5 Facts You Never Knew About Chicago Hot Dogs

From barbecues to baseball games, you can find hot dogs in just about any corner of America. Check out your region’s fave hot dog style! But Chicago takes franks to the next level by loading on the toppings to satisfy hearty Midwestern appetites. How much do you know about these banquets on a bun?

What’s a Chicago Dog, Anyway?

The quintessential Chicago dog starts with a Vienna Beef or Red Hot dog placed in a steamed S. Rosen’s poppy seed bun. Then it’s “dragged through the garden” with toppings applied in the following order: yellow mustard, neon green pickle relish, chopped raw white onion, tomato wedges, pickle spear, sport peppers and celery salt.

Here are a few fun facts about the Windy City’s favorite hot dog:

1. Vienna Beef started with a hot dog cart.

Immigrants Samuel Landany and his brother-in-law Emil Reichel learned to make sausages in Vienna before coming to Chicago in 1890. Seeing an opportunity, they set up a cart near the entrance to the midway at the Chicago World’s Fair/Columbian Exhibition in 1893. The duo sold enough sausages to open a store. The grand opening of Vienna Sausage Co. came in 1894, just one year after the World’s Fair. You can cook these popular state fair foods at home!

2. There’s a reason Chicago hot dogs are all-beef.

Samuel Ladany and Emil Reichel were Jewish, so their recipe is pure beef—no pork. Today Vienna Beef and its offspring, Red Hot, are the two primary suppliers of hot dogs in the Chicago area. Our top hot dog picks are also all-beef.

3. Chicago hot dogs are a treat for the tastebuds.

The toppings are said to convey five flavor profiles: salty, sweet, sour, bitter and umami or savory. So a Chicago hot dog checks every box on your tasty checklist! Are you hungry yet? Try these other delicious foods from Illinois.

4. Just say no to one popular condiment.

The only topping never used on a Chicago hot dog is ketchup. Don’t ask why. It just goes against tradition in the Windy City. Here are the best hot dog toppings you haven’t tasted yet.

5. Hot dogs are big business.

In Chicago, there are more hot dog stands than McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s locations combined. It’s pretty clear that weiners (which are definitely not sandwiches) are the top dog for hungry residents in this city. Speaking of which, learn what the most popular sandwich is in your state.

25 Ways to Make Hot Dogs Even More Fun

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Chili Dog Pizza

My girls love it when I make this mash-up pizza with hot dogs and chili. It’s a marvelous way to use up leftover chili. —Jennifer Stowell, Smithville, Missouri

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Chicago-Style Hot Dogs

I decided to give a Chicago-style dog a healthy twist for my family. Our kids love it. You can use other fresh toppings to please just about anyone. —Gregg May, Columbus, Ohio

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Indiana-Style Corn Dogs

One of the best parts of the many fairs and festivals in Indiana is the corn dogs! My family loves corn dogs, so I fix them fairly often at home. —Sally Denney, Warsaw, Indiana

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Barbecued Party Starters

These sweet and tangy bites will tide over everyone until dinner. At the buffet, set out some fun toothpicks to make for easy nibbling. —Anastasia Weiss, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania

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Corn Dog Casserole

Reminiscent of traditional corn dogs, this fun main dish really hits the spot on fall days. It's perfect for the football parties my husband and I often host. It tastes especially good right from the oven. -Marcy Suzanne Olipane, Belleville, Illinois

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Cincinnati Chili Dogs

My in-laws are from Ohio, so we have Cincinnati chili at many of our family gatherings. I spiced up this family classic with cinnamon and cocoa powder and ladled it over hot dogs. It's perfect for game day, tailgates and potlucks. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan

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Bandito Chili Dogs

These deluxe chili dogs are a surefire hit at family functions and tailgates. Adults and children alike love the cheesy chili sauce, and the toppings are fun! —Marion Lowery, Medford, Oregon

