In 1963, at the four-way stop of Higgins Road and old Route 53/Rohlwing, a popular local restaurant was born. Sitting next to a vegetable stand on the east side of the road, just north of the site of a former Shell gas station, the proprietor began selling Italian beef sandwiches and Chicago-style steamed hot dogs from a trailer.
Without a formal name, they stayed in the same location until 1969, serving their simple menu to the many construction workers who helped build Schaumburg Township. And, according to one gentleman I talked to, he recalls being able to stop there as late as 11:00 in the evening for a quick hot dog. They were open that late.
Smack dab in the middle of the Woodfield construction, the operation was forced to relocate and the owners chose a new spot at 720 E. Higgins Road in Schaumburg. Near the NW corner of the intersection with Plum Grove, a brown, brick building was constructed and Hippo’s Hot Dogs was born. In an area with few restaurants, Hippo’s immediately attracted a following of local residents. And, with the ready-made crowd from Conant High School, Hippo’s became the go-to hangout for the local teenagers. Soon the small center where it was located was called the Hippodrome Plaza—a name that has stuck to this day.
The menu expanded as the years went by to include:
- Chili dogs
- Cheese dogs
- Sauerkraut dogs
- Chili/cheese dogs
- Italian beef
- Italian sausage
- Homemade meatball sandwich
- Homemade chili and soups
- Submarines
- Sloppy hippos
- Italian steak sandwiches
- Reuben sandwich
- Julienne salad and chef salad
- Tamales
- Onion rings, French fries and fried mushrooms
They were known for their root beer but they also obtained a liquor license and sold .25 frosted mugs of draft beer. Wine by the carafe soon became another option. With a steady stream of students willing to work but unable to serve liquor, the restaurant placed a number of ads in the newspaper requesting a “Man wanted to pour only beer, 3 nites a week.”
While many fondly recall the hot dogs that are part of Hippo’s name, they also considered themselves to be one of the best Italian beef stands around. In 1980, the Daily Herald ran an article on “Who Has the Best Italian Beef Sandwiches?” Not having been included in the list, Hippo’s took strong offense and ran an ad in the paper asking their customers to come to the restaurant and sign a petition. Hippo’s felt they deserved more recognition and even asked other restaurants who had been left off to join them in the protest by adding their name and location to the petition. The support was obviously there because the restaurant stayed in business for another 14 years.
In 1994, the owners sold their location to a McDonalds franchise who tore down the beloved restaurant to profit from the benefits of a good location. Undoubtedly there are few in Schaumburg Township who haven’t experienced a McDonalds hamburger. But, in 2011, how many can say they have had an Italian beef or steamed hot dog with fries and a frosty mug of beer or root beer from Hippo’s? Or, better yet a sloppy Hippo? If someone can tell me what that is!
This posting was written with the help of an August 29, 1994 article from the Chicago Tribune, ads from the Daily Herald, and memories from Larry Rowan, a frequent commenter on this blog.
