Bob Sirott's One More Thing about hot dog stands - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News

One more thing about some of my favorite Chicago summertime haunts.

Hot dog stands: this is their season. Sunday, July 1 is the beginning of national hot dog month. Chicago artist Bruce Cascia, a former ad agency art director, has done a series of paintings paying tribute to a dozen icons of our city's heritage; those unique spots to eat and meet--the neighborhood hot dog joint.

Each one took Cascia a month or more to do in his photo-realistic style. A couple of the places in the series are gone, but most are still around, feeding our appetite for food and good company.

These unique, inviting establishments are a throwback to the era when colorful ma and pa diners dotted out country's roadsides. Fortunately for us in Chicago, the big chains haven't been able to duplicate these small businesses, and they continue to be a big part of the character and community spirit that give Chicago its wonderful small town feel here in the big city.

My long-standing belief that Chicago hot dogs are an art form has now been confirmed. Makes you want a late night snack, doesn't it?

You can find more from the artist Bruce Cascia at brucecasciagallery.com, or reach him at (847) 371-1870.

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