The Chicago Traveler

Can you name the seven key ingredients for a Chicago-style hot dog? Here are ten great places to conduct your research (courtesy of Citysearch and Yelp).

10. The Wiener’s Circle. Love it or hate it, this greasy spoon has got a “charm” all its own.
9. Gold Coast Dogs. All ten locations follow the Chicago-style recipe to the ‘T’.
8. Superdawg Drive-In. The winking hot dogs on the roof will be a sight you won’t soon forget.
7. Huey’s Hot Dogs. While serving up great dogs and burgers, this eatery is also well-known for its vegetarian-friendly dishes.

6. Portillo’s Hot Dogs. Both the nostalgia and …read more

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• The 11th annual Taste of Randolph Street stretches from Peoria Street to Racine Avenue and features food from local restaurants, a wine garden, chef demos, and art vendors. (June 20-22)
• At the Daley Plaza, the Thai Festival Chicago 2008 presents dance performances, Thai boxing demonstrations, food, fashion, and more. (June 19-20)
• Watch the Chicago White Sox take on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in the Crosstown Classic. (June 27-29)
• Beverly Arts Center dance instructor Chris Nasadowski hosts Bringin’ It from the Streets III, a showcase of amateur and professional tap, hip-hop, and modern dance troupes. (June 20)
• Tracy …read more

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Sometimes, taking kids out to eat is an incredible chore. You have to get them dressed, order food they won’t scoff at, and keep them entertained throughout the meal. A few restaurants in the Chicagoland area though are perfect for children though, playing on many of their fascinations with trains.
One of the oldest eateries in the area serves up its food with a little help from an electric toy train: Snackville Junction in south-suburban Evergreen Park. Kids today love it just as much as when it all began 60 years ago. With the sound of a deep whistle and …read more

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Upon first walking into Café Trinidad, you might assume it’s a Jamaican restaurant. However, Trinidad offers a West Indian cuisine that is much subtler than its Caribbean counterpart. This can be attributed to Trinidad and Tobago’s geographies, exposing them to African, Indian, and even British influences.
One main ingredient found in many of the entrées is the roti—a soft flat bread cooked over a flat iron griddle. It is similar to the Latin American tortilla. Customers can fill this with everything from beef to veggies to goat. Fried chicken wings look deceptively familiar but are seasoned with regional spices. Tobago, …read more

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Sometimes a good hot dog comes from a good-looking, colorful restaurant like Superdawg or Portillo’s. And sometimes it comes from a place like Fat Johnnie’s Famous Red Hots.
This dilapidated shack/trailer in Marquette Park may not look like much, but it has been serving up some of the best hot dogs and tamales to hungry customers for over 30 years. Open all year, it’s no surprise to see white-collar, blue-collar, and no-collar men waiting in line despite bone-chilling snow or blazing heat. Take a seat at one of the picnic tables (set up during warmer months), and enjoy your hot dog …read more

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