Vienna Beef Cafe

-In Chicago: Every Dog Has it's Day

Summertime Chi. It's what we deal with winter each year for. Today's post has been a longtime coming. It could of been the first post ever here on the site and that would of been alright. Because today we head on over to one of the most annoying corners for traffic in the city but we don't care, that doesn't keep us away from the greats. Located on Damen just off Fullerton and Elston is the holy grail of Chicago Hot Dogs, the home to Chicago's hot dog - Vienna Beef. Anyone who's driven by the three corners has surely seen the empty hatchback from the truck that sits at Fullerton and Damen. This is the factory where it all begins for each Vienna Beef sponsored hot dog stand in Chicagoland and beyond.


The Vienna Beef Factory located at Fullerton and Damen

Vienna Beef started sometime around 1893 when a couple of Austrian-Hungarian immigrants brought their Vienna beef style hot dog to the Chicago's Worlds Fair. It was the following year they would open their first store on the 400 block of south Halsted. By 1900 Vienna started to market its product and sell it to other stores. Then as Chicago started to rapidly expand so did Vienna Beef. It was there to help the people eat cheap during the Great Depression. By the 1960's Vienna Beef was being distributed not just in it's hometown of Chicago but around the country as well. Then in 1972 they took up residence on the Northside where they still sit today.

The cafeteria for their workers, open to public

When you ask people whats "Pure Chicago" to them? I'm betting many would say Vienna Beef. It's a locally owned company who gives back to the city (jobs, opportunity) and they're always here for us when were hungry and need something cheap and quick but not the fast food shit that floods America. I still have never taken the tour and considered asking them if they would show me around for this but time crept up and before I knew it summer was here.


Inside the factory, briskets getting cut up (Pic from LTHforum)

We take our hot dogs seriously in Chicago because that's what Vienna Beef does. Vienna uses 100% beef in their dogs and not the scraps and pieces and parts nobody else wants. They cut their meat from brisket as seen above and turn it into some top notch tubes of wieners and sausage. Whether you want to make your own and get them in the grocery store or you're at a baseball game on the north or south side or you just want to visit one of 1000's of stands that serve them in Chicagoland, VB is always there and ready when you need them. These days you can find their hot dogs all over the globe. However there's just something special about eating them at the place they're made and that's what were going to do today.

A view inside the cafeteria


All Vienna Beef products are on sale at the Cafe

Vienna Beef, I believe, has workers working around the clock at their factory. Hey they gotta make sure everyone is good to go. I don't know on average how many hot dogs they produce a day but just imagine how many are consumed in Chicagoland every 24 hours? ALOT. The VB Cafeteria is open Monday-Saturday, check hours before going, and well worth the visit no matter where you're coming in from. It's not just sausages but of course theres those too. Vienna Beef also makes corned beef and supplies restaurants with both ready to be eaten batches and the ones where the place cooks it on their own. They serve a very respectable Reuben at the cafe.


Reuben Sandwich from the Vienna Beef Cafeteria

Mac & Cheese with wieners and giardineria

They make some fun things with their hot dogs too like the mac & cheese seen up above. But lets be real, this is the Vienna Beef Cafeteria located at the factory where their famous hot dogs are made. What do you think the best thing on their menu is? When you want as authentic of a Chicago style hot dog as you can find, you'll find it here. Just take a look at this beauty below made with one of their larger natural casing wieners. She is something isn't she? Centerfold material, the playdog of the millennium. This my friends is why Chicago is the center of the hot dog universe. Look at her.


Chicago Style Hot Dog Perfection

The reason it's well worth the drive even if you're coming in from the suburbs is the fact that not only is this their factory where they have a cafeteria open to the public but they also sell most everything they make inside at the little store within the Cafe. This is where I go to get my grilling needs when it comes to hot dogs and Polish sausage. In fact my favorite type of sausage from anywhere is Vienna Beef's natural casing Polish which they sell by the tube at the deli counter inside. The trick is to cut slits into each end making both the first and last bite the best. These are a staple on Bears gameday.


