Additional toppings include kraut, jalapeno and. Nearly every order includes a side of their glorious fries. That recipe varied slightly from the current standard: The original had a frankfurter topped with mustard, pickle relish, onions, a dill pickle, hot peppers, lettuce and tomatoes for 5 cents. If you were a kid growing up in Little Italy, you ate at Patio on Taylor Street, and when you were old enough to earn a buck, you worked there. $10 at Fairway Packing. He saw a man put a For Rent sign in the window of an Uptown storefront. Its not just the Magnificent Seven: mustard, relish, onions, tomato slices, a pickle spear -- relish and celery salt and hot peppers. (There are an estimated 1,800 to choose from, according to Bob Schwartz, senior vice president atVienna Beefand author of Never Put Ketchup On A Hot Dog.) You could be wearing a tank top or a tux. Dave's Red Hots founder Dave Kaplan, standing second from right, is surrounded by his sons, their wives and his wife Ida Kaplan, seated center, at a family wedding in January 1939 in Chicago. The hot dogs and the classic trappings of a Chicago-style dog, originally known as a "Depression Sandwich" were the initial draw at Fluky's, which started in 1929 on Maxwell Street, when Abe "Fluky" Drexler converted his father's fruit cart into a hot dog stand. I have a turnaround rate of two minutes. In the early days of the stand, a mean, black dog used to live near property where the parking lot was and harass customers. The menu and prices at Express are nearly identical to Jims, almost comically so. In business since 1996, possibly Chicago . It deserves to be pointed out that since Hot Dougs has set up shop, the Cubs have been having a good trajectory -- maybe all along, it will have come to be that all it took was one good hot dog to cancel out a cheeseburgers curse. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune). Jim's Original Sausages, Burgers, Pork Chops Travel Thirsty 7.91M subscribers Subscribe 155K Share 15M views 1 year ago Show more Show. What you need to live your best life now. What to watch. How do you set up a hot dog stand? It was meant to be temporary, a summer of 1948 fling. The Vibe Unlike many of the spots for hot dogs in Chicago on this list, Dave's Red Hots has an interior space. Dave's Red Hots opened sometime in the early 1930s. Many other GI vets were using this model for employment, peddling hot dogs often alongside tamales. You are about to have the best hot dog in town is written on the west side of the tiny little hot dog stand named Byrons. They refused to put in anything else, because my father said anything else ruins that taste of the hot dog., Dave's Famous double red hots are seen at Dave's Red Hots on Aug. 13, 2021. His rebound downs Marian Catholic. Best Hot Dogs in Huntsville, AL - Nomads Road Dogs, Downtown Dawgs, Big Spring Cafe, Jordan's D Stand, Brian's Hot Dawgz, Ken's Fast Foods, Ohana Catering, Momma D's Restaurant, Panther Cafe, Five Guys Address: 138 Dexter Ave., Montgomery. Eventually that teenager found his way to Chicago. Jims moved twice due to expansion of the University of Illinois at Chicago campus, with the scent of grilled onions and Express Grill close behind. Son Randy Segal runs it and his 12-year-old son helps out, but most days youll find the elder Segal there too. The Kaplan family historical data, however, goes back through intertwined lives. A lot of people get offended if we dont put lettuce, he said. He used his idea to open a small stand on Polk and Western and would be instrumental in putting The Chicago hot dog AND Maxwell St on the map. That's not, however, what makes Dave's Red Hots special. I would fill the cases and clean the booths.. When it comes to their hot dogs: no seats, no ketchup, no pretense, no nonsense. Place has been around since longtime and has become neighborhood favorite for hot dogs in Chicago. All were served on hot dog buns with french fries. Fat Johnnie's kind of looks like youd expect it to look. The family, which included wife Ida Kaplan, who worked at home caring for their children, floundered for awhile as he tried to find some other kind of work. 5. The specifics of their dispute remain murky (He doesnt like to talk about it, his son Alex said), but the separation, if you can call it that, worked out well. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune). Google. These days, the one-time chain named for what was Abe Drexlers nickname is grammar school, is now just a stand again. Neither of them finished at Marshall (high school), because during the Depression, they had to work so hard in the store., Gina Fountain, owner of Dave's Red Hots, second from left, meets with founder David Kaplan's grandsons, Ronald Meyerson, second from right, and David Meyerson, right, and the second owner's grandson, Irv Karm, left, on Sept. 2, 2021, at the Chicago restaurant. Monica Ramey: Great Hot Dog place. 