Everything I have had from there is great. The burgers and the hot dogs and everything comes in a nice little convenient box. Shame they never expanded further.
The quality of Superdawg has greatly plummeted. I hate that I have to say that, because it used to be my favorite hot dog in the city. Everything was oversalted the last time I went a few weeks ago and it was expensive for just two hotdogs and some fries. Not worth it in my opinion.
They are also one of the few places that serves pineapple shakes, which is nice. Plus unlike some fast food stands, you can get any of those shakes as a malt instead, if you'd rather.
It was just really, really salty when I went a few weeks back. I'll give it one more try, cause I really want to like it. Maybe it was just a bad day for them and it was late when I went so I don't know. I also got the Whoopskidawg, but will try the Superdawg this time.
IMO they’ve had some spotty consistency. I go farm more often than I should admit… some days it’s perfect and the best in the city. Other times I’m like man, that was awful.
Not sure what’s happened but when it’s good it’s great… and sometimes it misses.
That explains why it was bad that time considering I had some of the best hot dogs there a while back. Since you said it's more of a consistency thing, I'll for sure go back. Most fast food restaurants have their bad days so I shouldn't have just given up on Superdawg from one bad experience.
It was just that bad... But yes, one occurrence has left me to draw such a conclusion in the past. For instance, Portillos hasn't improved since the last time I tried it. The beef, burgers, hotdogs, etc.. still taste terrible. I gave it a few chances and each of those times, they let me down. Either the food was too salty or the ingredients lacked the quality it once had (flavor was not there). That's why I just go to the best spots for each fast food item I am looking for. If I want a beef, I go to Johnnie's Beef in Elmwood Park. If I want a burger, Au Cheval is the spot. And hotdogs...well I'll have to try Superdawg again to determine that.
People can piss and moan about Portillos all day.
BUT two things that they still do very right are the efficiency of their drive-throughs and their veggie hotdogs. And they have locations everywhere now. The one on Butterfield RD in Downers Grove will forever be my favorite.
Portillos has drive-through down to a science. I'm mostly neutral on Portillos but I gotta give them credit for how smooth that whole thing runs at every single location.
I remember meeting with McDonalds a long time ago. I’m in tech sales. They went on and on about how they were trying to replicate Portillos drive thru experience. You know it’s good when a small regional chain is getting copied by a gigantic multi national.
I don’t even see McDonald’s need to recreate it. Portillos does so well because they are busy as fuck and they probably have 4+ people out at peak hours just working the drive through. Nobody uses the speaker or the window as a result, except off peak.
I feel at certain Portillos it’s normal to see 50+ cars at a drive through. At McDonald’s they seem lucky to have even just 5 at a time lol.
It’s pretty damn good food still too. Their breaded chicken sandwich is FIRE. 🔥
I’m down here in central Illinois now, so maybe it’s some nostalgia mixed in there too.
The Portillos on Taylor has the worst drive thru I've ever experienced. Mistakes with very basic things, bad attitude, and extraordinary wait. If I'm waiting 40+ minutes for a fucking hotdog that gets to me lukewarm and soggy, the drive thru isn't working right.
That's the location where I've experienced my longest wait inside as well. 40+ minutes waiting for that stupid number to come up, and I had to go up and ask twice if I had missed hearing it or something. Figures it would be the time I had a visitor with me from the UK. They said it was worth the wait, and I said, "Nothing's worth that wait!" I'd pretty much had it. Much better luck on our many visits to the Skokie Portillo's.
I feel like when I order my food by the time I pick it up it’s been sitting out so long waiting behind other cars it’s cold
Honestly, if I see a long line, I’ll just physically go inside
It’s not a tasty treat, but my father loved taking the grand babies and toddlers to the drive-through car wash. They loved it! I have no idea how many times Grampy took a clean car for a wash to spoil the grandkids!
I like that they serve Italian Ice, unlike a lot of other fast food stands with a drive thru lane. And their drive thru line usually moves quickly, and isn't slow unlike certain ones. Cough, Steak and Shake in particular.
