New Doug's Dogs Owner Brings Vienna Back, Eyes Name Change

OAK FOREST, IL — Nick Versetto, the new owner of Doug's Dogs, is happy with the changes he's made since buying the longtime hot dog stand at 6200 W. 159th St. in Oak Forest last October. There have been a number of menu changes, including the return of a Vienna hot dog to Doug's Versetto said. There's also a new Italian beef "that's really popular," according to him.

"We went back to a Vienna hot dog and have introduced a new fresh cut fry," Versetto said. "People are coming up to us saying we have the best hot dog and fry around. The new style of fries are really amazing."

But the most visible change is still some time away. Versetto said once construction that's currently taking place at the restaurant is complete he plans to change the name. The inspiration, he said, came from his grandmother.

"My grandmother is a 91-year-old Italian woman and she is hysterical," Versetto said. "She calls me one day and said that she has the name for the stand. 'Nicky V's. That's the name,' she said. I thought I really like that and my wife thinks it's catchy too."

Versetto, a 2000 Brother Rice High School alum and current Frankfort resident, has for years wanted to open a restaurant or hot dog stand and knows the history of Doug's in Oak Forest.

"A deal for another hot dog stand fell through, and we already knew this place was once a staple in the community," he said. "We want it to become that kind of place. It's extremely important for us to get back to the roots of what the restaurant is about."

Called Doug's since the 1990's, Versetto said it was "the hangout spot" in the latter part of that decade and into the 2000's.

"All the high school kids lived there," he said. "It was the place to be."

This spring will likely be the time for the name change, though.

"It is time for a new legacy to be created," Versetto said. "We want to be the next great one out there for 30 years to come. Sometimes I think we are living in Doug's shadow."

When construction is completed, Versetto said there will be more space inside, a nice counter area and an outside counter that will "give it a Maxwell Street kind of feel."

Expect the Statue of Liberty on the roof to remain.

"We understand the history behind that and it's important to keep that standard," Versetto said. "The bar has been set very high."