the dog pound

Hot Doug's

3324 North California (@ Roscoe Street)
Chicago, IL 60618
773-279-9550

i said it once, and i'll say it again - chicago pizza does nothing for me - the hot dogs, however, are an entirely different story. Hot Doug's, the self proclaimed "Sausage Superstore and Encased Meat Emporium" is a vibrant north side haunt that has attracted the attention of foodies near and far. i would have never thought i'd wait 30 minutes in line at 11 am for a hot dog, but sure enough, there i was -- standing outside in the cold, like a rube. all-in-all i'd say it was well worth the wait, speaking strictly from a gastro-tourist's perspective, that is.



DUCK FAT FRIES: crispy, thin-cut. decadent. delicious. what's not to love?

the specialty dogs are provocative, to say the least:

-foie gras & duck
-spicy smoked alligator
-rosemary smoked chicken
-shiraz and cranberry wild boar

the foie dog (w/ Truffle Sauce Moutard, Foie Gras Mousse and Sel Gris ) was as good as it sounds and better than it looks - flush with unctuous goodness, delicately framed by rich
truffle earthiness.

however, insofar as traditional chicago-style hot dogs are concerned, i've had better; i like mine with sport peppers.


© 2009 c. c. villani @ "mission: insatiable" - http://missioninsatiable.com/