Nick’s Red Hots Aurora

Eat there almost once a week. Gyro’s are amazing. Good hotdogs. Good ribs. Soups are always hot and fresh.

Place is amazing for cheap Greek food. Prices are right, delivery is great. We order from here at least twice a week, the Oreo shake and pita with cheese are delicious!

When Portillo’s was sold, I noticed the change in food almost immediately. Suddenly the hotdogs weren’t as good, then the burger wasn’t either, and then their signature chocolate cake went the way of the hotdog. I don’t eat food like this very often – not just because it isn’t healthy, but because I don’t want to – so when I do get the craves, boy do I get the craves, and no crappy burger from the famous fast food chains, or Portillo’s, is going to satisfy me. Thank the good lord I found this place; after more than a year of searching, I found a place that could satisfy my craving for good ‘bad food’. I haven’t even gotten around to trying the hotdog, but the burgers, the gyros, and the beefs are really good – flavorful, moist, and fatty without being greasy.
Located near Best Buy, it isn’t the easiest place to find or get into, but it’s absolutely worth it. There is a drive-​through for fast and convenient pickup, but I usually like to go inside to order. It’s become a ‘lunch spot’ for me – meaning that I can have a meal for under fifteen bucks, but the cost is actually under $ 10 (for all the value meals) making it VERY affordable. Yes, you could go to King McWendy’s and pay less, but the food here is much better. I’ve eaten inside and carried out, and it’s a surprisingly clean and comfortable spot to eat your food piping hot if you have the time, but the food is just as good carried-​out, if not sometimes a little more messy. Service has also been good – professional and efficient – and though the food takes a little longer than typical fast food joints, it’s probably because it’s fresher and made to order. HOWEVER, they also have a website that allows you to browse the menu and place an order (with plenty of options and the the ability to add special instructions), which is VERY convenient of you’re ordering for a good number of people and have limited time to eat. I also have to mention that, if you save your receipt and return within five days, you get a 10% discount off your bill – nice.
Again, I haven’t actually tried that many items offered here – despite the fact that I’ve had food from here about a dozen times, but it’s because every time I try something new I have to have it several times. Can’t complain about that, right? Now, about the food that I’ve tried:
The burger here is awesome, moist and flavorful for being well-​done, and with the addition of bacon it’s perfect! I LOVE when a hamburger has the distinct flavor of beef.
The Italian beef is also really good, served on a tastier, crustier, more substantial piece of bread that’s capable of sustaining all that beef and flavorful jus. Get your sweet peppers or your hot peppers and you’ve got a great beef that can pretty much stand up to any other beef in the area.
The gyro sandwich is also freaking AWESOME, beautifully browned and very tasty, and served with a generous amount of tasty tzatziki, onions, and tomato. They REALLY pile on the meat too; you have to eat almost half of it before you can even fold the damn pita – not that I’m complaining!
I still intend to try the hotdog, the corndog, the chicken souvlaki sandwich, the salads, and the fried mushrooms and zucchini, but I can’t imagine that they’re going to be so bad that I have to rethink the rating. Already I love this place for the three things I have tried; I mean, even if everything else is crap, I’d still be coming here pretty often. I think I HAVE to go with five stars; I mean, a clean place where I can get an affordable, delicious burger from friendly/​polite staff? That alone is worth five stars to me.

Order placed with an eta of 50 – 90 minutes. 2 hours later and multiple phone calls I was given the following excuses: we’re busy, driver in car accident, were busy again. Then I received phone call 3 hours later my food was delivered to wrong person. They then delivered that food which was obviously sitting at the other customers house for a long while because my milkshake was warm and liquid and my food was cold. I couldn’t leave to get my family food as they were sick and this was my only option. I was still charged and food inedible.

I usually love this place but when ordering a chili cheese dog they ended up putting everything on there including tomatoes, sport peppers, relish mustard and a pickle. I think that’s disgusting! I’ve never known of any hotdog place that puts all that on a chili cheese dog. I even called and the manager says the always put that on their chili cheese dogs. I should have went to Portillos.

Honestly I was a little skeptical about that place but I was wrong. And I’m not gyros type, but they made me fall in love

We’ve developed calluses on our palate from the drive-​thru shite we’ve inflicted on ourselves over the years. I envy those who have had cause to eschew these halls of horror, but for many of us who either do not have the time or gumption to light a stove, or live the modern stopless life, fast food is a grudge match we play with our stomachs.
There are heroes, though. Mostly Greek.
They take the humdrum plots of the stories told by Hacks like McDonald, Burger King, KFC and the especially wretched ChickFilA and stage them with impeccable prose. Their versions sing, they dance, they float in the air. A lot of them are named Nicky.
At Nicky’s joint they worship fresh, they appreciate clean, they take it seriously, and above all, they take pride in what they serve.
The French Fries at Nicky’s prolly aren’t any better for you than the tasteless sticks you get at the chains, and no one will ever confuse the rest of Nicky’s menu with the Vegan pop-​ups that snooty Liberals pretend to adore. But if you find a good «Nicky’s» (like the one here that just happens to be CALLED «Nicky’s) You can get something to eat that’s worth eating in a short time and you wont feel a draft in your wallet.
Gyros that’s close to Halsted Street Quality, A Hamburger made with care, A Chicken breast that is recognizable as having come from a Chicken and not an extrusion press. Salads with crisp greens and home-​made dressing, If you’re lucky, the odd Souvlaki or Spanakopita. They also serve a fine Chicago HotDog (Vienna, natch.)
When you get done scarfing a Nicky’s meal down, you might have a little guilt for a calorie splurge, but you won’t have that familiar sick «Why the fuck did I just eat that?» malaise you get after a Big Mac.
There’s nothing to celebrate at McDonalds, Even less to get excited about at Burger King. The only reason to go to ChickFilA is their Lemonade and clean toilets (provided you don’t need to piss on a Sunday).
There are bunches of reasons to go to Nicky’s (either this one or its brother on Ogden Ave in Naperville, or the one in Lockport).
And all of those reasons are listen on their menu…

Great service. Food always comes out fast even during peak lunch hours. No complaints here. Highly recommend ordering the gyro or chicken gyro platter.

