jazzman wrote:Thanks for all the great replys. Answering some of the questions .....

Yes- I'm looking more for the LEONS type hot dog...
my cousin does not like the SNAP.

Yes... Bowsers is GONE. Bowser and Taste Haste both served Leons
Nicks on Belmont served Slotkowski

Because of the snap .....Vienna and Red Hot Chicago is similar...
as is David Berg and Leos Coneys.
Supersawg didnt go over to big either.

He kinda liked Dairy Queen but .....

I'll check out Bills, Parse's and a few other suggestion.

If anyone else has suggestions - I'll be checking for your posts..

Thanks to all

http://www.rainforestcafe.com/pdf/menus/kidsMenu.pdf

jazzman wrote:my cousin does not like the SNAP.

Thanks to all

Per Stevez's suggestion to try a skinless you might want to seek out a Byron's:
1017 West Irving Park Road, Chicago - (773) 281-7474
1701 West Lawrence Avenue, Chicago - (773) 271-0900

Rene G wrote:The Sahlen family has been making sausages in Buffalo since 1869 but they don't make white hots.

I stand corrected. That was a description given me at Franks for the Memories. The sausages from Sahlen's they serve are made from pork and beef, and much paler, more coarsely constituted, softer and juicier than Chicago-style hot dogs -- more like bratwurst. I don't know how it compares to Ted's.

Here's one "with everything" as served at Franks for the Memories (which is better known locally for its Buffalo wings than its dogs, perhaps for a reason ... yes, that's ketchup).

While running errands yesterday afternoon I made a quick stop by the drive-thru at the Portillos on North Ave in Northlake (across from Sam's). I ordered a Maxwell St. polish, and a Hot Dog with everything. (Sorry no pictures)

The Polish was excellent. Perfectly cooked, it had just the right amount of snap in the casing, great all beef, garlic, spice flavors. The grilled onions were great, carmelized, but still with a little bit of "tooth" to them and the bun was nicely steamed without being too soft

The Hot Dog on the other hand was disappointing. Not sure if they have changed their source, but the one I had yesterday was sub-par. The Dog had none of the familiar "snap". It bordered on being mushy and flavorless. The bun was also over steamed and mushy and the relish was "off" tasting, not the normal bright pickle relish flavor that was expected.

Maybe it was just a bad time of the day, long enough after the lunch rush that they were serving what was left, and by that time it had spent to much time in the steamer, etc.

I haven't had that problem at a Portillos before, but I usually am there with the rest of the crowds.

This being the land of Vienna Beef and with their product being so damn good, I'm happy with what selection we got (a whole lot). But with that said, another spot not mentioned on this list, although it is seasonal, is Wrigley Field. Sure there's a hefty cover charge to get in but you cant beat the atmosphere...but even the child's play hot dogs are better than the product on the field.


Clark and Addison

LAZ wrote:

Rene G wrote:The Sahlen family has been making sausages in Buffalo since 1869 but they don't make white hots.

I stand corrected. That was a description given me at Franks for the Memories. The sausages from Sahlen's they serve are made from pork and beef, and much paler, more coarsely constituted, softer and juicier than Chicago-style hot dogs -- more like bratwurst. I don't know how it compares to Ted's.

I'm surprised the Buffalonians at Franks for the Memories would describe them as white hots (maybe they're Rochesterites in disguise?). Their hot dogs are similar to Ted's, though Ted's grills over real charcoal and tears the sausages with forks as they cook, giving them more char and a smokier flavor. Also the condimentation can be a little different. Ketchup is not verboten in Buffalo but many opt for Ted's signature "hot sauce" instead.

The seven Ted's in Western NY serve three types of Sahlen's hot dogs (regular, foot-long and beef) as well as Italian and Polish sausages. I was surprised to see the eighth Ted's in Tempe, Arizona also has white hots and bratwurst on the menu. I have no idea why they broke with many decades of Ted's tradition.

The Sahlen's hot dogs at Franks for the Memories are significantly different than any Vienna wiener and would seem like an excellent suggestion for jazzman's cousin. Except that they are natural casing as you can see in the photo below. Who knows? Maybe a char-grilled natural casing dog would be acceptable. It's more crispy than snappy.

Hot dog, everything, Franks for the Memories


Franks for the Memories
645 E Hawley St
Mundelein IL
847-949-9464

Rene G wrote:I'm surprised the Buffalonians at Franks for the Memories would describe them as white hots (maybe they're Rochesterites in disguise?).

As I understand it, the parents/founders came from Buffalo. Not the son who's running it now or the employee who gave me a bum steer.

Rene G wrote:The Sahlen's hot dogs at Franks for the Memories are significantly different than any Vienna wiener and would seem like an excellent suggestion for jazzman's cousin. Except that they are natural casing as you can see in the photo below. Who knows? Maybe a char-grilled natural casing dog would be acceptable. It's more crispy than snappy.

Yes, they're very tasty (as are the wings), but I would order sans ketchup next time.

http://www.franksforthememories.com

Try parsi`s on higgins a block or two East of Harlem. Good dogs.

So far Parse's on Higgins and Bill's in Evanston have filled the Void. Will try others as time permits. Thanks to all.

Pie Lady wrote:Parse's Red Hots
7049 West Higgins Avenue
Chicago, IL 60656-1976
(773) 763-9693

Stopped there today. The non-Vienna was tasty. Nice Chicago Dog.


Tomato as fresh and tasty as could be and the dash of celery salt topped it off nicely.

Does anyone know how long Nick's hot dogs on Belmont has been closed?

Okay! A topic about being different.

We are all familiar with the standards and less than standard but still, Vienna, Redhot Chicago, David Berg, Eisenberg, Slotkowski, Leon’s, Sinai...

From time to time I seek a different flavor profile from our humble hotdogs. Anyone know of any others?

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Superdawg Drive-In
6363 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago
(also in Wheeling)

Pop's Italian Beef & Sausage
8001 Ogden Ave, Lyons
(and other locations)

Parky's Hot Dogs
329 S Harlem Ave, Forest Park
(griddled Vienna all beef also available)

Jr's Hot Dogs Inc
6335 95th St, Oak Lawn

Big Guy's Sausage Stand
7021 Roosevelt Rd Roosevelt Road, Berwyn

Henry's Drive-In
6031 Ogden Ave, Cicero
(unconfirmed)

Fluky's
5630 Touhy Ave, Niles

Parse's Red Hots (RIP)
7049 West Higgins Avenue, Chicago

Portillo's uses a custom Vienna Beef blend.