230 tips and reviews Christina Miller: Go to Dirty Franks and try the Lime Habenero Slushie. Fifty years later, on a recent beautiful sunny day, the three families behind Daves Red Hots met for the first time at the oldest hot dog stand in the city. Asshole. This set off the known-reputation of late-night abuse from the workers. Best Chicken Hot Dogs. Behind the plexiglas shield, Fountain hears your hot dog shop confessions. Your fries are 10 minutes from being a potato, she said. They asked for it so frequently that he brought in the little individual packages of Heinz ketchup. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune), Dave Kaplan walked out of Russia as a teenager when he was conscripted into the czars army, said grandson Jerry Kaplan, 77, who knew his late grandfather well. Located in Jefferson Park, Superdawg was founded by a returning WWII GI named Maurie Berman and his high school sweetie, then wife and the love of his life, Flaurie Berman. I will probably keep two booths in the new place, she said. There were hot dog stands all over the streets of 1920s Chicago, including one on the northwest corner of Halsted and Maxwell owned by Jimmy Stefanovic's aunt. By the end of the century the mass produced frankfurter was . This is a go-to place for the locals to indulge in authentic Chicago dogs. Over the years, residents have come and gone, but even among the youngest Lakeview residents, its a popular spot to grab an early-afternoon hot dog or cheddar burger after a long night. He flies back to Chicago every month to make sure things dont change. Lessons have been learned. Some consider Flukys the inventor of the Chicago Dog. Never any physicality.. The only food they sold were the original four items still available today: hot dogs, Polish sausages, salami sandwiches and pastrami sandwiches. Its bankrolled by fees developers pay to build high-density downtown buildings. 6.7. "Sugar and fake smoky weirdness," said one taster, while others complained that . Foot-long hot dogs with cheese are $5.40, corn dogs are $2.60, and shakes start at $3.40. Probably slightly longer, because theyre fried twice, with a rest between, as one must with truly great frites. Mustard's Last Stand is located at 1613 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201 19) Morrie O'Malley's Morrie O'Malley's is a classic small counter served place serving traditional hot dogs, burgers and more. (And interestingly, what you might call a classic Chicago-style hot dog, as pictured in the photo above, is interpreted differently at each of these stands.). Shirley Fountain, from left, Corey Holmes, Marquita Fountain, Brianna Fountain and Eugenia Fountain at Dave's Red Hots, in the 3400 block of West Roosevelt Road, the oldest hot dog stand in Chicago. Not a real hot dog of course, although that would be awesome. Its not owned by me and my mother, said Eugenia Gina Fountain. "The oldest hot dog stand in Chicago dates back to 1938. As I understand the facts, Al's seems to have some claim to that title, as does Jim's, as did Fluky's. The most important point is, Al's still makes a pretty good hot dog. Her late father was Daves second owner. The building, with its boarded-up windows, looks to have had better days. Theyre entrepreneurs. Although the two men knew it as Gene & Judes, it was affectionately known to customers as River Road Hot Dogs. In its current location in River Grove, the stand has stayed family owned and is currently run by Genes son. CTA bus driver Jake Segal was on his regular Sheridan Road route when he made a move that changed the course of his life. The star of the menu is Murphys foot-long Vienna Beef hot dog. Ronald Meyerson shows a picture from the 1950s of his grandparents Ida Kaplan and David Kaplan, the founder of Dave's Red Hots, on Sept. 2, 2021. The Chicago hot dog is a part of our lore and history as a food-driven city. Dave's Famous double red hots are seen at Dave's Red Hots, 3422 W. Roosevelt Road, the oldest hot dog stand in Chicago, which dates to 1938. The sign outside of Fat Johnnies proclaims that the place is Fit for a King. Back when it opened, and life was a little less-PC, it also said, And for queens, too. Its a place that for years only served David Berg beef hot dogs (now owned by Vienna). Hot dogs are a part of who we are, they are part of our culinary history. The dog is modestly priced at $2.69 and includes The Magnificent