyone say De-Freaken-Lious! This small places put out some awesome sausages, their idea of making street food into something beyond that is awesome. I had the Black Sheep which was mouthwatering btw. Also had the Mystery Corn dog which again was delicious, the price are a bit high for hotdogs BUT you get what you pay for not in quantity but in quality. (which for me anyways is a fair trade...sometimes) Another unique thing about Franks 'N' Dawgs is the ordering system you choose a celebrity as an indicator of your orders.
(5)Ryan S.
When we're talking hotdogs, I'm not one of those dood's who needs anything more than the standard, Chicago style dog to be happy (better have some of that radioactive-looking, green relish on that sumbitch too!). But, my buddies took me to this joint and let me tell you, it isn't such a bad thing to think outside of the bun. I had the "Pork of July" (Pork loin & caramelized onions sausage, house smoked pulled pork, cherry bourbon BBQ sauce & our house slaw) and it was dangerously good. Like, if I lived closer, I could easily get addicted. To be honest, I would've been perfectly content with just their pulled pork and the cherry bourbon BBQ sauce on the bun, but the link was delicious too. Speaking of the bun, that's the star of the show here at Franks 'n' Dawgs. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that it's probably the best bun I've ever had. It was buttery and rich, and soft and chewy on the inside. And it was toasted to a perfect golden color. It looks like a thick piece of brioche that's been sliced down the middle and has an almost contorted or folded shape. One bite into that bun and I couldn't stop dreaming about how good a grilled cheese would be with it. I can't wait to go back and try their lobster roll on that bun. I'm willing to bet that, even at $17.50 for it, it'll be well worth it.
(4)Marcus M.
No line, as usual. However, they seemed to be out of some ingredients so some menu items were off the table. The cashier/waiter was extra rude for some reason. He brought all our ordered items at one time except the triple truffle fries. He turned without a word and I asked -very politely- about the fries. His response? "I only have two hands." After all that the fries turned out to be soggy and bland.
(1)Craig S.
Amazing and delicious. If youre meal leaves you with the feeling of something so comforting and satisfying. You know you found a great spot. If youre looking for the classic, perfect executed Chicago dog, they got it! I recommend the haute dogs. Mussels in Brussels or Bahn Mi Place's fantastic. My Girl and I will bring the beer next time! PS. The fries are legit as well.
(5)Marie B.
One of my FAVORITES in the city!! * Every gourmet dog I've had has been excellent * Joe D is a genius! * Love the sampler and truffle fries! Yummm x 1000!
(5)Aprille C.
Maybe I should have done better research. AT & T internet was very sketchy on our iPhones during the trip for searching and yelping. We were hoping for authentic Chicago dogs. But we got gourmet dogs instead. It could have been better. I think he enjoyed his "Chicagoesque" dog better than I did my "Truffle Mac & Cheese" dog. Mine was really dry and I had to add mustard for flavor. Tiny place many subway stops from downtown. Kinda a bummer. And hardly anyone inside even though they'd been on the Food Network with Andrew Zimmern.
(2)Randal A.
Man I love this place! Certainly not your average hot dog joint; these guys know how to do it right! The concept they have is great - elevating the hotdog to more than just a hotdog, but fine dining on a bun. I've had at least 6 or 7 different dogs here and have never been disappointed. This place is on the same level as Hot Dougs, only you don't have to wait forever. My only disappointment is that I don't live within walking distance.
(5)Eileen Z.
If you're looking for a "normal" hot dog you won't find it here. The bread is no ordinary hot dog bun, but DELICIOUS and withstands the weight of all the schizoness piled on. They're shooting for a "gourmet" hot dog folks, which I know doesn't sit well with you die hard Chicago-style enthusiasts. Don't get me wrong I AM IN LOVE WITH CHICAGO-STYLE. So if that's what, a classic Chicago, I won't go to Franks N Dawgs, plain and simple. First off, when you enter, enter through the brick-walled hallway on the side lined with that green rug NOT the front. Order THEN seat yourself. There was a little confusion with how to order because there's a sign to "seat yourself" but we eventually figured it out. Pick the table marker of the celebrity you either think needs rehab the most or IQ you question on a daily basis (they use these 'celebrity' table markers in place of using #s). We picked Sarah Palin in light of the recent Common being invited by Obama to a poetry shindig at the White House chaos. The Governator was by far my favorite of the 3 we ordered (Austrian pork & Swiss cheese sausage, savory apple compote, glazed cranberries, white wine mustard sauce & chives). The boyfriend, the breakfast lover, enjoyed the Brunch Dog (pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo). And it's only fitting with the bitterness from the last Superbowl to eat a Cheese Head, right? (Bratwurst sausage, caramelized onions, grilled portabella, smoked gouda & chives). The sausages are made in-house and if there's anything similar between Franks N Dawgs and other Chicago hot dog places, you don't NEED the ketchup to enjoy anything. You'll just butcher the taste experience. BUT if you must, do so with the fries. The ketchup also isn't a typical bottle of Heinz, one is jalapeno-infused, the other is chiptole-infused. What I will knock though is the amount of fries you get in one order. Granted they are Triple Truffle Fries, but I could have ordered plain waffle fries and brought my own truffle oils or salts from home to avoid paying $4.95 for a dinky handful. As a comparison to Hot Doug's, you just can't do it. This place is more of the Kuma's of hot dog joints. But I will say is that this place is much more convenient to get to, only a few blocks from the Armitage brown line stop, without the hour wait. I'll definitely come back though - I want to try the other dogs!
(4)Chip H.
I accidentally walked by this place today and decided to stumble in. I really had no idea what I was getting into but I will for sure go back. I just wanted a regular hot dog but ended up with the Cheese Head, which is a brat with mushrooms on it. Wow. I literally had to stop and look at what I was eating, it took me by surprise it was so delicious. The bun was amazeballs, kind of like a New England lobster roll. I will be getting the Cheese Head again, but only after I have tried the rest of their delicious treats first. The Burger Dog and The Brunch Dog may be a nice snack as early as tomorrow. One flaw, the fries were cold. Minus 1 star
(4)Nick J.
Amazing food here. If ur the first time visiter, they usually recommend the Dawg Flight, which includes 3 daily special dogs. The Mussel, the kimchi and the other i forgot the name were all outstanding! And u can pick an celebrity for ur seat- tastewise i guess this place is better than the famed hot dougs.
(4)Rachel S.
Yeah! Sooooo good! My Chicago friend brought us here for dogs...my first of two hot dog experiences. The Colorado friend and each ate the Chicagoesque (see photo) = delicious! I tried my friend's Truffle Mac n Cheese Dog which was great as well. We shared an order of Lyonnaise Fries (see photo) which were good, but the pigs cheeks threw me off. We dined outside in their courtyard under the pergola. Great spot!!
(5)Christie B.
I've been to Hot Doug's and I have been to Franks n Dawgs and I can honestly say I like Franks better. Their buns are soooo good. I think it's the best hot dog bun in the city! And I love their truffle fries. I'll take a good truffle fry over a duck fat fry any day of the week. And the beauty of that sentence is you can get truffle fries any day of the week at Franks n Dawgs.
(5)P. C.
Hot dogs are one of the legendary foods of Chicago and one must have hot dogs when in the city but at Frank N Dawgs you won't your typical Chicago style dog (soft steamed poppyseed bun w mustard and pickle). Instead they have elevated hot dogs with a modern twist. IMO the New England lobster roll bun that is the vessel for the fresh dawgs are buttered and grilled and crispy. It truly made it taste like no other hot dog I've eaten. The many variety and choices on the menu along with quirky names of the dawgs and celebrity call tags made this place more unique. Get there early as lines form quick and tables can be hard to get, unless you don't mind standing out back to eat. Oh, the truffle fries pair well with any of their dawgs! Eat up!
(5)Jeff W.
Best hot dog's in Chicago? Possibly... everybody has their favorite spots and I can't say I've been to all of them (although plan to), but this is tops for me. It's a mix between a fine dining restaurant and a hot dog stand. (editor's note: I have yet to brave the long line at Hot Doug's and/or Gene and Jude's) I can appreciate that their dogs are hand crafted in house and they refresh their menu monthly with rotating specials and competition sausages. It's on my bucket list to submit an entry. No tasty creations have been made yet. The line here can be long on the weekends, but if you're looking for good eats without having to sit down and have a long meal, then this is a good option in the area. The home made buns that these dogs come on make them stand out. Lightly buttered and baked to perfection. I have yet to get anything that I did not like. Wish I could go into depth about specific dogs but it's been awhile since my last visit. I'll be fixing this soon. Word to the wise: It's hard to decide on ONE dog to get cuz they all sound good. I've been there... "I think I'm gonna get the Truffle Mac n Cheese Dog but the (insert delcious name here) Dog sounds good too, I can't decide"... but don't do it. Don't get both AND a side. Done that... just enjoy the one dog and live to eat another day.
(4)J D.
Krazy kimchi dog: incredible! Good balance of savory and bitter! The brioche buns are a certain luxury. Brussels sprouts salad was a revelation filled with lemon zest, dill, green pistachios and Parmigiano! This is certainly not any healthier version of a hot dog, but worth every indulgent bite! Staff is welcoming and guides any novice patron through the esoteric menu. It's a cafeteria -style dining room which allows them to focus more on the quality of their food! Note: there is an alley entrance off from the sidewalk.
(5)Tera D.
I definitely like the concept: gourmet hot dogs without waiting in line at Hot Doug's. And the place was cute and surprisingly crowded despite a slightly offbeat location. Staff was very friendly, and there's lots to pick from on the menu. Now my issue with the place - $9 for hot dogs!?!? I know that's the top end, but quite a few were in the $7-$9 range, and they don't come with fries! Two of us split the brat with mac n cheese on it, and the spicy yucatan. The brat was very mediocre, although the mac n cheese on top was very tasty. They serve that as a side, so maybe I'd get that if I went again. The spicy yucatan was good, nothing too memorable. The truffle fries are also pretty darn expensive considering they don't' come with a fun aoli or dipping sauce, and on their own they're just ok. Overall, I don't think I have any reason to go back.
(3)Hoang L.
You must be out of your mind if you compare this place to Hot Doug's. I'm gonna get straight to the point: This place is way overpriced. Try it if you want something unique, but not exactly well put together. Busboy / server seemed a bit flustered and accidentally took our celebrity picture (used to bring out the food) before we got our food. It's okay dude, just take a deep breath. Spicy Yucatan - I didn't even want to finish it, and I didn't. I have a sensitive tongue and it was not spicy whatsoever. False advertising. Kimchi Dog - Messy. It was okay. My gripe about this is that it didn't go well together. Korean food should not be on a hot dog. Lamb (can't remember name) - It was recommended by the cashier and the first bite was good. But that's about it. Triple Truffle Fries - $5 for a small portion. Nothing special about it. BIG DISAPPOINTMENT. We didn't even finish it. If you want good fries, DFF at Hot Doug's. Friday or Saturday only. Might worth trying just to say you've tried it, but I would never come back. The annoying babies and kids hitting my chair didn't help either.
(3)Melissa H.
Franks N Dawgs is a really fun hot dog place. They've got gourmet hot dogs dressed up in the fanciest clothes. :) My Bayou Dog was perfectly seasoned andouille covered in red beans, shrimp, and remoulade. Shrimp on hot dog! SHRIMP ON HOT DOG. Awesome. Both my dinner companion and I loved the fact that the bun is more like a repurposed Texas toast, thick bread toasted with butter. It adds to the flavor of every dog on the menu. The triple truffle fries were perfectly crispy waffle-style fries, with a perfect hint of truffle. Never overpowering. Very rich and a great portion size. The baked beans were very smoky tasting with three different types of beans baked in; I love when folks do that! The cashier was very friendly. Walk on up, order, and pick a character from their Wall of Shame to decorate your table as you wait. This place is very casual feeling, with very non-casual food. I mean, seriously, check out the photos. They're beautiful!!
(5)Jeff R.
If there is one food that says "Chicago," it's hot dogs. I've never been one to get all hyped up and excited about hot dogs, I like them and eat them at baseball games and back-yard BBQs. If you're like me and looking for something more than an oscar-meyer wiener on a bun, please go and experience Franks. I caution though to not fall into the trap of looking at the menu as "dogs," but truly gourmet dishes. The first thing I noticed inside of Franks was the friendly staff (especially Chef Doren) and inviting decor. The menu is extensive and fascinating. You can choose from classic dawgs, dawgs gone wild, dawgs gone global, or haute dawgs. Some of the meats are prepared in house, and noted on the menu, while others are bought locally but in consultation with Franks. You can't go wrong either way, all the meats I'm sure are fantastic. For my meal I choose a duck based "dawg" served with pineapple chutney, carrots, cilantro and other flavors I can't remember. Erica prefers simpler dogs and opted for the Cheese Heade: Sheboygan, caramelized onions, grilled portabellos & smoked gouda. We ordered a side of cheesy fries for good measure. The food quality here is the real deal. Chef Doren is clearly talented and chooses to display this on buns instead of plates. It's a great concept and well executed. With a paito and BYOB I can see this being a great date place, and something to return to often with such a diverse menu. The pricing could turn some people off ($20 for two dogs and fries), but comparable to similar venues and par the course. If you can just accept that gourmet food CAN be served on a bun, every dollar is justified. I highly recommend checking out the Dawgs and I know I'll go back to see what other interesting flavors are crafted a la bun.
(4)Kimberly K.
There are definitely some kinks to work out, but the dogs we had were quite good. I had the Chicken alla Naha and my husband had the Tur-Doggin. Both were really good. We also got the triple truffle fries. The flavor is really interesting (in a good way) and the spicy and chipotle ketchups are good too. I am also not a huge fan of their buns. The service was a bit slow, but not too bad. It is also kind of expensive. I'd like the place to feel less corporate and more of a hole in the wall. But, it was good overall.
(4)Julia S.
Sometimes I think the best thing a new find has going for it is when you stumble upon it by accident. Such was the case for us when, wandering out of a store across the street, looking for something to fill our bellies before heading home from Chicago, we spotted Franks 'n Dawgs. At first I resisted because I'm not the world's biggest hot dog fan. I am, it turns out, the world's biggest triple truffle fries fan because ever since we ate them here I can't stop dreaming about them. I mean that literally. I DREAM about fries. I HAVE A PROBLEM. I'm still not the world's biggest hot dog fan, so it's not like I had a conversion experience. But if you're going to do it, this seems the way. Fascinating combos -- I went straight-up Chicagoesque and the ol' ball and chain had the Tur-Doggen -- served up on a super-quality, freshly baked New England-style bun (think lobster rolls) definitely elevate the standard. Wasn't nuts about the fried green tomatoes, as they were cut too thick for my taste, but next time -- and there will be a next time -- I wanna try the shaved brussel sprouts salad. Also, I will be eating my body weight in truffle fries.
(4)Ernest S.
Just for their truffle fries alone I would give them 5 stars. Admittedly, the portion is small but it's packed with so much truffle flavor and so good that I don't care. I really enjoy Hot Doug's so I wasn't expecting Franks to wow me. Especially after I saw that the prices seemed even a little higher than Hot Doug's. But after trying the Perennially Pork (my wife's favorite), the Brunch Dog and the Frank'n Stein (my favorite), I think I like Franks better than Doug's. Even with the higher prices, the portions are bigger so I'm okay with that. I also liked the buns they came in. It's not traditional but it's very tasty. I also hate having to wait in that almost always super long line at Doug's so with all that said, Franks is the winner for me. I say come prepared. This is a coma-inducing meal so I wouldn't advise on coming when you have a lot of stuff to get done afterwards.
(5)David B.
This is the fanciest hot dog place I've ever sampled and I don't mean ambience. There's really no ambience but who cares. The chef (and I mean that seriously) has taken great care in selecting ingredients and putting them into fantastic combinations. The New England "bun" is a meal in itself and it doesn't hurt that they brush it in butter then delightfully toast it. It's literally a cradle for the encased meat. I had the Chicagoesque dog with pickles, tomato relish and beer mustard. I'm glad I don't live in Chicago because I'd find myself in the neighborhood far too often. Visit Franks 'N' Dawgs if you like to experiment with your food. You'll be shocked at how different a dog can be
(5)Laura C.
If you're a sausage lover, then go here. I am not a huge fan, so this place gets three stars from me. High quality ingredients + one of a kind combinations + great service - slightly expensive = 3 stars. Great place to take tourists. With the relatively expansive menu, I had a hard time choosing just one dog, so I went with the Dawg Flight. Three half dogs and fries for $15? A little pricey, but worth a try. The chef's selection that day was Belly Up - mustard glazed pork belly, pork sausage, fennel and grapes. A little heavy on the mustard, but the grapes added a nice sweetness. Next was the Krazy Kimchi - beef sausage with braised beef, kim chi, puffed rice and basil. I thought this was the best one (although I must admit, I love anything braised). The duck sausage rounded out the trio, topped with lotus root. The buns are from La Briola and are freshly made every day, which makes a huge difference. With a basket full of fries and two varieties of spiced ketchup - jalapeno and chipotle - this meal was more than enough. They also offer plain old "Classic" dawgs, for the less adventurous. Other side options: flavored fries (truffle, chili, Lyonnaise to name a few) as well as baked beans and salads. A few desserts are available from local bakeries, but I was too full to try any. Atmosphere is simple, you walk into the restaurant through a covered alley to the door near the back. It's like a mini golf course ramp, which apparently helps control the long lines that come through. Once you order at the register, which was manned by the head chef - super nice guy from Michigan and well rounded in his culinary career - you pick a card with your most hated celebrity that you velcro to the table - a quirky play on table numbers. It's casual and comfortable with a serve yourself soda machine. Plus, they have a surprisingly nice bathroom with high end touches you wouldn't expect in a hot dog joint.
(3)Gregory S.
We do love this place! The hardest part is deciding what to order! When I can, I go for lunch on weekdays...less lines to contend with.
(4)Edgar P.
Being a Chicagoan for 22 years now, one tends to eat a good hot dog or two while living here. Franks 'N' Dawgs is probably the pinnicale of (gourmet) hot dog glory. This place has such a great variety of unique takes on the hot dog, that it's really up to you to decide which route to take when ordering off the menu. My personal favorites would be the Boar'n To Be Wild, Krazy Kimchi, Bayou Dog, and the Belly Up. I like this combo because it's got a little sweet and a little salty combo that I like and it just leaves my mouth watering afterwards. For the side I usually get either The Lyonnaise Fries or the very popular Triple Truffle Fries. The lyonaise Fries are a little different and I wouldn't recommend it for people who are picky with what they eat. It's definitely something different and I would guess that it's really only popular with a small number of people. If you're up for anything, I would say, "Go For It!" If it's your first time, I would bring at least one extra person with you so that you can order twice as much off the menu. I generally take at least one other person so that we can split four to six different things off the menu and it gives us the opportunity to taste more things without overdoing it. Once you order your food, you'll then get the chance to pick one of many shamed, low level celebrities or public figures so they can easily identify your table by. It's a little bit more pricey than your average hot dog but that's obviously because they use better meats and other ingredients than your average dog. If you're in the city and craving a great, fast meal - Go to Franks 'N' Dawgs!!! Check It Out!!! -Papa Bear
(5)Vee C.
Want the lobster roll? Well you'll have to wait until June. Season ended in October....Instead I tried the Cheese Head dawg! It's not made in-house and maybe that's why I didn't care for it too much. The Bratwurst sausage wasn't so good. The rest was great after I removed the sausage, I enjoyed the caramelized onions, grilled portabella, smoked gouda & chives along with those delectable triple truffle fries!
(3)Mimi W.
My son, who is a finicky eater, wanted hot dogs for lunch. We had NO IDEA that Franks 'N' Dawgs was not your regular hot dog joint. My son, 11, ordered the corn dog which was actually a bratwurst sausage dipped in polenta batter and deep fried, and cheese fries. I had the Banh Mi: lemongrass & coriander chicken sausage with pickled daikon, carrot, sriracha mayo, jalapeño, cilantro and spicy pickled duck egg. The servings were big, the bun on the Banh Mi seemed a little oversized, but not a big deal. The cheese fries have an airy white cheddar "whiz" and a side of scallion pistou served in a bowl with two forks. My son, however, was not about to share. He ate every bite of his meal. The Banh Mi was the best surprise I've had in a long time eating out. It was fantastic! The lemongrass was very tasty and the toppings complimented the sausage perfectly . It was a perfect lunch. Couldn't be better. We went at 2:45 and there was no line, fast and friendly service. The entire meal with one beverage was $24. We will definitely go back!
(5)Kenny O.
Well-executed gourmet dogs without the one hour wait *cough*? Count me in! Ambiance: Light-hearted expansive dive. You can tell what kind of man owns this place when you choose a (D) celebrity to take back to your booth as your jeeringly wait for your order. You'll see what I mean when you go there. The food: Oh, my! I had trouble figuring out what I wanted, so I actually made a blind choice (silly me) and went with the Bacon n' Grits. It surely isn't anywhere near the best dog I've had, and certainly not the best I've even had in Chicago, but it was tasty regardless. It was a large, natural-casing dog, and it had a bit of a crunch from the puffed grits. The pork belly wasn't very prominent and I had trouble tasting it (though I could see the large pieces atop my dog). The other toppings weren't really evident either. Would I order it again? Probably not considering the rest of the menu and its seemingly endless selection. The fries. THE FRIES. So I did come here with two friends and we decided to each get one of their special fries. One friend got the cheese fries--they were alright. My other friend got the triple truffle fries--they were pretty bomb. I got the Lyonnaise fries--HOLY SHOOT ME NOW. These fries are worth coming for by themselves. The pig cheek and fried egg turn this into devil's food with the amount of richness they incorporate into the fries. The amount of porky savoriness feels evil, but oh so good. Each. Bite. Too. Good. The service: No real problem! It was pretty slow, but we seemed to be seated right before a rush came in, so I don't blame them for taking 5-10 minutes extra with our ... check. TL;DR. Order the Lyonnaise fries if you like food. Or happiness.
(4)Adam Y.
Sublime sausage, rolls, and sides. Interior is a bit like the waiting room at an auto shop.
(5)Kristen M.
I got the tofu dog...which unfortunately I was not a big fan of...the taste was really overwhelming to me and I would not get it again. However, the person I was with loved what they ordered and we also split fried green tomatos, which were delicious.
(3)Susana L.
This place is perfect. Went there on a sunny start-of-spring day. Very charming entrance up the side and you open the door and immediately got a happy vibe from the rock-reggae music. There were about 6 things I wanted to order on my first visit. Chose the lamb dog. Everything about it was perfect and OFF THE CHARTS! And the side Brussels sprouts salad was very yummy. As great as the food is -- so is the atmosphere and the service. These people know how to snow you the love. This is the kind if place you're dying to show off as a Chicagoan. And the "wall of shame" ordering system is brilliant. Seriously, this place can't get any better!
(5)Kimberly B.
Going back!! Just went here yesterday and I want to go back today. It's a fun place with great costumer service. The man behind the counter took us through the whole menu and made his Recommendation and they were spot on. I'm a vegetarian so I didn't get the full experience but my boy friends meal looked amazing I had the tofu but put it with Mac and cheese cause the vegetarian dog was Indian inspired and I'm not a fan of Indian food. I'm hoping they come up with a new vegetarian option something more like a sausage. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Jeff R.
Arrived at noon. Parked right out front. Guy at the counter was super friendly. I had the lamb dog and my wife had the kimchi dog. Both were really tasty on buttered rolls. Truffle waffle fries were good. Kids' options available. I can't tell you which is better - this or Hot Dougs. Both are good. No line here, though, and we didn't have to start lining up at 10 in the morning.
(4)Phil A.
Gourmet hot dogs! Brilliant concept and brilliantly executed. I try to get something new every time I go in and am never disappointed. Everyone who works there is friendly and enthusiastic about their unique cuisine. The waffle truffle fries are a must.
(5)Tim B.
We're still fairly new to Chicago and have been beaten down by NYC Hot Dogs the past 7 years so we skeptically went for a Dog this weekend. Never thought I would give a hot dog place 5 stars but damn, I loved this place. Now 5 stars for a Hot Dog joint and I am not saying this is Per Se or Alinea 5 stars but I haven't head a better Dog anywhere. Kimchi, Trump Doe and a regular, truffle fries, regular fries washed down with a Butterscotch Root Beer. Comfort food on "roids" Some say it is pricey, but come on Kimchi Dog is worth $8. Will make the list of great kids places as well.
(5)Michael S.
Ok. So I am a fan of Hot Dougs, but I am of hot dogs in general as well leading me to this establishment. Looks like some people on here were geeked with talking to the owners. Some were starstruck that Andrew Zimmern went here... Honestly though, I did not feel the same joy that others have felt here... Just wasn't impressive... So came here on a Saturday afternoon. No line at all... Entrance is actually on the side... Unique and it helps for the flow of the place. Seemed promising though if a place is really just that good I would of expected some kind of line after being open this long. I think that says something.. Anyways here is what we got for food: Cheese Head: Seemingly normal brat with gouda, carmelized onions, and portabella mushrooms. I remember thinking and saying there that I can make this at home. Nothing special or remarkable to me. It was just ok. N'awlins: Who dat there gonna be really good? Well this actually was pretty good. I liked the andouille sausage, the shrimp, and the other fixings. It would be better though with something other than just a mustard ketchup though. Definitely something I'd get again. Fries/Truple truffle fries: Fries were fine.. Nothing special... Truffle fries... omg,,, you get such a small amount of those fries. They also didn't taste any special. Maybe they need to amp up the use of the truffle butter, salt, and oil. I can't pinpoint it, but these fries were just not special at all especially for the price. Overall I'd say this place is just ok. It's not a 5 star dining place and I don't think it's 5 star food on a bun. Price was around Hot Dougs, but not as good at all. No colorful host, no super service, nor atmosphere. Oh and their Chicago style dog... Sorry, but you can do so much better almost anywhere. Sorry, but this place isn't that great at all.
(3)Tracey H.
I really don't get it. Their bun is good, I'll give them that. Their food overall, though, is just fine. I've never had a Hot Dougs moment there---which is when I roll my eyes on the back of my head an moan "that's goooooood." Also, the last time we went the guy at the register was a class A A-hole. My fiancé decided to order the soup, which said it used a velouté, which is a white velvety sauce made with white bones. Usually veluté is chicken based, but I have seen it made/and have made it with fish bones on several occasions. My fiancé inquires as to whether it is fish sauce. The guy behind the register gets snotty and starts and argument with us about how it "couldn't be" fish and how "he knows," because he's trained in culinary arts. My attempt to explain to him that I too am actually trained in culinary arts, the French culinary arts to be exact, fell on deaf ears, and I guess the fact that my fiancé is also trained in culinary, worked boh in several french restaurants, and is a sommelier means nothing, because clearly we have NO IDEA what were talking about. I should've said what I'm saying here: shut the fuck up dude, you work at a glorified Portillos--and Portillos is actually better. NEVER AGAIN. Also, your presentation is lame.
(1)Isla E.
This is the kind of place that makes me want to change all my other 5 star reviews to 4 star reviews. They truly deliver as promised. I was just here today, and the quality of service and food felt similar to that of an establishment that had recently opened. Although there is a vegetarian "dawg" option, this isn't a place to go to eat healthfully, although they do seem to use pure, high quality ingredients even in the sausages. I ordered the beet salad and triple truffle fries, and tasted The Brunch Dog and the Justin Cased. The Justin Cased is part of the competition, so I don't know how long it will be there, but I would go now and get it while you can. The description: roasted poblano & quesadilla cheese pork sausage, pickled vegetables, chicharrones & avocado mousse. Sounds good, tastes even better. I can't imagine there could be better truffle fries anywhere in this city. What a terribly great idea to put truffle butter on french fries. I'm trying to forget they exist. Another plus, it is open on Sundays, unlike another gourmet sausage establishment.
(5)Carl D. S.
I have returned a couple of times and it only gets better. The chef dawgs are getting more elaborate and complex, with truffle fries popping up as an option. The main dawgs are getting slight ingredient tweaks but all in the goal to increase the flavors. The Travel Channel's Andrew Zimmern recently shot a segment for his show. It matters less if you're a Franks or Dougs fan...this place has got a flavor all its own and a really fun place to go to.
(5)Colleen B.
We gave into the hype and hopped over to Franks N Dawgs a few weekends ago. I really enjoyed my reuben dog - the sausage was amazing. We really liked the lyonmaise fries and I thought the service was really good. I like that the woman taking orders takes her time with each customer and isn't rushing you along, despite how busy the place was.
(4)Eric V.
It was a rainy Sunday afternoon and the fiancee and I decided to grab a late lunch at F-n- D. After placing our order we took our order picture of Frank Sinatra and grabbed one of the booths along the wall. Not a minute after we sat down, Alexander, the owner, came by and said the wait would be a few minutes longer than usual due to a large order from the group by the window. As I peer over, my inner foodie fan boy gets all giddy as I spot none other than Bizarre Foods' very own Andrew Zimmern! Alexander continued to explain that Andrew was by no means getting preferential treatment, but that they just happen to order quite a bit of food (Andrew was taking his film crew to lunch). It was super nice of Alexander to come over and explain, but we had no problem waiting an extra two minutes given our little pseudo-celebrity sighting. Ok, back to the food... My fiancee ordered her usual Dirty Dog, I got the Spicy Duck, and we threw in an order of Triple Truffle Fries to share. The food was every bit as delicious, if not better, than our last trip here. The Spicy Duck was outstanding The spices of the sausage balanced perfectly with the acidity of the pickled carrots and a touch of sweetness from the pineapple relish. The pork crackling on top got a little lost in the flavors, but that didn't take away from the overall dish. The Triple Truffle Fries were quite good, too, and they're only available on weekends. In case you were wondering, the "triple" comes from truffle butter, truffle salt, and truffle oil. So after the Bizarre Foods crew left, Alexander and his wife, Ellen, came by to chat about their surprise guest. I can honestly say they are the nicest restaurant owners I have ever met in my life!! They are so warm and welcoming. You can tell they have a true passion for their product and really care about the experience of their diners. I really hope they continue to do well. Their food is not only amazing, but you can't help but wish that good things happen to good people. Keep on dishing out the goods F-n-D, you've already made a regular out of me.
(5)Patrick G.
So I really like sausages (encased meats) of all types. So I definitely have really enjoyed all of my experiences at Franks 'N' Dawgs. I very much have enjoyed all of the specialty sausages here and haven't had a bad one yet. All the spicy ones I've had have been very balanced with just the right amount of heat. The fries here are also excellent. They have also introduced me to KETCHIPOTLE Chipotle Ketchup which is super delicious and they sell by the bottle there. They also introduced me to Gale's root beer which might be the best root beer I've ever had. I bought a couple to go bottles when I first tried it. As others have noted it is a tad pricey on a per sausage basis here. I would like for them to have some "standards" like a Chicago dog or a Polish sausage but I guess you can get those in almost any 4 block radius in Chicago and they want to concentrate on specialty sausages.
(5)Donald R.
We were making a day of it in the city...trying new places and sights we had heard about, including FnD. It's ok, but overpriced and definitely overrated. Brunch Dog was good but not great. The casing came off completely and I was left with that disgusting looking mess on my plate. Cheese fries were also ok, but overcooked. Waffle fries were not out if the ordinary and a ripoff price wise. Fountain drinks are boring. Two dogs, two fries and two drinks came to $31. Seriously? Ya, seriously.
(3)Triphena W.
My recent visit was not the same as the first. Smaller portions and anti-climatic dawgs (read: sounded better on paper than they tasted). The differences are noticeable if you compare the photos from my last visit to those of my first. The triple truffle fries looked and tasted different (frozen?). The sausages on the dawg flight seemed to have shrank, resulting in an unwelcome high ratio of bun to sausage. Flavors didn't sing like last time. I was not a fan of the FU vegetarian dawg. I didn't enjoy the flavors, and I found the salsa verde atop unappealing in terms of color and texture. The Krazy Kimchi and Tur-doggin also fell short in the flavor department. I had them during my first visit and thought they were outstanding. What happened?! Service, however, was just as friendly and attentive. Quite disappointed with my most recent meal here, but if people continue to praise Franks N Dawgs, I'd be willing to return.
(2)Megan G.
I have to admit, I was a little let down once I finally made it to Hot Doug's. I mean, it was good, but I didn't understand the hype. This place is like Hot Doug's, but better, without the insane, outside line. Date and I came here for dinner before a show at Royal George. We were feeling gluttonous, so we ordered 3 dogs and an order of truffle fries to share. There was precisely one person ahead of us in line. ONE. At prime dinner time. I found the menu a little overwhelming (everything sounded fantastic) but we finally settled on the Tur-Doggin (Turkey & date sausage, crispy duck confit, herb garlic aioli, pickled onion relish & pickled carrots), the Krazy Kimchi (Spicy beef sausage, braised short rib & turnips, kimchi, wild rice & basil), and a special, the Mercat's Mole (Chicken mole sausage, charred tomatillo salsa, cotija cheese, tortilla strips & cilantro). I've never been much of a fan of mole, so to my surprise that dog was my hands down favorite. Coming in second was the Tur-Doggin with the Krazy Kimchi in a distant third. Oh, and the truffle fries? Were perfection. It's really easy to overdo truffle oil so as to make whatever you're eating totally overwhelm your tastebuds. These fries had just the right amount. Is Franks N Dawgs a little more expensive than Hot Doug's? Yes. But I will gladly pay to premium to avoid the weird hours and insane lines. Oh, and did I mention Franks N Dawgs is BYOB? Encased meat excellence.
(5)Xl G.
Saw this place on the Food Network for a special Chicago edition and decided to go try it out with my friend. Their truffle fries were amazing, I also had their fried green tomatoes that weren't bad but all the batter kept falling off, but otherwise the seasoning and flavoring were great. Servers are very friendly and informative. This is not your typical hot dog stand joint. They are very creative with the menu and love to mish and mash different meats, veggies and condiments. My friend had the Lamborgini, which is a lamb based hot dog with all the fixings. I had the tofu dog that was a little strange and spongy. Overall I would definitely come back though to try out some more menu items.
(4)Kate C.
I cannot express in words how delicious this place is. It would best be captured by one of those cartoons where a salivating wolf's tongue rolls out of its mouth. The food is amazing. Far and away better than Hot Doug's and without the long lines. The staff are really friendly too and will talk to you about the food and how its made, which is great. It feels like they take a lot of pride in their work. I love their special "dawg of the month" because there's always something new and exciting to look forward to. My hands-down favorite, however, is the brunch dog. The way the yolk from the egg drips down and mixes with the maple mayo to form the sauce is just ... perfect. So so very perfect! I also adore the truffle fries. Seriously, if you haven't been here yet you need to go.
(5)Patty S.
1 word - "Frankenstein" This was absolutely a delicious 'dog.' We also got the duck sausage as well, but I must say the "Frankenstein" was my favorite. Each of their sausages are handmade and specially crafted with all the fixings - no additional condiments necessary. We also got an order of fries and fried green tomatoes with the order. Fries tasted freshly chopped and not out of a bag. The tomatoes had a crispy cornmeal coating, but not much flavor. For 2 of us, it was over $30, which seems pricey for just hot dogs. Although, if you look at the ingredients and the effort that it goes into each of these specially crafted sausages, it seems like a bargin. I would definitely go back on Fri or Sat to have a taste of the truffle fries - YUM!
(4)Dan H.
I came here with a bunch of friends on a Saturday afternoon. Someone in our group suggested we each here. They hyped it up for me by saying that it's better than Hot Doug's. But honestly, I like Hot Doug's better. I tried the Franken' Stein (foie gras based) and the truffle mac & cheese. The Franken' Stein was not as amazing as Hot Doug's foie gras hot dog. For these two portions (the mac and cheese was really really small), I had to pay over $15. That's a ton of money for one hot-dog and a measly bowl of mac and cheese. But aside from the price, and me constantly comparing it to another hot dog joint, Franks 'N' Dawgs is quite delicious. The selections are varied (extremely creative). If you are craving a more breakfast fare, then they have it. If you crave the traditional Chicago style hot dog, they have that too. Ultimately, though the food was above average, it's a place I would revisit only to show it to my non-Chicago friends. I don't think I would return to this place to eat regularly.
(4)Chenfei L.
A great place to go if you have a craving for rabbit or scallop sausage. For me this is usually never. But the place is creative and serves a diverse array of sausage-shaped food. The buns are remarkably textured and the truffle fries were decadexcellent. Next time, I'll try one of their more normal hot dogs. As a hot dog snob, I'll up my stars if those normal dogs float my boat.
(3)Virginia T.
I am a huge fan of sausages, (snicker). However, I recently tried Franks 'N' Dawgs and was not impressed-at all. We planned on dinner at F 'N' D but were shocked when we checked and their hours are only until 7:30pm. So we rushed over for an early dinner. We were perusing the menu. The man behind the counter asked if it was our first time. He pointed out the menu, and the iPad they had sitting on the counter ("if you wanted to look at pictures of the items"). We decided on 3 dawgs, one was the charitable dawg, which I was happy not only sounded good but meant $1 of my purchase went to the Anti-Cruelty Society. One other was one of the "Iron Dawg" competition sausages, and the third was a regular menu dawg. We also ordered cheese fries. The first thing that upset me was that WHILE taking our order, the gentleman behind the counter paused to pick up his cell phone. We weren't even done ordering. In fact, he made a hand motion and mouthed "drinks" at us to ask us if we wanted any beverages with our meal.......you know, since he was ON HIS CELL PHONE. Then (while still on the phone) told us to "pick a mugshot" or something like that, which I gathered later was sort of a number system for the orders.....but that wasn't clear- nor was our Dennis Rodman velcro card ever picked up when we were brought our order.... The first dawg came out- it was supposed to have bacon lardons and had RAW strips of bacon on it. Then (few min later) our second dawg and fries come out. I tell them about the bacon, and he said he would take care of it. Finally, the 3rd dawg comes out, and he brought with it a side of actually cooked bacon lardons. I was perplexed. If it only took minutes to replace the raw bacon why did my dawg come out with raw in the first place?? Why didn't they replace the whole sausage instead of just handing me a bowl with a few replacement lardons-especially on my $9 dawg? Worse still-the fries were cold upon arriving at the table, and looked nothing like the photo. They were not crisp at all anymore, and seemed to be in a heavily onion flavored gloop than melted cheese. The best thing I can say about any of the dawgs is that the buns were good. Nice, NE/Lobster Roll style rolls. The toppings were awkward, and mostly came off when trying to eat the dawgs. The avocado mousse on the one dawg tasted not very much of avocado and looked waaay worse (similar to poo). Pickled veggies on the one dawg were in huge pieces.....even the dawgs themselves were lackluster. Hard to bite through, lacking in big flavors. Meh. I picked at my 1.5 dawgs and the cheese fries and still left hungry. I'm sorry but for over $30+ for 3 dawgs & fries that is ridiculous. P.S. Entrance is a little weird- you walk down the gangway to enter on the side, and you leave out the front door onto Clybourn.
(1)Dan D.
Absolutely amazing joint! They serve great food and do it with style. The creations thought up by these up and coming Chicago chefs stand alone when it comes to gourmet hot dogs. Try the salmon hot dog if it's still on the menu, its easily one of the greatest and most surprising foods I've ever eaten
(5)David N.
When you're in Chicago, you must have a pizza pie, yeah the thick stuff with a fork and knife, AND a HOTDOG. I opted for Frank N Dawgs to get my fix. I had the brunch dawg and it was damn good. It's base is a pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo. You wouldn't think that could work but it came together very well!
(4)Never M.
***A L L H Y P E**** These are the tiniest, most unappetizing and EXPENSIVE dogs ever! Even though the landscape has changed, Chicago is still the city of big shoulders and meat and potatoes. Men here are big and used to large polishes. Ladies; don't even think about feeding your hunny here, he will be disappointed! Unless you plan on spending $60 on hot dogs smh. The portions are for toddlers and my 6'3 police officer did not leave satiated. Ordered the Lobster roll and the Chicago esque dog and something else that escapes me, maybe it just wasn't memorable enough. The Chicago dog was terrible. The lobster roll was awful and very vinegary*. There was no flavor what soever. There isn't much that needs to be done to lobster, it really does stand on its own. Not here, the lobster meat itself was a weird consistency that I wasn't familiar with as if it weren't truly lobster. The truffle cheese fries were incredible, you can't get fries of this caliber anywhere else. Also the bread that the sausages are served on is mind blowing. But nobody goes to hotdog stands for buns lol you go for the whole package. Brace yourself for the layout of this place, it fills up quick and its very aggravating. The fries warrant another trip, but I ain't touchin them sausages ever again for any reason, no sir.
(1)Ken S.
The brunch dog with maple mayo, bacon, and fried egg was spectacular! The new england style lobster roll bun that is freshly baked daily is simply amazing and goes well with the hotdog. Frank N' Dawgs is a bit of a trek from the train station but the food is well worth it! Will definitely be back here the next time I'm in Chi-town.
(4)Sherin J.
This place has been on my list for a while and finally made it in on a Friday night - no lines. I tried the taco dawg and the tur-doggin. The tur-doggin was okay but the taco dawg was delicious!!! It was a little smaller than the other sausages so I could've easily had 2. The fries and the green sauce are good as well. Would def. return!
(4)John O.
I'm a huge fan of Hot Doug's although on this visit he was unfortunately closed for vacation. We visited Franks instead to get our hot dog fix. The hot dog was good but nothing great. The bun was really good but it rich and dominated the taste of the hot dog. I think it was lightly buttered. Service was nice and friendly. The prices are way too high. Give me a break. I think Franks is decent although it not in the same league as Hot Doug's. Not even close.
(3)Bruce C.
Really friendly staff and excellent gourmet dogs. All kinds of flavor combinations on the menu; we tried only a couple more traditional ones and they were really good. You know how some places will give you a number to display on your table so your food can be delivered when it's ready? Here, they amusingly gave us a choice of infamous celebrity mug shots. We chose Lindsey Lohan.
(4)S. P.
Really delicious if you like hot dogs. I agree with the previous review that said to skip the sides. I would stick with the regular fries or the truffle fries. The sausages here are great but the buns are really incredible, they help make the meal. The line can be a little crazy, but it's worth trying if you're in the area. The Mac 'n Cheese dog is a favorite.
(4)Ross N.
4.5 stars. Dropped in with a bud over the weekend based on his multiple stops over the past couple weeks and we were not disappointed. He had the Bayou Dog and I got the Tur-Doggen; side was Lyonnaise fries. The good- both dogs were excellent quality and I think I enjoyed mine a little more than his. Good flavor, not overwhelming and the sausage was really fresh and 'clean' if I can somehow express that for a sausage?.? My bud loves his, especially the blackened shrimp. Hay zeus, the fries alone were a meal themselves and outstanding. I sincerely thought we had filet in there only to realize (I ordered blind w/o looking based on options from server as he passed) it's actually pig cheek. I didn't care as I love pork and we then scarfed the bowl down like Mel Gibson looking for petrol in the Road Warrior. The not-so-bad. The bun. I know we're stepping up all sorts of food round here but mine was little over buttered and took away a little of the wow factor for my ingredients. I will say this again, though, it was delicious and I'll def be back to sample more. With or without a friend. PS- Nick Nolte
(4)Stephen K.
This place has amazing food and great service. Every time I've been to their brick and mortar store, I've had a good meal with friendly servers. At their Lollapalooza stand this year, Karen replaced my bacon mac and cheese dog after I dropped it on the ground - not everyone would do that. Keep up the good work, guys!
(5)Omare V.
This is my first Yelp post and I'm glad i'm using it to review Frank N Dawgs. I really enjoyed it. I was really impressed with how the "Dawgs" were prepared. It is a little pricey. I recommended it to my friends. I will definetly stop by again!
(4)Ernie W.
Called ahead to make sure they were open..hours of operation were in line with our schedule, so we took the 20 min cab ride (we were from out of state) to the franks n dawgs location ONLY to find out they were closed! No sign, no reason...just closed on a Friday afternoon. Lots of people were just as frustrated as us as they pulled up and pulled off as we did. Don't know if I would return due to the schedule inconsistency.
(1)Joon L.
The hotdog was great! Customer Service was good! $10 for a hotdog, is a little too expensive. Will be back to try the rest..
(4)Pascal M.
It'd be nice to see less reviews with people knocking THE ORIGINATOR of this concept in their review. A long wait, big deal. Someone in your family likely once told you, "good things come to those who wait." ANNNNNNYWAYS.... Frank and Dawg has a diverse menu full of interesting combinations. They put their own spin on it all by using Texas Toast/ Lobster Roll style buns. Plus, there are a lot of other options besides Dawgs such as a great selection of french fries, salad and vegetable options, and a some great sweets to choose from. When I visited, we tried the Govenator (amazing), the China (good), and the Belly (so-so). The execution and presentation of the dawgs are very nice. The chef has an impressive background and uses sound techniques to harmonize his products. Frank and Dawgs is great. Easy location, vast menu, and a diveish atmosphere that will make you feel good about eating pleasure food.
(4)Kimberly A.
The savory smells waft throughout this cozy restaurant as you enter. With so many creative choices, it was difficult to try just one! Tur-Doggin: Hands down the favorite of the bunch!!! Turkey sausage topped with duck confit, garlic aioli and pickled carrots. It definitely exceeded my expectations and deserves 5 sporks easily. A MUST-try! Brunch Dog: Won second place in our opinion. Pork sausage with bacon, fried egg, and maple mayo. 4 sporks! This Little Piggy: Pork sausage with pickled red onions and fried oysters. I thought it was ok, no WOW factor. 3 sporks! China Town Duck: 5 spice duck sausage with pickled lotus roots and chili sauce. Weird flavor. Least favorite. Would NOT recommend. 1 spork! Triple Truffle Fries: Waffle fries drizzled in truffle oil, truffle butter and truffle salt. Flavorful and herby. 3 sporks! Not a huge truffle fan, but I could see people going crazy over this. Overall, awesome experience with tasty, juicy sausages and friendly service. Try it if you're in the Chi-town vicinity and go for the mind blowing Tur-Doggin!
(5)summer c.
Charmingly different dogs. Really quite good and worth the price for the quality. Not your typical dog and a fun outing if your in Chicago and want to do things you can't do anyplace else.
(4)Doe L.
*update* I got to try the Frankenstein and Double Ducker. I wasn't a big fan of either. For the Frankenstein, all I tasted was onion and this sauce that tasted like champagne to me. The sausage was only there for texture. For the Double Ducker, it's more my preference but I never thought I would ever say, "too much duck!". I never realized how gamey duck tasted until now and I have VERY low gamey tolerance. I was saying how the truffle fries weren't worth it last time but this time, they were ohhhh so much better. There wasn't a big pile of oil sitting on the bottom and the truffle taste was very present this time. It's still so pricey but it edged me closer to thinking it's worth it. *end update* --- I agree that Franks n Dawgs is kinda pricey but you kind of pay for the location and size of the dog. They have an interesting bun choice... It looks like a giant piece of sandwich bread that is cut and "stuffed". It's different! Doughy and slightly crunchy... I really liked it. I wanted to try the franken stein dog but it was sold out! So I got the kimchi dog instead and thought it was deliiiicious. It was a bit overloaded so I had trouble eating it but the flavors were good. I could have used a little more kimchi since I wanted a little more kimchi oomph. I mean... it IS called a kimchi dog! The truffle fries came in some tiny little bowl and was not worth it in my opinion. It was good but too pricey for what you get. The KetChipotle with fries was so yummy that I bought a bottle to bring to work. Next time, I'm going to come back and share my dog with someone else so I can try two at once! We came around 1pm on a sunday and it was pretty empty. The place is kinda small so I feel like it would be a little harder to find a seat once it's packed.
(4)david k.
great sausage sandwiches, great fires - served on real plates - what more could you want from a 'Dawg' place?
(4)Sandy N.
Came with two friends to check out the Peking duck dog. As we walked in, you could smell truffle everywhere.. mmmm. We also ordered the Bacon N' Grits dog, Lyonnaise fries, triple truffle fries, key lime s'mores, and a Lamington bite. The Peking duck dog wasn't bad but wasn't very Peking-y, which I was kind of bummed about. The bacon n' grits dog wasn't bad either, though didn't stand out. Lyonnaise fries were kind of cool with the egg but the meat chunks seemed a bit out of place. Triple truffle fries were just as trufflicious as expected.. yum. Lamington bite wasn't too bad, but the key lime s'mores were AMAZING! I would come back just for the s'mores.. really. They have a huge menu so I'm sure that I will have plenty of things to try. While the dogs I had didn't wow me, I didn't take a statistical sample so I won't fault them for it. Truffle fries and s'mores would bring me back though. And there was no wait on a Sunday afternoon. The prices weren't too bad if you split dogs between people (we tried all of these things between three people).
(3)Joan K.
Wonderful. Need one of these in the western suburbs! How unique and delicious were these creations. My friend and I split three different kinds and I can't tell you which I loved the best! A boatman, a Cajun type and another spicy lamb one. And to top it, was the truffle Mac and Cheese. I wish I lived closer to try all the types, but will definitely be visiting again soon. The best "other" dawg.
(5)Mark S.
Frank's 'N' Dawgs is a fancy hot dog place, it is not a place to get your traditional Chicago Style Hot Dog, so don't complain. If you want the traditional Chicago Style Hot Dog, go some place else. If you want fancy hot dogs and good fries come here. I like the Bayou Dog over the others and the Cheese Fries are great. I am not a fan of the Chicagoesque, if you want a traditional Chicago style dog, go some place else. There can be a wait and it is only street parking, but Frank 'N' Dawgs is worth the effort to fight the traffic on Clybourn to get there.
(4)Andrew H.
I love this place. I have not had a sausage here that I did not like. The brunch dog lives up to the hype without a doubt. The fries are wonderful, whether triple truffle or lyonnaise. I really like the "Ketchapeno" sauce on the tables, and the pick a celebrity from the wall of shame adds some fun as well.
(4)Azize S.
this really is a 5 star sausage place. every touch is artisinal, including the bread. the sausages are unique (kimchee for example). the toppings are playful (i had a turkey sausage topped with toasted ginger marshmellow fluff). the garlic truffle waffle fries are a MUST. I have never had room left to try their desserts. I take friends in town here - its a quick, filling, delicious, unique lunch/dinner spot thats not going to set you back big $$. usually no line or a short line to order.
(5)Eric F.
I believe in fate.... And fate brought me here while walking for Cigarettes as I refused to go inside a bar/restaurant that my sisters roommate worked at, and had horrible service when I was there my last time in Chicago. I walked by the place and saw pictures of their absurd hot dogs and the mac n cheese one caught my eyes. I kept walking. There's still an inner 5 year old in me when it comes to mac... I could be the most sad person in the world, and it will be easily fixed with a good MAC I saw it again on my walk back and stared at the picture outside the place of business for a solid five minutes..... staring....salivating.... almost openly drooling.... and i decided to go back to my sister because i was sure she wanted to get going. I got no more than five steps away and turned around and in the door I went. Their Mac N Cheese dog was made with a bratwurst and despite how I love various 'wursts' im not a fan of the brat... So i asked what else would be good with the mac n cheese dog.... A quick brainstorm sesh with the workers and the plan was in action: Since the mac n cheese has hints of truffle, they thought it would be great to put the truffle chicken sausage in it. I dont know what else to say.... The experience cant be described in words... just get the mac n cheese dog with the truffle chicken sausage. Thats that... U dont try it out ur destined in life to mess up at frank n dawgs
(5)John H.
Simply EPIC!! Great sausages, good prices, easy to get to location! A must!
(5)Alexa H.
Even coming in with some high expectations for the triple truffle fries, I came out loving this place. There are so many delicious-sounding combinations on this menu that it takes some extreme decision making to figure out what to eat. The boyfriend and I split three sausages: Brunch Dog, Turdoggin, and the Truffle Mac'N'Cheese. The first two have sausages made in-house but it really didn't matter. I couldn't imagine that a place that made such well thought out, balanced sausages could buy bad ones. And I was right! All the bites were not only scrumptious but they made you think about the food you were putting in your mouth. The plain fries were really good but the truffle fries are everything I have ever dreamed about. Many places overuse truffle in an attempt to make their fries "the most truffle-y." Even though these have truffle butter, truffle oil and truffle salt, they were perfectly balanced. It's the balance that makes Franks 'N' Dawgs stand out. I will definitely be back for more, especially when the outdoor dining section is open.
(5)Shirley L.
We tried the Krazy Kimchi, Frank'n Stein, Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese Dog, Le Cassoulet, and Turducken. My favorite was by far the Turducken. All the dogs together tasted great because of the diversity in flavor, although alone I would have considered the Kimchi dog my least favorite. Overall, the buns are in thick toast, similar to what you get with a Lobster Roll. This is why I ultimately prefer this place over Hot Doug's -- the buns are amazing and really help hold the dog and toppings. We also had two orders of the triple truffle fries which were amazing! We came at 730 PM on a Friday and there wasn't a line until a bit later. Overall, highly recommend if you're looking for a unique Chicago hot dog experience.
(4)Kerry C.
SO GOOD. For many reasons! 1. the ambiance. Seriously, a hot dog place w/ an ambiance. We went on an unseasonably warm October Friday night and it was empty (20 min before closing) and ate outside under xmas lights. Wish we would have known it was BYOB because it would have been perfect to sip our wine and eat our delicious dogs. 2. the food. We split the two Iron Dawgs- Ring around the Posey and Pig Latin. RATP was good- definitely more of a smokey, rich taste. While Pig Latin (I can see why it's the reigning champ) was knock your socks off good. Hard to get in one bite and I was unaware there was pork belly on it until I had an explosion in my mouth. Just speechless that you can get that flavor from a hot dog. And the buns are SO good! Not too much bread. We also split the truffle fries and I've never tasted waffles fries like that. 3. The service. I think we walked in and the owner was working, or else he was just some passionate employee! He helped us through the menu, explained the famous people pick-up tickets (I chose Snoop- obvi) and was in all, so nice and helpful. He directed us outside, came and checked on us, and again, reminded us of BYOB. In all, great experience. Happy I live so close (although my waistline may not be!). HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
(5)Ben R.
In a word, money! Everything here is fantastic. My favorite is the Epic Pork
(5)Mark C.
Super good fancy hot dogs....but you definitely pay for the fancy at an average price of around $9-10 just per dog. But, they are terrific. Service can be somewhat slow, but they are made to order. I'm a neighbor and hit it up for lunch about once every 6 weeks. They've got a small back patio as well for outdoor seating (albeit not much of a view of anything). Wish they were open later on Sundays.
(3)Sarah S.
I tried to go to this place while they were closed for remodeling so that was a FAIL.. I came for another visit and found them open YAY!! I had the kielbasa with the brussel sprout slaw.. both were AWESOME Service was very friendly and patient for newbies. it is a tad pricey for some items on the menu..but to offer such odditys like lobster dogs and turducken dogs... its worth the extra cost. I also sampled the truffle fries and thought they were yummy.. waffle fries are always a winner in my book.
(4)Bryan G.
Sometimes reading a menu can be deceiving. Specialized ingredients and distinct combinations don't always translate from paper. The total never equaling the sum of its parts. Franks was everything I thought it would be and more. The quality and care that is put into a sausage placed in a paper boat is almost crazy. I started slow by ordering the Cheese Head. It is a Sheboygan Brat with smoked Gouda, perfectly caramelized onions and sauteed portabella mushrooms. The bun was warm, slightly toasted on the outside and soft on the inside. Definitely the best brat I 've ever had. With cheese fries and a drink, it came in under $10. Perfect. Their more unique sausages looked equally delicious varying from duck to andoiulle. You can recognize a culinary method to their madness with choice toppings that correspond perfectly to the type of sausage. This will not be my last visit to Franks.
(5)Tim H.
Red beans are rice were great. The mystery corn dog sampler will make you love corn dogs. Pleasant service and good food.
(4)Wombat K.
Oder the Dawg flight and it included the brunch dawg, krazy kimchi and the tur-doggin and I upgraded the fries for the delicious super truffle fries. My favorite was actually the tur doggin dawg to my surprise, the sausage is really tasty on its own, my second favorite was the krazy kimchi and it was my boyfriend's favorite and he had to order a second dawg cause it was that good for him, the dawg is good with all it's component together but not just the sausage alone. My least favorite was the brunch dawg while it was good it was lacking something and I just couldn't put my finger on it. Over all it's a great place and you don't have to wait like at hot Doug's which is not that great anyway. I'll definitely come back here again. Btw the key-lime s'more is super yummy.
(4)Carolynne M.
With such a temperate name such as "Franks 'n' Dawgs", you would expect that sort of banality you'd get at some suburban hot dog stand, whose only lure is "we sell Vienna Beef dogs!" and offers up undersized meat on dry buns. If that is what you are hoping for, chum, I can direct you to any number of establishments in Vernon Hills or Rolling Meadows. However, THIS is no mere hot dog stand. This is what happens when trained chefs take the idea to the next level. About 20 different sandwiches await you - all of them with such delicious descriptions it was near impossible to choose. Since I am a sucker for anything with the word "spicy" in the title, I chose the Spicy Yucatan, which is a Pork & achiote sausage (made in house!), avocado, pickled habanero red onion, queso quesadilla cheese, deep fried tortilla strips & cilantro. My only complaint was that if there was any habanero or spice in this, I didn't detect it. However, while everything was delicious, the thing that put it over the top for me was the slightly charred New England lobster roll. Its been so long since I have had a lobster roll that it didnt occur to me what it was until later in the evening. But this bun is what pretzel rolls did for burgers. Thick, dense, almost Texas toast-like bread that holds up against any juicy ingredient. It is used in New England primarily for the lobster roll sandwich, which is a messy, dreamy delight of lobster chunks, herbed mayo and celery. So you know this bread can stand up to anything. However, just when I thought things could not get better, my beet salad arrived. Folks, even if you are a hater of the encased meat product, you need to come here for this. It is hands down the most incredible beet salad I have ever had. Roasted red & golden beets, arugula, pickled red onions, orange marmalade, champagne vinaigrette & chevre? Oh man, I would eat this every day if I could. Throw in a cute interior, with a super charming Aussie (who is perhaps the owner? Not sure, but I loved his passion and enthusiasm about all of the items on the menu) and prompt service? I am officially a fan!
(5)Steven F.
So went in for a duck confit dog, lyonnaise fries and a urbanbelly chix. Every dog bun was toasted to perfection. Confit was undercooked; Chefs, check your product! Sausage was nice, moist and emulsified well. Lyonnaise fries were mushy despite the fact they were eaten first. Flavor was good but there was a pool of vinaigrette at the bottom; unnecessary, serve on side if it's not a poutine jus. Urbanbelly had a nice sausage once again, moist and salted well. Aioli or some component had an aggressive amount of fish sauce. Should be 2.5 stars for buns alone but fries that can't stand up to a vin condemns to 2 stars. Check you food chef!
(2)Gabe M.
This place is great. My favorite hot dog place in Chicago. Great atmosphere. Great hot dogs. Their Chicagoan is a great chicago dog. The place that really makes it good are the sides. Not just fries, but an excellent brussels sprout salad. Really like it.
(4)TB H.
Cute fifties style diner with outside eating area. Staff very friendly. BYOB. Started with triple truffle fries. OMG good. You will actually take a bite then say "Oh My God". Tur-doggin - homemade date sausage, duck confit.,garlic aioli and pickled onion relish on a lobster roll. Bun toasted perfectly, sausage fantastic flavor not greasy or oily grilled to perfection with nice char. The duck confit just takes it over the top and relish gives nice balance to cut the richness. Hot dog $8.50. Worth every penny, don't tell but would even pay more. Some other high lights Lyonnasie fries, and the Black Sheep Dawg made out of lamb sausage. Another winner. Go online and check out the menu. Worth the drive, we came from the burbs and will go back. 2 Tur-doggins, Triple Truffle Fries about $24.00 combine that with sitting in outdoors and a few craft beers (remember BYOB) you will not be disappointed. Last minute decision went for the Sweet Home Chicago dessert Dawg. French toast, chocolate ice cream, fresh fruit, butter scotch sauc and cinn almonds. Only item that didn't impress. French toast and ice cream good mix but skimpy on the rest, only $5 but wouldn't order it again. TB H rating closest to 10 you can get. But desert fell flat and brought overall score to a 9.3
(5)Chris C.
A rarity for me: I have nothing bad to say about this place. The nice Australian approached us as we stood in the doorway looking lost. He gave us the rundown and assured us everything was wonderful. I was prepared for disappointment, but there was none to be found. Everything was great! We ended up getting the sampler that has 3 halves of three different sausages, and fries. It was more than enough to fill us up, and my wife and I were astounded at how tasty everything was. The fries were not exceptional, but I wasn't there for the fries anyway. Much better than Hot Dougs with no wait, and open during the evenings. I'll definitely be back here.
(5)Amary N.
Awesome dogs!! You get to look at the menu on their iPad. I love the ketchup spicy sauce that they serve. Staff are simply awesome. I don't which to pick, everything is good. You got to eat the hot dogs right away otherwise the bread will turn soggy. That could ruin your experience.
(5)Steve R.
We stopped in 01/18 based on the reviews. We ordered 5 dogs for our table to share, but the guy who wrote it down put down 6. When the order arrived, we were surprised. After we ate, we stopped back to thank the crew for the good dawgs. At that time the guy who made the error insisted we needed to pay for the extra dawg, even though it was his mistake. We were talking about how we were going to come back, but now we won't based on that. One of our group works in the business and said that this was a major faux pa, insisting the customer pay for their mistake.
(2)Mike S.
What a pretty neat concept. I came across this place while going to shop at Trader Joe's. I figured I would have one last hoot before eating healthy ;D What a good twist on an original hot dog. They really make it kinda fun for what would normally be just a walk-up, sit down joint. They give you a picture from the Hall of Shame to mark your table with for them to deliver the food to you. The franks are delivered with extravagant looking toppings. It might be 1/2 the reason why it's slightly overpriced, but still a fun place to go to. It's like someone took the idea of a Chicago dog and said, let's try to make it look magazine fancy. I got the Reuben Pulanski. It was hard to bite into, but when I could get all the tastes in one bite, it was pretty rockin.
(4)Helena G.
I was very curious about hot doug's (yes, I'm not American), so we went in this place to try some. The line was big but didn't take more than 20 minutes. I tasted the Bacon 'n' Grits, it was very good and very different from the conventional hot doug's. It has Bacon sausage, cognac glazed pork belly, fried leeks, puffed grits, grapefruit segments and julienned apples. We also ordered triple truffle fries, they have some freshly chopped herbs on top. They are very good! The owner is very nice and the staff too.
(4)Bowen W.
very good. lots combinations, all unique. i would go back again. the only reason i give it 4 starts instead of 5 is because I thought it was kind of expensive for hot dogs, even if they are more special than most hot dogs
(4)Tim W.
The idea is unique, making gourmet hot dogs, but it just wasn't that great. I like the criminal signs for each table and the fries were pretty good.
(3)Dennis L.
Finally! I have been wanting to visit Franks 'N' Dawgs for about a year now, and I finally made it happen. My wife and I visited for a quick lunch. I decided to go with the Flight of the Day in order to try a few different offerings. The flight came with mini versions of the 3 different dogs and fries. The day I made my visit, the three dogs were the Krazy Kimchi, Chicken Caesar, and Brunch Dog. All of the dogs were delicious, but the Brunch Dog stood out as the most unique and tasty. Seriously, how can you beat a pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, and fried egg drizzled with maple mayo! Simply amazing! I also liked the spicy ketchup options offered at the restaurant. I am a Heinz guy, but they had great flavors and worked great with the crispy french fries. I also had the opportunity to try the Chicagoesque Dog. It's a classic, but it is just plain good! Franks 'N' Dawgs joins Hot Doug's in my top two spots for dogs in Chi-Town.
(5)Mike D.
The Pepsi of gourmet hot dog joints. That being said save your time and your appetite for Hot Doug's. Don't get me wrong, the food was good but not great. The music was obnoxiously loud and the counter seating left something to be desired. All in all, to me its too similar to Hot Doug's and it has a sign clearly stating that they don't have a authentic Chicago style Dog! Worth a stop if you're nearby but not worth a special trip.
(2)Heather S.
I have eaten here a few times and the food was good but pricy. I am reducing my stars on my rating because they do not honor their deal on their charity hot dogs. The charity I am involved with never received their promised money and were treated quite rudely. I don't think they are doing their charity dog any more which is probably good but I will be taking my business elsewhere.
(3)Anna M.
Please let me start off by saying, I had theeeee most ORGASMIC hotdog experience ever at Franks N Dawgs!!! :O Before I go on trips, I make a list of all the restaurants I want to visit. And on every trip, I make sure to squeeze in a hotdog joint. Hotdogs are my favorite food. I wanted to visit Hot Doug's to try their foie gras dog and duck fat fries. Let's just say I'm glad they were closed that day or I wouldn't have stumbled upon this UH-MAY-ZING hotdog heaven. I spent close to $80 the two days I went there. Yes, two days in a row. I had to. Don't judge me. I have yet to find one that would top this place here in SF. So let me give you a breakdown of the hotdogs I devoured: Krazy Kimchi - Spicy beef sausage, braised short rib & turnips, kimchi, wild rice & basil........Creative. Awesome dog! China town Duck - Chinese 5 spice duck sausage, pickled lotus roots, scallion radish slaw & Mae Ploy chili sauce... reminded me of the duck confit bun from Chairman Bao food truck here in SF. Heavenly! Belly Up - Pork sausage, mustard glazed pork belly, pickled fennel & macerated grapes........ Hit the spot on the first bite!!! Mind-blowing! I had to have it twice. Yummmm! Brunch Dog - Pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo...... OMFGosh! Absurdly delicious!!!!!!! I had to come back the next day for this to make love to it all over again. Triple Truffle Fries - Yukon Gold waffle cut fries, truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle salt & freshly chopped herbs.........I love truffle on everything! Heavenly! Truffle Mac N Cheese - Parmesan béchamel sauce, white truffle oil, brioche bread crumbs & thyme.........so rich and so good! Lyonnaise Fries - Hand cut fries, braised pig cheek, arugula, poached egg & a dijon mustard vinaigrette.......I was so intrigued and had to have it. Braised pig was delish but I'm not sure if I loved the whole dish entirely. They make their own sausages. The atmosphere is not pretentious and everyone was fun and friendly. I can't wait to go back to Chi-town just to get another bite of Franks N Dawgs extremely pleasurable hotdogs ;)
(5)Donovan H.
I first experienced the food at Lollapalooza last year. I had a chili dog and it was amazing even on a hot day. I've been meaning to visit the restaurant since but seemed to be in the area when it was closed. By golly, I finally made it! The tricky thing about this place is the front door...or at least it was for me. The door is located down a hallway to the right of the building. Thank me later :) I decided on the same thing but added cheese on my fries this time. O M G...it was just as good if not better than at Lollapalooza. I will order the fries well done next time to get extra crip on them. The chili dog is sandwiched in garlic toast (mouth is watering now) and I loved ever single bite. I promise to try something different on the menu at my next visit. See you soon Franks N Dawgs!
(5)Travis P.
That bun! Those corn dogs! Amazing. Never would have out these toppings on the hot dog by myself. A great hot dog and great fries. A must if you are looking for a new twist on an old favorite.
(4)Raana A.
Franks N Dawgs is one of my favorite places to go when I'm not in the mood to cook and to indulge in a great meal. Triple truffle fries are one of my favorites, and their veal percik hotdog (date chutney, carrot- ginger aioli, cilantro and toasted almonds) doesn't have is like none other (that i've tried anyway). I 'd give this place another star if they had more non-pork options that compare to the veal percik. The other dog I tried, Tur-Doggin, was pretty good, but some of the other sides (truffle mac and cheese and the sprout salad?) didn't really blow me away. 5 star potential. Definitely worth trying!
(4)Douglas R.
If you are looking for a steamed-bun Chicago dog...go to hot doug's, wait in line, and enjoy. If you are looking for a unique, more flavorful, and sometimes entertaining fast-dining experience then by all means: head to Franks 'n' Dawgs. The good-humored staff can/will talk you through your first experience. I would recommend being adventurous. I was not in love with the cheese fries (real melted cheddar, i think), but the truffle fries are enough to make up for any perceived foul. Just look at the menu: franksndawgs.com/menu I dare you to find something that doesn't pique your interest. As far as unique, fresh, interesting fast food goes: one would be VERY hard pressed to find a better spot in our fair city. PS: don't take my 'Hoff card. (you'll see what I mean)
(5)Ted C.
The BEST fries I've ever had in my life....Triple Truffle fries. Mind you they were $5 for about 10 fries, but worth every penny! Oh, and the dawgs were pretty good too! We had the Chicken alla Naha, which was part of their traditional "smack down" dawgs, and it was great...I've never had a chicken dawg before. Also, being that we live in WI, we had to try the Cheese Head (onions, cheese, portabella on a brat)...by far the best brat I've ever had. I highly recommend this place, and look forward to my future visits!
(5)Dan D.
3.5 Stars. I've been visiting their website for some time now drooling over the pictures of their gourmet dogs. I finally got a chance to go here over the weekend. I got the Cheesehead Dawg, Triple Truffle Fries, and a drink. The dawg wasn't what I had expected. It was good, but not great. Their dawgs are served on a special "bun" that i would compare to a less garlicy, garlic bread. Overall, it looked better than it tasted The biggest draws for me was the Triple Truffle Fries. I've only had truffle fries at one other place, BIG & Little's, so it was nice to finally compare them to another place. Hands down, however, BIG & Little's reign supreme in the fries department. Not only are they cheaper, but each fry seems burst with truffle flavor. Not so with Frank 'N' Dawgs. Very impressed with the service. The guys behind the counter are so helpful and polite. This place is pretty pricey. My bill was a little over $13, but I will definitely come back here again because of their service and creativity with their food.
(3)Crystal F.
Haven't eaten in, but Franks 'N' Dawgs catered a friend's wedding! That might sound unusual, but it was a bit casual and so really enjoyable rather than a stuffy sit-down meal, or the old-school family-style arrangement. The dogs were absolutely delicious. I may have tried one of each (half-dogs) including the slammin' salmon and the tur-doggin--both gourmet dogs with great flavors. And the brussel sprouts salad was a great alternative to a slaw. I'd love to check out the location.
(5)Alan R.
The food is absolutely to die for. If the presentation was a bit better this is definitely a five. I ordered a kids hot dog that came with fries for my daughter and a Brunch dog for me. The served everything in the same to go container. Mine came with a fried egg on top. It turned over when I took it out and got all over everything else. Be warned that it can get a bit pricey here. The brunch dog was amazing. A maplesque sausage served with the fried egg, bacon bits, maple mayo on a french toast bun. It was between that and the pork sausage with pulled pork and bbq sauce. I also loved that their regular hot dog comes with a tomato relish instead of the customary chicago pickle relish. I can't stand the neon green. I definitely want to go back, but it was $15 for the entire meal. The fries were also among the best i've ever had.
(4)Nissan S.
Cute place. Owner was super nice and explained all of the gourmet hot dogs to us. It's a little on the $$$ side.
(3)Nick C.
To start off, if you're not ok with paying $9 for a hot dog, then you probably will not like this place. This is not a hot dog joint that sells cheap hot dogs. If you want to try amazing, culinary art hog dogs, then you have to pay the price. They do have a $4 hot dog, but why waste your time and money. Get one of their signature dogs. I had the Belly Up and Krazy Kimchi, which were the two the cashier recommended. The ingredients for each hot dog are amazing and one of a kind. I also love the buns as well. Yes, I paid $20 for two hot dogs, but don't regret it what so ever.
(5)Kelley F.
I am in love with everything here. The line can get a little long right at the lunch hour, so try a 2 or 3 o clock lunch. The truffle mac and cheese is to die for. The truffle fries amazing. The dawgs are so good, you must keep rtying the news ones. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it here.
(5)Todd A.
Gourmet custom dogs and sausages are the order of the day here. Fries are just ok, the chipotle ketchup rocked, but you can get it from their supplier, it's not their recipe. My girlfriend liked her Beet N'Brat but my Governator causes serious stomach distress from undercooked sausage or an employee sanitation issue which is not my idea of a good time. The table next to us were complaining about the truffle fries, not much truffle flavor, a rip off. I won't be back, can't risk it. Kinda pricey for what you get, Hot Dougs is much better and cheaper too.
(1)Natalie B.
What a funky and delicious place. Reuben Pulaski dog was amazing. Who could resist a potato pancake on a hotdog? Truffle fries were tasty and just the right amount of flavor. The Corn Dog was haute and awesome. I don't even like hotdogs that much (husband does) and I'm dying to return. Yes it was expensive but the innovativeness and taste were well worth it. Not expensive if you think of it as two meals, which it covered for us since we were so full.
(4)Chris R.
Went here with my girlfriend yesterday. I ordered the Brunch Dog (the one featured on Food Network and Travel Channel) and she ordered the Reuben Pulaski. Both were amazing! The bun was very fresh and baked that day. Top quality ingredients and interesting flavor combinations. We also ordered the Triple Truffle fries which were some of the best fries I've ever had. Amazing. The owner was very nice. We told him it was our first time there and he showed us pictures of all the various dogs on his iPad. Great atmosphere, dive-like. 5 stars!
(5)Tom W.
Went for the first time today. The food was great. I got the burger dog. Delicious. When I finally got it. There's the problem. The food came in fits and starts and took far too long. People who came in AFTER I ordered got their food first. And I was actually told that I had to wait until a delivery order was finished. And into that fact that a friend who ordered at the same time got his order a full 15 minutes before I did, and the fries I ordered came in 10 minutes before I acutally got the dog. The side dish is not supposed to come in that much earlier than the main item. The fact that my friends were halfway finished with their meal by the time I got mine just rubs it in more. It tasted great. But with that kind of service, which I've seen improved on by Hardee's, I'm not in any hurry to go back.
(2)Rob S.
This place is excellent. The tripple truffle fries are a must! They are supurb. To the point when I went for lunch, and again for dinner just to get the fries. The sausages are unique and are topped well. The bun is also unique, light, but fulfilling in the bread to sausage ratio. Plus, they have an interesting method in identifying your table, but I wont spoil that suprise. And they serve Goose Island root beer which I really like as well. Two thumbs up to franks n dawgs!
(5)Chris K.
A bit overpriced, but the quality of the food here is high and more along the line of gourmet/experimental. Definitely a nice twist to the traditional hot dog, but it's questionable the food here would even be classified as a dog. Yes, I know it's basically encased meats that would warrant the usage of the name "dog," but I think that's a technicality I don't care to follow. Either way, the food here is delicious and definitley fit for a foodie or anyone else, who enjoys good food.
(4)Thomas R.
Had an excellent 5-spice duck sausage with really great garnish/condiments. Also the truffled mac & cheese was very tasty but not at all hot... too early in the day I think. Super friendly place with a hugely creative menu. I'm sufficiently tantalized by the variety of the menu and its creativity to return again and again.
(4)Sarah G.
A-MAZ-ING. Great sausages. Great price. Couldn't be happier with this place!
(4)meghan s.
Best hot dog place I have ever been. The buns are fantastic!! I got the chicken cesar and it was amazing and healthy. It was a chicken sausage with lettuce, croutons, and cesar mayo. It is also nice to have such a quick service and friendly environment. It really made my dining experience joyful. Also, they do not let you clean up your own food. The employees come around and gather your garbage.
(5)Shaina S.
Being a vegetarian, it is difficult to find a restaurant that has something catered to vegetarians. I am used to the frozen veggie burger that many restaurants serve. Other places serve veggie dogs that are usually boring and taste plain. The first time i ate at Franks n Dawgs, of course i ordered the FU Dawg (vegetarian dawg) and OH MY GOSH was it good. It was soo tasty with all of the toppings that they put on the yummy marinated tofu. The grilled eggplant and portabello mushrooms add so much flavor and the salsa verde is amazing! This place is just too good and the atmosphere is beautiful and comfortable. Such friendly staff, gorgeous, colorful and tasty sausages, and a five star chef! who could ask for more?
(5)Chris B.
These guys are trying too hard and getting the little things wrong. If Hot Dougs is not making all their sausages in-house, who cares, they are wonderful, who ever is making them. Always easy to eat and you never have to dismantle his work and eat it with a fork. Frank 'N" Dawgs is another story. The Mystery Corn Dawg was one of the weirdest meals I have had in a while. The corn had an odd texture slippery and while it tasted fine, it also didn't have the deep fried crunch you expect with a corn dog, Texas State Fair or Haute. The biggest problem was the sausage. A brat-like sausage with a casing so thick, I couldn't even bite through it. I was starving so I had to dismantle the whole thing and had to squeeze the meat out the casing. Ok, so if this is a homemade sausage, great, but make it so it can be eaten like a hot dog. I needed a steak knife and a fork to eat the damn thing properly. I also had the dirty dog. Sausage was a little easier to eat but not much. You could not possibly wrap your mouth around this thing and eat it. It just isn't possible. Well, maybe a porn star could do it. The bun was good but not the right size for a hot dog. Also, I had to dismantle the damn thing in order to eat it. Ended up leaving 1/4 of it in the box. Fries were good. And so was the mustard you got with the Mystery Corn Dawg. Don't forget the basic stuff here guys. Get the simple stuff perfected and then move on. If Hot Doug's does anything right, is that he never forgets the basics.
(2)Mike Q.
Awesome flavors, very creative dogs & sausages, very customer-focused guys/owner. You must eat here, you will not regret it.
(5)Gilbert G.
"I am not impressed with your performance" - GSP I should have had the Brunch Dog.
(3)Bitty B.
First time fantastic. 2nd time - my Chicagoesque Dog was good, but the fries were soggy with no flavor.
(3)Jewel L.
We ate there quite by accident. In Chicago for a weekend, my friend and I were shocked that every hot beef place was closed on Sunday. We were driving towards Armitage, and saw the sign. My friend walked up to the window and said they are not Vienna...go look, and see if you want to give it a try, we will. We were both hungry, and it looked lively, full of people, the food looked good, and ok, let's try a different take on the normal Chicago dog. I tried the Summer Feast, and it was just ok. I'd never order it again taste-wise....a traditional Chicago dog has more flavor. My friend went the normal route, and was very disappointed from the pickles to the dog itself. The truffle fries were great....but later we both got sick. I was sick until the next day. I say go elsewhere.
(1)Victor M.
Lamb sausage was AMAZING! Place could use a little more work when it comes to the decor. Fries were also great.
(4)Tony G.
I have had lunch here many times as they are so gracious as to give us Apple employees a discount, and I have to say they are probably the most amazing hot dogs ever, the bun itself is ridiculously awesome, I could go and order just a bunch of buns and be happy.
(5)Tiffany D.
I EFFIN LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!!! OMG! I went last week and got the Charity dog, which was a bratwurst with truffle mac-n-cheese parm cheese and brioche bread crumbs...first anything with truffles in has my money, but this....this idk what to call it but it was heaven in my mouth!!!!! The fries were perfect!! And I was full for my entire 6 hour shift after (amazing cuz usually 2 hours in Im STARVING). But I saw they had ,get this, TRIPLE TRUFFLE FRIES! So I made it my mission to go back on a Saturday and get them....OMG! It was better than sex!!! It is a bit pricey....but its soooooo worth it. They staff now knows me by name because I went everyday since the first day. I havent had the simple hot dogs because there are sooo many options with soooo many topping, and simple isnt in my nature....but its a MUST TRY!!! Go eat indulge!!!!
(5)Carly G.
I went here last night after work for a quick bite with the boyfriend and his friend. Great choice! I'm always good for a classic hot dog with everything on it! Franks n Dawgs over achieves by far. I only had cash for a regular dog, but the man at the counter (I want to say his name is alexander) overheard me talking to my boyfriend about wanting the Chicagoesque. He upgraded me and threw in a drink. What a sweetheart, and very personable! He explained about all of the gourmet ingredients, their special (and over the top buns that are the most unique) as well as make us feel so welcome. The decor was great too. Clean and inviting, (trust me I have seen hot dog stand owners botch this kinda thing before) they even have a private back patio. Onto my hotdog: the "Chicagoesque" I have never had anything like it. The hot dog itself was fresh and bursting with flavors and was fresh. Not sitting in dog water all day. There was a perfect amount of sauteed onions, crisp pickles and a spicy brown mustard. The topper, my favorite part was the bun. It actually had the sport peppers baked inside the bun. Incredible! Now I know "Hot Dougs" is unbeatable, but this place has the right idea as well. Both are unique, both are delectable. I will end by saying this, I will be trying every dog on the menu.
(5)Cindy R.
As the daughter of the hot dog king of Montreal, I know my hot dogs! We took our kids and another little friend after soccer in early November. Other than the wait, the food was awesome...the hot dogs were divine and the fries were great too. One of the kids wanted a hamburger, it came on a bun, but was no plain jane hamburger, it was delicious!
(5)Marshall G.
This is the newest contender for the best specialty dog/sausage in Chicago. And it may soon be the best if they can successfully execute their vision. When I walked in, they told me they were closed. But they hadn't really started to put everything away so they said they'd serve me. It was between the duck/pork or the veal sausage and the two guys behind the counter both recommended the veal with date chutney, carrot ginger mayo, and cilantro. The guy reached for the sausage, paused, and went in back and grabbed a better piece. Then seared it. They use a top-loader bun with the side crust shaved off. It's buttered and toasted like a lobster roll as the sausage cooks. I chatted with the guys. They are passionate about sausages of all kinds. The finished product was excellent. Really good combination of savory, spicy, sweet, and texturally dominant compared to any of the other local spots. They went through 10 bakeries before settling on the bun and it was worth the effort. There is a special concocted by a local high-end chef and each month they will have a new guest chef create a new dog. The customer service was helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable... and it's just a hot dog joint. It's a new spot but as long as their operation stays tight and clean, this may become the new go-to location for specialty dogs.
(5)Ryan H.
Last night I had the 1/4 pound Chili Cheese Hot Dog - holy crap was it good! The fries were also awesome! I highly recommend this place - forget Hot Doug's and the circus of that place. This place is better - there will or should be lines out the door soon! I can't wait to try other items on the menu - from the looks of all the reviews it doesn't look like I can go wrong with anything I choose on the menu!
(5)Arthur D.
Avoid the $20 lobster roll. Way too overly priced for what you get which is simply lobster meat on toast and that's it. My standard for lobster roll is Pearl Oyster Bar's (on Cornelia St. NYC) for the quality, flavor, and the fixings (a generous portion of shoestring potatoes and a side salad). It costs $30 but worth $30 unlike FND's $20 lobster roll thats bleh and should be priced $7.50. Friend also ordered FND's cheese fries for $2.50 and he said it tasted as bad as it looked. We'll probably check out FND for its regular offerings - but not anytime soon.
(1)Peter M.
Had the Chicagoesque. Wonderful set of flavors. Fabulous fries. A little pricey, though.
(4)Chris C.
The buns are outrageously awesome. I just wish the flavors were more balanced. I'm sure it will only get better with time. I am a fan of the Foss dog.
(4)Mike T.
I will definitely go back and try the other dogs, but for my first visit, I was not terribly impressed with the $9 Black Sheep and the $9.50 Belly Up. I was mildly impressed for the price. I shared some of the food with my family and they enjoyed the bun, as did I. It was unique, buttery, and tasty. The Black Sheep, a lamb sausage, was good, with onion slaw being a bit strong, but I'm not sure what ingredient was worth the price? Perhaps $7 would have been more reasonable, but if all of the ingredients were fresh and higher end, I suppose that is what you pay for. A good experience, nonetheless. The Belly Up was another pricey one, with only a small sliver of pork belly, but it was good. Definitely worth a try and a good use of flavors. I also ordered the Triple Truffle Fries for $5, which were tasty, but the portions were small and I expected more of the oil to drip off the waffle fries. I also expected more visible herbs, but maybe it wasn't mixed up as well or they skimped off all of the ingredients. The side door and front exit door of the restaurant confused me and made me look sort of stupid as I wandered around the restaurant, but that is ok. I think if I visited this place a couple of more times and tried other things, I may bump up the score to 5 stars. Great potential.
(3)James S.
Words fail me. Everybody should at least try this place, fantastic.
(5)D L.
Outstanding hot dogs. Very creative combinations, with quality meats/toppings.
(4)Laura M.
this place is soooo good!! I am a san francisco local, and hot dogs are not local fare. i might munch on a wiener with ketchup at a tail gate party, but this is absolutely no comparison! not only is everything freshly made, baked, and served in-store, but the choices are so much fun! I cant even remember what the name of my dawg was, but the beef was delicious, with fresh coleslaw n pickles on a freshly baked and toasted bun! WOW! the missing star is because it was almost overwhelming trying to choose 1 dawg to go with my truffle fries and fried green tomatoes along with a Goose Island root beer. I will go out of my way to make a pit stop here next time im in chi town! oh, and Joe was there taking and serving orders.. what a cutie!
(4)Jen E.
