Chicago-style hot dogs are one of the most iconic foods associated with the Windy City. With their all-beef dogs, poppyseed buns, yellow mustard, bright green relish, onions, tomatoes, pickle spears, sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt, these hot dogs are truly Chicago through and through. While you can find Chicago dogs at stands and restaurants throughout the city, one popular chain that serves its own version is Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. With locations across the Midwest and beyond, Freddy’s offers a taste of Chicago-style dogs to a wider audience. But how authentic are Freddy’s Chicago dogs compared to the real deal found on the streets of Chicago? Let’s take a closer look at what constitutes an authentic Chicago dog and see how Freddy’s stacks up.
The Origins of the Chicago Dog
Before we can determine if Freddy’s serves authentic Chicago dogs, it’s important to understand the history and components that make up true Chicago-style hot dogs. The Chicago-style hot dog dates back to the early 1900s when street cart hot dog vendors first emerged outside sports stadiums, offering food to spectators. According to legend, the “father” of the Chicago dog was Jim Stefanovic, who first started selling hot dogs with mustard, onions, and sport peppers from his cart near the Chicago Polo Grounds in 1938. Stefanovic is credited with introducing several of the key ingredients in a Chicago-style hot dog, including:
- All-beef hot dog
- Poppyseed bun
- Yellow mustard
- Chopped white onions
- Bright green sweet pickle relish
- Sport peppers
- Tomato wedges or slices
- A pickle spear
- Celery salt
As hot dog stands proliferated across Chicago’s neighborhoods, the basic formula Stefanovic pioneered became standard. By the 1950s and 1960s, the Chicago-style hot dog was a fixture in the city. Over the decades, certain key principles became etched in hot dog lore for true Chicago dogs:
- Only beef dogs are acceptable; pork or chicken dogs are sacrilege
- Poppyseed buns are preferred to sesame seed buns
- Mustard and sweet green relish are essential; ketchup is blasphemous
- Onions must be white and chopped; no yellow or red
- Sport peppers add signature spicy kick
- Celery salt provides distinctive seasoning
- Tomatoes and pickle spears are standard garnishes
From hot dog stands to delis, to sports bars, true Chicago dogs obey these tough standards. Only than can a hot dog rightfully claim to be a “Chicago-style” hot dog.
Key Attributes of a Traditional Chicago Dog
To better understand if Freddy’s Chicago dogs are authentic, here is a breakdown of the key ingredients and preparation that go into true Chicago-style hot dogs:
| Ingredient | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Hot dog | All-beef wiener |
| Bun | Poppyseed bun with top cut off |
| Condiments | Yellow mustard, no ketchup |
| Toppings | Chopped raw white onions, green sweet pickle relish, tomato wedges, sport peppers, pickle spear, celery salt |
| Preparation | Steamed or boiled, not grilled |
As this table illustrates, every element of a Chicago dog, from the hot dog itself to the toppings to the preparation, must meet strict standards. This attention to detail and refusal to compromise is what gives the Chicago dog its reputation for authenticity and taste perfection.
Examining Freddy’s Version of Chicago Dogs
Now that we understand what truly constitutes an authentic Chicago dog, we can analyze how Freddy’s menu version stacks up. Here are the key points of comparison between true Chicago dogs and Freddy’s:
| Component | True Chicago Dog | Freddy’s Chicago Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Hot dog | All-beef wiener | All-beef hot dog |
| Bun | Poppyseed bun | Regular bun |
| Condiments | Yellow mustard (no ketchup) | Yellow mustard |
| Toppings | Chopped raw onions, sweet green relish, tomato, sport peppers, pickle spear, celery salt | Onions, relish, tomatoes, sport peppers |
| Preparation | Steamed or boiled | Grilled |
Based on this direct comparison, we can see where Freddy’s meets the standards of a Chicago-style hot dog and where it diverges. First, Freddy’s uses all-beef hot dogs just like the real deal. It also serves yellow mustard and the classic sport peppers, onions, relish, and tomatoes. However, there are some clear differences: Freddy’s uses a regular bun rather than traditional poppyseed, does not add pickle spears or celery salt, and grills its dogs instead of steaming or boiling. So while Freddy’s hits some of the key notes of a Chicago dog, it falls short of complete authenticity.
The Verdict on Freddy’s Chicago Dogs
Given the comparison above, it is clear that Freddy’s offers a take on Chicago dogs that captures some of their core flavors but strays from tradition in a few ways. Here is a summary verdict on the authenticity of Freddy’s version:
- Pros: Uses all-beef hot dogs, yellow mustard, onions, relish, tomatoes, sport peppers
- Cons: Lacks poppyseed bun, pickle spear, celery salt; grills instead of steaming or boiling
- Authenticity: Fairly authentic but not completely traditional
While Freddy’s menu states their version is a “Chicago Style Hot Dog,” in truth it is more of a Chicago-inspired hot dog. The taste likely captures the tangy sport peppers, sweetness of relish, and crunch of onions that make Chicago dogs famous. However, the preparation and missing ingredients mean traditional Chicago hot dog vendors and restaurants would not consider Freddy’s version truly authentic. Still, for a quick meal or snack on the go, Freddy’s offers a satisfying homage to the Windy City’s signature food that may appeal to those looking for a little Chicago flavor outside the city limits.
Where to Get Truly Authentic Chicago Dogs Outside Chicago
For hot dog lovers interested in trying the real deal Chicago-style hot dog when not in Chicago, here are some tips on where to get the authentic experience:
- Check if any establishments near you claim to be “Chicago-style” eateries – some restaurants explicitly offer authentic versions
- Look for hot dog stands that advertise Chicago dogs and the full line-up of ingredients
- Investigate any Chicago expatriate communities in your area to find beloved hometown eateries
- When planning a trip to Chicago, include trying dogs from legendary stands like Portillo’s or The Wieners Circle
- Purchase a Chicago dog kit online with ingredients and instructions for recreating at home
While Freddy’s may provide a quick Chicago-style dog fix, nothing quite compares to savoring an authentic Chicago Dog in the city itself. But for those not in Chicago, seek out emporiums promising the real deal for an authentic taste of this Windy City icon.
Conclusion
Chicago-style hot dogs are a renowned food item ingrained in the city’s culture and identity. With their all-beef dogs on poppyseed buns, yellow mustard, neon relish, and wealth of toppings, they are an unmistakable Chicago staple. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers aims to recreate these dogs outside of Chicago for its patrons’ enjoyment. However, while Freddy’s version captures some of the classic flavors, it ultimately falls short on complete authenticity due to differences in ingredients and preparation compared to traditional Chicago dogs. For devotees of Chicago-style dogs, traveling to Chicago and visiting famous stands like Portillo’s remains the best way to enjoy the real thing. But Freddy’s does present a convenient option for a Chicago-inspired hot dog experience when you can’t make the trip to the Windy City.