Superdawg

My brother can confirm this, but I think we made it one time in about 23 minutes. From Elk Grove Village and back. Including placing the order and getting our food. It seemed like an important thing to do back then. Getting there and making it back as quickly as possible. I mean, it's not like we had anyplace to be, really. There were times when we just leisurely drove there, and then ate our food in the car. We were not in a hurry like the occasions where we timed ourselves. We may have even gone back for seconds or thirds those days. We were young and could eat like that.

My favorite was the green tomato. Each Superdawg is (or maybe was because I have not been there in years) boxed with the hot dog, crinkle cut french fries, and a green tomato wedge. Vlassic puts out a jar of green tomatoes, but Superdawg's are better. Maybe it's because they are situated next to the hot fries and dog, and they get steamed in the box. Whatever the reason, there's no imitation for it.

The place also isn't stuffy like Jean & Jude's. I've never actually eaten there, but I've heard that they don't serve ketchup. I'm a snob myself when it comes to hot dogs. Unless you're a child, you should never, and I mean NEVER put ketchup on a hot dog. But that doesn't mean ketchup does not have a purpose. It does. It's a perfect condiment for fries. Jean and Jude's doesn't care about that, so they don't offer it. Just because it makes sense to order a hot dog with mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, a pickle, sport peppers, sauerkraut, and celery salt, doesn't mean I need to insist that others do the same. When I worked at Wiener Take All and Frato's, I served people hot dogs with ketchup. It was their palate I couldn't turn them away. Superdawg offers ketchup for their fries. I like that about them.

I've never had anything else there but their hot dog. My brother, and our friend, Dave Silvestri (do you know him? If you do, tell him to call me), tried their Whoopskidawg a couple of times. I think they did that only because they liked to say, "Whoopskidawg." It wasn't an every time thing; just when they were feeling giddy and wanted to say the word. It's fun. You should try and say it: Whoopskidawg.

They opened a SuperDawg in Midway Airport. I fly out of Midway a lot, but I've never eaten there. I honestly believe that the only place to enjoy a Superdawg is at Superdawg itself. It's on Milwaukee Avenue and Devon. Just as you pass through Norridge. If you've never seen the place, you have to go. I'm a big fan of the store mascot, Superdawg. He proudly stands on the roof of the establishment, next to the Lois Lane of hot dogs (I wonder if she has a name). Just like I thought people lived in the Thillen's Ball Bark baseball, I assumed that Superdawg and friend could talk. I was actually disappointed when I realized they couldn't. It didn't stop me from loving the place, but I was sad.

I understand they are going to be building another somewhere. I'm not sure if that is true, but I thought I heard that. If they do decide to build another, even if it's situated two blocks from my house, nothing beats the thrill of driving with your brother at warp speed, trying to beat a self proclaimed record.

It might be a stupid feat, but nothing beats it.