Did anyone catch Gus' Chili Bombs on NPR's Sandwich Monday? Here is the link to the post by Ian Chillag:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/0 ... chili-bomb

I wonder if this is a new item or an old standby. Anyone?

The bombs have been around for a number of years.

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f= ... 00#p308983

Just want to let you guys know that we will be appearing on Travel Channel's Burger Land this Monday June 24th. It is thier Windy City edition. They visit 4 burger places and we're gonna be on last. I believe it starts at 8 pm and they replay it again at 10:30 pm.

gp60004 wrote:Just want to let you guys know that we will be appearing on Travel Channel's Burger Land this Monday June 24th. It is thier Windy City edition. They visit 4 burger places and we're gonna be on last. I believe it starts at 8 pm and they replay it again at 10:30 pm.

Congratulations Gus! That's really good news. I'll set my DVR as soon as I get home.

I'll check it out tonight Gus! I love seeing all the places he goes to on that show. Of course, Blackhawks first!

Like many here, I am a big fan of the Dempster St. Dog-and-Burger triumvirate of WASC, Herm's Palace and Poochie's. I have long been convinced that WASC makes the best cheddarburger of the three establishments, so that's what I consistently order there. In the past year, though, I've grown especially fond of the place because it makes some very nice chicken nuggets that are the only fast food my incredibly picky three-year-old will eat. Having WASC close by has saved this frequently exhausted parent on a number of occasions. Looking forward to seeing the Burger Land episode tonight. Congratulations, Gus! [By the way, I'm the guy who always orders the cheddarburger combo with sport peppers!]

Yes Rich. Timing is everything. Good thing they are replaying it at 10:30.

Thanks Kenny.

here is a teaser clip for the show. They really loved the country fried bacon http://www.travelchannel.com/video/country-fried-bacon

I actually switched off the Hawks game for a short time to watch this. I thought it was a very good segment and presented WASC and Gus in a very favorable light. Good job and I hope they replay it when its apt to be seen by more locals. The host of that show seems like he is probably a nice guy. (By the way, I'm the one who usually comes in with the two giggly kids and orders the Cheddar burger with giardineria).

I watched the show, looking good Gus! I noticed they had the chili bombs, but they didn't comment. I'm a big time burger fan, so this show is great. Too bad he didn't have a number of different burgers, but on Burger Land he only has one at each stop. It was interesting that he had way more food at your place than he normally has anywhere on the show.

One thing I wish George would do more is comment on the fries wherever he goes. Maybe I need to do a coast to coast french fries show. I would LOVE to!

Thanks. Yes they did have us make alot of different items. We also made dippin dogs and pickle chips. I'm surprised the bacon made it onto the show.

The Windy City Burger episode is airing again tonight at 7:30 if you want to catch the whole thing.

I took the opportunity to deliver WaSC's GNR Renewal Certificate as an excuse to head over there for a cheeseburger tonight. It had been a while since my last visit, and I had nearly forgotten how good Gus' burgers and fries are. I was sorry I didn't have my camera with me to take a picture of my burger, which was juicy and beefy tasting.

Gus also brought out his latest creation, which is a ball of his corn dog batter stuffed with nutella and deep fried. I thought it was pretty good, though I suggested he mix a jalapeño in with the batter for another level of taste.

If you haven't been to WaSC in a while, you owe it to yourself to visit soon. Evanston has become over saturated with great burger options and I got the impression that Gus could really use the business. It's a shame that burgers like these aren't getting more love.

I miss this place... I don't work at Northwestern any more so I don't go nearly enough. Dippin' Dog Deluxe separation anxiety.

A mid-day appointment in Evanston today provided a great excuse to stop at WaSC for lunch. Merck's cheddar burger and fries were outstanding!

A friend pointed me to this bit of news from last month . . .

Evanston police stopped a bus and ordered one of the riders out, following a theft at an Evanston hot dog business Wednesday evening.

Police say the theft took place at 7:05 p.m. at Wiener and Still Champion, 802 Dempster St. Ronald Pitts, 43, with no listed address, was charged with misdemeanor theft.

Man charged in hot dog restaurant theft

=R=

Typical poor reporting. Everyone knows that despite its name and signage, WASC is a cheeseburger and weird fried items place, not a hot dog restaurant. Moreover, it is clearly a joint, not a restaurant.