The Bill Swerski Polish Sausage


Chicago-Green Bay Truce Dog: Char Grilled w/ Merkt's cheese & Sport Peppers

In fact with the 4th of July coming up it's no coincidence I chose to post about Vienna Beef and their factory store and cafe on this day. They have large outdoor tent sales throughout summer and one of them is going on now. Thru July 3rd if you head over there you'll find some great deals on tubed meats and the condiments they also make. Vienna Beef owns Chipico (Chicago Pickle Company) which makes those juicy pickles and other condiments that make a dog real deal Chicago style. If you love the minimalist style of dogs we feature a round up of on here like I do, they sell their natural casing wieners at the store too and they're so easy to replicate at home. The fries on top part is tough though. Oh well, the double dog with mustard, onions, relish and sport peppers always hits the spot.


Classic minimalist Chicago style hot dog at home ala Gene and Jude's

The grilling season is in full swing and I'm always up for trying new things and seeking out the best small town butchers the Midwest has to offer. But I'm also never going to not have the old timers and tradition that is Vienna Beef Hot Dogs at my cookouts. Why is it they're always the first ones to go? Because they're the Kings of Wienerland. Happy Grilling Season.


Get in me belly!

Vienna Beef Factory Store and Cafe
2501 North Damen Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 278-7800
Website

Murphy's Red Hots

-In Chicago: Every Dog Has it's Day

Where the Cubs fans get their grub on.

Is there anything more symbolic of summer than baseball and hot dogs? No. So for the first week of April we'll be doggin' it. Lets take a look at three of Chicago's best hot dogs stands and a couple of hall of famers on both the northside and the southside visited all summer long by both Cubs and Sox fans. So first up to bat we head to Murphy's Red Hots over on Belmont and Racine in the Lakeview/Wrigleyville neighborhood where they have been doing Chicago style hot dogs justice since 1987. Murphy's is also BIG with Cubs fans headed to and from Wrigley.


a popular stop in Lakeview

Murphy's might not be as old as some of the other famous hot dog stands around town but it sure is just as Real Chicago as any other. Walking into Murphy's for the first time you might even think its from the 50's back when the neighborhoods were filled with buildings with a storefront on the bottom and apartments on top. Its got all sorts of character and is one of Chicago's best weiner stands and a Vienna Beef Hall of Fame inductee. In fact its so much a part of the neighborhood and city that the man who started it all, Bill Murphy, lives right next door and is a resident of the community. It got so big that at one point back when he was 30 he was hired by a Japanese business that owned over 400 coffeehouses and wanted to get into the hot dog business and specifically, the Chicago style. So Murphy's can be credited with introducing the far east to our beloved Chicago style hot dogs.


Murphy's is a proud member of the Hall


The menu at Murphy's includes much more but these are favorites

Although the 15 minutes of fame seem to be up and Bill Murphy is no longer on all the commercials and billboards in Japan, the original stand is still going strong with no signs of it ever ending. Murphy's has a few tall tables with stools to sit at inside and during summer time when the Cubs fans come a calling they also have outdoor tables along the side of the house. Here is a little photo look into the story of how Japan was introduced to the Chicago style hot dog. You can click the pics to enhance them.


Inside the stand they have the walls filled with memorabilia


Article from the Tribune


another article


Japanese Hot Dog Stand Menu with the Murphy Dog


Chicago to Japan

So how's the food? well how do you think it is? they've been going strong for 23 years now and its all because of the food. Murphy's will hit a home run each time on most menu items. Obviously its the hot dogs that are the most popular but Murphy's has some other regularly ordered items and like any place that wants to be great, they do their fries fresh. I grew up on this place and took many a bike rides over and as a kid my go to was the dog and chili cheese fries. Since my youth I have moved onto Murphy's cheddar fries which are made with spread and seen below.


Murphy's fresh cut fries


Chili is available as is or on anything you want it to be


chili cheese fries


Murphy's Cheddar Fries are da bomb

I still love the hot dogs over at Murphy's and how could you not? They are the Vienna Beef (the best) and come char grilled and everything on it means everything...except ketchup. If its something char grilled, which most things at Murphy's are, then it's going to be good. Its what Murphy's does and on a windy summer day you can smell the smoke from the grill down the block and all around the stand. I have two current favorite and I tend to order either or when I'm headed to Murphy's these days. It just depends if I want beef or if I'm feeling like going light and ordering something chicken. Because the double cheddar char burger and the char grilled chicken sandwich on French bread are both great eats.