Seven. A tavern called Jacks Foxhole stood on the southeast corner, with the hot dog shop next door at 1209 S. Homan Ave. Visit any Chicago neighborhood and almost everyone can tell you the best local place to get a dog. Even though the country was in the depths of its biggest financial crises, Flukys was able to grow, and Drexler was able to make a living thanks to an invention he called, A Depression Sandwich. The sandwich was a frankfurter on a bun with mustard, pickle relish, onion, dill pickle, hot peppers, lettuce, and tomatoes served alongside French fries. Its given freely, but still only in packets, because she doesnt want to see ketchup on hot dogs either. Located on Peterson Ave at California, right on the border of the city and Lincolnwood, its right within the boundaries of being properly labeled as a Chicago staple. Sign up here for our daily Chicago email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in town. Dave's Famous double red hots are seen at Dave's Red Hots, 3422 W. Roosevelt Road, the oldest hot dog stand in Chicago, which dates to 1938. That's not, however, what makes Dave's Red Hots special. It was after hours and no one was hurt, but McCullum had to close for a few months to repair and remodel the place. Literally. Portillo's & Barnelli's Chicago 6466 Hot Dogs Salad Burgers $River North "I will definitely miss Portillo's hot dogs. Got a story tip? Well, due to UIC expansion, the hot dog stand was relocated in 2001 and again in 2005 to 1250 South Union Avenue, at the southwest corner of Union and James Rochford Street. $ American, Hot Dogs Hours: 3422 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago (773) 722-9935. Anything you can imagine. Check out these charts and maps to better understand Tuesday's results. Mother and daughter took over the business in 2004. Chicago's 10 Oldest Hot Dog Stands Have Stayed Inside Families For Decades. Similar to the current owners, everybody in the family ended up working there at one point, Karm said. Despite the existence of detractors from their earliest days (H.L. He served his hot dogs and fries along with tamales, which often accompanied hot dogs on many menus. Gina Fountain, right, owner of Dave's Red Hots, meets with the grandchildren of the restaurant's two previous owners on Sept. 2, 2021. Theyre just carrying on that tradition, Kraig said. Like a special reserved table.. His name was Nathan Handwerker, a Jewish immigrant from Poland. He left to fight in Vietnam and came back to his job at Als. They have become Daves, and in embracing their community, the family brings us all into the fold. Daves closed completely after the first state-mandated COVID-19 closures in March 2020. Oscar Mayer Turkey Franks. Chicago's Gene & Jude's Hot Dogs Since 1946, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Parker House Sausage The original "Sausage King" was Judge Parker, McFolling's grandfather, who started Parker House in 1919. It was pretty impressive., The sign would flash between Daves Jumbo Red Hots, and Daves Famous Red Hots.. Although the menu boasted interesting sausages, it was also the place where you could always expect to get a good Chicago dog. There were hot dog stands all over the streets of 1920s Chicago, including one on the northwest corner of Halsted and Maxwell owned by Jimmy Stefanovic's aunt. Its a side gig hes an expert witness economist living in California but not taken lightly. When you add ketchup, its overwhelmingly sweet. But thats what weve had before me, before my dad and everybody else. Thats how you create generational wealth in the Black community. I dont know exactly when zayde actually sold the store, Kaplan said, referring to his grandfather in Yiddish. Served with fresh cut fries. Because it wasnt a good idea to be a private in the czars army if you were Jewish.. The Hottest New Restaurants in Chicago, February 2023 . Many Chicagoans will tell you that if you are going to eat only one Chicago hot dog and you want to understand what a Chicago hot dog is, then the dog for you is Byrons. Where was the first hotdog served? In 1939, when Stefanovic arrived in Chicago from the former Yugoslavia, his aunt was sick and ready to call it quits. You could also expect to find an excited gaggle of diners, sharing sausages and French fries. This restaurant is owned by Lawndale. What to eat. Where most establishments will kick out rowdy customers, workers at the Weiner's Circle will often encourage the customers. Hes 81 and still behind the counter three days a week. Refrigerate hot dogs in original packaging until ready to use. Thomas said thats how it always was. Kids in the neighborhood would often stop by with a nickel and the Bermans would always figure something out. One of the oldest hot dog place in Chicago. From the age of about 14 until 22, I probably had a hot dog five days a week, Karm said, laughing. 