Gina's Hot Dogs & Italian Beef — Restaurant in Addison Township

Legitimately anyone who wrote a positive review for this place is likely on Mescaline. Where do I start? The food is awful - Not only are the condiments obviously not fresh but the actual wieners on the dogs taste like old deli meat smells. The fries are always so soggy that they're limp and definitely taste like old broken down fryer grease (unmistakable if you've ever worked in the food industry). You can't even get ketchup to adhere to them because they are so saturated with oil. They actually repel ketchup in the way sauce won't stick to pasta if it's buttered. I haven't tried anything on the menu besides the Chicago dogs and fries. I'm not bold enough to order anything else if their hot dogs are iffy and that's their bread and butter menu item. Sanitation behind the counter is questionable at best- The same guy handling the money made my food, pretty sure he didn't wash his hands. Seating areas are filthy- Tables are dirty, floors are dirty and tiles are missing, drop ceiling tiles are missing and the ones that aren't are stained every shade of brown that exists in nature and artificially. Due to the building being built directly next to a railroad track the actual building is off kilter and getting inside is an obstacle course of oblong steps and ramps. The only bright light this joint has is the patio areas on sunny days, that's if you can find two minutes to have a conversation in between the highway, airplane and train noise. Granted, this is not their fault but it is notable. I give this place a shot every so often just to see if they've stepped up their game and every time I go it's worse. Their culinary, sanitation and hospitality management shortcomings are more glaring each and every time like clockwork. It comes off as the type of business that applies band aids instead of fixes to solve internal problems. Everything screams negligence. I keep wishing that someone around here will actually attempt to open a quality business let alone a quality eatery in this town. Not only for our enjoyment but to actually bring capital into the area. I try to pump money into Bensenville's anemic economy but there literally is nowhere to spend it in this town without getting burned. I think the only way this place stays afloat is the industrial lunch crowd on weekdays and they only go there because of a lack of options in the area. To the industrial lunch crowd: I say if you REALLY need a hot dog for lunch(I MEAN REALLY REALLY NEED ONE), spend the extra 5 minutes driving east down the street and go to Jim & Toms. They're not great either but at least you know it's a restaurant when you walk in and not a dive bar or something. EDIT 04/29/2016 - In addition to all of my previous comments from a year ago, now a crew of homeless people has taken a liking to sleeping in the patio area when the restaurant is closed. Presumably because there is a liquor store that also is a fine purveyor of equipment used to ignite and inhale methyl (1R,2R,3S,5S)-3- (benzoyloxy)-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]...

I am flabbergasted that this place has 4.5 stars. There is no way people are that delusional to believe that this rinky-dink, run down hot dog place is that good. The moment I step in, I could tell I made a mistake coming in here. Why? It feels like a bad time capsule from the 1970s. I asked for a Chili Dog with Fries and a Pizza Puff. The bald guy with the stupid earrings grabs the Pizza Puff WITH HIS BARE HANDS AFTER HE HANDLED A TRANSACTION BEFORE ME AND DIDN'T WASH HIS HANDS! My dad noticed this quicker than I did and scolded him because of that, causing another man working to "properly" grab the Pizza Puff with tongs. After that, that man left while the bald guy stormed off to "wash his hands" which I doubt he did. The only other worker left actually did his job, although I'd assume he would've done the same since he washed his hands at the VERY SINK THAT'S RIGHT NEXT TO THE ENTIRE KITCHEN! IT'S THERE FOR A REASON: TO CLEAN AFTER HANDLING MONEY! The whole time I waited for my food, I didn't have to look at the bald man to see he was staring back at us, muttering stuff to himself as if we didn't notice his useless self there. Once I finally got home, I ate the "food." The Chili dog is abysmal with little flavor and is somehow both warm and cold, not even hot. The fries were pre-cooked, sitting out in the open with no proper storage and were terribly greasy. The Pizza Puff was obviously better though not by any large margins as it still felt awful. Frankly I'm ashamed I even considered coming to eat here as I was very interested with the place. Oh, and they had a stupid Joe Biden "I did that!" sticker on their menu. As if that didn't degrade the already...

Date: 2-July-2024 Time: Lunch Total (before tip): $7.00 Payment type: Cash Server: Ordered at the counter Grade: B-

I have been craving some hot dogs, so I decided to go to the place for lunch. The place looked dead!

I ordered double (as in two dogs in one bun) hotdog and fries. After paying, while waiting, I overheard the only other customer ask for a soda refill and it was a dollar... Like seriously?! Also the place is cash only, so be warned. A customer after me came in and had to use on-premise ATM to get some cash out to pay for her food. Not judging here, but that is very convenient way to make some extra cash for a business by having an ATM on-premise.

It did not take long for my food to come out. The size was about what I expected it to be. I started with the fries and they were pretty delicious, hand cut and made to order. Hotdog on the hand was alright, nothing too special, typical hotdog.

Overall B- experience! The whole $1 refills and cash only, but you can use our ATM situation, bothered me a little, but I will come back and try...