L-Stop Musts: Hot Dog Edition

The Red Line offers a network of Chicago’s famous dogs topped with everything a ketchup-hating native could ask for — yellow mustard, neon-green sweet pickle relish, chopped white onion, tomato slices, a dill pickle spear, pickled sport peppers and celery salt — all on top a tasty poppy seed bun.

Granville: Sam’s Chicken & Ribs (1102 W. Granville Ave)

Hidden behind a menu filled with ribs, seafood, chicken and wings, the classic Vienna BeefHot Dog isn’t immediately the main attraction when customers enter the store — less than 30 seconds after hopping off the Granville stop. 

Yet, Sam’s provides an affordable and delicious deal on dogs. For $3.89, a hungry student can hustle a few blocks from campus for one gorgeous hot dog — toppings and all. For a dollar more, it comes with a side of classically greasy fries. 

If a Chicago dog isn’t your thing, Sam’s offers Polish sausage, chili cheese dogs and a Chicago staple — the Italian Beef Sandwich. 

Sam’s is open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 12 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Addison: Wrigleyville Dogs (3737 N. Clark St)

Located near the home of the Chicago Cubs and less than a half mile from the Addison stop, Wrigleyville Dogs adds another Windy City classic to the area. The stand’s red and yellow patio and lit-up sign take customers back in time with ‘50s hot dog stand decor. 

Only a four-minute walk from Wrigley Field, the stand can be an exceptional post-game meal, especially as an alternative to the stadium’s overpriced dogs. At $7.99 for one hot dog, the Chicago Cubs ranked as one of the most expensive baseball stadiums for a dog, beaten only by the Los Angeles Angels and the Oakland Athletics, The Washington Post reported.

The store also offers a drive-through option for customers looking for a quick bite. 

Wrigleyville Dogs is open Sunday through Thursday 10 a.m to 11:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3:30 a.m.

Clark/Division: The Dog House Grill (1534 N. Wells St)

Lodged in one of Chicago’s historic neighborhoods, The Dog House Grill offers a dog-filled oasis amidst the busy nightlife and vibrant charm of Old Town. Open late on weekends, customers can end the night with a dog, fries and one of the Grill’s classic ice cream shakes. 

The Grill also offers a vegetarian “Garden Dog.” Customers looking to mix and match can also pair their dog with a burger, Italian beef or sausage in one of The Dog House Grill’s combos, which come with a medium drink and fries. 

The store captures an old-school hot dog stand atmosphere with neon Vienna Beef signs in the window, cafeteria trays and red and white paper platters.

Only a mile walk from Loyola’s Water Tower Campus, downtown students can check out the Grill between their busy schedules.

The Dog House Grill opens daily at 10 a.m. and closes Thursday at 12:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 3:30 a.m. and Sunday through Wednesday at 11:30 p.m.

Chicago/State: Mister J’s Dawg and Burger (822 N. State St)

Just a hop, skip and a jump from Water Tower Campus, Mister J’s offers a scrumptious break from the fanciful hoity-toity-ness of Gold Coast. Its mustard yellow paint and massive crown-shaped sign stand stark against skyscrapers and city streets.

Customers order at the counter and watch as their hot dawgs are prepped in the kitchen. The stand, located right around the corner from the Red Line, sells two Vienna Beef dawgs for $8.99, making it a great place to stop and split an order. 

Besides the dawgs, Mister J’s menu lists a plethora of fast food delicacies, including burgers, mozzarella sticks, chicken or fish sandwiches and gyros. 

Mister J’s is open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 a.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.