I've never had a Chicago dog or any really legit hot dog (I'm more into the cookouts/grill outs during summertime) till recently... in Chicago during my vacation. Then on, I wanted to see if any shop in GA can compare or at least be near the level of awesomeness I had tasted at U.B. Dogs (Chicago joint) ... Mike's Hot Dog is very close to it or some may even say it meets their expectations. Parking - The parking lot is HUGE. Mike's share it with Canton Cooks, WF, and etc. There's no way you won't find one. Even during peak times. YAY! Space - It's smaller than your typical sit and eat places. When I went, it was around 7pm and not many were there, but by 7:15, more people were coming in. They do have booths and regular tables. I think I saw some outdoor seating as well? Environment - super chill; I love it. After a long day of work, it's nice to decompress and just eat without being bothered. When I walked in, the guys at the front were really nice & social. Extra star. It was my 1st time at Mike's, so I wasn't sure what to order. Food - I really need to start sticking to 2 Chicago dogs. I always only get 1 and try others out. The Got the combo for like... 10 bucks? Cheaper than I expected for the size I got. Chicago dog was really good and delicious. Everything on it went great together. The other one I had was a cheese/onions dog. I liked it. But I, for some odd reason, didn't mention my semi cheese allergy. :( My fault. However, the way they do their cheese was very light. I could easily get it all off the hot dog and still keep the onions. :D The bratwurst in this one was tasty and reminded me of Helen. Oh - the fries. Portion is big.... I'll be back for sure... especially since my office is moving to Dunwoody in 6-ish months.
(5)
Jackie H.
Finally got around to trying Mike's at Lindy's UYE. I really wanted to have a brat, but they were out (whomp), so I got a Polish. I'm not a fan of too much going on with my dogs (Chicago style etc.) so I generally just stick with mustard. I know some will say that I don't really know how to eat a dog properly if it only has mustard on it and I'll agree with you and we can move on. I'll let you know, though, that on occasion I love a good chili and cheese dog. That should help. Anyway, it was alright. I got the combo, which comes with a drink and a choice of sides (cole slaw, potato salad, chips, fries, or onion rings (+ $1 for rings). I got the onion rings and they give you a lot of them. Unfortunately, they left a lot to be desired. Frozen, lots of breading, little onion. In my world, dogs and sausages need to be grilled and charred. Without that grilled taste, I tend to look around and wonder just what the heck is going on. There are other items that I would be interested in trying should I venture back. For now, this is what we have.
(3)
J H.
As a Chicago native, this place was exactly what I've been looking for! You really can't top the Viena beef dog with poppy seed bun. Bought two dogs and had started eating as I walked out. After finishing off the first dog I turned right around and went back for more. The staff was incredibly friendly, I will absolutely be back soon
(5)
Lindy F.
"Popcorn at a baseball game? It's unnatural. I want a hot dog." -- Interstellar (2014) I love a great hot dog and Mike's knows the HD biz. I'd been coming here with my dad since forever... since I was a kid, but had not been back in ages until a friend suggested it for lunch recently. My how times have not changed. Personally, I like them grilled up with a bit of char (aka crispy) and then topped with the fixin's. Gimme that chili (a bit of mustard on the bun), cheese and chopped onions and I am in dog heaven. They do it right here - the focus on the dogs and the toppings. The place is casual, not trying to put on any airs, and really makes you feel welcome when you walk in the door. Then you are greeted by the staff and you feel like you are at home with family cooking lunch for you - that's what it's all about. If you aren't sure what you want, or what to get, they can direct you the right way. The beauty here is in the bun - poppy seed. It just gives the dogs that extra somethin' somethin'. Their fries are good, thin, but decent. I prefer a thicker fry, but truly I don't want to fill up on sides when I come in here. I'd rather eat a couple of jumbo chili cheese dogs and walk it off later. Truth be told. You'll thank me later.
(4)
Danae G.
I was craving a hot dog and remembered this place. I'd been meaning to try it but a few times it was closed. They close at 6 on Sundays and 8 during the week. The employees here were extremely friendly, funny, and nice. I ended up ordering a combo w/ chili cheese hot dog, fries, and a drink. OMG-- everything was super delicious. I've never had a hot dog in Chicago but these seemed like the real deal from what I've heard. It came on a poppy seed bun and made with Vienna Beef. The fries were also very good-- the seasoning was amazing. I have a few friends that don't eat meat or red meat-- they have chicken sausage here and veggie dogs. So, something for everyone. Parking is free in the shopping center lot. I really can't wait to go back!
(5)
Sandra B.
I used to think that buying hot dogs anywhere but the grocery store was a rip-off. Now I understand why I was quite wrong. I've had various hot dogs around Atlanta, and Mike's is by far my favorite. The quality of the beef in these hot dogs is top notch, along with all the ingredients. I usually like my hot dogs plain with ketchup, but I was convinced to try the various offerings. The choices are classic, unlike some other hot dog spots (at which I dangerously experimented and disliked very much). - Chicago Dog: True to definition, the chicago dog comes on a poppy seed bun, topped with mustard, freshly minced onions, bright green relish, a dill pickle spear and a large tomato wedge. I don't even like mustard, relish, pickles nor tomatoes - but the combination of all these ingredients somehow works for me. The flavors blend together evenly. Yum! - Chili Dog: A bit messy but so good. - Fries: Combos come with a generous portion of fries. I always have to share. The fries are crisp and I'm not sure what the seasoning is, but it's addicting. They served a new sauce on the side during my last visit here - it has a small kick to it, but not too spicy at all. I'm sensitive to spicy foods, so some people may not even taste the kick. I approve! - Onion Rings: Fried to perfection. Not soggy at all. Atmosphere and service is great. The management and staff are SUPER friendly. There's photos all over the wall of local customers, the owner and his family, and random chicago memorabilia. Bright colors and very clean. You get a nice neighborhood vibe from the customers who dine in, so they seem like regulars. I am definitely a fan and will be back frequently.
(5)
Heidi S.
Awesome food & friendly staff. I had the polish sausage with kraut & mustard. Yummy! The fries are seasoned nicely. A guy asked what they put on the fries & they said I can't tell it's his special seasoning. Shhh... It's like a special sauce shhhh.
(5)
Mick D.
Turn on the heat! When I visited, the heat wasn't working, and it was a sub-freezing day. Two space heaters in the joint didn't really help much. But that didn't stop staff from being very friendly and helpful. As it was my first visit, they made some good suggestions. And the dogs they made were tasty. I had a slaw dog and a chili dog. Both were really good, but they didn't blow my socks off. And the decor is kinda-cool, casual. It will definitely take you back to Chicago. But the whole no-heat thing on that day really just put me off. I'll look forward to going back (and hopefully the air conditioning will be working). Holler if you're coming with.
(3)
Pam K.
Great place for lunch... I enjoyed my dog with chili, cheese and a tad of onions. I enjoyed it...
(4)
Jabari M.
I have never been to Chicago but if the hot dogs at Mike's Hot Dogs are any indication of their awesomeness then this place is a winner. I have been here quite a few times and I have never been disappointed. Besides hot dogs they have sandwiches that taste just as good. If you have an urge for a hot dog, then this is where you should go. P.S. Tell them to dip it.
(5)
Ophelia L.
Came here twice with my bf since my bf was craving Chicago's Portillos. First step inside and we were overwhelmed by the Chicago memorabilia. My bf liked the Chicago hot dog, but didn't like that the sport pepper went flat. On our 2nd trip here, my bf and I got the Italian beef sandwich and Polish sausage. Italian beef was ordered dipped in au jus (instead of having the au jus on the side) and with giardiniera. My bf, who is from Chicago, thought the au-jus was all wrong because it had tomato flavor in it. It also wasn't wrapped in wax paper like how he was used to, making it very, very messy. The sandwich just could not hold itself together. Polish sausage was ordered Maxwell St. style with only grilled onions (default with grilled onions, sport peppers, and mustard; Chicago style is normal Chicago style hot dog ingredients). I thought it was tasty and liked it more than the Italian beef. My bf tried it but couldn't handle it much because of the greasiness (normally he eats one or the other, never both). Next time, we will just stick to their Chicago hot dog here.
(4)
Celeste H.
Thank you, Yelp! My husband is originally from Chicago and one thing we like to do, when in different areas, is scope the locals' take on Chicago cuisine. Mike's, let me tell you, took us back to a little shack in Chicago where I had my first pizza puff and polish. The Chicago dog is a true Chicago dog, with celery salt! We had an opportunity to share his hand and thank him for bringing real Chicago to the southerners! If you want real, authentic, Chicago food, stop here. Don't look any further.
(5)
Kristin K.
I have to downgrade my review. The food is still awesome. However, I just drove all the way from Midtown during my lunch break to get food to go. Lo-and-behold I get to my desk, open it up, and it's the wrong order. I called them to let them know and all I got was a "sorry". LAME. Not the kind of customer service I like to see. I have no plans to return in the future. There are plenty of listings on Yelp for places with Vienna beef hot dogs. I'm sure they'd love my business.
(3)
Glen E.
Fast friendly most delicious hot dogs made just right have to get my mikes Chicago style hot dog and fry's fix once a month the best!!!
(5)
Martha J.
As soon as I opened the door my face was slapped by the smell of 100% Vienna beef. The staff was friendly from the short Mexican man to the bearded young man at the register. He took his time to guide me through the vastness of the menu, while also being very sweet and patient while I made my mind up. I went with a chilly slaw dog with a Chicago dog. I was shocked by the flavor. To anyone who has not been, it's worth at least one try. It is very inexpensive
(5)
Adis M.
The hot dogs are amazing! We have had dogs in Chicago and these taste as authentic. Their chili cheese fries will make your day!
(5)
Janelle D.
