Absolute BEST Chicago Style HotDog?
Jul 22nd, 2008, 07:45 AM
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My two favorites are Portillos- I think there's one on Ohio near Michigan Ave. The Wieners Circle in Lincoln Park is also famous. Great place with no pretensions, like a great hot dog joint should be.
Jul 22nd, 2008, 10:47 AM
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Reisender, you have to understand that the best places will not be by/in the Mag. Mile/Loop/River North areas of the city. You have to get away from them to enjoy the best Chicago has to offer.
For those above areas, Portillo's is OK.
The Weiner's Circle on N. Clark has char-dogs. It's the place a lot of partiers go after they've hit the bars on Friday and Saturday nights. The language flying is as saucy as the relish - that's the charm of the place.
But the places that most Chicagoans will mention as the best are far beyond those.
Hot Doug's is Chicago's own "Encased Meats Emporium and Sausage Superstore". This is the place you will find mentioned again and again - from humble "dog" eaters blogs to critics' write-ups - although the place is not famous for a straight Chicago-style hotdog. You really go for the specialty sausages and for the duck-fat fries (on Fridays and Saturdays only).
Go to their website, where you can view their menu and listen to their theme song. And you need to make sure they are open when you are here, as they are one of the most enlightened establishments and close for very special events - such as Don Knotts' birthday! Recommend a cab there and back, if you decide to try it out. You won't be disappointed.
The other place you will most often see mentioned is Superdawg Drive-In. Again, many articles, etc. extoll the virtues of this establishment which started 60 years ago. To all extents and purposes, you would really need a car to get there - which is a good thing since it is a *drive-in*. But I guess if you were determined enough, you could get there by other means. Just not the same though. Maurie and Flaurie on the roof to greet you. Take a look at their website for more information.
For those above areas, Portillo's is OK.
The Weiner's Circle on N. Clark has char-dogs. It's the place a lot of partiers go after they've hit the bars on Friday and Saturday nights. The language flying is as saucy as the relish - that's the charm of the place.
But the places that most Chicagoans will mention as the best are far beyond those.
Hot Doug's is Chicago's own "Encased Meats Emporium and Sausage Superstore". This is the place you will find mentioned again and again - from humble "dog" eaters blogs to critics' write-ups - although the place is not famous for a straight Chicago-style hotdog. You really go for the specialty sausages and for the duck-fat fries (on Fridays and Saturdays only).
Go to their website, where you can view their menu and listen to their theme song. And you need to make sure they are open when you are here, as they are one of the most enlightened establishments and close for very special events - such as Don Knotts' birthday! Recommend a cab there and back, if you decide to try it out. You won't be disappointed.
The other place you will most often see mentioned is Superdawg Drive-In. Again, many articles, etc. extoll the virtues of this establishment which started 60 years ago. To all extents and purposes, you would really need a car to get there - which is a good thing since it is a *drive-in*. But I guess if you were determined enough, you could get there by other means. Just not the same though. Maurie and Flaurie on the roof to greet you. Take a look at their website for more information.
