Poochie’s

I visited Poochies’s for the first time today and ordered the chili cheese fries. The chili cheese fries were not good at all. There were more beans then meat, the cheese was very grainy and seemed as if it was a powder substance. The fries were very bland. I don’t plan on going back.

Located next door to State Farm Insurance with it’s own small parking lot.
My husband and I came by here on Mother’s Day Sunday around 6 pm for dinner. We were greeted by an employee behind the counter. After browsing the menu board, we ended up getting:
Garden Salad, $ 4.99 prior– This is one large size salad and more than plenty for 2 – 3 people to share. I ordered this with the balsamic vinegar (already placed on the side). I wished the Romaine lettuce was chopped smaller and same with the green bell pepper slices. The salad was pretty standard and liked the sliced tomatoes.
Turkey Sausage, $ 3.99 prior to tax– I opted for a turkey sausage dog (when in Chicago, you have to try a traditional Chicago dog) with mustard, grilled onions and sliced tomatoes. After I had ordered and found a table to sit at, I was called to the counter to let the employee know what toppings I would like on my hot dog.
Anyways, I thought the turkey sausage was pretty good and meaty. I really liked the mustard and grilled onions. But I am not a huge fan of the sliced tomatoes on it (but that seems to be tradition? As I had seen it on a lot of photos for other Chicago dog eateries).
Polish Sausage Combo, $ 8.49 prior to tax– My husband made this a combo, which comes with fries and a drink. The polish sausage was flavorful and juicy. He had his come with a pickle and added the following toppings: mustard, grilled onions, sliced tomatoes, jalapenos. The fries were good. My husband also wasn’t a fan of the sliced tomatoes in the polish sausage.
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(Total= $ 19.61 after tax, prior to tip)
Service was quick and friendly. There is a fountain station in which you can get your own refills (water included).
It isn’t traditional to have ketchup on your dog, but if you must have it (or would like some ketchup with your fries), you can get some ketchup packets by the beverage fountain station. There is also hot sauce packets as well and napkins (you will need them because these dogs are messy).
Seating is just tables and chairs for the most part. It was surprisingly some what busy when we dined in (Why not celebrate mother’s day with Chicago style dogs?).
By the way, once your order is ready, you pick up your tray at the counter.
The women’s restroom upon this visit was clean.
Overall, tasty good options at an affordable price. Service is good.
Would come back here again.

This place is amazing. I come from Michigan to go to this place every time I’m in Chicago. We keep asking this guy to franchise and expand. He refuses. That’s pretty much the only negative about this place. I’m overdue for a trip here.
It’s so good, it makes Five Guys look like McDonald’s. Not that Five Guys isn’t good though. But this is superior.

Simply put– the best hot dog joint around– Excellent variety of hot dogs from regular, Jumbo to Polish… all the right toppings. (get it charred)
They are also fast, the place is clean, the fries are the best! Priced right too!

Unassuming strip mall location. There are so many burger, dog, and gyro joints in this neighborhood, it would be easy to miss this one.
Give it a try! Love the cheddar burger. They have a large assortment of toppings, and get creative on their monthly specials. They also do great onion rings, but the fries aren’t my favorite.
Friendly staff, and fast service. Give it a try the next time you’re craving a hotdog or burger.

So I had to try the fried salami sandwich after reading the reviews. Tasty;had mine with grilled onions and mustard. Large sandwich, cut in two. Had it with the fries and slaw. Nice place.Have to try the cheddar burger or polish next trip in.

Fresh but average fast food. Prices are a bit high also. Would return for convenience, but wouldn’t go out of my way.

I haven’t been to Poochie’s in a long time — not since they’ve moved to this location; only because I live further away and it’s not usually on my way. It was on my way today, however. I was felt welcomed by the friendly, jovial manner of everyone working there. The place is spotless and my dog and fries were delicious. I particularly appreciate that the raw onions on my hot dog were super fresh, with none of that pungent, old onion harshness than will ruin an otherwise good hotdog.

Every Chicagoian (and suburbanite) have their hot dog joint. This one is mine, and it should be yours!
I’ve been coming here forever and the quality and flavor have always been excellent. Everything here is tasty, but the grilled salami might change your life (by making it slightly shorter… TOTALLY worth it!). This place also serves one of my favorite burgers and awesome fries.
EAT HERE!

Cheese Fries!
Cheese Fries!
Cheese Fries!!!
Other Unhealthy Cured Meats!
Cheese Fries!!!
Cheese Fries!!!

I started eating at Poochie’s at the old location 45 years ago. They’ve moved few blocks east, but they’re still on Dempster.
More importantly the food is still GREAT !!
Not sure what to have, go with a char dog or char cheddar burger. The best there is. The fries are good too.
I even saw the old owner Harvey Bernstein eating lunch there.

Perfect place for a quick burger and fries. The char-​cheddar burger is very good but what I love most are the cheese fries smothered in a very generous portion of melted Merk’s cheese. Phenomenal! We drove through Skokie just for this! Will definitely come back!

