QT Chicago Dogs

No!!! Sonovabitch. They were good. RIP. Oh Man, what a bummer. This place was like stepping into a 80s style Chicago Hot dog joint with all the Bears, Cubs and Bulls memorabilia you could ask for. What a loss. Need to fins out where I can get my Vienna Beef dogs from now. HELP!

Love this place, very convenient, love their games. But a little overpriced for frozen everything. I usually just get their Chicago dogs because they’re my favorite that my boyfriend likes to get chicken nuggets or french fries, it’s always good but little costly for frozen foods!

Chili Cheese fries are amazing! Pastrami Burger was really good too! The guy at the counter is always super nice. Food comes out super quick.

Very authentic Chicago Dogs. I also enjoyed the Chicago décor.
I am a NY’er, but really enjoyed this place and will go back again next visit.

I know that this has a lot of good marks by Unilocalers, but I am not one of them. The place is right next door to the liquor store When I walked into the dining area, there was a foul/​weird smell that was emitting from this place. And the smell was definitely not from the food.
I decided to get their Italian beef sandwich. This sandwich is very messy to eat. It’s dipped in au jus and very hot. So be careful. The taste of the beef, however, was not up to par. It wasn’t good enough for me to come back here. Their fries are the skinny kind just like McD’s. But not as good. I think I paid over $ 10 for my combo. That’s pretty steep in my book.

Two words: Italian beef. What the heck, two more: Smokey Polish. I am from Chicago. I’ve eaten at more Italian beef joints (which means beef, hot dogs, Polish Sausage, gyros, etc) than I can count — - which is not difficult to do if you’ve lived there. I’ve also tried most, if not all, of the Chicago-​style eateries in greater L.A. Bottom line: QT Chicago Dogs is as authentic as you will find in So Cal.
Now, let’s be clear. If you’re coming here for a filet of fish or a cheeseburger — — well, I wouldn’t say you’re wasting your time, but you sure are missing out. You go to QT’s and order the Italian beef — — the premier Chicago sandwich, and arguably one of the greatest, most satisfying sandwiches ever devised. What makes QT’s so good and so authentic? First off, they use the proper Vienna sandwich roll (go on, ask the owner about it — — I did) which I have not seen used at any other joint here in L.A. The thick, soft Vienna bread that soaks up the «au jus» and becomes the glorious sloppy mess that is the Italian beef sandwich. Second, QT’s uses the standard, old school giardiniera mix that is a Chicago staple, and it is applied liberally (as it should be) to provide the necessary kick. Just like in Chicago, you will go through a stack of napkins before the last bite. And unless you are a food eating champion, you won’t be hungry afterwards. About the best $ 8 you will spend in this town.
Now, if for some reason you simply cannot abide Italian beef (why are you going here?), then go for either the Maxwell Street hot dog, or (my own favorite), the smokey Polish sausage. Both are perfectly authentic — — poppy seed roll, crazy Kelly green relish, celery salt, sliced tomato, sliced pickle, mustard, chopped onion and… wait for it… real «sport» peppers. (QT’s understands at its core that ketchup doesn’t belong on a hot dog.) I’m actually getting hungry thinking about it.
If you’re in the Valley, this is a no-​brainer. If you’re not, QT’s is worth the trip to satisfy that craving for the classic, low-​brow Chicago fare.

As God is my witness, I try to eat here every other night.

I am going to be honest, are they really a 5-​star place to dine? Well, as long as you don’t mind entering a place that has the look and feel of a traditional Chicago «hole in the wall» place (someone below said «ambiance here is crap») — yeah that’s right. There’s no fancy tables and chairs, the linoleum floors could very well be from the late 70’s, TV’s hanging from the ceiling that blurt sounds familiar in Chicago (sports and news from the Loop) and arcade and pinball games that bellow sounds that take you straight «there.» The tiny white napkins are thin and you will need a gob of them to get you through this journey. They even have the little fabric and plastic flowers on the tabletops to complete the look. I wouldn’t shun a first date here that will set you back, oh, maybe $ 12 for two. But, that’s not why I have been going here since 1990. No.
I go here for the Italian beef. And, if you’ve ever been to Al’s Beef in Chicago, you will be just fine in this perfectly swell greasy establishment of unpretentious everything. This is where the marbled roast beef is sliced thin (THIN) and it’s been simmering and brewing in a broth flavored with sweet green peppers for who knows how many hours. Perfectly salty, perfectly peppery, and deep in flavor. You know how good an authentic Italian Beef it tastes… and once you taste it, it never leaves you.
If you dare ask for it wet, be ready as you won’t have the time or the interest to complain. Just remember that if you don’t eat it fast, you will need to use a fork/​knife/​fingers to get it done. But wait… don’t stop there… before you walk away with your Italian Beef, be sure to ask them to pile on the hot and tangy, pickled pepper jalapeño giardiniera topping to your heart’s delight! And, it’s good giardiniera… chopped in tiny bits that fall down and get everywhere. They fall in your cute little paper lined plastic basket, on your jeans and make a nice little spicy oil stain, some might even dribble down your t-​shirt in-​between your thighs if you aren’t paying attention! You’ve been fairly warned.
And, oh did I forget to mention — be sure your hands are clean because you are going to be in the thick of it after you sink your teeth into this juicy spicy insanity. Your fingers will get sopped through several dermal layers and don’t you dare forget it happened because one hour later, you just might accidentally rub your eye and be reminded of the amazing that is now in your belly.
I haven’t had their hot dogs because I just can’t get past the Italian Beef, but I hear they are just as good. The second best part? The Chimney Sweep bar is a stone’s throw away in the same center — one of the best dive bars in LA. Pure fantastic.

