The Original Nana's

-In Chicago: Every Dog Has it's Day

Do you ever have those days when you just want both a hot dog and a Italian beef? But not just any old of each? Legit representations! Well if you do I got the spot for you as today we head to the Northwest suburbs. You can ride all the way along Irving Park Road which is quite the ride for finding many different offerings of ethnic cuisine as you cruise it for miles on end from the lake all the way west past O'Hare. Once you get to the village of Streamwood you'll come across a spot which I consider to be the best place to get a good juicy beef and hot dog together.


a locals favorite/Vienna Beef Hall of Fame member in Streamwood, IL

I randomly found Nana's one day a few years back when taking a summer roll down Irving Park Road. As I can remember it's colorful sign letting you know they do Italian beef and sausage as well as Vienna Beef Hot Dogs along with a packed parking lot had me inside in no time. They've been around Streamwood since it was a sleepy little community back in 1973. It says alot that there still there today because plenty of eating options exist today but Nana's remains King. Originally owned by the daughter of Gene (from Gene & Jude's) and now Mike DiSilvestro. They perfected the art of the Chicago style depression dog aka the Minimalist dog with fresh cut fries.

A fresh fry cutter, seen at the best Chicagoland Hot Dog Stands

Mike who served our beloved country during Desert Storm added homemade Italian beef, grilled sausage, burgers, pizza and other items to the menu. Years and years of quality service to go with the authentic Chicago style eats and those hot dogs that remain the same as they ever were have this place a legend around its way. I love to stop in anytime I'm within 10-15 minutes of the area. Nana's offer's up a sweet combo deal that allows you to get one of their famous hot dogs as well as a mini beef and drink. You can go over to 'Beef With Hot' to check how their sandwich scored but I'll include here that their thinly sliced beef, which is homemade, is some of the best in Chicagoland and well worth the stop in for one.


Beef With Hot from Nana's (See how it scored HERE)

Then there's those dogs they do. Chicago is renowned as the best place anywhere for hot dog lovers such as myself and of course we got our own style, actually we got two. The Chicago style dog is a great, great creation but it's not the only way we make them here. My preferred style is the minimalist dog, which is what I grew up on eating Demon Dogs 5-7 times a week as a kid. The most famous place serving them these days is most likely Gene & Jude's in River Grove and as was already mentioned, Nana was Gene's daughter. So they got no problem making a classic version of "the other Chicago style hot dog". What makes this style so beloved by lifelong residents of the city is a combination of a couple of things.

a minimal amount of toppings available on your hot dog here

The first and most important part for making a perfect rendition is the dog itself. It's gotta be a Vienna Beef natural casing wiener. These all beef beauty's pack a nice beefy bite with a snap to them when you chomp in. Then they top the minimalist style dog with mustard, relish, chopped onions and sport peppers and stuff it inside a regular steamed hot dog bun and top all that with the other important part, the fresh cut fries. When you visit these famous minimalist style stands you'll see the workers cutting potatoes in the machine seen up above which are then twice fried to perfection and loaded onto your dog, almost like a topping. It's always standard they're included with the price which should never be more than $3. I always leave a few fries on when eating the dog. This my friends, is classic Chicago. No other city does it better.


Nana's Hot Dog with fresh cut fries

The Original Nana's
1102 East Irving Park Road
Streamwood, IL 60107
(630) 289-2226
Website

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

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

Redhot Ranch

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

We went North to Murphy's and then south to O'Malley's and now we end with a place both Cubs and Sox fans can agree upon. The newly opened Redhot Ranch located on Western ave. in between Fullerton and Armitage is a second outlet from the owners of White Sox Fans favorite and a previously featured joint on here...35th st. Red Hots. The original (35th st.) is located a stones throw from The Cell but the newly opened Redhot Ranch is on the Northside and sits on Western which extends from Evanston all the way south to the far suburbs. Aside from the name, nothing is different as far as the Original and newly opened outlets go. Both spots serve one of if not Chicago's best hot dog along with their addicting fresh cut fries loaded on top.


The best hot dog on Western ave and maybe in the city


The menu...all of it...same as at 35th street

Unlike the last two joints (Murphy's & Morrie O'Malley's) up to bat in the order Redhot Ranch does the original Chicago style aka the "depression dog" or "the minimalist" and they come with mustard, relish, onions and sport peppers served on top of a Vienna Beef natural casing hot dog stuffed in a steamed bun and loaded with freshly cut in house fries on top. Other options available are Polish Sausage and French Fried Shrimp. I think it was Anthony Bourdain who said "You pick sumthin and you stick to that and you do that good and perfect that" that's exactly what they do at Redhot Ranch the same way its done at 35th. The fries are put thru the fry machine multiple times a day and the shrimp are shelled and deveined on site and coated and freshly fried when ordered. Its the classic example of an old school Chicago hot dog stand.


