We recently left our apartment in Salem, Mass., for a place in Beverly, Mass., just a few minutes north. As we were moving, I noticed The Scotty Dog – a little place serving up Chicago-style hot dogs.
This hot dog stand opened earlier in 2011 on scenic Route 1A. It has a handful of parking spots for car hop service, plus several picnic tables and Adirondack chairs.
Limited edition tin for Oprah's last season.
Oprah just placed it on her Ultimate Favorite Things List for 2010. No, not the iPad. No, not the 2011 VW Beetle. No, not the mini-croissants from Williams-Sonoma.
I’m talking about Garrett’s Popcorn from Chicago.
“It’s the best popcorn on the planet,” said Oprah as she gifted the $135 tin filled with heavenly caramel and cheese corn to audience members.
So, what’s better than starting off the holiday season than with a trip to Garrett’s location in Chicago’s Theatre District.
I’m very happy to introduce this next guest blog. A few week’s ago I posted a video from Disney Parks that takes a sneak peek inside Karamell-Küche, or caramel kitchen, at Epcot’s Germany pavilion in World Showcase. This is the only free-standing shop for Werther’s, which is run by Storck.
My husband’s cousin, Ronna Larsen, just returned from a trip at Walt Disney World. She has some great photos and a quick review of this new destination!
Take it away, Ronna!
Before you even walk into Karamelle-Küche (The Caramel Kitchen), in the Germany Pavilion at Epcot, you are entranced by the sweet smell of caramel corn being made. Besides caramel corn, you can watch chocolate/caramel-dipped strawberries and a variety of caramel apples being made.
A Disney cast member makes chocolate and caramel-covered strawberries.
Dr. Dawg, a hot dog/fast food restaurant, has opened a second location in Glendale, Wis. Owner David Ross already has a popular location in Manitowoc, Wis., but this new location on N. Port Washington Road brings a slice of Chicago to Milwaukee’s North Shore.
I love the bio that Ross has on his website. The doctor, as he’s called, says this about himself:
I grew up in Chicago during the era of the explosion of the Hot Dog industry. After serving in the Marines in the mid-sixties, I started my first business of towing cars. This gave me the incredible opportunity of learning the whole city/suburbs of Chicago and also experiencing all the great Hot Dog stands along the way. I found that I became particularly aware of every nuance and detail that separated the good from the really great stands. I was immersed in the Hot Dog culture and now consider myself an aficionado and connoisseur of the Chicago style Hot Dog.
…I’ve always dreamed of owning my own Hot Dog stand. Recently, I’ve earned my PhD (Professor of Hot Dogs) at the famed Hot Dog University. Not too long ago, HDU was acquired by Vienna Beef, LTD. This is “The Harvard of Encased Meats.”
…Now, finally, after all these years, I’m proud to fulfill my dream. I am passionate about Hot Dogs and look forward to sharing this wonderful experience with you.
While it’s home really is San Francisco, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company does have a midwest location off Michigan Ave. in downtown Chicago. This heavenly little shop exudes sweet smells that drift past Water Tower Place and direct you through its doors.
Under an iconic sign of bright lights (a smaller version of the one you can find in Ghirardelli Square in San Fran), Ghirardelli in Chicago is both a retail location and ice cream shoppe.
After dinner at Gino’s East and a stroll up Michigan Ave. on our recent weekend in Chi-Town, we decided to indulge our sweet tooth in a rich, hot fudge-covered treat from Ghirardelli.
Eats by Xtina 