 |
 |
 |
 |
| fRedhots |
| In a crowded city full of hot dog and beef stands, it’s often tough for one to differentiate itself from the pack. A good first step is to use a play on words. One such play is “fRedhots” in Glenview, where Fred the owner playfully combines his name with a common hot dog nickname. Ok, so you’re thru the door, but is the menu more of the same? At first glance you see all the usual suspects, dogs, Italian beef, and burgers. Take a closer look and you’ll be pleasantly surprised. I made a few trips to “fRedhots” to sample both traditional favorites and a couple of untraditional offerings. First visit I go traditional and order the Italian beef, dog, and fries. Even though these are Chicagoland classics, many places do a sub par job of preparing our most beloved street food. Not so at “fRedhots”, in fact both the dog and the beef were fantastic. The dog was prepared perfectly, with a steamed poppy seed bun, all the proper trimmings, and with some of the friendliest service around. Everybody here is genuinely friendly and isn’t afraid to engage the customer. Talking with Fred revealed that he roasts his own beef on site, and it shows. The thinly sliced beef is tender and with just the right amount of juice. They claim that this is the best Italian beef around, while I don’t 100% agree, it certainly doesn’t disappoint. On trip number two I was feeling hungry and adventurous! One of the things that make “fRedhots” unique is that they serve wild game sausage. The selection rotates, but I get the pleasure of sampling the alligator! In an effort to fill my stomach fully, I decided on the double cheddar burger and garlic fries as well. “You gonna eat all that?” My friend at the counter asked me with a whole lotta doubt. “I’m known to be pretty hungry.” I replied with a grin. The gator was the size of a large brat and was nowhere near as gamey tasting as bison can be. Meaty, juicy, and slightly spicy made this gator a pleasant surprise. The big shocker was how good the double cheddar was! Merkts cheddar combined with two 1/3 lb patties equaled burger bliss. Beyond the wonderful juices running down my arm, there was something else that made this burger special. When I asked Fred what else I tasted in the background, he informed me that they brush garlic oil on the buns. Oooh, that Fred is sneaky! Speaking of garlic, lets talk fries. On their own, Fred’s fries are inconsistent. Some days they’re crisp and others they’re soggy. To remedy this, opt for the garlic fries. Fred keeps shaved garlic in oil all day, to brush buns with and top his fantastic garlic fries. Just be warned, you’re significant other might not want to sleep next to you when you’re done. The final visit prompted me to try their “debris meat po boy.” They use the meat trimmings and seasoning left from their Italian beef to make good use of what others might regard as scraps. Topped with lettuce, tomato, and garlic aioli, the po boy is a sandwich that the poor and rich can enjoy alike. While I miss the texture of the Italian beef, the debris mixes well with the aioli to create another unique sandwich. Pricing is a little higher than most dog/beef stands, with my gator coming in at $9. Factor in the high level of quality, friendly service, and unique menu and you’ll soon find real value at “fRedhots”. Fred was present during each of my visits, and truly enjoys interacting with all of his welcomed guests.Rating *** out of ****. Location 1707 Chestnut Ave. Glenview, IL 60025 Phone: 847-657-9200 Home |
