Places
6 great places for a Chicago-style Hot Dog
Chicago is a city on the go, a place where life moves at a faster pace. To fit in with the rhythm of the city, the “street food,” of food trucks and stands, is popular. The city’s most famous food is the Chicago-style hotdog, which features a unique mix of toppings.
Food expert Ashok Selvam, a writer and senior editor at Eater Chicago (Chicago.eater.com), a site dedicated to reporting on all things related to Chicago food, explains how a Chicago dog is assembled.
“There are a lot of toppings, but the selections aren’t arbitrary. It all works together cohesively,” Selvam says. “There are variants, but the normal toppings are onions (raw or grilled), sliced tomatoes, pickled relish, pickle spear, mustard, pickled pepper and a dash of celery salt. The celery salt is what makes the whole engine hum collectively.”
One thing you won’t find on a Chicago dog is ketchup.
“Ketchup ruins the profile of a Chicago hot dog. It’s overwhelming.” Selvam explains. “There are pockets of Chicago where you will be ridiculed for ordering ketchup. You’re less likely to make friends. Ketchup is pushed off as a condiment for children who don’t know any better.”
But what makes the Chicago dog such a beloved treat? Selvam says there are several reasons.
“It’s an item people from all walks of life can enjoy,” Selvam says. “It’s affordable and very satisfying. It can also be customized to individual’s tastes. Most Americans have childhood memories of hot dogs as it was a cheap staple of many families kitchens.”
Selvam says the best Chicago dogs can be found at Hot Doug’s, which closed its storefront location but still has a stand in Wrigley Field, where hot dogs pair well with a baseball game. Selvam says a good, classic Chicago-style dog can also be found at the Superdawg drive-in restaurants and you can get a more modern take at Lola’s Coney Island, which features a Chicago dog as well as a Detroit-style hot dog…but that’s a different story.
Dog Haus Biergarten Lincoln Park
The beer garden has a great location in Lincoln Park, which stretches alongside Lake Michigan. They have lots of varieties of hot dogs, sausages and hamburgers, as well as locally made craft beer.
Dog Haus Biergarten
2464 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago
Show on map
Photo: Scott Thompson
Lola’s Coney Island
This new restaurant is owned by a Detroit native, who shows his skills, serving Detroit, Chicago and New York-style dogs. Try them all to see which is best!
Lola’s Coney Island
2858 W. Chicago Ave, Chicago
Show on map
Allium
If you’re feeling like a fancier environment than your average street corner stand, Allium is a top dining destination for “contemporary midwestern.” While most street dogs cost just a few dollars, Allium has a $19-dollar hot dog on the menu.
Allium
120 E. Delaware Pl, Chicago
Show on map
Photo: Scott Thompson
Superdawg Drive-in
This classic drive-in diner has been around since 1948. It’s famous for the statues of cartoon hot dog characters on the roof and their classic Chicago dog. They have a second location in Wheeling, Illinois.
Superdawg
6363 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago
Show on map
Hot G Dawg
Has a good variety of sausages, including a Guinness beer brat, Santa Fe chicken sausage and a vegetarian option.
Hot G Dawg
5009 N. Clark St, Chicago
Show on map
Fatso’s Last Stand
Serves a great Chicago dog, chili dogs, veggie dogs, burgers, fried shrimp, mac and cheese and deep-fried pickle chips.
Fatso’s Last Stand
2258 W. Chicago Ave, Chicago
Show on map
Tea Krulos
Did you find this article inspiring?
Give it a thumbs up!
0 likes
Book trip
Use your points
From60,000 Round trip
Chicago
Popular articles
Popular articles
AD
