Any "Best Hot Dog in America" list needs to include at least one place in Illinois.

I mean, Chicago-style hot dog? I'm sure you've heard of it before, so it makes all the sense in the world to include a few Illinois hot dog stands.

Chicago hot dog on a poppy seed bun
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Actually, I'm kind of stunned that only three hot dog hot spots made the list of Urban Matter's 25 Best Hot Dog Restaurants & Stands in America to Visit.

There are a few things that always come up when talking about hot dogs:

  1. What's your preferred hot dog topping?
  2. Is a hot dog a sandwich?

I'm not getting into either (1. Mustard only, and 2. No), but I figured I'd show you three places in Illinois that are so good they got included in this esteemed national list.

Chicago Style Hot Dog
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After you visit all three you can talk about what you should put on your dog and whether or not it qualifies as a sandwich.

Superdawg Drive-In, 6363 North Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago.

Urban Matter says, "This family-owned classic hot dog restaurant opened in 1948 and has carhop service and an unforgettable atmosphere."

Gene & Jude's, 2720 North River Road in River Grove.

According to Urban Matter,  "Located just outside of Chicago, Gene & Jude’s hot dogs are topped with mustard, relish, onion, and a few sport peppers."

The Weiner's Circle, 2622 North Clark Street in Chicago.

Urban Matter adds, "Located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, Wiener’s Circle is known for its fast-paced environment."

On Yelp, The Weiner's Circle gets 3.5 out of 5 stars while Superdawg and Gene & Jude's both get four stars, so it looks like they are all about the same.

Byron's Hot Dog Haus, Yelp (Kevin L.)
Byron's Hot Dog Haus, Yelp (Kevin L.)
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All three are fine as far as I'm concerned, but for my money (and stomach) I'll take a trip over to Byron's Hot Dog Haus at 1017 West Irving Park Road in Chicago.

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