The Cheddar Burger is the staple as well as the Chicago Dog.
Dr. Cole, my 7^th & 8^th grade science professor, a few times took me n another smart science soul when we whooped ass on the advanced science test or the cubs beat the Padres in a playoff game the day day before…

I’ve been going to Poochies longer than I care to admit to (I did grow up in Skokie, so that helped). They are in their second location and most of the charm and quality of the original remains. It’s also bigger and they’ve worked out some of their early — move — in — quirks.
Starters: char cheddar dog. Chicago style with grilled onions. Cheddar Fries. You’ll be seriously happy.
More of a burger person? They usually have a special of the month. I prefer standard cheddar burgers (again w/​grilled onions). And yes cheddar fries.
Neither? They have a nice selection of sandwiches and the like. Their Italian beef is very tasty. The sweet pepper aren’t quite as good as Portillos, but the rest of the sandwich is.
And did I say cheddar fries? They flood the fries with cheddar. And not the nasty saucy-​kind. Mertz. Warmed and spread over. It’s amazing. Get two orders. One is not enough.

I love this place, the food is outstanding classic Chicago, the workers and owner are really nice, and, to top it off, they have the best soda machine and soda I’ve ever had from a fountain (they add their own ice from an ice machine so it’s not the half melted crushed stuff from a chain like Subway and the soda is always right amount of syrup)! I’ve eaten most everything and it’s never let me down, great cheddar burger, BBQ chicken plate, Caesar wrap, and the slaw is yummy! Only thing I wasn’t crazy about is the mushroom side. Basically like so much else on Unilocal the complaints are from cry baby, spoiled brats. But if your chill and love good grilled food you’ll become a regular!

I hate doing negative reviews but this just really turned my stomach…
This is my first time ever ordering food from here, and I must say I will not be doing it again. Although the guy was really nice who took my order the delivery guy was a brute, basically threw the bag at me… So not cool…
Anyway moving forward with the food. I asked for a veggie burger (was told it was going to be juicy, quite the opposite I must say). It was overloaded with grilled onion which just over powered the dry veggie burger. The loaded fries had this powdered cheddar that is absolutely disgusting, I was told it was going to be real cheddar. Overloaded is right, with slices of bacon that is barely cooked and a heaping mountain of sour cream… Fries were not crispy at all… Big waste of $ 13… Serves me right, should’ve ordered a salad from Portillos…

It’s been so long the last time we ate here and reluctantly I felt a change of heart and impression I was left the last time before my most recent visit these last two weeks ago… I enjoy the atmosphere and feel of the place, price was reasonable but I wasn’t too happy with all our orders this is time… We liked the Italian beef with gravy pepper on side, Onion rings, andCaesar salad with chicken breast! I wasn’t didn’t like so much the following: ¹⁄₃ lb char bacon cheddar burger with grilled onion, tomato, lettuce, Grill
ed salami Skirt steak with bbq sauce, grilled onions, tomato, lettuce, Mozzarella sticks and ¹⁄₃ char cheeseburger. Service was excellent¡

Chicago hates ketchup. Why? I dunno I’m
from Portland. But I tell you what, these dogs don’t need it. I got the char dog cuz I go classic when I show the fuck up. Now here’s the real news, they got cool ass babes working the counter, hooking you up with the far north sides dopest dogs. Now I love me some Costco shit, for real. But if you’re in the area, or in high school and bored as shit, get here my dude. It’s nothing short of a wiener eating good time, just like any classic American joint should be.

Mmm, Poochie’s — this hot dog has been around since ’69, serving up hot dogs, sausages, burgers, sandwiches, dinner plates (salami, chicken breast, brisket, and skirt steak), salads, soups, chili, and shakes/​malts. I usually stick with the Chicago Char hot dog with all the works, the Char Cheddar Polish, and, my personal favorite, their famous Cheddar Char burger, topped with whatever toppings you wish (the cheese spread is the best part, as it is thick, creamy, and salty!). Get the meal/​combo deals, as you get a drink and a side of fries with your main burger/​dog. Their fresh-​cut fries are super crispy and yummy, and seasoned perfectly well. I recommend getting the cheddar, which gives it that extra yumminess! Everything is cooked-​to-​order, so it is always hot, fresh, and delicious. The staff here are super friendly and have a great sense of humor, and the new location has plenty of seating. I’d like to come back and try out their salami the next time around: D
+Cheddar Char burger
+fresh-​cut fries
+cheddar spread (!!!)
+char dogs
+char Polish
+friendly staff: D
+small lot for parking

My husband and I weren’t impressed with the hot dog and polish we weren’t satisfied with our food especially with the cheddar fries. Taste like fake cheddar. We hated the cheddar. The fries were better by itself or with ketchup. When we came out here to Chicago last year we loved hot dougs which closed so we were very sad about that cause they were so good. Sucks that a place that was so good and long lines closed down. This is a last that we will be here. On top of that we had to sit at a table that was dirty. They were slow and didn’t even clean any tables like seriously that’s just weird. Definitely a no go I really don’t know how this place is rated so high.