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Hi Chicagoist,
Ever since Swank Frank swiftly boarded up, I've been craving vegetarian chicago style dogs. I know Hot Dougs has them but there's always a huge line and their hours are short. Do you have any leads on other veggie-friendly hot doggeries in Chicago?
Thanks!
Jackson
Dear Jackson,
OK, we'll admit it. We liked this question because it appealed to our own vegetarian dietary habits. We just enjoyed some nice veggie dogs out on the grill yesterday at a Memorial Day BBQ, and happen to prefer fake hot dogs to fake burgers any day of the week.
Hot Dougs (3324 N. California, 773-279-9550) does have good veggie dogs -- in fact our old co-worker used to call in our order and then go pick them up for the whole office on his motorcycle. So calling ahead may be a decent way to avoid the line, as it always seemed like a pretty quick journey from Hot Dougs to the office breakroom.
Our favorite place for a veggie dog, however, is Huey's Hot Dogs (1507 W. Balmoral, 773-293-4800) in Andersonville. The mere block proximity from our home may make us a little biased, but they're quite tasty and loaded with everything you can imagine, and their shakes and fries are fantastic as well.
We think Chicago Diner (3411 N. Halsted, 773-935-6696) has great "NOT Dogs." They come with plenty of toppings, and have a great flavor. Although honestly, we love Chicago Diner so much that we never seem to be able to convince ourselves to order the veggie dogs; there are too many other great options.
Something kind of unique and very cool, we think, is that veggie dogs are readily available for your enjoyment while watching a White Sox game over at U.S. Cellular Field. No luck yet, apparently, at Wrigley Field.
You can get a vegan and surprisingly authentic (we think) "Polish Sausage" with sauerkraut, relish and mustard at the Lake Side Cafe in Roger's Park (1418 W. Howard, 773-262-9503).
Veggie Bite, the all-vegetarian fast food restaurant in Beverly has a veggie dog that sounds pretty amazing. Apparently they're also opening a new restaurant somewhere on the northside coming soon, so vegetarians all over the city can join the fast food nation.
Our one veggie dog warning is to keep an eye on where they're being cooked, especially if you're a real stickler. Although most places anymore seem quite aware of the issue, you never can tell when your veggie dogs are being cooked right along with the meat hot dogs. And of course, never underestimate the deliciousness of making your own Chicago-style dogs at home. Plus that way you can get exactly what you want on them.
Wish you were an Oscar Mayer Weiner? Need some advice? Email ask(at)chicagoist(dot)com.
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Hmm. I enjoy the irony of vegetarians craving meat...
It's not that we're craving meat. We're craving the taste that you frequently associate with meat, and happy that there's something out there that allows us to enjoy that taste without having to eat an animal.
sorry.
Huey's is *awesome.* Their fake dogs taste so good it's.....scary. Their fries are some of the best I've ever had. They also had veggie corn dogs (ahh!) for a while last year though I haven't seen them on the menu this year. Morningstar makes a great veggie corn dog for those who need...one....now.
Veggie Bite is not in Beverly, friend. It's actually two neighborhoods removed from Beverly.
"...and happy that there's something out there that allows us to enjoy that taste without having to eat an animal."
Why not eat animals? They're delicious. And obviously you think so too...
What's with the spam? I thought making people sign up for some typepad account or whatever made it harder to post websites.
Anyway,
I too think it's stupid for vegetarians to "crave meat". By doing things like making faux meat products, wearing fake leather or fur, aren't you just catering into the animal usage industry anyway? Wouldn't it be more prudent to disassociate yourself in any way, shape, or form of using animal products?
That is, if you were REALLY serious about not using animals instead of just being smug and feeling superior to people.
Without the taste of hog anus, a hot dog just isn't a hot dog! You can keep your veggie dogs thank you.
Veggies & meateaters alike you're all lamer than me. I don't eat ANYTHING unless I hunt it down, subdue it with my bare hands and consume it while it's still living
Thanks!
BTW; It's not a meat craving. It's a hot dog craving. There's a difference.
jackson- touche'. Well done. But I do agree with the thundercougar guy.
Oh no, thundercougar guy is totally spot-on. I'm really not serious about veggie dogs, I only eat them so I can feel superior to people. I find it to be a much more effective way to boost my smugness than trying to flame people on the internet.
I don't need a veggie dog to feel smug. I'm secure in the knowledge of being better than all of you while eating a veggie dog, a hot dog, or nothing at all.
i had a roommate who had decently unusual eating habits. he would go on monodiets sometimes (virtually eating the same thing over and over, elvis style for weeks on end sometimes) or make really weird combinations of things.
he was pretty much a vegetarian. sometimes, he'd break for things once in a while, but mostly he was veggie. he was going on a streak of veggie dogs for awhile, but one day i came into the kitchen to find him putting together a new creation: the carrot dog.
it was a true vegetarian dog. he decided he was going to put a carrot on a bun, put cheese on it and put it in the microwave. once out of the 'wave, he put mustard and relish on it and got to eating. ?!? i had but one sentiment: are you kidding me?
i asked vegetarians if they'd go for this, and they weren't having any of it. even he had to abandon the idea after a few tries. the carrot dog fell by the wayside, but it sure made for good laughs.
Rogers Park doesn't have an apostrophe in itQ
@jackson:
I apologize, you're right, the "superior" comment was a cheap shot at vegetarians. I wrote it because recently I got in a heated argument with a friend of mine when he kept criticizing my dietary choices despite the fact my religion states I COULD possibly come back as a cow or pig.
And I do feel a sense of shame about eating meat, it's just without sugar (need to lose weight), trans fats (see previous), caffeine (bipolar disorder), alcohol (bipolar disorder plus malfunctioning kidneys), tobacco (bans all over the world now), black tar heroin (sweet, sweet, black tar heroin), and human placenta (hard to find) what vice is there left for me?
Prostitution.