This is the third Wednesday in as many weeks that my brother, Karl and I have eaten at a different hot dog stand. First stop was Pete's Famous Hot Dogs downtown (2nd Ave, methinks). If you want the classic hot dog stand experience, you'll get it at Pete's. Barely 6 or 8 feet wide, you have an area about 2 feet width to stand & eat. The place fills up from the street and as people leave, you shuffle toward the back of the establishment. When someone has finished and paid, they slip between you and the wall to get to the door. There is a 6" wide shelf at about waist-high level on the front of the counter/hood over the cooking area where you can set your drink and chips while you eat. You don't need a place to put your extra dogs, because they are made on a "just in time" basis. We placed our order for one & one (regular and chili), and Gus, the owner served us each our regular dog first. Then, as we were finised with it, he prepared our "chili dogs". I have that in quotes, because he doesn't really have chili - uses the beef sauce he uses on his "special" dogs instead, and made no mention of the fact that he didn't do chili dogs. Upon examination of the menu, I noted there is no chili dog listed. Be that as it may, after our "one & one" Gus asked if we wanted another. Since we were not yet satiated, we ordered another regular dog. If it's flavor you want, don't waste your time or hard-earned here. They had the classic cayenne pepper to add to your dog if you like, and even had Tabasco brand pepper sauce (which makes everything better).
Next was Chicago Mike's Hot Dogs in Homewood. Again, we each got a regular and a chili dog. I thought Mike's was great. Karl thought they weren't hot enough, but mine were fine. They served large dogs with lots of flavor. I did not see a cayenne pepper shaker, but to be honest, I didn't look for one. The dogs were excellent without any additives. If you go to Chicago Mike's, do your waistline a favor and only get one. . .you won't go away hungry. At Mike's you can sit down and enjoy your dogs. They have a couple of tables outside and several in an attached dining area. I don't wish to be critical, because it is plenty adequate, but it's not exactly what you would call "commercial construction". Chicago Mike's is run by Mike and his wife. I have been told that the thing to get at Chicago Mike's is the hamburger - and according to the prominently-posted signs, it is an award-winning burger. But, when you're comparing hot dog places, you don't go there and order a burger. Not only that, the name of the place is
Chicago Mike's Hot Dogs, not
Chicago Mike's Hamburgers. . . But, when you consider the names of Pete's Famous and Gus's, perhaps it fits.
So, today was Gus's on 4th Ave North between 19th & 20th. Good atmosphere. . . When George, the owner, asked Karl if it was to go or to eat in, karl said we were eating in. We were both entertained when George said "step into our dining room". . . Pointing to a wider spot in the narrow stand with a narrow counter and two stools. We spent less $ here than the other two places so far. Our $10.90 got us 2 regular dogs, 2 chili dogs, 2 bags of Golden Flake chips and 2 fountain drinks (20 oz). Flavor was better than Pete's, but not as good as Chicago Mike's. He had the classic cayenne pepper shaker, and two brands of hot sauce, but no Tabasco (tisk, tisk!). The "chili" on the chili dogs was a disappointment. It was a ground beef with red sauce - looked somewhat like chili sans the beans, but didn't have any real chili flavor. We decided that a good test for chili to be used on a chili dog would be to ask yourself, "would I want a bowl of this to eat with a spoon and crackers?". Karl was pleased with the temperature - even said he almost burned the roof of his mouth.
I'd go back, if for no other reason, to find out why George (who came from Greece (or did he say grease?) by way of Chicago) calls his hot dog joint (excuse me, I forgot it had a dining room. . .) I mean his hot dog restaurant Gus's. I think he said it was started in 1946 - presumably by Gus. While we are talking about Gus, you might find it interesting to know that the guy who runs Pete's Famous is named Gus. Perhaps he and George should change shops. At least one of them would then be named appropriately.
After looking at the proprietors of these three shops, I am convinced that the way to live a long life is to run a hot dog stand. None of these guys were exactly in their youth. . . or perhaps they were, and were pre-maturely ageing. But, I suspect they were all well up there in years.
More hot dogs next week.