Duk's Red HOTS
Permanently Closed
Deep-fried hot dogs, Italian beef, and classic Chicago charm
Deep-fried hot dogs, Italian beef, and classic Chicago charm
"Late last year, Chicago waved goodbye to Duk’s Red Hots, a hot dog stand mini-chain that endured seven decades. The deep-fried hot dogs were legendary, as were its legal entanglements with Walt Disney Co., whose attorneys sued them in 1957 over the stand’s original name, 'Donald Duk’s.' Duk’s staff remains the same and the stand’s old Vienna Beef sign, with the illuminated arrow, still lights up Ashland." - Ashok Selvam
"Duk’s Red Hots in West Town is selling and closing after 70 years. The era of food stands in Chicago is declining in a world of escalating real estate which makes it challenging for affordable, working-class restaurants to take up valuable parcels that can be crammed with development." - Ashok Selvam
"Duk’s Red Hots, the last remaining hot dog stand from what was once a 16-location Chicago mini-chain, will close on New Year’s Eve after seven decades. It will return with new owners who plan to change the name and remodel the space." - Naomi Waxman
"There used to be 16 locations of this chain and now only one remains along Ashland in West Town. Duk’s was famously threatened by Disney attorneys angry about the stand’s original name “Donald Duk’s.” The stand has a modest patio is open late. They serve Vienna Beef and also deep-fry their sausages, as opposed to the traditional boil or grilling methods. They don’t make places like this anymore." - Ashok Selvam
"Their social media team recently recorded a video spoofing Wes Anderson at Duk’s Red Hots in West Town." - Ashok Selvam
