Chili Man

We went to Chili Man and had pretty high expectations… and WOW — it surpassed those expectations. It was hands down the best hot dog spot I’ve ever been to. I was with 4 other people and we all had 3 rounds of deliciousness. We started out with the Life Changer (which I ended up getting twice…) and then he made us a buffalo /​bleu cheese something or other… just wow. The food was crazy good, but Vic — Captain Awesome as we call him — is an all around awesome dude.
I would recommend him over and over again. and I’M LEAVING THE 50TH 5 STAR REVIEW. :)

Hands down the best hot dogs and hot dog purchasing experience I’ve ever had.
Vic’s charisma and passion for what he does is instantly apparent and much appreciated.
The Man, The Meat, The Legend.

You know that quote «Children are the orgasm of life»?
WELL IT’S WRONG.
Vic’s hotdogs are THE orgasm of life. They take your tastebuds and your tummy to the most fulfilling places. There’s no other way to describe it. Your tastebuds will climax. The wait in line is the foreplay and the contact with your salivating tongue the climax.
And you’ll want to do it again and again.
TRUST ME – You won’t mind the cleanup afterwards ;.p.

Well, this is my 300^th review and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of it than the Chili Man. Sidenote: I’m writing this review while eating a salad. This is the definition of torture.
I know what you’re thinking, 300 reviews and she’s giving 5 stars to a hot dog street vendor?! Vic is a lot more than that. He takes great pride in making quality toppings and creative menu options. On top of great food, he is a one man show. If there’s a line, it is completely worth the wait. From his stories and anecdotes, to the menu descriptions and Chili Man facts, you’ll have a giant smile on your face the entire time. You can’t possibly have a bad day when you see Vic.
On to the food, he has different specials during the week. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter to see what he’s got cooking. #SeeWhatIDidThere. Vic has told me for weeks that I need to get the Life Changer. I don’t want to say a hot dog changed my life, but hot damn I do believe it did. It definitely deserves that name. Cheese, chili, Chili Man’s designer taco sauce, homemade spicy mustard, jalapenos and onion. HOLY. Like, holy should be in 72 pt font. I also got a dog with kraut and homemade spicy mustard. It took a lot of restraint to only eat two hot dogs.
Things to know: don’t see something on the named menu you like? Don’t worry, you can build your own. Dogs come with unlimited toppings. Say what?! He does take a credit card. Don’t work uptown and need a place to park? I like to park a couple blocks away on Poplar between 3^rd and 4^th streets. There are meters here and it’s way cheaper than the parking decks. Don’t have change? Use the park mobile app. Takes all of maybe ten seconds to park and pay. And trust me, you’ll be thankful for that little walk back to your car after the dogs.
Review #300 is in the books. Here’s to the next 300!

Ahhh, Spring is coming. it’s getting warmer outside and I NEED A CHILI DOG!
Seriously, This is the best chili dogs you will ever have. I dare you to find better. (It’s not possible so don’t waist your time trying).
All my previous reviews still stand for Vic and his love of the chili dog.
Why are you still reading this… Get up, Get out and get one.
Though you will be probably standing behind me.

Omg Vic and his dogs are awesome sauce and then some! My boyfriend has been raving about the Chili Man and his stand for months now. I was finally able to have him come down during his lunch break for some of these amazing hot dogs.
The Chili Man hot dog stand is parked right in front of Chima’s steakhouse Tuesday-​Friday from 11a-​2p. There will be a line, but don’t let it deter you. Not only are the dogs delicious but Vic is friendly and funny. Despite the fact that you’ll be waddling away after chowin down and may need a food coma nap afterwards, the Chili Man experience is worth it. JUST DO IT, as I will tell you in the next paragraph, even vegans don’t have an excuse.
What really had me sold was Vic now has vegetarian friendly tofu dogs! Seriously most thoughtful hot dog vendor EVER! I walked over with my bf just expecting him to fulfill his craving, I wasn’t going to get anything since the last uploaded menu on Unilocal only consisted of red meat hot dogs. But to my surprise I was able to have one too, I was so happy! AND the Chili Man even offers VEGAN Chili Wednesdays complete with vegan hot dogs and TVP chili. So rad.
Ok I’ll stop raving now. Lol so my boyfriend had the life changer and I had a vegetarian friendly life changer with a tofu dog and minus the chili. We didn’t talk to each other while eating, hell, I don’t even think we took a breath. That’s how good the Chili Man dogs are. All in all, the Chili Man is THE man and his dogs are righteous. Goes without saying he will be seeing me every week. which brings me to my next quest… I need to find a good gym.
Cheers!

I don’t always eat hot dogs but when I do they are out of a street cart, and you get a side of humor thrown into the mix with Vic the Chili Man!
This was my first trek and my only «negative» is that it took a little bit to get our food (and in his defense, it was his first day open for the season) but when something is good — others find out about it and it’s typically worth the wait! I wasn’t disappointed! Got two dogs and a bottle of water for $ 7. I got the Heroin and the Life Changer. Typically I can’t comment on Heroin but I can tell you this hot dog is quite addicting, and that the Life Changer, was in fact life changing! I was advised in line to not look like a rookie and go with the «named dogs», btw.
Look forward to getting back and enjoying this experience again!