In addition to the tapestry of hot dog vendors in and around Chicago, Devil Dawgs opened their first location outside of the city in Evanston—on Feb. 1, 2024. This establishment appears to be serving some of the best hot dogs Chicagoland has to offer. While not well known as vendors like Portillo’s, given Devil Dawgs’ quality food and service, it could soon see itself becoming a Chicagoland staple.
Devil Dawgs originated at DePaul University in 2010 specializing in quality hot dogs with the classic Chicago style. The restaurant offers a range of delicious food options, including vegan hot dogs, vegetarian options, and items unique to the restaurant itself. Due to the restaurant’s popularity in the city, they decided to branch outside the metropolis, landing in the middle of Evanston.
Once in the Evanston location, one immediately notices the colorful and cartoony atmosphere; every wall displays art in a graffiti-like style, depicting food or fictional characters. Statues of different kinds of fast food also stand in the location, making silly faces and doing funny poses. LED signs saying “HOUND DOG” and “DEVIL DAWGS” can be seen alongside the restaurant’s menus, depicted on flat-screen TVs. Next to the cashless ordering station stands a fridge showcasing an assortment of rather uncommon bottled drinks for sale. These include Sprecher Brewing, Jarritos, Celsius, Green River, Liquid Death, Joe Tea & Lemonade, Hank’s Gourmet Soda, Dad’s Root Beer, Cheerwine, and Dang! Once you make your order, via electronic tablet, you take a receipt with your designated order number and wait for it to be called.
“I have been to the Belmont location in the city,” Social Studies Teacher Elizabeth Schack said. ” I think it’s [a great place to get] a low-key meal and a fun place to go to with friends. [They serve] good food and it’s fun to try new restaurants, especially when one is so close. If you’re wanting to try something new or something different, then Devil Dawgs is definitely a place to try.”
Devil Dawgs rivals other hot dog vendors by providing quality food and an array of ordering options. The food tastes fresh and is made to order; one can see in the kitchen, for example, fresh slices of potato in a metal basket ready for frying. As for the menu itself, one can choose a broad favorite, like a Chicago style hot dog, or an item exclusive to the establishment, Devil Dawgs offers over a dozen listed hot dog options to order. This is in stark contrast to other similar vendors—like Superdawg, Herm’s Palace, and even Portillo’s—who offer a more limited selection. Schack said it herself, “Devil Dawgs has more interesting hot dog options; they’re a little trendier than [other] places.” While some items at Devil Dawgs can be expensive—their hot dogs cost around $7 on average—the freshness, the options, and the swift preparation of the food makes the cost worth it. Aviles even says, “We always try to get food orders [finished in] under five minutes, being a fast food chain.”
While this establishment was founded over a dozen years ago and only left downtown six months ago, many are unaware of the establishment’s features and options. Some may have heard of Devil Dawgs, some may even live near one, but many have never been to one. As long as anyone at Niles North has some extra money to spend and a belly to fill, Devil Dawgs is a great place to have a locally made “dawg.”