Wiener and Still Champion is closed. There is a Cook County eviction notice on the door. The photo is from a Yelp post from 3-18 and I saw it myself last night.

this is disturbing; does anyone know more? i tried their website just now: only a quick flash shows a page saying they are closed. it's impossible to click on their home page and get this info to stay up. nothing on facebook since 6/15.....

I know Gus had health problems, as did his father, as he discussed on Matt Kissane's podcast last month at about 1:35 in. I've tried to reach out to him, but haven't heard anything since.

nr706 wrote:I know Gus had health problems, as did his father, as he discussed on Matt Kissane's podcast last month at about 1:35 in. I've tried to reach out to him, but haven't heard anything since.

thanks

justjoan wrote:this is disturbing; does anyone know more? i tried their website just now: only a quick flash shows a page saying they are closed. it's impossible to click on their home page and get this info to stay up. nothing on facebook since 6/15.....

Tokk some effort to decipher the case number at the bottom of the eviction notice but it is 2015-M2-004436. They were sued by 33 Reality LLC and the judge found for the plantiff in the amount of $12250.00 on 12/4/15.

I find the public airing of Gus' laundry here, in a place where he has been a valuable member of our community, to be distasteful. That's just my opinion, but I wouldn't feel right if I didn't say anything.

How about a discussion about how to fill the gaping hole in the Chicago fried novelty item scene?

stevez wrote:I find the public airing of Gus' laundry here, in a place where he has been a valuable member of our community, to be distasteful. That's just my opinion, but I wouldn't feel right if I didn't say anything.

How about a discussion about how to fill the gaping hole in the Chicago fried novelty item scene?

I don't like it, either but it's public information and we're not going to censor anyone.

Maybe some 'angel' will see this and step in on Gus's behalf. In any event, I sure hope he and his family are well and that this gets resolved favorably.

=R=

Very sad news. I do not get to Evanston like I used to but WasC has always been at the top of my recommendation list whenever I heard people were going there.

Gus, I wish you and your family all the best.

ronnie_suburban wrote:I don't like it, either but it's public information and we're not going to censor anyone.

I've got no problem with that, but I had to speak up and say something.

stevez wrote:I find the public airing of Gus' laundry here, in a place where he has been a valuable member of our community, to be distasteful. That's just my opinion, but I wouldn't feel right if I didn't say anything.

How about a discussion about how to fill the gaping hole in the Chicago fried novelty item scene?

What's been discussed here that isn't already a matter of public record?

Drover wrote:

stevez wrote:I find the public airing of Gus' laundry here, in a place where he has been a valuable member of our community, to be distasteful. That's just my opinion, but I wouldn't feel right if I didn't say anything.

How about a discussion about how to fill the gaping hole in the Chicago fried novelty item scene?

What's been discussed here that isn't already a matter of public record?

Nothing. It's just a matter of personal taste. I don't like to kick a friend when he's down. Carry on. You've got a right to say whatever you want.

stevez wrote:

Drover wrote:

stevez wrote:I find the public airing of Gus' laundry here, in a place where he has been a valuable member of our community, to be distasteful. That's just my opinion, but I wouldn't feel right if I didn't say anything.

How about a discussion about how to fill the gaping hole in the Chicago fried novelty item scene?

What's been discussed here that isn't already a matter of public record?

Nothing. It's just a matter of personal taste. I don't like to kick a friend when he's down. Carry on. You've got a right to say whatever you want.

Who's kicking anyone? All I've seen is people looking for more information about the situation and generally lamenting its closure. I fail to see how anyone is being "kicked" in any way.

That's your interpretation and it isn't wrong, from your perspective--but if you're a friend or long time customer of Gus', you may feel badly about the situation, so publishing the gory details of the eviction, debt, etc., no matter how accessible the info if someone wanted it, seems unfortunate. Not against the rules, just not something that feels good.

I hope Gus is healthy and just moving on to the next chapter. I know he meant a lot to some of the folks here.

"Doesn't feel good" isn't the same as "kicking someone when they're down."

There's a giant fkin' green sticker on the front door on the place. It's awfully hard to pretend what's happening isn't happening. The elephant's in the room for all to see. People just want to know what's going on -- that doesn't mean anyone is being kicked or that there's even anything unseemly about it.

I hope Gus and his family are OK.
I love WASC, and I love Gus and his wonderful family even more.
You are all in my heart and I'm wishing you all well.
<HUGS>