As though only deep dish pizza belongs to Chicago, so does the Chicago hot dog. I have been partial to the Chicago dog over any other dog, anywhere in the US or world. Since I am not a fan of deep dish, I am left to be a connoisseur of the hot dog and the Chicago beef sandwich.
The Chicago dog is a Vienna beef style hot dog. Its distinguishing feature is the bright green pickle relish, almost neon green in color. Other ingredients include yellow mustard, pickled peppers, tomato wedges, dill pickle spear, and topped off with celery salt. The bun is an S. Rosen poppy-seed bun. Chicagoans NEVER put catsup on a Chicago dog.
The Chicago dog is a Vienna beef style hot dog. Its distinguishing feature is the bright green pickle relish, almost neon green in color. Other ingredients include yellow mustard, pickled peppers, tomato wedges, dill pickle spear, and topped off with celery salt. The bun is an S. Rosen poppy-seed bun. Chicagoans NEVER put catsup on a Chicago dog.

The distinctly Chicago sandwich is the Chicago beef, known elsewhere as the Italian beef sandwich. It consists of thinly sliced beef simmered au jus, and served on an Italian roll with sweet peppers. Another popular item is the Maxwell Street Polish, a grilled or deep-fried kielbasa, topped with grilled onions, yellow mustard, and hot peppers. A goof place to taste all of these Chicagoland items is Taste of Chicago, held every summer around the 4th of July.
But Chicago is also home to 23 Michelin starred restaurants. Alinea and L20 have garnered THREE stars. Lately, even vegetarian places are becoming the vogue. Chicago is known for its great steak houses, as well as a plethora of rib joints.
But Chicago is also home to 23 Michelin starred restaurants. Alinea and L20 have garnered THREE stars. Lately, even vegetarian places are becoming the vogue. Chicago is known for its great steak houses, as well as a plethora of rib joints.
Chicago has many claims to fame. The Chicago dog claims to relieve depression felt when one’s team loses. As proof, consider the loveable losers, the Chicago Cubs. They have not won since forever, and Chicago is still a pretty upbeat city. However, the Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved this indication on the package details.
As far as the origin of the Frankfurter, several places claim the title. The city of Frankfurt celebrated the 500th birthday of the frank in 1987. It was strongly protested by the folks from Vienna. But the frank does not become a hot dog until the bun is added. Charles Feltman, a German butcher, opened the first Coney Island hot dog stand in 1867. He sold 3,684 in his first year, and is generally credited with the “warm bun”. Vienna Beef of Chicago claims the “Chicago style dog” became a reality in 1893 at the Chicago World’s Fair.
My two favorite places for hot dogs in the City are Hot Doug’s and Portillo’s. Portillo’s actually has two locations in Southern California. Owner and founder Dick Portillo opened his first hot dog stand in a trailer back in 1963. They even have a drive-thru window for take out orders. Portillo’s also serves Italian beef, hamburgers, sandwiches, pasta and salad. I always make sure I stop here at least once every time I visit Chicago.
Hot Doug’s has been featured on the Travel Channel. He calls his place the “Sausage Superstore and Encased Meat Emporium”. Some of his creations include Duck Sausage with Apple Mustard, Beef and Lamb Gyro Sausage with Artichoke, Kalamata Olives, and Feta Cheese, White Wine and Dijon Rabbit Sausage with Sauce Moutarde and Tilsiter Cheese. Hot Doug’s won a 2006 Good Eating Award from the Chicago Tribune. Doug Sohn, the owner, was even involved in a foie gras controversy opposing Charlie Trotter and Alderman Joe Moore. He even made a celebrity hot dog with foie gras and called it the Joe Moore.
Just in case I need dessert after, I plan on stopping by at Garrett’s Popcorn, another Chicago institution. After walking around the city all day, I think I deserve a least a small bag of their famous “mix”. It consists of half of their great caramel corn, and half of their equally great cheddar popcorn. Besides several joints in downtown Chicago, there is a small outlet at O’Hare International Airport, in the United Terminal B. Any time I change planes at O’Hare, I buy some popcorn for the ride home.
For the record, I had the Chicago Italian beef sandwich last night, followed by a small cup of Portillo’s frozen custard. Then a short walk to Garrett’s for a small bag of the famous Chicago Mix, half cheddar and half caramel. Eat your hearts out you wedgies!