Hot Doug’s Revenge

August 25th, 2009Blog0 comments

We went back to Hot Doug’s, the landmark Chicago hot doggery where dreams are encased in sausage form and devoured by a hungry and happy clientele. The line came out the restaurant and around the block. We waited 45 minutes to get in, which was exactly like waiting for a ride at Disneyland: It feels like forever, but you forget all about it once you strap yourself in.

The foie gras hot dog.

I ate a foie gras hot dog. I went into this thinking it was a joke — “ha ha, it’s a foie gras hot dog!” — but let me tell you, my friends: This thing is no joke. It was one of the best hot dogs I’ve ever eaten, perhaps the best. Easily the most decadent.

A sausage made from duck and foie gras. Truffle aioli. And a slathering of foie gras on top. This hot dog was actually banned in Chicago during a short lived city-wide foie gras ban, but Hot Doug’s courageously went on serving it anyway. It is a hot dog that sticks it to The Man — a hot dog for rebels.

It was so, so, sooo very good. It cost $9, but I felt like the restaurant had gotten the short end of the stick. I would’ve easily paid twice as much for this thing.

So I ate three hot dogs: A plain Chicago style dog just to set my palate. It was good, crisp, fresh, nice. Then I split a Paul Kelly (Bratwurst soaked in beer) and a Marty Allen (beef, pork, garlic) with Tim — just to see what all the fuss was about with the specialty dogs. I’ll tell you this: It’s all about the sausage. The sausage is what makes it.

Then the best for last: The foie gras dog. It was amazingly good — creamy foie gras paired with the best parts about eating duck. Salty, a little tangy, but no greasiness. Just a really nice, decadent treat. Oh, plus cheese fries.

You’re all right, Chicago. You’re all right.