Hot Doug's: The Book: Chicago's Ultimate Icon of Encased Meats

If you've ever experienced the fun and flavor that is Hot Doug's, then this book is a must have. If you've met Doug, and you most certainly did when you placed your order at his restaurant, you sense there's something more to him than just a man maniacal about his encased meats. This book gives you the inside scoop on the inspiration, and the perspiration, that made Hot Doug's the iconic hot dog joint that it is. It's full of fun anecdotes, photos, and a rollicking good read overall. If I could complain about one thing in the book it is not a lack of recipes, but rather a lack of a centerfold/scratch-and-sniff page devoted to the thuringer sausage. Keep up the good work Doug and I look forward to you autographing my copy next time I'm in Chicago!

A really fun read from an awesome guy and establishment. Lots of hilarious stories, I wish I knew they were collecting stories for this, I definitely would have shared mine from my first visit to Hot Doug's. I was new to Chicago and my fiance & I waited on line for about 45 minutes. It wasn't until we got to the front that we realized it was "cash only". Without hesitation, Doug asked us what we would have ordered if we were "normal humans that carried some cash" and proceeded to buy us lunch. While we were thanking him he then asked "if you don't carry cash, how do you pay your weed dealer?"Great book, awesome food, better guy...Hot Doug's will be missed!

This book takes a unique format with lots of customer,celebrity and friend commentary. This format definitely gives you a number of impressions about the restaurant, not just the owners, so it makes an interesting read. The basic story is that Doug played to a different drummer in creating something that people love. It is humorous, insightful from a business perspective and totally focused on hot dogs. Makes me want to drive 400 miles just to wait in line...

Don't buy this if you are looking for recipes. What it is, is the history of how this hotdog cafe came about. I was fascinated by how many kinds of hotdogs/sausages there are and how many ways Doug has found to serve them.. Doug is an interesting guy. He admits to being lazy and everything he does, including making the cafe, is aimed at saving energy (his) .

I am so glad I live near Chicago and get to experience going to Hot Doug's. I bought this book for my brother who no longer livesin Chicago. Thought I would skim through it before sending it on to him. Soon realized this was not a book to be skimmed butrather savored - kinda' like eating at Hot Doug's. I promptly ordered my own copy and have been delighted. It is risky to read thisbook if you can't easily visit the emporium of sausage. Reading Hot Doug's book may cause one to book a flight to Chicago.Visit, read - you won't be disappointed.

Now that Hot Doug's is no more, our memories and this book are all we have left. Between the two the legend of Hot Doug's will only continue to grow. It also contradicts Joni Mitchell, serving as positive evidence that sometimes you DO know what you've got BEFORE it's gone.Full Disclosure: My miniscule contributions to Hot Doug's The Book appear on pages 152 and 156.

I enjoyed the book but I was really looking for hot dog recipes . But I would recommened it for anyone who is interested in the hot dog Scene.

This book is a hoot. The book is almost as good as Hot Doug's Sausages, Dogs, and Encased Meats! Almost. It is as friendly as Doug himself! A scrapbook and history of the best Dog House I have been to in quite some time. Hint: Try the Alligator Sausage if it happens to be the Game of the Week...