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Mini Mac & Cheese Dogs

We wanted to get creative with hot dogs, so we made a mac-and-cheesy one. Pile on the extra cheese, relish and even bacon. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

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Dogs in a Sweater

For a new twist on an old favorite, try these skewered hot dogs wrapped with breadstick dough and baked. They're fun to dip in ketchup, mustard or ranch dressing. The dressed-up dog recipe comes kid-tested from the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Hot Dog Sliders with Mango-Pineapple Salsa

For parties, we shrink down lots of foods to slider size, including these quick hot dogs. Pile on the easy but irresistible fruit salsa for a burst of fresh flavor. —Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio

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Pigs in a Poncho

For pigs in a blanket Mexican style, we add refried beans and green chilies. Spice it up even more with pepper jack, jalapenos and guacamole. —Jennifer Stowell, Montezuma, Iowa

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Cheddar Corn Dog Muffins

I wanted to riff on hot dogs, so I made corn dog muffins. I added jalapenos to this “kid friendly” recipe and won my husband over, too. —Becky Tarala, Palm Coast, Florida

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Party Franks

These tiny, tangy appetizers have such broad appeal. I prepare them often for holiday gatherings, weddings and family reunions. They're convenient to serve at parties since the sauce can be made ahead, then just reheated with the franks before serving. —Lucille Howell, Portland, Oregon

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BBQ Hot Dog & Potato Packs

For these nifty foil packs, small hands make quick work of topping potato wedges with a hot dog, onions and cheese. — Kelly Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin

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Hungarian Hot Dogs

Each American city dishes up hot dogs with its own combination of toppings. Toledo is no exception. We came up with a version of Tony Packo’s Hungarian hot dog, which is a citywide favorite in Toledo, Ohio. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Hot Dog Sliders

An American favorite, hot dogs, turn into a fun treat that is great for a laid-back party. They get three special treatments in this recipe: Chicago-style, Bavarian and South of the Border. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Sloppy Joe Dogs

There are so many different ways to top a hot dog, but this tasty sloppy joe version beats them all. ‐Kimberly Wallace, Dennison, Ohio

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Hot Dog Roll-Ups

Not only do my grandchildren love these cheese-and-bacon filled hot dogs, but they enjoy helping put the meal together, too. It's the perfect solution to a last-minute lunch. —Lyletta Searle, Morgan, Utah

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Chili Coney Dogs

From the smallest kids to the oldest adults, everyone in our family loves these hot dogs. They’re so easy to throw together in the morning or even the night before. —Michele Harris, Vicksburg, Michigan

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Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs

Here's a juicy, delicious and savory meal in a bun! I make these bacon-wrapped hot dogs for picnics, barbecues and tailgate parties, and they always get compliments. To transport, wrap the hot dogs in foil and then in paper. —Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, Texas

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Hot Dog Pie

A co-worker who loves hot dogs shared this recipe with me. Baked in a purchased pastry shell, the pie is easy to assemble and is on the table in just 30 minutes. —Amy Bullis, Henryville, Pennsylvania

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Pigs in a Blanket

These baked hot dog sandwiches appeal to kids of all ages. Even my husband, Allan, admits to enjoying every bite! We like to dip them in ketchup and mustard. —Linda Young, Longmont, Colorado

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Chipotle Chili Dogs

Long live childhood favorites! I created this recipe for the 125th anniversary of a small town in Minnesota. The medium spice level means that people of all ages love the flavors. —Barb Templin, Norwood, Minnesota

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Jersey-Style Hot Dogs

I grew up in northern New Jersey, where hot dogs with grilled potatoes were born. It's a combo you’ll love. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey

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Rhode Island Hot Wieners

Many Rhode Islanders spell wiener with an “ei” and serve theirs “all the way” with meat sauce, mustard, onion and a sprinkle of celery salt. —Karen Barros, Bristol, Rhode Island

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The post 5 Facts You Never Knew About Chicago Hot Dogs appeared first on Taste of Home.

Lori Vanover