The Chicago Dog Is Peak Summer Cookout Food

I was born in the suburbs of Chicago, and despite my love for the Windy City, I can admit that Chicago doesn’t always boast the most delicious dishes. Deep-dish pizza, for example, is a crime against humanity; I’m actually shocked that so many Italians are willing to call the city home considering the fact that Chicagoans bastardized and ruined their beloved culinary creation. Similarly, Chicago-style popcorn truly gives the Midwest a bad name in the food game. Why, why would anyone ever consider combining cheese- and caramel-flavored popcorn in the same bowl? And Malört is famously undrinkable—it’s a liqueur apparently designed to prove one’s lack of palate-based judgment.

But we must give credit where it’s due, and if there’s one Chicago dish that rises above all the rest, it’s the Chicago dog. This is one culinary arena in which the city just got it right all the way around. Hot dogs are processed and fatty, which is why they should be topped with a smattering of zingy, flavorful vegetables to balance out the mystery meat with a dose of something fresh and healthy. The Chicago dog does just that.

Luckily, you don’t have to take a trip to the Windy City to experience this masterpiece of a hot dog creation for yourself; it’s easy to make wherever you are. But the best context to enjoy a Chicago dog is at a cookout. This treat is the peak of summer cookout food: It’s easy to grill, the ingredients are simple to transport and it’s ideal when you’re craving something light, fresh and indulgent all at the same time. Let’s take a closer look at the anatomy of the Chicago dog so you can make it at your next summer cookout. The haters may judge you, sure, but anyone in the know will be eternally grateful for your contribution to the cookout spread.

First Things First: Omit the Ketchup

The Chicago dog requires a long list of ingredients, but perhaps more important is the ingredients—or more specifically ingredient—that you omit. Under no circumstances should a Chicago dog contain ketchup. Chicagoan Barack Obama even famously said that ketchup is, in general, “not acceptable past the age of eight.” But why is ketchup so taboo on a Chicago dog specifically? Some say it’s because the city has a reputation for quality meat—in the early 20th century, Chicago was known as the meat-packing capital of the country. This means that you can generally find good-quality hot dogs in Chicago, and the overly sweet, syrupy flavor of ketchup can completely obscure those rich, smoky flavors.

The Essential Ingredients

So now that you know you can leave your ketchup bottle at home, what toppings should you include on your Chicago dog? Well, there is a prescribed list of ingredients you should follow if you want that authentic flavor, and you shouldn’t skip any of them unless you have a serious aversion.

First of all, you’ll want to make sure your dog is housed in a poppy seed bun. Is it messy? Yes. But is it also worth it for that slight crunch you get when you take your first bite? Absolutely. Next up is the sauces. Ketchup is a no-go, but yellow mustard is a requirement, as is sweet pickle relish. I generally prefer sour relish, but trust me here: You need that sweetness to complement all of the other super-savory additions you’ll soon be adding to the dog. Chopped white onions and a dill pickle spear are next; they offer a slight crunch, bold flavors and lots of juicy freshness to the finished product.

One topping that a lot of people find issue with in the Chicago dog is sliced tomato. Sure, it looks a little wacky, and it can be messy if you’re using a particularly ripe tomato, but when you use a farm- or garden-fresh summer tomato, this is the addition that takes a Chicago dog to the next level.

Finally, adding pickled sport peppers provides another layer of freshness and acidity to the dog, which is only enhanced by a generous sprinkling of celery salt.

Sure, the Chicago dog may be complicated and maybe even a little convoluted. And yes, it requires more effort than a standard, boring ketchup-and-mustard situation. But that extra work is worth it once you bite into the juiciest, freshest hot dog the world has yet conceived. Delicious hot dogs come in all shapes and sizes, with different topping combinations enhancing the flavors of the ultra-simple sandwich format. But if you’re truly seeking the best possible summer cookout experience, the Chicago dog is a must-try.

Samantha Maxwell is a food writer and editor based in Boston. Follow her on Twitter at @samseating.