The Art of a Chicago Hot Dog

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As a lifelong Chicagoland gal, summertime means the opportunity to grill up one of our favorite Chicago specialities – a Chicago hot dog (or in Chicago pronounced “Haht Dahg”). The art of creating a Chicago Dog requires a few important ingredients – a hot dog you can trust, a few other specialities from your garden and most importantly, NO KETCHUP.

We celebrated our recent Chicago hockey team’s victories by hosting a playoff party and putting together a Chicago Hot Dog Bar complete with all the necessary components of our famous dogs.

We started with the quintessential ingredient – quality hot dogs from Hebrew National.  Made from premium cuts of beef, Hebrew National kosher franks have no artificial flavors, colors, fillers, or by-products which makes them a hot dog you can trust (and ones live up to Chicago hot dog standards)!

First step, fire up that grill and make them sizzle! A little charring goes a long way and makes the flavor really pop!

Now you’re ready to assemble what you need for the perfect Chicago hot dog tablescape. I made this skyline banner using black acrylic paint and art paper from Charlie and Jack. I free-hand drew the buildings based off of an image online and used it as a background for my table presentation. In addition to the quality hot dog ingredients, I whipped up a batch of homemade coleslaw (may not be kosher) and fresh strawberries along with paper goods in our hockey team’s signature colors.

On to the ingredients to master the artistry of hot dog creativity. Do not forget the poppyseed buns! Notice the absence of the red stuff.

The age-old story behind a dog is that you are dragging it through the garden and picking up the ingredients along the way. Grab that bun and dog and get building!

Be sure to take careful notes because this is a Chicago hot dog done right. The strategic layer of flavors is of utmost importance.

Step 1. Grab a grilled Hebrew National kosher frank and a poppyseed bun.

Step 2. Drizzle bright yellow mustard.

Step 3. Spoon on some bright green relish. The brighter, the better.

Step 4. Sprinkle on diced white onion.

Step 5. Add two slices of fresh tomato.

Step 6. Add a long dill pickle spear.

Step 7. Sprinkle a dash of celery salt.

Voila! You’re masterpiece has been created! The perfect Chicago Haht Dahg.

If you’re a hot dog minimalist, you can go the route of my son Charlie with his very first ever hot dog (thanks to Hebrew National’s tasty recipe) and he opted for a plain one on a poppy seed bun.

The Grillmaster finally gets to enjoy one of these layered creations just in time for the big game!

Ready to put together your very own Chicago hot dog? Find everything you need for your summer grilling tablescape at your local Kroger store. Right now, you can save up to $2.00 on Hebrew National all-beef franks.

See more deliciousness from Hebrew National on Facebook. The combination of franks and these toppings may not be Kosher.

What’s your favorite non-ketchup way to enjoy a hot dog?