15, 2022. On a typical day, the line at Daves Red Hots the oldest hot dog stand in Chicago is out the door. $4 at Walmart. And I had to fill up the menu. The menu changes with each home series. That concept was really the reason to do it and my goal was to sort of create the hot dog stands that I knew growing up, that I would frequent as a kid in Chicago. Sohn says, Its what we all grew up on. The next year, they opened a bigger location across the street -- this location seated around 100 diners. According to Don, the secret to Superdawgs success is because Maurie was very particular and paid attention to detail. The oldest hot dog stand in Chicago dates back to 1938. For generations, Chicagoans have eaten at this stand. The Worlds Fair was also the place where a variety of brands were making their worldwide debut: Cracker Jack, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Quaker Oats, and, one of Chicagos most beloved, the Vienna Sausage Company. After returning from World War II, in 1947 Berman started school at Northwestern University where he was studying to be a CPA. Genes hot dog stand was thriving, and all was well until 1949 when Gene lost the entire stand in a card game. It looks every bit its age, from the carnival-esque marquee outside to the fire-engine red formica counter, bar stools and subway tile inside. Open: Monday to Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Prices: $4.25 for hot dogs with fresh-cut fries; $2 corn dogs to $11.92 pastrami sandwiches with fries, Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, no public restroom. Form your Hot Dog Stand Business into a Legal Entity. Today, Jimmy's Red Hots is a Chicagoland hot dog stand located on Chicago's West Side, historic Humboldt Park, at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Pulaski. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune). It did. Kaplan's daughter Sonia Kaplan is seated left. Her daughter, whos 10 years old, comes in to fill the pop machine and gets paid. By the time he got home, he had already started to solve his own dilemma. They produced a lot of trimmings and hot dogs were the perfect way to use them up. Hot dog with fries: $3.53How its dressed: Mustard, relish, onion, pickle, sport pepper. It was early May 1893 when the Chicago Worlds Fair, known more formally as the Worlds Columbian Exposition, opened to the public with 27 million visitors. One was an air ball., Go big or go home. The hardworking . Daves Red Hots opened sometime in the early 1930s. The Mighty Dog is a legend inside the confines of Fat Johnnies neighborhood and its all-beef namesake has been named the Best Hot Dog by a variety of local and national publications and television shows. After the property was sold to develop into townhouses, they moved Daves across the street to its current location in 1976. We sold cold pop in bottles and kept them in refrigerated cases in the front of the store. A hot dog of any other name would smell as sweet. Plus, a large demographic of customers are Cubs fans, which account for increased traffic during the spring and summer. In 1963, Dick Portillo invested $1,100 into a small trailer to open the first Portillo's hot dog stand in Villa Park, IL, which he called "The Dog House." Years later, Portillo's has become a brand synonymous with Chicago. Or, seal the hot dogs into a GladWare food protection container. Portillos is legendary, and their hot dog is one that many locals hold very close to their heart. For $5.79, this foot-longer is worth every penny. That means the oldest hot dog stand in Chicago is older than we thought. Hot dog with fries: $3.80How its dressed: Mustard, grilled onion, sport pepper. But one thing that has always stayed the same is the notoriety of a famed hot dog stand called the Weiner's Circle. The city was constructed with architectural wonders made of cardboard that seem impossible even in todays modern-era. In 1950, Berman passed the certified public accountant exam and made Superdawg a year-round business. He made a hot dog and topped it with relish, onion, hot peppers, and mustard, along with a pile of French fries -- a key component to what Gene felt was missing -- that extra dose of saltiness and crunch. Pushcarts were popular in Chicago as early as . This Chicago-style hot dog has a crispy casing, which." more Outdoor seating Delivery Start Order 2. The humble stand went from just the basics -- a counter alongside with a few seats