It's been a rainy, cold, wet, gray Saturday, the kind of wintery day that makes you think about soups and blankets on the couch, not summer food like hot dogs and corn dogs and sausage sandwiches. But that's there we ended up for lunch, and I don't regret it one bit. There's three long rows of booths and tables that lead to the counter where you place your order. The place was packed when we got there but the line moved quickly, and the staff was young and friendly. I'm a simple hot dog gal - none of that fancy stuff for me, (I know, I know), so I got the kraut dog, which is exactly what it sounds like: a plain hot dog covered in sauerkraut. My husband got the Polish dog, and we added some fries and a drink for a combo, and we shared a corn dog. About $15 buckeroos. Everything was really good. Sure, my choice was pretty vanilla but it was very tasty - if you can get simple done right, you get my vote. The Polish, done Maxwell style, was also very good. The corn dog batter didn't taste frozen, and I don't know if they make it there but it was done well - a good size and not too sweet. The food was fresh and the buns were soft and had teeny poppyseeds on them. Bonus! They offer a couple of sandwiches, all kinds of hot dog styles and toppings, and sides like onion rings and potato salad. We almost didn't get a place to sit after placing our order because all the tables were filled, but we snagged one once someone left. They also have outdoor seating but I think I'll try that at a more reasonable time of year ;)
(5)
Jillian A.
After moving from Chicago, aside from deep dish pizza, I crave a good Vienna Beef Chicago Hot Dog (hold the tomato). By the suggestion by my co-worker, who has influenced several of my Atlanta reviews with his suggestions, we went here for lunch. I love all the Chicago memorabilia on the wall. But who doesn't like being reminded of home? The menu is simple and straight forward. I opted for a Chicago style hot dog (hold the tomato) and a bag of Zapp's potato chips. My expectations were lowered because, let's face it, south of the Mason-Dixon Line, you couldn't pay me to eat a hot dog. I've had the best and that's that. However, I had a wonderful surprise when I ate my hot dog. It felt like home. One of my co-workers enjoyed a Maxwell Street Polish, which is one of my favorite staples at a very popular fast food joint in Chicago. If anything is going to bring me back there, it's to try that polish. My other co-worker had the italian beef, which sadly did not look quite as appealing. The beef looked very dry. I wasn't impressed with the french fries either, but that's not why I went there. One of my favorite parts of this place is that we can get our neon green relish there! We have had little to no luck finding such relish here in Atlanta, but now I know where I can go. Thank you Mike, whoever you are, for your clear dedication for something that can bring comfort to us transplants that are jonesin' for a good dog.
(4)
Amanda D.
I'm very confused as to how I never reviewed this place. I ate here before I even moved here too. I actually have never gotten a hot dog since that very first time, because they were out of sport peppers and put way too much celery salt on the hot dog. I'm not purposely holding a grudge, I just only come here when I have a serious craving for an Italian beef sandwich. Honestly? It's not very good, in fact I am pretty sure I am spending $8 for the glory of the bread and giardiniera peppers. I assume they are just using the bulk packages of stuff you can buy from Vienna Beef (that they also sell here), but it just leaves so much to be desired, like I feel there could be a better way to heat the meat up so your teeth actually work on it. I swear on previous visits though it was heavenly, so maybe it was just an off day. It's also pretty expensive, the one time I did a combo it was over $10. Granted $10 is less than a plane ride to Chicago. I'll keep coming back of course. I should probably have another hot dog. Fun fact: I love chili cheese Vienna beef hot dogs so much that even when I was a vegetarian I ate one while in Chicago. Or maybe I ate two. Either way, I mean we are serious together.
(3)
Rich A.
Nothing Chicago about these dogs. Italian Beefs do NOT get dipped. Dont get ripped off, go to a real Chicago dog place
(1)
Stephanie M.
As far as hot dogs go Mikes was the only place to really get a dog of any kind for a number of years in Sandy Springs so if your out and about this might be the place to stop and grab a bite while getting your shopping done at the same time. They offer the standard Hot dog with the basic fixins as well as a Chicago dog, Chili dog, Onion rings, Fries - (ask for the celery salt), Italian beef - word of advice get the jus on the side if your not going to eat it immediately otherwise you will end up with a soggy sandwich. Combo's can be had and Mikes can do off site catering as well. This is a family place so don't go in expecting high end anything or frills this is simple eats with a t.v. inside and a regular parking lot show on the outside.
(3)
Zina L.
As a Chicago native I definitely approve the hot dogs here. I was craving portillos as I just moved from Chicago and wanted some true chicago hot dogs and I was impressed! The fries were not great I actually wouldn't get them again but the service and the hotdogs were awesome!!
(5)
John E.
First let me explain that I'm no hot dog expert. I do like a good hot dog or sausage, but only if they have an intensity of flavor and not the flavor of baloney (if fact between my friends we tend to call the cheaper dogs "baloney dogs"). And even though I've spent some time in Chicago, I haven't sampled the renown "Chicago dog" in its native habitat nor do I know why Vienna Beef is any better than what's available from other manufacturers. All that being said, I think I do know good flavor combinations when I encounter them and that's what you can get at Mike's Hot Dogs. To date I've eaten here a handful of times and I've narrowed my selection down to either the spicy Polish, Market Street style or the Italian Beef Sandwich all the way (but not wet). I've been told that the spicy Polish isn't available throughout the year but I've yet to experience a time when it hasn't been available to me. Market Street style includes grill onions with a bit of mustard, some peppers and a pickle spear, all on a fresh baked poppy seed roll. It seems the Chicago dog is distinguished by the poppy-seed bun and being "drug through the garden" - all the veggies and pickles adding to the flavor. In one word, delicious! The Italian Beef sandwich is as close to a culinary and gastrointestinal work of art as you can get in a handheld sandwich. Thinly shaved Vienna beef dredged through au jus right into a slightly rubbery roll (a lighter roll would fall apart) with melted cheese. This is served "hot" (a side of giardiniera - basically a pickled pepper and veggie concoction similar that provides spiciness, vinegar and crunch as a foil to the fats). Mike's makes a huge sandwich that's savory, flavorful and oh-so-good. You also get a side of au jus that you dip the whole sandwich into, sort of like a French dip - or you can order the sandwich "wet" - the whole thing is dropped into the broth, but expect to eat it with fork and knife. Service is always good but careful during lunch - the line can get quite long and they make things to order. If you're from Chicago, this place may not meet your expectations - I'm really not qualified to tell since I can't compare it to the real thing - however if you like meat, a good sandwich and intense flavors, then give this place a try.
(4)
Chaquira S.
OMG! LOVE!! I read all the reviews and couldn't help trying Mike's Hot Dogs for myself. I used to live in Chicago and I always long for the great "fast food" that's unique to the city. These dogs are better than any I ever had in Chicago. I had the Chicago dog and an order of chili cheese fries. I was sitting at a booth by myself and caught myself saying out loud "This is so good", that's when I knew these dogs were the real deal.
(5)
Nestor R.
Great place for when you have a hot dog craving! Super friendly staff.
(5)
Ken K.
Been Living in Atlanta as a Chicago transplant for 3 months - hadn't had a dog the whole time I've been down here, heard about Mike's....stopped by today for lunch. If this place was in Chicago, it would be in the top 1/2 of Hot Dog places around...Great dog, crisp, tasty everything a Chicago hot dog should be. The beef sandwich was just OK. Will try the polish next time - hopefully they serve it Maxwell style
(4)
Christopher P.
Chicago + sport peppers + chili cheese things = win for sandy springs! Ever since ringside closed, my cohorts and I have been on a search for some haute dogs. This place fits the bill. Tucked away in the whole foods complex off roswell, you'll be able to see the umbrellas for outside dining. Stick with the chicago and chili cheese dogs. Chili cheese fries are equally as dope. Also, you may think that the small dogs are too small and try to go with the jumbo. The Jumbo pertains to the girth and not the length.... just a heads up to you girth vs length folks. Whatever tickles your fancy AMIRITE!!??!?!? Service is great! Food gets to you quick. Great lunch spot!
(4)
Marta P.
Pretty good hot dog for the area. I got the Polish Chicago style. The toppings were true to Chicago form, and they were fresh and delicious. The dog itself seemed to be missing a bit of flavor (I'm from Poland so I'm a bit of a stickler on Kielbasa). It had a good profile, but the smokiness that is found in Kielbasa wasn't as pronounced as I like it to be. Regardless, though, the service was friendly, and there wasn't much of a line for lunch. Their fryer happened to be down that day, so I got the potato salad on the side. It was pretty good. It could've been Kroger potato salad, but who cares it was tasty anyways. The interior of the place is pretty Chicago kitsch, but gave it a homey feel with all the memorabilia on the walls (it is also a good conversation piece). I would come back here and try the Italian Beef as I've heard from across the table that it's pretty dang incredible. I've had better hot dogs in Chicago and NYC, though (It's hard to find a good hot dog place in ATL!).
(3)
Will M.
Stopped here for a quick lunch before our massage at La vida. Cason who worked at the front counter was very courteous and polite. Ordered the Chicago hot dog and it was definitely worth the price. Perfect, yet affordable lunch in in the local area.
(4)
Alem P.
Was so satisfied with my first experience here that I created a yelp account just to post a well deserved review. I came in with my girlfriend and we were pleasantly greeted as soon as we parked the car and started walking towards the restaurant. When we walked in we were greeted with pleasant music and a down to earth vibe. I ordered the Italian beef combo with chili cheese fries while my girlfriend had the Chicago style chicken sausage and fries. We were serviced extremely fast and the food only took a few minutes to come to our table. The gentleman at the counter was extremely professional and polite, and even gave me a few suggestions on what I should order since it was my first time. Definitely coming back next time I am in the area!
(5)
Jeremy A.
The only reason that I don't give MIke a 5 is the price of food. Otherwise, the dogs are AMAZING. Love the skinny fries and seasoning. Nice service and music is great. Food comes out quick and hot and really good. Well done. I go out of my way for this classic hot dog.
(4)
Renee W.
I have been eating at Mike's for years. My favorite is the Spicy Polish dressed Chicago Style. I have not tried anything else but it is time to try the Italian Beef which is my favorite when I am back home in Chicago. Hopefully I will not be disappointed.
(4)
M S.
Found this place after coming back from a trip to Chicago.The Chicago hot dogs at this place totally hit the spot! You can also buy all the ingredients here to make them at home. The place is covered in photos and various windy city paraphernalia. Service is fast and friendly.
(5)
Joyel E.
Absolutely delicious. I was alittle skeptical at first because I've been living in ATL now for 6 months coming from Chicago. I havent had the best experience with the restaurants out here but Mikes Hot Dogs hit the spot. The food was awesome and for one second I felt like I was "home"....I will definitely be going back.
(5)
Loren M.
Terrible service. The jerk behind the counter hits on every girl that comes in & spent his time flirting with the girl in line behind me instead of making my hot dog. They talked for 10 minutes while I sat with no food. Then she got her order before mine. He definitely didn't deserve the generous tip I gave him. I won't be coming here anymore.
