So what was my most read post this past week? My take on artificial intelligence? My thoughtful dissection of the abortion issue? No. The visit to Culver's, top post of the week, third this past month. Apparently politics is out, eateries are in.
Okay, I can work with that. It happens that Tuesday I met a neighbor at the Bean Bar for coffee at 11 a.m. (ordered a flat white; the place was well-populated, sad that Northbrook, in its general mismanagement, will wipe it away to build apartments). We finished about a quarter to 12, and I ambled over to Sunset to pick up some pumpkin puree for the dog (we add it to her meals; aids the digestion). I love being in a suburb where I can walk places, though I'll be down a few important destinations — a coffee shop, a bookstore, a hardware store — after that building goes up. Dumb.
So I thought I would treat myself by sliding by Little Louie's, Northbrook's beloved hot dog stand since 1967. I wasn't planning to write about it — didn't even snap a shot of the interior. But when my jumbo kosher hot dog arrived, it was such a thing of beauty, I had to take its portrait. I ordered it with mustard and grilled onions. While those onions are more ... substantial than I expected, they added a whole new dimension to the dining experience, and I did not mind them. You'll notice that I didn't order it with ketchup — while I hate the "you're not a Chicagoan if you put ketchup on hot dogs" idiocy, that doesn't mean it's my go-to move (though I did add a dollop from the red container on the table, for just a taste. Mmmm.)
Okay, I can work with that. It happens that Tuesday I met a neighbor at the Bean Bar for coffee at 11 a.m. (ordered a flat white; the place was well-populated, sad that Northbrook, in its general mismanagement, will wipe it away to build apartments). We finished about a quarter to 12, and I ambled over to Sunset to pick up some pumpkin puree for the dog (we add it to her meals; aids the digestion). I love being in a suburb where I can walk places, though I'll be down a few important destinations — a coffee shop, a bookstore, a hardware store — after that building goes up. Dumb.
So I thought I would treat myself by sliding by Little Louie's, Northbrook's beloved hot dog stand since 1967. I wasn't planning to write about it — didn't even snap a shot of the interior. But when my jumbo kosher hot dog arrived, it was such a thing of beauty, I had to take its portrait. I ordered it with mustard and grilled onions. While those onions are more ... substantial than I expected, they added a whole new dimension to the dining experience, and I did not mind them. You'll notice that I didn't order it with ketchup — while I hate the "you're not a Chicagoan if you put ketchup on hot dogs" idiocy, that doesn't mean it's my go-to move (though I did add a dollop from the red container on the table, for just a taste. Mmmm.)
Little Louie's has a deep menu, for a hot dog stand — I sometimes pair a hot dog with a strawberry salad — and a wide array of Mexican items I have yet to try.
The owner since 1999, Pete Weiss was behind the counter, and we exchanged greetings. Through an act of will, I skipped fries. The Little Louie's fries are epic. They're also probably 800 calories for a weighty brown paper bag's worth. I did upscale my dog order — usually I get a regular char dog, but, perhaps because I was going fryless, I went for the jumbo kosher dog, even though it clocks in at a surprising $11.75. Honestly, knowing how jarred the place was by COVID, I considered it a donation toward the continuing dynamism of my leafy suburban paradise. I can struggle forward without the Bean Bar — it only opened a few years back. But Little Louie's is essential.
The owner since 1999, Pete Weiss was behind the counter, and we exchanged greetings. Through an act of will, I skipped fries. The Little Louie's fries are epic. They're also probably 800 calories for a weighty brown paper bag's worth. I did upscale my dog order — usually I get a regular char dog, but, perhaps because I was going fryless, I went for the jumbo kosher dog, even though it clocks in at a surprising $11.75. Honestly, knowing how jarred the place was by COVID, I considered it a donation toward the continuing dynamism of my leafy suburban paradise. I can struggle forward without the Bean Bar — it only opened a few years back. But Little Louie's is essential.
So much so that, Friday, I ambled over to grab a shot of the interior. I was going to ask Pete to pose, but he wasn't there. Maybe next time.
Fixed? Published immediately. No delayed gratification.
ReplyDeleteAnyway Neil, with all due respect, you're not from here. You're form Cleveland, so it is not idiocy. It's what we do and how we think here. This is not some cookie cutter city where if you want a hot dog like or similar Little Louies you'd have to settle for Portillo's - if you're lucky. Or, to put another way; try and get an Italian Beef in Cleveland.
