Byron's does not disappoint. I didn't get the usual Chicago style hot dog. They have really great onion rings shaped like sticks. The french fries are o.k but I would not eat a lot of them. Overall this place is great!
(4)
Liz Z.
Ordered thru grub hub a lord Byron, chicago style hot dog and chili dog. The lord was a delicious burger. Loaded with everything, the bun contained its shape. Chili dog was average. The chicago style hot dog was a sloppy mess. Sloppy meaning the bun was soaked and gross. Interesting that the chili dogs bun was perfect despite being slathered in chili. I have had a Chicago style dog several times and never had a juicy drenched bun. I contacted grub hub to report my dissatisfaction. They proceeded to call the restaurant to see if this disgusting dog can be replaced. The female hefer refused to do anything and stated "well if you load it up with veggies, it's going to get soaked". Really?! WTF! Just based on this terrible service I would not recommend or ever order again. Welcome to America! Country of high standards even if it's just a hot dog.
(2)
Tom Z.
Customer service was meh. They asked me about 15 times, throughout the time standing in the food line as they made each person's order, what order was. Confirming and re-confirming and forgetting parts of the order. All the way up until I paid. Very annoying, like they weren't really paying attention the entire time. Food was also not that great. I got their Italian beef, some cheese fries (which is just fries with cheese in a plastic container), and a shake. Italian beef wasn't very tender, but thick and somewhat dry to me. Fries were definitely not that great being mushy and floppy. That's fine, but nothing special. Shake was as good as you can get coming out of a big shake machine. A little disappointing, nothing special about them.
(3)
David F.
I remember going to the outer space themed Byron's at Clark & Norwood when I was a kid, so I've got a soft spot for 'em. That said, they make a good, solid Chicago dog! My buddy swears by the burgers, which I've twice at most. I usually don't stray from the shoestring fries and a hotdog, so I can't attest to the whole menu. Chicago dog comes loaded with sport peppers, onions, tomatoes, relish, and pickles; this definitely a two-handed experience. In short, Byron's is good for cheap, classic Chicago fast food eats!
(4)
Real K.
I ordered ONE hot dog and ONE drink. Within 30 seconds I was pushed to the register to pay for 2 hot dogs, 2 orders of fries and no drink. There was nobody in line but me. Not sure of what language you're supposed to speak in this place to order but it's definitely not English. They can't even run a hot dog stand.
(1)
Ashley M.
I have always enjoyed their hot dogs, but tried their double cheeseburger for the first time and it was amazing! Their burger/cheese/bun ratio was fantastic and the veggie/hot dog toppings on it brought it over the top (giardiniera, relish, celery salt...). Service was friendly and quick.
(5)
Joanna L.
Sadly I have not been here in a couple years because I no longer work near here, but I have not forgotten this place. I think I may have had their hot dog and fries a couple times, but why this place will always be so special to me is because of their amazing pizza. It honestly may be the best pizza I have ever had. I know this place does not specialize in pizza but whatever they are doing rocks. I highly recommend the pizza and to make the deal even sweeter is the great price.
(5)
Pierre W.
OK, I finally made it here!!!... I got lost a couple of times. Had to call in for directions...and I HAD GPS!!!!(smh) Anyway, I had expectations, and was hungry. I was satisfied!! I drove all the way to Byrons for the Lord Byron Burger. I got full just lookin at the photo..so I settled for a TRIPPLE Cheeseburger & fries. I was completely satisfied..even WITH all the "getting lost WITH GPS".. the service was good ,kind ,and the food was brought out TO me....nice. The burger was filling to say the least...and tasty. I was pleased and plan to return in the future.
(4)
Tom Z.
Yum! I had the jumbo hot dog with everything. This is the closest hot dog I've found to the long gone Tast-e Hast-e from the NW Side. The dog had a salad on top and that's a good thing. The toppings were all fresh. The fries were good. If they were crinkle-cut, they would be perfect. It is clean inside with a lot of tables. The people were very friendly and said "Goodbye" as I was leaving. They have bike parking, but do to the construction at this time (October, 2014) It wasn't easily accessible. I will return when I'm in the area...
(4)
Robert C.
If you've ever been to a saw mill, you'll understand the imagery I use to describe my ardent fervor for Byron's Hot Dogs: I ate my dog like a buzz saw. They do the hot dog right.
(4)
Gordan K.
I ordered 2 hot dogs and fries. The cook looked at the cashier and told her "hey pop some hot dogs in there". She went over and plopped several hot dogs in the hot water, without washing her hands after handling the cash register. She told me and my girlfriend to have a seat and that she would bring the food out to us. ...15 patient minutes later I go back to the counter to ask about my food. I had to interrupt the two employees who were cracking jokes to get their attention. The guy looks at me like im some kind of asshole and then realizes what had happened. He panics a little, and says "oh 2 hot dogs right? how did you want them?". ...just ...wow. 5 minutes later i got my food. The fries were the most disgusting thing ive ever tasted. They were dry, cold, and tasteless. And considering they just keep old fries sitting under a heat lamp for god knows how long, this makes perfect sense. I will admit that we went there at 9pm, an hour before they close. While I can empathize with food service people wanting to get out of work on time, the customer experience and quality of food should never take a back seat. The convenience of having this place right in my neighborhood will not be reason enough for me to go back. Next time I will rather get in the car and drive across town.
(1)
UncleMichael V.
Byrons, ah that name that screams classic neighborhood fast food. Known for the great fast food it's their hot dogs that are taken through the garden(see it to know what I mean), and their great burgers. Free parking and nostalgic decor, accepts credit cards and open for lunch or dinner. Get their double cheeseburger, pair it with their famous french fries with cheese and wash it all down with a large soda. Can't get better than that, unless you're counting calories.
(4)
Eric H.
This place is okay. The hot dogs and burgers are good, but the service can be so-so. The cashiers are usually great, it's the chef that is kind of iffy. He seemed really pissed off one night when we came in 15 minutes before they closed and wanted to order something. He tried to talk us out of it for a few minutes, before finally caving and proceeded to stop around for the next 10 minutes making our food. Average fries, burgers, hotdogs, wings, etc. They have all of the standards. There aren't many other late night options in this neighborhood so they have a bit of an advantage.
(3)
Turkey B.
Who says that hot dogs are bad for you? Never mind that they are made mostly of pig buttholes and eyelids. I just ate 6 different vegetables on my hot dog. Sure you can make an argument from a botanical (pomological to be more precise) perspective that the tomatoes, cucumbers, and pickles are, in fact fruits. As evident by the seeds growing inside them) We're not splitting hairs here, people; if you want to fight about it I'll meet you in the parking lot! I'm talking to you, Bill Nye. But let me state once again, I just ate a hot dog with 6 vegetables on it! The tomatoes are surprisingly fresh, the relish is a satisfyingly radioactive shade of green. Lettuce on a Chicago dog, why not? Stay away from the sweet peppers, and have them top your dog with about 7 or 8 Sport Peppers. This place is quintessentially blue-collar Chicago eatin.' No exaggeration here, sitting across from me was a divorced dad who took his three kids here to "make up for lost time." He did it right. The black duct-tape covering the holes in the booth benches adds character to this place. The burn of the celery salt in all of the cuts in your labored hands will send sensations throughout your body. Be sure to pair your dog with a tamale, toppings can get messy, but taste great if they fall atop your tamale.
(4)
Jared W.
We used to enjoy their food. But it seems like it always takes forever to get here. Normally I am not opposed to waiting a little bit but our cheese burger and turkey burger took 2 hours to get to us. Needless to say I cancelled the order and will definitely get my money back. Adios byrons
(1)
Colin T.
Usually I would visit a place more than once before writing a review. With that said, I ordered a hot dog, with cheese, fries with cheese and a coke fountain drink. The total came to $10. I was a little.. ok, ALOT supprised but the guys at the counter assured me their accounting was correct. I think they charged .75 cents twice for the cheese on the dog and the fries. Still, really steep. Even Portillos isnt this much, and this is NO Portillos. The hot dog was mediocre, the onions on it were insanely overpowering. Think, overpiwering as in you taste them for 24 hours, no kidding. The fries had been sitting under a heat lamp and were not even close to being fresh. Think, stale. All in all, this was GROSS food and I wouldn't eat it again if someone paid me.
(1)
Dustin G.
This wasn't the best Chicago dog experience I've ever had. Since moving to the neighborhood I've been wanting to try this place so one afternoon we stopped in for lunch. I ordered the Polish and my husband had the jumbo dog. The first thing that turned me off was the cook. He was touching everything with his bare hands. He picked up sausages and threw them onto the grill with his hands then he picked them up off the grill and put them in buns with his hands. Yeah, that's kinda gross. Next, they told us it would be a minute so we waited at a table. They brought the dogs to us, which was nice except they didn't tell us which was which. I'm pretty sure I accidentally ate my husband's jumbo dog. Also, there was no plastic cutlery to be found. You at least need a fork when eating a Chicago dog. The food was ok. The fries were really good. I'd go back just for those... mainly because I know you can't reach your hand into the fryer to pick them up. Also, the desserts in the display looked amazingly good.
(3)
Steven G.
I went to Byron's for a gyros. I am watching my carbs and a gyros no pita is usually a good choice. As I was standing in line I noticed a sign with buffalo wings on it so I asked if they were breaded. I was told that they were deep fried so they had to be breaded. That should have been my clue to run. Real buffalo wings are not breaded and are deep fried. So I ordered the gyros and instead of turning on the rotisserie and cooking a gyros they dumped meat on the flat grill and cooked it. I was dumb enough to hope this would be good. It wasn't. The gyros was dry and crunchy, burnt in places. I will never go back.
(1)
Heather R.
Worst. Chicago. Dog. Ever. No sport peppers, no pickle spear, tons of lettuce, green pepper, overpoweringly strong onions, and cucumbers. What?!? They did get the green relish correct but the rest of this horrible concoction was barely edible. Partially stale/partially soggy bun (no poppy seeds?!?) and flabby, lukewarm fries. We gave them a try twice, figuring everyone has a bad night here or there, but both times the dogs were as I described: Disgusting. Won't be back, ever. Instead we'll take a little walk to Budacki's, just up the way on Damen. Those guys know how to do Chicago Dogs right (and lots of other things like gyros & polish dogs, too) and they're incredibly nice to boot.
(1)
John D.
Great burger and hot dog joint. What's really special about this place that separates it from other excellent hotdog and burger places is their veggies. They really load up each dish with a ton of fresh veggies and I mean a ton. Their fries are thinner and crispy and come in a separate bag to keep them hot.
(4)
John S.
Ok so it is called Byrin's hot dog Haus and I don't go here for hot dogs. Instead I go for the burger. They have a triple here and I must say it is great for a fast food burger. The fries here are awesome also. The dinning room is straight out of the 70s but that is ok. Another big plus is they have a parking lot which is a major bonus of any place in the city. The best fast food burger joint in the neighborhood by far.
(4)
Adam B.
Solid cheap city food. Great people, awesome desserts, and a hangover elixir just a block away.
(4)
Liz K.
This place is great. There are a lot of menu options. The service is quick and the workers are so friendly. They have a parking lot that you can usually get a spot in. The only downside is that I can't eat here more often since Id probably get heart disease. The gyros and hot dogs are sure delicious.
(4)
Mr X.
Punisher! Double cheeseburger topped with gyro meat & all topped up...da bomb yo!
(5)
Bonnie R.
