Time Travel at Superdawg Drive In

I am always on the look out for cool places to eat and what's a cooler way to eat than at a retro drive-in restaurant? Opened in 1948 and still owned by the same family, Superdawg Drive In is a unique and distinctive Chicago landmark located on the far north side of the city.

The Vibe

The Superdawg Drive In is located up north on Milwaukee avenue in the same location where it opened in 1948. After picking my sister up from the airport one weekend, we stopped by the drive in for a Chicago style hotdog to start off her visit. As we drove up to the restaurant, we could see the giant hotdogs atop the building glowing in greeting. We pulled into the parking lot and found a parking spot next to a lit-up sign that listed the menu. Once we had browsed the menu and were ready to order, we pressed a button underneath and a friendly operator took our order from us. I mentioned that I had a deal while ordering and was able to give her my voucher number for some money off. While I am usually not a fan of eating in the car, I realized that at a retro drive in, you kind of have to eat in your car as part of the experience (although Superdawg Drive In does have an inside dining area). Once we were done ordering, we sat back and waited for a staff member to bring out food out to us.

The Food

My deal was good for $20 worth of food, and my sister, boyfriend, and I all ordered the classic hotdog that bears the name of the restaurant – the superdawg. When the food was brought out to us, it came on a tray that conveniently hung on the car window and allowed me to pass each hotdog to the passengers to enjoy. Each Chicago style hot dog came in its own box dressed with mustard, onions, pickles, relish, and hot peppers. Cushioning our hotdogs were homemade crinkle-cut super fries. Ketchup was available on the side for us to add if we so desired.

It took a second for me to find my hotdog underneath all the fries, but once I found it, I was able to pick it up, add ketchup (I am not from Chicago and therefore do not understand eating hotdogs with no ketchup), and take the biggest bite I could. The combination of the relish, pickles, mustard and onions with the hot, juicy hotdog was the perfect way to introduce my sister to some of Chicago's delicious food. When we were done eating, I pushed another button and the tray was collected by a staff member.

While we only had room for hotdogs and fries, Superdawg Drive In also features burgers and fountain goodies like milkshakes, ice cream sodas, and sundaes! If you are in the mood for some classic drive in food, look no further than Superdawg Drive In! You won't be disappointed.