5 Illinois Hot Dog Stands Make Google List Of Top Dogs In U.S.

ILLINOIS — Nothing quite says July 4 like a celebration of all things America. And on the culinary food scale, things don't get much more red, white, and blue than a hot dog.

Chicago has its own take on the encased meat classic, including its Thou Shall Not Put Ketchup on your Dog commandment. And while Illinois residents dress up their dogs in a variety of ways, most people agree that a good hot dog can be hard to beat.

But according to a recent survey of Google reviews of hot dog stands, a handful of Illinois businesses are among the top dogs among customers in the country. The list of top U.S. hot dog emporiums was released by Google, which announced its findings earlier this week.

Jib’s Hot Dogs, Ice Cream Center and Margarita Hut in Oak Lawn, Home Plate Dogs in Yorkville, Let’s Beef Frank food truck in Marion, The Corndog Stand in Sterling, and Susie’s in Morton all were deemed all-star dogs among reviewers who shared their opinions of the hot dogs found at each of these locations around Illinois.

Sadly, Susie’s — which had an average score of 4.79 among Google reviewers, is permanently closed.

Each of the Illinois spots had its own followings, but reviewers pointed out that in their own way, each of the stops had its own unique qualities.

“Jibs hot dogs are the best,” Terri Gorman wrote of the Oak Lawn spot that is located inside Cardinal Liquors in Oak Lawn. “Buns are fresh and steamed just right…..a very good place for a good hot dog.

“Try them, you will not be disappointed.”

Other locals said that they weren't planning to find a quality hot dog when they stopped to stock up on adult beverages at the business that is located on Southwest Highway but were pleasantly surprised. One satisfied customer characterized the hot dogs as unique and flavorful. Overall, the average ranking among the 84 reviews was a 4.8

"Hands-down the best hot dog in town," a reviewer named Alexis Marie wrote on Google, using all capital letters for emphasis. "

Homeplate Dogs, which is located in Yorkville Town Square on North Bridge Street, offers a bit of a nostalgic feel for customers, including Tim Devine, who said the spot had a “great down-home feeling like I was a kid.”

The family-run hot dog stand, which scored an average of 4.9 among reviewers, offers fresh ingredients and has been a hit among locals.

“My favorite place to eat in Yorkville,” wrote a reviewer named “World Fear”. “(It was) the best hot dogs I’ve ever had in my life and I always get excited when I drive past and his stand is up….The simplest of things can be amazing when the person cooking it knows what they’re doing.”

Downstate, the Let’s Beef Frank food truck in Marion (4.9 average score) got rave reviews for their offerings as well. While the gyros were among the most reviewed menu items, one reviewer — Rick Diaz — said the Chicago hot dog was the best he has found in Southern Illinois.

“I’ve been missing home and this fulfilled that itch I’ve been needing scratching,” Diaz wrote in his review. “The hot dog was very good, the Italian beef was outstanding the cheese fries were piping hot and delicious.”