Why is there a line a block long at Hot Doug's when this place exists? We walked right in and had plenty of time to decide what to get. As we were deliberating, the owner explained everything on the menu and helped us decide on two dawgs that we didn't regret. Bf got the brunch dawg and I got the spicy yucatan...plus we shared an order of the truffle fries. AMAZING! While I did enjoy mine, I think I liked the brunch dawg better. I was nervous about it being to sweet with the maple mayo, but it was amazing! Never did I think I'd be able to say that I would be content eating a hot dog for brunch, but I totally would! Bottom line: Brunch Dawg and truffle waffle fries are a must!
(5)James C.
I have to admit that I was excited when I heard about this place so I raced on over at 3pm on a rainy Wednesday and found myself looking at their menu that had fancy ingredients. That's the fad right? Take something simple and add super expensive ingredients to give it that "on steroids" kind of feel to it. Me and my buddies ordered the Foss Hog (the one with the egg), dirty dog (andouille with rice), and bloody mary dog (i dunno what this one was but it wasn't that good). Foss hog was super salty. The egg is always a good touch but I think I might be getting sick of everyone putting an egg on it to reel me in to buy... cause it always works... you bastards. The sausage was SUPER salty to the point where my chili cheese fries tasted bland. I probably won't get this one again purely cause it still feel like i have a block of salt in my mouth. Dirty dog was exactly the way I expected. The rice doesn't work on a hot dog... it makes it too mushy and it takes away from the flavor of the whole thing and makes it taste more like a burrito. Bloody Mary dog... i dunno. the bread was too much. it's like this tiny sausage (that's what she said) in this giant bun. had olives (i think) and other crap in it... not very good for me but I can see how other people could like it. I'd give this place a try again and order something else but i have to say, i'm disappointed. It really did remind of the equivalent of kuma's corner - big giant dogs with crazy toppings that in the end makes your food taste like a mixture of everything. FnD is to Kumas as Hot Dougs is to DMK. If you haven't tried DMK burgers, check it out... it made kuma's obsolete in my mind. Sorry guys but I wanted to really like you but I can't just yet. I'll come back tho to give the other ones a try after the salt in my mouth is gone.
(3)Eric P.
I stopped by Franks N Dawgs over the weekend and was impressed by their N'awlins dog. The service, bun and truffle fries are still amazing. However, the fries are so rich that I won't be getting them unless I can share them. I guess I could only eat half by myself, but they are so good I know I won't be able to stop.
(4)lauren w.
Triple Truffle Fries. Do it. This place is great. No long lines like other gourmet encased meat places. Just really great gourmet hot dogs.
(5)Samantha L.
I liked Franks N Dawgs but I have to admit it wasn't love. I also have to admit that I have never been to Hot Doug's, but maybe it's a good thing that my review isn't a comparison. I ordered the tur-dawkin. I thought that the turkey and date sausage was awesome. I agree with some of the other yelpers, there was kind of too much going on with the whole thing. The duck confit was pretty greasy, especially with the garlic aioli, and the pickled onion carrot combo thing on top, well, wasn't good. I just didn't like it. Thinking about it now, the first few bites I took were great, then as you keep eating you get all the different flavors and they just didn't go together that well. And it was too much grease, I only ate half and I felt kind of sick. I am giving three stars because even though I didn't particularly like the dawg I got I still think that it is a decent place. The toasted buns are awesome! and worth going back for. My coworker got a jumbo dog with their Guinness mustard and grilled onions, it was great, so next time I will go with that.
(3)Valerie S.
Gourmet sausages - delicious! This is not your average hotdog stand. If you're looking for a regular Chicago dog do not come here, but if you're looking for the best gourmet sausage you have ever had - come! The service is great. They are super nice...and for what you get it is an AMAZING value!
(5)Heather G.
I can't say enough great things about this place. Went with a friend for dinner and from the minute we walked in we both looked at each other and knew we'd already be coming back before we ordered. The menu is a little overwhelming - not because there is a ton to chose from, but because everything sounds so interesting - it's hard to decide. So we asked the gentleman at the register, who turned out to be the owner, Alexander (I'll get to how great he is later). He recommended we split the dawg flight, and add one more full dawg on. The flight that day included the Black Sheep, Turdoggin & China Town Duck - to be honest, none of which I would have ordered had I not felt adventorus - but ALL of which I loved! Naturally, we upgraded the fries that come in the flight to truffle (delish) - and we added on the Truffle Mac & Cheese dawg. We split everything and there was not one thing I ate that I didn't enjoy. The Black Sheep probably ended up being my favorite - great flavor with the pear slaw on top of the lamb sausege. My friend and I sat outside and the owner ended up chatting us up, constantly brought us refills and could not have been any nicer. He's the kind of person who will remember you after just one visit. They close at 7:30, but my friend and I were having such an enjoyable time we sat outside until about 8:15 and never felt pressured to leave. Overall a casual and delicious dining experience. Great place to take out of towners to try something new.
(5)Eldiva S.
My husband had the beef corn dogs & their fries... We both thought the fries were fine. The beef dogs are from Boar's Head-good brand but we expected it to be made on site(like a homemade dog)since it's the "5 Star meal on a bun" concept...so we were disappointed at that. The corn dog batter was tasty though.... One Disturbing Thing - Didn't like that while the chubby kid behind the counter was putting fries into a costumer's order he was also eating them!!!!! WEIRD! Who does that???!!! PLEASE at least wait till after you're done serving and munch all you want- idiot! GROSS Also didn't like that their veggie dog is not a dog at all - but just marinated tofu in a bun. I have a problem with that since it's a hot dog place and I wanted my veggie dog made into a corn dog which they obviously couldn't do... so that was also disappointing and I didn't order it-it's more like a sandwich, not a hot dog. Overall- the concept is cute, but the menu was not appealing to us and we expected things to be more creative, homemade, thoughtfully presented, executed, etc. So if you want a step up from a plain dog-I am sure this will work for you. I think Hot Doug's does a better job of "the 5 star meal on a bun" concept and we will continue to visit them when we want a tasty & creative dog...and they have an actual "veggie" dog!
(1)Matthew U.
Amazing. Just simply amazing.
(5)John S.
I've driven by this place numerous times, and finally had the opportunity to try it out for lunch today. I had the "Burger Dog" and have to say, it was absolutely delicious. Had it along with the fresh cut (and very crispy) french fries, which were quite good as well. Like Hot Doug's? Hate the wait? This is your place!
(5)donna y.
I recently had the burger dawg and it was DELISH! I was intimidated at first by the texas toast-like bun... didn't know how to jam that in my mouth.. but it was surprisingly soft. The meat was also very juicy (it could've been oil) but I enjoyed every bit of it.. It's a bit pricy for dawgs but worth it once in a while.
(4)John B.
Spectacular!!! I had the Lamb Keema. Fantastic! The person working ( I assume the owner) was very pleasant, helpful and thorough. My large, large friend had the chili dog and was quite satisfied. I highly recommend it and would definitely come back again!!
(5)Joanne S.
Wow what an interesting restaurant. We went since we had seen it on Bizarre Foods tv program. I couldn't believe I never noticed it before. I have walked passed it several times. For our first round my brother had the Black sheep, mom had the burger dawg and I got the mystery corn dog. We all tried each others. The best in that round was the Black sheep and then the burger dawg. I didn't realize that the corn dog was not a signature house made sausage so it was okay. We also order the triple truffle fries. They were good. Since we were there we decide to go for a second round. We got the Tur-doggin and the Spicy Yucatan and the truffle mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was so amazing creamy and fragrant with truffle. The tur-doggin was different. I am not used to having lots of stuff of my dogs but for these you need it. It adds a complexity to the dog. The buns they use are really good. The Spicy Yucatan was good but didn't seem to spicy to me. For the second round I would go with the Tur doggin and then the spicy Yucatan. My Brother and mom would probably say the opposite. The only negative is the store is small and doesn't have a lot of tables. We had got there probably just in time for lunch rush making it harder to get a table. We had to eat at the stools first but for the second round go to move to a table. If I am in the area I would probably go again but parking in that area is hard. I had to use my secret parking spot but it is a little far from the restaurant. I would suggest going with the house made sausages.
(4)Alli N.
Amazing truffle fries. I have yet to have a hot dog here I have enjoyed, however. I ordered a Chicagoesque and was treated to half of a hot dog (yes, a hot dog cut in half - I didn't realize expecting a full one would asking for too much), a surplus of caramelized onions and not-yet-pickled pickles. For roughly $30, not worth it. Ok... maybe for the fries. But that's it!
(2)Ndamukong S.
Fantastic gourmet dogs. Beware, the menu is overwhelming but only because everything sounds delicious. The Kimchee dog was great; the truffle mac n cheese was solid; the mystery mini corn dogs were solid. The place has a nice backyard patio area, it is BYOB, all of the workers were very nice...the only thing I'd do different is get 2 dawgs instead of 1 dawg and basically 2 sides.
(5)dave h.
Quick review: good to very good, but not as good as Hot Dougs.* More in depth review: I've eaten at FnD about 6 or 7 times now, so I think I've gotten a pretty good idea what this place is about, So, I'll break it down for you like this: Buns: this is the one category where FnD beats every other dog place in town. These are lightly griddled brioche buns, almost like unsweetened French toast. Really unbelievable, and the best part of these dogs. I'd make a visit here just for a plain dog on these wonderful buns. The Sausages: FnD has made a big deal of distinguishing itself from Hot Dougs because its sausages are made in-house. However, I don't care where they're made, so long as they taste good, and I've found the sausages to be a mixed bag. Some have been excellent: especially the Veal Percik. Others have been flat out gross. I sampled the mystery corn dog, and the sausage casing was so thick that it wouldn't break off. As a result, every bite ended with a flaccid piece of dead skin hanging over the edge of the dog. Not appealing at all. Toppings/Combos: again, a mixed bag. Some I loved. The veil percik is the best I've had at FnD, and on par with some of Hot Doug's best. Unfortunately it's not a permanent member of the menu. Others, just meh. It seems like a lot of the varieties rely upon some form of pickled vegetable. I'm not against pickling per se, but it does tend to overwhelm the flavors in some of the dogs. Hot Dougs may seem like a hodge podge, but there's really a method to the madness that is pure genius. I've probably been to HD's about a 100 times. You could amputate a couple of my fingers on one hand, and I could still count the number of times I had something that was less than great at HD's. Fries: Pretty good, but every time I've gone they've had a different variety so it's tough to gauge. Nothing to blow you out of the park though. Best fries in the city are still at Suzies. Service: Has been excellent until my last visit. I got there Saturday afternoon, and the line was short (only two small groups in front of me). However, it took nearly a half an hour to get my order in and get the sausage to my table. I'll chalk this up to an anomaly though. Shit happens at every restaurant, and the service has otherwise been stellar. Also, I've never had to deal with any Hot Doug-esque lines...so that's a huge plus. The fact that you can consistently get one of these gourmet sausages, within about 10 minutes, is truly great. So that's it. I definitly would recommend making a trip for any sausage connoisseur * I know it's probably not fair to compare FnD to Hot Dougs, but the comparisons are inevitable, and provide a great bench mark for reviewing.
(3)fabiola b.
I love the FRIES! The hot dogs are very unique in taste. You must be prepared to think out of the box! I ordered a completion dog called "just in case" it was OK I guess I was not expacting the poblano pepper and Quezo fresco to be in the sausage. Also the vinegar was a little to much for my taste buds. My husband got a sotherb dog delicious! It has corn bread, BBQ and the meat was very smoky. My mother-in- law had the Frank and beans I think I will order that next time. It was also delicious with baked beans on top! My son who is 1 loved his plain hot dog with fries! They were so nice they gave us a free drink for him! Next time I'm in the mood for unique hot dogs I'll be heading there.
(4)R R.
So my boyfriend and I have been talking about going here since it was featured on Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimerman.. As the vegetarian in the relationship, I was excited tom see they had a veggie dog option. We went there on a Thursday evening and was surprised to see no lines or packed seating like on the show. We ordered based on the pictures on the display Ipad on the counter. (cool!). To start the portion is large, so you only need one, especially if you order fries or the Truffle mac and cheese. My boyfriend, got the Black Sheep (based on what was featured on Bizarre Foods). He was not overly impressed and felt there was too much bread. He thought the bun was more Texas Toast than hot dog bun. I got the only Veggie option, The Fu (Marinated tofu with grilled eggplant relish, caramelized portabellas, Italian salsa verde & chèvre). It was good. I could not finish it because it was too big and the verde was a little overwhelming). The Mac and Cheese was very good but again it is heavy so share it between 2 people. Overall, the experience was ok. I think we went in with inflated expectations and we were slightly disappointed. But we will be back for that truffle mac and cheese! If you want to have a gourmand experience in a hot dog, this may be you place ; but it you want an old fashion chitown style dog in meat and veggie options, there are better choices in the city. Happy Hot dog hunting! Chitown Veg Gal
(3)James O.
I've slowly been eating my way through the menu, and have loved everything I've tried so far. The food is entertaining as well as delicious. Strong recommendation.
(5)Eric H.
Best new food on the market. When I looked at the menu I had no idea what to get, but the guy behind the counter made some suggestions and I end up picking the Spoiled Brat. Unbelievable. Fries were awesome and they make those on the premise as well apparently as they do the sausage. Everything was extremely fresh and creative, including the staff. They're definitely on to something here. Now if they would only add pie to the menu.
(5)Bob D.
We've been here twice in the past two months and will be a regular here. The sausages are great, and the fries (both truffle and cheese) shouldn't be missed. The buns really bring everything together.
(5)Adam K.
I have been here, I wanted to see if it is like hot dougs.or worse, or better, it seems like its more improved, and I hate waiting 1 hour for hot dougs in the snow. Plus I live near here. sorry doug, new kid on the block. After eating here, its obvious that hot Dougs is in trouble. Even tho it seems like this guy is tryin to rip off hot Dougs in every way. I cannot stress enough the importantance of ordering the right thing, to start, try the Chicagoesque. It has all the trappings of a traditional Chicago style dog but a gourmet twist that does not leave u feeling like u jst ate at blackbird, I scarfed mine quickly. I also recommend the spicy duck, which, while not spicy, is as tasty as a Vietnamese sandwich from bon bon (c my review of bon bon on north ave). When I first reviewed this place I got the rueben polanski which was too heavy and over powering. If your here try something simple like the two dogs I suggested and u will not b disappointed. I will b back. Also the truffle fries are unreal.
(4)Tess G.
We just got home from Franks n Dawgs and I am not going to be able to say enough good things in this one review. First time there tonight and Alexander, the owner, could not have been more helpful. Everything looks good on the menu so it is difficult to choose. My boyfriend and I went with the Brunch (a must) and the Belly Up (another must). They were so accomodating and split both of them for us and even let us try a sampling of truffle fries.....because we also ordered the cheese curds and the fried green tomatoes....but everyone said the truffle fries are amazing and they are! The egg was cooked perfectly on the Brunch and the grapes combined with the pork belly on the Belly Up make it so delicious. I love cheese curds (breaded in panko bread crumbs) and these are some of the best I have ever had---definitely worth a try. The other nice thing is the portions are perfect to share. Between the amazing food and the outstanding customer service, this is somewhere I will be telling others about and taking people back to as well. Even after just one time and based on others reviews....Im sure everything is great on the menu!
(5)Dan S.
2nd best high end hot dog spot. Still excellent, but sorry, hot dougs the original place with this concept wins.
(5)Christopher J.
This place was great, if you are in the neighborhood you need to drop on by, and I would say it is worth going out of your way. I had their duck/pork sausage dog, the clever name escapes me at the moment. It had pieces of crackling, carrot slaw and pineapple on top. It looked great and tasted fantastic. The Spoiled Brat was great too, both sausages were cooked perfectly. It was not busy at all, so I wonder what it will be like when the line is getting crushed and there is a line out the door. The buns were more the New England style, no crust on the sides, so they are very conducive to buttering and browning the outside of the bun. This is a great idea and seems to resonate with the previous reviews. Why bother to butter and toast the inside of a bun if you are going to cover it in sauce...Franks N Dawgs are spot on with this nice touch. As for the duck dog, the only thing I would add is a touch of mayo spiced with some sriracha Rooster sauce, that would have made the dog an unhinged masterpiece. The fries were good, but not off the chart, so save space and order three dogs and split them with a friend for an improvised tasting menu.
(4)Dan N.
Seeing this place on the Food Network, combined with rave reviews from several friends, I was pretty pumped to try Franks 'N Dawgs, to say the least. Really cool place, unique, housemade sausages, a menu that's always changing, and an on-going gourmet sausage competition make this place really one-of-a-kind. I had to try the "Brunch Dawg" (formerly known as the "Foss Hog"), since that's what I had seen on TV. It was good, don't get me wrong, but I'm not so sure that I'd order it again (it's one of those things that I've never really seen anywhere else, so you gotta try it, right?). The bun and the maple dressing and sausage were amazing, I'm just not sure I'm a huge fan of that ingredient combination on my dawg. I also had the "triple truffle fries" which were delicious, although I expected to find actual truffle shavings on my fries, which I did not. I'm definitely anxious to get back here to see what else this place has got to offer!
(4)Laura R.
Great, helpful staff. Triple Truffle fries were awesome, as well as the whole hot dog (or sausage, depending on which option) experience. Definitely going back!
(4)Katy M.
We had Franks 'n' Dawgs last year at Lollapalooza and LOVED IT. So when we were shopping in Lincoln Park today, we decided to pop in. Mistake...it was one of the worst dining experiences I've had since moving to the city. The guy who took our order was a jerk - he was contentious about EVERY thing we ordered. My boyfriend had seen a picture of the chili dog in the hallway, but when he ordered it we were informed that Franks 'n' Dawgs is a gourmet restaurant and all employees have fine dining experience, so they don't serve "chili dogs" - then why advertise it? I ordered the fried green tomatoes and they were only okay. Will not be returning.
(1)Nicholaus H.
Damn!!! Truly exceptional in every way. I was of the mindset that you don't mess with our perfect Chicago hot dog. I am now a complete convert. I went on a Thursday around 3 and had no wait. My friend ordered the breakfast style dog and my girl got the crazy Kim chi, My boy inhaled his so I presume he was pleased. I tried the Kim chi dog and that one may be my favorite, however the govenator was amazing as well. I started with the Yucatan because of my addiction to habeneros, awesome! Upon ordering, the owner, Alexander complemented us on our choices as we had selected all sausages made in house. the execution of everything was flawless, perfect balance of perfectly prepared ingredients. After demolishing the first round we all decided that we needed more. As we heaped praise upon Alex we told him that we were all fine dining servers. He brought us out the best baked beans that I have ever had made with root beer and had a nice spice to them. He also brought out a beet, arugula and goat cheese salad that I loved even thought I hate all those items alone. The Brussels spout slaw is also tasty and unique. Simply put a must hit . I am spoiled with food daily as I am an aspiring chef and work at Bennys Chop house. This place has some of the best food I have eatin in years.
(5)Brad Z.
get the turdoggen, you won't be disappointed. i got the dog flight, it was good but i really wished i just had 1 big turdoggen, that crispy duck confit and herb garlic aioli def made it.
(4)Matt G.
I was hoping for a less-crowded Hot Dougs, and instead got sick. I went with my wife, and was very excited. I ordered the "Mystery Corn Dog", of which I should've been more leery of the title. It was a polenta-encased mystery sausage. The Corn-dog part was disgusting: it tasted like flavorless, fried cream of wheat around a greasy sausage. The sausage was horrendous. Crunchy (in the middle, not the outside), and a flavor of mashed meats. I assume it was a spicy veal sausage, but never got an answer. My wife got a jumbo dog, which was fine I guess. Anyway, it made me sick, and I usually have an iron stomach. It's taking a lot of will power to write this review, and not gag just thinking about it! Thye need to do their research on what tastes good together; not just put fancy ingredients together because they sound fancy. Just go to one of the million Vienna Beef stands, and you'll be better off. Or, just stick with Doug's, and you can never go wrong.
(1)David L.
my review will be compared to hot dougs since my go to spot for gourmet sausages was closed during xmas break. pretty small joint but has character and clean. sausages: A- wide selection of sausages and also cool they have local chefs battle like iron chef on new sausages. tried the turkey dinner and also the mac n cheese dawg. turkey was interesting with actual turkey and carrots on top. very creative and tastey. mac n cheese dawg was aite..good sausage but jus mac n cheese on top of it. Buns: A+ they use a texas toast like bun that is lightly buttered and toasted. this is awesome and better than the simiple bun at hot dougs Fries: B tried the normal cheese fries..the cheese was stuck on the paper plate and fries were pretty standard but nothing spectacular overall it's a great place for sausages and rivals with hot dougs (still my #1 sausage spot). prices are comparable (about $6 for a dawg) but still spend about $10-$15 when you order fries and a drink.
(4)William L.
One line summary : Fundamentally this is a good place, however, the main problem with it (among some glaring flaws) is that it doesn't make the concept of the gourmet hot dog its own and lack of individuality hampers these creative chefs more than any limitation to a certain form of food (more on this later). Assuming it has no competitors I would still find some pros and cons. The pros are solidly there, the management is very good, there is good patter, attention to detail in service, and a good conveying of the concept. I fundamentally believe that the chefs can produce a quality product. Similarly the bun is exceptional and the truffle fries are exceptional - especially the fry part (more on this). These pros should be experienced, and yes I would go back for the truffle fries. However I do have some issues with the concept itself - it borrows too much at times and at other times how it borrows is confusing. Case in point - The "Iron Chef" competition supposedly pits two chefs creations against each other. However, and this is a big however for foodies, this is not really a well structured, let alone a faithful competition. Simply you don't get to see what the guest chefs can do since they use different "main ingredients" and thus the intrigue is lost. Similar things can be said about the incorporation of stars within the theme, the reinvention of the Chicago dog, and a few minor issues. A more major problem is the disconnect in the notes of the hot dogs/sausages and their toppings. This major flaw means a few things - first and most importantly that irrespective of the quality of the ingredients, or the care in producing those ingredients, a "sandwich" is produced that seems like it might as well be a salad with an afterthought of meat. Ironically, this is apparent in contrast to the Chicago hot dog whose "dragged through the garden approach" produces a cohesive melding of meat and vegetables lacking here. Second, the main premise "the best handcrafted gourmet hot dogs and sausages bar none" fails when you dissect the sandwich. Taste the encased meats by themselves and at times (not all the time) you will find them bland, unremarkable, and not as expected. This becomes readily apparent when comparing it to what should be its competition - Paulina Meat Market (among dozens of other local shops). The sausages and dogs should be able to stand on their own in all their naked glory. Third, lets talk about the two common sides the fries and the beans. Those fries, no not the truffle fries, the regular fries that supposedly come out of the same kitchen as those truffle fries. To be kind they are limp, and unevenly seasoned. They are remarkable but not in a good way. Yet in the beans we find the real crux of the problem with the business - a lack of cohesion and focus on a vision. The beans have variety, they are somewhat exotic, and they contain good amounts of bacon/pork - yet they miss the mark because the flavors do not come together. The varied ingredients are too varied and make it difficult to gauge when the varieties of beans are all cooked right at the same time, thus complicating a dish by adding risks that do not pay off here (though they could if executed differently). Similarly the BBQ flavors lack the finesse that a visiting southerner would expect, and the pork products though plentiful do not have the vibrancy and clarity of porky bacon goodness that should be there. Fourth and lastly, irrespective of if the product is done by famous chefs, irrespective of if it uses good quality ingredients (which is inherently subjective since the issue is if the ingredient is used well not what it is), irrespective of if the inside is slightly upscale - the final product isn't as good as Hot Dougs. What perhaps is more disconcerting is that Frank N' Dawgs seems to just copy Hot Dougs with a variation reminiscent to "Coming to America's" parody of McDonalds, MacDonalds. Like Dougs they forecast the dogs, Like Dougs, they incorporate stardom and naming parodies, Like Dougs they focus on turning encased meats into a shrine. Honestly it is the little things that make it seem contrived in a way and unoriginal. And yes, there is abundant room for competition and innovation. How do you think the Chicago dog survived? How about the (Hawaii) Puka dog? or the (Detroit) Coney Island dog? Simply you don't have to copy to make something great. (Wikipedia it if you are not convinced en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho… ). That said it really was decent if discombobulated and not as finessed as it should have been. However despite all of this I do think that Joe Dorian is an incredible asset that even Doug would approve of - I believe the issue isn't skills, but the awkwardness which stems from Alexander Brunacci's challenge. Similarly Alexander Brunacci is charming, persuasive, patient, and willing to refine his product. I look forward to it coming into its own - Alex embrace your food geek.
(3)Amy H.
Wow...totally annoyed. I work next door to this establishment, so I was very excited that there would be a "convenient" new place to grab food on my lunch breaks. I was very wrong. And I say this after giving the place a 2nd shot because I knew that they were new and getting the hang of things. So, the first time I went a couple of weeks ago I ordered a basic chili dawg and fries to go, only to get back to work and open up a container of chili cheese fries. So...today I popped in to grab a corn dog and fries to go. Um...it took 45 minutes to get my order, and it was absolutely disgusting. They totally need to get their system down, I only had 4 people in line in front of me, and it still took the guy behind the register a good 20 minutes to get through everyone. Then, waiting another 25 minutes for my order was totally ridiculous. Then...to finally get back to work and have a corn dog that has the batter all soggy from some dijon sauce they threw in the container, and the sausage didn't even taste or look completely cooked through. I feel like I'm going to puke. I'm definitely never going back. Very disappointing since I love hot dogs and they are so close to my work. I only hope this review can save someone else from wasting their entire lunch break on a nice day to complete and utter chaos and food that tastes vile.
(1)Don D.
Had the Ruben Pulaski and have never had anything that brought so many separate flavors together to form something so delicious. It was so amazing that I was eyeballing the menu looking for something else to try. That's when I was pleasantly surprised by a basket of their truffle oil waffle fries; again, not being all to familiar with gourmet fast food...I wasn't sure what to expect...they were excellent and I highly recommend them as a nice compliment to whatever type of encased meat you decide upon.
(4)Bobby M.
This place is ridiculous! Went there today and had a spicy duck sausage and it was unbelievable. I've wanted to go to Hot Doug's, but I won't even bother. The staff was also super friendly and very knowledgeable. I highly recommend Frank's n Dawgs. Seriously try this place, you won't be disappointed!
(5)Blair H.
Better than Hot Dougs. There I said it. The Foss Hog is amazing.
(5)M L.
My meat-eating friends like this pace, but as an ex-meat-eater who enjoys the vegetarian recreation of a real Chicago Dog , I must warn other like-minded veggies: "Frank's 'N' Dawgs" isn't even attempting that trick. Maybe 2 slices of tofu with mushrooms on top is what modern vegans want, but I want a Hot Dog!
(2)Daniel H.
5 if a lil cheaper but sausage is great! cool staff
(4)Lisa W.
Skeptical if anyone else could do this well again. (and I happen to know the owners). But there is no AGAIN here. This is a whole new concept in "hot dog" eating that is both accessible to everyone and able to please the most discerning palate. A lifelong hot dog eater who has gone recently vegetarian, I was very pleased with their vegetarian offering (not just a soy dog), but also loved my taste of their non-veggie corn dog. And love that everything is locally made/sourced...And that sauerkraut is wonderful. This is the best thing to happen to North and Clybourn since traffic lights!
(5)John A.
I went to Franks N Dawgs a few weeks back and had an okay experience so with both me and my wife off work today, I thought it would be something different for us to do for lunch. After checking the website, it listed that Franks N Dawgs WAS OPEN on Mondays. So we drove all the way from Oak Park to find the restaurant closed with a paper sign on the door saying it will no longer be open on Mondays as of several weeks ago. Is it really too much to ask for them to update their expensive-looking website? It would probably take less time than it took to make the paper sign they taped to the door. Honestly, the food was not that good that it's worth my time to show up not knowing if the place will be open or not. Who knows what other information might be wrong on the website. If Franks N Dawgs doesn't care enough about it's customers to give them the correct hours, they certainly don't want my business. I'll be going back to Hot Doug's, at least their dogs are delicious.
(1)Susan C.
I went here to try their hotdogs since it's not a regular hotdog you would get at the usual places. I had their Reuben Pulaski which I love sauerkraut and I love it. I also love their truffle fries which that is the first time I had truffle. I have yet to go back to try their truffle mac and cheese. I would definitely recommend this place to my friends if they want try some different with their hotdog.
(4)Michelangelo V.
Honest review: best hot dogs in Chicago fresh nothing frozen or fake everything on the menu is great its expensive but worth it Dont get the lobster roll its mot thay great its really expensive n not that good its a hot dog place shouldnt be on the menu n the tur doggin dog is not that good the best thinga are is brunch dog truffle fries mac n cheeze get these things n i swear best meal of ur life
(5)Nick L.
Hot damn that's delicious. Look, I love a good old fashioned dog just like any red blood American badass, but; this right here is some culinary karate ready and willing to mix it up with your mouth parts. Get in, order up, sit down and salvage.
(4)Hannah C.
Oh my god the amount of truffle going on in this place. The truffle fries are literally gleaming with truffle oil. The Mac and cheese reeks of it. Honestly, the entire place smells like truffles. And that is WONDERFUL. Whatever sauce they put on the brunch dog was fantastic. The bacon mac and cheese dog was also very good. These sausages are ultra flavorful - these really aren't hot dogs with toppings. My only almost-complaint is they don't really gave that skin-bursting-with-juice texture - it's just meat throughout. Not necessarily a problem, but I wasn't prepared for it.
(4)Lindsey C.
After a failed attempt at going to Hot Dougs (now closed), we headed to Franks n Dawgs which has been said to be a close comparison. We arrived at the restaurant with no wait. Walked right up to the counter and placed our order. Our group ordered a variety of items, including the Brunch dog (pork sausage, egg, bacon and maple mayo). They usually have special dogs on the menu that change often. The sides were good (waffle fries, truffle Mac, truffle fries). Definitely would go back and try some other dogs at Frank n Dawgs.
(4)Lucian M.
Superbly unexpected. I came here wanting a Chicago dog and left eating a bun mi dog. It was delish as was the truffle fries. Oh and the buns, holy Moses, they are baked tighter together so the crust is only on the top and bottom, leaving the sides to be buttered and toasted. As for the Mac and cheese side, I seriously think there's crack or something in it. It's so good I'm sure someone is going to make it illegal. Get it while you can, little slices of heaven never ever lasts long enough.
(5)Steve N.
Franks 'N' Dawgs do not serve Chicago style hot dogs but craft artisan sausages aka gourmet aka fancy hot dogs. It was featured on the Travel Channel, Food Network, and Cooking Network. They have a laundry list of specialty sausages and serve a few things with truffle. It's located in Wicker Park and you enter through a walk way. We arrived right when it opened and were in a rush to get inside to avoid the Chicago wind. It was only meant to be a snack but a "snack" has a different definition when it comes to two overeating fat asses like my buddy and myself. It's a little small shop and has a very divey and hipster feel to it. The two chill workers had a lot of recommendations and pretty cool even though they looked like hipsters. Totally judging here. Now, the food. We had the following items: 1) Triple Truffle Fries - The Yukon Gold waffle cut fries includes freshly chopped herbs, truffle salt, truffle oil and truffle butter. To be clear, it's not the Nicki Minaj type of truffle butter. It's golden waffle fries with a crunchy outside and a soft inside. With anything truffle, the aromas of the truffle is very apparent and strong. It had the slightly garlicky taste associated with truffles but it was missing the earthy flavor. I still prefer my truffles shaved versus being drowned out with other ingredients. 2) The Southerner - It's Slagel Farms pork loin, caramelized onions sausage, corn bread, cherry bourbon BBQ sauce and scallions. This was definitely flavorful and the sausage had the juicy bite to it like a Chicago Hot Dog. This was an overall sweet hot dog in taste with the caramelized onions, corn bread and cherry bourbon sauce versus the usual tangy and sour taste of a Chicago hot dog. 3) The Brunch Dog - It's Slagel farms pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo. The smokey bacon wasn't overly smokey per se. I didn't taste it and it wasn't overpowering the other ingredients. However, I really like the sunny side up egg and the maple mayo was a nice touch. It looked like an aioli sauce. I always have mayo in my hot dogs cause that's what Southern Californians use as a condiment. I definitely enjoyed the Brunch dog over the Southerner. Overall, Franks N Dawgs provides a great alternative to Chicago Hot Dogs. I'm sure Chicagoans were ready to hang Franks N Dawgs for breaking away from the traditional Chicago dogs. People were probably scratching their heads like how the Hip Hop community did with Meek Mill's Drake diss track "Wanna Know" but at least Franks N Dawgs food was good.
(4)Amanda M.
The lamb-orghini was amazing and I'm not even a big fan of lamb. The house giardiniera was refreshing. Truffle mac 'n' cheese was also amazingly yummy. Honestly, I prefer this place over Hot Dougs. Their dawgs are much more cohesive and balanced and explosive with flavor whereas Hot Dougs while still very good was somewhat cheese heavy and two dimensional sometimes with their creations. The only drawback for Franks 'N' Dawgs is that their hours are kinda odd. I wished they opened past 5pm, especially on the weekends.
(5)William B.
They make outstanding and interesting hot dogs here -- my favorite was a Korean dog with kim chi, short rib and toasted rice on top of a house-made and interestingly-spiced beef sausage; though I also sampled the "brunch" dog with is brilliant in a bacon/egg/syrup kind of way, if a tad under-salted. There were at least a half-dozen other dogs on the menu I wanted to try too. This is the kind of place where you stand slack-jawed staring at the menu because you want to order all of the things. (They're friendly about slicing things in half, though, if you want to share.) I am sad to say that I didn't ever make it to Hot Doug's before it closed (those lines!) but my friends who have say Franks N Dawgs might be as good or better on many axes. And unlike Hot Doug's there was basically no line on a weekday, even in the middle of what could be the lunch rush. My only fear in writing this review is that too many of you will come and change that.
(5)Alex J.
What happened? Did I pick the wrong sausage? I ordered a Julia's Love Child which the menu says is "Steak au poivre sausage, garnished with shallots pickled with a bouquet garni, sauteed asparagus in a shallot, garlic and butter, arugula and finally, our pièce de résistance, a Dijon cognac crème fraîche" Tasted like dry ground beef liver mixed with sand. I've been here before...no problems.. Too many other places to get a $10 sandwich without a side or drink. Thanks
(2)Cinkie Y.
Just so so. Doesn't worth the price. The salmon hot dog is rather plain. The Brussels salad tastes bitter and sour. This place is overrated.
(2)Angela C.
I always knew that sausages were tasty, but I had no idea they could be this delicious. Franks n Dawgs has opened my eyes to the expansive world of seductive sausage heaven! I got a Vietnamese style dog with a lemongrass sausage and it was delicious. There were so many intriguing options that it was really hard for me to choose. I was very happy with my choice, though. I definitely need to come here more often, especially now that Hot Doug's closed. I loved the table markers too. Very creative. This place has quality and character everywhere!
(4)Kasia L.
I had the tur-doggin, after a lot of changing my mind and being unable to pick just one. I was pleasantly surprised at how fantastic it was - truly delicious and I will gladly return to try other menu items in the future. Downside - I was the only person in placing an order at the time and it took the cook approx. 20 min. to make my order. I'm in-between on this, as someone who is experiencing cooking in the industry at the moment; while I thought the dog itself had a lot of components that might take a bit to put together (so understanding of having a bit of a wait), I couldn't help but feel as though the boh was taking his time a bit too leisurely.
(4)Julie T.
The truffle fries are what got me. Those were the best fries I've ever tasted and I wished I grab some to go. I got 'The Kid' hotdog and man was the spice no joke. It was so spicy I learn not to get that ever again, way too spicy for me! It's extremely unbearable spicy. Can't wait to try other things on the menu! So I'll be back soon to give it another chance.
(3)Emily P.
I'd give this place a 3.5/5 stars. If you know what to expect, I think this place is quite good. They do not serve Chicago style hot dogs so go elsewhere for that. BUNS. Their dogs are served on a Texas Toast sort of thick, garlicky bread. I love it. It does tend to fall apart while I eat it though. This is a hot dog joint. It's obviously not a five start restaurant. They let you choose a person from their Wall of Shame. You stick this star's picture on your table (instead of a table number. It's unique). Their hot dogs aren't cheap. For two hot dogs, two fries, and two fountain drinks the total was just under $40. Just remember though, that they put a bit more effort and ingredients into their dogs. Overall, they have really unique hot dogs. I enjoyed both the Krazy Kimchi and Lamb-orghini hot dogs. Their Triple Truffle Fries are delicious.
(3)Jennifer K.
Franks 'N" Dawgs is a good alternative if you have enough of Chicago style hot dogs and want to have something else. The varieties here is really good. Even hard to pick which one to try as they are all really interesting combination. But it is quite pricey for what you paying for sausage and bun in a land of hot dogs, Hot Dog VS Sausage? or just a Hot Dog dressed up with exotic toppings with fancy topping?
(3)Sheena P.
REALLY? I visited Chicago and was sooo excited to try this place because hot dogs is a must here! SO SO disappointed! Here's what I got: Bacon truffle Mac and cheese hot dog: Mac had absolutely NO flavor (which means no truffle) and it was borderline cold. I'm assuming they made it before opening because we were the first customers to arrive for the day. The dog itself was alrite - very sausagey and not like a typical hot dog. Meh. Tur-doggin: please skip this hot dog!!!! The taste of the dog was weird and NOT good! The herb aioli sounded better than it tasted. The flavors did not mesh well and was just randumb. Skip skip skip. Waffle fries with triple truffle: um okay I tasted no truffle oil, no truffle butter, no truffle salt. Literally just crispy waffle fries. If you don't dip it in ketchup and really concentrate on the taste, you might taste a light hint of truffle. DO NOT COME HERE!
(1)Nicole G.
It's just okay , if you're Hot Doug's fan, you'll be disappointed like me , sausage is kinda dry , only thing I like is the crispy truffle fries , (but for $6 the portion is so small ), waited for 30 mins on a slow Tuesday afternoon ( only 3 tables total -- hubby kept trying to tell me during that long wait : really slow means really fresh ) ,crispy fries won't make me wanna go back there anytime soon.
(3)Dave W.
I want to like this place, especially with the departure of the legendary Hot Doug's, but I struggle to find anything to get excited about here. Their dogs and sausages, while inventive, are pricey, sloppy to eat, served on a bland slice of bread, and just not that great. I can't say I've eaten anything here that I'd prefer over a standard Chicago-style dog. The dark interior occupies an underwhelming middle ground between hot dog stand casual and industrial chic, although there's a sunny seasonal back patio. Hot Doug's deserves a worthy successor, but at least for me, Frank 'N' Dogs falls short.
(3)Cinthya Q.
This place is a great local spot. First off, I love the atmosphere. It's young and hip without the pretension that hangs around most Lincoln Park spots. The staff is very friendly and the table markers are hilarious! The menu is eclectic offering over 10 different types of sausages. Personally I love the Brunch dog (it's breakfast in every bite). The Lamb-orghini was equally tasty. The lobster roll was not my favorite but was good enough. My favorite things on the menu are the sides. Amazing! You have to try the brussels sprouts salad, the truffle fries, and the cheese curds. Yummers! The only negative about this place are the prices. Though typical for Lincoln Park it feels weird to pay $50 for dawgs and fries.
(4)Steve A.
So if you're in the mood for a hotdog, this might not be the best choice, since there's even a sign saying they don't do Chicago dogs. They also don't do anything else recognizable as a conventional hotdog. But they do make some interesting gourmet dogs. We tried three that were somewhat similar: Banh Mi, Tur-Doggin and (the day's special) Quiche Dawg. All were based upon interesting sausages with a number of savory toppings, and all tasted somewhat similar. Interesting, but perhaps not gourmet. We also tried the mystery corn dog platter. To me, the mystery was how anyone could mistake these for corn dogs! There isn't a conventional cornbread coating, just a thing slurry of paste that has been deep fried to a crunchy consistency. There were several different sausages involved; the only clearly identifiable one was lamb. The best dog was actually not a dog, it was the Slammin' Salmon, which was sort of like lox on a bagel but in a bun. Speaking of buns, that's probably the best thing about the place. Rather than conventional hotdog buns, they use squared off chunks of bread that are grilled with butter to a nice golden brown. If you're looking for something different--and by that I mean different from a hotdog--it's worth a try.
(4)Taylor O.
The place has an interesting menu of dogs and sides to choose from. I ordered the "Cheese Head" and loved the mushrooms and onions on it. My husband's bacon mac and cheese dog wasn't quite as good. Triple truffle fries are worth trying. We had to wait ten minutes to order in the nearly empty restaurant while someone took a break outside... Then had quite a long wait for our food. Not bad overall for a unique take on this style of food!
(3)Sharon R.
It's been a while since I've been here. All a great place and today, we got the bacon mac n cheese, pork of July, and triple Truffle fries. And let me just say YUMMY IN MY TUMMY! The bacon mac n cheese is like eating your hot dog and your side of Truffle mac n cheese together. No need to get a side of you're going with this bad boy. Definitely a must try!
(5)Danny M.
We came on a Wednesday for late lunch and there was no line! We ordered the fried cheese curds, Krazy Kimchi, and Reuben Pulaski. The cheese curds were disappointing. It was $5 and there was no more than 10 small pieces. I had the Reuben Pulaski and it was really good. I tried the gf's Krazy Kimchi and it was no where near as good as mine. The people working there was friendly and I will definitely come back to try more items.
(4)Rebecca C.
This isn't my first time coming here and there will never be a last. I've been here probably 10 times. This place is around other cool shops/stores so you can have places to walk of the amazing food you just ate. YOU WILL HAVE TO ORDER THE TRUFFLE FRIES...AMAZING IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. The artisan bread is unbelievable. I could just eat the bread alone. It the perfect mix between sweet and salty. Ask for the beer mustard on your hot dog, which is the best condiment they have. However, the do not always have the beer mustard. The inside is very cute, but can become VERY crowded since this is an obvious favorite hot dog places among many. I always avoid the lunch hours and when they first open in the morning. I wish they closed later on the week days, but ooo well. I drive an hour to get to this places.. WELL WORTH IT! :)
(4)Paul L.
I've been many times but today, wrong! The sausage was dry and bland held together by a fried egg, totally tasteless. My gut has been upset since trying to eat it. What happened here?
(2)Amy W.
NOTE - CLOSED MONDAYS! Okay learned the above lesson the hard way...we scoured the menu for about 1 hour deciding what to get, and on the way out the door to re-check the address - we noted the Monday closure. Well I gotta tell you it is a damn good thing I had one meal left the following day before I returned to San Fran or there would have been some hell to pay. I've been obsessed with Hot Dougs (never been) but know the have a huge line - AND this was a place I could turn my friend onto that was in her own neighborhood. We were the only ones in the place (they told us later that they are considering a move more downtown to get more traffic). I ordered the bacon sausage with truffle mac and cheese, and my friend got the brunch dog (also bacon sausage with an egg, maple mayo and bacon bits). Let me say right off that this place's buns are off the chain delicious, I mean like crack good, sorta a cross between a brioche and a Hawaiian roll, (east coast style bun) and grilled in butter to be crispy and soft all at the same time. The bacon sausage was everything it says it is, a bacony sausage - now who can't like that? The truffle mac and cheese was standard. But it is like that saying that the compilation is more than the sum of its parts. One fine meal. My friends (I did not get a bite) looked amazing and the quivering egg atop was a thing of beauty -she was covered in yolk, but didn't seem to mind a bit. We had also ordered the poutine, with fois gras (Banned in my home state of CA and I was super excited to sink my teeth in). Sadly, after we ordered and sat down to await our meal, the guy chef came over to say he hadn't prepped the poutine- so they were out. I was pretty sad and he said he'd make something close for us. It was fries and cheese curds (yeah baby - fried cheese curds!!), and fries with a blue cheese gravy and duck confit. Yummy yum, but I wanted the fois gras dammit. I wish they would (retail) sell the bulk sausages and rolls to go.
(4)Jess C.
Since moving to Chicago, I have re-discovered my love for hot dogs. This city is crazy about them! I'll be honest, I prefer plain jane hot dogs but I had to try this place out for its reputation alone. Did you know all their sausages are made that day? Sign me up! I ordered the classic Chili Cheese Dog and was pretty tasty but I was expected more cheese. Great bun for each sausage. Don't forget to try Ketchipotle sauce!
(4)Tricia D.
Ahh, review #100 of 2013 belongs to Franks 'n Dawgs! (Cue applause) "5-star dining on a bun" is Franks 'n Dawgs slogan! Ah yes, this would explain why they have words like bechamel and remoulade on the menu and ingredients such as daikon and tarragon. They really had us at buttered brioche. Brioche buns are fantastic in their own right and definitely 1005x better than your boring, staling white hot dog bun from the supermarket. We didn't have to wait for a table, given it was 3pm on a Saturday afternoon. What was the grub for $73, you ask? Two peking duck sausages with scallions and crispy skin (the best part), a corned beef sausage with a hash brown nest and poached egg, pheasant and raisin sausage with chutney and almonds, pork and shrimp sausage with shrimp tempura on top, and sides of truffle waffle fries and cheese curds. Whew! With the exception of a 1/3 of a sausage, the 2 of us polished everything off, agreed we had overdone it calorie consumption wise, and rolled out of there. It was unanimous that the duck sausages were our favorite, and the sides rocked our socks off! As you may have noticed, be prepared for the price point. This isn't your typical hot dog stand pricing! Each one will run $10-13, but is a hearty serving. Fun side note: when you dine in, you choose a placecard from the "wall of shame" (instead of your typical black number on a white card) to indicate where the servers should send your order. Choices include Sarah Palin and the Brady Bunch.
(5)Teejay B.
I won't lie, this was our second choice for hot dogs in Chicago. Mostly because they don't sell Chicago style dogs and we had never had one before. Once we got to our first choice and the line was out the door and into the next city, we came here. Man, am I glad we did! I LOVE weird combos for normal food. Anyone who throws random stuff on a hot dog is ok in my book. For table markers, you can pick from an array of lovely pictures off the celebrity wall of shame. We, of course, chose Dennis Rodman. Although after we sat down, I noticed a picture of Britney Spears with a shaved head and was immediately bummed she didn't grace our table with her beautiful presence. We ordered the southerner and the dawg of the month, the quiche. I'll be damned if those weren't some of the finest combinations of flavors on a hog dog that I've ever had. Excuse me...hot "dawg". The southerner had a cookout feel to it with the perfect amount of BBQ sauce. It was hard to choose which one I liked more since the quiche dog had pickled onions on it. Pickled anything is the bees knees. I'm definitely glad we stumbled in to this gem of a hole in the wall. Perfection!
(5)Ashley M.
I ordered the the Banh Mi dawg and it was pretty good. The fries were subpar, we had to order regular fries because they were out of waffle fries, how annoying. Overall it was pretty good and not your typical hot dogs.
(4)Clarice W.
4.5 stars. When I reflect on my meal at Franks 'N' Dawgs I will admit that my first thoughts are of the bun. Oh, that bun!! Thick, chewy, carb heaven. I'll never look at another hot dog bun again. Now, if the bun alone is that incredible, just think about what that says about the rest of the dog... These are serious sausages with serious toppings. Every element of my Epic Pig-gasm, from the sweet bacon jam to the crispy chicharrones, was spot on. These dogs not only tapped into my street food cravings, but also provided novel tastes and textures to satisfy the foodie in me. Why choose one if you can have both!? However, I will make one small caveat - and I can't believe I'm even saying this - I almost felt like there was too much bacon. Now, hear me out: I love bacon about as much as it gets, but after my third bite I felt myself searching for more of that fantastic sausage flavor. The toppings, though amazing, did overwhelm a bit. If I return again I'll opt for another dog. If I haven't shocked you all enough with my "too much bacon" comment, I'll go out on another limb: I think these fries are overrated. Waffle fries are my all time favorite fry but I found these to be a tad on the soft side. The truffle fries everyone mentions were no better than the ones I've had elsewhere (no worse, either). Truffle fries are everywhere nowadays and Franks 'N' Dawgs is just one other business that offers them. Want to know what you don't see everywhere though? A Franks 'N' Dawgs sausage. As an out-of-towner, I guarantee you that any time I have another sausage, I'll be thinking of Franks 'N' Dawgs...and most likely, wishing I was there again.
(5)George A.
Updated review: My plan was to have the guys pick me something different every time and then give my opinion, cancel that. New plan, start on the left side of the menu and move right until I have tried everything. The reason for this is the combinations of flavors are too unique not to experience. Do not be afraid of trying a dog because you do not like one of the ingredients. Remember, these guys emphasize their background in fine dining. No single ingredient will overpower the entire dish. Every flavor is complimented and sometimes slightly offset by another. If it's your first time I recommend you order whatever you are craving that day. On your next visit you should try something different. 5 stars for variety and originality.
(5)Sarah S.
Bumping Franks N Dawgs up to the five stars they deserve. Hands down best dawgs in the city. They are so creative, flippin' delicious, friendliest staff, fantastic side items...I'm obsessed. Skip the long line at Hot Doug's and come to this tastier, less crowded specialty hot dog shop in the Goose Island area on Clyborne (within walking distance of the brewery). My Top Dawgs: Brunch Dog ($8.50) - Slagel farms pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo. Perfect for hangovers and hands down my favorite hot dog they offer. Bacon Mac n Cheese Dog ($7.50) - Bacon sausage, truffle mac n cheese with parmesan, brioche bread crumbs & thyme. They've amped this dog up a bit since the last time I tried it and it not reigns as one of my absolute favorites. I'm a huge mac & cheese fan in general but this dog has the mac & cheese with that truffle flare. Epic Porgasm ($9) - Bacon sausage, bacon jam, whiskey glazed pork belly, baconaise, chicharrons, and ham dust. Holy Pig Meat! I just tried this for the first time yesterday and it was filled with so many types of pig and this made my pig face happy. Oink oink. Special Mention: Triple Truffle Fries ($4.95) - Yukon Gold waffle cut fries, truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle salt & freshly chopped herbs. These fries are the best fries on the face on the planet. I'm not big on fries but these have my heart. They are soaked in everything truffle leading to an explosion of flavor in your mouth - no ketchup needed! And there are still SO many more hot dogs on the menu I want to try. It's hard to try new doggies when I know the fantastic ones here and always want to stick to the tried & true meats. I have yet to try the Corn Dog Flight ($7.95) or normal ol' Hot Dog Flight ($15 for 3 half dogs). Yesterday the three in the hot dog flight were Sogni di Porcellino, Tur-Doggin and the Krazy Kimchi but they are always changing. Come to Franks n Dawgs and experience what a real gourmet Chicago hot dog is! AND ---- BYOB!!!!
(5)Sonny S.
Stumbled upon Franks 'N' Dawgs while getting lost driving around in Lincoln Park and decided to try it out. These are the times that I don't mind getting lost, lol. Apparently, FnD has been featured on a ton of food and travel shows garnering attention for their house-made sausages and interesting flavor combinations; Seeing the accolades displayed outside, I knew I was in for a good meal - JACKPOT! The entrance can be confusing because there's a door in front of the restaurant, but that's the actually the exit. To get to the entrance, you have to go down a creepy little alley. Once you're in, the space is small with booths on both sides of the restaurant. The menu is posted on the wall and you place your order at the window; when your order's ready, they bring your food to the table. It took me forever to choose what I wanted -- everything looks so damn good! Try to come in a group so you can sample more items. TRIPLE TRUFFLE FRIES waffle fries + truffle oil + truffle butter + truffle salt = HOW CAN YOU GO WRONG? BRUNCH DOG This is the quintessential breakfast hot dog and comes topped with Slagel farms pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo; that runny yolk makes this dish with the sweetness from the maple mayo EPIC PORK-GASM If you're a pork lover like me, you will LOVE this dog; they use pork SIX ways here - GENIUS; it comes with Bacon sausage, bacon jam, whiskey glazed pork belly, baconaise, chicharrons, and ham dust note: you will need a nap afterwards DOUBLE DUCKER This was one of the more decadent dogs we ordered and came with duck sausage, duck confit salad, pickled shiitake mushrooms, foie gras torchon and maple mustard; absolutely rich and delicious - the acidity from the pickled shiitakes balanced the richness from the other components I can't really pick one that I liked more than the other; everything was that good and the best part? They toast their buns like ones you'll find when you get lobster rolls. The rolls were so buttery, toasty and warm - can't wait to go back and try the other dogs!
(4)Piya P.
Three stars might be too generous.. Can I give them 2.5 stars?! I went in on a Wednesday around 1pm. I understand that they probably just went through a lunch rush hour but they should clean off the tables regardless! After picking out my Sammy Sosa table thing, all I saw was garbage and dirty dishes on most of the tables while I was trying to find a seat. I ordered the taco dawg. The toppings were tasty and my first couple bites were pretty awesome. But then, when I got closer to the center of the sausage, it was still a bit undercooked!! I pointed out to one of the workers but he said it's the marinade or seasoning that makes the sausage look pinkish red inside. Umm NO! It was pink AND mushy on the inside. I've handled food before, I know the difference between cooked and uncooked meat.. Blehh. Lost my appetite, didn't even want to order anything else so I left the place very hangry. The truffle fries were awesome though, would definitely go back for those.
(3)Drew M.
The few times I've been to this place, it's always been a lot emptier than it should be. If I somehow controlled the consciousness of a large enough group of people via some hive-mind deal, this joint would be packed from opening to closing. Many, many highlights, but to me the most compelling reason to come is the bacon mac 'n' cheese dog. Not only is the bacon sausage the most efficient, inventive solution to the false choice between bacon and sausage -- the truffle mac 'n' cheese is really, really sublime. Like, I'm not that big a fan of mac 'n' cheese, but I'd eat this one by the heap. And on top of a bacon sausage? Come on, does the pope -- I'm not going there. Another gem, to me anyway, is the Julia Child dog with the steak au poivre sausage and a really awesome cognac something something sauce. It's a wonderful feast of flavors that really makes you wish the dogs were a bit larger here. The truffle parmesan fries are also an utter delight and some of the best I've had anywhere. The hot-dog buns are also perfectly toasted and richly buttery. The downside? The wait might be a little long for a hot dog -- but that's kind of the norm at many brick-and-mortar gourmet-hot-dog establishments; especially ones with such a range of products. No matter; they're more than worth the wait.
(5)Jamie B.
Unique hot dog options. Different textures and flavors! Prepare for messy but amazing! I had the Julia's love child that had asparagus on top! Hard to find and a little on the divey side. They have a dog with a fried egg on top! Service was mediocre. Instead of getting a number or giving a name for your order they have pictures of defamed celebrities such as Dennis Rodman or Lindsey Logan! Lol! They carry Argo tea and coke products. The signage is very confusing one saying they are open until 9pm and the other sign saying open until 5pm....
(4)kathryn T.
I am moving from Chicago so I am trying to get in to all of these little places that I have always wanted to go to. So, obviously before my departure I had to stop by Frank 'N' Dawgs and it. was. amazing! I had the Floss Hog (Bacon, maple mayo, fried egg on top) and my taste buds as far as hot dogs go have become smug. Next time I am in Chicago I will be making a special trip just get one of these hot dogs! Oh, and the staff were really nice and explained the entire menu to me since I had never been before. Overall A+
(5)Mike M.
I have never been to the "other" hot dog place over on california, so my review may be off base without a comparison. That being said I have tried several of the sausages and none disappoint. From the bun to the top notch gourmet toppings and truffle fries, this place sure deserves 5 stars. Only knocked off 1 star since they no longer have cheese curds on the menu.
(4)Char Y.
We came by accident while walking by. I heard of this place before and were excited to try interesting or unusual hot dogs. We ordered mystery corn dog - loved the dog, not so much the polenta coating spicy duck dog - really good, except the pork chips on top chili fries - ok, both fries & the chili I got the above and a drink & it was $22. CRAZY! I love their dog buns, but I do agree it overtakes the dogs itself. The dogs are very yummy, but not worth the price.
(3)Ahmad A.
I'm actually being generous by not giving this place 1 star. This is one of those places that runs entirely on hype. The food isn't bad (it isn't great either), but with the ridiculous prices they charge, I'm surprised they're still in business. I went here with a friend, and the total came out to $52 for a meal to only fill our appetite, not exceed it. The Kimchi Dog and Truffle fries were decent.
(2)Jonathan G.
Look out, Hot Doug's!!! If you like hot dogs, if you like sausage, you must go to Franks and Dawgs soon. I can imagine within months there will be a long wait for this amazing new restaurant. The beef curry sausage is out of this world. The service is great, and the chefs, not cooks, know what they are doing. The buns are gourmet breads,a nd could survive on their own. Amazing combinations of flavors and ingredients with a beautiful presentation will make this place a new "it" spot. It's easy to get to as well. Go. Now.
(5)Jimmy P.
I had the honor of eating: - China Town Duck - 5/5. This sausage was juicy and perfectly cooked. - Chili Fries - 4/5. Great mild chili and good fries. - Truffle Fries - 5/5. $%#@. Crispy. Waffle. Truffle. Garlic. If I lived closer to Franks 'N' Dawgs I'd be fat.
(5)Lisa N.
I went here with a group of friends since it gets great reviews and it is open later than Hot Doug's. As a group, I think we tried (and shared) just about every dog on the menu. What can I say, Hot Doug's has spoiled us. This place tries but does not succeed. At all. Except for the brussel sprout salad and the truffle fries, which were the only redeeming parts of the meal. The menu items are generally overpriced, too. The only reason I could see going back to Franks 'N' Dawgs is for the brussel sprout salad if I had already paid to park somewhere in the neighborhood.
(1)R. N.
While it may be a bit of a rip off of Hot Doug's, it's really good and more convenient to downtown. I've eaten here a number of times and pretty much everything is delicious. Staff is nice too, kid friendly, just great.
(5)Chrisna A.
This is the best dining option there is along the desolate stretch of Clybourn between Cortland/Racine and North. Not that that's much of a compliment, but I actually really like this place. The truffle fries in particular are great. One of the special hot dogs, the wonderful fries, and a drink will easily clear $15. This may seem pricey, but I haven't had many $15 meals in Chicago (or anywhere, for that matter) that I've enjoyed as much or more than the one I had here.
(5)Nick M.
-5 Stars. 2 weekends ago me and my 4 friends met up and went to try Franks N Dawgs. We all had one of the sausage meals with french fries. At the time we were eating we were pretty impressed with the food - especially the unique buns used which were a nic
(1)Seeshil P.
Came here for my birthday once and this place was awesome. I had about two specialty dawgs and they were both amazing.
(5)Paul C.
The poor man's Hot Dougs--except for it's not, because the dogs are at least as expensive if not more. I'd be the first to admit I like what they're trying here. Gourmet hot dogs shouldn't only belong to Hot Doug for him to meter out at his whim. Why must all of Chicago wait in long lines for delicious hot dogs? More places should try to do what Doug does. In terms of idea, Franks gets an A for effort, but a D for nice try. The food here looks great, gourmet ingredients and probably the best buns I've had in Chicago. Unfortunately the sausages themselves just don't deliver on taste. How can you serve me an exotic sausage with truffle oil and various gourmet spices and have it taste bland? So, so sad. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by, but this is not worth a special trip for. For now, Hot Doug maintains his tyrannical grip on the most delicious sausages in Chicago.
(2)Athene C.
Went in with high expectations and left disappointed. Pleased that there was no line, since considering that we live near Hot Doug's was a huge plus. I ordered a bratwurst with a beet salad on top. My husband had the Spicy Yucatan and coleslaw. The brat was completely forgettable. It had no distinct flavor and no snap when you bit into it. The beet salad was so huge (in quantity and cut of the beets) that I needed a fork just to be able to eat it. And the bun was what appeared to be Texas toast. !?!?!?!!? It also came with an orange marmalade. Very sweet ... very off putting. I describe this restaurant as an encased meat emporium more concerned with what goes on top of the sausage than the flavor of the sausage itself. It is a poor man's Hot Doug except that Hot Doug's is half the price. Cute decor. Pretentious dogs. Wouldn't go back.
(2)Gina S.
I just ate there the other day and wow, was I impressed. This is not your average hot dog stand. Everything was delicious! I will be making many more trips here over the years. The truffle fries were outstanding!!!.
(4)Paul L.
the Tur-Doggin and Belly-Up were so good I had to quiet everyone at my table so I could let the fucking goodness soak in. Pardon my french, but fuckin-a it's good. Truffle fries were meh. Try the chipotle/ketchup mix they have at the tables. Duck Confit and Porkbelly don't equal cheap dogs people, you should know that.
(5)KChicagoan S.
I was so excited to check this place out - and on the Sunday before I start the big "get ready for summer diet," this was my choice for my so-called "last meal." I got the brat topped with truffle mac n' cheese and my husband got the spicy yucatan. the brat was fine - i've had johnsonville's straight from jewel that taste exactly the same. The mac n' cheese was fine, but nothing over the top. My husband's "spicy" yucatan should have been called the flavorless yucatan. the sausage has absolutely NO flavor - the only thing either of us could taste was the avocado, and for $9, the expectations were set pretty high. We ordered 2 dogs, 1 order of the truffle fries (which were actually pretty good, but came in at $4.95 for a single order) and 1 soda and ended up spending $25. We left feeling ripped off, unimpressed and still hungry. I doubt I'll ever visit this place again...
(2)Wesley H.
Awesome. It's inevitable to make comparisons with Hot Doug's. I'll say this: the buns here (which aren't actually buns), beat Hot Doug's--it's actually a THICK buttery toast sliced down the middle. So does the lack of long lines. Parking is less convenient, however. Expect to spend a little more for a hot dog and sides though, $10+. However, these are pretty hefty dogs. Service here is fantastic. The guy at the cash register (the owner?) is super friendly and very willing to explain the menu to you. He also recognized me on my second visit, which gets extra points. Their changing menu has plenty of interesting categories and themes, including an Iron Chef challenge, a charity dog, and certain items only available on certain days. The atmosphere is clever, with celebrity tiles handed to you to identify your order and urban photography and artwork on the walls. Lots of red, like a hot dog joint should be. Fits into the Lincoln Park scene pretty well. I like judging places by their fries, and I gotta say their fries are some of the best I've had, a really nice brown crisp, but still retains the softness that fries should have. Reminds me of Demon Dogs, kinda (tear). The "grown-up" special ketchup goes great with the fries too. I've tried about 6 of their dogs, but the best dog I've had is the Brunch Dog. Never seen an egg between two buns before (ho ho!), but it works super well. The maple mayo is exquisite! Adds a breakfast syrup taste to the combination. The owner (I think) came out to talk to us after we finished, and you can tell he just loves his job. That's ALWAYS something I love seeing. He told us about starting up several months ago and how tough it was dealing with former "It's the Beef" customers coming by, but explaining how he's really enjoying earning confidence from the community. Definitely going back when I'm in town.
(5)Jeff R.
Why can't I just have a damn hot dog? Why does everything have to be a foodie deconstructionist creation? There's nothing more annoying than a gourmet take on food for normal people. That said, it was pretty good. A creative presentatio to be sure, but it took FOREVER to get my food! (Hence the three star rating.) I walked in not knowing it was a fancy-schmany hot dog place. I just wanted some dinner, quick, as I was on break from work. Also, too pricey for what it was. I am not hating on it. It just was not the experience I was looking for today.
(3)Emily S.
Because I dragged my husband to Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Crate & Barrel and Home Depot on a home improvement day, I let him choose our lunch stop. Frank n' Dawgs it was. I had the dog topped with truffled mac and cheese. I felt the mac and cheese could have had more truffle flavor, but overall it was good. I really liked the buns - toasty and thick and kind of reminded me of Texas toast in hot dog bun form. The fries were fantastic. I definitely felt a little queasy later - I think the richness of the sausage and the mac and cheese and the thick bun were a little too much for my stomach. I'd go back, but would probably opt for something a little simpler next time.
(3)Neal K.
I've passed by this place 100 times and never gave it a thought until darting in out of the snow during a one of many holiday shopping trips last month. I thought to myself yeah, this place has "gourmet" dogs. We'll see. I've gotta tell you the care these folks put into creating these flavor combinations is impressive. The owner an Aussie seems to really love what he's doing here - and I do too! Highlights so far - Pig Latin with pork sausage, glazed pork belly and cabbage slaw, Kimchi Dog with beef sausage, brazed short rib and house-made mild kimchi. I really liked the ketchipotle with the fries and the caraway and carrot slaw. You really feel like you're eating something worthwhile sitting in this place. Also love the music - 5 of my top 10 favorite bands played on the loudspeakers the first time i visited this joint! You've gotta love someone who is so excited to share his passion with you. He even takes the utmost of care holding your basket of fries with 2 hands as he places it down in front of you as if it were a fragile treasure brought from a faraway place just for you. I've been back once a week since...
(5)Richie D.
So I have given up on trying to get in the doors of Hot Dougs, at least temporarily. I heard of Franks 'n Dawgs through chit-chatting with Nicole V. and after finding the hidden 'alley' entrance. I had a few things on my Yelp check-list: 1) French Fries--Check! They are cut and fried twice in house, while being not too greasy, yet greasy enough to taste all the oil goodness. 2) Pay attention to the Bun--Check! All of their dawgs are served on their lightly toasted bread which is baked fresh daily. 3) Savor the Sauces--Check! Their sauces are made specifically for eat dawg recipe. 4) Tur-Doggin'--Check! I loooove anything replaced with turkey, so a turkey and date sausage, with crispy duck confit, herb garlic aioli, house pickled onion relish & pickled carrots is heaven. Actually, it was almost too much for my taste buds with the confit that I could only have a few bites :X. Shhh don't tell! Thankfully my partner finished it off. 5) Lamb Keema Dog--Check! When I have a taste for lamb, I gotta have it. This dog pleased my desires with a lamb stuffed sausage, english peas, cucumber salad, pearl onions & socca. Truly delectable and unique to say the least! Each of the cooks wears their fun chef uniforms and truly take pride in their jobs--it shows. I love that on their website you can suggest your ideas of a future dawg. If you win they give you a $75 gift card and a dollar for each hot dog sold! If I could change anything about Franks 'n Dawgs it'd be the location since it's not too easy to get to without a car. On another note, it may be a good thing being that these hot dogs are...hot dogs...and addictive. After all, FnD is in the most appropriate city possible since Chicago is home to the hot dog!
(5)Zach Y.
One of the main reasons I miss living in chicago. They do gourmet encased meat better than anyone. LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. Also they are one of the few places I have been that actually makes truffle fries that are worth the price. The place is an orgiastic feast for the senses. Way better than hot dougs without the 2 hr wait
(5)Teresa T.
Weiners so juicy they'll make you blush. Awesome food, crazy amazing buns, and laid back staff. A little pricey, but totally worth the quality.
(5)Kato t.
Who'd a thought good ol street food like hot dogs could be GOURMET?? I mean, it is a true testament to the human spirit, where a man can actually transform hot dogs into a premium taste in your mouth that is equal to heavenly fine dining. Also, the selection on the menu is mind boggling; I didn't know you could do so many dam things to a HOT DOG!! The two that are always particularly good to me are the "FU DOG" which happens to be vegetarian, and the "CHINA TOWN DOG" which is a Chinese 5 spice duck sausage, pickled lotus roots, scallion radish slaw & Mae Ploy chili sauce. There's like 50 more on the menu if you can come enough to try em all. I think it's one of Chicago's treasures and fine treats, I feel Chi Town citizens are lucky to have access to it. Alexander the owner is such a gentle guy, that you can't but help enjoy the food even more because you internally feel the food has been prepared with love. He's a quite and kind dude and he's happy to have you, that's a big plus in my book. And speaking of sweet, the deserts are to die for. Nothing like a filling gourmet hot dog to be followed with a gourmet piece of heaven for desert. The one desert I like in particular is the "SWEET HOME CHICAGO" which is French toast, stuffed with chocolate ice cream, bananas, kiwis, strawberries, freeze dried mango, chopped almonds & butterscotch sauce. I think it's a great family place to enjoy a fun eat that's unique only to Chicago. And it's even a better place to hang with friends and celebrate good times with some tasty eating. I always feel like taking some more home to go but unfortunately the food is not really meant to go, it's meant for you to come on in, comfortably gorge on a sweet feast, go out happy. Then come back again and enjoy it all over again. Which...! I shall happily do. Thanks for comin here to Chicago, Frank n Dawgs. We own you now! You're OUR treasure ;D
(4)Maggie J.
I had so many great meals on my recent trip to the Midwest, but this place stands out among the rest. The passion and energy that Alexander, the owner, puts into this place is contagious. From the carefully and creatively crafted menu to the gourmet chipotle ketchup, this place gets it unbelievably right on all counts. I ordered the truffle mac' n' cheese dog and the waffle cut truffle fries, which I'm still dreaming and salivating about almost a week later. The staff is unbelievably patient and helpful, so my recommendation is to take your time when ordering and check out the pictures of all their amazing gastronomic creations on the ipad at the register. Your fellow diners will understand if it takes a while to navigate the impressive menu of what I dub as "food porn"! This is an absolute "must-go-to" destination restaurant for anyone living in or visiting Chicago. An added bonus is that it's directly across from the Crate and Barrel Outlet! I have only 2 regrets about this place: 1) that I can't give it more than 5 stars and 2) that it's over 2,000 miles from where I live (which is actually probably a VERY good thing for my waistline)!
(5)Joe B.
I dig this place. Shit, I excavate this place! More so than Hot Dougs, which isn't meant to take anything away from them. Huge list of gourmet sausages, larger than Hot Doug's 8 sausage list. They serve the sausage on a toasted roll, not on an ordinary hot dog bun. This is a great touch which makes the eating experience elevated a notch. Try the Truffle Oil Waffle Fries. "Christ on Water!" Delicious. Nice, clean interior with character, nice, motivated staff.
(5)b t.
It's so hard to not compare this with other housemade sausage shops in town, especially when the other one's sooooooooo good, but i'll try to keep this FnD centric and keep the comparison's till the end (if you make it that far) I've been in to F n D's many times - 6-7 probably. They have a great range of selections, both in general, and seasonally (BLT dog is my favorite dog here, but in the winter it comes off the menu because you can't get a tomato worth it's weight in salt in Chicago till summer). The sausages are good, and although the flavor combos of toppings SOUND good, i've been left wondering what would this have tasted like if the toppings were done right! Here's a couple specific examples of what i'm talking about. Smokin Trout - Good flavor, great trout, great smokiness - toppings worked out great with the trout, but i think the trout was sitting in the rear most part of the refrigerator, and was only scooped out the split second before it was served to me because I swear, like Flick, I thought my tongue was going to stick to it with the first bite. it was FREEZING cold. Now, I'm absolutely one for sanitary conditions, and not leaving things like smoked trout salad next to the grill for three days, but it was a shock. first because it wasn't a sausage (WHAT?), secondly because it was sooo cold, it was completely unenjoyable. The Southerner - why on earth is there cornbread, on TOP of this dog? hint - ditch the bun, and serve this ON cornbread. Peking Duck - I swear i thought the puffed rice were little fried worms or something crazy for the first couple bites of this dog. This definitely was one of the better dogs I've had here. Great flavor combination, for some reason i think it was double cased (i know it wasn't), because the casing on the sausage seemed to be much harder to get through than most - this is a good dog though - if you go, try it, you won't be disappointed. Da Ringer - Good sausage. Bacon on top? Winner! Sides? I know, 95% of the people that read this would smack me in the face, but when there are all these sausages to pick from, I'd rather double down on dogs and skip the fried taters, pickles, curds, etc... I had the Red Beans once...that'll never happen again. If you like fries I hear they're good. Overall FnD's is a good lunch spot if you're in the area. I think FnD's could benefit from a little more salt IN the sausages. They use great meat, have great combinations of spices in the sausages, but sometimes, i just wish there was a little salt in the meat to perk up the flavors. Final scores Sausages - that's what this place is all about right? 4 stars toppings (more the execution of said toppings) - 3 stars overall options and selection - 4 stars Just a little tweaking and this place could soar, you certainly can't beat the fact that you're not waiting outside for 30 minutes to get in, but i think there's a reason why you're not. As for the comparison between this and the other local shop, i'll just say this, I've never been sitting in the other shop, thinking about FnD's sausages, but pretty much every time I'm in FnD's, I'm thinking about HD's.
(3)vivian c.
Like many others, we've driven by and never noticed it until andrew zimmern reviewed it on his show. So it's a little more pricey than hot doug's, but: 1) the line is 15" tops 2) gourmet chef, amazing combinations of often homemade sausages, great bun 3) across the street from trader joe's so we go before doing our grocery shopping 4) we've seen families chowing down- is kid-friendly and there are veggie-dogs too! YUM!
(5)Kelly H.
Yes. This was my husband's pick for lunch (let's face it, encased meat is typically a man thing) and although I was skeptical, I enjoyed every bite. It was hard to decide what to try, but we both loved our choices (he had the Krazy Kimchi and I had one of the "Iron Dog" specials) We ordered the truffle fries and sad to say they were kinda disappointing. I would have liked a truffle mayo or some sort of sauce with them. One other downside--we ordered a kids meal for our daughter and they forgot the fries which came with it. We eventually got them after asking 2 times but by that time we had all finished our dogs. We are big Hot Doug fans, but now that we have the kid standing in the line that long doesn't work for us. This place obviously has a better location. It is kinda expensive, maybe they gotta pay for that LP space, but I think the ingredients are probably worth it. It's fun too--instead of taking a number to your table so they can bring out your order you pick a disgraced celebs picture. Go.
(4)Lisa T.
Oh. my. lord. This place seriously just keeps stepping it up a notch. The variety of sides they have now is phenomenal and they are even offering a few somewhat healthy side options in case you're actually trying to avoid a heart attack. The brussel sprouts salad is my new favorite side, period. As in, my new favorite side salad in GENERAL, not just at F'n'D. The shaved brussel sprouts, pine nuts, and parmesan are a combo I would have never thought of and oh is it good. Go for the brussel sprouts over the coleslaw every time people! After a nice chat with the manager/owner who regularly works the register (who's name I forget....again...I suck....), he told me that they are also turning the beet/goat cheese salad that tops one of the dawgs into it's own side salad. Which is surely going to be awesome. Now, let's be honest, despite my complete love for the brussel sprouts salad, the side you all really want is the triple truffle fries. They are waffle fries (the very, very best type of fry, period) in all their truffle glory. (Fri-Sun only, just FYI). I somehow haven't managed to sample the truffle mac and cheese so far, but it's very safe to say that I will be making it happen sometime this winter. Another review update to come!
(5)Daniel M.
My second review of this place and it still blows my mind every time. The past few times I have been there they have added more tasty additions to the menu. The new additions of the Perennially Pork, the Spicy Yucatan, the Jorge and Le Cassoulet are all fantastic. The greatness never stops with this place, I also finally got around to trying the Peking Duck, which was also amazing. Finally tried the truffle fries which were amazing. Dont put ketchup on them if you get them, it totally kills the rich truffle flavor. I have been here countless times, as I work a block away. I can't wait to see what future creations they come up with. And as always the staff is very polite and willing to answer any questions and walk you through their menu. Like a true showman, this place always leave me wanting more.
(5)Ashley K.
Hmm. I'm not sure where to start with this place. This is another place that I so wanted to love but I just don't. I am an admitted Hot Doug's addict but I went in fully willing to give this place a shot at competing for my love. I liked that we only waited about 3 minutes in line and then about 10 to get our food. But that's pretty much where it ended for me. I ordered the Turdoggin, after a painstaking decision between that, the N'awlins Dog, and one of the Iron Dawg competitors, whose name escapes me. I should have stuck with my sausage rule that pork is generally best. But I didn't, and opted for the Turdoggin. The sausage was a slightly weird consistency for me and had a faint metallic taste, reminiscent of liver. No good. The casing was also pretty tough and was difficult to bite through. The duck confit was not confit-ed enough for me: it was cold and not particularly tender. I will say that I was crazy about the bun they used. Buttery and delicious. Unfortunately, the bun should not be the high point of a gourmet hot dog. Now, the truffle fries. I may have mentioned once or twice that I love fries. Little known fact about me: I have a jar of truffle salt that I may or may not eat out of my palm on a near daily basis. Clearly these puppies should have been the things that dreams were made of. But they weren't. The fries were hot and crisp, and I love me a waffle fry, but they seriously lacked on truffle flavor. How, you ask, is that possible when these things are coated in truffle butter, truffle oil and truffle salt? I'm not sure either. I just know they weren't. For regular fries they were good, but at $4.95 - I want my truffleness. There are a lot of dogs that sound tasty so I'm certainly willing to give this place another go, especially because the wait time was minimal compared to Hot Dougs (not that I mind the wait there. See Hot Dougs review). Plus, I want to give the truffle fries another whirl, as I'm hoping I just got a less than truffley batch. Don't disappoint me again Franks N Dawgs.
(2)Victor M.
I really like their buns and I appreciate the short wait. But I'm sorry to say I'm still a fan of Hot Dougs. The different combinations of ingredients is good, but not the best. I didn't get Wow'd like I anticipated. And this place is rather pricey. Triple Truffle Checker Fries attack was more like.. a handful of squirty squirty Truffle Oil Checker fries. This place can fulfill my cravings... but not really the best.
(3)B C.
My jaw dropped and I may have drooled a little on the floor. I once was blind but now I see... I've been living in hot dog mediocrity my entire life. Finally, they've taken it to a higher level. Here's one way to look at it. Imagine the McDonalds quarter pounder is the only burger you've ever had, and then one day, you seize a burger at Kuma's Corner. It's a culinary evolution so distant that they're practically 2 different species. Franks 'n' Dawgs has hot dog creations for every taste, every mood. I had some of the Reuben Pulaski and some of the Krazy Kimchi. It's a bittersweet experience because while both were outstanding, among the best dogs I've had in my life, they're also competing with about 20 other equally appealing options. Next time I have to try something new. You could choose randomly from their menu and be happy with the outcome. The set-up is casual and fun too. We had the dubious honor of being the Casey Anthony table.
(5)Lauren C.
LOVE. I decided to treat myself after a doctor's appointment, as I like rewarding myself for doing things I don't always want to do. I came into Franks n Dawgs and was warmly greeted by the super nice guy behind the counter. I was a little overwhelmed by the menu options, but he showed me the handy iPad that features the menu for easy scrolling - AND there are pictures of all of the options! I love pictures of food. I chose the Turdoggin, a turkey and date sausage topped with duck confit, herb garlic aioli, house pickled onion relish & pickled carrots. Because I really believe in a rewards system, I added some fries and a fountain drink to my order, since I wanted to leisurely enjoy my meal while reading my book. If you have your meal at the restaurant, you're asked to choose a tablecard from their Wall of Shame so they can deliver your food to your table. The Wall of Shame is hilarious - it features photos of Lindsay Lohan, Kim Kardashian, and other shameful celebrities. It's something that makes Frank 'n Dawgs unique - and I'll definitely remember this the next time I come in! My meal was perfect. The fries were crispy and salty - the way I like them. The Turdoggin was out of this world. The buns are almost like fancy rolls, and if I wasn't a meat eater, I would just come in and order the buns. The sausage was full of flavor and the toppings were perfect. I was curious as to how the carrots would complement the sausage, but the flavors were perfect together. I was asked by a couple of people how my meal was, which I always appreciate, and it truly was perfect. I would definitely come back here to try other things on the menu - the triple truffle fries sound fantastic!
(5)Courtney J.
As I was walking down Clybourn today I stumbled upon Franks 'N' Dawgs. What a great stumble, I must say! The workers were very helpful in making my decision of what to get off of their very intriguing menu. Even though I was apprehensive as I read the ingredients that were incorporated in the Tur-Doggin, I went for the kill, and boy I am glad I did! What a tasty "Haute Dawg!" I can't even express how well all of the ingredients went together and the bun itself was absolutely wonderful. I also got the Triple Truffle Fries which were ah-mazing as well. Great place, wonderful people, tasty food, and a fun atmosphere to boot!
(4)Matthew S.
Franks 'N' Dawgs is as great as everyone says it is. I like that they are open when they say they are going to be (unlike hot dougs). My father and I shared The Chicken Ala Naha, Spicy Carnitas, and the Belly Up. My favorite was the Belly up that has a piece of pork belly with brown mustard on top. The bread is also perfect. We also shared the triple truffle fries and the chili fries. After all of that food you would think we both would have some awful gas. However, the quality of the ingredients kept us from a smelly ride back to Skokie. Everything about this place is better than Hot Dougs. I love the creativity here.
(5)Kyle G.
Franks 'N' Dawgs is UNREAL but I'm going to make this short and sweet. GET THE TRUFFLE FRIES! with THE BRUNCH DOG, if they have it. if not, any of their house made specialty sausages (Items with the chef hats next to them). I've had tried four so far and they have all been amazing. This place is so great that I'm going to make it a point to go about once a week and try something new.
(5)Fallon D.
Oh how I love a good hot dog. Combine that with an Aussie working the couner who's always willing to chat about his sausages and you've got a happy girl. The boy is always thrilled to try some new pork creation while I'm content with my lamb keema (bring that back soon! Please?) As a lady who doesn't dig on the swine it's nice to still have plenty of options. Add a Gale's root beer (cardomom and ginger, it's so spicy) and BYOB and it's a match made in heaven. And as if they haven't already done enough, they've got ketchapeño and a wall of fame with Kaner. I do look forward to the new Wall of Shame though. Just bring back my Keema, that thing is made with angel tears.
(5)Rodrigo D.
The dogs are good, but nothing out of this world. 2 hot dogs, order of fries, and a couple of root beers for $26. I would definitely recommend trying this place once, but whether you become a repeat customer is up to your experience. Cool factor: You get to pick up a D list celebrity card that you velcro on to the edge of your table, so that they can link the order with the table.
(3)Carl F.
Excellent combinations. Go with friends and split the dogs - too many fantastic options
(5)Tricia R.
After having been a loyal Hot Doug's fan for the last couple of years, I was pretty skeptical of Frank 'n' Dawgs, thinking it was just another gimmicky fancy schmancy hot dog place that's trying too hard to be like Doug's. But this is not the case with Frank 'n' Dawgs. Majority of their sausages are made in-house, and many of the people there are chefs who were formally trained and who really know what they're doing. We ordered the Tur-Doggin, Belly-Up, Brunch Dog, and Chicken alla Naha, all of which were awesome, with the latter probably being the best of the four. The triple truffle fries (waffle fries!) were perfectly crispy and not too truffle-y, which is a good thing. A bit of a small portion for fries, but we also had an order of regular fries to fill us up more. After eating here, I realized this place is not to be compared with Hot Doug's. Aside from the less traditional more special sausages, Doug's also showcases traditional sausages (i.e. andouille, thuringer, etc), topped with the customer's choice of also traditional toppings. Frank 'n' Dawgs is solely about the fancy toppings on a bun, so don't be coming here if that's not what you want. Some pluses over Doug's is that Frank 'n' Dawgs doesn't have ridiculously long lines, and their hours are more normal-work-people-friendly. This place is definitely worth coming back to.
(5)Angela S.
We had the cheese head, spoiled braut and cheese fries. Wish I had gotten to the waffle cut fries too! The dogs were really good - who knew portabella mushrooms went so well with gouda and brats? Their buns are amazing, I could eat them by themselves. I loved their wall of shame :)
(4)Lala S.
HOLY S#@$! This place is awesome. I love sausage as much as the next girl, but this place rocks. Their brioche buns are so freaking good. I will say that this place can get a little pricey and is definitely pricier than Hot Dogs. They also have more gourmet-like combinations, whereas, i think Hot Dogs, has a no thrills approach to their encased meats. So the only reason I docked this place a star was for price (I even used my DePaul discount and our meal costs $31 for 2 sausage sandwiches, order of fries, green tomatoes, and 2 drinks) but I understand, they use high-quality ingredients. The meat quality, however, is amazing. All the sausages are super tasty and juicy. I tried the Little Piggy which was amazing. It was a pork sausage topped with Fried Oysters and condiments. AMAZING! My boyfriend had the burger-something or other which was also very good. The cocktail onions were a nice touch. The Triple Truffle fries were really tasty but for being Triple, I felt like it was missing a Truffle Aioli or something. The Fried Green Tomatoes were really good except you only get 3 measly pieces for $5! I will be back...I'm hooked!
(4)Kelly B.
Goodbye Hot Doug's. Hello Frank 'N' Dawgs! You're closer to me, you don't have an hour-long line outside, you're dogs and fries are unique and tasty, you're BYOB, and you're owner is super sweet. I had the Mac and Cheese dog and truffle fries. They were... how should I put it... amazeballs. For a gourmet hot dog, I think the price is worth it and you'll be full afterwards. The buns are awesome. They are more like big pieces of bread than buns. And they have cute outdoor seating which is nice. The do have ONE veggie burger with tofu for you herbivores out there. The others are all meat and delicious!
(4)Robyn T.
No long lines? Gourmet hot dogs, many made in house? Delicious french fries AND Rishi iced tea?! When I'm in the mood for a hot do Franks N Dawgs is THE place to go...no denying it. The homemade hot dogs are huge and I'm a lady that can usually eat a few hot dogs...my turkey dog was so packed with flavor and goodness I could barely finish it. Loved the sense of humor that abounds in this place too. All diners get to select their celebrity photo of choice upon ordering and the friendly staff will bring the dogs to your table. Good deal, right?
