Hot Dog!!! A Chicago Dog Comparison: Viva Chicago Dogs, Lefty's Chicago Pizzeria, and Chicago on a Bun

Now I must admit, I'm not a real big hot dog fan....though I almost always must have a Dog at the movies...well, you know, just because. Or even one from Costco, it seems that I'm just unable to avoid a good deal! But the Chicago Dog has a special place in my heart. I'm not quite sure why, but the combination of a beef dog, onions, dill pickle, Sport Peppers(yes, even the type of peppers  matter), mustard, tomato slices, and most importantly, celery salt, holds a special place in my heart. It is a bit odd..... And my introduction to the Chicago style Hot Dog was even more bizarre. After all, where does a kid from Hawaii get introduced to a Chicago Hot Dog? It was at, of all places, an Orange Julius location at Kahala Mall several decades, and some change ago. Now I have been known to grab a Chicago Dog every once in a while, but have never really documented my flirtations with the Chicago Dog until recently.

You might think that plopping a hot dog on a bun, and covering it with said ingredients is a slam dunk. But there are some subtle differences in the 3 different dogs I had. So just to jog your memory, a Chicago Dog must fulfill the following criteria; the base is a steamed poppy seed bun, the hot dog must be all beef, the most well known brand being Vienna Beef. In fact, just as you'll see those Kronos brand Gyro posters in front of Gyro shops, you'll see the large and bright Vienna Beef posters adorning the walls and counters of places selling Chicago Dogs. The Dog is topped with Yellow Mustard, Neon Green Relish, Chopped Onions, 2 Tomato Slices, A Dill Pickle Slice, 2 Whole (they must be whole) Sport Peppers, and a healthy sprinkling of Celery Salt. Usually in that order. So let's get started.

Viva Chicago Hot Dogs:

*** Update Viva Chicago Dogs has closed

Located right off Miramar Road, it was the sign for Viva Chicago that first got my latest Chicago Dog craving going. The shop itself is small, but colorful, serving everything from Hot Dogs to Burgers, to Sandwiches.

All these "Chicago" Dog places dress themselves up with memorabilia, which I guess gives them an air of authenticity and charm. The unfortunate thing is, after you've been to a couple of them, you can't help but think that this is more a calculated marketing effort, sort of a calculated "kitsch" restaurant design. At this location I went with the Jumbo Chicago Dog (poster said 1/5(!) of a pound, not 1/4, but 1/5). I heard the distinct beep of the microwave, so I'm assuming this dog was heated in the microwave. And my Jumbo Chicago Dog($4.60) was served.

So how did this dog line up? I found the dog to be on the bland and tasteless side, and it lacked the "snap" that I enjoy from a good dog. The roll was warm, but on the stale side as it kinda crumbled. The Dill Pickle was nice, mild in flavor, though it had a great texture. The amount of onions was perfect. The peppers were hard and chewy, lacking in crunch. And I thought that the dog needed more celery salt. It wasn't bad, but for nearly 5 bucks.......

Viva Chicago Hot Dogs
6780 Miramar Road
San Diego, CA 92121

Mon-Fri  10am-9pm
Sat  10am-8pm

Lefty's Chicago Pizzeria:

Yes, I know, it's a pizza place. And they serve up some pretty good pizza. But they also serve up a Chicago Dog. There are no "size" choices, it is a Chicago Dog and Fries ($4.25):

Though the dog was the standard 2 oz dog, there was a ton of hand cut fries. This dog had the best "snap" of the three that were sampled. It was put together well, the bun was warm and soft, it was "Dragged through the Garden" with everything in good proportion, except for one thing.....where's the celery salt? The fries were scalding hot when they arrived. But really got soggy quickly. Still, a nice potato flavor, and with a liberal sprinkling of Malt Vinegar, they were okay.

This was without a doubt the best "bang for the buck" deal that I had.

Lefty's Chicago Pizzeria
3448 30th St
San Diego, CA 92104

Tues-Sat 12pm-10pm
Sunday  12pm-9pm

Chicago on a Bun:

*** Update: This location of Chicago on a Bun has closed.

I've posted on Chicago on a Bun before, so if you'd like to see more "stuff" you can find the post here. I hadn't been to this location of Chicago on a Bun in a good while, and have noticed that the prices have gone up a bit. On this day I got a combo, Jumbo Chicago Dog, Homemade Chips, and a Drink ($7.80):

I've eaten here several times over the years, and expected this to be the hands-down best. And as always there was a good amount of celery salt. But on this day I was a bit disappointed overall. The dog was good, just as always, and the dill pickle hands down the best. They have an excellent poppy seed roll, but on this day it was served to me cold, not steamed and fluffy. Also, instead of the mustard residing on the top of the dog, it was smeared on the bun. You may say that it's no big deal, but the mustard made the (cold) bun go soggy and break into mushy pieces. It is already a challenge to get the perfect bite of a Chicago Dog, it's no fun when it disintegrates. As for the chips...my advice is to stay with the fries. Two simple things would have made this the hands down champ....a steamed bun, which I'm hoping is an oversight. And placing the mustard on top of the dog. Looks like I'll just have to keep returning until it's done right!