DeleteThat's the thing about about fast food joints. It's like the weather. We can all relate and we all have a story to tell. And these little mom & pop sandwich joints are such a treasure. When you find a good one, you can't help but go back, over and over. There's one in Downers Grove that we go to often called Cozzi Corner. I always get the Italian sausage, my wife usually gets the Italian beef, dipped. Limited seating but there are huge, clean picnic tables right outside the door. There's a joint in up in Woodruff, WI. that's been there forever called Hoggie Doggies. Chicago style Vienna beef hotdogs in the northwoods. No indoor seating -- you order at a window and eat at a picnic table, weather permitting. Closed in winter, of course. I can't remember when it wasn't there.
ReplyDeleteThank you for mentioning the "No ketchup on a Chicago Hot dog" slur. People actually get angry when you push back against this ridiculous regional meme. I'll eat my hot dog anyway I please, you miserable, condescending scold. It's a friggin" hot dog for Dog sakes...
ReplyDeleteThere is NO ketchup on a Chicago Hot Dog which is a specific dish that does not include ketchup. The sweetness of ketchup absolutely ruins the savory tilting flavors of a Chicago Hot Dog ( it’s neon green relish is substantially less sweet than the regular green relish those who don’t know what they are doing use in trying to recreate it). It’s like how sugar can be delightful on noodles ( kugel) but will ruin a dish like fettuccine Alfredo. If you don’t like the Chicago Hot Dog you are welcome to eat something else on your hot dog but it ain’t a Chicago Hot Dog and means you are not eating the famous local food.
DeleteGuys. Please read for comprehension. I didn't say there WAS ketchup on a Chicago hot dog. What I was referring to was the ""you're not a Chicagoan if you put ketchup on hot dogs" trope. You're arguing with the air, reacting to something that wasn't said.
DeleteYep. You did not. Cullen did.
DeleteAnd it just means that you do not care for this local dish.
DeleteThe yarn store too will be demolished. Don't know if they will regroup elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first moved to Northbrook 40-plus years ago, dinner for me was often a Little Louie's Triple cheeseburger and a bag of those fries. Then I learned there was a connection between diet and health…
ReplyDeleteI've lived in Chicago most of my 70 years can't remember ever having a Chicago dog. Even having worked at Wally's hot dog stand at diversey and Central in the 70s well I guess that makes sense I was a vegetarian for about 30 years.
ReplyDeleteBut now that I'll eat just about anything I gravitate towards the Maxwell Street Polish with the grilled onions a delightful sausage.
Me and my buddy Seth would go to Susie's on Montrose for they close down a few years ago though it was more for the french fries than the sandwiches the fries were terrific.
I don't believe there is a single establishment in Silver City that serves a hot dog I'm serious they couldn't stay in business . It's pretty much burritoville down there though there is a joint that makes a decent Pizza.
Hey how come no comments on yesterday's post I sent one but I see that there aren't any
I love the shops at that shopping center, especially The Bean Bar! My Opthamologist was there until last month. I hope they are all able to relocate to downtown Northbrook but it will not be the same. Apartments are needed though.
ReplyDelete“I was going to ask Pete to pose, but he wasn’t there.” One sentence, a lifetime of memories.
ReplyDeleteI raised my children in Northbrook; Pete and crew were part of their lives. The kids played baseball in the field, drank from the lion fountain, ate ice cream at Baskin Robbins. Three of the four had first jobs there. There used to be a toy store downtown where my oldest son worked back in the day. Scottie Pippen came in and bought a train set there, and my son was one of the crew who set the train up for him in his home “basement/playground.”
Those everyday places have a grip on us - and when our familiar places and spaces are affected, so are we.
We lived in Michigan for 6 years. We couldn’t find poppyseed hot dog buns for our Chicago hot dogs. Grew up in Chicago and as a kid always preferred ketchup. Switched to mustard in high school. Prefer Tabasco sauce on fries now.
ReplyDeleteFor your gustatory consideration:: T&G's at the corner of York and Western in Blue Island. It's been there pretty much forever. The Big Baby burger. The terrific fries. The Polish sausage with grilled onions. The gyros. It's all delicious. It's all worth the trek down Western Avenue.
ReplyDeleteWhat’s going to happen to the Book Bin? They just moved into that store front from across the street a year or two ago.
ReplyDelete