Notes on the Tornado Dog (Son of a Beef)

I had jury duty at 26th and California on Thursday, a cold blustery day. Too cold to trek down to Carnicería Aguascalientes for a gordita, which was my original plan. Instead I decided to check out a spot half a block north which I had spotted driving in: Son of a Beef.

Son of a Beef opened last September, featuring “the greatest food invention ever created,” the Tornado Dog. Well, obviously I could not pass that up! The Tornado Dog is a spiral cut potato wrapped around two hot dogs on a skewer, deep fried. No bun. I chose the Chicago style option, rather than with chili, with cheese, or with chili AND cheese.

I have to say, the Tornado Dog looks cool. Another customer asked if she could take a picture of it. The potato was less than crisp at the center: more time in the fryer would be good, I think. But a major drawback of the Tornado Dog is that I could not figure out how to eat it. I think you are supposed to eat it off the skewer, but with all the mustard, relish, etc, that was too messy. The supplied fork was inadequate. They didn’t have plastic knives (I asked).

Not only are buns an effective delivery device for hot dogs, eliminating the bun component throws off the balance of the condiments. The Chicago style trimmings were way too much for the delicate scaffolding of the potato spiral. I was pretty much mustarded out by the end of my lunch.

So I’m not ready to endorse the claim that the Tornado Dog is the greatest food invention ever created. I’d like to see a little more engineering on the concept.

Son of a Beef
2524 S California Ave
Chicago IL 60608
77.847.3080

I work at 26th and California and this place was not on my radar. In fact, the location has had so many different food stands, I dod not even know SOB existed.

Was really busy today, forgot my lunch, and did not want horrible cafeteria junk or roach coach. Figured I would walk done, get a dog or 2 get back to work. I really really wanted to like this place. It's close to work and has vienna hot dog ads all over. But, as soon as I walked in, there was that off putting smell of sewer. Just could not order.

Walked done to Pollo Feliz for grilled chicken and called it a day. I think SOB will have to remain off my radar, just can't get over that smell. Too bad area could use a good hot dog stand.