The Hot Dog Station, located at 4742 N Kimball Ave., could very possibly be the place to get the best hot dogs in Chicago. If that sounds too good to be true, that just means you haven’t tried one of their hot dogs yet. You can’t go wrong with anything on their menu.

I’ve been to this place multiple times over the years. My absolute favorite thing to get there is the “Baltimore Dog”. It’s a deep-fried hot dog with bacon wrapped around the Weiner, drizzled with melted cheddar cheese and topped with grilled onions (this place isn’t really for healthy eating as you may now realize).

You can’t go wrong with a side of their cheese fries either. If you ask nicely, they’ll let you build your own hot dog. Heads-up, that gets pricey.

Their menu is filled with flavorful hot dogs that can easily satiate any hot dog lover. There’s the Diablo Hot Dog for those craving a bit more spice, the Chili Cheese Hot Dog for those who love a messy dog, and, of course, the original Chicago Hot Dog.

They don’t just have a quantity of hot dogs; each one is of great quality as well. I don’t think I’ve ever left the Hot Dog Station disappointed. Perhaps a bit groggy and full of their Italian Beef, but never disappointed. They also have great burgers and gyros as well.

The space inside is nothing special, but no real hot dog place has to be. The Hot Dog Station is about the quality of their food, not space itself. There are some tables and seats, which is all you really need in a place where the food really shines.

One thing I will say isn’t great is that there are no easy access outlets so if you need to charge your phone, tough luck.

For all of us NEIU students taking the CTA, this place is easily accessible as it’s located directly across the Kimball Brown Line Station.

The service is great and quick, once you order your food is piping hot and ready in minutes.

The price is more than fair and if you keep track of their Facebook page, you’ll see they have occasional deals. If you have five bucks and change, you’re set for a hot dog. For a burger, you’ll need a bit more. They also deliver via GrubHub so if you’re tired of ordering Jimmy John’s, this is definitely a good substitute.

It consistently baffles me how little I hear about the Hot Dog Station when I’m at NEIU. It’s close by, cheap, and tasty. The fact that it’s not filled to the brim with NEIU students is as much as a mystery as to where Tommy Wiseau gained the funds to make “The Room.”

The Hot Dog Station is easily one of the best food places in the area and I can’t recommend it enough. If you’re looking for a good hot dog, this place is a true winner.