Vienna Beef/Chicago style hot dogs

Hi! I am a senior at DePaul University, majoring in Journalism. I am writing an article for my feature writing class and was wondering if any of you would be willing to answer a few questions about Chicago Hot Dogs, particularly the Vienna Beef Hot Dog factory as well as Hot Doug's, the hot dog stand at 2013 W. Roscoe. Please email me with any questions! Thanks.

1. When did you eat your first hot dog?

2. What is your favorite way to eat a hot dog(ie toppings)?

3. Where is your favorite place to go in Chicago to eat a hot dog?

4. Why do you think Vienna Beef hot dogs are such a Chicago tradition?

5. What sets Vienna Beef hot dogs apart from other hot dogs?

6. What is the most hot dogs have you eaten in one sitting?

7. What is the strangest way you have seen someone eat their hot dogs(weird toppings, etc.)?

8. Have you ever been to the Vienna Beef hot dog factory? If yes, how many times?

9. Why do you think hot dogs are such an American food or tradition?

10. Name, age, occupation? This is for my source list. If you do not mind, a phone # I could put on my source list. Neither I or my professor will call you, but it is practice for when I will actually be collecting source info. If there is anything else you would like to add, like maybe a memorable experience at a hot dog stand or your opinion on anything that I did not ask, please feel free to add it! Thanks!

1. one of my earliest memories
2. everything but relish. xtra celery salt
3. it used to be paul's umbrella (rip) or flukey's.
4. cheap, delicious, a meal on a bun. one w/everything was said to be "dragged through the garden"
5. european flavor, steamed buns, celery salt
6. 4 (during puberty)
7. slaw and baked beans
8. no
9. see #4
10. 50. chef. as much as i love vienna dogs, seeking them out in strange cities i've lived in or visited to get a fix of a chi dog (usually leaving disappointed) i once left someone @ al's italian beef in the middle of winter for ordering one. sacrilege.

7. What is the strangest way you have seen someone eat their hot dogs(weird toppings, etc.)?

A. With ketchup. But then we beat him senseless and threw him in the river.

Kman wrote:7. What is the strangest way you have seen someone eat their hot dogs(weird toppings, etc.)?

A. With ketchup. But then we beat him senseless and threw him in the river.

One again, anti-catsup psychopathology is laid bare.

Kman, you're going to be a dad soon...I recommend you learn to love the stuff.

Hammond

David Hammond wrote:

Kman wrote:7. What is the strangest way you have seen someone eat their hot dogs(weird toppings, etc.)?

A. With ketchup. But then we beat him senseless and threw him in the river.

One again, anti-catsup psychopathology is laid bare.

Kman, you're going to be a dad soon...I recommend you learn to love the stuff.

Hammond

LOL, this is going to be big news to my wife! I wonder how I should break it to her?

Yes, I admit to being, hmmm, an anti-catsup psychopathologist? If only it had wires or pistons I could figure it out, but that's way too fuzzy for me without cracking a dictionary. However, I stand guilty as charged.

There's a whole 'nuther thread there, though, on how eating habits/preferences are altered over time. Why do children like/dislike certain foods and then change as they grow up? To avoid thread-jacking I'll start that topic up.

oops, I thought you were "expecting"

I'm turning as red as a delicious bottle of catsup.

Hammond

A slight tangent here but I thought it may be of interest, based on the discussion above.

There is wonderful article about ketchup by Malcolm Gladwell in the Food Issue of the New Yorker (Sep. 6, 2004). I highly recommend it, if you get a chance to read it.

My apologies if this has already been mentioned elsewhere on the site.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:A slight tangent here but I thought it may be of interest, based on the discussion above.

There is wonderful article about ketchup by Malcolm Gladwell in the Food Issue of the New Yorker (Sep. 6, 2004). I highly recommend it, if you get a chance to read it.

My apologies if this has already been mentioned elsewhere on the site.

=R=

Ronnie, I did read that article with great interest. The issue of "amplitude" was fascinating, and one that I find helpful when explaining many foods besides catsup.

Hammond

ronnie_suburban wrote: There is wonderful article about ketchup by Malcolm Gladwell in the Food Issue of the New Yorker (Sep. 6, 2004). I highly recommend it, if you get a chance to read it.
=R=

Fortunately Malcolm Gladwell has some deal with the New Yorker where he gets to put all his articles up on his own website. Ketchup is at http://www.gladwell.com/2004/2004_09_06_a_ketchup.html

But be sure to read the others as well. The Ron Popiel is a classic. And the Lois Weisburg one is a great story about a great Chicago icon.

First of all, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Matt, and I live in Chicago. I came to Chicago during high school (GO Deerfield Warriors!) and ended up at college in Indiana. When I was done with that, I moved to Evanston, and just recently moved into Chicago proper with her.

