Chicago Top Dog 2024 | NBC Chicago
- The annual Chicago Hot Dog Fest is underway in portage Park, offering a wide array of hot dog creations, from bacon-wrapped to tikka masala-smothered.
- Eleven local eateries are vying for the title of best hot dog, including Chicago’s Dog House and Tandoor Char House.
- Bust Outs, a vendor in its second year at the festival, is showcasing its Chicago Transit Authority-themed menu.
The Chicago Hot Dog Fest is sizzling in Portage Park, and you don’t want to miss it! This year’s festival serves up a delectable lineup of creative hot dogs, from bacon-wrapped to tikka masala-infused. eleven vendors compete for the coveted “Best hot dog” title, so bring your appetite and get ready to vote! Beyond the culinary delights, the event boasts live music, family-pleasant entertainment, and the always-thrilling hot dog-eating contest, where seasoned competitive eaters and newbies alike vie for victory. News Directory 3 has the inside scoop on the latest winner,”Frank the Tank,” and the inventive preparations of local eateries.Discover what’s next in Chicago’s vibrant food scene.
Chicago Hot Dog Fest Serves Up Wieners, Music, and Competition
Updated June 01, 2025
The annual Chicago Hot Dog Fest is underway in portage Park, offering a wide array of hot dog creations, from bacon-wrapped to tikka masala-smothered. The festival, located at 4000 N. Milwaukee Ave., continues through Sunday and features live music, children’s entertainment, and a hot dog-eating contest.
Eleven local eateries are vying for the title of best hot dog, including Chicago’s Dog House and Tandoor Char House. Attendees can vote for their favorite by scanning a QR code. Trey Perillo, a Logan Square resident, and his friends planned to sample all 11 competing hot dogs, turning it into a weekend adventure.
Bust Outs, a vendor in its second year at the festival, is showcasing its Chicago Transit Authority-themed menu. Angelo Palivos, a partner at Bust Outs, said preparations for the event began six months ago. Their new creation, the Fire Dog, features a jalapeño cheese-stuffed frank wrapped in cherry rosewood bacon, topped with grilled onions and mustard. Palivos noted the Fire Dog has already sold out three times.
Tandoor Char House is offering a unique twist with its tikka masala dogs, blending Indian and Pakistani flavors with the classic American dish. Chef Faraz Sardharia said he enjoys the community atmosphere and seeing people try their specialty hot dogs.
Babar Mushtaq, supporting Tandoor Char House, praised the community for supporting small businesses at the festival. The Chicago hot dog-eating contest took place at the main stage, drawing a large crowd.
Frank “The Tank” Wach,71,a two-time winner,dominated the competition by consuming 9½ hot dogs in five minutes.Wach, a retired food-eating competitor, also participates in the Lincoln Park Greek Fest’s gyro-eating contest.
Wach shared his technique: removing the hot dog from the bun, breaking it in half, and dipping the bun in water to make it easier to eat. ”It’s always fun to compete with the younger people because they don’t think you can do it, but I can teach them something,” Wach said.
The festival concludes Sunday, with doors open from noon to 10 p.m.The Top Dog Parade, a popular event, is scheduled for noon.
“It’s definitely very different, and people really enjoy something different. I think our tikka masala dog is very popular here,” Sardharia said.
What’s next
Following the Chicago Hot Dog Fest, organizers plan to evaluate feedback and explore new vendors and entertainment options for next year’s event, aiming to enhance the experience and continue celebrating Chicago’s iconic food culture.