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Andrew / May 1, 2008 10:43 AM

This came up on my recent trip to NYC, where I tried an approximation of a Chicago dog at the Shake Shack. Theirs didn't work, but I realized that I couldn't name a place that I'd call the best Chicago-style hot dog in the city.

So, which do you consider tops?

printdude / May 1, 2008 11:05 AM

Al's Beef.
Number one in my book.
They use the nuclear green rlish, the poppy seed bun, the correct tube steak and the right mustard.
Plus, hand cut fries.

And I eat a lot of dogs.

printdude / May 1, 2008 11:10 AM

SUPERDAWG!

Of course, you can never go wrong with a Superdawg.
It's just so hard to get to.

p / May 1, 2008 11:21 AM

i like Byron's on irving park and sheridan. the "stuff on it" factor is Woah.

Cableguy / May 1, 2008 11:28 AM

Second the vote for Superdawg. yeah, it's far away, but that's what makes it so good for me: knowing what's at the end of the journey. And the radioactive relish is cool.

Mucky Fingers / May 1, 2008 11:29 AM

Ditto on Byron's. You can junk it up like you wouldn't believe. There's one on Lawrence & Paulina too.

I think here hot dogs are like pizza, it's hard to go wrong.

TwoTone / May 1, 2008 12:04 PM

Al's aint bad, but I've gotta throw a vote in for Gene and Jude's. Sure, they're not in the city anymore (Corner of River and Grand, River Grove), but they still have the best hot dog in the area. 2nd place votes for Jimmy's Red Hots at Grand and Pulaski. Yeah, the neighborhood isn't great, but is a good hot dog not worth it?

Meems / May 1, 2008 1:35 PM

A friend of mine does Hot Dog tours. www.chicagohotodgtours.com

He says they start at Maxwell St. to see the neighborhood and hit a couple out of the way spots, Superdawg being one of them. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon!

Pete / May 1, 2008 1:52 PM

Paradise Pup in Des Plaines, on River Rd. just south of Oakton. My mouth waters just thinking about it.

And Superdawg is always worth a stop for a Whoopskidawg - a Polish sausage smothered in BBQ sauce and a heart attack just waiting to happen - and of course the kitsch value.

P.J. / May 1, 2008 2:23 PM

Parcey's near Harlem & Higgens.

Spook / May 1, 2008 2:36 PM

at Armitage and Western stands a free standing hot dog shack. The polishes are the best!

Just try not to look at the two women or the guy serving them.


Oh and if you're ever Nola, get yer-self a lucky dawg from a Lucky Dog push cart vendor!

Cinnamon / May 1, 2008 4:09 PM

Having had the Shack-cago dog in NY with Andrew, I have to say that I finally reaized how important the relish is.

I loved going to Gold Coast dogs when it was on State St. at Hubbard, but now I'd say Byron's is my favorite. And I know lettuce isn't supposed to come on a "real" Chicago dog but the crunch is nice.

Kelly McClure / May 1, 2008 4:10 PM

Hot Doug's. No question.

Andrew / May 1, 2008 4:57 PM

@Kelly: Really? I find Doug's Chicago dog just so-so. And with so many better, more interesting options on the menu, that's not surprising.

Jill / May 1, 2008 7:42 PM

If I could teleport myself there, I'd enjoy a Superdawg a lot more often than I do.

Otherwise, I do like Murphy's on Belmont and Huey's in Andersonville.

snuh / May 2, 2008 12:17 AM

Shortie's in Seattle. They make the Chicago Dog just how I like it: vegetarian.

CC / May 2, 2008 10:51 AM

Portillo's. I know they're a chain but they started out as a small stand and still serve the best dog in Chicago. While I love most of Hot Doug's encased meats, his Chicago dog isn't authentic...he uses grilled onions instead of raw.

zoenotcool / May 2, 2008 10:55 AM

I like 'em all: Superdawg, Byron's, Portillo's,
Chubby Weiner, and Wolfy's.
I probably should cut down on my processed meat consumption.

whitney / May 2, 2008 10:58 AM

local favorite...weiner and still champion

hot doug's!

Kevin / May 2, 2008 11:53 AM

I am a big fan of Odge's on Damen.

Allan / May 2, 2008 2:03 PM

What you have to remember when talking about a Chicago style hot dog is that hot dogs in general are phallic in nature. Bearing that in mind it is the entire experience that makes it "Chicago Style" not just what you slap on top of it. Or for that matter how the long hot meat slides into the warm inviting crevice of a fresh plump bun.
That being said right now Byrons is at the top of the list, but it changes from time to time depending on my personal geography and the quality of the service. When I am downtown it's America Dog, Goldcoast, or Portillo's all serve up a decent penis, um, I mean wiener.

Hal / May 2, 2008 4:58 PM

Hueys, definitely.

Matt / May 2, 2008 10:19 PM

Morrie O'Malley's Hot Dogs on the Southeast corner of South 35th & Union. It is a seasonal place that running along side the Sox. Too good.

p / May 3, 2008 1:43 AM

here's the underlying real deal- hot dogs iz childish. go ahead and cut 1 up in some mac and cheese for a throwback thrill but serriusly fuck a hot dog. clinging 2 it is beneath u. get u some better fake ties 2 chicago. sheeeeeit. if u rilly want to be down talk about a tvestite u got with on ppuss off hooker row ON PPUss. i just had a maxwell p. chop (do not bring in car). sheeeeit.

Brian / May 3, 2008 3:03 AM

My top picks:
1. Byron's on Irving Park
2. Nicky's on S. Pulaski
3. Superdawg
4. Sam's Red Hots on Armitage
And oddly enough:
5. Burger Baron at Grand and Noble

J / May 3, 2008 7:42 PM

I'd say that Superdawg is excellent, but it strays from the traditional Chicago dog to my liking. It's unique and very good though. Gene and Jude's is excellent as well, although it may be a bit too spartan. Paradise Pup is great, but their burgers are so good that I rarely try the hot dogs, and it'd seem like a disservice to myself not getting the burger there. My answer used to be U Dawg U, but they closed up and moved to the oasises (and I don't think they exist there anymore either). Hot Doug's is good, but you're better off getting the fancy specials. Portillo's is kind of the McDonalds of hot dogs. It's good in a pinch, but not really something I'd seek out. I'm not quite sure what I'd say is the place to go these days. I'm auditioning. Most places seem to overcook. Gene and Jude's is excellent in that regard, the hot dogs have the right snap to them.

jim / May 3, 2008 8:15 PM

Superdawg and Poochie's on Dempster in Skokie.

Cletus Warhol / May 4, 2008 5:43 PM

Just to throw out something different, I've always enjoyed the dogs at Kim and Carlo's cart out front of the south entrance to the Field Museum (it's kind of seasonal).

Sue / June 2, 2008 2:18 AM

I'd have to go with the Wiener and Still Champion in Evanston. Great dogs and fries along with other items you won't find anywhere else.

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