Serious Eats Chicago Lists Variants Of The Chicago-Style Hot Dog

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Mar 20, 2012 8:48PM

Chicagoist/Laura Stolpman

Think there's only one Chicago-style hot dog? Think again. Nick Kindelsperger of Serious Eats Chicago writes that the Chicago-style dog has a wider range of variations than many of us could have expected.

"Though most people think that the Chicago dog has an inflexible formula, one set down from on high, mandating a certain seven toppings that must be included or the whole deal is off, the reality of what I've eaten over the years while searching for the best hot dog in Chicago is far more varied and interesting. In fact, in different parts of the city the Chicago dog simply looks different. And considering many of these stands are older than I am, who am I to say that they aren't 100% Chicago dogs? As long as they are delicious, who cares?"

From the minimalist Maxwell Street-style dog found at the hot dog stands in University Village, to Superdawg's take on the tube steak with pickled green tomato, to the veritable salad that tops the hot dog at Byron's, Kindelsperger makes a convincing case that no two Chicago-style hot dogs, like snowflakes, are the same.

Kindelsperger even lists places where the curious can sample the various styles he lists.