I'll add my 2¢ and say that the fries are on target, easily the best in this corner of the loop.
I had the 2 dog special today and the natural casing dogs were good as ever.

zoid wrote:I'll add my 2¢ and say that the fries are on target, easily the best in this corner of the loop.
I had the 2 dog special today and the natural casing dogs were good as ever.

Thanks for keeping on top of our progress. Feedback always encourages us to keep doing what we're doing right, and forces us to improve where we need to. I'm not completely satisfied with the fries yet, but we're slowly taking it in the right direction

JoeyHotdogs wrote:

zoid wrote:I'll add my 2¢ and say that the fries are on target, easily the best in this corner of the loop.
I had the 2 dog special today and the natural casing dogs were good as ever.

Thanks for keeping on top of our progress. Feedback always encourages us to keep doing what we're doing right, and forces us to improve where we need to. I'm not completely satisfied with the fries yet, but we're slowly taking it in the right direction

I was in the other day and, I agree, the fries are much better than before. They are still slightly soggy for my tastes but I like really crisp fries (the old fries at Edzo's are my favorites). I think it's awesome that you solicit feedback and then act on it. You guys are doing a great job and can count on a lot of business from me this summer.

hoya97 wrote:

JoeyHotdogs wrote:

zoid wrote:I'll add my 2¢ and say that the fries are on target, easily the best in this corner of the loop.
I had the 2 dog special today and the natural casing dogs were good as ever.

Thanks for keeping on top of our progress. Feedback always encourages us to keep doing what we're doing right, and forces us to improve where we need to. I'm not completely satisfied with the fries yet, but we're slowly taking it in the right direction

I was in the other day and, I agree, the fries are much better than before. They are still slightly soggy for my tastes but I like really crisp fries (the old fries at Edzo's are my favorites). I think it's awesome that you solicit feedback and then act on it. You guys are doing a great job and can count on a lot of business from me this summer.

Thank you, brother. We're getting there slowly but surely. I appreciate your feedback and support more than I can tell ya. From one foodie to another, I want to have this stand cranking out the best fare we can. Thanks for all your help!

I had lunch at UB Dogs on Thursday. Love that hotdog stands are coming back after mostly being replaced by potbellys (Herms), banks (max's), and parks (Harry's). Great dog, nice hot fries and service with a smile. Can't wait for the outdoor seating to make a comeback as well.

After an entire, unintentionally vegetarian weekend, I had a major hankering for some meat today, and the double-charburger was just what I needed. I forgot that each patty was 1/3 pound instead of 1/4, so the double which nearly killed me, but it was well worth it.

This is so much better than any of the fast food places in the neighborhood, and I'd put them right up there with the fancy-pants burgers at Au Cheval or Little Goat (and at half the price). I love the perfectly pink patty. I love the charred crust on the outside. I love the way the obviously hand-formed patty crumbles in your mouth. And I love the soft and super-absorbent dinner napkins, which are very much a requirement when you order a double.

My arteries can't handle lunch there every day, but I'm really glad to have it near the office.

Thank you, brother Always good to see you

Independent George wrote:After an entire, unintentionally vegetarian weekend, I had a major hankering for some meat today, and the double-charburger was just what I needed. I forgot that each patty was 1/3 pound instead of 1/4, so the double which nearly killed me, but it was well worth it.

This is so much better than any of the fast food places in the neighborhood, and I'd put them right up there with the fancy-pants burgers at Au Cheval or Little Goat (and at half the price). I love the perfectly pink patty. I love the charred crust on the outside. I love the way the obviously hand-formed patty crumbles in your mouth. And I love the soft and super-absorbent dinner napkins, which are very much a requirement when you order a double.

My arteries can't handle lunch there every day, but I'm really glad to have it near the office.

I have a borderline unhealthy (OK majorly unhealthy) Italian beef obsession. I have a spreadsheet on my computer, sorted by neighborhood, with rankings for every beef I've ever tried by beef, bread, giard, gravy and construction, and assigned weights for the component scores. SO while I can't claim to know a lot about food, I will not be modest about my Italian beef knowledge.

All this to say that I scoffed when a friend told me about UB Dogs. "Best beef in the Loop? Isn't that like winning the tallest midget contest?" I may have asked. Well I am pleased to be wrong about this one because I think this place has one of the best beefs in the entire city. Perfectly tender beef, giard just spicy enough, and the sandwich is expertly dipped so it completely falls apart on the last juicy bite, not the first (major score penalty if that happens). The only thing I can slightly ding them on is that sometimes the gravy is a little too salty but that's just nitpicking.

UB Dogs gets an 8.11/10 on my Excel beef-o-meter. For reference, Johnnie's is a 8.92 and Scatchell's is 8.05.

eating while walking wrote:UB Dogs gets an 8.11/10 on my Excel beef-o-meter. For reference, Johnnie's is a 8.92 and Scatchell's is 8.05.

I am intrigued by your ideas and wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

I suppose it was really only a matter of time before sabremetrics entered the food world; heck, I actually use Excel to organize burner usage when preparing large meals. Soon, the GNRs debates will turn into arguments over the methodology in calculating Beef Above Replacement.

Independent George wrote:I am intrigued by your ideas and wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

I suppose it was really only a matter of time before sabremetrics entered the food world; heck, I actually use Excel to organize burner usage when preparing large meals. Soon, the GNRs debates will turn into arguments over the methodology in calculating Beef Above Replacement.

Well I'm not a math guy or a sports guy (had to look up sabremetrics) but the file just started out as a simple list of beef stands I had tried and others I wanted to try, to serve as a memory aid. From there it was a short step to adding scores and sandwich component weights.