Murphy's double char cheddar bacon cheeseburger

Chicago doesn't have a particular burger style like say CT and steamed cheeseburgers but the char grilled cheddar burgers made with Merkt's cheese is pretty standard around town. If you wanna talk about a couple flavors that go real well together, its flame/fire and Merkt's cheese spread. The cheese is on the bottom in the picture of the double up above but it makes all the difference and its my favorite cheese of any type to have on a burger. The double charred over at Murphy's is a fine example of a Chicago Char Cheddar burger. I know I have alot of ladies that like to read the site and also alot of yuppies so if your not feeling like all that beefy goodness I would highly rec the grilled chicken sandwich. Its one of the best of its genre in the city.


Murphy's Grilled Chicken Sandwich

Murphy's is a short shot from Wrigley Field and has been a favorite of Cubs fans since the day it opened in 1987, when the bleacher bums were literally drunken bums and the Cubs had this rookie from Las Vegas named Greg Maddux, along with an up and coming 2nd year starter named Jamie Moyer, Cubbie favorite and current ESPN MLB broadcaster Rick Sutcliffe along with two future hall of famers in Ryne Sandberg and that years NL MVP Andre Dawson, 1987 was also the last season at Wrigley Field without lights.

I gotta admit I don't know what to expect from this years (2010) team. I think its a very good thing not to have these high hopes like last year and be more under the radar than on it. I also think good things are ahead now that the team is family owned by real Cubs fans and not some corporation. We shall see. You can also expect to see Rhyno in the dugout in 2011. I'm setting the 2010 Cubs wins at 88 total.


Murphy's Chicago style with EVERYTHING

Murphy's Red Hots
1211 West Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657-3205
(773) 935-2882
Website

Chicago's Chili Cheese Dogs

-The Chase for Chicago's Finest Chili Cheese Dog

Welcome to the first ever installment in the chase for Chicago's finest chili cheese dog. Its been a two month long trek to ten places that I had heard, read or was told had good chili cheese dogs in Chicago. Some places won best of lists, others were told to me by friends and some came from the internet. All I know is I will be taking an indefinite break from chili cheese dogs for the next few months. Much like Eldrick Woods I need to recognize my transgressions and realize that Chicago style minimalist hot dogs are my true love and I need to remain in a monogamous relationship with them. However every winter I have this problem that's hard to control and I just need me some chili cheese dogs with onions on top and fries on the side to feel good. Here is the list of my ten mistresses (these are all of 'em, I swear) which will be graded accordingly. Some of them have already been featured here on chibbqking and are linked up to the previous post about that place.

Note: This is just my first installment. If I missed a place or you have a spot that you love for chili cheese dogs in Chicagoland then please post about it in the comments section and let us know. Good Looks.

Index (abc order)

Branko's
Chickie's
Franksville
Huey's
Lulu's
Mr. D's
Pop's Beef
Portillo's
Tore's
Whats the Beef?

So I visited all the places listed above and scored them below. In the last two months I have tried a chili cheese dog from each one. It was my hope to find a replacement for my first chili cheese dog love from Demon Dog's (RIP). I graded the CCDs in four categories. Here is how it was setup.

Rating Scale 5/5

hot dog:
chili:
cheese:
fries:

best score: 20

How the Scoring was Judged

So as far as the hot dog went, as long as you weren't using Oscar Mayer or some other childish brand you would score a 3 or 4. Almost all these places used Vienna Beef (this is a good thing) if not all of them. However different scores were given because there are different styles of tubes from Vienna Beef (all HDs from VB are all beef) and each place used different ones. My favorite CCD from the extinct Demon Dog's used a 8 to a pound natural casing wiener. I think these are the best way to go for them. The chili used didn't need to be an award winning secret recipe from Texas but it did need to blend well with the rest of the elements. Too much beans is still a no no for a good CCD as is a soupy-runny brew. I decided I like slices of melted American cheese best for a CCD. The melted nacho cheese wasn't nearly as good and made them too sloppy when used freely. If a place used too much cheese that wasn't a good thing. There needs to be a balance. The fries were easy, if they were fresh cut and fried up nice you did well, if they were frozen you got a three if not lower. Consider a score of three to be average. Anything below is not so good and anything above was one of the better batches of fries from anywhere in the city. Now onto to the food.

