The Wieners Circle

When Larry Gold opened the Wieners Circle in 1983, he probably didn’t suspect it would become famous for mistreating customers. Gold, himself, though started it. The hot dog stand stays open until 5 a.m. on the weekends and attracts hungry customers from the local bars.

From the beginning, in the wealthy Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago, the customers were not always the nicest or most attentive. One night in 1992, Gold was trying to get a patron’s attention, and, when typical pleas didn’t work, Gold yelled out, “Hey asshole.”

In the years since, the name-calling and yelling have escalated. Business has nearly doubled since the Wieners Circle gained this hot-headed reputation, and staff say the tips are good. Many staff members have stayed for more than 10 years.

Many will tell you, though, that at its core the Wieners Circle is a nice, family-owned hot dog stand. Before the drunken weekend nights begin, you’ll find local families enjoying french fries and char-dogs with the works.