(5)Joiya M.
Very good hot dawgs my dawg!! If you follow Andrew Zimmern here then you made a good choice a little pricey but you get what you pay for. Black Sheep = Baaaa Baaahh Bad as Hell!!!! (that's in a good way folks) Bayou Dog = It taste like the whole Louisiana on a bun...Go SAINTS!! I would come again for sure cause one thing they have to perfection is the bun...ummmm that bun was off the chain I could eat that plain with some butter and be in hog heaven. They can keep them hard azz fries but who needs fries anyway when you got a whole darn meal in a hot dog bun.
(4)Charlayne A.
OMG! best hot dog I've ever had! We got a recommendation from a friend's Uncle (who lives in Chicago). I don't want to hype it up too much, but basically Franks N Dawgs has an awesome menu (which changes every month). Also, the owner (and staff) are very helpful and friendly. They have an iPad with images of the hot dogs so you can see before you choose. Also, they are eco-conscious - compostable cups, locally acquired ingredients (when possible), and super creative. I love the names of the hot dogs on the menu and the "wall of shame/celebs who have been in the 'dog' house." AND, most of the dawgs are made FRESH everyday (look for the chef's had logo next to the menu item). They also don't use unhealthy additives - and the dawgs are made by trained chefs! Ok, enough about the restaurant...and back to the food. I had the Brunch Dawg - which was awesome. I went with the dawg that won a lot of awards... The dawg was tasty, the bread was delish and the egg was an added bonus! If you live in Chi-town, you are lucky because you can visit everyday. If you are just visiting - I would add Franks N Dawgs to your list of places to go to - its totally worth it! Lastly - if you can't decide, you might try the dawg fight (3 different dawgs) or just close your eyes and point.
(5)Katrina M.
I'm a fool for that CHEESE HEAD dawg. Holy crap, I have never tasted such a tasty brat, and they totally hit the spot with the portabella mushrooms and my favorite, caramelized onions. The triple truffle fries were amazing too..I probably said wow after every bite of those. They came out the kitchen warm and incredibly crispy. The staff is so wonderful! Big ups to them and for accommodating to our group of 16 :)
(5)Edward P.
It's the buns! Unique place in a city of great dog joints. I really enjoyed the dogs here. Laid back, great service. I will be back.
(5)James E.
Love this place! Some of the best gourmet sausages I've ever feasted on. Don't miss out on the triple truffle fries... those things are killer. And please please please if you are here on a Sunday afternoon... just get the brunch dog. You won't be disappointed... just don't expect to stay clean. And yes... I prefer this place to Hot Doug's hands down.
(5)Jason G.
Pretty tasty eats. I've been here twice and had good experiences both times. The buns are very tasty and there is an extensive menu of usual and unusual hot dog treats. Fair warning, the corn dog is not your average county fair snack. It is a gourmet sausage with a polenta breading. You're kids will probably be disappointed and the batter is supposed to have a soft texture. The guy at the counter is a little too chatty though. Sometimes I just want to order my food and sit down. Plus when you have a line of people, your patrons appreciate politeness but quickness.
(3)Michael H.
The Jury is still out on this joint.. I have to go back and try some more of their dogs before I pen my all-important review!! GTFJD
(3)Kyle H.
YUM. I am a whore for hot dogs, I have been ever since I was a kid. While I'll never turn down a classic Chicago style dog, I will still try any gourmet sausage that is placed in front of me. I haven't been to Hot Doug's, as it's super far from my house and apparently has like, a mile long line the entire time it's open. Franks n Dawgs is much closer and even though my opinion is one sided, totally comparable if not better. Hype does not always make a place the best. My only grievances are that, for as busy as it is, it seems to have a bit of a lack of seating. However, there was an outdoor seating area, but it was pouring rain monsoon-style when we were there, so that option was out. The guy who took our order was SO NICE, we joked about us being the Jonas Brothers (you're given a cut out of a celebrity to bring to your table in lieu of a number or your name being called out) and he was smiling the whole time. One of the other employees seemed perhaps a little bitter with the way he asked people to shift in the line - I understand that it's very annoying to have long lines of people clogging up a small space, but there is nowhere to form a line and that's something worth considering. We all got our own sausage, they were all divine, and we all shared the truffle fries, mac and cheese and brussels sprout salad - all awesome. Definitely worth checking out, consider going for lunch before you go grocery shopping, since the Trader Joe's and Aldi are right across the street and everyone knows you should never go grocery shopping when you're hungry if you don't want to walk out with the whole store. :)
(4)Chloe C.
After seeing Frank N Dawgs on the Zimmerman show, I had to experience it for myself. My bf and I came her the other day for lunch and we ordered the bacon mac and cheese, truffle fries and the great whale? The bacon mac n cheese dawg was amazing! Truffle fries was tasty but a bit too oily. Great whale was.. eh... I love seafood, but maybe not so much as a "dawg".
(4)Marilyn M.
I came across this place while hunting for sports wear a couple doors down....I had no ideal this place existed but wanted to check it out and Im so glad I did...the menu was pretty gourmet for hot dogs they do everything home made and the chef was really nice....I loved it....I will def . go back.
(5)Michelle H.
Now let me preface this that I am with the majority of Chicago as a solid customer at Doug's. This place was straight up disappointing. On a normal day I wouldn't have even tried this place, knowing that it's a doug rip-off. But today, I was into it. So my boyfriend and I take a quick stroll to Franks n' Dawgs. I ordered the Cheese Head and it was straight up gross. The sausage itself was just not right. The casing was way too thick. I mean I love pig intestine as much as the next person, but sweet god, this was way too thick! I never do this but I had to say something. I was just majorly disappointed. I walk up and say I would like a chicago dog instead of the cheese head. They were really easy going about it, which was cool. My Chicago Style Hot Dog finally came out and I was excited. Yeah, it was different then the normal chicago style I'm used too, but hey I'll give it a chance. It was good, but no Super Dawg. I also ordered the truffle fries and they were good but a little overpriced. The thing that may have tipped me off about this place was the plaque with the owner's bio on it. Really? All I could think was what a joke. Yeah, I said it.
(1)Kathryn M.
Yum. I love me some battered and fried hotdog, and this Corn Dawg delivered the goods! Polenta battered? Um, yes. Please. Served with whole grain mustard, a deliciously sweet dipping sauce, and pickled (?) carrots - this was heaven on a stick. The sausage was juicy, the polenta soft, the outside crispy. This ain't no State Fair corn dog, that's for sure. We also tried the Dirty Dog, an andouille sausage served over dirty rice and topped with hush puppies and a tomato cherry chutney (or something like that). Again, delicious. What a great combination for a dog. Can't wait to try some of the others! I can think of no better way to ring in the official start of summer in Chicago than with a hotdog on a sunny patio (well, okay , I CAN, but this way was pretty nice too.)
(5)Sara P.
Now let me preface this by saying that I have been to Hot Doug's. Franks 'N' Dawgs was excellent, and I'd have to say, a bit better than Hot Doug's. My boyfriend and I split the Spoiled Brat and the Foss Hog. My favorite was the Foss Hog, with delicious bacon, maple mayo, a fried egg, all atop a pork loin sausage. It was a delicious taste explosion. Plus--and here is where FND outstrips Hot Doug's--the bun was sturdy, grilled in something delicious, and added even more to the encased meat and its toppings. The truffle fries were out of this world too. "Bizarre Foods" from the Travel Channel was filming when I was there, so I bet this place will become much more popular once the episode airs, meaning a longer line will probably form (very short wait right now). So...get there while you can before this hot dog joint also gets a 2 hour wait.
(5)Jennifer A.
I saw them featured on Bizarre Foods, and after seeing the amazing menu choices, had to try it. I should add, i havnt eaten a hot dog in over 5 years...not my normal food path. My husband went the traditional route and got a chili dog...which he had nothing bad to say about. I had the Tur-Doggin:Turkey & date sausage topped with duck confit, herb garlic aioli, house pickled onion relish & pickled carrots. With a side of amazing skinny fries. Hell-o! very good! Very cheap!
(4)Steven R.
This is a wannabe and rip off of Hot Doug's. Even with that, the dogs sound good but for some reason don't taste that good. Overrated in my opinion.
(2)Jess H.
This place is located in the cute shopping, area near Goose Island Brewery and the Crate n Barrel outlet - so it's always a good reason to stop by. I am giving a three star rating to my unfortunate experience of showing up when they had ran out of buns for the day and opted to have a corndog instead. The outer crust of the 'dog' was definitely fried but seemingly not cooked all of the way through - a soggy, fried dog is not the most appetizing. I look forward to returning and trying one of their other menu options - I feel my rating could be higher!
(3)Don J.
Nice place with a different take on hot dogs with some of their different hot dogs working and tasting good with others falling short of the mark. The place is generally so busy you need to line up in an alleyway which isn't as bad as it sounds. Its covered and they have the menu in the alleyway so you can pick what you want while you wait. When I was there we tried the Triple Truffle Fries (which are the exact same as you can get in the Trump Hotel but about half of the price), the Spicy Carnita, the Brunch Dog and the Krazy Kimchi. The spicy carnita had a very tasty sausage in it with a great bun but the spicy pumkin puree doesnt really work and I scraped that off the sausage. The Krazy Kimchi was very nice and one of the best dogs on the menu. The Brunch dog was my personal favourite which bearing in mind all the various types of hot dogs they have, is probably one of the more traditional hot dogs that they have. Service is very good and friendly and I will go back but probably not at a peak lunch time period to avoid the line.
(3)Kathleen I.
I felt like I was cheating on Hot Dougs by coming here, but they were open at 8pm on a Saturday night. That my friend, is something Hot Dougs doesn't do. The type of place is quite similar in the sense it is fancy hot dogs. I ordered the Truffel mac and cheese as well because well I hate french fries. The mac and cheese was AMAZING. The food was great, a bit expensive for hot dogs, but worth it. The atmosphere was great as well, and the service exceptional. I truly enjoyed the place and will be back.
(5)Richard R.
I had a specialty dog which I forgot what it was... anyways... wow best hot dog I've ever had... Unfortunately, when I went they did not have the truffle fries... they only serve them on certain days. I really wanted to try them... next time hopefully. The dog didn't fill me up and it was around $9 if I remember correctly. This is my only complaint... If I wanted to get stuffed I would have to shell out $20 and that's a pricey lunch... but what I tried was really tasty.
(4)Angela F.
This is my favorite place in the world:) Everything in here is amazing and I have never been let down! The buns are heavenly! I love the Tur-doggen and the truffle fries are amazing. My husband and I actually have to split up the bowl of fries so that we don't fight for them!
(5)Vodka Sauce C.
The bun , the dog , the truffle fries . really nothing else to say . PHENOMENAL !! AA++
(5)B C.
Top notch cuisine. Yes, I called a "hot dog" cuisine, and you will too after you have tasted their succulent sausage sandwiches. They make most of the sausages on site and have freshly baked artisanal buns. The toppings are a perfect combination to the individual sausage that still sings out among the tasty toppings. The coleslaw is a creative rendition of the classic with caraway seeds and dried grapes. Check it out! You will not be disappointed. Well, you will be disappointed that you could not stretchyour belly and try more on your first trip, but you can, and will, go back.
(5)Winston G.
I thought the sausages here were excellent, even if they do distinguish between the sausages made on the premises (chef hat to the left side of the sandwich name) with sausages they ship in. I had their Spicy Yucatan, which is a Achiote pork sausage, habernero pickled red onions, sliced avacado, and queso quesadilla cheese on a New-England style lobster roll bun (I am automatically predisposed to liking a place more for using this type of bun). Given my low-carb diet, I ordered this sans the bun (cried a bit inside). However, my friends thought the bun was unique and buttery, but one of my friends still preferred a regular hot dog bun. Overall, the sausage I had was flavorful and rich in taste, but not overwhelmingly oily. The garnishes provided a nice balance, especially the cheese and avacados. My main complaint was that the sausage on its own was a bit small, especially at it's $9 price tag. Most people could easily eat two of these, which makes this place very pricey for lunch. However, I would probably come back again for their waffle truffle fries (which I had ONE of today), as those tasted really good (and I am a sucker for waffle fries). 4 stars, no more and no less. Pictures and more reviews: thegluttonousjd.com/2011…
(4)Leslie S.
Loved it. Great creative dogs with wonderful ingredients...and the truffled waffle fries were excellent!
(5)Selena L.
I had the Crazy Kimchee dog and fell in love! The meat was perfect. Only request would be: more kimchee please. Can't wait to go back and try their other creations!
(4)Nimit P.
I loved this place. They grind almost all their meats for their dogs/sausages in house and they have tons of interesting creations to indulge in. Very comparable to Hot Dougs but with it's own flare (and wildly more convenient to Lincoln Park dwellers) I give this place my definite stamp of approval. They have a bunch of great sides (truffle mac and cheese) as well, the only slight downside is it can get a little pricey in the end. We split three dogs and two sides between two people and it cam out to around $40 (bear in mind that was plenty of food and we didn't even finish all of it). Otherwise it's a great spot for a small group, not a ton of space inside so groups of four to six tops I think- but you can carry out as well. Go there, eat well, leave happy.
(4)Tim R.
Awesome gourmet hot dogs and truffle fries. Nice place to take people from out of town.
(5)Bruce B.
Krazy Kimchi dog with a side of fries....delicious. If this place was closer to Uptown, I would be a fat. Great service, even better food, and very entertaining table cards to reserve your both. I got to stare at the beautiful baby killer, Casey Anthony, while chowing down. I'm not sure why I was amused, but I need to come back here and try more dogs.
(4)Jake C.
Best hot dog I've ever had. You must note, this is NOT a traditional Chicago hot dog joint. In fact, you can't even get a classic Chicago-style dog (well, maybe you can ask for one, but it isn't on the menu). If Charlie Trotter opened a hot dog joint, this would be it. The buns are awesome: they look like little cozies made of french toast, and stand up perfectly on their own. They taste delicious, but don't overpower the dog or the other condiments. The two dogs that we tried were both excellent: many obscure and upscale-sounding ingredients that somehow blend into a perfect party in your mouth. I had the "Chicagoesque" and I would not hesitate to order it again, after I've tried all the other ones that are tempting me! The cheese fries were excellent and gooey, and the "Ketchipotle" ketchup was awesome! I'm going to have to see if I can find that at World Market. Aside from the wondrous collection of hot dogs, made from various ciritters, they also have a selection of "Junior Dogs" for kids, and a couple of impressive looking desserts. Also, a yummy-sounding mac-and-cheese that I'll have to try someday. The staff was uniformly friendly, helpful, and enthusiastic. They seemed to genuinely enjoy seeing people come in for a bite. They give you your choice of laminated celebrity photos to take to your table after you order and pay, so that the servers can find you to bring your food when it's ready. She choose Johnny Depp before I had a chance to ask for Da Coach. Being a total cheapskate, It's rare for me to give five stars to a place that costs $20 for lunch for two. But Franks 'N' Dawgs is worth it. Final point: the soda fountain has COKE ZERO! All fast food places should have Coke Zero, but alas, they don't yet. Hopefully, I'll live long enough to see an enlightened world where Coke Zero completely replaces the vile Diet Coke at soda fountains throughout the land!
(5)Ashley O.
Go here and get the Chicagoesque. It is the best hot dog I've ever eaten. The dog is succulent and flavorful, the bun is toasty, and the toppings are a beautiful combination of flavors I would never expect on a hot dog. The guys who put these dogs together absolutely know what they are doing. I have also had their BLT dog which was a bacon-infused sausage topped with tomatoes and romaine lettuce. I would give that a 3 or 4 star: good, but not mind-blowing. I also love that the first time I told the guy to hold the mustard on my hot dog, and then he made me taste it. It's a beer mustard they make in house, and I like seeing the enthusiasm for their product. I have been eating their mustard ever since. The second time I went here I tried their Truffle Waffle Fries which I also highly recommend. The menu is always changing (I think they rotate 4 or so dogs a month) but the Chicagoesque is so good it will be hard to convince me to deviate from it.
(5)Lidia L.
My boyfriend loved this place. He definitely liked it because it beats waiting in the freezing cold for the long line at Hot Doug's. It was even better tasting. He said it tasted a lot healthier and more fresh than Hot Doug's. Though Hot Doug's is a great place as well.... minus the freezing cold wait. The truffle fries are TO DIE FOR! You can taste the truffle oil in every bite you take and the fries are the waffle cut so they are even better! I would say the truffle fries take it for the win for the 5 stars! The owner came by our table and asked us how we enjoyed it all... A note to all .... THEY HAVE TRUFFLE FRIES EVERYDAY NOW! According to the manager, the demand was so high that they are offering it everyday!
(4)Rajiv H.
Franks 'N' Dawgs gave me the two best hot dogs I've ever had (if they officially qualify as hot dogs in any way). We live in a city that prides itself on its strong hot dog heritage with everything between Portillo's and Hot Dougs, but Franks 'N' Dawgs is different and ups the game quite a bit. After some consultation with the extremely friendly and helpful man behind the counter, my Wife and I got the Foss Hog and the Lamb Keema respectively. My wife apparently didn't see that the Foss had a fried sunny side up egg on it which she detests, so, we pulled a switcheroo. It didn't matter. They were both ridunkulously good. That's right, ridunkulously. A lot of reviews mention the overpowering buns, and while the bun for the Foss had a stronger flavor than the one for the Lamb Keema, I have to disagree with everyone else. I could taste each individual element in the Foss as well as they way they mingled together in my mouth. The cobb smoked bacon on the Foss was some of the best bacon I've ever had. The Keema was authentic, perfectly cooked, and so flavorful with the cool cucumber salad sauce (a.k.a. raitha) being perfect for a warm summer day. It is pretty expensive, even for a gourmet hot dog. With the truffle waffle fries (awesome, though not nearly as good as DMK's parmesian truffle fries) and the two dawgs it came to $24, but we were definitely full after. The location is terrible for a place like this, but with how good they are I sure hope they'll survive.
(5)Monica L.
Talk about amazing!!!! Pork of July talk about yum!!! And omg the truffle fries.....TO DIE FOR! NOMMERS!
(5)Johnnie F.
This would ordinarily be a 4-5 star review - from the dogs to the amazing service (will explain why it fell short in a moment). They have a gal walk around asking everyone how their dining experience is going ... and the chef came out and personally asked me how my dogs were... and it wasn't just lip-service - he engaged me in conversation. So why only 3 stars? I honestly think they can serve hot-dogs like these in a much nicer "non-fast-food" environment. Sure, I can see why they make it that way - where you order at a window and sit down at hard-seated tables... but I can tell you, if they actually had a wait-staff I probably would have ordered a great deal more and stayed longer, had the atmosphere been better. Another minus: If you order a number of items, it'll probably run you over $20-25 bones ... personally again, I think it's worth every bit - but others might feel no hotdog is worth this. I think they are, but would be much more so if the place was decked out better.
(3)Anna V.
Love the Brunch Dog!! The maple mayo is awesome, and the egg is always cooked perfectly. The buns they use are really soft and full of buttery goodness. I was a big fan of the Dirty Dog, but I think it might have been seasonal. The truffle fries are also delicious, we got it with fresh shaved truffles. Yum! The dessert is also really creative and tasty. It looks like a hot dog, but the bun is actually filled with ice cream and other sweet dessert stuff. The people there are also super nice and friendly, and I always feel so welcomed when I'm there. Highly recommend this place, I've definitely become a regular!
(5)Jason B.
This place rocks. I've had four sausages here. Each one has been better than the last. Everyone that isn't happy because this isn't Hot Doug's needs to keep in mind that they are still in their soft opening and trying stuff out. The grand opening is scheduled for April 15. The reviewer the criticized the "chubby kid behind the counter" for eating the fries needs to learn a little bit about how quality restaurants work. The "chubby kid" used to work at Blackbird and then was at Sixteen in the Trump Tower. He was probably tasting a fresh batch of fries to make sure they were cooked correctly. This place is only going to go up from here. I agree with the other reviewers that it is a bit pricier than Hot Doug's, but I think this can be justified because of the higher rent at this location and the fact that they make most of their own sausages (the exceptions are the hot dogs and the german sausages which require a finer grind). What really makes this place is the buns. They are almost like brioche!
(5)Kevin T.
Still awesome...staff still friendly. Huge assortment. Something for everyone. Love this place.
(5)eric m.
How do you separate yourself from other hot dog joints; whats gonna draw them back? The bread. The bread is amazing! Its like a sweet hawaiian roll. It sops up all the savory goodness from their dawgs. The lyonnaise fries was a great addition and by far one of the best fries options you can get anywhere in Chicago.
(5)Deirdre R.
Innuendo be damned, I loved incased meat. Hot dogs, chicken sausage, brats, you name it, I want to eat it. The concept of Franks N Dawgs delights me. It's '5 star dining on a bun' which means that the expert chefs have crafted unique sausages and homemade toppings and condiments to accompany them. Still don't get it? Just imagine your favorite flavors and cuisine served up hot dog style. One look at the menu and you'll realize that the folks at Franks and Dawgs have not limited themselves to the traditional meats and condiments that you find on a bun. They've got everything from a Chicken Caesar dog topped with creamy Caesar mayo to a Cheesehead brat piled high with portabella mushrooms and caramelized onions. I had the opportunity to try a handful of the artisan franks and each one had the perfect medley of flavors and the gourmet toppings that complemented the dogs perfectly. Other standouts included the beef curry dog topped with a crunchy Asian slaw and the to-die for mystery corn dog (aptly named for the fact that you have no idea what type of sausage you're getting). The corn dog is dipped in a polenta batter and fried to a golden perfection- the texture was like nothing I've ever tried. While the meat and toppings would be delicious standing alone, the toasted buns they are served on take them to the next level- seriously, next level. The buns at Franks N Dawgs really deserve their own review, they are that good. They are sort of a cross between a traditional hot dog bun and Texas toast. They are browned up on the grill right next to the dogs and what results is a bun sturdy enough to handle the meat and piled high condiments but still soft and crunchy. You just need to try it to understand. I really appreciate a restaurant that sticks to one concept and style of food and then executes it to perfection, and that's what Franks N Dawgs has done. Perfect gourmet hotdogs, scratch made toppings and hand cut fries served in a casual setting for a reasonable price. Great addition to the neighborhood. Check it out.
(5)Rick C.
This place was dope. I can see how there are comparisons with Hot Doug's, but there are distinct differences. First off, they're open later and we were able to walk right in and order our food without waiting an hour outside....for now. From the sound of things, I think business is going to pick up big time. We went nuts and ordered two dogs a piece along with fries and a drink. The only excuse I can make for ordering so much food is that I was drinking at the Cubs game all afternoon. These sausages are quite a meal. We ordered the Beef Curry sausage with orange marmalade, the Turdawgen(turkey and date sausage) with duck confit, the lamb sausage with cucumber, yogurt sauce, peas, and socca chips, and the mystery corn dog. They were all good. My favorite was the lamb. It was juicy, well spiced, and all the toppings helped accentuate the sausage. My least fav was the mystery corn dog. The sausage was a good regular beef hot dog. The polenta batter was a bit mushy. The gentleman that took our order was super cool. He was informative and made some good recommendations. Also, all sausages should be served on these buns. They held up awesomely...is that a word? I'd definitely recommend it.
(4)John W.
This place is teetering on the edge of greatness. First off, there are a lot of dogs here. An overwhelming amount, and each one is so different, it's hard to get a handle on exactly what you want. If they could figure out a mini-dog sampler plate, it would outsell everything else. I settled on the Lamb Keema and the Knocked Up. The Lamb was done up like a British occupation of an Indian staple, complete with mushy peas. I liked it, but like most British food, it could have used some more spice. The Knocked Up didn't have that issue. It came with grilled eggplant, goat cheese, salsa verde...lots of flavor. But the flavor of the knockwurst was completely lost. I should have asked to have the sausages switched. I shouldn't complain, though. I gobbled both with fries. Well, half of both. They're a touch bigger than I expected but not giant. The french fries were really, really good, and even stayed crisp after the bike ride home. I'm tempted to compare it to that other place, but they're just too different. Both have really great dogs, Franks has no desire to be a mecca for tourists and suburbanites. What it is, however, is a place to impress someone with a really great meal and no hassle.
(5)Megan H.
I also had high expectations and felt sort of let down. I ordered the brat with the mac n cheese on top. I think there was a problem with textures since the brat had absolutely none. I wish it would have been griddled or something. The mac n cheese was decent but it did nothing for the sandwich. There needed something crunchy and bread crumbs on top didn't help. However, maybe I ordered wrong. My fiance really did like his dog. My personal feeling is that they try too hard with some of the toppings and yes, it's super pricey. Our two dogs, order of regular fries and one drink came to $25. However, the buns they use are fantastic.
(2)Veera R.
Some friends were in town from Florida and I wanted to take them to Hot Doug's for lunch on a warm Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, they were closed for vacation for a couple weeks, little did I know this was a blessing in disguise. Another friend of mine had recommended the place, and after taking a look at the menu on the interweb, I knew this was a "must try" place. When we got there, the place was a ok size. The day we went, space was limited, because they were filming a new show on the new Cooking Channel, starring one of the contestants from the Food Channels "The Next Food Network Star", I can't remember the name of the show, but it will be on this fall. To the food..... I had the Dirty Dog, which was a heart attack disguised as encased meat, but boy was it worth it. The Andouille with dirty rice, hush puppies & cherry tomato relish were awesome, I had to slow down my pace of eating because I was enjoying it so much and wanted to make sure I could taste each ingredient! HA! My second dog was the Lamb Keema Dog (Lamb, English peas, cucumber salad, pearl onions & Socca), I thought of it as a gyros disguised at a hot dog. I immediately noticed that there were peas on the hot dog and I was a little iffy on this topping when I saw it, but after one bite, all my worries went away, delicious. I also tried a bite of my friends truffle fries, wow were they good. If I didn't feel sorry for my arteries, I would have definitely ran up to the counter and ordered myself a side. Now for those of you who do not believe in paying a premium for a gourmet hot dog, then this is not the place for you, but if you are up to at least try something new once, then you must come here. I had my 2 dogs and a medium drink and it came out to be a little over $16, but since I do not eat here on a regular basis, it was worth every penny and you better believe I will be coming back!
(5)Nicolas H.
Might be my new go-to place for hot dogs. The selection is unreal and the quality of the dogs is awesome. I had the special dog Foss Hog which was their homemade pork sausage topped with bacon and a fried egg. Definitely not something I'd get on a regular basis, but it was damn good. The fries were good as well, fresh and hot. The only negative I can think of it's a little pricey for a hot dog place (although I guess we are paying for high quality ingredients, at least that's what I'll tell myself to rationalize spending more than $10 on a hot dog and fries). I'm excited to come back to try some of the other surprising items...
(4)Steve J.
Get ready for the smackdown.... Attention all celeb Chefs: please stop trying to reinvent my Chicago Hot Dog! It's like seeing a movie adaptation of a horrible old 70's sitcom like Rhoda or Maude. You're left thinking- what? why was this movie EVEN MADE?? Stick with your gleaming, open kitchens and chemistry sets- you have success there and there you should stay. Pros: -My buddy Mike bought -Classic dog w/mus&onions was huge -The bun was actually excellent- light and airy- toasted -ClyCorridor- easy access from many neighborhoods Cons: -Parking is a bitch if you dont have skills -Bourgeois prices could be knocked down one dollar across the board -FRIES ARE EXTRA?!? C'MON! Change some things and I'll try it again...otherwise Superdawg still rules.
(2)Leilani F.
I hate giving BAD reviews, but I just HAVE to here. The first time I visited this place, all I wanted was a Chicago-Style dog. Easy, right? Not so here. You cannot order one here, because they don't have one on the menu. This is CHICAGO boys, and even though you are a "hautedog" joint, you are still a hotdog joint. If you don't offer Chicagoans a Chicago style hotdog, it's sort of insulting to us. Anyhow, today I gave this place another try. I opted for the "N'awlins Dawg," described as Andoiulle sausage, fried okra, shrimp, and chives. Sounds delicious, right? Hrm.... When I opened my take out box and saw the creation in front of me, my first thought was: "not what I expected." It was missing the chives first of all. I had also imagined fried okra like my grandma made- green, slimy, and delicious with little black char spots on it. What I saw on top instead was the JALEPENO POPPER of fried okra. A fried casing around a perfect vegetable- more like an appetizer at Chili's than a topping on a "haute dog." Next were the shrimp. Thought I'd get some yummy shrimp on top of my dog- NOT battered and fried shrimp. Again, they screamed appitizer, not topping. I also saw a tail on one of them and thought to myself, "how am I to bite into this like a hotdog now?" Am I just going to be swallowing tails? How is my healthy heart going to handle FRIED & BREADED okra & shrimp on top of a sausage?" It could have, and WOULD have been sooooo much better if they would have just let the toppings speak for themselves rather than FORCING them to be good by battering and frying them. Aren't there supposed to be good chefs here? Needless to say I ate the POPPER first, leaving 1/2 of the breading behind and begging for more okra, ate the shrimp next, and by the time I got to the sausage, I was already feeling a little ill from all of the grease in my stomach. I took a bite of the sausage, and the casing was so tough that I heard it break between my teeth. The meat, while well spiced, was too oily and I honestly didn't think I could continue. No, I didn't eat anymore of it, and ended up throwing my lunch and my money in the garbage. So not only did I not get a hotdog for lunch, but I hardly got anything for lunch, and felt my body begging for something GOOD. If you want an awesome "haute dog", got to HOT DOUGS!!! They know what's up. Don't waste your money on Pizza Hut when you live in a city that has Lou Malnati's and Pequods. Too much fried guys. Seriously. Eww. Quit now.
(1)Paul B.
Wow! What I had for dinner was EXACTLY what I was hoping for and maybe a little bit more... Pros: Convenient location Short lines (less 5 minutes) Variety of delicious made in house encased meats (can't really call it sausage) They will allow you to split the dawgs into 'flights' between two people Cons: I can't fit more into my stomach If you're reading this review, do yourself a favor and don't get a regular old dog or a Chicago style. I love Chicago styles don't get me wrong, but you can get a Chicago style ANYWHERE. Definitely splurge and get something exotic. I split the Foss Dog and the Nawlins dog and both were amazing. The fried egg on the Foss definitely sets it apart. Next time I will be trying the Veal dog and either the lamb or beef curry, cant wait! Definitely check this place out!
(4)Nancy S.
I'm a lifelong Chicagoan, and I can't believe I've not eaten here sooner. The idea of a gourmet dog just didn't seem appealing. If you are on the fence like I was, make no mistake, it's worth hopping off. I had the Governator. It was very good. The guy taking my order described it as having that sweet and savory combination; he was spot on. I definitely will go back for the Brunch Dog and FU. I also had the triple truffle fries. (Try saying that rapidly and repeatedly.) The seasoning was perfect. They came out hot and oh so crisp on the outside, creamy on the inside. Next time I have to bring a couple of friends so we can try several different dogs and sides. Make sure to bring an empty stomach because the portions are huge. I finished my sausage but couldn't finish the fries. Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention how attentive the staff was. Service was fast (well, they are a hot dog joint, I suppose). The chef and the floor guy checked on me three times during my 45 minute visit. The chef even offered to refill my water cup. That kind of attention and friendliness speaks volumes in my book. They've just acquired a new loyal customer.
(4)Meredith F.
When I hear of a new hot dog joint in Chicago - it is a must that I give it a try. When it comes to hot dogs I know a good place when I see it, and Franks n' Dawgs is one place that I will definitely visit again and again. My sister and I were greeted by the owner who took our order and told us all about the restaurant and where the ideas for some of the menu items originated. I had the Reuben dog and a jumbo hot dog - both were amazing. My sister had the mystery corn dog and the dirty dog - again amazing. This place really takes hot dogs and sausages to a new level in a very un-intimidating atmosphere. I fully intend to become a regular there!
(5)Kimberly H.
This place was great! We went in a 7 on a Thursday, so it was empty just before closing. We had the dawg flight with triple truffle fry upgrade. The dogs were messy to cut apart and share, but oh so tasty. The triple truffle fries were amazing! Especially because we could dip them in ketchupotle or ketchupeño, so much better than regular ketchup! We also had a side of fried pickles and the shaved brussel sprout salad. The pickles weren't that great, but brussel sprouts were fabulous. I know that might sound weird, but they were! The price for all that was $30, and we had bought some beers at Binny's since BYOB is a big plus! I highly recommend this place, and will be back again. I just need to save a little for my fancy sausage fund, and wait until the timing is right to avoid a rush, yet also get there before closing. If their hours were a little longer, and the prices a little lower, this would have been a 5 star rating, and I'd plan to come back more often!
(4)Kelly A.
Besides the fact that the dawgs are AWESOME, I'd like to compliment Zach, who is Franks n Dawgs' best asset and PR man. He's charming and extremely helpful. He always remembers me when I go in. If only all businesses could have such great employees! 5 stars for Zach!!
(5)Kyle P.
Really good and you should at least give it a try but it is a little pricey for hot dogs.....I knew it would be but still it is a little hard to spend $20 at a hotdog place.....make sure you try the cheese fries
(4)Emily M.
This place is great. I can't wait to go back and try more. I ordered the Truffle Mac N Cheese dog and the Tur-Doggin. The Truffle Mac N Cheese dog? Amaaaaaazing. I'm also mac n cheese obsessed. But its amaaazing. I'd order the mac n cheese plain but combined with the dog it's heavenly. The Tur-Doggin I didn't like as much. That doesn't mean it's not good. This just means I didn't know what I was getting myself into.. like the pickled carrots. Wasn't a fan. My boyfriend got the Porkgasm and before I could remember to ask for a bite, it was gone and he said he loved it, so that's that. The buns are different but they're good. I still prefer your traditional hotdog bun though, because I like the bread to meat ratio better. These buns are just too much bread for me and it gets in the way of the contents of the bun. We got there right when they opened at 11:30 on a Friday. It wasn't crowded when we got there or when we left. We also had no problem finding parking on Clybourne, however by the time we left at noon, the street was all parked up. Now, I'm going to have to compare this place to Hot Doug's: it's good but not as good. However, I doubt you'll ever wait longer than 10-15min here and they have better hours. So weigh the pros and cons yourself. I would like to continue frequenting both, but it would depend on the situation.
(4)Christina K.
Franks 'N' Dawgs is such a fun place to go for any hotdog lover. My boyfriend and I have been here 2 or 3 times and we are never disappointed. Each time I come here I stare at the menu for about 5 or 10 minutes before deciding because there are always new tasty choices! Last time I came here I ordered the Truffle Mac N Cheese Dog and let me tell you - wow, unbelievable, spectacular. The owner is so much fun and I love how you can choose from the "Celebrity Hall of Shame" as your table number. And who knew that you could submit your own hot dog recipes and if it's chosen you get a gift card and $1 per purchase? Crazy. This place is one of a kind.
(5)Brian E.
This is gonna be trouble. A stone's throw from my new apartment and the Foss Hog is fantastic: "Pork link, Cob smoked bacon, fried egg & maple mayo" *drools* It's as good as it sounds (at least to us carnivores). I'll be back very soon to try some other things on the menu. If this place was open late, it would be the death of me.
(4)Stephen C.
I love this place, I got the Cheese Head and it was delicious. Will be back to try out the large selection.
(4)Jayme N.
De-licious. Hearty, flavorful food that is clearly made with love. It seems like some of the other reviewers are hating on this place basically, because it wasn't what they expected. These are sausages. This is what my german great grandpa would have made if you asked him to make sausage. They are thick-skinned, juicy, flavourful, and fresh. They are not dainty or easy to eat with one small hand; but they are goooood. Every bit as good as Hot Doug's without the lines. Treat yourself.
(4)Miss O.
Truffles waffle fries. Melt in your mouth corn dog. Outdoor patio. I might venture to say its better than hot Doug's...
(5)Shelden E.
I'm going back. The place opened seven weeks ago and yesterday was my first time. I had the Mysterious Corn Dawg and enjoyed it, but I do have a complaint. The fried corn dog feel was not crunchy enough. I like the crispy crust on a corn dog, whereas this was a little to soft and slippery. However, the sausage was still very good and same with the two different types of mustard. Again, I am going back because one of the employees was telling us that with certain meals, the sausages are made in-house. Also the chef who came up with dishes used to work for Wolfgang Puck. So clearly I gotta try a bunch of different things, and NOT a boring hot dog. Take note the place is BYOB.
(4)Mike D.
Walking around in the city makes you hungry. What a relief to wind up walking by this joint on the way to the red line after a days of hiking around town! Take the side entrance going in!! ;) Tables and your order are identified by celeb photo coaster things given to you after you place your order. What do I recommend? Well, last time I was in, I had the Brunch Dawg... Pork loin sausage, bacon, fried egg made that baby up! Anyone wanna share a Dawg Flight with me?
(5)Melissa M.
My favorite meal is breakfast, so when I saw the brunch dog on the menu, I knew what I was ordering. The sausage was homemade (any with the chef's hat next to them are) and the bun was different, in a good way. The staff were friendly and informative. I also enjoyed the fact that you get to pick a sliding celeb (i.e. Charlie Sheen, Lindsey Lohan, etc.) for your table marker - fun!
(3)Camille P.
So much more than 'franks 'n' dawgs'! Their logo says it all: "5 star dining on a bun". It's true. Wonderful, flavorful, interesting (for a bun though some are pretty classic combinations). I'm glad I went with 4 other people because there's no way I could have selected one dawg.
(5)J K.
This place is a must if you like sausage and gourmet preparations. It was my first time there so I decided to try the chefs choice, flight of 3 halves. Turdoggin, Krazy Kimchie and Mussels from Brussels were all great but the last 2 were exceptional stand outs, as was my sons Bayou dog. Try the triple truffle fries too.
(5)Colleen D.
Finally got to this place. It was very quiet on a Saturday night. Since the menu is really overwhelming, I split the two Iron Chef competition dogs with a friend. I have to say, Bill Kim's Urbanbelly Chix with the curry mayo and pickled green papaya was the bomb. The truffle fries were also awesome but really, they are truffle. Truffle makes everything better. I did not know that Franks 'N' Dawgs is BYOB and has an outdoor patio. Next time!
(4)A S.
If you are looking for the best Chicago-style Vienna hot dog with green relish and a poppy seed bun, this is not the place for you. But there is no where in town that comes close for interesting and creative dog-type sandwiches. Maybe duck, maybe lobster, maybe you'll be surprised. I stop by whenever I can; tho' I'm sometimes disappointed that the dog that I've ordered before has circulated off the menu, there is always something that is intriguing and tasty. Lots of reviewers have appropriately mentioned the truffle fries, but you are really depriving yourself if you don't get the brussel sprout slaw, with pistachios. I never cared for brussel sprouts before, but I wouldn't miss these. I think a mark of a good chef is to expand your palate, and they certainly do that here. And they put their creations on wonderful buns.
(5)Temi C.
Hot dogs with accessories. =) I tried the N'awlins Dog: andouille sausage topped with fried shrimp and okra. The sausage was flavorful and the bun fantastic. I'm not sure if they make their buns from scratch, but they tasted homemade. Prices for a full meal run about $10 and the byob option is always appreciated.
(4)Alex H.
Fuck me these hot dogs are creative and delicious. Nice hipster staff.
(5)Tom K.
Lamb Keema perfectly cooked. Long line on a saturday around lunch, be prepared to wait a while. Spicy ketchup was surprisingly good.
(4)Tony M.
Amazing forget hot dougs this is the spot no waiting in line food is great had frank n stien which is the duck liver dog yummmmm
(5)Adam P.
I like this place. I had the Krazy Kimchee Dog with short rib. It was delicious! Also, I would say it's worth coming here just for the Triple Truffle Fries alone, which are a waffle-cut fry with truffle oil and what I'm guessing is some sort of truffle butter, and an other truffle ingredient I can't place, but sprinkled with parsley. It's a little on the pricey side of things, but you have to keep in mind that these are not your cheaper ingredients and there are real chef's creating food that is far from normal. Chicago is full of hot dog joints, so if you just want a hot dog and fries, you could probably get a better deal elsewhere, but this is a fantastic place for foodies or anyone who is tired of the same old thing. I also appreciate the fact that they take credit cards.
(4)A W.
We went here after a soggy day at Wrigley this past weekend. I had the turdoggin and she had the corn dog. Although I enjoyed the turdoggin, I found it a bit dry. I did enjoy the pickled carrot julienne's on top. We both enjoyed her corn dog very much. If we go back on our next trip to Chicago I'd want to try this place again, but get a different menu item.
(4)Kristin S.
I think I'm a convert. Waffle truffle fries officially kick the crap outta duck fat fries. Plus, there was NO wait at Franks n' Dawgs when I went with two other people a couple weeks ago on a Saturday (open after 4pm!). We were greeted by a super friendly cashier who gave us some recommendations, let us take our time to review the giant, mouth-watering menu, and then let us choose which celebrity we'd like to use as our table number. (We chose Conan. Love you Coco!) The only thing I was not super impressed with was the corn dog. I actually didn't really like it at all since the breading fell off the (was it a bratwurst?) mystery sausage too easily and the skin of the sausage in the center was too strong. Keep it simple with the classics, guys. I did LOVE the overall gourmet feel of this place and everything else I tried. The other sausages were heavenly and oh so delicious. I need another moment of silence for those waffle truffle fries, though. Oh man. I had the beef curry dog with was freshly made and super flavorful. I also tried some of the duck sausage which was also great. With no wait, fantastic food and a friendly staff, this might be the new gourmet sausage joint of choice for me and my out-of-town visitors!
(5)Mike M.
This place was delicious! So good in fact, that I went back the very next day for lunch (Sunday) and they were closed. My heart was broken...and it was my birthday. They make a good portion of their sausage on location unlike other places. I had the Foss Hogg which came complete with a fried egg on top. It was evil and delicious. The owner talked to us for a while and seemed like a great guy. Extremely friendly and helpful. I will go here every time I am in Chicago. And by the way, the sausage is better than Hot Doug's. There I said it. (There is also little to no wait).
(5)Anthony A.
We're starting to see these upscale hot dog places pop up all over Chicago, but this place does it right. Not only do they have differentiated hot dog offerings, but it's all about the bun. They use some sort of gourmet bread which they grill and turn into a bun: OUTSTANDING. We ordered three hot dogs between two of us to go for some variety. For some reason, my truffle fries weren't up to par, but I will chalk it up as an outlier. Staff is incredibly friendly and engaging. I like Hot Doug's, like everyone else, but I think this place is up there in terms of quality and experience, and I don't need to wait in line for an hour. Definitely worth your time and money!
(4)Sara P.
Holy hot dog heaven! Went here for lunch on a Saturday...laughing as we walked in at the couple storming out because all they had were hot dogs. Um, it's a hot dog restaurant, get over it. Looking at the menu, I was a bit overwhelmed by all the choices, and in the end, settled on just a plain kosher-style dog. Boring decision, but delicious none-the-less. The bun was enough to make anyone happy. My finace, an expert in all things Chicago hot dog, really liked his plain dog as well, but said he missed the Chicago style- the poppy seed bun, the celery salt...all the things I don't understand, not being a native Chicagoan. We also ordered the cheese fries, but were slightly disappointed in the lack of cheese. For sure we will be back...and for sure I will venture into a slightly more risky style hot dog. On a side note, someone near us had the corndog, and I came thisclose to reaching over to his table and taking a bite. What? I was hungry. Geez.
(4)Buggin O.
the franks and dawgs are for the most part... flavah! i'd stick with the ones that they make in-house. they make real good sausage--taste like real meat. they want a lot of cheddah for a dawg ($10 easy) but then again, people don't blink for $10 burgers so why not a sausage. still hard to stomach though. like $6 for a regular chicago style dog (1/8th pound). common man! you need as least 1.5 dogs and some side to make it a meal. so like $20 bones per person. fries are good and the special spicy ketchups they got is worth buying a bottle. after a while, you kinda just want a regular dog ' though cause they put too much toppings and sauce sometimes. you kinda just want to let the meal and bread speak for itself. know what i'masayin?
(4)Phil T.
The best hot dog I've ever had, a turkey and date/duck confit/ pickled carrot combination, very pleasant service, excellent choices and great fries. My girlfriend's hot dog, a gouda- and mushroom topped bratwurst was almost as delicious. Certainly a dish I wouldn't hesitate to order on another occasion. I would place this in the pantheon of cheap gourmet options in Chicago today. Strong recommend.
(5)Angie S.
My parents came into town for the weekend and I wanted to impress them with my hot boyfriend and awesome food. They grew up here in Chicago, so I knew no ordinary hot dog joint would work. I had to step it up a notch. At first my parents didn't understand the concept of gourmet hot dogs, nor did they understand the price. But when we walked in we were greeted by this awesome dude, who also happens to be the owner. He made my parents laugh and helped them decide what to order. (I think my dad liked him more than my boyfriend!) So totally one star goes to you, owner dude! Both my parents got the "Spoiled Brat" my boy got the "Foss Hog" and I got the "Dirty Dog". I thought mine was weak in comparison to the other two. I was really looking for some major crunch with the hush puppies and was majorly disappointed. The Andouille Sausage was really good, but just over powering. So there goes a point. My parents let me nosh on their brat (like the spoiled brat I am. Get it, eh eh?) and it was really delicious. The mustard was excellent and applied just right. My boyfriend, however, was the big winner of the evening. His Foss Hog was the best thing I've eaten all year. I can still taste it and crave it at 2 in the morning after a night of drinking. I would never have thought of putting a fried egg on a hot dog. I love it. I love it so much that everywhere I go now I'm trying to put fried eggs on things. I'd totally come back just for that one dog. Oh, and one last thing. We didn't do the truffle fries. Maybe I'm not the foodie I think I am, but I don't understand the truffle craze. Duck fat fries, I'll take two at a time, but triple truffle fries just didn't sound worth the almost $8. And the owner kept pushing them on us. Desperation is an awful cologne my friend.
(4)Jonathan A.
There's another Sausage King of Chicago, and his name isn't Doug. I'm sure Frank's and Dawgs is already tired of the comparisons. But given Hot Doug's popularity, it should be a compliment. Frank's and Dawgs was awesome! And I didn't have to wait an hour in line. I came here for lunch after reading the review in the Reader, with my hopes high that this could be even half as good as the other well known sausage establishment in Chicago. I was afraid it wouldn't live up to the hype. I was wrong. Frank's 'N Dawgs succeeded in every possible way. My friend and I tried 4 different sausages and they were all outstanding. Favorites were probably the Beef Curry and Lamb Keema. The descriptions on all the dogs sound interesting if nothing else, and they look amazing. But most importantly they taste as good as they look and sound. Actually the big surprise for me was how good the bun was. It wasn't just your average hot dog bun, but felt more like a freshly baked and lightly toasted roll. Light and crispy like Texas toast. The chef here, Joe Doren used to be chef at Blackbird and 16, I have been to neither, but it's obvious he knows what he is doing. And further more, they make many of their own products in house. I just found out recently that this is not the case at Hot Doug's which is a big surprise to me. Other things F&Ds has going for it..they are opened Mondays, and stay open til 7pm during the week. It's BYOB, they have a back patio, the prices are comparable to HD's and they have really good and considerate service. I don't really get some of the mediocre reviews here. I guess my experience was 5 stars all the way.
(5)Megan P.
Yes to the Truffle Mac Dog and yes to the Triple Truffle Fries. There is hidden patio seating in the back where your pup can join you! We will definitely be back soon.
(5)Olivia M.
I love this place! Great food and even better service. They have a unique menu, lots of options, and I've never had to wait for a table. Their staff is extremely friendly - especially the head chef.
(5)Kristie W.
I loved that this place had humanely-sourced hot dogs without a ton of preservatives! The Chicagoesque was amazing, although the toppings did make the dog soggy by the second half. The bun was mind-blowingly good and different, and the truffle fries and cheese curds just put the meal over the top. Easily a better experience than Hot Doug's, not because of food (Hot Doug's is slightly better, although the fries are way soggier), but because it was fast, close to town, and no long line to wait in. I love the trend toward high-end, responsibly sourced ingredients in "fast food" style places!!
(4)Robin W.
Absolutely go out of your way for this place. The lamb keema dawg I enjoyed for lunch today was both delicious AND good looking. The four others with me enjoyed their dogs, too. We tried three sides -- the brussels sprouts salad, triple truffle fries and truffled mac and cheese. All were delicious. Plus: they support charities with a "charity dawg of the month," use all "green" utensils and cups, and engage meaningfully in making sure that their business is a positive and fun contribution to their customers' lives.
(5)scott B.
Ate here twice last week. Tried 4 sausages and two kinds of fries.I'm a big fan of Hot Doug's and was itchin' to try this place. Ordered the Hot Dog flight for take out the first time and liked two of the four I tried (I found out when I got home they they gave me one wrong sausage. Liked the New Orleans sausage, but the bun couldn't hold it all. The regular fries were nothing special. My review is really 2 1/2 because they have Fresca at the soda fountain. My two star rating is based on two things. The wrong kind of bun/bread can ruin any concoction. The bun they use is the same bun they use to make a clam role. You know, the one that looks like a Folded piece of Bread. I have struggled to keep every sausage bun from falling apart. The bun at Hot Doug's is superior. If you want good truffle fries, Try Burger Bar down the street. THOSE are truffle fries. These are just OK and overpriced. Save the calories and order an extra sausage instead of fries. Kind of pricy, but if your want Hot Douglike faire without having the time to kill an extra 45 minutes. This place will do. There is free parking a block west.
(2)Roam and H.
The food lives up to its tag line 'five star dining on a bun'. Alexander has got this place buttoned up and sorted out, every dish is consistent in quality and surprises. There are real Chefs at the helm [not minimum wage employees with a pulse] they are passionate about the food they create and they deliver. Lots of the items are made-in-house and others are sourced or made in collaboration with another top quality food purveyor [such as those to-die-for buns]. Where do I start with recommendations here. The sides are a meal to themselves with the clear winner for the night being the 'Triple Truffle Fries' [yukon gold waffle cut fries, truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle salt & freshly chopped herbs] crispy crunchy salty fried goodness. Someone requested that I make them the 'Brussel Sprouts Salad' [shaved brussel sprouts, blood orange oil, lemon zest, toasted pistachios, dill & parmesan cheese] I think next time they come over I am going to just buy some from Franks'n'Dawgs there is no way anyone could top it. And then we come to the 'Lyonnaise Fries' [hand cut fries, braised pig cheek, arugula, poached egg &; a dijon mustard vinaigrette] are you kidding me - so good - they are worth the trip alone. I think you if want to take the guess-work out of it order the 'Dawg Flight', it is a sausage sampler [Chef's selection of 3 house made sausage sandwiches & fries] who could resist that offer. One of our vegetarian friends said that the 'FU' [marinated tofu with grilled eggplant relish, caramelized portabellas, Italian salsa verde & chèvre] was some of the best tofu they had ever eaten. You can't go wrong, select a meat lamb, turkey, beef, pork and go for it. Or try the 'Mystery Corn Dawg' [gourmet sausage generously coated in Anson Mills polenta batter] and let your taste buds decide what you just bit into. More from the Blog: Roam & Home - wp.me/p13q2t-1dB
(5)Angela T.
Can I just say triple truffle fries? Soooooo good. I thought that the combination of truffle butter, oil and salt would basically have to be good, but they are beyond delicious. I was disappointed at first when they were brought out and I first saw they were waffle cut because all of my previous experiences with waffle fries were a soggy mess. Not these ones. They remained crisp throughout, thanks to them being double fried. I had the belly up, which had pork sausage, pork belly, pickled fennel and macerated grapes. I found that the pork belly didn't have enough depth to really add to the dawg; it was more like a limp piece of bacon that wasn't sure if it should get crispy like bacon or become tender like a juicy thick slab of braised pork belly, so it just floundered somewhere in the middle. At lollapalooza, I had the Fingerlingin Good, Andouille sausage, Fingerling potato salad, and a beer mustard vinaigrette. That made for a very good flavor profile. I can't wait to try out some of their other offerings: black sheep and krazy kimchi. I love me some Hot Doug's, but I also have love for Franks 'N' Dawgs. Daily in-house made artisan sausages and accroutements along with fresh baked bread wins me over.
(5)Courtney B.
Awesome dogs and the BEST root beer I have had in a while. Also, did I mention the mac n cheese? Divine. Period.
(5)LT B.
The best sausages I've ever had, and one of the best meals i've ever had. Gourmet sausages, with gourmet creative toppings, in a new england style bun. I wish i had enough room for the delicious looking side dishes. I really wish SF had a place like this. Rosamunde doesnt even come close.
(5)Janowski A.
AMAZING!!! I got the bloody mary dog. First, they used thick toast for the buns (yum!!). It was perfectly spiced and melted in your mouth. The owner was super nice and helpful in picking out just the right dog for you :) They were a little pricey, but worth the money!
(5)Jeanus T.
Very very very good dogs and the bread they use is just amazing!! Get the truffle fries too! Very good. I bet you this is easily one of the best hot dog place in Chicago. A large variety to choose from too. Must try!
(5)Chris S.
Look out Hot Doug's, there's competition in town! I had the spicy duck dog and my sis had the foss hog. We split cheese fries. The dogs were good. I wouldn't say out of this world, but definitely good. Having the kitchen run by a "fine-dining refugee chef" means nice attention to detail. Like well-grilled buns for the dogs and real, but not excessive amounts of, cheese on the fries. I walked away from lunch feeling satisfied--not greasy, not stuff--and that is always a sign of food done well. I'll be back to this spot, hopefully before the rest of Chicago goes nuts over it.
(4)Paul S.
Franks 'N' Dawgs definitely changed the way I see hotdogs. Never again I will probably be satisfied with just a regular dog. Maybe it's because I'm a sucker for gourmet sandwiches but this place, man, their dogs were awesome! I don't care that we had to fight our way through a thunderstorm and eat my hotdog soaking wet..... it was well worth it. I ordered the spicy duck sausage and about 5 minutes through our order Alexander, the owner, courteously told us that they didn't have the spicy duck sausage anymore so I just went for my second choice, the Lamb Keema. He was so sorry about what happened that he even gave us a complimentary corndog! So now about the food. The Lamb Keema was amazing, I don't think there are other words that can describe that hotdog. It was so juicy and tender, just perfect. And the homemade bread it was wrapped in was the best hotdog bun I've ever had too. Buttery, soft, and even a little crunchy. Now, about that corndog... Best corndog ever and I've had my fair share with corndogs. Polenta battered and a succulent Polish sausage inside? Come on now... You'll wind up ignoring those state fair corndogs after having this one. So if you're in Chicago, want some good vibes, a gourmet hotdog experience, nice people, and great customer service... head down to Franks 'N' Dawgs. You won't regret it.
(5)Lois A.
I had the Lamb Keema and the Dirty Dog. I wanted to try the Dirty Dog because it sounded great but also because by buying that special dog some proceeds would be donated to Paws....that's awesome. The Lamb Keema was by far my favorite. The cucumber salad and peas on it tasted great and it was moist and juicy. It tasted the way I'd hoped it would taste. The buns were great and the fries were good. I also enjoyed the cole slaw. The Dirty Dog is Andouille with dirty rice, hush puppies and cherry tomato relish. Loved the dirty rice and cherry tomato relish but would probably order a different dog next time. The Cheese-Head looked excellent. Service was great and this place was spotless. I'd want to give 3-3.5 stars for the food but the service is why I'm giving 4. The people here couldn't be nicer.
(4)Josiah R.
I've been here twice now, once with the woman and once with g'ma. Both times my world was rocked. While I wish fries were included, I can easily overlook that because I had a peking duck dog and my taste buds were driven wild. I've also had the Masala Dawg, and that has been my favorite thus far. Grandma had the naw'leans dawg and she said it was a taste of her childhood in MS. $9 seems steep for a 'hot dog' but it's not just a hot dog. It's an experience, one that I wouldn't mind having again and again. You won't see stuff like this anywhere else. I try to hit em up every 2-3 months. Every bite of each one I've tried is legit, and their fries are very good, too.
(5)Ray P.
I was home ill. * cough cough * Aaaaand, around lunch time I got hungry. Starve a fever, feed a cold? Or, something like that. I wanted a hot dog. And, I was in no mood to sit in the drive-thru lane at "bor-dill-oh's" (you get my drift). * ding * "What was that place the fat, bald bug and worm eatin' dude from Travel Channel went to with Kevin the Pang? FrankNsteins? Franks and beans? Franks N Dawgs! * ding ding ding ding ding !* I hop into my jalopy and head up Clybourn. I walked in the "front door" (this, folks, is where America lags behind other countries in edu-ma-cation -- I did NOT read the instructions to walk down the alley to the "entrance". Duh). I did not do my research, as I was assaulted by a menu with too many choices and not enough time. The register-dude, sensing my dazed confusion asks (quite politely, I might add, and in an Aussie accent, which further confused me), "First time here?" Sheepishly, I respond, "Ayup." He excitedly runs down the menu, informing me that they do make their own sausages in-house, and those sandwiches are denoted by chef's hats on the menu. That did not further filter it down, and, using his spidey-sense offers, "Our most popular is the Brunch Dog." Pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo. They had me at "pork...." So, I ordered my brunch dog, with a small fries, and a small drink (note: refills are available...small drink will suit you just fine). And, I select Hassselhoff as my order indicator (if you dine in, in order to match you up to your order, you select from the 'celebrity wall of disdain' -- Lilo, Nick Nolte, Pee Wee Herman, Sarah Palin, The Brady Bunch -- and stick the placard on your table. They will find you, believe me). The wait's not too long...of course, the joint is not terribly busy on a Wednesday afternoon at 1PM. Waiting at my table, I notice other patrons' food around me -- the Lyonnaise fries look interesting, the truffle mac-n-cheese smells pretty darn good. Then I get my sandwich -- The Brunch (unch unch unch) Dog (og og og) (echo echo echo...hello hello hello? Manny Moto moto moto). It looks good. Very good, in fact, topped with a fried egg, chunks of bacon strewn throughout, good hefty drizzle of maple mayo. First bite -- messy. The pork loin sausage is pork-y (one critique -- season that bad boy before putting it into the casing, and possibly while cooking it), meat-y, but a bit underwhelming had it been alone on a bun. The bacon "chunks" (more like bits) are bacon-y goodness and quite tasty, lending a nice crunchy, fatty, unctuous texture. Fried egg? Lovely (NEEDS SEASONING). The surprise was the maple mayo -- who'd have thunk maple and mayonnaise as a sauce? I could've used more as a dipping sauce. And, I love the bun! Unique shape. Holds ingredients well. And.....wait for it....flat-bottomed, so your whole sandwich doesn't just roll over. Brilliant. The fries. Good, not great. Mostly underwhelming. Why, you might ask? BECAUSE THEY NEEDED SEASONING (getting a sense of a theme here?). However, they have these two ketchup mash-ups, one with jalapeno and the other with chipotle, that were fantastic. Why didn't I get one of the other , specialty fry dishes (i.e., truffled or lyonnaise)? At $5 and $7 respectively, it was a bit more expensive than I would've like to pay for fries, and there's quite a bit -- more a dish to share than for one. I know, I know, 4 stars. I DO like FnD, but I do want to go back and try some other sandwiches, and maybe those lyonnaise fries. But, I am a fan, and outside of a bald, bug-eating, fat dude's recommendation to eat there, I will go again. Maybe I'll try one of the "contest" sandwiches (where they pit sausage creations from local chefs against each other). Well done, Franks 'n' Dawgs. Well done. P.S., if you've ever seen Hot Tub Time Machine, every time I say, "Franks 'N' Dawgs," it feels like I'm saying, "....sux c*** -n- d***."
(4)Zac G.
This place has redefined the hot dog in such a delicious way. The ingredients and sauces are great, and I love the buns.
(5)Eric M.
My mouth is watering just remembering my visit here. The selection of hot dogs is pretty large. All have a very interesting flavor combinations, so don't expect just a simple dog when you come here. I really like the fact that they have a chef's challenge. I was told they have two dogs a month that are creations by chefs from well known restaurants. My wife actually went with the Hoss Dog which was a pork sausage with bacon, maple mayo, and a fried egg on top. It was outstanding. I went with one of their local options the Tur-Doggin. This turkey dog is topped with duck confit and a picked carrot relish. It too was outstanding. We also had the cheese fries which were ok, but not as interesting as their dogs so they seem a little plain. I'm really looking forward to going back here and trying all of these amazing creations.
(4)K B.
This place is worth repeat visits. First, the place is small and cozy and you're greeted by a friendly and knowledgeable cashier. Second, truffle fries. Good god! and I don't even like fries. Third, the condiments on the table are best left alone, serving solely as decor. Fourth, dude these dogs are good. We tried the Lamb-orghini, the Pork of July, and the Krazy Kimchi. Each were delicious, though the Lamb-orghini was the standout of the 3, although the Kimchi paired best with the bun. The challenge for both the Pork and the Kimchi is getting both meats in one bite, which is probably why I preferred the Lamb. I'll be trying the Brunch and the Tur-Doggin next time.
(5)Heather K.
Wow, this place exceeded my expectations. First off, the brussel sprout side dish is amazing. Must learn how to make this.... I went with a party of three and we tried the Vegetarian option, tofu with portobello and a pesto sauce, the macaroni and cheese sausage, chicken cesar sausage, truffle fries, cheese fries, and the brussel sprout salad. Everything was tasty, everything was quick, everything was devoured in under 10 mins. Truffle fries and brussel sprout salad are great side dishes. The buns are sooo good. I can only speak for the vegetarian option and while it was good I would appreciate it if they took a stab at creating a meatless version of a dog or sausage rather than a few pieces of tofu. Either way, I'd absolutely order it again and so would my companions.
(4)Dell C.
You must try the "lamb-bergini" sausage. Do yourself a favor - taste it first! The lamb flavor is so perfect, you won't want to add any condiments!
(5)betsy b.
It's worth coming here for the truffle fries alone. They are an amazing bowl of goodness. The dogs themselves weren't bad but they were completely overpowered by the massive bun that filled me up too fast. I went with the cheese head (brat with onions, portabellas and gouda) and my husband had the daringer (some german sausage with bacon fat on it).....I think he was a little turned off by the bacon fat but the sausage was really tasty. The line doesn't move too fast but once you order the food comes out really quick. I need more of those fries!!!!!
(4)John R.
Everything about Frank and Dawgs is carefully crafted, from their non-traditional gourmet hot-dogs to their equally gourmet appetizers and sides. I would only extend the word "gourmet" to the food and its preparers, as the atmosphere is everything you would want in a hot dog joint-- relaxed and conveniently located with friendly, upbeat staff. Each dog and side has a number of gourmet ingredients, each well thought out and working with the dish. You will have a hard time picking a dog and side as the variety is tremdous. The truffle fries are fantastic but I wouldn't rule out the Brussel Sprouts Salad or the Creole red beans. I prefer Frank and Dawgs to Hot Doug's, though I am still a big fan of both. I have seen a few gimmicky imitation hot dog joints that boast non-traditional ingredients, but don't come anywhere close to these two in taste and quality. There's a care in their gourmet ingredients that just is not matched. Dawgs meets and exceeds Doug's in both taste, quality, variety, and presentation. It's my preference. They're both fantastic, but I find Frank and Dawgs to be a little more fresh. Though it's slightly more expensive, it has normal operating hours and accepts credit/debit. So you don't have to have a day off to get Dawgs during the week and you won't have to wait an hour just to order on the weekend. Doug's is delicious, but their preparation is a little sloppy at times. You will never get a smashed bun at Dawgs as their MO would never allow it. On the flip side, hot dog purest might not like that the bun more closely resembles a carefully constructed texas-toast-like hoagie, but this is a plus to me. Again, I am a fan of both Doug's and Dawgs, it's just nice to be able to get a great Hot Dog on my own time. Going to Doug's is a huge production, whereas Dawgs is anything but.
(4)Jason C.
Despite what several other reviewers state, Franks 'n' Dawgs is NOT just another sausage joint trying to compete with Hot Doug's. It's more like the Kuma's Corner of sausages-- the solid base sausages are made extra special by excellent choices in toppings, condiments, and buns. My personal favorite here is the Foss Hog: a pork link covered with smoked bacon, a fried egg and maple mayo on a brioche-style bun. Yes, this is real. Yes, you need it in your mouth. I've tried a good percentage of the menu, and I haven't had anything to complain about. Delicious sausages, friendly service, and a good-sized seating area make this a unique alternative to the city's other sausage powerhouse.
(5)Dan A.
Hidden gem! You like dogs hit this place!
(5)Anthony N.
Good LORD!! Thess dawgs are truly a slice of heaven!! the Kimchi is delicious and the breakfast sausage is to die for. Seriously, hands down the best. The staff was really nice and 10/10 just perfect !!! This place should be a Chicago landmark! Listen, If you are in Chicago and you do not go grab a dawg at Frank 'N' Dawgs it is like going to Rome without visiting the Colosseum. I am serious! Hot Doug, well, maybe we need a battle on Travel Channel for these dogs !!! My vote goes to Franks !
(5)Josh N.
Freakin' love the BLT dog, the mac n cheese dog could be better but still great. The buns are buttery goodness. I recently tried the pork dog with the shredded pork on top, it was awesome. They tell you which dogs are freshest and they make some daily. I'll see you there.
(5)Trent C.
First of all, a confession. I went to Franks 'n' Dawgs after first going to Hot Doug's and decided that waiting for 45 minutes in line (at 2:30) on a Saturday afternoon in the driving snow was too much. I'd heard about Franks 'n' Dawgs as being just about as good as Hot Doug's and thought it was about time I got myself to Clybourn and out of the snow. First of all, they need a bigger entrance as there is probably only room for about 4 people in the line before it goes out the door. In the summer, I'm sure it would be nice to wait in the alleyway, but in the winter, it probably wouldn't fly with some people. There is definitely enough choices on the menu that you're bound to at least find something you'll like, or are willing to try. Every dog has a unique name. I chose the Reuben Pulaski and a large fries, but almost went with the Krazy Kimchi or the Governator. Even at 3:00 on a Saturday the place was busy but we didn't have to wait more than 5 minutes in line. After chatting with the fellow Aussie behind the counter, I was given the Cate Blanchett magnetic portrait and found my way to the booth. No less than 5 minutes later and my dog was in front of me begging to be inhaled. The buns are incredibly tasty and you definitely get a larger than normal dog. The dogs are juicy and everything tastes fresh. The fries are some of the better fries I've had in a while, but far from the best. I didn't try the Triple Truffle Fries, but will consider it the next time I'm thinking of going to Franks 'n' Dawgs. The prices are a little more than your typical Chi-town dog but you are also getting a unique product so it's somewhat understandable. You have the option, if you're hungry enough, to order the Dawg Flight, which has 3 dogs chosen as a sampler by the chef, but be prepared to fork out $15. Everything ranges in the $4-10 range. While I would definitely go back again, it remains to be proven if this can stack up to Hot Doug's. I feel like a few (dozen) more trips are necessary to fully make the decision. One place that is worthy of a stop when in the area, just make sure to bring an appetite.
(4)Ingrid H.
A little bummed. Stopped here for lunch having heard this was a little like another famous sausage emporium and alas--not so much. The andouille was of all things bland--and the fries left a lot to be desired (in fact, "Where's the beef"--the previous occupants of the space--had far superior fries). But, don't let this review turn you totally off. A decent place if you're in the neighborhood. Just won't go out of my way next time ...
(3)Michael B.
This is a fun spot to bring friends and grab a dog. I love the options they have especially for brunch. The sides are great to share with the group.
(4)Paul T.
I'm a long time fan of Hot Doug's but this place is super and you don't have to wait an hour and half to get in. If you want to take someone to an fancy sausage place for lunch, this is definitely the place to go. The atmosphere is a little more upscale than Doug's. So next time you drive by Hot Doug's and the line is to the alley, try this place. Only problem is the serving of fries with the combo is too small. Sausages are delicious and made by hand.
(5)Josh C.
Diverse selection of gourmet dogs...with the likes of truffle, foie gras, and cheese curds on the menu. Good eats!
(4)Jay J.
It's like they say gourmet hot dogs. You add $5 to everything just because it's "gourmet". This is o.k. and yes it's different but the receipt leaves an aftertaste....
(3)Michael N.
Saw it on Man vs. Food! I had the Krazy Kimchi Dawg and fell in love with the first bite. If you order your dog with fries, its only enough for one person FYI. I need to go back to try others! A must visit when you're in Chicago.
(5)Jason C.
Reuben Pulaski - enough said! The dog has a potato pancake on it! This place is great. Alexander, the owner, is super friendly and nice. Go here, check it out! Just as good as Hot Dougs and no 2 hour wait.
(5)Johnny A.
Pretty reasonable prices for the quality of food you get here and it being Lincoln Park. Franks and Dawgs (F-N-D as i will be calling it now) has Fresh ingredients and I went on a Saturday afternoon and only was 3 people deep in line. In and out in 20 minutes is pretty good is you ask me. I am also a fan of there frankfurter style buns they use and they have chipotle ketchup , super yummy. I will definitely be making another stop at F-N-D!!
(4)Jeremy G.
Best part - the bread wrapped around the dawg. The hot dogs and combinations themselves are great, but the bread is what makes it awesome.
(5)Pha L.
Definitely a gourmet hot dog heaven. The lobster rolls was nice a toasty on the outside while hot and fluffy on the inside. They make the sausage in house so that's a plus. For 2 people, we had 4 hot dogs on our table on top of fried cheese curds and fries. I would difinitely order the waffle fries instead of regular fries. The side portions were a little small. Don't expect to be paying 3-4 dollars for hot dogs. These are adequately priced. The toppings missed their mark and the sausages were a little dry eventhough it's house made.
(4)Michael G.
Dominant! Forget anyone complaining about the "reinvention" of Chicago style hot dogs; Franks 'N' Dawgs is doing interesting & delicious things, and should be tried at least once by everyone. Curtis Duffy's "Duffy Duck" is fantastic! I've not had a bad sausage here yet(the accompanying sauces/toppings/condiments are brilliant), but as good as the Mystery Corn Dog is, it was a bit "doughier" than I like; does anyone make a Crispy-Crunchy-Corn-Dog?! The crispy fries are very good too(I had a "soggy" order once- great flavor, bad texture). Superdawg, and other "classic" joints(try Paradise Pup on River Road near Oakton; Poochies on Dempster is great too) will always be the "Greats", but it is nice to see creative people challenging "tradition". I first tried Franks 'N' Dawgs after reading Michael Nagrant's "Resto" column in New City on April 1, 2010. The place was great then, and it is still great. Their continued brilliant use of herbs, fruits, vegetables, sauces, and spices in their toppings/dressings is fantastic. And the creativity in the sausages themselves is equally brilliant; and delicious! They are about 1 year old now, and handle their large crowds very well; the food arrives quickly, fresh, and amazingly flavorful!
(5)Bart D.
I wouldn't go out of your way to stop in at Franks 'N' Dawgs, but if you are in the neighborhood and are looking for something a little different, then Franks 'N' Dawgs is a good pick. Food was good, but not amazing. I had the Beef Curry sausage and a side of fries. Both were OK, but a little on the bland side. Halfway through the meal I kind of lost interest in what I was eating. I was still hungry so I finished my food. It just seemed to be missing that certain something that makes you want to finish your meal and then have more even though you're stuffed... The staff was friendly and seemed to enjoy working there.
(3)Loc H.
fast service, great buns, great hot dog! i had the mac n cheese truffle dog and it was everything i had hoped for. it was so big, i had to eat the toppings off with a fork. the bun is what really does it for me though... both sides completely buttered to perfection, and the toast on the crust... so amazing. can't wait to be back in chi town!
(5)Kristen D.
I needed a quick bite between appointments so I did the basic Mac and Cheese dog of you consider that a basic dog. It was made with a beer brat and truffled Mac and cheese. I liked the flavor of the brat. After trying to like truffled Mac I realized I just don't, but it didn't keep me from eating all of it so it can't be that bad. I liked the flavor of the brat but felt it actually over powered the bun. I would definitely return and will try the fries. The multiple combinations looked amazing but definitely something you'd want to share.
(3)Jennifer D.
Um, Frank's must have made a change since the earliest bad reviews came out because I am in love with this place! After going vegetarian for 2 years, I have slowly been making my way back. Hadn't had hot dogs/sausage forever, walked into this place because it smelled amazing. And it tasted amazing too. I loved the corndog, it was so different. People have reviewed that they weren't into it, but anyone ordering it should know that it's sausage, not a hotdog under there. Also, the sauces they gave with it were crazy good!! The people that work there are cool and funny. Shout out to my guy from New England Culinary Institute.... Vermont! The owner is awesome too. This place makes me happy I have reintroduced meat into my future! I am for sure going back. You go, Franks!
(4)Anthony R.
Triple Truffle Fries. That's all you really need to know. I visited this place for the 1st time yesterday with a friend and after we left those fries were all we could think about. To start off, we got there around 2pm and the place had some people in it but there was no line and plenty of place to sit down - just how I like it. The staff was very friendly and extremely helpful. The first thing the girl behind the counter asked was if we had ever been to Franks N Dawgs before and we both said no. She then helped us navigate the menu a little bit (chef's hats on the menu means the sausage is made in-house, etc.) and pointed out the iPad on the counter that would show us pictures of all the wonderful creations this place has come up with. We settled on the Frank'n Stein and the Chicagoesque with an order of Triple Truffle Fries and an order of regular fries. I had the Frank'n Stein because I am a sucker for anything having to do with foie gras. My friend had the Chicagoesque. Both were very good. I can't say I tasted the foie gras directly but the overall flavor of the Frank'n Stein was unbelievable. The dogs come on those same buns that lobster rolls usually do and you could just eat that alone and it would be good. I suppose this "breaks" tradition of using a poppy seed bun or whatever but who cares? All I care about is if it tastes good...and it does! The regular fries were OK. Something I had never seen before was that this restaurant offers two ketchup alternatives: Ketchapeno & Ketchipotle. I'm from Milwaukee so not sure if this is something unique to Chicago or something I just haven't seen yet where I live. Both have a slight kick but the Ketchipotle has a smoky flavor to it so if you aren't into that you probably won't like it. I thought the Ketchapeno was pretty good and gave the fries the extra little kick they needed. Now, let's get to those Triple Truffle Fries. I knew they would be good from the second I smelled them when they came to our table. They looked and smelled like they came from heaven. White truffle oil. Truffle butter. Truffle salt. Oh. My. God. And they weren't greasy at all. It might be the best thing I've ever put in my mouth. They were so good we talked about coming back later that night and just ordering these fries for dinner. So good. Do not order any other sides if you come to this restaurant. Just order these...a lot of them. The place is fun as you get to pick from national and local "celebrity" picture magnets at the counter where you order to take back to your table so the staff knows who ordered what. Franks N Dawgs is kind of expensive for cased meats, but then again they just aren't slapping a hot dog in a bun. Overall this place rocks. Great food. Great service. Nice ambiance. I can't wait to come back.
(4)Sam W.
Better than Hot dougs. Yes I said it, house made sausages, owners and staff are super nice and give great service. Been here about 5 times and each sandwich is better than the next. Bring your nicest bottle of wine and sit out back in the summer you won't be disappointed.
(5)Jenna P.
It was an absolute pleasure to dine here. Do not come if you are looking for a cheap, regular Chicago dog.... this is something totally different! Service was quick (and on a Saturday!) and staff members were friendly. We were served by the 5-star chef himself, who was exceptionally polite and helpful. I had the Truffle Mac n Cheese dog, and it was perfection. The mac n cheese was wonderful and totally unique. The brat was flavorful and juicy. And the bun was golden, buttery, and toasted. All three of these components separately were delicious, but when put together SUBLIME. I have never tasted anything quite like it. When was the last time you bit into a hot dog and closed your eyes just to savor every bite? Yeah, that is worth $6 in my book!! The bf had the Tur-Doggin, which was also incredible (although he only let me have one bite!). The triple truffle fries, while expensive ($4.25 for not that many fries), were absolutely exquisite. We're talking golden crisp perfection. Add in a bit of smoky chipotle ketchup, and they were to die for. I will absolutely be back, and I'm already looking forward to it!
(5)Danielle D.
This is the 2nd time my boyfriend and I ended up at this fabulous joint! The first time we were doing a little shopping and we were starving. We saw the sign for hot dogs and my boyfriend was down. Normally I am not a hot dog girl at all so I wasnt thrilled. That changed quickly. The Menu is wild, yeah they have your run of the mill hot dog, but why would you ever get that when there are so many other tempting choices? what we've tried: Tur-Doggin - Turkey & Date Sausage topped with duck confit, herb garlic aioli, house pickled onion relish & pickled carrots (normally pickling sounds gross to me - but the flavors blend together fabulously) Foss Hog -Pork Loin Sausage w/ cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & maple mayo Reuben Pulaski -Polish Sausage, sauerkraut, thousand island dressing, potato cake & chives .......and the Truffle Fries are to die for- yum. So thats what we've tried. I really want the dessert Sweet Home Chicago, but I am so full when I leave that I havent found room for it yet :( (french toast, stuffed with chocolate ice cream, bananas, kiwis, strawberries,mango & Butterscotch sauce) Highly Recommended!!! Run dont walk..... you wont be disappointed. best part........ Sausages are made in house 100% Natural No Nitrates- Fillers
(5)Min P.
kimchi dog.
(5)R K.
What a complete disappointment. The triple truffle fries didn't have any truffle flavor :( and the "Chicago"-esque dog should NOT have the word Chicago anywhere near it - what about this dog is at all a Chicago dog? It's a hot dog- sliced in half lengthwise covered in a bunch of sugary nonsense? I'm sad.
(2)Katie H.
Gourmet on a bun is right! I love this place great service and amazing food! I always get the fu dawg which is tofu, portabello mushrooms, creamy feta pesto on a fresh artisan bun if u have never been check it out it won't disappoint
(5)Skittle J.
O.M.G. I am in love with these hot dogs. As if the taste alone wasn't enough, then they had to tell me that they marinate their tofu for 4-6 weeks minimum! That's some dedication to the cause right there. I'm hooked. I ate here last week for the first time and I have been craving it every day since. I ordered the original tofu dog, and Ben ordered the tofu dog with the spoiled brat toppings. I'm not sure I could choose a favorite if I had to. They were both delicious. The other two dogs that were ordered in our party also looked amazing! The owner is so nice and chatted with us for a good 30 minutes about all sorts of things. I have a feeling every visit to Chicago I make in the future will definitely not be complete until I eat here. YUM!
(5)ben w.
Great food, I had the everyone loves romesco and the macaroni and cheese. I got my daughter the dog and fries, she polished the fries off and they were nice enough to give her a complimentary bonus order. The service was great, everyone was very friendly and talkative. Very quick with no wait on a weekday at 2:30. If you want something more adventurous than a standard Chicago dog than this is the place for you!
(5)Joe T.
I'm on board with all the positive reviews. They have a menu that changes frequently so there's always something new to try. That can be risky and you may end up with an 8 dollar hot dog you don't like, but if you follow it up with a Sweet Home Chicago dessert dog, you won't be disappointed. Ice cream on a french toast bun. I also grabbed a macaron at the counter made by a pastry shop down the street. It was AMAZING. I would recommend this place to anyone but expect to spend some money. If you're like me, one hot dog isn't enough and if you stack dessert on top you could be looking at a $30 hot dog meal. You'll be talking about the experience though for sure.
(5)ashleigh t.
Nice staff, yummy, clean, and great atmosphere!!!!
(5)Pheebe L.
The Triple Truffle Fries were so good! Black sheep is my fave. The chef was there to ask if everything was ok. Will definitely be back many times.
(4)Jacob D.
Pretty great place. I'm saying this place is flawless, but they are 6 weeks old and are damn close. I went with three other guys and we each got something different. Each tasted great and very different. We even ordered a regular hot dog afterward, just to taste that as well. The chef even it up in 3rds and brought out a bunch of relish and mustard. It an amazingly nice gesture. Really nice guys, great hot dogs. I hope they stick around for a while.
(5)Ngoc H.
This place is awesome. Cam here on a random lunch get together and had their Krazie Kimchi. It was pretty good but their triple truffle fries are to die for. I'm already a big fan of waffle fries, but to throw truffle oil on them... oh my, The service was phenomenal. The person who took the order, i was to assume he is the owner, was very knowledgeable when it came to food. We had a little conversations and he showed us the iPAD that was right on the counter in front of him that showed us pictures of what they food looked like and a little description of it just in case you didn't know what you wanted. I thought that was genius. The place was a little hot and they ran out of ice for the ice machine for a little bit but I can't blame them with the crazy heat we've been having, especially when there's people constantly walking in and out of the joint. The place is clean and parking wasn't too bad to find. They also make their own ketchup, which they don't call ketchup lol, you can get a chipotle or jalapeno concoction! Overall, really interesting twist on just a hot dog. Prices are reasonable for the quality of food you get. MUST TRY!
(5)Jeff V.
Now this is what I am talking about. Look out Hot Dougs - this is some serious competition. My wife and I each tried a seperate dog. She has the Brunch Dog and I had the Reuben. First lets start with the bun, which can always be a make or break deal. For us - it was make. It was the right combination of soft where it needed to be and sturdy enough to hold it all together. My wife is convinced the Brunch dog tasted better but I loved them both. If you love Reubens - then this is a terrific dog. The truffle fries were solid but nothing to write home about. The service was terrific. We had a server who continually checked us on while we ate outside and she ran back in to get us refills. The only thing we found unnecessary were the celebrity mugshots that gave us for table markers. Not needed. Besides that this place was awesome and I will make sure I got back before I leave Chicago next month.
(5)Lyn B.
The hot dogs here were so unique, and the atmosphere was really comfortable! I have heard this place be compared to Hot Doug's, and I must say- I liked this better than Hot Doug's! The combinations were really interesting... and I am glad I tried a few different dogs here, but if (when) I return, I think I might just stick with the Chicago dog, it was that good.
(5)Lauren B.
The sausages were really good. I haven't tried Hot Doug's yet, so I have nothing to compare it to. I looovved the truffle fries. So delicious. I wasn't that impressed with the mac and cheese. Kuma's or Feast has a better mac. But overall I really enjoyed Franks n Dawgs
(4)Jake F.
We stumbled upon Frank's while doing some shopping on Clybourn. Being from Wisconsin, this place is heaven. The best gourmet sausages and hot dogs around. The chef is culinary trained on the East Coast and it really shows. His ingredient selection makes each hot dog/sausage sandwich unbelievable. The staff is really nice and the place clean. It was busy when we were in there, but I get the feeling it always is. This place is an absolute must. One of the best meals I have had in Chicago!
(5)Steve S.
It's a shame to see the vast majority of the sub-par reviews here are mostly out of people's mismatched expectations on price. If you think it's too expensive, walk out instead of buying something! I get it, the name and the sign don't exactly align with the gourmet food and some (but not all) of the prices, but geez... All that being said, no gourmet sausage on the menu is more than about $9 or $9.50, and many are around $6.50-7.50. I don't find this to be outlandishly expensive. Everything I've had at Franks 'n Dawgs has been top notch. It's a bit tough for me to order at Franks 'n Dawgs because I'm a freakishly picky eater, so I'm special ordering everything (hold this, hold that) and they've never once made a mistake - which shouldn't necessarily be noteworthy, but as a picky eater believe me - this is an accomplishment. Their regular fries are delicious, though if you feel like splurging you should definitely try the truffle fries. What really makes it all is the ingredients - especially the buns. They're perfect. Give Franks 'n Dawgs a try or two - just know that it's not a "hot dog place" and don't walk in expecting to pay $6 for lunch and you'll more than likely come out pleased.
(5)Joyce C.
Today was our third time here. I wanted to show my diet who was boss and the truffle fries kicked its ass!! Whoo!! The first time we were here, we ordered 4 dogs, fries and a drink for two people. It was awesome, and yes, completely unnecessarily gluttonous. I think we got the turdoggin, the lamb keema, a beef curry dawg and a corn dog. The lamb keema I thought was the best of the bunch, YUM!! It was like a gyro in a bun. The second time we were here was during the filming of "Bizarre Foods" with Andrew Zimmern. Not only did we see Rick Moonen and Kevin Pang here talking and hanging out with Andrew, but our backsides were also filmed for that episode. Awesome. Oh and a group of us got to enjoy a whole buncha dogs and the truffle fries were introduced to us for the first time. Waffle fries tossed in truffle oil with truffle shavings?? Hell yes, please!! I tried the Foss Hog, a sweet pork link served with bacon, maple aioli and a fried egg and it was freaking delicious. The fried egg was soooo rich and decadent against the sweet aioli and savory pork. We also tried the cheese head and the dirty dawg. So, the last time we came was about a year ago. This time we got the "Belly Up" and the "Boar'n to be Wild". Both were good (as expected). The Belly Up had some kick to the sausage and the macerated grapes and dill added a nice freshness to the dog and helped cut the richness of the piece of fried pork belly on the top of the dog. The Boar'n to be Wild was a milder dog, with the fixin's on top which reminded me of something that 's totally escaping me right now. It was tasty though. We'd heard that the bun production had now been outsourced to a local bakery, I think to Labriola. Now, I LOVED how the brioche style bun before was delicately fluffy with a perfectly crisp outside and a soft buttery inside . Sad to say, no more. Now the bread is heartier, with a significant crusty layer, which makes the dog a little harder to eat. The meat to bread composition has been thrown off, and I'm not a fan. The dogs and the toppings are still tasty though, hence the 4 stars. I'd definitely still come back, but I hope they'll fix the bun situation soon!!