Delicious food. Very fast service. I have been ordering from them for years. They deliver for small orders too. All of their food is delicious.
(5)
Nick D.
These doggs are real good. Everything you ever wanted in a dogg joint. Got the awe man I love these doggs feelin when I ate them.
(5)
David R.
These guys make a mean corn dog. And by "mean" I mean in the metaphorical sense indicating expertise. I dabbed some black pepper mustard on that thing and went to heaven on a stick. Guess what? They also make a top-notch turkey burger. It's big and meaty and tasty. I asked for it with onions and pickles, thinking that I'd add a few dabs of barbecue sauce at home. But it was so good that it didn't need any sauce. That's the mark of an excellent sandwich. When I'm working from home, I consider only a small handful of lunch options: within short walking distance, brief or no waiting times, and maybe a little decadent. Byron's definitely qualifies.
(4)
AJ S.
I just moved to the area, and while out walking I found them. I can't say enough good things about them. They made the best burger I have had in a while and the fries were amazing. It's good food, at good prices. Also, the staff is super nice. When I had my hard of hearing Dad in with me they were amazing. They never hurried him or made him feel bad. That makes them good as gold in my book. Go on Thursday for an amazing 5 buck special!!!
(5)
David Z.
Trekked over from Lincoln Square because I saw they offer 3 miles per dollar spent for American Airlines credit card members. The hot dogs were decent. I went ahead and ordered one of their normal dogs with everything, and then I was surprised to see a crap-ton of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers on the hot dog, along with some of the more usual Chicago toppings (mustard, relish, etc). The dog wasn't bad, but I ended up wishing I had just gotten a normal Chicago-style dog. It was sort of like a salad plopped right on top of a hot dog. I also had a chicken sandwich, which I think I liked a little better. Again, I wasn't blown away, but the sandwich was big and pretty tasty. All in all, I'd say you could do much worse than Byron's. Apparently the hot dogs were once served at the white house (if you go in you'll see plenty of references to that), so I guess if the hot dogs were good enough for the president, they're good enough for me as well.
(3)
Jane S.
Horrible! ! I could not finish my greasy food because the sewer smell coming from the bathrooms was making me sick. Also, the staff is not friendly or that smart.
(1)
Carina M.
This was our hot dog place to go to when we lived in Chicago. Right around the corner from hubby's office and a short drive from our place, it was the one fast food restaurant we could agree upon. I used to order the #12 - 2 hot dogs and fries with a drink. Service is fairly quick and friendly. I love their steamed buns on the hot dogs...and this is where I swear the best shoestring fries are cooked - always crispy, always fresh and always hot.
(4)
Dennis L.
I was pleasantly surprised by Byron's. No doubt about it, you better not be watching your waistline here. It's a greasy spoon hot dog joint with a good variety of items that will definitely get you full. I ended up trying their specialty - the Dogzilla. For lack of a better way of describing it...that hot dog has some girth to it! The skin was crispy and flavorful The dog was covered in lettuce, onion, cucumber, pickle, relish, and mustard. I also tried the fries that everyone says are amazing. They are pretty decent but certainly not the best I have had. Bryron's is worth checking out!
(4)
Native Princess F.
WOW!!! Stopped in for a hunger emergency and...blew my freaking taste buds away!!! They have a burger that's called 'The Punisher' 2 patties with gyro meat and whatever toppings you want :-) by the time he was done putting together my order it was HUGE :-) I shared the majority of it with my bf, I threw in some cheesy fries and we were in heaven.
(5)
Tom T.
This joint serves one mean dog. Try the polish or the brat. Been coming here since '93 and this place has survived area gentrification with fancy ships popping up in every corner for the simple fact that they serve good comfort fast food.
(3)
An P.
Italian Beef Crawl Stop #7: Byron's Hot Dogs Byron's, located by Lawrence and Ashland has been around as long as I can remember. The irony of this is that I've only set foot in there once and that was to get a burger (at a hot dog spot). Big mistake! Byron's also serves up some of Chicago's most delicious beefs. Byron's beef was awesome. Chock full of large hunks of giardiniera you could pick them up and chew them for heat and texture. This dreamy beef was soaked and flowed juices leading me to go into overdrive. When you have beef this good you really just can't put it down. There were piles of sandwiches and beefs as almost all of the beefeaters had their fill. Not only this but Byron's served us up some crisp shoestring fries and carried another Chicago classi: the almighty Pizza Puff. If you are looking for crazy amounts of fast food, head on to Byron's. Oh did I mention they deliver and are on GrubHub!? FTMFW
(5)
David F.
I have been going to Byron's since the only shop they had was on Irving and Sheridan. I remember the Halsted and Lake store, the North and Clybourn store and the Clark and Elmdale super store. The Lawrence location is my favorite Byron's. The hot dogs are good, the chicken sandwich is good, the fries are good, they have Green River, and the polish is grilled to a tasty perfection. Out of this world! I even had the opportunity to have a meal with Ronnie Woo-Woo (Cubs fame) when he was allegedly "missing". It was me that spilled the beans Ronnie. What would make this a 5? Better fries. Fresh, not frozen. It is still a go to place for me.
(4)
Stefanie M.
Lettce does not come on a chicago hot dog! Lettuce?? Really? Not a vey good place. Ordered a hot dog with everything, they asked me if I wanted it chicago style, I said yes, and then they put lettuce on it! Plus green pepper and cucumbers! That's just odd and not chicago style at all! It didn't even come on a poppy seed bun! You might as well put ketchup at that point! Thet obviously don't know what they are doing. It was super dirty in there as well, all the tables were dirty from previous customers. It was super gross. Plus, the cashier was pretty rude an seemed as if we were inconviencing him because he wante to pay separate. He just assumed we were all paying together, never even aske us. Won't be back!
(1)
Amanda M.
First day of my holiday vacation and after being up and about at the ass-crack of dawn to pack and all of that tedious pre-holiday stuff, come 1030am and I'm STARVING. I pulled up GrubHub to find what was open. I came across Byron's, and for whatever reason, I at some point in the past gave it only one star. I am going to assume it was from my drunken early 20's and I was crabby about something else while in a haze of tequila. A.N.Y.W.A.Y. A dog sounded really good, as did some shoestring fries with cheese. Ordered and *BOOM*. It was delivered in like, 25 minutes. Everything was hot and delicious and super-unhealthy and made my holiday packing just a bit less sucky. And the delivery guy was very nice.
(4)
Dave H.
Great burger joint next to the office, great fries and reasonably priced.
(4)
Amy B.
This place is tops when you're craving dogs and grill food. Their hot dogs are amazing, steamed buns and all. And I love that they use round, crunchy, delicious pickles. They put together your dog right in front of you, and always acquiesce to ridiculous requests like, "As many pickles as you can legally give me, please." And their corn dogs? Heavenly. Seriously. Their fries are crispy and always fresh. There's always somewhere to sit and eat and there's parking. The tables are clean and they've always got Red Eyes to read. The staff is super friendly too. The only reason I didn't give a glowing 5-star review: it's pricier than most hot dog joints. Their food is outrageously good, but what can I say, I'm thrifty!
(4)
Emily K.
It's your standard Chicago dog but they go bananas with the condiments. I love it. It's like they put a salad on top of your hot dog. And they use the correct kind of relish here...you know, the kind that comes in that neon greenish color which is found nowhere in nature. Also, huge pickle slices and lots of celery salt. I usually get the jumbo dog. They use Vienna Beef as well which is good. Oh and did I mention, they have GREEN RIVER soda. That's right, GREEN RIVER. It's the only place in Chicago I've ever seen it. If you ever wondered what the color green tastes like, try it. Pairs well with the relish. I come here quite often. They are always super nice and dogs are always delicious.
(4)
Paul S.
Thurs $5 burger special, delicious
(5)
L J.
Ordered a hot dog with everything on it. DIdn't think I had to specify no lettuce, green peppers, or cucumbers. (Cucumbers, really??) I ordered a hot dog, not a salad. Everyone in Chicago knows what "everything" is. Shame on me for not checking in with Yelp first. Shame on Byron's for serving that.
(1)
Rachel G.
I have been coming here since I was a little kid. I mean, really... since I was like 7 years old. My dad used to take me and my brother and their foot was always really good. I just took my husband (from Arizona) here and he had the Dogzilla. Geez, that thing was huge. He tried my Chicago style dog. But his Dogzilla was our dinner entertainment. Ok, ok... we got a bit graphic with the monstrous size dog... we had a "how far can you throat it without gagging contest" - hahaha. I won. (Hey, we're married... we don't mind each others spit, lol.) Amazing food. You could close your eyes and pick something randomly off the menu board and it would be delicious. Seriously. I've tried everything. Everything is good. They even won an award for the best fries in Chicago. Add cheese... yummmmmm.
(5)
Emily K.
I live across the street and come here basically all the time - sober, drunk, and definitely every time I'm hungover. I've clockwatched until the strike of 10:30am before so I can crawl across the street and eat cheese fries in my headache stupor. It's a decent hot dog. Vienna Beef dog and steamed bun. Pretty inexpensive. They used to give you a giant sack of fries but they've scaled back (same bag, less fries) - which is really fine. The best thing about Byron's used to be when I got a cup of cheese for my fries to go they were the only place I have ever been where you have too much cheese once your fries are done. So I would walk around my house and search for things to dip in it - bonus if I actually had taco chips on hand but rye bread would do in a pinch (let the record state I am no longer hungry at this point, just a fan of nacho cheese and also I am gross). They must have caught on because now they give you an appropriately sized cup of cheese. Good gyros too but if you go later in the day I don't see it on the spit and they pull the meat from the fridge - I don't like that.
(3)
Matt D.
Great food. I typically have food delivered from here and it is always fast and great!
(5)
Jamie H.
I'd driven by this place so many times and always thought to myself "I need to go there!' So, after a long weekend away I decided to wrap up the weekend of bad eating with a stop to Byrons and get a gyro meal. My roommate and I split it and that was a wise decision...the fries were HUGE! The gyro, tzatziki sauce and fries were all very tasty.
(4)
Kimberly B.
Definitely not the best hot dog stand around. It's expensive compared to other nearby burger joints and the quality isn't as good. The only time I was there, the ice dispenser on the soda machines was dirty (what looked like dried on splatter from sodas) and the fries were super oily. Even though we're basically right next door, we never eat here because no one in the house likes it. We'd rather walk a mile or so to a good burger/hot dog than settle for the convenience.
(2)
Anthony S.
This place is hit or miss. The last time I ordered was definitely a miss. Last week, I got the beef and sausage combo meal and they showed up with just a sandwich. No drink and no fries. I called immediately and they said the driver would return in 10 minutes. 45 minutes later he had not returned. Besides that, their beef and sausage combo, that is hailed as so good.....yeah not so much. Morse is much better and the prices are as well.
(2)
Allan M.
Another fast food place that has aged well over the years for me. Very wide menu, decent variety of combos, and the prices are all worth it. They always are very generous with the fries here, and I think the other reviews sum it up better than anything I could say. So damn strange I've never heard about the Dog Zilla after all my years of eating here, though! I think they're down to 3 locations today, which is here, Irving/Sheridan, and the Madison Ave. location in Forest Park. Fifth star for all the childhood memories I've had eating here, their outdoor patio, and for serving GREEN RIVER!
(5)
Lizz M.
