The great wienie quest

Jim and Nancy do not disclose the fact that they will review a restaurant before they attend, ensuring their reviews are unbiased and uninfluenced by their position with the Sun Day.

One beautiful autumn Sunday morning, after recording our restaurant review show on Huntley Community Radio, we found ourselves with nothing to do for a change. We decided to build a cozy fire in the fireplace on our screened in porch and relax with a good cigar. We were sitting there smoking, talking, and laughing with each other when Nancy blurted out, “I really need a wienie.” I took the high road and avoided the obvious joke and asked Nancy what she would like. To my disappointment, she said she had a taste for a good old Chicago Style Hot Dog.

I told Jim I didn’t want a fancy schmancy kale wrapped plant based hot dog on a tofu bun. What I needed was a wienie on a steamed poppy seed bun with mustard, onions, that iridescent green relish, two sport peppers, a dill pickle spear all sprinkled with celery salt. We have your mouth watering now, don’t we??? We were thinking about going to Gene and Jude’s in River Grove when we remembered our friend Mimi telling us about Wienerville III in Elgin.

After finishing our cigars, making sure the fire was out, we jumped into the Mini-Mobile and off we went on our wienie quest!!!

This establishment is so small, that even with our GPS Jim passed it up and had to retrace his route. There are a few parking spots available but the main mode of service is drive through. We parked, walked across the drive through lane, and walked in. Lo and behold there were two tables inside. We use the term “inside” loosely since it was just a glass enclosed patio.

We both stared at the menu wall, Nancy as usual stared quite a bit longer. They offer a wide variety of Chicago classics, such as, Italian beef, Italian sausage, meatball sandwiches, and Maxwell Street polish sausage, along with hot dogs.

Jim instantly saw the Rodeo Dog ($4.29) which was a deep-fried hot dog wrapped in bacon, served with grilled onions and barbecue sauce. Just in case this low-calorie offering wasn’t enough, he also ordered a Chicago style hot dog ($2.79). This was a hot dog on a poppy seed bun with mustard, iridescent green relish, onions, tomato, pickle, celery salt, and sport peppers. Being the trained professional that he is, he finished both of them, but couldn’t decide which one he liked more.

Nancy finally was going to get the wienie she needed so desperately and ordered the Chicago Style Hot Dog her way, without tomatoes. She also noticed that tamales were on the “side menu” and asked if they were the bunch type, and to her surprise, they were.

We decided to bring them home and enjoy them in our warm abode. To stave off our hunger during the ride home, we bought a small order of crinkle cut fries ($1.89) which were gone by the time we pulled into our driveway. This wienie satisfied her craving, and the bunch tamales was a seldom found treasure.

Normally we wouldn’t review venues like this, but in this day and age, it’s difficult to find a good Chicago style hot dog. This place fits the bill and is close to home.

Dining Duo Tip: The Sunday special is $1.79 for a Chicago Style Hot Dog, what a bargain!!!

NOTE: Use the drive through, it’s easier. Bring an insulated bag along to put your food in to keep it warm on the ride home.

The price for my trip to Wienerville was $18.58. Satisfying my insatiable need for a wienie, priceless…

Jim’s take: The Rodeo Dog was an unexpected hit.

Nancy’s take: Aaahhhhhhh…

Have comments or restaurant suggestions for the Dining Duo? Send them an email at: thediningduo@gmail.com

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