Bite the Weenie

Tried to go to there today, looks like they are out of business

They were closed and look like they went out of business. The first time I went there last year it was off the charts good with friendly service and a bastion of excitement for fans of Chicago. The last time I was there, it wasn’t bad but the owner was cranky. Now I know why, he must have known that the weiner’s days were numbered. Drove past it two weeks ago and the gig was up. It’s gone. Too bad. So sad. Your friend.

I found this place from shopping across the street at Kroger. Stopped by one Saturday and learned their hours are wack! They close at 6 on a Saturday!!! Why close so early, weenie???
The décor was out of control. They have posters and pictures of hotdogs up everywhere. I couldn’t get my eyes to look at one thing. I decided to stick to the usual and ordered one Chicago dog with the spiral potato. I’d order that anywhere!!! they’re hard to find first of all. The ones you get at the state fair. Plus five points for having them here!!! you get to pick seasoning for the spiral potato. I went with cheddar. Love that touch by the way!

This place gets an extra star because I am immature and the name makes me giggle every time… deal with it.
On my first trip there I tried the Pittsburgh dog which is a chili cheese dog. My main problem with it was the fact that I could pick it up and eat it without spilling any contents onto my plate. Rule #1 of chili cheese dogs: You must always use a knife and fork while eating one. That was not the case and it saddened me greatly.
My oldest daughter is a tamale freak so she ordered a tamale even though I warned her that ordering tamales form hot dog joints can’t be a good idea. She ate one bite and spit it out into her napkin. While she went back in and ordered a plain dog (like I told her to do the first time) I did what any dad would do and I ate her tamale, a decision that I regret. It’s hard to describe, but the best way i can explain it is like manwich inside cornbread that isn’t fully cooked. I drowned it in ketchup (hhhmmmm…some leftover chili and cheese would have been great here) but it still didn’t help. To be fair, I am not deducting a star for the tamale since they are a hot dog place… that’s not fair.
All in all I would go back to try some of the other dogs, but I’m not in a big hurry to get there.
EDIT: Drove past on ³⁄₂₉ and it appeared to be out of business

Ate here for the first time today. It was excellent. The Danish dog was awesome and the fries are good too.

Great place to eat… try each dog by doing the 3 mini dogs!

I’ve been wanting to try this place since it opened, but never had the chance until today. The wait was worth it. The three of us had the same thing, that being the Chicago Dog specials, which came with fries and a drink. We chose the Chicago as the litmus test: if a hotdog place cant do a Chicago right, there’s just no point. We had the option of having the dogs skinless or with natural casing. The dogs were everything you hope for Chicago-​style: greener than green relish, lots of veggies on top, and a poppy seed bun. In short, fantastic. Also recommended are the fries, which seem to be double fried and not greasy at all. No question I’ll be back soon, if for any other reason than to try the Salmon Dog.

This is a generous two star. I based my review on the two items I ate.
The first item was the bratwurst — which I would rate 0 stars. It had absolutely no taste or any flavor. It taste like a bland over boiled piece of meat. The grilled onions had a slimy texture. The bun was also a little old. It’s was crusty in places and fell apart. This brat was so bad I could not even finish it.
New York Dog– 2 ¾ stars disappointed they don’t use natural casing hot dogs, which are real New York Dogs. The bun was fresher and softer and was a 4 star bun on the NY Dog. It’s was supposed to have Caramelized onions but they put the same slimy grilled onions on the NY dog as they did my brat. The hot dog itself was OK it just lakes freshness and tasted like its been kept in a steamer for too long.
Staff– was friendly but did not know how to make the hot dogs. Place is very clean another plus is that it carries coke products.
Dispute my low rating I would go back again and try other hot dogs. I just would not ever eat a brat there or a NY dog.

I have been here twice now and enjoyed both visit’s for the most part!
First off, don’t waste your time on the spiral cut potato on a stick thingy. Just get the fries either regular or Sweet potato! and try one of their 8 or 9 flavor seasonings…
First trip out was with Hubby and we tried the Sonora Dog: an all beef gourmet dog wrapped in bacon and decently fried to perfection. Nestled in a bolillo roll with a dollop of mustard, mayo, and ketchup. Topped with pinto beans, shredded cheese, chopped tomato, chopped onion and jalapeños. Not for the weak, Tums available upon request. $ 4.49
minus the tomato b/​c I HATE tomato’s. No tums were necessary. It was great. I love the bacon on the dog and all the toppings melded together nicely.
Hubby also tried the Polish (Polska) Kielbasa: Home style Polish Sausage imported from Chicago simply smoked to perfection. This juicy succulent kielbasa is infused with just the right amount of garlic. Topped with fresh or grilled onions and brown mustard. $ 4.49
with grilled onions of course! Hubs said it was good. I was too full from half the Sonora to even try his Kielbasa!
Next time I went was National Hot Dog Day and I tried the Maui Dog
A gourmet hot dog from the Aloha state.
A gentle breeze of yellow mustard, topped with
crushed pineapple and chopped onions.
$ 3.69
I suggest more onion and my dog could have used a little more heat, but over all it was surprisingly delicious! I wasn’t sure how I’d like pineapple on a dog but hey, I tried it and I liked it!
As others have stated, the staff is super nice and very informative and accommodating to requests or questions! They really could get ⁴⁄₅ stars on service and enthusiasm!

