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Nickys Hot Dogs

3.2 (25 reviews)
InexpensiveHot Dogs
Closed • Closed

Nickys Hot Dogs Photos

NICKYS HOT DOGS ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Good for groups
Good for kids

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The drinks....
Damian P.

What can one say about a Chicago Dog? Hmmm, well as my neighborhood spot I have to say a lot. Hot Dogs in Chicago are definitely a dime a dozen, but how the hot dog is made can make a world of difference. You see, at Nicky's you have to get it Chicago style. No ketchup thank you and just the flavors that remind one of how it once well. Let me not be melodramatic but lets keep it real. Chicago Hot Dogs have to be made correctly in order to be considered real. And at Nicky's they make sure that you have that experience. I mean of course you can get other items here also, but the hot dog is what I come for. Juicy and just as I remember a hot dog to be when I was a small boy in Bucktown. You have to have that snap in the dog too, and without that extra snap, its just a hot dog. Of course please note that they also sell other items such as hamburgers too. Oh and they gyros plate, lawd, its definitely enough for two people as the plate has two gyro breads to share and with plenty of fixings, you just can't leave hungry.

the front of the restaurant
Rohan D.

I think I knew the owner back in 1979-80 or so, but that family isn't the current ownership. Good Chicago dogs here and the rest of the menu that goes with a place that does Chicago dogs. I really miss being able to find a good Chicago dog place around any corner but I guess it's better for my health that I'm in Milwaukee now. There are no authentic Chicago style hot dogs to be found in Milwaukee, if you see one on a menu anywhere in Southeast Wisconsin don't bother, you'll only be bitterly disappointed. This place, however, is the real deal. I don't know why anyone would complain about the service, if I got an overly polite, saccharine sweet, scripted dialogue from a hot dog stand cashier I would walk out without paying. I expect a no-nonsense gruff White Sox fan working class competent exchange that puts a red hot without ketchup in my hands without any butt-kissing. And that's what I get here, from the 1979 to now.

Meat to pepper issue explained
Travis K.

So I will say I have history here, but a real Pulaski hot dog place. I worked down the road 20 years ago and would go there at lunch it was a full on Circus. So I am doing a job near by I stopped in. WELL LET'S SAY THE AREA HAS IMPROVED. It was a older Polish neighborhood but now appears a lot more upscale. So I get the Chicago Dog and a Italian beef. Yes I am a big guy. The dog was good, there relish is the one out of mustard. Tasty! there fry's are a steak FRY cut style. I love salt. So the the Beef I had hot peppers. It was huge amount of beef. So much you need to ask for extra hot peppers. I know odd! Well it is still solid. It not a Steak house it is a great lunch stop. Good to see it still on Pulaski!

Horrible breakfast sandwich! At least Mcdonald's is consistent!!
Yadira R.

The lady made the wrong order after i called it in because of what she thought she heard. Then threw my breakfast sandwich together real fast! Disgusting! My eggs are dirty looking and nasty!! Just all around bad service and food!!!

Beef

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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6 years ago

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8 years ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

These ppl are stupid I had order 2 hotdogs with fries and only got 1 hotdog how stupid can u be u.

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7 years ago

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

It was very good service was also very good when I walked in I was properly greeted will order again when

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4 years ago

Gotta love chi town hot dawgs. Been eating dogs all across the city, and keep coming back to Nicky's when in area.

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6 years ago

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14 years ago

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11 years ago

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7 years ago

Great spot, never had anything bad. Definitely recommend the gyros!! Friendly staff, and low prices!

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5 years ago

Value oriented meal offerings. I want to try Chicago dogs on a budget and this place was beyond my expectations!

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11 years ago

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8 years ago

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9 years ago

I liked the place but I think the hamburgers need to be cooked a little more and the fries didn't taste good

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9 years ago

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11 years ago

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11 years ago

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11 years ago

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11 years ago

The food is edible.It is pretty gross though. I was willing to eat it when it was cheaper.

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14 years ago

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11 years ago

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Review Highlights - Nickys Hot Dogs

“Nikki's on 46th and Pulaski wasn't just a restaurant -- it was the last of its kind in Chicago.”

