Hot Diggity Dogs

-In Chicago: Every Dog Has it's Day

Hot Diggity Dogs opened up about a year or two ago over on Wellington in Lakeview. When I first saw the spot, it immediately caught my eye. The neon Vienna Beef sign in the window was a good sign as was the fact it is located almost directly under the El and the Wellington brown line stop. Oh the memories it brought back. As a child I lived off Demon Dogs which is a legendary hot dog stand no longer around that was located directly under the Fullerton el stop.


RIP Demon Dogs

I used to go there in grade school and high school after school every day when I got off the train and so on. I miss Demon Dogs and their classic hot dogs with the Chicago (the band) music playing in the background. I was excited because Hot Diggity Dogs isn't all that far from my place and you can never have too many good hot dogs stands in the city, especially these parts. So I had to hop on in and try a hot dog from here.


Located under the Wellington Brown Line stop

Obviously hot dogs are on the menu as are other usual items like sausage, Italian beef, meatball sandwich, chili and a few others. I think they use all Vienna Beef products with the items on the menu but I have only tried the dogs. The fries are cut fresh which is the first important part in a great Chicago hot dog satnd. Obviously the dog is very much a factor but all the spots that serve great depression style dogs also known as minimalist dogs use fresh cut fries which are piled on top. Another real important part is the use of a natural casing Vienna beef 8 to 10 to a pound wiener. Well guess what? they also use those. So far so very good.

On my first visit I got a dog with everything choosing not to even see what that was. The only part different than the rest of the great minimalist dog spots is at Hot Diggity everything includes tomatoes and a pickle spear. You can easily get your dog the minimalist way by adding just mustard, onions, relish and sport peppers. I like to add the pickle and eat it separately. They could also fry the fries a little longer but all in all this is a good hot dog stand to have in your neighborhood. How you going to complain when a dog and fries is three bucks? and that includes tax. Holladay.


Hot Dog with everything from Hot Diggity Dogs

Hot Diggity Dogs
947 West Wellington Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 472-5446

The World's Greatest Hot Dog!

-The other Chicago-style Hot Dog: Depression Dog's

Did you think this was going be an article on Superdawg or Hot Doug's after reading the headline? Your dead wrong. Why is that whenever there's some sort of compiled list of the best hot dogs in America they always show one of those two places for Chicago's representation? nothing against superdawg or Doug and I love both of those spots and they will be featured here one day because every dog has its day, but Gene & Jude's is a legend in its own time and it's time is all the time. This is the best hot dog in America. Got it? Good. Located just 15 minutes or less from O'Hare in the suburb of River Grove it is a must stop for any tourist who wants to try the best hot dog on the globe and its been that way since 1946. I'm not sure when but they used to sit at the corner of Polk and Western in Chicago back in the day and at some point moved to the current location. Its right next door to one of those McDonald's connected to a gas station and idiots still go to CrApdonald's. Now that's a damn shame, I pity those fools.


The old hot dog stand from Polk & Western


G&J serves hot dogs, tamales, pop and punch...thats it.

If your a steady follower of the site then you should remember the post about Jimmy's which is my favorite hot dog stand within city limits. Check out the article for a full description of a Chicago depression dog. I love Chicago Style hot dogs but the reason we are the dog capitol of the world is because of our different types of dogs. Gene & Jude's is how hot dogs should be, the perfect example of a hot dog with its snappy encased meat on a steamy regular cheap bun topped with just mustard, chopped onions, relish and sport peppers and of course topped with fresh cut fries that are just divine. They are served in an assembly line so service is fast which means you need not worry about that line of people 30-40 deep waiting for a taste of heaven, a waiting line is a sure thing at Gene & Jude's.


The smooth running dog line at G&J

Folks of of my following, there is not a better meal on earth for under three dollars. The hot dogs are something like $2.25 and that includes a shitload of their fantastic fries. Demon Dog's in Lincoln Park is long gone (RIP) but thank god we still got Gene & Jude's. You gotta go with two hot dogs when ordering even if your not going to eat all the fries these dogs will leave you wanting more so order two so you don't have to wait in line again. I always get my usual which is a dog with everything and no relish and a hot dog plain. No I don't have the tastebuds of a six year old as far as that plain dog goes. I eat it with fries as the topping. Its just something I've done since my dad used to pay us off in Demon Dog's for yard work back in the day.


