Bears fans line up for free hot dogs at Lincoln Park eatery after Caleb Williams throws 4 TDs

For much of Tuesday, the line to The Wiener’s Circle wrapped around the corner down Clark Street. As vehicles drove past, many drivers honked their horns in solidarity.

The Lincoln Park hot dog stand was making good on a promise that if Bears quarterback Caleb Williams threw four touchdowns, it would give out free hot dogs. Williams threw four touchdown passes Sunday to lead the team 31-14 over the Dallas Cowboys for its first win of the season.

And fans came out for their hot dogs in droves.

George Day stood in line for 45 minutes to get that free hot dog.

“I’m a massive Bear fan," Day said. "Excited to have Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson here. It's an exciting time in the city. And great to have a first win here this past week, and you get a free hot dog! Amazing.”

Of course, to get to that free hot dog, customers have to get through a barrage of insults, something the eatery staff does for fun.

The 24-year-old Day, who lives right around the corner from the popular stand, said he doesn’t mind. In fact, he said, he’d be insulted if he wasn’t insulted.

“That's the whole point of coming here," Day said. "It's why you come here. It’s part of the experience."

Allison Pustelnik arrived at the stand with her cousin Emily and their grandmother, Mary Lou Pustelnik.

“It was worth the insults. The dogs are so good. I had to be here. We’re celebrating the Bears today,” Pustelnik, 24, said. “The season started in a rough spot, but we're on the up and up.”

Bears season ticket holder Marshall Velasco arrived to the Wiener’s Circle, 2622 N Clark St., for the first time Tuesday, hoping to take advantage of the free hot dog giveaway.

“They made the bet, they made the promise, and they're fulfilling the promise. I just hope Caleb can do some more,” Velasco said. “I was ready for the insults. They yelled some stuff from behind the counter but it’s fine.

Velasco, who lives in Logan Square, said the Bears are turning in the right direction.

“I think they might finally turn the corner," Velasco said. "We can’t give up on Caleb yet. It’s too early. He’s had too many different coaches, offensive coordinators. You need to give him a chance."

Darcy Di Caprio and her friend Kelly Glass got their free hot dogs — of course, Chicago Style.

“I think this is great. It’s fun to see all the social media around the hot dog giveaway,” Glass said. “We live just around the corner so it was really easy for us.”

Di Caprio said the 45-minute wait didn’t bother her one bit. And neither did the insults.

“We’re here. We made it,” Di Caprio said. “They just told us to keep the line moving. It was a busy day.”

Kofi Darkwell, of Chicago, thinks the free hot dog giveaway was a great promotion.

“It helps build camaraderie around the city and helps give our Bears the momentum they need to hopefully have a good season,” said Darkwell, 42.

The Wiener's Circle buns supplier S. Rosen’s saw the tweet the hot dog stand put out on Friday.

“We didn't know if it was going to happen. On Sunday, when we did happen, we jumped on the phone and asked them how we can support this? How can we help you in this celebration,” said Itanella Urgo, marketing associate with S. Rosen. “We’ve been a vendor of the Wiener’s Circle for over 40 years. We care about the relationships with our customers and what an amazing thing to be a part of.”

S. Rosen supplied the hot dog stand with some 2,000 buns.

“If they need more, we’re just down the street and our truck will be on its way,” Urgo said.

Wiener’s Circle owner Ari Levy thanked his staff for starting early to get the hot dogs ready for customers.

“It’s widely successful," Levy said. "We had no idea people would be willing to wait in such a long line just to get a free hot dog. I think it’s mostly because of the love for the Bears and Caleb."

Michael Puente is a reporter and weekend anchor with WBEZ. Reach him at mpuente@wbez.org