The Wieners Circle
Location: Chicago, Illinois (2622 N Clark)
When to visit: For the authentic experience, go on Friday or Saturday night after midnight
Cost: Around $10 for a meal (an extra $20 for the chocolate shake, and don’t you dare forget the tip!)
Time needed to enjoy: 30-45 minutes
Website: www.wienercircle.net (unofficial)
If you’ve ever gone to a hot dog stand and thought, “This experience would be so much better if only the person taking my order would viciously berate me while serving my food,” then the Wieners Circle in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago is for you.
Visiting the Wieners Circle in Chicago
Oh yes, the Wieners Circle is a Chicago institution. During the day, it’s a normal little hot dog shop, but on weekend late night shifts, it turns into a free-for-all, where profanities are spewed left and right by the sassy women behind the counter and the customers waiting in line. Many customers show up for the abuse because it’s oddly strange and fun. One of my balding friends gets called “Rogaine” by the staff.
Not everyone gets the same level of verbal abuse. I’ve been disappointed I wasn’t yelled at more – all I got was the forceful inquiry, “Where my tip at?!” You can guarantee yourself some insults by not being totally on the ball. When my friend’s order was ready but he didn’t hear his name being called, he was on the receiving end of some screaming: “Hey you, hairy motherfucker in the Members Only jacket, get over here!”
Some customers initiate the abuse by yelling at the servers as soon as they walk in, which leads to a hilarious back-and-forth contest of insults. While the crudeness may not be for everyone, it’s all in good fun.
The Wieners Circle Chocolate Shake
If you’re feeling really adventurous, for $20 you can order the chocolate shake – and no, it’s not a drink. It involves the large women behind the counter taking their tops off. I have yet to witness one of these, but I hear they’re epic.
The Wieners Circle is the perfect capper to a drunken Chicago late night on the town. Here’s a short sneak peek of what you might expect. Would you visit the Wieners Circle?
Haha this sounds crazy! I can’t believe people pay $20 for the privilege of the Chocolate Shake. This is one of those crazy word-of-mouth places where I’ll bet the entertainment is better than the food itself, not always a bad thing
Julia recently posted..Dream a Little Dream…
Great for people watching!
Um, wow! You are the man for being able to find these places! The hot dog I could go for. Think I would pass on the chocolate shake!
Jeremy Branham recently posted..Is immigration a bigger threat to the world than terrorism?
It’s a big investment, for sure.
acutally julia, the food is really good. they char grill their hot dogs and their cheese fries are some of the best!
I actually forgot how the food tasted, thanks Jackie!
How can you not love a place where the counter attendant shouts “shut your bitch ass up” at the customers?
glen recently posted..Tales from the Extraterrestrial Highway
I agree Glen!
Wow! I find it amusing that you don’t even mention the actual food in this post. Some places are just about the experience I guess
The Travel Chica recently posted..Oh, The Places I’ll Go
It’s about the experience for sure.
I’ve heard of this place! Would totally stop by if I was in Chicago – entertaining to say the least.
Ashley recently posted..LOCALS: Kristin on San Francisco
It’s gaining quite the reputation!
How random! I knew Chicago was famous for hot dogs, but I’d never heard of that place. Great story!
Christina recently posted..Curious New Zealand: 16 kiwi peculiarities
Thanks, it definitely stands out from other Chicago hot dog spots.
I remember there were peculiar restaurants like this in Oklahoma as well, where you’d be publicly and loudly berated or embarrassed by the staff. They were quite popular. Odd tradition this
Sophie recently posted..On the road in Egypt
Neat, I’d want to see other similar places.
Best form of street theatre I can think of! Now, I only wonder why you didin’t order the chocolate shake?? Are you chicken shit my man???
inka recently posted..3000 years of history on one hill-Selcuk/Turkey
Street theater, that’s a good way to put it. I was hoping someone else would order the shake.
This has GOT to be the best quirky attraction you’ve featured thus far! I’m not sure how I would handle the insults, but as long as I knew what was going on beforehand I think I’d be okay. I can only imagine what goes through the minds of people who wander in there unaware, though….
Christy @ Technosyncratic recently posted..San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge
Yeah, I think it’s fun if you embrace it and prepare in advance.
This American Life (Public Radio and TV show in the US) featured this food stop back in the 90s I believe – Host Ira Glass spent an overnight at the location. Great read/video at: http://goo.gl/N3oaQ
Glad to see it’s still a hot spot!
Maria recently posted..My 7 Links
I remember seeing that… it really provides a lot of good background information about the place.
Totally not my cuppa tea as I’m the one used to hurling the insults…
Raymond @ Man On The Lam recently posted..In-Flight Entertainment: Games Airline Passengers Play
Haha, the tables would be turned !
20 dollars seems like a fair price to me.
robin recently posted..Limpio
hehe
When something like this works, it’s an absolute blast. When someone (like the sandwich shop lady in my office building in Singapore) tries it and it doesn’t work, it really doesn’t work.
I don’t like hotdogs but I’d go to this hotdog stand to listen to the abuse. I like sandwiches but I won’t go near the freak at the sandwich shop!
Barbara recently posted..Quan Yin, The Goddess of Mercy Temple
Oh yes, I wouldn’t stand for that kind of abuse if it wasn’t at a place that specifically markets themselves that way.
I’ve been to Chicago three time and I’ve yet to check this place out….damn. LOL @ chocolate shake – milkshake bringing all the boyz from the yard.
Nomadic Samuel recently posted..Camel Teeth | Jaisalmer, India | Travel Photo
It is worth seeing!
Shut your bitch ass up! LOL. Good times. Reminds me of family dinners.
Christy @ Ordinary Traveler recently posted..Best Places to Photograph in San Diego
Haha, love it.
This sounds like an awesome place to get some hotdogs
Don’t think I would pay for the Chocolate shake though!
Tijmen recently posted..Tips for Overland Travel in West Africa
This place was on TV sometime in the past – sounds nutty but great for the drunks or late night crowd
eileen ludwig recently posted..Legoland Billund Denmark
That’s so funny, I imagine it would be pretty shocking if you showed up there not expecting it!
Faith recently posted..My Full House Picnic
Oh my – this sounds like an interesting place for sure! I’m still on the fence as far as it being somewhere I’d actually like to *visit* but I’d definitely like to look inside once in my life.
Heidi