G&J plain hot dog with fries on top...mmmm.

I would estimate that on a busy day G&J's goes thru 2,500 hot dogs and its easy to taste why. The ambiance is the hot dog and fries, theres not much on the walls except for maybe a few plaques and articles about the worlds greatest dog.


The perfect hot dog


G&J fries go from being cut fresh and into the fryer in under 60 seconds

Gene & Jude's
2720 River Rd
River Grove, IL 60171
(708) 452-7634

Byron's Hot Dog Haus

-In Chicago: Every Dog Has it's Day

Hey, hey what da ya say, it's opening day on the Northside here in Chi. The Cubbies have a new look for 2011 but the local's favorite hot dog stand visited by many Cubs fans were headed too today has always remained the same. Byron's Hot Dog Haus has long been a favorite for a pre or post Cubs game meal and is a quintessential Chicagoland hot stand. Just like the rest of the best, it's all about the dogs at this tiny hot dog stand located just below the Sheridan El train stop on Irving Park road in Lakeview. Byron's is tiny and has no seating inside nor bathrooms but they do have a tent that sits about 30 people located outside next door seen in the pic below. The hope might only be around during May for Cubs fans but they can always rely on Byron's being there for them when they need something good in their summertime life, and this is from a lifelong Cub's fan...


a longtime Chicago Cubs fan's favorite


Byron's is always better at night...


They have always proudly packed aka loaded their hot dogs


The view as you enter

Byron's has been around since 1975 and started out in the little shack on Irving Park seen above. Eventually they became well known for their fully loaded Chicago style hot dogs and before you knew it they had multiple locations and were cementing themselves into Chicago hot dog culture lure. When I was a kid I remember we would go to the Byron's that was located at North and Clybourn. They had a huge structure that was this ball with neon spikes coming out of it. I loved that and the loaded hot dogs and lived for the fresh from the fountain Green River. Like alot of other old school long gone places in the city this location was demolished, for a Crate & Barrel !?!?WTF?!?! As the years passed locations opened up and some closed like the spot that used to share a building with the old Yum Yum Donuts on Clark street right next door to Wrigley Field. They are now so well known that they were chosen to make their famous hot dogs at the White House congressional picnic last June. They are also a member of the Vienna Beef Hall of Fame.


A well known White Sox fan has his photo inside this Cub's fans hot dog stand

Byron's has a pretty extensive menu including all the Chicago hot dog stand regulars. Along with the dogs and sausage they got burgers, gyros, beefs and a whole bunch of other stoner's delights. I've been going to different locations for ages and I'll tell you right now it's all about the hot dogs. It's impossible for someone like me who's been to all of them to name the best but Byron's does have a cult following and that's usually how you figure out which dogs are most beloved by city folk like myself. Once you walk into the tiny inside area you go straight ahead and place your order with the dude manning the grill. The employees here are pros at what they do and will take care you quickly and swiftly. They get alot done in the 12x4 foot workplace they work in.


The grill with dogs and sausages with the fryer to the left

After you've placed your order with the grill man you continue down the aisle a few feet and graze over the condiment stand. This is what elevated Byron's past many of the other 100's of hot dog stands around town. Byron's brought new meaning to the term "drag it thru the garden" as they literally put a small salad on top. Your topping options are mustard, onions, relish, lettuce, tomato, green peppers, pickles, cucumbers, sport peppers and celery salt. Hell I may be forgetting a few but that gives you an idea of just how stacked these dogs there get.


The overtop view for you of the condiment bar

As I was saying about the hot dogs, these are the way to go at Byron's. The only other option I would recommend is their Polish sausage. The other options arent bad but can be hit and miss unless your inebriated in which case it all tastes great. Nonetheless they still give you options when it comes to ordering yourself a hot dog. They come in three sizes and once made they are dressed up your way. Lets take a look at all three.


Byron's regular (small) hot dog

The small hot dog is my least favorite of the three, but it is what I eat when I want to feel healthy. The reason being is because it's more like a salad with a hot dog on top. They use Vienna Beef hot dogs at byron's and for the small dogs they take them out of the steamer so some people like the small ones due to the fact they are steamed. I like the steamed dog dragged thru da garden but just wish theirs was bigger.


