Life List Item #53 Completed: Eat at the Superdawg in Chicago, IL

The Superdawg in Chicago is one of the few original carhop restaurants still operating in the United States. It was opened in 1948 by Maurie and Flaurie Berman, who still run it today with the help of their children. For just being a little hot dog stand, the Superdawg boasts enough distinctive features to make it a favorite with locals and tourists alike.

It all starts when you drive up and feast your eyes upon the anthropomorphic hot dogs standing on top of the restaurant. I've said it here before, and I'll say it again; I am a sucker for giant, fiberglass statues of anything. If you have 8 foot tall fiberglass people-weenies gracing your building, I'm like a moth to a flame. I have to eat there.

The restaurant itself does not appear to have changed much since the 1950's, and still retains the metal ordering boxes to order from your car.

We actually ate at the Superdawg twice while in Chicago, and both times it was packed with locals and tourists alike. The food is tasty, inexpensive, and distinctively packaged. Your hamburger or hot dog comes snuggled in a little box with crinkle-cut french fries, a pickle, hot peppers, and a unique-to-Superdawg pickled green tomato (pictured here is the "Whoopercheesie" double cheeseburger on dark rye bread).

I highly recommend the milkshakes! One Superdawg nestled in french fries will run you $4.95, and in Chicago, you're not going to get a slice of Americana any cheaper than that. The Superdawg is a fun, nostalgic, and economic must do in Chicago!
For more Superdawg: http://www.superdawg.com/default.cfm
For a laugh, click on "FAQs", then go to the video of Maurie discussing why ketchup is not included on a Superdawg with everything.