Chicago-style Dogs

Maybe it was our excitement about a trip we're planning to Chicago, (to see my all-time favorite person in the entire world, Mr. Conan O'Brien), that prompted Jared and I to make Chicago-style hot dogs last weekend.

Or maybe it was the new approach to our diet we're trying to adhere to: in short, during the week we eat like vegans until 6pm (inspired by author/food writer, Mark Bittman).  It's been quite an adjustment so we've given ourselves permission to "cheat" i.e. eat whatever we want on the weekends.

Then again, maybe it was that recent conversation I had with a friend at work, the one in which I waxed poetic about the exquisitely delicious encased meats of Chicago's "Hot Doug's".

Last year, my mom and I waited patiently in a forever long line at Hot Doug's.  It was a sunny Thursday afternoon in September and the cult following that I had heard about was quite apparent.  The line had already formed when the doors opened at 10:30am.  The food, a couple of hot dogs and some fries, was totally, 100% worth the wait.  I can't wait to go back when Jared and I visit Chicago this May. 

 I thought it was pretty cool that "Hot Doug" himself took our order at the counter.

Who really cares why we decided to throw together some Chicago-style dogs?  Fact is, we went for it, and it paid off.