Well I was going to high recommend Taste of Chicago and More in Mt. Dora! Unfortunately I see they closed in July 2014 due to health reasons :( They made true Chicago style dogs and Italian Beef!!! :( I have heard of another place but have to research again it's not close though. Still no Chicago dog I have had even the much touted Portillos can ever compare to the ones we got as kids from the hot dog cart vendors that would be around the parks and some neighborhoods. They were the absolute best and if it's not on a steamed poppy seed bun it just ain't a Chicago dog ;)

You got it!!!

Portillo's offers an outstanding beef sandwich, be it topped with their Italian-style sautéed green peppers or Marconi brand Hot Giardiniera. (my preference)

We have the beef sandwich fixings shipped to us a few times a year, just for a special treat.

I tried a Portillo's hot dog once- it just did not 'do it' for me.

I think there should be a Hot Dog cook off.

First prize gets a nice trophy that looks like a hot dog.

Contestants need to bring a gallon of the fixins.
People would buy the hot dog and bun from a vendor. The contestants would tell the vendor what brand of hot dog to buy.

The judges [and anyone can be a judge] would buy the hot dog and bun and walk up to the contestants stand where the contestant would put on the sauce. I would cut the hot dog in 3 pieces and get 2 hot dogs. No charge for the sauce. Judges get one vote for each category.

There would be 2 categories:
Traditional----for example Chicago Style
Free Style----the contestant creates their own recipe

That would be fun. I don't know what I want to be more;
a contestant or a judge.

Thanks for the kind words, Laurie :)

A sport pepper is a small, dark green hot pepper, rather like a green Tobasco pepper.
Comes in a jar- La Preferida is one brand you may find locally.

Marconi is the brand I would always buy, they were packed in Chicago.
The jar will be labeled Sport Peppers.

Not everyone loves them, as a little bite goes a long way!

Especially Willie's Weenie Wagon on Western Ave in Blue Island!

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My husband is a native of Long Island and lived in Chicago for 40 years. He likes Chicago-style dogs a lot, but he still LOVES his Sabrette's hotdogs- with red onion sauce.

Bless his heart :)

Chuck, did you ever get to chatting with Willie????

Willie put 3 kids through medical school with that weenie wagon stand. Singlehandedly, to boot. How cool is that!
He never knew it, but he was one of the inspirations I held in mind when choosing to becoming a small business owner.

Agree Portillo's doesn't do it for me either! Italian Beef , I wish I could the Hot Giardiniera but alas not anymore have to go with mild :( These days I make my own Italian Beef (not as good as back home) but does in a pinch. Publix sells in their Deli on occasion Italian Roast Beef. I buy it sliced nice and thin and make my own Italian au jus for it and add sautéed peppers. As a matter of fact it's on sale this week so going to get a few pounds. I make it and then freeze it for later. Makes one heck of sandwich.
Your hot dog recipes are spot on! The 1st one though is the way I remember them from the guys pushing the hot dog carts around, they also offered tomatoes. Back then 25 cents for a great hotdog!
Publix I bet would get your Giardiniera and sport peppers if you asked!

We were born and raised in Chicago, but haven't lived there in many years. We look all over for Chicago style hot hogs made by Vienna. Steak N' Shake has a Chicago style dog, but no poppy seed bun or Vienna brand. Sonic also serves a Chicago style dog, but again no Vienna brand. Have fun finding your favorite substitute.

I saw in The Daily Sun, Sidewalk Cafe offers Vienna Hot dogs, with poppy seed buns..The hot dog of Chicago!