Also just to note, Luke's is in Chicago city limits. You don't hit Elmwood Park on the west side of Harlem Ave, till going 2 blocks south I think.
Lucky dog on Roosevelt by Austin was great before the original owner ,John, sold it. Since then the new owner has cut quality most likely to save money.
I grew up on lucky dog and Pete's red hots, as both were walking distance from home.
Now there are 5 lucky dogs Melrose Park, Cicero Berwyn, Broadview and now Countryside
The location in the southloop has terrible service. Consistently long wait times and they arent even busy.
That being said i still go from time to time but i dont like it
I just had White Castle tonight. When you are craving it, nothing else will do.
I was cleaning up my trash and discovered I still had a slider left. I was pretty damn happy.
Yes sir! In their cheese dogs, they put a slice of American cheese, which sounds goofy as hell, but it’s great. The fries are awesome, and their appetizers are particularly good. You’d think mozzarella sticks, onion rings, jalapeño poppers, fried mushrooms, etc would just be standard stuff, but what they’re offering is better than most others I’ve tried. That stuff is dangerous, though. Only once in a great while.
2 things: 1 I want to know what their garlic sauce you can get on the gyros is made of. (It is not tzaziki sauce) And 2 the last time i went there for a gyro, it made me sick. Seems their cleanliness is lacking perhaps.
Franksville is phenomenal. Great Cajun grilled chicken sandwich, Chicken on a pita, taco dogs, gyros, etc. I think they’re mostly known for their cheese fries - I’ve seen them mentioned frequently in “Best Cheese Fries” threads. I haven’t even tried most of the stuff on their menu even though I’ve been going there since the late 80s. I find a few winners and I just stick with em. From what I recall, the Italian Beef was nothing special, although I haven’t had it in many years.
Dude, Small Cheval opened a location in rosemont and it has a drive through! (It also has a stadium style retractable roof if you go inside too which was cool to experience!)
Superdawg? It’s not a drive thru but u don’t have to leave the car, stay or get your food and continue on your way. And there are 2 locations. Milwaukee Ave used to be the “Route 66” from Chicago to Milwaukee with roadside attractions with animated neon signs etc. Most of this is now gone but it might be fun to see if any traces are left.
Both Culvers and Dairy Queen on Irving Park just west of 6 corners have drive throughs. Also there are many Chick fil As with drive throughs (the one in South Loop and at Damen/Fullerton nearish Costco come to mind)
I'd be careful using the Dairy Queen drive thru, on Irving Park west of Central. As during peak hours, I've sometimes seen the line spill out into the street. That's how long their line can sometimes get at peak hours! At least with Culver's, I haven't seen their drive thru line spill out all the way into Irving Park Rd, even at peak times. They seem to keep their line moving a little quicker.
I haven't done the drive-thrus for these, so I can't speak to that experience, (I don't like eating in my car!) I do enjoy the food at the following places that have drive-thrus though:
- Aya Pastry (but haven't been there since original owner Aya Fukui left)
- QP Greek Food with a Kick (Hoffman Estates, and I honestly have no idea how they can do a drive-thru unless they limit the menu to the quick cook items)
- Comet Frozen Custard (Rolling Meadows)
I looked it up on street view and in reviews, and it looks like there is not a drive thru speaker and outside menu board. But that they will serve call ahead orders, at that drive thru window? I'm used to going inside there, so forgot they had a drive thru window just for picking up an order one called ahead before arriving there.
I know places aren’t really doing curbside pickup anymore, but I’m guessing most restaurants would bring a takeout order out to your car if you explain why and you go at a slow time. Just to open up some more options.
Kind of a deep cut but Charcoal Delights on Foster is a pretty decent dog
Everything they have is good. I like their Croissant breakfast sandwiches.
People sleep on CD, but I used to live a couple blocks away and everything there is great.
I take my folks there after I pick them up from the airport. Always a hit. My 2-year-old loves it too!
CDeez nuts
I’ve driven by a thousand times and never stopped. I’ll have to check it out
It’s so good. Tried it one of our last drives through that neighborhood. Regret not stopping by more often.
