11/24/17
Belly Dog at Urbanbelly in Chicago, IL. I love a good hot dog, and with my travels and the business I’m in, have had more than my fair share over the years - at ball parks, arenas, stadiums, food trucks, restaurants, and everything in between. However, it’s rare that I come across a hot dog where I’ve exclaimed “Wow, this is BIGTIME!” Enter the Belly Dog, a good size Vienna beef dog both longer and thicker than your average ball park frank and garnished with curry mayo, pickled green papaya, fried shallots, crispy egg noodles, and cilantro. The shallots and egg noodles give it a nice crunch while the papaya and curry mayo bring the whole dog together with flavors that will undoubtedly make you want to run it back (i.e. order again). One of the best parts about this dog is the bun - soft and nicely toasted with a trace of butter. Urbanbelly is run by renowned chef Bill Kim, who we were fortunate to meet and talk with when we dined there. Love his approach and enthusiasm for food! With two locations in the Chicago area, Urbanbelly serves a diverse menu with terrific Asian-inspired dishes. I also loved their Coconut Curry Pho, Phat Rice, and Soft Serve dessert. The Belly Dog is a BIGTIME dish and definitely the best hot dog I’ve ever had. It’s a must try when in the Chicago area. There’s only one question with this Belly Dog next time I’m in town - How many times should I run it back?!?!?