Whenever I'm in in Chicago proper, I try to get a Maxwell Polish sausage. This place in Decatur, was a nice ram in the bush. They have a walk up order window and outside seating. We each ordered a Maxwell Polish sausage. The Maxwell polish sausage is a blend of juicy, crunchy and sweet spices on a sesame bun. Topped with caramelized onions, sport peppers and mustard. The only thing lacking was a bag of French fries. :-) The owner brought the food out hot and delicious. As we were leaving he came back and asked if we enjoyed everything and where we were from. Upon learning we were from Indy he smiled and asked us when we were back in town to please come again. I'll definitely return again. read more

University Dogs - the front door of the building - Barbeque Near Me - Decatur, Illinois

See all

Traveling for work and tried this place based on good reviews. Had a Chicago dog and an Italian beef. Hot dog had good taste but hardly any relish. The sport peppers were very stringy. Overall I'd give it a 3/10. The Italian beef was very dry even though I asked for it yo be dipped. Had a couple of slivers of peppers and that was it. Tasted like a French dip without au jus. Didn't go back the rest of the week the 10 minute drive wasn't worth it. read more

Closed an hour early from posted hour. Was very disappointing to drive about 10 miles for nothing. Shameful indeed.

I cannot speak for a lot of the food but my Chicago dogs were just fine. It was more about the service. Although they were very friendly, it did not seem like a well oiled machine and they weren't exactly freaky fast. I would just allow extra time if you're on a lunch break crunch. read more

They not only serve Dogs and brats but also really good tacos and burritos. I hit them up once a week.

Best sausage I have had in years. Service great with smiling friendly workers. I will return

Stopped in for an Italian beef sandwich and really enjoyed my lunch. I didn't feel like fries that day but everyone else seemed to be digging the sweet potato fries this place serves up. The beef is a good sized sammich but I thought $8 was a little steep in price. You can still get a Chicago beef for less than that at a local hot dog joint in most Chi neighborhoods. But since I am 245 Miles S of Chicago I enjoyed my sandwich and happily paid the $8. Ordered mine dipped with sweet peppers. Nice surprise they used red sweet peppers in addition to green. Reds are my favorite. read more

University Dogs - a sub sandwich with meat and peppers - Barbeque Near Me - Decatur, Illinois

So. Is that a GRILLED Chicago dog, you ask? Well, yes. Yes it is. Did the menu mention that? Uhh. No. It didn't. Is that normal for a Chicago style hot dog? I choose not to answer that question. But I do encourage you NOT to ask anybody north of I-80. I am choosing to eat this to teach myself a lesson. Oh, by the way ... the fries were OUTSTANDING. read more

University Dogs - A chargrilled Chicago Dog? What the... - Barbeque Near Me - Decatur, Illinois

Food comes out quick and fast. Fries are amazing fresh cut. Made on order. Vinegar available just like it would be in Chicago. All beef franks Chicago style of course. My son always gets the Ditka. Daughter really enjoys it also and always gets a steamed hotdog which could also be made on the grill Probably should start tailgating there prior to big blue football games. read more

Don't mess around. Eat here Awesome fast food that is extremely clean and fresh. As much as possible is made here. Staff is extremely fast and friendly. I've not had any item here that I've disliked. So far my favorite place in all of Decatur. read more

University Dogs - a man standing at a counter in a restaurant - Barbeque Near Me - Decatur, Illinois

University Dogs is great! I have been multiple times with different friends and my husband, and everyone is always happy with their food. Most recently, I ordered a veggie burger and sweet potato fries, and my husband ordered the big bleu burger, which comes on a pretzel bun. As usual, all was delicious. My one real complaint about U-Dogs is that it seems to have more demand than space. There are only a few booths, and they are often full. I hope someday the restaurant will expand! read more

See all

Great, meaty burgers..SO much better than any of the chains. Lots of interesting and varied menu choices. I highly recommend the Big Bleu burger, but you'll need a bunch of napkins because as advertised, it's big, and juicy! I asked for the sweet potato fries well done, and they were perfect. It's a very small dive-ish place in a tiny strip mall close to the Millikin campus, and seems to be a favorite. Four local cops were eating there, and all recommended something different, and gave the place a thumbs-up. The corn dogs seem to be one of several specialties. Try the cheesecake-on-a-stick if you have room for dessert! read more

Decent place to get some food if you are in the neighborhood. Wouldn't make a special trip, especially for the "Chicago-style" hot dog that featured a grilled hot dog. That's not right! Every thing else was as it should be for a c-dog. read more

University Dogs - the entrance to the restaurant - Barbeque Near Me - Decatur, Illinois

Absolutely love this place! The food is always delicious. My favorite is the corn dog with a side of sweet potato fries.

The fries were ok, these were the smallest hot dogs I've seen. For them to specialize in hot dogs I figure they would fit the bun. I will not be going again. read more

Husband and I love takeout and we love local businesses, so we headed to University Dogs for our Friday night takeout. We first of all appreciated being able to look up the menu ahead of time on their website, so while we didn't call our order in ahead of time, we were aware of the choices before we got there. Their website was also helpful in letting us know we could use our debit card and didn't have to get cash. I got a brat special (caramel cider) with sauerkraut and spicy mustard, husband got a jumbo dog with ketchup, mustard, and onions, and we split a large disaster fry (fries covered in chili, cheese, and onions). It was all really tasty and I had the perfect amount of food. My husband, on the other hand, didn't think the "jumbo" dog was all that jumbo and said in the future he'll consider getting the 1/3rd or even 1/2 pound dog or get 2 dogs. The prices seemed reasonable. Not cheap, but the above came in at around $15 for the two of us, which isn't bad for takeout. Service was friendly and fast. I definitely recommend University Dogs and we will definitely be going back there again soon! :) read more

I tried this place when I was in town...the polish was awesome and the fries were excellent...i will come back and visit again....