I found this board after reading a little article in the Reader, and decided that I needed to check it out. The threads have been very intelligent, and very informative. I plan on contributing to the board with a full belly and a smile on my face.

One other note: my girlfriend works at Vienna Beef.

1. Sometime in highschool. I was not an immediate fan, but they grew on me.

2. Everything, with extra sport peppers.

3. Either at the factory or at a Fluky's.

4. Because they are unique to Chicago and they taste so damn good.

5. Both the way in which they are served (with the unique toppings) and the quality of the hotdogs themselves.

6. Two.

7. Plain ketchup.

8. Yes. I was a temp there for a while, and since then about four times.

9. They are cheap, easy to cook, and you can eat them with one hand.

10. Matt, 25, IT workers bee.

1. When did you eat your first hot dog?
At home as soon as i was able to eat solids, i would get sliced up hot dogs. I would say I was about 8 or 9 when i first made my own decisions about buying food with my allowance. johnson was president

2. What is your favorite way to eat a hot dog(ie toppings)?
xtra onion, neon relish, mustard, salt and possibly a few fries

3. Where is your favorite place to go in Chicago to eat a hot dog?
I gotta go with genes n judes or jimmies

4. Why do you think Vienna Beef hot dogs are such a Chicago tradition?
A strong jewish population when introduced is most likely.

5. What sets Vienna Beef hot dogs apart from other hot dogs?
the taste, uniform batch quality, old world type spicing

6. What is the most hot dogs have you eaten in one sitting?
3

7. What is the strangest way you have seen someone eat their hot dogs(weird toppings, etc.)?
my son, dead plain dog in a bun. or nephew, sliced up with side of ranch dressing for dipping (eewwww)


8. Have you ever been to the Vienna Beef hot dog factory? If yes, how many times? over theyears 10-12 times

9. Why do you think hot dogs are such an American food or tradition?
They go hand in hand with baseball, another tradition. are inexpensive yet filling.

10. Name, age, occupation?
bob , 48 ,government bureaucrat

This is the most inventive "maki roll" I've ever seen:

http://chuck.falzone.com/

Enjoy


Disclaimer - I personally know this man, he works w/ my fiance.

messycook wrote:This is the most inventive "maki roll" I've ever seen:

http://chuck.falzone.com/

Enjoy


Disclaimer - I personally know this man, he works w/ my fiance.

I remember seeing this referenced on CH. I was thrilled by the genius behind such an invention.

Hammond

Love this one as well, though not quite as "local"

Hot Dog Craftery

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:Love this one as well, though not quite as "local"

Hot Dog Craftery

=R=

Even without a working understanding of the language, I found the step-by-step pictures quite helpful. When I have grandchildren, this is the kind of thing I will make for them when they come to visit. I especially like the shark, squid and flower.

Hammond

as a chef, i can't tell you how inspired this is on many levels...

excellent

David Hammond wrote:

messycook wrote:This is the most inventive "maki roll" I've ever seen:

http://chuck.falzone.com/

Enjoy


Disclaimer - I personally know this man, he works w/ my fiance.

I remember seeing this referenced on CH. I was thrilled by the genius behind such an invention.

Hammond

maybe fries instead of rice?

messycook wrote:This is the most inventive "maki roll" I've ever seen:

http://chuck.falzone.com/

Enjoy


Disclaimer - I personally know this man, he works w/ my fiance.

Went to a cruse night in Crown Point Indiana and saw a lady selling hot dogs from a cart with mustard and ketchup. I knew then and there I was with strange people that did not know what they were doing !

1. When did you eat your first hot dog?
my first chicago style vienna dog was in 7th grade. I got suspended from school a week after because i had gotten caught skipping class to grab a dog - it was an instant favorite.

2. What is your favorite way to eat a hot dog(ie toppings)?
Onion, Mustard, relish, sport peppers, fresh cut french fries. A little of all those things - not a lot. The #1 cardinal sin of preparing a hot dog is to use too much of the ingredients i just listed.

3. Where is your favorite place to go in Chicago to eat a hot dog?
In order of preference: Gene and Jude's, Jimmy's (Pulaski and Grand) and the original Al's on Taylor. Al's doesn't seem to get much mention about their dogs - but they are a great post-beef kicker.


4. Why do you think Vienna Beef hot dogs are such a Chicago tradition?
have you ever had one? They aren't just a little better than your average dog. Vienna Beef hot dogs are far and away better than any other dog you can get in the country - and they are manufactured right here on Damen. Easy enough

5. What sets Vienna Beef hot dogs apart from other hot dogs?
quality. consistency. The never ending strive for a good product. Vienna Beef is a great company.

