This little trailer on South Lamar is a fire-engine-red beacon to fans of the great (and often weakly mimicked) Chicago hot dog. Although it sits in a starkly empty lot, the picnic benches have a pretty sweet view of the Greenbelt. While the setting is worlds removed from the rumble of L trains overhead, the food is the real thing.

The dog is completely correct: snappy Vienna weiner, tomato wedges, onions, nuclear-green relish, sport peppers, mustard, pickle spears, and (lots of) celery salt. It’s even a totally nostalgic delight when it explodes into our laps upon first bite, just like at Wrigley Field. Trust us: the stains are worth it. Chris’s also serves up a great homemade-chili dog with just the right amount of heat, and Italian and Polish sausages, as well. Another Chicago classic, the Italian beef sandwich, is delightful, with its soft roll and tender filling. Ask for it “wet” (doused in salty, delicious jus) and “hot” (with not-hurty cherry peppers). We skip the oily fries and have another dog as a side.

The website lists specials like a tailgate-party pack wherein Chris’s provides the ingredients and you can grill ’em yourself. Hide the bags and proclaim your genius to the UT stadium parking lot. This being a trailer, call first in inclement weather or near closing. And bring us something, will ya?