The Chicago Hot Dog

- I had my first Chicago hot dog during our visit to Chicago's Bucktown neighborhood last month. We went to George's Hot Dogs a family owned business operating since 1948. So what makes a an official Chicago-style hot dog? First the Vienna Beef frankfurter, still made in Chicago and a steamed bun. The hot dog is topped with yellow mustard, chopped white onions, sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices, pickled sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt. The completed Chicago hot dog is said to be "dragged through the garden" because of the unique combination of toppings. Legend has it this unique set of seven toppings originated in the 1930's as street vendors starting adding toppings to one up their competitors. By the 1950's, the current recipe was tradition. Never ask a Chicago hot dog vendor for ketchup, that's sacrilege. Canon G11, 1/500 sec @ f/7.1, ISO 400.