Max's Take out, established in 1962 is one of the oldest hotdog stands in the vibrant Chicago Loop. But for more. He finished his route that day and soon after opened Jakes Pup In The Ruf at 950 W. Montrose Ave. (Ruf because It was a rough neighborhood, but I didnt want to make it look bad, he said.) $ American, Hot Dogs Hours: 3422 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago (773) 722-9935. TripAdvisor Gabriele S. But once Mallis realized that hot dogs were becoming a huge treat in Chicago and New York, he converted the storefront into a hot dog stand. My dad admired the route driver for Vienna who brought them hot dogs, Kaplan said about his late father. Part of the reason for opening the restaurant was that I knew that there were other sausages out there that did exist, but there was no one place to get them. This family-run stand offers traditional Vienna sausages and appears to have almost the same menu as when it opened in the early 1930s. The Fountains have added a few things to the original four-item menu. Dave's is now Black-owned and run by four generations of women. A hot dog of any other name would smell as sweet. Hot dog with fries: $2.75How its dressed: Mustard, relish, onion, sport pepper. Chicagos oldest hot dog stands special community connection, At least 2 dead after exposure to unknown substance at N.Y. senior facility, Clark Atlanta University students mourn loss of athlete fatally shot near campus, Iranian government to investigate series of poisonings, Pennsylvania man accused of trying to bring explosive on plane, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle asked to leave Frogmore Cottage. Hot dogs, salami, corned beef -- pretty much any salt, fat and meat combination. Als has been a fixture in East Garfield Park for as long as neighbors can remember, and its these folks who keep it going. Hes 81 and still behind the counter three days a week. During the end of the late 40s, the intersection where Superdawg was located was also where the streetcar line ended, so there was already a little built-in traffic. Shirley Fountain, from left, Corey Holmes, Marquita Fountain, Brianna Fountain and Eugenia Fountain at Dave's Red Hots, in the 3400 block of West Roosevelt Road, the oldest hot dog stand in Chicago. In 1950, Berman passed the certified public accountant exam and made Superdawg a year-round business. My dad and my uncle were both very stubborn. That recipe varied slightly from the current standard: The original had a frankfurter topped with mustard, pickle relish, onions, a dill pickle, hot peppers, lettuce and tomatoes for 5 cents. My mother and father both worked for my grandfather at the hot dog stand while they were going to high school, Kaplan said. The city fund supports projects in underserved neighborhoods in Chicago. Four generations of the family would take shifts throughout the day. At the time a Superdawg and drink cost 32 cents. Their late mother, Sonia Kaplan, also worked at her fathers shop, before marrying Ruben Meyerson, who became known as the Mayor of Roosevelt Road. It looks every bit its age, from the carnival-esque marquee outside to the fire-engine red formica counter, bar stools and subway tile inside. He wouldnt compromise the quality of the product and he passed that along to us. An often visited spot for those catching a game at the baseball field formerly known as Comiskey Park. Sign up here for our daily Chicago email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in town. And then he hit on the idea to open up the hot dog stand, Kaplan said. I have a turnaround rate of two minutes. Both restaurants shared a supplier, who told Gaines that Daves was for sale. Similar to the current owners, everybody in the family ended up working there at one point, Karm said. Today, it is one of the oldest meat processors in the country. Shirley Fountain, from left, Corey Holmes, Marquita Fountain, Brianna Fountain and Eugenia Fountain at Dave's Red Hots, in the 3400 block of West Roosevelt Road, the oldest hot dog stand in Chicago. During the Great Depression, his grandfather went bankrupt. The Vibe Unlike many of the spots for hot dogs in Chicago on this list, Dave's Red Hots has an interior space. Edwards lives next door to and still eats at the original Duks, managed by her sister and owned by Dukattes son. With only two locations in Chicago, Dick Portillo followed a formula that made him successful. Double Dog. Highest Rating 2022 1. Chicago Magazine ranked the top 10 best hot dog stands all around the city. You may remember our story last month about the shops current owners, the Fountain family. At 42, Gina Fountain is a hot dog stand veteran, the kind who knows customers orders before they order. The original location, now run by Castros three kids and their cousin Enrique Flores, bears the names and menus of both Fred and Jacks and El Gran Burrito but inside, its