Byron's Jumbo sized (medium) hot dog with cheese fries

I would say the jumbo size dog is the way to go at Byron's. This was my standard order as a youth, along with my much missed (It's still avail. but not the same as when I was a kid) Green River Pop. The jumbo dogs are grilled and have a nice crisp exterior that works well with all the veggies. I'm not a big fan of relish so I don't include that on my dog but I do get everything else and have them load it on. As is noted I'm more of a minimalist depression Chicago style hot dog guy but I like me a garden dog from time to time too. The fries at Byron's are alright, similar to McDonald's they are better than most places frozen fries which is what they are. They used to really hook you up when you ordered them (fries don't come with the dogs) but have held back the last few years. I like these fries when I'm really hungry (out of a sober mind) and will order them with the gooey neon orange cheese on the side. For some reason I love that stuff with their fries.


Godzilla Dog (large) from Byron's Hot Dog Haus

Then there is the Dogzilla. This half pound monster is specially made for Byron's by Vienna Beef and is a favorite of the nighttime crowd and all blue collar city employees. I have had a few Dogzilla's in my day and you really do need a knife and fork to eat this thing. Unless your a porn star it's not easy to eat. It's hard to swallow a small piece of this sausage that is cut up let alone the whole thing with the toppings on top. But that's half the fun and I imagine part of its attraction to the drunken customers. I look forward to a Byron's Hot Dog and Cubs game this summer. I wont get too much into the 2011 season here on the site but I have lifted my self imposed Wrigley Field ban. So I will attend a few games this year as I like the new start we Cubs fans are getting. But if you wanna get deep into some baseball talk come find me at one of da bars around town and we'll have a few and talk some Mike Quade and what else the future holds for those of us up north who've been patiently waiting since 1909.


The Dogzilla fully loaded is superfan food

Byron's Hot Dog Haus
1017 West Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 281-7474

Chicago's OG Dog Gets Some Pub

-The other Chicago-style hot dog: Depression dog's (with recipe)

Its officially been one year.

S'C'&C wit Da King started on September 6th, 2008.

Let's celebrate!

Is it safe to say I get around?

I'm sure you've been over to Serious Eats. The NYC based food site is one of the best in the biz at gathering information from the food world and spreading it over the 'net for everyone to enjoy. One of my favorite pieces they do is the "Hot dog of the Week" which are drawings of different regional favorites from the Hot dog world. There is a different hot dog sketch featured each week done by a dope food artist named Hawk Krall. Instead of doing the tourist's version of a Chicago style dog, my man Hawk did it right and decided to feature the Depression Dog or the "minimalist" as its known by many of its supporters. Its about time the real Chicago Style Hot Dog got its due diligence and a big up to Hawk for doing it right. Among the other regional dog's featured on there already have been-The West Virginia Slaw Dog, Hawaiian Puka Dogs, Philly's version of a Combo and a few others. Not only did Hawk sketch up a great portrait of the Chicago dog but he did a good job in explaining the history and why its the Depression dog that is real Chicago. Click HERE for the entire read from Serious Eats.


The Real Chi Dog of the Week: Artwork by Hawk Krall

I think I've done a good job explaining on here what exactly the real Chicago Hot Dog is. In case your new or just finding the site then check out the links at the bottom of each photo to learn more about them. So here is where you need to go to get your authentic Chicago hot dog fix.


I still stand by 35th being the best dog in the city (passing G&J for 1st)

35th Street Red Hot's


Jimmy's on Grand and Pulaski: Seriously (Pic from LTH)

Jimmy's Red Hot's


G&J's is no doubt one of the best in the nation and has been forever

Gene & Jude's

I cant tell you how easy it is to duplicate a Chicago-style depression dog at home and its just as easy to make them tailgating. It amazes me how many places still slang shit dogs when they're this easy to make. Have at them this football season.


Minimalist Dog's can be done @ your own home (what you'll need)

Recipe

Vienna Beef natural casing 8/lb Hot dog's (If they aren't Vienna NC, they aint real)
chopped onions
sport peppers
mustard
cheap buns
relish (not pictured) I like mine w/o.

Vienna Beef natural casing hot dogs are smaller all beef tubes that have mad snap to them. These are the world's best hot dog's and they are available at the Vienna beef factory store on Damen ave. as well as their 5/lb NC polish. I don't know of anywhere else that sells them except the places that serve them. Once you have all the ingredients together it's too easy.

