This past summer, The Grub Spouse and I experienced a flight delay in Chicago and wound up inadvertently getting stuck there for a day and night. We took advantage by eating our way through town, everything from hot beef sandwiches to Chicago dogs to the city’s signature deep-dish pizza. So when I learned about the Chicago Hotdog and Sausage Company right here in Knoxville, I was eager to compare their fare to what we enjoyed while in the Windy City.
The Spouse and I found the restaurant on Asheville Highway not far off the Knoxville Zoo exit on Interstate 40. While studying the menu, we learned that the owner is indeed from Chicago, and he said that his dogs were made with Vienna Beef, the same brand found in most authentic Chicago dogs.
Of course, those unique dogs are prominent on the menu. You can get them in traditional fashion — mustard, relish, onion, tomato, pepper, pickle and celery salt on a poppy-seed bun — and they have cheese dogs and chili cheese dogs as well.
If you’re looking for something truly beefy, you might try their Italian beef sandwich, which is served on Turano bread. Variations include the Cheesy Beef, The Big Mikey, an Italian sausage sandwich and a Maxwell Street Polish sausage. All of these items are served as a sandwich only or as a combo, with fries and a drink.