Best Chicago Hot Dogs & Italian Beef

This is a guide to the stands behind Chicago's two street-food icons, dragged-through-the-garden hot dogs and dipped Italian beef, for anyone eating their way through the city. The stops range from Little Italy, River North and Lincoln Park to Norwood Park, near UIC and the close-in suburbs of Elmwood Park and River Grove.

Al's #1 on Taylor Street roasts its beef at this original stand; get it dipped with hot giardiniera. Mr. Beef, the counter that inspired The Bear, is known for a combo with charred Italian sausage tucked inside. Superdawg serves carhop-style under giant hot dog mascots on its roof, with crinkle fries and a pickled green tomato. Gene & Jude's piles hand-cut fries on top and skips the ketchup. Gene & Jude's is standing room only but the line moves fast, and The Wiener's Circle is best late at night.