Chicagoland Public Golf Course Hot Dog Ratings

Encased meats for the masses

Certain things in life are inseparable: Copy and paste. Adam Scott and beige. The Phoenix Open and cup stacking. Hot dogs and golf also fall into this category. There’s something incredible about encased meats at the turn that refuel and propel the spirit, particularly when my swing is failing me and I forgot my short game back at the house. In my book, golf courses need to take hot dogs seriously, and luckily some of them do. Unfortunately, they’re also an afterthought at many clubs.

Here's the process. I get a hot dog from the grill, restaurant, or clubhouse -- never from the drink cart. To get a consistent apples-to-apples comparison, I don't add any condiments. They're rated from 1-5 on overall appearance, size, snap, flavor, juiciness, and bun quality. Those scores are averaged together to create a Rating, in which a theoretical 5 is the highest score. The Price is listed too, which is used to calculate the Value. Obviously, higher rated dogs that cost less money will have better value than the opposite. Value is rated from $ (terrible) to $$$$$ (great). $ Rank shows how expensive the dog was overall on the list, with rank 1 the cheapest.

Hot dogs are shown from best to worst rating. But please take these ratings with a grain of salt. Keep in mind, these courses serve hundreds of hot dogs a day, and I’m rating them on a single hot dog I tried. Not exactly a scientifically rigorous USDA double-blind study here. Regardless, I do want clubs to strive for hot dog nirvana, and that starts with taking a close look at these franks!

#1: Oak Brook Golf Club

Photo of the food and dining at Oak Brook Golf Club in Oak Brook, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Oak Brook Golf Club in Oak Brook, Illinois.
Rating
4.3/5
Price
$6.00
$ Rank
26 of 37
Value
$$$

Love the grill marks on both the dog and the bun.

Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#2: Cog Hill Golf & Country Club

Photo of the food and dining at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Lemont, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Lemont, Illinois.
Rating
4.2/5
Price
$4.50
$ Rank
12 of 37
Value
$$$$$

Big frank and substantial bun, but had a funky wrinkled texture. Still tasted great.

Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#3: St. Andrews Golf and Country Club

Photo of the food and dining at St. Andrews Golf and Country Club in West Chicago, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at St. Andrews Golf and Country Club in West Chicago, Illinois.
Rating
4.2/5
Price
$5.00
$ Rank
17 of 37
Value
$$$$

Grill marks, plus snap and flavor for days.

Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#4: Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club

Photo of the food and dining at Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
Rating
4.0/5
Price
$4.00
$ Rank
3 of 37
Value
$$$$$
Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#5: Palatine Hills Golf Course

Photo of the food and dining at Palatine Hills Golf Course in Palatine, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Palatine Hills Golf Course in Palatine, Illinois.
Rating
4.0/5
Price
$6.50
$ Rank
32 of 37
Value
$$$

Probably the longest dog of the bunch.

Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#6: Ruffled Feathers Golf Club

Photo of the food and dining at Ruffled Feathers Golf Club in Lemont, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Ruffled Feathers Golf Club in Lemont, Illinois.
Rating
4.0/5
Price
$7.00
$ Rank
33 of 37
Value
$$

Great presentation, and thanks for the poppies.

Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#7: Harborside International Golf Center

Photo of the food and dining at Harborside International Golf Center in Chicago, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Harborside International Golf Center in Chicago, Illinois.
Rating
3.8/5
Price
$6.00
$ Rank
26 of 37
Value
$$$

FYI: That's not an actual newspaper.

Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#8: Old Orchard Country Club

Photo of the food and dining at Old Orchard Country Club in Mt. Prospect, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Old Orchard Country Club in Mt. Prospect, Illinois.
Rating
3.8/5
Price
$6.00
$ Rank
26 of 37
Value
$$$

Very friendly folks workin' the outdoor grill.

Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#9: Fox Lake Country Club

Photo of the food and dining at Fox Lake Country Club in Fox Lake, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Fox Lake Country Club in Fox Lake, Illinois.
Rating
3.7/5
Price
$4.00
$ Rank
3 of 37
Value
$$$$$
Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#10: Village Links of Glen Ellyn

Photo of the food and dining at Village Links of Glen Ellyn in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Village Links of Glen Ellyn in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
Rating
3.7/5
Price
$4.50
$ Rank
12 of 37
Value
$$$$
Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#11: Deerpath Golf Course

Photo of the food and dining at Deerpath Golf Course in Lake Forest, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Deerpath Golf Course in Lake Forest, Illinois.
Rating
3.7/5
Price
$6.00
$ Rank
26 of 37
Value
$$$$

Comes with bag of chips, so value is boosted.

Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#12: Stonewall Orchard Golf Club

Photo of the food and dining at Stonewall Orchard Golf Club in Grayslake, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Stonewall Orchard Golf Club in Grayslake, Illinois.
Rating
3.7/5
Price
$7.00
$ Rank
33 of 37
Value
$$$

Comes with bag of chips, so value is boosted.

Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#13: The Glen Club

Photo of the food and dining at The Glen Club in Glenview, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at The Glen Club in Glenview, Illinois.
Rating
3.7/5
Price
$10.00
$ Rank
37 of 37
Value
$$$

Comes with fries, so value is boosted. Dogs are only available as part of kids meal. Ouch.

Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#14: Silver Lake Country Club

Photo of the food and dining at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park, Illinois.
Rating
3.5/5
Price
$4.50
$ Rank
12 of 37
Value
$$$$
Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#15: Steeple Chase Golf Club

Photo of the food and dining at Steeple Chase Golf Club in Mundelein, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Steeple Chase Golf Club in Mundelein, Illinois.
Rating
3.5/5
Price
$5.00
$ Rank
17 of 37
Value
$$$
Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#16: Eaglewood Resort Golf Club

Photo of the food and dining at Eaglewood Resort Golf Club in Itasca, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Eaglewood Resort Golf Club in Itasca, Illinois.
Rating
3.5/5
Price
$5.00
$ Rank
17 of 37
Value
$$$
Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#17: Lost Marsh Golf Course

Photo of the food and dining at Lost Marsh Golf Course in Hammond, Indiana. Photo of the hot dog at Lost Marsh Golf Course in Hammond, Indiana.
Rating
3.5/5
Price
$5.00
$ Rank
17 of 37
Value
$$$
Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#18: Winnetka Golf Club

Photo of the food and dining at Winnetka Golf Club in Winnetka, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Winnetka Golf Club in Winnetka, Illinois.
Rating
3.5/5
Price
$5.00
$ Rank
17 of 37
Value
$$$
Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#19: Old Oak Country Club

Photo of the food and dining at Old Oak Country Club in Homer Glen, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Old Oak Country Club in Homer Glen, Illinois.
Rating
3.5/5
Price
$5.00
$ Rank
17 of 37
Value
$$$
Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#20: Water’s Edge Golf Club

Photo of the food and dining at Water’s Edge Golf Club in Worth, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Water’s Edge Golf Club in Worth, Illinois.
Rating
3.5/5
Price
$6.00
$ Rank
26 of 37
Value
$$$
Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#21: Sunset Valley Golf Club

Photo of the food and dining at Sunset Valley Golf Club in Highland Park, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Sunset Valley Golf Club in Highland Park, Illinois.
Rating
3.5/5
Price
$7.00
$ Rank
33 of 37
Value
$$
Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#22: Willow Hill Golf Course

Photo of the food and dining at Willow Hill Golf Course in Northbrook, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Willow Hill Golf Course in Northbrook, Illinois.
Rating
3.3/5
Price
$4.00
$ Rank
3 of 37
Value
$$$$
Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#23: The Preserve at Oak Meadows

Photo of the food and dining at The Preserve at Oak Meadows in Addison, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at The Preserve at Oak Meadows in Addison, Illinois.
Rating
3.3/5
Price
$4.00
$ Rank
3 of 37
Value
$$$$
Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#24: Meadowlark Golf Course

Photo of the food and dining at Meadowlark Golf Course in Hinsdale, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Meadowlark Golf Course in Hinsdale, Illinois.
Rating
3.3/5
Price
$4.50
$ Rank
12 of 37
Value
$$$
Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#25: Mt. Prospect Golf Club

Photo of the food and dining at Mt. Prospect Golf Club in Mt. Prospect, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Mt. Prospect Golf Club in Mt. Prospect, Illinois.
Rating
3.3/5
Price
$5.00
$ Rank
17 of 37
Value
$$$

Big fan of the large, girthy bun, but it was soggy.

Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#26: Sugar Creek Golf Course

Photo of the food and dining at Sugar Creek Golf Course in Villa Park, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Sugar Creek Golf Course in Villa Park, Illinois.
Rating
3.2/5
Price
$3.00
$ Rank
1 of 37
Value
$$$$$

Love all the poppy seeds.

Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#27: White Pines Golf Club

Photo of the food and dining at White Pines Golf Club in Bensenville, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at White Pines Golf Club in Bensenville, Illinois.
Rating
3.2/5
Price
$4.00
$ Rank
3 of 37
Value
$$$$
Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#28: Hickory Hills Country Club

Photo of the food and dining at Hickory Hills Country Club in Hickory Hills, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Hickory Hills Country Club in Hickory Hills, Illinois.
Rating
3.0/5
Price
$3.00
$ Rank
1 of 37
Value
$$$$$
Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#29: Edgebrook Golf Course

Photo of the food and dining at Edgebrook Golf Course in Chicago, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Edgebrook Golf Course in Chicago, Illinois.
Rating
3.0/5
Price
$4.15
$ Rank
11 of 37
Value
$$$
Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#30: Cantigny Golf Club

Photo of the food and dining at Cantigny Golf Club in Wheaton, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Cantigny Golf Club in Wheaton, Illinois.
Rating
3.0/5
Price
$5.00
$ Rank
17 of 37
Value
$$$
Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#31: Mistwood Golf Club

Photo of the food and dining at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville, Illinois.
Rating
3.0/5
Price
$7.00
$ Rank
33 of 37
Value
$$

The dog had an unappealing grayish color.

Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#32: Burnham Woods Golf Course

Photo of the food and dining at Burnham Woods Golf Course in Burnham, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Burnham Woods Golf Course in Burnham, Illinois.
Rating
2.8/5
Price
$4.00
$ Rank
3 of 37
Value
$$$

Skin was leathery and had an odd color on both ends.

Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#33: Maple Meadows Golf Course

Photo of the food and dining at Maple Meadows Golf Course in Wood Dale, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Maple Meadows Golf Course in Wood Dale, Illinois.
Rating
2.7/5
Price
$4.00
$ Rank
3 of 37
Value
$$$

Had a strange grayish color that looked disagreeable.

Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#34: Heritage Oaks Golf Club

Photo of the food and dining at Heritage Oaks Golf Club in Northbrook, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Heritage Oaks Golf Club in Northbrook, Illinois.
Rating
2.7/5
Price
$5.10
$ Rank
25 of 37
Value
$$

What happened to this poor frank? Needs hand cream or something.

Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#35: Stony Creek Golf Course

Photo of the food and dining at Stony Creek Golf Course in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Stony Creek Golf Course in Oak Lawn, Illinois.
Rating
2.5/5
Price
$4.50
$ Rank
12 of 37
Value
$$
Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#36: Arrowhead Golf Club

Photo of the food and dining at Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton, Illinois.
Rating
2.2/5
Price
$6.00
$ Rank
26 of 37
Value
$

Skin was a bit leathery-looking.

Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun

#37: Buffalo Grove Golf Course

Photo of the food and dining at Buffalo Grove Golf Course in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. Photo of the hot dog at Buffalo Grove Golf Course in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.
Rating
1.7/5
Price
$4.00
$ Rank
3 of 37
Value
$$

This thing was crushed and in bad shape. Couldn't tell the top from the bottom.

Appearance
Size
Snap
Flavor
Juiciness
Bun
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