On the wall of the Lakeview hot dog joint Flub a Dub Chubs, there is a Polaroid of me looking sad and confused. At least I think it’s still there—I’m not sure because in the seven years since it was taken I’ve been too traumatized to make a return visit. You see, I made the “mistake” of ordering ketchup on my hot dog and was promptly added to the restaurant’s “wall of shame” for all who dare choose the red vinegary condiment over the city-sanctioned yellow one. But now, with Chicago Hot Dog Fest (aka the Mustard Mafia’s Christmas) upon us, it’s time for me to metaphorically tear that photo off the wall and speak, well, frankly: I’m not ashamed to put ketchup on a hot dog.
Heinz recently rattled the cages of local condiment Nazis when, as part of a promotional stunt ahead of National Hot Dog Day in July, the company released ketchup in a container bearing the label chicago dog sauce. What the Mustard Mafia deserved instead is a little slice of humble pie—with a big squirt of the red stuff.
