09:50 AM CST on Wednesday, February 17, 2010

By TINA DANZE / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News
Two new delis near downtown are each touting Chicago-style sandwiches and hot dogs.

Previously, Eddie's Deli (which opened in September) was the only Dallas spot specializing in the Windy City's famous hot dog and sandwiches, such as the beloved Italian Beef. Now you can get your fix – and some of the hard-to-find ingredients for home preparation – at delis in the Dallas Farmers Market and Deep Ellum.

"It's really strange that there seems to be this trend for Chicago food here," says Adrianne Capua, co-owner of Old World Sausage Co. Michael McMeans, owner of Crickets, offers this explanation: "Dallas is ready for some different food."We have people that come in on a daily basis that are from Chicago. The true Chicago people support us, and then it's word of mouth."

Novelty is one thing, but these sandwiches and hot dogs also happen to be affordable. First, some background: Italian Beef sandwiches are made with thin slices of slow-roasted beef, served on a soft bun, drenched in Italian-spiced au jus sauce. There's usually a hefty topping of Chicago-style giardiniera (hot peppers and vegetables packed in oil, not vinegar). Most purveyors add grilled bell pepper and onions to the sandwich, too.

As for the hot dog, Chicagoans are fiercely brand-loyal. Traditionally, the dogs are made with: Vienna brand all-beef hot dogs, poppy seed buns, "sport" peppers (tiny, hot bottled peppers), chopped onions and tomatoes, celery salt, yellow mustard, fluorescent green pickle relish from Chicago and, sometimes, dill pickle. You won't find all these products in local supermarkets. But between the two newest delis, you can buy almost all of them. You may have to compromise on the hot dog brand at the supermarket.

Tina Danze is a Dallas freelance writer.

Chicago's Gourmet Pizza
Two locations: 3131 Custer Road at Parker, Plano, 972-596-3500; and 114 E. John Carpenter Freeway at O'Connor in Irving, 972-717-7770
Serves Chicago dogs ($3.99) and Italian Roast Beef sandwiches ($6.99) in addition to other sandwiches.

To assemble a Chicago-style hot dog:
Place one all-beef hot dog, steamed, on a steamed or warmed poppy-seed hot dog bun. Coat with desired amount of yellow mustard. Sprinkle with chopped onion. Spoon on relish – the neon-green variety, available at Crickets. Add several sport peppers, if desired. Top with tomato wedges or cubes and dill pickle or cucumber. Finish with a light sprinkling of celery salt.

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