This past weekend we traveled to Chicago for the wedding of some close friends. Most of our trip consisted of wedding related events (which was totally awesome! congrats Hilary and Eric!), but we did have a little bit of time to explore the city, and the first thing we did when we got off the air plane was head straight to Hot Doug’s.
Chicago is known for their hot dogs, and Hot Doug’s is one that people wait for. The motto of the establishment is “There are no 2 finer words in the English language than ‘encased meats’,” and the patrons agree. We showed up around 2pm, and waited in line for an hour and a half. At the half way point you start wondering…can a hot dog really be this good? But let me assure you it can.
After our long wait in the heat we entered the air conditioned mecca of encased meats. While it was probably not the wisest idea I took on two of the sausages (it’s hard not to order more than you can eat when you have been waiting in line for that long). Hot Doug’s has an extensive menu of sausages, toppings, fries, sodas, and on top of this lots of specials. Check out their entire menu here, and their specials are updated regularly here.
I got one of the normal dogs, and one of the specials. First up was the Paul Kelly, a bratwurst soaked in beer and then topped with the Chicago fixings: mustard, caramelized onions, relish, tomatoes, pickle, and celery salt. Notice the lack of ketchup…this isn’t New York. I also ordered the weekly special or as they call it the Game Of The Week: Brown Ale and Chipotle Buffalo Sausage with Half Acre Beer Mustard and Irish Whiskey Cheese.
Ok at this point I know you are probably thinking…these aren’t hot dogs, these are gourmet sausages. And while that might be the case it doesn’t detract from the fact that they are top quality and delicious.
While I’m talking about being put over the edge…the Game of the Week…ie Brown Ale and Chipotle Buffalo Sausage with Half Acre Beer Mustard and Irish Whiskey Cheese did put me over the age…this one was alot more expensive at $8. This thing was a flavor overload. The sausage itself probably didn’t need any toppings (super flavorful), and a was a unique experience. Delicious, but almost too much. The flavors that come together in this combo were like nothing I’ve ever tasted, and I’m glad I had three friends to share it with. So good, but sooo intense.
In addition we ordered some duck fat fries for the table, a specialty that is only available on Friday and Saturdays and is rumored to make the wait even more ridiculous. These fries were great, but if I didn’t know they were cooked in duck fat I would have never guessed.
Hot Doug’s might be a bit gourmet for someone looking for the standard Chicago dog, but once you have Hot Doug’s it will be hard not to use it as a gold standard from that point on. This place is great, and one I will definitely wait in line for again if I’m ever back in Chicago. So good.
——————————-
Hot Doug’s
The Sausage Superstore and
Encased Meat Emporium
3324 North California
Chicago, IL 60618
———————
- this post is kind of sandwich related, more sandwiches can be found here
- Photo of Hot Doug’s sign by arnold | inuyaki via flickr.
