Chicago-Style Hot Dog

I live in Chicago & eat Chicago dogs all the time. Don't worry about not finding the sport peppers if you are in a different area, I think most people pick them off anyways cause they are spicy. Also, most hot dog stands here use Vienna hot dogs that should be in stores. They have a nice skin with a snap. They make for the best hot dogs.

Born and raised in the shadows of Wrigley Field many decades ago, I can tell this is the correct and appropriate Chicago-style hot dog recipe. A couple of notes: when you are in the city and ordering a "dog", when they ask "what would you like on that?", it is appropriate to say "hey, drag that dog through the garden, would you?". As far as cucumber versus dill spear, this depends on the neighborhood. So if you always ordered at the same dog stand, you might not realize the stand about 20 miles away uses celery salt and a dill pickle. My suggestion: Try them wherever you go. Oh, and my thanks to Rachel Ray - the best thing for low-carb diets...the Chicago Style Hot Dog salad. I had these for a week when my husband was on a business trip, and I actually lost more than 5 pounds. Thanks Vienna Beef (hey, I think their outlet store is still on Damen Ave. Seconds are excellent!)

This was the best hot dog ive ever had in my entire life. I grilled the dogs, baked the buns and used pepponcini peppers instead of the sports peppers. omg!!!!yummy!!!! i will always use this recipe when preparing hotdogs! thank you for the recipe!

This "recipe" doesn't cut new ground, but if you're not in Chicago this is nice to have as a guideline for the required ingredients to assemble a Chicago Hot Dog properly at home.

These made our Super Bowl party complete! My husband is a Bears fan, so I wanted to have Chicago dogs for him and his friends, and they were a huge hit!! No one has ever heard of "sport peppers" in my area, but after some research, I found that Poblano peppers are pretty close, so that's what we used. Poppy seed hot dog buns are not available in my area, so I steamed regular buns and while they were still moist, rolled them in loose poppy seeds. These dogs were sooo good that we've now implemented them into our NASCAR get-togethers! Thanks so much!

I hate hotdogs. Except for my beloved Gold Coast Dogs in Chicago. I lived there for years and had them for lunch, often. Then, we moved to Michigan. No more Gold Coast Dogs. So I searched and found this recipe. 100% perfect!! Just be sure to use an all beef Kosher type dog, rather than a small mix hotdog. There are times that a turkey-dog won't cut it and this is one of them.

Chicago Dogs are a childhood favorite of mine since my family owned a restaurant that specialized in Vienna Beef Hot Dogs. They aren't a Chicago Dog without the celery salt and pepperocini peppers have the perfect flavor to top the dogs. Of course, they really aren't a hot dog, but a GOURMET hot dog...Enjoy!

Not being a pickle or pepper fanatic, I like mine with cucumber wedges instead of the pickles and peppers. For the record, I got a dog this way from a pushcart in Chicago.

My hubby and I now own a Chicago themed restaurant in Omaha - Papa Chris' Chicago Originals - and we know how to make a dog! He's a 26 year native of the city. You really need a Vienna Beef frank to make it taste authentic but in a pinch use the highest quality National brand you can find at the supermarket. I recommend using Roma tomatoes -less juice - and slicing your tomato into at least 8 wedges for easier eating. This is a big bite kind of food. Also, mince your onions, nicer to eat than big chunks. If you don't own a steamer basket, you can nuke your bun in a plastic bag for 15-20 seconds and it will be soft and steamy. Sport peppers are NOT pepperoncini as someone reviewed but if you can't find the real thing, any small pickled pepper will do. If your new to Chicago dogs, this is the best way you will ever eat a hot dog! Remember, ketchup is only for fries, NOT Chicago dogs! Happy eating!

This review is to oboemargot. I lived in Chicago for 20 years, I ate at over 100 hot dog stands, because I love hot dogs. And YES ther are tomatoes on a Chicago hotdog.

A definate classic. You NEED the sport peppers, and the buns haee to be steamed. I tend to overdo it with the celery salt.