(2)
Stephanie J.
We love Elvis and his awesome Chicago hot dogs. We ordered for a second company party since last time was such a big hit. This time he came and served our team himeself - and fixed them the right way! The yellow and red hot dog cart is super festive, the food is delicious, and Elvis is so enthusiastic and friendly that you can't help but love all of it. THANK YOU - you have my business forever!!
(5)
Kayode W.
I love this place! I've never had a Chicago dog before so I can't compare. I got the Chicago dog and a chili cheese dog just in case I didn't care for it. They both were so good i can't choose a favorite. This place is a must try! The staff is excellent.
(5)
Sonny C.
I just got back from Chicago and was needing an Italian Beef fix, so after searching, I found Mike's Hot Dogs and I am so glad I did. The atmosphere is great and the food is awesome. Go there as soon as possible. So good.
(5)
Mark M.
Food is incredible!!!! Elvis (the owner) puts your experience over the top. Great environment and staff!!
(5)
Richard B.
Personally I'm not a hot dog expert, but I do know something that is tasty when I eat it. Recently moving to the neighborhood, we were pleasantly surprised to find this nice little gem of a place to eat. By far the most courteous service of any fast food type place I've been in around Atlanta, they are more than happy to assist with suggestions and/or special needs and requests. If the order is wrong, it is taken care of immediately without passing the buck or excuses. They seem to want to make sure that you get what it is you are asking for. I've been there twice, both times on weekends with my wife and kids and one time with my sister from Washington DC. The atmosphere is clean and pleasant. Fans of blues music will appreciate the background music, unless this is only played on weekends. Still, a decent place to bring the kids as they have offerings for them. The hot dogs are good. I've had the spicy polish and the chicago dog. They use beef franks as opposed to chicken or turkey, which seem more flavorful. I've also had the regular fries and chili fries, both of which were good; not necessarily spectacular, but certainly meet expectations. All in all a good place to eat and they act like they appreciate your business as opposed to several places that make you feel like an inconvenience. Can't go wrong here.
(5)
Pirates C.
Not bad. But, definitely not close to the best I've experienced. I am a Chicago transplant and found out about this place through word-of-mouth. Gave the hot dogs a try when I happened to be in the area for a late lunch. One thing I noted was that there was no indication from the outside or any signage to indicate that this placed served authentic Chicago dawgs. Anyway, I walked in and thought it was way too tacky (maybe it's because I am a home grown Chicagoan) but the place was cozy enough and reminiscent of local joints. The actual Chicago style dog was true in style but was somehow missing in flavor. Again, maybe it was the over-the-top, trying-too-hard toppings or maybe it was the dog itself being a bit too salty or maybe it was the wrong bun. Something was amiss. But, it was good enough to hit the spot and reminded me of home. Service was friendly. And, it was a slow day and we were the only diners inside. Price is competitive with Chicago. So, maybe it's a tad bit expensive for ATL. Will go back and try the Italian beef.
(3)
Amir A.
I wasn't impressed at all. This can't be the best hotdog in Atlanta. I'd rather make a hot dog at home, at least it would be fresher.
(2)
Madhuri S.
I'm not a "hot dog" person, and I'm a vegetarian so imagine my surprise to find a Chicago hot dog place that serves DELICIOUS veggie dog! I got the one with the spicy peppers and grilled onions and pickles. And I loved how fries came out hot as well . The place is very interesting and the staff is very friendly and helpful with suggestions if its your first time. The girl at the register was very friendly and I very thankful for my experience there. Will definitely be returning!
(5)
Dan W.
Clean, fast, cheap and good food. What else do you want? Friendly service. Always smiling and asked how you are. Would definitely recommend it.
(4)
J D.
5 stars for best chicago hot dog I've had outside of Chicago. Impressed, real vienna beef, vienna beef relish as well, poppy seed buns. Fries are nice, Vegan hot dog was good also. Would go again and again, it's hard to find good hot dogs using a quality meat and bun, and this place hits the spot. They even have pizza puffs, try finding those anwyhere else... Also have the italian beef/sausage combo, extremely hard to find. If you are from Chicago or NYC, any place that has good hot dogs, hit this place up. If you want a "weird" hot dog, this is probably not your place, but if you want authenticity, I'd go to this place easily, get the jumbo chicago style dog.
(5)
Art V.
Real Chicago dogs. Been going back for years. Not grilled but still great. They have real Chicago style relish too. High quality. Good staff too.
(5)
Brett R.
Service with a smile! The best dogs this side of Chicago or the Varsity! A must try! You will keep coming back as I intend to!
(5)
Scott S.
This is a real deal Chicago style place that is very rare in Atlanta. The staff is really nice and I enjoy the bratwurst very much. The fries are nothing to get excited about though. I'd recommend the chips.
(3)
Jonathan V.
Recently Mike's did a corporate lunch event for us. As a transplant from Chicago I have been somewhat disappointed in hotdogs down here. All of that changed when I went to go get my obligatory free hotdog. I knew I was in good shape when I saw the familiar yellow and red vienna beef umbrella. From there it went from good to great. Freshly chopped onions, nuclear green relish, mustard, amazingly awesome sport peppers...I could go on and on and list out everything but let me just say, it was the best chicago style dog I've had in Atlanta hands down. All fresh ingredients, all prepared onsite at corp. If you are a business owner looking for a nice way to reward your employees/buy a free lunch for the team/etc but want something different than another ho hum boxed lunch....give Mike's a whirl, you won't be disappointed one bit !
(5)
Geo H.
Their Chicago dog was an embarrassment. There is a two-lettered gas station up the road that serves fresher ingredients for a dog a third of the price. One fifty-cent sized tomato slice put in the middle? (Heaven forbid effort is wasted chopping and distributing) And the rest of the things come straight out of a jar...nothing unique or tasty here. The kicker is the absence of celery seeds. Isn't that the secret that 'makes' a dog Chicago?
(2)
Dave T.
Two solid chili dogs and crispy seasoned fries with friendly service at lunch today. A minor complaint - the famous Vienna Beef dogs could use some added snap. They're good but not Sabrett's.
(4)
chris s.
Been coming here for years. Better than most of the places I got dogs in Chicago. I went to at least a dozen different places in Chicago and none of them had kraut. Awesome staff, always treated like a friend there. Love the Polish, Italian Beef, and everything else I have tried.
(5)
Verlin H.
Stepping into Mike's is like walking into a wormhole to the Windy City. There's usually blues or classic rock playing, and their sandwich and hot dog creations are authentic recreations of some Chi-town favorites. The staff is friendly and happy to suggest some possibilities if you're a newbie. I'm partial to the classic Chicago dog, with veggies, pickle spear, and hot peppers, accompanied by piping-hot made-to-order french fries and an ice-cold soda. If a sandwich is more your speed, the Italian Beef is a great choice. Similar to a Philly cheese steak, it combines a huge helping of shaved beef and cheese, with optional spicy veggies and au jus dipping sauce. Mike's version is enormous enough to satisfy most any appetite, and spicy enough to put a little sweat on your brow. Another favorite is the Polish sausage, served "Maxwell-street style" with hot peppers and grilled onions. If you're looking for a "coney-style" hot dog, this definitely isn't your place. Nothing against my friends who prefer things done the New York way, but I'll take the Midwestern version, anytime!
(5)
Art H.
I don't live in this part of town but if I find myself in the vicinity, and sometimes I make excuses to be there, I stop into Mike's for a dog or two. The service is laid back... Everything seems to be made-to-order... the dogs certainly. I enjoy the Chicago dog and the chili dog with onions and mustard. There's no doubt that their ingredients are top-notch; the dog and bun are both high quality. I really like the chili but saw a cook ladeling it from a can... It doesn't really matter to me; they make no claim for their chili but... if they don't make it, tell me who does.... cuz I want to buy some.
(3)
Scott S.
Very Authentic. delicious, and very reasonable. Super friemdly service and generous portions. A real hotdog joint. From the Brats to Chicago Style dogs, to the Italian Beef Weck on a bun drenched in AuJus Sauce. Hands down the best "authentic Hotdog joint in Atlanta. Even the Chicken sausage is unbelievably tasty, and I'm a beef man! You won't regret it. It's worth the drive, and you will instantly become a regular.
(4)
Brook B.
A friend introduced this to me, and I am forever grateful. Having never been to Chicago, I'd only wondered about the wondrous Chicago dog. I have 3 magical words to utter about this place: Veggie. Chicago. Dog. It's like a salad on a hot dog in a bun. It is perfection. I want to eat it every single day. The only reason I didn't give them 4 stars is that they never label their packages, which would be really helpful when half of your order is dead animal dogs and the other half is veggie. Each time, there's been a panicked fit about which dogs were which, and then when it was decided and I'd gorged myself in relief, I forgot about it. Go here and get a damn veggie Chicago dog already. Onions, mustard, green peppers, hot peppers, pickles, and celery seed. Delicious and glorious. Note to Mike's: please label your dogs so that no one else has to struggle or wait a minute longer than necessary for this glorious food to make its way into one or more famished maws. Please and thank you.
(4)
Shirley Z.
Simply just OK. This joint reminded me of "hot dougs" when we first walked in. However, the flavor was just not quite there when i had their chicago dog. i feel like i can easily make it at home and it would have turned out more flavorful. I want my hotdog to punch me in the face with each bite and this just didn't do it for me. what really turned me off was their sides. Our coleslaw was drowned in mayo, reminded me of kroger coleslaw containers. Our fries were not crispy, really wish they were made fresh. Overall, i was very disappointed and don't think I would give it another try. Tip: drive down the street about 5 minutes, hit up a real hotdog joint and try "ringside franks & shakes". See my review if you want to read about it.
(3)
T K.
I normally don't double dip but when a trip to Atlanta isn't complete without swinging by Mike's Hot Dog, another review is necessary! Great, high quality food with a nostalgic, neighborhood ambiance. Love seeing the photo collage over the years on the walls and the fact the owners are so appreciative of your patronage that they'll memorialize your visit. Elvis, the business owner, clearly goes out of his way to make you feel welcome and it's easy to see his passion not only for Chicago-style hot dogs, but for the restaurant service industry. Kudos and more stars for you - Mike's Hot Dogs represents a real neighborhood establishment and from it's fanbase, it's clearly not going anywhere soon!