(4)Ben F.
Bayou dog + triple truffle fries. Ridiculous.
(5)sheena r.
i went with the Black Sheep, and i knew i shouldnt have. i do enjoy my share of lamb, but when i want a sausage, i want a sausage. it turned out to be more of a "gyro" shaped sausage, than a sausage. but it was good. but i wouldn't order it again. the lyonnaise fries were not for me, which is sad. i knew i should have went truffle,but i felt adventurous. sometimes that whole adventurous with food thing gets in the way of me actually enjoying my food. i will be back though. my friend had the mystery corn dog, which was amazing. polenta batter? yes please. [although now they've switched to a mystery corn dog platter..i'll still dig it].
(3)Jody C.
Ever since my first visit I have been a fan and over a dozen visits later, I still love it here! My favorite is the truffle fries- I crave these! All of their dawgs are great- my favorite being the BLT one when it is in season. Their food is original and delicious! On top of that what really makes this place stand out is the excellent service and staff. No matter how long of a line they have, they will take the time to explain the menu to new-comers. This place is passionate about their food! Its also BYOB which is awesome. I bring all of my out of town guests here- and everyone loves it!
(5)Veronica C.
This place is the trifecta of happiness. Super good food, Super nice people, and a really good cheap eat. The chef is from the Culinary Institute of New England, which is in VT, where I am from. I had to mention that to the lovely Aussie who was taking my order, and he said "the chef would love to hear that!" and out the chef came! He was really sweet, taking the time out to chat about Vermont and how we missed it while my food was being prepared. They even made sure to tell me how much time was left! The food...the hot dogs were AWESOME! A must to check out!
(5)Erin G.
My friends can not get enough of this place! I am not that big into sausages, but I did enjoy the hot dog that I had. I thought the truffle mac & cheese was by far my favorite thing on the menu! Way less crowded than Hot Dougs and around the same price. If you love home made sausages, then defintiely check out their creations !
(3)Jon M.
This must be my favorite Chicago restaurant! I haven't been to Hot Doug's, but it would be impossible to be better than Franks N Dawgs. My favorite is the Bayou Dawg - with beans, TENDER blackened shrimp, and some kind of aioli sauce. Out of at least 10 items I've ordered the only thing I haven't enjoyed here was the lobster roll, but I don't know why I decided to order something like that here anyway (very small amount of lobster meat). Stick to the turdawgin or the dawg with pork belly on top. The employees are always nice and I don't know if I'm just lucky, but I never have to wait in line. I should give this place a bad review to keep it to myself! mmmmm
(5)Missy S.
I found this place one day shopping with my mom and we were in desperate need of a quick bit to eat to refuel. We happened to stumble across this place and i so happy to have found a new hot dog joint. I had the fu dog and it was to die for. They serve them on these french toast like buns and have very unique topping combos. Its a bit on the pricier side but defiantly well worth it. On my next visit I think I will try the truffle fries.
(5)Sandra L.
It was a great place where you can find things like a brunch dog and a turkey/date sausage with duck confit. Haute dawgs !! Before you go, I would look up the menu online--a lot of people stood froze at the counter looking at the menu for a long time (hard to read fonts). Also, skip the sides especially the truffle fries--they underwhelmed me. Stick to the frankfurters. For dessert, they have a hot dog bun (french toast) stuffed with ice cream and fruit. Best thing about my experience, having the chef/owner help me pick the "Krazy Kimchi" (who doesn't like sausage, braised short rib, and kimchi in a bun? He also recommend the "Tur-Doggin" and the "Belly Up"for my next visit. They have 27 different dawgs to choose from ;-P
(5)Joanna E.
It's hard when you're the new kid on the scene and everyone's comparing you to your older brother, right? I'm sorry to say I 100% agree with Ian M. on this one. Toasted buns= fantastic. And while Franks is trying really hard to be robust and eek out new flavor combos, it just isn't Hot Doug's. I appreciate that they're open in the evenings and that their locale is a little closer but not sure that merits 2-3$$ more per dawg. Plus, I got the veal percik which was perfect--until I found 3 quarter sized pieces of cartilage in the dog. That's one way to ruin the next bite. Please fix this Franks!!! You would have been great otherwise and worth the price!!!
(2)Katie D.
Loved the bun! My husband had the truffle mac n' cheese brat and truffle fries-- I just went with a plain old hot dog. I love that bun. I actually thought it was genius! Call me a carb-lover but it was great! My husband loved his food, too. I would definitely go back!
(4)Jennifer Y.
Great food. Service was ok (the owner, who I think is the guy who speaks with an accent is really nice and patiently explains things on the menu) except for this red headed jerk who works behind the counter which I am knocking off 3 stars for because he was just that rude. The waitress had accidentally spilled some water on our table (and she apologized repeatedly) and he started laughing and said we deserved it. Apparently he was a little ticked off because we grabbed an extra empty plate from the counter (the waitress was no where to be found) so we could share our food with each other. We apologized to him when he started yelling at us but apparently he's got a permanent chip on his shoulder. The owner really needs to fire him as I can see from other yelp reviews that I am not the only customer who has experienced his lack of manners. The food is great but I will not return because this red headed guy seems like the type who would spit in your food. Gross.
(2)Nate L.
Love the dogs itself, but did not like the buns dog was sitting on. It's almost like garlic bread with flat bottom and slit in the middle for the dogs to sit in. Nice concept but it didn't do it for me, and plus, I don't like greasy buns. Decor is pretty average. Their twist on a korean dog was pretty decent, I'm Korean and I've never thought of putting kimchi on my hot dogs, although it was not homemade, it tasted really good. Probably try the truffle fries next time and different dogs. But I've had my fix on exotic dogs for now and plus, Navy's Physical Health Assessment is coming up so i need to stay away until june!
(4)Brad C.
Hell Ya! Franks 'N' Dawgs is great and I don't know why haven't been back. Sure Hot Dougs is great but I don't usually have time to wait 45 minutes for a couple dogs. I've gone to Franks 'N' Dawgs twice both times for lunch and I was able to walk right up and place my order. Both times I've gone I've ordered different dogs and they have all been damn good. The couple I can remember are the Beef Curry, Lamb Keema and the Dirty Dog. Each time I go I'm pretty sure I'm going to try something new because there are some great combos on the menu.
(5)Suzy D.
My husband and I were at Petco picking up some stuff for our dog and decided to walk over to Franks 'n' dawgs and grab lunch. We came here around 11:15 so there was no line. We were both eager to try everything on the menu, but we decided to just order 2 dogs each. I got the two iron chef dogs, one was called something Naha (by the chef from Naha) and one was called le merguez (lamb, greek yogurt, chutney). My husband got the brunch dog and the truffle mac n cheese dog. We also got some lyonnaise fries to share. First of all, everything was delicious. However, for us the standouts were the brunch dog (fried egg, pork sausage, maple mayo) and the le mergeuz. So delicious. The mac n cheese dog was tasty and you could definitely taste the truffle, but the mac n cheese kind of overpowered the flavor of the meat. The fries were good, but I think next time we come we'll get the truffle fries. We forgot that the lyonnaise fries had a sauce on them so they were kind of soggy and we like our fries crispy. Very tasty though. We will be back to try more!
(4)Chris J.
What a great place. Unfortunately, my kids and I eat hot dogs way too often. However, it's hard to call the food here a hot dog. Each hot dog is more like a meal (which we learned when we tried eating two each, which we would easily do with a normal dog). My sons tried the plain dog on the great toasted bun, and after his first bite, my son Alex said it was by far the best hot dog he has had in his life. He tried the corn dog next, and had a hard time picking a favorite. My other son Ryan loved the fries (we all did). I had the New Orleans Dawg, which was also great, and very unique. We've been there twice since they opened, and will definately be back again. We looking forward to the outdoor seating area when the weather gets better...hopefully soon. We all highly recommend this place, but as tempting as they all may be, make sure you order them one at a time.
(5)Molly L.
This is a hidden gem. Amazing everything but the truffle fries and mac and cheese dog are insane. If you are thinking of waiting in line for Hot Doug's, I advise you to check this place out.
(5)Sourma K.
As soon as I saw Boar's Head hot dogs I knew this was a good place. Its the best gourmet hot dog I've ever had, it was the Lamb Keema and it tasted like a gyros but in the shape of a lamb sausage w/ some yogurt sauce and other trimmings. It was worth every penny and cannot wait to go back.
(5)Rainier R.
I think it was a great experience having these gourmet dogs, but I think I'm kind of indifferent to it.
(3)Charles S.
This place rocks! I've been here twice and can't wait to go back. First time I had the "burger" dog and the regular Chicago dog. The second time I had the white brat with mac & cheese. The brat was a white sausage like the kind you would find in Germany. Sorry, I don't remember the real names for any of these. The ketchup comes in two spicy options. The mustard is gourmet, like everything else there. The guys behind the grill are like hot dog chefs and the owner is very friendly. I guess I would be friendly too if I were charging over $7 a dog on average, JK! The dining area is cozy,clean, and not crowded or loud like at Hot Doug's. Give this place a shot, but be warned you may never go back to Portillo's again.
(5)johnny b.
fine if walking by worth a look. mine wasn't that great but probably just the choice. Was well done I just didn't like the flavor but I would try here again..
(3)Joshua P.
Oh yea, triple truffle fries all the way. Honestly, I come here just for those. Not that the dogs aren't good, because they are. They have very interesting creations and they work well together. Not too crazy about the bread, but hey, not going to get picky here. I like the wall of shame idea, where by they use celeb pictures to identify your table. Its a fun idea. Also, unlike hot doug's, there is hardly ever a wait. At least every time I've gone. I hate to compare them to hot doug's because what they do is unique in their own respect. So you shouldn't either! Come check them out when you have a chance.
(5)Michelle L.
I love a good Chicago style hot dog, but my first visit to Frank n Dawgs I decided that being adventurous was the way to go... I had the dirty dog, my husband the lamb keema, and we shared cheese fries a cheese head and some truffle fries... dirty dog: absolutely wonderful! Our friends raved about this one so I really didn't think it would live up to their hype but I was wrong, the andeouli sausage was moist and spicy, and the rice on the bottom, while I thought would be a weird filler, was actually quite flavorful and a great compliment. But the bun...wow it was amazing, fresh, light, buttery. Unfortunately my husband wasn't a big fan of his lamb keema otherwise I would have had my dirty dog all to myself! My big downer - the cheese fries. I love French fries. I love cheese. I love real-cheddar cheese sauce fries. But these fries were overcooked, way too crispy, were not hand-cut, and just had a sprinkling of grated cheese on top. Can I get some real-cheddar sauce, please? Along with hand-cut fries, please? I'm paying for it... But my day was saved by my friends who had the good sense to order the truffle fries...these are how fries should be done! Such a unique flavor with the right amount of salt, I could have eaten 2 orders just by myself. Oh, and we saw Andrew Zimmern filming for an upcoming Bizarre Foods, which was fun! I expect this place to get a lot busier once the episode airs so get your fix now.
(4)John P.
What a find! I was walking along the sidewalk up N. Clybourn and spotted Franks 'N' Dogs. Hmmm This is what we've been looking for - delicious, gourmet-quality dogs with LOTS of varieties. We entered and knew immediately this was THE place. After staring at the extensive menu for a few minutes, the ultra-tech savvy guy behind the counter said, "Here, check this for a more visual idea of what we offer." Right in front of us was a properly tilted, for easy viewing, iPad2 that had every menu item described. A quick tap, produced a full screen, high-rez image of the delicacy. How cool! We both decided upon The Cheesehead which was a 10+! It arrived amazingly well-plated for presentation and the made-on-premises dog, really a high quality sausage, was superb. Equally outstanding was the "bun" which was reminiscent of a top quality lobster roll found along the Maine coastline. It was perfectly grilled & hand-split for accommodating the dog and other ingredients. This place even has a unique-to-Chicago ketchup called "Ketchapeno" that was also a 10 on the condiment scale. It had the perfect kick that added to the overall experience. We'll be back!
(5)P S.
Great hot dogs. Amazing amount of variety. The truffle fries are a must.
(4)Moe f.
Sweet, a place to get an upscale sausage with no wait! Gotta love that they make about half the sausages in-house. I had the Foss Dog which was a special made of pork loin and had a fried egg on it. Loved it. Fries were spot on(and they have malt vinegar handy). Friendly, helpful service, I'll be back.
(4)Joy D.
On the sign out front, it say's "5 Star Dining on a Bun", and I agree! After seeing an article on hot dog places in the Chicago area, I checked this place out and was shocked to find a place I like even better than Hot Doug's. Oh, I'll always go to Hot Doug's just because of the charm of the owner and the vibes, but as for the actual food -- I've found a new favorite. The Triple Truffle Fries made me moan, they were Sooooooo good! They stuff their own sausage. Pretty amazing! The staff are friendly and the service is relaxed.
(5)Leigh K.
Two words: truffle fries! Also to note; they are vegetarian because they are cooked in vegetable oil! Holy gosh, they are delicious. I will totally get these again. I've been here three times and got two different duck sausages and the last time I had a turkey one. I definitely preferred the duck to the turkey. There was a lot more flavor (read: fat) in them. Zachary is obsessed with this place at the moment, so I have tagged along, but I like Chicago's Dog House a bit more so far. It doesn't seem like Franks N Dawgs has caught on yet, but I feel like it will soon, so catch it now!
(4)Kris R.
who knew a hot dog place would treat me like a princess? i came in w 5 of my coworkers. once we sat down (i picked tina fey again) the owner came to me and asked if i had done that review i did last week. i shook his hand and said, yes, that's me. he so graciously made the dessert dawg for us, which was excellent. i also got to try gale gand's rootbeer, which awesome as well! i felt like VIP. yelp does wonders. this time, i had the turdoggin, which was delicious. i still like the nawlins dawg the best. i also had my OWN truffle fries, hey-o! SO SO SO goood. thing is, i can't keep coming back every friday because i'm trying to watch my figure. i can pretend this salad is a dawg, though. i should say, when i want to indulge on fridays, i WILL come here. see you guys again soon! xoxo!
(5)Ian M.
I'm going to get the pressing concerns out of the way: this place is not a carbon copy of Hot Doug's. And eating there for its grand opening, it will have some work ahead of it to prove it deserves its own line out the door. That said, i enjoyed my "harvest dog" well enough, a bockwurst with cherry tomatoes, chives and corn relish. The ingredients really made fresh-tasting contrast to your usual greasy dog, and as the last reviewer noted, that toasted bun is phenomenal. The fries were crisp and fresh, and free fountain drink refills were appreciated. Service was prompt (though I was the only one in there) and very friendly, and the prices of the signature dogs fall two or three dollars below those Hot Doug's (though I hope in the future they will adopt a similar weekly rotation of specials to keep things exciting). I'd say it's worth sausage cents to give it a shot.
(4)Celtic B.
A solid 3.5 stars. The dog I had here was great, The Krazy Kimchee. Lots of flavor from the beef sausage, an excellent bun and a great balance of meat to bun to garnish. I thought the cheese fries were kind of weak. The cheese was melted over the fries and it hardened up right away. When I want cheese fries I need my cheese to be creamy, and that was not the case with these. Kind of pricey - I think I'd rather go to Doug's next time I want a gourmet dog.
(3)Dina I.
totally different than Hot Doug's but just as tasty in my opinion. Some days, I just crave a dog specifically from Franks 'N' Dawgs...
(4)Manny A.
We were riding around heading for a place to eat and I happened to spot this place among a row of storefronts and was immediately intrigued. We found street parking pretty easily and went in. We went for the basic hot dogs just to check them out. The hot dogs were meticulously prepared and delicious. The Truffle Fries were surprisingly good, especially for someone burnt out on fries. The service was laid back but attentive. Overall, a great experience.
(5)Kelly M.
SO BOMB! I love this place! Everything is good .. their truffle fries are the best thing since sliced bread. Just thinking about their food makes my mouth water. I'm one who likes to order the same thing everytime at restaurants, but here I try something new every time and love everything I've had. I even get to sit with Snoop Dogg. It's also SO much more convenient than Hot Doug's, you don't have to wait in line forever either .... you will love it, I promise!
(5)Jen H.
Cased meat and truffles? Cue Homer Simpson drooling.... I tried the truffle mac n cheese sausage with a side of truffle fries. (I am on a truffle kick). I could have devoured a bucket of just the mac n cheese! Hubs had the turkducken dog...crazy, but he loved the duck confit topping. yep, truffle and duck confit...not your average hot dog place!
(4)Bobby W.
Man oh man. This place blew my mind. They took it to the next level for me. That pillow-soft, buttery grilled bun, tender sausage and unique range of toppings. We tried the brunch dog and the turdoggen, both were incredible. We were there at lunch time on a really nice day and were able to find seats no problem, which was a bonus!
(5)Emmy B.
Love it, and still thinking about the Beet and Brat! Minus 1 star, because I did not care for the truffle fries. They just tasted oldish-oily. Not because they were, I just think some people like them, some people don't. Too small a place to eat there, take it to go.
(4)Michael S.
Dogs were good. I think we wanted it to be more than it was. We'll stop in again if we're in the neighborhood, but not a good enough dog to walk out of your way to get to.
(3)Lucas K.
This review is very clearly colored by the following facts: A. I've never been to Hot Doug's, though I plan to solve that soon; B. I didn't have any sides; and C. They didn't have the dog I originally wanted (the Kimchi one). So disclaimed, begin the review! I got the Spoiled Brat when they told me they didn't have the Kimchi dog; I only found out later by dropping some eaves that they make their own kimchi, so that's pretty cool. The brat itself was tasty, but the casing was a bit rubbery and didn't snap off like a good sausage should. The condiments they put on were delicious, and matched up really well, but I wish there had been JUST a teensy bit more. The bun itself was delicious as well, but it just didn't hold the dog as well as a traditional bun would have; it was a little clunky. All that aside, I was very impressed with their drink selection (Gale's Root Beer was tasty and unique) and the staff were all obviously friendly and enjoyed what they were doing, so I really can't bitch too much. Overall, definitely worth a visit, but I'm looking forward to trying Hot Doug's and comparing in the near future.
(3)Mike D.
Wow. Being a hot doug's fanatic, I thought I would be sadly dissapointed by Franks. However, I refuse to let a good dog go untried, so I ventured in at 12:15, no line, very few people. I ordered, got my food pretty quick. I tried the breakfast dog, which was great. Even surviving the trip home, the egg was just cooked enough to make the yolk soft but not runny, the sausage was well spiced and tasty. The maple mayo brought it all together, making it taste like a breakfast. The Truffle fries are great tasting, but a little steep at almost 5 bucks for an order. The buns are actually something to write home about. They're great and really make the dog.
(5)Amber V.
Great hot dog joint! The owner/manager was super nice and my hubby & I loved the veal percik. The only downside to this fantastic upscale hot dog joint is that the decor doesn't match the food. The menu has slips of paper for each item and all in all the actual restaurant is nothing special. The food, now that's a different story! Check it out!
(4)Haley S.
i really wanted a gourmet dog without the wait that you have to endure at other places, but i guess the wait at those other places is worth it. i was UNimpressed with Franks N Dawgs. The brat (i had the cheesehead) was engulfed by a brioche bun so in the end i realized i was eating more bun than dog, not cool F'n Dawgs. The truffle fries are good but you get a handful for $5 and i dont think they'll make me come back. adorable man at the front with the cute little accent won't even get me to go back. i guess this makes me a Hot Doug's girl all the way, sorry F'n Dawgs
(2)Colt E.
I love Franks N Dawgs. I really do. I'm very close to preferring it over Hot Dougs. The flavors are just as good. They make their own dogs and even their own condiments. The service is amazingly friendly and you generally don't have to wait terribly long. Oh and did I mention that wonderful french toast bun. Mmmm.
(5)shai h.
The triple truffle fries put all other truffle fries I've eaten to shame. I had the Krazy Kimchi dog. It was amazing. The bread that the dogs are served in are crazy awesome. My bf had the one with the shoestring fries. Also delicious. The owner (I think) was really passionate and enthusiastic. They make a lot of the sausage in house. Great place!
(5)Nicole V.
The other day my honey and I happened to be in the neighborhood where Franks 'N' Dawgs is located (I've heard good things) so in we went. WOW. The menu was full of these amazing gourmet dog combinations, we could hardly make a decision. Finally, after talking it over with one of the incredibly nice owners...I decided on the Tur-dawgen and my guy went with the Dirty Dog (proceeds go to a monthly charity, PAWS...scoring them a HUGE plus). We decided to get our food to go and chatted a bit with the owners before heading home with our dogs. Upon unwrapping these masterpieces we were immediately happy we decided to give these dawgs a try! My tur-dawgen was amazing, the turkey was flavorful, fantastic aioli, perfect pieces of duck and just the right amount of sweetness in the pickled carrots...delicious! I also tried a bite of the Dirty Dog and it was tasty as well. Just the right mix of spice and savory with those amazing hush puppies on top. The new managers of this place have really gotten it right. I believe Hot Dougs may finally have a little gourmet dog competition. I'll definitely be going back...next time I've got to try the beef curry.
(5)Alex M.
Everything here is so good. Truffle fries are out of this world. There is no other place like this in all of Chicago.
(5)Jaime G.
If you're gonna have a dog in chicago out side of one of the ballparks, might as well make it a "Dawg". Franks n Dawgs serves up some tasty gourmet dogs that are nothing like you've had before. The tur-dogin turkey dog with crispy duck confit and picked carrots is really tasty and unique. Or the Lamborghini lamb dog, or crazy kimchee which a brat with seared beef covered in kimchee. My fav has to be the brunch dog pork lion dog, bacon, and maple mayo under a fried egg. All come with a fresh fresh bun that is grilled with butter. Pair with some truffle waffle fries and root beer and it's a awesome dog!
(4)Garrett Y.
I had a quick lunch here a few weeks ago. I had the mac and cheese dog and an order of truffle fries. Overall, I had a very good experience here and there were a few other dogs that I'd like to check out in the future. The dogs here are not your run of the mill Chicago dog. They are more creative and "artisan". But along with that, the prices are a little higher than what you find at another fast food/dog place.
(4)Matt C.
Was a pretty cool place and wasn't very busy when I was there. The only complaint is the price, but you are definitely getting specialty "dogs". I had the lobster roll which was pretty good, but by far the priciest thing on the menu, but that is to be expected. I also had a brat which you could tell they made. The onions were delicious, but the best part of both is their buns. They are like pieces of Texas toast or something folded and baked to act like a bun. Everything was delicious and the place is cool with a back patio area
(4)scott s.
Was psyched to try it but it wasn't for me. just wasn't a big fan of the sausages. I can definately see how many people would enjoy the food though so I would still reccomend going. Fresh ingredients, great combinations, solid sauces and creative concepts. Staff was friendly. Carmelized onions were really good with a long slow cook. If it wasn't for not liking the style of sausage, it would be a big thumbs up, but that's personal taste.
(3)Erica L.
Triple Truffle Fries. That's the real reason I go here...and to accompany Hubby as he tastes his way through the hot dog menu, of course. During the summer the line can be down the narrow alley. Thankfully, it's the dead of winter, and we didn't wait at all this time around. They also let you choose a "notorious" celebrity from the wall of shame that serves as your table identifier. Hubby almost always picks that girl nobody likes on "Family Guy". I also love the lobster roll-style buns that are buttered to perfection that they use for all their dogs. I could eat those alone all day. The Brunch Dog is breakfast on a bun. Hubby really liked the Krazy Kimchi Dog. I'm sad they stopped serving the classic Chicago dog (or maybe it was all in my imagination, but I thought they did a long time ago); I guess it's not really a classic Chicago dog if it's not served on a poppy seed bun? Then the TTF...double fried waffle fries crisped to perfection with the trifecta of truffle seasoning...truffle oil, truffle salt, and truffle butter. *moment of silence* Need I say more. We even took my in-laws here the last time they were in town. Of all the places we went out to eat that weekend, including a pricey sushi and an equally pricey steak restaurant, their favorite was this spot.
(4)fran a.
This place is fantastic! I use to go to Hot Dougs when they first opened their location off California & I stopped going because I refuse to wait down the block) . No offense to Doug but this place Franks & Dawgs is better!! I love hot dogs! Dare I say it's one if my favorite foods ( besides French fries.. Which are awesome here!! Perfectly crisp!) Go here! You won't regret it
(5)Wisa F.
So gooood!!! Been here twice with friends. First time was a year ago, the last time was last month. The food is amazing. Truffle oil fries are phenomenal!! This last time I went, I ordered the Bahn Mi. My friend ordered the chilaquiles. My Bahn Mi was awesome. I love pickled daikon. It had a great crispness to it. My friend said the chilaquilles was excellent, and she wanted to bring her mom to try it. The staff is friendly and fun. I hope to go again sometime soon.
(5)Ludovico Z.
After actually going here: I must say that the food is great! The portions are a bit small, so you do have to order a few to items if you want to be full. The quality however is excellent. Am a huge loyal fan now!
(5)Charlene L.
MY, OH MY! BEST truffle fries I've EVER HAD!! and yes, I've had a lot of truffle fries! lol!! I ordered these along with my brunch dog. Although I typically don't like "sweet meat" this flavorful combo was finger-licking GOOD! A bit too much sauce on top, but it didn't drench the dog itself! Also, can I go back to these damn fries?! They were sooo good (and a HUGE portion), that I packaged these up to go! Then, I ate them on the drive to the airport, as I was flying home that day.. so tasty!
(4)Jennie C.
I have to confess: I'm not a fan of hotdogs. So imagine my surprise when I realized how much I like this place. Unlike the artificial dogs you get at the supermarket, these dogs are homemade, with a very delicate skin. There's never a line/wait, and I love the crazy flavor combinations, which have a good balance of sweet, sour, savory so that every bite was a delight. Perfect sustenance for furniture shopping!
(4)Brian M.
Overall I'd give this place a 3.5 out of 5 stars. Came here with my gf and we ordered the turdoggen, the lamb- ourghini, and the brunch dawg. You get to pick a picture of a shamed celeb, we picked trump, and you go sit down and they brought over the dogs. First off, the buns were a lot thicker than I'm used to, not in a bad way at all just be prepared for that. The buns were buttered and griddled to make it nice and crispy. Our favorite was the brunch dog by a landslide. Omg it was so good with the egg and the maple aoli it was exactly like a breakfast dream in my mouth. I definitely would recommend coming back just for that dog alone. The lamb one was pretty good, the giardiniera was a nice acidic balance to the richness of the dog and the bun. The least favorite one of ours was the turdoggen. There was just a lottt going on and it didn't feel like the flavors really went well together. I was a little disappointed with it because I really wanted to like it but I just felt let down. Overall, I'll definitely come back to try the different kind of dogs they have and to get the brunch dog again.
(3)Alan W.
Very carefully crafted sausages with a lot of thought into the flavor. It's not just a hot dog by any means. The brunch dog is the classic here. I've been here about 4-5x. Tasted the sampler. They also have a guest chef put together something for the menu which is rotating. Never been disappointed by these guys. If you choose this or hot Doug's you can't go wrong. These are both excellent places to eat with different concepts.
(5)Jackie M.
Creative and well done. Poutine and dessert - were the outstanding surprise for me even if that dessert dog was a melted mess, the chocolate and everything was very tasty. Everyone was happy with their dog except the salmon version because it's technically not a dog. Left my friend feeling a bit ripped off. Ingredients are superb. Albiet a bit pricey, I'ld go back.
(4)Keith C.
No line when we got there. The dogs here are all unique so if you're looking for a regular hot dog, don't come here. Ordered the: - Krazy Kimchi (Spicy beef sausage, braised short rib & turnips, kimchi, wild rice & basil) - Banh Mi (Lemongrass & coriander chicken sausage, pickled daikon & carrot, sriracha mayo, jalapeno, cilantro, spicy pickled duck egg) - Peking Duck (a sesame duck sausage, pickled cucumber, hoisin aioli, scallion, crispy peking duck skin and puffed rice) The Peking Duck dog was the best. It actually tasted like peking duck. Unfortunately, this is a special and is not available all the time like right now. The Krazy Kimchi was really good as well. I didn't really like the Banh Mi. I mean, it was good but compared to the others, it didn't stand up to them. Each dog cost almost $10 so if you go, plan on opening up your wallet.
(5)Jessica M.
How do you fancy a gourmet hot dog? Franks n Dawgs has the answer for ya! Chicagoesque: A dawg with pickles, relish, caramelized onions, and mustard. Surf n turf: Half lobster and half beef sausage with a kimchi mix. Reuben Pulaski: Polish sausage with the usual and some potato cake. Waffles fries: Golden and twice fried. Awesome toasted buns and all. Innovative combinations and such. Do I really want to pay $6-12 for a dawg? No, amigo, I still like my dawgs cheap and dirty. No pun or twist intended.
(3)Jeff Z.
So I must say that the wife and I are obsessed with this place. In our last 3 trips to Chicago we've been here 4 times, but our last trip a month ago was our favorite. We got our usual Gales root beer, which is awesome "true" root beer, and the truffle Mac and cheese on the side which was excellent as usual. This time we tried a "shrimp Po boy" style sausage which was excellent. I didn't even know they made shrimp sausage, but it tasted very high quality! We also had a chicken tikka style sausage which was my favorite. Wow! Great flavor that resembled the Indian chicken tikka masala dish. Most of their sausages/dogs are on brioche buns which are to die for. I anticipate we'll be back!
(5)Vy M.
Love the idea and decoration of this place. Many of the specialty hot dogs are named after someone famous. Though, the same hotdog name can be changed a few times. No idea why they do this? However, the creations are a bit too exotic for me. I love trying new things but some of the flavoring just didn't work for me. Long waits so try to come during the off hours.
(3)Nathaniel C.
Experienced this food at Lollapalooza and it was very,very good. Had the delicious Mac and Cheese dog and the triple truffle fries; Wow. Also, I wasn't drunk. (a sober palate is a trust worthy palate) Eat here and win.
(5)Hang T.
My friends and I tried four of the hot dogs on the menu. The only two I remember are the Krazy Kimchi and the Double Ducker. I would say that the hot dogs are not your average hot dogs. They are so creative with the names and the ingredients. The ingredients blended in well together with the sausage, but there were some kinks here and there. Well, at least with my double ducker. With my double ducker, the sausage was not great on its own. It needed all the toppings in every bite and the toppings were not evenly distributed and enough to spread across the entire hot dog. I just wanted a little more cohesion with the whole thing. The krazy kimchi one was tasty. My own suggestion is that they serve the kimchi cold and put it on the hot dog last because hot, soggy kimchi is not very good. My favorite items were the waffle fries and the bun! Cooked perfectly and complimented the sausages so well. The bun is the one thing they have that is better than Hot Doug's
(4)Ada H.
In my opinion this is the best gourmet hot dog place in the city!!! The different in-house sausages are delicious! But the secret ingredient is the bun. They said they order them from a local bakery and they're delicious. It's basically a bun that you find with lobster rolls, but here it's for the dawgs. I've tried most of the dogs, and my favorites are the brunch dog and the fried oyster dog. And I always try the dog of the month for variety. Must go if you love dogs!!! You can't ever go wrong with the triple truffle fries either. Truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle salt. What more could you want with your waffle fries? The staff is also always friendly and very knowledgable about their craft!
(5)Michael U.
Items sampled include: Brunch Dog - Slagel farms pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo Pork of July - Pork loin & caramelized onions sausage, house smoked pulled pork, cherry bourbon BBQ sauce & our house slaw Double Ducker - Duck sausage, duck confit salad, pickled shiitake mushrooms, shaved torchon au foie gras & maple mustard Chicagoesque - All natural (nitrate free & uncured) 100% beef artisan 18 pound skinless frank , house pickles, cherry tomato relish, caramelized onions & beer mustard Truffle Mac n' Cheese - Bratwurst sausage, truffle mac 'n' cheese with parmesan, brioche bread crumbs & thyme Sweet Home Chicago - French toast, stuffed with chocolate ice cream, bananas, kiwis, strawberries, freeze dried mango, chopped almonds & butterscotch sauce With late dinner plans at The Bristol along with a friend but my family in town to allow for ample snacks and bites our second pre-dinner stop featured Franks & Dawgs where the table of five worked through a quintet of artisan sausages with all house-made accoutrements plus dessert; each selection truly unique and although not quite as high quality as those at Hot Doug's just as (if not more so) audacious. Ordered at the counter from a young man named Steve who offered up suggestions based on what he liked and what was on special that day it would be only moments after seating before our 'dawgs' arrived and although my choice of the double ducker would prove a bit less textural or snappy than I'd have preferred each of the other options was quite nicely prepared - the brunch dog particularly impressive with the casing on the sausage giving way to a supple interior while the bacon added crunch and the runny egg made this much more a fork and knife effort than something managed by hand. Not to be outdone, the Mac n' Cheese, though a bit overdone with truffle oil, was a great balance of textures and flavors - the thyme a great accent to the punchy brat. With good food, friendly servers, and a great price without the excessive lines or limited hours of other local encased meat providers Franks n' Dawgs is definitely worth stopping by for a bite and it was good enough to get me to visit the group's second location, The Peasantry, just two days later...
(4)Carlos P.
This place was really really good! My gf and I came here for the first time being that we are from Cali and man were in for a good treat! Out of the 4 items we got, 3 were super good and one was ok I gave 5 stars cause what we liked made up for it, starting with the brunch dog, pure amazing! And my gf got the slammin salmon dog, we thought it was an actual salmon link but they just put salmon chunks In the dog which was so damn bomb! The truffle fries are must! You have no other choice! Lol...and the last one was the taco dog, it was just ok the problem was the sausage link, it was chorizo mixed with pork, I was expecting more of a chorizo sausage more than anything, and I wasn't to big on the queso fresco on top of it it was just lacking that punch to the dog and it didn't meet my expectation, but hey I'm sure they have other great ones that I will be trying when I go back
(5)Greg K.
I never plan on having a complaint at this place. For gourmet dogs, this place is in the upper echelon. BYOB. They don't have regular Chicago style dogs, but I'm not mad at them.
(5)Megan B.
Out of towners-this place does not serve Chicago dogs. It wasn't posted on Internet and after fighting for parking, we only turned around to go elsewhere.
(3)Grant P.
All right, so every weekend my wife and I eat out at least twice. Normally we have one nice meal and one whateverwefeellike meal. I thought this was going to be the whateverwefeellike, but it turned into the nice. Why? Because they have awesome stuff here. I'm telling you, the second I got home I started looking them up online so I could see what I was going to have when I came back. That's normal, right? And also? We walked here from Lincoln Park Zoo. Hey, I'm from the suburbs, we think parking at the end of the lot at Target is a long walk. There are blisters on my feet from hoofing it in sh*tty worn out sandals, but I would do it again. Onto the food! I did the Dawg Flight so I could try as much as possible. But more on that later. My wife was the clear winner today as she ordered the Bacon Mac 'n Cheese Dog, which was a thing of beauty. The truffle mac 'n cheese is magical. I was feenin' for another bite, even tho I had my own sampler to try. Put that stuff on top of a bacon dog and it's heaven on a bun. In fact, this truffle business they have going on. Fries, mac 'n cheese, etc. It's a wonderfully wonderful good thing. The fries were like nothing I'd tasted before. We also did some Fried Green Tomatoes, because, well, we had to. My wife wouldn't have forgiven me if we hadn't. And guess what? She didn't like the coating. I thought it was good. If you get these regularly somewhere else, you can skip them. They're average good. Not the best I've had, but certainly nowhere near bad. They came with a nice basil aoli. Finally, onto my Dawg Flight. I sampled the Krazy Kimchi, the Banh Mi, and the Muscles from Brussels the latter, which was my favorite. Can't say anything bad about it. I didn't care for the Kimchi, but that's not the dog's fault. I hate kimchi. In fact, everyone I know hates kimchi. But apparently since this is one of the most popular dawgs on the menu, not everyone everyone knows hates kimchi. I flicked some of it off and ate the dawg, which in itself wasn't bad. But still not my favorite. The beef sausage was kind of dry. I'm indifferent toward the Banh Mi. It was tasty, but I think the sausage got a little lost in all the toppings. Will I return? Yes! Will I bring friends? Yes! But now that I've sampled a few, I think I know how we should handle this next time. Between my wife and me, we should just order three dawgs and split them so we can sample the most (that is if I can fight that Bacon Mac 'n Cheese away from her).
(5)Rick T.
Gourmet Hot Dogs. Those 3 words sound so good together. Minimal line when we arrived. My favorites were the Krazy Kimchi Dog, the Chili Cheese Dog and the Brunch Dog. Some of these items have been featured on both Food Network and Cooking Channel shows. Their Triple Truffle (waffle) Fries were good but they were made even better by the chipotle ketchup (as well as jalepeño ketchup) bottle available at each table. There's a variety of "dawgs" to choose from (as you can see here: franksndawgs.com/menu ) and I'll definitely be back to try more. Food aside, I loved their use of popular yet disliked celebrity/politician photos to place on your table (instead of numbers) so their server can accurately deliver your food. Lastly, they sell ginger beer. Any restaurant that carries a supply of this particular beverage can always expect the scale to be tipped in their favor when deciding between restaurants.
(4)Elvin W.
Food: BRUNCH DOG - OMG, that is so bomb!!! I also tried their tur-dogging, it was meh, but BRUNCH DOG!!!! The truffle fries we got was super salty - but good if it wasn't so salty. Price: Average hot dog was $7 Overall: 2nd favorite food place in Chicago.
(5)Mary B.
Theoretically, the typical GNO (aka Girls' Night Out for those of you not familiar with Miley Cyrus' hit song, a throwback from her original Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus days) is without sausages present. This is precisely why I decided that for GNO last Saturday, my friends and I would trek all the way to Lincoln Park to Franks 'n Dawgs, home to award-winning artisan sausages. Stalking the menu before our adventure, the restaurant promised to "redefine your sausage experience." A friend (who shall remain anonymous *cough cough Anna*) remained unimpressed and opted to stay in Hyde Park. But oh man, did she miss out... Arriving at the restaurant, we were instantaneously greeted by the friendly and jolly staff of the establishment. Upon placing your order at the front counter, diners get to select a laminated picture of a famous celebrity to mark their table instead of the conventional table number. My friends and I immediately selected Lindsey Lohan out of the line-up (hehe punny because it is indeed her mugshot) and chose a booth. The food was served pretty quickly and we began the typical Instagram ritual associated with food that looks delicious and isn't served at the dining hall. Before ordering my sausage, I asked the workers for suggestions and recommendations. One guy speedily answered anything. All doubts I had with his advice quickly vanished at the arrival of our food. Everything looked and smelled amazing. I got to try two different "dawgs" from the menu: the Brunch Dog & the Chilaquiles Dawg. Both were extremely different but extremely satisfying. The Brunch Dog is a Slagel farms pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo. I love the idea of "breakfast for dinner" and this item embodies that idea. Think breakfast sandwich replaced with an easier to eat alternative. The maple mayo was eccentric and incredible. The Chilaquiles Dawg is a Habanero goat sausage, fried egg, queso fresco cheese, tomatillo salsa, red pepper relish, tortilla strips & cilantro. Labeled as an "adventurous" selection by the guy behind the counter, the spice and combination of flavors was spectacular. Very hard to eat but the juxtaposition of textures found in the toppings provided a crunchy yet juicy layer to the delightful sausage underneath was remarkable. I will definitely be returning to this fine establishment sometime soon and I highly recommend that you venture to Lincoln Park to "redefine your sausage experience" as well. Their wieners are definitely winners. Mary
(4)Bud M.
Back for more Bacon Mac and Cheese and the wife ordered Muscles From Brussels plus the requisite Truffle Fries. Can't go wrong for a Xmas Shopping Lunch.
(4)Melly R.
Delicious hot dogs all around, cool place to hang out and munch. Although it's pricey for hot dogs, I like to think of it as a luxury hot dog lol. It is definitely not your typical hot dog so if you want something more traditional this probably isn't the place for you. I, however, would definitely come back .
(4)Paulette A.
Love love love this place. Very casual easy dining and BYOB!! No Chicago style dogs which is a plus in my book. The Brunch dog is amazing and is also at the owner's other restaurant, The Peasantry, on their brunch menu. GO HERE!
(5)Jan S.
I didnt have too much expectation coming into Franks n Dawgs. Everything from the logo to the aesthetic of the restaurant's website is a little out-dated and cheesy. Although they have the worst slogan ever, "5 star dinning on a bun" (tourist trap much?)- at the end of the day, Franks 'n' Dawgs is serving up some delicious and tasty sausages. Food: Brunch Dog - Pork Loin sausage, fried egg, bacon, drizzled with maple mayo.The sausage was moist, porky and not greasy at all. The maple mayo added a nice touch of sweetness to the savory bacon. Good balance of sweet vs savory - overall it captured the essence and taste of a traditional breakfast platter. Even Graham Elliot recommended it on F&W magazine! Great White - Scallop sausage, shark bacon, pineapple relish and cilantro. This one caught my eyes right away when I was ordering. Bay Scallop sausage -made in house? The taste of the sausage is exactly as expected - the fresh scallop flavor really shines through. Its unique, but the texture is a little more mushy than I like. Pineapple relish and cilantro were pretty much non-existance, they were too delicate to compliment the strong seafood flavor. The shark bacon was a little fishy and salty, didnt help the balance of flavor. Sausage was good, but the condiments were disappointing. Triple Truffle Fries - These fries are soaked in truffle flavor. Truffle butter, truffle salt, truffle oil. If you're a fan of truffle, do not miss this. For me, it was just trying too hard. Great casual spot for some truly gourmet hot dogs. I love that most of the sausages on their menu are made in-house.(TIP: look for the little chef hat on the menu) There are real men working in the kitchen, calling out orders, and making every hot dog to order. Pretty neat. The sausages are much more refined than I expected, dont come here expecting to find a chicago hot dog.
(4)Louis R.
Skinny bearded hipsters makin my bahn mi $11.00 hot dog. Worth it.
(4)Doug G.
It was delicious. The kimchi dog and the brussle sprout dog were delicious, though a bit overpriced at $9. Their take on poutine solid, though needs cheese curd in my opinion. And then 6 hrs later it began. 18 hrs of miserable stomach pain and vomiting. Thanks franks n dawgs!
(1)Jason A.
This is my go to spot in Chicago for fancy sausages. They have a nice staple of 5-6 that stay the same with a variable selection that ranges greatly stretching the boundaries of what you can imagine. My personal favorites are the banh mi and porkgasm. Be adventurous, I've never had a combination that didn't work. The truffle fries are a must try, my favorite part especially with the chipotle ketchup. You get a famous villain to put on your table as a receipt, its a bit cheesy and stale, I could really do without this part. The prices are a bit expensive, I've never gotten out for under $40 for lunch. The price is worth it as I've never experienced a wait and I always walk out so full a small dinner is in order.
(4)Erich D.
This spot, featured about a hundred times over on food and travel shows, creates some really good hot dogs with artisanal sausages created in-house on the same kind of buttery grilled bun that is more often used with lobster rolls. There are a ton of dawgs to choose from, all described equally deliciously, so to get a taste of some of the best they had to offer I ordered the Dawg Flight which comes with a chef's choice of three different half sausage sandwiches and fries though I upgraded to a side of the ultra savory triple truffle fries. My Dawg Flight consisted of the KRAZY KIMCHI (spicy beef sausage, braised short rib, turnips, kimchi, toasted wild rice and basil), the SPRING VEAL (veal sausage, asparagus, spring mushrooms, shaved red onions and cured egg yolk), and the TUR-DOGGIN (turkey and date sausage, crispy duck confit, herb garlic aioli, pickled onion relish and pickled carrots). Each was equally unique in terms of flavor and very tasty. I enjoyed them all but my favorite of the three was probably the Tur-Doggin. No need for extra condiments to dress the dogs here, it would probably be considered sacrilegious to do so actually. The Triple Truffle Fries were extremely decadent as these crisscut fries were cooked using truffle oil, truffle butter and topped with truffle salt. Yeah, the heavenly truffle flavor was plainly evident. Bringing a little bit of extra levity, instead of having number placards associated with your order you get to choose a photo of a celebrity from their wall of shame for the servers to identify your order. Some of these characters include Michael Vick, Mel Gibson, Meg from Family Guy, and plenty others. I chose The Hoff. Haha! Staff was friendly and helpful.
(4)Rachel M.
Experienced this wondrous truffle filled dream at Lollapalooza!!! We ordered Truffle Fries, Truffle Mac&Cheese and Bacon Mac 'n' Cheese Dog. I dont know why Truffle doesnt get too much hype from a lot of top chefs but I am a believer!!! After having it at Lolla i couldnt have enough!! I ate it 2 days in a row!!! A MUST MUST MUST!! I am just sad that now that i'm back home in DC, I cannot have this again until i got back to Chitown =( So i guess a trip is in my future!!! I knew i shouldn't have written this while i am hungry!! I WANT THIS NOW!
(5)Christina A.
The poutine was wonderful. Fries with foie gras gravy and duck confit. Yum. My husband and I tried the Krazy Kimchi and the Reuben Pulaski. We both enjoyed the Reuben much more. The flavors worked really well together. The Krazy Kimchi casing was chewy instead of having that delicious snap it should. A bit of a turn off to me.
(4)Alethea B.
This place is delicious! It definitely has style and some amazingly crafted dawgs to choose from. I had the brunch dawg with a side of triple truffle fries. They were both great. However, I was still a little hungry after. Bigger portions please?
(4)Alec K.
This place is literally the epitome of a sausage heaven. I was completely blown away by the taste of the brunch dog. This place certainly lives up to the reputation. It is definitely one of my favorite spots in Chi. You need to try this spot.
(5)Justin B.
There's no question that Franks 'N' Dawgs serves great food. The sour taste in my mouth afterwards was really just tied to the cost...they don't lie to you when they say that it's "5-Star Dining on a Bun" because I dropped $10 on a pretty small hot dog (Chicagoesque), an incredible bun, super-fresh toppings and a small order of waffle fries. In fact, my wife and I split that, and we both thought, "damn, we'd need at least another round of dog/fries and maybe dessert" to be full, and the idea of dropping $25 to eat at a hot dog place roughly equates to dropping $50 at a burger place for two people, or $8 for one cupcake, or $6 for one chicken wing. Yikes! Service and space (back patio) were great, and the 15-minute wait was fine. But Phil's Last Stand and Haute & the Dog do a great dog for less than half the price, and I just think that price matters with choices as good as the ones in Chicago. Hell, even Hot Doug's is not expensive, so these prices just seem way out of whack with other hot dog stands in town. $6 is the minimum, and you can drop $13 on a dog at this place!
(4)Judy H.
Make sure you come after working out and leave some time afterwards for a good nap. These are heart-stopping, gourmet hot dogs. I highly recommend getting the Brunch Dog. It has a sunny-side up fried egg on top (and who doesn't like a fried egg?) and the mix of savory and sweet with the maple mayo was done really well. I tried the Great White...I didn't like the shark bacon. It was too dry and salty. FYI, they make their own sausage links from scratch every day. They use really awesome buns, not regular hot dog buns, and they make all the difference in the world. Also, don't forget to get an order of the Triple Truffle Fries. They're waffle-cut fries covered in truffle everything (oil, butter, and salt). The side portion is enough to share, but they were gone in seconds with me and my friends, so you may want to get your own.
(4)Tuyet H.
I love the unique style of hot dogs here. Definitely not a hot dog you'll eat on the reg. my fave has to be the toast buns they used. Not to mention their awesome waffle fries!!! So good! The brunch dog is a must try. Not a place for those who trying to watch their weigh for sure.
(5)Stephanie S.
Really inventive hot dogs. Don't be a tool by ordering one of these specialty concoctions sans an ingredient. It's a slap in the face - these guys craft the food to meld into one superfood, so forget the fact that "onions are icky" and just get it as-is. Get the truffle fries and say thank you. The brunch dog and the bayou dog are my two faves. The line is always out the door, but suck it up and it'll go fast. Pick Blago as your celebrity at the register. Take a seat. Eat. Get messy. Leave out the correct door. Go home - fall asleep.
(4)leslie m.
I had wanted to eat here for a long time and finally made it happen today. Not only were the guys behind the line super friendly and informative, explaining the different menu components and where all of the sausage came from (in house, Chicago or midwest) but the food was awesome too. I had the Krazy Kimchi dog and my friend had the brunch dog with Truffle fries. The truffle fries were perfect especially when paired with the locally made spicy ketchup (Jalapeno and Chipotle). I love that you pick a celebrity from the wall of shame to mark your table and order (we had Joan Rivers). This place is so awesome that when my friends brunch dog came and he wanted them to cook the egg differently, not only did they take it back without batting a lash they sent us a free order of fried pickles on the house! I cannot say enough good things about this place and will definitely be back.
(5)Amit P.
I would recommend F'N'D over those other gourmet hot dog places.. The food is well executed and offers a variety of combinations. I would recommend ordering the Dawg Flight, this way you're able to try 3 different types of sausages, and then pair that with their truffle fries. My favorites are the Tur-Doggin, Muscles from Brussels, and the classic Brunch Dog. PS... its BYOB which is always a plus!! :)
(5)Angie K.
When I first visited Franks 'N' Dawgs, I was really hyped since I've heard nothing but great things. Unfortunately, the more often I've gone, the more disappointments I've experienced. The place is a little weird, since you have to walk through a little alley to get to the actual restaurant. The line (yes, there's going to be one) extends outside the door, so beware in the winter months. When you place your order, they give you a funky picture to put on your table to bring your food to you after. It's a comic touch and I can dig it. It's BYOB, but I learned that a little too late so I did not take part in bottle-popping. The first time I went was last summer and had the Sighing Fu, their vegetarian dog. I'm a pescatarian but didn't know of their fish options until later. The bun was yummy, warm and soft and the truffle fries were pretty damn good but the dog itself was just ok. I love Indian food so I was excited to try their take in hot dog form. It was way too spicy and the dog just wasn't that good. It took me about 15 minutes to get my mouth to return to its normal temperature because I was literally dying. The flavors were ok, nothing out of this world but I didn't want to base my review just on that, so I gave it another shot. A few months later, I tried the Slammin' Salmon dog and it was just horrific. It tasted like I just opened up a .99 can of Salmon and plopped it onto bread and closed it up. Zero flavor, no seasonings and it was bitter cold. I was so disappointed, I scooped out the insides and just ate the roll. This was a carry-out order, so I didn't feel like walking back at night just to complain. The prices are pretty high for hot dogs and I understand they use exotic stuff, but for a simple person like me, it's not my cup of tea. Since my options are few and far between, I probably won't return to Franks but I know that a lot of meat eaters can't get enough of it, and that's cool.
(3)Kevin K.
What else is there to say about a place that makes their own sausages. Love the variety and just absolutely fantastic fries....so good. Hot Dougs what? This place is awesome.
(4)T T.
Franks 'N' Daawgs has some truly amazing sausages. The epic pork-gasm (bacon sasuage with bacon jam, pork belly, chicharrons, and ham dust) was deliciously sweet and savory, and the brunch dog (with pork loin sausage, bacon, fried egg, and maple mayo) was equally tasty (especially the maple mayo). The Urbanbelly Chix (Vietnamese chicken sausage with curry mayo and crispy shallots) was not quite as good, but I thought the crispy shallots were yummy. I would skip the sides. The beet salad had a lot of goat cheese (which was unfortunately not marked on the menu), and the Lyonnaise fries with braised pig cheek was actually pretty disgusting (the fries were soggy, and the cheek had a very unpleasant taste). We're usually ones to finish our dishes, but this was too much. The poached egg on the fries was perfectly done, though. The Anzac cookie was very buttery (it kind of crumbles in your hand), and the taste of the cookie comes predominantly from the golden syrup (it's hard to taste the coconut). Also, they have an excellent assortment of sodas!
(4)Allen B.
Although I no longer consume fast food-esque foods, I believe that Franks N Dawgs deserves a Yelp review. I visited this joint after a long morning of moving my personal items into my new place. A friend recommended it, so I decided to take myself and my co-horts (who helped me move) to enjoy some hot dogs. I have to say, I was pretty satisfied at the menu. I didn't know what to expect before going in there and thought I'd be getting a "glorified" version of a regular Chicago dog. My mistake folks. They had gourmet dogs. Crazy delicious gourmet dogs. I purchased the Tur-Doggin (Turkey & date sausage, crispy duck confit, herb garlic aioli, pickled onion relish & pickled carrots), acclaimed by the Cooking Channel, Chicago's Best, and 190 North. I also ordered the Triple Truffle Fries (Yukon Gold waffle cut fries, truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle salt & freshly chopped herbs) alongside my dog. Crazy tasty and bombazee like Patrick Swayze (as stated in a previous review I had on another restaurant). If you like dogs (furry), then don't go here, but if you like dogs (hot) then go here. Done.
(4)Jennifer N.
I went here this past weekend during my visit to Chicago and I really enjoyed the variety of dogs they had here. Everything was unique! I ordered the Urbanchix dog, which is a Vietnamese chicken sausage with basil leaves and other toppings. I really liked it! Loaded with flavor. My brother got the dog with the shark bacon - he was actually disappointed with how salty the shark bacon was. My sister and friend enjoyed the dogs they got - one with mushrooms the other with the fried egg. The cheese fries were a bit disappointing - lack of flavor, but the truffle waffle fries were great! Definitely a spot to check out. The staff were all friendly and helpful as well.
(4)Cory G.
My wife and I went here for lunch today and it surpassed our expectations. The staff is great with first timers, happily explaining the different dogs and making recommendations. The majority of the dogs are house made sausages, and you can absolutely taste the quality. But what really sets these apart from any other hot dog place is the bun. The butter toasted New England style bun brings these to an whole other level. The toppings are all unique and though you might not think they would, they blend together perfectly. I can easily say this is the best dog I have ever had and I can't wait to try the next one on the menu. Do yourself a favor and go here.
(5)Kristina A.
I fantasize about food pretty regularly, but I never thought I'd obsessively daydream about a hot dog. Okay, fine, to be fair it's not just a hot dog. My bf and I split the Muscles from Brussels and the Banh Mi sausages and left super, super satisfied. The sausages were so flavorful, the bun was soft and chewy, and the toppings were interesting and complementary. The Muscles from Brussels was tasty and easy to eat compared to the super messy Banh Mi. But, I'm guessing that was just because it was exploding with deliciousness. Trust me, it's so worth it. We also got a side of the cheese fries and had to restrain ourselves from licking the bowl clean of the cheese sauce. We will definitely be back to tackle the waffle fries and reunite with the Banh Mi sandwich.
(5)Jennifer J.
Being a hot dog enthusiast and a sausage enthusiast, I was not impressed. This place, although, is NOT a hot dog joint. They bill themselves as 5 star dining on a bun, and that is what attracted me - the menu was REALLY fun to read, and I though I was going to get a sausage fantasy fulfilled. But.... The bun was dry, and in my opinion way too large, so a very LARGE dry bun (more like really thick sliced bread). The actual sausage, which was pretty good in most of the varieties we sampled, was dwarfed the bun - the dry bread that really tasted old - did we just come on a bad day???? Unsure, but the bread/bun was offensive. The truffle fries were pretty good - but I think many establishments lean on truffle flavored something when the rest of their menu is not strong enough to stand out on its own. Or maybe this really was a bad day/time to come because I found these "triple truffle fries" quite dry - were they old? I have heard many people really gushing over them - but I have had much MUCH better truffle fries at MANY other places. The menu, although, LOOKS like it can stand on its own. I must say VERY inventive and intriguing. Actually, entertaining. Even more entertaining than Hot Doug's menu! We ordered the Krazy Kimchi (REALLY GOOD if you stripped the dry bun monstrosity away) the Cheese Head (meh), a few others (so unmemorable that which choices escape me), the fries... Hot Dougs menu, while maybe not as punchy, delivers MUCH better dogs/sausages EVERY time. That is why I will wait on that line any time I get the chance. Don't get me wrong, we tried several - and they were ok, so long as about half of the bun was removed. I mean, they were stellar compared to a hot dog from the grade school cafeteria line... but I have had much better from random hot dog stands in comparison to their "Chicagoesque" dog and I have had better sausages elsewhere.
(2)Mat M.
I enjoyed my experience at Franks 'N' Dawgs. Three of us went and had these dogs: Pizza Dog BLT Dog Brunch Dog Pork of July They were delicious. They had great buns (similar to texas toast) and the dogs were huge. More than enough food for 3 people. We also had the fried green tomatoes and fried pickles. I appreciated that the staff was invested in their business and asked several times how things were. The only negative I can see is getting there by 7:30 on a weekday. Makes sense for them since the neighborhood is more retail and quiet by then.
(4)Diana B.
Yelpers! You have officially steered me wrong! I can see how some people might like this. I liked the concept, just not the execution. Fusion dogs can be good, but not when they are laden with copious amounts of grease. I have a tuff tummy, but they got me running. I don't want to bag on them too much because I don't like doing that, so I'll start with some positives. The guy seemed to really love what he was doing. He definitely loves encased meats, so do I, great. Menu was full of exciting options, some scary, some interesting, few were normal. I ordered the mussels from Brussels. My friend ordered the Mexican inspired dog and chili cheese fries. We sat and waited patiently, the tables were clean and the patrons seemed to be happy, we were excited! The food was delivered timely and looked great. Soon after the first bite, we decided against the place for a few good reasons. The casing was tuff and too thick, it also ripped away from more than the bite I took. The meat was very greasy, the toppings were fried and full of grease and the bun was buttered, just adding more grease. I could only get through half before I needed to leave from nausea..
(2)Brooke D.
I don't usually like hot dogs but these are AMAZING!!!! My husband dragged me here since he was dieing to try it (again I usually hate hot dogs so I wasn't interested). I was sold when I saw someone order the chicken hot dog. Since then we have gone a few times and it is absolutely divine!
(5)Jack P.
I'll bet that no-one else whose been here had the experience I did watching my lunch companion trying to eat one of Frank's delicious and generous sausages in a bun with a plastic knife and fork, turning it into one incredible mess which looked like Clybourn Road Kill (soon to be a new menu item.) I, on the other hand, took my sausage and bun forcefully, gripped it with two hands and munched away on its flavor and texture in about one-fourth the time as my friend. I spent the rest of my time watching the deconstruction across the table. I had the spicy beef sausage with Kimchi and other toppings. He had the Pork Loin sausage with equally creative toppings. We shared some waffle fries. We didn't spend a lot of time with the menu: but clearly, there are so many great combinations to try. I love the style of buns which are your standard Lobster Roll style vs. the common hot dog bun. All crispy and buttery and soft. And there is a lobster roll on the menu ($17.95) Service is the hybrid variety like Hot Doug's (apologize for that reference, guys.) You order at the counter-they bring it to you. The staff was great. Our server was very outgoing and helpful. The bill was $26.00 for two, So OK for the lunch budget. And I left a tip here, which I don't always do at a self-serve. It was well-deserved. By the way, the sausage fest theme carries through to staffing. They were all guys. It was easy to get in and get out on a weekday afternoon, which is a real positive. I could do without the esoteric "mixed tape" which we all had to listen to. The place would be just fine without music. Otherwise a great first time, and I hope to come back with a bigger group and share. And not have to witness the slaughter of a perfectly innocent sausage.
(4)Pamela M.
After hearing my friend rave that this hot dog joint is better than Hot Dougs, I was excited to visit Frank & Dawg's. No lines AND better tasting food than one of my fave places in the world?! This place was a must visit! Disappointingly, F & D was a bummer mediocre experience. Not a fan of the oily brioche buns or the higher prices. Their fancy menu sounded dreamy. I ordered the Lamborgini which included: lamb barese sausage, house giardiniera, Calabrian chili aioli, and deep fried basil. The Lamb dog was good, not great. I figured with a laundry list off foreign ingredients that I was in for a memorable hot dog experience. The taste was definitely lacking in complexity. The truffle waffle fries were doused in everything truffle which I loved because I love truffle anything and could eat truffles for every meal and everyday, BUT even a 'trufflephile' like myself found these $4.50 small portioned fries to be a bit much. Even though the service was great and the food came out promptly, and their tasty, crispy truffle waffle fries are more satisfying than Hot Doug's duck fat fries, I would still wait outside in the bitter cold for the long lines to dwindle and freeze my face off to get a Hot Doug's creation.
(3)Mike F.
So, I'm posting this review for a friend of mine as he isn't technologically savvy, but his claims were definitely warranted. This is the email he sent to them: "I ordered a regular dog and cheese fries and after 1 bite, I threw my food out. The dog tasted like a Ball Park frank and the fries were soggy and over seasoned. It was upsetting to learn you do not have regular pickles, only bread and butter ones. There was more ketchup on the bun than dog. The fancy sausages you serve might be good, but I will never know. Frank n Dawgs is a disgrace to the Chicago hot dog." Nothing wrong with that?! However, I guess the folks that work there have their heads up their you know what's because this was the response: Now the best part, their response: "I'm sorry you did not have a great experience at Franks 'n' Dawgs. The issue unfortunately, might be that we are NOT a hot dog joint and hence we do not offer a Chicago Hot Dog. Franks 'n' Dawgs has been on TV 14 times in 3 years and we've won numerous awards for our house made sausages that are made by culinary trained chefs that have a fine dining background. The only reason we offer a hot dog at all is mainly for children or for unadventurous diners. We do a gourmet version of the Chicago dog called the Chicagoesque which has caramelized onions, cherry tomato ketchup, bread and butter pickles and beer mustard. If you were looking for a Chicago dog, I'm baffled as to what made you choose Franks 'n' Dawgs? What made you think that we are a hot dog joint? I'm also confused with your comment about our fries - our standard fries are only served with some sea salt and as they are waffle cut fries, it's pretty much impossible for these to be soggy. Thanks, Alexander" The best part of the the whole response, "What made you think that we are a hot dog joint?"... Maybe the name, jackass.
(1)Emselan G.
I was in Chicago for few days, visiting my parents, and tried this place. All I can say... Franks 'N' Dawgs - excellent food, friendly staff. It is nice place, it's reasonably priced, great service, and fantastic food. A real gem. To start off, we tried the Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese, which was a hit. It was good, the portions are great. We also ordered the Lamb-orghini and Double Ducker and they tasted great. The staff were super nice; service was quick and friendly. Thoroughly impressed.
(5)Leah C.
I reallyyy wanted to love this place. I read the reviews before I went and was super excited to try a crazy Chicago hot dog with the triple truffle fries that everyone was raving about. Unfortunately, I left with a, "It was good but eh..." impression. My BF and I ordered the Cheese Head (sausage, gouda, onion, mushrooms), Epic Pork Gasm, triple truffle fries, and the truffle mac and cheese. I liked (not loved) the Cheese Head - good quality meat, lots of flavor - my only small issue was the toppings seemed a little skimpy. My boyfriend loved the Epic Pork Gasm - how could he not with the many layers of pig?! As for the side dishes... the triple truffle fries were good and you could definitely taste the truffle but overall I thought they were on the greasy side. Points for being waffle cut though! The truffle mac and cheese was the least impressive thing we ordered. It was under salted / generally under seasoned... aka very bland. Moreover, the cheese sauce was on the runny side. If you're debating whether you should get it or not, I would say don't bother. Overall, I left with two issues nagging at me: 1. While the food was pretty good, I don't think it was good enough to justify the prices. $12 for a hot dog? After eating said hot dog, I definitely think that's steep. 2. The establishment itself seemed to be having an identity crisis. On one hand, it's a hot dog joint with an order at the counter service, self-serve pop machine, and infamous celebrity table markers (i.e. Lindsay Lohan/Charlie Sheen). On the other hand, it uses nice, fancy, modern plates to serve the food and the bathroom was really nicely decorated (albeit disgustingly dirty). So are they striving for the divey atmosphere or the upscale hot dog model? You tell me.
(3)Mandy C.
Two of the things that caught my attention at Franks 'N' Dawgs are one, homemade sausages and two--holy by-gally, the buttery french toast they used as a bun! So if you want a regular classic and traditional Chicago hot dog, don't look for it here! Anyhow, after staring at the long and vivid menu, the Krazy Kimchee dog was caught my eyes. The sausage was top with some spicy brisket and then top with some spicy kimchee. Despite how delicious it looked and tasted, this thing was pretty hard to eat. It was hard to get a bite with everything in it unless you use your hand and take them apart. I also tried their Triple Truffle Fries, which I recommend. The truffle flavor wasn't overwhelming and the waffle cut definitely held onto lots of flavors. All in all, I really like the bread, like really like the bread...just not sure with all the stuff that goes into it. The price was on the more expensive side for a hot dog but since it's gourmet, I can see why.
(3)Shaina K.
This place is eeeexxxxpennnsive. A hot dog meal for two people (with no drinks) was over $30. Kind of ridiculous for two hot dogs, and two sides. The portions were pretty small, but we were satisfied when we were finished. But, it was good! Everything came out hot and fresh, and the mac n' cheese was pretty good (such a small portion though!). The fries were good, and I liked my kiminchi dog, but I'm not sure if I'd order it again. The dining room is tiny, but it's filled with pretty cool pictures. I really liked that they don't use a number system (to bring food to the tables), but rather a picture system. We had crazy Mel Gibson. Funny :) So, although the food was good, I am not sure how frequently we will be headed over here as there are numerous hot dog places throughout the city that produce a equal quality product for much less.
(4)Chicago T.
DO NOT EAT THERE if you are looking for a Chicago hot dog experience. The first thing we learned when one member of our party asked for a Chicago style hot was an abrupt "we don't sell Chicago style hot dog, read the sign on the lower part of the counter." This person who reminded me of Napoleon Dynamite acted insulted that we had asked for a Chicago Style hot dog and then proceeded to denigrate the Chicago dog. He described Chicago hot dog as a hot dog with a Greek salad dressing on top of it. Then we learned from this guy that you cannot transfer ingredients from one sandwich to another. They only serve the sandwich exactly how it is described on the menu. The guy explained that in an blunt fashion. There isn't a hot dog joint in this city where you cant get a hot dog like you want it! Okay, the place came highly recommended, I got lucky with street parking, we were hungry, we came in wanting to like this place and this counter guy was doing the opening scene on the movie Gravity. We decided to push past this horrendous intro to Frank N Dawgs and ordered two sandwiches with a side of truffle fries. We sat down and my companion said, "I'm still trying to like this place". Our food was served. Mine was a brat. I later counted the number of ingredients. It was eleven not counting the bread. BTW, their bread is very tasty but to big for the sandwich I had. It was impossible to discern the taste of the undercover brat. I almost needed an emergency response with the" jaws of life" to extricate a few pure bites of my brat before declaring it DOA. It wasn't nasty. It was just sooo bland. Like the blandest "boudin" sausage you could ever imagine. Thus the 11 ingredients. My companion's sandwich had a similar script. The truffle fries should be renamed as truffle oil with potatoes. We had to wipe our oil soaked fingers each time we went into the basket to retrieve a fry. All righty then. The history of the Chicago hot dog goes back to the Chicago Worlds Fair in 1893. People visit Chicago from different parts of the country and the world to experience our museum's, architecture, zoos, and our foods. Among them, the Chicago style hot dog. This is a hot dog town. In other cities you will see restaurants that boast Chicago Style Hot Dogs. When people outside of the USA learn I'm from Chicago, they almost invariably mention, Al Capone, Michael Jordan, pizza and hot dogs. So Frank "N" Dawgs, instead of honoring the Chicago Hot Dog, denigrates it. Oh, I almost left this out. We both agreed they have the most amazing fountain Coke we have ever tasted.
(1)John W.
I've been a devoted fan for a long time now. This is a great hot dog place that serves great hot dogs. I agree with everyone else that the truffle fries are absolutely awesome. One grievance: they recently got rid of a menu staple, which happened to be my favorite: the "Chicagoesque" dog. I wish they would bring it back.
(4)Jacob A.
Excellent food and excellent service! Always something good here! Good variety! Even veg friendly! The lines are very manageable. Sometimes its long but they do have some down times and thats usually when I go. Check it out people!
(5)Lan N.
Franks N Dawgs is legit. I didn't have much time in Chicago and had to choose 1 hot dog joint. After some research and suggestions, I ended up here. There are so many choices that I wish I had 3 stomachs so I could try more. I ended up getting the Chicagoesque and my wife got the famous Brunch Dog. We also shared the triple truffle fries. Chicagoesque was a more "standard" hot dog. It was a gourmet take of the chicago dog. Super tasty. I think the bread puts it on a new level. It is the same kind of bread you get with a lobster roll. toasted nicely on the ouside and so fluffy. We asked the guy at the counter what's their most popular and he said their claim to fame was the brunch dog. My wife didn't need to hear more and ordered that. It had a hint of maple so it was like brunch in a bun. Super delicious and messy with the egg. Triple Truffle Fries. If you like the taste of truffle, do yourself a favor and get them. Dip them in the ketchipotle and you got yourself some amazing potatoes. You also get your choice of a mugshot to choose from to eat with you. I saw Mike Tyson and chose him off their wall of shame. Will definately come back if given the chance!!
(5)John B.
I'm basing this rating on an exchange between a friend of mine and whoever responded to his email to Franks 'N' Dawgs. The friend in question sent an email complaining about he quality of the hot dog. Granted, he requested it w/ ketchup so draw your own conclusions regarding his tastes. The real issue here was the sophomoric and irony laced response from Franks 'N' Dawgs. i.e. "If you were looking for a Chicago dog, I'm baffled as to what made you choose Franks 'n' Dawgs? What made you think that we are a hot dog joint?" Here is the exchange: Nameless Friend: I ordered a regular dog and cheese fries and after one bite, I throw my food out. The dog tasted like a Ball Park frank and the fries were soggy and over seasoned. It was upsetting to learn you do not have regular pickles, only bread and butter ones. There was more ketchup on the bun than dog. The fancy sausages you serve might be good, but I will never know. Frank n Dawgs is a disgrace to the Chicago hot dog. Nameless Franks 'N' Dawgs Response: I'm sorry you did not have a great experience at Franks 'n' Dawgs. The issue unfortunately, might be that we are NOT a hot dog joint and hence we do not offer a Chicago Hot Dog. Franks 'n' Dawgs has been on TV 14 times in 3 years and we've won numerous awards for our house made sausages that are made by culinary trained chefs that have a fine dining background. The only reason we offer a hot dog at all is mainly for children or for unadventurous diners. We do a gourmet version of the Chicago dog called the Chicagoesque which has caramelized onions, cherry tomato ketchup, bread and butter pickles and beer mustard. If you were looking for a Chicago dog, I'm baffled as to what made you choose Franks 'n' Dawgs? What made you think that we are a hot dog joint? I'm also confused with your comment about our fries - our standard fries are only served with some sea salt and as they are waffle cut fries, it's pretty much impossible for these to be soggy.
(1)Alex N.
I had the brunch dog and my dad had the bacon mac and cheese dog. Neither one was an explosion of taste. I like that they source local ingredients, make the sausage in house, and make everything fresh, but overall, it's still not an amazing dog. The triple truffle fries were good, but it is a small amount for $6. The dogs are a lot more show than taste imo.
(3)Edwin W.
Not a bad alternative for those who don't want to be a slave to Hot Doug's business hours. We were recommended the flight (which is 3 half sausages with fries) having not been here before. We also tried the onion rings. Everything was tasty and did not disappoint. From the waffle fries to each of the franks. I definitely will be coming back to try some of the other franks.
(3)Nick D.
Best sausages in Chicago!!! They really need to change the name, this place is way more than hot dogs. Technically they don't even have hot dogs and get upset if you order a Chicago dog, which upset me to the point of anger. But I calmed down in a hurry when I heard about the bacon sausage, lamb sausage, shark bacon!?, and pheasant sausage. Seriously insane goodness. Even the bun was awesome, it's a savory New England lobster roll. Hot Doug's is closing this summer and I'm seriously not sad anymore. But Franks N Dawgs is about to get a lot more attention! Best Hot Dogs (homemade sausages) in Chicago!
(5)Christy L.
I wanted a unique dog without an hour wait and remembered reading an article on Franks N Dawgs. I headed over there, walked straight to the counter, sought advice on the menu and opted for the sampler. With it, I tried three of Franks more popular hot dogs: The Lamb-orghini, the Tur-Doggin, and a special Fourth of July dog, topped with pulled pork. The sampler also included their fries. The Lamb-orghini was amazing and the Fourth of July special was a close second. I wasn't much a fan of the Tur-Doggin; the casing was tough and the meat had a slightly odd flavor. The fries came out piping hot and were tasty but didn't hold as nice a flavor once they cooled off - I recommend eating them quickly with the jalapeno ketchup. Service was friendly and efficient; they brought my meal out within 5 minutes of placing my order. If you're seeking a unique "hot dog" experience and don't want to wait for an over-hyped place, check out Franks 'N" Dawgs.
(4)Wayne H.
They have a kimchi dog, the only one I know in existence. But they don't open Mondays. Weird.
(3)J T.
These dawgs are awesome. I had the reuben dawg and it was perfect. I sampled my friend's mac and cheese dawg and it was pretty good, too. The menu might be just a little bit too big so it's tough picking just 1 to try. The cheese curds were way overpriced for the amount you get but the dawgs are well worth it and I will be back to try more.
(4)Rachel H.
Apparently those rave reviews of the buns here are as accurate as finely tuned machinery. Those buns are amazing. I'm not even a carb lover and I'd eat a few plain. Similar to a lobster roll bun, with a flat bottom so your goodies don't fly out, these buns are like a grilled cheese minus the cheese and very buttery. Lest you think I'm all buns, we did try them with things in them. I had the Pork of July with a really great pork loin sausage, topped with pulled pork and slaw and my friend had the Tur-Doggin, of which I snagged a bite. That crispy duck on top was delicious. Truffle fries were buttery, salty, crispy with just a hint of truffle. Perfect. We took our dawgs out to the patio, dubbed the Eternity Garden, which may be a misnomer because of some not so eternal looking plantlife, but I thought it was funny. As was the random mix of music. Service was quick and friendly, and would have no doubt been more informative had I not been all "give me this pork sausage now or I'll kill you" in my mind. Good times.
(5)Sar D.
Amazing food and even better service. They gave us a ton of time to decide, gave tips, and even free coconut cookies! Byob which was awesome. You can run across the street to trader Jo's and grab some wine or beer. A Chicago must. These guys deserve all the accolade.
(5)Marie B.
I've never been a hot dog person, but this place is beyond a typical hot dog. It's over the top calorie intake, but it's a must try. The BF had the Pork of July, shredded pork on top of the "dawg" & I had the pork-gasm...both well executed! I would like to go through the whole menu, but my cholesterol couldn't take it!
(4)cully j.
Chicago's dirty little secret: this place is even better than that other sausage superstore across town, and without the wait. The buns alone are worth the trip -- buttery lobster rolls that perfectly compliment the inventive sausages and toppings. The cheese fries and scallion pistou were unparalleled, and no surprise -- he showed us how the cheese sauce isn't your typical goop, but actual real good cheese fired out of a CO2 compressor. This is the new must-go when I've got visitors in town.
(5)Amy N.
I drive from Dayton, Ohio to eat here. I've never had anything that disappointed. Easily my favorite gourmet "haute" dog place in Chi. I just wish with all of my being for them to bring the cheese curds back!
(5)Cris G.
Hotdogs...hotdogs...All kinds of hotdogs that you think never existed ... tasteful and a fun place to hang out , it's even byob. . You guys should never skip the truffle fries!!
(5)Chet M.
Tip jar? $19+ for a dog, fries and coke and you put a tip jar out there? You guys just took all the class out of your tasty dogs and truffed up fries. Next time I come here and see that tip jar, I'm doing a 180 to UB dogs!
(3)Charles R.
Two stars for misleading people to believe these are amazing hot dogs, overcharging, serving mediocre "truffle fries," and bad service. OVERRATED. Only word to describe this place. If you've eaten here and designated Frank-n-Dawgs as "one of the best places to eat in Chicago," then clearly you need to get your fatass out to Jimmy's Hot Dogs, where you get the REAL DEAL of a Chicago Hot dog. My truffle fries were oily, expensive, and had little added 'flavor.' they tasted like fried potatoes. that's it. I had to put ketchup on them so they'd taste better. kinda pathetic. I got the duck confit hotdog, and it tasted like a dry overly spiced italian sausage smothered in mayonnaise. That's it. It was a dish I could make at home for a quarter of the price, if not better. I didn't feel fancy eating this 'Duck confit' dog I heard so much about, as I have a tendency to try foods that sound fancy and have French names. I have eaten a lot of weird dishes with complex flavor profiles that resonate on the pallate. My meal, however, tasted of a hodgepodge of flavors fighting against one another. I didn't appreciate that, as I am politically liberal and became immediately offended. It was an unpleasant meal, and although I didn't enjoy it, I will come back and try something different. This is Chicago, not New York. You wanna get better reviews, you better start offering some Midwestern Hospitality. Get over yourselves and your crappy dry duck confit wieners and oily fries. Gordon Ramsey would have spit it on the floor.
(2)Julia Sabrina D.
I want to start off by writing .. I originally wrote this while at Franks... But I was freezing and was a bit upset.. So I will try and give better details... I wanted this place to be amazing, I'd seen it before on different shows and was hoping for the best.. I waited to come here for a while and was so let down, not only by the food but the atmosphere... We came in at 8, the only people in the place... It's not a traditional hot dog place. . but I am adventurous and love to try new things... I was hoping there would be something similar to a Chicago style hot dog.. Sadly there isn't... Prices are steep for a hot dog... We placed our order, sat down and waited for our food... needed to keep our jackets on since the employee is holding the door open for a customer that ran across the street..which is nice though it's 17 degrees outside and not warm at all in this place.. So he gets back to sweeping and lifting chairs around us... Our food arrives all was fine but not what I expected... Cheese fries are more like fries with some type of cream drizzle... Though the sauce that came with it was tasty... But I have no idea what that little magical green sauce was... I had a chili cheese dog... again that odd cream sauce on top... During our meal it was made clear it's 35 minutes till closing time... I understand having to do your closing duties.. but working in customer service, I wouldn't want to make my customers feel rushed or sweep while a customer is eating... I don't care for dust in my food, I don't know many people that do... DID I MENTION IT"S FREEZING... Through it but the highlight is listening to the employees talk about their night out. Note the sarcasm? P.S. if you get a salad, know that you will be receiving a cup of salad... Jeez talk about tiny... same goes for the chili... not spicy and again that cream sauce...
(1)Don W.
I've only been here once, but it was enough to get hooked. The guy behind the counter was totally chill and really friendly. The food was delicious and served quickly. And the restaurant was clean and comfortable. They've even got a hollywood wall of shame filled with pics of trainwrecked stars you can choose from to use in place of a number for your table. I had the Reuben Pulaski. It tasted just like a Reuben sandwich. This made for a somewhat strange, but satisfying experience. The waffle fries were cooked to perfection. My friend ate the Epic Pork-gasm, and it was indeed epic, according to him. Well... I'm not sure if he used those exact words, but it was something along those lines. And aside from the standard soft drinks, they've also got a great selection of beverages that you won't find at your typical hot dog stand. The food stands on it's own, so it's more than just an alternative to Hot Dougs, but if you drive by Hot Dougs and get scared away by the RIDICULOUS line, then you should definitely come here, because they're comparable.
(4)Kristin M.
I did this backwards. I had tried Alexander Brunacci's new spot, The Peasantry, on Diversey. So naturally I had to come to the original. Housemade sausages? Yes please! After much deliberation, I decided on the Tur-Doggin, a turkey and date sausage topped with crispy duck and pickled carrots. This thing is enormous, and tastes as good as it sounds. Honestly, the most exciting thing here, though, is the bread. I saw my fellow Yelpers raving about it and thought, it's just bread, relax. No, it's worth the hype. It's a perfectly buttery toasted lobster roll (ie flat on the bottom, so it stands up!) that tastes like a grilled cheese minus the cheese. It's the perfect receptacle for all that sausage-y goodness inside. I also tried a bite of the Pork of July, it's pork sausage topped with pulled pork that really is genius. The truffle fries are delicious, the same ones they serve at The Peasantry. They must be double fried because they're crispy and golden, not the typical soggy mess waffle fries can be. The space is not as small as I pictured, and the back patio is nice, and is apparently BYOB. Service is super fast. I had originally given this 4 stars, but am now revising it after going to Hot Doug's and deciding Franks n Dawgs is BETTER! Beware, prices add up quickly when you order your dog, add some truffle fries and toss in a drink. But really, I didn't mind.
(5)Art V.
I came here with good referrals. My friends told me that these dogs were great. As i was walking in i saw all their credentials and i said to my friends "we are about to get amazed." To start out I think the owner was the one who took our order. He was a little cocky and rude about his answers (similar to "you like it or you dont"). But hey, coming from Los Angeles, when someone is like that and you are recommended to their place, they have something to brag about. Boy was i wrong. I went for their Lamb-orghini dog and was really disappointed. Im not saying it was bad, but it did not live up to the hype. As a first time comer to Chicago, I've had some amazing pizza, sandwiches, and italian beef. I was hoping the same here for hot dogs. Not the case. I hope either the owner cools it a bit more on his way of treating customers or improves their food. Looking forward to seeing some improvement for my next time i come.
(2)David D.
The Epic Pork-gasm was comically good. Highly recommend the brunch dog and the poutine as well.
(5)May B.
Yummy! This place is great! This was a our first visit and man was it good. We arrived as they opened and we were still probably the fifth or six person to order. We got the Krazy Kimchi, the Frank n'Stein, the Reuben Pulaski, and the Triple Truffle Fries. My favorite was the Reuben Pulaski, although the sausage I don't believe is made in house (and you could tell it just wasn't as good as the others), the toppings and overall taste was definitely the best. It had a serious Reuben taste. Delicious. The Krazy Kimchi was pretty good, for some reason I was expecting the braised short rib was going to be more sweet like a Kal-bi, but it was just plain braised short rib, which was still good, just less Korean tasting. The kimchi was good, not too strong on the pickled taste, just enough to add to the flavor of the dog. The Frank n'Stein was oh so rich. It was definitely yummy, but probably too much for us to take by the end of the meal (yes I shared three dogs and fries with just one other person). If you're ordering this one, you may not want to get too much more. The fries were waffle fries, which are my least favorite type of fries, but the triple truffle part, well how can they be bad? I can't wait to come back and try some other things off their menu!
(5)Stephanie L.
I like! YUM! I love a good hot dog and this is the place to get it. Totally reasonable in price. Lots of variety. BYOB (stop at the TJ's across the street for your booze-y fix or the Binny's a couple of block away)! We had: Lobster Roll-deliciously tender lobster with all of the appropriate fixings Pork of July-DELICIOUS! Fried Oyster dog-YUM! Fried Pickles-first experience and I am in love, especially with the sauce that they provide Honestly, I dont think that you can go wrong here. If you love a good dog, this is the place to go. Not to mention, the bread they use makes the dogs. Its fantastic. I have to say the little, short, red head (maybe manager??), is a complete dick. He needs an attitude adjustment. He is a jerk to everyone so I dont think it was just us. I guess what do you expect, he possibly runs a hot dog shop? Oh well. Other than that, the servers, the other cooks, etc are really nice. We went here on the 105 degree day and let me tell you, I dont think the A/C was working so that is a bit annoying as well. I honestly would go back here for my pork fix. I would recommend everyone to check it out. Its cheap, easy, and FANTASTIC!
(4)Ben P.
This place is overrated. Food is OK. Customer service is terrible. Our fries were served at least 10 minutes before our dogs, without a dish for ketchup. After we ate all of them before the food came out, I asked our waiter if we can have a few more fries to have with our meal since they were up so early. He'll "see what he can do" - never comes back. I don't know of any other restaurant that considers fries an appetizer - it's a side dish, and they should be served hot with my meal, not when it's convenient for the kitchen and waiter to serve them. We had a Brunch dog and Salmon dog. Both were OK but nothing incredible. The food sounds really good on the menu but is overpriced for what you get. The Brunch dog had a piece of egg shell in it. On the way out I spoke with the manager to give him some feedback from this unpleasant first-time experience. I got an "I'm sorry" for the egg shell, and a "thank you" for my feedback as he's walking away from me. No overall apology, no offer to comp anything or to earn my business back with a coupon for next time. Your restaurant sucks. I will not be returning.
(1)Mike C.
Located in the DePaul neighborhood Frank's N Dawgs sells over priced sausages to entitled douchebags and tourists. Not much flavor for being "5 star dining in a bun". Sorry suckers I'd rather get a real hot dog without the pretension at any of 1000 hot dog stands across this city. But keep coming back, you have money to burn.
