Hot dog wars. On Tuesday, the Community Development Commission approved a $5 million subsidy to fund hot dog-maker Vienna Beef Ltd.'s move from 2501 N. Damen Ave. to 1000 W. Pershing Rd. in Bridgeport. During their discussion of the proposal, commissioners also considered another topic: ketchup on hot dogs. The topic came up when Lincoln Park Community leader Allan Mellis said that he never puts ketchup on his dogs, a practice seconded by Comm. Andrew Mooney, who noted he is a mustard fan. There was some dissent though – Comm. Anne Kostiner apologetically said she favors ketchup. Chairman Marina Carrott stayed out of the controversy, saying only that she likes her corned beef trimmed neat.
Speaking of hot dogs. Possibly the only thing more “Chicago” than skipping the ketchup on the city’s favorite cased-meat product is being berated by the staff of Lincoln Park’s The Weiners Circle when ordering a dog. And DNAinfo Chicago has some good news for Weiner Circle fans. The restaurant’s owner, Berry Nemerow, has joined an all-star team of local fast food entrepreneurs to open the city’s second Redhot Ranch location at 3057 N. Ashland Ave. in Lakeview. Nemerow also owns the original Redhot Ranch location in Logan Square and 35th Street Red Hots in Bridgeport.
Rahm goes to Israel. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his daughter, Leah, were expected to head to Jerusalem, Israel Friday to commemorate the youngest Emanuel’s bat mitzvah, the Chicago Tribune reported. The mayor, who will attend the Israeli Presidential Conference from June 18-20 while abroad, is expected to return to Chicago on June 23.
No restaurant for you. The owner of the Mario’s Lemonade stand, located at 1068 W. Taylor St. in Little Italy, is attempting to find a lease for commercial space he owns on the same block. But if you are thinking about opening a restaurant there, think again. Sixty-five year old Mario DiPaolo has reportedly received many inquiries from restaurateurs interested in the space at 1074 W. Taylor St., but he has turned them all down, saying the area is already flush with dining options. “For all the money in the world, I wouldn’t put another bar there,” he told DNAinfo Chicago. “I’m a little fussy.”
-Jani Actman and Tom Butala