Superdawg Drive-In — Restaurant in Wheeling Township

Update 2024: Not sure what the issue is with this location. I went a year ago with a friend from out of town to show them the "local" tradition (Superdawg means a lot to my family, having grown up right near it's original location) and the wait for the food was atrocious. The fries were stale and cold. It was later at night, not busy, so there was no excuse for this.

Even so, I tried coming again today to redeem a free sandwich for my husband. There was no operable guest wi-fi and the cell signal was barely usable (for me on verizon) so it took a minute to load this promo code website.

Nancy asked me what I wanted to order while I waited. I gave an order of a dog with everything and chocolate shake. Before I could even say or attempt to ask anything else she cut me off and said it had to be a large soda for the redemption.. ok, listen Nancy, I know this I read the email. I said I'm ordering for two. She still ignores me and rambles on about everything that comes with the hot dog. She asks if its here or to go. I said to go. I ask again if I can make another order. So I order my second dog. She asks if its for here or to go... again.

Without confirming the order she turns around and rattles off "malt" multiple times. I asked her to confirm the order for me and I was ignored... so I just paid and saw the receipt was correct so the order must be. It was only $15 so I guess that's a good deal?

There were two people ahead of me waiting. They kind of gave me an awkward glance and back and forth. The other groups orders were small... they looked dissatisfied to have waited there and to eat there.

It was hot and there was not enough AC. Nancy who took my order loudly sighed and pointed a fan at herself. Complained and joked with a customer. It took my order 15 minutes to come out. I was called/waved over nonchalantly. I said thank you. I was ignored. No one gave me eye contact or seemed to care I was there as a paying customer. Atmosphere is a ZERO,

It's never been like this at Devon and Milwaukee. This is just a "slow" food place with jacked up prices trying to garner you with nostalgia and a rich family history. Well, maybe take a drive to the original location where it's much smaller, always has a line, but everyone's smiling, happy to be there, happy you are there, and they get to you in a timely manner even with how busy it is.

Considering the wait, the price, the staff, just go to Portillos or make the drive to the better location. Your hotdogs will always be soggy here, the fries are hit or miss, and you get way more bang for your buck elsewhere.

Local guides and staged photos make this place look generous and I doubt they're legitimate.

Original Review (1 year ago 2023) For 6pm on a Friday I expected it to be busy. It wasnt. Then explain my barely edible soggy hot dog with warm fries. Why did I have to end up waiting for such mediocrity when I could make a better dog myself. Hot dog was falling apart. Couldn't get it out of the box without getting relish and onion everywhere. I almost didn't finish my meal. Fries were cold. The only good thing was the pickle. I wonder how bad ordering a burger would be. I see pictures of a raw burger in other reviews. I expect more from SuperDawg. This location is lacking. I can't express how...

First time at this location. When placing my order the receiver on the kiosk was very quiet and had a hard time hearing what the other person was saying. Plus while taking my order they were also laughing so that made things even more difficult. While waiting for our food another vehicle pulled up next to us just on the other side. The Carhop came out with what was our food and went to the next vehicle next to us. Waiting more that 20 minutes to half an hour since we had placed our order. The Carhop came out with another bag that definitely wasn’t ours. And before she was able to get to our vehicle she was flagged down by the person next to us and they said what they received wasn’t their order. Usually when I go to Superdawg the carhop will double check that everything is correct before giving the food to the customer. Even when you order inside they repeat the order they had was correct. The Carhop came back to us and said that she gave our order to the people next to us. She asked if we wanted the bag or if she wanted us to have the food remade. I said remake the food and don’t forget the drinks as well. That’s when the temperature of the conversation heated up. I told her never mind I’m just going to go and that I won’t return to this location. I said the order should have been right the first time. With attitude she said she made one mistake. (She made three mistakes). I was going to just leave and go to the Chicago location instead. She said fine go away and as we were leaving she gave a smirky face and waved, before going inside I asked for her name. I was about to turn back onto the street when I decided to call the restaurant and talk with a manager. I didn’t care about the food anymore it was more about the professionalism of the interaction I just had with the employee. He said the would remake the food. But I declined not knowing what would happen. He also offered a gift card. He didn’t want to hear about my concerns with the employee but seemed more like trying to make a happy customer. I always wanted to try this location, but after tonight I will definitely not be returning and just stick to the Chicago...

This was my first time visiting this Superdawg location. Being an occasional visitor to the Chicago location, I thought that it would be a good idea for me to swing by this location as I work in the burbs.

The food is fantastic, if not expensive. That's a universal rule for both locations. That said, I've always been firm in the concept of getting what I paid for, and the food sure is worth it. I'm not a big relish guy but whatever supplier they have for their relish sure know how to make it.

Then, why two stars if the food is as good as the Chicago location? Simply put, the environment is far from too welcoming. To be blunt, it appears that a brown guy walking in to sit down in the location must be apparently uncommon.

I was greeted by uncomfortable stairs with me and my friend who also happens to have some melanin in his complexion. Stares, glares, and some grumbling. It's ironic because some people say this place captures the vintage feel, but this experience was a little too vintage with the other customers here because you would have thought I was back in the 60's.

The cashier I spoke with was unfortunately, fairly rude and dismissive when I was ordering and asking about her input with what her favorite recommendations were. I just chalked it up to a tough crowd.

That said, once I got the food, the manager/supervisor of this location made it a mission to talk to everyone about their experience and check on them--except my friend and I.

I'm not saying the manager and cashier have some kind of racial discomfort (though I can't say the same for the other customers there), it just felt like I just didn't fit in at all and wasn't really welcomed by really anyone there. For that, I have to give this location two stars and just take a break from Superdawgs for a little while. It was just a...