On a regular road in Wheeling stood a hopping relic of time, Superdawg Drive-In. The large iconic hot dog statues looming on top of the diner beacons us into the parking lot.
After looping around the building we land in front of the dinner in a spot and begin examining the menu.
The Superdawg Experience
At every parking spot, there’s a drive-up window machine. A menu with a call button.
From our individual parking space, we place our order: A Superdawg.
In no time someone comes out to the car with our food on a blue tray that clips to the window of our car! So cute. Our order is safely tucked in an adorable old-fashioned designed box.
As someone who isn’t car-eccentric, I love the old-fashioned joys of car-driven activities, from a time when cars were cool. Like Drive-ins like this and the movie drive-ins (outdoor theater.)
Doggone Good
However, as I was about to learn, Superdawg was more than an experience.
Our adorable box was filled to the brim with veggies and crinkle fries burying the hot dog. We started eating the fries, pickles, and green tomatoes. Trying to uncover the meal.
I was kinda shocked. With my first bite of the hotdog, I thought dang this might be one of the best hotdogs I’ve had.
Sure I had heard all the hype. But I wrote it off as a tourist activity. Most things are one or the other: good food or a cool experience. This was indeed both.
Now, this was a Superdawg, fairly similar to a Chicago-style hot dog, however, a Chicagoan could argue it isn’t traditional and therefore cannot be compared to other Chicago dogs.
The biggest difference I noticed was the type and size of the hot dog. It was thicker than most Chicago dogs. The dog was the main focus instead of the toppings.
Also, I was surprised to see that on our tray, we were given a ketchup bottle (for fries and burgers only of course!) Not all hotdog places have ketchup here in Chicagoland.
Now, it was a tad expensive. However, it was worth it. For the price you get a yummy meal and a unique experience Overall I enjoyed the unique experience of car dining. This was way more elevated and fun than eating in the car because of COVID-19.
I am also a sucker for retro dinners! And this one had it all from the hot dog figures to the retro signs.
Unique experiences also thrill me and honestly how many places can you dine in a car? A one-of-a-kind experience in my books.
Know before you go
Although I highly suggest the Car Dining experience, this location also has indoor dining. The Superdawg Wheeling is open 11 am- 9 pm.
Speaking of indoor dining, if you go to the original Superdawg in Norwood Park East, it is right along Milwaukee Street with Cta Bus 56 right there. This means even without a car you can get a Superdawg. As a non-driver myself I do like to mention this. However, with a vehicle, this diner still offers the drive-up experience. It is also open later than the Wheeling location. The hours of the Chicago SUperdawg are Sunday-Thursday 11 am-1 am and Friday and Saturday 11 am- 2 am.
So retro, so fun…so Betsy!