I recall seeing a mention of this hot dog stand/fast food restaurant here on LTH sometime last year, but I’ve been unsuccessful locating it using the search feature, so I’ll start a separate new discussion. Apologies if this is a duplicative effort.
I work in the West Loop and am always on the lookout for different places to have lunch.
Fast Track on the corner of Des Plaines and Lake St. is out of my traffic pattern because I take public transportation to work to a couple of blocks SE of there. On occasion I have use of the car of a friend and on my way to one of the lesser-costing parking lots in the neighborhood I drive by Fast Track. Today, after buying some stamps at the Haymarket branch of the US Post Office, I walked over to Fast Track for lunch.
This was a late-lunch visit – about 1:30 p.m., and, in addition to myself, there were 4 or 5 other people eating-in, and maybe another 10 people came and went with their take-out orders in the span of 1/2 hour. There’s parking for 4 or 5 cars in front of the place, making it easy to get in/out quickly if you’re driving by and want to stop to get something to take-out. If you want to eat-in, there are wide counter height tables and a long counter against one section of the window – there’s probably seating for 15 people. In warm weather, there are a couple of picnic-type tables outdoors, in front - seating an additional 8-10 people.
The menu is large, and the service was quick. There are seasonal (Lenten) specials (for example, crab cakes w/potato pancakes - $5.75), and a featured sandwich combo each day (today it was a hamburger with fries, and a 14oz. drink – for under $5). In addition to the owner (an affable Greek gentleman) there were two young men working behind the counter. Service was quick, and I have the sense that it’s rapid even during the rush periods. Hot dogs, hamburgers, Italian beef/sausage sandwiches are the featured items, but you can order other sandwiches, including: chicken breast, turkey, fish and baked ham. The owner was very friendly, and when I asked about various menu items he stressed that he serves fresh food – receiving supplies three times weekly.
I was in the mood for a hot dog, and I wasn’t disappointed with the offering. The dogs are Vienna - with the natural casing - served with the traditional Chicago Dog toppings (no lettuce). The dog ($1.89) was on the smallish side of what Vienna sells, and was served in a poppy seed bun. It wasn’t overcooked, it had a mild snap when bitten-into – just the way I like ‘em. The bun was nicely steamed, and didn’t fall apart in the hand.
The fries were golden crisp, slightly greasy, but not too much so. The menu says they’re “fresh cut” but I didn’t see any trace of potato skin. The small order ($1.29)was larger than a “large” order might be elsewhere.
I washed-down the sandwich/fries with a small soft drink (14oz.), which sells for $1.09. My check for the lunch came to just about $5. In addition to lunch Fast Track serves breakfast, which I haven’t tried. I left satisfied and plan to return.
Fast Track isn’t likely to be convenient to most people working in the Loop, or West Loop for that matter. But for someone driving through the area in search of a quick meal it might meet a need – particularly with the free parking out-front.
The restaurant’s menu is available for viewing online (link below). There's a delivery option, also - most likely limited to the nearby area (and with a minium order of $10).
Fast Track
629 W. Lake St. (SE corner of Lake & Des Plaines)
Chicago, Illinois
(312) 993-9300
Monday - Friday: 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
http://www.fasttrackonlake.com/