
Arnie’s Dog House
1503 Indianapolis Blvd., Whiting, Ind.
Cost: $3.09
Dog: Vienna Beef skinless
Toppings: Mustard, relish, onion, pepperoncini
Bite the pepper, then dribble the spicy juice it releases over the hot dog. Heaven.

Byron’s Hot Dogs
1017 W. Irving Park Rd., Lake View
Cost: $3.10
Dog: Vienna Beef skinless
Toppings: Mustard, relish, onion, pickle, tomato, sport peppers, celery salt, cucumber, bell pepper, lettuce
This study in profusion stands at the pinnacle of the Chicago dog’s inclusionist philosophy.

The Dog Joint
350 W. Armitage Ave., Lincoln Park
Cost: $2.96
Dog: Red Hot Chicago
Toppings: Mustard, relish, onion, pickle, tomato, sport peppers, celery salt
The chopped tomato removes a textural contrast but adds depth to every bite.

Jeff’s Red Hots
3901 N. Cicero Ave., Old Irving Park
Cost: $2.46
Dog: Vienna Beef
Toppings: Mustard, relish, onion, pickle, tomato, sport peppers, sauerkraut
The mellow sauerkraut blends right in to produce an earthier Chicago dog.

Morrie O’Malley’s Hot Dogs
3501 S. Union Ave., Bridgeport
Cost: $3
Dog: Vienna Beef
Toppings:Mustard, relish, onion, pickle, tomato, sport peppers, celery salt, cucumber
A cucumber spear sidekick and a heavy hand with the celery salt amp up the fresh-veggie dimension.

Rand Red Hots
1441 Rand Rd., Des Plaines
Cost: $3.29 (includes fries)
Dog: Vienna Beef
Toppings: Mustard, relish, onion, sport peppers
This pared-down style requires a high-quality natural-casing hot dog to pull off. Rand delivers.

Superdawg Drive-In
6363 N. Milwaukee Ave., Norwood Park
Cost: $6.02 (includes fries)
Dog: Proprietary skinless
Toppings: Mustard, relish, onion, pickle, pickled green tomato, sport peppers
The spicy pickled tomato counterbalances a thick, garlicky wiener.

Vienna Beef Factory Store
2501 N. Damen Ave., Industrial Corridor
Cost: $3.05
Dog: Vienna Beef
Toppings: Mustard, relish, onion, pickle, tomato, sport peppers, celery salt
The hot-dog mother ship serves an adept version of the seven-condiment paradigm.