[UPDATE: Shortly after my review, the owner contacted me to apologize about the hot dog and slaw and offered to refund my money. This more than makes up for the cold hot dog and, truth be told, I have sneaked back in twice for more sliders and onion rings. A great customer service outreach!]
The past two weeks have been a time of great anticipation for me.
Just over 24 hours ago, I, along with half of Phoenix, was standing in line waiting to get my copy of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” Just under two weeks ago, I was hurrying home from work to change clothes and then head to the theater to see “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.” (And if you are looking for spoilers, all I can tell you is that Rosebud is a sled.)
After exiting the movie theater, I thought about the movie and how I felt about it. By and large, I was happy. I really liked the acting and the special effects, but I hated the fact that the longest book in the Harry Potter series was made into the shortest movie. I also disliked the lightning fast jump from the climactic battle scene between the forces of good and evil to the credits. I felt there was no real time in the movie for resolution and set up for the next movie.
I think about the same questions when I go into a restaurant and make the same observations: Did I like it? Was it good? Where there problems? Etc.
I recently found myself at the Chicago Hamburger Co. on the southwest corner of 38th Street and Indian School in East Phoenix. The building has been around for ages and Chicago Hamburger Co. has been there for quite some time as well. Hunting for a parking space and ending up parking on the street, I was not surprised at how busy the place was. The parking lot had always been jammed when I drove by on my way to run errands or the like.
I walked into the place and realized that it hadn’t changed much in the past 10 years, which was about the last time I was in the joint. There was still plenty of Chicago memorabilia on the walls, Chicago street signs and the like. The place wasn’t big inside and there were plenty of people waiting in line to order and sitting at tables waiting for their numbers to be called. I took my place in line and waited.
When I approached, I had already made up my mind as to what I wanted. I had been surveying the menu board that spanned above the ordering station. My order was comprehensive enough to get a good idea of the food at Chicago Hamburger Co. I ordered three Windy City Sliders with Cheese ($0.99 each), an order of Onion Rings ($2.39), a Vienna Beef Hot Dog ($3.95) which came with Cole Slaw, and a large Lemonade ($1.85). The total for my meal, including tax, was $12.06. I was handed my number and I took a seat toward the back of the restaurant.
After claiming a small two-top table in the back, I headed for the condiment area and got napkins, seasoning and ketchup. I returned to my table and waited about 10 minutes before my number was called. I went to the large window to claim my food and a large tray was waiting for me with everything I had ordered. I returned to my seat.
I decided to tackle a Windy City Slider with Cheese first. The small hamburger was on a hot bun with plenty of onions, ketchup, mustard and pickles. The first bite was savory, salty and delicious. I loved the flavors and it was a simple yet substantial creation, especially for a buck. I gobbled up the first one with just a couple of bites, but it was completely satisfying. I loved that the burger was piping hot and the bread was soft and very warm. There were no complaints from me regarding the sliders.
The same could be said about the Onion Rings. The serving was large and a great value. The basket of rings was radiating plenty of heat, but with very little oil residue. I took one ring, dipped it in the ketchup and took a bite. They were very good. They were not as good as the onion rings I had had at Dillon’s, but they were quite pleasing. The batter was almost tempura like and the rings were perfectly cooked. The coolness of the ketchup helped to regulate the heat and I finished off the basket very quickly. Things were humming along quite smoothly.
I turned my attention to the Vienna Beef Hot Dog and Cole Slaw that sat in a separate basket. I had a jarring moment when I picked up the hot dog and discovered, to my disappointment, that the bun was ice cold. Not room temperature, but lower than that. I wondered how the buns on the sliders could be so hot and fresh and the hot dog bun so cold and unappealing. I looked over the dog and it was covered with plenty of mustard, onions, relish and pickles. I took a bite and I was completely puzzled. The hot dog, along with the bun and the condiments were cold. I kept hoping that my next bite would bring me some warmth, but in the end, the entire production looked like it had gone from refrigerator to basket. Although the taste was okay, the temperature had me scratching my head and wondering if the focus on the sliders means the hot dogs get short shrift.
Trying to push out the thoughts of the hot dog, I decided to try the Cole Slaw that was in a small plastic container next to where the hot dog sat. When I removed the lid, I knew this was not the cole slaw for me. The slaw was drowning in so much dressing that I thought about throwing in a life preserver to save the cabbage. I figured this dressing better be instantly addicting or else my first bite would be my last bite. One bite later, I was done. It truly was dreadful. The only thing that I tasted was dressing with bits of crunchy texture.
So, I returned to the other two sliders in the first basket which chased away the bad memories of the hot dog and cole slaw. I was pleased again. After finishing up my meal, I bussed my table and headed back to the car.
Like “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” I left pleased with my experience with Chicago Hamburger Co. because of the sliders, the rings and the value. But, like the movie, there were some things that just rubbed me the wrong way.
Chicago Hamburger Co.
3749 East Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85081
Dress: Casual
Hours: Monday through Saturday – 10:30 AM to 8 PM; Closed Sunday.
Notes: Parking is limited, but you can park along 38th Street.
Alcohol: None.
