Restaurant: Flub A Dub Chub's Hotdog Emporium

They're phallic. They're juicy. They're steaming hot and anthropomorphized on the storefront.



Owned by Sam Giarratano, among the more personable and friendly guys I've met, Flub A Dub Chub's is a bit hard to find. Look for it hidden below street level, wedged into the tiny space next-door to La Tavernetta, beneath Monsignor Murphy's and an astrologer's studio. One walks down a narrow set on concrete steps, past the window that today was hand-painted "Congradulations, Gay Pride!" (the misspelling made it all the more sweet), and hangs a right to enter a dining room no larger than a Lakeview studio apartment. The entire place is finished in glossy red and white, with the iconic plastic ketchup and mustard bottles bookending black vinyl napkins dispensers on high tabletops. It's all American, from the chrome stools to the vintage posters on the walls. There's even a stack of newspapers and a magazine rack (Vogue, Chicago Social, Southern Living), just in case you want them.


Sam greeted us on the street, a big "Hi fellas!", and led us into his space. We ordered, Alan choosing The Ultimate Mr. Big (a Vienna beef frank covered in chili, cheese, and raw onions), and me picking The Speiser (hot dog, chili, cheese, jalapenos). Sam even personally set up the patio table out front for us, asking us what he should be expecting from this year's Pride parade (the first since the restaurant opened five months ago). Alan suggested hosting a hot dog eating contest for the event. Sam just kept talking up the passers-by.


Now, it must be said: these portions are huge. Both our lunches arrived in plastic baskets with plastic silverware, accompanied by fat, greasy fries and a stack of napkins. It's simple...dog, chili, cheese, and lots of it. My arteries are still crying out, but I almost emptied my basket.

I realize it's no gourmet entree, but places like this, with owners like Sam, deserve mentioning. Check it out.