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Event Wed Jul 09 2014
Get Ready for the Gapers Block Hot Dog Cookoff!
The second annual Gapers Block Hot Dog Cookoff is coming up this Saturday, July 12 at Schubas, and we're excited to see you all there. Come taste what five Chicago chefs do with Vienna Beef hot dogs, and vote for your favorite!
This year's lineup includes last year's winner ManBQue, plus home turf heroes Harmony Grill, encased meat specialists Weiner and Still Champion, culinary powerhouse Fat Rice and wild card MakeItFor.Us.
Last year's entries included an over-the-top, bacon-wrapped Sonoran dog, Asian-inspired hot dog skewers, and one topped with Flamin' Hot Cheeto-crusted onion strips. Who knows what this year will have in store?
Judges including David "The Food Dude" Lissner, Reader food critic Mike Sula, Windy City Rollers founder Juanna Rumbel, Chicagoist associate editor (and former Dog Show columnist and music writer for GB) Lisa White, and "Hot Doug" Sohn (if the line dies down early enough for him to make it) will debate who's dog reigned supreme and award the grand prize. As an attendee, every one of your votes (yep, plural -- stuff the ballot box with dollar bills) for the People's Choice award.
The cookoff takes place from 2-7 pm outdoors at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave. Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for children under 12, available online or at the door, and includes tasting portions of all the chefs' creations. There will also be a cash bar with drink specials courtesy of Old Style, raffle prizes, bags (or cornhole, if you prefer), a DJ spinning music and a live performance by the fantastic Get Up with the Get Downs.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Reach Out and Read Illinois, an early literacy organization that prepares America's youngest children to read by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together.
Trust us, it's going to be great.