The concept is great. The flavors work well together. The slinky potato is fun and different. Here is the beef (pun absolutely intended) I have with this place: if I’m paying upwards of $ 4 per hot dog, I expect it to be much bigger than what I was served here. The portion size is off for the price, and for that reason I do not recommend this place.

[EDIT: They closed?!? NOOOO!!! We drove by a couple of weeks ago with a hankerin’ for a chilli dog and the place is EMPTY! So so sad.]
What a great concept! And the taste backs it up!
Think of it as a novelty hot dog shop. They’ve got plenty of odd, adventurous concoctions along with some traditional, nostalgic standards.
A must try for foodies.

Came by one day when I was on my own for lunch. I was initially apprehensive because I don’t eat pork. Started talking to the guys behind the counter and they let me know what they use and why they use it. (which another user wrote about.) My meal cost 7 – 8 with one of their specialty dog, drink & fresh cut fries. Will be back; they had shirts with bite the weenie on it with a hot dog that I may pick up for my cousins in Austin who would get a kick out of it.

Loved it. Had the Sonoran. Went in for the Foie Gras, but it was not yet available. The guy who owns Bite the Weenie (I guess he owned it) explained why, which is better than, «We’re out. What else?» Anyway, I said, «Well which should I get instead?» And that’s a loaded question …
I ask that question often and I usually don’t actually listen to what’s being recommended more so than I’m watching for the nonverbals involved in explaining what I should get. The benefit of being the Ultimate Omnivore on the Top of the Food Chain means that no matter what they recommend, I’m cool with it (ie, nothing is going to gross me out). If someone is enthusiastic, instantly knows what to recommend, and it seems that they really like it or have seen many other people really enjoy a dish, then *that’s* the one I want. I don’t care if it’s crackers and mustard, but if you can enthusiastically convince me that that they’re the best damn crackers and mustard in the world, then that’s what I want. Remember the scene in «When Harry Met Sally» where Meg Ryan orgasms over a sandwich and the woman at the next table says, «I’ll have what she’s having?» That’s a bit extreme, but you get the point. If you’re passionate about a dish, I don’t care what it is: I want it. I want to eat what you think makes your place great.
When I waited tables, I had a few dishes I loved. It hurt when I’d recommend them and they weren’t chosen, like they were my little bastard children that no one wanted. Conversely, if it sounds like you’re half-​assing a dish your manager is pushing because it’s approaching a spoil date, or if you say, «I don’t eat XYZ,» then I don’t care if it’s unicorn tenderloin medallions with a Tinkerbell tear and 1968 Mouton Rothschild reduction («all you can eat for $ 9.99!») … I don’t want it.
Anyway, my point is, both the apparent owner and one of the girls assembling dogs nearly got into an argument about which I should try. He recommended the Sonoran; she recommended the Tokyo Dog. They were both into their personal fave dogs. They had passion for weenies and knew that if I tried either weenie, I’d love it. I flipped a coin and went Sonoran and it was tasty, two-​handed, and hot (spicy). I went in just for a snack, so I didn’t have room in the first of my seven cow stomachs for the oh-​so-​tempting fries, but dang they looked goooood. I’ll go back for sure, but I’ll call ahead for that Foie Gras dog. I wish they’d get a beer/​wine license. I see awesome pairings: Modela Negra (or Sangria) with the Sonoran. Sapporo (or cold sake) with the Tokyo. A champagne split with the Foie Gras (and charge $ 50 bucks for the combo).

We lack a really good hotdog stand around here & after eating at this place, we’re still lacking a good hotdog stand. Let me preface this by stating that the staff was very accommodating & friendly. The food, on the other hand, was so-​so. We got the Coneys & nothing special. Honestly, I can make it better at home & the buns are soft & fresh on both sides as opposed to theirs being soft on one side & hard on the other side. The hotdog, itself, was OK & tasted like a regular boiled weiner. Plus @ $ 3.00 or more for just an average dog that I can make at home, it’s not worth my money. Seriously, I think Lowe’s or Home Depot have better dogs.

