# Let's say I offered you five dollars to eat a Chicago-style hot dog... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 3, 2014, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256 "2014-10-03T06:02:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256/121 "2014-10-04T17:03:19Z")
> [@Elemenopy](#): > > Love me some Chicago dogs (don’t forget the celery salt!) but my favorite is chili-cheese with a line of mustard. And I’ll take a really good brat over a dog any day. Chili-cheese dogs have to be topped with chopped onion, too. I prefer the beanless Cincinnati-style chili on dogs over just about any other kind. Love the Chicago dogs! I like to add a drop or two of Tabasco to the works, just to liven it up a little. Bratwurst has to be served with a pretzel-style bun and sweet Bavarian mustard, along with a side of warm German potato salad and _Rotkohl_ (which is my dinner for the next couple of nights). Yum-O! :o ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256/122 "2014-10-04T17:08:24Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > It’s pickle relish (chopped pickles) dyed neon green Usually _sweet_ pickles, though I have a “gourmet” version (Bick’s) that contains onions and is somewhat savory. There’s also a tomato-y version that is great on hamburgers! (I have two brands of this, Bick’s and S&G, in my pantry.) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256/123 "2014-10-04T17:32:33Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Relish or just chopped up celery? [This specifically](http://www.viennabeef.com/pickled-condiments-and-relish) is the “neon green” relish used most often. That said, I can’t think of a place off the top of my head near me that uses the “to-spec” neon green relish a Chicago-style hot dog is “supposed” to have. Even Portillos uses the normal relish. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256/124 "2014-10-04T23:15:07Z")
I’m shocked that about 71% of the respondents would prefer this dog. They didn’t eat it because you bribed them, but they think it’s actually tasty. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256/125 "2014-10-04T23:33:39Z")
Because it’s a great freakin’ dog. Honestly the traditional Chicago dog and the one **Pulykamell** described are the only kinds I eat. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256/126 "2014-10-04T23:34:12Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > I’m shocked that about 71% of the respondents would prefer this dog. They didn’t eat it because you bribed them, but they think it’s actually tasty. Why the shock? It’s a Vienna sausage on a bun. It’s a flawless baseline and you can mostly only go up from there. There’s no common sausage or frankfurter topping that would ruin it. You might run into trouble if you tried hot fudge sauce and marshmallows, but nobody suggested anything like that. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256/127 "2014-10-05T00:55:42Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > $5 is kind of a chintzy bribe, but I’d do it if I was hungry enough, then polish off a plate of Cincinnati-style [five-way chili](http://www.roadfood.com/Photos/1380.jpg). > > It’s all health food. One way too many. Ways should stop at four, and the fourth should be onions, not beans. Though honestly, most of the time I get a four-way I can’t even notice the onions, and so I mostly stick to just three. Anyway, I can’t really answer the question. I don’t like tomatoes, and I’d rather they not be there. That said, it’s not like they’re going to ruin the dog for me, and for five bucks? Hell yeah. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256/128 "2014-10-05T01:23:31Z")
I would prefer brown mustard and no hot pepper but sure! ---
**Author:** ![jimbuff314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c57346/32.png) [@jimbuff314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimbuff314)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256/129 "2014-10-05T04:14:51Z")
The more I think about this poll, the more creeped out I’m feeling. He offers to hypothetically pay us $5 each to “eat his hot dog” and then just disappears? What’s really going on here? ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256/130 "2014-10-05T04:47:02Z")
So, it’s like very typical/unadventurous sandwich toppings on a hot dog? Sure. Why not? ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256/131 "2014-10-05T04:57:45Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > There’s no ketchup on it, so sure. $5 is $5. > > (Ketchup on a hot dog is an abomination.) I agree, though I would change the parenthetical comment to read “Ketchup on anything is an abomination.” ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256/132 "2014-10-05T05:00:22Z")
I saw a couple people upthread substituting the hotdog for a veggie dog. If I could do that, I’m in. I think I could choke down the dill pickle, but I’m not sure. That’s a lot of salt that I haven’t eaten in a while. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256/133 "2014-10-05T05:02:27Z")
By the way, [here is a real](http://chicago.seriouseats.com/images/20120323-198480-standing-room-only-byrons-hot-dog-1.jpg) “dragged through the garden” hot dog (a la Byrons in Chicago.) I don’t quite understand calling the usual Chicago style “dragged through the garden.” It’s a regular hot dog with tomatoes, and optional sport peppers, and the pickle can be eaten on the side, if you prefer. But that Byron’s dog? Yeah, that is seriously dragged through the garden. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256/134 "2014-10-05T18:22:51Z")
Yeah, not for $5. Raw tomatoes make me gag pretty violently and I hate raw onion. $5 is not enough. I could probably choke it down for $50. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256/135 "2014-10-05T18:48:19Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > One way too many. Ways should stop at four, and the fourth should be onions, not beans. Though honestly, most of the time I get a four-way I can’t even notice the onions, and so I mostly stick to just three. Cincinnati-style “chili” is a whole 'nother argument. I’ve got nothing against a 5-way, or any other way. Greek “chili” is delicious! ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256/136 "2014-10-05T22:37:26Z")
It’s not my preferred style of dog - which is a crispy griddled all-beef hot dog with brown mustard and sauerkraut more like, maybe with some spicy red onions, on a lightly toasted bun - but a “Chicago dog dragged through the garden” is totally legit and I’d eat it just because it was offered to me for free, much less if you paid me $5 to eat it. ---
**Author:** ![No\_umlaut\_for\_U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@No\_umlaut\_for\_U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_umlaut_for_U)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256/137 "2014-10-05T23:51:44Z")
No, due to the tomato (blearggh!) and the French’s yellow mustard. Brown mustard plus sauerkraut, you have yourself a deal. ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256/138 "2014-10-06T01:48:57Z")
I’ve give it a go. Nothing there I can’t eat although I’m not sure about “relish”, it looks like gherkin spread which is generally sweetish so would make an interesting combo. Stick some ketchup on it and deal. ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256/139 "2014-10-06T02:01:41Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > [This specifically](http://www.viennabeef.com/pickled-condiments-and-relish) is the “neon green” relish used most often. That said, I can’t think of a place off the top of my head near me that uses the “to-spec” neon green relish a Chicago-style hot dog is “supposed” to have. Even Portillos uses the normal relish. Looks similar to this [http://store.cheapfoods.com.au/2071-large\_default/heinz-gherkin-spread-19kg.jpg](http://store.cheapfoods.com.au/2071-large_default/heinz-gherkin-spread-19kg.jpg) and I would never have thought to put that on a hotdog. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2014, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256/140 "2014-10-06T03:32:17Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Greek “chili” is delicious! Elaborate, please. Made with lamb? I do that sometimes with pinto beans and call it Montana chili, but I suppose Greek chili uses a whole different seasoning palette. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-i-offered-you-five-dollars-to-eat-a-chicago-style-hot-dog/700256.md?page=8)