It happened again. A line of hyper and hungry Bears fans started forming outside The Wieners Circle at 5 a.m. Tuesday, despite the bitter 23-degree temperature. It was all in the name of free hot dogs, courtesy of Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson, who rose to the hot dog stand’s challenge and took off his shirt after Friday’s win against the Philadelphia Eagles.
At 7 a.m., S. Rosen’s, the longtime bakery on Polk Street, delivered 2,000 hot dog buns. Hours later, at 11 a.m., the doors finally opened and The Wieners Circle staff started handing out free hot dogs and their signature slights.
Only in Chicago does an NFL coach taking off his shirt impact so many lives, laughed Emma Kreis, operations manager at The Wieners Circle.
“But this is what we do and we love it,” Kreis said. “Seeing this all come together again has been so wholesome.”
The event transpired the same as it had in September, when The Wieners Circle’s social media post on ‘X’ resulted in free hot dogs after Bears’ quarterback Caleb Williams threw four touchdowns. Kreis said she and owner Ari Levy share an office, so she catches how the ideas spiral into reality in real time. About a week after the stand handed out “glizzies” for Williams’ performance, Levy put another offer out there.
“We were in the office and he was like, you know what we’re going to do? If (Ben Johnson) takes his shirt off during or after any Bears victory this year, we’re going to do free hot dogs again,” Kreis laughed. “And I said, well, you just tweeted it so he’s probably going to do it.”
Bob Keen lines up with Bears fans for free hot dogs, Dec. 2, 2025, at The Wieners Circle in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood after coach Ben Johnson took his shirt off in a postgame celebration for a win over the Eagles. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
During a late October media session, Johnson said he was aware of The Wieners Circle’s proclamation.
“That’s been mentioned,” he said. “It’s a little disturbing. Why would we want to see that?”
But when asked if he wanted to feed the people of Chicago, he admitted he was a man of the people. “So time will tell.”
Much to the delight and surprise of fans across Chicagoland, the Bears have had their first winning season since 2018, currently at the top of the NFC. They’ve won nine of their last 10 games, so a no-shirt Johnson was on the table for nine weeks.
But Friday’s 24-15 win against the defending Super Bowl champions was well worth the wait, Kreis said. And Johnson alluding to the free hot dogs as he ripped his shirt off was even cooler, she noted.
“First of all, what a team player. I mean, he’s got to be one of the best coaches ever,” she said. “And if anyone’s going to bear the temperature for a free hot dog, it’s going to be people in this city.”
On Friday, after Johnson ripped off his shirt, flexing his arms, he yelled, “They’re hungry for some hot dogs!” The team went wild.
As did the line outside The Wieners Circle on Tuesday, despite the slushy snow and globs of mud on the sidewalk. Rolling chants of “Thank you, Ben Johnson!” kept erupting outside the storefront, as customers further down the winding line stuck their necks out to catch a glimpse of the chaos happening under the iconic sign that read: “We got a new Mayor Johnson.” Most of the customers came for the hoopla, not just the hot dogs.
Bears fans line up for free hot dogs, Dec. 2, 2025, at The Wieners Circle in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood after coach Ben Johnson took his shirt off in a postgame celebration for a win over the Eagles. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
But some customers, like KJ Gaiter, a Lincoln Park resident who coaches baseball at Oz Park, were experiencing The Wieners Circle for the first time.
“The line was wrapped around the corner when I came, but I decided that no matter the weather, I wanted to be here supporting the Bears,” Gaiter said.
He waited in line for around 45 minutes before entering the “staging area” where The Wieners Circle staff was hurling insults at the customers in front.
Regan Eggert, one of the restaurant’s comedic employees, was watching the tip jar closely.
“Broke [expletive]! You better throw some money in my jar, [expletive]!”
“Come over ugly. Out of breath and [expletive] … tweety bird looking. What’s wrong with you?”
Further down Clark Street, customer Dennis Shim was wearing a bright purple Baltimore Ravens sweatshirt, a surefire way to feel the wrath of The Wieners Circle on a Bears-related free hot dog day. Shim said he used to live in Baltimore, but was born in Chicago.
“I’m willing to take my punishment; it’s all about the experience,” he laughed. Next to him was David Wright, another customer. The men were talking about the impact the Bears have on their fan base.
“I never knew Dennis until now, never met him in my life,” Wright said. “But now, in this line, we are exclusively together. I love this guy!”
For Wright, the Bears represent togetherness — even when the team isn’t 9-3 and the coach isn’t great.
The marquee promoted Bears coach Ben Johnson as fans line up for free hot dogs, Dec. 2, 2025, at The Wieners Circle in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood after Johnson took his shirt off in a postgame celebration for a win over the Eagles. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
“What’s even more special is that Johnson understands that we’re a hardcore fan base. There’s only one team in Chicago that everybody rallies around,” he said. “Some people are into basketball, some are into hockey, some people like soccer, but everyone — no matter how bad they are — roots for the Bears.”
Shim, in his purple outfit, cautiously approached the counter while filming his interaction with the staff. He received an astounding: NO!
Every now and then outside, a small crowd would scuffle around a male customer willing to take his shirt off. “YEAH!” quickly followed by roaring gratitude for Ben Johnson, again. A Johnson lookalike came ready for his close-up, dressed in a blue Bears quarter zip and a headset.
Another doppelganger, Ald. Timothy Knudsen, 43rd, is completely self-aware of his similarities. He said he even dressed as Johnson for Halloween. Knudsen swung by to support the local business and ignited even more excitement, especially as he flashed a smile eerily similar to Johnson’s.
After two successful free hot dog giveaways, Kreis said it might be a feat trying to top that enthusiasm — at least for a little while.
“I’m sure there will be something else — Ari will probably tweet something else soon,” Kreis joked.
For customer Xochil Olivarez, a Wieners Circle cheeseburger is a frequent lunch pick. She said she even gets free stuff because they’re pretty fond of her. Despite visiting often, Olivarez decided to join the masses on Tuesday.
“We gotta be equal with the other people,” said Olivarez. Next to her, her friend joked that Olivarez was so happy about the Bears, she’ll probably just cry.
“Let’s not jinx it!” Olivarez said. “And the coach — he has a sexy body.” Others in line chuckled and agreed with her statement.
Bears fans cheer while lining up for free hot dogs, Dec. 2, 2025, at The Wieners Circle in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Past noon, the line started to shrink. West Lakeview resident Graeme Phillips said he came at an ideal time, only having waited 10 minutes before he was near the front entrance.
Phillips said he was eager to go inside because he had a feeling his picture was up on The Wieners Circle’s “Wall of Shame.”
“One time, I wore jorts with cowboy boots, and they didn’t approve. They just laughed. They laughed at me the entire time and then took a picture,” he said. “I was incredibly dishevelled from the previous night.”
(He did indeed make the wall.)
Tickled at the customers who kept taking their shirts off, Phillips said moments like free hot dog days embody the spirit of the city.
“I think it’s inspiring because I think that they probably don’t look as good as Ben Johnson underneath,” he joked. “It’s just amazing — bringing together people from so many backgrounds. I’ve heard this quote before, I don’t know who it’s by, but it’s true — there’s a certain feeling in Chicago when the Bears are good.”
Column: When a shirtless coach and a free hot dog rallied an entire city. Only in Chicago.