Barrel-aged beers in Chicago?

Oh and if you want to try both styles of hot dogs, there is a Portillo's a few blocks away from Jim's as well. You can do a side by side comparison of a Maxwell St style hot dog and a original Chicago style hot dog. LOL!

 

Italian beef is arguably as authentic as the Chicago Dog and Deep Dish. Matter of fact I believe Italian beef is the only one of those that has a tv show that revolves around it. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bear_(TV_series). Maybe try one of each or share with the fam.

I stopped eating hot dogs 5+ years ago so my 2 cents doesn’t matter. I just suspect like pizza and burger places you will be lucky to get 3 people on this thread to agree on what is the best place as there are many good options. It’s hard to make a bad Chicago dog- even the little stands in Home Depot make a decent dog.

I don’t know that Binnys LP is that much different than other Binnys these days. Depending on your route you may look at Binnys South Loop which is close to 90/94 if you are coming from the East or Binnys on West Irving which will be closer to beer temple allowing you to hit beer temple and a Binnys.

 

I believe the current mask policy is only
for Bears fans and needs to be at least an N95 paper bag with no more than 2 eye holes.

 

Red hot ranch for dogs and very underrated burgers

 

1. FYI, it's Soldier Field. No trailing "s" on "Soldier". Even if they did put a dumb toilet bowl on top of it (look at photos online).
2. If you're staying in Elgin, scope out on Google Maps how long it's going to take you to drive in and to the places you're going. Even Saturday morning traffic, starting about mid-morning, can be hideous.
3. +1 for having an Italian beef instead of a hot dog. Or, if you want to do both, the previously mentioned Portillo's would be your best one-stop experience. However, for the BEST Italian beef, go to Johnnie's Beef, https://www.facebook.com/Johnnies-Beef-169537026394157/ Having said that, this location, in Elmwood Park, would be out of your way. Fortunately they have another location in Arlington Heights, not far off of I-90, on your way back to Elgin, https://www.facebook.com/Johnnies-Beef-169537026394157/ It would be best to read up on Italian beef vernacular, at https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/march-2019/suburbs-guide/johnnies-beef-elmwood-park/ and https://thetakeout.com/how-to-order-an-italian-beef-in-chicago-1845889364

No, I'm not kidding. And, this is something you do not want to eat in your car.

 

NP. It's a very common mistake. Though, TV reporters from other parts of the country, who land jobs in Chicago quickly learn. VERY quickly.

 

I haven't read through this entire thread so I apologize if this is redundant but pipeworks and revolution are both distro'd to Minnesota now. I moved from Minnesota a couple weeks ago but I saw deths tar, straight jacket and various variants, lizard king, tons of 3Founteinen at total wine in the twin cities metro in late July.

Of course if you live outside the metro you might be out of luck.

 

Mentioning Johnnie's tells me you are a connoisseur of beefs. There isn't better. And you can take that to the bank!

 

@tennisjoel you should take your teenagers to The Wiener's Circle for hotdogs and a chocolate shake.

 

Make sure you bring a $20 bill for the chocolate shake.

 

Given that Portillos is now a chain in Indiana, Illinois, Arizona and California I am hesitant to recommend them as a Chicago to do.

 

Looks like everyone has answered your questions, but I need to know. Did you pull a list of top rated Chicago beers from 2016 for the list in your initial post?

 

Unless you're planning on a meal...Taproom > Brewpub. Also easier parking.