Chicago
Popular citiesBrowse all cities
Timeout

Get us in your inbox

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Search
  1. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  2. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsThe first person in line outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  3. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  4. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  5. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  6. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  7. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  8. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  9. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  10. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  11. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  12. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  13. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  14. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  15. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  16. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  17. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  18. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  19. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  20. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsThe last person in line outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  21. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  22. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  23. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  24. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  25. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  26. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27
  27. Photograph: Martha Williams
    Photograph: Martha WilliamsPeople lined up outside Hot Doug’s on the restaurant’s final day.
    PreviousNext
    /27

As Hot Doug's closes, we take snapshots of the final day

What did people in line do the night before iconic hot-dog stand Hot Doug's closes? Hint: A lot of White Castle was involved

Amy Cavanaugh
Written by
Amy Cavanaugh
Advertising

The final Hot Doug's line was both somber and merry, as dedicated Hot Doug's fans lined up for a last round of sausages. We spied a dog dressed as a hot dog, a man crafting balloon hats shaped like hot dogs and plenty of new friendships being formed. We talked with the first person in line—"King Max," as the line dubbed him (he took two days off work for this)—all the way to the last person, who arrived at 6:30am. When Doug arrived, he passed out doughnuts and coffee to the line.

RECOMMENDED: Guide to Chicago hot dogs

We surveyed a big chunk of the line to find out when people arrived, what they did all night, whether they're ditching work and more. Some highlights: One woman who spent the night in line told her boss she went camping, which she noted was "technically true," since she ran out and purchased a six-person tent two hours into her wait. One person drank Bloody Marys in line and "made some new drinking buddies." One guy was supposed to be at work, but told his boss that he's "getting fucking Hot Doug's."

Here are the full results:

Recommended
    You may also like
    You may also like
    Advertising

    Get us in your inbox

    Loading animation
    Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

    By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

    🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

    Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

    Time Out

    About us

    Contact us

    Time Out products

    Time Out magazine

      Site map
      © 2024 Time Out England Limited and affiliated companies owned by Time Out Group Plc. All rights reserved. Time Out is a registered trademark of Time Out Digital Limited.