2009's Contenders (abc order)

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Branko's


In Chicago's Lincoln Park/Depaul neighborhood

Its funny that I found Branko's when doing a little websearch on the city's best CCDs. Its funny because this is a place I grew up right near and I've been in there an insane amount of times since the early 90's. However my whole reason for this chase is because Demon Dog's, formerly under the Fullerton El stop, is no more. I used to go to DD's whenever I wanted a CCD and they were my favorite. So I had never had a CCD from Branko's that I can remember until I found a nomination for it from a very credible source. It turned out to be a contender from the get go.

Branko's is in the Vienna Beef Hall of Fame and deservedly so. You have the option of a jumbo Vienna dog or a regular for your CCD. I went regular which is my preference. It was at Branko's I realized I like slices of melted American cheese used for CCD. Not as sloppy and works better for me. They also use a pretty good homemade chili but it all comes together really well. I've never liked the fries at Branko's but you cant complain when they come with all dogs and sandwiches.


chili cheese dog from Branko's

Rating Scale 5/5

hot dog: 4
chili: 4
cheese: 5
fries: 2

Score: 15/20

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Chickie's


In Chicago's Lawndale neighborhood

Next up was a spot who's Italian beef I love. I also had a hankering that since they use the natural casing wieners and are a first rate grease shack that maybe they did up a good CCD. Well guess what? I was right. In fact this was the closest thing I have found to Demon Dogs as far as taste. I thought it was from there. The only difference was the poppy seed bun and the fries. At Chickie's the fries are more like another long gone favorite of mine for beef and fries-Fazzio's which was at 2801 N Lincoln. The fries at Demon Dog's are your standard Chicago style fries like those found at 35th street, Gene & Jude's, Jimmy's.

Chickie's scored perfect on the hot dog since they used my favorite kind, the NC 8-10 a pound from Vienna Beef. As far as the cheese goes this was also the closest thing to Demon Dogs I had. Yes it is processed nacho cheese but as you can see in the picture its a certain type. Its different then your typical baseball stadium nacho cheese which many places use. I thought the chili was good and went great with the dog and cheese. The fries at Chickie's always deserve mention when the best in city are discussed.


chili cheese dog from Chickie's

Rating Scale 5/5

hot dog: 5
chili: 4
cheese: 4
fries: 5

Score: 18/20

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Franksville


In Chicago's Portage Park/Dunning neighborhood

I hadn't been to Franksville since my days of summer work with the sheriff's department. We used to go there every now and then when we were patrolling Portage Park but I don't remember anything too special about it. However I saw somewhere that they were on a best chili cheese dog in Chicago list. The people mentioned they have a good spicy chili sauce they use and included a few spots I knew about and thought were good so I decided to try.

I saw Fransville's banner for induction into the Vienna Beef HOF so I know they use Vienna hot dogs. However as you can see from the photo this is a different dog than many others used. I'm not sure which type of tube this is but its not a natural casing. The chili was pretty good, actually some of the better chili topping I remember but as you can see in the pic its baseball stadium nacho cheese and they used alot of it. Nothing to say about the fries which were average.


chili cheese dog from Franksville

Rating Scale 5/5

hot dog: 3
chili: 4
cheese: 2 (too much)
fries: 3

Score: 12/20

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Huey's Hot Dogs


In Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood

Huey's is another spot where I had seen on a best of list. I believe it was in Newcity's best of Chicago list which it was listed as having Chicago's best CCD. I had heard about this somewhat new hot dog stand here and there but never made the trek north up Clark to try the place out. Its your typical ever increasing in popularity "Gourmet Fast food" shack. Meaning to compare the places like this to your regular old dog and burger shacks is a disservice. In a city like Chicago you have to do the bare essentials really good or step it up a notch. They take hot dogs and hamburgers up another level. Nothing too fancy just attention to detail and good ingredients. They have a nice looking menu but I was there for the CCD.

