Scooter ride to Chicago for Dogs

My weekends are starting to fill up with events, so I decided to jump on the bike and ride from Denver to Chicago to eat a whole mess o hot dogs before it gets too busy. Leaving on Thursday May 8th. Should roll into Chicago Friday sometime. I've got one maybe 3 people going with, if anyone else feels like going for a quick run to hot dog Mecca, shoot me an email. Here's to hoping it ain't snowing too much that weekend.

Do you have your agenda set or are you looking for recs?

Buddy

I'm not sure what you mean by recs? That weekend is the only one I have for the near future that I won't be working. Chicago is about 2 days on a scooter from Denver. The only agenda I have is to meet Chicagostyledogs at Hot Dougs on Saturday morning. The rest of the time is up for grabs. Well until Sunday morning when we split that is. So we are definetly up for some ideas. Probably taking the direct route on 80 through Nebraska and Iowa. A buddy is riding up from Oklahoma and going to meet us near Lincoln. Should be a good time. I've been burning dogs for going on 3 years, but aside from the Woodys Dogs, and a place called Chicagos here in Denver, I usually don't get to do the Chicago style thing much. Looking forward to it.

I got the impression you wanted to do a Chicago Style Hot Dog Tour while you were here in town. If that is not the case, sorry for butting in. If that is your intent, here are some ideas:

In the city you should try:

Wolfy's up on the northside at 2734 W Peterson Ave.

Susie's at 4126 W Montrose Ave. has good dogs and amazing fresh cut fries.

The Wiener's Circle at 2622 N. Clark Street is one of the city's best, but go during the day as the drunken late night crowd can seriously detract from the good food.

Murphy's at 1211 W. Belmont Ave. is another classic. In fact, it is so highly thought of, a group of Japanese business men came over here and made a franchise deal with Murphy's to open up exact replicas, serving Vienna Beef dogs, in Japan!

Fast Tracks, 629 W Lake St. is a fun joint. Excellent dogs and fries in decor that pays tribute to Chicago's public transit system. Features include outdoor tables and benches made out of welded together subway wheels, dozens of vintage photos of the old buses and trains, and a large scale model train that runs overhead around the inside perimeter of the building.

A bit further west of Fast Tracks, also on Lake St., is Al's Red Hots at 2908 W. Lake. Al's claim to fame is that they are the oldest currently operating hot dog stand in the city of Chicago. Haven't been here myself so I can't speak to the quality of the food.

If you want to get right to the source, head on over to the Vienna Beef Café, 2501 North Damen Ave. This is the in-plant lunch room for the Vienna Beef factory. Open to the public, more than reasonable prices and fresh Vienna dogs straight out of the smoker.

These are probably more than you could handle in a week, let alone two days. But if you want more (and there are dozens), particularly in the suburbs, I'll be happy to pass them along.

Have a great trip. Say hello to CSD for me!

Buddy

biker jim, What kind of scooter.

Joe

Buddy,
You are exactly right. I am going there to eat hot dogs. If I can't raise my cholesterol by 25 points then it was a wasted trip. I really appreciate the suggested dining joints and will probably hit a few. My problem is that I don't have too much time. I figure most of 2 days out, 1 day for eating, and 2 days back. I needed a motorcycle ride before my summer got too booked, but my regular weekday customers get a little yancy when I'm gone for too long. So out and back for me. I'm looking forward to some sport peps and neon relish.
Joe, I ride an 04 Road King Custom. I rode a Heritage Softail for years and years, but I gotta tell you I do loves me that there Road King. Pretty and comfortable, a very nice highway cruiser.

When you said scooter, I think of my GranTurisimo 200. Although it will do 65MPH I would never venture out on an interstate. Sounds like you are going to have a great trip. Enjoy the dogs.

Joe

Hello all ,

Now thats what I call coolio !!!
Denver to Chicago for dogs
Good luck with the trip.
In Sept . why don't you bike to New Jersey and we will get you onboard the 5th Annual Hot Dog Tour .

Benzee

If you can, pass through Savanna, Illinois and eat at Poopy's. It's a biker bar, as Savanna is a popular destination for bikers. The food, I've heard, is known to be good.

If you follow the river up from I-80 on the Iowa side, stop at LaClaire, Iowa at Sneaky Pete's, a block away from the Buffalo Bill museum. It's on the main drag and well known. Great steaks, too.

Biker Jim,

Since your time is limited, do as Buddyroadhouse suggests and eat at

1) Vienna Beef facorty
2) Weiner Circle

These are 2 of the best In Chicago!!!!!

Enjoy your trip

variety is the spice of life
you've eaten one Vienna Beef dog you've eaten them all .... I might be wrong but all the recommendations above all serve Vienna beef........ not much variety in taste there.

If you're on a Chicago hot-dog quest you'd be amiss if you didn't visit the most famous hot-dog joint in Chicago. ................. Superdawg
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Writeup.aspx?ReviewID=87&RefID=87

it is my opinion that Superdawg with their specially made for them dog is a superior product then the Vienna Beef monopoly. Not to say that Vienna Beef is a bad dog cuz it's a good dog. Unlike New Jersey, New York or Connecticut, Chicago, is stuck with one hot-dog .............. this would drive John Fox crazy......with nothing more to taste review...... lol

If we get lucky Chicago Style Dogs can get us into the Vienna Beef plant for a wee tour and some fresh off the press dogs. I was planning on hitting Super Dawgs, maybe Portillos, and then a few of the suggestions you guys make. Might even have a little time to hit Buddy Guy's...you never know. Thanks for the ideas, if I wasn't so full of Carne Adobada right now I'd be salivating in anticipation. You know I burn dogs all day, but I can't watch a Travel Channel or Food Network hot dog show without having to pause it and grill up a couple of Hebrew Nationals and eat em while watching. Ahh, food is good.

sizz,

It's true that most (about 80%) of Chicago hot dog establishments serve Vienna Beef hot dogs. I've never been to Chicago, but I have had Viennas at 3 places near me. It is milder than what we're used to in Jersey for a beef dog, although we are also used to the even milder pork based dogs. It is said that this type of dog blends in better with all of the other ingredients. A more flavorful dog would throw everything out of balance.

