Chicago and Hot Dog Stands

I often find myself watching Chicago specials on our local PBS station. The several “Exploring Chicago by the EL” and other Chicago based programs can often be found on my TV late at night or when I cannot find anything else on. I found myself watching a new Chicago show last week that claimed that Chicago has more hot dog stands than area McDonalds, Burger Kings, and Wendys combined. What? Wow! I am from the east coast where you east hotdogs in the summer with hamburgers and when you go to baseball games. When I came out here, I could not believe the number of hotdog stands…come on it is just a hotdog…but Chicagoans are crazy about them. Chicago hotdog=”oiled, pure beef dog served in a steamed poppy seed bun, topped with mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, a pickle, hot peppers and a dash of celery salt.” Wow, not the NY hotdog I craved as a child. Anyway, I have to say with all these hot dog stands, I have still enver been to one and do not know anyone who goes to them on a regualr basis. So who is eating all these hotdogs?