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Devil Dawgs-Gold Coast

Devil Dawgs-Gold Coast

4.4(312 reviews)
7.8 mi•Near North Side
Locally owned & operated
Outdoor seating

In the moment review : Sweet Orange vanilla shake: 3.5/5…read moreBlue demon dog: 3.5/5 Solid, soggy bread , spicy mustard was good added the peppers Hot chile dog: 2/5 Soggy bread, chili was bland In retrospect: It's good for what it is, a hype hot dog spot with cool and unique menu items that can sometimes be extreme. I knew my shake was over the top so I should've expected really bold flavoring, it was just a bit too intense for me. I also don't recall being able to choose a size and this amount of shake is wayyy too much even for two people. My boyfriend and I shared and still couldn't finish it. The hot dogs I guess should be consumed there and in the moment. Ours were wrapped all of 5 minutes and the bread was already soggy. The chili dog was underwhelming. The little peppers they sell on the side and in some Dawgs are fire!!!! Best thing I had was their onion rings. Super good rings here. Crunchy and tasty. They come with a sauce. I don't remember which one I got but it tasted like raw seasoning. Also wayyyy too heavy. I was super bloated after this meal. Def a one n done for me. I enjoyed it but wouldn't go back.

Small entry way but you don't need much to order food. They have seating outside as well if you're…read moreinterested. You have the option of placing an order at the kiosk or with an employee. Being a newbie I wasn't sure where to start as the menu is a lot to take in. I settled on: Double backyard burger no cheese or tomato - 7/10 - I like my doubles a little thinner, not a slight to them just what I was expecting. I could've definitely did one burger and been satisfied. Burger was seasoned decent and the pickles were really good. Icelandic dog (no honey mustard, added relish). -10/10 - I loved everything about this dog. The bite, the spice, the toppings.

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Devil Dawgs-Gold Coast
Devil Dawgs-Gold Coast
Devil Dawgs-Gold Coast

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Jim's Original - Polish Sausage Sandwich

Jim's Original

4.2(803 reviews)
5.6 mi•University Village
•$

A LOCAL CLASSIC! I…read moreloved this spot so much I ended up coming back twice. It has that classic late night comfort food vibe and feels like one of those staple spots you have to try at least once. First night I ordered a polish hot dog with everything on it and a fish sandwich w/ extra grilled onions. Super cool that your order comes with fries and I added a cheese cup both times. In my opinion the fries were mid the first go around, but second time they were better. Definitely tasted better dipped in cheese. They were kinda airy in texture, if that makes sense. Polish hot dog was around a 6.5-7/10 for me. It did taste better warmed up the next day. What I was most obsessed with was the double cheeseburger and fish sandwich! both were easily a 10/10. Super good prices and worth the money. Also, the chile peppers were sooo bomb and hotter than I expected ! I wanted to eat them all, but they were packing some serious heat! The lemon Italian ice is where it's at, make sure to order one! You can also mix it with strawberry, but both times people recommended the lemon and now I see why. The line gets super active and busy past 10-11pm, but during the daytime it's way less crowded. Even when it gets packed the line moves pretty quick. They stay open late and close at 1am which is nice.

Taste: 5 Creativity/Authenticity: 5…read moreAtmosphere: 3 Service: 5 Bang for your buck: 4 Chicago known for hotdogs, pizza, Italian beef and popcorn!! I didn't get it but after a long night that hotdog killed it!! Got the polish original and the all beef and both were banging!! And the fries wth is up with Chicago and their amazing fries!? Service here as good as it gets fast and easy. And price man worth it!!

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Jim's Original - Short line today

Short line today

Jim's Original - Before.... Polish Sausage Sandwich

Before.... Polish Sausage Sandwich

Jim's Original - Sign from around the corner.

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Sign from around the corner.

Devil Dawgs -  South State

Devil Dawgs - South State

4.0(1.1k reviews)
6.6 mi•South Loop
•$
Locally owned & operated
Vegan friendly

Great place for a hot dog! This location is a short walk from the Field Museum. I had the Chicago…read moredog and tots, and it was good! You can't go wrong with a classic. Service is counter only, and you have to order at a kiosk. The interior is what you would expect for this type of establishment. Cool framed photos and memorabilia. I'll definitely return next time I'm in Chicago again.

