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The dealbreaker is the aioli. Nothing remotely mayo based anywhere near my burger.

I just want to know when you're taking me there, neighbor. I am rather fond of burgers, english muffins, and anything fried in duck fat.

It doesn't look that bad but I wouldn't pay 14 bucks for it.

The Bowery in LA also serves a burger on toasted muffin. The problem is it's always a bit over-toasted, hence always ask for it LIGHTLY toasted for the perfect texture/absorbency...

Ditto on the misuse of "hoi polloi." Somebody needs an editor.

The Chicago dog at Hot Doug's is all right, but the superior products are the various "specialty dogs" and the duck fat fries. The first time DH and I went, we had a Chicago style dog as a control and then proceeded to accompany it with a Greek dog (seasoned lamb sausage topped with feta, tapenade and skordalia), an Italian dog (chicken sausage with pesto and sun dried tomatoes topped with burrata and marinara), and the wild game of the day (I believe it was rattlesnake), along with a large order of duck fat fries. I do not believe any silverware was used in the eating process, other than maybe a spork to scrape some tapenade that got away out of the fries.

Based upon the above highly unscientific sample, I am of the view that anyone who cannot find at least one sausage product to rave about at Hot Doug's clearly needs to have their taste buds checked for proper functioning.

What's juvenile about a hot dog stand? Bolted swivel seats? Has this guy ever been to a diner?

If he cut his hot dog with a knife and a fork, he deserved to have it fall apart on him.

Chicago dogs take a while to stick, especially if you grew up on NY style or - gasp - Ball Park franks with ketchup and mustard. I think a lot of the disparaging between NYC and Chicago result from the "my __ is better than your ___" syndrome more than a true thought about each styles' merits. Besides, who wouldn't get sick of dogs after eating 12 in one day?

That said, I love Chicago dogs, though my first one didn't convince me of that fact. Still, they were strange enough that I kept coming back, and now they seem to be the perfect combination for this part of the country. Still, my first stop in NYC is usually a hot dog cart for some mustardy and oniony delights. Listen to Rodney: "can't we all just get along?" Hot dog lovers unite!

I've never had a Chicago dog fall apart on me. Never. Just because some GQ poseur doesn't know how to eat a hot dog doesn't mean it is some kind of feat.

I must chime in here. I live in NYC and ALWAYS prefer the hot dog with skin, grilled, tons of mustard and kraut, maybe some grilled onions, preferably in a top split bun (bun preference acquired while living in new england - it really is far superior, believe it or not).

Except in one instance: Michaels hot dogs in Highwood, IL. It is a fantastic, chicago style dog. Order the 'char dog, chicago style'. They 'char' it on a grill, which means they use high heat to give it a crust that imparts great carmelization and flavor (presumably from the millions of dogs that come before yours). I think it is a skin on dog, and they top it with good pickles (I always ask for extra on the side) and great sport peppers (extra on the side, please). I love the poppy seed bun (I wanna say top split, but cant gurantee it). No neon relish, no mealy tomato. Make sure you get cheese fries to go with it. Their cheese is melty and extremely tasty. Expecting nacho cheese I was floored the first time I tried it. It is 9AM and I wish i was there right now. It is always my first stop when visiting my gf family in the northern burbs of chicago land.

I have had other dogs in chicago, and did not like them. If you are in chicago and have a car and an afternoon, make the trip. It might even be worth taking the commuter train out there. It stops pretty close I think. If it is worth me spending my saturday going to redhook from uptown manhattan (and it certainly is, I do it), it is worth going to highwood from lincoln park or the gold coast.

If you want to make a full day of it, go to Buffos for an italian beef and/or their thin crust cheese pizza (and more cheese fries - I eat cheese fries everyday in chicago, but never in NYC). It is a mom and pop spot that is great. They were written up in Bon Appetite a few years back

I've got to agree that Richman is onto something here, and is hitting a nerve, since I've felt the same way several times about various Chicago dogs. I love a good Chicago dog, but I've also been frustrated that way too many times instead of a good tasty combination of ingredients, I've been handed a messy, hastily-assembled conglomeration.

For every good Chicago dog I've had (which include such oddly different parts of the market as Hot Doug's and one of the older ladies at O'hare, who lovingly lines up the peppers and condiments), I've had two or three sloppy dogs that are wildly unbalanced with the toppings, and constructed so poorly that the only thing holding them together is the container. I wanted a hot dog, dammit, not a garbage plate made with hot dog ingredients!

But ... but ... how could he? Misterhee--perfect description and great add on the S. Rosen's bun. Chicago dogs are best when they come from the nondescript corner place, two wrapped in paper and stuffed in a bag with greasy, thin-cut fries.