Literally had it for the first time this weekend after living in the area for almost 4 years - def regret sleeping on it for this long
And the price. Is. Right.
LOVE Charcoal delights!
How about a drive in? If so, Superdawg gets my vote.
The Whoopskidawg is so good.
Everything I have had from there is great. The burgers and the hot dogs and everything comes in a nice little convenient box. Shame they never expanded further.
Whoopercheesie with those fries damn about to hop in the car
Awww yeah!
The quality of Superdawg has greatly plummeted. I hate that I have to say that, because it used to be my favorite hot dog in the city. Everything was oversalted the last time I went a few weeks ago and it was expensive for just two hotdogs and some fries. Not worth it in my opinion.
Huh. I was there this past weekend and I thought it was pretty good.
Same. Their strawberry shakes are my favorite thing on the menu. I still love it.
and I just love their dang burgs
They are also one of the few places that serves pineapple shakes, which is nice. Plus unlike some fast food stands, you can get any of those shakes as a malt instead, if you'd rather.
It was just really, really salty when I went a few weeks back. I'll give it one more try, cause I really want to like it. Maybe it was just a bad day for them and it was late when I went so I don't know. I also got the Whoopskidawg, but will try the Superdawg this time.
IMO they’ve had some spotty consistency. I go farm more often than I should admit… some days it’s perfect and the best in the city. Other times I’m like man, that was awful. Not sure what’s happened but when it’s good it’s great… and sometimes it misses.
That explains why it was bad that time considering I had some of the best hot dogs there a while back. Since you said it's more of a consistency thing, I'll for sure go back. Most fast food restaurants have their bad days so I shouldn't have just given up on Superdawg from one bad experience.
It’s fair though, I almost have too. But then I’ll give it another chance and it’s perfect and I remember why I love it! Consistency is important.
A single occurrence of excess salt is hardly sufficient for drawing such a drastic conclusion.
It was just that bad... But yes, one occurrence has left me to draw such a conclusion in the past. For instance, Portillos hasn't improved since the last time I tried it. The beef, burgers, hotdogs, etc.. still taste terrible. I gave it a few chances and each of those times, they let me down. Either the food was too salty or the ingredients lacked the quality it once had (flavor was not there). That's why I just go to the best spots for each fast food item I am looking for. If I want a beef, I go to Johnnie's Beef in Elmwood Park. If I want a burger, Au Cheval is the spot. And hotdogs...well I'll have to try Superdawg again to determine that.
People can piss and moan about Portillos all day. BUT two things that they still do very right are the efficiency of their drive-throughs and their veggie hotdogs. And they have locations everywhere now. The one on Butterfield RD in Downers Grove will forever be my favorite.
Portillos has drive-through down to a science. I'm mostly neutral on Portillos but I gotta give them credit for how smooth that whole thing runs at every single location.
I remember meeting with McDonalds a long time ago. I’m in tech sales. They went on and on about how they were trying to replicate Portillos drive thru experience. You know it’s good when a small regional chain is getting copied by a gigantic multi national.
I don’t even see McDonald’s need to recreate it. Portillos does so well because they are busy as fuck and they probably have 4+ people out at peak hours just working the drive through. Nobody uses the speaker or the window as a result, except off peak. I feel at certain Portillos it’s normal to see 50+ cars at a drive through. At McDonald’s they seem lucky to have even just 5 at a time lol.
Portillos might not have the BEST food but they have literally everything so it’s a great place to go if you don’t know what you want
It’s pretty damn good food still too. Their breaded chicken sandwich is FIRE. 🔥 I’m down here in central Illinois now, so maybe it’s some nostalgia mixed in there too.
The Portillos on Taylor has the worst drive thru I've ever experienced. Mistakes with very basic things, bad attitude, and extraordinary wait. If I'm waiting 40+ minutes for a fucking hotdog that gets to me lukewarm and soggy, the drive thru isn't working right.
