Here’s Where to Find NYC’s Best Chicago Dog
Because some Midwest traditions are worth importing.
Out-of-towners will rarely admit that any restaurant in New York can do their hometown dish justice. And more often than not, they’re right. Philly cheesesteaks just hit different when you’re standing on South Street. Good luck finding barbecue brisket that rivals the smoky perfection of Central Texas. And God knows there isn’t a proper Mission-style burrito anywhere near the five boroughs. But every rule has its exception — and for Chicago-style hot dogs, that exception might just be Brooklyn’s Dog Day Afternoon.
The Founders
Named after a 1970s Al Pacino film shot on the same block, Dog Day Afternoon brings Chicago flavors to the heart of Windsor Terrace. Founded by industry veterans Joe Boyle (a Chicago native) and Jay Kerr, the shop opened its doors on August 2, 2021. The next day, I went there to watch them pull off the impossible. I’d developed a taste for Chicago-style dogs during a trip the year prior — just weeks before the entire world shut down. The pandemic was brutal, but it also sparked some silver linings: remote work, outdoor dining, cocktails to go, and passion projects like Dog Day Afternoon. Seeing the toll COVID took on restaurant workers, Boyle and Kerr set out to create a place on their own terms — one rooted in their vision and values.
The Atmosphere
The restaurant just oozes character. The walls and exterior are decked out with comic book decor, and the retro vibe is punctuated by 80’s references and nods to classic films set in NYC. Vintage records are displayed for sale, and there’s even a Ms. Pac-Man arcade machine to complete the fun, throwback atmosphere. The place is tiny, with no indoor seating whatsoever, but somehow, no one seems to mind. When you're here, you feel like a kid again, and that nostalgia is almost as satisfying as the food itself.
The Chicago-Style Dog
Now, a proper Chicago-style hot dog has a very specific, agreed-upon set of ingredients:
A Vienna beef hot dog in a poppy seed bun
Mustard
Neon relish
Diced white onion
Kosher pickle spear
Tomato slices
Pickled sport peppers
A dash of celery salt
“…visually, texturally, and arguably in flavor, a Chicago-style dog is much more interesting than the mustard and sauerkraut trope of New York.”
Dog Day Afternoon respects this specification down to the last detail, going so far as to adhere the poppy seeds to the Martin's potato roll during the morning prep work, delivering a Chicago-style hot dog that looks and feels like the real thing. Each bite is a mouthwatering harmony of flavors and contrast: the pillowy poppy-seed bun cradling the snappy frank within — the savory core of the ensemble balanced by the tangy bite of pickled vegetables and condiments — all of it heightened by the delightful juxtaposition hot and chilled elements. You can say that a hot dog doesn't need all of these components, but visually, texturally, and arguably in flavor, a Chicago-style dog is much more interesting than the mustard and sauerkraut trope of New York.
The Chili Dog
However, this place wouldn't be as beloved by the community if they were a one-trick pony. The chili dog is respectable — the dog anointed with rich, meaty chili, diced onions, hot sauce, and melty, processed, cheddar goo reminiscent of Southern Brooklyn institution Roll N Roaster.
The Italian Beef
But while everyone gets the Chicago dog, their sleeper hit — which is probably even better — is their Italian beef sandwich. Relatively unknown outside of Chicago until the debut of FX's Emmy-winning series The Bear, this dish is an absolute force of nature, and the version at Dog Day Afternoon is particularly impressive. The star of the show Jeremy Allen White and Seth Meyers even shared the restaurant’s Italian Beef on an episode of Late Night. The sandwich features thinly sliced, juicy, simmered beef piled high on fresh French bread from Caputo’s in Carroll Gardens (if you know you know), all topped with blistered green sweet peppers and vibrant giardiniera, then baptized in a ladleful of rich, savory jus. The result is a sandwich that commands the full attention of your taste buds. The flavor combo of the bright, aromatic giardiniera and savory jus-drenched beef is astounding. Just a wonderful, delicious mess, in the best way. Arguably one of the greatest sandwiches in NY.
The Verdict
So how is it that a Chicago-style hot dog joint is thriving in this little corner of Brooklyn? What is it about this place that has won over the neighborhood? Well, it’s simple, really. The owners are awesome, the vibe is fun, and at the end of the day, the food is damn good. It's the closest you will get to a bona-fide Chicago dog in this town. It's not just me saying it — a number of Chicagoan visitors and transplants have echoed that sentiment. Dog Day Afternoon has managed to take a slice of Chicago and make it feel like it belongs here — right at home in the middle of Brooklyn. And that’s because when all is said and done, great food, made with heart and true to its roots, can feel like it belongs anywhere.