Friday, July 26, 2013

Delighting in My First Chicago Hot Dog

1.  When we were at my high school reunion, we met up with some friends and one of them was telling me all about Chicago hot dogs.  Spicy peppers, pickles, relish, and tomatoes?  Many of my favorite things.  So when we were in Chicago recently, I made it a point to pick one up at Portillo's.  It did not disappoint.  I was an instant fan!  I think I could've eaten a second.  Love.
2.  When I went to my high school reunion, Pierce asked what that thing was on my shoe.  I said, "What thing?".  He said, "That thing!" and pointed to the small heel.  Turns out my 6 year old had never seen me in heels.  I guess I'm more of a flip flop girl.

3. When I was growing up and we would drive up to Maine or something, whoever sat in the front seat was in charge of giving the driver money for tolls.  So we'd have a big container of quarters for the tolls.  Now?  Those tolls are crazy expensive.  One day we spent something like $45 in tolls!  Talk about highway robbery

4.  I chew a lot of gum.  Typically spearmint or peppermint. 

5.  Having a hard time thinking of a 5th random thing today.  Do you suppose Nancy, from A Rural Journal, who hosts Random Friday, would give me the boot if I didn't have a #5 this time?  Somehow, I think she'd let it slide, just this once. 

42 comments:

Sandra said...

Laughing about the heels!
:) funny....

Buttons Thoughts said...

Well Lisa I am not sure that Nancy is a stickler for details:) not really she is a sweetheart and four is good.
Heels I never wear them either that is so funny Pierce is a very attention to detail kind of kid:)
Do you think Lisa would mind if I did not comment on four I am off to bale hay:) B

Anonymous said...

We are not from Chicago, but we have been eating our hotdogs at home Chicago Style for a long time. They are crunchy and yummy with all the stuff in the bun! I'll do a blog post on it one day and show what we put on ours. Glad you enjoyed your first!! xox

We have been to the museums in DC numerous times, mostly when we lived in Columbia, MD and we so close to the DC area. Never visited the museums when they were not busy. I'm not sure there is a best time unfortunately....


Unknown said...

The dog looks wonderful. I bet is was delicious!

Maggid said...

Isn't it interesting how society changes??? It's cute - that your little people would notice things on your shoes.

Hot Dogs??? Yes, when it Chicago, it's a MUST.

You are fun.
-g-

aspiritofsimplicity said...

I don't even like hot dogs or most of the things on it and I still want one...it looks that good. Maine tolls are crazy aren't they? When I lived on the coast of NH we would drive an hour up to Portland, ME and it would cost us $7.00 in tolls!

Gloria said...

We love Chicago hotdogs. Glad you had the chance to have one :) Whenever we get back to the windy city...guarantee that will be our first meal (yummy)

Lynn said...

I miss hot dogs like this one, (France not a good place 4 HD's), that is very very funny about the heels, glad you had a good reunion, and we pay exhorbitant toll fees here but there are cheaper no toll routes but they add a great deal of time to already long trips.

Anonymous said...

Lisa,
Glad you had fun at your reunion. Next year will 15 years for my class. I hope to make it home for the reunion.

I am a big gum chewer too. I like bubble gum and chase it with fresh breath gum.

Have a wonderful weekend.
Ranch Wife Robyn

Unknown said...

Have never eaten a Chicago style hot dog, but would certainly give it a try. Funny above the heels on your shoes...Have a great Friday.

Debra at HOMESPUN: http://www.thehomespun.com said...

Love the shoe story! LOL!

TexWisGirl said...

the heel thing was funny. that would be me these days, for sure.

i LOVE chicago style hot dogs! every so often, i break down and go to sonic and get one there. i know it's not nearly as good as 'the real thing' but it works to quell the craving.

Anonymous said...

I would love to try that hot dog!

That is so cute about Pierce and your high heels.

Hope you guys enjoy the weekend.

Steve Surratt said...

I thought the only shoes you ever wore were Asics Gel's??

Monkeywrangler said...

Pickles on a hot dog? Not me!

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

That is so funny that Pierce asked about the heels! He doesn't miss much! :-)

That hot dog does look good. I think my husband would love one with spicy peppers on it.

Usually if I have a pack of gum near me, I will chew it all up in a matter of a few hours. Especially if it's bubble gum, which I chew as a treat occasionally. I chew one piece after another. It's addicting!

