Wiener's Circle

2622 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL - (773) 477-7444

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Posted By Michael Stern on 10/23/2002 4:12:00 AM

The sign outside declares this place to be home of the char-broiled cheddarburger; and a lovely patty of beef it is; but the name is The Wiener’s Circle, a typically Chicagoan bit of culinary word play that lets you know what’s really important. Here are seriously good Chicago-style hot dogs, served in steamy soft Rosen-brand poppy seed buns and topped with flawless condiments.

The mustard is classic yellow, the piccalilli is brilliant green and vividly pickly, the tomatoes are small and flavorful – four or five whole, fresh-cut discs per dog. And there are grilled onions or raw, sport peppers (hot!) and a sprinkle of celery salt. Have your frankfurter as you like it, from naked to loaded; and you will not be disappointed. The major decision to make, dog-wise, is whether you want it boiled or charred. At many of Chicago’s red-hot joints, we recommend boiled or steamed because it yields the plumpest, tautest skin; but here at the Wiener’s Circle, charred is the way to go. Cooked on the grate just behind the order counter, the char dogs get a good crunch from the flames; and for us, that rugged tube steak nestled in its super-tender bun is the essence Chicago.

Don’t get a hot dog without French fries. These are beauties: hand cut, freshly fried, served in ridiculously large amounts that totally overflow their cardboard boat and fall all over the wax paper on which the boat is pushed towards you out the order window.

Inside, the perimeter of the Wiener’s Circle is outfitted with counters and stools well-suited for hot-dog eating and for gazing out the window at Clark Street. Outside is a row of picnic benches.

Scorecard

Overall: Legendary - Worth driving from anyplace

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Reviewers Photos [Upload Your Photos]

"A close up of a Wiener's Circle red hot shows just how pretty the picalilli is, and how fresh the tomatoes are. Note also the natural casing on the Vienna frank ... and the poppy seeds dotting the soft Rosen's bun."
Michael Stern

"The char-cooked cheddar burgers are great, but we can never resist getting Wiener's Circle hot dogs."
Michael Stern

"Some of the best French fries in Chicago ... served in superabundance"
Michael Stern

"A Wiener's Circle char dog, ordered without condiments for the picture's sake. Look at that crunchy skin!"
Michael Stern

"Like all the great red hot shops in Chicago, The Wiener's Circle is a humble place."
Michael Stern