I think this place has seen better days. Not a good sign when only 2 people are there at 12:30 for lunch and both are eating veggie burgers. Plus, I doubt guy behind register has ever been to Chicago.
Gyro was standard– average. Not recommended.

Did not try the hot dogs here, but just came to buy their poppy seed buns. All those chicago hot dog lovers looking to make there own hot dogs and cant find the scarce poopy seed hot dog buns. fear no more, you can get them here. This place will sell you a pack of 10 Vienna brand buns for 6 bucks. They also appeared to sell the un-​cooked hot dogs them self as well if you are a looking for Vienna hot dogs to complete that authentic Chicago dog.

Dogs were good, same with the Gyro, but the Ambience here is crap, it’s attached to an old and outdated grocery like, liquor store. They charged me to refill my soda, it’s 2014, come on guys. Venue is fast food like with a lone wolf fry cook heating up your food. This is essentially a fast food dog spot, claiming authentic Chicago Dogs, which I can’t really confirm, as I’ve had better dogs all over the city. I would eat here again in a pinch, but it’s certainly no destination location.

this is my go to spot in all of LA. not so much for hot dogs, but for Gyros. GET THE GYRO SPECIAL!!! Its delicious!!! Love this place!

This place is so yum! Reminds me of a real Chicago greasy spoon for your hot dog fix. Definitely authentic, down to the bright green relish, peppers, poppy-​seed bun and NO KETCHUP.
I don’t really eat Italian Beefs (I know, I know) so I can’t judge those. I just wish they had even more things on their menu from Chicago — shrimp baskets, chopped steak burgers, pizza puffs, wings, MILD SAUCE!!! Please, bring on the MILD SAUCE!

It was ok, they gave it a good effort, but not world beating. Red onions dont belong on a Chicago dog, at least where I am from. As I am now a veggie I got the veggie dog dragged through the garden, but I did see enough Vienna Beef signs to indicate that they are at least using the right carnivore dogs for them.

Served 40 of their Chicago Dogs at our Labor Day Pool Party. Everyone LOVED THEM!!! Fantastic!

Pleasantly surprised that the hot dogs are the real deal. Chili is a little spicy, but I like it. It’s not 5 star fine dining but I sure like the food so far.
I’ll keep coming back.
Also conveniently next door to a «party store» –as we say in Detroit. ;)

As a true Chicagoan, their dogs are okay. The issue I had was they used red onions when it should be white onions and no celery salt. Also the peppers and pickle were not right… got 2 dogs and 1 had a massive pepper and the other had a massive pickle but a small pepper.
Would I go back if I’m in the valley, sure. The dogs are cheaper than others near by.

Pretty good Chicago Style Joint. Don’t see too many Vienna Beef places in LA. Gyros sliced a bit too thick for my liking, and thought the tzatziki was a bit bland, but definitely the best gyros I have had in LA. Not sure who in LA though it would be a good idea to add a salad to a gyros sandwich (but I would like to fight them), but let me tell you, a good gyros has NEVER had lettuce on it, and they they do not server lettuce on a gyros at QT.
Tasty, snappy chicago style dog, on a steamed poppy seed bun, with neon relish… a sight for sore eyes!
almost perfect with the toppings, save the red onions, which did not taste a whole lot different than the standard white onions. Also, they used sport peppers, not the type so peppers I had seen in some of the pictures.
Will try the beef sandwich next time I go.
I have seen a lot of hot dog places in LA claim to be «Chicago Style.» This is the only one I have seen so far that even comes close.

Nahhh. doesn’t cut it.
Chili too spicy, Chicago Dog bun disintegrates first bite,
Several other good Hot Dog joints within minutes that are far better.
Nope, ain’t going back.

I’m giving QT 5 stars, for two reasons:
1. I’m originally from Chi-​town and QT made sure you felt like you were apart of Chicago as soon as you walked in. Meaning the atmosphere and the decorations are nothing but Chicago memorabilia. Loved it!
2. The food was delicious. Everything is priced just right. And the menu is huge! Any kind of burger, gyro, Chicago dog and sooo much more. I had the gyro and I couldn’t stop saying how good and full of flavor it was. Oh and as a bonus the staff there are super friendly.