I visited my sister in Chicago last year and was soo excited to taste the famous Chicago hot dog..And I gotta say I wasn't very impressed...Kinda a let down for me...I couldn't really taste the hot dog with all the toppings on it.

You nailed it. This is a Chicago dog, the only city in the world where a hotdog is an acceptable meal for an adult. My only concern is that the drink pairing is Reisling or Lemonade (don't know if these are user generated or what)... The ONLY thing to drink with a Chicago dog is a ice cold DOMESTIC beer, or if looking for that sporting event feel a luke warm beer in a plastic cup that you paid $8 for and half spilled out by the time the people next to you passed it to you.

Holy mother of hotdog! These were excellent. A bit different, and a lot more kick than a standard dog, which is quite alright by me. I did use pepperoncini peppers, as I haven't seen 'sports' peppers before. I made Mike's Signature Pretzel Bread into hotdog buns for these, and was not disappointed. Great pairing. Thanks. :)

I love a Chicago style dog, but to me it's not a Chicago dog without a Vienna wiener. People that are saying this isn't good are probably using a mushy, bland Ball Park or Oscar Meyer beef frank, which doesn't make the grade. Those are fine if you are going to bury them in chili, cheese and onions, but the star of a Chicago dog ~is~ the dog! and all the other ingredients balance out the flavor spectrum by giving you sweet, hot, salty and sour. Now that is street gourmet perfection!!

I made ONE substitution. I used a 100% Bison hot dog. This is GREAT!

Made this last night with only a slight change, we grilled the beef dog on charcoal grill instead of boiling them. I couldn't find poppy seed hot dog buns so instead I brushed olive oil slightly on top of the bun and added my own poppy seeds, then warmed them on the grill. Added all the toppings just as stated, used jalapenos instead of sports peppers, since that is what I had in stock and prefer. After everything was on my dog I covered plate with a plastic cover and nuked for just a min and half in microwave and this made the bun like it was steamed. Very good dog and once in awhile you just gotta have a good hot dog.

Try the sport peppers even if you don't normally like spicy. I steam my buns by putting a splatter screen over the sauce pan while cooking the dogs. And I always add celery salt.

Omg! Thank You! Perfect recipe! My father's family is from Chicago and I remember going as a kid and having everyone freak when I asked for only ketchup on a hot dog in a hot dog joint there (I was only 10) When I was in college everyday my dad would bring me to get Chicago style hot dogs at a place in Houston and I fell in love! What was I thinking when I was a kid? Well now I make these in South America! The people here don't know what hit them!

Was fine without the sport peppers. Make sure to splurge on the poppy seed buns and you HAVE to have the celery salt, and an all beef hot dog such as vienna, klements, or hebrew national.

I'm from Chicago. I served these (using Hebrew National franks as Vienna are not available in VA) while watching the Bears game on 1/16/11. Bears won to advance to NFC championship game. Was it the CS hot dogs that brought some luck to the outcome? Not sure but it sure didn't hurt. This recipe is the real deal! Followed the recipe to the T (T formation, Bears, get it?) but used pepperoncini's. We all raved about how awesome/authentic these dogs are. Go Bears, Go Cubs!!!

As a lifelong resident of the Chicago area, I can honestly say that THIS is the ONLY version of a true Chicago Style Hot Dog. There are NO variations. Grilling the dogs, baking the buns, pepperoncini instead of sport peppers are all variations; nothing can be substituted and still be considered Chicago Style. VIENNA Dogs are boiled (Or steamed), buns always steamed, poppyseed buns are the only way. When I make these at home, I put the onions on the bun before the hot dog, that keeps them from falling off when I eat them. Great recipe, try them for dinner!!

The Chicago dog is tough to beat as far as tasty and delicious "comfort food" is concerned. We have our own version of this classic that is little more decadent. The hot dogs get boiled in beer and the buns are steamed in the beer steam. The only other differences are that we add chopped tomatoes and sprinkle with chopped grated cheddar cheese. Then we might load on the optional chopped jalapeno peppers. The wife being a non-purist also adds mayo and ketchup in addition to everything else, so this would not quality as a pure Chicago dog, but it is a tasty variation.

