A Chicago-style hot dog

How Did The Chicago-Style Hot Dog Come To Be?

NEWS

By EMMA PAIDRA

Chicago-style hot dogs lined up
The Chicago-style hot dog's rise to fame is steeped in Chicago's rich history. It arrived in America in the 1840s, when German immigrants brought their cuisine across the Atlantic.
A Chicago-style hot dog
The unique hot dog style was developed during the Great Depression, which allowed Chicagoans to enjoy something close to a full meal for only a nickel.
Chicago-style hot dog beside fries
Part of the food's long-term success is credited to the boom of post-war America. Many veterans returning home from WWII made their living in the hot dog cart business.
Platter with a Chicago-style hot dog and fries
After so many years, there are a particular set of rules around how to properly prepare a Chicago dog. The bun is always steamed, and the sausage is boiled or steamed.