“Hot Doug’s: The Movie” is a portrait of the restaurant, its owner, and its fans. It’s a window into the closing of a cult-favorite hot-dog stand in Chicago, and a peek into what created the phenomenon, the nature of fandom, the rise of restaurateurs as celebrities, and why someone would wait in line for 5 hours to get a hot dog.
Is a hot dog just a hot dog or is it a sandwich? These perplexing questions plague my snack-obsessed brain. Unfortunately, this dog documentary doesn’t offer any answers but it does pay homage to a Chicago food staple “Hot Dougs.” Locals and tourists alike flock to the charmingly low key brick and mortar sometimes waiting in line for hours.
I really love seeing the behind-the-scenes action of a busy family-owned restaurant but I don’t think the subject matter merits a stand-alone feature documentary. Thankfully, it’s running time is under an hour because after meeting the employees and the short history, there’s not much else to talk about. I was pleased to see the legendary audio engineer Steve Albini giving kind praise to one his favorite eateries. Other writers and locals talk about how the owner Doug, stood out not only for using better than average ingredients but also for the rock and roll tracks pouring out of the speakers.
After all is said and done, I feel like “Hot Doug’s: The Movie” would be more at home on the Food Network or the Travel Channel. Doug mentions what separates him is the customer service and care which is sorely lacking with major food franchises and most behemoth companies. A statement I completely agree with.
I really appreciate a mom and pop store and I’d like to think for the most part they are the only places I patronize. It’s a sweet story although not compelling but I am hungry now.
Now available on DVD, Digital & VOD