I've been to Byron's about three times in my life. I like to try a place a few times before I post a Yelp review for consistency purposes, and all three times I've been to Byron's, it's been "meh". Their food is really subpar. Their kitchen looks really sloppy and not like something they clean all too much. I've had their hot dog and fries; both of which are soggy. They leave their fries under a heating lamp. Not only is the food mediocre, but they definitely overcharge for what you're getting. The staff looks annoyed every time you walk in. Oh, sorry I'm interrupting your day to do your job! Do yourself a favor and walk over to Budacki's!
(2)
Andrew B.
it's alright. a decent dog at a decent price,
(4)
Natalie S.
Do I heart Byron's because the food is delicious or because it is practically in my backyard and my husband and I can walk out our door and be there in less than a minute? Probably both. Best fries in America according to GQ? Really? I dunno if I would go that far... but they are delicious. My favorite is the gyros. The meat is pre-sliced so when you order it, they bust out an individual sized portion and throw it on the grill. It comes out so nice and crispy... I'm salivating just thinking about it...
(4)
Matt M.
Nothing too impressive on the menu. I've stopped here a couple of times and have always been disappointed. The food is not "bad", but it is certainly forgettable.
(3)
Rory B.
One day appetite warranted the Punisher. Head'splosion! They also make a Punisher junior with a single cheese burger. Not sure what I'm being punished for, but I kinda like it and want more.
(4)
Brendan C.
Great hot dog joint. Their burgers rock as well. They cook the food on the grill but add the toppings right in front of you so you get exactly what and how much of what you want on your food.
(4)
Mike B.
The dog was OK. I didn't like the gigantic mound of lettuce they put on top. The cheese dog didn't taste very cheesy. The fries tasted like McDonalds, but were soggy. That being said, I still ate them all. Good price, easy parking, free refills.
(3)
Emma F.
Warm Coffee (but I didn't get a chance to drink it) Nice dad and his son --- reminded me of the Santa Claus(e)!
(2)
David K.
Somehow, I recall their onion rings being better than they were yesterday. No matter. This is still a great place to get a Vienna beef hot dog or Polish. My Polish was perfectly charred and covered with everything: mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, relish, pickles, cucumbers, celery salt...and sport peppers (extra, of course!) Yes, it was messy, and I confess to using a fork, and no, I don't get this everyday. Are you kidding? I wouldn't be able to fit through the door if I did! Anyway, much to my regret, I didn't get the Green River soda, which I used to love, but overall this was an enjoyable lunch experience. This is a great place to enjoy a Chicago fast-food classic.
(4)
Dan G.
Just your basic good greasy hot dog place. Good burgers, killer cheese steak, and vienna hot dogs. Just be warned when you say everything on your dog they put everything on it they include lettuce and cucumbers As my friend said when he got his hot dog, "What is this a ***king salad on my hot dog." So be warned. Good fries, shoestring style, and friendly service. Not much more you can hope for in a hot dog place.
(3)
William L.
This place has been around since I was a kid and not a whole lot has changed. It's a great place to get a greasy meal or a solid hot dog. Just note, a dog with "everything" has a bit more than the usual: green peppers (+), lettuce (-), cucumbers (+), spicy sliced pickles (+). It's a bit pricey compared to most hot dog joints, but the fact that their tamales are homemade makes it worth the trip.
(4)
Dave S.
I added a star for one simple reason: The Punisher. A double cheese burger topped with a hefty mound of gyros meat. Be still my arrhythmical heart! I no longer have the dilemma of cheese burger or gyros... now if I can just figure our a way to squeeze an Italian sausage on that bad boy... :burp:
(5)
Mike F.
They have a dog called Dogzilla. Nuff said. Ok, I'll say a little more... Byron's is what it is, and does it very well. It's not Hot Doug's, nor does it aspire to be. It's a no frills place that turns out very good dogs at reasonable prices, even though purists might not like some of the extras (like lettuce) if you get everything on it. The buns don't survive under the weight of the toppings, so if you're a tidy eater, this might not be your place. I'd give it a 5th star if I liked the fries better. They're served in a paper bag, and often freshly cooked, but they're nothing special -- they taste like McDonald's fries. Service is attentive, fast and friendly. The small parking lot makes it convenient to pop in on a whim.
(4)
Jesse D.
I've only had one thing here - but, i've probably had it about 30 times (srsly). The #4 meal - double cheeseburger, fries and a drink. the cheeseburger has my favorite meat to cheese consistency in this type of burger joint (greasy spoon). but, here's the key to this place - they have Green River, and, they have it on tap. I don't know of another place in the city that has this.
(4)
Jason C.
Been coming here since I was a kid, and their food is still the bomb in terms of fast food. Fresh tasting, good menu, and yeah their fries are yum. They practically throw an entire salad on every hotdog, burger or polish sausage too.
(5)
Erica I.
I almost had to be rolled home because I was so full from this place! I always wondered what the food tasted like here because it looks a little different from your normal fast food chain, but don't let the looks deceive you! I had the cheeseburger meal, with fries and a drink. It was better than Wendy's or McDonalds for sure, but probably WAY worse for your poor little heart. Why is the good stuff always bad for you? The fries are served in a little paper bag, and you can see how it gets spotted from all the grease. The cheeseburger is pretty big, and you just tell the guy what you want on it and he loads it up! I definitely got way more food than I could eat, but tried my best to finish. The only bad thing were the prices. A cheeseburger meal was about $6.50, but I guess it is a little bit more food than any other fast food combo meals. They also had cake and pies and stuff in the cooler, but there's no way I could've fit that in my tummy. I was also pleased to learn they deliver! Crazy!
(4)
Abe D.
Why is it every time I come into this place I end up with an over cooked shriveling hot dog? I can still tell even though they try and hide it by putting all that crap on it. After the first bite attempt, I perpetually brush aside some of the toppings and look at a sad discolored dog that has been bathing to long in the water. Should the only way for me to overcome this be a lunch time visit? I remember when this Byron location was fresh and clean, it has not stayed this way over the years. Why is it that the "Help" always gives off the appearance of being the ex or future con type? As for the best fry rating, I think the GQ reviewer(s) never had anything else than McDonald's. What an insult to all the places in Chicago and throughout the country that have fresh cut fries done right. I smell a Chicago fix and has anyone actually seen this review. Seriously, their reputation as a "Great Hot dog Stand" doesn't even come anywhere close to the actually reality. Lettuce, green pepper, cucumber, foot-long, fries, meatloaf, ..., an extra star for their debatable innovativeness. I think that putting lettuce on a hot dog is even worse than ketchup. It is only Chicago and a few other places that avoid the use of ketchup and how many places throughout the world put on lettuce, coleslaw doesn't count? Through the garden my arse, it's a salad.
(2)
Scott S.
Best Chicago dog on the north side. Beef is ok, better ones available in the neighborhood.
(4)
Brendan S.
It only took me over 2 years to finally eat here on a whim. Here's why I'll be back. The Chili Cheese Fries were served as three separate sides. This allows you to mix whatever amount of cheese you want into the chili with the fries. Me? I just throw it all together in the end, but it's really tasty. The chili was thick and hearty and not overdone in the slightest. The service was a little slow, but really friendly. There were a few people in line. Get the Byron dog with everything. It's the right choice.
(4)
John S.
I live just around the corner from this place. Staff is always friendly and quick. Everything is cooked fresh when you order it making for hot and delicious food. I like their burgers. They have a sign that says GQ called them the best fries in America. Looked up the article, it basically says they have better fries than the other 8-10 hot dog places in Chicago. Taste like McDonald's fries to me. Overall it's fine food, not mind blowing by any stretch of the imagination. Good, fresh, and cheap.
(3)
Edward P.
Another gut-bomb lunch on a Sunday afternoon. I've had most things on the menu over the past year or so, and I've always left stuffed and happy. Well, except for the burgers...whatever. Today, I went for the italian beef. Biggest. Ever. Only complaint is that the beef was a little well for my liking . Quick word on the fries. They come advertised as "Best in the U.S." by GQ magazine. I don't know about the best, but they are pretty damn good. Here's a bonus - ample seating and parking. Love the place, but if my health insurance company knew about it, I'd be dropped.
(4)
Nicollette W.
I've been wanting to go to this place for a long time....especially when I heard they had CHEESE FRIES!! Hello yum-yums! I ordered a plain dog and some cheese fries. The fries were good - reminded me a bite of a mix between McDonalds and Wendy's. They had alot of mushy one's in my order...I love the mushy one's. The cheese fries actually was just fries with a huge side cup of cheese - which wasn't exactly what I was hoping for (I was thinking more of the smothered kind) but it still was good. I want to try a burger next time.
(3)
Eduardo M.
Ah, Byron's... this place is two blocks from the office, and on cold days when the cabin fever hits record highs, it's high time to hit this haven of spoon's so greasy. Now, I generally get a burger here - I like hot dogs with ketchup and mayo (yeah, yeah, I'm from california, shut up), and they look like they'd give me grief for asking for it like that. regardless. I can get my burger with no pickles and no onions, and they never mess it up. That's all I need out of a greasy spoon. this place is a keeper. I recommend.
(4)
Kap N.
I love this place. Last time i was in chicago we got dogs from a truck right outside the aquarium, they were good too, but this place blew that place out of the water. They loaded it up with both ketchup and mustard, and then followed that up with lettuce, onions, pickles, salt, oregano, pepper, and some magical stuff that made it taste freakin' good! I got the dog with some fries. I thought the dog was awesome, the fries... not so much.
(4)
Jacob Y.
Ok...this fast food joint, although greasy, serves an awesome $12 large pepperoni, sausage and jalapeno pizza...can't BEAT IT. The hot dogs are also excellent. And so are the burgers. And the fries. I sometimes wish they were open until midnight.
(4)
George F.
This place is awesome Chicago fast food. The dogs are insane and the burgers are terrific. Can't go wrong.
(5)
Marissa G.
Everything on your dog at his place include lettuce and green peppers...who does that? Other than that, it was good.
(3)
Matthew T.
5 stars because for fast food delivery, this is as good as it gets. I ordered online at chitownmenus.com and used that BLUE10 promotional code to get 10% off my order. I got the gyro sandwich and the fish sandwich, and made the mistake of assuming that since the fish sandwich was so cheap, that it was also small, so when my order arrived i was overwhelmed at the amount of food i was facing. The fish tasted fresh, or as fresh as fried fish can taste, and had all the fixins. The gyro had so much meat on it that i should have ordered an extra pita to make the meal a little less messy, but it was still delicious. Everything traveled unusually well for fast food, no soggy fries, buns, or pitas and i got an extra soda with my order, all for less than 15 bucks. I will do it again.
(5)
Rick M.
Before I start the review of the actual food, I need to give a nod to Byron's for having Green River in their soda machine. This neon green beverage looks like something the Toxic Avenger would drink at the gym, but trust me, it's delicious. It has that lime freeze-pop flavor that seems to go oh so well with a dog. As far as the hot dogs go, they are everything you've come to love in a Chicago Dog. Evidently, they're even in the Vienna Beef Hall of Fame! Be advised though, if you get everything on your dog make sure to grab a lot of napkins...they really load the toppings on. The fries were hot and fresh, and I thought a "small" bag of them was plenty to split between me and my out-of-town relative. All in all a great spot for a classic hot dog. The guys who waited on us were great, very friendly and quick about getting our order together. The atmosphere is probably one notch above your average hot dog stand, as they have comfy booths and an outdoor patio. I will definitely be back!
