The Wiener's Circle

04/06/2008 Posted by mjpirtle

Husband and I tried this Clark St. stand, and keep going back when in the city. We've tried a few other hot dog stands, and always come back here. Their menu is very simple--not lots of confusing choices. The fresh-cut fries with cheddar on the side can't be beat, with the fries nicely browned. One order is plenty for two. The hot dogs are Vienna and perfect. I like mine charred with everything. Husband has had the burger, and reported it as very good. We've never had any problems with the staff, but as it gets later into the evening, language and manners get rough, so expect it and you'll be fine. Some inside seating on stools around the perimeter, and outside tables. The place looks quite dingy, but we've never minded. We go for the food.

Pros: Food, food, food

Cons: Ambience

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

10/15/2007 Posted by patrickhayes

I've only gone here twice. It is ok. It is probably better drunk at 4am. I don't like being treated poorly so I don't say anything other than my order. They got the message and moved on to the next person. The drunks seemed to like it. If I was drunk in Wrigleyville I would stop in.

Pros: if your drunk what do you care anyway?

Cons: being treated poorly. but for somethat is a pro.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

08/20/2007 Posted by vegitoboi

There must be some mistake. How can a place like this be rated 5 stars?!?! IT'S A DUMP!!! I expected this nice CLEAN fast food place with ample seating for everyone, but NO!!! I expected THEE BEST hot dogs in Chicago with fries that were nice long "finger sized" and not overgreasy, but NO!! I expected a friendly staff, BUT NOOOOO!! The place barely fits 20 people with BROKEN STOOLS AND COUNTERTOPS and the area behind the counter looks BROKEN DOWN and barely fits 5. As for the food itself, it was LOUSY!!! First, the menu board is falling apart with missing letters and off the nails it hangs on. There are flys EVERYWHERE and the garbage "baskets" look like they haven't been washed out or changed since the place opened. The food itself was NOT FILLING AT ALL!!! It's a NORMAL hot dog either boiled or charred with the ususal Chicago style toppings, NOTHING SPECIAL!!! You'll need at least 2 double dogs to fill you up (of course that means more $). The fries are SUPER OILY and looked more like CRUMBS than actual full length fries, hense why they overfill your fry basket. As for the burgers, again NOTHING SPECIAL! Just your typical 4 oz cheddar burger (a double is available too). So...WHAT'S SO IMPRESSIVE ABOUT THIS PLACE? Out of all the hot dog places in Chicago, this was THEE WORST (BOTH IN APPEARANCE AND TASTE). I don't know how celebrities like George Clooney or anyone else can actually say they love this place. They must've been paid off to say such a thing, especially when Clooney was on Leno praising the place. Seriously, it looks like the place is about to be bulldozed to the ground. It literally looks like a shack in the parking lot between 2 buildings. And THERE IS NO BATHROOM!!! What are you supposed to do when you throwup the HORRIBLE TASTE IN YOUR MOUTH, let alone have to go; do it in the parking lot? I'm taking my business to Superdawg or Portillo's, at least their weiners are more filling.

Pros: None

Cons: EVERYTHING POSITIVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THIS PLACE IS A LIE, UNCLEAN FACILITY, RIPOFF PRICE for UNFILLING FOOD, NO BATHROOM, BUMS AND INSECTS ALL AROUND, GARBAGE OVERFLOWING, BROKEN FURNITURE

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

07/08/2007 Posted by iamhbic

The wiener's circle is a typical example of what chicago has become. If you grew up in the city you went there a few times in high school and soon realized it was a tourist trap and filled with 20 somethings who party in the city. That's all it is for. Tourists and drunks who think its cool. It was cool when I was 14. Now its just stupid.

