Chicago, ILHot Dogs

The Infatuation's guide to Chicago hot dog stands sums this Clark Street window up by its late night antics, which the guide files under good-natured verbal abuse, then adds that the food is good and that there is a giant dog friendly back patio where they serve booze. The order the guide lists is the char dog with cheddar fries. Go late if you want the full Lincoln Park counter experience, or sit on the patio in daylight.

Gene & Jude's opened in 1946 and moved out to River Grove in 1950, and The Infatuation's stand guide has one warning about the place: do not dare ask for ketchup, because they do not even have it. The order is a hot dog with fries, or the double dog with fries if one is not enough. The fries come piled into the bun with the dog rather than served alongside.

This Milwaukee Avenue drive-in opened in 1948 and still works the old way, with orders placed into a speaker from the car. The Infatuation notes that the giant plastic hot dogs standing on the roof represent the original owners, Maurie and Flaurie Berman. The guide's order list runs Superdawg, Whoopskidawg and a sundae, so get the namesake dog, add the Polish version if you are sharing, and finish with the sundae.

The Infatuation's guide places this counter service spot in University Village and notes it opened in 1939 and claims to have created the original Maxwell Street polish. That is the thing to order: the guide lists the Polish with grilled onions and mustard, plus a grape soda to drink. It is a walk up window rather than a dining room, so expect to order at the counter and eat standing nearby.

Redhot Ranch opened in 2005, which makes it one of the newer stands on The Infatuation's list, and the guide credits it with bringing the Depression Dog back from obscurity: an all beef dog on a plain bun topped with yellow mustard, onions and hot sport peppers. Order that, or the Chicago style dog, and get fries with either. The Armitage Avenue location is the one the guide names.