Mad Dogs Chicago Style Eatery - Quick Byte Review
Mad Dogs Chicago Style Eatery
309 North Henry Street
Madison 608-251-0934
Hours: Sun - Wed, 11am to 9 pm; Thurs - Sat: 11am to 3am
Madison has never been able to sustain a real hot dog joint, much to the chagrin of some of us here at Madison Dining Online. We’ve often talked philosophically about why that is, and we’ve even identified the perfect spot to open such an establishment (we’re not telling though, because who knows, maybe someday…..). At least one member of our team is a hot dog fanatic, and makes habits out of touring hot dog joints around the country.
And so it was with great interest that we took a trek to State Street and checked out Mad Dogs Chicago Style Eatery. Located on Henry Steet in a small, unpretensious building, it looked quite promising from the outside.
Don’t go to Mad Dogs expecting to sit down and have a leisurely lunch. Mad Dogs is extremely cosy, with no seating to speak of unless you count the three barstools placed under the very small railing built into the wall. Instead, go to Mad Dogs expecting to get one of the only real, authentic hot dog experiences that you can find in Madison.
The menu consists of your typical hot dog menu; the Chicago Dog ($3.50) was an authentic Vienna hot dog, with onion, tomato, sport peppers, pickle spear, green relish, yellow mustard, poppyseed bun, and celery salt. In other words not only everything you would expect on a Chicago Dog, but, additionally, everything you wouldn’t expect on one either. Ketchup is not offered here, though you can put it on yourself if you really feel that you must.
You’ll also find “Naked Dogs”, “Chili Cheese Dogs”, “Maxwell Street Polish” sausage, Italian Beef, Italian Sausages, Taco-styled dogs, and other things on the menu.
The one thing you won’t find is cheese fries. This is a staple in real Chicago Dog houses, but it appears that this may be a bit too ambituous for Mad Dogs.
Give Mad Dog’s a try if you are into hot dogs and other tubular meat. It’s as close as you are going to come to real Chicago-style dogs in Madison.
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I personally think the best hot-dogs in town are at home depot. I sometimes stop even when I don’t have shopping to do. They are also true Chicago style and cheap!
Home Depot is pretty good. Especially if you’re on the southwest side of town. You should check out the guy with the hotdog cart across Verona Rd. in the summer. He serves some nice tubular meat as well.
The H. Depot dogs are good. I’ve stopped in just to get a dog too. When the guy yelled you want a hot dog? I said a real Chicago dog? He said you must be from Chicago and I said no, Milwaukee where there were several small Vienna dog stores with the same decor, white brite fluorescents bouncing off white walls and 3 places to sit. This is on my “to go” list. Can’t wait.
FLASH - Mad Dogs has remodeled and now has seating! The menu has been updated a bit as well.
Mad Dogs has remodeled and is a great place to go in and sit down for a quick, inexpensive lunch. They also have fries now! Our kids love to go for lunch
Love Mad Dogs
Originally from Chicago, went into Mad Dogs with hopes of eating a dog and was not impressed. Dogs were over-steamed, buns dry not a good experience. I visited last fall and haven’t been back since.
Now at Home Depot …… your talking almost like Chi-Town. I agree with Vic. I’ll be on the lookout for the Verona spot as well.