We went to Devil Dawgs after doing the architecture tour because we needed something to put in our…read morestomachs. My husband suggested it, so we went. At first, I was like, "Hey, get me a sandwich." But when we got there, it looked divey, so I said, you know what, let's see! We grabbed a high-top table, but listen: seating is limited, okay? Don't come in there thinking you finna have a whole big, huge party! It is a small space, but we were able to secure our seats, watch the cooks do their thing, and order our food. Everything came out relatively quickly. The whole place has a fun vibe. Pictures on the ceiling, bright colors. Of course, the name Devil Dawgs made me think about the Marine Corps. If you know, you know! I had the Dragonfruit Shake, and oh my goodness. My husband had the Maxwell Street Polish, which I absolutely loved seeing because I grew up eating them. I used to get mine off 95th & Dan Ryan.. so that brought back some memories. And Hubs tore that thing down! Now, my hot dog? Listen, the picture is diabolical, okay? But it was EV-ER-Y-THING! I need to sound it out phonetically because it was literally everything, okay?! It was loaded, messy, and doing exactly what it needed to do. And listen, I am perfectly fine with a messy dog as long as it is good, and it absolutely was! The food came out quick, fast, and in a hurry. You won't be sitting around waiting forever. If you need to catch a plane, train, automobile, or whatever else, you are going to get where you need to go because that food is coming out, okay? If we ever come back to the area, we are definitely hitting up Devil Dawgs again. For sure!

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Devil Dawgs -  South State
Devil Dawgs -  South State
Devil Dawgs -  South State

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Fatso's Last Stand - Char dog, depression style, fries, side of Merkts cheddar sauce.

Fatso's Last Stand

4.1(992 reviews)
6.3 mi•Ukrainian Village, West Town
•$$

I had read about how Fatso's does the char dog. I made this my last meal in Chicago…read more I went with a char dog, depression style, an order of fries, and a side of the Merkts cheddar. How was it? Fries- Delicious! Fresh cut fries, made right in front of you. They were great! Huge portion, too! Merkts Cheddar Sauce- Hell yeah! Give me a gallon of this, and I will chug it! Such a tasty cheese sauce. Loved dipping my fries in it. Great combo! Char Dog- This dog was delicious! Great char, great toppings. My only beef would be the bun. It definitely could have been more soft/steamed and fresh. It held up pretty well, but there were a couple bites where it broke and flaked apart. Hate when that happens. Still...didn't ruin the overall experience. Had a great last meal in Chicago before I headed to the airport.

Fatso's Last Stand delivers exactly what its name promises: unapologetically indulgent, old-school…read morecomfort food done right. The burgers are the shining stars -- juicy, generously sized, and cooked to perfection with toppings that strike the perfect balance of classic and creative. Whether you go for a stacked cheeseburger, bacon-loaded option, or a specialty creation, the patties are flavorful and satisfyingly beefy, with a great char and use of quality ingredients that keeps diners coming back. Beyond burgers, the menu also features hearty eats like crispy fries, loaded sandwiches, and thick milkshakes, all served with a no-frills attitude that lets the food speak for itself. Service at Fatso's Last Stand matches the laid-back but attentive vibe of the restaurant -- staff are friendly, efficient, and know regulars by name, creating a welcoming, neighborhood-favorite energy. While the pace can get lively during peak hours, especially on weekends, the team handles the rush with good humor and keeps orders moving. The ambiance is casual and retro in all the right ways, with diner-style seating and a comfortable, unpretentious environment that makes it perfect for relaxed lunches, casual dinners with friends, or late-night burger runs. It's not fancy, but when your focus is on big, delicious burgers and familiar comfort food, Fatso's delivers exactly what you're craving.

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Fatso's Last Stand
Fatso's Last Stand - Merkts Cheddar.

Merkts Cheddar.

Fatso's Last Stand - Double Fatso with Cheese + Fries

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Double Fatso with Cheese + Fries

Nickys Hot Dogs - hotdog - Updated October 2026

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