The first question asked when you order a CCD is if you want it charred or steamed? Well interesting because when I make CCD at home I like to grill the dogs but I also know that most places don't grill them up like I do. As you can see from HERE, I like to slit them up. I ordered mine charred and surely they didn't cut it up. Nonetheless it was still good but what was lacking in this CCD was the chili. It was rather soupy and I really didn't get much flavor from it. The cheese was nacho like but they added a good amount and the fries were home cut and pretty damn good.


chili cheese dog from Huey's

Rating Scale 5/5

hot dog: 4
chili: 2
cheese: 3
fries: 4

Score: 13/20

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Lulu's


In Chicago's University Village neighborhood

Lulu's got the call due to a tipper from a sheriff I know. Although it wasn't for their CCD but just as his favorite lunchtime joint. I have been to Lulu's a few times but not recently and I never had a CCD from there. However I always see the homemade chili sign when driving by and it got the call in the 1st installment in the quest for the CCD here. Its a very popular lunch spot with the UIC medical crowd and Cook County Sheriff's department and correctional officers and has been around for a while now.

Well this ones on me. You don't have to get a CCD should you visit Lulu or you do but always get something else. I like the regular dogs at Lulu's just fine. Its not the city's best hot dog but if I was working near Id have one now and then. But for whatever reason the hot dog I got in my CCD was damn near decomposed. It looked like a convenience store hot dog after a 3 day crack binge. They have the signs from Vienna Beef everywhere and I'm guessing this was a VB dog but it had been around a little too long I think. Its skin was wrinklier than your Grandma Bessie's. It didn't get much better with the chili which was more like beans. I count over 15 in this picture. They did get the cheese right with it being slices of American but the fries were your average frozen brand.


chili cheese dog from Lulu's

Rating Scale 5/5

hot dog: 2
chili: 2
cheese: 5
fries: 2

Score: 11/20

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Mr. D's


In Chicago's Montclare neighborhood

Mr. D's was a spot I had wanted to try a CCD from on many occasions. I'm already a big fan of this as you already know from HERE. When I was talking to a buddy from CPD at a bar one night we were talking about Mr. D's and he mentioned he always gets a cheeseburger in summer and CCD over winter. It was all I needed to give trying one a go since I had already known they make their own chili and everything is pretty much good if not great here. Its one of Chicago's best "Chicago Style fast food" joints. What does that mean? they do what they do, really good. Lots of other places have the same things but most of them don't do it like Mr. D's. Which is the right way.

Mr. D's comes thru again and at this point I'm used too it. Its easy to see why this place has constant traffic and gets busy at lunchtime. The hot dog was a perfectly steamed Vienna that went great with Mr. D's homemade chili. Ok so there were a few beans in it but not too many and they also use the slices of American cheese melted down real well. You already know about the fries right? Well in case you missed it, these are some of if not the best fries in the city. Done to perfection each and every visit I've had and that's turning into quite a few. I'm betting Mr. D's does a mean chili cheese fries. Even though this turned out as one of the better CCDs, It's hard to ever pass on that shish kebab sandwich.


chili cheese dog from Mr. D's

Rating Scale 5/5

hot dog: 4
chili: 4
cheese: 5
fries: 5

Score: 18/20

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Pop's Beef


In Chicago's Mt. Greenwood neighborhood

Next stop is Pop's which has a few locations on the southside which are all very consistent. I have also been to Pop's countless amount of times and love their Italian beef. They got one of the better beefs in the city and my favorite hot peppers. I was also tipped off by a friend when talking about their IB that they also have a really good CCD and I needed to try that one day too. So it was only a matter of time before I tried one and its time came for this chase.

Another useful tip from a legit source. The hot dog was just fine and your normal above average dog your going to get in Chicago. The chili was also pretty good and I had no complaints about it but also nothing that made we say WOW! More places used American slices on this chase than I thought and Pop's is included in that list. While Pop's does use frozen fries they are also my favorite frozen fries from anywhere that uses them. They are the thinner McDonald's size variety and are much like Mickey D's and they fry them up nicely at Pop's.


chili cheese dog from Pop's

Rating Scale 5/5

hot dog: 4
chili: 3
cheese: 5
fries: 3

Score: 15/20

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Portillo's


Locations throughout Chicagoland and California

Next up is the popular Chicago fast food place Portillo's. Its the type of place where you can see the American dream. What started out as a tiny hot dog shack on North ave in Villa Park has grown into a full blown restaurant group with Portillo's being the driver. Although they are technically a fast food place and have all the usual's like a drive thru, large menu etc...This is why there's fast food and "Chicago style fast food" Portillo's has it down to an art. It might not be the best for everything hut its perfectly acceptable and better than average with all of its menu items. Its also been my go to spot for a CCD since Demon Dog's closed. Portillo's has locations throughout Chicagoland and a couple in California. I always go to the near downtown location on Clark and parking is hard but they have a drive-thru.