(5)
Kelly C.
Chicago dog!
(4)
Paul L.
Great dogs ! I had the Chicago dog, Polish sausage and fries. The girl behind the counter was great as well !
(5)
Jeremy H.
OK, if I was in Chicago maybe this would only be 3 stars, but this is the closest thing you're going to get to Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef in Atlanta. The whole restaurant is kitschy and decked out in Chicago memorabilia. The guy at the counter (perhaps Mike) was really nice and the food came out in a flash. I had the Italian beef and my girlfriend had a Chicago-style hot dog, so I got to try both. The hot dog was good and flavorful although the bun was a little soggy. I ordered my Italian beef "wet" which means that they dip the bun in the "juice" and you have to eat it with a fork. I thought the juice and bun was good. The meat was good too, although a little bit dry. I also got peppers on the side and they added a nice spice to the beef. The fries were crispy and salty. Almost everything they sell comes packaged from Chicago and most of it is from Vienna Beef. (including the dogs and Italian beef) Is this as good as Portillo's in Chicago? Of course not, but it's a good introduction to Chicago cuisine for Atlantans, and I'll be going back to get my Chicago dog/beef fix in the future.
(4)
Amaryllia L.
So I decided to check this place out after my friend Jang told me about it. I still can't believe I've been going to that shopping center since Canton Cooks opened years ago and have never seen this place! Well, for my first hot dog restaurant experience, this place was slightly less than what I expected. The decor was old (on purpose I'm sure) and the yellow-ness of the Vienna Beef signs everywhere didn't help the dinginess...and overall, I guess there is just something that seems less sanitary with an indoors hot dog joint. Anyway, my coworker and I checked out their menu but both settled on the corndog and onion rings, since neither of us were fans of poppy seeds and every type of hot dog came on poppy seed buns. Our corndogs had good flavor and were almost 4-star delicious (her's was slightly dough-y from being under-fried and mine was the opposite - the dough had split and the dog itself was overcooked to the chewiness of rubber). Similarly, the onion rings were pretty tasty since it was obviously fried in the same flavorful oily goodness. I took off one star for the atmosphere and one more star because we both literally felt sick within a half hour. Hopefully I can get up the nerve to give this place another shot because I'm obviously missing something that everyone else likes.
(3)
Jang C.
I think Mike's Hotdogs is the best hot dog place in Atlanta. Of course, this is the only hot dog place I've been to in Atlanta besides Nathan's in Perimeter mall's food court. But according to my friends--who have been to other hot dog places--say this is one of the better ones in Atlanta. At Mike's you can get hotdogs in all sorts of styles: Chicago, Maxwell, chili, slaw, kraut, etc. I tried their Chicago, Maxwell, and chili style dogs and they were all tasty. The Chicago dogs came with all sorts of vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, pickles, and mustard. Maxwell came with grilled onions, mustard, pickles, and jalapeno peppers. Chili dogs came with chili. You can also choose your type of meat from bratwursts to Polish sausages. My favorite were the brats, they're very juicy. Unfortunately for them, they're located in the same shopping center as Canton Cooks. So they get no love during dinner time. It's okay, Canton Cooks sucks during lunch time so you can go to Mike's Hotdogs for lunch. Or if you're in a hurry, you can go there to get a quick bite to eat for dinner. Either case, it's a great, tasty place to go to. I actually discovered this place when my friends and I were about to go see a show at the Punchline. We were running a bit late, and we wanted to eat at Canton Cooks. But since we were running late, we decided to try the hot dog place. It was a wise choice. One advice: I've been here many times and their water and ice tea taste like crap. Just order the soda or the bottled water.
(4)
Joey M.
So, I must admit I don't have a basis for comparison, seeing as I've never had Chicago-style dogs before, but I definitely enjoyed the version at Mike's. I have always wanted to try this kind of dog, and my first experience was pretty good. The whole "through the garden" thing is pretty accurate; there really is a lot going on here.... I enjoyed the combination of flavors from the peppers, tomato, relish, etc. In fact, I typically hate raw onions on things like hot dogs, but decided not to ask for the dogs without them because I wanted the full experience. Given all the other ingredients, I have to say the flavor actually blended pretty well with everything! Though I'd still probably like it better without the onions... I definitely will come back here for the hot dogs, but it will be difficult not to order the Italian beef....
(3)
Lozo B.
Went to Mikes today because Chicago Delights is closed on Sunday (which I still don't get) as Sunday is one of the greatest days for a Chicago Dog or a beef wet. (yes from the mecca of Chicago I am) anyways Mikes is pretty low on the scale when it comes to the real thing. Chicago Dogs were very sloppy with white paper thin tomato slice. Why would you embarrass your business to serve that on top of the dog. For God's sake there is a Whole Foods next door!!! Get a freakin good tomato. No Sport Peppers at all (had to ask). I doubt the dog was a Vienna! The northern tea sucked aaaannnnd they had no Italian Beef!!! What the Hell. Nevermore Nevermore
(2)
Thomas S.
When it comes to hot dog restaurants I don't know much - and then when it comes to true Chicago dogs I know even less. What I do know is that I really enjoyed my the Chicago dog here. I've had a couple in the area recently and think that if I lived in the Windy City, I'd be in big trouble. Dog was great, fries OK, and the fella behind the counter was helpful. Oh, and someone told me this is one of the few places around you can buy sport peppers. I'm inclined to believe it because my attempts to get them at local stores hasn't worked out so well. Again, I could just be a victim of my own lack of hot-dog knowledge.
(4)
NIKKI G.
What can I say?? Mike's is the bomb. Good Restaurant Atmosphere, Good Dogs, and ALWAYS reliable. Nothing special or homemade about the dogs however, which would be nice, BUT I'm not gonna hate on my Chicago Style local joint ;) I would be most sad without it near...
(4)
Damon L.
Burnt deep fried hot dog anyone? No thanks you say, well avoid this place. I am a fan of Superdawg in Chicago, so when I found this place on yelp I decided to give it a try. Now I was not expecting it to rival Superdawg heck they have been doing it for 60+ years. What I got was gross, the hot dog was deep fried and burnt. If the place would not have been 6 miles from my work in lunch hour traffic I would have returned it.
(1)
Rob P.
Good chili cheese dog. Hot dog was real beef . Looks like they have an authentic Chicago dog, although that's not really my thing. Fries were a bit undercooked but decent for frozen fries. I'll be back for lunch.
(3)
Cedrick L.
Can't give them 5 stars because I only had one chill cheese dog BUT this is one best(if not the best) hot dogs I have ever had. Since I work so close I will be back!
(4)
Brien C.
This Restaurant is great! Quick service, Outdoor tables great for Kids, Super Cool Owner! Nice location in Sandy Spring! And best of all "They Have Veggie Dogs!"
(5)
Donnie R.
Since coming to Atlanta from Indianapolis 18 months ago I have not found a place to get a "Midwest" style hotdog. What is this "Varsity" thing? I don't get it! So when I saw Mike's I had to give it a try. It satisfied my need. I will make this a destination every time I am in Sandy Springs.
(5)
Mr B.
This is as good as it gets in Atlanta. I grew up on coney island up north and this is the closest thing i have found down south. Chicago style dogs, chili dogs and chili fries are all yummy. The place is a dump and i would expect nothing less. A++++
(5)
Scott J.
As close to the Chicago original as you can get in Atlanta. Although the restaurant looks like it was decorated by a 12 year old with $100 to spend at a Chicago area garage sale. Hot dog joints aren't supposed to be posh. The Chicago dog is quite good. The Chicago beef is also excellent.
(4)
Matthew L.
Those who haven't experienced a true "Chicago-style" hot dog are really missing out. True, you have to have more than "ketchup on white bread" taste as far as hot dogs and other sandwiches are concerned. These dogs are faithful to their windy city birthplace. A couple of these and some chips make a great lunch. Even your picky-ass coworkers can find something to eat off the kiddie menu. Try a Chicago dog, you won't regret it.
(4)
Joe B.
This is the place to go when looking for a Chicago style dog. Comes with all the fixins and they use Vienna beef hot dogs.
(4)
Evan G.
I stopped in with my wife and kids to satisfy a craving for a hot dog. I've never been a fan of a 'Chicago Dog' (but I love that poppy bun), my tastes are simpler and Mike's does simple dogs well too. Chili-cheese dogs with onion were good, and what kid doesn't enjoy a plain dog with chips? The staff was very friendly and helpful and service was quick. My kids enjoyed looking at all of the Chicago memorabilia stuck to every inch of the walls. We left with the craving satisfied.
(3)
Robert M.
3.5 stars. When are we going to get half ratings available? Dogs were good, had nice pop and flavor, liked the poppy seed buns. The chili however was runnier than a baby after a pound of cheese, but still had decent flavor. The fries were standard but cooked correctly: crispy on the outside, mushy on the inside. I wish they had some hot sauce on the tables though. I still prefer NY style over C-town style, but this is a good lunch stop for a dog, much better than the crapola Varsity serves up. Why isn't this place serving up sliders instead of the regular burger they have? This place needs sliders.
(3)
Christopher W.
Mike's has the best dogs in the A, period. Come in and check them out, you wont be disappointed.
(5)
Yelp R.
This is the best in atl that i have been to so far
(5)
Bill S.
Reading the previous review, Julia should know Portillo's in Chicago is the standard by which all other Italian Beefs are judged. ;-) Mike's italian beef doesn't meet that, just as your average Chicago hotdog/beef place in Chicago can't. Doesn't mean its bad, its just not the best. I haven't been terribly dissatisfied with the italian beef sandwiches here though. The food at Mike's is authentic though, but I usually stick with the hot dogs here. One nice thing that Mike's has that other Chicago hot dog places in Atlanta don't (notably Bobby G's) are REAL pizza puffs.... yum!
(4)
Jeff N.
Tried it for the first time and had a Chicago hot dog. Best other than Chicago itself. Highly recommended!
(5)
justin s.
Decent dogs great poppyseed buns. Maybe I just don't care for a Chicago Dog, but I prefer Brandi's Hot Dogs in Marietta alot more.
(3)
Anne Marie L.
Vienna Beef hot dogs are the shizzle, I like tomatoes and onions on mine. The roast beef is just meh. Sharin F. is right about it being too dry despite requests of dipping it. Authentic Chicago roast beef sammiches are dripping wet inside and out, while the gonella bread sops up the sauce and holds everything together, and makes a mess all over.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Rachel K.
