About Dog Day Afternoon

From its unassuming spot on Armitage Ave., Dog Day Afternoon #1 has been turning out classic Chicago hot dogs on the city's West Side for more than 30 years. Here, cooks stay true to Chicago-style prep methods by sandwiching all-beef hot dogs into poppy seed buns and and piling on trimmings ranging from relish to sport peppers.

• Ambiance: a nostalgic spot sporting tables topped with red-and-yellow umbrellas, Dog Day Afternoon is welcoming to both picnic seekers and on-the-go diners
• Type of cuisine: the classic Chicago hot dog, with neon-green relish and a garden's worth of toppings—but no ketchup in sight.
• Dish to try: an unsung Chicago favorite, the pizza puff is a perfectly fried dough ball of molten cheese and sauce