I knew the CCDs were good at Portillo's but I wasn't sure if they are Chicago's best. I'm still not going to say they are the very best but as I already knew they are one of the city's best. Its always been one of their most popular items right after the Chicago style dogs, Italian beef and hamburgers. The hot dogs are very nice and I think they now have their own recipe made and I think its still from Vienna. The chili at Portillo's is also one of the restaurants popular items and it works really good on a chili cheese dog. Its better on the dog than it is in a cup or bowl. They don't use melted American slices but they like Chickie's above use a decent melted brand. The fries at Portillo's while unique to the restaurant are still frozen and just ok. I always get onion rings.


chili cheese dog from Portillo's

Rating Scale 5/5

hot dog: 4
chili: 5
cheese: 4
fries: 3

Score: 16/20

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Tore's


In Chicago's neighborhood

Tore's was the wild card in this years bunch. I never had one from here but have heard a few people ordering them when I was stopping in for a meatball or Italian beef. I haven't gotten around to it yet over at "beef with hot" but Tore's does both the beef and meatball sandwiches pretty well. They also have good hot dogs and great fries. I figured why not a good CCD?

Well it wasn't one of the best but again not one of the worst. It was a middle of the pack runner. The hot dog was good but the chili had a few too many beans although it also had an alright taste and so it wasn't the worst just not the best. The cheese was nacho like and they piled both it and the chili on top. The dog fell apart about the second bite in and if I wanted to finish eating the thing it was get dirty or get nothing. Everything blended together made for an ok CCD despite the mess. I did very much enjoy mopping the leftovers that fell thru with their top notch french fries. They made for some good chili cheese fries.


chili cheese dog from Tore's

Rating Scale 5/5

hot dog: 4
chili: 3
cheese: 2 (too much)
fries: 5

Score: 14/20

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Whats the Beef


In Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood

Another spot I've been to a few times, not too many, but never had a chili cheese dog at is Whats the. I decided to add this to the list when I saw they made their own homemade chili and knew they did a few other things well, even if Italian beef isn't one of them. Its one of those rare places where I would take a pass on the namesake menu item and order something else like a char chicken or burger or charred Polish sausage or something like that.

Well they shouldn't call it "Chilly's Cheese Dog's" or anything like that either. Just like Tore's above they loaded everything onto this CCD and it became damn near impossible to pick up. The dog was good and the chili was ok but not bad for a CCD but the cheese was baseball nacho and they poured it on. The fries at WTB are some of the better fries in the city and again the fall thru chili and cheese mess made for a good batch of chili cheese fries.


chili cheese dog from Whats the Beef

Rating Scale 5/5

hot dog: 4
chili: 3
cheese: 2 (too much)
fries: 5

Score: 14/20

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So there you have it folks, the first lap is over. That there is ten different chili cheese dogs from spots located around the city. Here is how Group A finished when everything was ate and done and the Rolaid's were popping.

Best Chili Cheese Dog w/ fries

Tie-Chickie's and Mr. D's (18/20)

Best Chili Cheese Dog's (fries not scored)

Branko's (13/15)
Chickie's (13/15)
Mr. D's (13/15)
Portillo's (13/15)

Pop's (12/15)
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Branko's Sandwich Shop
1118 W Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 472-4873

Chickie's
2839 S Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL 60623
(773) 277-2333

Franksville
3550 N Harlem Avenue
Chicago, IL 60634-3629
(773) 237-5848

Huey's
1507 W Balmoral Avenue
Chicago, IL 60640-1207
(773) 293-4800

Lulu's Hot Dogs

1000 S Leavitt St

Chicago, IL 60612-4214

Get Directions

(312) 243-3444

Mr. D's Shish Kebob's
6656 W Diversey Ave
Chicago, IL 60707
773-637-0042

Pop's Italian Beef and Sausage
10337 S Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60655
(773) 239-1243
Website