I've never had a Chicago dog or any really legit hot dog (I'm more into the cookouts/grill outs during summertime) till recently... in Chicago during my vacation. Then on, I wanted to see if any shop in GA can compare or at least be near the level of awesomeness I had tasted at U.B. Dogs (Chicago joint) ... Mike's Hot Dog is very close to it or some may even say it meets their expectations. Parking - The parking lot is HUGE. Mike's share it with Canton Cooks, WF, and etc. There's no way you won't find one. Even during peak times. YAY! Space - It's smaller than your typical sit and eat places. When I went, it was around 7pm and not many were there, but by 7:15, more people were coming in. They do have booths and regular tables. I think I saw some outdoor seating as well? Environment - super chill; I love it. After a long day of work, it's nice to decompress and just eat without being bothered. When I walked in, the guys at the front were really nice & social. Extra star. It was my 1st time at Mike's, so I wasn't sure what to order. Food - I really need to start sticking to 2 Chicago dogs. I always only get 1 and try others out. The Got the combo for like... 10 bucks? Cheaper than I expected for the size I got. Chicago dog was really good and delicious. Everything on it went great together. The other one I had was a cheese/onions dog. I liked it. But I, for some odd reason, didn't mention my semi cheese allergy. :( My fault. However, the way they do their cheese was very light. I could easily get it all off the hot dog and still keep the onions. :D The bratwurst in this one was tasty and reminded me of Helen. Oh - the fries. Portion is big.... I'll be back for sure... especially since my office is moving to Dunwoody in 6-ish months.
(5)Jackie H.
Finally got around to trying Mike's at Lindy's UYE. I really wanted to have a brat, but they were out (whomp), so I got a Polish. I'm not a fan of too much going on with my dogs (Chicago style etc.) so I generally just stick with mustard. I know some will say that I don't really know how to eat a dog properly if it only has mustard on it and I'll agree with you and we can move on. I'll let you know, though, that on occasion I love a good chili and cheese dog. That should help. Anyway, it was alright. I got the combo, which comes with a drink and a choice of sides (cole slaw, potato salad, chips, fries, or onion rings (+ $1 for rings). I got the onion rings and they give you a lot of them. Unfortunately, they left a lot to be desired. Frozen, lots of breading, little onion. In my world, dogs and sausages need to be grilled and charred. Without that grilled taste, I tend to look around and wonder just what the heck is going on. There are other items that I would be interested in trying should I venture back. For now, this is what we have.
(3)J H.
As a Chicago native, this place was exactly what I've been looking for! You really can't top the Viena beef dog with poppy seed bun. Bought two dogs and had started eating as I walked out. After finishing off the first dog I turned right around and went back for more. The staff was incredibly friendly, I will absolutely be back soon
(5)Lindy F.
"Popcorn at a baseball game? It's unnatural. I want a hot dog." -- Interstellar (2014) I love a great hot dog and Mike's knows the HD biz. I'd been coming here with my dad since forever... since I was a kid, but had not been back in ages until a friend suggested it for lunch recently. My how times have not changed. Personally, I like them grilled up with a bit of char (aka crispy) and then topped with the fixin's. Gimme that chili (a bit of mustard on the bun), cheese and chopped onions and I am in dog heaven. They do it right here - the focus on the dogs and the toppings. The place is casual, not trying to put on any airs, and really makes you feel welcome when you walk in the door. Then you are greeted by the staff and you feel like you are at home with family cooking lunch for you - that's what it's all about. If you aren't sure what you want, or what to get, they can direct you the right way. The beauty here is in the bun - poppy seed. It just gives the dogs that extra somethin' somethin'. Their fries are good, thin, but decent. I prefer a thicker fry, but truly I don't want to fill up on sides when I come in here. I'd rather eat a couple of jumbo chili cheese dogs and walk it off later. Truth be told. You'll thank me later.
(4)Danae G.
I was craving a hot dog and remembered this place. I'd been meaning to try it but a few times it was closed. They close at 6 on Sundays and 8 during the week. The employees here were extremely friendly, funny, and nice. I ended up ordering a combo w/ chili cheese hot dog, fries, and a drink. OMG-- everything was super delicious. I've never had a hot dog in Chicago but these seemed like the real deal from what I've heard. It came on a poppy seed bun and made with Vienna Beef. The fries were also very good-- the seasoning was amazing. I have a few friends that don't eat meat or red meat-- they have chicken sausage here and veggie dogs. So, something for everyone. Parking is free in the shopping center lot. I really can't wait to go back!
(5)Sandra B.
I used to think that buying hot dogs anywhere but the grocery store was a rip-off. Now I understand why I was quite wrong. I've had various hot dogs around Atlanta, and Mike's is by far my favorite. The quality of the beef in these hot dogs is top notch, along with all the ingredients. I usually like my hot dogs plain with ketchup, but I was convinced to try the various offerings. The choices are classic, unlike some other hot dog spots (at which I dangerously experimented and disliked very much). - Chicago Dog: True to definition, the chicago dog comes on a poppy seed bun, topped with mustard, freshly minced onions, bright green relish, a dill pickle spear and a large tomato wedge. I don't even like mustard, relish, pickles nor tomatoes - but the combination of all these ingredients somehow works for me. The flavors blend together evenly. Yum! - Chili Dog: A bit messy but so good. - Fries: Combos come with a generous portion of fries. I always have to share. The fries are crisp and I'm not sure what the seasoning is, but it's addicting. They served a new sauce on the side during my last visit here - it has a small kick to it, but not too spicy at all. I'm sensitive to spicy foods, so some people may not even taste the kick. I approve! - Onion Rings: Fried to perfection. Not soggy at all. Atmosphere and service is great. The management and staff are SUPER friendly. There's photos all over the wall of local customers, the owner and his family, and random chicago memorabilia. Bright colors and very clean. You get a nice neighborhood vibe from the customers who dine in, so they seem like regulars. I am definitely a fan and will be back frequently.
(5)Heidi S.
Awesome food & friendly staff. I had the polish sausage with kraut & mustard. Yummy! The fries are seasoned nicely. A guy asked what they put on the fries & they said I can't tell it's his special seasoning. Shhh... It's like a special sauce shhhh.
(5)Mick D.
Turn on the heat! When I visited, the heat wasn't working, and it was a sub-freezing day. Two space heaters in the joint didn't really help much. But that didn't stop staff from being very friendly and helpful. As it was my first visit, they made some good suggestions. And the dogs they made were tasty. I had a slaw dog and a chili dog. Both were really good, but they didn't blow my socks off. And the decor is kinda-cool, casual. It will definitely take you back to Chicago. But the whole no-heat thing on that day really just put me off. I'll look forward to going back (and hopefully the air conditioning will be working). Holler if you're coming with.
(3)Pam K.
Great place for lunch... I enjoyed my dog with chili, cheese and a tad of onions. I enjoyed it...
(4)Jabari M.
I have never been to Chicago but if the hot dogs at Mike's Hot Dogs are any indication of their awesomeness then this place is a winner. I have been here quite a few times and I have never been disappointed. Besides hot dogs they have sandwiches that taste just as good. If you have an urge for a hot dog, then this is where you should go. P.S. Tell them to dip it.
(5)Ophelia L.
Came here twice with my bf since my bf was craving Chicago's Portillos. First step inside and we were overwhelmed by the Chicago memorabilia. My bf liked the Chicago hot dog, but didn't like that the sport pepper went flat. On our 2nd trip here, my bf and I got the Italian beef sandwich and Polish sausage. Italian beef was ordered dipped in au jus (instead of having the au jus on the side) and with giardiniera. My bf, who is from Chicago, thought the au-jus was all wrong because it had tomato flavor in it. It also wasn't wrapped in wax paper like how he was used to, making it very, very messy. The sandwich just could not hold itself together. Polish sausage was ordered Maxwell St. style with only grilled onions (default with grilled onions, sport peppers, and mustard; Chicago style is normal Chicago style hot dog ingredients). I thought it was tasty and liked it more than the Italian beef. My bf tried it but couldn't handle it much because of the greasiness (normally he eats one or the other, never both). Next time, we will just stick to their Chicago hot dog here.
(4)Celeste H.
Thank you, Yelp! My husband is originally from Chicago and one thing we like to do, when in different areas, is scope the locals' take on Chicago cuisine. Mike's, let me tell you, took us back to a little shack in Chicago where I had my first pizza puff and polish. The Chicago dog is a true Chicago dog, with celery salt! We had an opportunity to share his hand and thank him for bringing real Chicago to the southerners! If you want real, authentic, Chicago food, stop here. Don't look any further.
(5)Kristin K.
I have to downgrade my review. The food is still awesome. However, I just drove all the way from Midtown during my lunch break to get food to go. Lo-and-behold I get to my desk, open it up, and it's the wrong order. I called them to let them know and all I got was a "sorry". LAME. Not the kind of customer service I like to see. I have no plans to return in the future. There are plenty of listings on Yelp for places with Vienna beef hot dogs. I'm sure they'd love my business.
(3)Glen E.
Fast friendly most delicious hot dogs made just right have to get my mikes Chicago style hot dog and fry's fix once a month the best!!!
(5)Martha J.
As soon as I opened the door my face was slapped by the smell of 100% Vienna beef. The staff was friendly from the short Mexican man to the bearded young man at the register. He took his time to guide me through the vastness of the menu, while also being very sweet and patient while I made my mind up. I went with a chilly slaw dog with a Chicago dog. I was shocked by the flavor. To anyone who has not been, it's worth at least one try. It is very inexpensive
(5)Adis M.
The hot dogs are amazing! We have had dogs in Chicago and these taste as authentic. Their chili cheese fries will make your day!
(5)Janelle D.