(4)
Derrick M.
It's Byron's. Pretty good hog dogs, Polishes, burgers, gyros, fries, and such. Quick and good service. Nothing more to say.
(3)
Michael M.
2 Words "Dog Zilla!" I actually ordered from this place the day of my wedding as there was no where else that delivered. When the person heard it was my wedding he totally hooked up me and my guys with a ton of food. One of the things they sent and had a note saying it was especially for me was Dog Zilla. This thing was Crazy I just uploaded a pic on my profile if you want to see it. If you are up this way Byron's is a sure thing.
(4)
David G.
I've ordered food from Byron's about five times. I gotta say the hot dogs would be decent if the buns weren't soggy and falling apart after the first bite every single time. There's not much worse than eating a hot dog off of a wet piece of mush. People were giving this place great reviews so I came back a few times to give it another try. Again and again I had the same issue with the hot dogs. Is it just me? When they see me coming, do they say "Hey it's the soggy bun guy. You know what to do!" The only positive to this place is that it's accessible and the food is cheap. Also they deliver and they take credit cards. I might give them another try one day, but only if I want something other than hot dogs. There are better hot dog places in the neighborhood.
(2)
Tracy K.
I order from here pretty often, and I always get the same thing. More than once, they have goofed and instead of giving me the veggie burger I ordered, they have given me beef or turkey burgers. That kind of thing happens sure, but its annoying. If not for their stellar customer service skills, I would not be ordering from there anymore. I have learned to order the veggie burger and then be sure to clarify with them that it is the one with no meat. Now that I am something of a regular, they are that much more friendly with me when I come in. And damn, but they have some good, greasy fries!
(4)
Richie D.
Definitely a great greasy thumb! I had their turkey sandwich which was very tasty. I just wish it had more fresh lettuce on it. I must go back for their specialty Dogzilla...but I'm afraid I quite possibly couldn't deep throat this one so I'm still a bit too intimidated!). They have all the right Chicago-style toppings. Good food selection and Great prices, did I say greasy? Order online and pick it up if you're looking for some quick, good eats. If you like it here, definitely check out the Mom 'n Pop Branko's joint in Lincoln Park.
(4)
Bobby M.
Cheap food, and they don't kiss your ass. Fries are really great.
(4)
Kristie R.
I absolutely loved this place. The food was delicious and and customer service was great. The lady behind the counter gave us our drinks and told us to have a seat and she would bring our food to us. One downfall, the dining area needed a bit of attention. A lot of the booths had rips in the seats and the floors could have used a broom and a mop. The ceiling looked like it had some massive water damage. If your looking for great food at pretty awesome prices this is the place for you. If you're looking for atmosphere and a hip neighborhood not so much.
(4)
Matthew B.
One of my favorite things about Chicago is the Chicago Hot Dog Stand. (You know you're in Chicagoland when all non-chain fast food joints offer Italian beef, hot dogs, pizza puffs, and gyros.) To me, Byron's is "best in class." It's clean. The staff is friendly. The hot dog, gyro, and fries that I have had all were quite good. The soda fountain has a fantastic selection including strawberry soda and Green River. I'm still working my way through the rest of the menu, but I don't really see how a hot dog stand could be any better. (But I will let you know if I do....)
(5)
Hoyne L.
Great amount of food for the price. Got a beef with sweet peppers. Unfortunately, they seemed to have sacrificed quality for quantity here. The fries and sweet peppers just look and taste sad. I'd maybe give their hot dog a try, but definitely wouldn't stop here for a beef again, when Chicago's got too many other spots that take pride in the beef!
(2)
Carri C.
I've tried the gyro and hot dogs. Good quality for the money. Friendly staff and everything looks clean. I like how they have parking.
(5)
Keely B.
I still love Byrons. A lot. In fact, I would give them 5 stars for how much I love them. There's just one problem. They don't deliver to my new place. Alas! Alack! I must now LEAVE MY HOME to nom a delicious turkey burger with a multitude of fresh vegetable toppings. Sigh.
(4)
Allison G.
Cheeseburgers: YUMMY. FRIES: SUPER YUMMY. (Isn't it amazing how difficult it is to find crispy, salty, delicious fries...they got um'!!) Hands down, the best hangover food in Chicago.
(5)
James N.
I have never had a Byron's dog until recently. I used to park right next to the one by Wrigley Field so I was pretty amped to finally see what their dogs are like. I ordered a hot dog (with everything , just to see what they consider everything), fries, and a large coke. They loaded the shit out of this hot dog with Everything you could imagine. Since when does a hot dog come with lettuce and a green pepper ? Anyways, they gave me my dog and cup for soda and this dude told me my fries would be ready in a second and he will bring them to me... About 10 minutes, one hot dog, and one large Green River later I still didn't have any fries. They guy then came out (to start eating his own lunch) and was like "Oh nobody gave you your fries?" He walked over to where you order and said something to the chef dude and then came back and said "sorry about that"... I thought, it's cool no big deal. I got up to go pee, came back and still no fries. So i just left. I was also left with the feeling that "this place sucks". The hot dog itself was pretty fucking good and I thought about it all day... I doubt I will go back though. Ok maybe once or twice.
(3)
Eric L.
Local Hot Dog spot really shines! Service with a smile! Best Hot Dogs at a place not called "Hot Dougs" in the city!
(4)
Alex V.
Great hot dogs, burgers and polish. I make sure to stop in every so often. They also have great fires. They always come hot and greasy. Top it off with a Green River and it's one heck of a meal. Service is always fast and friendly.
(4)
Kathleen C.
Good hot dogs, pizza puffs and fries made in front of you. I used to frequent the Lakeview location until I moved a little farther north. And I am SO LUCKY that this location is here! Although I did like the Irving Park location, this place has inside seating, outside seating and there were 5 guys taking our order and making our food so quickly! It was fantastic. Great, greasy food at great prices.
(4)
Rob F.
The food is pretty good, I like everything except the gyros, but that's what Hub's is for. I like their burgers and sausages. Their fries are also serviceable, but nothing to rave about.
(3)
Clint E.
Ordered a jumbo dog combo and got everything on it. Very good chicago-style dog with literally everything: radioactive relish, cucumbers, lettuce, pickles, peppers, celery salt, onions, mustard and NO KETCHUP. The fries were great too. -1 for a $7 dog/fries combo, but what are you gonna do? Plenty of places to sit and they had "Green River" soda which was fun but kinda grossed me out after half a cup ;)
(4)
Aaron S.
These guys do a great combo--really spicy sausage and they give you a ton of beef. No fries needed--the sandwich alone will stuff you. Scott's right about having to repeat your order, though I never noticed before today (must be newer staff). What's also nice is they accept credit cards with no minimum. *burp*. I'm going to sleep now at my desk.
(4)
Dominic R.
Gotta love Byron's........a great grease pit when i am in the mood for some grease! It's your basic hot dog joint, and they make the food right in front of you......and have everything, so when you ask for everything on your hot dog, watch them LOAD it up!! The prices are not too bad but the customer service has always been great. They know me when I walk in and usually are trying to guess what i am having that day. "you going with a beef today or whacha having". Nice guy. The only negative is their french fries. I just wish they had some thicker fries. or how i like to say "TICKER" fries!!
(4)
Dustin H.
Great lunch place when healthy isn't a concern and I want a great burger and fries...
(3)
Mark R.
My wife and I both had the philly cheese steak and it was delicious! The fries are excellent as well. The best way we could think to describe them was as McDonald's fries, but with a home made, "real" taste to them. The guy cooking was a blast to watch as well, kinda added a bit of entertainment while I waited for my food. The customer service was all around very good as well. Their dining area was a bit dingy though, and felt dated. No doubt I'll be going back though, great stuff!
(4)
Amy L.
Ever since my hubby introduced me to this place I've gone back quite a few times. He used to go to the Irving Park one but I work near this branch so I like to frequent between here and Budacki's if I am craving a chicken sandwich, fries, or a great hot dog. The great thing about this place is they can pile on your burger, sandwich or hot dog with tons of different fillings which is a big plus to me. Their customer service is good too. Very fast and I would probably choose this place if I wanted to go to a grease joint that's cleaner. I usually don't end up waiting more than 5 minutes when I go during my lunch breaks on weekdays. I've yet to try their other things but I'm sure they're good too. Prices are also reasonable. And they have a free parking lot.
(3)
Renato P.
I haven't been here in a while , but I can sum this place up with the phrase "salad on a bun" . They put EVERYTHING on their sandwiches , be it burger , hot dog or chicken sandwich. Heroic amounts of lettuce , tomato's , green peppers , pickles , relish , cucumbers ... I think that's it ,but damn , they stack it inches high. All the food I've had here is from good to very good. Are there better places for burgers , sure , but this one is good if you are in the area , plus , it's open pretty late.
(4)
Julee M.
Byron's is where I usually go if I'm in the mood for fast, greasy food. It's not the best but it's a couple blocks from my house. They have a huge menu and you can pretty much find any food that is bad for you that you could possibly want. Their burgers basically come with a salad on top. That is nice and all but you can barely find the meat. They taste ok though. Their dogs however are really good, as are their fries.
(3)
Ashley B.
Another great Chicago Hot Dog stop, and probably the last, on our '09 tour. When you walk in, the smell of grills and grease hits you in the face. A very simple and obvious menu awaits you as you choose what you want. Step up to the counter (much friendlier than other places we've been to) and order up. We got hot dogs and both were ready in a matter of a minute or two. This counter is kind of like the Subway of hot dog places, you walk along with the cook as he loads up your dog with the works. I love the bottomless refills and the bag of fries. And they take plastic! First place we've been this year that took more than cash! Amazing. The seating area was pretty standard. Could have been cleaner and kept up a bit more, but this was only noticeable after we were done being serenaded by an adorable red-haired girl singing along to Taylor Swift on the radio. Precious. Overall, a great lunch stop.
(4)
Curran F.
Went to Byron's because I heard the burgers were good. I was not impressed. The fries were lukewarm, the burgers were basic greasy burgers. The Chicago dog was good, and they do put a lot of toppings on the burgers. But, I don't ever need to come back.
(2)
Martin P.
The Burgers are Great! Choose from many fresh toppings! the Polishes are great too. Enough fries to choKe a mule! What more could you ask for.
(4)
Rick V.
The original Chicago style dog; the "salad on a bun". The true test of a real Chicago style hot dog? Celery salt! I used to crave the triple cheeseburgers here when I was a teenager, but I don't think I could eat them now. Good fries and shakes, too.
(3)
Heather H.
If you are hungover and in need of a HUGE cheeseburger with a crispy and yummy order of fries, this is your place. The burgers are not hand pressed but they are still good.
(4)
Scott C.
Good gyros, average hamburgers, good italian beefs. One thing with this place though, they make you repeat your order five times, and always seem confused about it. Or you'll give your order to one guy, and then he goes in the back and another guy comes up and takes your order again. Always confusion in this place. And it's not one person, everyone who works here is like that. So make sure you get your order clear, especially if you order delivery. They have parking, and you get to pour your own pop, so you can mix pops, which I like!
(3)
vinesh m.
Thought this place was pretty good. My wife and I drive by this place all the time and just the other day we thought we would check it out; it wasn't half bad. They were out of the jumbo dog so we settled for two regular dog combos. The dogs weren't all oily and the fries came in a great cone that reminded me of a old school diner. We also opted for the cheesecake in the case, not half bad. I gave 3 stars because of the whole jumbo dog thing, but I will probably be back and then we'll see how they stand up.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot 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 : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Rebecca M.