Kind of on the expensive side (everything is purchased seperately) but had a really good experience and the food was tasty.

The place is always very clean, the service is always great and I've never had any problems. Great fries with skin on and plenty of them. The dogs are cooked steamed or grilled and either way they are great. They do a good tamale, too. They also have a good burger and Italian beef. This is a neighborhood place that is great for a quick meal or take out. read more

Best hot dog I've ever had. Love how they char-grilled it (they give you the option, char or steamed). Sweet potato fries are fantastic! Regular fries are great too!!! Wish I lived here, I'd come all the time!! read more

My boss invited me and three other co-workers to a pizza place nearby today for lunch. We got to the pizza place only to find they were closed today for a remodel. - I saw the University Dogs storefront when we were parking and I asked the others in the car if they had eaten there or not because I had read good things on yelp. (Week 3 living in Decatur) The fries were good - no cheap cheese sauce - real cheese. The place was clean and the food was okay - Personally, I had the Big Blue Burger - Charbroiled burger with blue cheese and bacon on a pretzel roll. (The burger was too charred in my opinion) - A couple more items, they charge a .35 fee on all orders paid by credit card and there were only four person booths - considering that there were five of us for lunch not very convenient. - I will go back, make sure to take cash - and only in small group of 4 or less. read more

If you're from Chicago like I am, then you'll be right right at home if you're looking for a good hot dog/burger/beef joint. Just the fact they use Merks cheddar cheese was enough to win me over. I will definitely be a repeat customer. read more

I made a road trip to Decatur to try University Dogs, since I had seen several ads on the noon news over the past few weeks on WAND 17. I arrived about 3:05 pm, with no other patrons present. I was warmly greeted by a employee behind the counter. I ordered a brat and sweet potato fries and a diet Pepsi. After about 10 minutes, I received my meal. Will have to say the brat and sweet potato fries were the best I have ever eaten. The bun was warm, not cold, a definite plus. The spices and condiments complimented the brat, and did not over power it. The SP fries were fried just the right amount, and had good flavor. But, I felt the cost of $10.55 was a bit steep for what I had. Having arrived at least an hour to hour and a half after the lunch crowd, I was surprised none of the tables had been wiped off, nor the floor swept. The counter in the middle looked clean surprisingly. How long would have it took one of the employees there to clean up? Or, for that matter, how long would have it taken the former patron(s) to clean off the table they used. I don't feel I should have to clean off a table with a napkin before I eat, but, alas, this chore seems to be all too common these days at all sandwich places. A middle age couple came in just as I was finishing up. When I exited the men's room, they were sitting at the table I was at. Why? I would venture a guess it was because I cleaned off the table with a napkin. The men's room was relatively clean, and stocked with the essentials however. Not sure why SP fries are a dollar higher than regular fries, but there was more than I expected. Would gave been nice to have BBQ dipping sauce, but they apparently charge 35 cents more for BBQ, honey mustard, or ranch sauce. Would have rated higher if the tables and floor had been cleaned, and dipping sauce wasn't extra. Will visit again some time. read more

Great hand cut fries. Large portions. I had a grilled chicken sandwich. It was juicy and tender. Service was excellent. Great staff and quality food. read more

not that great two hotdogs and fries $10.00are you kidding me....get 3 hotdogs large fries and drink all day long at Nicky's on Cicero and 147th in Midlothian.all vienna beef loaded chicago style. this place isn't all that great. ill drive to Nicky's before I ever stop in this place again. service was too slow and not good i cancelled my order! read more

Yummy hot dogs!! I like their Chicago dogs best. Their french fries are good too! Nice people too!!

Everything I have had has been great. Particularly the burgers - excellent. It is by Millikin University's campus. It is not built for a huge crowd so if you have a big party you may prefer to get your food to go but you definitely want to try it out. I often see the owner working when I'm there and I get the impression they take pride in their work. I hope you enjoy it is much as I have. read more

This is a late night dining favorite for MU students. As a vegetarian I wasn't too excited when this establishment popped up near campus, however I was pleasantly surprised to discover they have vegetarian burgers and vegan burgers! I enjoyed the veggie burger, and had a side of sweet potato fries which were AMAZING. Cheap prices, good food, excellent location, and open late. Plenty of options for meat lovers. Definitely give this place a try. read more

This place is okay, but not Chicago. It's not even Bowling Green, KY. We have a place in BG called Big Al's. It's virtually the same menu as U. Dogs only the sandwiches are better and cheaper at Big Al's. Last Tuesday I ordered an Italian Beef dry at U. Dogs. It had been drained somewhat, but not enough to keep the bun from falling apart. I didn't have to use the cup of juice as there was more than enough left with the sandwich. I expected what I ordered DRY. The cost of the sandwich caught me off guard as well. At Big Al's an Italian beef the same size, but better tasting is $5.95 not $7.50. When I was told the cost I thought maybe the fries were included. No such luck. So at U. dogs I got lunch for $11.50+ where the same lunch would have cost me $7.75+ at Big Al's in BG. Of course someone will say that I can just stay in BG and eat at Big Al's and I will. The next time I eat in Decatur it will be at the 48 Inn for the best burger in town, Del Carmen's East for the best pizza anywhere, or Aloha for the best food and service. It won't be at U.Dogs for a soggy (dry), over-priced sandwich. The fries were great, however. read more