Poochie’s is one of a couple thousand hot dog joints in the greater Chicagoland area. It’s one of the things I love about this quintessentially Chicago delicacy: it is extremely populist. Literally anyone can easily obtain and assemble the necessary ingredients and the results will be indistinguishable.
The only absolute non-negotiable is a Vienna brand all beef frankfurter w natural casing. Regular, jumbo, or footlong, water/steam, or char-grilled, if it’s a hot dog, it’s either Vienna or nothing. Some stands make their own dogs. They have their supporters. No further comment about that. Next, a poppyseed bun. Preferably from the S. Rosen bakery, but any standard white poppyseed bun will do. If there’s relish it should be of the bright green variety (a number of local brands). Celery salt. No ketchup. Make em at home, or go to whatever place closest to you has that big neon “V” for Vienna and you’ll be fine.
Poochie’s has been here quite a while. In fact, it was the site of my very first job when I was 13 years old, wiping tables and matching ketchups for $1.59/hr in cash in 1981. The old owner still comes in once a week or so. I had missed him by a day.
You can go to any hot dog joint and get this. But if you’re in the north burbs headed to Evanston or the lake shore, this is a good stop.
Incidentally, the cheese spread is Merkt’s, the generally acknowledged correct choice for cheddar fries or a cheddar dog.
