From the Saturday, May 10, editions of The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Ill.) and The Times (Ottawa, Ill.) …
The WISCH LIST
By Dave Wischnowsky
For encased meat aficionados in Chicagoland, these are truly the dog days.
Last week, Portillo’s announced that it’s seeking a buyer for its 38 fast casual restaurants throughout the city and suburbs selling hot dogs and the like. Then this week, Doug Sohn, namesake owner of Hot Doug’s – the wildly popular, encased-meats shop at 3324 N. California Ave. – stunned fans by revealing that he will close his doors for good on Oct. 3.
On the bright side, however, is that in Chicago you can’t keep a good dog down. And here are some other iconic hot dog shops that won’t be changing or closing anytime soon.
Redhot Ranch
3055 N. Ashland Ave.
On Wednesday, in honor of this month’s difficult-to-digest hot dog news, I popped in to this shop, which recently relocated from its longtime home on Western Avenue to just over a mile southwest of Wrigley Field.
I wasn’t disappointed.
Redhot served up a perfectly steamed, juicy Depression Dog featuring mustard, relish and onions and a mound of some of the best hand-cut fries I’ve had stuffed inside the bun.
Remember, it’s cash only.
Superdawg Drive-In
6363 N. Milwaukee Ave.
With larger-than-life girl and boy hot dogs perched atop its roof, you can spot the Superdawg Drive-In well before you actually reach it. But once you do, you’re transported back into the 1950s as carhops bring you your food.
It’s a perfect way to spend a summer evening, especially by ordering a signature Superdawg. So highly regarded is the large, all-beef hot dog loaded with mustard, relish, onions, dill pickle and hot sport peppers, plus a trademark green picked tomato that last year the Superdawg was named the “Most Life-Changing Hot Dog” by Esquire Magazine.
Murphy’s Red Hots
1121 W. Belmont Ave.
Not to be confused with Murphy’s Bleachers – the legendary bar just outside Wrigley Field – this kitschy shop along Belmont (located less than a mile south of the ballpark) is known for hot dogs that lay it on thick.
Really thick, as Murphy’s foot-long char-broiled hot dog adds lettuce and cucumber slices to the usual lineup of Chicago condiment suspects. Some think that the Murphy’s dog has too much on it, while others appreciate the added crunch and texture. If you visit, remember that there’s a strong anti-ketchup stance at the place and that it’s cash only.
Byron’s
1017 W. Irving Park Rd.
Located only about four blocks north of Wrigley Field’s bleachers entrance, Byron’s offers hot dogs better than most that you’ll find inside the Friendly Confines – and is one of the very few stands in Chicago that offer ketchup on request.
A popular order is the jumbo frank featuring a quarter-pound of beef and enough fixings on top that a single dog should keep you filled all day.
35th Street Red Hots
500 W. 35th St.
Specializing in delectable Depression Dogs similar to those available on the North Side at Redhot Ranch, along with a side of crispy fries, this South Side stand is located just over the viaduct from U.S. Cellular Field.
Popular with White Sox fans headed to the ballpark, it’s sure to hit a home run even if the home team doesn’t.
Fat Johnnie’s Famous Red Hots
7242 S. Western Ave.
Best known for having a great “Mother-in-Law” (a tamale served with chili on a hot dog bun), this South Side shack also raises the bar with its Mighty Dog – a hot dog and a tamale served with chili and all the trimmings of a Chicago-style hot dog, plus raw cucumber slices.
Chuck Sudo of Chicagoist.com says, “Bring some antacid – you’ll need it.”