Superdawg does not have a frank that is specially made for them. This is a common hot dog restaurant owner's myth. They use a Sinai 48 frank.

If u r going to Buddy Guy's you are right by Jim's Original. Jim's has the best Polish Sausage sandwich you will ever eat. Mustard Grilled Onions and Hot Sport Peppers, Heaven on a bun! I believe CSD will agree that this is a must stop if you are in the neighborhood. No need to worry about hours, Jim's is open 7 days a week, 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year.

Someone should have picture they could post here.

Jim's Original
700 West O'Brien St
Chicago, IL 60607
312-733-7820

Tommy, good to hear from you. Your name comes up whenever the Chi-Mil collection of motely fools get together to chow down. We're talking about an ethnic Chicago food tour in September abnd I hope you can be part of it. I still want the name and location of your favorite Chicago Italian deli.

For those wondering about MFL's pix, the photo on top is of Jim's original stand at the corner of Halsted and Maxwell Streets, before the geniuses who run this city gave the entire historic neighborhood over to the University of Illinois-Chicago campus to be razed and rebuilt as student housing.

The photo below is of Jim's "temporary" location several blocks away. It doesn't seem to be quite so temporary anymore as it has been operating there for several years with no indication of closing any time soon.

Needless to say, the original location had quite a bit more character as well as characters patronizing it.

Buddy

There's a good selection of stuff at Hot Doug's so maybe plan on taking some of the variety to go.

Friday & Saturday are the only days they serve duck-fat fries so definitley check those out with a side of cheese.

The Vienna Factory is not far from there either, stop by on by.

BuddyRoadhouse,
The beauty of Jim's "new/temporary" location, is the free smell of Onions every car (and truck) gets as they pass Roosevelt Rd on 90/94.

Yummy! I open my windows every time, even in the winter!!

This is the original Jim's Original.


This is Jim's Original as a stand in the mid 60's.


My first cart.


Saturday 4/19/08

Saturday 5/3/08 http://moorerunsfromrerun.ytmnd.com

CSD PhD-Professor of Hot Dogs

CSD - Great Pictures! Love your lemonade pricing!

quote:

Originally posted by chicagostyledog

My first cart.

CSD PhD-Professor of Hot Dogs

You've aged nicely.

Buddy

Thanks Buddy. This is MilwFoodlovers when he worked the cart with me in the Third Ward last June. http://hotdoghotdog.ytmnd.com

Does Homeland Security know about MFL's secret life?

Buddy

quote:

Originally posted by BuddyRoadhouse

Does Homeland Security know about MFL's secret life?

Buddy

We invented Homeland Security but I confess we weren't too good at it!

Hey, at least you guys were smart enough to not put up a giant fence to keep out the unwanteds.

Buddy

quote:

Originally posted by BuddyRoadhouse

Hey, at least you guys were smart enough to not put up a giant fence to keep out the unwanteds.

Buddy

Dummy us. We thought the moat was enough!

Bout every time I see some of CSD's pic's I keep thinking that he looks thinner in Black and White...not sure how that works. Can't wait for the end of the week. The weather might be a little iffy but if anyone near Chicago feels like meeting up with us, we will be in line at Hot Dougs a bit before 10am on Saturday morning. I would love it if a few of you locals could join us. We'll be on the bikes with the Colorado tags on em. Looking forward to meeting you Mark!

BuddyRoadhouse, MilwFoodlovers, ChiTownDiner, Stricken_Detective, and any of our IL/WI members...

We'll meet in front of Hot Doug's this Saturday at 10:00am. Hot Doug's opens at 10:30 and Saturday is duck fat fry day, so the line forms at 10:00am. There are many other possibilities after Hot Dougs, a short drive south east to the Vienna Beef factory cafe & deli. The plant's not operational on Saturday's, so no factory tours. We'll be near Jimmy's on Grand & Pulaski, Johnny's in Elmwood Park (Italian beef and Italian ice), Gene & Jude's, and Paradise Pup, all great Chicago Roadfood institutions. Superdawg is also nearby, should Biker Jim decide to go completely gastronomical.

CSD PhD-Professor of Hot Dogs

quote:

Originally posted by John Fox

sizz,


Superdawg does not have a frank that is specially made for them. This is a common hot dog restaurant owner's myth. They use a Sinai 48 frank.

Close but no cigar Johnny.......
..... your statement that Superdawg serves up Sinai 48 is also a Myth.............

"I’ve never been to Chicago, but believe that I would prefer Superdawg to the others". ....John Fox

Sizz,

Not a myth. I have it on good authority from people who are in a position to know that Superdawg uses a Sinai 48 frank. I thought it was common knowledge among many hot dog fanatics in Chicago. I've read it online quite a few times. When I have time, I'll look.