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While we love our Chicago-style dogs, we don't shy away from a real good chili dog. Depending on which "wacky food holiday" calendar you're referencing, either last month was or this month is National Chili Month. But far too many hot dog stands , using the "stack 'em high" approach of building a Chicago Dog, try to do the same when making a chili dog, leading to a mess of a meal. In the case of a chili dog — with a couple exceptions — less is more. Simple is the order: chili, some shredded cheddar and raw onions is all you need.
We went out and tasted out a few chili dogs of note while trying to keep off the beginning stages of winter weight. Following are a few recommendations for a real good chili dog.
- Branko's (1118 W. Fullerton, 773-472-4873) by DePaul makes a very nice chili dog. There was a good amount of chili, well-seasoned, without the bun turning into a wet mass of dough. At under $3, it's also a steal
- Franksville (3550 N Harlem Ave, 773-237-5848) as if we don't get nostalgic enough thinking about Northwest side hot dog joints, Franksville also serves as a reminder that you all need to help save the Choo Choo in Des Plaines. While Franksville doesn't serve their chili dogs to you on a model train, these have some pretty spicy chili topping Vienna Beef franks.
- Besides making one of the best char-grilled hamburgers in the city, Nick's Drive-in (7216 N. Harlem, 773-631-5045) also does a chili dog up right. Try the double chili dog, which they manage to fit in a nice neat package.
- Portillo's (various locations) is one of two chains on this list, but between the Vienna Beef franks and homemade chili, it also merits inclusion.
- America's Dog (various locations) makes six different varieties of chili dog. The Charleston dog is an example of one where more is better. Topped with cole slaw, onion and mustard, it isn't as messy as one would believe. america's Dog is also offering flights of chili dogs through the end of the month for $5.99 ($7.99 with fries and a medium drink).
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I love the fact that this post is just after the post "Chicagoist Salutes National Vegan Month: Victory's Banner"
So ends the Chicagoist salute to National Vegan Month.
According to Wiki: November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, National Novel Writing Month, Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, American Diabetes Month, Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, and the month dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory in the Roman Catholic Church.
nothin' bout vegans or chili dogs...
As your source is wikipedia, give me a minute and it will be JD84 Appreciation Month.
A "not" dog with vegetarian chili on top?
america's Dog is also offering flights of chili dogs through the end of the month
A FLIGHT of chili dogs? Methinks "flight" will also describe the actions of the people sitting near you for the rest of the day...
Any former Detroiters on here? This post makes me want a Coney.
How about a Tony Packo's hot dog from Toledo?
It's been about a hundred years since I've had one, but they are seriously good hot dogs.
Charcoal Delights does a fine chili-cheese concoction, if you're up by Foster and Kedzie way.
Athough I hate the name of that place, Albany. Everytime I drive by I wonder if they're selling briquettes with sauce on them.
While I'm well aware that Portillo's isn't the foodie pick for dogs, but damned if they don't make a kickass chili dog. We fat bastards are truly lucky to have so many Portillos scattered around the area.
I really liked Branko's chili dogs when I lived by there. That means, I haven't been there since 1989.
Byron's, which is not great, at least dishes up a pretty decent chili dog.
I was surprised how much I liked the natural dog and veggie chili at Drew's Eatery, too. The chili had a lot of flavor, so I never had to find out if the dog didn't have any.
@utv:
Portillos is a damn tasty dog. The cheese is nice and salty.
I'd rather Hot Doug's fancy lad creations, but Portillos does encased meats just fine.
Hot Dougs, but nothing beats Pinks for chili-cheese-bacon-onions
@JD84.
OH GOD PINKS!
Yeah, if they opened one here I'd be dead in a month.
Hot Dougs is culinary bliss when it comes to encased meats. Enough said.
Let me start that I am not a fan of the Chicago Style Hot Dog. It is a clump of agriculture usually thrown on a hot dog advertised as a quality Vienna or Bests' Kosher, but it usually is not. Oh, and sprinkled with celery salt (why?).
I prefer Coneys, chili dogs, or the dog simply with mustard and onions.
George's on Damen has a quality chili dog. Cinners near Lincoln Square has the Cincinnati style chili dog, if that is your thing. A Tony Packo-like, Toledo-style chili dog stand is desperately needed in this city!
P.S.: SuperDawg is worth the visit, too!
Someone needs to open a coney place in Chicago. There are enough recent college grads from Michigan that would patronize it. Hell, I think it would fit right in in this city. If you go to one of the original ones in Detroit, it's just like the Billy Goat tavern, except they're yelling at you about hot dogs ("another? you want two?") instead of cheezborgers.
Menu:
1. Natural-casing hot dog, beanless chili, mustard, and onions.
2. Two of the above.
3. The special: the hot dog, as above, including loose hamburger under the chili.
Also available, fries, with or without chili and cheese. Nothing else available.
God, I love coney places.
If there are concerns about profitability with that, you could always add in typical Greek diner staples as well.