It's been a rainy, cold, wet, gray Saturday, the kind of wintery day that makes you think about soups and blankets on the couch, not summer food like hot dogs and corn dogs and sausage sandwiches. But that's there we ended up for lunch, and I don't regret it one bit. There's three long rows of booths and tables that lead to the counter where you place your order. The place was packed when we got there but the line moved quickly, and the staff was young and friendly. I'm a simple hot dog gal - none of that fancy stuff for me, (I know, I know), so I got the kraut dog, which is exactly what it sounds like: a plain hot dog covered in sauerkraut. My husband got the Polish dog, and we added some fries and a drink for a combo, and we shared a corn dog. About $15 buckeroos. Everything was really good. Sure, my choice was pretty vanilla but it was very tasty - if you can get simple done right, you get my vote. The Polish, done Maxwell style, was also very good. The corn dog batter didn't taste frozen, and I don't know if they make it there but it was done well - a good size and not too sweet. The food was fresh and the buns were soft and had teeny poppyseeds on them. Bonus! They offer a couple of sandwiches, all kinds of hot dog styles and toppings, and sides like onion rings and potato salad. We almost didn't get a place to sit after placing our order because all the tables were filled, but we snagged one once someone left. They also have outdoor seating but I think I'll try that at a more reasonable time of year ;)
(5)Jillian A.
After moving from Chicago, aside from deep dish pizza, I crave a good Vienna Beef Chicago Hot Dog (hold the tomato). By the suggestion by my co-worker, who has influenced several of my Atlanta reviews with his suggestions, we went here for lunch. I love all the Chicago memorabilia on the wall. But who doesn't like being reminded of home? The menu is simple and straight forward. I opted for a Chicago style hot dog (hold the tomato) and a bag of Zapp's potato chips. My expectations were lowered because, let's face it, south of the Mason-Dixon Line, you couldn't pay me to eat a hot dog. I've had the best and that's that. However, I had a wonderful surprise when I ate my hot dog. It felt like home. One of my co-workers enjoyed a Maxwell Street Polish, which is one of my favorite staples at a very popular fast food joint in Chicago. If anything is going to bring me back there, it's to try that polish. My other co-worker had the italian beef, which sadly did not look quite as appealing. The beef looked very dry. I wasn't impressed with the french fries either, but that's not why I went there. One of my favorite parts of this place is that we can get our neon green relish there! We have had little to no luck finding such relish here in Atlanta, but now I know where I can go. Thank you Mike, whoever you are, for your clear dedication for something that can bring comfort to us transplants that are jonesin' for a good dog.
(4)Amanda D.
I'm very confused as to how I never reviewed this place. I ate here before I even moved here too. I actually have never gotten a hot dog since that very first time, because they were out of sport peppers and put way too much celery salt on the hot dog. I'm not purposely holding a grudge, I just only come here when I have a serious craving for an Italian beef sandwich. Honestly? It's not very good, in fact I am pretty sure I am spending $8 for the glory of the bread and giardiniera peppers. I assume they are just using the bulk packages of stuff you can buy from Vienna Beef (that they also sell here), but it just leaves so much to be desired, like I feel there could be a better way to heat the meat up so your teeth actually work on it. I swear on previous visits though it was heavenly, so maybe it was just an off day. It's also pretty expensive, the one time I did a combo it was over $10. Granted $10 is less than a plane ride to Chicago. I'll keep coming back of course. I should probably have another hot dog. Fun fact: I love chili cheese Vienna beef hot dogs so much that even when I was a vegetarian I ate one while in Chicago. Or maybe I ate two. Either way, I mean we are serious together.
(3)Rich A.
Nothing Chicago about these dogs. Italian Beefs do NOT get dipped. Dont get ripped off, go to a real Chicago dog place
(1)Stephanie M.
As far as hot dogs go Mikes was the only place to really get a dog of any kind for a number of years in Sandy Springs so if your out and about this might be the place to stop and grab a bite while getting your shopping done at the same time. They offer the standard Hot dog with the basic fixins as well as a Chicago dog, Chili dog, Onion rings, Fries - (ask for the celery salt), Italian beef - word of advice get the jus on the side if your not going to eat it immediately otherwise you will end up with a soggy sandwich. Combo's can be had and Mikes can do off site catering as well. This is a family place so don't go in expecting high end anything or frills this is simple eats with a t.v. inside and a regular parking lot show on the outside.
(3)Zina L.
As a Chicago native I definitely approve the hot dogs here. I was craving portillos as I just moved from Chicago and wanted some true chicago hot dogs and I was impressed! The fries were not great I actually wouldn't get them again but the service and the hotdogs were awesome!!
(5)John E.
First let me explain that I'm no hot dog expert. I do like a good hot dog or sausage, but only if they have an intensity of flavor and not the flavor of baloney (if fact between my friends we tend to call the cheaper dogs "baloney dogs"). And even though I've spent some time in Chicago, I haven't sampled the renown "Chicago dog" in its native habitat nor do I know why Vienna Beef is any better than what's available from other manufacturers. All that being said, I think I do know good flavor combinations when I encounter them and that's what you can get at Mike's Hot Dogs. To date I've eaten here a handful of times and I've narrowed my selection down to either the spicy Polish, Market Street style or the Italian Beef Sandwich all the way (but not wet). I've been told that the spicy Polish isn't available throughout the year but I've yet to experience a time when it hasn't been available to me. Market Street style includes grill onions with a bit of mustard, some peppers and a pickle spear, all on a fresh baked poppy seed roll. It seems the Chicago dog is distinguished by the poppy-seed bun and being "drug through the garden" - all the veggies and pickles adding to the flavor. In one word, delicious! The Italian Beef sandwich is as close to a culinary and gastrointestinal work of art as you can get in a handheld sandwich. Thinly shaved Vienna beef dredged through au jus right into a slightly rubbery roll (a lighter roll would fall apart) with melted cheese. This is served "hot" (a side of giardiniera - basically a pickled pepper and veggie concoction similar that provides spiciness, vinegar and crunch as a foil to the fats). Mike's makes a huge sandwich that's savory, flavorful and oh-so-good. You also get a side of au jus that you dip the whole sandwich into, sort of like a French dip - or you can order the sandwich "wet" - the whole thing is dropped into the broth, but expect to eat it with fork and knife. Service is always good but careful during lunch - the line can get quite long and they make things to order. If you're from Chicago, this place may not meet your expectations - I'm really not qualified to tell since I can't compare it to the real thing - however if you like meat, a good sandwich and intense flavors, then give this place a try.
(4)Chaquira S.
OMG! LOVE!! I read all the reviews and couldn't help trying Mike's Hot Dogs for myself. I used to live in Chicago and I always long for the great "fast food" that's unique to the city. These dogs are better than any I ever had in Chicago. I had the Chicago dog and an order of chili cheese fries. I was sitting at a booth by myself and caught myself saying out loud "This is so good", that's when I knew these dogs were the real deal.
(5)Nestor R.
Great place for when you have a hot dog craving! Super friendly staff.
(5)Ken K.
Been Living in Atlanta as a Chicago transplant for 3 months - hadn't had a dog the whole time I've been down here, heard about Mike's....stopped by today for lunch. If this place was in Chicago, it would be in the top 1/2 of Hot Dog places around...Great dog, crisp, tasty everything a Chicago hot dog should be. The beef sandwich was just OK. Will try the polish next time - hopefully they serve it Maxwell style
(4)Christopher P.
Chicago + sport peppers + chili cheese things = win for sandy springs! Ever since ringside closed, my cohorts and I have been on a search for some haute dogs. This place fits the bill. Tucked away in the whole foods complex off roswell, you'll be able to see the umbrellas for outside dining. Stick with the chicago and chili cheese dogs. Chili cheese fries are equally as dope. Also, you may think that the small dogs are too small and try to go with the jumbo. The Jumbo pertains to the girth and not the length.... just a heads up to you girth vs length folks. Whatever tickles your fancy AMIRITE!!??!?!? Service is great! Food gets to you quick. Great lunch spot!
(4)Marta P.
Pretty good hot dog for the area. I got the Polish Chicago style. The toppings were true to Chicago form, and they were fresh and delicious. The dog itself seemed to be missing a bit of flavor (I'm from Poland so I'm a bit of a stickler on Kielbasa). It had a good profile, but the smokiness that is found in Kielbasa wasn't as pronounced as I like it to be. Regardless, though, the service was friendly, and there wasn't much of a line for lunch. Their fryer happened to be down that day, so I got the potato salad on the side. It was pretty good. It could've been Kroger potato salad, but who cares it was tasty anyways. The interior of the place is pretty Chicago kitsch, but gave it a homey feel with all the memorabilia on the walls (it is also a good conversation piece). I would come back here and try the Italian Beef as I've heard from across the table that it's pretty dang incredible. I've had better hot dogs in Chicago and NYC, though (It's hard to find a good hot dog place in ATL!).
(3)Will M.
Stopped here for a quick lunch before our massage at La vida. Cason who worked at the front counter was very courteous and polite. Ordered the Chicago hot dog and it was definitely worth the price. Perfect, yet affordable lunch in in the local area.
(4)Alem P.
Was so satisfied with my first experience here that I created a yelp account just to post a well deserved review. I came in with my girlfriend and we were pleasantly greeted as soon as we parked the car and started walking towards the restaurant. When we walked in we were greeted with pleasant music and a down to earth vibe. I ordered the Italian beef combo with chili cheese fries while my girlfriend had the Chicago style chicken sausage and fries. We were serviced extremely fast and the food only took a few minutes to come to our table. The gentleman at the counter was extremely professional and polite, and even gave me a few suggestions on what I should order since it was my first time. Definitely coming back next time I am in the area!
(5)Jeremy A.
The only reason that I don't give MIke a 5 is the price of food. Otherwise, the dogs are AMAZING. Love the skinny fries and seasoning. Nice service and music is great. Food comes out quick and hot and really good. Well done. I go out of my way for this classic hot dog.
(4)Renee W.
I have been eating at Mike's for years. My favorite is the Spicy Polish dressed Chicago Style. I have not tried anything else but it is time to try the Italian Beef which is my favorite when I am back home in Chicago. Hopefully I will not be disappointed.
(4)M S.
Found this place after coming back from a trip to Chicago.The Chicago hot dogs at this place totally hit the spot! You can also buy all the ingredients here to make them at home. The place is covered in photos and various windy city paraphernalia. Service is fast and friendly.
(5)Joyel E.
Absolutely delicious. I was alittle skeptical at first because I've been living in ATL now for 6 months coming from Chicago. I havent had the best experience with the restaurants out here but Mikes Hot Dogs hit the spot. The food was awesome and for one second I felt like I was "home"....I will definitely be going back.
(5)Loren M.
Terrible service. The jerk behind the counter hits on every girl that comes in & spent his time flirting with the girl in line behind me instead of making my hot dog. They talked for 10 minutes while I sat with no food. Then she got her order before mine. He definitely didn't deserve the generous tip I gave him. I won't be coming here anymore.