Pros: food tastes like everyother chicago hot dog spot

Cons: horrible crowd, tourist trap

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

07/03/2007 Posted by andyscottberg

DO NOT EAT HERE. My friend and I went in to buy a cheddar burger which costs $3.80 before tax and when our order came they tried to charged us $5.00 each, assuming we were unable to do basic math. We called them out on it and then they told us to get the f**k out an had the janitor act as some sort of bouncer. He insulted us as we left. I will never eat there again, because the business is run by black rascist price gougers.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

06/17/2007 Posted by chitowngirl43

The Wiener's Circle is just on par with many small Chicago dog stands that put out tasty, greasy, cheap eats, with the entertaining flair of customer/counter-help repartee . HOWEVER, it's popularity with drunken jerks looking for a fight with the outspoken counter help takes the normally entertaining interaction to a new and very disturbing level. Last time I was there, a very abusive customer nearly sparked a riot. They are going to have to put the counter behind bars soon to protect the staff. Never going there again. Ever. If you are interested in food and not a call to 911 check out Hot Diggity Dog, Gold Coast Dogs (safe and classic customer/counter-help interaction) or the many family owned Gyros shops around town. For backyard grill flavor, ask for a char dog.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

04/09/2007 Posted by grubsessiondotcom

Indisputably overrated. I would love to hear an argument against this proclamation. The definition of the type of skuzzy spot people talk about to sound cool. Little do they know all the true heads are laughing in their general direction. I know where you are going to go with this too. “I just don’t get it.” No, I really do trust me - and more than that I really wanted to like this place to satisfy my dreams of being a d-bag who talks about it anytime people bring up Chicago dining so that people know just how hard I rep. However, all my hopes and dreams came crashing to the ground with a small serving of fries. How is a spot so desperate to be the sneaky good spot amongst all the other rubble going to mess up cheese fries so much? How is a spot that only serves hot dogs and fries going to p*ss on the entire faith of cheese fry lovers everywhere? I blame it on the cluckboxes who permanently smudge their culinary opinion records by deeming wein circle an institution of any sort. For those of you lucky enough to have abstained long enough to read this life changing glimpse into the utter overratedness that is wein circle, let me give you a brief description of these despicable cheese fries. While quality cheese fries ala those offered by the likes of gods in the game like Portillos feature smooth, creamy cheese that beautifully envelopes the fries before satisfying your every desire, Weiner Circle uses straight cheddar that crustifies the fries before the sweet aroma can even reach your nose. My mom makes better cheese fries. If this article can save one soul from a wasted meal at Weiner Circle, I will feel I succeeded. I hope that everyone will continue the search to find a spectacular diamond in the ruff much like Wein Circle dreams of being. However, you can be a diamond in the rough when every cluckstick in town not only knows about you but stupidly touts your grub.

Pros: Don't believe the hype

Cons: The food is just bad. Go to Portillos.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

03/21/2007 Posted by perspicacious_critic

The Wiener's Circle will be featured on an upcoming episode of "This American Life," the award winning radio show that has been made into a television version on Showtime. (Search: "This American Life with Ira Glass: The Trailer," on YouTube, for the trailer, featuring one of the Wiener's Circle cooks.) The first air date will be March 22nd, 2007. Check local listings for times. Judging from the trailer, it's not to be missed!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

11/20/2006 Posted by absolutkira

The fries are good! The hot dogs are better! But the real reason to drive out of your way after a night of heavy drinking is to experience the wonder that is Wiener Circle. The wiener circle girls never dissapoint. In the battle between drunken Northside ex-frat boys and saucy wiener circle workers, the girls always win. Dinner AND a show!

Pros: Quick and entertaining

Cons: not a big fan of the "cheese"

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

08/20/2006 Posted by cruiser66

As far as Chicago style dogs go, this place is about as average as it gets. What is amazing is that this place exists in a High(ish) rent area. Sparce seating, I suggest the window counter at least there's the ever changing view of street-life. Yea, I stop here whenever I'm in the area and in the mood for a dog. No, I don't make a special trip to this place, unless I'm entertaining someone that's bought into the "Rave" af this place. BUT All in all you gotta experience this at least once!

Pros: It's THERE and worth at least one try

Cons: Some parking in back but most bus/cab/walk/stagger in after "club'n"