There’s a reason Corky’s is named “#1 on US Hwy 41”. It could be for their signature hot dogs, house burgers, or their chicken tender sandwiches. It could also be for their friendly and fast service. Or it could be because Corky’s is a conveniently delicious stop in between big city destinations. Whatever the case, Corky’s has been around for a long time to please and you don’t want to miss out on one of their tasty treats the next time you’re in or driving through Cedar Lake, Indiana.
Popularity for a Reason
For about 21 years now, Corky’s has been a staple stop on US Hwy 41. Though the name may have changed at some point, the legacy still goes on. Current owners Mark and Jen have been running things for the past 7 and a half years, and are loving the reception from locals. With regulars coming in on a routine basis, Corky’s has become one of the town’s most popular spots.
Corky’s, named by a previous owner because of their dog at the time who was a mix of Corgie and Yorky, is doing well for numerous reasons. Not the least of which are their unbeatable prices. Simple food at a simple cost is always simply smart business.
And the sign? Referencing the road they are located on (US Hwy 41), and being the best is actually a nod to a pretty important badge of honor they received. The previous honor had the sign made recognizing that the Times voted them ‘Best of the Region for Hot Dogs’ for a great portion of the last 10+ years.
The Menu
While Corky’s has a few items that are must trys before walking out, owner Mark tells me,
“I think there may still be a few “secret menu” items that our regulars know of. We are always messing with new variations of existing items to keep variety and keep things interesting.” And it’s not just the variation that they care about. They also want to hone in on the quality.
“We make every sandwich to order. If you order a burger it takes 7 minutes or so because we put it on the grill when you order it. It takes a bit longer, but it’s fresh, not sitting in a warmer.” Which gives it that step above your average fast food dining experience.
When asked what their specialty item is, Mark hits me with a few different items.
“Specialty burgers: Spicy Jalapeño, Western, Pizza, Hawaiian, and of course our Dog Pound Burger.”
Ah yes, their Dog Pound Burger.
“Three of our 1/3 patties, 3 cheeses, bacon and our zesty teriyaki sauce.” Yeah, that’s one of those, ‘don’t go home without trying this one’ burgers. It’s one of their best, and frankly one of the reasons you should be visiting this little hole-in-the-wall hot dog stand.
But this isn’t the reason there’s so much traffic coming in and out of Corky’s. The real popular item? The Chicago Hot Dog. A concoction that only a Chicagoite could have come up with, it consists of a hot dog on a poppyseed bun, cucumber, pickle, onion, relish, mustard and tomato. While it may sound a bit overwhelming and even a little confusing to the tastebuds – it’s actually the most uniquely delicious item you may not have tried yet.
Corky’s also features items on their menu which are named after guests. For example, my personal favorite item that day (aside from the burgers and hot dogs of course), was Tim’s Chicken Sandwich. Named after their guest Tim, it was a ‘weird’ version of a chicken sandwich the previous owner use to make which Tim continued to ask for years later.
And perhaps the best item from my perspective was the Mushroom and Swiss Cheese Burger. While the Western had a sweet kick to it, and Tim’s Chicken Sandwich was tasty as well, there’s really nothing like a good classic burger with cheddar, onion, pickle and mustard. Am I right? Yes, I am – and they have that too!
Good news for regulars in the area. The owners are thinking of expanding. With hopes to open another location in the near future, they have had a few opportunities in the past, but they have sadly not panned out yet, according to Mark.
“Eventually, we’ll find the right place at the right time,” he says hopeful.
Finally, Mark makes a point of telling me what really matters to them at Corky’s.
“Customer service is one of our top priorities. We try to greet every guest and wish everyone a good day when they leave. We want everyone to feel welcome all the time. Obviously food accuracy and quick service are right there as top priorities as well.”
With this being the biggest and most important thing to any strong and successful business, it’s no wonder Corky’s is still #1 on US Hwy 41!
So, what are you waiting for? You know you want some of those garlic fries. Some of those tasty burgers, or a Maxwell Polish (which was my favorite of all the dogs). Just make sure that when you do stop in, you let them know Lisa sent you!
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