Chicago on a Bun
8935 Towne Centre Drive, Suite 109
San Diego, CA 92122

Mon-Fri 11am-8pm
Sat  11am-7pm
Sun     11am-5pm 

Have I ever had a Chicago Dog in....Chicago? Well, yes, sort of. On my last trip to Madison, I had a dog from Superdawg in Midway Airport. Like all airport outlets...it was less than stellar. Trying to convince my traveling companions that we "needed" to stop for "just a hot dog" (How dare they), was also not successful. So hopefully someday soon....

Comments

[Vicki]

Oh, you've made me homesick! What I wouldn't give for a good Chicago dog or Italian beef...

[nhbilly]

Dang dogs are pricey. If you like a snappy dog you got to try Pink's. I think the snap is awesome!

[Green Turtle]

Do the prices include fries or is it just the hot dog? That is pricey if only for the dog. If Lefty's includes fries for 4.25, that's the best deal. What's the best brand hot dog you can get at the supermarket? I generally don't like Oscar Meyer or Ball Park, but Nathan's is pretty good (around $3.50 for an 8-pack).

[Captain Jack]

This was a quite enjoyable and informative post. After we talked last week about this upcoming post, I have since consumed two dogs, one from the stand by PB Bar & Grill, and one at Cass St. Bar and Grill. Man, the power of suggestion :)

[Kirk]

Hi Vicki - A good Chicago Dog is hard to find.......I hope you get something that fills that craving!

Hi Billy - You have to remember, we lived in LA for 5 years or so, so I've been to Pink's a few times. It is a pretty good dog.

Hi GT - Haven't heard from you in a bit; I hope all is well. The Viva Chicago Dog is the most expensive - $4.60 for only the dog, albeit a Jumbo Dog...I think they have a foot-long for around $8! Chicago on a Bun's Jumbo Dog runs about $3.80, and Lefty's always comes with fries, and is the best overall deal. I usually get Hebrew National, and also like the Uncured Dogs from Trader Joe's....I steam those, and they come out pretty good.

Hi CJ - Oh man, hopefully you didn't have both dogs on the same day! How were the dogs?

[Carol]

I always get the jumbo fire dog at Chicago on a Bun! Extra relish! And I agree on sticking with the fries, the chips can be pretty bad. Too bad the bun wasn't up to par on your visit. Not a big fan of Viva Chicago Dog, tho. I like to buy Hot Links (can't remember the brand) but sometimes will buy Nathan's or Hebrew Nat'l.

[Dennis]

Hi Kirk thanks for the very informative post! I definitely need to try Lefty's and I was very curious about Viva Chicago tucked away in that strip mall..
I've noticed the red "Vienna Beef" umbrellas gone that last time I was at C-O-A-B in towncenter.. Glad to hear they still seem to be good as before! Cheers

[Cathy]

Hi everyone. Ralphs sells Private Selection Weiners in the meat section of the flat open refrigerator counters. The dogs are made with skin and sold either in a five pack or bulk pack. They are hand made and so not all quite exactly the same size.

[kat]

now that I've seen this, I need something close to it for lunch...

[Christine D.]

Eeep! Not a fan of Chicago-style dogs. The radioactive relish is freaky! But Costco-style hot dogs...wooo doggie!

[Kirk]

Hi Carol - Viva Chicago was kinda sub-par....Chicago on a Bun is usually the best....but you gotta put it together right.

Hi Dennis - The dogs are still good....not perfect though.

Hi Cathy - Thanks for the info!

Hi Kat - I can't wait to see what you find!

Hi Christine - he-he-he... yeah, it's all about whatever floats your boat...or gondola! ;o)

[liver]

fond memories of downing a double dog at Mustard's Last Stand as a pick-me-up after watching Northwestern get cremed by the other Big10 powerhouses. btw, gotta go to superdawg on devon, not the one in da airport.

[Darqrat]

Wow, what a strange combo! :) We have hardly anything like that in Australia. I am amazed by all the various tacos, burgers and hotdogs! Plus one of my american friends who lives here says we have nothing like your Dill pickles. She misses them alot! lol
As usual, I love to read your Mmm-yoso posts! Happy Eating :D

[Kirk]

Hi Liver - Yes, that's what I figured....but that was my only "shot" so I took it.

Hi Darqrat - Thanks so much for the kind words......there are an endless amount of different variations of burgers, hot dogs, pizza, BBQ.......it keeps things interesting for us. Thanks again for visiting and commenting, we appreciate it.

[jeff c]

Kirk, I love hot dogs, especially the type of dogs that you are showcasing. I never thought of these sausages as much until I had a dog at at a place at Haight Ashbury in San Francisco. Really quite a revelation in what can be done with a sausage link and a bun. I'll have to try these later.

[RONW]

oh, I get it....them dog days of summer.

[RONW]

oh, I get it....them dog days of summer.

[Kirk]

Hi Jeffrey - There's something about a Chicago Dog that I really enjoy.

Hi RONW - LOL! You are amazing.....

[Passionate Eater]

After reading that you can't pass up a Costco dog, you now hold a special place in my heart too!

[Kirk]

Hi PE - If I knew that would be all it took...I'd have done a post on it a long time ago!