Red-Hots

Wrigley's Chicago Dog- Vienna Beef, of course

This is no ordinary hot dog. Eating a Chicago-style red-hot is an experience folks like us from the Northeast just don't get every day.

First off, the dog itself. You want to make sure you've got one of Chicago's own Vienna Beef hot dogs, with its snappy casing and garlicky flavor.

Then, you've gotta get the works. That means onions, bright green sweet pickle relish, slices of fresh Roma tomatoes, garlic dill pickle spears, sport peppers, yellow mustard and a dusting of celery salt. Ketchup? No way. Leave that for your fries, if you must.

Finally, the bun. It must be a freshly steamed poppy-seed bun, preferably one from S. Rosen's, the local bakery that has set the standard.

Where did I get mine? Wrigley Field, of course! It was my first-ever visit, but I knew the Friendly Confines wouldn't let me down. Although they didn't offer pickle spears, they had everything else. And, it tasted amazing! Sweet, hot, garlicky, salty, it had practically every taste sensation packed into each incredible bite.

Know what made it taste even better? Our beloved Cubs got a walk-off win. Go, Cubs, go!