Hot Dog Station

One of the best Hot Dogs I have had in my life. The staff was extremely welcoming and friendly. Try the Chicago Dog, you won’t be disappointed.

I was doing my laundry in the area when i decided to grab some dinner at Hot dog station. I ordered the char broiled chicken sandwich with fries, drink and cup of cheese. I was looking forward in eating it at home but because it was raining so hard today. My paper bag of food broke and all my goodies were all over the ground. I was so devastated and soaking wet from the rain so i decided to walk home and drop all my clean laundry. Because the food really looked good and i wanted to still try it, i walked back to Hot dog station and bought the exact same order. I told the gentleman in the counter about what happened and he gave me everything for free. This kind of restaurant deserve our business because they value their customers and the gentleman, I’m not sure if he is the owner but he was so kind. As for the food, it tasted amazing love the flavor of the chicken and the fries is crispy but not oily. Perfection. Definitely, i will be back and this time they put my food in a plastic bag :)

I love this resturant. The guy, who I intially thought was the owner, gives great customer service. I just L-​O-​V-​E the resturant’s décor. The old paintings, posters and signs of the L’ lines. I went in one time with my father, who works for CTA, he was taken back as well. He’s a big history buff and he knew the year in which every photograph was taken.
It’s definitely a true Chicago Style Vienna Hot Dog stand. No ketchup on anything, they do have a ketchup dispenser in front, though. You just will need to get a couple of small cups of ketchup.
One thing that I will say about the Hot Dog Station it is a little pricey. So, I may visited just once a month, ususlly over the weekends. The food is worth the price, though. Plus, you won’t find another place like this in Albany Park.
Just a heads up, they are not open on Sundays. I always forget that.

This place is amazing. Seriously the cleanest, friendliest and freshest food ever. Wish they had extended hours for a late night craving! I’m so picky about hot dog places but this place is seriously worth a try. You definitely won’t be disappointed!

Not only is the food delicious, but the owners are very nice people. I haven’t tried the hot dogs (I’m not a big hot dog fan); I usually get a burger and fries. The only downside I can think of is that the restaurant doesn’t have free refills. I also wish they had milkshakes, but since it is a smaller place, I understand why it may be cost prohibitive. What I feel really makes the place though is the owners; they are great at making people feel welcome, and they remember you when you come back.

Let me start this review by clarifying… I am life long Chicagoan who knows a thang or 2,3,4 and for good measure 5 about an Italian beef… I’m talking west side, north side, south side and franchise! I remember when all beefs seemed like foot longs (but maybe I was just younger) and never disappointed… long gone are those days thus, thought I was destined to only remember the way we were…
In steps this spot… for real, for real the beef was good. I’m talking heavy in my hand, melt in my mouth, full of flavor good. Not as long as the old days but heavy enough that I forced hubby to grab a hold of it as proof!
Dipped, cheesed, hot peppered and placed in a plastic bag for cleanliness as we traveled home, was a small clue that they care about me and the food. Will be back to try the dogs (i mean that has to happen first) and hopefully 5 star this fine Chicago establishment :)

Chicago dogs. Let’s have a quick chit chat about them. A beef frank, a poppy seed bun, onions, green relish, tomatoes, pickle, sports peppers, celery salt and the ever important mustard. Perfection. The staff was welcoming the greeted me immediately and took my order within 30 seconds of walking in it was great.
Place is great and the fries are hot and fresh and great prices too. All in all super clean, bangin’ food, friendly staff, welcoming bright location, what more could you ask for?
P. s. they were playing some bangin’ tunes too!

I’ve lived in the area for 3 years and haven’t had a chance to eat at Hot Dog Station… until today.
First, the food is outstanding!!! Flame-​grilled burgers, super yummy cheese fries. Totally the best hangover food ever! The quality was outstanding, crisp lettuce perfect tomatoes on the burger. The food seriously is incredible!
Next…the owner was so nice! I got there about 20 minutes before closing, and he chatted with me while my food was being cooked (everything was done fresh, fyi).
I can’t wait to go back!

Wow, I grew up on the south side where there is a great hot dog stand on every corner and some of the best food ever. This place BLEW ME AWAY! From the second I opened the door the cashier greeted me, and the place was flawless, super clean.
THE FOOD WAS EASILY TOP 5 in Chicago.
1 cheese dog only cheese– wow. I’m all for the fake liquid it’s amazing, but this was the thicker version, unbelievable. I almost ate all the cheese off my dog with my fries which were made fresh to order, still hot 5 minutes after I started eating
Classic Chicago dog, everything no tomatoes– everything you want in a hot dog.
Everything about this place blew other places out of the water, must have for any hot dog fan in Chicago.

Great hot dog place. Like classic hot dog place. Clean, friendly. Had the Long Island. Onion rings were perfect. Not too crunchy and the ring didn’t come out when you bit into it. Right across from the El. Convenient and close-​by. Will visit again.