Portillo's
100 W Ontario
Chicago, IL
(312) 587-8910
locations throughout Chicagoland
Website

Tore's Beef & Pizza
2804 N Western Avenue
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 486-2600

Whats the Beef
1863 N Clybourn Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 477-7200

Bears vs Packers Grilling Battle & Tube Fest

--Tailgatin' and how to make mofos start playa hatin' (Recipes)
with 2009 NFL Preview

Is it Sunday night yet? leave it to the NFL to get it right and open their 2009 Primetime Sunday Night football on NBC season with the Bears vs the Packers. When Jay Cutler was traded to da Chicago Bears on 4/3/09 I think everyone can still remember where they were. I was having lunch with some popo over at Freddy's Pizza in Cicero and I didn't believe it despite the fact it was being reported on the Score and ESPN radio stations every other second. It wasn't until I saw the press conference that it totally sunk in. It was shortly after that, the NFL put the Bears on display in Primetime night games a total of five times this season. You can forget about the Sexy Rexy's, Henry Burriss', Craig Krenzel's, Jonathon Quinn's, Rick Mirer's, Chad Hutchinson's, Kordell Stewart's and goodbye to the Moses Morenos of the world! You don't need to remember Cade McNown anymore. Now that you know what a real QB is, don't ever say Jim Miller was alright. I don't remember a buzz greater than the one Jay has brought to the city since #23 who happens to be getting his dues later today when he goes into the NBA Hall of Fame, could you see that one coming? If Jay gets his way, which he usually does, he'll be a first ballot into Canton, Ohio when his time comes and have a few rings of his own to wear for the occasion.


The NFL's best selling jersey since the trade was made

Now as far as the upcoming season goes its a tough call on the NFC North. The old black and blue division has turned into an aerial assault camp but here is what the others are saying. Sports Illustrated has the Bears winning the NFC North in the NFL season preview issue (with Aaron Rodgers on the cover) However they also moved Green Bay from 16 to 3 in their NFL power rankings because of the teams preseason performance. What? b/c of how they played in the preseason they moved up thirteen slots? sounds like crazy talk to me putting the Packers as the 3rd best team in the NFL. It seems like everyone has jumped off old man Favre's bandwagon despite the fact the Vikings have a better team overall than the Packers by my estimations and have added Percy Harvin to the mix on special teams along with #4 as QB. The way I see it is the Bears, Packers and Vikings will all split their games against each other and sweep the Lions. This leaves all three teams at 4-2 with ten games to decide the division. While I have Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre (yep the old guy) on my short list of MVP picks, I don't see the Packers being better than da Bears or Vikings but I do see 2 of the 3 teams going into the playoffs and the Vikings winning the division easily. I like the Chargers over the Steelers in the AFC Championship and the Saints over the Vikings in the NFC. So for Super Bowl XLIV I have the Chargers over the Saints. I pick it like this because everyone else has New England or Pittsburgh winning it all but it never goes the way its supposed to in the NFL and that's why its so great.

Its time to check the engine and fill up the tank on the Old Halas Hauler and head up North.



Vs.



Next on Sunday Night football.

Tailgating Recipes and Ideas

If your not going to the game then there's only one thing to do leading up to this exciting week one matchup-drink and grill. I have a few suggestions on what can be done to make it a very successful extravaganza.

1st up- Get over to the Vienna Beef Factory store on Damen ave in Chicago to load up on Hot Dogs and Polish's. The Vienna beef all beef natural casing hot dogs are the best in the world and you can also grab buns and all your "new" Chicago style topping needs. If your a minimalist man then you can also grab the hot peppers you'll need.


Isn't it safe to say...legends are made this way?

2nd thing to do-If you can head over the border and into Kenosha to grab some groceries from Woodman's and meats and other delights from the area then I highly recommend you do. On top of all the other spots I'll give you at the end of this and have given you the past year on this site I would strongly urge you to get over to Lake Geneva Country Meats in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The heavily over populated vacation destination actually has a spot worth going to and its about 15 minutes up the road opposite way of Kenosha off I-94 from the main Kenosha exit-so its not even downtown.


