Why aren't there hot dog carts in chi? (Chicago, Bridgeport: neighborhoods, inspections)

[jman07]

NYC has hot dog carts all over. Why doesn't Chicago?

[ChicagoMeO]

Take time machine back to 1960, you'll find em.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by jman07

NYC has hot dog carts all over. Why doesn't Chicago?

NYC doesn't have them all over anymore though there's still a good number but there's way more middle eastern carts now than anything.

[CSD610]

Originally Posted by jman07

NYC has hot dog carts all over. Why doesn't Chicago?

Maybe because it is Chicago (NOT Chi) and you don't know where to look.

[eating while walking]

There are a few scattered around: in front of Shedd Aquarium, there's one on Chicago Ave at Eckhart Park, sometimes I see one around Milwaukee and Pulaski, in various parks, etc.

The reason there are so few is because up until recently, the city had very stringent laws against street food vending. Asnine if you ask me. Street eating is the best kind of eating and for a city that takes such pride in its hot dogs, it's a shame that we have so few hot dog carts. The laws are turning around though so hopefully we see more carts appear in the future.

[via chicago]

I dont see anything changing super soon. The city is still pretty strict on food prep regulations. Just look at how difficult it was to get food trucks set up as an example. The only real food carts I see are Mexican vendors in areas like Pilsen/Little Village, but I imagine theyre in a legal grey area.

This is a big reason why Chicago has so many dog/beef shacks. You can still get "street food", but its coming from a kitchen thats subject to inspections.

[Ace Rothstein]

There were a bunch of these in Bridgeport in the 80's/90's. There are still a few but not like there used to be.

There was someone at the bottom of the 18th street southbound ramp from the Ryan for decades.

[long101]

I dont think I'm every a few blocks away from a hotdog stand or a place that sells Chicago 'street food. They are typically open till early morning as well.

[NealIRC]

Originally Posted by via chicago

The only real food carts I see are Mexican vendors in areas like Pilsen/Little Village, but I imagine theyre in a legal grey area.

Yes, all over in Little Village and other Mexican neighborhoods, you got these little taco stands, for tortas, some of these Mexican desserts, etc.

You know how along the lake and stuff you got these Mexicans walking their mobile-freezers on wheels with popsicles inside. Just another cultural thing.

But it's hardly a "White people" thing to have a stand, like in an agora. And if White people did have such things, then they very likely will have hotdogs.

Nobody does anything like that in Black neighborhoods.

There used to be a stand outside Clark-Devon hardware store, by the playground, that had hotdogs and burgers years ago.

Someone brought up the legality of it. Perhaps that could be the case and I have no idea about it.

It could be a law that isn't enforced by police driving around, such that if you tried to get a permit from the city, you will be denied it.

[sipes23]

Originally Posted by via chicago

This is a big reason why Chicago has so many dog/beef shacks. You can still get "street food", but its coming from a kitchen thats subject to inspections.

You know, this might be my bias against street food in other places. Street food for me comes from a place like you describe. But I'm Chicago that way.

I wonder if the ubiquitous dog and beef shacks kind of push the locals to be biased against carts.