one counter. Im born and raised in Chicago. In 1948, Superdawg opened its doors on the corner of Milwaukee, Devon, and Nagle, and almost instantly became a Chicago phenomenon. Topped with The Magnificent Seven, the quarter pounder of encased meat is one of the most popular items on the menu. Still, while he doesnt talk much about his relatives, and vice versa, there appear to be no hard feelings. The city's historical license records only go back to 2002 [but the] Kaplan family historical data goes back through intertwined lives The only condiments they had in the store was mustard, pickles and peppers, said Karm. Its the cost of doing business, making rent and pleasing customers, Kraig and Schwartz said. This story first ran in DNAinfo in 2016. Chicago's oldest hot dog brand, David Berg, was founded in 1860, and national brands like Armour and Oscar Mayer soon followed. Plus, 30-so years later, in Japan, his dog is still considered the model for the American hot dog by a Japanese restaurateur. Come along for the ride! This restaurant is owned by Lawndale. In May of 2015, Maurie passed away at the age of 89. Look at somewhere like Gene & Judes. When Doug Sohn opened his hot dog stand, Hot Dougs, he never expected it to reach such epic proportions. Oscar Mayer Turkey Franks. Mustard's Last Stand is located at 1613 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201 19) Morrie O'Malley's Morrie O'Malley's is a classic small counter served place serving traditional hot dogs, burgers and more. So I think it's just a matter of how you define "oldest.". (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune). . I dont know exactly when zayde actually sold the store, Kaplan said, referring to his grandfather in Yiddish. It reopened a year ago, remaining takeout-only and fully masked regardless of the changing mandates though they do now take credit cards. According to Don, the secret to Superdawgs success is because Maurie was very particular and paid attention to detail. Gina Fountain opened the same booths Irv Karm polished as a boy. Because this fellow was out and about all around the city, seeing the sights and talking to different people all the time. One of their equipment suppliers was Ray Kroc yes, that Ray Kroc of McDonalds fame, according to Gullicksons obituary (he died in 2000, after Woods). For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Like it or not. It was about the experience.". By Eric Kim. 10 Best Chicago Hot Dog Vienna Sport Peppers, 12 OZ, for Chicago Dogs Check Price Vienna Chicago Style Relish 12oz Check Price Vienna Chicago-Style Condiment Kit (1 Jar Yellow Mustard, 1 Jar Green Relish, 1 Jar Sport Peppers, 1 Jar Celery Salt) Check Price Chicago Style Hot Dog Distressed T-Shirt Check Price The oldest hot dog stand in Chicago dates back to 1938. The Jewish immigrant who walked out of Russia to escape the czars army loved nothing more than sunning himself in the warm Miami Beach sunshine. In 1939, when Stefanovic. I would fill the cases and clean the booths.. Before it was called Als Under The L, it was Als Red Hots and before that, going back to 1949, it was a Jewish guy named Al slinging red hots, cheeseburgers and Polish sausages out of a trailer at Lake Street and Francisco Avenue, said current owner Larry McCullum. The oldest hot dog stand in America is believed to be the Little Red Hot Dog Wagon, which opened its doors in 1893 in Coney Island, New York. That's not, however, what makes Dave's Red Hots special. At this point, thosedebatingwhich of the two stands is better are doing soonlineor while standing in line at their preferred stand. Their signature hot dogs remain skinny and snappy. For the first three years, the couple were only open during the summertime. The oldest hot dog stand in Chicago dates back to 1938. Not a real hot dog of course, although that would be awesome. There were hot dog stands all over the streets of 1920s Chicago, including one on the northwest corner of Halsted and Maxwell owned by Jimmy Stefanovic's aunt. Although its safe to say that Wolfys is like many other Vienna char-dogs in the city, its been a part of our hot dog history since it opened in 1967. Its a side gig hes an expert witness economist living in California but not taken lightly. Her late father Eugene Fountain bought it from him in 1970 after the riots that blighted the West Side, and moved it a few years later to its current spot nearby, taking the wooden booths and tabletop jukeboxes that played songs for a nickel. Visit any Chicago neighborhood and almost everyone can tell you the best local place to get a dog. For decades, legacy customers and a 100-year-old former employee cited the shops original owners as a Jewish couple who opened it in 1938 on Homan Avenue and what is now Roosevelt Road. Her late father was Daves second owner. From a standpoint, the Portillos Chicago Dog is everything great about