From all this beef eating, I've found that stands could easily deliver a substantially better product simply by slicing the beef thinner. Thin beef = more surface area to soak up and hold gravy, and thin slices can stay tender even when overheld or overcooked. UB Dogs really gets this as their meat is sliced so thin that it's almost half-shredded and falling-apart juicy.

I was recently discussing with a work colleague of mine the demise of the solid cheap lunchtime options around the office (downtown near Wacker and Wabash). Over the past 10-15 years, they almost all seem to have shuttered to make room for tenants willing to pay higher rents. The first casualty of this local exodus (for me at least) was the original Gold Coast Dogs replaced by a 7/11. We have occasionally visited the new Gold Coast between Lake and Randolph on Wabash, but it is a completely different place with disappointing dogs more often than not.

This morning, after discussing a tasty visit to Wolfy's over the weekend, my colleague suggested we try a dog place on Franklin that he walks past every now and then on his way to/from the train. Sure enough, UB Dogs delivered excellent dogs and fries, and immediately shot up to the top dog option within our lunchtime radius.

The IB does sound promising, but it would be tough to turn down Al's for something else.

Sleeper here is the breakfast sandwich. Lots of choices available, but you can't go wrong with 2 eggs over easy on a beef roll with italian sausage, griddled onions and bell peppers, mozzarella, and hot giardinera. I might try this with the house-made beef once I recover from the last one. Cheap too.

Italian sausage for breakfast? Holy cow.

Lunch cheeseburger topped with merkts cheddar and bacon was right on the money medium rare. U.B. Dogs seems to have really found their groove.

U.B. Dogs continues to hone their craft. The fries on my most recent visit were some of the best I've had, crisp but not burnt exterior and a fluffy but not soggy interior. The char burger is still one of if not the best in the loop.

JeffB speaks the truth. Just took down a breakfast sandwich to his specs, though I inexplicably omitted the giardiniera, and man, that puts other breakfast sandwiches to shame. Well done U.B. Dogs, well done.

cajun chick is FIRE!!! so was chilli-cheese dog......YUMMMM !!!!

I'm glad you guys have been enjoying the food. You know, a GNR award would look really nice hanging up in the restaurant! *cough*

Strayed from my usual dog special or burger last week to try the Maxwell Polish for the first time; combine that with the excellent fries with a cup of Merkt's on the side, and it might now be my new go-to at this place. Very tasty.

Had a recent workday lunch at UB Dogs. Fries are still excellent, probably the best in the Loop and in my Chicago fry top five for sure. Beef sandwich though, is not the same as it used to be. Before, UB Dogs had tender thin-sliced/shredded beef that clearly tasted roasted in-shop. The sandwich I ate this time had rubbery thick-cut beef that reminded me of the prepackaged stuff that's frozen in broth. I hope they haven't recently switched meat suppliers. I'm willing to chalk it up to a fluke and give UB's beef sandwich another chance.

I enjoy UB Dogs and it's a regular in my lunch rotation but they still only hit .600 or so with the fries. Today they hit it out of the ball park with a near perfect spud. Crisp exterior, fluffy insides, and well salted. It's probably good for my health that they aren't always this good or I'd be eating them multiple times a week. Jalapeno bacon cheeseburger wasn't half bad either. Bonus points for having Zepplin, Rush or something else 97.9ish on in the background every time I stop in.

Interesting read . . .

http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/03/how-to-open-a-hot-dog-stand-chicago-tips-for-new-restaurant-owners.html

Chicago Hokie wrote:Interesting read . . .

http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/03/how-to-open-a-hot-dog-stand-chicago-tips-for-new-restaurant-owners.html

Very interesting read, thanks for posting.

Hit up U.B. Dogs on Monday for a char-cheddar burger (w/everything) combo. Excellent, again, and fast and friendly service. Eating a fresh cooked burger and fries with a fountain root beer while listening to great classic rock hits is just a great way to break up the day.

I'm really sad to share but UB Dogs is going to be closing December 21.

Joey told me this last week as he has been running it for 10 years now and is ready for a break and to travel. Didn't sound like this decision was due to business at all as they seem to be busy at lunch, and 151 N Franklin just opened down the street.

He did indicate he may try something different with the space in 2019.

I'll be visiting regularly until 12/21.

I went last Thursday and Joey and crew were still firing on all cylinders with a steady stream of customers even a 1/2 hour before closing. Thought it was going to be my last time as I was supposed to be travelling when they close but as that fell through I'll be back again this week as well. My usual order of Merkt's cheddar burger with everything, fries and a Chicago hot dog everything no-relish still hit the spot. Joey as friendly as ever. I'll definitely miss U.B. Dogs but happy for Joey to go out on top and at his choosing.

I went today at 1pm and the line was out the door. Joey and company were keeping up the pace and the line was still out the door at 1:45 when I left. I'm going to miss this place.

You can follow what they will be doing next at https://www.facebook.com/notcoolhospitality/

Nice to go out of a high note. My office moved away from the area a while back so it's been a while since it was in my regular lunch rotation, great joint for sure.

Sounds like U.B. Dogs is going to be reopening in some form shortly.

Since we shut down in December, we’ve spent a lot of time trying to decide what we want to do next. After doing both extensive research about various new concepts, as well as some soul searching, we’ve come to the conclusion that we just really want to keep serving the good people of Chicago good Chicago food. We’re adopting new processes and procedures so we can keep our lines moving speedily, while maintaining the same standards of quality we’ve always demanded of our food. Hang tight, Chicago; We're about to have some fun.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxBRUHQlm-q/

I pray a good Italian beef is back on their menu.....