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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There aren’t very many restaurants that can multitask. The place where you bring your kids is probably different from the spot where you impress your date. You don’t expect fine dining from an eatery that offers simple comfort foods. But in Glenview, whether you’re dining with a group or having an intimate dinner for two, you can take your guests to Cafe Lucci.
Upon entering, patrons are greeted by a warm, friendly atmosphere as chefs check on their patrons (primarily neighborhood locals) surrounding white table linens. You don’t have to be a regular to feel at home here. The owner is …read more

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La Peña is a family-owned restaurant that is bright and colorful, in more ways than one. From the rich tablecloths to the lively atmosphere to the vivid live music, this place is a South American celebration.
Many Latin restaurants start you off with a free basket of tortilla chips and salsa. However, La Peña offers something delectably different: thinly-sliced plantain chips. I guarantee you: those won’t last long, so you should probably grab something from the appetizer menu. The empanadas are absolutely delicious, as are the humitas and the tortillas de papa (potato pancakes stuffed with cheese and topped with …read more

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Daniel Lambert and Anthony DiBlasamo take incredible pride in their Italian heritage, and they certainly show it at their restaurant Caponie’s Trattoria. Black and white photos of relatives, ancestors, and family events cover the main wall, providing an intimate and traditional look into Italian culture. Another wall plays on the stereotypes associated with the ethnicity, bearing posters and photographs of popular Italian-American icons, including Tony Soprano, Al Capone, and the cast of Goodfellas.
And while the decor will certainly grab your attention, it’s the food that will keep you coming back again and again. Patrons will drive far out of their …read more

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 I have to admit, I love this time of year. While I’m not a fan of chilly weather or candy-greedy kids, I can’t get enough of all things creepy and spooky. If you enjoy an adrenaline rush and want to potentially bust some ghosts, grab a tour with Chicago Ghost Investigations. This paranormal research group will teach you how to use authentic ghost-hunting equipment, including cameras, sensors, and thermal scanners. CGI investigators will be there to guide you, but for approximately two hours, you are the ghost hunter. This mind-altering experience is incredibly fun but also very intense, so be …read more

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Got an idea for a creative costume? Not military-related? Maybe you should stop at American Science & Surplus in Jefferson Park, just down the street from Andy’s Deli.
There really is no adequate way of describing American Science. It’s a bit of an oversized junk drawer, with all kinds of odds, ends, doodads, and thingamajigs. The store carries a large collection of old science-fair things (chemistry sets, ant farms, etc) as well as home repair items (paintbrushes, small engines, wrenches, etc). But that doesn’t even begin to describe the kinds of things you can find in the numerous aisles of this …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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