(2)Stephanie J.
We love Elvis and his awesome Chicago hot dogs. We ordered for a second company party since last time was such a big hit. This time he came and served our team himeself - and fixed them the right way! The yellow and red hot dog cart is super festive, the food is delicious, and Elvis is so enthusiastic and friendly that you can't help but love all of it. THANK YOU - you have my business forever!!
(5)Kayode W.
I love this place! I've never had a Chicago dog before so I can't compare. I got the Chicago dog and a chili cheese dog just in case I didn't care for it. They both were so good i can't choose a favorite. This place is a must try! The staff is excellent.
(5)Sonny C.
I just got back from Chicago and was needing an Italian Beef fix, so after searching, I found Mike's Hot Dogs and I am so glad I did. The atmosphere is great and the food is awesome. Go there as soon as possible. So good.
(5)Mark M.
Food is incredible!!!! Elvis (the owner) puts your experience over the top. Great environment and staff!!
(5)Richard B.
Personally I'm not a hot dog expert, but I do know something that is tasty when I eat it. Recently moving to the neighborhood, we were pleasantly surprised to find this nice little gem of a place to eat. By far the most courteous service of any fast food type place I've been in around Atlanta, they are more than happy to assist with suggestions and/or special needs and requests. If the order is wrong, it is taken care of immediately without passing the buck or excuses. They seem to want to make sure that you get what it is you are asking for. I've been there twice, both times on weekends with my wife and kids and one time with my sister from Washington DC. The atmosphere is clean and pleasant. Fans of blues music will appreciate the background music, unless this is only played on weekends. Still, a decent place to bring the kids as they have offerings for them. The hot dogs are good. I've had the spicy polish and the chicago dog. They use beef franks as opposed to chicken or turkey, which seem more flavorful. I've also had the regular fries and chili fries, both of which were good; not necessarily spectacular, but certainly meet expectations. All in all a good place to eat and they act like they appreciate your business as opposed to several places that make you feel like an inconvenience. Can't go wrong here.
(5)Pirates C.
Not bad. But, definitely not close to the best I've experienced. I am a Chicago transplant and found out about this place through word-of-mouth. Gave the hot dogs a try when I happened to be in the area for a late lunch. One thing I noted was that there was no indication from the outside or any signage to indicate that this placed served authentic Chicago dawgs. Anyway, I walked in and thought it was way too tacky (maybe it's because I am a home grown Chicagoan) but the place was cozy enough and reminiscent of local joints. The actual Chicago style dog was true in style but was somehow missing in flavor. Again, maybe it was the over-the-top, trying-too-hard toppings or maybe it was the dog itself being a bit too salty or maybe it was the wrong bun. Something was amiss. But, it was good enough to hit the spot and reminded me of home. Service was friendly. And, it was a slow day and we were the only diners inside. Price is competitive with Chicago. So, maybe it's a tad bit expensive for ATL. Will go back and try the Italian beef.
(3)Amir A.
I wasn't impressed at all. This can't be the best hotdog in Atlanta. I'd rather make a hot dog at home, at least it would be fresher.
(2)Madhuri S.
I'm not a "hot dog" person, and I'm a vegetarian so imagine my surprise to find a Chicago hot dog place that serves DELICIOUS veggie dog! I got the one with the spicy peppers and grilled onions and pickles. And I loved how fries came out hot as well . The place is very interesting and the staff is very friendly and helpful with suggestions if its your first time. The girl at the register was very friendly and I very thankful for my experience there. Will definitely be returning!
(5)Dan W.
Clean, fast, cheap and good food. What else do you want? Friendly service. Always smiling and asked how you are. Would definitely recommend it.
(4)J D.
5 stars for best chicago hot dog I've had outside of Chicago. Impressed, real vienna beef, vienna beef relish as well, poppy seed buns. Fries are nice, Vegan hot dog was good also. Would go again and again, it's hard to find good hot dogs using a quality meat and bun, and this place hits the spot. They even have pizza puffs, try finding those anwyhere else... Also have the italian beef/sausage combo, extremely hard to find. If you are from Chicago or NYC, any place that has good hot dogs, hit this place up. If you want a "weird" hot dog, this is probably not your place, but if you want authenticity, I'd go to this place easily, get the jumbo chicago style dog.
(5)Art V.
Real Chicago dogs. Been going back for years. Not grilled but still great. They have real Chicago style relish too. High quality. Good staff too.
(5)Brett R.
Service with a smile! The best dogs this side of Chicago or the Varsity! A must try! You will keep coming back as I intend to!
(5)Scott S.
This is a real deal Chicago style place that is very rare in Atlanta. The staff is really nice and I enjoy the bratwurst very much. The fries are nothing to get excited about though. I'd recommend the chips.
(3)Jonathan V.
Recently Mike's did a corporate lunch event for us. As a transplant from Chicago I have been somewhat disappointed in hotdogs down here. All of that changed when I went to go get my obligatory free hotdog. I knew I was in good shape when I saw the familiar yellow and red vienna beef umbrella. From there it went from good to great. Freshly chopped onions, nuclear green relish, mustard, amazingly awesome sport peppers...I could go on and on and list out everything but let me just say, it was the best chicago style dog I've had in Atlanta hands down. All fresh ingredients, all prepared onsite at corp. If you are a business owner looking for a nice way to reward your employees/buy a free lunch for the team/etc but want something different than another ho hum boxed lunch....give Mike's a whirl, you won't be disappointed one bit !
(5)Geo H.
Their Chicago dog was an embarrassment. There is a two-lettered gas station up the road that serves fresher ingredients for a dog a third of the price. One fifty-cent sized tomato slice put in the middle? (Heaven forbid effort is wasted chopping and distributing) And the rest of the things come straight out of a jar...nothing unique or tasty here. The kicker is the absence of celery seeds. Isn't that the secret that 'makes' a dog Chicago?
(2)Dave T.
Two solid chili dogs and crispy seasoned fries with friendly service at lunch today. A minor complaint - the famous Vienna Beef dogs could use some added snap. They're good but not Sabrett's.
(4)chris s.
Been coming here for years. Better than most of the places I got dogs in Chicago. I went to at least a dozen different places in Chicago and none of them had kraut. Awesome staff, always treated like a friend there. Love the Polish, Italian Beef, and everything else I have tried.
(5)Verlin H.
Stepping into Mike's is like walking into a wormhole to the Windy City. There's usually blues or classic rock playing, and their sandwich and hot dog creations are authentic recreations of some Chi-town favorites. The staff is friendly and happy to suggest some possibilities if you're a newbie. I'm partial to the classic Chicago dog, with veggies, pickle spear, and hot peppers, accompanied by piping-hot made-to-order french fries and an ice-cold soda. If a sandwich is more your speed, the Italian Beef is a great choice. Similar to a Philly cheese steak, it combines a huge helping of shaved beef and cheese, with optional spicy veggies and au jus dipping sauce. Mike's version is enormous enough to satisfy most any appetite, and spicy enough to put a little sweat on your brow. Another favorite is the Polish sausage, served "Maxwell-street style" with hot peppers and grilled onions. If you're looking for a "coney-style" hot dog, this definitely isn't your place. Nothing against my friends who prefer things done the New York way, but I'll take the Midwestern version, anytime!
(5)Art H.
I don't live in this part of town but if I find myself in the vicinity, and sometimes I make excuses to be there, I stop into Mike's for a dog or two. The service is laid back... Everything seems to be made-to-order... the dogs certainly. I enjoy the Chicago dog and the chili dog with onions and mustard. There's no doubt that their ingredients are top-notch; the dog and bun are both high quality. I really like the chili but saw a cook ladeling it from a can... It doesn't really matter to me; they make no claim for their chili but... if they don't make it, tell me who does.... cuz I want to buy some.
(3)Scott S.
Very Authentic. delicious, and very reasonable. Super friemdly service and generous portions. A real hotdog joint. From the Brats to Chicago Style dogs, to the Italian Beef Weck on a bun drenched in AuJus Sauce. Hands down the best "authentic Hotdog joint in Atlanta. Even the Chicken sausage is unbelievably tasty, and I'm a beef man! You won't regret it. It's worth the drive, and you will instantly become a regular.
(4)Brook B.
A friend introduced this to me, and I am forever grateful. Having never been to Chicago, I'd only wondered about the wondrous Chicago dog. I have 3 magical words to utter about this place: Veggie. Chicago. Dog. It's like a salad on a hot dog in a bun. It is perfection. I want to eat it every single day. The only reason I didn't give them 4 stars is that they never label their packages, which would be really helpful when half of your order is dead animal dogs and the other half is veggie. Each time, there's been a panicked fit about which dogs were which, and then when it was decided and I'd gorged myself in relief, I forgot about it. Go here and get a damn veggie Chicago dog already. Onions, mustard, green peppers, hot peppers, pickles, and celery seed. Delicious and glorious. Note to Mike's: please label your dogs so that no one else has to struggle or wait a minute longer than necessary for this glorious food to make its way into one or more famished maws. Please and thank you.
(4)Shirley Z.
Simply just OK. This joint reminded me of "hot dougs" when we first walked in. However, the flavor was just not quite there when i had their chicago dog. i feel like i can easily make it at home and it would have turned out more flavorful. I want my hotdog to punch me in the face with each bite and this just didn't do it for me. what really turned me off was their sides. Our coleslaw was drowned in mayo, reminded me of kroger coleslaw containers. Our fries were not crispy, really wish they were made fresh. Overall, i was very disappointed and don't think I would give it another try. Tip: drive down the street about 5 minutes, hit up a real hotdog joint and try "ringside franks & shakes". See my review if you want to read about it.
(3)T K.
I normally don't double dip but when a trip to Atlanta isn't complete without swinging by Mike's Hot Dog, another review is necessary! Great, high quality food with a nostalgic, neighborhood ambiance. Love seeing the photo collage over the years on the walls and the fact the owners are so appreciative of your patronage that they'll memorialize your visit. Elvis, the business owner, clearly goes out of his way to make you feel welcome and it's easy to see his passion not only for Chicago-style hot dogs, but for the restaurant service industry. Kudos and more stars for you - Mike's Hot Dogs represents a real neighborhood establishment and from it's fanbase, it's clearly not going anywhere soon!
