If you’ve followed my blog at all over the years it will come as no surprise that food is something I really enjoy. While we were in Chicago I found 2 brand new taste treats. Thank you for your suggestions to try Garrett Popcorn.
I thought you all were a little nutty when you said the Chicago mix was your favorite. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Garrett Chicago Mix it’s a mixture of sweet and salty, their Caramel crisp and Cheese corn. It was delicious. We were going to buy some at one of their shops on Ontario off Michigan Avenue but they weren’t open when we came by so when we got to the airport I went on the hunt. I walked all the way to terminal 1 from terminal 3 before I finally spotted their small shop. I bought a small bag. On my way back to terminal 3 I noticed the Garrett shop that was way closer…yep, I walked right past it. OYE! I needed the extra exercise anyway.
This is truth in advertising right here! But now to my absolute favorite cheap Chicago taste treat…drum roll please.
The famous Chicago Dog! A Chicago-style hot dog, or Chicago Dog, is a steamed or water-simmered all-beef frankfurter on a poppy seed bun,originating from the city of Chicago, Illinois. The hot dog is topped with yellow mustard; chopped white onions; bright green sweet pickle relish; a dill pickle spear; tomato slices or wedges; pickled sport peppers; and a dash of celery salt. The complete assembly of a Chicago hot dog is said to be “dragged through the garden” due to the many toppings.
Yes folks, I am now a huge fan of this taste treat. I had my very first one at Portillo’s in Chicago when I hopped off the trolley for under $3.00.
Before we left Chicago I had another one at the airport! We had $50.00 meals in Chicago that I didn’t enjoy as much. I guess I’m more of a simple all American girl with a twist…or a little twisted.
Coach’s meat loaf stack at Ditka’s, Frog legs at Hugo’s Frog Bar (I only had one), Filet Medallions Oscar at Hugo’s Frog Bar, Bookbinder’s Soup, Chilaquiles egg dish at Eggsceteria, Mac and Cheese loaded at the Grill on the Alley. All that goodness and I’m only craving a hot dog since we came home!
Today is Saturday and Dear and I are attending a conference all day. We are still holding out for some nice weather here in the Northwest. We have dubbed this month Juneuary instead of just plain June!
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Great “foodie” review of Chicago fare!!! Love it!
Guess Chicago has many excellent treats they can call their own. These all look so delicious. I was in Chicago just for a couple of days way back many decades ago. At that time, I only knew of one: Chicago deep dish pizza. 😉
Arti, For some reason this time around in Chicago we didn’t have any pizza at all!
My mouth is watering……what an array of taste treats! That hot dog looks mighty good. It is something to remember and go back for!
Juneuary here, too! The furnace is on this morning!
I love hot dogs – but I’ve never had one loaded as much as that – it looks very interesting and goes on my “to do” list for Chicago!
Hope you get some sunshine soon!
Sweet and salty…sounds like my kind of popcorn. And the hotdog looks yummy as well. Of course it would, since I love hotdogs.
I am so glad you tried the Chicago combo of Garret’s – oh I love that stuff. And Portillo’s is a classic place to get the Chicago dog. Like stated above, it truly made my mouth water!
Before moving for my husband’s job, we lived in Chicago for 9 years, and my daughters still live there, so I get to sample these yummy items whenever I’m in town for a visit.
Thanks for the great photos!
Susan, your reader in Zurich
Susan, Glad you can still visit Chicago. Zurich must be an interesting adventure for sure. We might be going to Vienna for a conference in the fall for Dear’s company.
Zurich has been a blessing in many ways – travel and of course the opportunities for my husband’s career – Vienna is such a special place, I would go back in a heart beat! The coffee shops are so lovely. I do hope you can make the journey.
Oh I’m going to have to make my own cheddar cheese/caramel popcorn mix just to see…And perhaps I’ll have to try one of those hotdogs.
Once you’ve had a Chicago dog, making a hot fog moves to a whole new level. A hot dog without a dill pickles, tomato and celery salt is unthinkable!
ellen you always know where to find the best food … although I’d take the raw onions and pickle out of that dog real quick. =)
I smiled the whole time reading this 🙂 I will have to try the Chicago mix at Garrett’s, I’ve only eaten the caramel corn, which melts in your mouth!! So happy you loved the Chicago Hot Dog! Every summer we have a hot dog cart, on a corner in St. Joseph, that makes these style dogs… I like them better than Pink’s! (But I’ve never had one IN Chicago, funny, huh)
Wow, you have really had a great time in Chicago! We have some friends that went a few years ago.They said we should go…I think they were right! 🙂
My youngest has always enjoyed his hotdogs with a full slice of dill pickle on it. The other day someone called it a Chicago dog. I never knew! Maybe it’s his Grandma’s Chicago roots showing through! I on the other hand would take the popcorn mix instead. That is my foodie love–all things popcorn.