As you may have already read, it is Super Bowl week here at Slashfood and Sarah and I are comparing cuisines between the two super cities, Chicago and Indianapolis. I'm going to ask everyone to contain their shock and amazement that I chose Chicago style hot dogs as my initial nod to the food of Chi-town. Though it may appear like I'm taking the easy way out, I was a little afraid of mass protest if I didn't feature these little gems first. Also, Sarah is going to have her work cut out for her as it is, so it's probably better that I start off slow.
A true Chicago style dog contains distinct ingredients and is dressed in a very specific order. Depending on who you ask, the hot dog wieners can be boiled, steamed, or grilled, but one thing seems to be agreed upon almost universally - do not put ketchup on it. Ever.
Ingredients:
100% beef hot dogs
Poppy seed bun
Yellow mustard
Sweet relish (of the neon green variety)
Freshly chopped onions
Dill pickle slice / spear
Tomato slices
Sport peppers
Dash of celery salt
Fluky's, widely acknowledged as the originator of the Chicago style hot dog, began their operation in 1929. According to their website, they originally sold the "Depression Sandwich" for $0.05 (complete with fries!), but would often give free food to kids and adults who couldn't afford their own. Nowadays, thousands upon thousands of hot dog vendors can be found on street corners and in stadiums throughout North America and beyond, feeding those in search of the telltale "snap".
Will this delicious, easy to prepare, all-American dish stay out on top, or will Sarah find a way to trump us? Stay tuned.
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Behold the Chicago hot dog
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
1-29-2007 @ 3:01PM
Foodie Bride said...
Tomatoes on a hot dog? I guess I should get out more.
Reply
1-25-2008 @ 3:37AM
Enginner said...
That looks delicious and full of fats: am I right or am I right? Fats aren't good for your body: http://www.biolexis.com/app/news.ctrl?exec=getNewsItem&id=58890
1-29-2007 @ 3:01PM
Joanna said...
Yum! I love Chicago Style Hotdogs! Even tho I live about 5 hours away from chi-town! I like them with no tomatoes, extra pickles and extra peppers! I only get them in the Summer, that is one of the things I look forward to!
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1-29-2007 @ 3:43PM
Nate said...
Mmmmm..... brings back good memories. Now that I'm going to school on the East Coast, I really miss my Vienna Beef. Does anyone know of any possibilities for getting a Chicago-style dog in NYC, or am I hoping for the impossible?
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1-29-2007 @ 3:57PM
Amy said...
If you want to go for TRUE authenticity, you need to get Vienna Beef hot dogs. You can, in fact, get an entire kit right here:
https://secure.imtco.com/viennastore/shoppingV2.php?menu_level_idnum=18026
Other hot dogs are NOT comparable. Trust me.
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1-29-2007 @ 4:00PM
Rob said...
Virgil's BBQ in NYC has Chitown dogs on their menu. They chop up all of the ingredients so they are not absolutely authentic, but will fill a jones when you need a chicago-style fix.
I'm glad to see dogs listed first, but Italian Beef with hot giardenaire better be next, before pizza! Seriously.
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1-29-2007 @ 4:33PM
MJ said...
Even the bun looks yummy! Hate plain rolls, Now I want a hotdog!
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1-29-2007 @ 4:35PM
Joanne Lutynec said...
Ohhh...thanks Rob. I had forgotten about those!
Reply
1-29-2007 @ 10:30PM
OG said...
Their not exactly Chicago style dogs but Crif Dogs on st marks in the lower east side and Sparky's on houston and lafayette both serve pretty good, well dressed dogs.
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1-29-2007 @ 10:36PM
vortec42 said...
When in Chicago, be sure to check out the Wiener Circle for some great hot dogs, among other entertainment (ask for a chocolate milkshake!)
Reply
1-30-2007 @ 1:05AM
Mel Matsuoka said...
I agree with #9:
The Wiener's Circle is a great place to take the whole family! Your kids will love it!
Reply
1-30-2007 @ 10:08AM
Adam said...
Am I the only one who doesn't think this looks good? Make mine Pizza Chicago style!
Reply
1-30-2007 @ 12:37PM
danette said...
If you ever come to the city...and want the best hot dog! you MUST stop by Jimmy's Hot Dogs on Pulaski & Grand! BEST EVER and they have fresh cut fries with trimmings...yes someone actually is in the back peeling potatotes...
Reply
1-30-2007 @ 2:56PM
essie said...
A couple of things that aren't included in the list of the perfect ingredients:
The bun must be steamed!
I know the skin-type hotdog is popular, but the Chicago hot dogs I grew up with were Dave Berg's Vienna beef brand, skinless -- they're the best!
Instead of a pickle, a cucumber piece sliced lengthwise.
My favorite hot dog stand in Chicago is a litte out of the way, on 74th and South Western, but it's well-worth the trip -- Fat Johnnies. I grew up on them, and their cheese dogs and chili dogs are da bomb!
Reply
1-30-2007 @ 9:13PM
GhaleonQ said...
If you ignore cracker crust pizza when doing the pizza rundown... *shakes fist*
Also: Hot Doug's. Do non-Wisconsin American hot dogs get better?
Reply
2-02-2007 @ 9:41AM
danette said...
oh yes Hot Doug's.....! But they're only open for several hours and there is usually a long-line...But Well worth it...YUMMERS
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2-04-2007 @ 8:26PM
Lenka Reznicek said...
Re: those missing the authentic Chicago hot dog flavor of Vienna Beef can order online, and have weiners or Chicago Hot Dog Kits shipped (it's a little pricey, but if you gotta have it, you gotta have it! :) )
It's unlikely you'll find the "Chicago Hot Dog" ingredient combination elsewhere, but you can recreate the experience with a quality all-beef dog (I personally like Hebrew National, when Vienna Beef isn't forthcoming) and poppy-seed sandwich rolls from the bakery; the remaining ingredients shouldn't be too hard to find.
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2-04-2007 @ 8:32PM
Lenka Reznicek said...
(P.S.) The Vienna Beef website has a "Hot Dog Finder" feature where you can locate restaurants around the country that serve their Chicago weiners.
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4-18-2007 @ 11:39AM
rudy said...
Go to tastesofchicago.com and order vienna "kits" and/or chicago style PIZZA. Have sent the dog kits to daughter in the outer banks and ordered some of taylor street's ferrara dot cookies for her as well.
Need to again soon.
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5-10-2007 @ 9:55PM
John Pogue said...
If you are 200 miles south of Chicago and need a fix for Vienna Beef, stop at BIG WEENIES at Lake Shelbyville. The dogs and beef are great. Bring your swim suit and boat also. WE are 1 mile from the boat launch, beach and camp grounds. BIG WEENIE
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