Everyone has their food vices, and mine — at least ever since I became a Chicagoan — is definitely the classic hot dog. My hubby reintroduced me to my childhood favorite a couple of years ago at Portillo's, and ever since, when it's a a dash of edible sin I'm looking for, it's straight to the nitrates I head. I just got a new spot to indulge my love of hot dogs with the opening of Lincoln Park's Hotdogeria (711 W. Armitage Ave., 773-639-2976). According to the menu, the spot will serve "Hot Dogs of the Americas," including the classic Chicago dog, with mustard, relish, onion, tomato, pickle, peppers, and celery salt, along with creations inspired by Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and more. For the truly adventurous, the Canada, served with mayo, mustard, maple syrup, onion, cheddar cheese, and chives certainly sounds like an interesting option. Leave me a comment if you've tried Hotdogeria, and

  1. Portillo's (100 W. Ontario St., 312-587-8910) is where I rediscovered my love of hot dogs, and the classic version served here — complete with that satisfying casing snap when you bite in — remains one of my favorites. And, yes, I like mine with ketchup.
  2. Hot Doug's (3324 N. California Ave., 773-279-9550): Nary a cable food show can make a stop in Chicago without featuring the gourmet dog stand, where customers are willing to wait more than an hour for creations named after Elvis, Salma Hayek (super hot), and more. The duck-fat fries aren't too bad, either.
  3. Superdawg (6363 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-763-0660) not only has two giant cartoon wiener people on the roof of its drive-in hot dog stand, it also serves up one of the best franks in town. The pure-beef Chicago-style dog comes on a poppy seed bun with a side of crinkle-cut Superfries.
  4. I'll admit, I've never been to The Wiener Circle (622 N. Clark St., 773-477-7444) without having consumed a few cocktails beforehand, but between the cheese fries, classic Chicago dogs, and verbally abusive workers, it's a city experience worth having.

Source: Thinkstock