Tanya Breese said...

i am cracking up over number 2 and i agree, those hot dogs are awesome! those fries look good too...did you try an italian beef while you were there? ohhhh, those are even better than the hot dogs! i chew a lot of mint gum too...it helps me to not want to snack!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Glad you enjoyed your Chicago Hot Dog. Portillo's make a great one. Next time you need to try a combo at Portillo's which is Italian Beef and Italian Sausage combined. You won't believe this but there is actually a Portillo's here in California about 30 minutes from our house!

Jeanne said...

Gotta take the backroads and avoid the tolls. Lots more scenery when you do that anyway... enjoy the trip not just the ending.
Laughed when your son asked you what the heels were! So funny

mail4rosey said...

Tolls are ridiculous! We just went from Michigan to Chicago and spent a small fortune on them.

I Am Woody said...

We used to do a lot of work in FL. Those tolls killed me!!

Snap said...

Too funny about the heels! I love Chicago Dogs ... yum! I chew Double Bubble during college baseball season. ;) Fun post.

An Apel a Day said...

That hotdog does look yummy!

Can you believe i hadn't gone on a toll road until I was in grad school? Around Nebrasaka they don't have too many toll roads.

andy said...

That looks just plain yummy

Mary said...

That hot dog sounds and looks delicious! But i'm quite far away from Chicago, so will have to make one myself. :)

That is indeed highway robbery. I mean, for goodness sake!

Ginny Hartzler said...

Phil would have a nervous breakdown if he saw your hot dog, and knew he cannot have one! Hot dogs are one of his favorite things in the world. The story about Pierce and the heels is hilarious!!! I hope you have a great weekend!o

Jill said...

I am laughing right out loud at the heels story!!

Marie said...

I've never had a Chicago style hot dog, it looks tasty! I'm a flip flop girl.:)

Sharon Wagner said...

A good hot dog hits the spot sometimes.

Chatty Crone said...

Oh my gosh my husband and I love Chicago Dogs! We get them once a month and have to drive a half hour to get them. We are from Chicago! lol

Sandie

Rob-bear said...

Chicago hot dogs. I'd never heard of them. Something learned for Saturday! Thanks.

Blessings and Bear hugs!
Bears Noting
Life in the Urban Forest (poetry)

Sally said...

I think I'd be more of a coney island dog person mainly because I can't eat spicy. But, I'm glad you enjoyed yours; looks good!

Knew you were close to having a reunion, but I must have missed a post about it. I remember the dress you modeled for us though. Very cute. :)

And, of course you know I'm a flip flop girl. But, I used wear those 3-4 pointed toed heels. :)

Latane Barton said...

Sure, I bet Nancy will let you slide by without #5 since the other four were outstanding and made up for the missing one.

Grandma Bonnie said...

That hot dog sure does look good! I agree how bad the tolls have gotten. We travel so often we got an Ipass to help reduce the cost of tolls,

Cyndy @ Back in the Bush said...

That hot dog looks yummy! They serve a Chicago dog at Sonic and it looks just like that. I prefer the New York dog from Sonic (that's the way I travel the world - via food from Sonic! LOL).

Valerie Boersma said...

Those fries look pretty good, too! We've skipped town and run off to the beach for a few days. The seven hour car ride is no fun, but at least there aren't any tolls:) I did see some gal in stiletto boots though. Good luck with those in the sand, was my thought;)

Eat To Live said...

My Hubs loves hot dogs with all kinds of crazy things on them... I think he has even tried the Chicago Hot Dog.

Willow said...

Nice to hear you use to get up here to New England :) I know tolls add up quick!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Kids never miss new things! I don't wear heels often, except for church and I feel totally off-balance when I do. I think a man invented those things. I've never been to Washington, but many moons ago, Chicago was our plane change when flying home to Arkansas from North Dakota or Canada.

Nancy said...

Heels? What are those? :)

Thank you for sharing at R5F this week Lisa. xo

Sonya @ Under the Desert Sky said...

Those Chicago dogs are GOOOOD, aren't they?! There used to be a place a block or two from my parents' place in downtown Chicago that had the BEST Chicago dogs and the BEST chocolate malts. I'd be back in town visiting and I'd have to stop there for my first meal back home - even in winter, I'd get the chocolate malt in addition to the dog. Unfortunately, the place is now closed. :(

Hahaha. What's that thing on your shoe? Too cute.

Lin said...

Try the beef sandwiches at Portillos too. I live in Chicago and Chicago Style hot dogs are everywhere, needless to say. :) We are also known for our beef sandwiches and pizza too.

Let me know when you are in Chicago again. Love to meet ya!