My grandfather would be proud, he owned Moshe' Pippics hot dog stand on western and diversey and across from Humbolt Park in the 60's in chicago!

Don't forget the cucumber!!!

I had never had this style of hot dog before I tried this recipe....so I was skeptical. But now, I'm a fan! We loved them! Next time we'll buy hotter sport peppers. We chose mild. Wished it was a little warmer. Followed recipe to a tee. Delicious!

I'm not from Chicago, and I've honestly never been there, but I've eaten a lot of Chicago dogs. I thank my grandpa for this since he fell in love with them after spending a couple months in the Windy City. It's the only way I'll eat a hot dog anymore! Couldn't find the sports peppers. :( I had to go without, which would make my grandpa's head spin if he found that out! Veeeeeerrrrry delicious, I will be using this recipe all the time!

Made exactly to specifications, these are so great! Now that I have family in Chicago, I get gifted with sport peppers and that fluorescent green relish. If I only had a local source for the poppy seed buns.

These are amazing! I used Nathan's hot dogs, which were perfect for these! Also, depending on the area you live in, poppy seed buns can be hard to find. I made my own: I just brushed some melted butter on plain hot dog buns, sprinkled poppy seeds on them, and toasted them in the oven for about 5 minutes. They turned out perfect! I also used mild sliced pepperoncinis, and they were wonderful on it. These dogs are the best when every ingredient is there, so don't be afraid to try it!

No offense, Chicago....but a footlong chili cheese dog can't be beat!

Since my wife and I are vegan, I made a vegan version of this. I didn't try to be exact, but as close as possible while staying within my ethical and (wimpy) hotness tolerance bounds. The only veggie hot dog I like a lot is Loma Linda, but theiy're not in my close-by grocerices, so I used Field Roast Italian sausage (very good), which I grilled. I used an Anaheim pepper, that's about as hot as I can take. Aside from that, I followed the recipe exactly. I thought it was great; my wife loved it, too. With some cole slaw, corn, and baked beans on the side, this was a wonderful pre-Memorial day barbecue feast.

I spent my entire life in Chicago and this recipe is missing one key ingredient - Cucumber slices. Chicago dogs have cucumber slices... ALWAYS. In fact, sport peppers are optional. Just a head's up for those of you who want to be authentic!!!

I've always wanted to try a Chicago-style hot dog, but instead of boiling the hot dog, my husband wanted to grill them. Also, you can't find poppyseed buns at our hometown grocery store. But we followed the rest of the recipe, and they were terrific.

Love Chicago dogs!!!! I miss Chicago!

It's really sour. I like spicy or sweet.

I lived in chicago as a child and one bite took me back! These are delicious!! Thank you for posting

I didn't care for Hot dogs till I ate one like this. Now when the hubby says he wants Hot dogs for supper, I'm all in. All the way is how we eat them in the south but this is so much better! Thanks so much.

This was good. I couldn't find Poppyseed buns ANYWHERE though. I had never thought of putting peppers on a hot dog. That was our favorite part.

These were a hit in our house! I've never had a real Chicago dog before so I can't compare them to anything else. I just had to substitute the sport peppers with tiny tobasco peppers from a jar. Really really good. Thank you for sharing

I am not a big hotdog fan. But, when I do eat them I really like them this way. I don't know what a sport pepper is and I don't add the relish. But, the mustard, dill pickle spear, and tomato are a must! It is a really great combination for a hotdog. And, if using a good soft bun, I just stick mine in the microwave for 10 seconds for ease. It has always worked for me.

"Sport" Peppers are another name for pepperoncini peppers! You can substitute mild pickled wax peppers or jalepenos, depending on the amount of heat you like!

