Brooklyn-made Chicago-style Veggie Dogs
This is less of a recipe and more a tale of food algebra and perfectionism.
Follow along:
Summer = BBQs
BBQs = Hot Dogs
I hail from Chicagoland and in Chicagoland, Hot Dogs = Chicago-style Hot Dogs
Since I’m vegetarian, Hot Dogs = Veggie Dogs
∴ since it’s summer, I want a Chicago-style veggie dog.
Or something like that!
The Chicago-style Hot Dog differs from pretty much every other kind of dog in that it is very, very specific in regards to toppings and topping order. For instance, unless you want to be kicked in the behind by a crazed Bear’s fan, you DO NOT put ketchup on your Chicago-style Hot Dog. If you need more Chicago-style info, this fantastic site hotdogchicagostyle.com will set you straight.
What I’ve learned in this endeavor is that three very important Chicago-style ingredients are all but unavailable in New York City. After hunting two Boroughs, four neighborhoods and nine different stores, the Li’l Sis and I were unable to procure poppy-seed buns, sport peppers, and ultra-green sweet relish. (Vanessa’s note: I’m thankful that no neon-green relish is for sale in my borough.)
So what I’ve invented here is something I like to call: The Brooklyn-Made Chicago-style Veggie Dog. Probably culinary blasphemy to many, many people, but I’d just like to think of myself as a veggie pioneer.
Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 2 - 3
The Brooklyn-Made Chicago-style Veggie Dog
1 pack of veggie dogs - there are usually 5
1 pack of white hot dog buns (supposed to be poppy seed buns, but I was unable to find these in Brooklyn)
bottle of yellow mustard
jar of sweet relish (I was unable to find the ultra-green sweet relish that is usually served on a Chicago-style, which is fine by me)
1 small onion, chopped
2 tomatoes, cut into 1″ thick wedges
dill pickle spears (the Li’l Sis recommends Claussens)
jar of sliced jalapenos (I dare you to find “sport peppers” in NYC. And you can use these jalapenos for many yummy dishes)
celery salt (not optional)
Cook your veggie dog your favorite way and place on a room temp bun (only steam your bun if you have a bun steamer, which is bit excessive for a Brooklyn apartment.)
Starting with the mustard, squirt it on the entire dog in a zigzag pattern. Add relish to the entire length of the dog, tucked near one side of the bun. Sprinkle with chopped onions. Add two tomato wedges on one side of the dog between the dog and the bun. Add a pickle spear on the other side of the dog between the dog and the bun. Place a few jalapeno slices according to your heat preference. Sprinkle lightly all over with celery salt.
August 1st, 2007 23:00
Vanessa,
Do you have a favorite veggie hot dog? So far, the ones I’ve tried have been… um… uh… bad. Yeah, that’s the word. A friend has recommended “Leanies,” but I haven’t tried them yet.
I do know one thing, any brand that comes in a can is vile. I think my daughter said one of them was “vomitrocious.”
August 2nd, 2007 23:26
I love chicago-style dogs and love your sister’s food styling!
August 3rd, 2007 09:36
ha3rvey - I usually use Smart Dogs. I don’t love them on their own, but with some fun toppings and other picnic fare they taste like summer to me
Ha! That’s a great reminder not to eat faux meat out of a can.
Thanks Bazu! The Li’l slices and dices things so nice and neat it never ceases to amaze me that we’re related.
August 4th, 2007 00:47
I tried my first “chicago dog”, or as close as my friend could get it, during the super bowl and they were so good! I love your food algebra! I swear, alegbra is the only useful math I learned! haha.
August 4th, 2007 12:15
Yum! My fave veggie dogs are the Good Dogs. I don’t know if they taste authentic since I can’t remember what a real hot dog tastes like, but they’re fab. I have one left and most of those ingredients in my fridge.
Looks like it’s time for an Atlanta Chicago-style veggie dog.
August 5th, 2007 15:41
I don’t think I’ve ever had a chicago-style dog, despite hailing from Chicago myself (possibly due to hating mustard and tomatoes when I was little, and later on, the hot dogs themselves.)
But the thing is: there’s such thing as hot dog buns WITHOUT poppy seeds? I guess I always assumed they were going to be there…
August 9th, 2007 00:13
Go for the gold, Li’l Sis!
August 27th, 2007 16:47
My kids love Leanies and will eat no other veggie dog. They are firmer then most other veggie dogs and have more flavor. Yum, really good cut up in white cheddar shells and cheese, too!