DOG DAYS

ENJOY CHICAGO-STYLE HOT DOGS AT THESE 6 SPOTS CLOSER TO HOME

By Vicki Martinka Petersen Photos provided by Koconuts Shave Ice and Salerno’s Red Hots

Whether you're a traditional diner or break etiquette by topping yours with ketchup only, hot dogs are just as synonymous with Chicago cuisine as its deep dish pizza. The good news is you don’t need to travel to the Windy City to get your fix. Here’s a look at just some of the best hot dog joints in northern Illinois.

DUPAGE

¢ COZZI CORNER 1202 75th St., Downers Grove www.cozzicorner.com

For more than 30 years, this familyowned and -operated hot dog stand has been serving up Chicago-style hot dogs. Cozzi Corner’s hot dogs come topped with mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes and pickles. You can add peppers, celery salt and ketchup upon request. For the ultimate hot dog stand experience, there’s the Super Dog — a hot dog nestled between a sliced tamale and topped with chili and melted cheese. Whatever style you choose, you can pair it with classic sides including fries, cheese fries, onion rings or mozzarella sticks.

DUPAGE & KANE

¢ FRANKY’S RED HOTS www.frankysredhots.com 1250 W. Lake St., Addison 2526 E. Main St., St. Charles

This family-owned business has prided itself in providing the best food and service to its customers for over two decades. When you stop by, be sure to try the Everyday Special: two hot dogs, fries and a large drink for $8.50. These dogs are served with mustard, relish, onions, pickles and tomatoes with hot peppers upon request. Or get your hot dog topped with chili or cheese. Other offerings include a regular or foot-long Polish sausage, grilled brat and Italian sausage.

KENDALL

¢ SALERNO’S RED

HOTS

197 E. Veterans Parkway, Yorkville www.salernosredhots.com

Self-dubbed a traditional Chicago hot dog joint, Salerno’s Red Hots serves up the hot dog stand classics including hot dogs, Maxwell Street polish sausage, Tom Tom tamales and freshly cut fries. You can get your hot dog fix Chicagostyle, a quarter-pound jumbo dog, corn dog or a hot dog topped with your choice of chili, cheese or both. When you stop by, try the Salerno’s 2 Dog Deal: two hot dogs, fries and your choice of soda or water.

LA SALLE

¢ THE DOG HOUSE 848 First St., La Salle www.lasalledoghouse.com For a staycation, head to The Dog House in downtown La Salle and eat your way through the over 40 hot dog offerings named after various American cities. For a tropical vibe, there’s the Maui dog topped with pineapple, tomato, bacon, mozzarella and jalapeño. The Philadelphia style comes with grilled onions and peppers topped with cheddar sauce, and the Cleveland style is topped with chili, cheese sauce, grilled onions, bacon, fries and barbecue sauce. There’s also nearly a dozen varieties of deep-fried dogs and nine styles of fries, including pizza fries and nacho fries.

MCHENRY

¢ GIANELLI’S DRIVE-THRU 3111 Illinois Route 176, Crystal Lake www.gianellisdrivethru.com Gianelli’s Drive-Thru is known for its authentic Italian specialties, including the cracked fennel Italian sausage served with red sauce and green peppers. But the Crystal Lake spot also serves hot dogs including the Gianelli’s Chicago-style hot dog topped with mustard, sweet relish, onions, tomatoes, pickle, sport peppers and celery salt on a steamed poppy seed bun. Or try The Prairie Dog, a footlong hot dog served with chili, cheese, onions and smoked bacon. Other offerings include an old-fashioned Wisconsin brat, Maxwell Street polish dog or a hot dog topped with either chili or cheese.

WILL

¢ DOGGIE DINER 13327 S. Route 59, Plainfield 289 S. Bolingbrook Drive, Bolingbrook www.doggiedineronline.com The hot dog offerings at this diner include the classic hot dog topped with mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes and pickles. There’s also a jumbo, chili and coney dog as well as mild and spicy Polish sausage. But what steals the show are the fries, which are served nine different ways. You can stick with the classic regular, steak-cut and cheese fries. Or try one of the unique toppings such the gyros cheese, Greek or Cajun fries.

Voted Best Tavern in 2022 Kane County Chronicle’s Readers’ Choice Awards

Monthly Food Specials Outdoor Patio Seating Seasonal Brews $4.00 Daily Handcrafted Beer Specials Try Raider‛s Root Beer (ABV 7.5%)

KANE

¢ KOCONUTS SHAVE ICE 2 E. Wilson St., Batavia www.koconutsshaveice.com

Inspired by a vacation to Maui, the owners opened this shop to continue enjoying the treats they bought from a shave ice shop on the island. There are over 20 flavors to choose from including tutti frutti, wedding cake, pineapple and dreamsicle. Even four-legged customers can enjoy a puppy ice on a hot summer day. (And visit the website for the history behind why it’s "shave" ice, not “shaved.”)

KENDALL

¢ THE DAIRY BARN 121 S. Main St., Oswego www.dairybarnoswego.com This restored eatery in downtown Oswego offers a variety of frozen treats including slushies. Flavors include apple, banana, fruit punch and orange. Want one with a kick? Order the adult version, which contains alcohol.

Can't beat these cool treats

There’s nothing better to pair with your hot dog than a frozen dessert. Whether you’re team slushie, snow cone or shave ice, these local shops can help you cool off on hot summer days.

MCHENRY

¢ MR. FREEZE 801 E. Grant Highway, Marengo www.mrfreeze.biz

Open year-round, Mr. Freeze is known for its frozen treats such as its slushies and slush floats. These tasty treats come in about a dozen flavors including root beer, watermelon and blue raspberry. You also can blend your float into a smoothie or opt for ice cream instead.

WILL

¢ RANCH FROSTIE 1259 N. Cedar Road, New Lenox www.ranchfrosties.com

For over 60 years, Ranch Frostie has served a variety of frozen treats, including freezes. These come in fun flavors like blue raspberry, cherry and lemon lime.

Elgin • St. Charles

www.alexanderscafe.com

Dundee • Crystal Lake McHenry • South Elgin

NOW OPEN IN GENEVA

ST. CHARLES • ELGIN • HOFFMAN ESTATES • HUNTLEY • ROSELLE ROOKIES NOW OPEN IN THE FOX VALLEY ICE ARENA AT 1996 S. KIRK RD. IN GENEVA 630-402-0468 • WWW.ROOKIESPUB.COM

Elgin ★ Next to Marcus Fox Theater ★ www.oldrepublicbar.com