(2)Randy T.
Everyone knows Doug Sohn's semi-eponymous Hot Doug's is the king of unique and imaginative combinations of the meat-in-tube-form arts. I, myself, braved the long line in the frigid Chicago winter several years ago to eat at Hot Doug's and found it to be the best hot dogs/sausages I've ever had. But recently, I had heard about a competitor to the throne. His name is Joe Doren and he boasts at having "5 star dining on a bun" at his restaurant. You know that during this Chicago trip it was a must to stop there. There was a short line of eager patrons waiting to provide their order to the man himself Chef Doren, who was cheerfully at the register. No problem, it gave us time to choose what we wanted. The Lyonnaise Fries, Sweet Veal Dog, Brunch Dog, and Chicagoesque Dog would be our selections. Lyonnaise Fries: This could be a meal in itself. Delicious golden fries, chunks of juicy braised pork, a smattering of frisee, and sitting atop of it all is a beautiful poached egg orb. Puncture the orb and a golden river of egg yolk dribbles down all over the other components creating a luscious sauce. The only downside was that the fries can get soggy, possibly from the juices of the braised pork and a little from the egg yolk. Sweet Veal Dog: I was uncertain what the third dog would be. So I asked Chef Doren what he recommended. And this is the one he chose for me. Hmm...I was excited to try this but it wasn't a hit for me. The bacon cured sweetbreads were dry and partially leathery in texture. The pickled chanterelles and corn were too overwhelmingly acidic. My palate was awash with pickling juices and my mouth would almost pucker at every bite. If you don't like that feeling, probably best stay away from this dog. Brunch Dog: A dog I had seen on TV and immediately fell in love with. Thank you, Andrew Zimmern for showing this on your Chicago episode. My life's quest turned to eating that dog. It IS breakfast in a bun. The meaty pork loin sausage, smokey and salty bacon, drizzled with sweet maple mayo. Oh yeah, and adorned with a sunny side up fried egg. Heavenly. I wish I could eat this for breakfast every single day. And I would gladly be on Lipitor to do so. Chicagoesque Dog: She wanted to get this since she fell in love with the traditional Chicago dog at Portillo's. It winks to the traditional dog, but it has an identity all its own. You get sweet from the grilled onions, tangy from the beer mustard, and a bright fruitiness from the tomato relish. It's a solid dog, but I would choose more of the imaginative dogs before selecting this one again. So does Franks N Dawgs knock off Hot Doug's off its throne? I'd have to say no, not quite yet. The value at Hot Doug's, the game meat sausages, the foie gras dog, and those sinfully good duck fat fries appeal to me more. But this does not mean I won't come back to Franks N Dawgs. It just means I'll have to bring out my inner Joey Chestnut to sample dogs from both.
(4)Abe R.
As much as I want to enjoy these upscale hot dog joints I always find myself disappointed after I pay my tab and realize that the food wasn't nearly adequate enough in both taste and portion. My visit here today went as follows. 1. Chicagoesque: All natural (nitrate free & uncured) 100% beef artisan 1/8 pound skinless frank , house pickles, cherry tomato relish, caramelized onions & beer mustard. This dog which costs a whopping $5.45 was a joke. Aside from the boring, skimpy toppings, the dog itself was horrid. Flat tasting, no snap, and just soft and mushy. Awful... 2. Waffle Fries-Yukon Gold waffle cut fries - twice fried. At $3.00 per serving this actually tends too be an alright deal. The flavor is decent and the crispiness was spot on. However at $3.00 you could be so much more generous and creative considering how cheap potatoes are in bulk. Scam... 3. Fried Pickles- Matilda beer battered bread 'n' butter pickles served with giardiniera aioli. This was the biggest con of the entire meal. I believe there were 12 total pickle slices in the entire serving and @ $4.00 this was unimaginable. How can you honestly serve these with a straight face? Your telling me that for $4.00 all you can muster up is 12? Besides the fact that they are not that good, the utter idea that you can serve just twelve is preposterous. F'ing joke... In closing this place sucks.... Enjoy Suckas'!!!
(1)Lamaine M.
Tried this place out after seeing its feature on the food network and my god they make the best hotdogs..I love their creativeness with the ingredients..I cannot wait to eat here again
(5)Luke D.
Hype machine in full effect. FND is overrated and overpriced. The staff is nice and helpful, but when you pay $40 for 2.5 people to eat hot dogs, there should be at least one "oh snap" moment (final tally: 0). The company motto should be "overthink it; overcharge it." It's as though someone set out to make a needlessly more complex, inferior and pricier version of Hot Doug's. The "Big Cheesy" was comically devoid of cheese. The Indian veggie dog was mediocre. The tofu wasn't even warm and the toppings were just OK. My son (who literally eats everything) waved off the regular hot dog after two bites; my friend thought it wasn't as good as a traditional hot dog stand version (going so far as to say the United Center has better). The fries accompanying the kid's dog were average. The best thing we had were the cheese curds. Service here is flat out terrible as the dishes all arrive at different times. This seemed to happen to everyone in our immediate seating area. I cannot recommend FND on any level. If our bill was $12 I might have a different attitude, but not at these prices.
(1)Mike O.
On my list of MUST VISITS for whenever guests come to Chicago. Great food, a little more expensive than your average hot dog (~ $9.00 each) but they're also bigger and way better. Even their dessert dog is good. Fully recommend! The ONLY bad thing I can say about this place is that they're not open enough hours! Closed on Mondays? What nonsense is this? I want dawgs every day!
(5)Nicole E.
On this glorious Saturday, much to my dog delight, Franks 'N' Dawgs delivered. If I weren't so full, I'd immediately go back and eat some more. My only regret is that I couldn't try everything on the menu. Though for two people we came close. Aside from the amazing meats and how beautiful the hot dogs looked (I know it sounds silly, but the presentation was beautiful!) their buns (New England Style Lobster Rolls, buttered and toasted) are crazy good and the truffle fries are absolutely, completely, unequivocally the best. I didn't dare use ketchup... and I adore condiments. The place isn't very big and you'll most likely have to wait for a table if you get there at prime eatin' hours. But I promise you it's worth it. To make life easy while ordering, they have an Ipad there to scroll through the menu in case you haven't made up your mind by reading the sign. Thought that was a nice touch. For a little kitsch, you get to pick a celebrity from their wall of shame so they know how to find your table. Very creative rather than just giving a name or a table number. Now, for the only reason you're reading this -- the FOOD. (If I were religious I'd be making a sign of the cross right now). They have a Dawg Flight - Highly recommended if you want to try a few different tastes. It's 1/2 of 3 hot dogs and truffle fries so it's a lot of food. Ours came with The Southerner, Tur-Doggin and Krazy Kimchi. We had also asked the guy at the counter what his favorites were. So we also ordered the Tur-Doggin (not knowing it was on the sampler) and the Sweet Veal. I would highly recommend the Tur-Doggin. Hands down our favorite. The Southerner was also amazing! And again - do not leave without eating the truffle fries. The orders are smaller, but they are big, waffle cut fries. So I still think 2 people can share easily. But if you're in a total pig-out mood, get your own. We ended the delight with the Key Lime S'more. It was alright. But looking back I'd have rather tried the mac n cheese for dessert :) Our smorgasboard of delights came out to $45. Pricey, but we ordered a bit too much food for 2 people. I think you could easily get away with a dog a person and split a fry and leave for $30-$35. Which I feel is reasonable for how good the food is.
(5)Lochin S.
Tur doggin, black sheep, little piggie, lyonaisse fries, truffle fries. Speechless, all I can come up with is SICK AND OMG. Excerpts from our table; - we need one of these in the burbs - I could here every day - best fries ever - sick sick sick ugh -wish I could eat more -we have to try somthing else! all around great experience, great parking, no wait, seats outside. realy when does that ever happen? brought our own Two Brothers beers and it was a perfect afternoon.
(5)Nicole M.
Wow. People on here weren't kidding about the triple truffle fries. Party in my mouth. If you go there GET THEM! As for the hot dogs- anything but your average dog. I had the Tur-Doggin. Delicious. Yes the prices are a little steep for a hot dog but they are good and it's all for the experience. The type of place you want to check out and return every once in a blue moon to try something new on the menu. It's worth checking out.
(4)Ashley B.
Um. Yes. Just went here for the first time today. My first impression when I walk in was that it just felt like a small diner, very cool, unassuming, and somewhat kitschy. THEN I got to the menu and it took forever for me to decide because it all sounded so great! I ended up going with the Tur-Doggen, which was excellent. The sausage itself was perfectly seasoned and juicy, but the duck confit on top really completed everything. The aioli and picked veggies gave it some really nice texture as well. Overall, amazing. The fries were also outstanding and my ginger drink complemented everything perfectly. I didn't even think I'd write such a complex review for a HOT DOG place, but this is not your average Cubbie dog at the field! On top of that, they give you a celebrity's photo to pin to your table to identify where to bring your food, we had Nick Nolte of course. It was awesome. We ate outside and it was GORGEOUS out so it made things that much better. Overall, just a nice, chill, atmosphere. Now I just need to come back during the weekend and take advantage of the BYOB factor :)
(5)K R.
Great food! Krazy kimchi dog is delicious as are the truffle fries. You may think it's hard to justify spending $8-10 on a hot dog, but everyone should experience this at least once!
(4)Luan N.
#3 on my Chicago Hot Dog Shrine Overall prices a bit higher than Hot Doug's but taste doesn't deliver like Dougie!
(3)Emma C.
Yeah NO. First of all, stop bragging that you don't have a Chicago-style dog. You're in Chicago. Why is that a selling point? Lose the 'tude, make the BEST, and I'll recognize. Meanwhile. High concept, expensive sausages. But I'd pay double to get that hot greasy mess out of my colon. Regrets within the hour.
(1)Justin H.
I hesitated before coming here. I was only visiting Chicago for a weekend, and I wanted to try a sausage/hot dog place. Franks 'N' Dawgs does not have the famous Chicago Dog and the franks are not regular hot dogs but more on the artisanal sausage side. I had the Banh Mi dog and my wife had the Tur-Doggin, both of which were delicious. After eating our hot dogs, were still hungry and asked the friendly guy who took our order what he suggested to get on the side, he said their most popular side was the Triple Truffle Fries, but his personal recommendation fried leek rings. Given the quality of the hot dogs, we ordered both. The triple truffle fries were good, but nothing special, though their popularity suggests this is a minority opinion. The fried leek rings on the other hand were an inspired take on onion rings. Unfortunately, looking at their menu they are sadly no longer available. I'm tempted to rate four stars to get their attention so they bring back the leek rings, but the dogs were too good not to give them five.
(5)Austin F.
They call themselves "5-star dining" for a hot dog joint and boy are they not kidding. I had never been here before so I expected just some fancy type hot dogs with a few extras and basically a regular menu to go along with it; that is not the case. Their menu consists of a concoction of hot dog creations and side dishes that you would definitely see in high end restaurants - like brussel sprout salads and lyonnaise fries. This place is just a little too high-end for me, which just judging purely from the sign you would assume it was just another hot dog joint, not a gourmet-type restaurant where their basic hot dog is $7-13, so this place isn't exactly cheap. So my only issues with this place is that the hot dogs to me are just "too much", not that they taste bad, but I guess I just prefer to dine more simplistically when it comes to dogs/sausages and everything here has multiple toppings and whatnot. To conclude: if you are looking for some creative, fancy type hot dogs that think out of the box and are willing to pay for it, I would come here. If you are just looking for a quick modest lunch this is probably not for you.
(3)Terri B.
Such a cool concept and executed magnificently! There were four of us eating here each one having something different and not one complaint! The Slammin Salmon was out of this world. I live in Edinburgh and so I don't have the luxury of coming back here until the next time we travel over to see my partners brother! I like the experimentation going here....they don't seem to be concerned with the barriers that other chefs are. Oh and I love the concept of other chefs in the area 'doing battle'. A Chicago 'Must Do/See/Try'.
(5)Irene W.
Must try the tripple truffle fries! So gooood~~~ The hot dogs are also good. This place is different than other hot dog's place because they have a lot of different garnishes on top. The sausage itself is normal in a good way but nothing special. If you are looking for different sausage meat go to Hot Doug.
(5)Juliana K.
Waffle fries were amazing! I forgot the names of the hot dogs we had, but they were okay. They were made with unique sausages and interesting toppings but didn't fall in the wow categorie. The set up of the restaurant is odd and off putting. The staff is nice but we spent a ton of time in line which ruined the mood a bit.
(3)Fiona C.
Cool place with the different dogs. Love that everything is natural and local. We ordered the tur-doggin (sounds awesome but fell a little short on taste - it was good but not great) and the urbanbelly chix (very yummy!). Truffle fries were nice and potatoey. A little too overpriced.
(3)Helen N.
I have been looking forward to visiting this place because of all the amazing reviews. Happened to be in the neighborhood furniture-shopping, and decided to try it for lunch. Ordered truffle fries, a chiliquiles dog and a chicken tika masala with my partner in crime. The truffle fries were fresh and decent with the creative ketchup choices. However, everything went downhill from there. The sausages' casing was too soft and chewy, which made each bite very difficult and the flavors failed to come together with everything crumpling. I definitely saw the intention of creating a gourmet hot god and the ingredients were fresh and good, but it is far from the perfection that I experienced from going to hot doug's every time. Has potential but needs better execution.
(2)Richard L.
Two things you try in Chicago. One... The deep dish pizza... Two.. The hotdogs!!! Being a New Yorker, hot dogs are from a little dirty stand boiled in filthy water by a sketchy dude, a Nathan's dog, or good o' Grey's Papayas dog. Just ketchup, mustard. Chicago, they pimp there dogs, like an episode of Cribs. This place was highly recommended by blogs, eater, and many itineraries. Arriving to the place, we were overwhelmed. Who knew hotdogs can be so complicated. Different kinds of meats, toppings, and celebrity faces for your order number. We ended up deciding on urban belly chix and the tur-duggin', and Charlie Sheen. The dogs were tasty. Really taste the different kinda of meat and the tasty toppings. Fresh off the grill and flavorful. Also order triple truffle fries which were okay, just too oily. Two upsetting things... One, fresca from the fountain.. Was seltzer! What the... Sigh... And when did hotdogs and fries for two people.. Cost about 40$? I would rather get my dirty water hot dog from the shady street vendor in nyc than the pimply college kids in Chicago.
(3)Agnes L.
Never liked hot dogs much until moving to Chicagoland five years ago. But I never knew they could be bold, innovative and gourmet ... and without chili as a topping (I'm a former metro Detroiter who frequented National Coney Island diners). So after seeing this spot on the Cooking Channel, I immediately bookmarked it on Yelp and put it on my Chicago Bucket List. When friends from out of town visited this weekend and we worked up an appetite after walking around the Lincoln Park Zoo, it seemed like the appropriate time to try it out. Moments to remember: *Super casual atmosphere with BYOB and funny celeb photos as table markers. *Varied menu with too much I wanted to try - finally chose the Double Duck. It was incredibly filling and rich with the juicy duck confit, rich pate, spicy arugula, savory grain mustard, etc. on top of the thick sausage all within the buttery toasted bun. *Fun and unusual sides - I went with the Brussel Sprouts Salad that was a refreshing complement to the rich dog. The fresh sprouts were shaved thinly, tossed in zesty lemon juice and mixed up with crunchy pistachios and salty parm. *Ultra friendly guests - A woman sitting next to me and my friends gave us her entire bowl of Triple Truffle Fries because she was full from her hot dog. We gobbled up the fries because they were crispy on the outside, soft on the side with the right amount of seasoning. Couldn't believe we scored the $5 side for free spontaneously. Moments not to remember: *Tables and counter space were not regularly maintained - empty bottles and crumpled up napkins lingered on emptied areas. Although, I understand that it was a generally busy Saturday afternoon. *Truffle Mac N' Cheese was a bit too oily and not as cheesy as I would like
(4)Diane N.
Definitely a place I would come back to if I were to ever visit Chicago again. Chef was very friendly and helpful. Food was on point. Must get: truffle fries and Lamb-orghini Price was reasonable. I really liked it because it was something new and not just a regular chicago hotdog. if you like trying different and unique foods, I would definitely recommend this place. hotdogs with a great twist.
(4)J T.
Got turned onto their food at Lolla. Thank God! We visit here regularly...the service is usually friendly..the place is cold in the winter months...but the food...Lord, it's great. Favorite restaurant in Chicago. Been to the most expensive steakhouses all over town...but I'll take the porkgasm dog or the mac and cheese dog any day. And the truffle fries...a don't miss. My mouth is watering while I write this...be sure to try this place!
(5)Alicia S.
This was random find while exploring the area and wow did we get lucky! I had a Truffel MacN'Cheese dog, it was delicious. All the menu items are a bit unusual, but worth the try if you are a foodie or adventuress eater at all. You must also order a side of the waffle fries. They don't come with, the dog will be to much alone anyway, but fries to share with friends will top of the deliciousness!
(5)Jared W.
I live out in the northwest suburbs, so I don't head into the city too often, but after hearing about this place, my wife and I decided that we had to vist. I'm glad we did. It was very worth it. I had the brunch dog, and my wife had the Perenially Pork. Both were excellent. We shared the truffle fries, and enjoyed the different types of ketchup to go with them. There's really nothing negative I can say about this place, and if you're ever anywhere near Lincoln Park, make this a place you check out.
(5)Alex R.
A little pricey but I have honestly tried almost everything on the menu, and every time I go I find myself stuffed and feel like the price was worth it.
(5)Ken N.
The 5 stars is simply for their Krazy Kimchi dog. I didn't get a chance to try anything else on the menu since this was a take out order for me. But boy oh boy, it saddens me to say that I prefer this over my beloved foie gras at Hot Dougs. Especially since stupid California banned foie I have been severely deprived. The braised short rib with kimchi topping gave it a very nice flavor. Definitely not dry like other reviews. Add the lobster roll bun and you have a masterpiece in your mouth. From what I hear, the wait here isn't bad either. Definitely give it a shot and see for yourself why I'd go here over Hot Dougs.
(5)Jay C.
I may not be used to big city prices for a hot dog (only reason it doesnt get a five star). But that would be my only complaint. Food was awesome. I got the pork of July, best damn dog I ever ate. My buddy got the last lobster roll and my brother almost cried. Will be going back on my next visit to chi-town. Love the unique options.
(4)Matthew K.
Having recently heard rave reviews from Check, Please! (on which it won a rare three concurring positive reviews) and word-of-mouth alike, my girlfriend and I recently stopped at Franks N' Dawgs while we were in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Unfortunately, it seemed that we were not the only ones who had recently been enticed by the glowing reviews on Check, Please! and I was disappointed to learn that the lobster roll, the banner item at Franks N' Dawgs, had been sold out for hours. The staff was very conciliatory about the situation and bought drinks and dessert for us. Having had the rug pulled out from underneath us, we were unsure of what to order. Fortunately, the staff was very helpful in this regard, and we ordered the "Lamb-orghini," a lamb sausage, and the "Pork of July," a polish sausage that features caramelized onions. Both the selections were quite tasty, and I had an overall positive experience. Nevertheless, I decided to hold off on writing a review until trying their famed lobster roll. Finding myself in the neighborhood weeks later, I dropped in again to sink my teeth into the savory seafood treat. I was kind of taken aback by the price of the sandwich, which weighed in at a hefty $20. I figured it must be worth it after all the positive feedback it had received, so I ordered one for my girlfriend and one for myself. To my surprise, the roll was embarrassingly below par. I truly couldn't taste the lobster and, halfway through eating it, I seriously wondered if I were eating potato salad. Taking the sum of my experiences into perspective, I must give Franks N' Dawgs a 2/5; even though my first experience was positive, I cannot say that I couldn't have had a more positive experience in any number of sausage shacks in Chicago. The lobster roll is a load of hype and a complete rip-off.
(2)Edward S.
My go to encased meat spot. Huge menu, some great, some just ok. I think most of the dogs that have another meat on top don't work well. The toasted brioche bun they use is just ridiculous, and their waffle fries (standard) are fried perfection. If it's your first time, definitely ask what is on their rotation, you get 3 halves of their menu and a side of waffle fries, so you can definitely let your taste buds wander. Also, be prepared to choose a shameful celebrity as your order number (Dennis Rodman) Dogs I've had over 3 visits. Kimchi Dog - being Korean, was disappointed by this one. The braised beef had no business being on a hot dog. Pork of July - Again, I don't think the meat on meat works well. Lamborghini - Flavor was great, but I found the sausage a little dry. Urbanbelly Chix - Definitely enjoyed this one Turdoggen - My favorite here so far, the duck confit is delicious and the carrots add a satisfying crunch. Cheesehead - though this one is an imported sausage, it is extremely good. Carmelized onions, grilled portabellas, smoked gouda... ain't nothing wrong with that.
(3)Zvez K.
All I have to say is YUM! Great service and great food. You must try the bacon and Mac and cheese dog. Great music and atmosphere.
(4)Jason R.
We did a weekend trip to Chicago and this was definitely a highlight! I only had one dawg (perennial pork) but really wish I would have ordered two. I can't say I've tried the other Chicago gourmet hot dog places to compare, but I'd tell anyone to put this on their list. Pretty fun atmosphere in the place, and I thought the wait wasn't bad at all, although it started getting crowded later. We went on a Saturday afternoon.
(5)Beth R.
If you're anything like me, you are a quasi-vegetarian whose heart belongs to a bona fide meat lover. You've earned gold stars for trips to Hot Doug's; you've been patient through the whole bacon craze; you've kept your eyes on your porridge on Irish breakfast mornings. But check it out: there is a secret place where you can both get what you crave. That secret place is Franks N Dawgs. My first time, I was skeptical. I don't really like tofu dogs, nor any other meat facsimile (your Boca Burger, your veggie sausage links). Luckily, they don't make their vegetarian sandwich a wanna-be meat sandwich. It celebrates and elevates tofu for what it is: a protein source that will taste like what you pair it with. Theirs is dressed up with portabello mushroom, eggplant relish, goat cheese (fine, chevre) and a green spread that is suspiciously like pesto. Is that a fine-tasting tofu or what? Also on my first visit, they were out of the Brussels sprouts salad, which made me both sad and glad: sad for me, but glad that anyone consuming the dozens of types of meat on the menu was also getting some greens in too. Today though, they had it, we had it, and it was unusual and wonderful. The B-sprouts are shredded and tossed with shaved Parmesan, pistachios and some citrus. Bold and beautiful. Finally, the icing on the cake of the Franks N Dawgs experience is the service. (But Beth D., this is a counter-service hot dog place. What service?) This service: the charming Australian who takes your order is helpful, cheeky, and knows his franks from his dawgs. If he were a Yelp review, he'd be through the roof on Useful/Funny/Cools. I think he has something to do with the selection of celebrities/ass clowns you use to identify your table after you order. Also, the small staff of servers are nice as can be. On today's visit, our server finished her shift and changed out of her FnDwear. On her way out, she still served a table, bussed a table, helped a party with a wheelchair-bound person, and kept a pleasant attitude about it all. She doesn't work for tips or on commission; she just understands how to provide good service. Four solid stars for this hot dog place, from this non-eater of hot dogs.
(4)Padme A.
Great Hot Dog Joint. Love the mystery corn dogs and truffle fries. Kinda bad location for parking. Good service. Great Chef. The are running out of room inside. I hope they expand or open a second location. Maybe somewhere with outside seating!
(4)Jim F.
The triple truffle fries were 10 stars, I swear if they poured that truffle butter over one of my shoes, I'd eat it. The.selection of gourmet sausages is creative and impressive. I had the pork of July, and the sausage alone was great the pulled pork on top of it was wonderfully gluttonous. My wife had a sausage with truffle mac n cheese on top of it, I took a bite and it was very rich, but was too subtle to enjoy with the big flavors from line still in my mouth. These are gourmet dogs, so don't compare the prices to your average hot dog stand.
(5)Heather S.
I came across this place on accident. Well, not really on accident, because since Yelp came around accidents are pretty much obsolete for me. I had been dying to try a Chicago dog, as repulsing as it looked/sounded, and was nearing the end of my week long visit. Superdawg was bookmarked, but without access to a car it was looking more and more unlikely that we'd be able to hit it up. So after browsing Yelp/Serious Eats I came across Franks 'N' Dogs. Without bothering to check the hours I headed over with my friend early on a Monday - only to find it closed. Lesson learned...or so I thought. I ended up going to Downtown Dogs that day, but after seeing photos of that Brunch Dog, I knew I had to come back the next day (and the last day of my visit). I showed up about 30 minutes before it opened, because clearly I hadn't really learned my lesson - and still didn't know how to properly check the hours - so I wandered around Crate & Barrel to kill some time. At 11:31am I reappeared. I wound up waiting on a short line that had already formed despite the place just opening and when my order was ready to be taken my mouth was already watering. I asked for some recommendations before ultimately deciding on the Brunch Dog, a pear iced tea, and a Sarah Palin placard. (She's my hero.) I really wanted to try the truffle fries, but didn't want to over eat since I still had a few more places to try before catching my flight. So I (foolishly) opted out. Turns out this nice guy (I'm pretty sure he was a vendor for F&D) didn't want to eat all his fries and offered me a couple... wow. I can't believe I didn't order them. I'm kicking myself just thinking about them. They were so good. No, really....so good. Don't be an idiot like a certain "Steak Expert" - just get them. You: "Oh, but they're fatty." Me: "How dare you! You're the one in a sausage/hot dog place. Maybe you're the one who's 'fatty.'" You: "Ouch." Me: "Sorry, that was a little much... just order the fries. Thanks." Next up: The Brunch Dog. The most amazing sausage I have ever consumed. I am not lying about this. I wouldn't ever lie about something so serious. From the sausage itself, to the fried egg on top, to the bacon, to the maple mayo, right down to the bun... it was just absolutely perfect. A perfect, sloppy, mess.. that was straight up scrumptious. I will never have another sausage like it - and for that I am extraordinarily saddened. I mean maple mayo? WHAT GENIUS THOUGHT OF THAT? My stomach is weeping at the thought of it. I'm weeping at the thought of it. Needless to say I left Franks 'N' Dawgs with a huge smile and gave myself a pat on the back for making the effort to get there before I headed back to NY. It was one of the best decisions I've made in a life full of poor ones.
(5)Tai Z.
Wow. I could eat the Kimchi Dog all day, every day. This was probably the most memorable dining moment in my recent trip (back) to Chicago. I wish I skipped the lobster roll. It was good, but I wish I saved room for some of the other sausage-based offerings. By the time the corn-dog sampler came around we were way too full to enjoy them.
(5)Chris B.
Pretty good food but the owner of this place is the reason for an average review. He said they didn't serve sport peppers because it's not a hot dog place. Uh..the name of the place is Franks 'n Dawgs and you're trying to tell me it's not a hot dog place? Also..you are in Chicago, where sport peppers are a staple. I've been eating for awhile now and know what I like; I don't need an Australian transplant to tell me that I can't put sport peppers on my hot dog.
(3)Aldi J.
Yes, it's expensive, but then again this is not your average hot dog. I've been here a few times and I've enjoyed several of their creations. The last time I went, I had the Tur-Doggin and the Krazy Kimchi. The Krazy Kimchi has to be one of my favs. Do not leave this place without trying the the Triple Truffle Fries. Yes, they are that good. Get an order, use some of their chipotle ketchup, and thank me later.
(4)Seth F.
I'm sure they won't be thrilled with this moniker, but it's really Hot Doug's Light. Not in the sense that it offers lighter fare, but that it also offers interesting combinations of encased meats. Admittedly, it's slightly less interesting and I've had a much lower success rate with my orders here than I have at Hot Doug's (hence the "Light" in my assigned moniker), but Franks 'N Dawgs comes without an annoying wait and doesn't require as much travel, and that is far from insignificant. Some of my favorites are the Krazy Kimchi, BLT and the Brunch Dog.
(4)Danny Y.
Stopped by with a group of friends, who collectively ordered 6 different dogs. Interestingly enough, my favorite of the day was actually the Kimchi dog, which I was absolutely certain I'd hate. Love the bun, but unfortunately the meat needs a little bit more work. The lamb and pork were all overdone and dry. The breakfast dog looked great until I tasted the meat, which again was on the dry side. The truffle fries were the highlight of the day. Definitely get that if you stop by! All in all, sadly didn't live up to the hype.
(3)Mad I.
Why are people waiting in line at Hot Dougs??? Same idea...... The fiance and I had 2 dawgs and 2 apps. Truffle Fries: mmmmm, and truffle butter at the bottom to sop up... Fried pickles: all breading (while its good breading) no pickle, measly 6 pieces... Tur Dogen: good The one with the orange marmalde on it....meh... A tad too expensive but do it at least once
(4)J G.
This place has amazing gourmet dogs.... This place is amazing.
(5)Fumi M.
I know that everyone has their personal favorite hot dog joint in this down. Since I am not a native or a local, my vote really does not count. And even though you did not ask me for my opinion, I will let you know that for my moneies I'd go with not your ordinary hot dog joint but the Frank' N' Dawgs. Out of everything we tasted, we highly recommend the Pork-gasm, which consists of bacon sausage stuffed between nice brioche bun that is smothered in bacon jam, whiskey glazed pork belly, also slathered in baconaise, all of this is topped off with chicharrón and generous sprinkle of ham dust if you can picture that. Are you kidding me? The scary part is how easy it all went down the hatch. Epic Pork-gasm is about right. Guys behind the counter are very friendly and extremely cool cats. Place is spicken clean, food is great, and the location is spectacular just around the corner from Goose Island Pub. The only reason I am giving it a 4 star is simply due to the fact that I have only been here once.
(4)Alex M.
Let me start by saying, my boyfriend and I have been to Franks 'N' Dawgs several times, and we love the food there. The reason for the low rating is not at all due to the quality of food they serve. The lack of stars is unfortunately due to almost everything else. One of the main things that has frustrated us is their hours, or lack thereof. For a successful restaurant to not be open past the time most people are getting off work, is lunacy to me. Because of the food and the publicity that they have received from being on multiple food shows, they could capitalize on having longer hours. I spoke to one of the chefs last time we were there and he said they were very low staffed. I can understand and sympathize with that, but in this volatile market for restaurants, that will prove to be a vicious cycle and they will lose customers in the long run. Knowing their crazy schedule already, my boyfriend and I finally made it back here (after several failed attempts due to the previously mentioned schedule) at around 4:45 since there was a ton of traffic in the area. Thinking they closed at 5 during the week, we were surprised to see on the front door (the one right before you enter, not the gate) that they closed at 7. We thought we were in the clear and breathed a sigh of relief. Immediately when we came inside, we noticed that the 2 chefs were working frenetically even though there was no one else in the restaurant. One of them greeted us, but seemed very exasperated. While we took a few minutes to weigh our options, that same chef closed the front gate and door behind us. We asked him about it and he said that the hours on the front door were wrong and they close at 5. Since we knew they were closing up and we have both worked in the restaurant industry, we ordered a Southerner, the Dawg of the Month (the quiche dawg), and triple truffle fries to go. The chef said our order would be ready soon. We ended up waiting quite a while as there was an order ahead of us for people sitting outside. When one of those people came back in after receiving their order, the chef gave me a look of exasperation, like I would understand his plight. Then, a woman with 4 little boys including a baby in a carrier came in the exit door (which was apparently not properly closed since there is no handle, but also no sign saying that it's the exit door). The woman sets down the baby and her other kids at a table and gets them set up so she can order. Her husband then walks in. The chef gives me another exasperated look. The chef went over to them and tells them that the restaurant has closed even though it's only a few minutes after 5 and they had obviously put forth a lot of effort to come there with all those kids. I could only imagine what those parents were thinking and also realized that they probably would never come back. After the family picked up and left, the chef went over to the exit door and tightly shut it. He then told us that people will pry open that door even though it doesn't have a handle. It occurs to me now that he didn't even consider that perhaps it was the lack of proper signage about hours and it being an exit door that caused people to go in that door instead of people being malicious and wanting to make his day longer. Eventually we got our food and went home to eat. I noted that when I went through the exit door, I had to make a considerable effort to close the door since it didn't automatically and had no handle to aid me. We thought the ordeal was over and were prepared for a great meal, one we'd been waiting a while to experience again. The dawgs were great, but the chefs had majorly skimped us on the fries. We were splitting them so we each got about 3 fries each...6 fries for $6 is not a good trade-off in my book. My overall view of Franks 'N' Dawgs is great food, but with a staff and schedule which is not customer-focused. I think people would love to come here as a destination late-night eating spot, I know I would. Also, a little understanding about what a customer wants once they get in the door wouldn't go unnoticed, whether that be making a to go order for someone who has come a couple minutes after close or the right portion of food. I was tempted to give them one star for this visit, but gave them 1 additional because the food quality is exceptional. I hope that the owners see this and think about my suggestions, because if not, who knows how long it will be around.
(2)Matt T.
Amazing food, had the sampler (dog flight?)....and the truffle waffle fries. A lil' pricey but well worth it. Stop in if you are in the area, you will not regret it. They also have flavored ketchups if you dine in.
(5)Roxy A.
Obviously if you're into hot dogs Frank N Dawgs is definitely a place to try..it's a bit on the pricier side (expect to pay about $10 for a dawg) but they've got quite the menu with pretty innovatitive interpretations of the all american classic. Went here for the first time & took some friends that were visiting from out of town. My dad raved about the Brunch hot dog (french toast bun with a sausage hot dog topped with a fried egg and maple mayo). There were a bunch of us so we all ordered different dawgs from the menu. The dogs are definitely a bit pricier than your average $5 Chicago dawg, but with the ingredients and the TLC that are put into these dawgs you can kind of understand why it's priced that way(average $10/dawg). The portions are pretty big and will definitely fill you up, get some fried pickles and fries to share. I also like the added touch of instead of picking a number for the table you get to choose a random celebrity (we chose Dennis Rodman).
(4)Burt M.
Hot Dougs rival. Breakfast dog is okay, sounds better in theory. They keep adapting, being creative, taking customers opinions and actually testing them out. Staff is by far my favorite.
(4)Sruts A.
One of my favorite hot dog places in the city - gourmet, nonetheless so the price is a bit on the higher side. I liked the Brunch Dawg; I think they had one called Black Sheep - loved that one! I just hope I lived closer to the place!
(5)Hoa T.
This was by far some of the best hot dogs I have ever tasted. I had the sampler so 3 smaller hot dogs. What they put on the hot dogs enhance them to another level. These are not your typical dogs, these are gourmet creations. The buns served their purpose and enhanced the dogs to perfection. And I love the fact that my vegetarian friend brought me here during my visit. Yes, they have a vegetarian option. Love this place. Will definitely come back.
(5)Ariel L.
I decided to give this place another chance. I ordered the "Da Ringer" and the "Chicagoesque". The two dogs and a drink cost me $17.00. That's right, $17 mutha fuckin dollars. Had i gotten another fancy dog, my tab would have been closer to $20+. Were the dogs good? Yes. Were they great? No. And the buns are french toast. There is so much butter in the bun, and so much bun, that it almost drowns out all of the other flavors. I still can't get over the price. Until it drops, they are sitting still at 3 stars and 3 stars only. At least there was no wait at 1PM...
(3)James R.
Gourmet Sausages! I had Fiery Francesca, Lamb-orghini, Pork of July, Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese Dog, Cheese Head Lyonnaise Fries, Sweet Home Chicago and all were delicious. My favorite was the Lamb-orghini. The Lyonnaise fries were delightful, the braised pig cheek in it was so juicy and tasty. The bun/bread is amazing, I think it is brioche, it has a great taste, soft and just a little crispy on the outside. I'm going back to try a long list of sausages: Krazy Kimchi, Brunch Dawg, Double Ducker, Fried Oyster Dog, Bayou Dog, Reuben Pulaski, Da Ringer, Epic Pork-gasm and Urbanbelly Chix.Also , the Great White sounds intriguing, its a Bay scallop sausage, Great White shark bacon, pineapple-pepper relish and fresh cilantro. Great food. I came here to see how it stands up to Hot Doug's and it does a good job. I prefer Frank's 'N' Dawgs bun and fries, but I still think Hot Doug's has better sausages, it's a close one though. It's like watching Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, to excellent contenders.
(4)Andy M.
Dear Hot Doug's. You know I love you and always will, so please forgive me and the review I'm about to write. Holy encased meat bonanza, Batman!!!! I think I'm in love. With a Bratwurst. Frank's 'N' Dawgs is the bomb. This place is a Green Bay Packer fan's wet dream. The menu is filled with Hot Dogs, Brats, and every sausage imaginable. This is a sausage fest that I can actually enjoy. I was about to tell you about the beautiful retro, Art-Deco interior, but really, who gives a shit. Frank's 'N' Dawgs is all about comfort food and lots of it. This is not your average Hot Dog joint. There's nothing wrong with ordering a $2.00 Vienna beef with all the toppings, but if you are looking for a typical Chicago style hot dog, this is not the place for you. The menu listed at least twenty different items. I narrowed it down to two. I went with the Cheese head and a Chili Cheese dog. The Cheese head is a Brat served with Caramelized onions, mushrooms0 and cheese. It was delicious. The Chili-Cheese dog was loaded to the nines with every topping imaginable. I enjoyed it, but the Cheese head was the star of the show. Two things really stand out about Frank's 'N' Dawgs. The first thing is the size of the sandwiches. They are on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for. They're huge and loaded with toppings. The other thing that makes Frank's 'N' Dawgs exceptional is the bread they use. Their sandwiches are served on buttered, New England lobster rolls. The closest thing I can think of to describe the rolls, is they have the taste and consistency of Garlic bread. Trust me, it works well. My bottom line on Frank's 'N' Dawgs is truly delicious. A great concept, delicious food and wonderful people makes this encased meat extravaganza a must visit for the sausage lover. I haven't been this impressed by a joint in a long time. I can't wait to go back.
(5)Vanesa V.
Why wait in a 2 hr line at hot dougs when you can get just as good of a hot dog at franks! I got the tur-doggin which was amazing! I don't eat pork or beef so I was really happy they had other options for me here to try. If only we had more time in Chicago to come back here again, this place is definitely worth it!
(5)Cindy B.
The window outside Franks 'N' Dawgs says "Five star dining in a bun" and it's exactly that. When I first walked in, the guy behind the counter asked if it was my first time in to which I answered in the affirmative. This is when he gave me an interesting rundown of the menu. The items with chef hats next to them are sausages that are made in house (pretty cool), then there is a charity hot dog item where a $1 of each sale goes to a specific charity (also pretty cool), and then there is a "Iron Dawg" section that consists of 2 dogs that were created by 2 staff members that are competing against each other based on sales for that item (cool and fun). I particularly liked that there is a "Iron Dawg" section because it seems like a great way to promote ingenuity with creating menu items. Anyway, I digress.... It took me a long time to decide what I wanted. Everything looked fantastic on the menu. I finally decided on the Chicagoesque (Boars Head 100% all beef 1/8 pound skinless frank, house pickles, cherry tomato relish, caramelized onions & beer mustard). Before sitting down at my table, I was told to pick a picture from the "Wall of Shame" to affix to my table so they can bring me my order. LOL! I went with Pee Wee because I love Pee Wee. I sat down and didn't have to wait very long to get my dog. The Chicagoesque was fantastic. I loved the combined taste of the pickles, the relish, onions, and mustard. It was like nothing I have ever experienced on a hot dog. I definitely look forward to coming back again to try different menu items, hopefully before I leave to LA or on my next trip to Chicago.
(5)Dennis S.
Hot dog stands are overrated. But not this one! This is a whole new level of hot dog experience. So many great choices, so little time. Friendly staff, quick service, and delicious food. Awesome ingredients. One of the best brats I've ever had, with terrific red cabbage. The duck, turkey, and date sausage was equally good. I'm already planning my choice for next time. Good fries. Excellent buns. Simply nothing wrong, other than how small the wait-in-line-to-order space is. I'll survive.
(5)Jason Z.
I don't know what to say......... I wish they were closer, I'd eat here every day! I have had nothing but great food and great service here. This is to the cooks and staff.... THANK YOU ALL... Keep up the good work!
(5)Kevin A.
UNHINGING MY JAW...AND MY WALLET I appreciate the creativity that goes into the dogs here and their five star dining on a bun concept. That said, I found the execution to be a little heavy-handed. I found there to be way too many components on some of the dogs and the proportions to be out of whack. Consider the Tur-Doggin which contains turkey and date sausage, topped with duck confit, topped with copious amounts of aioli, topped with pickled onion relish, and finally topped with a heaping mound of pickled carrots. Not only do you have to unhinge your jaw like a python to consume this, all the flavors get muddied and lost in the chaos. There's no way you appreciate the sweetness of the dates with all the grease from the duck confit and the deluge of aioli; all you end up tasting is oil. Also, $24 for two dogs, fries, and a drink is a bit steep. That said, the truffled waffle fries are pretty damn amazing.
(3)Amber J.
I will have to admit I do not eat hot dogs but my fiancé loves this place and says they are amazing!
(4)Dat D.
I've been here twice. Located in a nice area. Forgot what I ordered the first time but the second time I got the Pork of July (housemade pork loin sausage, pulled pork, house slaw w. cherry bourbon bbq sauce on brioche, $8.50) + virgil's root beer + Fried green tomatoes, which ran about $16. Kinda pricey, but the flavors are definitely there. Oh hell, who am I kidding, the hot dog and tomatoes was DELICIOUS. If you want a traditional Chicago dog I don't think you should go here. This place serves a different breed of hot dogs. Local ingredients. Innovative. Fresh. Delicious. F&D offers a lot of hot dogs. Check out the menu here: franksndawgs.com/menu Definitely recommend this place. Not everyone's cup of tea but I think everyone should at least go once.
(5)Lolia S.
A fancy take on sausages for foodies, Franks N' Dawgs handcrafts their signature sausages and serves them up on golden buns. They had 24 types of dogs from classic to Iron Dawg winners, global, dessert, etc. with additions like pork belly. Sides include truffled mac & cheese and truffle fries. For dessert you can get macarons from Vanille Patisserie. * Krazy Kimchi ($8.75): their handcrafted beef sausage is topped with beef braised short rib (braised 5 hours, tastes okay, needs more marinade, not that tender), thin slices of turnip (nice, added sweetness), wild rice bits (too hard, weird), big pieces of napa cabbage kimchi (the standard kind), and fresh basil. The beef sausage was beefy and juicy but very salty. The bun did get soggy, but I liked how it was golden, light, sweet, and tender - like French toast. It actually looked like French toast. The sausage was piled too high to lift and eat. Wonderful bun (I would buy/eat it separately) but everything else disappointed. * Triple truffle fries, waffle style were tender inside, slightly crispy outside, covered in oil, very salty The interior has brick walls and booths, resembling a diner. Pick a celebrity magnet to keep you company (I had a hard time finding anyone I liked but settled on Walter Payton).
(3)Kevin C.
This place is amazing. If you like gourmet hot dogs.. This is the place for you. Well actually they aren't hog dogs. It's a sausage kinda thing. Love it, great atmosphere.
(5)Ermelinda C.
The best hot-dogs I have ever had. The very creative menu, the many meat options, and delicious taste blend into an amazing food experience. I love this place and cannot wait to order out from them again!
(5)Jamil T.
Yea buddy! Highly recommend the Dawg Flight. Three halves of their dawgs chosen as the showcase of the day by the staff. If all else fails, get the Da Ringer. You won't be disappointed. Plus they have truffle fries!!! Pro's: Friendly staff, short wait. Cons: limited seating, but people rotate out of the seats pretty quickly so depends on when you get there. If you don't want to wait in line forever at Hot Doug's, shoot over to Frank N Dawgs. They may not have the duck fat fries, but the hot dog buns more than compensate. Definitely prefer Frank N Dawgs hot dogs over Hot Doug's.
(4)Meredith K.
I get it. This place is not for people like me. People who don't eat anything with a personality. I feel that I do have to throw in a "get more veg or chicken options please!!!" This place is quirky. You have to enter through the side door but you have to leave through the front door. Is this so they can say goodbye? You also have to pick out a celebrity magnet even if you're the only one eating on the back porch. They play fun music. One min it feels like its 4am and you're at the burrito house and the next you're listening to MJ. The only pure veg option is a tofu dog with curry. I asked if it was hot b/c I am a wimp. The guy told me it had a little heat but not too much. Yeah right. I had to remove most of the potatoes b/c it was spicy. I couldn't identify what the crispy things were either. Was that Special K? The tofu is ok. Maybe a little too salty. The highlight is the bun. Its served in lobster roll bread. Love!! I went with tofu because shark bacon sounds gross and I don't eat duck. That didn't leave me with any other choice! I'm not sure about scallop sausage either...maybe if I'm feeling adventurous. I also got the triple truffle fries which were divine! How did they get waffle fries to be crispy?? A great trick. I loved these fries. You could taste the truffle but it wasn't over powering. The butter made it better too. So with a coke that was 3 things and the total was $16 something. Ouch! The staff is super friendly and keeps it clean. Not sure if I'll be back.
(3)Laurence K.
A must place fir anyone Delishous had the perinnial pork with habsnero relish fantastic just thevright amount of heat The bun rocks and so does the cheese curds!!
(5)Rose A.
These hot dogs are pretty amazing. My daughter had the Junior Meal (regular hot dog & fries), my husband had the Krazy Kimchee Dog, and I had the Truffle Mac & Cheese. We also shared the Tripe Truffle Fries. The Krazy Kimchee Dog has a spicy beef sausage, braised short rib & kimchee. Really delicious with just the right amount of spiciness. I substituted the bratwurst in the Truffle Mac & Cheese with a beef sausage and it was topped with, of course, truffle mac & cheese, and parmesan brioche bread crumbs. I loved this dog. The beef sausage had good flavor. The mac & cheese was creamy and went well with the sausage. The bun was buttery and toasted just right. The Triple Truffle Fries were the bomb! Loved the truffle fries! They had these 2 bottles of ketchup on the table, a Ketchapeno and a Ketchipotle. The Ketchipotle is as you would imagine, ketchup with a little smokey heat. The Ketachpeno, which I liked better, had a good kick of tangy spiciness. Both actually went pretty well with the truffle fries. Unopened bottles were available for sale, which i kinda now regret not buying. The decor of the place is simple but what is unique is instead of receiving a plastic number to sit on top of the table so the server knows where to bring your order, you're given a picture of a celebrity's mug shot from the Wall of Shame of your choosing. You then stick the mug shot to the side of your table via velcro. Pretty nifty idea. They have many different dogs on their menu that I'd love to go back and try.
(4)David R.
Not only will they feed you excellent gourmet sausage creations, they will lay some personality on you as well. If you are lucky enough to come in during a slow time when there are no other customers behind you, perhaps the Australian owner/manager type will take several minutes to walk you through the menu and their general philosophy, then segue into a short discussion of pop culture, crowning everything with genuine warm wishes. That was our lucky and pleasant experience on a recent Saturday mid-afternoon. In addition to the charm of the gracious staff, the celebrity table-identifying cards, the Iron Chef-style menu matchups, the mystery corn dog, and the charity sausage are all nice touches. I love a place with some character. And the food is great, too. This last time I ordered one of the Iron Chef sandwiches: a spicy pork sausage with jalapeno-pickled onions, sliced avocado, a few tortilla strips, and some type of cheese which I can't remember. Absolutely delicious. Previously I had enjoyed the Cheese Head (a sheboygan brat with grilled onions and portabellos and smoked gouda) but there remain so many intriguing sausages to try on future visits (such as the N'awlins the Lamb Keema). On my second visit, I couldn't resist the mystery corn dog, but I cheated a little by asking whether I was allowed to know what the selection was that day or I simply had to take a blind risk. I was informed that it would always be a brat, polish, or andouille. I was rooting hard for the polish, but it turned out to be andouille. The sausage itself was decent, but I didn't care for the polenta breading; perhaps my corn-dog tastes are more pedestrian than my overall encased-meat adventurousness. The fries are excellent, excellent. The slaw is very good, although slightly over-carroty for my taste (it also contains golden raisins, which one can easily eat around if one has hangups about fruit in one's food). We wanted to try the brussels sprout salad but were informed that they sold out for the day before 1pm. Please increase the brussels sprouts order so that we can enjoy next time! But as a consolation, the owner/manager gave us tips on how to make it at home. Oh, and did I mention Coke Zero in the fountain machine? This place is almost perfect.
(5)Seth K.
I had no idea I could enjoy hot dogs this much. Although it's a little unfair for me to label this place as a "hot dog joint." It really is so much more than that. This restaurant is one that you absolutely should put on your list to stop by and try if you're in the neighborhood. I've eaten a lot of places in Chicago, this may sound odd considering all the steak houses and gastropubs but I put Frank 'n Dawgs on my top 5 list for the city.
(5)Randal A.
Man I love this place! Certainly not your average hot dog joint; these guys know how to do it right! The concept they have is great - elevating the hotdog to more than just a hotdog, but fine dining on a bun. I've had at least 6 or 7 different dogs here and have never been disappointed. This place is on the same level as Hot Dougs, only you don't have to wait forever. My only disappointment is that I don't live within walking distance.
(5)Giuseppe D.
Franks 'N' Dawgs truly is everything it's hyped up to be. I've been drooling about coming here for the passed month and finally got the chance today while I was in Lincoln Park. First off, you can tell who the newbies are because you'll see them try to open the door to get in, but can't get in. You have to step a few feet to the right and enter the "hallway" passage to get inside. I made the mistake of trying to open the door and felt like a loser; don't do it! The line was long as everyone said it would be, but it's undoubtedly worth every minute of waiting. The menu is impressively extensive and gives thorough details on each menu item. Given the time I've been waiting to experience Franks 'N' Dawgs, I had to go all-out on the menu when I ordered. I starved myself for a good 24 hours to give me enough stomach space to try more items. Okay, not really, I just eat a lot, so don't judge me when I tell you what I had. Here it is: Brunch Dog: Pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo -This was definitely my favorite dog of the three. The combination of the running yolk and the sweet maple mayo are truly a Heavenly duo. The maple mayo is very sweet and gives a very unique taste to any dog I've ever had. The pork loin breakfast sausage is thick and flavorful, almost has a pinch of spicy taste to it. Overall, my favorite, insane. Rockin' Ricotta: Kielbasa sausage, white bean puree, rapini, ricotta salata & red pepper flakes - My second favorite of the three dogs. The kielbasa, right off the bat, was smoking with flavor. You can see the juice squeeze out as you bite into it; I was licking my fingers clean of the juice, it had that much flavor to it. The white bean puree was surprisingly very very good, and with the rapini on top they mixed well. The addition of ricotta and pepper flakes leveled out what was a very very good sausage dog. Burger Dawg: House ground patty with cheddar, pickle, pickled onions, spicy ketchup & cherry tomatoes - My third favorite of the three. Not to say it was bad, but it was the least amazing of these three masterpieces. Tasted exactly as I'd expected, the ground patty was very thick, smothered with cheddar. Not much to say, it was a burger in dog form, but great nonetheless. Truffle Mac N' Cheese: Parmesan béchamel sauce, white truffle oil, brioche bread crumbs & thyme -Truly amazing. I couldn't have imagined a better side dish than the truffle mac n' cheese. the bechamel sauce and bread crumbs really star for the flavor. I can't really describe how good this was, truly truly great. Tripple Truffle Fries: Yukon Gold waffle cut fries, truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle salt & freshly chopped herbs - The oil makes these fries. You can taste the difference of how they're cooked. A fairly small portion which was a little upsetting, but it tastes GREAT, and especially with the jalepeno ketchup they supply. A pinch of spice with the flavor of the oil turned out great. And lastly, for my beverage, I had the Gale's Root Beer. It's apparently made in Chicago, which makes it that much better to support a Chicago-made product. But this was the most unique, and BEST, root beer I've ever had. Gale's root beer is root beer with cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla flavoring. Need I say more? Just try it! Overall, it easily lived up to my expectations, and exceeded. The service was phenomenal, even the cashier stopped us for a minute of funny conversation and gave great suggestions. After our meal, I stopped back at the counter to shake his hand and throw in a $10 tip, yes, $10, I appreciated it that much. The dogs can be pricey at about $7 a piece, but very worth it.
(5)Adrian K.
I've been dying to come to this place. And even more so after going Peasantry. So many more I wanna try including the oyster dog, the brunch dog and the lobster roll (only on weekends). I wasn't disappointed. The epic porkgasm - bacon sausage (basically as it's described, bacon flavored sausage um yum!), whiskey glazed pork belly, rich, sweet deliciousness, baconaise, bacon jam, chicharon and ham dust on a sweet bun (almost like that sweet bread you get from a Chinese bakery). Truffle mac n cheese dog - bratwurst, truffle mac and cheese, brioche breadcrumbs and thyme. I didn't get to try it but it went down pretty quickly. I also ordered a side of fried pickles which were delicious, nicely deep fried, tart pickels with a nice spicy giadinera aoili.
(4)Diane G.
Vegetarians in Chicago, never fear, Franks N Dawgs "FU!" is here! I was skeptical of this place after seeing only one veg option, but a friend in town wanted had a Chicago dog on his list, so there we were. There may be only one veg option, don't be FU-led. This veg dog is the real deal. Marinated tofu, eggplant relish (pureed to look like an actual spread!), caramelized portabellas---all on a delectable french toast bun?!! Also, you get to dine with a person or two from the Wall of Shame. I dined with Lindsay Lohan and the Jonas Brothers. It made me feel better about myself. Don't be a fool, and get the FU!
(4)Sofia J.
Triple truffle fries = YES Tur-Doggin (Turkey & date sausage topped with duck confit, herb garlic aioli, house pickled onion relish & pickled carrots) = A lot going on, but overall delicious Black Sheep (Toasted black pepper lamb sausage, black pepper oyster sauce, buttermilk vinaigrette, pear & red onion slaw & basil) = More straightforward but still really delicious and complementary flavors.
(5)Kari G.
This was my first time trying Franks N Dawgs. I may have to go back to get another opinion. I had the Tur-Doggin, and it was very delicious. My husband had the Buffalo Chicken hot dog, but he did not find it appetizing and really is an acquired taste. Staff was friendly, and it was wonderful how the iPad was incorporated into the ordering. I think we have to go back just to try other options on the menu.
(3)Jaci Y.
Franks "N" Dawgs is not your average hot dog eatry, it is close to the same idea as " Hot Dougs" where the owner specializes in homemade sausages and fancy fries, and he mans the cash register. I tried the turkey dawg with some topping on it, and their triple truffle fries, which are also waffle fries. And I liked the names of the hot dawgs more than I liked Hot Doug's names for their dogs, I found Franks to be catcher, and their dining room was bigger and they also accept credit card which is good to know. The people are nice there and It's not a place I would frequent because it's a treat type of hot dawg not your typical $2.50 hot dog that comes with fries, it's a gourmet eatry and I think if you haven't tried it you should because it is a culinary experience.
(4)Jason P.
Hot dogs sort of become a requirement when coming to Chicago. My latest hot dog venture took me to Franks 'N' Dawgs, where their home made sausages are made every day and are 100% natural, containing no nitrates, nitrates, or preservatives. The gourmet sausages are then thrown on their much talked about New England style rolls which are baked by a local bakery. All these fresh ingredients is what had earned them featured segments on Food Network and Travel Channel. With all the hype, I had to try this place out. You first walk down a narrow hallway covered with astro turf. You finally make your way inside and above the cashier is the whole lot of sausages that you can order. If you did not have the luxury of checking out the photos of each hot dog online, you're in luck, as there is an iPad by the cash register, where you not only get to pre-judge each hot dog by its contents, but also how visually appealing they look. Because like they say, looks are always the first attraction. If you have any questions, Alexander, who operates the cashier and is the owner, is very friendly and more than helpful in making any suggestions. After you put you order in, you get to pick a photo of a celebrity from the wall of shame as your calling card. You grab a seat and prop the photo beside your table so the staff can easily identify who to serve each order to. For my first visit, I ordered the Boar'n To Be Wild ($9.95), a rendang wild boar sausage topped with togarashi tempura onions, yellow peppers, fried sweet potatoes, Thai basil, mint & sesame seeds. The wild boar sausage did indeed have a nice crunch to the skin and tasted fresh, but it didn't have a lot of flavor like a sausage usually does. I was hoping the frizzled pieces of battered onions and sweet potatoes to give it some sweetness, but it was so subtle that it didn't really do much for me. The yellow peppers were a nice addition to give it some color, but that seemed like its only purpose. I also didn't see or taste any Thai basil or mint. With all these letdowns, I didn't really enjoy the Boar'n To Be Wild. And for $10, I thought prices were a bit steep. The New England style roll was indeed light, yet sturdy enough to not succumb to the soggy and crumbling bun that some vendors make the mistake of. It had a thin layer of butter on the outside, then grilled to give it a nice golden crust, but I would have liked for my bun to be grilled a little bit more giving it a minor black toast color. I also tried the Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese ($6.95), a bratwurst sausage topped with truffle mac 'n' cheese and parmesan brioche bread crumbs. It was simple but tasty, but not enough to warrant a second bite. The bratwurst was average at best and the mac 'n' cheese could have used a sharper and creamier cheese to give it a richer profile. They did get the New England roll right this time. It was left on the griddle longer to give it a golden and black toast color. The Fries ($1.75) served in a white ceramic bowl were subpar. They were greasy and potatoey, but didn't maintain a crisp outside, and easily forgettable. The Triple Truffle Fries ($4.95), waffle cut Yukon Gold potatoes seasoned with truffle oil, truffle butter and truffle salt were amazingly good. They were crisp on the outside with a starchy inside, and contained a subtle salt flavor with a hint of aromatic truffle oil. The Triple Truffle Fries are definitely a must-try. I left Franks 'N' Dawgs sort of let down and disappointed. Prices are not justifiable unless you consider freshly homemade artisanal sausage with all natural ingredients worth your money. I may come back to give Franks 'N' Dawgs another chance and try one of their more popular dogs, but I prefer to go to Portillo's for some simple out-of-this-world hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches.
(3)Gary C.
There's really nothing like some well-executed encased meat. And truth be told, Franks 'N' Dawgs definitely executes well. After reading many reviews, seeing the "Hot on Yelp" spotlight, and Bizarre Foods episode, my foodie friend and I hopped over to FnD one brisk evening...a half-hour before they closed [730PM???!?!!] Looking at the menu, one might be intimidated by costs, cuz I know I was when I snuck a peek before making the drive. $2.50 for the most basic dawg?? $17.95 for the most pricey?? Geez, Louise. Can one really justify dishing out that many pennies on some encased meat? In short, yes... I didn't do it on this visit but I suggest you try it during yours, ask what the Dawg Flight is for that day. It's $15 for three different dawgs. I can easily justify $5/dawg...and you'll more than likely be more than full. On this visit, I ordered the Truffle Mac n Cheese, Da Ringer, Chili Cheese Fries, and Triple Truffle Fries. I'll being with the encased meats... In general, the dogs are not hugged by your typical bun. It reminds me of sandwich bread, though it's actually a lobster roll. A bit unorthodox, but it's a change that I welcome with open arms. Well done, FnD. The truffle mac n cheese dawg would've been perfect if not for the bread crumbs. I know that bread crumbs commonly top off regular mac n cheese, but it's a bit excess, in my stomach's opinion, since this thing is wrapped in a buttered lobster roll. Da Ringer was legit. The shallot marmalade adds soooooo much to what would be a regularly "good" dog. Pass on the chili cheese fries, it isn't very good. The chili just doesn't deliver. The triple truffle fries, on the other hand, are forreal. Order this bad boy. One of the best things that I like about FnD is the food running system. After you order, you get to choose from the Wall of Shame; celebs who have made quite a name of themselves. They've got all of the greats: Rodman, Tyson, Palin, Kim Kardashian, and so on. I got a good kick out of it.
(4)Veronica S.
I didn't have the opportunity to visit Hot Doug's while in Chicago, but was just as excited to visit Franks 'N' Dawgs. Featured on the Food Channel, Franks N Dawgs has made a name for itself by serving creative hot dogs as well as side dishes. For the first timer, it's not a bad idea to get the samplings of dogs which comes with 3 half-dogs of various flavors along with their fries. Their triple truffle fries are outstanding and I've never had anything quite like them anywhere else before. Prices add up fast, but typically one hot dog ranges between $4-$7. Amazing and definitely worth a visit!!
(5)Aaron L.
This will be a regular stop for me when I'm in Chi Town... even if it is not close to DT. Black Sheep = AMAZING!
(5)Thuc H.
Um..Can anyone say De-Freaken-Lious! This small places put out some awesome sausages, their idea of making street food into something beyond that is awesome. I had the Black Sheep which was mouthwatering btw. Also had the Mystery Corn dog which again was delicious, the price are a bit high for hotdogs BUT you get what you pay for not in quantity but in quality. (which for me anyways is a fair trade...sometimes) Another unique thing about Franks 'N' Dawgs is the ordering system you choose a celebrity as an indicator of your orders.
(5)Ryan S.
When we're talking hotdogs, I'm not one of those dood's who needs anything more than the standard, Chicago style dog to be happy (better have some of that radioactive-looking, green relish on that sumbitch too!). But, my buddies took me to this joint and let me tell you, it isn't such a bad thing to think outside of the bun. I had the "Pork of July" (Pork loin & caramelized onions sausage, house smoked pulled pork, cherry bourbon BBQ sauce & our house slaw) and it was dangerously good. Like, if I lived closer, I could easily get addicted. To be honest, I would've been perfectly content with just their pulled pork and the cherry bourbon BBQ sauce on the bun, but the link was delicious too. Speaking of the bun, that's the star of the show here at Franks 'n' Dawgs. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that it's probably the best bun I've ever had. It was buttery and rich, and soft and chewy on the inside. And it was toasted to a perfect golden color. It looks like a thick piece of brioche that's been sliced down the middle and has an almost contorted or folded shape. One bite into that bun and I couldn't stop dreaming about how good a grilled cheese would be with it. I can't wait to go back and try their lobster roll on that bun. I'm willing to bet that, even at $17.50 for it, it'll be well worth it.
(4)Marcus M.
No line, as usual. However, they seemed to be out of some ingredients so some menu items were off the table. The cashier/waiter was extra rude for some reason. He brought all our ordered items at one time except the triple truffle fries. He turned without a word and I asked -very politely- about the fries. His response? "I only have two hands." After all that the fries turned out to be soggy and bland.
(1)Craig S.
Amazing and delicious. If youre meal leaves you with the feeling of something so comforting and satisfying. You know you found a great spot. If youre looking for the classic, perfect executed Chicago dog, they got it! I recommend the haute dogs. Mussels in Brussels or Bahn Mi Place's fantastic. My Girl and I will bring the beer next time! PS. The fries are legit as well.
(5)Marie B.
One of my FAVORITES in the city!! * Every gourmet dog I've had has been excellent * Joe D is a genius! * Love the sampler and truffle fries! Yummm x 1000!
(5)Aprille C.
Maybe I should have done better research. AT & T internet was very sketchy on our iPhones during the trip for searching and yelping. We were hoping for authentic Chicago dogs. But we got gourmet dogs instead. It could have been better. I think he enjoyed his "Chicagoesque" dog better than I did my "Truffle Mac & Cheese" dog. Mine was really dry and I had to add mustard for flavor. Tiny place many subway stops from downtown. Kinda a bummer. And hardly anyone inside even though they'd been on the Food Network with Andrew Zimmern.
(2)Eileen Z.
If you're looking for a "normal" hot dog you won't find it here. The bread is no ordinary hot dog bun, but DELICIOUS and withstands the weight of all the schizoness piled on. They're shooting for a "gourmet" hot dog folks, which I know doesn't sit well with you die hard Chicago-style enthusiasts. Don't get me wrong I AM IN LOVE WITH CHICAGO-STYLE. So if that's what, a classic Chicago, I won't go to Franks N Dawgs, plain and simple. First off, when you enter, enter through the brick-walled hallway on the side lined with that green rug NOT the front. Order THEN seat yourself. There was a little confusion with how to order because there's a sign to "seat yourself" but we eventually figured it out. Pick the table marker of the celebrity you either think needs rehab the most or IQ you question on a daily basis (they use these 'celebrity' table markers in place of using #s). We picked Sarah Palin in light of the recent Common being invited by Obama to a poetry shindig at the White House chaos. The Governator was by far my favorite of the 3 we ordered (Austrian pork & Swiss cheese sausage, savory apple compote, glazed cranberries, white wine mustard sauce & chives). The boyfriend, the breakfast lover, enjoyed the Brunch Dog (pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo). And it's only fitting with the bitterness from the last Superbowl to eat a Cheese Head, right? (Bratwurst sausage, caramelized onions, grilled portabella, smoked gouda & chives). The sausages are made in-house and if there's anything similar between Franks N Dawgs and other Chicago hot dog places, you don't NEED the ketchup to enjoy anything. You'll just butcher the taste experience. BUT if you must, do so with the fries. The ketchup also isn't a typical bottle of Heinz, one is jalapeno-infused, the other is chiptole-infused. What I will knock though is the amount of fries you get in one order. Granted they are Triple Truffle Fries, but I could have ordered plain waffle fries and brought my own truffle oils or salts from home to avoid paying $4.95 for a dinky handful. As a comparison to Hot Doug's, you just can't do it. This place is more of the Kuma's of hot dog joints. But I will say is that this place is much more convenient to get to, only a few blocks from the Armitage brown line stop, without the hour wait. I'll definitely come back though - I want to try the other dogs!
(4)Chip H.
I accidentally walked by this place today and decided to stumble in. I really had no idea what I was getting into but I will for sure go back. I just wanted a regular hot dog but ended up with the Cheese Head, which is a brat with mushrooms on it. Wow. I literally had to stop and look at what I was eating, it took me by surprise it was so delicious. The bun was amazeballs, kind of like a New England lobster roll. I will be getting the Cheese Head again, but only after I have tried the rest of their delicious treats first. The Burger Dog and The Brunch Dog may be a nice snack as early as tomorrow. One flaw, the fries were cold. Minus 1 star
(4)Nick J.
Amazing food here. If ur the first time visiter, they usually recommend the Dawg Flight, which includes 3 daily special dogs. The Mussel, the kimchi and the other i forgot the name were all outstanding! And u can pick an celebrity for ur seat- tastewise i guess this place is better than the famed hot dougs.
(4)Rachel S.
Yeah! Sooooo good! My Chicago friend brought us here for dogs...my first of two hot dog experiences. The Colorado friend and each ate the Chicagoesque (see photo) = delicious! I tried my friend's Truffle Mac n Cheese Dog which was great as well. We shared an order of Lyonnaise Fries (see photo) which were good, but the pigs cheeks threw me off. We dined outside in their courtyard under the pergola. Great spot!!
(5)Christie B.
I've been to Hot Doug's and I have been to Franks n Dawgs and I can honestly say I like Franks better. Their buns are soooo good. I think it's the best hot dog bun in the city! And I love their truffle fries. I'll take a good truffle fry over a duck fat fry any day of the week. And the beauty of that sentence is you can get truffle fries any day of the week at Franks n Dawgs.
(5)P. C.
Hot dogs are one of the legendary foods of Chicago and one must have hot dogs when in the city but at Frank N Dawgs you won't your typical Chicago style dog (soft steamed poppyseed bun w mustard and pickle). Instead they have elevated hot dogs with a modern twist. IMO the New England lobster roll bun that is the vessel for the fresh dawgs are buttered and grilled and crispy. It truly made it taste like no other hot dog I've eaten. The many variety and choices on the menu along with quirky names of the dawgs and celebrity call tags made this place more unique. Get there early as lines form quick and tables can be hard to get, unless you don't mind standing out back to eat. Oh, the truffle fries pair well with any of their dawgs! Eat up!
(5)Jeff W.
Best hot dog's in Chicago? Possibly... everybody has their favorite spots and I can't say I've been to all of them (although plan to), but this is tops for me. It's a mix between a fine dining restaurant and a hot dog stand. (editor's note: I have yet to brave the long line at Hot Doug's and/or Gene and Jude's) I can appreciate that their dogs are hand crafted in house and they refresh their menu monthly with rotating specials and competition sausages. It's on my bucket list to submit an entry. No tasty creations have been made yet. The line here can be long on the weekends, but if you're looking for good eats without having to sit down and have a long meal, then this is a good option in the area. The home made buns that these dogs come on make them stand out. Lightly buttered and baked to perfection. I have yet to get anything that I did not like. Wish I could go into depth about specific dogs but it's been awhile since my last visit. I'll be fixing this soon. Word to the wise: It's hard to decide on ONE dog to get cuz they all sound good. I've been there... "I think I'm gonna get the Truffle Mac n Cheese Dog but the (insert delcious name here) Dog sounds good too, I can't decide"... but don't do it. Don't get both AND a side. Done that... just enjoy the one dog and live to eat another day.
(4)J D.
Krazy kimchi dog: incredible! Good balance of savory and bitter! The brioche buns are a certain luxury. Brussels sprouts salad was a revelation filled with lemon zest, dill, green pistachios and Parmigiano! This is certainly not any healthier version of a hot dog, but worth every indulgent bite! Staff is welcoming and guides any novice patron through the esoteric menu. It's a cafeteria -style dining room which allows them to focus more on the quality of their food! Note: there is an alley entrance off from the sidewalk.
(5)Tera D.
I definitely like the concept: gourmet hot dogs without waiting in line at Hot Doug's. And the place was cute and surprisingly crowded despite a slightly offbeat location. Staff was very friendly, and there's lots to pick from on the menu. Now my issue with the place - $9 for hot dogs!?!? I know that's the top end, but quite a few were in the $7-$9 range, and they don't come with fries! Two of us split the brat with mac n cheese on it, and the spicy yucatan. The brat was very mediocre, although the mac n cheese on top was very tasty. They serve that as a side, so maybe I'd get that if I went again. The spicy yucatan was good, nothing too memorable. The truffle fries are also pretty darn expensive considering they don't' come with a fun aoli or dipping sauce, and on their own they're just ok. Overall, I don't think I have any reason to go back.
(3)Hoang L.
You must be out of your mind if you compare this place to Hot Doug's. I'm gonna get straight to the point: This place is way overpriced. Try it if you want something unique, but not exactly well put together. Busboy / server seemed a bit flustered and accidentally took our celebrity picture (used to bring out the food) before we got our food. It's okay dude, just take a deep breath. Spicy Yucatan - I didn't even want to finish it, and I didn't. I have a sensitive tongue and it was not spicy whatsoever. False advertising. Kimchi Dog - Messy. It was okay. My gripe about this is that it didn't go well together. Korean food should not be on a hot dog. Lamb (can't remember name) - It was recommended by the cashier and the first bite was good. But that's about it. Triple Truffle Fries - $5 for a small portion. Nothing special about it. BIG DISAPPOINTMENT. We didn't even finish it. If you want good fries, DFF at Hot Doug's. Friday or Saturday only. Might worth trying just to say you've tried it, but I would never come back. The annoying babies and kids hitting my chair didn't help either.
(3)Melissa H.
Franks N Dawgs is a really fun hot dog place. They've got gourmet hot dogs dressed up in the fanciest clothes. :) My Bayou Dog was perfectly seasoned andouille covered in red beans, shrimp, and remoulade. Shrimp on hot dog! SHRIMP ON HOT DOG. Awesome. Both my dinner companion and I loved the fact that the bun is more like a repurposed Texas toast, thick bread toasted with butter. It adds to the flavor of every dog on the menu. The triple truffle fries were perfectly crispy waffle-style fries, with a perfect hint of truffle. Never overpowering. Very rich and a great portion size. The baked beans were very smoky tasting with three different types of beans baked in; I love when folks do that! The cashier was very friendly. Walk on up, order, and pick a character from their Wall of Shame to decorate your table as you wait. This place is very casual feeling, with very non-casual food. I mean, seriously, check out the photos. They're beautiful!!
(5)Jeff R.
If there is one food that says "Chicago," it's hot dogs. I've never been one to get all hyped up and excited about hot dogs, I like them and eat them at baseball games and back-yard BBQs. If you're like me and looking for something more than an oscar-meyer wiener on a bun, please go and experience Franks. I caution though to not fall into the trap of looking at the menu as "dogs," but truly gourmet dishes. The first thing I noticed inside of Franks was the friendly staff (especially Chef Doren) and inviting decor. The menu is extensive and fascinating. You can choose from classic dawgs, dawgs gone wild, dawgs gone global, or haute dawgs. Some of the meats are prepared in house, and noted on the menu, while others are bought locally but in consultation with Franks. You can't go wrong either way, all the meats I'm sure are fantastic. For my meal I choose a duck based "dawg" served with pineapple chutney, carrots, cilantro and other flavors I can't remember. Erica prefers simpler dogs and opted for the Cheese Heade: Sheboygan, caramelized onions, grilled portabellos & smoked gouda. We ordered a side of cheesy fries for good measure. The food quality here is the real deal. Chef Doren is clearly talented and chooses to display this on buns instead of plates. It's a great concept and well executed. With a paito and BYOB I can see this being a great date place, and something to return to often with such a diverse menu. The pricing could turn some people off ($20 for two dogs and fries), but comparable to similar venues and par the course. If you can just accept that gourmet food CAN be served on a bun, every dollar is justified. I highly recommend checking out the Dawgs and I know I'll go back to see what other interesting flavors are crafted a la bun.
(4)Kimberly K.
There are definitely some kinks to work out, but the dogs we had were quite good. I had the Chicken alla Naha and my husband had the Tur-Doggin. Both were really good. We also got the triple truffle fries. The flavor is really interesting (in a good way) and the spicy and chipotle ketchups are good too. I am also not a huge fan of their buns. The service was a bit slow, but not too bad. It is also kind of expensive. I'd like the place to feel less corporate and more of a hole in the wall. But, it was good overall.
(4)Julia S.
Sometimes I think the best thing a new find has going for it is when you stumble upon it by accident. Such was the case for us when, wandering out of a store across the street, looking for something to fill our bellies before heading home from Chicago, we spotted Franks 'n Dawgs. At first I resisted because I'm not the world's biggest hot dog fan. I am, it turns out, the world's biggest triple truffle fries fan because ever since we ate them here I can't stop dreaming about them. I mean that literally. I DREAM about fries. I HAVE A PROBLEM. I'm still not the world's biggest hot dog fan, so it's not like I had a conversion experience. But if you're going to do it, this seems the way. Fascinating combos -- I went straight-up Chicagoesque and the ol' ball and chain had the Tur-Doggen -- served up on a super-quality, freshly baked New England-style bun (think lobster rolls) definitely elevate the standard. Wasn't nuts about the fried green tomatoes, as they were cut too thick for my taste, but next time -- and there will be a next time -- I wanna try the shaved brussel sprouts salad. Also, I will be eating my body weight in truffle fries.
(4)Ernest S.
Just for their truffle fries alone I would give them 5 stars. Admittedly, the portion is small but it's packed with so much truffle flavor and so good that I don't care. I really enjoy Hot Doug's so I wasn't expecting Franks to wow me. Especially after I saw that the prices seemed even a little higher than Hot Doug's. But after trying the Perennially Pork (my wife's favorite), the Brunch Dog and the Frank'n Stein (my favorite), I think I like Franks better than Doug's. Even with the higher prices, the portions are bigger so I'm okay with that. I also liked the buns they came in. It's not traditional but it's very tasty. I also hate having to wait in that almost always super long line at Doug's so with all that said, Franks is the winner for me. I say come prepared. This is a coma-inducing meal so I wouldn't advise on coming when you have a lot of stuff to get done afterwards.
(5)David B.
This is the fanciest hot dog place I've ever sampled and I don't mean ambience. There's really no ambience but who cares. The chef (and I mean that seriously) has taken great care in selecting ingredients and putting them into fantastic combinations. The New England "bun" is a meal in itself and it doesn't hurt that they brush it in butter then delightfully toast it. It's literally a cradle for the encased meat. I had the Chicagoesque dog with pickles, tomato relish and beer mustard. I'm glad I don't live in Chicago because I'd find myself in the neighborhood far too often. Visit Franks 'N' Dawgs if you like to experiment with your food. You'll be shocked at how different a dog can be
(5)Laura C.
If you're a sausage lover, then go here. I am not a huge fan, so this place gets three stars from me. High quality ingredients + one of a kind combinations + great service - slightly expensive = 3 stars. Great place to take tourists. With the relatively expansive menu, I had a hard time choosing just one dog, so I went with the Dawg Flight. Three half dogs and fries for $15? A little pricey, but worth a try. The chef's selection that day was Belly Up - mustard glazed pork belly, pork sausage, fennel and grapes. A little heavy on the mustard, but the grapes added a nice sweetness. Next was the Krazy Kimchi - beef sausage with braised beef, kim chi, puffed rice and basil. I thought this was the best one (although I must admit, I love anything braised). The duck sausage rounded out the trio, topped with lotus root. The buns are from La Briola and are freshly made every day, which makes a huge difference. With a basket full of fries and two varieties of spiced ketchup - jalapeno and chipotle - this meal was more than enough. They also offer plain old "Classic" dawgs, for the less adventurous. Other side options: flavored fries (truffle, chili, Lyonnaise to name a few) as well as baked beans and salads. A few desserts are available from local bakeries, but I was too full to try any. Atmosphere is simple, you walk into the restaurant through a covered alley to the door near the back. It's like a mini golf course ramp, which apparently helps control the long lines that come through. Once you order at the register, which was manned by the head chef - super nice guy from Michigan and well rounded in his culinary career - you pick a card with your most hated celebrity that you velcro to the table - a quirky play on table numbers. It's casual and comfortable with a serve yourself soda machine. Plus, they have a surprisingly nice bathroom with high end touches you wouldn't expect in a hot dog joint.
(3)Gregory S.
We do love this place! The hardest part is deciding what to order! When I can, I go for lunch on weekdays...less lines to contend with.
(4)Edgar P.
Being a Chicagoan for 22 years now, one tends to eat a good hot dog or two while living here. Franks 'N' Dawgs is probably the pinnicale of (gourmet) hot dog glory. This place has such a great variety of unique takes on the hot dog, that it's really up to you to decide which route to take when ordering off the menu. My personal favorites would be the Boar'n To Be Wild, Krazy Kimchi, Bayou Dog, and the Belly Up. I like this combo because it's got a little sweet and a little salty combo that I like and it just leaves my mouth watering afterwards. For the side I usually get either The Lyonnaise Fries or the very popular Triple Truffle Fries. The lyonaise Fries are a little different and I wouldn't recommend it for people who are picky with what they eat. It's definitely something different and I would guess that it's really only popular with a small number of people. If you're up for anything, I would say, "Go For It!" If it's your first time, I would bring at least one extra person with you so that you can order twice as much off the menu. I generally take at least one other person so that we can split four to six different things off the menu and it gives us the opportunity to taste more things without overdoing it. Once you order your food, you'll then get the chance to pick one of many shamed, low level celebrities or public figures so they can easily identify your table by. It's a little bit more pricey than your average hot dog but that's obviously because they use better meats and other ingredients than your average dog. If you're in the city and craving a great, fast meal - Go to Franks 'N' Dawgs!!! Check It Out!!! -Papa Bear
(5)Vee C.
Want the lobster roll? Well you'll have to wait until June. Season ended in October....Instead I tried the Cheese Head dawg! It's not made in-house and maybe that's why I didn't care for it too much. The Bratwurst sausage wasn't so good. The rest was great after I removed the sausage, I enjoyed the caramelized onions, grilled portabella, smoked gouda & chives along with those delectable triple truffle fries!
(3)Mimi W.
My son, who is a finicky eater, wanted hot dogs for lunch. We had NO IDEA that Franks 'N' Dawgs was not your regular hot dog joint. My son, 11, ordered the corn dog which was actually a bratwurst sausage dipped in polenta batter and deep fried, and cheese fries. I had the Banh Mi: lemongrass & coriander chicken sausage with pickled daikon, carrot, sriracha mayo, jalapeño, cilantro and spicy pickled duck egg. The servings were big, the bun on the Banh Mi seemed a little oversized, but not a big deal. The cheese fries have an airy white cheddar "whiz" and a side of scallion pistou served in a bowl with two forks. My son, however, was not about to share. He ate every bite of his meal. The Banh Mi was the best surprise I've had in a long time eating out. It was fantastic! The lemongrass was very tasty and the toppings complimented the sausage perfectly . It was a perfect lunch. Couldn't be better. We went at 2:45 and there was no line, fast and friendly service. The entire meal with one beverage was $24. We will definitely go back!
(5)Kenny O.
Well-executed gourmet dogs without the one hour wait *cough*? Count me in! Ambiance: Light-hearted expansive dive. You can tell what kind of man owns this place when you choose a (D) celebrity to take back to your booth as your jeeringly wait for your order. You'll see what I mean when you go there. The food: Oh, my! I had trouble figuring out what I wanted, so I actually made a blind choice (silly me) and went with the Bacon n' Grits. It surely isn't anywhere near the best dog I've had, and certainly not the best I've even had in Chicago, but it was tasty regardless. It was a large, natural-casing dog, and it had a bit of a crunch from the puffed grits. The pork belly wasn't very prominent and I had trouble tasting it (though I could see the large pieces atop my dog). The other toppings weren't really evident either. Would I order it again? Probably not considering the rest of the menu and its seemingly endless selection. The fries. THE FRIES. So I did come here with two friends and we decided to each get one of their special fries. One friend got the cheese fries--they were alright. My other friend got the triple truffle fries--they were pretty bomb. I got the Lyonnaise fries--HOLY SHOOT ME NOW. These fries are worth coming for by themselves. The pig cheek and fried egg turn this into devil's food with the amount of richness they incorporate into the fries. The amount of porky savoriness feels evil, but oh so good. Each. Bite. Too. Good. The service: No real problem! It was pretty slow, but we seemed to be seated right before a rush came in, so I don't blame them for taking 5-10 minutes extra with our ... check. TL;DR. Order the Lyonnaise fries if you like food. Or happiness.
(4)Adam Y.
Sublime sausage, rolls, and sides. Interior is a bit like the waiting room at an auto shop.
(5)Kristen M.
I got the tofu dog...which unfortunately I was not a big fan of...the taste was really overwhelming to me and I would not get it again. However, the person I was with loved what they ordered and we also split fried green tomatos, which were delicious.
(3)Susana L.
This place is perfect. Went there on a sunny start-of-spring day. Very charming entrance up the side and you open the door and immediately got a happy vibe from the rock-reggae music. There were about 6 things I wanted to order on my first visit. Chose the lamb dog. Everything about it was perfect and OFF THE CHARTS! And the side Brussels sprouts salad was very yummy. As great as the food is -- so is the atmosphere and the service. These people know how to snow you the love. This is the kind if place you're dying to show off as a Chicagoan. And the "wall of shame" ordering system is brilliant. Seriously, this place can't get any better!
(5)Kimberly B.
Going back!! Just went here yesterday and I want to go back today. It's a fun place with great costumer service. The man behind the counter took us through the whole menu and made his Recommendation and they were spot on. I'm a vegetarian so I didn't get the full experience but my boy friends meal looked amazing I had the tofu but put it with Mac and cheese cause the vegetarian dog was Indian inspired and I'm not a fan of Indian food. I'm hoping they come up with a new vegetarian option something more like a sausage. Can't wait to go back.
(4)Jeff R.
Arrived at noon. Parked right out front. Guy at the counter was super friendly. I had the lamb dog and my wife had the kimchi dog. Both were really tasty on buttered rolls. Truffle waffle fries were good. Kids' options available. I can't tell you which is better - this or Hot Dougs. Both are good. No line here, though, and we didn't have to start lining up at 10 in the morning.
(4)Phil A.
Gourmet hot dogs! Brilliant concept and brilliantly executed. I try to get something new every time I go in and am never disappointed. Everyone who works there is friendly and enthusiastic about their unique cuisine. The waffle truffle fries are a must.
(5)Tim B.
We're still fairly new to Chicago and have been beaten down by NYC Hot Dogs the past 7 years so we skeptically went for a Dog this weekend. Never thought I would give a hot dog place 5 stars but damn, I loved this place. Now 5 stars for a Hot Dog joint and I am not saying this is Per Se or Alinea 5 stars but I haven't head a better Dog anywhere. Kimchi, Trump Doe and a regular, truffle fries, regular fries washed down with a Butterscotch Root Beer. Comfort food on "roids" Some say it is pricey, but come on Kimchi Dog is worth $8. Will make the list of great kids places as well.
(5)Michael S.
