New Name, Same Beloved Hot Dogs at Josh's

Wolfy’s may have become , but local diners can still find the same faces and beloved hot dogs and burgers at the Northbrook restaurant.

Josh Kaplan opened the restaurant at 873 Sanders Rd. in 2009 with Pete Romas, owner of the Chicago hot dog joint Wolfy’s. In March, Kaplan bought out his partner and renamed the restaurant.

"He was in the restaurant business for 20 years, doing hot dogs for 12 years,” Kaplan said. “Ultimately we both felt that this restaurant was better with one owner. We're still friendly—I don't burn bridges ever."

Kaplan worked in real estate before 2009, but he has a long history with hot dogs. His father was a Vienna Beef distributor for 25 years and Kaplan used to ride in his truck to do restaurant deliveries. He now uses Vienna Beef for his hot dogs at Josh’s.

Josh’s uses local suppliers as much as possible, serving chicken from Glenview’s  and skirt steaks and burgers from Northbrook’s . The restaurant has been tinkering with the burger recipe since it opened, only settling on the current version last year.

"Every day somebody tells me, 'That was the best burger,' " Kaplan said.

The high-quality food has earned the restaurant loyal followers. Bela Gathy said he discovered the spot near his office about a year ago, and has been coming three to five times a week ever since.

“You can’t get food like this in the suburbs,” he said. “Others imitate it, but it’s not the same.”

Gathy was unfazed by the name change.

“It’s the same great food, same great people,” he said. “Who cares what it’s called?”

Stefanie Schoeneman of Northbrook was visiting recently with three friends from Indiana University.

“It’s really good here,” she said. “When I’m home from school, I come here.”

Schoeneman said she started going to the restaurant because of her younger brother, who went to Wolfy’s nearly every day after school with his friends. A picture of him posing with Northbrook native and Duke University basketball player Jon Scheyer hangs over the counter.

When Kaplan took over the restaurant, he also added a cork board with pictures of him and his customers.

“Every time I look at the board it just makes me happy,” he said. “They're customers smiling and having fun."

Kaplan also gives much of the credit for his success to his staff.

"I am only as good as my guys that work for me,” he said. “I am nothing without my guys here. They keep me going."

This summer has been busy for Kaplan. Along with taking on new responsibilities at the restaurant, his second son, Marty, was born June 15.

"The day after he was born I put up on the special board The Marty Melt,” Kaplan said. “The price was $7.14. He was born 7 pounds, 14 ounces. People got a kick out of it. I had a lot of customers tell me ‘We liked you before Josh, but we really enjoyed how you welcomed your son and gave him a special recognition on the special board.’ ”

With the changes to the menu and décor complete, Kaplan is looking ahead. He plans to hold a grand re-opening celebration Aug. 21 with a tent party in the parking lot featuring games for children as well as a disc jockey and live music.

Kaplan is also considering opening a second location, after getting encouragement from customers who have come from as far away as Antioch and Buffalo Grove for his food.

“I've got my eye on some places that I really like,” Kaplan said. “But at the same time I don't want to get ahead of myself ever. I don't want to spread myself out too quickly. I want to make sure everything is right and that customers are taken care of."