that faced out the windows and picnic tables -- to a glitzy chain reminiscent of a McDonald's. Its 12in of greatness and easily the cities best mix of condiments and fixings. This paid for my college, said Gina Fountain, proprietor of Daves Red Hots in Lawndale, the oldest stand, dating to 1938. When it comes to ketchup, Bowen has an explanation that is simple and logical, We just dont do it. TripAdvisor Rarhead By the World War II era, due to meat rationing, Flukys was unable to get a proper supply and took a hit. The shack is could be passed over if you blinked too long, thankfully there is a giant hotdog speared on a fork out front, which makes Wolfys hard to miss. Everything else, from the onions peeled by hand to the serrano (not sport) peppers pickled by the barrelful in back, is Jims way. That means the oldest hot dog stand in Chicago is older than we thought. His earlier misses? Hy and Rose, whose surname had been lost to time, named the restaurant for their son, according to the oral histories shared with Eugenia Gina Fountain, the current co-owner along with her mother, Shirley Fountain. Their signature hot dogs remain skinny and snappy. Gina Fountain found their sign that read 5 cents for catsup. Fountain stocks Red Gold ketchup, because she prefers the flavor. Chicago's oldest hot dog brand, David Berg, was founded in 1860, and national brands like Armour and Oscar Mayer soon followed. Its not just the exquisitely traditional menu that keeps customers coming back (nor, quite frankly, the decor). Email Newsroom@BlockClubChi.org. K.I.S.S. Its the one place where the most appropriate of girls, after a long night of drinking and maybe a Cubs game, might blame another girl for stealing her hot dog before insulting both the other girl and her mother, who may or may not be present. Chicago's oldest hot dog stand's special community connection On a typical day, the line at Dave's Red Hots - the oldest hot dog stand in Chicago - is out the door. The oldest stand in town (around since 1938), it looks the part, but the quality of its food hasn't faded. It has been selling tasty Vienna Beef hot dogs on steamed buns accompanied by a handful of fresh-cut greasy fries since 1954. Its that familiarity that every Chicagoan knows what goes on a Chicago Hot Dog and when its done well, it tastes great. 4.9. Even though Becker is no longer the owner, those who have made Wolfys a part of their life for years still continue to flock there. The original location was on the northwest corner of Halsted and Maxwell in the 1920s. Their late mother, Sonia Kaplan, also worked at her fathers shop, before marrying Ruben Meyerson, who became known as the Mayor of Roosevelt Road. She, Caputo and a clutch of longtime employees carry on. Her uncle, 70, just retired after four decades there. 10 on our list). Relish and onion are available upon request. The oldest hot dog stand in Chicago dates back to 1938. It is unlikely that we will find any hot dog stand Chicago area that has been around since 1938. The seven condiments built on the dog ina manner that, the minute its unfolded, it has to be eaten, because the toppings ooze together, falling in plops on the wax paper it was wrapped in. The menu runs the gamut, from 60-cent hash browns at breakfast to a gut-busting double baconburger for $6.55. Lazarevskis stand is still around and its next door to Jims, as it has been for decades. It was an immediate hit. For $3, you get the Fat Johnnie of all Red Hots. Plus, the Trib tells the story of the city's oldest hot dog stand. This year, the shop celebrates its 50th anniversary as a Black-owned business. Come along for the ride! So its literally, the proverbial garden on a bun. The dogs come in three sizes: $3.10 gets an 1/8lb; $4.24 gets a 1/4lb Jumbo Dog; and for $5.54 a 1/2lb Dogzilla can be yours. IE 11 is not supported. So I think it's just a matter of how you define "oldest.". 15. It wasn't about the hot dog. Same pork chop sandwich, same Polish, same heaps of grilled onions. The hot dog stand today epitomizes the independent restaurant, but hot dogs arent the only or even the best-selling thingoffered anymore, even for the historic restaurants on this list. According to Thrillist, Chicago's oldest hot dog brand, David Berg, was established back in 1860, and by the 1880s, the city's massive meat industry was dominated by German immigrants. The business is now being helmed by Mauries children, Lisa Drucker, along with her husband Don, and her brother, Scott, and his daughter Laura. He started looking for a way out of the shop. It didnt take long for customers to fall in love. 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