Doug's Dogs Gives 365 Free Hot Dogs Away To One Customer

OAK FOREST, IL — Doug's Dogs, a favorite by many in Oak Forest, hosted a giveaway of 365 free hot dogs to one lucky "wiener" who may or may not dance their buns off from the news.

Doug's Dogs, 6200 159th St., has been around since 1976, originally a Jr's Hot Dogs - Chicago. After a falling out among partners, Doug's, Don's and a few other Jr's were formed, according to current Doug's owner, Nick Versetto.

Versetto has been the owner of Doug's since October 2019, after the restaurant had changed hands several times over the years. He said since taking over the business, the biggest difference the hot spot has seen is in the menu.

"The first thing I did was switch from pork to Vienna Beef hot dogs, which are way more superior. We still have the pork hot dogs, which a lot of people ask for, but those are by request only," Versetto said. "We have fresh-cut fries, where we use our little hand cutter in the back, slice the frame and throw it right in the fryer. That's really been a big hit."

Versetto said Doug's also has homemade Italian beef and sausage, marinara sauce and even mozzarella sticks. They also have a new burger recipe than used by previous owners. Versetto said the winner of their contest can collect 365 hot dogs for a year, or one hot dog per day. This means if someone has a party or takes a group of people to Doug's wanting to order a certain amount of hot dogs, they can collect several of their earnings at once.

The name of the winner had yet to be released,as of Wednesday afternoon.

Versetto said when taking over Doug's, he and his wife wanted to use the business to give back in any way they could in the community.

"When my wife and I purchased it, we really said the first thing we want to do is make sure the community knows that we're there to support them any way we can," Versetto said. "We do a lot of behind the scenes work for people and it, just makes us more than that restaurant, on 159th street ... We want to be that place that people are proud of. When people say Oak Forest, or they're going to Oak forest, I want them to say, 'Hey man, you guys got that hot dog stand!' I want to really become a staple to the community."

Many in the Oak Forest community arefond of Doug's Dogs, according to the Oak Forest business nomination poll. Nearly 50 people submitted Doug's Dogs as a local business to support.

"Not only have they found new and exciting ways to keep going during these crazy times, but they are constantly supporting every different community-cause they can find, from local sports to Project Fire Buddies! They are the best of the best!" one submitter said.

"The food is reasonably priced to feed our family of four when we want to indulge! Staff is always friendly and conversations are usually had while waiting," another customer said. "Most importantly the owner has taken an active role to get the community involved and excited again by attempting to bring back car nights, providing free grub for our local firefighters and paramedics, and most of all being a genuinely nice human being donating to our community causes when possible. We love Doug's Dogs, and they have customers in us for life!"

Versetto said the pandemic has effected business at Doug's and that his biggest concern is making sure his employees stay employed.

"It's been rough. I'm not going to sugar coat that," Versetto said. "There are times when Friday payroll comes and I'm cringing a little ... but we get through it. The most important thing to me is to make sure I keep my employees working. They have families, children, spouses ... making sure that they can put food on the table and a roof over their head is extremely important to me right now."

With a hope to rebrand and grow in the future, Versetto said that for now, he wants the community to always remember Doug's Dogs.

"Everybody knows Doug's Dogs, it's been here forever. Anybody you talk to in town knows the place," Versetto said. "I want to get back to being that kind of staple to the community and people being proud of the place."