6. What is the most hot dogs have you eaten in one sitting?
6

7. What is the strangest way you have seen someone eat their hot dogs(weird toppings, etc.)?
cheese and ketchup. And although i've never seen someone do it, and my throat is tightening right now as i'm about to type this, there is a hot dog place in chicago that sells a "Louisiana Dog" that comes with onions, tomatoes and BBQ sauce. I'll never see it because i won't go to a hot dog stand that would offer and/or prepare a dog this way.

8. Have you ever been to the Vienna Beef hot dog factory? If yes, how many times?
too many times to count. It's the only place where i buy my dogs because it's the only place that you can get 10/1lb natural casing dogs by the case

9. Why do you think hot dogs are such an American food or tradition?
they are cheap, unhealthy, easy to eat and prepare. Americans need all that.

10. Dave Jenks, 23, EMT.

1. When did you eat your first hot dog?
Age 5 when I had my first Vienna dog at Herm's Palace in Skokie
2. What is your favorite way to eat a hot dog(ie toppings)?
Everything and that includes celery salt.
3. Where is your favorite place to go in Chicago to eat a hot dog?
Poochies in Skokie. Bun is perfectly steamed and the dogs are always hot.
4. Why do you think Vienna Beef hot dogs are such a Chicago tradition?
Real beef combined with the right amount of spice.
5. What sets Vienna Beef hot dogs apart from other hot dogs?
Only hot dog factory that lets you see the process.
6. What is the most hot dogs have you eaten in one sitting?
Six in high school and four in my 30's.
7. What is the strangest way you have seen someone eat their hot dogs(weird toppings, etc.)?
Ketchup and kraut. Two mortal sins no Chicago native should ever make.
8. Have you ever been to the Vienna Beef hot dog factory? If yes, how many times?
No, but it's on my to do list.
9. Why do you think hot dogs are such an American food or tradition?
We're an "on the go" society and a one handed sandwich fits the bill.
10. Name, age, occupation? This is for my source list. If you do not mind, a phone # I could put on my source list. Neither I or my professor will call you, but it is practice for when I will actually be collecting source info. If there is anything else you would like to add, like maybe a memorable experience at a hot dog stand or your opinion on anything that I did not ask, please feel free to add it! Thanks!
HungryZ, 30 years old, emerging restaurant critic(HungryZ.com + NBC5.com/streetteam). Feel free to contact me through my website.

7. What is the strangest way you have seen someone eat their hot dogs(weird toppings, etc.)?
Ketchup and kraut. Two mortal sins no Chicago native should ever make.

I can understand ketchup, but kraut? (unless we're talking about a Chicago dog and all its accompaniments--I guess it wouldn't work very well with the gleaming green relish). Kraut, at least by itself, has always been a traditional accompaniment to sausages of all kinds (including dogs and its progenitors) since at least 1648 (when the French annexed Alsace-Lorraine and discovered/perfected choucroute garnie to the benefit of all mankind) and probably long before then.

It might be hard to find and attract some scorn in Chicago and its environs, but I don't think there's anything wierd about a Krautdog; nor is it a mortal sin even in Chicago (as long as you do it in the privacy of your home, and not in the streets, where you might scare the horses).

jbw wrote:It might be hard to find and attract some scorn in Chicago and its environs, but I don't think there's anything wierd about a Krautdog; nor is it a mortal sin even in Chicago (as long as you do it in the privacy of your home, and not in the streets, where you might scare the horses).

Agreed. Sauerkraut, cabbage, or lettuce are not such odd things to find in the history of Chicago hot dogs.

Forgetting about tradition and just thinking about taste: I think sauerkraut (like other pickled items) plays nicely with the flavor of a hot dog. Ketchup, to my taste, is just a sugar-bomb that blows flavors away.

Best,
Michael

Hi all, I couldn't resist

1. When did you eat your first hot dog?

As soon as I was able to chew solid food, but I remember ordering my first hot dog at the dearly departed Harry's Deli in Glencoe, with a vanilla phosphate. I was 5!

2. What is your favorite way to eat a hot dog(ie toppings)?

Everything, extra sport peppers, but I usually end up picking out the tomato seeds from my tomatoes and then stuffing them back in.

3. Where is your favorite place to go in Chicago to eat a hot dog?

Sam's Red Hots on Milwaukee and Armitage. They don't have all the toppings but the price is right ($2.20 for a hot dog and a generous amount of fries) and the service has just the right amount of indifference. Closely followed by Hot Doug's. I went there yesterday!

4. Why do you think Vienna Beef hot dogs are such a Chicago tradition?

Because they are rad, and incredibly tasty.

5. What sets Vienna Beef hot dogs apart from other hot dogs?

Everything? They are the most exalted form of hot dogs.

6. What is the most hot dogs have you eaten in one sitting?

Four, in rapid succession.

