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PrintSerious Sandwiches: Hot Doug’s Citrus Burgundy Pork Sausage
When people find out I’m a food writer, they always ask me what my favorite restaurant is. I always respond that answering the question is like asking me who my favorite child is. I usually ask them what kind of food they’re looking for and give them a top three list of options for that particular cuisine.
Truth is, though, if some hungry felon held me up at gunpoint and needed to know my top five favorite spots, Hot Doug’s: The Sausage Superstore would absolutely make the list.
Owner Doug Sohn, a culinary school grad, brings his chops to bear on the humble hot dog. He serves the best Chicago style salad dog in the city. But, it’s not the basic dog I come for. It’s the duck fat fried French fries glistening with sea salt and the custom sausages with ridiculous luxury ingredients.
Some of the dogs are named after celebrities like Salma Hayek (hot andouille sausage) or the Elvis (The Elvis - Polish Sausage: “Smoked and savory - just like the King”).
Sohn waved his foie gras dog at city health inspectors and was the first duck liver scofflaw to get fined in Chicago.
Yesterday, I discovered one of my favorite combos yet. Citrus burgundy pork sausage, topped with truffle mustard and blue cheese drizzled with honey. It was slightly gamey with a winey streak and a lip smacking orangey tang that cuts through fatty creamy stinky blue cheese tempered by the sweet kiss of honey. Finding better dressed charcuterie in Europe would be tough.
HOT DOUG'S
3324 North California, Chicago, IL 60618 (map)
773-279-9550
About the author: Michael Nagrant writes for Serious Eats from Chicago, where he also publishes Hungry magazine. Michael never met an organ meat he didn't like. He hopes to meet many more.
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3 Comments:
Living 2,000 miles away from Chicago, I've managed only one visit to Hot Doug's so far, but I was deeply impressed, not only with the very tasty grub but with the concept too. A brilliant blend of the foodish and the democratic: The standard Chicago dogs, at standard low prices (though with better-than-average fries), are always on the menu, but if you're in the mood to splurge a little you can get into the fancier stuff instead. A restaurant that's not only satisfying but admirable as well.
Barry Foy at 12:06PM on 03/21/08
Hot Doug's is an excellent reason to visit Chicago. We live in St Paul so it's about an hour flight. We go to Chicago for 2 reasons: Frontera Grill and Hot Doug's. Both places are very comfortable and remarkably reasonable for the atmosphere and food. Doug seems like a neat guy and the staff at Frontera make you feel like you are a regular.
chazmo at 12:17PM on 03/21/08
Oh, heck yeah! Hot Doug's ("The Sausage Superstore and Encased Meat Emporium" - you missed that last part, Michael :-) is one of the first places I like to take an out-of-towner to show off some of the unique Chicago eateries. Yes, they close at 4 PM, and it's cash only ("Just cash, my friend"), and on most days there's a line out the door. And it's totally worth it. My favorite there so far has been the cognac-infused smoked pheasant sausage with truffle sauce moutarde and foie gras "butter". Delicious!
DuncanHusky at 12:14PM on 03/22/08