Ok. So I am a fan of Hot Dougs, but I am of hot dogs in general as well leading me to this establishment. Looks like some people on here were geeked with talking to the owners. Some were starstruck that Andrew Zimmern went here... Honestly though, I did not feel the same joy that others have felt here... Just wasn't impressive... So came here on a Saturday afternoon. No line at all... Entrance is actually on the side... Unique and it helps for the flow of the place. Seemed promising though if a place is really just that good I would of expected some kind of line after being open this long. I think that says something.. Anyways here is what we got for food: Cheese Head: Seemingly normal brat with gouda, carmelized onions, and portabella mushrooms. I remember thinking and saying there that I can make this at home. Nothing special or remarkable to me. It was just ok. N'awlins: Who dat there gonna be really good? Well this actually was pretty good. I liked the andouille sausage, the shrimp, and the other fixings. It would be better though with something other than just a mustard ketchup though. Definitely something I'd get again. Fries/Truple truffle fries: Fries were fine.. Nothing special... Truffle fries... omg,,, you get such a small amount of those fries. They also didn't taste any special. Maybe they need to amp up the use of the truffle butter, salt, and oil. I can't pinpoint it, but these fries were just not special at all especially for the price. Overall I'd say this place is just ok. It's not a 5 star dining place and I don't think it's 5 star food on a bun. Price was around Hot Dougs, but not as good at all. No colorful host, no super service, nor atmosphere. Oh and their Chicago style dog... Sorry, but you can do so much better almost anywhere. Sorry, but this place isn't that great at all.
(3)Tracey H.
I really don't get it. Their bun is good, I'll give them that. Their food overall, though, is just fine. I've never had a Hot Dougs moment there---which is when I roll my eyes on the back of my head an moan "that's goooooood." Also, the last time we went the guy at the register was a class A A-hole. My fiancé decided to order the soup, which said it used a velouté, which is a white velvety sauce made with white bones. Usually veluté is chicken based, but I have seen it made/and have made it with fish bones on several occasions. My fiancé inquires as to whether it is fish sauce. The guy behind the register gets snotty and starts and argument with us about how it "couldn't be" fish and how "he knows," because he's trained in culinary arts. My attempt to explain to him that I too am actually trained in culinary arts, the French culinary arts to be exact, fell on deaf ears, and I guess the fact that my fiancé is also trained in culinary, worked boh in several french restaurants, and is a sommelier means nothing, because clearly we have NO IDEA what were talking about. I should've said what I'm saying here: shut the fuck up dude, you work at a glorified Portillos--and Portillos is actually better. NEVER AGAIN. Also, your presentation is lame.
(1)Isla E.
This is the kind of place that makes me want to change all my other 5 star reviews to 4 star reviews. They truly deliver as promised. I was just here today, and the quality of service and food felt similar to that of an establishment that had recently opened. Although there is a vegetarian "dawg" option, this isn't a place to go to eat healthfully, although they do seem to use pure, high quality ingredients even in the sausages. I ordered the beet salad and triple truffle fries, and tasted The Brunch Dog and the Justin Cased. The Justin Cased is part of the competition, so I don't know how long it will be there, but I would go now and get it while you can. The description: roasted poblano & quesadilla cheese pork sausage, pickled vegetables, chicharrones & avocado mousse. Sounds good, tastes even better. I can't imagine there could be better truffle fries anywhere in this city. What a terribly great idea to put truffle butter on french fries. I'm trying to forget they exist. Another plus, it is open on Sundays, unlike another gourmet sausage establishment.
(5)Carl D. S.
I have returned a couple of times and it only gets better. The chef dawgs are getting more elaborate and complex, with truffle fries popping up as an option. The main dawgs are getting slight ingredient tweaks but all in the goal to increase the flavors. The Travel Channel's Andrew Zimmern recently shot a segment for his show. It matters less if you're a Franks or Dougs fan...this place has got a flavor all its own and a really fun place to go to.
(5)Donald R.
We were making a day of it in the city...trying new places and sights we had heard about, including FnD. It's ok, but overpriced and definitely overrated. Brunch Dog was good but not great. The casing came off completely and I was left with that disgusting looking mess on my plate. Cheese fries were also ok, but overcooked. Waffle fries were not out if the ordinary and a ripoff price wise. Fountain drinks are boring. Two dogs, two fries and two drinks came to $31. Seriously? Ya, seriously.
(3)Eric V.
It was a rainy Sunday afternoon and the fiancee and I decided to grab a late lunch at F-n- D. After placing our order we took our order picture of Frank Sinatra and grabbed one of the booths along the wall. Not a minute after we sat down, Alexander, the owner, came by and said the wait would be a few minutes longer than usual due to a large order from the group by the window. As I peer over, my inner foodie fan boy gets all giddy as I spot none other than Bizarre Foods' very own Andrew Zimmern! Alexander continued to explain that Andrew was by no means getting preferential treatment, but that they just happen to order quite a bit of food (Andrew was taking his film crew to lunch). It was super nice of Alexander to come over and explain, but we had no problem waiting an extra two minutes given our little pseudo-celebrity sighting. Ok, back to the food... My fiancee ordered her usual Dirty Dog, I got the Spicy Duck, and we threw in an order of Triple Truffle Fries to share. The food was every bit as delicious, if not better, than our last trip here. The Spicy Duck was outstanding The spices of the sausage balanced perfectly with the acidity of the pickled carrots and a touch of sweetness from the pineapple relish. The pork crackling on top got a little lost in the flavors, but that didn't take away from the overall dish. The Triple Truffle Fries were quite good, too, and they're only available on weekends. In case you were wondering, the "triple" comes from truffle butter, truffle salt, and truffle oil. So after the Bizarre Foods crew left, Alexander and his wife, Ellen, came by to chat about their surprise guest. I can honestly say they are the nicest restaurant owners I have ever met in my life!! They are so warm and welcoming. You can tell they have a true passion for their product and really care about the experience of their diners. I really hope they continue to do well. Their food is not only amazing, but you can't help but wish that good things happen to good people. Keep on dishing out the goods F-n-D, you've already made a regular out of me.
(5)Patrick G.
So I really like sausages (encased meats) of all types. So I definitely have really enjoyed all of my experiences at Franks 'N' Dawgs. I very much have enjoyed all of the specialty sausages here and haven't had a bad one yet. All the spicy ones I've had have been very balanced with just the right amount of heat. The fries here are also excellent. They have also introduced me to KETCHIPOTLE Chipotle Ketchup which is super delicious and they sell by the bottle there. They also introduced me to Gale's root beer which might be the best root beer I've ever had. I bought a couple to go bottles when I first tried it. As others have noted it is a tad pricey on a per sausage basis here. I would like for them to have some "standards" like a Chicago dog or a Polish sausage but I guess you can get those in almost any 4 block radius in Chicago and they want to concentrate on specialty sausages.
(5)Chenfei L.
A great place to go if you have a craving for rabbit or scallop sausage. For me this is usually never. But the place is creative and serves a diverse array of sausage-shaped food. The buns are remarkably textured and the truffle fries were decadexcellent. Next time, I'll try one of their more normal hot dogs. As a hot dog snob, I'll up my stars if those normal dogs float my boat.
(3)Triphena W.
My recent visit was not the same as the first. Smaller portions and anti-climatic dawgs (read: sounded better on paper than they tasted). The differences are noticeable if you compare the photos from my last visit to those of my first. The triple truffle fries looked and tasted different (frozen?). The sausages on the dawg flight seemed to have shrank, resulting in an unwelcome high ratio of bun to sausage. Flavors didn't sing like last time. I was not a fan of the FU vegetarian dawg. I didn't enjoy the flavors, and I found the salsa verde atop unappealing in terms of color and texture. The Krazy Kimchi and Tur-doggin also fell short in the flavor department. I had them during my first visit and thought they were outstanding. What happened?! Service, however, was just as friendly and attentive. Quite disappointed with my most recent meal here, but if people continue to praise Franks N Dawgs, I'd be willing to return.
(2)Megan G.
I have to admit, I was a little let down once I finally made it to Hot Doug's. I mean, it was good, but I didn't understand the hype. This place is like Hot Doug's, but better, without the insane, outside line. Date and I came here for dinner before a show at Royal George. We were feeling gluttonous, so we ordered 3 dogs and an order of truffle fries to share. There was precisely one person ahead of us in line. ONE. At prime dinner time. I found the menu a little overwhelming (everything sounded fantastic) but we finally settled on the Tur-Doggin (Turkey & date sausage, crispy duck confit, herb garlic aioli, pickled onion relish & pickled carrots), the Krazy Kimchi (Spicy beef sausage, braised short rib & turnips, kimchi, wild rice & basil), and a special, the Mercat's Mole (Chicken mole sausage, charred tomatillo salsa, cotija cheese, tortilla strips & cilantro). I've never been much of a fan of mole, so to my surprise that dog was my hands down favorite. Coming in second was the Tur-Doggin with the Krazy Kimchi in a distant third. Oh, and the truffle fries? Were perfection. It's really easy to overdo truffle oil so as to make whatever you're eating totally overwhelm your tastebuds. These fries had just the right amount. Is Franks N Dawgs a little more expensive than Hot Doug's? Yes. But I will gladly pay to premium to avoid the weird hours and insane lines. Oh, and did I mention Franks N Dawgs is BYOB? Encased meat excellence.
(5)Xl G.
Saw this place on the Food Network for a special Chicago edition and decided to go try it out with my friend. Their truffle fries were amazing, I also had their fried green tomatoes that weren't bad but all the batter kept falling off, but otherwise the seasoning and flavoring were great. Servers are very friendly and informative. This is not your typical hot dog stand joint. They are very creative with the menu and love to mish and mash different meats, veggies and condiments. My friend had the Lamborgini, which is a lamb based hot dog with all the fixings. I had the tofu dog that was a little strange and spongy. Overall I would definitely come back though to try out some more menu items.
(4)Kate C.
I cannot express in words how delicious this place is. It would best be captured by one of those cartoons where a salivating wolf's tongue rolls out of its mouth. The food is amazing. Far and away better than Hot Doug's and without the long lines. The staff are really friendly too and will talk to you about the food and how its made, which is great. It feels like they take a lot of pride in their work. I love their special "dawg of the month" because there's always something new and exciting to look forward to. My hands-down favorite, however, is the brunch dog. The way the yolk from the egg drips down and mixes with the maple mayo to form the sauce is just ... perfect. So so very perfect! I also adore the truffle fries. Seriously, if you haven't been here yet you need to go.
(5)Patty S.
1 word - "Frankenstein" This was absolutely a delicious 'dog.' We also got the duck sausage as well, but I must say the "Frankenstein" was my favorite. Each of their sausages are handmade and specially crafted with all the fixings - no additional condiments necessary. We also got an order of fries and fried green tomatoes with the order. Fries tasted freshly chopped and not out of a bag. The tomatoes had a crispy cornmeal coating, but not much flavor. For 2 of us, it was over $30, which seems pricey for just hot dogs. Although, if you look at the ingredients and the effort that it goes into each of these specially crafted sausages, it seems like a bargin. I would definitely go back on Fri or Sat to have a taste of the truffle fries - YUM!
(4)Dan H.
I came here with a bunch of friends on a Saturday afternoon. Someone in our group suggested we each here. They hyped it up for me by saying that it's better than Hot Doug's. But honestly, I like Hot Doug's better. I tried the Franken' Stein (foie gras based) and the truffle mac & cheese. The Franken' Stein was not as amazing as Hot Doug's foie gras hot dog. For these two portions (the mac and cheese was really really small), I had to pay over $15. That's a ton of money for one hot-dog and a measly bowl of mac and cheese. But aside from the price, and me constantly comparing it to another hot dog joint, Franks 'N' Dawgs is quite delicious. The selections are varied (extremely creative). If you are craving a more breakfast fare, then they have it. If you crave the traditional Chicago style hot dog, they have that too. Ultimately, though the food was above average, it's a place I would revisit only to show it to my non-Chicago friends. I don't think I would return to this place to eat regularly.
(4)Dan D.
Absolutely amazing joint! They serve great food and do it with style. The creations thought up by these up and coming Chicago chefs stand alone when it comes to gourmet hot dogs. Try the salmon hot dog if it's still on the menu, its easily one of the greatest and most surprising foods I've ever eaten
(5)David N.
When you're in Chicago, you must have a pizza pie, yeah the thick stuff with a fork and knife, AND a HOTDOG. I opted for Frank N Dawgs to get my fix. I had the brunch dawg and it was damn good. It's base is a pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo. You wouldn't think that could work but it came together very well!
(4)Virginia T.
I am a huge fan of sausages, (snicker). However, I recently tried Franks 'N' Dawgs and was not impressed-at all. We planned on dinner at F 'N' D but were shocked when we checked and their hours are only until 7:30pm. So we rushed over for an early dinner. We were perusing the menu. The man behind the counter asked if it was our first time. He pointed out the menu, and the iPad they had sitting on the counter ("if you wanted to look at pictures of the items"). We decided on 3 dawgs, one was the charitable dawg, which I was happy not only sounded good but meant $1 of my purchase went to the Anti-Cruelty Society. One other was one of the "Iron Dawg" competition sausages, and the third was a regular menu dawg. We also ordered cheese fries. The first thing that upset me was that WHILE taking our order, the gentleman behind the counter paused to pick up his cell phone. We weren't even done ordering. In fact, he made a hand motion and mouthed "drinks" at us to ask us if we wanted any beverages with our meal.......you know, since he was ON HIS CELL PHONE. Then (while still on the phone) told us to "pick a mugshot" or something like that, which I gathered later was sort of a number system for the orders.....but that wasn't clear- nor was our Dennis Rodman velcro card ever picked up when we were brought our order.... The first dawg came out- it was supposed to have bacon lardons and had RAW strips of bacon on it. Then (few min later) our second dawg and fries come out. I tell them about the bacon, and he said he would take care of it. Finally, the 3rd dawg comes out, and he brought with it a side of actually cooked bacon lardons. I was perplexed. If it only took minutes to replace the raw bacon why did my dawg come out with raw in the first place?? Why didn't they replace the whole sausage instead of just handing me a bowl with a few replacement lardons-especially on my $9 dawg? Worse still-the fries were cold upon arriving at the table, and looked nothing like the photo. They were not crisp at all anymore, and seemed to be in a heavily onion flavored gloop than melted cheese. The best thing I can say about any of the dawgs is that the buns were good. Nice, NE/Lobster Roll style rolls. The toppings were awkward, and mostly came off when trying to eat the dawgs. The avocado mousse on the one dawg tasted not very much of avocado and looked waaay worse (similar to poo). Pickled veggies on the one dawg were in huge pieces.....even the dawgs themselves were lackluster. Hard to bite through, lacking in big flavors. Meh. I picked at my 1.5 dawgs and the cheese fries and still left hungry. I'm sorry but for over $30+ for 3 dawgs & fries that is ridiculous. P.S. Entrance is a little weird- you walk down the gangway to enter on the side, and you leave out the front door onto Clybourn.
(1)Colleen B.
We gave into the hype and hopped over to Franks N Dawgs a few weekends ago. I really enjoyed my reuben dog - the sausage was amazing. We really liked the lyonmaise fries and I thought the service was really good. I like that the woman taking orders takes her time with each customer and isn't rushing you along, despite how busy the place was.
(4)Never M.
***A L L H Y P E**** These are the tiniest, most unappetizing and EXPENSIVE dogs ever! Even though the landscape has changed, Chicago is still the city of big shoulders and meat and potatoes. Men here are big and used to large polishes. Ladies; don't even think about feeding your hunny here, he will be disappointed! Unless you plan on spending $60 on hot dogs smh. The portions are for toddlers and my 6'3 police officer did not leave satiated. Ordered the Lobster roll and the Chicago esque dog and something else that escapes me, maybe it just wasn't memorable enough. The Chicago dog was terrible. The lobster roll was awful and very vinegary*. There was no flavor what soever. There isn't much that needs to be done to lobster, it really does stand on its own. Not here, the lobster meat itself was a weird consistency that I wasn't familiar with as if it weren't truly lobster. The truffle cheese fries were incredible, you can't get fries of this caliber anywhere else. Also the bread that the sausages are served on is mind blowing. But nobody goes to hotdog stands for buns lol you go for the whole package. Brace yourself for the layout of this place, it fills up quick and its very aggravating. The fries warrant another trip, but I ain't touchin them sausages ever again for any reason, no sir.
(1)Ken S.
The brunch dog with maple mayo, bacon, and fried egg was spectacular! The new england style lobster roll bun that is freshly baked daily is simply amazing and goes well with the hotdog. Frank N' Dawgs is a bit of a trek from the train station but the food is well worth it! Will definitely be back here the next time I'm in Chi-town.
(4)Sherin J.
This place has been on my list for a while and finally made it in on a Friday night - no lines. I tried the taco dawg and the tur-doggin. The tur-doggin was okay but the taco dawg was delicious!!! It was a little smaller than the other sausages so I could've easily had 2. The fries and the green sauce are good as well. Would def. return!
(4)John O.
I'm a huge fan of Hot Doug's although on this visit he was unfortunately closed for vacation. We visited Franks instead to get our hot dog fix. The hot dog was good but nothing great. The bun was really good but it rich and dominated the taste of the hot dog. I think it was lightly buttered. Service was nice and friendly. The prices are way too high. Give me a break. I think Franks is decent although it not in the same league as Hot Doug's. Not even close.
(3)Bruce C.
Really friendly staff and excellent gourmet dogs. All kinds of flavor combinations on the menu; we tried only a couple more traditional ones and they were really good. You know how some places will give you a number to display on your table so your food can be delivered when it's ready? Here, they amusingly gave us a choice of infamous celebrity mug shots. We chose Lindsey Lohan.
(4)S. P.
Really delicious if you like hot dogs. I agree with the previous review that said to skip the sides. I would stick with the regular fries or the truffle fries. The sausages here are great but the buns are really incredible, they help make the meal. The line can be a little crazy, but it's worth trying if you're in the area. The Mac 'n Cheese dog is a favorite.
(4)Ross N.
4.5 stars. Dropped in with a bud over the weekend based on his multiple stops over the past couple weeks and we were not disappointed. He had the Bayou Dog and I got the Tur-Doggen; side was Lyonnaise fries. The good- both dogs were excellent quality and I think I enjoyed mine a little more than his. Good flavor, not overwhelming and the sausage was really fresh and 'clean' if I can somehow express that for a sausage?.? My bud loves his, especially the blackened shrimp. Hay zeus, the fries alone were a meal themselves and outstanding. I sincerely thought we had filet in there only to realize (I ordered blind w/o looking based on options from server as he passed) it's actually pig cheek. I didn't care as I love pork and we then scarfed the bowl down like Mel Gibson looking for petrol in the Road Warrior. The not-so-bad. The bun. I know we're stepping up all sorts of food round here but mine was little over buttered and took away a little of the wow factor for my ingredients. I will say this again, though, it was delicious and I'll def be back to sample more. With or without a friend. PS- Nick Nolte
(4)Stephen K.
This place has amazing food and great service. Every time I've been to their brick and mortar store, I've had a good meal with friendly servers. At their Lollapalooza stand this year, Karen replaced my bacon mac and cheese dog after I dropped it on the ground - not everyone would do that. Keep up the good work, guys!
(5)Omare V.
This is my first Yelp post and I'm glad i'm using it to review Frank N Dawgs. I really enjoyed it. I was really impressed with how the "Dawgs" were prepared. It is a little pricey. I recommended it to my friends. I will definetly stop by again!
(4)Ernie W.
Called ahead to make sure they were open..hours of operation were in line with our schedule, so we took the 20 min cab ride (we were from out of state) to the franks n dawgs location ONLY to find out they were closed! No sign, no reason...just closed on a Friday afternoon. Lots of people were just as frustrated as us as they pulled up and pulled off as we did. Don't know if I would return due to the schedule inconsistency.
(1)Joon L.
The hotdog was great! Customer Service was good! $10 for a hotdog, is a little too expensive. Will be back to try the rest..
(4)Pascal M.
It'd be nice to see less reviews with people knocking THE ORIGINATOR of this concept in their review. A long wait, big deal. Someone in your family likely once told you, "good things come to those who wait." ANNNNNNYWAYS.... Frank and Dawg has a diverse menu full of interesting combinations. They put their own spin on it all by using Texas Toast/ Lobster Roll style buns. Plus, there are a lot of other options besides Dawgs such as a great selection of french fries, salad and vegetable options, and a some great sweets to choose from. When I visited, we tried the Govenator (amazing), the China (good), and the Belly (so-so). The execution and presentation of the dawgs are very nice. The chef has an impressive background and uses sound techniques to harmonize his products. Frank and Dawgs is great. Easy location, vast menu, and a diveish atmosphere that will make you feel good about eating pleasure food.
(4)Kimberly A.
The savory smells waft throughout this cozy restaurant as you enter. With so many creative choices, it was difficult to try just one! Tur-Doggin: Hands down the favorite of the bunch!!! Turkey sausage topped with duck confit, garlic aioli and pickled carrots. It definitely exceeded my expectations and deserves 5 sporks easily. A MUST-try! Brunch Dog: Won second place in our opinion. Pork sausage with bacon, fried egg, and maple mayo. 4 sporks! This Little Piggy: Pork sausage with pickled red onions and fried oysters. I thought it was ok, no WOW factor. 3 sporks! China Town Duck: 5 spice duck sausage with pickled lotus roots and chili sauce. Weird flavor. Least favorite. Would NOT recommend. 1 spork! Triple Truffle Fries: Waffle fries drizzled in truffle oil, truffle butter and truffle salt. Flavorful and herby. 3 sporks! Not a huge truffle fan, but I could see people going crazy over this. Overall, awesome experience with tasty, juicy sausages and friendly service. Try it if you're in the Chi-town vicinity and go for the mind blowing Tur-Doggin!
(5)summer c.
Charmingly different dogs. Really quite good and worth the price for the quality. Not your typical dog and a fun outing if your in Chicago and want to do things you can't do anyplace else.
(4)Doe L.
*update* I got to try the Frankenstein and Double Ducker. I wasn't a big fan of either. For the Frankenstein, all I tasted was onion and this sauce that tasted like champagne to me. The sausage was only there for texture. For the Double Ducker, it's more my preference but I never thought I would ever say, "too much duck!". I never realized how gamey duck tasted until now and I have VERY low gamey tolerance. I was saying how the truffle fries weren't worth it last time but this time, they were ohhhh so much better. There wasn't a big pile of oil sitting on the bottom and the truffle taste was very present this time. It's still so pricey but it edged me closer to thinking it's worth it. *end update* --- I agree that Franks n Dawgs is kinda pricey but you kind of pay for the location and size of the dog. They have an interesting bun choice... It looks like a giant piece of sandwich bread that is cut and "stuffed". It's different! Doughy and slightly crunchy... I really liked it. I wanted to try the franken stein dog but it was sold out! So I got the kimchi dog instead and thought it was deliiiicious. It was a bit overloaded so I had trouble eating it but the flavors were good. I could have used a little more kimchi since I wanted a little more kimchi oomph. I mean... it IS called a kimchi dog! The truffle fries came in some tiny little bowl and was not worth it in my opinion. It was good but too pricey for what you get. The KetChipotle with fries was so yummy that I bought a bottle to bring to work. Next time, I'm going to come back and share my dog with someone else so I can try two at once! We came around 1pm on a sunday and it was pretty empty. The place is kinda small so I feel like it would be a little harder to find a seat once it's packed.
(4)david k.
great sausage sandwiches, great fires - served on real plates - what more could you want from a 'Dawg' place?
(4)Sandy N.
Came with two friends to check out the Peking duck dog. As we walked in, you could smell truffle everywhere.. mmmm. We also ordered the Bacon N' Grits dog, Lyonnaise fries, triple truffle fries, key lime s'mores, and a Lamington bite. The Peking duck dog wasn't bad but wasn't very Peking-y, which I was kind of bummed about. The bacon n' grits dog wasn't bad either, though didn't stand out. Lyonnaise fries were kind of cool with the egg but the meat chunks seemed a bit out of place. Triple truffle fries were just as trufflicious as expected.. yum. Lamington bite wasn't too bad, but the key lime s'mores were AMAZING! I would come back just for the s'mores.. really. They have a huge menu so I'm sure that I will have plenty of things to try. While the dogs I had didn't wow me, I didn't take a statistical sample so I won't fault them for it. Truffle fries and s'mores would bring me back though. And there was no wait on a Sunday afternoon. The prices weren't too bad if you split dogs between people (we tried all of these things between three people).
(3)Joan K.
Wonderful. Need one of these in the western suburbs! How unique and delicious were these creations. My friend and I split three different kinds and I can't tell you which I loved the best! A boatman, a Cajun type and another spicy lamb one. And to top it, was the truffle Mac and Cheese. I wish I lived closer to try all the types, but will definitely be visiting again soon. The best "other" dawg.
(5)Mark S.
Frank's 'N' Dawgs is a fancy hot dog place, it is not a place to get your traditional Chicago Style Hot Dog, so don't complain. If you want the traditional Chicago Style Hot Dog, go some place else. If you want fancy hot dogs and good fries come here. I like the Bayou Dog over the others and the Cheese Fries are great. I am not a fan of the Chicagoesque, if you want a traditional Chicago style dog, go some place else. There can be a wait and it is only street parking, but Frank 'N' Dawgs is worth the effort to fight the traffic on Clybourn to get there.
(4)Andrew H.
I love this place. I have not had a sausage here that I did not like. The brunch dog lives up to the hype without a doubt. The fries are wonderful, whether triple truffle or lyonnaise. I really like the "Ketchapeno" sauce on the tables, and the pick a celebrity from the wall of shame adds some fun as well.
(4)Azize S.
this really is a 5 star sausage place. every touch is artisinal, including the bread. the sausages are unique (kimchee for example). the toppings are playful (i had a turkey sausage topped with toasted ginger marshmellow fluff). the garlic truffle waffle fries are a MUST. I have never had room left to try their desserts. I take friends in town here - its a quick, filling, delicious, unique lunch/dinner spot thats not going to set you back big $$. usually no line or a short line to order.
(5)Eric F.
I believe in fate.... And fate brought me here while walking for Cigarettes as I refused to go inside a bar/restaurant that my sisters roommate worked at, and had horrible service when I was there my last time in Chicago. I walked by the place and saw pictures of their absurd hot dogs and the mac n cheese one caught my eyes. I kept walking. There's still an inner 5 year old in me when it comes to mac... I could be the most sad person in the world, and it will be easily fixed with a good MAC I saw it again on my walk back and stared at the picture outside the place of business for a solid five minutes..... staring....salivating.... almost openly drooling.... and i decided to go back to my sister because i was sure she wanted to get going. I got no more than five steps away and turned around and in the door I went. Their Mac N Cheese dog was made with a bratwurst and despite how I love various 'wursts' im not a fan of the brat... So i asked what else would be good with the mac n cheese dog.... A quick brainstorm sesh with the workers and the plan was in action: Since the mac n cheese has hints of truffle, they thought it would be great to put the truffle chicken sausage in it. I dont know what else to say.... The experience cant be described in words... just get the mac n cheese dog with the truffle chicken sausage. Thats that... U dont try it out ur destined in life to mess up at frank n dawgs
(5)John H.
Simply EPIC!! Great sausages, good prices, easy to get to location! A must!
(5)Alexa H.
Even coming in with some high expectations for the triple truffle fries, I came out loving this place. There are so many delicious-sounding combinations on this menu that it takes some extreme decision making to figure out what to eat. The boyfriend and I split three sausages: Brunch Dog, Turdoggin, and the Truffle Mac'N'Cheese. The first two have sausages made in-house but it really didn't matter. I couldn't imagine that a place that made such well thought out, balanced sausages could buy bad ones. And I was right! All the bites were not only scrumptious but they made you think about the food you were putting in your mouth. The plain fries were really good but the truffle fries are everything I have ever dreamed about. Many places overuse truffle in an attempt to make their fries "the most truffle-y." Even though these have truffle butter, truffle oil and truffle salt, they were perfectly balanced. It's the balance that makes Franks 'N' Dawgs stand out. I will definitely be back for more, especially when the outdoor dining section is open.
(5)Shirley L.
We tried the Krazy Kimchi, Frank'n Stein, Truffle Mac 'n' Cheese Dog, Le Cassoulet, and Turducken. My favorite was by far the Turducken. All the dogs together tasted great because of the diversity in flavor, although alone I would have considered the Kimchi dog my least favorite. Overall, the buns are in thick toast, similar to what you get with a Lobster Roll. This is why I ultimately prefer this place over Hot Doug's -- the buns are amazing and really help hold the dog and toppings. We also had two orders of the triple truffle fries which were amazing! We came at 730 PM on a Friday and there wasn't a line until a bit later. Overall, highly recommend if you're looking for a unique Chicago hot dog experience.
(4)Kerry C.
SO GOOD. For many reasons! 1. the ambiance. Seriously, a hot dog place w/ an ambiance. We went on an unseasonably warm October Friday night and it was empty (20 min before closing) and ate outside under xmas lights. Wish we would have known it was BYOB because it would have been perfect to sip our wine and eat our delicious dogs. 2. the food. We split the two Iron Dawgs- Ring around the Posey and Pig Latin. RATP was good- definitely more of a smokey, rich taste. While Pig Latin (I can see why it's the reigning champ) was knock your socks off good. Hard to get in one bite and I was unaware there was pork belly on it until I had an explosion in my mouth. Just speechless that you can get that flavor from a hot dog. And the buns are SO good! Not too much bread. We also split the truffle fries and I've never tasted waffles fries like that. 3. The service. I think we walked in and the owner was working, or else he was just some passionate employee! He helped us through the menu, explained the famous people pick-up tickets (I chose Snoop- obvi) and was in all, so nice and helpful. He directed us outside, came and checked on us, and again, reminded us of BYOB. In all, great experience. Happy I live so close (although my waistline may not be!). HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
(5)Ben R.
In a word, money! Everything here is fantastic. My favorite is the Epic Pork
(5)Mark C.
Super good fancy hot dogs....but you definitely pay for the fancy at an average price of around $9-10 just per dog. But, they are terrific. Service can be somewhat slow, but they are made to order. I'm a neighbor and hit it up for lunch about once every 6 weeks. They've got a small back patio as well for outdoor seating (albeit not much of a view of anything). Wish they were open later on Sundays.
(3)Sarah S.
I tried to go to this place while they were closed for remodeling so that was a FAIL.. I came for another visit and found them open YAY!! I had the kielbasa with the brussel sprout slaw.. both were AWESOME Service was very friendly and patient for newbies. it is a tad pricey for some items on the menu..but to offer such odditys like lobster dogs and turducken dogs... its worth the extra cost. I also sampled the truffle fries and thought they were yummy.. waffle fries are always a winner in my book.
(4)Bryan G.
Sometimes reading a menu can be deceiving. Specialized ingredients and distinct combinations don't always translate from paper. The total never equaling the sum of its parts. Franks was everything I thought it would be and more. The quality and care that is put into a sausage placed in a paper boat is almost crazy. I started slow by ordering the Cheese Head. It is a Sheboygan Brat with smoked Gouda, perfectly caramelized onions and sauteed portabella mushrooms. The bun was warm, slightly toasted on the outside and soft on the inside. Definitely the best brat I 've ever had. With cheese fries and a drink, it came in under $10. Perfect. Their more unique sausages looked equally delicious varying from duck to andoiulle. You can recognize a culinary method to their madness with choice toppings that correspond perfectly to the type of sausage. This will not be my last visit to Franks.
(5)Tim H.
Red beans are rice were great. The mystery corn dog sampler will make you love corn dogs. Pleasant service and good food.
(4)Wombat K.
Oder the Dawg flight and it included the brunch dawg, krazy kimchi and the tur-doggin and I upgraded the fries for the delicious super truffle fries. My favorite was actually the tur doggin dawg to my surprise, the sausage is really tasty on its own, my second favorite was the krazy kimchi and it was my boyfriend's favorite and he had to order a second dawg cause it was that good for him, the dawg is good with all it's component together but not just the sausage alone. My least favorite was the brunch dawg while it was good it was lacking something and I just couldn't put my finger on it. Over all it's a great place and you don't have to wait like at hot Doug's which is not that great anyway. I'll definitely come back here again. Btw the key-lime s'more is super yummy.
(4)Carolynne M.
With such a temperate name such as "Franks 'n' Dawgs", you would expect that sort of banality you'd get at some suburban hot dog stand, whose only lure is "we sell Vienna Beef dogs!" and offers up undersized meat on dry buns. If that is what you are hoping for, chum, I can direct you to any number of establishments in Vernon Hills or Rolling Meadows. However, THIS is no mere hot dog stand. This is what happens when trained chefs take the idea to the next level. About 20 different sandwiches await you - all of them with such delicious descriptions it was near impossible to choose. Since I am a sucker for anything with the word "spicy" in the title, I chose the Spicy Yucatan, which is a Pork & achiote sausage (made in house!), avocado, pickled habanero red onion, queso quesadilla cheese, deep fried tortilla strips & cilantro. My only complaint was that if there was any habanero or spice in this, I didn't detect it. However, while everything was delicious, the thing that put it over the top for me was the slightly charred New England lobster roll. Its been so long since I have had a lobster roll that it didnt occur to me what it was until later in the evening. But this bun is what pretzel rolls did for burgers. Thick, dense, almost Texas toast-like bread that holds up against any juicy ingredient. It is used in New England primarily for the lobster roll sandwich, which is a messy, dreamy delight of lobster chunks, herbed mayo and celery. So you know this bread can stand up to anything. However, just when I thought things could not get better, my beet salad arrived. Folks, even if you are a hater of the encased meat product, you need to come here for this. It is hands down the most incredible beet salad I have ever had. Roasted red & golden beets, arugula, pickled red onions, orange marmalade, champagne vinaigrette & chevre? Oh man, I would eat this every day if I could. Throw in a cute interior, with a super charming Aussie (who is perhaps the owner? Not sure, but I loved his passion and enthusiasm about all of the items on the menu) and prompt service? I am officially a fan!
(5)Steven F.
So went in for a duck confit dog, lyonnaise fries and a urbanbelly chix. Every dog bun was toasted to perfection. Confit was undercooked; Chefs, check your product! Sausage was nice, moist and emulsified well. Lyonnaise fries were mushy despite the fact they were eaten first. Flavor was good but there was a pool of vinaigrette at the bottom; unnecessary, serve on side if it's not a poutine jus. Urbanbelly had a nice sausage once again, moist and salted well. Aioli or some component had an aggressive amount of fish sauce. Should be 2.5 stars for buns alone but fries that can't stand up to a vin condemns to 2 stars. Check you food chef!
(2)Gabe M.
This place is great. My favorite hot dog place in Chicago. Great atmosphere. Great hot dogs. Their Chicagoan is a great chicago dog. The place that really makes it good are the sides. Not just fries, but an excellent brussels sprout salad. Really like it.
(4)TB H.
Cute fifties style diner with outside eating area. Staff very friendly. BYOB. Started with triple truffle fries. OMG good. You will actually take a bite then say "Oh My God". Tur-doggin - homemade date sausage, duck confit.,garlic aioli and pickled onion relish on a lobster roll. Bun toasted perfectly, sausage fantastic flavor not greasy or oily grilled to perfection with nice char. The duck confit just takes it over the top and relish gives nice balance to cut the richness. Hot dog $8.50. Worth every penny, don't tell but would even pay more. Some other high lights Lyonnasie fries, and the Black Sheep Dawg made out of lamb sausage. Another winner. Go online and check out the menu. Worth the drive, we came from the burbs and will go back. 2 Tur-doggins, Triple Truffle Fries about $24.00 combine that with sitting in outdoors and a few craft beers (remember BYOB) you will not be disappointed. Last minute decision went for the Sweet Home Chicago dessert Dawg. French toast, chocolate ice cream, fresh fruit, butter scotch sauc and cinn almonds. Only item that didn't impress. French toast and ice cream good mix but skimpy on the rest, only $5 but wouldn't order it again. TB H rating closest to 10 you can get. But desert fell flat and brought overall score to a 9.3
(5)Chris C.
A rarity for me: I have nothing bad to say about this place. The nice Australian approached us as we stood in the doorway looking lost. He gave us the rundown and assured us everything was wonderful. I was prepared for disappointment, but there was none to be found. Everything was great! We ended up getting the sampler that has 3 halves of three different sausages, and fries. It was more than enough to fill us up, and my wife and I were astounded at how tasty everything was. The fries were not exceptional, but I wasn't there for the fries anyway. Much better than Hot Dougs with no wait, and open during the evenings. I'll definitely be back here.
(5)Amary N.
Awesome dogs!! You get to look at the menu on their iPad. I love the ketchup spicy sauce that they serve. Staff are simply awesome. I don't which to pick, everything is good. You got to eat the hot dogs right away otherwise the bread will turn soggy. That could ruin your experience.
(5)Steve R.
We stopped in 01/18 based on the reviews. We ordered 5 dogs for our table to share, but the guy who wrote it down put down 6. When the order arrived, we were surprised. After we ate, we stopped back to thank the crew for the good dawgs. At that time the guy who made the error insisted we needed to pay for the extra dawg, even though it was his mistake. We were talking about how we were going to come back, but now we won't based on that. One of our group works in the business and said that this was a major faux pa, insisting the customer pay for their mistake.
(2)Mike S.
What a pretty neat concept. I came across this place while going to shop at Trader Joe's. I figured I would have one last hoot before eating healthy ;D What a good twist on an original hot dog. They really make it kinda fun for what would normally be just a walk-up, sit down joint. They give you a picture from the Hall of Shame to mark your table with for them to deliver the food to you. The franks are delivered with extravagant looking toppings. It might be 1/2 the reason why it's slightly overpriced, but still a fun place to go to. It's like someone took the idea of a Chicago dog and said, let's try to make it look magazine fancy. I got the Reuben Pulanski. It was hard to bite into, but when I could get all the tastes in one bite, it was pretty rockin.
(4)Helena G.
I was very curious about hot doug's (yes, I'm not American), so we went in this place to try some. The line was big but didn't take more than 20 minutes. I tasted the Bacon 'n' Grits, it was very good and very different from the conventional hot doug's. It has Bacon sausage, cognac glazed pork belly, fried leeks, puffed grits, grapefruit segments and julienned apples. We also ordered triple truffle fries, they have some freshly chopped herbs on top. They are very good! The owner is very nice and the staff too.
(4)Bowen W.
very good. lots combinations, all unique. i would go back again. the only reason i give it 4 starts instead of 5 is because I thought it was kind of expensive for hot dogs, even if they are more special than most hot dogs
(4)Tim W.
The idea is unique, making gourmet hot dogs, but it just wasn't that great. I like the criminal signs for each table and the fries were pretty good.
(3)Dennis L.
Finally! I have been wanting to visit Franks 'N' Dawgs for about a year now, and I finally made it happen. My wife and I visited for a quick lunch. I decided to go with the Flight of the Day in order to try a few different offerings. The flight came with mini versions of the 3 different dogs and fries. The day I made my visit, the three dogs were the Krazy Kimchi, Chicken Caesar, and Brunch Dog. All of the dogs were delicious, but the Brunch Dog stood out as the most unique and tasty. Seriously, how can you beat a pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, and fried egg drizzled with maple mayo! Simply amazing! I also liked the spicy ketchup options offered at the restaurant. I am a Heinz guy, but they had great flavors and worked great with the crispy french fries. I also had the opportunity to try the Chicagoesque Dog. It's a classic, but it is just plain good! Franks 'N' Dawgs joins Hot Doug's in my top two spots for dogs in Chi-Town.
(5)Mike D.
The Pepsi of gourmet hot dog joints. That being said save your time and your appetite for Hot Doug's. Don't get me wrong, the food was good but not great. The music was obnoxiously loud and the counter seating left something to be desired. All in all, to me its too similar to Hot Doug's and it has a sign clearly stating that they don't have a authentic Chicago style Dog! Worth a stop if you're nearby but not worth a special trip.
(2)Heather S.
I have eaten here a few times and the food was good but pricy. I am reducing my stars on my rating because they do not honor their deal on their charity hot dogs. The charity I am involved with never received their promised money and were treated quite rudely. I don't think they are doing their charity dog any more which is probably good but I will be taking my business elsewhere.
(3)Anna M.
Please let me start off by saying, I had theeeee most ORGASMIC hotdog experience ever at Franks N Dawgs!!! :O Before I go on trips, I make a list of all the restaurants I want to visit. And on every trip, I make sure to squeeze in a hotdog joint. Hotdogs are my favorite food. I wanted to visit Hot Doug's to try their foie gras dog and duck fat fries. Let's just say I'm glad they were closed that day or I wouldn't have stumbled upon this UH-MAY-ZING hotdog heaven. I spent close to $80 the two days I went there. Yes, two days in a row. I had to. Don't judge me. I have yet to find one that would top this place here in SF. So let me give you a breakdown of the hotdogs I devoured: Krazy Kimchi - Spicy beef sausage, braised short rib & turnips, kimchi, wild rice & basil........Creative. Awesome dog! China town Duck - Chinese 5 spice duck sausage, pickled lotus roots, scallion radish slaw & Mae Ploy chili sauce... reminded me of the duck confit bun from Chairman Bao food truck here in SF. Heavenly! Belly Up - Pork sausage, mustard glazed pork belly, pickled fennel & macerated grapes........ Hit the spot on the first bite!!! Mind-blowing! I had to have it twice. Yummmm! Brunch Dog - Pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo...... OMFGosh! Absurdly delicious!!!!!!! I had to come back the next day for this to make love to it all over again. Triple Truffle Fries - Yukon Gold waffle cut fries, truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle salt & freshly chopped herbs.........I love truffle on everything! Heavenly! Truffle Mac N Cheese - Parmesan béchamel sauce, white truffle oil, brioche bread crumbs & thyme.........so rich and so good! Lyonnaise Fries - Hand cut fries, braised pig cheek, arugula, poached egg & a dijon mustard vinaigrette.......I was so intrigued and had to have it. Braised pig was delish but I'm not sure if I loved the whole dish entirely. They make their own sausages. The atmosphere is not pretentious and everyone was fun and friendly. I can't wait to go back to Chi-town just to get another bite of Franks N Dawgs extremely pleasurable hotdogs ;)
(5)Donovan H.
I first experienced the food at Lollapalooza last year. I had a chili dog and it was amazing even on a hot day. I've been meaning to visit the restaurant since but seemed to be in the area when it was closed. By golly, I finally made it! The tricky thing about this place is the front door...or at least it was for me. The door is located down a hallway to the right of the building. Thank me later :) I decided on the same thing but added cheese on my fries this time. O M G...it was just as good if not better than at Lollapalooza. I will order the fries well done next time to get extra crip on them. The chili dog is sandwiched in garlic toast (mouth is watering now) and I loved ever single bite. I promise to try something different on the menu at my next visit. See you soon Franks N Dawgs!
(5)Travis P.
That bun! Those corn dogs! Amazing. Never would have out these toppings on the hot dog by myself. A great hot dog and great fries. A must if you are looking for a new twist on an old favorite.
(4)Raana A.
Franks N Dawgs is one of my favorite places to go when I'm not in the mood to cook and to indulge in a great meal. Triple truffle fries are one of my favorites, and their veal percik hotdog (date chutney, carrot- ginger aioli, cilantro and toasted almonds) doesn't have is like none other (that i've tried anyway). I 'd give this place another star if they had more non-pork options that compare to the veal percik. The other dog I tried, Tur-Doggin, was pretty good, but some of the other sides (truffle mac and cheese and the sprout salad?) didn't really blow me away. 5 star potential. Definitely worth trying!
(4)Douglas R.
If you are looking for a steamed-bun Chicago dog...go to hot doug's, wait in line, and enjoy. If you are looking for a unique, more flavorful, and sometimes entertaining fast-dining experience then by all means: head to Franks 'n' Dawgs. The good-humored staff can/will talk you through your first experience. I would recommend being adventurous. I was not in love with the cheese fries (real melted cheddar, i think), but the truffle fries are enough to make up for any perceived foul. Just look at the menu: franksndawgs.com/menu I dare you to find something that doesn't pique your interest. As far as unique, fresh, interesting fast food goes: one would be VERY hard pressed to find a better spot in our fair city. PS: don't take my 'Hoff card. (you'll see what I mean)
(5)Ted C.
The BEST fries I've ever had in my life....Triple Truffle fries. Mind you they were $5 for about 10 fries, but worth every penny! Oh, and the dawgs were pretty good too! We had the Chicken alla Naha, which was part of their traditional "smack down" dawgs, and it was great...I've never had a chicken dawg before. Also, being that we live in WI, we had to try the Cheese Head (onions, cheese, portabella on a brat)...by far the best brat I've ever had. I highly recommend this place, and look forward to my future visits!
(5)Dan D.
3.5 Stars. I've been visiting their website for some time now drooling over the pictures of their gourmet dogs. I finally got a chance to go here over the weekend. I got the Cheesehead Dawg, Triple Truffle Fries, and a drink. The dawg wasn't what I had expected. It was good, but not great. Their dawgs are served on a special "bun" that i would compare to a less garlicy, garlic bread. Overall, it looked better than it tasted The biggest draws for me was the Triple Truffle Fries. I've only had truffle fries at one other place, BIG & Little's, so it was nice to finally compare them to another place. Hands down, however, BIG & Little's reign supreme in the fries department. Not only are they cheaper, but each fry seems burst with truffle flavor. Not so with Frank 'N' Dawgs. Very impressed with the service. The guys behind the counter are so helpful and polite. This place is pretty pricey. My bill was a little over $13, but I will definitely come back here again because of their service and creativity with their food.
(3)Crystal F.
Haven't eaten in, but Franks 'N' Dawgs catered a friend's wedding! That might sound unusual, but it was a bit casual and so really enjoyable rather than a stuffy sit-down meal, or the old-school family-style arrangement. The dogs were absolutely delicious. I may have tried one of each (half-dogs) including the slammin' salmon and the tur-doggin--both gourmet dogs with great flavors. And the brussel sprouts salad was a great alternative to a slaw. I'd love to check out the location.
(5)Alan R.
The food is absolutely to die for. If the presentation was a bit better this is definitely a five. I ordered a kids hot dog that came with fries for my daughter and a Brunch dog for me. The served everything in the same to go container. Mine came with a fried egg on top. It turned over when I took it out and got all over everything else. Be warned that it can get a bit pricey here. The brunch dog was amazing. A maplesque sausage served with the fried egg, bacon bits, maple mayo on a french toast bun. It was between that and the pork sausage with pulled pork and bbq sauce. I also loved that their regular hot dog comes with a tomato relish instead of the customary chicago pickle relish. I can't stand the neon green. I definitely want to go back, but it was $15 for the entire meal. The fries were also among the best i've ever had.
(4)Nissan S.
Cute place. Owner was super nice and explained all of the gourmet hot dogs to us. It's a little on the $$$ side.
(3)Nick C.
To start off, if you're not ok with paying $9 for a hot dog, then you probably will not like this place. This is not a hot dog joint that sells cheap hot dogs. If you want to try amazing, culinary art hog dogs, then you have to pay the price. They do have a $4 hot dog, but why waste your time and money. Get one of their signature dogs. I had the Belly Up and Krazy Kimchi, which were the two the cashier recommended. The ingredients for each hot dog are amazing and one of a kind. I also love the buns as well. Yes, I paid $20 for two hot dogs, but don't regret it what so ever.
(5)Kelley F.
I am in love with everything here. The line can get a little long right at the lunch hour, so try a 2 or 3 o clock lunch. The truffle mac and cheese is to die for. The truffle fries amazing. The dawgs are so good, you must keep rtying the news ones. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it here.
(5)Todd A.
Gourmet custom dogs and sausages are the order of the day here. Fries are just ok, the chipotle ketchup rocked, but you can get it from their supplier, it's not their recipe. My girlfriend liked her Beet N'Brat but my Governator causes serious stomach distress from undercooked sausage or an employee sanitation issue which is not my idea of a good time. The table next to us were complaining about the truffle fries, not much truffle flavor, a rip off. I won't be back, can't risk it. Kinda pricey for what you get, Hot Dougs is much better and cheaper too.
(1)Natalie B.
What a funky and delicious place. Reuben Pulaski dog was amazing. Who could resist a potato pancake on a hotdog? Truffle fries were tasty and just the right amount of flavor. The Corn Dog was haute and awesome. I don't even like hotdogs that much (husband does) and I'm dying to return. Yes it was expensive but the innovativeness and taste were well worth it. Not expensive if you think of it as two meals, which it covered for us since we were so full.
(4)Chris R.
Went here with my girlfriend yesterday. I ordered the Brunch Dog (the one featured on Food Network and Travel Channel) and she ordered the Reuben Pulaski. Both were amazing! The bun was very fresh and baked that day. Top quality ingredients and interesting flavor combinations. We also ordered the Triple Truffle fries which were some of the best fries I've ever had. Amazing. The owner was very nice. We told him it was our first time there and he showed us pictures of all the various dogs on his iPad. Great atmosphere, dive-like. 5 stars!
(5)Tom W.
Went for the first time today. The food was great. I got the burger dog. Delicious. When I finally got it. There's the problem. The food came in fits and starts and took far too long. People who came in AFTER I ordered got their food first. And I was actually told that I had to wait until a delivery order was finished. And into that fact that a friend who ordered at the same time got his order a full 15 minutes before I did, and the fries I ordered came in 10 minutes before I acutally got the dog. The side dish is not supposed to come in that much earlier than the main item. The fact that my friends were halfway finished with their meal by the time I got mine just rubs it in more. It tasted great. But with that kind of service, which I've seen improved on by Hardee's, I'm not in any hurry to go back.
(2)Rob S.
This place is excellent. The tripple truffle fries are a must! They are supurb. To the point when I went for lunch, and again for dinner just to get the fries. The sausages are unique and are topped well. The bun is also unique, light, but fulfilling in the bread to sausage ratio. Plus, they have an interesting method in identifying your table, but I wont spoil that suprise. And they serve Goose Island root beer which I really like as well. Two thumbs up to franks n dawgs!
(5)Chris K.
A bit overpriced, but the quality of the food here is high and more along the line of gourmet/experimental. Definitely a nice twist to the traditional hot dog, but it's questionable the food here would even be classified as a dog. Yes, I know it's basically encased meats that would warrant the usage of the name "dog," but I think that's a technicality I don't care to follow. Either way, the food here is delicious and definitley fit for a foodie or anyone else, who enjoys good food.
(4)Thomas R.
Had an excellent 5-spice duck sausage with really great garnish/condiments. Also the truffled mac & cheese was very tasty but not at all hot... too early in the day I think. Super friendly place with a hugely creative menu. I'm sufficiently tantalized by the variety of the menu and its creativity to return again and again.
(4)Sarah G.
A-MAZ-ING. Great sausages. Great price. Couldn't be happier with this place!
(4)meghan s.
Best hot dog place I have ever been. The buns are fantastic!! I got the chicken cesar and it was amazing and healthy. It was a chicken sausage with lettuce, croutons, and cesar mayo. It is also nice to have such a quick service and friendly environment. It really made my dining experience joyful. Also, they do not let you clean up your own food. The employees come around and gather your garbage.
(5)Shaina S.
Being a vegetarian, it is difficult to find a restaurant that has something catered to vegetarians. I am used to the frozen veggie burger that many restaurants serve. Other places serve veggie dogs that are usually boring and taste plain. The first time i ate at Franks n Dawgs, of course i ordered the FU Dawg (vegetarian dawg) and OH MY GOSH was it good. It was soo tasty with all of the toppings that they put on the yummy marinated tofu. The grilled eggplant and portabello mushrooms add so much flavor and the salsa verde is amazing! This place is just too good and the atmosphere is beautiful and comfortable. Such friendly staff, gorgeous, colorful and tasty sausages, and a five star chef! who could ask for more?
(5)Chris B.
These guys are trying too hard and getting the little things wrong. If Hot Dougs is not making all their sausages in-house, who cares, they are wonderful, who ever is making them. Always easy to eat and you never have to dismantle his work and eat it with a fork. Frank 'N" Dawgs is another story. The Mystery Corn Dawg was one of the weirdest meals I have had in a while. The corn had an odd texture slippery and while it tasted fine, it also didn't have the deep fried crunch you expect with a corn dog, Texas State Fair or Haute. The biggest problem was the sausage. A brat-like sausage with a casing so thick, I couldn't even bite through it. I was starving so I had to dismantle the whole thing and had to squeeze the meat out the casing. Ok, so if this is a homemade sausage, great, but make it so it can be eaten like a hot dog. I needed a steak knife and a fork to eat the damn thing properly. I also had the dirty dog. Sausage was a little easier to eat but not much. You could not possibly wrap your mouth around this thing and eat it. It just isn't possible. Well, maybe a porn star could do it. The bun was good but not the right size for a hot dog. Also, I had to dismantle the damn thing in order to eat it. Ended up leaving 1/4 of it in the box. Fries were good. And so was the mustard you got with the Mystery Corn Dawg. Don't forget the basic stuff here guys. Get the simple stuff perfected and then move on. If Hot Doug's does anything right, is that he never forgets the basics.
(2)Mike Q.
Awesome flavors, very creative dogs & sausages, very customer-focused guys/owner. You must eat here, you will not regret it.
(5)Gilbert G.
"I am not impressed with your performance" - GSP I should have had the Brunch Dog.
(3)Bitty B.
First time fantastic. 2nd time - my Chicagoesque Dog was good, but the fries were soggy with no flavor.
(3)Jewel L.
We ate there quite by accident. In Chicago for a weekend, my friend and I were shocked that every hot beef place was closed on Sunday. We were driving towards Armitage, and saw the sign. My friend walked up to the window and said they are not Vienna...go look, and see if you want to give it a try, we will. We were both hungry, and it looked lively, full of people, the food looked good, and ok, let's try a different take on the normal Chicago dog. I tried the Summer Feast, and it was just ok. I'd never order it again taste-wise....a traditional Chicago dog has more flavor. My friend went the normal route, and was very disappointed from the pickles to the dog itself. The truffle fries were great....but later we both got sick. I was sick until the next day. I say go elsewhere.
(1)Victor M.
Lamb sausage was AMAZING! Place could use a little more work when it comes to the decor. Fries were also great.
(4)Tony G.
I have had lunch here many times as they are so gracious as to give us Apple employees a discount, and I have to say they are probably the most amazing hot dogs ever, the bun itself is ridiculously awesome, I could go and order just a bunch of buns and be happy.
(5)Tiffany D.
I EFFIN LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!!! OMG! I went last week and got the Charity dog, which was a bratwurst with truffle mac-n-cheese parm cheese and brioche bread crumbs...first anything with truffles in has my money, but this....this idk what to call it but it was heaven in my mouth!!!!! The fries were perfect!! And I was full for my entire 6 hour shift after (amazing cuz usually 2 hours in Im STARVING). But I saw they had ,get this, TRIPLE TRUFFLE FRIES! So I made it my mission to go back on a Saturday and get them....OMG! It was better than sex!!! It is a bit pricey....but its soooooo worth it. They staff now knows me by name because I went everyday since the first day. I havent had the simple hot dogs because there are sooo many options with soooo many topping, and simple isnt in my nature....but its a MUST TRY!!! Go eat indulge!!!!
(5)Carly G.
I went here last night after work for a quick bite with the boyfriend and his friend. Great choice! I'm always good for a classic hot dog with everything on it! Franks n Dawgs over achieves by far. I only had cash for a regular dog, but the man at the counter (I want to say his name is alexander) overheard me talking to my boyfriend about wanting the Chicagoesque. He upgraded me and threw in a drink. What a sweetheart, and very personable! He explained about all of the gourmet ingredients, their special (and over the top buns that are the most unique) as well as make us feel so welcome. The decor was great too. Clean and inviting, (trust me I have seen hot dog stand owners botch this kinda thing before) they even have a private back patio. Onto my hotdog: the "Chicagoesque" I have never had anything like it. The hot dog itself was fresh and bursting with flavors and was fresh. Not sitting in dog water all day. There was a perfect amount of sauteed onions, crisp pickles and a spicy brown mustard. The topper, my favorite part was the bun. It actually had the sport peppers baked inside the bun. Incredible! Now I know "Hot Dougs" is unbeatable, but this place has the right idea as well. Both are unique, both are delectable. I will end by saying this, I will be trying every dog on the menu.
(5)Cindy R.
As the daughter of the hot dog king of Montreal, I know my hot dogs! We took our kids and another little friend after soccer in early November. Other than the wait, the food was awesome...the hot dogs were divine and the fries were great too. One of the kids wanted a hamburger, it came on a bun, but was no plain jane hamburger, it was delicious!
(5)Marshall G.
This is the newest contender for the best specialty dog/sausage in Chicago. And it may soon be the best if they can successfully execute their vision. When I walked in, they told me they were closed. But they hadn't really started to put everything away so they said they'd serve me. It was between the duck/pork or the veal sausage and the two guys behind the counter both recommended the veal with date chutney, carrot ginger mayo, and cilantro. The guy reached for the sausage, paused, and went in back and grabbed a better piece. Then seared it. They use a top-loader bun with the side crust shaved off. It's buttered and toasted like a lobster roll as the sausage cooks. I chatted with the guys. They are passionate about sausages of all kinds. The finished product was excellent. Really good combination of savory, spicy, sweet, and texturally dominant compared to any of the other local spots. They went through 10 bakeries before settling on the bun and it was worth the effort. There is a special concocted by a local high-end chef and each month they will have a new guest chef create a new dog. The customer service was helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable... and it's just a hot dog joint. It's a new spot but as long as their operation stays tight and clean, this may become the new go-to location for specialty dogs.
(5)Ryan H.
Last night I had the 1/4 pound Chili Cheese Hot Dog - holy crap was it good! The fries were also awesome! I highly recommend this place - forget Hot Doug's and the circus of that place. This place is better - there will or should be lines out the door soon! I can't wait to try other items on the menu - from the looks of all the reviews it doesn't look like I can go wrong with anything I choose on the menu!
(5)Arthur D.
Avoid the $20 lobster roll. Way too overly priced for what you get which is simply lobster meat on toast and that's it. My standard for lobster roll is Pearl Oyster Bar's (on Cornelia St. NYC) for the quality, flavor, and the fixings (a generous portion of shoestring potatoes and a side salad). It costs $30 but worth $30 unlike FND's $20 lobster roll thats bleh and should be priced $7.50. Friend also ordered FND's cheese fries for $2.50 and he said it tasted as bad as it looked. We'll probably check out FND for its regular offerings - but not anytime soon.
(1)Peter M.
Had the Chicagoesque. Wonderful set of flavors. Fabulous fries. A little pricey, though.
(4)Chris C.
The buns are outrageously awesome. I just wish the flavors were more balanced. I'm sure it will only get better with time. I am a fan of the Foss dog.
(4)Mike T.
I will definitely go back and try the other dogs, but for my first visit, I was not terribly impressed with the $9 Black Sheep and the $9.50 Belly Up. I was mildly impressed for the price. I shared some of the food with my family and they enjoyed the bun, as did I. It was unique, buttery, and tasty. The Black Sheep, a lamb sausage, was good, with onion slaw being a bit strong, but I'm not sure what ingredient was worth the price? Perhaps $7 would have been more reasonable, but if all of the ingredients were fresh and higher end, I suppose that is what you pay for. A good experience, nonetheless. The Belly Up was another pricey one, with only a small sliver of pork belly, but it was good. Definitely worth a try and a good use of flavors. I also ordered the Triple Truffle Fries for $5, which were tasty, but the portions were small and I expected more of the oil to drip off the waffle fries. I also expected more visible herbs, but maybe it wasn't mixed up as well or they skimped off all of the ingredients. The side door and front exit door of the restaurant confused me and made me look sort of stupid as I wandered around the restaurant, but that is ok. I think if I visited this place a couple of more times and tried other things, I may bump up the score to 5 stars. Great potential.
(3)James S.
Words fail me. Everybody should at least try this place, fantastic.
(5)D L.
Outstanding hot dogs. Very creative combinations, with quality meats/toppings.
(4)Laura M.
this place is soooo good!! I am a san francisco local, and hot dogs are not local fare. i might munch on a wiener with ketchup at a tail gate party, but this is absolutely no comparison! not only is everything freshly made, baked, and served in-store, but the choices are so much fun! I cant even remember what the name of my dawg was, but the beef was delicious, with fresh coleslaw n pickles on a freshly baked and toasted bun! WOW! the missing star is because it was almost overwhelming trying to choose 1 dawg to go with my truffle fries and fried green tomatoes along with a Goose Island root beer. I will go out of my way to make a pit stop here next time im in chi town! oh, and Joe was there taking and serving orders.. what a cutie!
(4)Jen E.
Why is there a line a block long at Hot Doug's when this place exists? We walked right in and had plenty of time to decide what to get. As we were deliberating, the owner explained everything on the menu and helped us decide on two dawgs that we didn't regret. Bf got the brunch dawg and I got the spicy yucatan...plus we shared an order of the truffle fries. AMAZING! While I did enjoy mine, I think I liked the brunch dawg better. I was nervous about it being to sweet with the maple mayo, but it was amazing! Never did I think I'd be able to say that I would be content eating a hot dog for brunch, but I totally would! Bottom line: Brunch Dawg and truffle waffle fries are a must!
(5)James C.
I have to admit that I was excited when I heard about this place so I raced on over at 3pm on a rainy Wednesday and found myself looking at their menu that had fancy ingredients. That's the fad right? Take something simple and add super expensive ingredients to give it that "on steroids" kind of feel to it. Me and my buddies ordered the Foss Hog (the one with the egg), dirty dog (andouille with rice), and bloody mary dog (i dunno what this one was but it wasn't that good). Foss hog was super salty. The egg is always a good touch but I think I might be getting sick of everyone putting an egg on it to reel me in to buy... cause it always works... you bastards. The sausage was SUPER salty to the point where my chili cheese fries tasted bland. I probably won't get this one again purely cause it still feel like i have a block of salt in my mouth. Dirty dog was exactly the way I expected. The rice doesn't work on a hot dog... it makes it too mushy and it takes away from the flavor of the whole thing and makes it taste more like a burrito. Bloody Mary dog... i dunno. the bread was too much. it's like this tiny sausage (that's what she said) in this giant bun. had olives (i think) and other crap in it... not very good for me but I can see how other people could like it. I'd give this place a try again and order something else but i have to say, i'm disappointed. It really did remind of the equivalent of kuma's corner - big giant dogs with crazy toppings that in the end makes your food taste like a mixture of everything. FnD is to Kumas as Hot Dougs is to DMK. If you haven't tried DMK burgers, check it out... it made kuma's obsolete in my mind. Sorry guys but I wanted to really like you but I can't just yet. I'll come back tho to give the other ones a try after the salt in my mouth is gone.
(3)Eric P.
I stopped by Franks N Dawgs over the weekend and was impressed by their N'awlins dog. The service, bun and truffle fries are still amazing. However, the fries are so rich that I won't be getting them unless I can share them. I guess I could only eat half by myself, but they are so good I know I won't be able to stop.
(4)lauren w.
Triple Truffle Fries. Do it. This place is great. No long lines like other gourmet encased meat places. Just really great gourmet hot dogs.
(5)Samantha L.
I liked Franks N Dawgs but I have to admit it wasn't love. I also have to admit that I have never been to Hot Doug's, but maybe it's a good thing that my review isn't a comparison. I ordered the tur-dawkin. I thought that the turkey and date sausage was awesome. I agree with some of the other yelpers, there was kind of too much going on with the whole thing. The duck confit was pretty greasy, especially with the garlic aioli, and the pickled onion carrot combo thing on top, well, wasn't good. I just didn't like it. Thinking about it now, the first few bites I took were great, then as you keep eating you get all the different flavors and they just didn't go together that well. And it was too much grease, I only ate half and I felt kind of sick. I am giving three stars because even though I didn't particularly like the dawg I got I still think that it is a decent place. The toasted buns are awesome! and worth going back for. My coworker got a jumbo dog with their Guinness mustard and grilled onions, it was great, so next time I will go with that.
(3)Valerie S.
Gourmet sausages - delicious! This is not your average hotdog stand. If you're looking for a regular Chicago dog do not come here, but if you're looking for the best gourmet sausage you have ever had - come! The service is great. They are super nice...and for what you get it is an AMAZING value!
(5)Heather G.
I can't say enough great things about this place. Went with a friend for dinner and from the minute we walked in we both looked at each other and knew we'd already be coming back before we ordered. The menu is a little overwhelming - not because there is a ton to chose from, but because everything sounds so interesting - it's hard to decide. So we asked the gentleman at the register, who turned out to be the owner, Alexander (I'll get to how great he is later). He recommended we split the dawg flight, and add one more full dawg on. The flight that day included the Black Sheep, Turdoggin & China Town Duck - to be honest, none of which I would have ordered had I not felt adventorus - but ALL of which I loved! Naturally, we upgraded the fries that come in the flight to truffle (delish) - and we added on the Truffle Mac & Cheese dawg. We split everything and there was not one thing I ate that I didn't enjoy. The Black Sheep probably ended up being my favorite - great flavor with the pear slaw on top of the lamb sausege. My friend and I sat outside and the owner ended up chatting us up, constantly brought us refills and could not have been any nicer. He's the kind of person who will remember you after just one visit. They close at 7:30, but my friend and I were having such an enjoyable time we sat outside until about 8:15 and never felt pressured to leave. Overall a casual and delicious dining experience. Great place to take out of towners to try something new.
(5)Eldiva S.
My husband had the beef corn dogs & their fries... We both thought the fries were fine. The beef dogs are from Boar's Head-good brand but we expected it to be made on site(like a homemade dog)since it's the "5 Star meal on a bun" concept...so we were disappointed at that. The corn dog batter was tasty though.... One Disturbing Thing - Didn't like that while the chubby kid behind the counter was putting fries into a costumer's order he was also eating them!!!!! WEIRD! Who does that???!!! PLEASE at least wait till after you're done serving and munch all you want- idiot! GROSS Also didn't like that their veggie dog is not a dog at all - but just marinated tofu in a bun. I have a problem with that since it's a hot dog place and I wanted my veggie dog made into a corn dog which they obviously couldn't do... so that was also disappointing and I didn't order it-it's more like a sandwich, not a hot dog. Overall- the concept is cute, but the menu was not appealing to us and we expected things to be more creative, homemade, thoughtfully presented, executed, etc. So if you want a step up from a plain dog-I am sure this will work for you. I think Hot Doug's does a better job of "the 5 star meal on a bun" concept and we will continue to visit them when we want a tasty & creative dog...and they have an actual "veggie" dog!
(1)Matthew U.
Amazing. Just simply amazing.
(5)John S.
I've driven by this place numerous times, and finally had the opportunity to try it out for lunch today. I had the "Burger Dog" and have to say, it was absolutely delicious. Had it along with the fresh cut (and very crispy) french fries, which were quite good as well. Like Hot Doug's? Hate the wait? This is your place!
(5)donna y.
I recently had the burger dawg and it was DELISH! I was intimidated at first by the texas toast-like bun... didn't know how to jam that in my mouth.. but it was surprisingly soft. The meat was also very juicy (it could've been oil) but I enjoyed every bit of it.. It's a bit pricy for dawgs but worth it once in a while.
(4)John B.
Spectacular!!! I had the Lamb Keema. Fantastic! The person working ( I assume the owner) was very pleasant, helpful and thorough. My large, large friend had the chili dog and was quite satisfied. I highly recommend it and would definitely come back again!!
(5)Joanne S.
Wow what an interesting restaurant. We went since we had seen it on Bizarre Foods tv program. I couldn't believe I never noticed it before. I have walked passed it several times. For our first round my brother had the Black sheep, mom had the burger dawg and I got the mystery corn dog. We all tried each others. The best in that round was the Black sheep and then the burger dawg. I didn't realize that the corn dog was not a signature house made sausage so it was okay. We also order the triple truffle fries. They were good. Since we were there we decide to go for a second round. We got the Tur-doggin and the Spicy Yucatan and the truffle mac and cheese. The mac and cheese was so amazing creamy and fragrant with truffle. The tur-doggin was different. I am not used to having lots of stuff of my dogs but for these you need it. It adds a complexity to the dog. The buns they use are really good. The Spicy Yucatan was good but didn't seem to spicy to me. For the second round I would go with the Tur doggin and then the spicy Yucatan. My Brother and mom would probably say the opposite. The only negative is the store is small and doesn't have a lot of tables. We had got there probably just in time for lunch rush making it harder to get a table. We had to eat at the stools first but for the second round go to move to a table. If I am in the area I would probably go again but parking in that area is hard. I had to use my secret parking spot but it is a little far from the restaurant. I would suggest going with the house made sausages.
(4)Alli N.
Amazing truffle fries. I have yet to have a hot dog here I have enjoyed, however. I ordered a Chicagoesque and was treated to half of a hot dog (yes, a hot dog cut in half - I didn't realize expecting a full one would asking for too much), a surplus of caramelized onions and not-yet-pickled pickles. For roughly $30, not worth it. Ok... maybe for the fries. But that's it!
(2)Ndamukong S.
Fantastic gourmet dogs. Beware, the menu is overwhelming but only because everything sounds delicious. The Kimchee dog was great; the truffle mac n cheese was solid; the mystery mini corn dogs were solid. The place has a nice backyard patio area, it is BYOB, all of the workers were very nice...the only thing I'd do different is get 2 dawgs instead of 1 dawg and basically 2 sides.
(5)dave h.
Quick review: good to very good, but not as good as Hot Dougs.* More in depth review: I've eaten at FnD about 6 or 7 times now, so I think I've gotten a pretty good idea what this place is about, So, I'll break it down for you like this: Buns: this is the one category where FnD beats every other dog place in town. These are lightly griddled brioche buns, almost like unsweetened French toast. Really unbelievable, and the best part of these dogs. I'd make a visit here just for a plain dog on these wonderful buns. The Sausages: FnD has made a big deal of distinguishing itself from Hot Dougs because its sausages are made in-house. However, I don't care where they're made, so long as they taste good, and I've found the sausages to be a mixed bag. Some have been excellent: especially the Veal Percik. Others have been flat out gross. I sampled the mystery corn dog, and the sausage casing was so thick that it wouldn't break off. As a result, every bite ended with a flaccid piece of dead skin hanging over the edge of the dog. Not appealing at all. Toppings/Combos: again, a mixed bag. Some I loved. The veil percik is the best I've had at FnD, and on par with some of Hot Doug's best. Unfortunately it's not a permanent member of the menu. Others, just meh. It seems like a lot of the varieties rely upon some form of pickled vegetable. I'm not against pickling per se, but it does tend to overwhelm the flavors in some of the dogs. Hot Dougs may seem like a hodge podge, but there's really a method to the madness that is pure genius. I've probably been to HD's about a 100 times. You could amputate a couple of my fingers on one hand, and I could still count the number of times I had something that was less than great at HD's. Fries: Pretty good, but every time I've gone they've had a different variety so it's tough to gauge. Nothing to blow you out of the park though. Best fries in the city are still at Suzies. Service: Has been excellent until my last visit. I got there Saturday afternoon, and the line was short (only two small groups in front of me). However, it took nearly a half an hour to get my order in and get the sausage to my table. I'll chalk this up to an anomaly though. Shit happens at every restaurant, and the service has otherwise been stellar. Also, I've never had to deal with any Hot Doug-esque lines...so that's a huge plus. The fact that you can consistently get one of these gourmet sausages, within about 10 minutes, is truly great. So that's it. I definitly would recommend making a trip for any sausage connoisseur * I know it's probably not fair to compare FnD to Hot Dougs, but the comparisons are inevitable, and provide a great bench mark for reviewing.
(3)fabiola b.
I love the FRIES! The hot dogs are very unique in taste. You must be prepared to think out of the box! I ordered a completion dog called "just in case" it was OK I guess I was not expacting the poblano pepper and Quezo fresco to be in the sausage. Also the vinegar was a little to much for my taste buds. My husband got a sotherb dog delicious! It has corn bread, BBQ and the meat was very smoky. My mother-in- law had the Frank and beans I think I will order that next time. It was also delicious with baked beans on top! My son who is 1 loved his plain hot dog with fries! They were so nice they gave us a free drink for him! Next time I'm in the mood for unique hot dogs I'll be heading there.
(4)R R.
So my boyfriend and I have been talking about going here since it was featured on Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimerman.. As the vegetarian in the relationship, I was excited tom see they had a veggie dog option. We went there on a Thursday evening and was surprised to see no lines or packed seating like on the show. We ordered based on the pictures on the display Ipad on the counter. (cool!). To start the portion is large, so you only need one, especially if you order fries or the Truffle mac and cheese. My boyfriend, got the Black Sheep (based on what was featured on Bizarre Foods). He was not overly impressed and felt there was too much bread. He thought the bun was more Texas Toast than hot dog bun. I got the only Veggie option, The Fu (Marinated tofu with grilled eggplant relish, caramelized portabellas, Italian salsa verde & chèvre). It was good. I could not finish it because it was too big and the verde was a little overwhelming). The Mac and Cheese was very good but again it is heavy so share it between 2 people. Overall, the experience was ok. I think we went in with inflated expectations and we were slightly disappointed. But we will be back for that truffle mac and cheese! If you want to have a gourmand experience in a hot dog, this may be you place ; but it you want an old fashion chitown style dog in meat and veggie options, there are better choices in the city. Happy Hot dog hunting! Chitown Veg Gal
(3)James O.
I've slowly been eating my way through the menu, and have loved everything I've tried so far. The food is entertaining as well as delicious. Strong recommendation.
(5)Eric H.
Best new food on the market. When I looked at the menu I had no idea what to get, but the guy behind the counter made some suggestions and I end up picking the Spoiled Brat. Unbelievable. Fries were awesome and they make those on the premise as well apparently as they do the sausage. Everything was extremely fresh and creative, including the staff. They're definitely on to something here. Now if they would only add pie to the menu.
(5)Bob D.
We've been here twice in the past two months and will be a regular here. The sausages are great, and the fries (both truffle and cheese) shouldn't be missed. The buns really bring everything together.
(5)Adam K.
I have been here, I wanted to see if it is like hot dougs.or worse, or better, it seems like its more improved, and I hate waiting 1 hour for hot dougs in the snow. Plus I live near here. sorry doug, new kid on the block. After eating here, its obvious that hot Dougs is in trouble. Even tho it seems like this guy is tryin to rip off hot Dougs in every way. I cannot stress enough the importantance of ordering the right thing, to start, try the Chicagoesque. It has all the trappings of a traditional Chicago style dog but a gourmet twist that does not leave u feeling like u jst ate at blackbird, I scarfed mine quickly. I also recommend the spicy duck, which, while not spicy, is as tasty as a Vietnamese sandwich from bon bon (c my review of bon bon on north ave). When I first reviewed this place I got the rueben polanski which was too heavy and over powering. If your here try something simple like the two dogs I suggested and u will not b disappointed. I will b back. Also the truffle fries are unreal.
(4)Tess G.
We just got home from Franks n Dawgs and I am not going to be able to say enough good things in this one review. First time there tonight and Alexander, the owner, could not have been more helpful. Everything looks good on the menu so it is difficult to choose. My boyfriend and I went with the Brunch (a must) and the Belly Up (another must). They were so accomodating and split both of them for us and even let us try a sampling of truffle fries.....because we also ordered the cheese curds and the fried green tomatoes....but everyone said the truffle fries are amazing and they are! The egg was cooked perfectly on the Brunch and the grapes combined with the pork belly on the Belly Up make it so delicious. I love cheese curds (breaded in panko bread crumbs) and these are some of the best I have ever had---definitely worth a try. The other nice thing is the portions are perfect to share. Between the amazing food and the outstanding customer service, this is somewhere I will be telling others about and taking people back to as well. Even after just one time and based on others reviews....Im sure everything is great on the menu!
(5)Dan S.
2nd best high end hot dog spot. Still excellent, but sorry, hot dougs the original place with this concept wins.
(5)Christopher J.
This place was great, if you are in the neighborhood you need to drop on by, and I would say it is worth going out of your way. I had their duck/pork sausage dog, the clever name escapes me at the moment. It had pieces of crackling, carrot slaw and pineapple on top. It looked great and tasted fantastic. The Spoiled Brat was great too, both sausages were cooked perfectly. It was not busy at all, so I wonder what it will be like when the line is getting crushed and there is a line out the door. The buns were more the New England style, no crust on the sides, so they are very conducive to buttering and browning the outside of the bun. This is a great idea and seems to resonate with the previous reviews. Why bother to butter and toast the inside of a bun if you are going to cover it in sauce...Franks N Dawgs are spot on with this nice touch. As for the duck dog, the only thing I would add is a touch of mayo spiced with some sriracha Rooster sauce, that would have made the dog an unhinged masterpiece. The fries were good, but not off the chart, so save space and order three dogs and split them with a friend for an improvised tasting menu.
(4)Dan N.
Seeing this place on the Food Network, combined with rave reviews from several friends, I was pretty pumped to try Franks 'N Dawgs, to say the least. Really cool place, unique, housemade sausages, a menu that's always changing, and an on-going gourmet sausage competition make this place really one-of-a-kind. I had to try the "Brunch Dawg" (formerly known as the "Foss Hog"), since that's what I had seen on TV. It was good, don't get me wrong, but I'm not so sure that I'd order it again (it's one of those things that I've never really seen anywhere else, so you gotta try it, right?). The bun and the maple dressing and sausage were amazing, I'm just not sure I'm a huge fan of that ingredient combination on my dawg. I also had the "triple truffle fries" which were delicious, although I expected to find actual truffle shavings on my fries, which I did not. I'm definitely anxious to get back here to see what else this place has got to offer!
(4)Laura R.
Great, helpful staff. Triple Truffle fries were awesome, as well as the whole hot dog (or sausage, depending on which option) experience. Definitely going back!
(4)Katy M.
We had Franks 'n' Dawgs last year at Lollapalooza and LOVED IT. So when we were shopping in Lincoln Park today, we decided to pop in. Mistake...it was one of the worst dining experiences I've had since moving to the city. The guy who took our order was a jerk - he was contentious about EVERY thing we ordered. My boyfriend had seen a picture of the chili dog in the hallway, but when he ordered it we were informed that Franks 'n' Dawgs is a gourmet restaurant and all employees have fine dining experience, so they don't serve "chili dogs" - then why advertise it? I ordered the fried green tomatoes and they were only okay. Will not be returning.
(1)Nicholaus H.
Damn!!! Truly exceptional in every way. I was of the mindset that you don't mess with our perfect Chicago hot dog. I am now a complete convert. I went on a Thursday around 3 and had no wait. My friend ordered the breakfast style dog and my girl got the crazy Kim chi, My boy inhaled his so I presume he was pleased. I tried the Kim chi dog and that one may be my favorite, however the govenator was amazing as well. I started with the Yucatan because of my addiction to habeneros, awesome! Upon ordering, the owner, Alexander complemented us on our choices as we had selected all sausages made in house. the execution of everything was flawless, perfect balance of perfectly prepared ingredients. After demolishing the first round we all decided that we needed more. As we heaped praise upon Alex we told him that we were all fine dining servers. He brought us out the best baked beans that I have ever had made with root beer and had a nice spice to them. He also brought out a beet, arugula and goat cheese salad that I loved even thought I hate all those items alone. The Brussels spout slaw is also tasty and unique. Simply put a must hit . I am spoiled with food daily as I am an aspiring chef and work at Bennys Chop house. This place has some of the best food I have eatin in years.
(5)Brad Z.
get the turdoggen, you won't be disappointed. i got the dog flight, it was good but i really wished i just had 1 big turdoggen, that crispy duck confit and herb garlic aioli def made it.
(4)Matt G.
I was hoping for a less-crowded Hot Dougs, and instead got sick. I went with my wife, and was very excited. I ordered the "Mystery Corn Dog", of which I should've been more leery of the title. It was a polenta-encased mystery sausage. The Corn-dog part was disgusting: it tasted like flavorless, fried cream of wheat around a greasy sausage. The sausage was horrendous. Crunchy (in the middle, not the outside), and a flavor of mashed meats. I assume it was a spicy veal sausage, but never got an answer. My wife got a jumbo dog, which was fine I guess. Anyway, it made me sick, and I usually have an iron stomach. It's taking a lot of will power to write this review, and not gag just thinking about it! Thye need to do their research on what tastes good together; not just put fancy ingredients together because they sound fancy. Just go to one of the million Vienna Beef stands, and you'll be better off. Or, just stick with Doug's, and you can never go wrong.
(1)David L.
my review will be compared to hot dougs since my go to spot for gourmet sausages was closed during xmas break. pretty small joint but has character and clean. sausages: A- wide selection of sausages and also cool they have local chefs battle like iron chef on new sausages. tried the turkey dinner and also the mac n cheese dawg. turkey was interesting with actual turkey and carrots on top. very creative and tastey. mac n cheese dawg was aite..good sausage but jus mac n cheese on top of it. Buns: A+ they use a texas toast like bun that is lightly buttered and toasted. this is awesome and better than the simiple bun at hot dougs Fries: B tried the normal cheese fries..the cheese was stuck on the paper plate and fries were pretty standard but nothing spectacular overall it's a great place for sausages and rivals with hot dougs (still my #1 sausage spot). prices are comparable (about $6 for a dawg) but still spend about $10-$15 when you order fries and a drink.
(4)William L.
One line summary : Fundamentally this is a good place, however, the main problem with it (among some glaring flaws) is that it doesn't make the concept of the gourmet hot dog its own and lack of individuality hampers these creative chefs more than any limitation to a certain form of food (more on this later). Assuming it has no competitors I would still find some pros and cons. The pros are solidly there, the management is very good, there is good patter, attention to detail in service, and a good conveying of the concept. I fundamentally believe that the chefs can produce a quality product. Similarly the bun is exceptional and the truffle fries are exceptional - especially the fry part (more on this). These pros should be experienced, and yes I would go back for the truffle fries. However I do have some issues with the concept itself - it borrows too much at times and at other times how it borrows is confusing. Case in point - The "Iron Chef" competition supposedly pits two chefs creations against each other. However, and this is a big however for foodies, this is not really a well structured, let alone a faithful competition. Simply you don't get to see what the guest chefs can do since they use different "main ingredients" and thus the intrigue is lost. Similar things can be said about the incorporation of stars within the theme, the reinvention of the Chicago dog, and a few minor issues. A more major problem is the disconnect in the notes of the hot dogs/sausages and their toppings. This major flaw means a few things - first and most importantly that irrespective of the quality of the ingredients, or the care in producing those ingredients, a "sandwich" is produced that seems like it might as well be a salad with an afterthought of meat. Ironically, this is apparent in contrast to the Chicago hot dog whose "dragged through the garden approach" produces a cohesive melding of meat and vegetables lacking here. Second, the main premise "the best handcrafted gourmet hot dogs and sausages bar none" fails when you dissect the sandwich. Taste the encased meats by themselves and at times (not all the time) you will find them bland, unremarkable, and not as expected. This becomes readily apparent when comparing it to what should be its competition - Paulina Meat Market (among dozens of other local shops). The sausages and dogs should be able to stand on their own in all their naked glory. Third, lets talk about the two common sides the fries and the beans. Those fries, no not the truffle fries, the regular fries that supposedly come out of the same kitchen as those truffle fries. To be kind they are limp, and unevenly seasoned. They are remarkable but not in a good way. Yet in the beans we find the real crux of the problem with the business - a lack of cohesion and focus on a vision. The beans have variety, they are somewhat exotic, and they contain good amounts of bacon/pork - yet they miss the mark because the flavors do not come together. The varied ingredients are too varied and make it difficult to gauge when the varieties of beans are all cooked right at the same time, thus complicating a dish by adding risks that do not pay off here (though they could if executed differently). Similarly the BBQ flavors lack the finesse that a visiting southerner would expect, and the pork products though plentiful do not have the vibrancy and clarity of porky bacon goodness that should be there. Fourth and lastly, irrespective of if the product is done by famous chefs, irrespective of if it uses good quality ingredients (which is inherently subjective since the issue is if the ingredient is used well not what it is), irrespective of if the inside is slightly upscale - the final product isn't as good as Hot Dougs. What perhaps is more disconcerting is that Frank N' Dawgs seems to just copy Hot Dougs with a variation reminiscent to "Coming to America's" parody of McDonalds, MacDonalds. Like Dougs they forecast the dogs, Like Dougs, they incorporate stardom and naming parodies, Like Dougs they focus on turning encased meats into a shrine. Honestly it is the little things that make it seem contrived in a way and unoriginal. And yes, there is abundant room for competition and innovation. How do you think the Chicago dog survived? How about the (Hawaii) Puka dog? or the (Detroit) Coney Island dog? Simply you don't have to copy to make something great. (Wikipedia it if you are not convinced en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho… ). That said it really was decent if discombobulated and not as finessed as it should have been. However despite all of this I do think that Joe Dorian is an incredible asset that even Doug would approve of - I believe the issue isn't skills, but the awkwardness which stems from Alexander Brunacci's challenge. Similarly Alexander Brunacci is charming, persuasive, patient, and willing to refine his product. I look forward to it coming into its own - Alex embrace your food geek.
(3)Amy H.
