Wade on Birmingham

Birmingham’s Best Eats: Chicago Mike’s magic hot dog stand

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hot dog - Chicago Mike's, Homewood, Alabama

A kosher hot dog at Chicago Mike’s in Homewood.
Photos by Jason Horn.

By Jason Horn

I grew up in Chicago, land of magnificent hot dogs. Yes, Birmingham is known for its hot dog joints too, but the sausages (mostly pork) we smother in chili at places like Pete’s Famous downtown, while good, are just not the same as a giant all-beef kosher dog.

Birmingham's Best EatsSo I almost caused an accident in downtown Homewood the first time I noticed the words “Chicago” and “kosher hot dog” on the white-and-red restaurant known as Chicago Mike’s. (OK, it’s really a shack, but never let plastic tables and chairs scare you away from anywhere.)

Before I go any further, a Windy City caveat: Chicago Mike’s is a bit of a misnomer. Mike isn’t from Chicago (though he lived there for a while), and the place doesn’t serve Chicago-style dogs (mustard, onion, relish, tomato, sport peppers, pickle spear and celery salt on a steamed poppy seed bun).

hamburger - Chicago Mike's, Homewood, AlabamaBut Chicago Mike’s makes the best, and definitely cheapest, lunch in town. A huge all-beef dog that snaps when you bite into it like a hot dog should is $2.50.

Mike’s burgers are fantastic as well: $3.25 gets you a messy cheeseburger with all the trimmings, including sweet-spicy homemade sauce.

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Chicago Mike’s

  • 2701 18th St. S, Homewood, 35209 [map]
  • (205) 868-4728
  • Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays

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Also:

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Jason HornJason Horn (@messyepicure) is a Birmingham writer, sometime culinary student and big fan of zombie movies who blogs at The Messy Epicure.

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Hungry for more? Check out the menu of Birmingham’s Best Eats!

3 Yips for “Birmingham’s Best Eats: Chicago Mike’s magic hot dog stand”

  1. Tweets that mention Wade on Birmingham » Birmingham’s Best Eats: Chicago Mike’s magic hot dog stand -- Topsy.com
    Friday, August 6, 2010, 8:04 am
    1

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Sean Kelley and Anthony, Jason Horn. Jason Horn said: Today on Bham's Best Eats: Chicago Mike's, city's best hot dog and burger stand. http://ow.ly/2lWTa (Thanks, @wadeontweets!) […]

  2. Jeremy
    Monday, August 30, 2010, 3:25 pm
    2

    They do serve a chicago style dog. You just have to request it.

  3. Jason
    Monday, August 30, 2010, 4:30 pm
    3

    Sorry, Jeremy, not quite. I’ve ordered a dog with pickles and got slices instead of spears. And I’m 99 percent sure there’s no celery salt to be found at Chicago Mike’s.

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