Byron's does not disappoint. I didn't get the usual Chicago style hot dog. They have really great onion rings shaped like sticks. The french fries are o.k but I would not eat a lot of them. Overall this place is great!
(4)Liz Z.
Ordered thru grub hub a lord Byron, chicago style hot dog and chili dog. The lord was a delicious burger. Loaded with everything, the bun contained its shape. Chili dog was average. The chicago style hot dog was a sloppy mess. Sloppy meaning the bun was soaked and gross. Interesting that the chili dogs bun was perfect despite being slathered in chili. I have had a Chicago style dog several times and never had a juicy drenched bun. I contacted grub hub to report my dissatisfaction. They proceeded to call the restaurant to see if this disgusting dog can be replaced. The female hefer refused to do anything and stated "well if you load it up with veggies, it's going to get soaked". Really?! WTF! Just based on this terrible service I would not recommend or ever order again. Welcome to America! Country of high standards even if it's just a hot dog.
(2)Tom Z.
Customer service was meh. They asked me about 15 times, throughout the time standing in the food line as they made each person's order, what order was. Confirming and re-confirming and forgetting parts of the order. All the way up until I paid. Very annoying, like they weren't really paying attention the entire time. Food was also not that great. I got their Italian beef, some cheese fries (which is just fries with cheese in a plastic container), and a shake. Italian beef wasn't very tender, but thick and somewhat dry to me. Fries were definitely not that great being mushy and floppy. That's fine, but nothing special. Shake was as good as you can get coming out of a big shake machine. A little disappointing, nothing special about them.
(3)David F.
I remember going to the outer space themed Byron's at Clark & Norwood when I was a kid, so I've got a soft spot for 'em. That said, they make a good, solid Chicago dog! My buddy swears by the burgers, which I've twice at most. I usually don't stray from the shoestring fries and a hotdog, so I can't attest to the whole menu. Chicago dog comes loaded with sport peppers, onions, tomatoes, relish, and pickles; this definitely a two-handed experience. In short, Byron's is good for cheap, classic Chicago fast food eats!
(4)Real K.
I ordered ONE hot dog and ONE drink. Within 30 seconds I was pushed to the register to pay for 2 hot dogs, 2 orders of fries and no drink. There was nobody in line but me. Not sure of what language you're supposed to speak in this place to order but it's definitely not English. They can't even run a hot dog stand.
(1)Ashley M.
I have always enjoyed their hot dogs, but tried their double cheeseburger for the first time and it was amazing! Their burger/cheese/bun ratio was fantastic and the veggie/hot dog toppings on it brought it over the top (giardiniera, relish, celery salt...). Service was friendly and quick.
(5)Joanna L.
Sadly I have not been here in a couple years because I no longer work near here, but I have not forgotten this place. I think I may have had their hot dog and fries a couple times, but why this place will always be so special to me is because of their amazing pizza. It honestly may be the best pizza I have ever had. I know this place does not specialize in pizza but whatever they are doing rocks. I highly recommend the pizza and to make the deal even sweeter is the great price.
(5)Pierre W.
OK, I finally made it here!!!... I got lost a couple of times. Had to call in for directions...and I HAD GPS!!!!(smh) Anyway, I had expectations, and was hungry. I was satisfied!! I drove all the way to Byrons for the Lord Byron Burger. I got full just lookin at the photo..so I settled for a TRIPPLE Cheeseburger & fries. I was completely satisfied..even WITH all the "getting lost WITH GPS".. the service was good ,kind ,and the food was brought out TO me....nice. The burger was filling to say the least...and tasty. I was pleased and plan to return in the future.
(4)Tom Z.
Yum! I had the jumbo hot dog with everything. This is the closest hot dog I've found to the long gone Tast-e Hast-e from the NW Side. The dog had a salad on top and that's a good thing. The toppings were all fresh. The fries were good. If they were crinkle-cut, they would be perfect. It is clean inside with a lot of tables. The people were very friendly and said "Goodbye" as I was leaving. They have bike parking, but do to the construction at this time (October, 2014) It wasn't easily accessible. I will return when I'm in the area...
(4)Robert C.
If you've ever been to a saw mill, you'll understand the imagery I use to describe my ardent fervor for Byron's Hot Dogs: I ate my dog like a buzz saw. They do the hot dog right.
(4)Gordan K.
I ordered 2 hot dogs and fries. The cook looked at the cashier and told her "hey pop some hot dogs in there". She went over and plopped several hot dogs in the hot water, without washing her hands after handling the cash register. She told me and my girlfriend to have a seat and that she would bring the food out to us. ...15 patient minutes later I go back to the counter to ask about my food. I had to interrupt the two employees who were cracking jokes to get their attention. The guy looks at me like im some kind of asshole and then realizes what had happened. He panics a little, and says "oh 2 hot dogs right? how did you want them?". ...just ...wow. 5 minutes later i got my food. The fries were the most disgusting thing ive ever tasted. They were dry, cold, and tasteless. And considering they just keep old fries sitting under a heat lamp for god knows how long, this makes perfect sense. I will admit that we went there at 9pm, an hour before they close. While I can empathize with food service people wanting to get out of work on time, the customer experience and quality of food should never take a back seat. The convenience of having this place right in my neighborhood will not be reason enough for me to go back. Next time I will rather get in the car and drive across town.
(1)UncleMichael V.
Byrons, ah that name that screams classic neighborhood fast food. Known for the great fast food it's their hot dogs that are taken through the garden(see it to know what I mean), and their great burgers. Free parking and nostalgic decor, accepts credit cards and open for lunch or dinner. Get their double cheeseburger, pair it with their famous french fries with cheese and wash it all down with a large soda. Can't get better than that, unless you're counting calories.
(4)Eric H.
This place is okay. The hot dogs and burgers are good, but the service can be so-so. The cashiers are usually great, it's the chef that is kind of iffy. He seemed really pissed off one night when we came in 15 minutes before they closed and wanted to order something. He tried to talk us out of it for a few minutes, before finally caving and proceeded to stop around for the next 10 minutes making our food. Average fries, burgers, hotdogs, wings, etc. They have all of the standards. There aren't many other late night options in this neighborhood so they have a bit of an advantage.
(3)Turkey B.
Who says that hot dogs are bad for you? Never mind that they are made mostly of pig buttholes and eyelids. I just ate 6 different vegetables on my hot dog. Sure you can make an argument from a botanical (pomological to be more precise) perspective that the tomatoes, cucumbers, and pickles are, in fact fruits. As evident by the seeds growing inside them) We're not splitting hairs here, people; if you want to fight about it I'll meet you in the parking lot! I'm talking to you, Bill Nye. But let me state once again, I just ate a hot dog with 6 vegetables on it! The tomatoes are surprisingly fresh, the relish is a satisfyingly radioactive shade of green. Lettuce on a Chicago dog, why not? Stay away from the sweet peppers, and have them top your dog with about 7 or 8 Sport Peppers. This place is quintessentially blue-collar Chicago eatin.' No exaggeration here, sitting across from me was a divorced dad who took his three kids here to "make up for lost time." He did it right. The black duct-tape covering the holes in the booth benches adds character to this place. The burn of the celery salt in all of the cuts in your labored hands will send sensations throughout your body. Be sure to pair your dog with a tamale, toppings can get messy, but taste great if they fall atop your tamale.
(4)Jared W.
We used to enjoy their food. But it seems like it always takes forever to get here. Normally I am not opposed to waiting a little bit but our cheese burger and turkey burger took 2 hours to get to us. Needless to say I cancelled the order and will definitely get my money back. Adios byrons
(1)Colin T.
Usually I would visit a place more than once before writing a review. With that said, I ordered a hot dog, with cheese, fries with cheese and a coke fountain drink. The total came to $10. I was a little.. ok, ALOT supprised but the guys at the counter assured me their accounting was correct. I think they charged .75 cents twice for the cheese on the dog and the fries. Still, really steep. Even Portillos isnt this much, and this is NO Portillos. The hot dog was mediocre, the onions on it were insanely overpowering. Think, overpiwering as in you taste them for 24 hours, no kidding. The fries had been sitting under a heat lamp and were not even close to being fresh. Think, stale. All in all, this was GROSS food and I wouldn't eat it again if someone paid me.
(1)Dustin G.
This wasn't the best Chicago dog experience I've ever had. Since moving to the neighborhood I've been wanting to try this place so one afternoon we stopped in for lunch. I ordered the Polish and my husband had the jumbo dog. The first thing that turned me off was the cook. He was touching everything with his bare hands. He picked up sausages and threw them onto the grill with his hands then he picked them up off the grill and put them in buns with his hands. Yeah, that's kinda gross. Next, they told us it would be a minute so we waited at a table. They brought the dogs to us, which was nice except they didn't tell us which was which. I'm pretty sure I accidentally ate my husband's jumbo dog. Also, there was no plastic cutlery to be found. You at least need a fork when eating a Chicago dog. The food was ok. The fries were really good. I'd go back just for those... mainly because I know you can't reach your hand into the fryer to pick them up. Also, the desserts in the display looked amazingly good.
(3)Steven G.
I went to Byron's for a gyros. I am watching my carbs and a gyros no pita is usually a good choice. As I was standing in line I noticed a sign with buffalo wings on it so I asked if they were breaded. I was told that they were deep fried so they had to be breaded. That should have been my clue to run. Real buffalo wings are not breaded and are deep fried. So I ordered the gyros and instead of turning on the rotisserie and cooking a gyros they dumped meat on the flat grill and cooked it. I was dumb enough to hope this would be good. It wasn't. The gyros was dry and crunchy, burnt in places. I will never go back.
(1)Heather R.
Worst. Chicago. Dog. Ever. No sport peppers, no pickle spear, tons of lettuce, green pepper, overpoweringly strong onions, and cucumbers. What?!? They did get the green relish correct but the rest of this horrible concoction was barely edible. Partially stale/partially soggy bun (no poppy seeds?!?) and flabby, lukewarm fries. We gave them a try twice, figuring everyone has a bad night here or there, but both times the dogs were as I described: Disgusting. Won't be back, ever. Instead we'll take a little walk to Budacki's, just up the way on Damen. Those guys know how to do Chicago Dogs right (and lots of other things like gyros & polish dogs, too) and they're incredibly nice to boot.
(1)John D.
Great burger and hot dog joint. What's really special about this place that separates it from other excellent hotdog and burger places is their veggies. They really load up each dish with a ton of fresh veggies and I mean a ton. Their fries are thinner and crispy and come in a separate bag to keep them hot.
(4)John S.
Ok so it is called Byrin's hot dog Haus and I don't go here for hot dogs. Instead I go for the burger. They have a triple here and I must say it is great for a fast food burger. The fries here are awesome also. The dinning room is straight out of the 70s but that is ok. Another big plus is they have a parking lot which is a major bonus of any place in the city. The best fast food burger joint in the neighborhood by far.
(4)Adam B.
Solid cheap city food. Great people, awesome desserts, and a hangover elixir just a block away.
(4)Liz K.
This place is great. There are a lot of menu options. The service is quick and the workers are so friendly. They have a parking lot that you can usually get a spot in. The only downside is that I can't eat here more often since Id probably get heart disease. The gyros and hot dogs are sure delicious.
(4)Mr X.