Stop at this guys joint en route to Country meats for a pie and other goodies

Although I had passed by country meats many of times they were always closed since it was later in the day. I made it a point to get over there and pick up some of their award winning meats along with great canned goods and deli salads, twice stuffed potato's with 'sconsin cheese smoked meats, bacon etc... You know all the good stuff. I also made sure to grab some of their world famous brats which I had heard much about. Well the brats were some of the best I have ever had from the state which means they are best in country thus far on my search.


Worth the drive for some of their Brats

If your headed to green bay for the game then this little 30 minute detour (there and back to the highway) is well worth it. Make sure to pick up some brats for your grill if your going to be doing some tailgating. Even if your not headed to the game then I would still head across the border and pick these up for your Sunday night football party.


Absolute Stunners

If your going to head to Country Meats then there's no reason to not stop in at River Valley Ranch and grab some of the world famous five cheese garlic spread but also some fresh mushrooms for burgers, stuffing them or whatever.


River Valley Ranch Mushroom Farm in Burlington, WI


Five cheese garlic spread is also available around Chicagoland

Chicago Style Dogs and Wisconsin Brats

I started by using the five cheese garlic spread and stuffing some white mushrooms from RVR with half of the spread and half bread crumbs and put those aside for the grill.


Before the grill


after the grill...ready to eat

The only thing I did different than normal was I just soaked the Country Meat brats in beer and onions. After about a 45 minute bath I threw them and some Vienna dogs on the grill and the only thing missing from this was NFL football. Luckily that is now a part of our fall grilling days.


Ready to go


Bears vs. Packers...Hot Dogs vs. Brats


of course if were doing Chicago style we do the original Chicago style too

Do not forget to grill up some Bill Swerski Polish Sausages as well. Click the link below the pic for more on them and other tubed meats.


Bill Swerski Polish with Recipe

Of course if your having both Bears and Packers fans over for the Sunday night game then we can all agree that we like Char Cheddar Bacon Dogs loaded with grilled onions. Click the link below the pic for more on them and other tubed meats.


Char Cheddar Bacon Cheese Dogs with Recipe

Going to Green Bay for the game? Then you might want to stop at one of the famous stops in Wisconsin along 43 en route to Milwaukee and Green Bay. You can pick up all your tailgating needs at both the Brat Stop and Mars Cheese Castle. I would say the Brat Stop is better for brats and drinks at the bar for lunch while Mars is better to pick up cheeses, beer and other fun food things for tailgating. Make sure to get a loaf of their famous cheddar bread, its da bomb.


Kenosha's Brat Stop is known world wide


as is Mar's Cheese castle located not too far down also in Kenosha


Brat Stop has the best brats in the state that are made to order


Mar's has a good brat but not quite up to par with the BS's but this is WI, its good

Then of course there is the legend that is Bobby Nelson and his cheese and sausage country store. Its here where you want to stop for all your bacon and beef jerky needs and of course they got cheese too. Its just a small little store compared to the other two but its filled to the walls up and down with encased and smoked meats. Bobby isn't around anymore but I can promise y'all a detailed report of him, his shop that lives on and that oh so chronic bacon they slang later on in the year. In the meantime stop in for yourself and you'll see whats up.


A Bacon Driving Destination

Other Possible Foods Stops en route to Green Bay

Illinois

Sarkis (grease food)
Captain Porky's (fried shrimp & BBQ)

Wisconsin

Franks Diner (classic American diner)
Oliver's Bakery (donuts and kringle)
Kewpee's (classic burger joint)
Big Star Drive In (burgers and drive in foods)
Fred's Bar (Burgers)
McBob's (corned beef and fish fry)
Zaffiro's (tavern style pizza)
Kopp's (burgers & custard)
Koppa's (deli sandwiches)
Jack Pandl's (German)
Charcoal Inn (Brats and WI tavern steak sandwiches)

Country Meats
5907 State Road 50 east
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
262-248-3399
Website

Vienna Beef Factory Store & Café
2501 N. Damen Ave.
Chicago, IL
773-435-2277
open til 4p weekday's-3p wkd's
Website

Mar's Cheese Castle
2800 120th Ave
Kenosha, WI 53144-7599
(262) 859-2244
Website

Brat Stop Entertainment
12304 75th St
Kenosha, WI 53142-7323
(262) 857-2011
Website

Bobby Nelson's Cheese Shop
2924 120th Ave
Kenosha, WI 53144-7531
(262) 859-2232