The Celt's whipped the Bulls over the weekend, so no one wants to hear me wax poetic about Chicago. But I need to get warmed up.
In Chicago it's no longer all about the deep-dish. In fact besides Gino's East, it was downright hard to find a thick pie w/o a Garmin in the Windy. Seems the slimmed down crust has jumped from runway to pie-way fashion. We tried to get into Piece in Wicker Park and the wait was a mere two hours. The search was abandoned when a bartender told me about the Chicago dog. "First of all it's all beef," (Vienna style) "sprinkled with celery salt, mustard, pickles, hots and no ketchup." That last part was key. Instead of ketchup, fresh slices of tomatoes (officially three) are laid on the pup. This makes for a sub experience and the peppers bring some zing. We scored ours at Gold Coast Dogs in the Loop where poppy seed buns make the street food taste a tad more special. Frankly it was the best dog I've experienced since Gray's Papaya in NYC. Had me swooning for Bad Dawgs and Elliots, or some kind of facsimile in the DTL. That hot dog guy should be opening his cart on Central Street soon, right? Sometimes there's nothing like a recession-proof pup to get you feeling frisky. Popcorn's a big Chi-town treat now too. Several places hawk buttery, cheesy, caramel-y kernels that Chicagoans line the block for as a mid-day treat. Got me thinking What gastro grub is the LA known for? Cotes Beans and ...? Surely we have hometown treats to make us proud. I'd love to hear your favorites.
in a previous life, i wrote an article that was somehow overlooked by the National Magazine Awards committee, surveying hot dog shops in the merrimack valley. the biggest revelation during the course of my extensive research was the massive disappointment of elliot's. i'd always heard good things, but what a bust. perhaps when ed mcmahon roamed these streets, those hot dogs were something else. however, when i visited, the once delicious fare tasted pretty ordinary, at best - an apt reflection of the run-down neighborhood that surrounded them.
because it was a chain, i didn't include bad dawgs. but i thought they were pretty mediocre, too.
the best hot dogs, by far, are at lawton's in lawrence. i would push an old lady into a canal for one of them.
i can't offer anything for lowell treats, as there's nothing unique to the area that i specifically crave. but that being said, i do look forward to eating a grilled banana that the booth with the longest line always sells at folk fest. yes, please.
Posted by Lucy the Dog | May 4, 2009 2:13 PM
Posted on May 4, 2009 14:13
Lucy, couldn't agree with you more! There are two Lowell treats I look forward to all year long, Lumpia (egg/spring roll) and Turon (fried banana roll -actually a ripe plantain) from the Filipino food stand...I'm droolin' just thinking about it. Every year someone asks me if the line is really worth the wait, and I say ABSOLUTELY...then show them the extra tupperware I've brought along.
Let the countdown begin: 81 days 'til Folk Fest!
Posted by Ruby | May 4, 2009 3:53 PM
Posted on May 4, 2009 15:53
I love the hot dog guy on central street. He does home depot on route 38 as well. I think his sausage subs are what he's known for not the hot dogs. As far as Bad Dawgs, well that's what they had there, bad dawgs, and that's why they're gone. Try Lawton's in Lawrence. I know it's far but great hot dogs
Posted by the midnight gobbler | May 5, 2009 9:40 AM
Posted on May 5, 2009 09:40
Lawtons? Is that the shack on the bridge? Does look authentic, Ill have to take a trip. Sad that we don't have anymore culinary attractions here. Olympos fat boys and powdered cookies must be the next best.
Posted by GG | May 5, 2009 10:35 AM
Posted on May 5, 2009 10:35
the shack on the bridge is the one. it hangs right over a canal there, and it's quite authentic indeed. though i think they're trying to relocate to a presumably less authentic venue. those hot dogs are so delish. it's been too long.
Posted by Lucy the Dog | May 5, 2009 12:04 PM
Posted on May 5, 2009 12:04
Gobbler, From the hot dog guy on Central St, I totally go for the grilled chicken sub with honey BBQ sauce. So tasty!!
Posted by Liz S | May 6, 2009 1:29 AM
Posted on May 6, 2009 01:29