Chicago Arts and Culture: Hot dog!

You've heard of the famous Chicago pizza. But what about the...hot dog?! Here, the brief story of what makes a Chicago dog so different.

In 1893 the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago first served Vienna beef frankfurters, the most often served hot dog today. The frankfurter is most often boiled or steamed and, sometimes, grilled (called a char-dog). According to Wikipedia, the dog weighs approximately 1/8 of a pound. But it's not just the "all beef" that makes a Chicago hot dog different. It's the toppings...and you sure as heck better not ask for ketchup.

* poppy seed hot dog bun
* yellow mustard
* raw chopped white onion
* bright green relish
* tomato wedges
* kosher dill pickle spear
* dash of celery salt (this is really, really good. I promise.)

Also according to Wikipedia, Chicago has more hot dog restaurants than McDonald's, Wendy's and Burger King combined. The most famous hot dog restaurants are Superdawg (often featured on Food Network...think dancing hot dogs on the roof), Fluky's, Portillo's and Gene & Jude's (to name only a few).

I need to go find me a hot dog now...