Superdawg in “1,000 Places to See Before You Die”

Posted by Noemi | Under Restaurant with 1,543 views

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Friday Oct 10, 2008

Have you read the best-selling travel book “1,000 Places to See Before You Die” ? The book contains a number of Chicago locations in its list, alongside such exotic destinations as the Taj Mahal, the Pyramids of Egypt, and the North Pole. Among the Chicago locations mentioned in the book are the Art Institute, Charlie Trotter’s, the Chicago Blues Festival, the Frank Lloyd Wright home in Oak Park …. and Superdawg.

The moment I landed in Chicago this afternoon, my sister and brother-in-law brought me to Superdawg just so I will have 999 places left to visit. The first thing that attracted me was the retro feel and look of their mascot. I felt like being brought back in time to the 50’s if one just ignore the modern looking cars. Are neon lights still being used these days?

Superdawg retains a 1950s style of ordering food. Customers pull their car up to one of the carports and order through a retro-looking metallic speaker box.

The orders are delivered to the car window by a carhop with a tray that hooks on to the car door. When finished eating, the customer flips a switch on the box and a carhop comes to take the tray back.

We decided to just get off our car and order straight at the counter.

So what did we order?

Superveggies™ $2.65
Big box of mixed battered veggies like corn, mushrooms, brocolli

Superfish™ $5.75
Ahoy fish lovers! Our Superfish™ is a deep fried, boneless filet of Cod. Served with our yummy tartar sauce, a hunk of Kosher dill pickle and a boat load of Superfries.™

Superdawg™ $4.95
Not a wiener – not a frankfurter – not a red hot – but our exclusive… Superdawg™. On a poppy seed bun, we tenderly place the loveliest, juiciest creation of pure beef hot dog (no pork, no veal, no cereal, no filler), formally dressed with all the trimmings, escorted by our often imitated, but never equaled, Superfries™. Served with all the trimmings – golden mustard, tangy piccalilli, kosher dill pickle, chopped Spanish onions and a memorable hot pepper.

I love the battered veggies the most. Being a semi-vegan, I decided to just eat the Superfish.

But why did Superdawg make it to the list? Well, the Patricia Schultz , author of 1,000 Places to See Before You Die, A Traveler’s Life List” says

“But there is something special about the classic drive-in fun promised at Superdawg, open since 1948. Not only are the red hots flawless here, but so is the funky ambience, where you still order from outdoor “Order Matic” speakers and have your tray delivered by a carhop waitress who’ll attach it to the side of your vehicle with a smile.”

Yup, I do agree. I felt like I was brought back to the fifties. So it’s just fitting that my husband will get a souvenir t-shirt courtesy of my sister and husband.

A retro-themed t-shirt.

Since 1948, Maurie, Flaurie, their children and grandchildren have scrupulously adhered to one goal: “always to serve you in a manner that will make you want to return – and bring your friends, and new generations, with you”.