Redhot Ranch French Fried Shrimp


available with hot or mild sauce

But the reason I was ecstatic when Redhot opened not too far from me was for their hot dogs. The minimalist style is done to perfection at this little dog shack on Western and the fries always come piping hot and fried to perfection and they make sure there's plenty of food for the $3 (tax included) it'll set you back for a dog and fries. The people that make their way up and down Western will be happy to know, just like I was, that Redhot Ranch is open late on weekends. It was great to get this other Chicago style of hot dog in the area since my other favorite spots are all out there. Make sure you put 35th Street North aka Redhot Ranch into your starting rotation. This is the type of place that all of Chicago is glad to have on its team.


Double Dog from Redhot Ranch w/ fresh cut fries on top

Redhot Ranch
2072 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
773-235-5538

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

35th St. Red Hots & Baseball

-Grubbing in Chicago
Where the White Sox fans eat.

Its baseball season again in Chicago and the White Sox open the 2009 season against the Kansas City Royal's on Monday at Comiskey Park. If you read the site then you will know that I am a Cubs fan and have been since day 1 and I don't particularly like the White Sox and I have some bad news for their fans. Although Ozzie always has his troops ready and they never under perform, this will be a tough year for the White Sox. The bottom line for the Sox as a team is do they have the staff to get the job done? If you listen to ole' Sox pitching coach Donny Cooper on the Score he says yes but hes a little nutty so don't take everything he says to heart. I say no and will leave the analysis to Peter Gammons, Karl Ravech and John Kruk as I agree with their preseason outlook and put my money on the Cleveland Indians (+160) to win the AL central this year. The Sox don't have the pitching and the hitting is getting close to acquiring their AARP memberships. The Cuban missile wont be able to carry an entire team and Carlos Quentin will come back to reality or just get injured again. Only time will tell but this is my 2009 season outlook for the White Sox. Lucky for Sox fans their stadium is within a stones throw of what I now call the best hot dog stand in Chicago.


35th St. Red Hots is a minimalist dog stand


This is it for menu (and Italian ice) so you know that what they make is good

I have a new 4th wife in my hot dog family. As you may or may not know I am a huge fan of the "minimalist" or depression" style dog. Its a simple natural casing hot dog placed in a cheap steamed bun and topped with your choice of mustard, relish, onions and sport peppers and comes topped with Chicago style fries. What are Chicago style fries you ask? fresh cut fries made with one of those old school potato slicers that go right into the fryer after being sliced by an employee. This is the true Chicago style hot dog and most born and raised residents will completely agree. I have been to 35th st red hots countless times post Cubs-Sox games but just never remembered how good they are (booze will do that) until I decided to try them again one day when this sign caught my eye.


Anytime I see that homemade sign I need to give whatever it is a try

The shrimp at 35th had a very lightly coated breading that was similar to the Southside Shrimp House (RIP) and there is no difference between the two to the best of my memory. This is some of the best fried shrimp in the city and its served at the best dog stand in town. The price is right too and there's not a negative to the place except maybe its a sox fans hangout. This is the best pre-game food around Comiskey. If your going with a buddy/spouse to the game stop in here before and get a dog each and a half pound of shrimp instead of eating the overpriced average at best stadium food.


perfect fried shrimp

Now as far as the hot dogs go they are right there with Gene & Judes but the fries are now my favorite in the city. They use the same machine to slice the fries ala G&J and Jimmy's but the fries come out a little thinner and thus are never undercooked. Perfect every time. They will start slicing the potato for your order upon your entry so they never sit under the light. Man I love this spot and I just might start going to some Sox games when they aren't playing the Cubs when I get invited. They have three things on the menu (four if you include the fries) and they are all better than good. In case you were wondering about my other three loves Gene & Judes in River Grove and Jimmy's Red Hots on Grand are doing well and we still think of Demon Dogs every day as she rests in peace. It wont be such a peaceful season for Ozzie and the boys in black.


Best dog and fries in Chicago

35th St. Red Hots
500 W 35th Street
Chicago, IL 60616
(773) 624-9866

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

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