theveganbeauty

A Chicago hot dog is just as delicious as it is contentious. Dragged-through-the-garden style, boiled all-beef frank, poppy-seed bun, celery seed sprinkle. Pepperoncini peppers? Maybe. Ketchup? No way.

Adapted from Lucinda Scala Quinn | Mad Hungry Cravings | Artisan, 2013

Vendor after vendor I visited along the shores of Lake Michigan left me with no doubt as to what constitutes an original Chicago hot dog. I will not be accused of riffing on this one. The essentials are a Chicago red hot dog (simmer the hot dogs with a beet if you can’t find these at your local store), a poppy seed bun (not easy to find), authentic neon-green relish (also not easy to find), and celery salt. And never, ever, use ketchup.–Lucinda Scala Quinn

Chicago Hot Dog

A Chicago hot dog is just as delicious as it is contentious. Dragged-through-the-garden style, boiled all-beef frank, poppy-seed bun, celery seed sprinkle. Pepperoncini peppers? Maybe. Ketchup? No way.

Lucinda Scala Quinn

Prep 10 mins

Cook 10 mins

Total 20 mins

• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Brush the outside of the buns with the butter and sprinkle with the poppy seeds. Place them on a baking sheet, cut-side down, and toast in the oven for 5 minutes.

• Meanwhile, simmer the hot dogs in the pot of water until heated through, about 8 minutes.

• Place a hot dog in each bun. Place a pickle spear on 1 side of each hot dog and 2 tomato wedges on the other side. Squirt or drizzle the mustard in a zigzag pattern over the hot dogs. Spoon a dollop of relish onto each one, and scatter some white onion over each one. Place pepperoncini on top of each hot dog, sprinkle with celery salt and serve

*What is the difference between pepperoncini and a sport pepper?

Okay, so this iteration–with pepperoncini– is how they do their dogs in the Windy City. Or so we’re told by this author. We’ve actually had a little contention brewing, with Chicagoans telling us that it must be sport peppers and not pepperoncini on their dogs, which is actually something we’d also heard before.
Sport peppers and pepperoncini are really close–similar enough in taste that you could sub in one for the other if you’re not afraid of drawing the ire of hardcore hot doggers. However, pepperoncini are milder in heat and flavor so that might be a guiding factor, too.

Serving: 1dogCalories: 362kcal (18%)Carbohydrates: 30g (10%)Protein: 11g (22%)Fat: 22g (34%)Saturated Fat: 10g (63%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 41mg (14%)Sodium: 814mg (35%)Potassium: 346mg (10%)Fiber: 4g (17%)Sugar: 8g (9%)Vitamin A: 695IU (14%)Vitamin C: 44mg (53%)Calcium: 117mg (12%)Iron: 3mg (17%)

Originally published August 13, 2013

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