Jason
Naperville
Where can I go to get the best authentic Chicago hot dog and what exactly is on a "Chicago hot dog"?
I've only ever been to The Wiener's Circle, which is an interesting establishment to say the least, but the dogs there are pretty darn good. Chicago-style hot dogs are "dragged through the garden," which means they're topped with mustard, relish, pickles, onions, tomatoes, sport peppers, and celery salt.
Many would agree that a Chicago style hot dog is one in which ketchup does not participate.
For me, the dog itself must be snappy, and served with the following ingredients: sweet green relish, sport peppers, raw onions, dash of celery salt.
The Portillos in Naperville has decent char dogs- try one from there if you haven't already. Or, go to Gene's & Jude's.
Every person you ask this to will have a different answer. A place called Flub A Dub Chub's is one of my favorites. There is also Franks 'N' Dawgs, Gene's & Jude's, and Redhot Ranch Which all get a lot of voted. Best bet it try them all!
Technically a Chicago dog is an all beef dog with a poppyseed bun with mustard, relish, onion, tomato, a pickle spear, sport peppers and celery salt. There are a lot of variation, just don't ask for Ketchup!!
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I'm not a fan of mustard or relish so I'm not qualified to comment on the best really but I will tell you that people who do like them have mentioned Gene's & Jude's, Superdawg and Portillo's. Since you live in Naperville, I'm going to assume that if you haven't been living in a cave this past week that you know that Hot Doug's served it's final dog (and you wouldn't have stood in that line for a Chicago hot dog in any event.)
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