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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Ah, family. There is a saying that goes… “Families are like fudge – mostly sweet with a few nuts.” We here at the Travel & Culture Channel are celebrating our nutty families this month. And while my own family may seem especially eccentric at times, I still love them nonetheless.
For several years, my paternal family would gather for breakfast every Sunday at Orbit Restaurant and Lounge (2954 N Milwaukee Ave). I think my grandparents liked it mostly because it served a primarily Polish cuisine… and because they had “clean bathrooms.” I remember this is where my affinity for eating lemons …read more

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There are literally hundreds of hot dog joints in Chicago, and it can be difficult to discern one from another. However, Hot Doug’s has one unique feature that you can see before you even walk inside: a line of hungry patrons that not only falls out the door, but actually crawls around the building! Locals are willing to wait as long as 20 minutes to get inside. Just what is it they’re all waiting for?
Doug’s menu may not look spectacular, but its flavors are sublime. The menu starts off with the classic Chicago-style hot dog and is followed by …read more

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Dishing out breakfast since 1923, Lou Mitchell’s practically has the same menu that they started with. Some of the waitresses have been working there for over 20 years, and the decor? Beige booths, white-speckled black tile floors, plastic tablecloths, and plastic plants. Lou’s isn’t about fine dining; this is just good food with an old-Chicago charm.
I’ll admit, I have mixed feelings about this Chicago classic. When you enter the restaurant, you will encounter a line. There’s just no avoiding it. Now, some may argue that a line is a symbol of good food, that the restaurant has something worthy enough …read more

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If you’re in the mood for a hot dog, don’t go to the restaurant standing at the corner of Milwaukee, Devon, and Nagle Avenues. Because ever since 1948, Maurie and Flaurie Berman have not been selling frankfurters, wieners, or red hots. Their delicious pieces of beef on a bun are known as Superdawgs.
The winking larger-than-life male and female hot dogs standing on top of the Drive-In have been a part of Chicagoans’ memories for decades, including yours truly. A definite local favorite, Superdawg is a flashback to the days when girls donning skirts and skates delivered your food to your …read more

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In 1966, two cab drivers and their friend were sick and tired of putting up with Chicago’s rush hour traffic, so they decided to get out of the taxi business and open a pizzeria. Now, over 40 years later, Gino’s East is a legend in Chicago, attracting locals and tourists alike.
The Original Gino’s East on Wells St (just a block away from Hop Haus) is a sight to behold. By the light of chandeliers and candles, you can read the writing on the walls (literally!) while you wait. Every inch of this place is covered in graffiti, all from past …read more

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Barbecue chicken… prosciutto… cauliflower… all these foods are good enough on their own, but you’d never expect to find them on a pizza… right? Well, these and a long list of ingredients are available for the famous thin-crust pizza at Pat’s Pizzeria & Ristorante.
In a city known for its deep-dish, the crispy, paper-thin crust at Pat’s has been voted among the best in Chicago. In fact, it was awarded “Best Thin Crust” by the Chicago Tribune in 1992, and even esteemed movie critic Roger Ebert has been quoted, “Best thin crust… period.” So what makes this pizza so good? Maybe …read more

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