CHICAGO-STYLE HOT DOG

A 'Chicago-style hot dog'– as served in the U.S. city of Chicago, Illinois and its surrounding suburbs– is
a steamed or boiled all-beef, natural-casing hot dog on a poppy seed bun. The hot dog is topped with mustard, onion, sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices or wedges, sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt; but never ketchup^[1][2][3]. It is somewhat taboo to put ketchup on a Chicago hot dog; there are actually some small hot dog shops and stands that will refuse to provide service if the customer makes the request.

Contents

History and more detailed information

In popular culture

See also

References

External links

History and more detailed information

The origin of the Chicago-style dog is a matter of debate, but they were served at 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago ^[4].
Chicago-style hot dogs are boiled or steamed to a temperature above 170 degrees Fahrenheit (~77 degrees Celsius) before adding the toppings . They can also be grilled, though these are referred to as "chardogs". The natural casing of the hot dogs provide a distinctive "snap" when bitten The most common dog weighs 1/8 lb. and is made by Vienna Beef, although some vendors in Chicago use other brands.
Chicago-style hot dogs with all the toppings are sometimes called "dragged through the garden" because of the unique combination of condiments. Banana peppers are sometimes offered as an alternative to sport peppers. At Hot Doug's, a unique "sausage emporium" in Chicago, they offer grilled onions or raw onions.
Some Chicago restaurants choose to associate publicity solely with the hot dog, even though they serve many other items, including the Maxwell Street Polish, gyros, Italian beef, and pork chop sandwiches. The Chicago-style hot dog is ubiquitous, so publicity gimmicks are often needed to attract customers to a restaurant. One of these gimmicks is Superdawg's two giant hot dogs (Maurie and Flaurie) on the roof of the building.
'Henry Davis' (1904-1974), a one time VP of sales, was instrumental in making Vienna Beef the Chicago Hot Dog. Henry was honored by Vienna Beef, the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois for his contributions in helping create Chicago's independent Hot Dog stands. There is a permanent collection of documents, photos and memorabilia in the Chicago Historical Society Archives called the ''"Henry Davis Collection"'' and was inaugurated in 1989.
In Chicago, there are more Hot Dog joints than there are McDonalds, Wendys, and Burger Kings combined

In popular culture

★ On an episode ("Nighthawks") of the television show ''Dead Like Me'', Rube, the character played by Mandy Patinkin, describes in detail a Chicago-style hot dog. He contrasts it with a New York-style hot dog in an effort to illustrate how death in Chicago is different than death in any other place.

★ In an episode ("Brennan") of the show ''Matlock'', Ben is told how to make a Chicago-style hot dog, which he proclaims is the best hot dog he has ever eaten.

★ In an episode of ''The Bernie Mac Show'', Bernie and his family took a trip to Chicago and consumed Chicago-style hot dogs at Bernie's request. Bernie enjoyed his, but the rest of the family became ill. Later, Bernie became sick as well.

See also

★ Maxwell Street Polish (Polish sausage)

★ Chicago-style pizza

★ Hot dog variations

References

1. Chicago hot dogs Charles Leroux
2. Chicago's food history Kathie Smith
3. HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN "CHICAGO STYLE HOT DOGS" Fluky's
4. Secret Chicago, , Sam, Weller, ECW Press, 2002,

Hot dog Chicago: A native's dining guide, , Rich, Bowen, Chicago Review Press, 1983,

External links

★ Chicago-style Hot Dogs and Hot Dog Stands

★ Chicago columnist Mike Royko's listing of what does, and does not, belong on a Chicago-style hot dog

★ Hot Dog Chicago Style

★ GreaseFreak's images of Chicago-style hot dogs