CHICAGO — Hot dogs are a mainstay in Chicago — but it’s not always easy to find a kosher option in the area.
Food being “kosher” means it was prepared under the requirements of Jewish law. And not all hot dogs fit the bill; for example, Vienna Beef, the city’s most popular supplier, says its dogs are not kosher.
Block Club rounded up spots with kosher dogs in and around around the city. Most establishments will be closed early on Fridays and on Saturday in observance of Shabbat.
See a kosher hot dog spot missing from this guide? Email newsroom@blockclubchi.org so we can add it!
Evita Steakhouse
This upscale Argentinian steakhouse’s kids and to-go menus have hot dogs and bacon dogs.
Address: 6112 N. Lincoln Ave.
Hours: 5 p.m.-midnight Sunday-Thursday
Facebook, Instagram
Great Chicago Food And Beverage
This family-friendly fast-food joint has a large menu. Customers can order everything from a chow dog wrapped in egg roll wrapping to a Polish sausage with your choice of toppings.
Address: 3149 W. Devon Ave.
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays
Website
Hamachi Sushi Bar
It’s not a traditional hot dog, but this pan-Asian establishment offers a noodle soup station where customers can order a Romanian hot dog as a base for their soup.
Address: 2801 W. Howard St. in West Ridge
Hours: Noon-8:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Fridays
Website, Facebook, Instagram
Ken’s Diner
This Skokie greasy spoon has sports memorabilia and other kitsch on the walls as customers enjoy American diner fare out of baskets. There are seven dog options on the menu, including Polish and Italian.
Address: 3353 Dempster St. in Skokie
Hours: 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday
Website, Facebook
KosherStandz
Fans can find a classic dog or Polish sausage.
Address: Section 227 at Wrigley Field
Hours: Cubs home games, except on Shabbat.
Website, Facebook
Mariano’s
This is the only Mariano’s in the area with kosher offerings that are grilled or baked in-store — including hot dogs. Customers can go shopping with their wiener in one hand and cart in the other.
Address: 3358 W. Touhy Ave. in Skokie
Hours: Store is open 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. The kosher department is open when the store is, except on the Sabbath and other holidays.
Milt’s Barbecue For The Perplexed
This classic barbecue and burger joint has a large selection of dogs, including the Milt’s Dog: a brisket chili dog with crispy onions and beef bacon topped with jalapeño. The imitation bacon is brined and smoked in house.
Address: 3411 N. Broadway in Boystown
Hours: 4:30-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, takeout-only 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fridays
Facebook
Romanian Kosher Sausage Company
This sausage emporium offers kosher hot dogs you can make at home.
Address: 7200 N. Clark St.
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursdays, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Fridays, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays
Website
Sandwich Club
You can grab a hot dog from the kosher deli’s kids menu.
Address: 4507 Oakton St. in Skokie
Hours: Vary
Website, Facebook
Sarah’s Tent
This kosher supermarket has several varieties of prepackaged hot dogs for people who want to make them at home.
Address: 4020 Oakton St. in Skokie
Hours: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday-Monday, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays
Website
Shallot’s Bistro
This candlelight bistro in Skokie has hot dogs — but they’re only available on the secret kids menu, and you’ll have to ask for it.
Address: 7016 Carpenter Road in Skokie
Hours: Noon-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4-9 p.m. Sundays
Facebook, Instagram
Taboun Grill
If you’re craving a kosher dog, you can get one off the kids menu at Taboun Grill.
Address: 8808 Gross Point Road in Skokie
Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays
Website
What Is Kosher?
Kosher’s rules are manifold, and the details are subject to intense debate. Animals that are going to be eaten must be ruminants – meaning they chew their cud – and have split hooves. Poultry and cattle must be disease-free. The laws even dictate how an animal must be ritually slaughtered and its meat salted.
A kosher-certifying agency must oversee manufacturing plants to verify all ingredients are kosher. Every utensil, from the industrial machines to everyday flatware, can’t touch prohibited items. If that occurs, the item has to be kosherized — “kashered,” as it’s known — with heat.
A strict supervisor has to keep meat in sight and oversee every item that comes into a commercial space.
Eateries invest in third-party certification agencies to oversee them so observant Jews can patronize them. The Chicago Rabbinical Council is a local community organization that offers Jewish communal services, including kosher supervision, and it’s certified many of the establishments above.
Block Club is celebrating National Hot Dog Month. Tell us about your favorite hot dog memories by emailing Newsroom@BlockClubChi.org, and read more stories here.
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