With a menu that reads like a state fair—deep-fried pickle chips, country-fried bacon, chili cheese fries and, of course, their famous Dippin’ Dogs—it’s no wonder Evanston’s Wiener and Still Champion (802 Dempster) is the place to be this Saturday for National Corndog Day. “Last year was crazy,” says owner Gus Paschalis. “We probably sold 500 Dippin’ Dogs in one day.” Paschalis, who took ownership of the restaurant in 2005, spent the first part of his ownership messing with the batter for their Dippin’ Dogs, trying to get it just right. “It took me about ten different tinkerings to come up with the batter,” says Paschalis. “It’s got that real, authentic state-fair taste.” Wiener and Still Champion also has an extensive listing of dipping sauces for their dogs. Paschalis says, “We have twelve regular sauces on hand. And we also do a sauce a week.” This gives the restaurant about fifty-two different sauces by the end of the year, and the most popular ones are kept on the menu. Paschalis and company will offer discounts all day this Saturday for National Corndog Day, including their Dippin’ Dogs for $1.25. (Peter Cavanaugh)
Dining and food culture in Chicago