Website: www.chicagohamburger.com
I’m curious why you didn’t return the cold hot dot for a hot one. In addition to getting something you could actually eat, it would also be a good judge of how the restaurant reacts to a mistake. I’ve had items delivered that have been cold or cold in the middle and find it interesting how the management reacts to such things. One time at Thai Pan the manager was really embarrassed because someone had turned of the fryer. Another time at Saba Mediterrainean the waitress asked me if I’d like her to “nuke” my fried item to warm it up. Um, no.
I too was disappointed with the hot dogs at Chicago Hamburger Co. I’m not from Chicago and I’ve never had an “authentic” Chicago style hot dog to make a real comparison, but I have a favorite place of mine to recommend you try.
Johnny’s Chicago Red Hots. 53 W Thomas Rd. is a personal passion of mine. The owners are a wonderful Korean (?) couple named Chang and Hei (sp? pronounced “Hey”). I asked Chang how the place came to be named “Johnny’s” after calling him Johnny for the first year or so that I ate there. It turns out he bought it from the original owner several years ago and kept the name.
I miss Johnny’s if I don’t get there at least every couple of weeks. One of the best things about eating there is that if you go regularly and settle on a preference, you don’t even have to order. Hei will remember what you like and just confirm your order. The other great thing about eating at Johnny’s is that your food is delivered very quickly and is always done just right (no cold dogs here). I’m usually on a short time schedule and you can get there, order, eat and be out within a half hour. Parking is sometimes a challenge since there’s 3 good places pretty much next to each other, Z-Pizza, Johnny’s and First Watch, so I try to get there early so I don’t have to hunt for parking in back (or to grab a spot at First Watch).
My recommendation is the “jumbo fire with everything.” The jumbo fire dog isn’t really very spicy (although the “sport peppers” have a bit of zing to them), but it has a bit more flavor than a “red hot.” “Everything” means celery salt, mustard, bright green relish, finely diced onions, 2 sport peppers, a couple of tomato wedges and a dill pickle wedge. I eat the tomatoes and dill pickle separately, but remember, I’m not a Chicagoan.
The poppy seed bun is steamed, as is the dog, and done to perfection. Chang uses Vienna beef dogs, which I understand is the standard for Chicago style hot dogs. The common order includes the best french fries I have ever had anywhere, real potatoes, skin on, cooked perfectly and always piping hot!
A friend of mine once told me about the “triangle of life.” She said that life was a triangle that had these words at the 3 points: fast, good and cheap. She said that in life, you can have any two but you can never get all three at the same time. In life, if it’s fast and good, it won’t be cheap; if it’s good and cheap, it won’t be fast; and if it’s fast and cheap, it won’t be very good.
I hold up Johnny’s as the exception to that rule. You can get a jumbo fire with everything, a side of fries and a bottled water for under $6. It will be served within minutes, even though it’s made to order, and it will be a little bite of heaven! It will put your disappointment at the dog you described at the Chicago Hamburger Co. behind you.
Tim,
I think you are correct that I should have asked for a replacement. I was somewhat pressed for time that afternoon and just took a “grin and bear it” approach. I will try to do better in the future.
Bill,
Thanks for the tip!
Having gone to the midnight showing of the movie, and having completed the book as well, I can concur with Seth’s take on those two topics.
Not having been to the restaurants mentioned, I will admit to having given the Chicago Hamburger Co. more than a few fleeting glances when I’ve visited, due to never having really had a “slider” of any sort (no White Castles where I’ve lived in the past, and the one time that my family bought some frozen White Castle hamburgers, it wasn’t the same experience when they’re nuked).
Tim, I agree with you on your comment as well. Honey, knowing you, I’m actually really surprised you didn’t go back, time pressure or not, and request a replacement hot dog, or a refund. Not that I don’t support your “grin and bear it” decision, of course, but knowing you, it does seem like I’m rubbing off on you a little more.
Not that I mind that.
Bill, as for your comment, I will bet you anything you’ve gotten Hei’s name right, first. Second, that does sound absolutely yummy. I’ve never had a Chicago-style hot dog myself, but I’d love to try one. Next time I’m in Phoenix, I’m going to ask Seth to drive us over there to get a quick lunch. (Honey, keep that in mind)
Hey Seth,
It’s great to hear that you finally made it back to Chicago (HC). Sorry that the dog and slaw were not up to par, but glad to know that you enjoyed the sliders and rings.
With regard to the aforementioned items that were not to your liking… please, please, please… ask Bob, the owner, or one of his staff, in the future for a replacement. Bob is one of the nice, most attentive food establishment owners I have had the fortune of meeting. My guy has been going to Chicago for tens of years and they have his order going when they see him coming up to the door.
Coming from California, I have never tried a “Chicago-style” burger before and oh my gosh, did I ever become hooked. So much so that I put on some weigh eating there a couple of times a month.
So if you ever decide to give it another go, get a 1/3 or 1/2 burger and a basket of their savory fries. And if *anything* is not up to par, let ‘em know. They do truly aim to please.
Best regards,
Debby
I think as long as the Harry Potter series remains “a sure bet” in the blockbuster realm, they’re going to continue to churn them out one after another, without much care for the source material or respect for the craft of filmmaking.
Anyways, coming from the local desk at thenewsroom.com, you have a great local blog. Come check us out if you ever need great free content for it.
You have to try Dazzo’s in Downtown Glendale. They serve fries with the dogs. The fire dog is my favorite. Franksalot is pretty good as well. I was not impressed with either dog house in your previous reviews and they pretty much matched my experience even the good sliders at Windy City.