Best Hot Dogs in Chicago

by Neil Woodburn on

America was introduced to the hot dog back in 1983 1893 at the Chicago World’s Fair.

While the hot dog has gone on to be an American favorite consumed all over the country, the proud city of Chicago has not forgotten the roots of the auspicious dog. In fact, Chicago continues to be the hot dog center of America, consistently and proudly producing some of the country’s greatest wieners.

But which are the best? Which hot dog stand pumps out the very finest, finger lickin’, mouth watering, wieners?

Narrowing down the best hot dog in Chicago is most certainly a sacrilegious undertaking at best. To say one dog is better than another could in fact constitute blasphemy in some circles–that’s how seriously they take their dogs in the Windy City.

Nonetheless, Travel & Leisure decided to brave the waters and pick the very best dogs the city has to offer.

So, if you’re heading off to this fine city any time soon, print out the list and try some of the dogs yourself. If, on the other hand, you happen to live in Chicago, you might want to tear up the list; you no doubt have your favorites already.

Some Wineries are Banning Buses to Avoid ‘Limo Lushes’

by Martha Edwards on

Some California wineries are taking action against ‘Limo Lushes’ — those uncouth hooligans who head for wineries for the purpose of getting drunk, rather than sampling wine. The nerve! Who would have the audacity to go to a winery to get drunk. Um …. well, me, for one. Call me crazy, but I think one of the appeals of visiting a winery is the chance to get a buzz on in the afternoon for free, provided you’re not driving and you don’t get too obnoxious or out-of-control. But then again, I don’t have the most sophisticated palate (I think that much is obvious)

Some wineries are going to start banning tour buses, and they’ll even start charging for samples too. In Long Island, some wineries even have a policy in which they can kick out too-rowdy tasters. Here are suggestions for following proper winery etiquette:

  • Don’t treat the tasting room like it’s happy hour. You’re there to sample, not go crazy
  • Don’t monopolize the tasting counter — let someone else have a try.
  • And for the love of pete, don’t get rowdy and obnoxious. Stealing is not funny. This isn’t your neighbourhood pub.

Perhaps in the future, I’ll choose brewery tours over wineries. I think it’s more my style.

(via Reuters)

Free Booze: American Train Travel now Sucks Less

by Neil Woodburn on

In a wild bid to boost ridership, Amtrak has announced that they will be doling out $100 worth of free alcohol to passengers.

The free drinks will only be made available to passengers on GrandLuxe trips–a luxury sleeper train service between Chicago and San Francisco (the California Zephyr), Washington D.C. and Miami (the Silver Meteor), and Chicago and Los Angeles (the Southwest Chief).

We’ve complained before here on Gadling about how much train travel in America sucks. Sure, this is a way to make it a little better, but if you ask me, $100 is an exorbitant amount of free alcohol to serve up to passengers on a 2-3 day journey. I think Amtrak is just asking for trouble here.

10 Drinks Men Should Not Order

by Erik Olsen on

I’m always a little dubious when someone deigns to tell me what is and what is NOT allowed when it comes to male behavior. I occasionally read magazines like Details and when I come to the “Clothes a man should never wear” articles, I always find a few things from my own closet right there on the page.

Keeping up with what’s in style costs too damn much money. Besides, yesterday’s faux pas is today’s hip new thing. But I do have to agree somewhat with a few of the drinks listed in this fun slide show admonishing males over what should NOT be ordered and consumed among alcoholic beverages.

To wit: anything blended, unless you’re on the beach. In other words, fruity drinks with little umbrellas or massive hunks of fruit tipping off of them: a no-no. I buy this. Sugary drinks like Mai Tais are just not very masculine. You’re not having dessert for goodness sakes, you’re getting hammered with friends! Beer is bitter and wine is sour and scotch packs a punch for a reason. You’re supposed to suffer just a small amount for the sinful indulgence of drinking them.

If it’s all sugary and yum-yum, you’ll drink all the time. And you’ll not only become a drunkard, you’ll be a fat drunkard from all that sugar. Or so goes my own concocted explanation for why I don’t order sugary drinks. Alas, you may find a Pina Colada nice and fulfilling. So go ahead and order one. And have a nice little plate of quiche while you’re at it.

Naga Jolokia: The Hottest Chili in the World

by Justin Glow on

I like spicy food. Two nights ago, I took a bite from a home-grown habanero pepper on a dare. My tolerance is pretty high, but this tiny bite set fire almost immediately after it entered my mouth. After the initial shock, my endorphins kicked in and the heat subsided to a consistent, throbbing pain, where it remained for the next twenty minutes.

“Most habaneros will rate between 200,000 and 300,000 Scoville units,” according to Wikipedia, while the standard jalapeno levels out at only 2,500-8,000. So if you can imagine the heat from a jalapeno — which is no walk in the park — multiply that times 100 and you’ve got the habanero. Now multiply THAT — the 200,000-300,000 from a habanero times three — and you’ve got the world’s hottest chili: India’s Naga Jolokia.

“It is so hot you can’t even imagine,” a farmer told the Denver Post. “When you eat it, it’s like dying.”

I don’t think I’ll be eating one of these on a dare.