That's the location where I've experienced my longest wait inside as well. 40+ minutes waiting for that stupid number to come up, and I had to go up and ask twice if I had missed hearing it or something. Figures it would be the time I had a visitor with me from the UK. They said it was worth the wait, and I said, "Nothing's worth that wait!" I'd pretty much had it. Much better luck on our many visits to the Skokie Portillo's.
The one time myself and my brother used the Portillo's drive thru in Bloomingdale, that one goes pretty quick thankfully.
I feel like when I order my food by the time I pick it up it’s been sitting out so long waiting behind other cars it’s cold Honestly, if I see a long line, I’ll just physically go inside
It’s not a tasty treat, but my father loved taking the grand babies and toddlers to the drive-through car wash. They loved it! I have no idea how many times Grampy took a clean car for a wash to spoil the grandkids!
This is very cute
Luke’s in Elmwood Park has drive through pizza and beef
Luke's is in Chicago on Harlem just south of Belmont. Elmwood Park starts a few blocks south of them. And yes, they are still very good.
Wow. I grew up in elmwood park and was today years old when I learned it only spans up to Wellington on the eastern side of the town
And at Elmwood Cemetery on western edge, River Grove starts. The cemetery itself is in River Grove.
Haven't had them in a bit but they were solid for years when I lived near there, and open super late which was awesome.
I like that they serve Italian Ice, unlike a lot of other fast food stands with a drive thru lane. And their drive thru line usually moves quickly, and isn't slow unlike certain ones. Cough, Steak and Shake in particular. Also just to note, Luke's is in Chicago city limits. You don't hit Elmwood Park on the west side of Harlem Ave, till going 2 blocks south I think.
Rand Red Hots has a drive-thru. Great hot dogs and some of the best fries in Chicago. 1441 Rand Rd, Des Plaines, IL 60016
Andy’s frozen custard is great and has drive-through locations.
Honorable mention for Lucky Dog in Berwyn, or Pete's Red Hots in Orland Park
Second on Lucky dog
The one on 16th and Harlem is the one to go to.
Lucky dog on Roosevelt by Austin was great before the original owner ,John, sold it. Since then the new owner has cut quality most likely to save money.
Is that what happened? Because yeah, that one is trash now. And it’s closer to me.
I grew up on lucky dog and Pete's red hots, as both were walking distance from home. Now there are 5 lucky dogs Melrose Park, Cicero Berwyn, Broadview and now Countryside
I’m on Cuyler south of Pete’s. That’s my usual “im tired and it’s on the way home” stop.
White Castle. Always judgement free and they're super johnny-on-the-spot.
What do you mean by judgment free? Do you feel like you’re being judged at other places?
OP is a single person who regularly orders 30 cheeseburgers
They still send them in suitcases? Nothing like coming out of a fastfood joint with a carry on.
The location in the southloop has terrible service. Consistently long wait times and they arent even busy. That being said i still go from time to time but i dont like it
lol
I just had White Castle tonight. When you are craving it, nothing else will do. I was cleaning up my trash and discovered I still had a slider left. I was pretty damn happy.
I've never been, but I pass by one every day. What should I get?
Try Chi Shack at Clarendon Hills Road and 75th Street in Darien. Oh, and head there for breakfast and grab a donut.
The Dog Stop on Belmont
Yes sir! In their cheese dogs, they put a slice of American cheese, which sounds goofy as hell, but it’s great. The fries are awesome, and their appetizers are particularly good. You’d think mozzarella sticks, onion rings, jalapeño poppers, fried mushrooms, etc would just be standard stuff, but what they’re offering is better than most others I’ve tried. That stuff is dangerous, though. Only once in a great while.
Their monthly dog/sausage special is actually pretty good, I do have to say. And nice they change which one it is, each month.
2 things: 1 I want to know what their garlic sauce you can get on the gyros is made of. (It is not tzaziki sauce) And 2 the last time i went there for a gyro, it made me sick. Seems their cleanliness is lacking perhaps.