I’m new to the area and stopped here randomly after work today! Service was great! Ordered and food was ready rather quickly. The chicken gyro with tzatziki sauce was the best that I’ve ever had!!! I’m a really picky eater and it’s not too often that I come across food that I enjoy as much as I enjoyed this! Definitely will go back again and would recommend others to try.

My wife and I are gyro fanatics and having lived around the country we’ve had our fair share– New York, Philly, California– and thought we’d seen it all until… BAM! Nicky’s. The pita is soft and is-​or tastes– homemade. Dynamite tzatziki sauce, the absolute right amount of perfectly prepared lamb smothered in tzatziki and not overwhelming powered by onions. Plus they’re on Grub
so you can order from anywhere. By far and away the best gyros ever!!!

Don’t know what the hell is going on, but this place used to be my favorite location. Fries changed, service SUCKS. Girl who used to work at the Ogden one just rolls her eyes when you speak to her. They don’t give plasticware when you place a to go without asking because they assume you are going home. And please check your food before leaving because they will more than likely be missing the extras that you paid for.

TERRIBLE customer service. I went through the drive through. The person taking my order kept cutting me off trying to end it. I wasn’t speaking slowly either. And I wanted more food but got sick of fighting to place an order. Then I waited 10 minutes for a burger, a combo and 2 orders of fries. He threw my drink at me and then threw my order when it finally came. I’ve had really good experiences with the Ogden spot. And usually have good experiences here. If you go, pray you do not get Demetrios. Young punk. I hope he’s not there for long because I like going there.

This place is always great! The Gyro Platter is my usual. Those Greek potatoes are awesome! Keep up the good work!

Excellent service, fresh salads, awesome tasting souvlakia (shishkabob), lots of side choices, definitely now our favorite restaurant at reasonable prices. I would definitely recommend Nicky’s to everyone

I love this place. Whenever I want a gyros I go here. I also like their Greek chicken and surprisingly their rib tips aren’t bad ether. The soups are also good and fresh! I can honestly say I haven’t had anything bad from here and everyone that works their is really nice especially the older lady.

I have always loved Nicky’s food until last night. I was enjoying my coleslaw and took a big bite only to discover that there was a long hair in it. I put it in my mouth and everything. So gross!!! I still feel nauseated.
:(. Definitely not a good experience.

This place was a very cute Greek counter service restaurant. The Gyros were really good! I also had the Greek potatoes, which were amazing !!! Highly recommended for a nice casual meal. The staff were very friendly as well! We will be coming back!

I don’t exactly know all the ins & outs of gyros, but I do know when I do or don’t like something. Whenever I’m craving gyros I do not hesitate to come to Nicky’s because I know I will enjoy my meal. I’ve always gotten the gyros platter either with the Greek potatoes or fries, both being good choices. Although fries are not the most extravagant side dish, I always get a heaping amount of them.
Being the type of person who likes interacting with customers, I have noticed that when I go inside for take out, it seems like there is more emphasis in catering to the drive thru customers, so if you are really in a hurry, thats the way to go.

Nicky’s is a good lunch spot in the land of chain establishments. Hopefully the parking lots leading into their lot are patched soon as it’s a land mine with all of the potholes.
I’ve been going to the Ogden Avenue original location since I moved to Naperville 17 years ago and it is always good. This location is o.k.-menu is not as expansive, and I don’t feel the value as much as I have at the other location (portions are decent here).
Good burgers (patty melt) and traditional Greek quick service sandwich fare-​gyros (chicken and lamb/​beef), souvlaki (pork or chicken) and the Greek potatoes are the side to get (fries are average at best). This is a good lunch spot, but for some reason just doesn’t deliver the way the original does.

In driving down Route 59 just a little over a week ago with a friend of mine in the passenger seat I heard a quick yell of «TURN RIGHT THERE ITS A HOT DOG PLACE». While it was too late for me to make that turn I doubled back and discovered a Nicky’s Red Hots sitting right at the far end of the parking lot nearby Fox Valley Mall. Having visited the Nicky’s in Naperville off of Ogden I had an idea of what to expect when visiting and soon discovered the menu, and even general look inside are very similar.
I placed an order for my hot dog and sat down, just a few minutes later it was ready and sitting in a basket for me. The first thing to notice about this hot dog was the pickle. The pickle here was every bit as thick as the hot dog itself. It was sour and messy and not at all a good compliment to a sandwich where the meat is supposed to be the main ingredient. There were two sloppy tomato slices on top of the hot dog, these were cut farily long but were fairly wet causing the bun to be mushy. Speaking of the bun, it was a regular non-​poppy seed bun was that was a tad soggy from the condiments and juices from the giant fruits and vegetables applied to this hot dog. The application of mustard and relish was fine, there was no sign of celery salt, nor was there any sport peppers.
The big question with this mess, was how did it taste. Well… it didn’t taste like a hot dog. This is quite frankly the worst example of giant pickle overpowers the rest of the hot dog flavors I’ve ever seen. The menu should pretty much say «pickle on a hot dog bun comes with tomatoes, onions, relish, mustard and a hot dog». This was a pickle sandwich not a hot dog. This is a one star hot dog at its worst.