~Just place the dog in near boiling water and let it sit for a bit.

~Steam the bun's over some boiling water or just nuke them and dress the dog the same way its done by the real Chicagoans. Of course they aren't quite the same without the fries loaded on top...but still damn good.


a must for any Chicago style tailgate...ala G&J, Jimmy's, 35th and DD's (RIP)

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

HUGE Tent Sale in the parking lot today & tmw (9/4-9/5)
Natural Casing Dogs are in the bargain bin, get them for your football season

Gina's Hot Dogs

-The other Chicago-style hot dog: Depression dog's

Its well documented here at S'C'&C that I am a big fan of the "other" Chicago Style Hot Dog as I like to call them. Others call it a "depression dog" and then some use the term "minimalist" hot dog. One thing all supporters of them can agree on calling them is da best. Its the style of hot dog I and many native Chicagoans grew up on. There isn't a better regional hot dog variation out there and that's just the way it is. Nowadays there are less and less places that serve this real Chicago style but luckily there's still a handful that do hot dogs up right and today's stop, Gina's in Bensenville, is one of these spots.


Along Irving Park rd. in the suburbs

If you take Irving Park rd. and head West you'll eventually end up by Gina's which is a favorite of the people for hot dogs in the area. The menu includes some other items and they have Italian ice as well but the dogs are what you get. Just like the rest of the purveyors of the old school Chicago style dog, Gina's uses a natural casing Vienna beef wiener which is a must for this magic. The hot dog is placed is a ordinary steaming white hot dog bun and is then topped with mustard, chopped raw onions, relish and sport peppers. Last but not least the dog is then topped with a large amount of fresh cut fries (which are included and also a must for this style) and its all wrapped up into butcher paper. The only thing that's a little different about Gina's is they use a neon relish which isn't what any other places that serve this style use. Either way if your ever driving by Gina's its a great pit stop for a quick, cheap and excellent lunch that's true Chicago style.


Gina's dog with everything

Gina's Hot Dogs
1222 West Irving Park Road
Bensenville, IL 60106-1716
(630) 766-1841

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

Jimmy's Red Hots

-The other Chicago-style hot dog: Depression dog's


Dont even bother asking for ketchup at Jimmy's (Pic by ReneG)
(Im not kidding)

Attention! Much like Chicago-style pizza there is a lesser known "Grandpa" to the Chicago-Style hot dog. Back in the day Chicago-style hot dogs were there to feed you for a small price when money was scarce during the depression era. I love both style of Chicago hot dog's but the only thing they really have in common are that the hot dog is from Vienna beef, that's about it. A depression era dog is a natural casing 8/lb Vienna beef hot dog, which has a snappy bite to it, most places don't use this dog anymore but you can by them at the Vienna beef factory outlet. It is served on a well steamed regular cheap bun and topped with mustard, relish, chopped onions and sports peppers...that's it. It is topped with amazing fresh cut fries and usually served in reject bags from food corporations like Burger King and other regional fast food joints not in Chicago.

The "depression-dog" is becoming harder and harder to find these days, as I could count the number of places to get them on one hand. Unlike others, I grew up on the depression style dog eating at Demon Dog's (RIP) under the Fullerton el stop almost every day of my youth . For all you that miss demon dogs and haven't been able to find a replacement...you need not worry, I got you covered.

demon dog's was a staple in LP for many years

Theres only three places that I know where to get the old school Chicago dog. Jimmy's, Gene & Jude's and my house. First up on my review is Jimmy's on grand and Pulaski. It was a good day when I found this place and tasted the exact same hot dog that I grew up on as a kid and yearned for as an adult. Jimmy's is my favorite hot dog stand within city limits. Jimmy's is real old school and may be a little too "ghetto fab" for some of you, but not me. First of all you need not worry about your safety, the owner has a permit to pack heat and the place is a favorite for the local Narc's to eat (whats up boy's!) so aside from the occasional crack head beggar, its all good, you wont be bothered. Jimmy's is a old school joint and any tourist that wants to experience a real Chicago hot dog stand needs to go here.

Dont let the stray bullet holes bother you...the dog is too damn good (Pic by ReneG)


Jimmy's red hots is one of a few left that still do it old school.

Jimmy's Red Hots
4000 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 384-9513