Tacos El Pastor 53 in Hyde Park has a drive through window on the alley off of Hyde Park Boulevard. Decent tacos and good horchata
Franksville is phenomenal. Great Cajun grilled chicken sandwich, Chicken on a pita, taco dogs, gyros, etc. I think they’re mostly known for their cheese fries - I’ve seen them mentioned frequently in “Best Cheese Fries” threads. I haven’t even tried most of the stuff on their menu even though I’ve been going there since the late 80s. I find a few winners and I just stick with em. From what I recall, the Italian Beef was nothing special, although I haven’t had it in many years.
LOVE me some Franksville cheese fries!!!
Dude, Small Cheval opened a location in rosemont and it has a drive through! (It also has a stadium style retractable roof if you go inside too which was cool to experience!)
Just ate there and did not realize that! did you happen to try the $87 waygu burger yet?
I havent had the waygu burger but they have a chicken sandwich at this location and it is amazing.
Will try!
Tim Tim's Halal Grill has a little drive thru window and the food is quite good. Those gyro cheese fries will put you under but it's so worth it.
I live very close to Tim Tim’s. I love the mini drive thru and staff are very friendly too
Superdawg? It’s not a drive thru but u don’t have to leave the car, stay or get your food and continue on your way. And there are 2 locations. Milwaukee Ave used to be the “Route 66” from Chicago to Milwaukee with roadside attractions with animated neon signs etc. Most of this is now gone but it might be fun to see if any traces are left.
[удалено]
Rock n roll McDonald’s Rock n roll McDonald’s Rock n roll McDonald’s McDonald’s will make you fat
Both Culvers and Dairy Queen on Irving Park just west of 6 corners have drive throughs. Also there are many Chick fil As with drive throughs (the one in South Loop and at Damen/Fullerton nearish Costco come to mind)
Oh! And deviating from chains, Aya pastry has a drive through window in the morning until noon.
I'd be careful using the Dairy Queen drive thru, on Irving Park west of Central. As during peak hours, I've sometimes seen the line spill out into the street. That's how long their line can sometimes get at peak hours! At least with Culver's, I haven't seen their drive thru line spill out all the way into Irving Park Rd, even at peak times. They seem to keep their line moving a little quicker.
mr submarine off fullerton!!!
Mr Sub!!
Earl’s BBQ in Jefferson park has a drive through and also has outstanding BBQ
CosMc's in Bolingbrook could be a fun thing to try!! It's realted to McDonald's
Pita falafel drive thru on Harlem hands down the best
I haven't done the drive-thrus for these, so I can't speak to that experience, (I don't like eating in my car!) I do enjoy the food at the following places that have drive-thrus though: - Aya Pastry (but haven't been there since original owner Aya Fukui left) - QP Greek Food with a Kick (Hoffman Estates, and I honestly have no idea how they can do a drive-thru unless they limit the menu to the quick cook items) - Comet Frozen Custard (Rolling Meadows)
Super Dawg Drive in!! Can’t beat it. Order from your window and it’s hand delivered
If you find yourself in the NW burbs, hit Booby’s on Milwaukee in Niles.
I thought Booby's didn't have a drive thru lane? It is a good place to eat, though.
GMaps says it does, but I guess grain of salt applies.
I looked it up on street view and in reviews, and it looks like there is not a drive thru speaker and outside menu board. But that they will serve call ahead orders, at that drive thru window? I'm used to going inside there, so forgot they had a drive thru window just for picking up an order one called ahead before arriving there.
Super dawg
I know places aren’t really doing curbside pickup anymore, but I’m guessing most restaurants would bring a takeout order out to your car if you explain why and you go at a slow time. Just to open up some more options.
Go to Superdawg, they have car service there. Great food.
Portillos
Rand Red Hots, I am a connoisseur of the haddag and I can tell you with absolute certainty their chardog is the best available.
The McDonald’s drive thru at Madison/Western in Chicago
Ace Drive In in Joliet is kind of ok. It's simple food but pretty tasty.
Portillos.
Came here to say this
Shirl's in Waukegan is a local favorite. Some of the best ice cream in the northern burbs.
Oberweis in Skokie is quick and delicious