Made me love hot dogs! These have become my favorite late-night guilty pleasure. I can't find sport peppers or poppyseed buns locally and I don't want to pay to have them shipped. I've taken the advice of other reviewers and am rolling my steamed buns in poppy seeds. Since they don't stick all that well, I also sprinkle some inside the bun. For the peppers, I'm cutting up pickled hot peppers. If you are a Southerner like me, what I'm using are the same Tabasco type peppers we bottle in vinegar to make pepper sauce for greens. I can't compare, but I sure like my results. I never would have thought to put celery salt on a hot dog, but I love this added flavor. To make it easier to eat, I'm chopping everything up more than the recipe calls for and then sprinkling it all with the celery salt. Finally, I'm taking an easy and quick shortcut by steaming both the hot dog and the bun, separately, of course, in the microwave. It's faster and easier than boiling and steaming on the stove. To do this, I just wrap them in wet paper towels and put them in the microwave.

The way a dog should be served! @Big Ugly Mich...there are no push carts in Chicago. Not Chicago proper anyways. But nothing wrong with how you ordered it. (where ever you got it) At least you didn't add ketchup.

I did the best I could since we don't have the correct ingredients here in France. Still, it was dreamy. So I'm now aiming to order everything from the US for the next ones I make.

I was looking for a recipe to add a bit of KICK to the ordinary hot dog...because that is what I had on hand. Boy, did I! This was it. I'm your everyday mustard, ketchup, relish on a dog kinda girl, so this was a stretch. This was pretty darn (wanting to use another word) GOOD! My husband referenced the meal many times that evening saying how surprisingly good it was! The best thing? The cost!

Being born, raised and still living in chicago, i've got this recipe engrained in my mind. this is the only way that a hot dog should be eaten. i shudder seening people put ketcup on hot dogs! never never never! ever! oh and to the person who wondered if the vienna beef outlet was still on daman ave..it is!

I leave this rating not because it was bad, but because it is well.... i don't even know. I would make them again. I can see maybe once a year or so. Dogs come in so many varieties subject to culture and geography. Just look at this and Martinsville, VA. as contrasts. I guess I can simply say as far as "Dawgs" go.. I am just glad to be from the South.

This makes a great hot dog!

OF COURSE, there are tomatoes on Chicago Dogs. Ketchup, no. Tomatoes, yes. Until recent retirement to Tucson, the husband and I are life-long Chicagoans, and my brother has owned a pizza place and a hot dog stand in Chicago. Definitely, TOMATOES!!!!!

Chicago hot dogs are the best, BUT this picture is wrong. Yellow peppers do not substitute for a sport pepper in Chicago. The flavor and texture is completely different. And to respond to the reviewer who said most people take them off, not true! A Chicago hot dog is delicious with them and also very good without them, but they are not just a garnish like parsley next to a steak. They add a distinct flavor that is worth experiencing. I personally bite the end off the pepper and sprinkle the juice over my hot dog!

I am FROM Chicago and this is dead on!! Only thing I do different is skip the celery salt, but that's just personal taste. Only way I'll eat a hot dog!!

I'm from Chicago and this is the only way to eat a dog. Now living in central Ohio, I can't find poppy seed buns.

My husband started traveling to Ch. about a year ago would come home raving about these dogs. Thanks for the recipe. Couldn't find sports peppers here, but he brought some home recently. I'm a vegetarian but when i make for him i have all but dog and i enjoy it. Oh i also haven't been able to find poppy seed buns.

Yuuummmyy! So good! The ONLY thing different I did was the bun. No poppy seeds :( But other than that stayed true. These are such an amazing combo of flavors! My all time favorite hot dog! Glad I could finally make one myself...thanks!

I LOVE this recipe! I made it for my dad and my uncle and it was a huge hit! I didn't use sport peppers though, I used pepperoncinis, but other than that, very successful!

Easy and really good! My bf didn't think it would be good with pickles and all the other stuff and ended of loving it way more than any other way. Thanks! Delicious!

That is the only way to make a Chicago hot dog. I was born there and can remember eating them from corner vendors. One thing people forget is we always had a dog and bunch tamales. Vienna dogs the best. Don't change a thing. JUDY

delish! perfect especially if you have all the stuff on hand. I wasn't sure what sports peppers were so I used sliced banana peppers. I melted some butter and sprinkled some poppy seed in then rubbed my hot dog bun in it and toasted it in the oven for a couple min. Worked just fine for me. Fun way to eat a hot dog!!