Wow...totally annoyed. I work next door to this establishment, so I was very excited that there would be a "convenient" new place to grab food on my lunch breaks. I was very wrong. And I say this after giving the place a 2nd shot because I knew that they were new and getting the hang of things. So, the first time I went a couple of weeks ago I ordered a basic chili dawg and fries to go, only to get back to work and open up a container of chili cheese fries. So...today I popped in to grab a corn dog and fries to go. Um...it took 45 minutes to get my order, and it was absolutely disgusting. They totally need to get their system down, I only had 4 people in line in front of me, and it still took the guy behind the register a good 20 minutes to get through everyone. Then, waiting another 25 minutes for my order was totally ridiculous. Then...to finally get back to work and have a corn dog that has the batter all soggy from some dijon sauce they threw in the container, and the sausage didn't even taste or look completely cooked through. I feel like I'm going to puke. I'm definitely never going back. Very disappointing since I love hot dogs and they are so close to my work. I only hope this review can save someone else from wasting their entire lunch break on a nice day to complete and utter chaos and food that tastes vile.
(1)Don D.
Had the Ruben Pulaski and have never had anything that brought so many separate flavors together to form something so delicious. It was so amazing that I was eyeballing the menu looking for something else to try. That's when I was pleasantly surprised by a basket of their truffle oil waffle fries; again, not being all to familiar with gourmet fast food...I wasn't sure what to expect...they were excellent and I highly recommend them as a nice compliment to whatever type of encased meat you decide upon.
(4)Bobby M.
This place is ridiculous! Went there today and had a spicy duck sausage and it was unbelievable. I've wanted to go to Hot Doug's, but I won't even bother. The staff was also super friendly and very knowledgeable. I highly recommend Frank's n Dawgs. Seriously try this place, you won't be disappointed!
(5)Blair H.
Better than Hot Dougs. There I said it. The Foss Hog is amazing.
(5)Mike M.
I have never been to the "other" hot dog place over on california, so my review may be off base without a comparison. That being said I have tried several of the sausages and none disappoint. From the bun to the top notch gourmet toppings and truffle fries, this place sure deserves 5 stars. Only knocked off 1 star since they no longer have cheese curds on the menu.
(4)Nick L.
Hot damn that's delicious. Look, I love a good old fashioned dog just like any red blood American badass, but; this right here is some culinary karate ready and willing to mix it up with your mouth parts. Get in, order up, sit down and salvage.
(4)Hannah C.
Oh my god the amount of truffle going on in this place. The truffle fries are literally gleaming with truffle oil. The Mac and cheese reeks of it. Honestly, the entire place smells like truffles. And that is WONDERFUL. Whatever sauce they put on the brunch dog was fantastic. The bacon mac and cheese dog was also very good. These sausages are ultra flavorful - these really aren't hot dogs with toppings. My only almost-complaint is they don't really gave that skin-bursting-with-juice texture - it's just meat throughout. Not necessarily a problem, but I wasn't prepared for it.
(4)Susan C.
I went here to try their hotdogs since it's not a regular hotdog you would get at the usual places. I had their Reuben Pulaski which I love sauerkraut and I love it. I also love their truffle fries which that is the first time I had truffle. I have yet to go back to try their truffle mac and cheese. I would definitely recommend this place to my friends if they want try some different with their hotdog.
(4)Pha L.
Definitely a gourmet hot dog heaven. The lobster rolls was nice a toasty on the outside while hot and fluffy on the inside. They make the sausage in house so that's a plus. For 2 people, we had 4 hot dogs on our table on top of fried cheese curds and fries. I would difinitely order the waffle fries instead of regular fries. The side portions were a little small. Don't expect to be paying 3-4 dollars for hot dogs. These are adequately priced. The toppings missed their mark and the sausages were a little dry eventhough it's house made.
(4)Lucian M.
Superbly unexpected. I came here wanting a Chicago dog and left eating a bun mi dog. It was delish as was the truffle fries. Oh and the buns, holy Moses, they are baked tighter together so the crust is only on the top and bottom, leaving the sides to be buttered and toasted. As for the Mac and cheese side, I seriously think there's crack or something in it. It's so good I'm sure someone is going to make it illegal. Get it while you can, little slices of heaven never ever lasts long enough.
(5)Michael G.
Dominant! Forget anyone complaining about the "reinvention" of Chicago style hot dogs; Franks 'N' Dawgs is doing interesting & delicious things, and should be tried at least once by everyone. Curtis Duffy's "Duffy Duck" is fantastic! I've not had a bad sausage here yet(the accompanying sauces/toppings/condiments are brilliant), but as good as the Mystery Corn Dog is, it was a bit "doughier" than I like; does anyone make a Crispy-Crunchy-Corn-Dog?! The crispy fries are very good too(I had a "soggy" order once- great flavor, bad texture). Superdawg, and other "classic" joints(try Paradise Pup on River Road near Oakton; Poochies on Dempster is great too) will always be the "Greats", but it is nice to see creative people challenging "tradition". I first tried Franks 'N' Dawgs after reading Michael Nagrant's "Resto" column in New City on April 1, 2010. The place was great then, and it is still great. Their continued brilliant use of herbs, fruits, vegetables, sauces, and spices in their toppings/dressings is fantastic. And the creativity in the sausages themselves is equally brilliant; and delicious! They are about 1 year old now, and handle their large crowds very well; the food arrives quickly, fresh, and amazingly flavorful!
(5)Bart D.
I wouldn't go out of your way to stop in at Franks 'N' Dawgs, but if you are in the neighborhood and are looking for something a little different, then Franks 'N' Dawgs is a good pick. Food was good, but not amazing. I had the Beef Curry sausage and a side of fries. Both were OK, but a little on the bland side. Halfway through the meal I kind of lost interest in what I was eating. I was still hungry so I finished my food. It just seemed to be missing that certain something that makes you want to finish your meal and then have more even though you're stuffed... The staff was friendly and seemed to enjoy working there.
(3)Steve N.
Franks 'N' Dawgs do not serve Chicago style hot dogs but craft artisan sausages aka gourmet aka fancy hot dogs. It was featured on the Travel Channel, Food Network, and Cooking Network. They have a laundry list of specialty sausages and serve a few things with truffle. It's located in Wicker Park and you enter through a walk way. We arrived right when it opened and were in a rush to get inside to avoid the Chicago wind. It was only meant to be a snack but a "snack" has a different definition when it comes to two overeating fat asses like my buddy and myself. It's a little small shop and has a very divey and hipster feel to it. The two chill workers had a lot of recommendations and pretty cool even though they looked like hipsters. Totally judging here. Now, the food. We had the following items: 1) Triple Truffle Fries - The Yukon Gold waffle cut fries includes freshly chopped herbs, truffle salt, truffle oil and truffle butter. To be clear, it's not the Nicki Minaj type of truffle butter. It's golden waffle fries with a crunchy outside and a soft inside. With anything truffle, the aromas of the truffle is very apparent and strong. It had the slightly garlicky taste associated with truffles but it was missing the earthy flavor. I still prefer my truffles shaved versus being drowned out with other ingredients. 2) The Southerner - It's Slagel Farms pork loin, caramelized onions sausage, corn bread, cherry bourbon BBQ sauce and scallions. This was definitely flavorful and the sausage had the juicy bite to it like a Chicago Hot Dog. This was an overall sweet hot dog in taste with the caramelized onions, corn bread and cherry bourbon sauce versus the usual tangy and sour taste of a Chicago hot dog. 3) The Brunch Dog - It's Slagel farms pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo. The smokey bacon wasn't overly smokey per se. I didn't taste it and it wasn't overpowering the other ingredients. However, I really like the sunny side up egg and the maple mayo was a nice touch. It looked like an aioli sauce. I always have mayo in my hot dogs cause that's what Southern Californians use as a condiment. I definitely enjoyed the Brunch dog over the Southerner. Overall, Franks N Dawgs provides a great alternative to Chicago Hot Dogs. I'm sure Chicagoans were ready to hang Franks N Dawgs for breaking away from the traditional Chicago dogs. People were probably scratching their heads like how the Hip Hop community did with Meek Mill's Drake diss track "Wanna Know" but at least Franks N Dawgs food was good.
(4)Amanda M.
The lamb-orghini was amazing and I'm not even a big fan of lamb. The house giardiniera was refreshing. Truffle mac 'n' cheese was also amazingly yummy. Honestly, I prefer this place over Hot Dougs. Their dawgs are much more cohesive and balanced and explosive with flavor whereas Hot Dougs while still very good was somewhat cheese heavy and two dimensional sometimes with their creations. The only drawback for Franks 'N' Dawgs is that their hours are kinda odd. I wished they opened past 5pm, especially on the weekends.
(5)William B.
They make outstanding and interesting hot dogs here -- my favorite was a Korean dog with kim chi, short rib and toasted rice on top of a house-made and interestingly-spiced beef sausage; though I also sampled the "brunch" dog with is brilliant in a bacon/egg/syrup kind of way, if a tad under-salted. There were at least a half-dozen other dogs on the menu I wanted to try too. This is the kind of place where you stand slack-jawed staring at the menu because you want to order all of the things. (They're friendly about slicing things in half, though, if you want to share.) I am sad to say that I didn't ever make it to Hot Doug's before it closed (those lines!) but my friends who have say Franks N Dawgs might be as good or better on many axes. And unlike Hot Doug's there was basically no line on a weekday, even in the middle of what could be the lunch rush. My only fear in writing this review is that too many of you will come and change that.
(5)Alex J.
What happened? Did I pick the wrong sausage? I ordered a Julia's Love Child which the menu says is "Steak au poivre sausage, garnished with shallots pickled with a bouquet garni, sauteed asparagus in a shallot, garlic and butter, arugula and finally, our pièce de résistance, a Dijon cognac crème fraîche" Tasted like dry ground beef liver mixed with sand. I've been here before...no problems.. Too many other places to get a $10 sandwich without a side or drink. Thanks
(2)Cinkie Y.
Just so so. Doesn't worth the price. The salmon hot dog is rather plain. The Brussels salad tastes bitter and sour. This place is overrated.
(2)Angela C.
I always knew that sausages were tasty, but I had no idea they could be this delicious. Franks n Dawgs has opened my eyes to the expansive world of seductive sausage heaven! I got a Vietnamese style dog with a lemongrass sausage and it was delicious. There were so many intriguing options that it was really hard for me to choose. I was very happy with my choice, though. I definitely need to come here more often, especially now that Hot Doug's closed. I loved the table markers too. Very creative. This place has quality and character everywhere!
(4)Kasia L.
I had the tur-doggin, after a lot of changing my mind and being unable to pick just one. I was pleasantly surprised at how fantastic it was - truly delicious and I will gladly return to try other menu items in the future. Downside - I was the only person in placing an order at the time and it took the cook approx. 20 min. to make my order. I'm in-between on this, as someone who is experiencing cooking in the industry at the moment; while I thought the dog itself had a lot of components that might take a bit to put together (so understanding of having a bit of a wait), I couldn't help but feel as though the boh was taking his time a bit too leisurely.
(4)Julie T.
The truffle fries are what got me. Those were the best fries I've ever tasted and I wished I grab some to go. I got 'The Kid' hotdog and man was the spice no joke. It was so spicy I learn not to get that ever again, way too spicy for me! It's extremely unbearable spicy. Can't wait to try other things on the menu! So I'll be back soon to give it another chance.
(3)Emily P.
I'd give this place a 3.5/5 stars. If you know what to expect, I think this place is quite good. They do not serve Chicago style hot dogs so go elsewhere for that. BUNS. Their dogs are served on a Texas Toast sort of thick, garlicky bread. I love it. It does tend to fall apart while I eat it though. This is a hot dog joint. It's obviously not a five start restaurant. They let you choose a person from their Wall of Shame. You stick this star's picture on your table (instead of a table number. It's unique). Their hot dogs aren't cheap. For two hot dogs, two fries, and two fountain drinks the total was just under $40. Just remember though, that they put a bit more effort and ingredients into their dogs. Overall, they have really unique hot dogs. I enjoyed both the Krazy Kimchi and Lamb-orghini hot dogs. Their Triple Truffle Fries are delicious.
(3)Jennifer K.
Franks 'N" Dawgs is a good alternative if you have enough of Chicago style hot dogs and want to have something else. The varieties here is really good. Even hard to pick which one to try as they are all really interesting combination. But it is quite pricey for what you paying for sausage and bun in a land of hot dogs, Hot Dog VS Sausage? or just a Hot Dog dressed up with exotic toppings with fancy topping?
(3)Sheena P.
REALLY? I visited Chicago and was sooo excited to try this place because hot dogs is a must here! SO SO disappointed! Here's what I got: Bacon truffle Mac and cheese hot dog: Mac had absolutely NO flavor (which means no truffle) and it was borderline cold. I'm assuming they made it before opening because we were the first customers to arrive for the day. The dog itself was alrite - very sausagey and not like a typical hot dog. Meh. Tur-doggin: please skip this hot dog!!!! The taste of the dog was weird and NOT good! The herb aioli sounded better than it tasted. The flavors did not mesh well and was just randumb. Skip skip skip. Waffle fries with triple truffle: um okay I tasted no truffle oil, no truffle butter, no truffle salt. Literally just crispy waffle fries. If you don't dip it in ketchup and really concentrate on the taste, you might taste a light hint of truffle. DO NOT COME HERE!
(1)Nicole G.
It's just okay , if you're Hot Doug's fan, you'll be disappointed like me , sausage is kinda dry , only thing I like is the crispy truffle fries , (but for $6 the portion is so small ), waited for 30 mins on a slow Tuesday afternoon ( only 3 tables total -- hubby kept trying to tell me during that long wait : really slow means really fresh ) ,crispy fries won't make me wanna go back there anytime soon.
(3)Dave W.
I want to like this place, especially with the departure of the legendary Hot Doug's, but I struggle to find anything to get excited about here. Their dogs and sausages, while inventive, are pricey, sloppy to eat, served on a bland slice of bread, and just not that great. I can't say I've eaten anything here that I'd prefer over a standard Chicago-style dog. The dark interior occupies an underwhelming middle ground between hot dog stand casual and industrial chic, although there's a sunny seasonal back patio. Hot Doug's deserves a worthy successor, but at least for me, Frank 'N' Dogs falls short.
(3)Cinthya Q.
This place is a great local spot. First off, I love the atmosphere. It's young and hip without the pretension that hangs around most Lincoln Park spots. The staff is very friendly and the table markers are hilarious! The menu is eclectic offering over 10 different types of sausages. Personally I love the Brunch dog (it's breakfast in every bite). The Lamb-orghini was equally tasty. The lobster roll was not my favorite but was good enough. My favorite things on the menu are the sides. Amazing! You have to try the brussels sprouts salad, the truffle fries, and the cheese curds. Yummers! The only negative about this place are the prices. Though typical for Lincoln Park it feels weird to pay $50 for dawgs and fries.
(4)Steve A.
So if you're in the mood for a hotdog, this might not be the best choice, since there's even a sign saying they don't do Chicago dogs. They also don't do anything else recognizable as a conventional hotdog. But they do make some interesting gourmet dogs. We tried three that were somewhat similar: Banh Mi, Tur-Doggin and (the day's special) Quiche Dawg. All were based upon interesting sausages with a number of savory toppings, and all tasted somewhat similar. Interesting, but perhaps not gourmet. We also tried the mystery corn dog platter. To me, the mystery was how anyone could mistake these for corn dogs! There isn't a conventional cornbread coating, just a thing slurry of paste that has been deep fried to a crunchy consistency. There were several different sausages involved; the only clearly identifiable one was lamb. The best dog was actually not a dog, it was the Slammin' Salmon, which was sort of like lox on a bagel but in a bun. Speaking of buns, that's probably the best thing about the place. Rather than conventional hotdog buns, they use squared off chunks of bread that are grilled with butter to a nice golden brown. If you're looking for something different--and by that I mean different from a hotdog--it's worth a try.
(4)Taylor O.
The place has an interesting menu of dogs and sides to choose from. I ordered the "Cheese Head" and loved the mushrooms and onions on it. My husband's bacon mac and cheese dog wasn't quite as good. Triple truffle fries are worth trying. We had to wait ten minutes to order in the nearly empty restaurant while someone took a break outside... Then had quite a long wait for our food. Not bad overall for a unique take on this style of food!
(3)Sharon R.
It's been a while since I've been here. All a great place and today, we got the bacon mac n cheese, pork of July, and triple Truffle fries. And let me just say YUMMY IN MY TUMMY! The bacon mac n cheese is like eating your hot dog and your side of Truffle mac n cheese together. No need to get a side of you're going with this bad boy. Definitely a must try!
(5)Danny M.
We came on a Wednesday for late lunch and there was no line! We ordered the fried cheese curds, Krazy Kimchi, and Reuben Pulaski. The cheese curds were disappointing. It was $5 and there was no more than 10 small pieces. I had the Reuben Pulaski and it was really good. I tried the gf's Krazy Kimchi and it was no where near as good as mine. The people working there was friendly and I will definitely come back to try more items.
(4)Rebecca C.
This isn't my first time coming here and there will never be a last. I've been here probably 10 times. This place is around other cool shops/stores so you can have places to walk of the amazing food you just ate. YOU WILL HAVE TO ORDER THE TRUFFLE FRIES...AMAZING IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. The artisan bread is unbelievable. I could just eat the bread alone. It the perfect mix between sweet and salty. Ask for the beer mustard on your hot dog, which is the best condiment they have. However, the do not always have the beer mustard. The inside is very cute, but can become VERY crowded since this is an obvious favorite hot dog places among many. I always avoid the lunch hours and when they first open in the morning. I wish they closed later on the week days, but ooo well. I drive an hour to get to this places.. WELL WORTH IT! :)
(4)Paul L.
I've been many times but today, wrong! The sausage was dry and bland held together by a fried egg, totally tasteless. My gut has been upset since trying to eat it. What happened here?
(2)Amy W.
NOTE - CLOSED MONDAYS! Okay learned the above lesson the hard way...we scoured the menu for about 1 hour deciding what to get, and on the way out the door to re-check the address - we noted the Monday closure. Well I gotta tell you it is a damn good thing I had one meal left the following day before I returned to San Fran or there would have been some hell to pay. I've been obsessed with Hot Dougs (never been) but know the have a huge line - AND this was a place I could turn my friend onto that was in her own neighborhood. We were the only ones in the place (they told us later that they are considering a move more downtown to get more traffic). I ordered the bacon sausage with truffle mac and cheese, and my friend got the brunch dog (also bacon sausage with an egg, maple mayo and bacon bits). Let me say right off that this place's buns are off the chain delicious, I mean like crack good, sorta a cross between a brioche and a Hawaiian roll, (east coast style bun) and grilled in butter to be crispy and soft all at the same time. The bacon sausage was everything it says it is, a bacony sausage - now who can't like that? The truffle mac and cheese was standard. But it is like that saying that the compilation is more than the sum of its parts. One fine meal. My friends (I did not get a bite) looked amazing and the quivering egg atop was a thing of beauty -she was covered in yolk, but didn't seem to mind a bit. We had also ordered the poutine, with fois gras (Banned in my home state of CA and I was super excited to sink my teeth in). Sadly, after we ordered and sat down to await our meal, the guy chef came over to say he hadn't prepped the poutine- so they were out. I was pretty sad and he said he'd make something close for us. It was fries and cheese curds (yeah baby - fried cheese curds!!), and fries with a blue cheese gravy and duck confit. Yummy yum, but I wanted the fois gras dammit. I wish they would (retail) sell the bulk sausages and rolls to go.
(4)Jess C.
Since moving to Chicago, I have re-discovered my love for hot dogs. This city is crazy about them! I'll be honest, I prefer plain jane hot dogs but I had to try this place out for its reputation alone. Did you know all their sausages are made that day? Sign me up! I ordered the classic Chili Cheese Dog and was pretty tasty but I was expected more cheese. Great bun for each sausage. Don't forget to try Ketchipotle sauce!
(4)Matt G.
This place is a ton of fun. There is a lot of variety and everything ive had has been very goodm burnch dog cant go wrong. But the reuben pulaski. Come on dude. Awesome stuff!!! Fries are awesome too. The owner used to work the registwr...not sure anymore. But he was very welcoming and cared about the product. Hot dougs is gone. Come here.
(5)Jon F.
Place is a joke. Took them 50 minutes to bring me a hotdog. And they didn't have like half of whats on their menu, in stock. Bwahahahahaha. Also? It tasted...so so.
(1)Lauren C.
LOVE. I decided to treat myself after a doctor's appointment, as I like rewarding myself for doing things I don't always want to do. I came into Franks n Dawgs and was warmly greeted by the super nice guy behind the counter. I was a little overwhelmed by the menu options, but he showed me the handy iPad that features the menu for easy scrolling - AND there are pictures of all of the options! I love pictures of food. I chose the Turdoggin, a turkey and date sausage topped with duck confit, herb garlic aioli, house pickled onion relish & pickled carrots. Because I really believe in a rewards system, I added some fries and a fountain drink to my order, since I wanted to leisurely enjoy my meal while reading my book. If you have your meal at the restaurant, you're asked to choose a tablecard from their Wall of Shame so they can deliver your food to your table. The Wall of Shame is hilarious - it features photos of Lindsay Lohan, Kim Kardashian, and other shameful celebrities. It's something that makes Frank 'n Dawgs unique - and I'll definitely remember this the next time I come in! My meal was perfect. The fries were crispy and salty - the way I like them. The Turdoggin was out of this world. The buns are almost like fancy rolls, and if I wasn't a meat eater, I would just come in and order the buns. The sausage was full of flavor and the toppings were perfect. I was curious as to how the carrots would complement the sausage, but the flavors were perfect together. I was asked by a couple of people how my meal was, which I always appreciate, and it truly was perfect. I would definitely come back here to try other things on the menu - the triple truffle fries sound fantastic!
(5)Courtney J.
As I was walking down Clybourn today I stumbled upon Franks 'N' Dawgs. What a great stumble, I must say! The workers were very helpful in making my decision of what to get off of their very intriguing menu. Even though I was apprehensive as I read the ingredients that were incorporated in the Tur-Doggin, I went for the kill, and boy I am glad I did! What a tasty "Haute Dawg!" I can't even express how well all of the ingredients went together and the bun itself was absolutely wonderful. I also got the Triple Truffle Fries which were ah-mazing as well. Great place, wonderful people, tasty food, and a fun atmosphere to boot!
(4)Matthew S.
Franks 'N' Dawgs is as great as everyone says it is. I like that they are open when they say they are going to be (unlike hot dougs). My father and I shared The Chicken Ala Naha, Spicy Carnitas, and the Belly Up. My favorite was the Belly up that has a piece of pork belly with brown mustard on top. The bread is also perfect. We also shared the triple truffle fries and the chili fries. After all of that food you would think we both would have some awful gas. However, the quality of the ingredients kept us from a smelly ride back to Skokie. Everything about this place is better than Hot Dougs. I love the creativity here.
(5)Kyle G.
Franks 'N' Dawgs is UNREAL but I'm going to make this short and sweet. GET THE TRUFFLE FRIES! with THE BRUNCH DOG, if they have it. if not, any of their house made specialty sausages (Items with the chef hats next to them). I've had tried four so far and they have all been amazing. This place is so great that I'm going to make it a point to go about once a week and try something new.
(5)Fallon D.
Oh how I love a good hot dog. Combine that with an Aussie working the couner who's always willing to chat about his sausages and you've got a happy girl. The boy is always thrilled to try some new pork creation while I'm content with my lamb keema (bring that back soon! Please?) As a lady who doesn't dig on the swine it's nice to still have plenty of options. Add a Gale's root beer (cardomom and ginger, it's so spicy) and BYOB and it's a match made in heaven. And as if they haven't already done enough, they've got ketchapeño and a wall of fame with Kaner. I do look forward to the new Wall of Shame though. Just bring back my Keema, that thing is made with angel tears.
(5)Rodrigo D.
The dogs are good, but nothing out of this world. 2 hot dogs, order of fries, and a couple of root beers for $26. I would definitely recommend trying this place once, but whether you become a repeat customer is up to your experience. Cool factor: You get to pick up a D list celebrity card that you velcro on to the edge of your table, so that they can link the order with the table.
(3)Carl F.
Excellent combinations. Go with friends and split the dogs - too many fantastic options
(5)Tricia R.
After having been a loyal Hot Doug's fan for the last couple of years, I was pretty skeptical of Frank 'n' Dawgs, thinking it was just another gimmicky fancy schmancy hot dog place that's trying too hard to be like Doug's. But this is not the case with Frank 'n' Dawgs. Majority of their sausages are made in-house, and many of the people there are chefs who were formally trained and who really know what they're doing. We ordered the Tur-Doggin, Belly-Up, Brunch Dog, and Chicken alla Naha, all of which were awesome, with the latter probably being the best of the four. The triple truffle fries (waffle fries!) were perfectly crispy and not too truffle-y, which is a good thing. A bit of a small portion for fries, but we also had an order of regular fries to fill us up more. After eating here, I realized this place is not to be compared with Hot Doug's. Aside from the less traditional more special sausages, Doug's also showcases traditional sausages (i.e. andouille, thuringer, etc), topped with the customer's choice of also traditional toppings. Frank 'n' Dawgs is solely about the fancy toppings on a bun, so don't be coming here if that's not what you want. Some pluses over Doug's is that Frank 'n' Dawgs doesn't have ridiculously long lines, and their hours are more normal-work-people-friendly. This place is definitely worth coming back to.
(5)Angela S.
We had the cheese head, spoiled braut and cheese fries. Wish I had gotten to the waffle cut fries too! The dogs were really good - who knew portabella mushrooms went so well with gouda and brats? Their buns are amazing, I could eat them by themselves. I loved their wall of shame :)
(4)Lala S.
HOLY S#@$! This place is awesome. I love sausage as much as the next girl, but this place rocks. Their brioche buns are so freaking good. I will say that this place can get a little pricey and is definitely pricier than Hot Dogs. They also have more gourmet-like combinations, whereas, i think Hot Dogs, has a no thrills approach to their encased meats. So the only reason I docked this place a star was for price (I even used my DePaul discount and our meal costs $31 for 2 sausage sandwiches, order of fries, green tomatoes, and 2 drinks) but I understand, they use high-quality ingredients. The meat quality, however, is amazing. All the sausages are super tasty and juicy. I tried the Little Piggy which was amazing. It was a pork sausage topped with Fried Oysters and condiments. AMAZING! My boyfriend had the burger-something or other which was also very good. The cocktail onions were a nice touch. The Triple Truffle fries were really tasty but for being Triple, I felt like it was missing a Truffle Aioli or something. The Fried Green Tomatoes were really good except you only get 3 measly pieces for $5! I will be back...I'm hooked!
(4)Kelly B.
Goodbye Hot Doug's. Hello Frank 'N' Dawgs! You're closer to me, you don't have an hour-long line outside, you're dogs and fries are unique and tasty, you're BYOB, and you're owner is super sweet. I had the Mac and Cheese dog and truffle fries. They were... how should I put it... amazeballs. For a gourmet hot dog, I think the price is worth it and you'll be full afterwards. The buns are awesome. They are more like big pieces of bread than buns. And they have cute outdoor seating which is nice. The do have ONE veggie burger with tofu for you herbivores out there. The others are all meat and delicious!
(4)Robyn T.
No long lines? Gourmet hot dogs, many made in house? Delicious french fries AND Rishi iced tea?! When I'm in the mood for a hot do Franks N Dawgs is THE place to go...no denying it. The homemade hot dogs are huge and I'm a lady that can usually eat a few hot dogs...my turkey dog was so packed with flavor and goodness I could barely finish it. Loved the sense of humor that abounds in this place too. All diners get to select their celebrity photo of choice upon ordering and the friendly staff will bring the dogs to your table. Good deal, right?
(5)Joiya M.
Very good hot dawgs my dawg!! If you follow Andrew Zimmern here then you made a good choice a little pricey but you get what you pay for. Black Sheep = Baaaa Baaahh Bad as Hell!!!! (that's in a good way folks) Bayou Dog = It taste like the whole Louisiana on a bun...Go SAINTS!! I would come again for sure cause one thing they have to perfection is the bun...ummmm that bun was off the chain I could eat that plain with some butter and be in hog heaven. They can keep them hard azz fries but who needs fries anyway when you got a whole darn meal in a hot dog bun.
(4)Charlayne A.
OMG! best hot dog I've ever had! We got a recommendation from a friend's Uncle (who lives in Chicago). I don't want to hype it up too much, but basically Franks N Dawgs has an awesome menu (which changes every month). Also, the owner (and staff) are very helpful and friendly. They have an iPad with images of the hot dogs so you can see before you choose. Also, they are eco-conscious - compostable cups, locally acquired ingredients (when possible), and super creative. I love the names of the hot dogs on the menu and the "wall of shame/celebs who have been in the 'dog' house." AND, most of the dawgs are made FRESH everyday (look for the chef's had logo next to the menu item). They also don't use unhealthy additives - and the dawgs are made by trained chefs! Ok, enough about the restaurant...and back to the food. I had the Brunch Dawg - which was awesome. I went with the dawg that won a lot of awards... The dawg was tasty, the bread was delish and the egg was an added bonus! If you live in Chi-town, you are lucky because you can visit everyday. If you are just visiting - I would add Franks N Dawgs to your list of places to go to - its totally worth it! Lastly - if you can't decide, you might try the dawg fight (3 different dawgs) or just close your eyes and point.
(5)Katrina M.
I'm a fool for that CHEESE HEAD dawg. Holy crap, I have never tasted such a tasty brat, and they totally hit the spot with the portabella mushrooms and my favorite, caramelized onions. The triple truffle fries were amazing too..I probably said wow after every bite of those. They came out the kitchen warm and incredibly crispy. The staff is so wonderful! Big ups to them and for accommodating to our group of 16 :)
(5)Edward P.
It's the buns! Unique place in a city of great dog joints. I really enjoyed the dogs here. Laid back, great service. I will be back.
(5)James E.
Love this place! Some of the best gourmet sausages I've ever feasted on. Don't miss out on the triple truffle fries... those things are killer. And please please please if you are here on a Sunday afternoon... just get the brunch dog. You won't be disappointed... just don't expect to stay clean. And yes... I prefer this place to Hot Doug's hands down.
(5)Tim R.
Awesome gourmet hot dogs and truffle fries. Nice place to take people from out of town.
(5)Bruce B.
Krazy Kimchi dog with a side of fries....delicious. If this place was closer to Uptown, I would be a fat. Great service, even better food, and very entertaining table cards to reserve your both. I got to stare at the beautiful baby killer, Casey Anthony, while chowing down. I'm not sure why I was amused, but I need to come back here and try more dogs.
(4)Kyle H.
YUM. I am a whore for hot dogs, I have been ever since I was a kid. While I'll never turn down a classic Chicago style dog, I will still try any gourmet sausage that is placed in front of me. I haven't been to Hot Doug's, as it's super far from my house and apparently has like, a mile long line the entire time it's open. Franks n Dawgs is much closer and even though my opinion is one sided, totally comparable if not better. Hype does not always make a place the best. My only grievances are that, for as busy as it is, it seems to have a bit of a lack of seating. However, there was an outdoor seating area, but it was pouring rain monsoon-style when we were there, so that option was out. The guy who took our order was SO NICE, we joked about us being the Jonas Brothers (you're given a cut out of a celebrity to bring to your table in lieu of a number or your name being called out) and he was smiling the whole time. One of the other employees seemed perhaps a little bitter with the way he asked people to shift in the line - I understand that it's very annoying to have long lines of people clogging up a small space, but there is nowhere to form a line and that's something worth considering. We all got our own sausage, they were all divine, and we all shared the truffle fries, mac and cheese and brussels sprout salad - all awesome. Definitely worth checking out, consider going for lunch before you go grocery shopping, since the Trader Joe's and Aldi are right across the street and everyone knows you should never go grocery shopping when you're hungry if you don't want to walk out with the whole store. :)
(4)Chloe C.
After seeing Frank N Dawgs on the Zimmerman show, I had to experience it for myself. My bf and I came her the other day for lunch and we ordered the bacon mac and cheese, truffle fries and the great whale? The bacon mac n cheese dawg was amazing! Truffle fries was tasty but a bit too oily. Great whale was.. eh... I love seafood, but maybe not so much as a "dawg".
(4)Marilyn M.
I came across this place while hunting for sports wear a couple doors down....I had no ideal this place existed but wanted to check it out and Im so glad I did...the menu was pretty gourmet for hot dogs they do everything home made and the chef was really nice....I loved it....I will def . go back.
(5)Michelle H.
Now let me preface this that I am with the majority of Chicago as a solid customer at Doug's. This place was straight up disappointing. On a normal day I wouldn't have even tried this place, knowing that it's a doug rip-off. But today, I was into it. So my boyfriend and I take a quick stroll to Franks n' Dawgs. I ordered the Cheese Head and it was straight up gross. The sausage itself was just not right. The casing was way too thick. I mean I love pig intestine as much as the next person, but sweet god, this was way too thick! I never do this but I had to say something. I was just majorly disappointed. I walk up and say I would like a chicago dog instead of the cheese head. They were really easy going about it, which was cool. My Chicago Style Hot Dog finally came out and I was excited. Yeah, it was different then the normal chicago style I'm used too, but hey I'll give it a chance. It was good, but no Super Dawg. I also ordered the truffle fries and they were good but a little overpriced. The thing that may have tipped me off about this place was the plaque with the owner's bio on it. Really? All I could think was what a joke. Yeah, I said it.
(1)Kathryn M.
Yum. I love me some battered and fried hotdog, and this Corn Dawg delivered the goods! Polenta battered? Um, yes. Please. Served with whole grain mustard, a deliciously sweet dipping sauce, and pickled (?) carrots - this was heaven on a stick. The sausage was juicy, the polenta soft, the outside crispy. This ain't no State Fair corn dog, that's for sure. We also tried the Dirty Dog, an andouille sausage served over dirty rice and topped with hush puppies and a tomato cherry chutney (or something like that). Again, delicious. What a great combination for a dog. Can't wait to try some of the others! I can think of no better way to ring in the official start of summer in Chicago than with a hotdog on a sunny patio (well, okay , I CAN, but this way was pretty nice too.)
(5)Sara P.
Now let me preface this by saying that I have been to Hot Doug's. Franks 'N' Dawgs was excellent, and I'd have to say, a bit better than Hot Doug's. My boyfriend and I split the Spoiled Brat and the Foss Hog. My favorite was the Foss Hog, with delicious bacon, maple mayo, a fried egg, all atop a pork loin sausage. It was a delicious taste explosion. Plus--and here is where FND outstrips Hot Doug's--the bun was sturdy, grilled in something delicious, and added even more to the encased meat and its toppings. The truffle fries were out of this world too. "Bizarre Foods" from the Travel Channel was filming when I was there, so I bet this place will become much more popular once the episode airs, meaning a longer line will probably form (very short wait right now). So...get there while you can before this hot dog joint also gets a 2 hour wait.
(5)Jennifer A.
I saw them featured on Bizarre Foods, and after seeing the amazing menu choices, had to try it. I should add, i havnt eaten a hot dog in over 5 years...not my normal food path. My husband went the traditional route and got a chili dog...which he had nothing bad to say about. I had the Tur-Doggin:Turkey & date sausage topped with duck confit, herb garlic aioli, house pickled onion relish & pickled carrots. With a side of amazing skinny fries. Hell-o! very good! Very cheap!
(4)Steven R.
This is a wannabe and rip off of Hot Doug's. Even with that, the dogs sound good but for some reason don't taste that good. Overrated in my opinion.
(2)Jess H.
This place is located in the cute shopping, area near Goose Island Brewery and the Crate n Barrel outlet - so it's always a good reason to stop by. I am giving a three star rating to my unfortunate experience of showing up when they had ran out of buns for the day and opted to have a corndog instead. The outer crust of the 'dog' was definitely fried but seemingly not cooked all of the way through - a soggy, fried dog is not the most appetizing. I look forward to returning and trying one of their other menu options - I feel my rating could be higher!
(3)Don J.
Nice place with a different take on hot dogs with some of their different hot dogs working and tasting good with others falling short of the mark. The place is generally so busy you need to line up in an alleyway which isn't as bad as it sounds. Its covered and they have the menu in the alleyway so you can pick what you want while you wait. When I was there we tried the Triple Truffle Fries (which are the exact same as you can get in the Trump Hotel but about half of the price), the Spicy Carnita, the Brunch Dog and the Krazy Kimchi. The spicy carnita had a very tasty sausage in it with a great bun but the spicy pumkin puree doesnt really work and I scraped that off the sausage. The Krazy Kimchi was very nice and one of the best dogs on the menu. The Brunch dog was my personal favourite which bearing in mind all the various types of hot dogs they have, is probably one of the more traditional hot dogs that they have. Service is very good and friendly and I will go back but probably not at a peak lunch time period to avoid the line.
(3)Kathleen I.
I felt like I was cheating on Hot Dougs by coming here, but they were open at 8pm on a Saturday night. That my friend, is something Hot Dougs doesn't do. The type of place is quite similar in the sense it is fancy hot dogs. I ordered the Truffel mac and cheese as well because well I hate french fries. The mac and cheese was AMAZING. The food was great, a bit expensive for hot dogs, but worth it. The atmosphere was great as well, and the service exceptional. I truly enjoyed the place and will be back.
(5)Richard R.
I had a specialty dog which I forgot what it was... anyways... wow best hot dog I've ever had... Unfortunately, when I went they did not have the truffle fries... they only serve them on certain days. I really wanted to try them... next time hopefully. The dog didn't fill me up and it was around $9 if I remember correctly. This is my only complaint... If I wanted to get stuffed I would have to shell out $20 and that's a pricey lunch... but what I tried was really tasty.
(4)Angela F.
This is my favorite place in the world:) Everything in here is amazing and I have never been let down! The buns are heavenly! I love the Tur-doggen and the truffle fries are amazing. My husband and I actually have to split up the bowl of fries so that we don't fight for them!
(5)Vodka Sauce C.
The bun , the dog , the truffle fries . really nothing else to say . PHENOMENAL !! AA++
(5)Emily Z.
okay I went back and tried the Tur-Dawgin and it was AMAZING ! It was sooo moist and sweet and the bun was just as fabulous as I remember ! My friend who doesn't eat hot dogs even tried one (only after the owner assured her that they only use the best cuts of meat and gave her a chili dog without casing!) we also got chili cheese fries to split and I wasn't impressed with those, but who really needs fries when you have a huge delicious dog. There service is great, they take time to describe things for you, and they always check up on you half way through !! This is seriously my new secret indulgence !!!
(5)Winston G.
I thought the sausages here were excellent, even if they do distinguish between the sausages made on the premises (chef hat to the left side of the sandwich name) with sausages they ship in. I had their Spicy Yucatan, which is a Achiote pork sausage, habernero pickled red onions, sliced avacado, and queso quesadilla cheese on a New-England style lobster roll bun (I am automatically predisposed to liking a place more for using this type of bun). Given my low-carb diet, I ordered this sans the bun (cried a bit inside). However, my friends thought the bun was unique and buttery, but one of my friends still preferred a regular hot dog bun. Overall, the sausage I had was flavorful and rich in taste, but not overwhelmingly oily. The garnishes provided a nice balance, especially the cheese and avacados. My main complaint was that the sausage on its own was a bit small, especially at it's $9 price tag. Most people could easily eat two of these, which makes this place very pricey for lunch. However, I would probably come back again for their waffle truffle fries (which I had ONE of today), as those tasted really good (and I am a sucker for waffle fries). 4 stars, no more and no less. Pictures and more reviews: thegluttonousjd.com/2011…
(4)Leslie S.
Loved it. Great creative dogs with wonderful ingredients...and the truffled waffle fries were excellent!
(5)Selena L.
I had the Crazy Kimchee dog and fell in love! The meat was perfect. Only request would be: more kimchee please. Can't wait to go back and try their other creations!
(4)Nimit P.
I loved this place. They grind almost all their meats for their dogs/sausages in house and they have tons of interesting creations to indulge in. Very comparable to Hot Dougs but with it's own flare (and wildly more convenient to Lincoln Park dwellers) I give this place my definite stamp of approval. They have a bunch of great sides (truffle mac and cheese) as well, the only slight downside is it can get a little pricey in the end. We split three dogs and two sides between two people and it cam out to around $40 (bear in mind that was plenty of food and we didn't even finish all of it). Otherwise it's a great spot for a small group, not a ton of space inside so groups of four to six tops I think- but you can carry out as well. Go there, eat well, leave happy.
(4)Johnny A.
Pretty reasonable prices for the quality of food you get here and it being Lincoln Park. Franks and Dawgs (F-N-D as i will be calling it now) has Fresh ingredients and I went on a Saturday afternoon and only was 3 people deep in line. In and out in 20 minutes is pretty good is you ask me. I am also a fan of there frankfurter style buns they use and they have chipotle ketchup , super yummy. I will definitely be making another stop at F-N-D!!
(4)Jeremy G.
Best part - the bread wrapped around the dawg. The hot dogs and combinations themselves are great, but the bread is what makes it awesome.
(5)Jake C.
Best hot dog I've ever had. You must note, this is NOT a traditional Chicago hot dog joint. In fact, you can't even get a classic Chicago-style dog (well, maybe you can ask for one, but it isn't on the menu). If Charlie Trotter opened a hot dog joint, this would be it. The buns are awesome: they look like little cozies made of french toast, and stand up perfectly on their own. They taste delicious, but don't overpower the dog or the other condiments. The two dogs that we tried were both excellent: many obscure and upscale-sounding ingredients that somehow blend into a perfect party in your mouth. I had the "Chicagoesque" and I would not hesitate to order it again, after I've tried all the other ones that are tempting me! The cheese fries were excellent and gooey, and the "Ketchipotle" ketchup was awesome! I'm going to have to see if I can find that at World Market. Aside from the wondrous collection of hot dogs, made from various ciritters, they also have a selection of "Junior Dogs" for kids, and a couple of impressive looking desserts. Also, a yummy-sounding mac-and-cheese that I'll have to try someday. The staff was uniformly friendly, helpful, and enthusiastic. They seemed to genuinely enjoy seeing people come in for a bite. They give you your choice of laminated celebrity photos to take to your table after you order and pay, so that the servers can find you to bring your food when it's ready. She choose Johnny Depp before I had a chance to ask for Da Coach. Being a total cheapskate, It's rare for me to give five stars to a place that costs $20 for lunch for two. But Franks 'N' Dawgs is worth it. Final point: the soda fountain has COKE ZERO! All fast food places should have Coke Zero, but alas, they don't yet. Hopefully, I'll live long enough to see an enlightened world where Coke Zero completely replaces the vile Diet Coke at soda fountains throughout the land!
(5)Ashley O.
Go here and get the Chicagoesque. It is the best hot dog I've ever eaten. The dog is succulent and flavorful, the bun is toasty, and the toppings are a beautiful combination of flavors I would never expect on a hot dog. The guys who put these dogs together absolutely know what they are doing. I have also had their BLT dog which was a bacon-infused sausage topped with tomatoes and romaine lettuce. I would give that a 3 or 4 star: good, but not mind-blowing. I also love that the first time I told the guy to hold the mustard on my hot dog, and then he made me taste it. It's a beer mustard they make in house, and I like seeing the enthusiasm for their product. I have been eating their mustard ever since. The second time I went here I tried their Truffle Waffle Fries which I also highly recommend. The menu is always changing (I think they rotate 4 or so dogs a month) but the Chicagoesque is so good it will be hard to convince me to deviate from it.
(5)Lidia L.
My boyfriend loved this place. He definitely liked it because it beats waiting in the freezing cold for the long line at Hot Doug's. It was even better tasting. He said it tasted a lot healthier and more fresh than Hot Doug's. Though Hot Doug's is a great place as well.... minus the freezing cold wait. The truffle fries are TO DIE FOR! You can taste the truffle oil in every bite you take and the fries are the waffle cut so they are even better! I would say the truffle fries take it for the win for the 5 stars! The owner came by our table and asked us how we enjoyed it all... A note to all .... THEY HAVE TRUFFLE FRIES EVERYDAY NOW! According to the manager, the demand was so high that they are offering it everyday!
(4)Rajiv H.
Franks 'N' Dawgs gave me the two best hot dogs I've ever had (if they officially qualify as hot dogs in any way). We live in a city that prides itself on its strong hot dog heritage with everything between Portillo's and Hot Dougs, but Franks 'N' Dawgs is different and ups the game quite a bit. After some consultation with the extremely friendly and helpful man behind the counter, my Wife and I got the Foss Hog and the Lamb Keema respectively. My wife apparently didn't see that the Foss had a fried sunny side up egg on it which she detests, so, we pulled a switcheroo. It didn't matter. They were both ridunkulously good. That's right, ridunkulously. A lot of reviews mention the overpowering buns, and while the bun for the Foss had a stronger flavor than the one for the Lamb Keema, I have to disagree with everyone else. I could taste each individual element in the Foss as well as they way they mingled together in my mouth. The cobb smoked bacon on the Foss was some of the best bacon I've ever had. The Keema was authentic, perfectly cooked, and so flavorful with the cool cucumber salad sauce (a.k.a. raitha) being perfect for a warm summer day. It is pretty expensive, even for a gourmet hot dog. With the truffle waffle fries (awesome, though not nearly as good as DMK's parmesian truffle fries) and the two dawgs it came to $24, but we were definitely full after. The location is terrible for a place like this, but with how good they are I sure hope they'll survive.
(5)Monica L.
Talk about amazing!!!! Pork of July talk about yum!!! And omg the truffle fries.....TO DIE FOR! NOMMERS!
(5)Johnnie F.
This would ordinarily be a 4-5 star review - from the dogs to the amazing service (will explain why it fell short in a moment). They have a gal walk around asking everyone how their dining experience is going ... and the chef came out and personally asked me how my dogs were... and it wasn't just lip-service - he engaged me in conversation. So why only 3 stars? I honestly think they can serve hot-dogs like these in a much nicer "non-fast-food" environment. Sure, I can see why they make it that way - where you order at a window and sit down at hard-seated tables... but I can tell you, if they actually had a wait-staff I probably would have ordered a great deal more and stayed longer, had the atmosphere been better. Another minus: If you order a number of items, it'll probably run you over $20-25 bones ... personally again, I think it's worth every bit - but others might feel no hotdog is worth this. I think they are, but would be much more so if the place was decked out better.
(3)Anna V.
Love the Brunch Dog!! The maple mayo is awesome, and the egg is always cooked perfectly. The buns they use are really soft and full of buttery goodness. I was a big fan of the Dirty Dog, but I think it might have been seasonal. The truffle fries are also delicious, we got it with fresh shaved truffles. Yum! The dessert is also really creative and tasty. It looks like a hot dog, but the bun is actually filled with ice cream and other sweet dessert stuff. The people there are also super nice and friendly, and I always feel so welcomed when I'm there. Highly recommend this place, I've definitely become a regular!
(5)Jason B.
This place rocks. I've had four sausages here. Each one has been better than the last. Everyone that isn't happy because this isn't Hot Doug's needs to keep in mind that they are still in their soft opening and trying stuff out. The grand opening is scheduled for April 15. The reviewer the criticized the "chubby kid behind the counter" for eating the fries needs to learn a little bit about how quality restaurants work. The "chubby kid" used to work at Blackbird and then was at Sixteen in the Trump Tower. He was probably tasting a fresh batch of fries to make sure they were cooked correctly. This place is only going to go up from here. I agree with the other reviewers that it is a bit pricier than Hot Doug's, but I think this can be justified because of the higher rent at this location and the fact that they make most of their own sausages (the exceptions are the hot dogs and the german sausages which require a finer grind). What really makes this place is the buns. They are almost like brioche!
(5)Kevin T.
Still awesome...staff still friendly. Huge assortment. Something for everyone. Love this place.
(5)eric m.
How do you separate yourself from other hot dog joints; whats gonna draw them back? The bread. The bread is amazing! Its like a sweet hawaiian roll. It sops up all the savory goodness from their dawgs. The lyonnaise fries was a great addition and by far one of the best fries options you can get anywhere in Chicago.
(5)Deirdre R.
Innuendo be damned, I loved incased meat. Hot dogs, chicken sausage, brats, you name it, I want to eat it. The concept of Franks N Dawgs delights me. It's '5 star dining on a bun' which means that the expert chefs have crafted unique sausages and homemade toppings and condiments to accompany them. Still don't get it? Just imagine your favorite flavors and cuisine served up hot dog style. One look at the menu and you'll realize that the folks at Franks and Dawgs have not limited themselves to the traditional meats and condiments that you find on a bun. They've got everything from a Chicken Caesar dog topped with creamy Caesar mayo to a Cheesehead brat piled high with portabella mushrooms and caramelized onions. I had the opportunity to try a handful of the artisan franks and each one had the perfect medley of flavors and the gourmet toppings that complemented the dogs perfectly. Other standouts included the beef curry dog topped with a crunchy Asian slaw and the to-die for mystery corn dog (aptly named for the fact that you have no idea what type of sausage you're getting). The corn dog is dipped in a polenta batter and fried to a golden perfection- the texture was like nothing I've ever tried. While the meat and toppings would be delicious standing alone, the toasted buns they are served on take them to the next level- seriously, next level. The buns at Franks N Dawgs really deserve their own review, they are that good. They are sort of a cross between a traditional hot dog bun and Texas toast. They are browned up on the grill right next to the dogs and what results is a bun sturdy enough to handle the meat and piled high condiments but still soft and crunchy. You just need to try it to understand. I really appreciate a restaurant that sticks to one concept and style of food and then executes it to perfection, and that's what Franks N Dawgs has done. Perfect gourmet hotdogs, scratch made toppings and hand cut fries served in a casual setting for a reasonable price. Great addition to the neighborhood. Check it out.
(5)Rick C.
This place was dope. I can see how there are comparisons with Hot Doug's, but there are distinct differences. First off, they're open later and we were able to walk right in and order our food without waiting an hour outside....for now. From the sound of things, I think business is going to pick up big time. We went nuts and ordered two dogs a piece along with fries and a drink. The only excuse I can make for ordering so much food is that I was drinking at the Cubs game all afternoon. These sausages are quite a meal. We ordered the Beef Curry sausage with orange marmalade, the Turdawgen(turkey and date sausage) with duck confit, the lamb sausage with cucumber, yogurt sauce, peas, and socca chips, and the mystery corn dog. They were all good. My favorite was the lamb. It was juicy, well spiced, and all the toppings helped accentuate the sausage. My least fav was the mystery corn dog. The sausage was a good regular beef hot dog. The polenta batter was a bit mushy. The gentleman that took our order was super cool. He was informative and made some good recommendations. Also, all sausages should be served on these buns. They held up awesomely...is that a word? I'd definitely recommend it.
(4)John W.
This place is teetering on the edge of greatness. First off, there are a lot of dogs here. An overwhelming amount, and each one is so different, it's hard to get a handle on exactly what you want. If they could figure out a mini-dog sampler plate, it would outsell everything else. I settled on the Lamb Keema and the Knocked Up. The Lamb was done up like a British occupation of an Indian staple, complete with mushy peas. I liked it, but like most British food, it could have used some more spice. The Knocked Up didn't have that issue. It came with grilled eggplant, goat cheese, salsa verde...lots of flavor. But the flavor of the knockwurst was completely lost. I should have asked to have the sausages switched. I shouldn't complain, though. I gobbled both with fries. Well, half of both. They're a touch bigger than I expected but not giant. The french fries were really, really good, and even stayed crisp after the bike ride home. I'm tempted to compare it to that other place, but they're just too different. Both have really great dogs, Franks has no desire to be a mecca for tourists and suburbanites. What it is, however, is a place to impress someone with a really great meal and no hassle.
(5)M L.
My meat-eating friends like this pace, but as an ex-meat-eater who enjoys the vegetarian recreation of a real Chicago Dog , I must warn other like-minded veggies: "Frank's 'N' Dawgs" isn't even attempting that trick. Maybe 2 slices of tofu with mushrooms on top is what modern vegans want, but I want a Hot Dog!
(2)Daniel H.
5 if a lil cheaper but sausage is great! cool staff
(4)Lisa W.
Skeptical if anyone else could do this well again. (and I happen to know the owners). But there is no AGAIN here. This is a whole new concept in "hot dog" eating that is both accessible to everyone and able to please the most discerning palate. A lifelong hot dog eater who has gone recently vegetarian, I was very pleased with their vegetarian offering (not just a soy dog), but also loved my taste of their non-veggie corn dog. And love that everything is locally made/sourced...And that sauerkraut is wonderful. This is the best thing to happen to North and Clybourn since traffic lights!
(5)John A.
I went to Franks N Dawgs a few weeks back and had an okay experience so with both me and my wife off work today, I thought it would be something different for us to do for lunch. After checking the website, it listed that Franks N Dawgs WAS OPEN on Mondays. So we drove all the way from Oak Park to find the restaurant closed with a paper sign on the door saying it will no longer be open on Mondays as of several weeks ago. Is it really too much to ask for them to update their expensive-looking website? It would probably take less time than it took to make the paper sign they taped to the door. Honestly, the food was not that good that it's worth my time to show up not knowing if the place will be open or not. Who knows what other information might be wrong on the website. If Franks N Dawgs doesn't care enough about it's customers to give them the correct hours, they certainly don't want my business. I'll be going back to Hot Doug's, at least their dogs are delicious.
(1)Nick S.
This was my second visit to Franks. The first time was pretty good, but was hoping for a encore on my second. I have to say that Franks delivered. We got the Lamb sausage, Mystery Corn Dog sausage (which was a polish), the Bratwurst, and the Truffle Fries (they're only available on weekends!) Everything was delicious, and I felt like I was going to have a heart attack after ward. The perfect finisher for a hot dog place. The dogs are just as good as the dogs at Hot Doug's. Best part is waiting a fraction of the time for the food. Can't beat that!
(4)Adam S.
Amazing gourmet hotdogs. This place is certainly worth the stop if you're in the area. I tried the 'Spoiled Brat', the 'Chicagoesque Dawg', and the 'Krazy Kimchi Dawg'. All were quite good, though the Kimchi Dawg was best. I hope I'll get a chance to try the other styles the next time I'm in Chicago. I think their prices are slightly higher than their gourmet hotdog competitor farther north, but you won't be waiting an hour in line. I do wish they stocked hot peppers, though.
(4)Jake D.
Awesome!
(5)Char Y.
We came by accident while walking by. I heard of this place before and were excited to try interesting or unusual hot dogs. We ordered mystery corn dog - loved the dog, not so much the polenta coating spicy duck dog - really good, except the pork chips on top chili fries - ok, both fries & the chili I got the above and a drink & it was $22. CRAZY! I love their dog buns, but I do agree it overtakes the dogs itself. The dogs are very yummy, but not worth the price.
(3)Jonathan G.
Look out, Hot Doug's!!! If you like hot dogs, if you like sausage, you must go to Franks and Dawgs soon. I can imagine within months there will be a long wait for this amazing new restaurant. The beef curry sausage is out of this world. The service is great, and the chefs, not cooks, know what they are doing. The buns are gourmet breads,a nd could survive on their own. Amazing combinations of flavors and ingredients with a beautiful presentation will make this place a new "it" spot. It's easy to get to as well. Go. Now.
(5)Jimmy P.
I had the honor of eating: - China Town Duck - 5/5. This sausage was juicy and perfectly cooked. - Chili Fries - 4/5. Great mild chili and good fries. - Truffle Fries - 5/5. $%#@. Crispy. Waffle. Truffle. Garlic. If I lived closer to Franks 'N' Dawgs I'd be fat.
(5)Tricia D.
Ahh, review #100 of 2013 belongs to Franks 'n Dawgs! (Cue applause) "5-star dining on a bun" is Franks 'n Dawgs slogan! Ah yes, this would explain why they have words like bechamel and remoulade on the menu and ingredients such as daikon and tarragon. They really had us at buttered brioche. Brioche buns are fantastic in their own right and definitely 1005x better than your boring, staling white hot dog bun from the supermarket. We didn't have to wait for a table, given it was 3pm on a Saturday afternoon. What was the grub for $73, you ask? Two peking duck sausages with scallions and crispy skin (the best part), a corned beef sausage with a hash brown nest and poached egg, pheasant and raisin sausage with chutney and almonds, pork and shrimp sausage with shrimp tempura on top, and sides of truffle waffle fries and cheese curds. Whew! With the exception of a 1/3 of a sausage, the 2 of us polished everything off, agreed we had overdone it calorie consumption wise, and rolled out of there. It was unanimous that the duck sausages were our favorite, and the sides rocked our socks off! As you may have noticed, be prepared for the price point. This isn't your typical hot dog stand pricing! Each one will run $10-13, but is a hearty serving. Fun side note: when you dine in, you choose a placecard from the "wall of shame" (instead of your typical black number on a white card) to indicate where the servers should send your order. Choices include Sarah Palin and the Brady Bunch.
(5)Teejay B.
I won't lie, this was our second choice for hot dogs in Chicago. Mostly because they don't sell Chicago style dogs and we had never had one before. Once we got to our first choice and the line was out the door and into the next city, we came here. Man, am I glad we did! I LOVE weird combos for normal food. Anyone who throws random stuff on a hot dog is ok in my book. For table markers, you can pick from an array of lovely pictures off the celebrity wall of shame. We, of course, chose Dennis Rodman. Although after we sat down, I noticed a picture of Britney Spears with a shaved head and was immediately bummed she didn't grace our table with her beautiful presence. We ordered the southerner and the dawg of the month, the quiche. I'll be damned if those weren't some of the finest combinations of flavors on a hog dog that I've ever had. Excuse me...hot "dawg". The southerner had a cookout feel to it with the perfect amount of BBQ sauce. It was hard to choose which one I liked more since the quiche dog had pickled onions on it. Pickled anything is the bees knees. I'm definitely glad we stumbled in to this gem of a hole in the wall. Perfection!
(5)Ashley M.
I ordered the the Banh Mi dawg and it was pretty good. The fries were subpar, we had to order regular fries because they were out of waffle fries, how annoying. Overall it was pretty good and not your typical hot dogs.
(4)Clarice W.
4.5 stars. When I reflect on my meal at Franks 'N' Dawgs I will admit that my first thoughts are of the bun. Oh, that bun!! Thick, chewy, carb heaven. I'll never look at another hot dog bun again. Now, if the bun alone is that incredible, just think about what that says about the rest of the dog... These are serious sausages with serious toppings. Every element of my Epic Pig-gasm, from the sweet bacon jam to the crispy chicharrones, was spot on. These dogs not only tapped into my street food cravings, but also provided novel tastes and textures to satisfy the foodie in me. Why choose one if you can have both!? However, I will make one small caveat - and I can't believe I'm even saying this - I almost felt like there was too much bacon. Now, hear me out: I love bacon about as much as it gets, but after my third bite I felt myself searching for more of that fantastic sausage flavor. The toppings, though amazing, did overwhelm a bit. If I return again I'll opt for another dog. If I haven't shocked you all enough with my "too much bacon" comment, I'll go out on another limb: I think these fries are overrated. Waffle fries are my all time favorite fry but I found these to be a tad on the soft side. The truffle fries everyone mentions were no better than the ones I've had elsewhere (no worse, either). Truffle fries are everywhere nowadays and Franks 'N' Dawgs is just one other business that offers them. Want to know what you don't see everywhere though? A Franks 'N' Dawgs sausage. As an out-of-towner, I guarantee you that any time I have another sausage, I'll be thinking of Franks 'N' Dawgs...and most likely, wishing I was there again.
(5)George A.
Updated review: My plan was to have the guys pick me something different every time and then give my opinion, cancel that. New plan, start on the left side of the menu and move right until I have tried everything. The reason for this is the combinations of flavors are too unique not to experience. Do not be afraid of trying a dog because you do not like one of the ingredients. Remember, these guys emphasize their background in fine dining. No single ingredient will overpower the entire dish. Every flavor is complimented and sometimes slightly offset by another. If it's your first time I recommend you order whatever you are craving that day. On your next visit you should try something different. 5 stars for variety and originality.
(5)Sarah S.
Bumping Franks N Dawgs up to the five stars they deserve. Hands down best dawgs in the city. They are so creative, flippin' delicious, friendliest staff, fantastic side items...I'm obsessed. Skip the long line at Hot Doug's and come to this tastier, less crowded specialty hot dog shop in the Goose Island area on Clyborne (within walking distance of the brewery). My Top Dawgs: Brunch Dog ($8.50) - Slagel farms pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo. Perfect for hangovers and hands down my favorite hot dog they offer. Bacon Mac n Cheese Dog ($7.50) - Bacon sausage, truffle mac n cheese with parmesan, brioche bread crumbs & thyme. They've amped this dog up a bit since the last time I tried it and it not reigns as one of my absolute favorites. I'm a huge mac & cheese fan in general but this dog has the mac & cheese with that truffle flare. Epic Porgasm ($9) - Bacon sausage, bacon jam, whiskey glazed pork belly, baconaise, chicharrons, and ham dust. Holy Pig Meat! I just tried this for the first time yesterday and it was filled with so many types of pig and this made my pig face happy. Oink oink. Special Mention: Triple Truffle Fries ($4.95) - Yukon Gold waffle cut fries, truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle salt & freshly chopped herbs. These fries are the best fries on the face on the planet. I'm not big on fries but these have my heart. They are soaked in everything truffle leading to an explosion of flavor in your mouth - no ketchup needed! And there are still SO many more hot dogs on the menu I want to try. It's hard to try new doggies when I know the fantastic ones here and always want to stick to the tried & true meats. I have yet to try the Corn Dog Flight ($7.95) or normal ol' Hot Dog Flight ($15 for 3 half dogs). Yesterday the three in the hot dog flight were Sogni di Porcellino, Tur-Doggin and the Krazy Kimchi but they are always changing. Come to Franks n Dawgs and experience what a real gourmet Chicago hot dog is! AND ---- BYOB!!!!
(5)Megan H.
I also had high expectations and felt sort of let down. I ordered the brat with the mac n cheese on top. I think there was a problem with textures since the brat had absolutely none. I wish it would have been griddled or something. The mac n cheese was decent but it did nothing for the sandwich. There needed something crunchy and bread crumbs on top didn't help. However, maybe I ordered wrong. My fiance really did like his dog. My personal feeling is that they try too hard with some of the toppings and yes, it's super pricey. Our two dogs, order of regular fries and one drink came to $25. However, the buns they use are fantastic.
(2)Jay J.
It's like they say gourmet hot dogs. You add $5 to everything just because it's "gourmet". This is o.k. and yes it's different but the receipt leaves an aftertaste....
(3)Michael N.
Saw it on Man vs. Food! I had the Krazy Kimchi Dawg and fell in love with the first bite. If you order your dog with fries, its only enough for one person FYI. I need to go back to try others! A must visit when you're in Chicago.
(5)Jason C.
Reuben Pulaski - enough said! The dog has a potato pancake on it! This place is great. Alexander, the owner, is super friendly and nice. Go here, check it out! Just as good as Hot Dougs and no 2 hour wait.
(5)Sonny S.
Stumbled upon Franks 'N' Dawgs while getting lost driving around in Lincoln Park and decided to try it out. These are the times that I don't mind getting lost, lol. Apparently, FnD has been featured on a ton of food and travel shows garnering attention for their house-made sausages and interesting flavor combinations; Seeing the accolades displayed outside, I knew I was in for a good meal - JACKPOT! The entrance can be confusing because there's a door in front of the restaurant, but that's the actually the exit. To get to the entrance, you have to go down a creepy little alley. Once you're in, the space is small with booths on both sides of the restaurant. The menu is posted on the wall and you place your order at the window; when your order's ready, they bring your food to the table. It took me forever to choose what I wanted -- everything looks so damn good! Try to come in a group so you can sample more items. TRIPLE TRUFFLE FRIES waffle fries + truffle oil + truffle butter + truffle salt = HOW CAN YOU GO WRONG? BRUNCH DOG This is the quintessential breakfast hot dog and comes topped with Slagel farms pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo; that runny yolk makes this dish with the sweetness from the maple mayo EPIC PORK-GASM If you're a pork lover like me, you will LOVE this dog; they use pork SIX ways here - GENIUS; it comes with Bacon sausage, bacon jam, whiskey glazed pork belly, baconaise, chicharrons, and ham dust note: you will need a nap afterwards DOUBLE DUCKER This was one of the more decadent dogs we ordered and came with duck sausage, duck confit salad, pickled shiitake mushrooms, foie gras torchon and maple mustard; absolutely rich and delicious - the acidity from the pickled shiitakes balanced the richness from the other components I can't really pick one that I liked more than the other; everything was that good and the best part? They toast their buns like ones you'll find when you get lobster rolls. The rolls were so buttery, toasty and warm - can't wait to go back and try the other dogs!
(4)Piya P.
Three stars might be too generous.. Can I give them 2.5 stars?! I went in on a Wednesday around 1pm. I understand that they probably just went through a lunch rush hour but they should clean off the tables regardless! After picking out my Sammy Sosa table thing, all I saw was garbage and dirty dishes on most of the tables while I was trying to find a seat. I ordered the taco dawg. The toppings were tasty and my first couple bites were pretty awesome. But then, when I got closer to the center of the sausage, it was still a bit undercooked!! I pointed out to one of the workers but he said it's the marinade or seasoning that makes the sausage look pinkish red inside. Umm NO! It was pink AND mushy on the inside. I've handled food before, I know the difference between cooked and uncooked meat.. Blehh. Lost my appetite, didn't even want to order anything else so I left the place very hangry. The truffle fries were awesome though, would definitely go back for those.
(3)Drew M.
The few times I've been to this place, it's always been a lot emptier than it should be. If I somehow controlled the consciousness of a large enough group of people via some hive-mind deal, this joint would be packed from opening to closing. Many, many highlights, but to me the most compelling reason to come is the bacon mac 'n' cheese dog. Not only is the bacon sausage the most efficient, inventive solution to the false choice between bacon and sausage -- the truffle mac 'n' cheese is really, really sublime. Like, I'm not that big a fan of mac 'n' cheese, but I'd eat this one by the heap. And on top of a bacon sausage? Come on, does the pope -- I'm not going there. Another gem, to me anyway, is the Julia Child dog with the steak au poivre sausage and a really awesome cognac something something sauce. It's a wonderful feast of flavors that really makes you wish the dogs were a bit larger here. The truffle parmesan fries are also an utter delight and some of the best I've had anywhere. The hot-dog buns are also perfectly toasted and richly buttery. The downside? The wait might be a little long for a hot dog -- but that's kind of the norm at many brick-and-mortar gourmet-hot-dog establishments; especially ones with such a range of products. No matter; they're more than worth the wait.
(5)Jamie B.
Unique hot dog options. Different textures and flavors! Prepare for messy but amazing! I had the Julia's love child that had asparagus on top! Hard to find and a little on the divey side. They have a dog with a fried egg on top! Service was mediocre. Instead of getting a number or giving a name for your order they have pictures of defamed celebrities such as Dennis Rodman or Lindsey Logan! Lol! They carry Argo tea and coke products. The signage is very confusing one saying they are open until 9pm and the other sign saying open until 5pm....
(4)Lisa N.
I went here with a group of friends since it gets great reviews and it is open later than Hot Doug's. As a group, I think we tried (and shared) just about every dog on the menu. What can I say, Hot Doug's has spoiled us. This place tries but does not succeed. At all. Except for the brussel sprout salad and the truffle fries, which were the only redeeming parts of the meal. The menu items are generally overpriced, too. The only reason I could see going back to Franks 'N' Dawgs is for the brussel sprout salad if I had already paid to park somewhere in the neighborhood.
(1)R. N.
While it may be a bit of a rip off of Hot Doug's, it's really good and more convenient to downtown. I've eaten here a number of times and pretty much everything is delicious. Staff is nice too, kid friendly, just great.
(5)Chrisna A.
This is the best dining option there is along the desolate stretch of Clybourn between Cortland/Racine and North. Not that that's much of a compliment, but I actually really like this place. The truffle fries in particular are great. One of the special hot dogs, the wonderful fries, and a drink will easily clear $15. This may seem pricey, but I haven't had many $15 meals in Chicago (or anywhere, for that matter) that I've enjoyed as much or more than the one I had here.
(5)Nick M.
-5 Stars. 2 weekends ago me and my 4 friends met up and went to try Franks N Dawgs. We all had one of the sausage meals with french fries. At the time we were eating we were pretty impressed with the food - especially the unique buns used which were a nic
(1)Seeshil P.
Came here for my birthday once and this place was awesome. I had about two specialty dawgs and they were both amazing.
(5)Nicole M.
Came here on a Sunday afternoon, place wasn't that busy, just a couple people. Staff there was pretty friendly. I got the brunch dog and my boyfriend got the cheesehead also got some cheese fries. The brunch dog was good, very messy. Probably the only thing I would eat on the menu besides a hot dog. My boyfriend said the cheesehead was just average nothing wowing... He wished he got something more crazy. And the cheese fries were alright, just some soggy fries with melted cheese.
(3)Scott S.
excellent. didn't know what to expect. didn't seek it out. went in for a 'snack' after trader joes (across the street). had the dog with mac & cheese on it. 'twas yummy and a good snack for 2. surely a good meal for 1. fries looked great at next table over. ALL of the dawgs looked and sounded (description wise) great and yummy. will gladly go when shopping at tj in the future.
(4)Jason A.
Brunch dog - Amazing and unique. Mac&Cheese - Best ever. Truffle fries - Holy $H*T!! Expensive for a "hot dog" place, but it's not exactly a "hot dog" place.
(5)Loc H.
fast service, great buns, great hot dog! i had the mac n cheese truffle dog and it was everything i had hoped for. it was so big, i had to eat the toppings off with a fork. the bun is what really does it for me though... both sides completely buttered to perfection, and the toast on the crust... so amazing. can't wait to be back in chi town!
(5)Paul C.
The poor man's Hot Dougs--except for it's not, because the dogs are at least as expensive if not more. I'd be the first to admit I like what they're trying here. Gourmet hot dogs shouldn't only belong to Hot Doug for him to meter out at his whim. Why must all of Chicago wait in long lines for delicious hot dogs? More places should try to do what Doug does. In terms of idea, Franks gets an A for effort, but a D for nice try. The food here looks great, gourmet ingredients and probably the best buns I've had in Chicago. Unfortunately the sausages themselves just don't deliver on taste. How can you serve me an exotic sausage with truffle oil and various gourmet spices and have it taste bland? So, so sad. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by, but this is not worth a special trip for. For now, Hot Doug maintains his tyrannical grip on the most delicious sausages in Chicago.
(2)Athene C.
Went in with high expectations and left disappointed. Pleased that there was no line, since considering that we live near Hot Doug's was a huge plus. I ordered a bratwurst with a beet salad on top. My husband had the Spicy Yucatan and coleslaw. The brat was completely forgettable. It had no distinct flavor and no snap when you bit into it. The beet salad was so huge (in quantity and cut of the beets) that I needed a fork just to be able to eat it. And the bun was what appeared to be Texas toast. !?!?!?!!? It also came with an orange marmalade. Very sweet ... very off putting. I describe this restaurant as an encased meat emporium more concerned with what goes on top of the sausage than the flavor of the sausage itself. It is a poor man's Hot Doug except that Hot Doug's is half the price. Cute decor. Pretentious dogs. Wouldn't go back.
(2)Gina S.
I just ate there the other day and wow, was I impressed. This is not your average hot dog stand. Everything was delicious! I will be making many more trips here over the years. The truffle fries were outstanding!!!.
(4)Paul L.
the Tur-Doggin and Belly-Up were so good I had to quiet everyone at my table so I could let the fucking goodness soak in. Pardon my french, but fuckin-a it's good. Truffle fries were meh. Try the chipotle/ketchup mix they have at the tables. Duck Confit and Porkbelly don't equal cheap dogs people, you should know that.
(5)KChicagoan S.
I was so excited to check this place out - and on the Sunday before I start the big "get ready for summer diet," this was my choice for my so-called "last meal." I got the brat topped with truffle mac n' cheese and my husband got the spicy yucatan. the brat was fine - i've had johnsonville's straight from jewel that taste exactly the same. The mac n' cheese was fine, but nothing over the top. My husband's "spicy" yucatan should have been called the flavorless yucatan. the sausage has absolutely NO flavor - the only thing either of us could taste was the avocado, and for $9, the expectations were set pretty high. We ordered 2 dogs, 1 order of the truffle fries (which were actually pretty good, but came in at $4.95 for a single order) and 1 soda and ended up spending $25. We left feeling ripped off, unimpressed and still hungry. I doubt I'll ever visit this place again...
(2)Wesley H.
Awesome. It's inevitable to make comparisons with Hot Doug's. I'll say this: the buns here (which aren't actually buns), beat Hot Doug's--it's actually a THICK buttery toast sliced down the middle. So does the lack of long lines. Parking is less convenient, however. Expect to spend a little more for a hot dog and sides though, $10+. However, these are pretty hefty dogs. Service here is fantastic. The guy at the cash register (the owner?) is super friendly and very willing to explain the menu to you. He also recognized me on my second visit, which gets extra points. Their changing menu has plenty of interesting categories and themes, including an Iron Chef challenge, a charity dog, and certain items only available on certain days. The atmosphere is clever, with celebrity tiles handed to you to identify your order and urban photography and artwork on the walls. Lots of red, like a hot dog joint should be. Fits into the Lincoln Park scene pretty well. I like judging places by their fries, and I gotta say their fries are some of the best I've had, a really nice brown crisp, but still retains the softness that fries should have. Reminds me of Demon Dogs, kinda (tear). The "grown-up" special ketchup goes great with the fries too. I've tried about 6 of their dogs, but the best dog I've had is the Brunch Dog. Never seen an egg between two buns before (ho ho!), but it works super well. The maple mayo is exquisite! Adds a breakfast syrup taste to the combination. The owner (I think) came out to talk to us after we finished, and you can tell he just loves his job. That's ALWAYS something I love seeing. He told us about starting up several months ago and how tough it was dealing with former "It's the Beef" customers coming by, but explaining how he's really enjoying earning confidence from the community. Definitely going back when I'm in town.
(5)Jeff R.
Why can't I just have a damn hot dog? Why does everything have to be a foodie deconstructionist creation? There's nothing more annoying than a gourmet take on food for normal people. That said, it was pretty good. A creative presentatio to be sure, but it took FOREVER to get my food! (Hence the three star rating.) I walked in not knowing it was a fancy-schmany hot dog place. I just wanted some dinner, quick, as I was on break from work. Also, too pricey for what it was. I am not hating on it. It just was not the experience I was looking for today.
(3)Emily S.
Because I dragged my husband to Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Crate & Barrel and Home Depot on a home improvement day, I let him choose our lunch stop. Frank n' Dawgs it was. I had the dog topped with truffled mac and cheese. I felt the mac and cheese could have had more truffle flavor, but overall it was good. I really liked the buns - toasty and thick and kind of reminded me of Texas toast in hot dog bun form. The fries were fantastic. I definitely felt a little queasy later - I think the richness of the sausage and the mac and cheese and the thick bun were a little too much for my stomach. I'd go back, but would probably opt for something a little simpler next time.
(3)Neal K.
I've passed by this place 100 times and never gave it a thought until darting in out of the snow during a one of many holiday shopping trips last month. I thought to myself yeah, this place has "gourmet" dogs. We'll see. I've gotta tell you the care these folks put into creating these flavor combinations is impressive. The owner an Aussie seems to really love what he's doing here - and I do too! Highlights so far - Pig Latin with pork sausage, glazed pork belly and cabbage slaw, Kimchi Dog with beef sausage, brazed short rib and house-made mild kimchi. I really liked the ketchipotle with the fries and the caraway and carrot slaw. You really feel like you're eating something worthwhile sitting in this place. Also love the music - 5 of my top 10 favorite bands played on the loudspeakers the first time i visited this joint! You've gotta love someone who is so excited to share his passion with you. He even takes the utmost of care holding your basket of fries with 2 hands as he places it down in front of you as if it were a fragile treasure brought from a faraway place just for you. I've been back once a week since...
(5)Richie D.
So I have given up on trying to get in the doors of Hot Dougs, at least temporarily. I heard of Franks 'n Dawgs through chit-chatting with Nicole V. and after finding the hidden 'alley' entrance. I had a few things on my Yelp check-list: 1) French Fries--Check! They are cut and fried twice in house, while being not too greasy, yet greasy enough to taste all the oil goodness. 2) Pay attention to the Bun--Check! All of their dawgs are served on their lightly toasted bread which is baked fresh daily. 3) Savor the Sauces--Check! Their sauces are made specifically for eat dawg recipe. 4) Tur-Doggin'--Check! I loooove anything replaced with turkey, so a turkey and date sausage, with crispy duck confit, herb garlic aioli, house pickled onion relish & pickled carrots is heaven. Actually, it was almost too much for my taste buds with the confit that I could only have a few bites :X. Shhh don't tell! Thankfully my partner finished it off. 5) Lamb Keema Dog--Check! When I have a taste for lamb, I gotta have it. This dog pleased my desires with a lamb stuffed sausage, english peas, cucumber salad, pearl onions & socca. Truly delectable and unique to say the least! Each of the cooks wears their fun chef uniforms and truly take pride in their jobs--it shows. I love that on their website you can suggest your ideas of a future dawg. If you win they give you a $75 gift card and a dollar for each hot dog sold! If I could change anything about Franks 'n Dawgs it'd be the location since it's not too easy to get to without a car. On another note, it may be a good thing being that these hot dogs are...hot dogs...and addictive. After all, FnD is in the most appropriate city possible since Chicago is home to the hot dog!
(5)Zach Y.
One of the main reasons I miss living in chicago. They do gourmet encased meat better than anyone. LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. Also they are one of the few places I have been that actually makes truffle fries that are worth the price. The place is an orgiastic feast for the senses. Way better than hot dougs without the 2 hr wait
(5)Teresa T.
Weiners so juicy they'll make you blush. Awesome food, crazy amazing buns, and laid back staff. A little pricey, but totally worth the quality.
(5)Kato t.
Who'd a thought good ol street food like hot dogs could be GOURMET?? I mean, it is a true testament to the human spirit, where a man can actually transform hot dogs into a premium taste in your mouth that is equal to heavenly fine dining. Also, the selection on the menu is mind boggling; I didn't know you could do so many dam things to a HOT DOG!! The two that are always particularly good to me are the "FU DOG" which happens to be vegetarian, and the "CHINA TOWN DOG" which is a Chinese 5 spice duck sausage, pickled lotus roots, scallion radish slaw & Mae Ploy chili sauce. There's like 50 more on the menu if you can come enough to try em all. I think it's one of Chicago's treasures and fine treats, I feel Chi Town citizens are lucky to have access to it. Alexander the owner is such a gentle guy, that you can't but help enjoy the food even more because you internally feel the food has been prepared with love. He's a quite and kind dude and he's happy to have you, that's a big plus in my book. And speaking of sweet, the deserts are to die for. Nothing like a filling gourmet hot dog to be followed with a gourmet piece of heaven for desert. The one desert I like in particular is the "SWEET HOME CHICAGO" which is French toast, stuffed with chocolate ice cream, bananas, kiwis, strawberries, freeze dried mango, chopped almonds & butterscotch sauce. I think it's a great family place to enjoy a fun eat that's unique only to Chicago. And it's even a better place to hang with friends and celebrate good times with some tasty eating. I always feel like taking some more home to go but unfortunately the food is not really meant to go, it's meant for you to come on in, comfortably gorge on a sweet feast, go out happy. Then come back again and enjoy it all over again. Which...! I shall happily do. Thanks for comin here to Chicago, Frank n Dawgs. We own you now! You're OUR treasure ;D
(4)Maggie J.
I had so many great meals on my recent trip to the Midwest, but this place stands out among the rest. The passion and energy that Alexander, the owner, puts into this place is contagious. From the carefully and creatively crafted menu to the gourmet chipotle ketchup, this place gets it unbelievably right on all counts. I ordered the truffle mac' n' cheese dog and the waffle cut truffle fries, which I'm still dreaming and salivating about almost a week later. The staff is unbelievably patient and helpful, so my recommendation is to take your time when ordering and check out the pictures of all their amazing gastronomic creations on the ipad at the register. Your fellow diners will understand if it takes a while to navigate the impressive menu of what I dub as "food porn"! This is an absolute "must-go-to" destination restaurant for anyone living in or visiting Chicago. An added bonus is that it's directly across from the Crate and Barrel Outlet! I have only 2 regrets about this place: 1) that I can't give it more than 5 stars and 2) that it's over 2,000 miles from where I live (which is actually probably a VERY good thing for my waistline)!
(5)Joe B.
I dig this place. Shit, I excavate this place! More so than Hot Dougs, which isn't meant to take anything away from them. Huge list of gourmet sausages, larger than Hot Doug's 8 sausage list. They serve the sausage on a toasted roll, not on an ordinary hot dog bun. This is a great touch which makes the eating experience elevated a notch. Try the Truffle Oil Waffle Fries. "Christ on Water!" Delicious. Nice, clean interior with character, nice, motivated staff.
(5)b t.
It's so hard to not compare this with other housemade sausage shops in town, especially when the other one's sooooooooo good, but i'll try to keep this FnD centric and keep the comparison's till the end (if you make it that far) I've been in to F n D's many times - 6-7 probably. They have a great range of selections, both in general, and seasonally (BLT dog is my favorite dog here, but in the winter it comes off the menu because you can't get a tomato worth it's weight in salt in Chicago till summer). The sausages are good, and although the flavor combos of toppings SOUND good, i've been left wondering what would this have tasted like if the toppings were done right! Here's a couple specific examples of what i'm talking about. Smokin Trout - Good flavor, great trout, great smokiness - toppings worked out great with the trout, but i think the trout was sitting in the rear most part of the refrigerator, and was only scooped out the split second before it was served to me because I swear, like Flick, I thought my tongue was going to stick to it with the first bite. it was FREEZING cold. Now, I'm absolutely one for sanitary conditions, and not leaving things like smoked trout salad next to the grill for three days, but it was a shock. first because it wasn't a sausage (WHAT?), secondly because it was sooo cold, it was completely unenjoyable. The Southerner - why on earth is there cornbread, on TOP of this dog? hint - ditch the bun, and serve this ON cornbread. Peking Duck - I swear i thought the puffed rice were little fried worms or something crazy for the first couple bites of this dog. This definitely was one of the better dogs I've had here. Great flavor combination, for some reason i think it was double cased (i know it wasn't), because the casing on the sausage seemed to be much harder to get through than most - this is a good dog though - if you go, try it, you won't be disappointed. Da Ringer - Good sausage. Bacon on top? Winner! Sides? I know, 95% of the people that read this would smack me in the face, but when there are all these sausages to pick from, I'd rather double down on dogs and skip the fried taters, pickles, curds, etc... I had the Red Beans once...that'll never happen again. If you like fries I hear they're good. Overall FnD's is a good lunch spot if you're in the area. I think FnD's could benefit from a little more salt IN the sausages. They use great meat, have great combinations of spices in the sausages, but sometimes, i just wish there was a little salt in the meat to perk up the flavors. Final scores Sausages - that's what this place is all about right? 4 stars toppings (more the execution of said toppings) - 3 stars overall options and selection - 4 stars Just a little tweaking and this place could soar, you certainly can't beat the fact that you're not waiting outside for 30 minutes to get in, but i think there's a reason why you're not. As for the comparison between this and the other local shop, i'll just say this, I've never been sitting in the other shop, thinking about FnD's sausages, but pretty much every time I'm in FnD's, I'm thinking about HD's.
(3)vivian c.
Like many others, we've driven by and never noticed it until andrew zimmern reviewed it on his show. So it's a little more pricey than hot doug's, but: 1) the line is 15" tops 2) gourmet chef, amazing combinations of often homemade sausages, great bun 3) across the street from trader joe's so we go before doing our grocery shopping 4) we've seen families chowing down- is kid-friendly and there are veggie-dogs too! YUM!
(5)Kelly H.
Yes. This was my husband's pick for lunch (let's face it, encased meat is typically a man thing) and although I was skeptical, I enjoyed every bite. It was hard to decide what to try, but we both loved our choices (he had the Krazy Kimchi and I had one of the "Iron Dog" specials) We ordered the truffle fries and sad to say they were kinda disappointing. I would have liked a truffle mayo or some sort of sauce with them. One other downside--we ordered a kids meal for our daughter and they forgot the fries which came with it. We eventually got them after asking 2 times but by that time we had all finished our dogs. We are big Hot Doug fans, but now that we have the kid standing in the line that long doesn't work for us. This place obviously has a better location. It is kinda expensive, maybe they gotta pay for that LP space, but I think the ingredients are probably worth it. It's fun too--instead of taking a number to your table so they can bring out your order you pick a disgraced celebs picture. Go.
(4)Lisa T.
Oh. my. lord. This place seriously just keeps stepping it up a notch. The variety of sides they have now is phenomenal and they are even offering a few somewhat healthy side options in case you're actually trying to avoid a heart attack. The brussel sprouts salad is my new favorite side, period. As in, my new favorite side salad in GENERAL, not just at F'n'D. The shaved brussel sprouts, pine nuts, and parmesan are a combo I would have never thought of and oh is it good. Go for the brussel sprouts over the coleslaw every time people! After a nice chat with the manager/owner who regularly works the register (who's name I forget....again...I suck....), he told me that they are also turning the beet/goat cheese salad that tops one of the dawgs into it's own side salad. Which is surely going to be awesome. Now, let's be honest, despite my complete love for the brussel sprouts salad, the side you all really want is the triple truffle fries. They are waffle fries (the very, very best type of fry, period) in all their truffle glory. (Fri-Sun only, just FYI). I somehow haven't managed to sample the truffle mac and cheese so far, but it's very safe to say that I will be making it happen sometime this winter. Another review update to come!
