The Windy City Weiner

The hot dog is a popular food across the USA, but what makes the Chicago-style hot dog so different? We’ll tell you!

The Chicago-style dog is a steamed or water-simmered all-beef frankfurter on a poppy seed bun. It’s topped with yellow mustard, chopped white onions, sweet pickle relish (neon green colored), a dill pickle spear, tomato slices or wedges, picked sport peppers, and celery salt. There so absolutely NO ketchup allowed on a “true” Chicago dog. many Chicago hot dog restaurants won't even have ketchup available at all. This "no ketchup rule" is taken very seriously by many Chicago locals. 

Fun fact: The Chicago area boasts more hot dog restaurants than McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King restaurants combined, so you shouldn't have too much trouble finding one. If you ask a Chicago local where to get the best dog, everyone will probably tell you something different. However, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular hot dog joints in the city (in no particular order).

Do you have a favorite? Share it with us! 

1. Superdawg (Norwood Park)

6363 N. Milwaukee Ave.

2. Hot Doug’s (Avondale)

3324 North California

3. Wolfy’s (West Rogers Park)

2734 W. Peterson Ave.

4. Portillo's Hot Dogs (Near North Side/River North)

100 West Ontario

5. The Weiners Circle (Lincoln Park)

2622 North Clark Street

6. Jimmy’s Red Hots (Humboldt Park)

4000 W. Grand Ave.

7. The Dog House (Lincoln Park)

816 W Fullerton

8. Wrigleyville Dogs (Lakeview)
3735 North Clark Street

9. Gene and Jude's (River Grove)

2720 River Road 

10. Kim and Carlos Hot Dog Stand (Near Southside)

1400 S. Lake Shore Drive