Chicago might be known for its hot dogs, but one of the city’s famous hot dog restaurants is set to close its doors.
Hot Doug’s announced on its website that the encased-meat staple will be closing its doors for good in October.
“Oh by the way, permanent vacation begins Saturday, October 4,” the website reads.
The news comes as a shock to many Chicagoans and hot dog enthusiasts as the restaurant is often booming with customers, with lines stretching down the block.
Owner Doug Sohn says he hasn't thought about what he'll do once he closes down.
"I think it's time to do something else. That's it, and I don't know what that is. I didn't think it all the way through," Sohn said.
The restaurant was most recently named on the Daily Meal’s list of the “50 Best Casual Restaurants in America.”
The Avondale hot dog stand has generated what some have called "cult fandom."
A man even proposed at the restaurant and had owner Doug Sohn ordain his wedding, and a number of followers got tattoos when it was announced that Sohn would give free meals for life to the questionable souls who inked their loyalty.
Zachary Pozulp is infamous for being the customer who once order one of everything on the menu. Tuesday morning, he woke up to condolence messages on his cell phone.
"I'm just filled with this overwhelming feeling of sadness, which is, in a way, sad I would say, for me, but it's going to be a loss," Pozulp said. "This place is an institution, I've been coming here for years. This is the place that anybody who comes to visit me, I always bring them here, this is the place."
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It was also featured on Yelp’s list of the top 100 places to eat in the United States.
My friends, we'll serve our last encased meats 10/3. We thank you for your support & suggest you don’t get a Hot Doug's tattoo any time soon — Hot Doug's (@hotdougs) May 6, 2014
