Chicago-style hot dog

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Chardog at Gold Coast Dogs.

A Chicago-style hot dog meal at the Bunny Hutch in Lincolnwood, Illinois.

Maurie and Flaurie atop Superdawg in Chicago, Illinois.

A Chicago-style hot dog is a steamed or boiled all-beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun, which originated in the U.S. city of Chicago, Illinois. The hot dog is topped with mustard, onion, sweet pickle relish (usually neon green), a dill pickle spear, tomato slices or wedges, sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt; but never ketchup.^[1]^[2]^[3] The complete assembly is sometimes called "dragged through the garden" because of the unique combination of condiments. It is taboo to put ketchup on a Chicago hot dog; some hot dog stands don't even stock the condiment.

1 History and details
2 In popular culture
3 See also
4 References
5 External links

[edit] History and details

Many sources attribute the distinctive collection of toppings on a Chicago-style dog to the "Depression Sandwich" originated by Fluky's on historic Maxwell Street in 1929.^[4] Vienna Beef frankfurters, the most common brand served today, were first sold at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.^[5]

Chicago-style hot dogs are boiled or steamed before adding the toppings.^[3] Less commonly, they're grilled and referred to as "chardogs." The typical dog weighs 1/8 pound and the most traditional type features a natural casing, providing a distinctive "snap" when bitten.^[2]

Chicagoland boasts more hot dog restaurants than McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger Kings combined.^[5] A "hot dog stand" in Chicago may serve many other items, including the Maxwell Street Polish, gyros, Italian beef and pork chop sandwiches. The restaurants often have unique names, such as Mustard's Last Stand, or architectural features, like Superdawg's two giant rooftop hot dogs (Maurie and Flaurie, named for the husband-and-wife team that owns the drive-in).

[edit] In popular culture

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On an episode ("Nighthawks") of the television show Dead Like Me, Rube, (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.
In an episode of E! network's The Girls Next Door, Bridget visits Chicago for a Halloween convention and visits Superdawg with her mother.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

^ Leroux, Charles. "Chicago hot dogs", Chicago Tribune, Tribune Co, 2005-08-30. Retrieved on 2007-04-28.
^ ^a ^b Smith, Kathie. "Chicago's food history", Toledo Blade, Block Communications, 2007-05-01. Retrieved on 2007-05-01.
^ ^a ^b Fluky's. HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN "CHICAGO STYLE HOT DOGS". Retrieved on April 28, 2007.
^ Zeldes, Leah A. "How to Eat Like a Chicagoan", Chicago's Restaurant Guide, Chicago's Restaurant Guide, 2002-09-30. Retrieved on 2002-09-30.
^ ^a ^b Weller, Sam [March 2000] (August 2002). "Secret Hot Dogs", Secret Chicago, Photographs by Linda Rutenberg, 2nd editition, Toronto: ECW Press, 113-116. ISBN 155022493X. “two young immigrants from Austria-Hungary toted their secret frankfurter recipe to World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago....Today, the Vienna all-beef hot dog recipe is served up by 2,000 vendors across the city.... In fact, there are more Vienna Beef hot dog vendors in the city than there are Burger King, Wendy's, and McDonald's outlets combined.”