Punisher! Double cheeseburger topped with gyro meat & all topped up...da bomb yo!
(5)Bonnie R.
Delicious food. Very fast service. I have been ordering from them for years. They deliver for small orders too. All of their food is delicious.
(5)Nick D.
These doggs are real good. Everything you ever wanted in a dogg joint. Got the awe man I love these doggs feelin when I ate them.
(5)David R.
These guys make a mean corn dog. And by "mean" I mean in the metaphorical sense indicating expertise. I dabbed some black pepper mustard on that thing and went to heaven on a stick. Guess what? They also make a top-notch turkey burger. It's big and meaty and tasty. I asked for it with onions and pickles, thinking that I'd add a few dabs of barbecue sauce at home. But it was so good that it didn't need any sauce. That's the mark of an excellent sandwich. When I'm working from home, I consider only a small handful of lunch options: within short walking distance, brief or no waiting times, and maybe a little decadent. Byron's definitely qualifies.
(4)AJ S.
I just moved to the area, and while out walking I found them. I can't say enough good things about them. They made the best burger I have had in a while and the fries were amazing. It's good food, at good prices. Also, the staff is super nice. When I had my hard of hearing Dad in with me they were amazing. They never hurried him or made him feel bad. That makes them good as gold in my book. Go on Thursday for an amazing 5 buck special!!!
(5)David Z.
Trekked over from Lincoln Square because I saw they offer 3 miles per dollar spent for American Airlines credit card members. The hot dogs were decent. I went ahead and ordered one of their normal dogs with everything, and then I was surprised to see a crap-ton of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers on the hot dog, along with some of the more usual Chicago toppings (mustard, relish, etc). The dog wasn't bad, but I ended up wishing I had just gotten a normal Chicago-style dog. It was sort of like a salad plopped right on top of a hot dog. I also had a chicken sandwich, which I think I liked a little better. Again, I wasn't blown away, but the sandwich was big and pretty tasty. All in all, I'd say you could do much worse than Byron's. Apparently the hot dogs were once served at the white house (if you go in you'll see plenty of references to that), so I guess if the hot dogs were good enough for the president, they're good enough for me as well.
(3)Jane S.
Horrible! ! I could not finish my greasy food because the sewer smell coming from the bathrooms was making me sick. Also, the staff is not friendly or that smart.
(1)Carina M.
This was our hot dog place to go to when we lived in Chicago. Right around the corner from hubby's office and a short drive from our place, it was the one fast food restaurant we could agree upon. I used to order the #12 - 2 hot dogs and fries with a drink. Service is fairly quick and friendly. I love their steamed buns on the hot dogs...and this is where I swear the best shoestring fries are cooked - always crispy, always fresh and always hot.
(4)Dennis L.
I was pleasantly surprised by Byron's. No doubt about it, you better not be watching your waistline here. It's a greasy spoon hot dog joint with a good variety of items that will definitely get you full. I ended up trying their specialty - the Dogzilla. For lack of a better way of describing it...that hot dog has some girth to it! The skin was crispy and flavorful The dog was covered in lettuce, onion, cucumber, pickle, relish, and mustard. I also tried the fries that everyone says are amazing. They are pretty decent but certainly not the best I have had. Bryron's is worth checking out!
(4)Native Princess F.
WOW!!! Stopped in for a hunger emergency and...blew my freaking taste buds away!!! They have a burger that's called 'The Punisher' 2 patties with gyro meat and whatever toppings you want :-) by the time he was done putting together my order it was HUGE :-) I shared the majority of it with my bf, I threw in some cheesy fries and we were in heaven.
(5)Tom T.
This joint serves one mean dog. Try the polish or the brat. Been coming here since '93 and this place has survived area gentrification with fancy ships popping up in every corner for the simple fact that they serve good comfort fast food.
(3)An P.
Italian Beef Crawl Stop #7: Byron's Hot Dogs Byron's, located by Lawrence and Ashland has been around as long as I can remember. The irony of this is that I've only set foot in there once and that was to get a burger (at a hot dog spot). Big mistake! Byron's also serves up some of Chicago's most delicious beefs. Byron's beef was awesome. Chock full of large hunks of giardiniera you could pick them up and chew them for heat and texture. This dreamy beef was soaked and flowed juices leading me to go into overdrive. When you have beef this good you really just can't put it down. There were piles of sandwiches and beefs as almost all of the beefeaters had their fill. Not only this but Byron's served us up some crisp shoestring fries and carried another Chicago classi: the almighty Pizza Puff. If you are looking for crazy amounts of fast food, head on to Byron's. Oh did I mention they deliver and are on GrubHub!? FTMFW
(5)David F.
I have been going to Byron's since the only shop they had was on Irving and Sheridan. I remember the Halsted and Lake store, the North and Clybourn store and the Clark and Elmdale super store. The Lawrence location is my favorite Byron's. The hot dogs are good, the chicken sandwich is good, the fries are good, they have Green River, and the polish is grilled to a tasty perfection. Out of this world! I even had the opportunity to have a meal with Ronnie Woo-Woo (Cubs fame) when he was allegedly "missing". It was me that spilled the beans Ronnie. What would make this a 5? Better fries. Fresh, not frozen. It is still a go to place for me.
(4)Stefanie M.
Lettce does not come on a chicago hot dog! Lettuce?? Really? Not a vey good place. Ordered a hot dog with everything, they asked me if I wanted it chicago style, I said yes, and then they put lettuce on it! Plus green pepper and cucumbers! That's just odd and not chicago style at all! It didn't even come on a poppy seed bun! You might as well put ketchup at that point! Thet obviously don't know what they are doing. It was super dirty in there as well, all the tables were dirty from previous customers. It was super gross. Plus, the cashier was pretty rude an seemed as if we were inconviencing him because he wante to pay separate. He just assumed we were all paying together, never even aske us. Won't be back!
(1)Amanda M.
First day of my holiday vacation and after being up and about at the ass-crack of dawn to pack and all of that tedious pre-holiday stuff, come 1030am and I'm STARVING. I pulled up GrubHub to find what was open. I came across Byron's, and for whatever reason, I at some point in the past gave it only one star. I am going to assume it was from my drunken early 20's and I was crabby about something else while in a haze of tequila. A.N.Y.W.A.Y. A dog sounded really good, as did some shoestring fries with cheese. Ordered and *BOOM*. It was delivered in like, 25 minutes. Everything was hot and delicious and super-unhealthy and made my holiday packing just a bit less sucky. And the delivery guy was very nice.
(4)Dave H.
Great burger joint next to the office, great fries and reasonably priced.
(4)Amy B.
This place is tops when you're craving dogs and grill food. Their hot dogs are amazing, steamed buns and all. And I love that they use round, crunchy, delicious pickles. They put together your dog right in front of you, and always acquiesce to ridiculous requests like, "As many pickles as you can legally give me, please." And their corn dogs? Heavenly. Seriously. Their fries are crispy and always fresh. There's always somewhere to sit and eat and there's parking. The tables are clean and they've always got Red Eyes to read. The staff is super friendly too. The only reason I didn't give a glowing 5-star review: it's pricier than most hot dog joints. Their food is outrageously good, but what can I say, I'm thrifty!
(4)Emily K.
It's your standard Chicago dog but they go bananas with the condiments. I love it. It's like they put a salad on top of your hot dog. And they use the correct kind of relish here...you know, the kind that comes in that neon greenish color which is found nowhere in nature. Also, huge pickle slices and lots of celery salt. I usually get the jumbo dog. They use Vienna Beef as well which is good. Oh and did I mention, they have GREEN RIVER soda. That's right, GREEN RIVER. It's the only place in Chicago I've ever seen it. If you ever wondered what the color green tastes like, try it. Pairs well with the relish. I come here quite often. They are always super nice and dogs are always delicious.
(4)Paul S.
Thurs $5 burger special, delicious
(5)L J.
Ordered a hot dog with everything on it. DIdn't think I had to specify no lettuce, green peppers, or cucumbers. (Cucumbers, really??) I ordered a hot dog, not a salad. Everyone in Chicago knows what "everything" is. Shame on me for not checking in with Yelp first. Shame on Byron's for serving that.
(1)Rachel G.
I have been coming here since I was a little kid. I mean, really... since I was like 7 years old. My dad used to take me and my brother and their foot was always really good. I just took my husband (from Arizona) here and he had the Dogzilla. Geez, that thing was huge. He tried my Chicago style dog. But his Dogzilla was our dinner entertainment. Ok, ok... we got a bit graphic with the monstrous size dog... we had a "how far can you throat it without gagging contest" - hahaha. I won. (Hey, we're married... we don't mind each others spit, lol.) Amazing food. You could close your eyes and pick something randomly off the menu board and it would be delicious. Seriously. I've tried everything. Everything is good. They even won an award for the best fries in Chicago. Add cheese... yummmmmm.
(5)Emily K.
I live across the street and come here basically all the time - sober, drunk, and definitely every time I'm hungover. I've clockwatched until the strike of 10:30am before so I can crawl across the street and eat cheese fries in my headache stupor. It's a decent hot dog. Vienna Beef dog and steamed bun. Pretty inexpensive. They used to give you a giant sack of fries but they've scaled back (same bag, less fries) - which is really fine. The best thing about Byron's used to be when I got a cup of cheese for my fries to go they were the only place I have ever been where you have too much cheese once your fries are done. So I would walk around my house and search for things to dip in it - bonus if I actually had taco chips on hand but rye bread would do in a pinch (let the record state I am no longer hungry at this point, just a fan of nacho cheese and also I am gross). They must have caught on because now they give you an appropriately sized cup of cheese. Good gyros too but if you go later in the day I don't see it on the spit and they pull the meat from the fridge - I don't like that.
(3)Matt D.
Great food. I typically have food delivered from here and it is always fast and great!
(5)Jamie H.
I'd driven by this place so many times and always thought to myself "I need to go there!' So, after a long weekend away I decided to wrap up the weekend of bad eating with a stop to Byrons and get a gyro meal. My roommate and I split it and that was a wise decision...the fries were HUGE! The gyro, tzatziki sauce and fries were all very tasty.
(4)Kimberly B.
Definitely not the best hot dog stand around. It's expensive compared to other nearby burger joints and the quality isn't as good. The only time I was there, the ice dispenser on the soda machines was dirty (what looked like dried on splatter from sodas) and the fries were super oily. Even though we're basically right next door, we never eat here because no one in the house likes it. We'd rather walk a mile or so to a good burger/hot dog than settle for the convenience.
(2)Anthony S.
This place is hit or miss. The last time I ordered was definitely a miss. Last week, I got the beef and sausage combo meal and they showed up with just a sandwich. No drink and no fries. I called immediately and they said the driver would return in 10 minutes. 45 minutes later he had not returned. Besides that, their beef and sausage combo, that is hailed as so good.....yeah not so much. Morse is much better and the prices are as well.
(2)Allan M.
Another fast food place that has aged well over the years for me. Very wide menu, decent variety of combos, and the prices are all worth it. They always are very generous with the fries here, and I think the other reviews sum it up better than anything I could say. So damn strange I've never heard about the Dog Zilla after all my years of eating here, though! I think they're down to 3 locations today, which is here, Irving/Sheridan, and the Madison Ave. location in Forest Park. Fifth star for all the childhood memories I've had eating here, their outdoor patio, and for serving GREEN RIVER!
(5)Lizz M.
