Dives like Donald's are always appealing and endearing, the kind of place without flashy gimmicks or the cleanest of tables, a fast-food joint that gets by solely on fantastically greasy food and prices that barely make a dent in your pocket. This Pilsen hot dog establishment has become the local go-to grease pit, where gyros, dogs, burgers and meatball sandwiches await quick consumption for those tired of munching on carrots.

Virtually nothing here is over $5; a small fortune could buy a month's worth of fatty foods. Two hot dogs and fries will run you $4.09, a pretty standard price for the usual Vienna beef and fixings. One small gripe: No poppy seed buns for the dogs, apparently. It's a solid dog even without the traditional Chicago-style bread, but purists may be a little irked.

Other typical meaty sandwiches make appearances Italian beef, Polish sausage, rib eye steak. One way Donald's reaches out beyond the usual dive menu: Soups are homemade daily, so be sure to try out the cream of potato and the chicken rosa marina at some point.

Donald's has a drive-thru for quick and vehicular service, but I recommend dropping inside the place. The dining room may, at first glance, be about as interesting as your local Wendy's, but there are a few lovable quirks. An inexplicable poster shows a football helmet with a Donald's logo sitting in space next to a hoagie and a burger. Plus, if you sit around long enough, you can hear the dialogue between the staff and the drive-thru patrons, as the speaker is louder than anything else in the room. Donald's: come for the dogs, stay for the eavesdropping.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Andy Seifert