Great food. Like the hot dogs and chicken sandwiches!!! Right next to the kimball station!

Hot Dog Station was a great restaurant for my girlfriend and I. This is her third time in Chicago, and wanted a Chicago Style Hot Dog, so I brought her here.
The server was extremely friendly and helpful, offering to let my girlfriend try their cheese sauce as she decided what to order. She ended up getting a Chicago style hot dog with Cheese Fries, and she really enjoyed it. I got the Italian Beef with Mozzarella, Sweet Peppers, and dipped, and it had great flavor.
The only slight negative was the cheese fries were a bit too cheesy at points for my girlfriend, but overall she really enjoyed them.
If I could give a 4.5 I would!

Their fast food is great! I usually do not eat hot dogs or fast foods but I make the exception when it comes to this place; their foods are always well cooked, non greasy and their fries are fabulous, crispy and with some potato skins, yummy! I love eating here when I pick up my son from Von Steuben, good mommy and son bonding time over a pizza puff and fries.

Doing the basics well is harder than we think. Hot Dog Station is a great little oasis that does justice to the Chicago classics! My beef was flavorful and I like that the giardiniera is a good mix of veggies instead of being mostly peppers like Portillos or all celery like Al’s. Keeping a place clean should a basic step but not every place spends enough time maintaining cleanliness. Hot Dog Station was spotless! I don’t think they’ll be suffering from any of the same issues as Sun Wah (I love them but why do they keep getting shut down?!?)
While I was enjoying my food, I realized I couldn’t hear all the rif raf outside. I couldn’t hear the cars, couldn’t hear the Brown line, couldn’t hear the school kids walking by. Maybe I temporarily lost my hearing but if I did, I highly doubt I would be listening to La Bamba in my head though it is a catchy tune. Whatever soundproofing they did, if any, was well worth it.
This was such a nice surprise! My best friends parents own Albany Office Supply around the corner on Lawrence (check them out!) so it’s good to know there’s a place like this if we’re ever in the area visiting them.

They have one of the best Italian beef sandwiches I’ve ever had. In addition, I recommend to add sweet peppers and mozzarella (extra $ 0.59 on each add-​on). The service is consistently friendly. The dude (assuming he’s the owner because he’s always there) resembles Aiden from Sex and the City (which is not a bad thing)!

After almost 3 years in Chicago I decided to finally try a chicago style hot dogs and since this place was so close and had good reviews I gave it a try. I really have to say it was actually very good I didn’t have expectations since I’m not a big fan of hot dogs but this place was absolutely good. One thing that also impressed me the must was their really nice service, manager or supervisor was very helpful and so nice with everyone will show up. On top of the great service u can’t bit a place that it look very clean and this place was very organize and clean. Overall great choice to be first time visiting hot dog stand in Chicago.

The food is very tasty; had the hamburger and my partner had chicken tenders and we split cheese fries. The burger was on the better end of the spectrum of «diner burgers», the chicken tenders were nice and crispy and the cheese fries were regular fries with regular cheese sauce but they do NOT skimp on the cheese and that’s the secret to good cheese fries.
The décor is fun, old-​timey rock and great old posters. Fun, cheap place for a tasty, simple meal.

I ran in here on my way to the train and asked if I could use the bathroom if I bought a drink, and the owner/​manager said I could just use it… I didn’t have to buy anything. He was super friendly.
So friendly that my boyfriend came back the same night to try the place out. It’s a cute little place, clean, with a nice diner feel.
The food is good diner food… reminds me of Portillo’s… If you are looking for taste comparison. But, seriously, the owner is so nice! I like giving my business to places that treat you nice from the minute you walk through the door.
I don’t live near here, so I’m not sure when I’ll be back… but if you do live here, or are taking the Brown Line to Kimball, then definitely give them a go.

Man, after 15 years vegan I’ve been craving a simple Chicago-​style hot dog and never found one that appeased me until now. One day I was running about and my craving was fierce. A quick Unilocal search and a bounce and a hop found me at Hot Dog Station.
Yup, veggiedog on the menu, didn’t even bother with the rest. Do I want a meal? What’s that? Fries and a drink, fuck yeah, hook me up. Came out with the quickness and I wolfed that shit down barely managing to take a picture.
Small, clean, fast, super polite staff. Yup. Thanks for the «veggie» option!

I really have to stop drinking! I mean seriously!!!
So after a wild night with my favorite people, I felt like death when I woke up. So food and water should cure this nasty hangover that I was experiencing. I stopped at a nasty buffet at first to stuff my face (that review will follow shortly) but that did not do the trick. I decided to run errands after eating at that nasty buffet and when my hunger striked again i remembered this place.
I ordred a hotdog with only relish, ketchup, tomatoes, fries and a SIDE OF MAYO! You guys should really try eating mayo with your fries it’s better than having sex. My order took less than 5 minutes to come up. Everything was fresh and tasted great.
This place is really clean, friendly and fast. They close pretty early and its a shame that not more people visit this little gem.