Slog
News & ArtsThursday, March 22, 2012
At Large Confidential to Chicagoans
Posted by Dan Savage on Thu, Mar 22, 2012 at 10:25 AM
I go to the Wiener Circle for the food. The char polish is amazing, the fries are great, and I'm so grateful that they don't serve malts too because otherwise I would've died of a coronary a decade ago. My first visit to the Wiener Circle? God, at least million years ago, back when there was a gay video bar down the block called Take One. I think I was 18 years old. Maybe 16.
I always recommend a visit to the Wiener Circle when friends from Seattle are heading to Chicago. They're never disappointed. And no one who has ever gone to the Wiener Circle on my recommendation has ever mentioned the abuse schtick. All they talk about are the chars, the cheddar chars, the double char cheddars, and the char polishes.
1
On first reading, I thought you said the chair polish was amazing. Was thinking "I knew he was weird, but wow."
2
I'm a Chicagoan (and a reader of the Stranger! Our own Reader has unfortunately declined throughout the years). I grew up a couple blocks away from the WC, and have had many a chardog, cheese fry, and the occasional suprisingly good veggie burger.
The abuse shtick has gotten really bad, and I haven't gone there in years (although the abuse "bantor" only takes place during bar hours. During normal business hours it's like every other hot dog stand). The racial comments are really ugly, even it's all "play"; and the racial-sexual stuff is even more despicable (i.e. the "chocalate milk shake").
Anyway, Chicago has some many better hot dog stands (Hot Dougs, Gold Coast Dogs, Jimmy's Red Hots, Franks 'N Dawgs, Gene And Judes, Super Dawgs, etc.). If you're ever in our town, please frequest one of these, and stay away from the WC.
The abuse shtick has gotten really bad, and I haven't gone there in years (although the abuse "bantor" only takes place during bar hours. During normal business hours it's like every other hot dog stand). The racial comments are really ugly, even it's all "play"; and the racial-sexual stuff is even more despicable (i.e. the "chocalate milk shake").
Anyway, Chicago has some many better hot dog stands (Hot Dougs, Gold Coast Dogs, Jimmy's Red Hots, Franks 'N Dawgs, Gene And Judes, Super Dawgs, etc.). If you're ever in our town, please frequest one of these, and stay away from the WC.
6
@2, there was a gold coast dogs two blocks from where I worked when I lived there. Never got used to the radioactive looking green relish, but man those were good.
7
I was just talking to a friend about WC over lunch and how he's seen a few people he normally drinks with on the show. He's pretty sure that he'll show up on there soon enough, since he's gone there blacked-out on many occasions. I'm lookin' forward to it...
8
While the Wiener Circle is fine, I can't not be loyal to Mustard's Last Stand, as their polish is both fried and grilled (as it should be), the people who work there are awesome, and it's essentially what I grew up on. Yes, yes, I know, I'm an asshole from Evanston. Still, I love me some Mustard's.
11
Never been in there (even when I went to DePaul). Lots of other great chicago hot dog stands to choose from. The Reader paints a pretty gross picture http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/arc…. Sounds kind of like performance art meets skank. Surprised that crowd takes it because Wriggleyville (Lakeview)/DePaul (Lincoln Park) is fairly upscale and trendy.
12
The whole racist shtick and banter at the Wiener Circle is really awful. Stomach turning, actually.
Unless of course, you're a drunk Wrigleyville/Lakeview fratboy. Then it's thrilling, I suppose.
Skip this place. Try the sophisticated Hot Dougs or, if you have time to drive a bit northwest, the unparalleled Superdawg
Unless of course, you're a drunk Wrigleyville/Lakeview fratboy. Then it's thrilling, I suppose.
Skip this place. Try the sophisticated Hot Dougs or, if you have time to drive a bit northwest, the unparalleled Superdawg
13
@SpaceGiant is right, leave the Wieners Circle to the Chads. I forgot about the unquestionable superiority of Superdawg, which isn't generally on my list because it is kind of a hike (especially when you don't have a car) so I never get out there when I'm in Chicagoland.
I wish Hot Doug's had better hours, they close at 4pm and aren't open at all on Sunday. When I still lived there they were never open when I actually wanted a damned hot dog.
I wish Hot Doug's had better hours, they close at 4pm and aren't open at all on Sunday. When I still lived there they were never open when I actually wanted a damned hot dog.
14
I don't have time for this show now that there are TWO SEPARATE shows about hillbilly hand fishing. "I'm gunna trah and jerk one out for mah granpaw".
15
There's a newer stand about a mile north of WC, in a somewhat gayer location on Broadway near Belmont. It's called Chubby Wieners, appropriately enough,and it's very good.
As for the WC schtick, well, let's just say it's hard to 'splain outside of the local context. In the daytime you get a much milder version of it. In the nighttime, well, I have no doubt that the counter people can take care of themselves just fine.
As for the WC schtick, well, let's just say it's hard to 'splain outside of the local context. In the daytime you get a much milder version of it. In the nighttime, well, I have no doubt that the counter people can take care of themselves just fine.
16
I miss Demon Dogs. Now I'm going to listen to Peter Cetera on repeat and get an Italian beef from that place on 50th and University.
18
@8: the best "Chicago" dog IS in Evanston. But it's at Poochie's. Beats Superdawg et al hands down. Hot Doug's is a whole different experience. You go there for wild boar sausage and duck fat fries not the trad Chicago dog, imo.
19
@18: Poochie's is great...but it's still over the bridge from Evanston, in Skokie.
I'd put it a notch above Superdawg-- which isn't a bad dog at all, but it's more about the neon drive-in ambience. Sort of Chicago's version of Burgermaster.
I'd put it a notch above Superdawg-- which isn't a bad dog at all, but it's more about the neon drive-in ambience. Sort of Chicago's version of Burgermaster.
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