Chicago Dog
All-beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun, topped with yellow mustard, bright green relish, raw onions, tomato slices, pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt; NO KETCHUP.
History
Born of Depression‑era stands and fixed in memory by Vienna Beef, the Chicago dog is an all‑beef frank in a steamed poppy‑seed bun ‘dragged through the garden.’ Mustard, onion, neon‑green relish, tomato wedges, a dill spear, sport peppers, and celery salt complete the picture. Ketchup is famously omitted.
Make it at home
A home-friendly version of this hot dog style.
About this recipe
The classic toppings are mustard, relish, onion, tomato, pickle, sport peppers and celery salt. The amounts here are for a home serving.
We haven’t kitchen-tested this version. Portions and timing are a guide for home cooking; follow any specific package directions in the recipe.
Last checked: .
Ingredients
- 4 All-beef hot dogs (Vienna Beef preferred, natural casing for authentic 'snap')
- 4 Poppy seed hot dog buns (S. Rosen's brand if available)
- as needed Yellow mustard (French's or similar - never ketchup!)
- 1/2 cup Chicago-style relish (Bright neon green sweet pickle relish)
- 1/2 medium White onion (Finely diced)
- 1 medium Tomato (Cut into 8 wedges)
- 1 large Dill pickle (Quartered lengthwise for spears)
- 8-12 pieces Sport peppers (Vienna Beef brand preferred)
- for sprinkling Celery salt (Generous dusting on top)
Instructions
- Fill a large pot fitted with a steamer basket with 1 to 2 inches of water. Cover with a tightly fitting lid and bring to a boil.
- Add the hot dogs to the steamer basket, cover and steam until heated through, about 5 minutes.
- Add the buns to the pot, cover and steam the buns until warm, about 1 minute.
- Remove the buns from the pot and drizzle the inside of each with yellow mustard.
- Place each hot dog in a bun, then nestle one pickle spear on one side of each hot dog and 2 tomato wedges on the other side.
- Top with more mustard, then add relish, diced onions, and 2-3 sport peppers per dog.
- Finish with a generous sprinkle of celery salt over everything.
- Serve immediately wrapped in foil to let flavors meld. Remember: NO KETCHUP!
Local favorites
Where to Try It
Every restaurant below is in this style's home turf – the place it comes from – and its own menu or website confirms it serves the style today.
(this isn't a "near you" list)
Sources and further reading
Related Styles (kinda)
4 similar styles
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