Southside Dogs – Lowell, MA

Southside Dogs owner, Sandy Roberts, hopes to bring a little bit of Chicago to Lowell, Massachusetts. Sandy is a recent graduate of Hot Dog University out in Chicago. They told me about her when I was visiting there in August, so when I had some business in neighboring Dracut, I decided to stop in and […]

Hot Dog University

I was invited to Hot Dog University by Mark Reitman, PHD (Professor of Hot Dogs) to proctor the classes and get an honorary “Hot Dogtorate” degree. Professor Reitman is a Hot Dog Stories fan and he wanted to meet and showcase his educational institution, which is located at the Vienna Beef plant in Chicago. Hot […]

Chicago Hot Dogs and Ketchup – My Kind of Town

“When in Rome” goes the old saying and when I was in Chicago, I wanted to know how Chicagoans felt about Chicago hot dogs and ketchup. It’s no secret the Hotdogman LOATHES ketchup on hot dogs, but I wanted to find out if the rumors of city-wide disdain for the “cop-out condiment” was real. While spending […]

National Hot Dog Month 2014

Another July is upon us and that means it’s National Hot Dog Month 2014! Hot Dog Stories fans may be disappointed to learn I won’t be conducting my annual “tour” where I eat a hot dog a day at a different joint. I have exhausted many places near my home and just can’t balance family […]

Mel’s Hot Dogs – Tampa, FL

On a recent trip to Florida, the family and I stopped in at a Tampa mainstay hot dog stand, Mel’s Hot Dogs. Owner Mel Lohn sat down with us while we munched on Vienna Beef Franks – Chicago style of course – and some of the best damn french fries I ever had. We “chowed […]

Spalla’s Chicago Hot Dogs – National Hot Dog Month Day 26

If you’re looking for Chicago Hot Dogs in Boston, Spalla’s in Natick, MA is THE authentic  joint west of the city. Run by husband and wife Cara and Anthony Spalla, both Chicago natives, Spalla’s serves up authentic Chicago Hot Dogs using Vienna Beef products. They make their own Italian Beef sandwiches and Chicago style Italian […]