Hey Hot Dog — Restaurant in Joliet

I had a taste for a hot dog and a quick Google search sent me to Hey Hot Dog. I was super excited to find that they have homemade root beer too.

Having never been there before, I wasn't quite sure about ordering etiquette, but pull in, wait by the door and they will come out to you and take your order.

I struck up a very nice conversation with the owner and ordered 2 chicago style dogs and a large rootbeer.

I was crushed to find out that they don't take credit cards and as I was fully expecting to drive off empty handed, the owner told me to pay him back next time I was out that way. Mind you, this is a guy I knew for 5 minutes and didn't owe me a thing. I knew I was at agreat place and this kind act validated it.

Root beer - my favorite root beer is Barq's root beer. It has that bite to it and doesn't have a vanilla profile. My least favorite is A&W because of the vanilla.

The root beer is lightly carbonated and has a very strong, yet balanced taste of vanilla. Honestly, this is one of the very best root beers I have ever had.

Hot dog - I ordered 2 chicago style Hot dogs and I really enjoyed them. They use Milano bakery buns, which if you're used to S. Rosen is a bit different but the buns are like soft pillows of goodness. The dog itself had a nice bite to it and the toppings were all excellent. I usually enjoy a pickle spear, but the pickles here are very thin sliced, which is ok because it actually made eating them a lot easier.

Will I be back? Absolutely! I love supporting small family businesses and will try the Italian or Polish next time and maybe even a rootbeer float.

Hey Hot Dog is not...

Hands down, the best sloppy joes and root beer this side of the Mississippi, no! in the world!!! 😋😋😋 I've been coming here since I was a kid. The first Hey hot dog was on the East Side of Joliet on Cass Street right across the street from McDonald's, BJ's Dad first opened the restaurant way way way back when probably before I was born and that was in 68 all I remember is I was a kid going there and my grandpa used to lift me up and sit me on the stool. Through the years this was my happy place me, and my family has built so many memories here at Hey Hotdog, having lunch or dinner over sloppy joes, hot dogs, chili dogs, and their world famous root beer. Thank you Hey Hotdog for the great service through the years for the great food but most importantly for giving us a place to build memories while enjoying a great meal.... sloppy joes, root beer, and Classic...

From the day I saw Hey Hotdog in the Joliet Patch I have been trying to visit but I could never catch it open. Well, today is August 2, 2022 and I noticed cars in the driveway as I was leaving an appointment. The line was out in the street so I decided to park. They were very busy trying to get orders out so I waited for about 10 minutes then placed my order with BJ. The couple waiting with me decided to sit down to eat at Hey Hotdog and they gave him cash I asked if they took credit cards and he said no but I can come back and pay him the next time I’m hungry. I thought that was AWESOME. Either I have a trusting face or these people are just great. I left with my 3 hotdogs/3 large drinks and went straight to my shop to get cash for BJ. Also the root beer and hotdog were delicious. I will visit again for the service alone. Next time I will have cash...