I've been to Byron's about three times in my life. I like to try a place a few times before I post a Yelp review for consistency purposes, and all three times I've been to Byron's, it's been "meh". Their food is really subpar. Their kitchen looks really sloppy and not like something they clean all too much. I've had their hot dog and fries; both of which are soggy. They leave their fries under a heating lamp. Not only is the food mediocre, but they definitely overcharge for what you're getting. The staff looks annoyed every time you walk in. Oh, sorry I'm interrupting your day to do your job! Do yourself a favor and walk over to Budacki's!
(2)Andrew B.
it's alright. a decent dog at a decent price,
(4)Natalie S.
Do I heart Byron's because the food is delicious or because it is practically in my backyard and my husband and I can walk out our door and be there in less than a minute? Probably both. Best fries in America according to GQ? Really? I dunno if I would go that far... but they are delicious. My favorite is the gyros. The meat is pre-sliced so when you order it, they bust out an individual sized portion and throw it on the grill. It comes out so nice and crispy... I'm salivating just thinking about it...
(4)Matt M.
Nothing too impressive on the menu. I've stopped here a couple of times and have always been disappointed. The food is not "bad", but it is certainly forgettable.
(3)Rory B.
One day appetite warranted the Punisher. Head'splosion! They also make a Punisher junior with a single cheese burger. Not sure what I'm being punished for, but I kinda like it and want more.
(4)Brendan C.
Great hot dog joint. Their burgers rock as well. They cook the food on the grill but add the toppings right in front of you so you get exactly what and how much of what you want on your food.
(4)Mike B.
The dog was OK. I didn't like the gigantic mound of lettuce they put on top. The cheese dog didn't taste very cheesy. The fries tasted like McDonalds, but were soggy. That being said, I still ate them all. Good price, easy parking, free refills.
(3)Emma F.
Warm Coffee (but I didn't get a chance to drink it) Nice dad and his son --- reminded me of the Santa Claus(e)!
(2)David K.
Somehow, I recall their onion rings being better than they were yesterday. No matter. This is still a great place to get a Vienna beef hot dog or Polish. My Polish was perfectly charred and covered with everything: mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, relish, pickles, cucumbers, celery salt...and sport peppers (extra, of course!) Yes, it was messy, and I confess to using a fork, and no, I don't get this everyday. Are you kidding? I wouldn't be able to fit through the door if I did! Anyway, much to my regret, I didn't get the Green River soda, which I used to love, but overall this was an enjoyable lunch experience. This is a great place to enjoy a Chicago fast-food classic.
(4)Dan G.
Just your basic good greasy hot dog place. Good burgers, killer cheese steak, and vienna hot dogs. Just be warned when you say everything on your dog they put everything on it they include lettuce and cucumbers As my friend said when he got his hot dog, "What is this a ***king salad on my hot dog." So be warned. Good fries, shoestring style, and friendly service. Not much more you can hope for in a hot dog place.
(3)William L.
This place has been around since I was a kid and not a whole lot has changed. It's a great place to get a greasy meal or a solid hot dog. Just note, a dog with "everything" has a bit more than the usual: green peppers (+), lettuce (-), cucumbers (+), spicy sliced pickles (+). It's a bit pricey compared to most hot dog joints, but the fact that their tamales are homemade makes it worth the trip.
(4)Dave S.
I added a star for one simple reason: The Punisher. A double cheese burger topped with a hefty mound of gyros meat. Be still my arrhythmical heart! I no longer have the dilemma of cheese burger or gyros... now if I can just figure our a way to squeeze an Italian sausage on that bad boy... :burp:
(5)Mike F.
They have a dog called Dogzilla. Nuff said. Ok, I'll say a little more... Byron's is what it is, and does it very well. It's not Hot Doug's, nor does it aspire to be. It's a no frills place that turns out very good dogs at reasonable prices, even though purists might not like some of the extras (like lettuce) if you get everything on it. The buns don't survive under the weight of the toppings, so if you're a tidy eater, this might not be your place. I'd give it a 5th star if I liked the fries better. They're served in a paper bag, and often freshly cooked, but they're nothing special -- they taste like McDonald's fries. Service is attentive, fast and friendly. The small parking lot makes it convenient to pop in on a whim.
(4)Jesse D.
I've only had one thing here - but, i've probably had it about 30 times (srsly). The #4 meal - double cheeseburger, fries and a drink. the cheeseburger has my favorite meat to cheese consistency in this type of burger joint (greasy spoon). but, here's the key to this place - they have Green River, and, they have it on tap. I don't know of another place in the city that has this.
(4)Jason C.
Been coming here since I was a kid, and their food is still the bomb in terms of fast food. Fresh tasting, good menu, and yeah their fries are yum. They practically throw an entire salad on every hotdog, burger or polish sausage too.
(5)Erica I.
I almost had to be rolled home because I was so full from this place! I always wondered what the food tasted like here because it looks a little different from your normal fast food chain, but don't let the looks deceive you! I had the cheeseburger meal, with fries and a drink. It was better than Wendy's or McDonalds for sure, but probably WAY worse for your poor little heart. Why is the good stuff always bad for you? The fries are served in a little paper bag, and you can see how it gets spotted from all the grease. The cheeseburger is pretty big, and you just tell the guy what you want on it and he loads it up! I definitely got way more food than I could eat, but tried my best to finish. The only bad thing were the prices. A cheeseburger meal was about $6.50, but I guess it is a little bit more food than any other fast food combo meals. They also had cake and pies and stuff in the cooler, but there's no way I could've fit that in my tummy. I was also pleased to learn they deliver! Crazy!
(4)Abe D.
Why is it every time I come into this place I end up with an over cooked shriveling hot dog? I can still tell even though they try and hide it by putting all that crap on it. After the first bite attempt, I perpetually brush aside some of the toppings and look at a sad discolored dog that has been bathing to long in the water. Should the only way for me to overcome this be a lunch time visit? I remember when this Byron location was fresh and clean, it has not stayed this way over the years. Why is it that the "Help" always gives off the appearance of being the ex or future con type? As for the best fry rating, I think the GQ reviewer(s) never had anything else than McDonald's. What an insult to all the places in Chicago and throughout the country that have fresh cut fries done right. I smell a Chicago fix and has anyone actually seen this review. Seriously, their reputation as a "Great Hot dog Stand" doesn't even come anywhere close to the actually reality. Lettuce, green pepper, cucumber, foot-long, fries, meatloaf, ..., an extra star for their debatable innovativeness. I think that putting lettuce on a hot dog is even worse than ketchup. It is only Chicago and a few other places that avoid the use of ketchup and how many places throughout the world put on lettuce, coleslaw doesn't count? Through the garden my arse, it's a salad.
(2)Scott S.
Best Chicago dog on the north side. Beef is ok, better ones available in the neighborhood.
(4)Brendan S.
It only took me over 2 years to finally eat here on a whim. Here's why I'll be back. The Chili Cheese Fries were served as three separate sides. This allows you to mix whatever amount of cheese you want into the chili with the fries. Me? I just throw it all together in the end, but it's really tasty. The chili was thick and hearty and not overdone in the slightest. The service was a little slow, but really friendly. There were a few people in line. Get the Byron dog with everything. It's the right choice.
(4)John S.
I live just around the corner from this place. Staff is always friendly and quick. Everything is cooked fresh when you order it making for hot and delicious food. I like their burgers. They have a sign that says GQ called them the best fries in America. Looked up the article, it basically says they have better fries than the other 8-10 hot dog places in Chicago. Taste like McDonald's fries to me. Overall it's fine food, not mind blowing by any stretch of the imagination. Good, fresh, and cheap.
(3)Edward P.
Another gut-bomb lunch on a Sunday afternoon. I've had most things on the menu over the past year or so, and I've always left stuffed and happy. Well, except for the burgers...whatever. Today, I went for the italian beef. Biggest. Ever. Only complaint is that the beef was a little well for my liking . Quick word on the fries. They come advertised as "Best in the U.S." by GQ magazine. I don't know about the best, but they are pretty damn good. Here's a bonus - ample seating and parking. Love the place, but if my health insurance company knew about it, I'd be dropped.
(4)Nicollette W.
I've been wanting to go to this place for a long time....especially when I heard they had CHEESE FRIES!! Hello yum-yums! I ordered a plain dog and some cheese fries. The fries were good - reminded me a bite of a mix between McDonalds and Wendy's. They had alot of mushy one's in my order...I love the mushy one's. The cheese fries actually was just fries with a huge side cup of cheese - which wasn't exactly what I was hoping for (I was thinking more of the smothered kind) but it still was good. I want to try a burger next time.
(3)Eduardo M.
Ah, Byron's... this place is two blocks from the office, and on cold days when the cabin fever hits record highs, it's high time to hit this haven of spoon's so greasy. Now, I generally get a burger here - I like hot dogs with ketchup and mayo (yeah, yeah, I'm from california, shut up), and they look like they'd give me grief for asking for it like that. regardless. I can get my burger with no pickles and no onions, and they never mess it up. That's all I need out of a greasy spoon. this place is a keeper. I recommend.
(4)Kap N.
I love this place. Last time i was in chicago we got dogs from a truck right outside the aquarium, they were good too, but this place blew that place out of the water. They loaded it up with both ketchup and mustard, and then followed that up with lettuce, onions, pickles, salt, oregano, pepper, and some magical stuff that made it taste freakin' good! I got the dog with some fries. I thought the dog was awesome, the fries... not so much.
(4)Jacob Y.
Ok...this fast food joint, although greasy, serves an awesome $12 large pepperoni, sausage and jalapeno pizza...can't BEAT IT. The hot dogs are also excellent. And so are the burgers. And the fries. I sometimes wish they were open until midnight.
(4)George F.
This place is awesome Chicago fast food. The dogs are insane and the burgers are terrific. Can't go wrong.
(5)Marissa G.
Everything on your dog at his place include lettuce and green peppers...who does that? Other than that, it was good.
(3)Matthew T.
5 stars because for fast food delivery, this is as good as it gets. I ordered online at chitownmenus.com and used that BLUE10 promotional code to get 10% off my order. I got the gyro sandwich and the fish sandwich, and made the mistake of assuming that since the fish sandwich was so cheap, that it was also small, so when my order arrived i was overwhelmed at the amount of food i was facing. The fish tasted fresh, or as fresh as fried fish can taste, and had all the fixins. The gyro had so much meat on it that i should have ordered an extra pita to make the meal a little less messy, but it was still delicious. Everything traveled unusually well for fast food, no soggy fries, buns, or pitas and i got an extra soda with my order, all for less than 15 bucks. I will do it again.
(5)Rick M.
Before I start the review of the actual food, I need to give a nod to Byron's for having Green River in their soda machine. This neon green beverage looks like something the Toxic Avenger would drink at the gym, but trust me, it's delicious. It has that lime freeze-pop flavor that seems to go oh so well with a dog. As far as the hot dogs go, they are everything you've come to love in a Chicago Dog. Evidently, they're even in the Vienna Beef Hall of Fame! Be advised though, if you get everything on your dog make sure to grab a lot of napkins...they really load the toppings on. The fries were hot and fresh, and I thought a "small" bag of them was plenty to split between me and my out-of-town relative. All in all a great spot for a classic hot dog. The guys who waited on us were great, very friendly and quick about getting our order together. The atmosphere is probably one notch above your average hot dog stand, as they have comfy booths and an outdoor patio. I will definitely be back!
(4)Derrick M.