(5)Kelly C.
Chicago dog!
(4)Paul L.
Great dogs ! I had the Chicago dog, Polish sausage and fries. The girl behind the counter was great as well !
(5)Jeremy H.
OK, if I was in Chicago maybe this would only be 3 stars, but this is the closest thing you're going to get to Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef in Atlanta. The whole restaurant is kitschy and decked out in Chicago memorabilia. The guy at the counter (perhaps Mike) was really nice and the food came out in a flash. I had the Italian beef and my girlfriend had a Chicago-style hot dog, so I got to try both. The hot dog was good and flavorful although the bun was a little soggy. I ordered my Italian beef "wet" which means that they dip the bun in the "juice" and you have to eat it with a fork. I thought the juice and bun was good. The meat was good too, although a little bit dry. I also got peppers on the side and they added a nice spice to the beef. The fries were crispy and salty. Almost everything they sell comes packaged from Chicago and most of it is from Vienna Beef. (including the dogs and Italian beef) Is this as good as Portillo's in Chicago? Of course not, but it's a good introduction to Chicago cuisine for Atlantans, and I'll be going back to get my Chicago dog/beef fix in the future.
(4)Amaryllia L.
So I decided to check this place out after my friend Jang told me about it. I still can't believe I've been going to that shopping center since Canton Cooks opened years ago and have never seen this place! Well, for my first hot dog restaurant experience, this place was slightly less than what I expected. The decor was old (on purpose I'm sure) and the yellow-ness of the Vienna Beef signs everywhere didn't help the dinginess...and overall, I guess there is just something that seems less sanitary with an indoors hot dog joint. Anyway, my coworker and I checked out their menu but both settled on the corndog and onion rings, since neither of us were fans of poppy seeds and every type of hot dog came on poppy seed buns. Our corndogs had good flavor and were almost 4-star delicious (her's was slightly dough-y from being under-fried and mine was the opposite - the dough had split and the dog itself was overcooked to the chewiness of rubber). Similarly, the onion rings were pretty tasty since it was obviously fried in the same flavorful oily goodness. I took off one star for the atmosphere and one more star because we both literally felt sick within a half hour. Hopefully I can get up the nerve to give this place another shot because I'm obviously missing something that everyone else likes.
(3)Jang C.
I think Mike's Hotdogs is the best hot dog place in Atlanta. Of course, this is the only hot dog place I've been to in Atlanta besides Nathan's in Perimeter mall's food court. But according to my friends--who have been to other hot dog places--say this is one of the better ones in Atlanta. At Mike's you can get hotdogs in all sorts of styles: Chicago, Maxwell, chili, slaw, kraut, etc. I tried their Chicago, Maxwell, and chili style dogs and they were all tasty. The Chicago dogs came with all sorts of vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, pickles, and mustard. Maxwell came with grilled onions, mustard, pickles, and jalapeno peppers. Chili dogs came with chili. You can also choose your type of meat from bratwursts to Polish sausages. My favorite were the brats, they're very juicy. Unfortunately for them, they're located in the same shopping center as Canton Cooks. So they get no love during dinner time. It's okay, Canton Cooks sucks during lunch time so you can go to Mike's Hotdogs for lunch. Or if you're in a hurry, you can go there to get a quick bite to eat for dinner. Either case, it's a great, tasty place to go to. I actually discovered this place when my friends and I were about to go see a show at the Punchline. We were running a bit late, and we wanted to eat at Canton Cooks. But since we were running late, we decided to try the hot dog place. It was a wise choice. One advice: I've been here many times and their water and ice tea taste like crap. Just order the soda or the bottled water.
(4)Joey M.
So, I must admit I don't have a basis for comparison, seeing as I've never had Chicago-style dogs before, but I definitely enjoyed the version at Mike's. I have always wanted to try this kind of dog, and my first experience was pretty good. The whole "through the garden" thing is pretty accurate; there really is a lot going on here.... I enjoyed the combination of flavors from the peppers, tomato, relish, etc. In fact, I typically hate raw onions on things like hot dogs, but decided not to ask for the dogs without them because I wanted the full experience. Given all the other ingredients, I have to say the flavor actually blended pretty well with everything! Though I'd still probably like it better without the onions... I definitely will come back here for the hot dogs, but it will be difficult not to order the Italian beef....
(3)Lozo B.
Went to Mikes today because Chicago Delights is closed on Sunday (which I still don't get) as Sunday is one of the greatest days for a Chicago Dog or a beef wet. (yes from the mecca of Chicago I am) anyways Mikes is pretty low on the scale when it comes to the real thing. Chicago Dogs were very sloppy with white paper thin tomato slice. Why would you embarrass your business to serve that on top of the dog. For God's sake there is a Whole Foods next door!!! Get a freakin good tomato. No Sport Peppers at all (had to ask). I doubt the dog was a Vienna! The northern tea sucked aaaannnnd they had no Italian Beef!!! What the Hell. Nevermore Nevermore
(2)Thomas S.
When it comes to hot dog restaurants I don't know much - and then when it comes to true Chicago dogs I know even less. What I do know is that I really enjoyed my the Chicago dog here. I've had a couple in the area recently and think that if I lived in the Windy City, I'd be in big trouble. Dog was great, fries OK, and the fella behind the counter was helpful. Oh, and someone told me this is one of the few places around you can buy sport peppers. I'm inclined to believe it because my attempts to get them at local stores hasn't worked out so well. Again, I could just be a victim of my own lack of hot-dog knowledge.
(4)NIKKI G.
What can I say?? Mike's is the bomb. Good Restaurant Atmosphere, Good Dogs, and ALWAYS reliable. Nothing special or homemade about the dogs however, which would be nice, BUT I'm not gonna hate on my Chicago Style local joint ;) I would be most sad without it near...
(4)Damon L.
Burnt deep fried hot dog anyone? No thanks you say, well avoid this place. I am a fan of Superdawg in Chicago, so when I found this place on yelp I decided to give it a try. Now I was not expecting it to rival Superdawg heck they have been doing it for 60+ years. What I got was gross, the hot dog was deep fried and burnt. If the place would not have been 6 miles from my work in lunch hour traffic I would have returned it.
(1)Rob P.
Good chili cheese dog. Hot dog was real beef . Looks like they have an authentic Chicago dog, although that's not really my thing. Fries were a bit undercooked but decent for frozen fries. I'll be back for lunch.
(3)Cedrick L.
Can't give them 5 stars because I only had one chill cheese dog BUT this is one best(if not the best) hot dogs I have ever had. Since I work so close I will be back!
(4)Brien C.
This Restaurant is great! Quick service, Outdoor tables great for Kids, Super Cool Owner! Nice location in Sandy Spring! And best of all "They Have Veggie Dogs!"
(5)Donnie R.
Since coming to Atlanta from Indianapolis 18 months ago I have not found a place to get a "Midwest" style hotdog. What is this "Varsity" thing? I don't get it! So when I saw Mike's I had to give it a try. It satisfied my need. I will make this a destination every time I am in Sandy Springs.
(5)Mr B.
This is as good as it gets in Atlanta. I grew up on coney island up north and this is the closest thing i have found down south. Chicago style dogs, chili dogs and chili fries are all yummy. The place is a dump and i would expect nothing less. A++++
(5)Scott J.
As close to the Chicago original as you can get in Atlanta. Although the restaurant looks like it was decorated by a 12 year old with $100 to spend at a Chicago area garage sale. Hot dog joints aren't supposed to be posh. The Chicago dog is quite good. The Chicago beef is also excellent.
(4)Matthew L.
Those who haven't experienced a true "Chicago-style" hot dog are really missing out. True, you have to have more than "ketchup on white bread" taste as far as hot dogs and other sandwiches are concerned. These dogs are faithful to their windy city birthplace. A couple of these and some chips make a great lunch. Even your picky-ass coworkers can find something to eat off the kiddie menu. Try a Chicago dog, you won't regret it.
(4)Joe B.
This is the place to go when looking for a Chicago style dog. Comes with all the fixins and they use Vienna beef hot dogs.
(4)Evan G.
I stopped in with my wife and kids to satisfy a craving for a hot dog. I've never been a fan of a 'Chicago Dog' (but I love that poppy bun), my tastes are simpler and Mike's does simple dogs well too. Chili-cheese dogs with onion were good, and what kid doesn't enjoy a plain dog with chips? The staff was very friendly and helpful and service was quick. My kids enjoyed looking at all of the Chicago memorabilia stuck to every inch of the walls. We left with the craving satisfied.
(3)Robert M.
3.5 stars. When are we going to get half ratings available? Dogs were good, had nice pop and flavor, liked the poppy seed buns. The chili however was runnier than a baby after a pound of cheese, but still had decent flavor. The fries were standard but cooked correctly: crispy on the outside, mushy on the inside. I wish they had some hot sauce on the tables though. I still prefer NY style over C-town style, but this is a good lunch stop for a dog, much better than the crapola Varsity serves up. Why isn't this place serving up sliders instead of the regular burger they have? This place needs sliders.
(3)Christopher W.
Mike's has the best dogs in the A, period. Come in and check them out, you wont be disappointed.
(5)Yelp R.
This is the best in atl that i have been to so far
(5)Bill S.
Reading the previous review, Julia should know Portillo's in Chicago is the standard by which all other Italian Beefs are judged. ;-) Mike's italian beef doesn't meet that, just as your average Chicago hotdog/beef place in Chicago can't. Doesn't mean its bad, its just not the best. I haven't been terribly dissatisfied with the italian beef sandwiches here though. The food at Mike's is authentic though, but I usually stick with the hot dogs here. One nice thing that Mike's has that other Chicago hot dog places in Atlanta don't (notably Bobby G's) are REAL pizza puffs.... yum!
(4)Jeff N.
Tried it for the first time and had a Chicago hot dog. Best other than Chicago itself. Highly recommended!
(5)justin s.
Decent dogs great poppyseed buns. Maybe I just don't care for a Chicago Dog, but I prefer Brandi's Hot Dogs in Marietta alot more.
(3)Anne Marie L.
Vienna Beef hot dogs are the shizzle, I like tomatoes and onions on mine. The roast beef is just meh. Sharin F. is right about it being too dry despite requests of dipping it. Authentic Chicago roast beef sammiches are dripping wet inside and out, while the gonella bread sops up the sauce and holds everything together, and makes a mess all over.
(3)