The "real deal" Chicago dog uses a Vienna Beef frank, STEAMED not boiled, a steamed poppy seed bun, neon green relish, and whole sport peppers. I gave four stars because of the advice to boil the franks. The Vienna Beef franks have a natural casing that has just the right amount of "snap" to it when you bite in! The buns need to be steamed so that they are just almost mushy and soft. Plenty of mustard on TOP of the frank, not on the bun, a spear of pickle, and plenty of onions and relish make this dog incredible. Finally, slices of tomatoes are a requirement. Don't mess around with perfection - the good people of Chicago figured out the perfect dog!

I was gifted some real Chicago style relish for Christmas and love making these. The fresh tomato is so tasty, and the sweet/salty combo of dill pickle and sweet relish is great. I subbed banana peppers for the sport peppers. If you ignore the sodium, it's a pretty healthy way to eat hot dogs! They are delicious.

These are amazing! I haven't been a huge hot dog fan, but we've made these like 3 times in the last few weeks. We add pepperoni on ours also, might not be officially "chicago-style" but we think it's yummy.

That picture does NOT have Sport Peppers, they look like either jalapenos or bananna peppers....LOL I am a Chicagoan and you HAVE to have SPORT PEPPERS to enjoy this dog properly! YUM! =)

This is the ONLY way to have a hot dog! yum yum yum!

Absolutely must have a poppy seed bun. They are not available anywhere but in Chicago but the one suggestion of steaming a regular hot dog bun and then rolling it in poppy seeds was a GREAT idea and really works. Absolutely NO ketchup, and be sure and add the tomatoes and celery salt. The BEST hot dogs ever!

One of the reasons why I regret moving to Texas...NOBODY down here sells vienna dogs...let alone poppyseed buns. :(

Being born and raised in Chi-Town I can say that finally someone has gotten the chicago style dog recipe correct. I suggest having an ice cold old style and watching the cubs or bears to round out and make it a complete chicago meal.

OMG! I have lived in Chicago for 60 years, and This Is It! We have traveled around the country and have found "Chicago Style Hot Dogs" in many places with Ketchup, Mustard and Relish. What are they thinking? It's not really that hard

Amazing!! Just how remember it from when I was a kid :D I was so excited to find sport peppers at my local grocery store! It's just not a Chicago dog without em!

There is NO other way to eat a hot dog. We always use Vienna beef dogs. And no ketchup, never ever never! In my opinion, if you visit Chicago you must eat an Italian beef from Taylor Street, deep dish pizza from Giordanos, Garrett popcorn and a Chicago Style Hot Dog. With this recipe, you can bring a bit of Chicago to you if visiting is not possible. Do be sure to use the poppy seed bun, it won't be the same without it.

One of Tims favorites. Next time I want to try it with Curry

I had a layover in Chicago on my way to Tacoma and was very hungry. I was going to chose McDonald's but saw a hot dog stand instead. I am from the South so I have never seen one except on TV. So I decided to try it and asked for ketchup and mustard.....needless to say, I didn't get that, but I did get a "where are you from???" The gentleman made me a "Chicago Style" hot-dog and I have not had ketchup on a hot dog in the last 3 years. It's the best!! No one comes close! I make mine exactly like this recipe....minus the peppers, lol!

AWESOME! I can't believe how yummy this was...hubby gave it two thumbs up and I agree! The flavors just went together perfectly. My only regret is that I didn't try this recipe sooner. I will most definately be making these again! Thanks for sharing. :)

If you can get Vienna beef hotdogs, all the better. I'm from Chicago, and this is the only way to eat a hot dog!

I love hot dogs like this. I first had them on the Navy Pier while visiting Chicago. I can't get some of the ingrediants near me. Like sport peppers and poppy seed hot dog buns. I've tried other things, but they never quite match the great flavor of this recipe.

If you can get Vienna hot dogs, that's what really makes it! "And don't even think of katsup" is the name of the game... my husband cringes when my kids eat hot dogs!

