It’s time for another edition of Food Flight, and this one leads us to the one and only Windy City. Chicago is famous for its foodie-friendly delights, and its Midway Airport is no different. These three offerings are sure to tempt your palate before you head out into that arctic blast they call “winter.”
Superdawg
There’s an old saying: “When in Chicago, one must have a hot dog.” Okay, I made that up, but it might as well be true. A classic Chicago hot dog must offer the following: a poppyseed bun, pickle, tomato wedges, celery salt, onions, neon green relish, and of course…an all-beef hot dog. No pork, thank you very much.
I was first drawn to Superdawg’s retro look. Then I tried their hot dog. I got the classic Superdawg with some Superfries. It came in a fun little box, which was easy to transport. You definitely want to eat the Superdawg in a quiet corner, as it can get a little messy. It definitely hit the spot, but I wouldn’t bother with the Superfries next time. A waste of time and calories, if you ask me. Some hot dog purists might turn up their nose at Superdawg, but when your choices are limited…trust me, this’ll do.
(Some day, I will visit their drive-in location.)
http://www.superdawg.com/
Potbelly
Potbelly has a cult following that I can’t quite understand. It’s hard for me to enjoy my cheesy, fatty sandwich when I know an actual potbelly will be the result. Nevertheless, if you want a wide variety of sandwiches, chips, and tea—you’ve come to the right place.
I recommend getting The Skinny—it’s less meat and cheese on “thin cut” bread. At least it cuts down on the guilt. I hear glowing reviews about the Meatball and Pizza sandwich, but I play it safe with a Turkey on wheat. Check out the soups while you’re at it.
http://www.potbelly.com
Nuts on Clark
If you ever want to start a fight, ask a group of Chi-town natives which popcorn is better: Nuts on Clark or Garrett? Both are Chicago originals that somehow manage to combine caramel and cheesy popcorn into a delicious mash-up of flavors. The flavors shouldn’t work together, but they do. To be honest, they taste the same to me, but only Nuts on Clark can be found at Midway. It’s the perfect snack after your hot dog or sandwich, just beware—it’s not unheard of to eat an entire bag in one sitting.
http://www.nutsonclark.com/
So how ‘bout it, fellow foodies and frequent fliers? Let me hear your favorite places to nosh at when you’re flying through MDW…