From Hot Dogs to Hearts: Nicky V's Big Year in 2025

Nick Versetto, a former financial advisor, took a leap of faith seven years ago and opened Nicky V's, a hot dog and burger joint. He never expected it to grow so quickly. In 2025, he and his wife Krystyna opened four new locations in just a few months. Three are standalone buildings, and three are inside Gas 'N Wash fuel stations. All of them required a lot of hard work and belief in the business to make happen. Versetto grew up on the South Side of Chicago and went to Brother Rice High School. He loved going to local diners like Mickey's and Parisi's. He wanted to create a place like that for kids to go, a fun place that wasn't a chain restaurant. He started Nicky V's in Oak Forest in 2019 and has since opened locations in Mt. Greenwood, Merrionette Park, Bedford Park, New Lenox, and Lemont. They've also added catering services and food trucks.The menu at Nicky V's has some usual items like burgers, hot dogs, and Polish sausage, but also some Chicago-style classics like the "mother-in-law" (a tamale in a bun) and a puff burger. The Southside Special, a tray with an Italian beef, hot dog, Maxwell Street Polish, gyro pita, tamale, pizza puff, and a large fry, has been a hit. Versetto is proud of their Italian beef, which is homemade and different from the chain restaurants. Versetto is a father of five and finds it hard to balance his business and family life. He and his wife have been managing everything, but they've recently started hiring staff to help. He says that parenting comes first, even though he wants to build a successful brand. Versetto has also been involved in his communities. He met Kurt DeGroot, the founder of Project Fire Buddies, when the organization was just starting out. Nicky V's has been a big supporter of the organization, donating food trucks and showing up at events. Danielle Dorsey, whose daughter Isla is a Fire Buddy, has seen Versetto's kindness firsthand. He's brought dinners to the hospital, joined them for lunch, and even provides hot dogs for Isla's annual lemonade stand for charity.