As has been mentioned before, there was an issue with the poppy seed bun. Half my bun was steamed properly, the other half was dry. Other than that, the flavor of the hot dog was good, with one other minor exception: It was a skin-​less dog, not a natural casing like you would get if you were in Chicago.
As I sat contemplating these issues, a man came up and asked how it was. I told him about the bun and he apologized profusely. He told me that Bite the Weenie has been open about two months, and they have been fighting with the steamer since day one. He’s aware of the problem and is trying to get it fixed. The staff is to take more care in pulling buns, but that care was not taken with mine. I was offered another dog, but it really was not a huge deal to me. The other flavors and components were right, and that was right enough for me.
Then the hot dog itself came up. The man, Ludwig, who is the owner and from Chicago, tells me this is a skin-​less dog, not the natural casing as found in the hot dog stands of Chicago. Ludwig does have natural casing hot dogs available on request. To me, natural is the way to go. The casing just adds that extra bit of «tooth», that pop, as you bite into the dog. So why not just do natural casing? Ludwig then tells me demographics affected this decision, and that Vienna told him that in this market skinless is the way to go. Ludwig conducted his own informal taste test and confirmed what he was told by Vienna. So he goes skinless by default, but you can request natural casing.
My combo meal came with fries and they were good. Crisp, hot and fresh, I had no problem with them at all. If you crave a fresh cut potato, Bite the Weenie does offer the «Slinky Potato» (I wonder if Poof Products licenses that name?), which I do believe is cut to order (as evidenced by the spiral slicer on the counter).
We also talked about «The Mother-​in-​Law», which is another famous south side of Chicago creation. Basically it’s a tamale, on a bun, with chili, cheese and onions. I will definitely go that route next time in.
Since I’m on tamales, if you Know the Windy City, you know there are basically two brands of tamales: Tom Tom and Superior. Now Tom Tom is the quintessential Chicago classic. Wrapped in paper with the ends tied in string, it’s what you get when you order a tamale with your hot dog in Chicago. And then there is the runner up, Superior, which is packaged in plastic. So which does Ludwig use? Well Bite the Weenie uses Superior, because Tom Tom will not ship to Texas. Tom Tom told Ludwig that, «You can pick them up, but we won’t ship.» Superior on the other hand does ship, and that’s the brand used here.
I enjoyed my hot dog and I enjoyed meeting Ludwig. There are a lot of very interesting hot dog creations on the menu. Perhaps they are a bit adulterous by this Chicago Kid’s standards, but I will definitely be tempted back in to try the other offerings, including the Polish (memories of Maxwell Street coming back here).
Bottom line: I’m glad I stopped in and if you are part of any airline dining programs, you may find that dining at Bite the Weenie will also net you some miles (or at least it does with American Airlines).
PS. No burgers here, apparently Unilocal categories does no distinguish between hot dogs and burgers.
PPS. Map is off… Actual location is further up Grapevine Hwy, almost to Precinct Line. Pull into the shopping center on the north side of 26.

First experience was…
Place was pretty small, simple, clean and not many seats. Between my bf and I, we ordered Tokyo dog, Atlanta dog and the Brat. Among those three, I’d say the Brat was the best. I can’t say more about the Vienna hot dogs, loving it! Tokyo dog was OK. You can (or at least I can) tell that the toppings are not the best quality. Seaweed salad was wayyy too bright (food coloring bright) and I know my seaweed salad. Teriyaki sauce was straight out of bottle kind. Atlanta dog was OK too… Coleslaw was room temperature. The whole point of having coleslaw on your dog is the temperature contrast. Coleslaw was too finely diced. Now, the Brat was great. Sausage was perfectly cooked, tasty and those caramelized onions were yummy in our tummies!
We had side of regular fries. It was good but it was obviously frozen fries but I give them thumbs up for frying it perfectly. Another thumbs up for having several kind of fries seasonings. We tried salt & vinegar, IT WAS GREAT!
ONE big down fall for me was THE BUN! It seemed like they didn’t put any effort with it. It was a little air-​dried. Come on, it’s a hot dog place… A warm and soft bun are a must!
Overall, A-​OK place (so far)… We will defly go back to try another dogs, but no rush…

Best place to get a dog around. Everyone should try the Tokyo dog. It’s delicious :)
I have tried almost every dog and also the brats and polish. They are all excellent and worth coming out and trying.

Bite the weenie? With relish!
Loved the proper all beef Vienna dog. I went for the minis to try a variety and couldn’t have been happier with the Danish (don’t be afraid to ask for extra fried onions, you know you want them), New Yorker, and Pittsburgh. Also sampled my bf’s kielbasa which was thick and juicy (no pun intended). The sweet potato fries were a tasty change from the usual and it was a bonus to find out they have green, black, or raspberry iced tea. Everything was great, and you could tell the people making the food loved what they were doing. I work near by and will look forward to going back to enjoy the outdoor seating on nice days.
I’d definitely recommend boning up on the menu online before stepping in, but they were more than happy to answer every question I had.
And, If you get the Sonora, please post a pic. I wanna see that tubular beast! (That’s what she said…)

Bite the Weenie is a great concept, it is not your ordinary hotdog joint. Not only do they offer great classics like the New York and Chicago dog, they also put new twists on several other hotdogs. I would definitely say take your time looking at the menu because they have several great hotdogs to offer. After debating between various dogs, I decided on the New Orleans which was topped with barbecue sauce, chopped tomatoes and grilled onions. I was skeptical at first because it seemed odd to me to have bbq sauce and tomatoes together on a dog but when I tried it I was blown away at how great it tested and how everything just worked. I also got several cookies to take home and they were probably some of the best cookies I’ve had in a while. I definitely recommend this place if you want to try a new kind of dog.

Mom an pop place bonus. They have several different style hotdogs, but still have chilly cheese. The staff was very nice. One can order a 3 mini-​dog combo in any flavors. If it is your first time take your time an look at the menu. the staff will answer any question you may have.