Barrel-aged beers in Chicago?

I was mostly joking, but yeah, taking 15 and 17 year old boys there to order would be epic if they didn't know what was coming.

 

Man, this place is heaven. Smash burgers are hard to beat and dogs / po-boys are awesome too. Man, they used to have a "sausage sandwich" that was equivalent to a McRib a few years back. I'm so bummed they took it off the menu.

 

For the best Chicago hot dog experience given your route, I recommend Superdawg coming into the city.

They have 50s classic style drive service, open at 11 AM. I think the kids may appreciate it and the food is excellent. You can also bring it across the street to the Forest Preserve with picnic tables if you don't want to eat via carhop drive in service.

You can also bring your food in to either the Revolution Brewery or The Beer Temple.

The Beer Temple is right by the expressway. Their drink fresh beer is stored in a huge (converted walk in safe) refrigerated room. Beer Temple has parking off of Belmont behind the store, and Elston parking should be easy as well. They have a large bar area that extends back, you should be able to grab a table no problem for a pint or two, as their draft list is excellent.

Game plan (West to East)

• Superdawg (Nagel Exit)
• Revolution (Addison Exit, right on Kedzie)
• Beer Temple (Two blocks south on Kedzie, turn left on Belmont, four blocks East)
• Off Color, Goose Island Clybourn & Binny's LP are within a few blocks, park at Binny's or Off Color (four blocks east down Belmont, head down Clybourn)
• LSD to Dan Ryan to Skyway to Ohio

 

You can compare To Go lists on the Rev site.
Brewpub -> https://revbrew.com/visit/brewpub#tap-list
Taproom -> https://revbrew.com/visit/brewery/tap-room-dl

 

All this talk of hot dog vs italian beef and no one's gonna mention the combo? An Italian beef sandwich with an Italian sausage nestled in the center, an artery clogging treat.

 

Excuse me sir, you forgot your sweet peppers and hot giardineria with that combo. We'll let is slide this time...

 

I'm too cheap for all that. I'll take it home and get those out of my fridge.

 

This may seem odd, but Home Depot, which is close to Revolution has very good hotdogs! They also have maxwell st Polish. Way better than Portillos for the price. Whatever you order get try it with giardiniera instead of hot peppers. Then you can hop on over to Maplewood Brewery, and Beer Temple.

 

Also an acceptable approach. Carry on.

 

Here's the full story behind Fixin' Franks, https://www.chicagotribune.com/dini...0210614-r262j4cbqjbh3ia3ecoafpsomq-story.html TBH, I've never had them, but several people I know, whose culinary tastes I trust, say that they're quite good.

Ahh crud! That Chicago Tribune article is behind a paywall. Sorry about that. Here's another link https://thetakeout.com/home-depot-hot-dogs-in-chicago-locations-1847101302 Bottom line, the stands are run by a company called Fixin' Franks, and independent company. I'm sure they pay rent to Home Depot, but you're supporting the small guy when you buy those dogs.

 

Here's an archive link to get behind the Trib's paywall. https://archive.ph/KZV9d

 

Italian beef: in burbs don’t snooze on Buona. We dig. Combo, peppers, cheese, wet (dipped)

Hot dogs: lotsa options but, for my money, I go straight to the Maxwell St Polish at Portillos. Sautéed onions, yellow mustard.

Elgin: have had a sh** ton of beers at Plank Road Tap Room. Exceptional joint. (Macianos, our fav Chi pizza, very near. Also
Extra Value wine & spirits by Macianos. Always seems to have good, rando FFF beers)

Bears! Hawks! Sox! Bulls!

 

I feel obligated to comment at this point...

1) Gene & Jude's is the best, but strictly speaking it's not a Chicago style dog. They only do relish, onion, mustard and sport pepper. Yes, I realize it's a "depression dog", which is also a Chicago thing. I'm just being pedantic.

2) I've lived a couple miles from Johnnie's most of my life and never quite got the hype. It's good, just not mind-blowing and the fries are meh. Get the combo, ask for it juicy if you're going to do it.

3) Big fan of a true polish and it's hard to go wrong with where to get it.

 

The truth is... there are a LOT of places out there to get a fantastic Chicago style dog, and it would be pretty hard to go wrong with any of them.

Maxwell's for the true Maxwell Street Polish. Portillo's does it well, though.

Beef you can do Johnnie's, Al's, or even Portillo's or Buona. All are good, IMO. And another poster was right. If it were me doing it once on a visit, I'd definitely go for the combo beef/italian sausage.

 

This guy’s gonna be blacked-out in the back seat from a Chicago fueled food and beer orgy while his teenage sons try and find their way to Elgin. Love it…

 

Remember, just about every teenager has a cell phone, with a GPS app. It'll all work out okay. unless Dad shows the Ferris Bueller's Day Off before they get here. And they try to recreate it.