It's Byron's. Pretty good hog dogs, Polishes, burgers, gyros, fries, and such. Quick and good service. Nothing more to say.
(3)Michael M.
2 Words "Dog Zilla!" I actually ordered from this place the day of my wedding as there was no where else that delivered. When the person heard it was my wedding he totally hooked up me and my guys with a ton of food. One of the things they sent and had a note saying it was especially for me was Dog Zilla. This thing was Crazy I just uploaded a pic on my profile if you want to see it. If you are up this way Byron's is a sure thing.
(4)David G.
I've ordered food from Byron's about five times. I gotta say the hot dogs would be decent if the buns weren't soggy and falling apart after the first bite every single time. There's not much worse than eating a hot dog off of a wet piece of mush. People were giving this place great reviews so I came back a few times to give it another try. Again and again I had the same issue with the hot dogs. Is it just me? When they see me coming, do they say "Hey it's the soggy bun guy. You know what to do!" The only positive to this place is that it's accessible and the food is cheap. Also they deliver and they take credit cards. I might give them another try one day, but only if I want something other than hot dogs. There are better hot dog places in the neighborhood.
(2)Tracy K.
I order from here pretty often, and I always get the same thing. More than once, they have goofed and instead of giving me the veggie burger I ordered, they have given me beef or turkey burgers. That kind of thing happens sure, but its annoying. If not for their stellar customer service skills, I would not be ordering from there anymore. I have learned to order the veggie burger and then be sure to clarify with them that it is the one with no meat. Now that I am something of a regular, they are that much more friendly with me when I come in. And damn, but they have some good, greasy fries!
(4)Richie D.
Definitely a great greasy thumb! I had their turkey sandwich which was very tasty. I just wish it had more fresh lettuce on it. I must go back for their specialty Dogzilla...but I'm afraid I quite possibly couldn't deep throat this one so I'm still a bit too intimidated!). They have all the right Chicago-style toppings. Good food selection and Great prices, did I say greasy? Order online and pick it up if you're looking for some quick, good eats. If you like it here, definitely check out the Mom 'n Pop Branko's joint in Lincoln Park.
(4)Bobby M.
Cheap food, and they don't kiss your ass. Fries are really great.
(4)Kristie R.
I absolutely loved this place. The food was delicious and and customer service was great. The lady behind the counter gave us our drinks and told us to have a seat and she would bring our food to us. One downfall, the dining area needed a bit of attention. A lot of the booths had rips in the seats and the floors could have used a broom and a mop. The ceiling looked like it had some massive water damage. If your looking for great food at pretty awesome prices this is the place for you. If you're looking for atmosphere and a hip neighborhood not so much.
(4)Matthew B.
One of my favorite things about Chicago is the Chicago Hot Dog Stand. (You know you're in Chicagoland when all non-chain fast food joints offer Italian beef, hot dogs, pizza puffs, and gyros.) To me, Byron's is "best in class." It's clean. The staff is friendly. The hot dog, gyro, and fries that I have had all were quite good. The soda fountain has a fantastic selection including strawberry soda and Green River. I'm still working my way through the rest of the menu, but I don't really see how a hot dog stand could be any better. (But I will let you know if I do....)
(5)Hoyne L.
Great amount of food for the price. Got a beef with sweet peppers. Unfortunately, they seemed to have sacrificed quality for quantity here. The fries and sweet peppers just look and taste sad. I'd maybe give their hot dog a try, but definitely wouldn't stop here for a beef again, when Chicago's got too many other spots that take pride in the beef!
(2)Carri C.
I've tried the gyro and hot dogs. Good quality for the money. Friendly staff and everything looks clean. I like how they have parking.
(5)Keely B.
I still love Byrons. A lot. In fact, I would give them 5 stars for how much I love them. There's just one problem. They don't deliver to my new place. Alas! Alack! I must now LEAVE MY HOME to nom a delicious turkey burger with a multitude of fresh vegetable toppings. Sigh.
(4)Allison G.
Cheeseburgers: YUMMY. FRIES: SUPER YUMMY. (Isn't it amazing how difficult it is to find crispy, salty, delicious fries...they got um'!!) Hands down, the best hangover food in Chicago.
(5)James N.
I have never had a Byron's dog until recently. I used to park right next to the one by Wrigley Field so I was pretty amped to finally see what their dogs are like. I ordered a hot dog (with everything , just to see what they consider everything), fries, and a large coke. They loaded the shit out of this hot dog with Everything you could imagine. Since when does a hot dog come with lettuce and a green pepper ? Anyways, they gave me my dog and cup for soda and this dude told me my fries would be ready in a second and he will bring them to me... About 10 minutes, one hot dog, and one large Green River later I still didn't have any fries. They guy then came out (to start eating his own lunch) and was like "Oh nobody gave you your fries?" He walked over to where you order and said something to the chef dude and then came back and said "sorry about that"... I thought, it's cool no big deal. I got up to go pee, came back and still no fries. So i just left. I was also left with the feeling that "this place sucks". The hot dog itself was pretty fucking good and I thought about it all day... I doubt I will go back though. Ok maybe once or twice.
(3)Eric L.
Local Hot Dog spot really shines! Service with a smile! Best Hot Dogs at a place not called "Hot Dougs" in the city!
(4)Alex V.
Great hot dogs, burgers and polish. I make sure to stop in every so often. They also have great fires. They always come hot and greasy. Top it off with a Green River and it's one heck of a meal. Service is always fast and friendly.
(4)Kathleen C.
Good hot dogs, pizza puffs and fries made in front of you. I used to frequent the Lakeview location until I moved a little farther north. And I am SO LUCKY that this location is here! Although I did like the Irving Park location, this place has inside seating, outside seating and there were 5 guys taking our order and making our food so quickly! It was fantastic. Great, greasy food at great prices.
(4)Rob F.
The food is pretty good, I like everything except the gyros, but that's what Hub's is for. I like their burgers and sausages. Their fries are also serviceable, but nothing to rave about.
(3)Clint E.
Ordered a jumbo dog combo and got everything on it. Very good chicago-style dog with literally everything: radioactive relish, cucumbers, lettuce, pickles, peppers, celery salt, onions, mustard and NO KETCHUP. The fries were great too. -1 for a $7 dog/fries combo, but what are you gonna do? Plenty of places to sit and they had "Green River" soda which was fun but kinda grossed me out after half a cup ;)
(4)Aaron S.
These guys do a great combo--really spicy sausage and they give you a ton of beef. No fries needed--the sandwich alone will stuff you. Scott's right about having to repeat your order, though I never noticed before today (must be newer staff). What's also nice is they accept credit cards with no minimum. *burp*. I'm going to sleep now at my desk.
(4)Dominic R.
Gotta love Byron's........a great grease pit when i am in the mood for some grease! It's your basic hot dog joint, and they make the food right in front of you......and have everything, so when you ask for everything on your hot dog, watch them LOAD it up!! The prices are not too bad but the customer service has always been great. They know me when I walk in and usually are trying to guess what i am having that day. "you going with a beef today or whacha having". Nice guy. The only negative is their french fries. I just wish they had some thicker fries. or how i like to say "TICKER" fries!!
(4)Dustin H.
Great lunch place when healthy isn't a concern and I want a great burger and fries...
(3)Mark R.
My wife and I both had the philly cheese steak and it was delicious! The fries are excellent as well. The best way we could think to describe them was as McDonald's fries, but with a home made, "real" taste to them. The guy cooking was a blast to watch as well, kinda added a bit of entertainment while I waited for my food. The customer service was all around very good as well. Their dining area was a bit dingy though, and felt dated. No doubt I'll be going back though, great stuff!
(4)Amy L.
Ever since my hubby introduced me to this place I've gone back quite a few times. He used to go to the Irving Park one but I work near this branch so I like to frequent between here and Budacki's if I am craving a chicken sandwich, fries, or a great hot dog. The great thing about this place is they can pile on your burger, sandwich or hot dog with tons of different fillings which is a big plus to me. Their customer service is good too. Very fast and I would probably choose this place if I wanted to go to a grease joint that's cleaner. I usually don't end up waiting more than 5 minutes when I go during my lunch breaks on weekdays. I've yet to try their other things but I'm sure they're good too. Prices are also reasonable. And they have a free parking lot.
(3)Renato P.
I haven't been here in a while , but I can sum this place up with the phrase "salad on a bun" . They put EVERYTHING on their sandwiches , be it burger , hot dog or chicken sandwich. Heroic amounts of lettuce , tomato's , green peppers , pickles , relish , cucumbers ... I think that's it ,but damn , they stack it inches high. All the food I've had here is from good to very good. Are there better places for burgers , sure , but this one is good if you are in the area , plus , it's open pretty late.
(4)Julee M.
Byron's is where I usually go if I'm in the mood for fast, greasy food. It's not the best but it's a couple blocks from my house. They have a huge menu and you can pretty much find any food that is bad for you that you could possibly want. Their burgers basically come with a salad on top. That is nice and all but you can barely find the meat. They taste ok though. Their dogs however are really good, as are their fries.
(3)Ashley B.
Another great Chicago Hot Dog stop, and probably the last, on our '09 tour. When you walk in, the smell of grills and grease hits you in the face. A very simple and obvious menu awaits you as you choose what you want. Step up to the counter (much friendlier than other places we've been to) and order up. We got hot dogs and both were ready in a matter of a minute or two. This counter is kind of like the Subway of hot dog places, you walk along with the cook as he loads up your dog with the works. I love the bottomless refills and the bag of fries. And they take plastic! First place we've been this year that took more than cash! Amazing. The seating area was pretty standard. Could have been cleaner and kept up a bit more, but this was only noticeable after we were done being serenaded by an adorable red-haired girl singing along to Taylor Swift on the radio. Precious. Overall, a great lunch stop.
(4)Curran F.
Went to Byron's because I heard the burgers were good. I was not impressed. The fries were lukewarm, the burgers were basic greasy burgers. The Chicago dog was good, and they do put a lot of toppings on the burgers. But, I don't ever need to come back.
(2)Martin P.
The Burgers are Great! Choose from many fresh toppings! the Polishes are great too. Enough fries to choKe a mule! What more could you ask for.
(4)Rick V.
The original Chicago style dog; the "salad on a bun". The true test of a real Chicago style hot dog? Celery salt! I used to crave the triple cheeseburgers here when I was a teenager, but I don't think I could eat them now. Good fries and shakes, too.
(3)Heather H.
If you are hungover and in need of a HUGE cheeseburger with a crispy and yummy order of fries, this is your place. The burgers are not hand pressed but they are still good.
(4)Scott C.
Good gyros, average hamburgers, good italian beefs. One thing with this place though, they make you repeat your order five times, and always seem confused about it. Or you'll give your order to one guy, and then he goes in the back and another guy comes up and takes your order again. Always confusion in this place. And it's not one person, everyone who works here is like that. So make sure you get your order clear, especially if you order delivery. They have parking, and you get to pour your own pop, so you can mix pops, which I like!
(3)vinesh m.
Thought this place was pretty good. My wife and I drive by this place all the time and just the other day we thought we would check it out; it wasn't half bad. They were out of the jumbo dog so we settled for two regular dog combos. The dogs weren't all oily and the fries came in a great cone that reminded me of a old school diner. We also opted for the cheesecake in the case, not half bad. I gave 3 stars because of the whole jumbo dog thing, but I will probably be back and then we'll see how they stand up.
(3)