Chicago Hot Dogs

I am a hot dog affucianado! Having lived here in Chicago all of my 38 years I consider myself an expert on the Chicago dog. So here is my question to all of you:

I realize there are very few chain restaurants that offer a Chicago dog (maybe Portillos). So those of you in and around Chicago or those that have been to Chicago. Where do you remember your best dog? Or have you gotten a Chicago hot dog in another state? Before you answer please read the Chicago hot dog criteria first:

Hot dog that is steamed, boiled or charred (Charred is the preferred Chicago taste)

Apply the following in this order:

1. Yellow Mustard
2. Pickle Relish
3. Chopped Onions
4. Two Tomato Wedges
5. One Pickle Spear
6. A Dash Of Celery Salt

ABSOLUTELY NO KETCHUP!!

I don't know if it was absolutely the best Hot Dog I ever had, but the first real Chicago Hot Dog I remember eating was at Fluky's when it was still on the southwest corner of Pratt and Western Avenues. I think the first Hot Dog you eat as an "adult" (meaning the first time you are willing to forgo ketchup and accept all or most of those other toppings) is the one by which you judge all others, and is, by extension, the best.

Buddy

First off, I have no idea what you're asking or why your 38 years in Chicago make you an expert on anything other than what you yourself enjoy but here's my favorites. This being America and all, I'm sure you won't object to me eating a hot dog I enjoy and not one you've picked out for me, right?

Tie between The Big Wally @ The Historic Third Ward (CSD's), The Char Dog @ Poochies in Skokie and The Fire Dog @ Martino's on Layton Ave.

My 60 year old preferences are:

1. Ketchup
2. Yellow Mustard
3. Pickle Relish
4. Chopped Onions
5. 3 Sport Peppers
6. Two Tomato Wedges
7. One Pickle Spear
8. A Dash Of Celery Salt

I'm NOT an expert on the CSD but I thought sport peppers where standard fare.

As far as I knew,sport peppers were standard fare,as well, on Chicago style dogs.At least all the ones I have eaten in my 49 years..

Poppy Seed Bun!
Sport Peppers (not the little yellow peppers)

1. Yellow Mustard
2. NEON GREEN Pickle Relish
3. Chopped Onions
4. Two Tomato Wedges
5. One Pickle Spear
6. A Dash Of Celery Salt

Some, but not QT's also have slices of cucumber but I take them off.

I have one a week at QT's in Sherman Oaks, CA

Haven't been to Chicago in about 10 years, but way back then Gold Coast Dogs had multiple locations and served a very good chardog.

I cannot, for the life of me, understand why anyone would want to ruin a good hot dog by putting a salad on one.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Hoffman

I cannot, for the life of me, understand why anyone would want to ruin a good hot dog by putting a salad on one.

I have to agree. A little mustard and some kraut and I am good.

quote:

Originally posted by susanll

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Hoffman

I cannot, for the life of me, understand why anyone would want to ruin a good hot dog by putting a salad on one.

I have to agree. A little mustard and some kraut and I am good.

Oh, oh. Now you've put yourself in the line of fire.

quote:

Originally posted by susanll

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Hoffman

I cannot, for the life of me, understand why anyone would want to ruin a good hot dog by putting a salad on one.

I have to agree. A little mustard and some kraut and I am good.

I would have joined you on this until I had my first full dressed CSD a few years ago and found it a wonderful combination. Sometimes different is good.

quote:

Originally posted by Tony Bad

quote:

Originally posted by susanll

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Hoffman

I cannot, for the life of me, understand why anyone would want to ruin a good hot dog by putting a salad on one.

I have to agree. A little mustard and some kraut and I am good.

I would have joined you on this until I had my first full dressed CSD a few years ago and found it a wonderful combination. Sometimes different is good.

I tried one one time -- in Chicago -- and I was unable to take more than a few bites bewfore getting rid of it. Heck, I don;t like salad on a plate. I certainly don't want it ruining a hot dog.

Michael, that's precisely why Baskin-Robbins has 31 flavors.
I never in a million years would have thought to combine mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, lime juice and chili powder on corn on the cob (or in a cup) but after hearing our SW members post about it, I tried it when I got the chance. I really enjoyed it.

quote:

Originally posted by MilwFoodlovers

Michael, that's precisely why Baskin-Robbins has 31 flavors.
I never in a million years would have thought to combine mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, lime juice and chili powder on corn on the cob (or in a cup) but after hearing our SW members post about it, I tried it when I got the chance. I really enjoyed it.

I've never been a Baskin-Robbins fan. But, the fact is, I tried a Chicago hot dog once and did not like it, to say the least.

My point Michael was that if everyone only ate vanilla ice cream, B-R wouildn't offer 31 flavors. I do understand that you tried a Chicago dog and didn't care for it. I don't care for chili dogs but others enjoying them doesn't bother me in the least. I also like a slaw dog, do you? At home I usually have a Usingers or Klements NC knockwurst adorned only with raw onions on an Italian heavily seeded sausage hard roll, no ketchup, no mustard, no relish, no tomato, no hot peppers, no celery salt, with a home made garlic crock dill pickle on the side. When I go out I want something I don't make at home. Buddy, speaking of Fluky's, the last visit to the Klement outlet store found some Fluky's uncured franks. I've never tried an uncured hot dog; any idea what they are like?

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I don't care about otherts liking Chicago-style hot dogs. I was speaking only about what I think of them.

"(Charred is the preferred Chicago taste)"

What part of Chicago are you from, Disneyland? Polish and Italian can be charred, but a Chicago dog is ALWAYS steamed and on a steamed poppyseed bun.

"I cannot, for the life of me, understand why anyone would want to ruin a good hot dog by putting a salad on one."

I cannot, for the life of me, understand why someone who doesn't like Chicago style dogs would open a thread called 'Chicago Dogs" and comment about them. Why would anyone on this thread care that you don't like them? It's like going to the Seafood thread and telling them that I hate fish.

quote:

Originally posted by kensandyeggo

"I cannot, for the life of me, understand why anyone would want to ruin a good hot dog by putting a salad on one."

I cannot, for the life of me, understand why someone who doesn't like Chicago style dogs would open a thread called 'Chicago Dogs" and comment about them. Why would anyone on this thread care that you don't like them? It's like going to the Seafood thread and telling them that I hate fish.

Do you have a really, relly serious problem with a person commenting on something, or is it just that you don't happen to care for someone speaking his or her mind truthfully? I find your comment a pain in the butt, but it would never occur to me to tell you you're a damned fool for daring to disagree with anyone. That's not to say you aren't one, but it would never occur to me to tell you that.