Little Gino's Hot Dogs - Chicago-style dogs in Berkeley
If you blink, you might miss this place, which is just a tiny stand in a parking lot.
But they recently reopened under a new name and with a new menu item: the elusive Chicago-style hot dog.
The one I had was a bit small for the price ($4 w/tax) but definitely the real thing, with the soft steamed bun, Vienna Beef dog, all the toppings (including celery salt), and some heat from the sport peppers.
Worth a try if you're anywhere near here and crave a Chicago dog. They also have an even harder-to-find regional specialty on the menu - the "Frito Pie" (chili with cheese and Fritos).
Location: 2109 Milvia (btw Addison and Center), Berkeley.
Agent 510
Nov 04, 2009 11:59AM
Where's the parking lot?
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It's the old site of Baskerville's, on the east side of Milvia.
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Link:
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Paid a visit there today after the Farmer's Market to try the Frito Pie. My wife has been making this for us at home for years, she call it "chili boats". She's from SoCal, so that's probably just another regional reference name.
The Chili Pie is wonderful. They add cheese and onions if you like, and they offered us a mix from Chicago to spice it up. The mix consists of jalapenos, carrots, cauliflower in an olive oil. It's somewhat spicy, and really jazzes the chili up nicely.
Can't wait to go back to try out the dogs.
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Did the notice the brand of the giardinara (sp?) mix? They wouldn't have Italian beef sandwiches on the menu, would they?
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Funny you should bring up Italian beef sammich here. We had read about it here in another thread last week and couldn't wait to try it. It was awesome, they just added it to the menu. What was crazy though is that we went there after the farmer's market Saturday @ about 11AM and he only had enough beef to make one sammich!
STILL haven't had the hot dog here yet but I can recommend both the chili pie and the Italian beef sammich, great stuff. The giardinara is a really nice adder.
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I got there late and I guess now I know why there was no more Italian beef! I'm no expert, but my understanding is that the giardinara is what makes the authentic sandwich. Anyway, that's what I thought after sampling two during a layover at Midway. I noticed they had the same brand that I saw at Goldstar(?).
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Wow, I didn't think that Frito Bowl would be all that good, but I had to try it, and it was delicious!
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Check out Roy's Chicago Doggery in the North Bay. Chicago Natives opened this place in the Petaluma area The food is outstanding, just like being in the windy city.
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Yep, Roy's is cool. Have you tried the pastrami?
http://twitpic.com/tjr2r
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