The Hot Dog Lover Says: "Still searching for that Chicago Dog everyone talks about."

So Britt and I are here in Chicago, stretching our wings with the big city folk. It's so funny that even though I've always considered myself to be somewhat cosmopolitan, I still catch myself staring up slack-jawed at the skyline. To be fair, Chicago is probably the biggest American city I have spent any reasonable amount of time in, which brings me to the point of this post.

I've been known to enjoy a greasy tube of ground meat on a bun from time to time, and so it should be no surprise that when I found out I would be spending some time in Chicago my head filled with visions of that most famous of frankfurters: the Chicago Dog. Still, after two attempts I have yet to taste a dog that lives up to the hype, or even one that can curb my cravings for a good ol' J-Dawg.

My first attempt was an abysmal failure. There is an establishment not far from my abode which, by it's signage, looked to be a good place to get a Chicago Dog. There seemed to be some miscommunication though, because when I asked him for "A hot-dog with everything but onions," he apparently thought I had said "I'll have one of your smallest hot-dogs please, on one of your biggest buns, and please only dribble but a little mustard on top before you sling it into a greasy bag and thrust it out your window at me. And above all, please do all of this with the smarmiest attitude you can possibly muster, leaving no doubt in my mind of your utter contempt for my dinky-hot-dog-eating face." Needless to say, the results were quite unsatisfactory.

My second attempt was more fruitful, as you can see below. Brittany and I both enjoyed these dogs from a cart vendor after our visit to the Shed Aquarium. While these weren't the best dogs we've ever had, they are definitely the best we've had yet here in Chicago.


And so, the search continues. I just need to put more effort into my search. I guess one day those fickle gods of all that is meat in bun will smile on me and I'll find my Chicago Dog, but until then all the other great stuff to eat here will have to do.