QUOTE(FlaSoxxJim @ Aug 23, 2005 -> 11:33 PM)
Milkman probably has it figured out. Both of my younglings still feel the need to gross me out with ketchup on their dogs.
But, if we are talking about the heavenly aspects of the CHICAGO DOG, there is no place for ketchup in the discussion.
A 100% authentic CHICAGO DOG consists of:
- Vienna Beef dog
- POPPY SEED bun (preferably Mary Anne brand), steamed
- mustard (yellow)
- scary bright nuclear green relish of unknown origin
-chopped onions
- tomato slices (2 or 3)
- whole hot peppers (sport peppers) (2)
- a Kosher pickle spear placed longways, paralell to the dog and bun (a cucumber spear is acceptable here as well)
- celery salt
And that is it. Nothing else is allowed or needed, and any substitutions or deletions makes it not a CHICAGO DOG.
The only variation that should be allowed is the cooking of the dog. Charred or not. I'm on the charred side, but mostly because the first time I ordered one at Chicago Dogs, University Ave, Edinburg, Texas the owner looked up at me and said, you *must* be from Chicago.
Getting the proper ingredients is difficult around the country. Craig orders his kosher dogs from Vienna in Chicago and the buns from a Chicago supplier as well. You cannot find poppy seed buns in many locations. It was the first clue he "got it right".
I also believe the whole no ketchup thing really caught steam from Sudden Impact. Almost anything Eastwood said in the Dirty Harry movies became a cultural icon. Feel lucky?
On the pizza front:
Pat's Pizza Grayslake, IL. thin crust
Lou's (any location) deep dish sausage
Rosati's -- bacon pizza