"The Depression Dog is a unique Chicago treat full of history and terrific for anyone who doesn't want a salad-topped hot dog." Past Weeks' Dogs Papaya Dog24-Hour DogSlaw DogPuka DogThe Philly ComboTijuana Dogs When we think of a Chicago hot dog, we normally think of the classic dragged-through-the-garden jumbo dog piled high with various vegetables and neon green relish on a poppy seed bun. But a few old-school hot dog stands still serve what may very well be the original Chicago dog, what some refer to as the "Minimalist" or "Depression Dog." A Depression Dog features a regular-sized (eight per pound) natural casing all-beef frank instead of the jumbo (six per pound) dogs that often come on a standard Chicago...
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Note: This post marks the debut of Nick Kindelsperger's Standing Room Only series, in which the author visits Chicago's best seatless eateries. Have at it, Nick. "The best seat is probably in your own car." Why start the column at Jimmy's Red Hots on the West side of Chicago? I asked myself the same question as I stood in the jumbled joint gazing out at the rush of tangled traffic at Grand Avenue and Pulaski, some eight miles from the Loop. Joint might be the polite term. Jimmy's Red Hots sits on the front part of a large and poorly paved parking lot, its facade full of faded signs, including one with what looks an awful lot like a bullet...
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