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Glenview’s The Works goes to hot dog hall of fame
The Works and owner Andrew Koliopoulos have been named to Vienna Beef's Hall of Fame. Photograpjhed in Glenview on Tuesday, January 22, 2013. | Joel Lerner~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 1, 2013 6:23AM
The hum of customers and cooks is the typical buzz at The Works, a neighborhood hot dog stand and Greek restaurant in Glenview.
But Tuesday the din was louder than usual.
Not only were hot dogs sold for 99 cents all day, but more importantly The Works on Golf Road was named to the Vienna Beef Hot Dog Hall of Fame.
Well before noon, the 14-table eatery was filled with patrons, as owner Andy Koliopoulos weaved between them and family receiving congratulations.
He opened the restaurant in 1978 with brothers Bill and George, who died in September 2011.
“I’m proud that I really communicate with good people here everyday. I thank them all,” Koliopoulos said.
His sons, Steve and Dean, are employed at The Works.
A table was set out with free Greek desserts and patrons were bowled over by Koliopoulos’ appreciation.
Since 2006, hot dog and delicatessen operators have been given the award for customer satisfaction, community service and featuring Vienna Beef products over the years.
Bob Schwartz, senior vice president for Vienna Beef and a Northbrook resident, said 60 Chicago-area operators have been inducted to Hot Dog Hall.
“We look at a restaurant’s longevity. The National Restaurant Association has said seven years of a successful restaurant is real good,” Schwartz said, eating a Vienna dog with the usual mustard, onion and tomato, known as “The MOT.”
Schwarz also wore a blue V-neck sweater with a colorful Vienna Hot Dog logo on the chest.
“People come into the good hot stands and are made to feel special in good times and bad times,” he said.
Friends Tom Adams, Dick Sylvan and Mike Dinelli testified to the friendliness of The Works.
“I live less than a mile away and I’ve been coming in here more than 30 years, when my kids were little,” Sylvan said.
A Korean War veteran, his U.S. Navy hat often invited other former Navy personnel at the restaurant over to chat, he said.
Dinelli prefers independent, family-run places rather than chain restaurants.
“I like opportunities to see owners as part of the operation. Washington School is next door and teachers come in here and chat. It’s real nice,” said Dinelli, of Skokie.
The Works is at 2676 Golf Road, Glenview.
