I was in Chicago for a music conference a number of years ago. I had a half day to kill before heading out to the airport to head home, so I just walked around. About 10:00 AM, I stopped at a place and got a hot dog and figured, I have no responsibilities today, so I got a beer with it. Unbelievable hot dog - the best I ever had. I repeated this at seven or eight other places, with the same awesome results. By the time I headed out to the airport at 2:00, I was fat and buzzed. What a great day.

With all due respect to the great hot dogs here in NY, Chicago-style dogs are my favorite. Alas, the only joint that serves them within an our of home here on LI is a Sonic Drive-In in Deer Park. But those are a pale imitation of the real-thing, even if they will do in a pinch. Weirdly, there is a joint in Mt. Pleasant, SC (where my in-laws live) that serves great Chicago-style dogs. And you can always go on the Vienna Beef website and order all the fixins to make them yourself at home. I've done that a couple of times, and they are the real deal.

Damn...now I want a Chicago-style dog.

Must. Go. To Chicago...

[3] Go to that record store that has the basement with the unopened box lots of stuff while you're there.