7. What is the strangest way you have seen someone eat their hot dogs(weird toppings, etc.)?

NYC dirty water dogs are not only strange, they are gross and ubiquitous.

8. Have you ever been to the Vienna Beef hot dog factory? If yes, how many times?

No, but I want to!

9. Why do you think hot dogs are such an American food or tradition?

Because they are tasty, cheap and democratic.

1. When did you eat your first hot dog?
No recollection of this affair but it was definitely love at first bite.

2. What is your favorite way to eat a hot dog(ie toppings)?
Mustard and Chicago Relish

3. Where is your favorite place to go in Chicago to eat a hot dog?
As a kid, it was Tasty Hasty, but this is now closed. So I would go for Woolfies off Peterson which is now renamed.

4. Why do you think Vienna Beef hot dogs are such a Chicago tradition?
The "snap"

5. What sets Vienna Beef hot dogs apart from other hot dogs?
The "snap"

6. What is the most hot dogs have you eaten in one sitting?
Three and that was after a night of drinking.

7. What is the strangest way you have seen someone eat their hot dogs(weird toppings, etc.)?
Coleslaw and ketchup, yes combined....vomit!

8. Have you ever been to the Vienna Beef hot dog factory? If yes, how many times?
No, I live right by there as well, need to go!

9. Why do you think hot dogs are such an American food or tradition?
When I think back of the older days and look at photos or film, there always seems to be a hot dog or two included in those moments. I believe everyone sees this and it brings up nostalgic memories of being a kid themselves and enjoying life.

10. Ashley, 31, IT-Finance Nerd Extraordinaire

JamieKansas wrote:7. What is the strangest way you have seen someone eat their hot dogs(weird toppings, etc.)?

Hotdogs in spaghetti:

JamieKansas wrote:1. When did you eat your first hot dog?

As a babe.

JamieKansas wrote:2. What is your favorite way to eat a hot dog(ie toppings)?

From a stand... Everything with sport peppers on the side.
Sometimes at home... White bread, squirt cheese (EZ cheese), ketsup

JamieKansas wrote:3. Where is your favorite place to go in Chicago to eat a hot dog?

I used to love the street vendors (west side Sec of State), Gene's and Jude's.

JamieKansas wrote:4. Why do you think Vienna Beef hot dogs are such a Chicago tradition?

Great taste!

JamieKansas wrote:5. What sets Vienna Beef hot dogs apart from other hot dogs?

Great taste (and tradition)

JamieKansas wrote:6. What is the most hot dogs have you eaten in one sitting?

At home (see #2)... A whole package of 8.

JamieKansas wrote:7. What is the strangest way you have seen someone eat their hot dogs(weird toppings, etc.)?

I was working on the southside and there was a hot dog stand with 3 dogs for a dollar with fries. We were going there every day for a long time and we would mix up the toppings with what they had on hand.

Red sauce and sweet peppers or grilled onions.

JamieKansas wrote:8. Have you ever been to the Vienna Beef hot dog factory? If yes, how many times?

Yup! Maybe 3 or 4 times.

JamieKansas wrote:9. Why do you think hot dogs are such an American food or tradition?

One of the first 'fast Foods'.

JamieKansas wrote:10. Name, age, occupation?

John, 50, draftsman. Phone via PM

For the background on how the beef hot dog became identified with Chicago, I suggest you listen to the following Eat Feed episode, which includes an interview on Chicago hot dogs with the president of the Culinary Historians of Chicago:

http://www.eatfeed.com/shows/2-9-chicago.htm

Good luck!

1. When did you eat your first hot dog?

I would say either 5 or 6.

2. What is your favorite way to eat a hot dog(ie toppings)?

Mustard and onion only. Dragged through the garden on special occasions.

3. Where is your favorite place to go in Chicago to eat a hot dog?

Gene & Judes. But heard about some of the places on skokie and evanston that I want to try.

4. Why do you think Vienna Beef hot dogs are such a Chicago tradition?

If my history serves me correctly, they are the only that came up with the Chicago style hotdog.

5. What sets Vienna Beef hot dogs apart from other hot dogs?

I would definately say the taste and texture.

6. What is the most hot dogs have you eaten in one sitting?

One whole package, no buns.

7. What is the strangest way you have seen someone eat their hot dogs(weird toppings, etc.)?

Mayo. And it was me that did it on a try. Not that bad actually.

8. Have you ever been to the Vienna Beef hot dog factory? If yes, how many times?

Never been there but always wanted to go. One day I will

9. Why do you think hot dogs are such an American food or tradition?

I would say that its inexpensive price and the fact that its on a bun makes it the perfect grab and go food.

10. Name, age, occupation?

Mike, 41, Engineering Clerk and performer/cook at the Bristol Ren Fair (when in season)