a hot dog. Varellis late husband John and her brother Don Caputo opened the business farther west on Taylor, literally as the outdoor patio of their restaurant, The Rendezvous, serving the kinds of foods that taste better under the sun hot dogs, clams, watermelon wedges and Italian beef, for which theyre better known. Behind the plexiglas shield, Fountain hears your hot dog shop confessions. Gina Fountain found their sign that read 5 cents for catsup. Fountain stocks Red Gold ketchup, because she prefers the flavor. The oldest hot dog stand in Chicago dates back to 1938. Shirley Fountain, from left, Corey Holmes, Marquita Fountain, Brianna Fountain and Eugenia Fountain at Dave's Red Hots, in the 3400 block of West Roosevelt Road, the oldest hot dog stand in Chicago. Seal. All were served on hot dog buns with french fries. Lazarevskis stand is still around and its next door to Jims, as it has been for decades. We dont know the exact year, but do know it was earlier than previously believed, in 1938. The dog is modestly priced at $2.69 and includes The Magnificent Seven. For most non-Chicagoans, a pork hot dog with mustard, ketchup, and onion will do the job. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card. Fountain sent out Polish sausages for everyone, kosher style (mustard, pickle and sport peppers only), each with a side of some of the best fresh-cut fries around Chicago. What you need to live your best life now. The Worlds Fair was also the place where a variety of brands were making their worldwide debut: Cracker Jack, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Quaker Oats, and, one of Chicagos most beloved, the Vienna Sausage Company. Due to its central location, its a go-to for neighborhood residents, especially high school students from Mather High who have been scrounge together a few bucks to hit the stand up after class since it opened. It was the place where locals and tourists alike would wait sometimes up to an hour just to get in the door. Shirley Fountain, from left, Corey Holmes, Marquita Fountain, Brianna Fountain and Eugenia Fountain at Dave's Red Hots, in the 3400 block of West Roosevelt Road, the oldest hot dog stand in Chicago. Before Roy Castro, owner of the taco restaurantEl Gran Burrito, bought Fred and Jacks, Thomas remembers him sitting outside for three weeks straight, presumably to make sure it did brisk business. The city's historical license records only go back to 2002, a staffer told this critic. A hot dog shack that fans of "Breaking Bad" may recognize, the Dog House Drive-In keeps things simple and cheap. Daughters-in-law, Martha Karm and Rose Karm, would also work in the store. 15. The red hots are done the way theyve always been, with fries cut every morning and pickles cut square to match, though Fountain said, The newer people get relish and onion. In 1938, Jerry Kaplans father, Isadore Izzy Kaplan, at 22 years old, married his childhood sweetheart, Helen Nochowicz. At its peak, there were 13 Duks locations in the city, according to Karen Edwards, who worked there for 45 years. Irv Karm came with his family, including stepdaughter Lisa Paddor (who emailed me, too, about Hy and Roses nephew, her stepfather). His name was Nathan Handwerker, a Jewish immigrant from Poland. He finished every time., Lifes a beach under the basket for Lemonts Miles Beachum. Like many hot dog stands in the city, you can also grab an Italian beef sandwich, a tamale (Fat Johnnie's has a famous one known as the Mother-In-Law), pizza puffs, cheeseburger, chicken sandwich. Art's Chili Dog Stand Art's Famous Chili Dog is a bargain at $2.30 and includes mustard, chili and onions. The menu and prices at Express are nearly identical to Jims, almost comically so. Where most establishments will kick out rowdy customers, workers at the Weiner's Circle will often encourage the customers. Monica Ramey: Great Hot Dog place. What to eat. Take-Out/Delivery Options . Hot dogs are a part of who we are, they are part of our culinary history. With everything means yellow mustard, sport peppers and dill pickles, in the minimalist Depression dog style. The young blonde working next to him is Rose Faruggia, Faruggias granddaughter who sat on the counter as a kid selling napkin drawings to customers and now runs the place with her siblings. You already have the relish for that. And there was my dad, Izzy, peeling potatoes and chopping onions and stuck in the same dingy, little, dark, hot and steamy hot dog stand.. Ronald Meyerson shows a picture from the 1950s of his grandparents Ida Kaplan and David Kaplan, the founder of Dave's Red Hots, on Sept. 2, 2021. Its the kind of place that, when someone moves out of state, Portillos makes their list as one of the places they miss most in Chicago. Their late family patriarch bought the business from the original owners 50 years ago. 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