It’s always fun to look at lists. Maybe it’s looking back at a list of the most popular toys when we were kids or the coolest new cars when we were dreaming of our first one.
Then there’s the lists of bests – best movies to see, best books to read. Generally, I look at them all. But perhaps my favorite has been the food lists. I used to travel around the region for my job and it was fun to try out the places at the top of the lists for their specialties whether it be pizza, steak, doughnuts. Most of the time I agreed that the top picks were indeed good, if not the best, but sometimes I thought we did a much better job here in the neighborhood.
The most recent list I saw was: The Best Hot Dog Stands in the Chicago Area. While we have some really good offerings here, I must admit I always looked forward to being in the River Grove area because I did enjoy Gene & Jude’s. And it has been no surprise to me that they are usually at the top of the list along with well-known places like the Weiner Circle and Superdawg.
But out of the city’s hundreds of spots for red hots and polish sausages, beating those places out on this survey at number #1 was our own Fat Johnnie’s at 72nd and Western. Even though sadly both Johnnie and his son Ted both passed away, their legacy is carried on in the same way here today. And having shared that with you, I am guessing many of us have a taste for a hot dog right about now.
So, while you are out getting your hot dog, if you like history, stop by the Chicago Lawn Library, 6120 S Kedzie Avenue, and check out the Chicago Lawn Historical Society glass case where more photos of winter scenes in the early days of the neighborhood have been added. They’ll only be there for another week or two and the case will change again.
On Saturday, Feb. 1, it is Family Craft Day at the library. This month it will be Glitter Canas Art from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Bring your kids or grandkids ages 6 to 13 for a fun winter craft.
Then on Sunday, Feb. 2, Community Cinema brings the 2021 MGM film Respect to the library beginning at 2 p.m. This movie is the true story following Aretha Franklin’s rise to stardom.
The Eco Shop, the new natural handcrafted goods and refillery shop on the corner of 63rd at Spaulding, is hosting a Sweet Valentine Sunday Market this Sunday, Feb. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors will be on hand with unique gifts, sweet treats, and more. The event will also feature a kids’ craft table and raffles. Stop in to support our local vendors.
The Monthly Novena to St. Rita of Cascia takes place next Thursday, Feb. 6, at the St. Rita Shrine, 7740 S. Western Avenue beginning at 7 p.m. As always, everyone is invited to stay after Mass for a slice of the famous Kringle brought in from the bakery in Wisconsin.
Next Saturday, Feb. 8, is the annual Valentine Dance at St. Rita of Cascia Parish, 6243 S. Fairfield Avenue. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 a piece which includes dinner. Dinner will be served from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more information call the parish office at 773-434-9600.
Coming up at the Chicago Lithuanian Youth Center, 5620 S. Claremont Avenue, it’s the Valentine’s Evening Celebration on Friday, Feb. 14, with entertainment by Paul Strolia beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 which includes appetizers and a cash bar.
Now back to 1989. When we left last week, we were hungry for a stuffed pizza and we were planning on walking over to Giordano’s. Where was it located at that time? Rich G was the first to remember their very cool downstairs location at 3214 W. 63rd Street. Serving the same delicious entrees as they had in their small original location at 63rd and California, now in a nice upscale setting with plenty of seating room.
This new location was in a building that sat vacant for a time having suffered a fire and then was renovated by Greater Southwest Development Corp. Erected in 1925, it formerly housed Steifel Furniture Company. For quite a while a ghost sign remained on the top floor of the building that advertised Steifel’s.
Now after having our stuffed pizza at Giordano’s, let’s stop at the grocery store to pick up a few items. Where was the closest grocery to Giordano’s and what was its name? Remember?
The post Fat Johnnie’s tops list of favorite hot dog stands appeared first on Southwest Regional Publishing.