Tyler

Ketchup has no place on any sort of authentic Chicago hotdog--or on any hotdog served anywhere else--exceptions made for children under the age of six, who can't be expected to make rational decisions.

Chicago

Candy's Dandy -

You seem to have missed the point about Chicago hot dogs as well. When people say "a hot dog with everything" it does NOT include ketchup.

The Frango Mint recipe was actually born in Seattle, and sold to Marshall Fields many years ago. Recently, after Dayton Hudson bought Field's, they stopped making Frangos at the State St. store and moved the operation to Pennsylvavia.

Jen

Another vote for Frango Mints.

I had the same negative reaction to the Krispy Kreme suggestion since we have had them for years but they are not nationwide. Hawaii might not have them yet. When I hear that people camp all night for them, there must be something that people really love about them.

Ouch

Apparently Chicagoans are seriously touchy about ketchup on their hot dogs. I think we should start a war about it, don't you?

xxx

Apparently Chicagoans aren't the only ones who are touchy - Ouch.

OutOfTown

Ouch -

I don't think it's about Chicago OR ketchup. There will always be certain people who visit a place and then tell everyone - in great detail - that this is the "real" way it's done there (MO's example is a great example) and be incorrect. I don't think there's anything wrong with natives getting the correct info out there.

vita

Has anyone brought back any pizzas lately? Will they fit in the overhead?Is there a problem getting them throught security? How many hours before they go bad?

Melissa

Thanks everyone! We will be having Krispy Kremes coming to Maui soon, so not a big deal. No one knows for sure about Eli's Cheesecake, huh? That's OK....sounds like there is more than enough food to go around! Is there anything at the Farmer's Markets I should look at?

Maggi

My grown sons loved the Jake and Elwood Blues Brothers souvenirs (caps, t-shirts, etc.) from the House of Blues Hotel. Melissa, can I turn the tables on you for a sec? We will be in Hawaii soon. What would you recommend people bring back home from there?

Why

Will someone PLEASE tell me what Krispy Creme donuts have to do with Chicago?? These were NEVER unique to Chicago -they're from North Carolina.

Beatrice

Are you people insane? That's nuts to bring someone a pizza or hotdogs back from their vacation.

Ang

I'm wondering about hte Krispy Kremes too! I absolutely love KKs but not only are they not unique to Chicago, but we just got them here and they are hard to find! I actually do the opposite. When I go home to visit my parents in Kentucky I buy Krispy Kremes to bring back to Chicago! I only know of two placess in the Chi-town metro area that even sell them. There is one in Elk Grove Village (a suburb that is west/northwest of downtown and pretty far out) and another KK on Harlem (I think that is the street) near Midway airport. There is not even one in the downtown area that I know about thought there has been talk about getting a KK here soon. Wheneever I go out towards Midway I always pick up 2 or 3 dozen to bring home and freeze because you CAN'T get them on the north side or downtown. Krispy Kremes as a souvenior of chicago doesn't make sense. As for the pizza, I don't think posters are talking about bringing back their leftovers. I think they mean ordering them frozen and having the restaurant ship them to you back home!

KJL

Maybe nuts to bring hot dogs on a plane, but I have often brought frozen half-baked deep dish pizzas back from Chicago, as one poster suggested. When we left, I missed them so much. Not sure they'd make it all the way to Hawaii, though, I have to admit. It's one thing to arrive with the pizza partially thawed and ready to be baked; it's another to arrive with it soggy and room-temperature and oozing ingrediants everywhere. But our pizzas were always packed in a cooler with dry ice that kept them for at least 6-8 hrs. door to door.

g

I don't believe Eli's has closed. I think you can even still take a factory tour. Try www.elischeesecake.com for more info.

fillie

OPRAH

hmmm.

pizza, topping

cd

Just a joke - would love to bring home the waiter I had at Gibson's (Mo was his name!). He remembered EVERYTHING about our orders at a table of 15!!!

Since I'm now a member of the CRS club (Can't Remember SH!T) I would just use Moe around the house for my own personal benefit!

Michele

I'm with Beatrice on this one! Why would you carry a pizza home with you on the plane? If you want a frozen Chicago-style pizza so badly, you can call Lou Malnati's to have one shipped.

If you really want to do food, the Frontera salsa isn't a bad idea (although isn't it available nationally now?). Garrett's caramel popcorn is tasty, but you may end up waiting in line for 30 minutes or more to buy it. Oh, another idea for food is to check out Trotter's To Go in Lincoln Park. They'll probably have some nice gift items bearing the name of famous chef, and local treasure, Charlie Trotter.

Anyway, Chicago has so many interesting and eclectic shops you could visit (if you're willing to venture away from the main tourist drag that is Michigan Avenue). There are also a number of great museums with gift shops full of interesting items. Or how about a jazz or blues CD?

Yes, I realize Melissa has probably already gone to Chicago at this point, but I thought I'd post this for future readers.

Melissa

I'm baaaack. You guys rock! I got a lot of good stuff (but never enough). I guess I need to go back. hee hee. Also, once I SAW what a stuffed Chicago pizza was, I opted to just enjoy it there and bring it home in my tummy. ha ha.

Thank you all for the fab suggestions. I'm so desperate to go back to Chicago, now!

Ron

Will Lou Malnati's really ship a pizza? We just came back from Chicago and the pizza was fabulous. Can't find anything like it here. Anyone have any scoop on what they charge etc? Thanks!