Good dogs! Can't find poppy seed buns here in Central CA. Use French bagget type breads cut to size. They're better suited to standing up to all the "stuff". Not much on sweet relish. Peppers in question... I dunno. We use pepperonccini peppers. Also some kind of good cheese and maybe... chili!!!

Truly delicious! I couldn't find poppy-seed buns or "sport" peppers so had to use regular buns and pepperoncini, but the dogs were still awesome! All of the toppings and the celery salt just make it great!

I couldn't find any poppyseed buns so I just sprinkled poppyseeds inside the buns. I also used celery seed in place of the celery salt because that's what I had on hand. A nice change from the regular hot dog!

The only bad thing about this recipe is that the dog needs to be Vienna Beef. True Chicago has a topping style but a Chicago dog is the brand Vienna Beef- not just any beef dog. Also, never grill a Chicago dog save that for the east coast. :)

A true Chicago hot dog, granted you use Vienna all beef franks. I have all ingredients readily available for my out of town guests to indulge. :)

NEVER put ketchup on the dogs and if you are lucky enough to get Vienna Hot Dogs they are the best.

I'm born and raised in Chicago and in my 75 years I've eaten more Chicago Style hot dogs than I can remember. Your recipe is right on. If you want it to be perfect, use Vienna Beef hot dogs. One bite and you'll think you're in Wrigleyville! (that's what they serve). Someone wrote in and said to use Kosher hot dogs. Ugh! They are obviously not from Chicago.

Chicago dogs are OFF THE HOOK! I agree with some previous comments. The picture shows the wrong pepper and you must have the unnatural nuclear green relish. :) That being sad I'm sure there are thousands of delicious variations. ENJOY!

Delicious! My recollection from 25 years of living in the Midwest is that Chicago dogs have a cucumber spear...but then again, my memory never was that great! This is great football fare. Set up a buffet and everyone can fix their own! Truth be told, you may need to set out the ketchup for the kiddies, but don't let anyone see YOU putting that red goo on YOUR Chicago dog!!!

if you add the cucumber slices it raises it to a five star. I love Chicago dogs!!

Vienna hot dogs are a must. They are the only one's that give you the true taste. Steamed buns and the celery salt make them just like home.

We used Hebrew National Beef hot dogs, the flavor was delicious! I looked all over Fargo, ND for the Vienna Beef, but struck out. Also, I had to put in a special order for the poppy seed buns at a "real" bakery. Worth the one day delay! Everyone enjoyed them! Thanks for all of the advice with substitutions in the reviews.

Great hot dogs! Sorry but I still have to have ketchup along with some jalapeno peppers on a dog.

Very delicious and easy meal that the whole family enjoys. A new family favorite and will definately make again. Thanks.

My fave way to eat a hot dog...before it was just Ketchup/Mustard Onions...or maybe Onions and Sauerkraut. Sheesh, what was I thinking?! The Chicago dog is SO flavorful...and putting them together is really an Art more than a Science. In my area, I've had problems locating Sport Peppers and Poppy Seed Buns...so to substitute, I use Sliced Pepperoncini's and Potato Bread Buns. Don't know where to get Vienna Beef Dogs, but Boar's Head pinch hits just fine.

We love making these! I always serve the ingredients chopped up in bowls so each person can 'dress' their own dog to their liking. (of course, best is made as-written, but not everyone in the family likes all the ingredients) I can't find sport peppers locally so I chop up some good pepperoncini peppers and they work well.

AMEN to all the reviews and I want to ditto by saying that the dog is so much better (and most original) when it snaps! You ain't never tasted a dog til you tasted a Chicago dog!

Pretty good. I'm from Chi town, this was close.

Just like you get at Vienna Beef! For the record you can get an authentic Chicago-Style in Milwaukee @ Sammy's. But making them at home is great, too.

I have had many Chicago dogs and this recipe is the closest to the real thing. Delicious!!

Best way to eat a dog. Celery salt, fresh tomatos and a poppy seed bun are the key,,,, and never ever use ketchup never : )

YUM! Just how they serve them back home.

These are awesome!

This is how we've always made them for this Chicago-suburb gal's family. As a military family, I get lots of reactions to some of these toppings, but this is how they should be eaten!