A short while back when I posted a list of a dozen essential Roadfood eateries in Chicago, I was called on the carpet for not including Fat Johnnie’s. Mea culpa! No one can say they’ve had a full taste of the Windy City at its raunchy best unless they’ve chomped into a Mother-in-Law at Fat Johnnie’s.
Curiously, despite the hegemony of hot dogs (or, as they’re known hereabouts, red hots) in Chicago, the Mother-in-Law is not a hot dog. It is a tamale, a tamale nestled in a poppy-seed bun just like a hot dog and fully dressed with chili, onions, plenty of hot sport peppers, and maybe a few tomato slices and crisp cucumber slices and relish. While the tamale itself is no big deal, in concert with all the other ingredients it’s the basis of a street-food symphony.
But of course, there are hot dogs, and you can have one fully and beautifully dressed (or overdressed?) the Chicago way, or you can add one to a tamale, along with chili and cheese, creating what’s here known as a Mighty Dog.
That list of Roadfood favorites in Chicago is now a baker’s dozen.
Sunday | CLOSED |
Monday | 11am - 5pm |
Tuesday | 11am - 5pm |
Wednesday | 11am - 5pm |
Thursday | 11am - 5pm |
Friday | 11am - 5pm |
Saturday | 11am - 5pm |
Other Nearby Restaurants
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Merichka’s
Crest Hill, IllinoisSaturday-night splurge meals are Merichka’s specialty, but the Roadfood lure is Poor Boy Steak — an under-$10 sandwich sopped with margarine & garlic.
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Pequod’s Pizza
Chicago, IllinoisPequod’s zesty, saucy deep-dish Chicago pizza is known for its “caramelized crust” cheese rings.
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Tufano’s Vernon Park Tap
Chicago, IllinoisTufano’s is an old school Italian restaurant with casual setting and low prices. Lemon chicken is a Chicago city icon.
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Hoosier Mama Pie Company
Chicago, IllinoisSome of the best pies in Chicago, the Midwest — best anywhere! — are baked and served at the storefront restaurant Hoosier Mama.
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Firecakes Donuts
Chicago, IllinoisThe donut, the whole donut, and nothing but the donut. That’s what Chicago’s Firecakes is all about: some of the best donuts anywhere.
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Byron’s Dog Haus
Chicago, IllinoisPlump Polish sausages with crisp skin; succulent hot dogs dragged through the garden; fine skinny French fries: Byron’s Dog Haus is a great taste of Chicago.