Our Five Favorite Chicago Hot Dog Spots of 2021

Hot Doug's at Wrigley FieldAdam and Madalyn

As the calendar has turned to 2022, we’ve had some time to reflect on the year that was 2021. One of those significant reflections was just how many great hot dogs we had last year. And if there is one thing that you can count on us for, it is opinions on hot dogs.

So without further ado, here is the list of our five favorite hot dog spots of 2021.

If your favorite spot isn’t on our favorites list, let us know which hot dog spots you want to see us go to in 2022.

The first of our top 5 favorite hot dog spots in 2021 is The Hot Dog Box. This father-daughter owned-spot in Bronzeville serves up delicious filet mignon hot dogs. These gourmet dogs come topped with root beer steak sauce, mushrooms, onions, and peppers. The delightful dogs don’t stop there, though. We also had a traditional Chicago-style hot dog, and it was as classic as a Chicago-style dog can get.

Hot Dogs from Hot Dog BoxAdam and Madalyn

What we enjoyed most about The Hot Dog Box was the entrepreneurial spirit of its owners. They’ve got an unbelievably good product and put their love and care into every bite. We hope to see more big things from the Hot Dog Box in 2022!

The Hot Dog box will open a new location on Saturday, January 15, at 4020 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Portage Park. It will include a 30-seat dining room.

The second hot dog spot on our 2022 list is near DePaul’s campus, and that is Chicago’s Dog House. Chicago’s Dog House marries delicious hot dogs with some classic Chicago nostalgia. Our favorite was a nod to a time when the Bears were good: the Midway Monster, a hot dog with giardiniera, bacon, and bbq sauce.

Midway Monster Hot DogAdam and Madalyn

The more classic Daley dog is a nod to Chicago’s longtime political powerhouse family. It is loaded with cheddar cheese, dijon mustard, and caramelized onions. All the hot dogs on the menu are a hit, and don’t forget to order a side of frips.

Chicago’s Dog House 816 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60614.

Our third hot dog spot for 2021 is one of the most difficult hot dogs in the city to get your hands on. That is because you have to purchase a bleacher ticket to a Cubs game in order to have one. This spot is of course Hot Doug’s hot dogs at Wrigley Field.

Open 81 times a year (more if the Cubs make the playoffs), eating at Hot Doug’s takes some planning. While the iconic original Hot Dougs may have closed its doors a few years ago, the tasty encased meats still live on in the bleachers at our cities’ best ballpark. As always with Hot Dougs, the sausages are incredibly flavorful, and the toppings are perfection. While we would like to highlight a single dog, the links change during the different home stands, giving the bleacher bums a little variety throughout the summer.

Wrigley Field is located at 1060 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60613.

Devil Dawgs SignAdam and Madalyn

Our fourth favorite hot dog spot of 2021 is Devil Dogs. Now with four locations, it is easy to see why Devil Dogs is multiplying. Since opening near DePaul in 2010, Devil Dawgs has become renowned for delivering on both the classics and providing their own unique options. Two of our favorites include the bacon cheddar dog and the “Blue Demons Dawg,” topped with devil sauce, onions, sauerkraut, spicy mustard and pickles. We’re hungry just thinking about it.

Devil Dawgs is located at 767 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605.

Superdawg Drive-In. Chicago, ILAdam and Madalyn

The fifth spot on this list belongs to long-time Chicago institution Superdawg. Their spot is secured at the hands of the “Whoopskidawg,” their version of a Romanian/Hungarian/Polish sausage. The “Whoopskidawg” is topped with Superdawg’s special sauce, grilled onions and a pickle. There is nothing “whoops” about this dog. It is just straight-up delicious.

Superdawg is located at 6363 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646.

Didn’t see your spot on the list? Let us know in the comments below where to visit in 2022.