(5)Daniel M.
My second review of this place and it still blows my mind every time. The past few times I have been there they have added more tasty additions to the menu. The new additions of the Perennially Pork, the Spicy Yucatan, the Jorge and Le Cassoulet are all fantastic. The greatness never stops with this place, I also finally got around to trying the Peking Duck, which was also amazing. Finally tried the truffle fries which were amazing. Dont put ketchup on them if you get them, it totally kills the rich truffle flavor. I have been here countless times, as I work a block away. I can't wait to see what future creations they come up with. And as always the staff is very polite and willing to answer any questions and walk you through their menu. Like a true showman, this place always leave me wanting more.
(5)Ashley K.
Hmm. I'm not sure where to start with this place. This is another place that I so wanted to love but I just don't. I am an admitted Hot Doug's addict but I went in fully willing to give this place a shot at competing for my love. I liked that we only waited about 3 minutes in line and then about 10 to get our food. But that's pretty much where it ended for me. I ordered the Turdoggin, after a painstaking decision between that, the N'awlins Dog, and one of the Iron Dawg competitors, whose name escapes me. I should have stuck with my sausage rule that pork is generally best. But I didn't, and opted for the Turdoggin. The sausage was a slightly weird consistency for me and had a faint metallic taste, reminiscent of liver. No good. The casing was also pretty tough and was difficult to bite through. The duck confit was not confit-ed enough for me: it was cold and not particularly tender. I will say that I was crazy about the bun they used. Buttery and delicious. Unfortunately, the bun should not be the high point of a gourmet hot dog. Now, the truffle fries. I may have mentioned once or twice that I love fries. Little known fact about me: I have a jar of truffle salt that I may or may not eat out of my palm on a near daily basis. Clearly these puppies should have been the things that dreams were made of. But they weren't. The fries were hot and crisp, and I love me a waffle fry, but they seriously lacked on truffle flavor. How, you ask, is that possible when these things are coated in truffle butter, truffle oil and truffle salt? I'm not sure either. I just know they weren't. For regular fries they were good, but at $4.95 - I want my truffleness. There are a lot of dogs that sound tasty so I'm certainly willing to give this place another go, especially because the wait time was minimal compared to Hot Dougs (not that I mind the wait there. See Hot Dougs review). Plus, I want to give the truffle fries another whirl, as I'm hoping I just got a less than truffley batch. Don't disappoint me again Franks N Dawgs.
(2)Victor M.
I really like their buns and I appreciate the short wait. But I'm sorry to say I'm still a fan of Hot Dougs. The different combinations of ingredients is good, but not the best. I didn't get Wow'd like I anticipated. And this place is rather pricey. Triple Truffle Checker Fries attack was more like.. a handful of squirty squirty Truffle Oil Checker fries. This place can fulfill my cravings... but not really the best.
(3)B C.
My jaw dropped and I may have drooled a little on the floor. I once was blind but now I see... I've been living in hot dog mediocrity my entire life. Finally, they've taken it to a higher level. Here's one way to look at it. Imagine the McDonalds quarter pounder is the only burger you've ever had, and then one day, you seize a burger at Kuma's Corner. It's a culinary evolution so distant that they're practically 2 different species. Franks 'n' Dawgs has hot dog creations for every taste, every mood. I had some of the Reuben Pulaski and some of the Krazy Kimchi. It's a bittersweet experience because while both were outstanding, among the best dogs I've had in my life, they're also competing with about 20 other equally appealing options. Next time I have to try something new. You could choose randomly from their menu and be happy with the outcome. The set-up is casual and fun too. We had the dubious honor of being the Casey Anthony table.
(5)Chris S.
Look out Hot Doug's, there's competition in town! I had the spicy duck dog and my sis had the foss hog. We split cheese fries. The dogs were good. I wouldn't say out of this world, but definitely good. Having the kitchen run by a "fine-dining refugee chef" means nice attention to detail. Like well-grilled buns for the dogs and real, but not excessive amounts of, cheese on the fries. I walked away from lunch feeling satisfied--not greasy, not stuff--and that is always a sign of food done well. I'll be back to this spot, hopefully before the rest of Chicago goes nuts over it.
(4)Paul S.
Franks 'N' Dawgs definitely changed the way I see hotdogs. Never again I will probably be satisfied with just a regular dog. Maybe it's because I'm a sucker for gourmet sandwiches but this place, man, their dogs were awesome! I don't care that we had to fight our way through a thunderstorm and eat my hotdog soaking wet..... it was well worth it. I ordered the spicy duck sausage and about 5 minutes through our order Alexander, the owner, courteously told us that they didn't have the spicy duck sausage anymore so I just went for my second choice, the Lamb Keema. He was so sorry about what happened that he even gave us a complimentary corndog! So now about the food. The Lamb Keema was amazing, I don't think there are other words that can describe that hotdog. It was so juicy and tender, just perfect. And the homemade bread it was wrapped in was the best hotdog bun I've ever had too. Buttery, soft, and even a little crunchy. Now, about that corndog... Best corndog ever and I've had my fair share with corndogs. Polenta battered and a succulent Polish sausage inside? Come on now... You'll wind up ignoring those state fair corndogs after having this one. So if you're in Chicago, want some good vibes, a gourmet hotdog experience, nice people, and great customer service... head down to Franks 'N' Dawgs. You won't regret it.
(5)Lois A.
I had the Lamb Keema and the Dirty Dog. I wanted to try the Dirty Dog because it sounded great but also because by buying that special dog some proceeds would be donated to Paws....that's awesome. The Lamb Keema was by far my favorite. The cucumber salad and peas on it tasted great and it was moist and juicy. It tasted the way I'd hoped it would taste. The buns were great and the fries were good. I also enjoyed the cole slaw. The Dirty Dog is Andouille with dirty rice, hush puppies and cherry tomato relish. Loved the dirty rice and cherry tomato relish but would probably order a different dog next time. The Cheese-Head looked excellent. Service was great and this place was spotless. I'd want to give 3-3.5 stars for the food but the service is why I'm giving 4. The people here couldn't be nicer.
(4)Josiah R.
I've been here twice now, once with the woman and once with g'ma. Both times my world was rocked. While I wish fries were included, I can easily overlook that because I had a peking duck dog and my taste buds were driven wild. I've also had the Masala Dawg, and that has been my favorite thus far. Grandma had the naw'leans dawg and she said it was a taste of her childhood in MS. $9 seems steep for a 'hot dog' but it's not just a hot dog. It's an experience, one that I wouldn't mind having again and again. You won't see stuff like this anywhere else. I try to hit em up every 2-3 months. Every bite of each one I've tried is legit, and their fries are very good, too.
(5)Ray P.
I was home ill. * cough cough * Aaaaand, around lunch time I got hungry. Starve a fever, feed a cold? Or, something like that. I wanted a hot dog. And, I was in no mood to sit in the drive-thru lane at "bor-dill-oh's" (you get my drift). * ding * "What was that place the fat, bald bug and worm eatin' dude from Travel Channel went to with Kevin the Pang? FrankNsteins? Franks and beans? Franks N Dawgs! * ding ding ding ding ding !* I hop into my jalopy and head up Clybourn. I walked in the "front door" (this, folks, is where America lags behind other countries in edu-ma-cation -- I did NOT read the instructions to walk down the alley to the "entrance". Duh). I did not do my research, as I was assaulted by a menu with too many choices and not enough time. The register-dude, sensing my dazed confusion asks (quite politely, I might add, and in an Aussie accent, which further confused me), "First time here?" Sheepishly, I respond, "Ayup." He excitedly runs down the menu, informing me that they do make their own sausages in-house, and those sandwiches are denoted by chef's hats on the menu. That did not further filter it down, and, using his spidey-sense offers, "Our most popular is the Brunch Dog." Pork loin breakfast sausage with Cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & drizzled with maple mayo. They had me at "pork...." So, I ordered my brunch dog, with a small fries, and a small drink (note: refills are available...small drink will suit you just fine). And, I select Hassselhoff as my order indicator (if you dine in, in order to match you up to your order, you select from the 'celebrity wall of disdain' -- Lilo, Nick Nolte, Pee Wee Herman, Sarah Palin, The Brady Bunch -- and stick the placard on your table. They will find you, believe me). The wait's not too long...of course, the joint is not terribly busy on a Wednesday afternoon at 1PM. Waiting at my table, I notice other patrons' food around me -- the Lyonnaise fries look interesting, the truffle mac-n-cheese smells pretty darn good. Then I get my sandwich -- The Brunch (unch unch unch) Dog (og og og) (echo echo echo...hello hello hello? Manny Moto moto moto). It looks good. Very good, in fact, topped with a fried egg, chunks of bacon strewn throughout, good hefty drizzle of maple mayo. First bite -- messy. The pork loin sausage is pork-y (one critique -- season that bad boy before putting it into the casing, and possibly while cooking it), meat-y, but a bit underwhelming had it been alone on a bun. The bacon "chunks" (more like bits) are bacon-y goodness and quite tasty, lending a nice crunchy, fatty, unctuous texture. Fried egg? Lovely (NEEDS SEASONING). The surprise was the maple mayo -- who'd have thunk maple and mayonnaise as a sauce? I could've used more as a dipping sauce. And, I love the bun! Unique shape. Holds ingredients well. And.....wait for it....flat-bottomed, so your whole sandwich doesn't just roll over. Brilliant. The fries. Good, not great. Mostly underwhelming. Why, you might ask? BECAUSE THEY NEEDED SEASONING (getting a sense of a theme here?). However, they have these two ketchup mash-ups, one with jalapeno and the other with chipotle, that were fantastic. Why didn't I get one of the other , specialty fry dishes (i.e., truffled or lyonnaise)? At $5 and $7 respectively, it was a bit more expensive than I would've like to pay for fries, and there's quite a bit -- more a dish to share than for one. I know, I know, 4 stars. I DO like FnD, but I do want to go back and try some other sandwiches, and maybe those lyonnaise fries. But, I am a fan, and outside of a bald, bug-eating, fat dude's recommendation to eat there, I will go again. Maybe I'll try one of the "contest" sandwiches (where they pit sausage creations from local chefs against each other). Well done, Franks 'n' Dawgs. Well done. P.S., if you've ever seen Hot Tub Time Machine, every time I say, "Franks 'N' Dawgs," it feels like I'm saying, "....sux c*** -n- d***."
(4)Zac G.
This place has redefined the hot dog in such a delicious way. The ingredients and sauces are great, and I love the buns.
(5)Eric M.
My mouth is watering just remembering my visit here. The selection of hot dogs is pretty large. All have a very interesting flavor combinations, so don't expect just a simple dog when you come here. I really like the fact that they have a chef's challenge. I was told they have two dogs a month that are creations by chefs from well known restaurants. My wife actually went with the Hoss Dog which was a pork sausage with bacon, maple mayo, and a fried egg on top. It was outstanding. I went with one of their local options the Tur-Doggin. This turkey dog is topped with duck confit and a picked carrot relish. It too was outstanding. We also had the cheese fries which were ok, but not as interesting as their dogs so they seem a little plain. I'm really looking forward to going back here and trying all of these amazing creations.
(4)K B.
This place is worth repeat visits. First, the place is small and cozy and you're greeted by a friendly and knowledgeable cashier. Second, truffle fries. Good god! and I don't even like fries. Third, the condiments on the table are best left alone, serving solely as decor. Fourth, dude these dogs are good. We tried the Lamb-orghini, the Pork of July, and the Krazy Kimchi. Each were delicious, though the Lamb-orghini was the standout of the 3, although the Kimchi paired best with the bun. The challenge for both the Pork and the Kimchi is getting both meats in one bite, which is probably why I preferred the Lamb. I'll be trying the Brunch and the Tur-Doggin next time.
(5)Heather K.
Wow, this place exceeded my expectations. First off, the brussel sprout side dish is amazing. Must learn how to make this.... I went with a party of three and we tried the Vegetarian option, tofu with portobello and a pesto sauce, the macaroni and cheese sausage, chicken cesar sausage, truffle fries, cheese fries, and the brussel sprout salad. Everything was tasty, everything was quick, everything was devoured in under 10 mins. Truffle fries and brussel sprout salad are great side dishes. The buns are sooo good. I can only speak for the vegetarian option and while it was good I would appreciate it if they took a stab at creating a meatless version of a dog or sausage rather than a few pieces of tofu. Either way, I'd absolutely order it again and so would my companions.
(4)Dell C.
You must try the "lamb-bergini" sausage. Do yourself a favor - taste it first! The lamb flavor is so perfect, you won't want to add any condiments!
(5)betsy b.
It's worth coming here for the truffle fries alone. They are an amazing bowl of goodness. The dogs themselves weren't bad but they were completely overpowered by the massive bun that filled me up too fast. I went with the cheese head (brat with onions, portabellas and gouda) and my husband had the daringer (some german sausage with bacon fat on it).....I think he was a little turned off by the bacon fat but the sausage was really tasty. The line doesn't move too fast but once you order the food comes out really quick. I need more of those fries!!!!!
(4)John R.
Everything about Frank and Dawgs is carefully crafted, from their non-traditional gourmet hot-dogs to their equally gourmet appetizers and sides. I would only extend the word "gourmet" to the food and its preparers, as the atmosphere is everything you would want in a hot dog joint-- relaxed and conveniently located with friendly, upbeat staff. Each dog and side has a number of gourmet ingredients, each well thought out and working with the dish. You will have a hard time picking a dog and side as the variety is tremdous. The truffle fries are fantastic but I wouldn't rule out the Brussel Sprouts Salad or the Creole red beans. I prefer Frank and Dawgs to Hot Doug's, though I am still a big fan of both. I have seen a few gimmicky imitation hot dog joints that boast non-traditional ingredients, but don't come anywhere close to these two in taste and quality. There's a care in their gourmet ingredients that just is not matched. Dawgs meets and exceeds Doug's in both taste, quality, variety, and presentation. It's my preference. They're both fantastic, but I find Frank and Dawgs to be a little more fresh. Though it's slightly more expensive, it has normal operating hours and accepts credit/debit. So you don't have to have a day off to get Dawgs during the week and you won't have to wait an hour just to order on the weekend. Doug's is delicious, but their preparation is a little sloppy at times. You will never get a smashed bun at Dawgs as their MO would never allow it. On the flip side, hot dog purest might not like that the bun more closely resembles a carefully constructed texas-toast-like hoagie, but this is a plus to me. Again, I am a fan of both Doug's and Dawgs, it's just nice to be able to get a great Hot Dog on my own time. Going to Doug's is a huge production, whereas Dawgs is anything but.
(4)Jason C.
Despite what several other reviewers state, Franks 'n' Dawgs is NOT just another sausage joint trying to compete with Hot Doug's. It's more like the Kuma's Corner of sausages-- the solid base sausages are made extra special by excellent choices in toppings, condiments, and buns. My personal favorite here is the Foss Hog: a pork link covered with smoked bacon, a fried egg and maple mayo on a brioche-style bun. Yes, this is real. Yes, you need it in your mouth. I've tried a good percentage of the menu, and I haven't had anything to complain about. Delicious sausages, friendly service, and a good-sized seating area make this a unique alternative to the city's other sausage powerhouse.
(5)Dan A.
Hidden gem! You like dogs hit this place!
(5)Anthony N.
Good LORD!! Thess dawgs are truly a slice of heaven!! the Kimchi is delicious and the breakfast sausage is to die for. Seriously, hands down the best. The staff was really nice and 10/10 just perfect !!! This place should be a Chicago landmark! Listen, If you are in Chicago and you do not go grab a dawg at Frank 'N' Dawgs it is like going to Rome without visiting the Colosseum. I am serious! Hot Doug, well, maybe we need a battle on Travel Channel for these dogs !!! My vote goes to Franks !
(5)Trent C.
First of all, a confession. I went to Franks 'n' Dawgs after first going to Hot Doug's and decided that waiting for 45 minutes in line (at 2:30) on a Saturday afternoon in the driving snow was too much. I'd heard about Franks 'n' Dawgs as being just about as good as Hot Doug's and thought it was about time I got myself to Clybourn and out of the snow. First of all, they need a bigger entrance as there is probably only room for about 4 people in the line before it goes out the door. In the summer, I'm sure it would be nice to wait in the alleyway, but in the winter, it probably wouldn't fly with some people. There is definitely enough choices on the menu that you're bound to at least find something you'll like, or are willing to try. Every dog has a unique name. I chose the Reuben Pulaski and a large fries, but almost went with the Krazy Kimchi or the Governator. Even at 3:00 on a Saturday the place was busy but we didn't have to wait more than 5 minutes in line. After chatting with the fellow Aussie behind the counter, I was given the Cate Blanchett magnetic portrait and found my way to the booth. No less than 5 minutes later and my dog was in front of me begging to be inhaled. The buns are incredibly tasty and you definitely get a larger than normal dog. The dogs are juicy and everything tastes fresh. The fries are some of the better fries I've had in a while, but far from the best. I didn't try the Triple Truffle Fries, but will consider it the next time I'm thinking of going to Franks 'n' Dawgs. The prices are a little more than your typical Chi-town dog but you are also getting a unique product so it's somewhat understandable. You have the option, if you're hungry enough, to order the Dawg Flight, which has 3 dogs chosen as a sampler by the chef, but be prepared to fork out $15. Everything ranges in the $4-10 range. While I would definitely go back again, it remains to be proven if this can stack up to Hot Doug's. I feel like a few (dozen) more trips are necessary to fully make the decision. One place that is worthy of a stop when in the area, just make sure to bring an appetite.
(4)Ingrid H.
A little bummed. Stopped here for lunch having heard this was a little like another famous sausage emporium and alas--not so much. The andouille was of all things bland--and the fries left a lot to be desired (in fact, "Where's the beef"--the previous occupants of the space--had far superior fries). But, don't let this review turn you totally off. A decent place if you're in the neighborhood. Just won't go out of my way next time ...
(3)Michael B.
This is a fun spot to bring friends and grab a dog. I love the options they have especially for brunch. The sides are great to share with the group.
(4)Paul T.
I'm a long time fan of Hot Doug's but this place is super and you don't have to wait an hour and half to get in. If you want to take someone to an fancy sausage place for lunch, this is definitely the place to go. The atmosphere is a little more upscale than Doug's. So next time you drive by Hot Doug's and the line is to the alley, try this place. Only problem is the serving of fries with the combo is too small. Sausages are delicious and made by hand.
(5)Josh C.
Diverse selection of gourmet dogs...with the likes of truffle, foie gras, and cheese curds on the menu. Good eats!
(4)Kristen D.
I needed a quick bite between appointments so I did the basic Mac and Cheese dog of you consider that a basic dog. It was made with a beer brat and truffled Mac and cheese. I liked the flavor of the brat. After trying to like truffled Mac I realized I just don't, but it didn't keep me from eating all of it so it can't be that bad. I liked the flavor of the brat but felt it actually over powered the bun. I would definitely return and will try the fries. The multiple combinations looked amazing but definitely something you'd want to share.
(3)Jennifer D.
Um, Frank's must have made a change since the earliest bad reviews came out because I am in love with this place! After going vegetarian for 2 years, I have slowly been making my way back. Hadn't had hot dogs/sausage forever, walked into this place because it smelled amazing. And it tasted amazing too. I loved the corndog, it was so different. People have reviewed that they weren't into it, but anyone ordering it should know that it's sausage, not a hotdog under there. Also, the sauces they gave with it were crazy good!! The people that work there are cool and funny. Shout out to my guy from New England Culinary Institute.... Vermont! The owner is awesome too. This place makes me happy I have reintroduced meat into my future! I am for sure going back. You go, Franks!
(4)Jenna P.
It was an absolute pleasure to dine here. Do not come if you are looking for a cheap, regular Chicago dog.... this is something totally different! Service was quick (and on a Saturday!) and staff members were friendly. We were served by the 5-star chef himself, who was exceptionally polite and helpful. I had the Truffle Mac n Cheese dog, and it was perfection. The mac n cheese was wonderful and totally unique. The brat was flavorful and juicy. And the bun was golden, buttery, and toasted. All three of these components separately were delicious, but when put together SUBLIME. I have never tasted anything quite like it. When was the last time you bit into a hot dog and closed your eyes just to savor every bite? Yeah, that is worth $6 in my book!! The bf had the Tur-Doggin, which was also incredible (although he only let me have one bite!). The triple truffle fries, while expensive ($4.25 for not that many fries), were absolutely exquisite. We're talking golden crisp perfection. Add in a bit of smoky chipotle ketchup, and they were to die for. I will absolutely be back, and I'm already looking forward to it!
(5)Pheebe L.
The Triple Truffle Fries were so good! Black sheep is my fave. The chef was there to ask if everything was ok. Will definitely be back many times.
(4)Jacob D.
Pretty great place. I'm saying this place is flawless, but they are 6 weeks old and are damn close. I went with three other guys and we each got something different. Each tasted great and very different. We even ordered a regular hot dog afterward, just to taste that as well. The chef even it up in 3rds and brought out a bunch of relish and mustard. It an amazingly nice gesture. Really nice guys, great hot dogs. I hope they stick around for a while.
(5)Anthony R.
Triple Truffle Fries. That's all you really need to know. I visited this place for the 1st time yesterday with a friend and after we left those fries were all we could think about. To start off, we got there around 2pm and the place had some people in it but there was no line and plenty of place to sit down - just how I like it. The staff was very friendly and extremely helpful. The first thing the girl behind the counter asked was if we had ever been to Franks N Dawgs before and we both said no. She then helped us navigate the menu a little bit (chef's hats on the menu means the sausage is made in-house, etc.) and pointed out the iPad on the counter that would show us pictures of all the wonderful creations this place has come up with. We settled on the Frank'n Stein and the Chicagoesque with an order of Triple Truffle Fries and an order of regular fries. I had the Frank'n Stein because I am a sucker for anything having to do with foie gras. My friend had the Chicagoesque. Both were very good. I can't say I tasted the foie gras directly but the overall flavor of the Frank'n Stein was unbelievable. The dogs come on those same buns that lobster rolls usually do and you could just eat that alone and it would be good. I suppose this "breaks" tradition of using a poppy seed bun or whatever but who cares? All I care about is if it tastes good...and it does! The regular fries were OK. Something I had never seen before was that this restaurant offers two ketchup alternatives: Ketchapeno & Ketchipotle. I'm from Milwaukee so not sure if this is something unique to Chicago or something I just haven't seen yet where I live. Both have a slight kick but the Ketchipotle has a smoky flavor to it so if you aren't into that you probably won't like it. I thought the Ketchapeno was pretty good and gave the fries the extra little kick they needed. Now, let's get to those Triple Truffle Fries. I knew they would be good from the second I smelled them when they came to our table. They looked and smelled like they came from heaven. White truffle oil. Truffle butter. Truffle salt. Oh. My. God. And they weren't greasy at all. It might be the best thing I've ever put in my mouth. They were so good we talked about coming back later that night and just ordering these fries for dinner. So good. Do not order any other sides if you come to this restaurant. Just order these...a lot of them. The place is fun as you get to pick from national and local "celebrity" picture magnets at the counter where you order to take back to your table so the staff knows who ordered what. Franks N Dawgs is kind of expensive for cased meats, but then again they just aren't slapping a hot dog in a bun. Overall this place rocks. Great food. Great service. Nice ambiance. I can't wait to come back.
(4)Sam W.
Better than Hot dougs. Yes I said it, house made sausages, owners and staff are super nice and give great service. Been here about 5 times and each sandwich is better than the next. Bring your nicest bottle of wine and sit out back in the summer you won't be disappointed.
(5)Danielle D.
This is the 2nd time my boyfriend and I ended up at this fabulous joint! The first time we were doing a little shopping and we were starving. We saw the sign for hot dogs and my boyfriend was down. Normally I am not a hot dog girl at all so I wasnt thrilled. That changed quickly. The Menu is wild, yeah they have your run of the mill hot dog, but why would you ever get that when there are so many other tempting choices? what we've tried: Tur-Doggin - Turkey & Date Sausage topped with duck confit, herb garlic aioli, house pickled onion relish & pickled carrots (normally pickling sounds gross to me - but the flavors blend together fabulously) Foss Hog -Pork Loin Sausage w/ cobb smoked bacon, fried egg & maple mayo Reuben Pulaski -Polish Sausage, sauerkraut, thousand island dressing, potato cake & chives .......and the Truffle Fries are to die for- yum. So thats what we've tried. I really want the dessert Sweet Home Chicago, but I am so full when I leave that I havent found room for it yet :( (french toast, stuffed with chocolate ice cream, bananas, kiwis, strawberries,mango & Butterscotch sauce) Highly Recommended!!! Run dont walk..... you wont be disappointed. best part........ Sausages are made in house 100% Natural No Nitrates- Fillers
(5)Min P.
kimchi dog.
(5)Skittle J.
O.M.G. I am in love with these hot dogs. As if the taste alone wasn't enough, then they had to tell me that they marinate their tofu for 4-6 weeks minimum! That's some dedication to the cause right there. I'm hooked. I ate here last week for the first time and I have been craving it every day since. I ordered the original tofu dog, and Ben ordered the tofu dog with the spoiled brat toppings. I'm not sure I could choose a favorite if I had to. They were both delicious. The other two dogs that were ordered in our party also looked amazing! The owner is so nice and chatted with us for a good 30 minutes about all sorts of things. I have a feeling every visit to Chicago I make in the future will definitely not be complete until I eat here. YUM!
(5)ben w.
Great food, I had the everyone loves romesco and the macaroni and cheese. I got my daughter the dog and fries, she polished the fries off and they were nice enough to give her a complimentary bonus order. The service was great, everyone was very friendly and talkative. Very quick with no wait on a weekday at 2:30. If you want something more adventurous than a standard Chicago dog than this is the place for you!
(5)Joe T.
I'm on board with all the positive reviews. They have a menu that changes frequently so there's always something new to try. That can be risky and you may end up with an 8 dollar hot dog you don't like, but if you follow it up with a Sweet Home Chicago dessert dog, you won't be disappointed. Ice cream on a french toast bun. I also grabbed a macaron at the counter made by a pastry shop down the street. It was AMAZING. I would recommend this place to anyone but expect to spend some money. If you're like me, one hot dog isn't enough and if you stack dessert on top you could be looking at a $30 hot dog meal. You'll be talking about the experience though for sure.
(5)ashleigh t.
Nice staff, yummy, clean, and great atmosphere!!!!
(5)Ngoc H.
This place is awesome. Cam here on a random lunch get together and had their Krazie Kimchi. It was pretty good but their triple truffle fries are to die for. I'm already a big fan of waffle fries, but to throw truffle oil on them... oh my, The service was phenomenal. The person who took the order, i was to assume he is the owner, was very knowledgeable when it came to food. We had a little conversations and he showed us the iPAD that was right on the counter in front of him that showed us pictures of what they food looked like and a little description of it just in case you didn't know what you wanted. I thought that was genius. The place was a little hot and they ran out of ice for the ice machine for a little bit but I can't blame them with the crazy heat we've been having, especially when there's people constantly walking in and out of the joint. The place is clean and parking wasn't too bad to find. They also make their own ketchup, which they don't call ketchup lol, you can get a chipotle or jalapeno concoction! Overall, really interesting twist on just a hot dog. Prices are reasonable for the quality of food you get. MUST TRY!
(5)Jeff V.
Now this is what I am talking about. Look out Hot Dougs - this is some serious competition. My wife and I each tried a seperate dog. She has the Brunch Dog and I had the Reuben. First lets start with the bun, which can always be a make or break deal. For us - it was make. It was the right combination of soft where it needed to be and sturdy enough to hold it all together. My wife is convinced the Brunch dog tasted better but I loved them both. If you love Reubens - then this is a terrific dog. The truffle fries were solid but nothing to write home about. The service was terrific. We had a server who continually checked us on while we ate outside and she ran back in to get us refills. The only thing we found unnecessary were the celebrity mugshots that gave us for table markers. Not needed. Besides that this place was awesome and I will make sure I got back before I leave Chicago next month.
(5)Lyn B.
The hot dogs here were so unique, and the atmosphere was really comfortable! I have heard this place be compared to Hot Doug's, and I must say- I liked this better than Hot Doug's! The combinations were really interesting... and I am glad I tried a few different dogs here, but if (when) I return, I think I might just stick with the Chicago dog, it was that good.
(5)Lauren B.
The sausages were really good. I haven't tried Hot Doug's yet, so I have nothing to compare it to. I looovved the truffle fries. So delicious. I wasn't that impressed with the mac and cheese. Kuma's or Feast has a better mac. But overall I really enjoyed Franks n Dawgs
(4)Steve S.
It's a shame to see the vast majority of the sub-par reviews here are mostly out of people's mismatched expectations on price. If you think it's too expensive, walk out instead of buying something! I get it, the name and the sign don't exactly align with the gourmet food and some (but not all) of the prices, but geez... All that being said, no gourmet sausage on the menu is more than about $9 or $9.50, and many are around $6.50-7.50. I don't find this to be outlandishly expensive. Everything I've had at Franks 'n Dawgs has been top notch. It's a bit tough for me to order at Franks 'n Dawgs because I'm a freakishly picky eater, so I'm special ordering everything (hold this, hold that) and they've never once made a mistake - which shouldn't necessarily be noteworthy, but as a picky eater believe me - this is an accomplishment. Their regular fries are delicious, though if you feel like splurging you should definitely try the truffle fries. What really makes it all is the ingredients - especially the buns. They're perfect. Give Franks 'n Dawgs a try or two - just know that it's not a "hot dog place" and don't walk in expecting to pay $6 for lunch and you'll more than likely come out pleased.
(5)Joyce C.
Today was our third time here. I wanted to show my diet who was boss and the truffle fries kicked its ass!! Whoo!! The first time we were here, we ordered 4 dogs, fries and a drink for two people. It was awesome, and yes, completely unnecessarily gluttonous. I think we got the turdoggin, the lamb keema, a beef curry dawg and a corn dog. The lamb keema I thought was the best of the bunch, YUM!! It was like a gyro in a bun. The second time we were here was during the filming of "Bizarre Foods" with Andrew Zimmern. Not only did we see Rick Moonen and Kevin Pang here talking and hanging out with Andrew, but our backsides were also filmed for that episode. Awesome. Oh and a group of us got to enjoy a whole buncha dogs and the truffle fries were introduced to us for the first time. Waffle fries tossed in truffle oil with truffle shavings?? Hell yes, please!! I tried the Foss Hog, a sweet pork link served with bacon, maple aioli and a fried egg and it was freaking delicious. The fried egg was soooo rich and decadent against the sweet aioli and savory pork. We also tried the cheese head and the dirty dawg. So, the last time we came was about a year ago. This time we got the "Belly Up" and the "Boar'n to be Wild". Both were good (as expected). The Belly Up had some kick to the sausage and the macerated grapes and dill added a nice freshness to the dog and helped cut the richness of the piece of fried pork belly on the top of the dog. The Boar'n to be Wild was a milder dog, with the fixin's on top which reminded me of something that 's totally escaping me right now. It was tasty though. We'd heard that the bun production had now been outsourced to a local bakery, I think to Labriola. Now, I LOVED how the brioche style bun before was delicately fluffy with a perfectly crisp outside and a soft buttery inside . Sad to say, no more. Now the bread is heartier, with a significant crusty layer, which makes the dog a little harder to eat. The meat to bread composition has been thrown off, and I'm not a fan. The dogs and the toppings are still tasty though, hence the 4 stars. I'd definitely still come back, but I hope they'll fix the bun situation soon!!
(4)Jake F.
We stumbled upon Frank's while doing some shopping on Clybourn. Being from Wisconsin, this place is heaven. The best gourmet sausages and hot dogs around. The chef is culinary trained on the East Coast and it really shows. His ingredient selection makes each hot dog/sausage sandwich unbelievable. The staff is really nice and the place clean. It was busy when we were in there, but I get the feeling it always is. This place is an absolute must. One of the best meals I have had in Chicago!
(5)R K.
What a complete disappointment. The triple truffle fries didn't have any truffle flavor :( and the "Chicago"-esque dog should NOT have the word Chicago anywhere near it - what about this dog is at all a Chicago dog? It's a hot dog- sliced in half lengthwise covered in a bunch of sugary nonsense? I'm sad.
(2)Katie H.
Gourmet on a bun is right! I love this place great service and amazing food! I always get the fu dawg which is tofu, portabello mushrooms, creamy feta pesto on a fresh artisan bun if u have never been check it out it won't disappoint
(5)sheena r.
i went with the Black Sheep, and i knew i shouldnt have. i do enjoy my share of lamb, but when i want a sausage, i want a sausage. it turned out to be more of a "gyro" shaped sausage, than a sausage. but it was good. but i wouldn't order it again. the lyonnaise fries were not for me, which is sad. i knew i should have went truffle,but i felt adventurous. sometimes that whole adventurous with food thing gets in the way of me actually enjoying my food. i will be back though. my friend had the mystery corn dog, which was amazing. polenta batter? yes please. [although now they've switched to a mystery corn dog platter..i'll still dig it].
(3)Jody C.
Ever since my first visit I have been a fan and over a dozen visits later, I still love it here! My favorite is the truffle fries- I crave these! All of their dawgs are great- my favorite being the BLT one when it is in season. Their food is original and delicious! On top of that what really makes this place stand out is the excellent service and staff. No matter how long of a line they have, they will take the time to explain the menu to new-comers. This place is passionate about their food! Its also BYOB which is awesome. I bring all of my out of town guests here- and everyone loves it!
(5)Veronica C.
This place is the trifecta of happiness. Super good food, Super nice people, and a really good cheap eat. The chef is from the Culinary Institute of New England, which is in VT, where I am from. I had to mention that to the lovely Aussie who was taking my order, and he said "the chef would love to hear that!" and out the chef came! He was really sweet, taking the time out to chat about Vermont and how we missed it while my food was being prepared. They even made sure to tell me how much time was left! The food...the hot dogs were AWESOME! A must to check out!
(5)Erin G.
My friends can not get enough of this place! I am not that big into sausages, but I did enjoy the hot dog that I had. I thought the truffle mac & cheese was by far my favorite thing on the menu! Way less crowded than Hot Dougs and around the same price. If you love home made sausages, then defintiely check out their creations !
(3)Jon M.
This must be my favorite Chicago restaurant! I haven't been to Hot Doug's, but it would be impossible to be better than Franks N Dawgs. My favorite is the Bayou Dawg - with beans, TENDER blackened shrimp, and some kind of aioli sauce. Out of at least 10 items I've ordered the only thing I haven't enjoyed here was the lobster roll, but I don't know why I decided to order something like that here anyway (very small amount of lobster meat). Stick to the turdawgin or the dawg with pork belly on top. The employees are always nice and I don't know if I'm just lucky, but I never have to wait in line. I should give this place a bad review to keep it to myself! mmmmm
(5)Missy S.
I found this place one day shopping with my mom and we were in desperate need of a quick bit to eat to refuel. We happened to stumble across this place and i so happy to have found a new hot dog joint. I had the fu dog and it was to die for. They serve them on these french toast like buns and have very unique topping combos. Its a bit on the pricier side but defiantly well worth it. On my next visit I think I will try the truffle fries.
(5)Sandra L.
It was a great place where you can find things like a brunch dog and a turkey/date sausage with duck confit. Haute dawgs !! Before you go, I would look up the menu online--a lot of people stood froze at the counter looking at the menu for a long time (hard to read fonts). Also, skip the sides especially the truffle fries--they underwhelmed me. Stick to the frankfurters. For dessert, they have a hot dog bun (french toast) stuffed with ice cream and fruit. Best thing about my experience, having the chef/owner help me pick the "Krazy Kimchi" (who doesn't like sausage, braised short rib, and kimchi in a bun? He also recommend the "Tur-Doggin" and the "Belly Up"for my next visit. They have 27 different dawgs to choose from ;-P
(5)Joanna E.
It's hard when you're the new kid on the scene and everyone's comparing you to your older brother, right? I'm sorry to say I 100% agree with Ian M. on this one. Toasted buns= fantastic. And while Franks is trying really hard to be robust and eek out new flavor combos, it just isn't Hot Doug's. I appreciate that they're open in the evenings and that their locale is a little closer but not sure that merits 2-3$$ more per dawg. Plus, I got the veal percik which was perfect--until I found 3 quarter sized pieces of cartilage in the dog. That's one way to ruin the next bite. Please fix this Franks!!! You would have been great otherwise and worth the price!!!
(2)Katie D.
Loved the bun! My husband had the truffle mac n' cheese brat and truffle fries-- I just went with a plain old hot dog. I love that bun. I actually thought it was genius! Call me a carb-lover but it was great! My husband loved his food, too. I would definitely go back!
(4)Jennifer Y.
Great food. Service was ok (the owner, who I think is the guy who speaks with an accent is really nice and patiently explains things on the menu) except for this red headed jerk who works behind the counter which I am knocking off 3 stars for because he was just that rude. The waitress had accidentally spilled some water on our table (and she apologized repeatedly) and he started laughing and said we deserved it. Apparently he was a little ticked off because we grabbed an extra empty plate from the counter (the waitress was no where to be found) so we could share our food with each other. We apologized to him when he started yelling at us but apparently he's got a permanent chip on his shoulder. The owner really needs to fire him as I can see from other yelp reviews that I am not the only customer who has experienced his lack of manners. The food is great but I will not return because this red headed guy seems like the type who would spit in your food. Gross.
(2)Nate L.
Love the dogs itself, but did not like the buns dog was sitting on. It's almost like garlic bread with flat bottom and slit in the middle for the dogs to sit in. Nice concept but it didn't do it for me, and plus, I don't like greasy buns. Decor is pretty average. Their twist on a korean dog was pretty decent, I'm Korean and I've never thought of putting kimchi on my hot dogs, although it was not homemade, it tasted really good. Probably try the truffle fries next time and different dogs. But I've had my fix on exotic dogs for now and plus, Navy's Physical Health Assessment is coming up so i need to stay away until june!
(4)Brad C.
Hell Ya! Franks 'N' Dawgs is great and I don't know why haven't been back. Sure Hot Dougs is great but I don't usually have time to wait 45 minutes for a couple dogs. I've gone to Franks 'N' Dawgs twice both times for lunch and I was able to walk right up and place my order. Both times I've gone I've ordered different dogs and they have all been damn good. The couple I can remember are the Beef Curry, Lamb Keema and the Dirty Dog. Each time I go I'm pretty sure I'm going to try something new because there are some great combos on the menu.
(5)Suzy D.
My husband and I were at Petco picking up some stuff for our dog and decided to walk over to Franks 'n' dawgs and grab lunch. We came here around 11:15 so there was no line. We were both eager to try everything on the menu, but we decided to just order 2 dogs each. I got the two iron chef dogs, one was called something Naha (by the chef from Naha) and one was called le merguez (lamb, greek yogurt, chutney). My husband got the brunch dog and the truffle mac n cheese dog. We also got some lyonnaise fries to share. First of all, everything was delicious. However, for us the standouts were the brunch dog (fried egg, pork sausage, maple mayo) and the le mergeuz. So delicious. The mac n cheese dog was tasty and you could definitely taste the truffle, but the mac n cheese kind of overpowered the flavor of the meat. The fries were good, but I think next time we come we'll get the truffle fries. We forgot that the lyonnaise fries had a sauce on them so they were kind of soggy and we like our fries crispy. Very tasty though. We will be back to try more!
(4)Chris J.
What a great place. Unfortunately, my kids and I eat hot dogs way too often. However, it's hard to call the food here a hot dog. Each hot dog is more like a meal (which we learned when we tried eating two each, which we would easily do with a normal dog). My sons tried the plain dog on the great toasted bun, and after his first bite, my son Alex said it was by far the best hot dog he has had in his life. He tried the corn dog next, and had a hard time picking a favorite. My other son Ryan loved the fries (we all did). I had the New Orleans Dawg, which was also great, and very unique. We've been there twice since they opened, and will definately be back again. We looking forward to the outdoor seating area when the weather gets better...hopefully soon. We all highly recommend this place, but as tempting as they all may be, make sure you order them one at a time.
(5)Molly L.
This is a hidden gem. Amazing everything but the truffle fries and mac and cheese dog are insane. If you are thinking of waiting in line for Hot Doug's, I advise you to check this place out.
(5)Sourma K.
As soon as I saw Boar's Head hot dogs I knew this was a good place. Its the best gourmet hot dog I've ever had, it was the Lamb Keema and it tasted like a gyros but in the shape of a lamb sausage w/ some yogurt sauce and other trimmings. It was worth every penny and cannot wait to go back.
(5)Rainier R.
I think it was a great experience having these gourmet dogs, but I think I'm kind of indifferent to it.
(3)Charles S.
This place rocks! I've been here twice and can't wait to go back. First time I had the "burger" dog and the regular Chicago dog. The second time I had the white brat with mac & cheese. The brat was a white sausage like the kind you would find in Germany. Sorry, I don't remember the real names for any of these. The ketchup comes in two spicy options. The mustard is gourmet, like everything else there. The guys behind the grill are like hot dog chefs and the owner is very friendly. I guess I would be friendly too if I were charging over $7 a dog on average, JK! The dining area is cozy,clean, and not crowded or loud like at Hot Doug's. Give this place a shot, but be warned you may never go back to Portillo's again.
(5)johnny b.
fine if walking by worth a look. mine wasn't that great but probably just the choice. Was well done I just didn't like the flavor but I would try here again..
(3)Joshua P.
Oh yea, triple truffle fries all the way. Honestly, I come here just for those. Not that the dogs aren't good, because they are. They have very interesting creations and they work well together. Not too crazy about the bread, but hey, not going to get picky here. I like the wall of shame idea, where by they use celeb pictures to identify your table. Its a fun idea. Also, unlike hot doug's, there is hardly ever a wait. At least every time I've gone. I hate to compare them to hot doug's because what they do is unique in their own respect. So you shouldn't either! Come check them out when you have a chance.
(5)Michelle L.
I love a good Chicago style hot dog, but my first visit to Frank n Dawgs I decided that being adventurous was the way to go... I had the dirty dog, my husband the lamb keema, and we shared cheese fries a cheese head and some truffle fries... dirty dog: absolutely wonderful! Our friends raved about this one so I really didn't think it would live up to their hype but I was wrong, the andeouli sausage was moist and spicy, and the rice on the bottom, while I thought would be a weird filler, was actually quite flavorful and a great compliment. But the bun...wow it was amazing, fresh, light, buttery. Unfortunately my husband wasn't a big fan of his lamb keema otherwise I would have had my dirty dog all to myself! My big downer - the cheese fries. I love French fries. I love cheese. I love real-cheddar cheese sauce fries. But these fries were overcooked, way too crispy, were not hand-cut, and just had a sprinkling of grated cheese on top. Can I get some real-cheddar sauce, please? Along with hand-cut fries, please? I'm paying for it... But my day was saved by my friends who had the good sense to order the truffle fries...these are how fries should be done! Such a unique flavor with the right amount of salt, I could have eaten 2 orders just by myself. Oh, and we saw Andrew Zimmern filming for an upcoming Bizarre Foods, which was fun! I expect this place to get a lot busier once the episode airs so get your fix now.
(4)John P.
What a find! I was walking along the sidewalk up N. Clybourn and spotted Franks 'N' Dogs. Hmmm This is what we've been looking for - delicious, gourmet-quality dogs with LOTS of varieties. We entered and knew immediately this was THE place. After staring at the extensive menu for a few minutes, the ultra-tech savvy guy behind the counter said, "Here, check this for a more visual idea of what we offer." Right in front of us was a properly tilted, for easy viewing, iPad2 that had every menu item described. A quick tap, produced a full screen, high-rez image of the delicacy. How cool! We both decided upon The Cheesehead which was a 10+! It arrived amazingly well-plated for presentation and the made-on-premises dog, really a high quality sausage, was superb. Equally outstanding was the "bun" which was reminiscent of a top quality lobster roll found along the Maine coastline. It was perfectly grilled & hand-split for accommodating the dog and other ingredients. This place even has a unique-to-Chicago ketchup called "Ketchapeno" that was also a 10 on the condiment scale. It had the perfect kick that added to the overall experience. We'll be back!
(5)P S.
Great hot dogs. Amazing amount of variety. The truffle fries are a must.
(4)Moe f.
Sweet, a place to get an upscale sausage with no wait! Gotta love that they make about half the sausages in-house. I had the Foss Dog which was a special made of pork loin and had a fried egg on it. Loved it. Fries were spot on(and they have malt vinegar handy). Friendly, helpful service, I'll be back.
(4)Joy D.
On the sign out front, it say's "5 Star Dining on a Bun", and I agree! After seeing an article on hot dog places in the Chicago area, I checked this place out and was shocked to find a place I like even better than Hot Doug's. Oh, I'll always go to Hot Doug's just because of the charm of the owner and the vibes, but as for the actual food -- I've found a new favorite. The Triple Truffle Fries made me moan, they were Sooooooo good! They stuff their own sausage. Pretty amazing! The staff are friendly and the service is relaxed.
(5)Leigh K.
Two words: truffle fries! Also to note; they are vegetarian because they are cooked in vegetable oil! Holy gosh, they are delicious. I will totally get these again. I've been here three times and got two different duck sausages and the last time I had a turkey one. I definitely preferred the duck to the turkey. There was a lot more flavor (read: fat) in them. Zachary is obsessed with this place at the moment, so I have tagged along, but I like Chicago's Dog House a bit more so far. It doesn't seem like Franks N Dawgs has caught on yet, but I feel like it will soon, so catch it now!
(4)Kris R.
who knew a hot dog place would treat me like a princess? i came in w 5 of my coworkers. once we sat down (i picked tina fey again) the owner came to me and asked if i had done that review i did last week. i shook his hand and said, yes, that's me. he so graciously made the dessert dawg for us, which was excellent. i also got to try gale gand's rootbeer, which awesome as well! i felt like VIP. yelp does wonders. this time, i had the turdoggin, which was delicious. i still like the nawlins dawg the best. i also had my OWN truffle fries, hey-o! SO SO SO goood. thing is, i can't keep coming back every friday because i'm trying to watch my figure. i can pretend this salad is a dawg, though. i should say, when i want to indulge on fridays, i WILL come here. see you guys again soon! xoxo!
(5)Ian M.
I'm going to get the pressing concerns out of the way: this place is not a carbon copy of Hot Doug's. And eating there for its grand opening, it will have some work ahead of it to prove it deserves its own line out the door. That said, i enjoyed my "harvest dog" well enough, a bockwurst with cherry tomatoes, chives and corn relish. The ingredients really made fresh-tasting contrast to your usual greasy dog, and as the last reviewer noted, that toasted bun is phenomenal. The fries were crisp and fresh, and free fountain drink refills were appreciated. Service was prompt (though I was the only one in there) and very friendly, and the prices of the signature dogs fall two or three dollars below those Hot Doug's (though I hope in the future they will adopt a similar weekly rotation of specials to keep things exciting). I'd say it's worth sausage cents to give it a shot.
(4)Celtic B.
A solid 3.5 stars. The dog I had here was great, The Krazy Kimchee. Lots of flavor from the beef sausage, an excellent bun and a great balance of meat to bun to garnish. I thought the cheese fries were kind of weak. The cheese was melted over the fries and it hardened up right away. When I want cheese fries I need my cheese to be creamy, and that was not the case with these. Kind of pricey - I think I'd rather go to Doug's next time I want a gourmet dog.
(3)Dina I.
totally different than Hot Doug's but just as tasty in my opinion. Some days, I just crave a dog specifically from Franks 'N' Dawgs...
(4)Manny A.
We were riding around heading for a place to eat and I happened to spot this place among a row of storefronts and was immediately intrigued. We found street parking pretty easily and went in. We went for the basic hot dogs just to check them out. The hot dogs were meticulously prepared and delicious. The Truffle Fries were surprisingly good, especially for someone burnt out on fries. The service was laid back but attentive. Overall, a great experience.
(5)Kelly M.
SO BOMB! I love this place! Everything is good .. their truffle fries are the best thing since sliced bread. Just thinking about their food makes my mouth water. I'm one who likes to order the same thing everytime at restaurants, but here I try something new every time and love everything I've had. I even get to sit with Snoop Dogg. It's also SO much more convenient than Hot Doug's, you don't have to wait in line forever either .... you will love it, I promise!
(5)Ben F.
Bayou dog + triple truffle fries. Ridiculous.
(5)Jen H.
Cased meat and truffles? Cue Homer Simpson drooling.... I tried the truffle mac n cheese sausage with a side of truffle fries. (I am on a truffle kick). I could have devoured a bucket of just the mac n cheese! Hubs had the turkducken dog...crazy, but he loved the duck confit topping. yep, truffle and duck confit...not your average hot dog place!
(4)Bobby W.
Man oh man. This place blew my mind. They took it to the next level for me. That pillow-soft, buttery grilled bun, tender sausage and unique range of toppings. We tried the brunch dog and the turdoggen, both were incredible. We were there at lunch time on a really nice day and were able to find seats no problem, which was a bonus!
(5)Emmy B.
Love it, and still thinking about the Beet and Brat! Minus 1 star, because I did not care for the truffle fries. They just tasted oldish-oily. Not because they were, I just think some people like them, some people don't. Too small a place to eat there, take it to go.
(4)Michael S.
Dogs were good. I think we wanted it to be more than it was. We'll stop in again if we're in the neighborhood, but not a good enough dog to walk out of your way to get to.
(3)Lucas K.
This review is very clearly colored by the following facts: A. I've never been to Hot Doug's, though I plan to solve that soon; B. I didn't have any sides; and C. They didn't have the dog I originally wanted (the Kimchi one). So disclaimed, begin the review! I got the Spoiled Brat when they told me they didn't have the Kimchi dog; I only found out later by dropping some eaves that they make their own kimchi, so that's pretty cool. The brat itself was tasty, but the casing was a bit rubbery and didn't snap off like a good sausage should. The condiments they put on were delicious, and matched up really well, but I wish there had been JUST a teensy bit more. The bun itself was delicious as well, but it just didn't hold the dog as well as a traditional bun would have; it was a little clunky. All that aside, I was very impressed with their drink selection (Gale's Root Beer was tasty and unique) and the staff were all obviously friendly and enjoyed what they were doing, so I really can't bitch too much. Overall, definitely worth a visit, but I'm looking forward to trying Hot Doug's and comparing in the near future.
(3)Mike D.
Wow. Being a hot doug's fanatic, I thought I would be sadly dissapointed by Franks. However, I refuse to let a good dog go untried, so I ventured in at 12:15, no line, very few people. I ordered, got my food pretty quick. I tried the breakfast dog, which was great. Even surviving the trip home, the egg was just cooked enough to make the yolk soft but not runny, the sausage was well spiced and tasty. The maple mayo brought it all together, making it taste like a breakfast. The Truffle fries are great tasting, but a little steep at almost 5 bucks for an order. The buns are actually something to write home about. They're great and really make the dog.
(5)Amber V.
Great hot dog joint! The owner/manager was super nice and my hubby & I loved the veal percik. The only downside to this fantastic upscale hot dog joint is that the decor doesn't match the food. The menu has slips of paper for each item and all in all the actual restaurant is nothing special. The food, now that's a different story! Check it out!
(4)Haley S.
i really wanted a gourmet dog without the wait that you have to endure at other places, but i guess the wait at those other places is worth it. i was UNimpressed with Franks N Dawgs. The brat (i had the cheesehead) was engulfed by a brioche bun so in the end i realized i was eating more bun than dog, not cool F'n Dawgs. The truffle fries are good but you get a handful for $5 and i dont think they'll make me come back. adorable man at the front with the cute little accent won't even get me to go back. i guess this makes me a Hot Doug's girl all the way, sorry F'n Dawgs
(2)Colt E.
I love Franks N Dawgs. I really do. I'm very close to preferring it over Hot Dougs. The flavors are just as good. They make their own dogs and even their own condiments. The service is amazingly friendly and you generally don't have to wait terribly long. Oh and did I mention that wonderful french toast bun. Mmmm.
(5)shai h.
The triple truffle fries put all other truffle fries I've eaten to shame. I had the Krazy Kimchi dog. It was amazing. The bread that the dogs are served in are crazy awesome. My bf had the one with the shoestring fries. Also delicious. The owner (I think) was really passionate and enthusiastic. They make a lot of the sausage in house. Great place!
(5)Nicole V.
The other day my honey and I happened to be in the neighborhood where Franks 'N' Dawgs is located (I've heard good things) so in we went. WOW. The menu was full of these amazing gourmet dog combinations, we could hardly make a decision. Finally, after talking it over with one of the incredibly nice owners...I decided on the Tur-dawgen and my guy went with the Dirty Dog (proceeds go to a monthly charity, PAWS...scoring them a HUGE plus). We decided to get our food to go and chatted a bit with the owners before heading home with our dogs. Upon unwrapping these masterpieces we were immediately happy we decided to give these dawgs a try! My tur-dawgen was amazing, the turkey was flavorful, fantastic aioli, perfect pieces of duck and just the right amount of sweetness in the pickled carrots...delicious! I also tried a bite of the Dirty Dog and it was tasty as well. Just the right mix of spice and savory with those amazing hush puppies on top. The new managers of this place have really gotten it right. I believe Hot Dougs may finally have a little gourmet dog competition. I'll definitely be going back...next time I've got to try the beef curry.
(5)B C.
Top notch cuisine. Yes, I called a "hot dog" cuisine, and you will too after you have tasted their succulent sausage sandwiches. They make most of the sausages on site and have freshly baked artisanal buns. The toppings are a perfect combination to the individual sausage that still sings out among the tasty toppings. The coleslaw is a creative rendition of the classic with caraway seeds and dried grapes. Check it out! You will not be disappointed. Well, you will be disappointed that you could not stretchyour belly and try more on your first trip, but you can, and will, go back.
(5)Ahmad A.
I'm actually being generous by not giving this place 1 star. This is one of those places that runs entirely on hype. The food isn't bad (it isn't great either), but with the ridiculous prices they charge, I'm surprised they're still in business. I went here with a friend, and the total came out to $52 for a meal to only fill our appetite, not exceed it. The Kimchi Dog and Truffle fries were decent.
(2)Veera R.
Some friends were in town from Florida and I wanted to take them to Hot Doug's for lunch on a warm Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, they were closed for vacation for a couple weeks, little did I know this was a blessing in disguise. Another friend of mine had recommended the place, and after taking a look at the menu on the interweb, I knew this was a "must try" place. When we got there, the place was a ok size. The day we went, space was limited, because they were filming a new show on the new Cooking Channel, starring one of the contestants from the Food Channels "The Next Food Network Star", I can't remember the name of the show, but it will be on this fall. To the food..... I had the Dirty Dog, which was a heart attack disguised as encased meat, but boy was it worth it. The Andouille with dirty rice, hush puppies & cherry tomato relish were awesome, I had to slow down my pace of eating because I was enjoying it so much and wanted to make sure I could taste each ingredient! HA! My second dog was the Lamb Keema Dog (Lamb, English peas, cucumber salad, pearl onions & Socca), I thought of it as a gyros disguised at a hot dog. I immediately noticed that there were peas on the hot dog and I was a little iffy on this topping when I saw it, but after one bite, all my worries went away, delicious. I also tried a bite of my friends truffle fries, wow were they good. If I didn't feel sorry for my arteries, I would have definitely ran up to the counter and ordered myself a side. Now for those of you who do not believe in paying a premium for a gourmet hot dog, then this is not the place for you, but if you are up to at least try something new once, then you must come here. I had my 2 dogs and a medium drink and it came out to be a little over $16, but since I do not eat here on a regular basis, it was worth every penny and you better believe I will be coming back!
(5)Nicolas H.
Might be my new go-to place for hot dogs. The selection is unreal and the quality of the dogs is awesome. I had the special dog Foss Hog which was their homemade pork sausage topped with bacon and a fried egg. Definitely not something I'd get on a regular basis, but it was damn good. The fries were good as well, fresh and hot. The only negative I can think of it's a little pricey for a hot dog place (although I guess we are paying for high quality ingredients, at least that's what I'll tell myself to rationalize spending more than $10 on a hot dog and fries). I'm excited to come back to try some of the other surprising items...
(4)Steve J.
Get ready for the smackdown.... Attention all celeb Chefs: please stop trying to reinvent my Chicago Hot Dog! It's like seeing a movie adaptation of a horrible old 70's sitcom like Rhoda or Maude. You're left thinking- what? why was this movie EVEN MADE?? Stick with your gleaming, open kitchens and chemistry sets- you have success there and there you should stay. Pros: -My buddy Mike bought -Classic dog w/mus&onions was huge -The bun was actually excellent- light and airy- toasted -ClyCorridor- easy access from many neighborhoods Cons: -Parking is a bitch if you dont have skills -Bourgeois prices could be knocked down one dollar across the board -FRIES ARE EXTRA?!? C'MON! Change some things and I'll try it again...otherwise Superdawg still rules.
(2)Leilani F.
I hate giving BAD reviews, but I just HAVE to here. The first time I visited this place, all I wanted was a Chicago-Style dog. Easy, right? Not so here. You cannot order one here, because they don't have one on the menu. This is CHICAGO boys, and even though you are a "hautedog" joint, you are still a hotdog joint. If you don't offer Chicagoans a Chicago style hotdog, it's sort of insulting to us. Anyhow, today I gave this place another try. I opted for the "N'awlins Dawg," described as Andoiulle sausage, fried okra, shrimp, and chives. Sounds delicious, right? Hrm.... When I opened my take out box and saw the creation in front of me, my first thought was: "not what I expected." It was missing the chives first of all. I had also imagined fried okra like my grandma made- green, slimy, and delicious with little black char spots on it. What I saw on top instead was the JALEPENO POPPER of fried okra. A fried casing around a perfect vegetable- more like an appetizer at Chili's than a topping on a "haute dog." Next were the shrimp. Thought I'd get some yummy shrimp on top of my dog- NOT battered and fried shrimp. Again, they screamed appitizer, not topping. I also saw a tail on one of them and thought to myself, "how am I to bite into this like a hotdog now?" Am I just going to be swallowing tails? How is my healthy heart going to handle FRIED & BREADED okra & shrimp on top of a sausage?" It could have, and WOULD have been sooooo much better if they would have just let the toppings speak for themselves rather than FORCING them to be good by battering and frying them. Aren't there supposed to be good chefs here? Needless to say I ate the POPPER first, leaving 1/2 of the breading behind and begging for more okra, ate the shrimp next, and by the time I got to the sausage, I was already feeling a little ill from all of the grease in my stomach. I took a bite of the sausage, and the casing was so tough that I heard it break between my teeth. The meat, while well spiced, was too oily and I honestly didn't think I could continue. No, I didn't eat anymore of it, and ended up throwing my lunch and my money in the garbage. So not only did I not get a hotdog for lunch, but I hardly got anything for lunch, and felt my body begging for something GOOD. If you want an awesome "haute dog", got to HOT DOUGS!!! They know what's up. Don't waste your money on Pizza Hut when you live in a city that has Lou Malnati's and Pequods. Too much fried guys. Seriously. Eww. Quit now.
(1)Paul B.
Wow! What I had for dinner was EXACTLY what I was hoping for and maybe a little bit more... Pros: Convenient location Short lines (less 5 minutes) Variety of delicious made in house encased meats (can't really call it sausage) They will allow you to split the dawgs into 'flights' between two people Cons: I can't fit more into my stomach If you're reading this review, do yourself a favor and don't get a regular old dog or a Chicago style. I love Chicago styles don't get me wrong, but you can get a Chicago style ANYWHERE. Definitely splurge and get something exotic. I split the Foss Dog and the Nawlins dog and both were amazing. The fried egg on the Foss definitely sets it apart. Next time I will be trying the Veal dog and either the lamb or beef curry, cant wait! Definitely check this place out!
(4)Nancy S.
I'm a lifelong Chicagoan, and I can't believe I've not eaten here sooner. The idea of a gourmet dog just didn't seem appealing. If you are on the fence like I was, make no mistake, it's worth hopping off. I had the Governator. It was very good. The guy taking my order described it as having that sweet and savory combination; he was spot on. I definitely will go back for the Brunch Dog and FU. I also had the triple truffle fries. (Try saying that rapidly and repeatedly.) The seasoning was perfect. They came out hot and oh so crisp on the outside, creamy on the inside. Next time I have to bring a couple of friends so we can try several different dogs and sides. Make sure to bring an empty stomach because the portions are huge. I finished my sausage but couldn't finish the fries. Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention how attentive the staff was. Service was fast (well, they are a hot dog joint, I suppose). The chef and the floor guy checked on me three times during my 45 minute visit. The chef even offered to refill my water cup. That kind of attention and friendliness speaks volumes in my book. They've just acquired a new loyal customer.
(4)Meredith F.
When I hear of a new hot dog joint in Chicago - it is a must that I give it a try. When it comes to hot dogs I know a good place when I see it, and Franks n' Dawgs is one place that I will definitely visit again and again. My sister and I were greeted by the owner who took our order and told us all about the restaurant and where the ideas for some of the menu items originated. I had the Reuben dog and a jumbo hot dog - both were amazing. My sister had the mystery corn dog and the dirty dog - again amazing. This place really takes hot dogs and sausages to a new level in a very un-intimidating atmosphere. I fully intend to become a regular there!
(5)Kimberly H.
This place was great! We went in a 7 on a Thursday, so it was empty just before closing. We had the dawg flight with triple truffle fry upgrade. The dogs were messy to cut apart and share, but oh so tasty. The triple truffle fries were amazing! Especially because we could dip them in ketchupotle or ketchupeño, so much better than regular ketchup! We also had a side of fried pickles and the shaved brussel sprout salad. The pickles weren't that great, but brussel sprouts were fabulous. I know that might sound weird, but they were! The price for all that was $30, and we had bought some beers at Binny's since BYOB is a big plus! I highly recommend this place, and will be back again. I just need to save a little for my fancy sausage fund, and wait until the timing is right to avoid a rush, yet also get there before closing. If their hours were a little longer, and the prices a little lower, this would have been a 5 star rating, and I'd plan to come back more often!
(4)Kelly A.
Besides the fact that the dawgs are AWESOME, I'd like to compliment Zach, who is Franks n Dawgs' best asset and PR man. He's charming and extremely helpful. He always remembers me when I go in. If only all businesses could have such great employees! 5 stars for Zach!!
(5)Kyle P.
Really good and you should at least give it a try but it is a little pricey for hot dogs.....I knew it would be but still it is a little hard to spend $20 at a hotdog place.....make sure you try the cheese fries
(4)Emily M.
This place is great. I can't wait to go back and try more. I ordered the Truffle Mac N Cheese dog and the Tur-Doggin. The Truffle Mac N Cheese dog? Amaaaaaazing. I'm also mac n cheese obsessed. But its amaaazing. I'd order the mac n cheese plain but combined with the dog it's heavenly. The Tur-Doggin I didn't like as much. That doesn't mean it's not good. This just means I didn't know what I was getting myself into.. like the pickled carrots. Wasn't a fan. My boyfriend got the Porkgasm and before I could remember to ask for a bite, it was gone and he said he loved it, so that's that. The buns are different but they're good. I still prefer your traditional hotdog bun though, because I like the bread to meat ratio better. These buns are just too much bread for me and it gets in the way of the contents of the bun. We got there right when they opened at 11:30 on a Friday. It wasn't crowded when we got there or when we left. We also had no problem finding parking on Clybourne, however by the time we left at noon, the street was all parked up. Now, I'm going to have to compare this place to Hot Doug's: it's good but not as good. However, I doubt you'll ever wait longer than 10-15min here and they have better hours. So weigh the pros and cons yourself. I would like to continue frequenting both, but it would depend on the situation.
(4)Christina K.
Franks 'N' Dawgs is such a fun place to go for any hotdog lover. My boyfriend and I have been here 2 or 3 times and we are never disappointed. Each time I come here I stare at the menu for about 5 or 10 minutes before deciding because there are always new tasty choices! Last time I came here I ordered the Truffle Mac N Cheese Dog and let me tell you - wow, unbelievable, spectacular. The owner is so much fun and I love how you can choose from the "Celebrity Hall of Shame" as your table number. And who knew that you could submit your own hot dog recipes and if it's chosen you get a gift card and $1 per purchase? Crazy. This place is one of a kind.
(5)Brian E.
This is gonna be trouble. A stone's throw from my new apartment and the Foss Hog is fantastic: "Pork link, Cob smoked bacon, fried egg & maple mayo" *drools* It's as good as it sounds (at least to us carnivores). I'll be back very soon to try some other things on the menu. If this place was open late, it would be the death of me.
(4)Stephen C.
I love this place, I got the Cheese Head and it was delicious. Will be back to try out the large selection.
(4)Jayme N.
De-licious. Hearty, flavorful food that is clearly made with love. It seems like some of the other reviewers are hating on this place basically, because it wasn't what they expected. These are sausages. This is what my german great grandpa would have made if you asked him to make sausage. They are thick-skinned, juicy, flavourful, and fresh. They are not dainty or easy to eat with one small hand; but they are goooood. Every bit as good as Hot Doug's without the lines. Treat yourself.
(4)Miss O.
Truffles waffle fries. Melt in your mouth corn dog. Outdoor patio. I might venture to say its better than hot Doug's...
(5)Shelden E.
I'm going back. The place opened seven weeks ago and yesterday was my first time. I had the Mysterious Corn Dawg and enjoyed it, but I do have a complaint. The fried corn dog feel was not crunchy enough. I like the crispy crust on a corn dog, whereas this was a little to soft and slippery. However, the sausage was still very good and same with the two different types of mustard. Again, I am going back because one of the employees was telling us that with certain meals, the sausages are made in-house. Also the chef who came up with dishes used to work for Wolfgang Puck. So clearly I gotta try a bunch of different things, and NOT a boring hot dog. Take note the place is BYOB.
(4)Mike D.
Walking around in the city makes you hungry. What a relief to wind up walking by this joint on the way to the red line after a days of hiking around town! Take the side entrance going in!! ;) Tables and your order are identified by celeb photo coaster things given to you after you place your order. What do I recommend? Well, last time I was in, I had the Brunch Dawg... Pork loin sausage, bacon, fried egg made that baby up! Anyone wanna share a Dawg Flight with me?
(5)Melissa M.
My favorite meal is breakfast, so when I saw the brunch dog on the menu, I knew what I was ordering. The sausage was homemade (any with the chef's hat next to them are) and the bun was different, in a good way. The staff were friendly and informative. I also enjoyed the fact that you get to pick a sliding celeb (i.e. Charlie Sheen, Lindsey Lohan, etc.) for your table marker - fun!
(3)Camille P.
So much more than 'franks 'n' dawgs'! Their logo says it all: "5 star dining on a bun". It's true. Wonderful, flavorful, interesting (for a bun though some are pretty classic combinations). I'm glad I went with 4 other people because there's no way I could have selected one dawg.
(5)J K.
This place is a must if you like sausage and gourmet preparations. It was my first time there so I decided to try the chefs choice, flight of 3 halves. Turdoggin, Krazy Kimchie and Mussels from Brussels were all great but the last 2 were exceptional stand outs, as was my sons Bayou dog. Try the triple truffle fries too.
(5)Colleen D.
Finally got to this place. It was very quiet on a Saturday night. Since the menu is really overwhelming, I split the two Iron Chef competition dogs with a friend. I have to say, Bill Kim's Urbanbelly Chix with the curry mayo and pickled green papaya was the bomb. The truffle fries were also awesome but really, they are truffle. Truffle makes everything better. I did not know that Franks 'N' Dawgs is BYOB and has an outdoor patio. Next time!
(4)A S.
If you are looking for the best Chicago-style Vienna hot dog with green relish and a poppy seed bun, this is not the place for you. But there is no where in town that comes close for interesting and creative dog-type sandwiches. Maybe duck, maybe lobster, maybe you'll be surprised. I stop by whenever I can; tho' I'm sometimes disappointed that the dog that I've ordered before has circulated off the menu, there is always something that is intriguing and tasty. Lots of reviewers have appropriately mentioned the truffle fries, but you are really depriving yourself if you don't get the brussel sprout slaw, with pistachios. I never cared for brussel sprouts before, but I wouldn't miss these. I think a mark of a good chef is to expand your palate, and they certainly do that here. And they put their creations on wonderful buns.
(5)Temi C.
Hot dogs with accessories. =) I tried the N'awlins Dog: andouille sausage topped with fried shrimp and okra. The sausage was flavorful and the bun fantastic. I'm not sure if they make their buns from scratch, but they tasted homemade. Prices for a full meal run about $10 and the byob option is always appreciated.
(4)Alex H.
Fuck me these hot dogs are creative and delicious. Nice hipster staff.
(5)Tom K.
Lamb Keema perfectly cooked. Long line on a saturday around lunch, be prepared to wait a while. Spicy ketchup was surprisingly good.
(4)Tony M.
Amazing forget hot dougs this is the spot no waiting in line food is great had frank n stien which is the duck liver dog yummmmm
(5)Adam P.
I like this place. I had the Krazy Kimchee Dog with short rib. It was delicious! Also, I would say it's worth coming here just for the Triple Truffle Fries alone, which are a waffle-cut fry with truffle oil and what I'm guessing is some sort of truffle butter, and an other truffle ingredient I can't place, but sprinkled with parsley. It's a little on the pricey side of things, but you have to keep in mind that these are not your cheaper ingredients and there are real chef's creating food that is far from normal. Chicago is full of hot dog joints, so if you just want a hot dog and fries, you could probably get a better deal elsewhere, but this is a fantastic place for foodies or anyone who is tired of the same old thing. I also appreciate the fact that they take credit cards.
(4)A W.
We went here after a soggy day at Wrigley this past weekend. I had the turdoggin and she had the corn dog. Although I enjoyed the turdoggin, I found it a bit dry. I did enjoy the pickled carrot julienne's on top. We both enjoyed her corn dog very much. If we go back on our next trip to Chicago I'd want to try this place again, but get a different menu item.
(4)Kristin S.
I think I'm a convert. Waffle truffle fries officially kick the crap outta duck fat fries. Plus, there was NO wait at Franks n' Dawgs when I went with two other people a couple weeks ago on a Saturday (open after 4pm!). We were greeted by a super friendly cashier who gave us some recommendations, let us take our time to review the giant, mouth-watering menu, and then let us choose which celebrity we'd like to use as our table number. (We chose Conan. Love you Coco!) The only thing I was not super impressed with was the corn dog. I actually didn't really like it at all since the breading fell off the (was it a bratwurst?) mystery sausage too easily and the skin of the sausage in the center was too strong. Keep it simple with the classics, guys. I did LOVE the overall gourmet feel of this place and everything else I tried. The other sausages were heavenly and oh so delicious. I need another moment of silence for those waffle truffle fries, though. Oh man. I had the beef curry dog with was freshly made and super flavorful. I also tried some of the duck sausage which was also great. With no wait, fantastic food and a friendly staff, this might be the new gourmet sausage joint of choice for me and my out-of-town visitors!
(5)Mike M.
This place was delicious! So good in fact, that I went back the very next day for lunch (Sunday) and they were closed. My heart was broken...and it was my birthday. They make a good portion of their sausage on location unlike other places. I had the Foss Hogg which came complete with a fried egg on top. It was evil and delicious. The owner talked to us for a while and seemed like a great guy. Extremely friendly and helpful. I will go here every time I am in Chicago. And by the way, the sausage is better than Hot Doug's. There I said it. (There is also little to no wait).
(5)Anthony A.
We're starting to see these upscale hot dog places pop up all over Chicago, but this place does it right. Not only do they have differentiated hot dog offerings, but it's all about the bun. They use some sort of gourmet bread which they grill and turn into a bun: OUTSTANDING. We ordered three hot dogs between two of us to go for some variety. For some reason, my truffle fries weren't up to par, but I will chalk it up as an outlier. Staff is incredibly friendly and engaging. I like Hot Doug's, like everyone else, but I think this place is up there in terms of quality and experience, and I don't need to wait in line for an hour. Definitely worth your time and money!
(4)Sara P.
Holy hot dog heaven! Went here for lunch on a Saturday...laughing as we walked in at the couple storming out because all they had were hot dogs. Um, it's a hot dog restaurant, get over it. Looking at the menu, I was a bit overwhelmed by all the choices, and in the end, settled on just a plain kosher-style dog. Boring decision, but delicious none-the-less. The bun was enough to make anyone happy. My finace, an expert in all things Chicago hot dog, really liked his plain dog as well, but said he missed the Chicago style- the poppy seed bun, the celery salt...all the things I don't understand, not being a native Chicagoan. We also ordered the cheese fries, but were slightly disappointed in the lack of cheese. For sure we will be back...and for sure I will venture into a slightly more risky style hot dog. On a side note, someone near us had the corndog, and I came thisclose to reaching over to his table and taking a bite. What? I was hungry. Geez.
(4)Buggin O.
the franks and dawgs are for the most part... flavah! i'd stick with the ones that they make in-house. they make real good sausage--taste like real meat. they want a lot of cheddah for a dawg ($10 easy) but then again, people don't blink for $10 burgers so why not a sausage. still hard to stomach though. like $6 for a regular chicago style dog (1/8th pound). common man! you need as least 1.5 dogs and some side to make it a meal. so like $20 bones per person. fries are good and the special spicy ketchups they got is worth buying a bottle. after a while, you kinda just want a regular dog ' though cause they put too much toppings and sauce sometimes. you kinda just want to let the meal and bread speak for itself. know what i'masayin?
(4)Phil T.
The best hot dog I've ever had, a turkey and date/duck confit/ pickled carrot combination, very pleasant service, excellent choices and great fries. My girlfriend's hot dog, a gouda- and mushroom topped bratwurst was almost as delicious. Certainly a dish I wouldn't hesitate to order on another occasion. I would place this in the pantheon of cheap gourmet options in Chicago today. Strong recommend.
(5)Angie S.
My parents came into town for the weekend and I wanted to impress them with my hot boyfriend and awesome food. They grew up here in Chicago, so I knew no ordinary hot dog joint would work. I had to step it up a notch. At first my parents didn't understand the concept of gourmet hot dogs, nor did they understand the price. But when we walked in we were greeted by this awesome dude, who also happens to be the owner. He made my parents laugh and helped them decide what to order. (I think my dad liked him more than my boyfriend!) So totally one star goes to you, owner dude! Both my parents got the "Spoiled Brat" my boy got the "Foss Hog" and I got the "Dirty Dog". I thought mine was weak in comparison to the other two. I was really looking for some major crunch with the hush puppies and was majorly disappointed. The Andouille Sausage was really good, but just over powering. So there goes a point. My parents let me nosh on their brat (like the spoiled brat I am. Get it, eh eh?) and it was really delicious. The mustard was excellent and applied just right. My boyfriend, however, was the big winner of the evening. His Foss Hog was the best thing I've eaten all year. I can still taste it and crave it at 2 in the morning after a night of drinking. I would never have thought of putting a fried egg on a hot dog. I love it. I love it so much that everywhere I go now I'm trying to put fried eggs on things. I'd totally come back just for that one dog. Oh, and one last thing. We didn't do the truffle fries. Maybe I'm not the foodie I think I am, but I don't understand the truffle craze. Duck fat fries, I'll take two at a time, but triple truffle fries just didn't sound worth the almost $8. And the owner kept pushing them on us. Desperation is an awful cologne my friend.
(4)Jonathan A.
There's another Sausage King of Chicago, and his name isn't Doug. I'm sure Frank's and Dawgs is already tired of the comparisons. But given Hot Doug's popularity, it should be a compliment. Frank's and Dawgs was awesome! And I didn't have to wait an hour in line. I came here for lunch after reading the review in the Reader, with my hopes high that this could be even half as good as the other well known sausage establishment in Chicago. I was afraid it wouldn't live up to the hype. I was wrong. Frank's 'N Dawgs succeeded in every possible way. My friend and I tried 4 different sausages and they were all outstanding. Favorites were probably the Beef Curry and Lamb Keema. The descriptions on all the dogs sound interesting if nothing else, and they look amazing. But most importantly they taste as good as they look and sound. Actually the big surprise for me was how good the bun was. It wasn't just your average hot dog bun, but felt more like a freshly baked and lightly toasted roll. Light and crispy like Texas toast. The chef here, Joe Doren used to be chef at Blackbird and 16, I have been to neither, but it's obvious he knows what he is doing. And further more, they make many of their own products in house. I just found out recently that this is not the case at Hot Doug's which is a big surprise to me. Other things F&Ds has going for it..they are opened Mondays, and stay open til 7pm during the week. It's BYOB, they have a back patio, the prices are comparable to HD's and they have really good and considerate service. I don't really get some of the mediocre reviews here. I guess my experience was 5 stars all the way.
(5)Megan P.
Yes to the Truffle Mac Dog and yes to the Triple Truffle Fries. There is hidden patio seating in the back where your pup can join you! We will definitely be back soon.
(5)Olivia M.
I love this place! Great food and even better service. They have a unique menu, lots of options, and I've never had to wait for a table. Their staff is extremely friendly - especially the head chef.
(5)Kristie W.
I loved that this place had humanely-sourced hot dogs without a ton of preservatives! The Chicagoesque was amazing, although the toppings did make the dog soggy by the second half. The bun was mind-blowingly good and different, and the truffle fries and cheese curds just put the meal over the top. Easily a better experience than Hot Doug's, not because of food (Hot Doug's is slightly better, although the fries are way soggier), but because it was fast, close to town, and no long line to wait in. I love the trend toward high-end, responsibly sourced ingredients in "fast food" style places!!
(4)Robin W.
Absolutely go out of your way for this place. The lamb keema dawg I enjoyed for lunch today was both delicious AND good looking. The four others with me enjoyed their dogs, too. We tried three sides -- the brussels sprouts salad, triple truffle fries and truffled mac and cheese. All were delicious. Plus: they support charities with a "charity dawg of the month," use all "green" utensils and cups, and engage meaningfully in making sure that their business is a positive and fun contribution to their customers' lives.
(5)scott B.
Ate here twice last week. Tried 4 sausages and two kinds of fries.I'm a big fan of Hot Doug's and was itchin' to try this place. Ordered the Hot Dog flight for take out the first time and liked two of the four I tried (I found out when I got home they they gave me one wrong sausage. Liked the New Orleans sausage, but the bun couldn't hold it all. The regular fries were nothing special. My review is really 2 1/2 because they have Fresca at the soda fountain. My two star rating is based on two things. The wrong kind of bun/bread can ruin any concoction. The bun they use is the same bun they use to make a clam role. You know, the one that looks like a Folded piece of Bread. I have struggled to keep every sausage bun from falling apart. The bun at Hot Doug's is superior. If you want good truffle fries, Try Burger Bar down the street. THOSE are truffle fries. These are just OK and overpriced. Save the calories and order an extra sausage instead of fries. Kind of pricy, but if your want Hot Douglike faire without having the time to kill an extra 45 minutes. This place will do. There is free parking a block west.
(2)Roam and H.
The food lives up to its tag line 'five star dining on a bun'. Alexander has got this place buttoned up and sorted out, every dish is consistent in quality and surprises. There are real Chefs at the helm [not minimum wage employees with a pulse] they are passionate about the food they create and they deliver. Lots of the items are made-in-house and others are sourced or made in collaboration with another top quality food purveyor [such as those to-die-for buns]. Where do I start with recommendations here. The sides are a meal to themselves with the clear winner for the night being the 'Triple Truffle Fries' [yukon gold waffle cut fries, truffle oil, truffle butter, truffle salt & freshly chopped herbs] crispy crunchy salty fried goodness. Someone requested that I make them the 'Brussel Sprouts Salad' [shaved brussel sprouts, blood orange oil, lemon zest, toasted pistachios, dill & parmesan cheese] I think next time they come over I am going to just buy some from Franks'n'Dawgs there is no way anyone could top it. And then we come to the 'Lyonnaise Fries' [hand cut fries, braised pig cheek, arugula, poached egg &; a dijon mustard vinaigrette] are you kidding me - so good - they are worth the trip alone. I think you if want to take the guess-work out of it order the 'Dawg Flight', it is a sausage sampler [Chef's selection of 3 house made sausage sandwiches & fries] who could resist that offer. One of our vegetarian friends said that the 'FU' [marinated tofu with grilled eggplant relish, caramelized portabellas, Italian salsa verde & chèvre] was some of the best tofu they had ever eaten. You can't go wrong, select a meat lamb, turkey, beef, pork and go for it. Or try the 'Mystery Corn Dawg' [gourmet sausage generously coated in Anson Mills polenta batter] and let your taste buds decide what you just bit into. More from the Blog: Roam & Home - wp.me/p13q2t-1dB
(5)Angela T.
Can I just say triple truffle fries? Soooooo good. I thought that the combination of truffle butter, oil and salt would basically have to be good, but they are beyond delicious. I was disappointed at first when they were brought out and I first saw they were waffle cut because all of my previous experiences with waffle fries were a soggy mess. Not these ones. They remained crisp throughout, thanks to them being double fried. I had the belly up, which had pork sausage, pork belly, pickled fennel and macerated grapes. I found that the pork belly didn't have enough depth to really add to the dawg; it was more like a limp piece of bacon that wasn't sure if it should get crispy like bacon or become tender like a juicy thick slab of braised pork belly, so it just floundered somewhere in the middle. At lollapalooza, I had the Fingerlingin Good, Andouille sausage, Fingerling potato salad, and a beer mustard vinaigrette. That made for a very good flavor profile. I can't wait to try out some of their other offerings: black sheep and krazy kimchi. I love me some Hot Doug's, but I also have love for Franks 'N' Dawgs. Daily in-house made artisan sausages and accroutements along with fresh baked bread wins me over.
(5)Courtney B.
Awesome dogs and the BEST root beer I have had in a while. Also, did I mention the mac n cheese? Divine. Period.
(5)LT B.
The best sausages I've ever had, and one of the best meals i've ever had. Gourmet sausages, with gourmet creative toppings, in a new england style bun. I wish i had enough room for the delicious looking side dishes. I really wish SF had a place like this. Rosamunde doesnt even come close.
(5)Janowski A.
AMAZING!!! I got the bloody mary dog. First, they used thick toast for the buns (yum!!). It was perfectly spiced and melted in your mouth. The owner was super nice and helpful in picking out just the right dog for you :) They were a little pricey, but worth the money!
(5)Jeanus T.
Very very very good dogs and the bread they use is just amazing!! Get the truffle fries too! Very good. I bet you this is easily one of the best hot dog place in Chicago. A large variety to choose from too. Must try!
(5)Alex M.
Everything here is so good. Truffle fries are out of this world. There is no other place like this in all of Chicago.
(5)Jason G.
Pretty tasty eats. I've been here twice and had good experiences both times. The buns are very tasty and there is an extensive menu of usual and unusual hot dog treats. Fair warning, the corn dog is not your average county fair snack. It is a gourmet sausage with a polenta breading. You're kids will probably be disappointed and the batter is supposed to have a soft texture. The guy at the counter is a little too chatty though. Sometimes I just want to order my food and sit down. Plus when you have a line of people, your patrons appreciate politeness but quickness.
(3)Michael H.
The Jury is still out on this joint.. I have to go back and try some more of their dogs before I pen my all-important review!! GTFJD
(3)kathryn T.
I am moving from Chicago so I am trying to get in to all of these little places that I have always wanted to go to. So, obviously before my departure I had to stop by Frank 'N' Dawgs and it. was. amazing! I had the Floss Hog (Bacon, maple mayo, fried egg on top) and my taste buds as far as hot dogs go have become smug. Next time I am in Chicago I will be making a special trip just get one of these hot dogs! Oh, and the staff were really nice and explained the entire menu to me since I had never been before. Overall A+
(5)Josh N.
Freakin' love the BLT dog, the mac n cheese dog could be better but still great. The buns are buttery goodness. I recently tried the pork dog with the shredded pork on top, it was awesome. They tell you which dogs are freshest and they make some daily. I'll see you there.
(5)Michelangelo V.
Honest review: best hot dogs in Chicago fresh nothing frozen or fake everything on the menu is great its expensive but worth it Dont get the lobster roll its mot thay great its really expensive n not that good its a hot dog place shouldnt be on the menu n the tur doggin dog is not that good the best thinga are is brunch dog truffle fries mac n cheeze get these things n i swear best meal of ur life
(5)Lindsey C.
After a failed attempt at going to Hot Dougs (now closed), we headed to Franks n Dawgs which has been said to be a close comparison. We arrived at the restaurant with no wait. Walked right up to the counter and placed our order. Our group ordered a variety of items, including the Brunch dog (pork sausage, egg, bacon and maple mayo). They usually have special dogs on the menu that change often. The sides were good (waffle fries, truffle Mac, truffle fries). Definitely would go back and try some other dogs at Frank n Dawgs.
(4)