A long-standing, neighborhood hot dog joint in suburban Wilmette known for its salads, chicken and, of course, red hots, will earn a high hot dog honor Friday: An induction into the “Vienna Beef Hot Dog Hall of Fame.”
The hot dog news comes as famed Chicago burger spot Small Cheval will soon open a few miles away.
The ceremony for the 50-year-old restaurant, Irving’s for Red Hot Lovers, located at 3207 Lake Ave. Founded in 1975 by Irving Greensphan, it remains family run by son Andrew to this day, a release said.
According to a flyer, the 11 a.m. ceremony coincides with Irving’s 50th anniversary celebration, with giveaways and raffles through the weekend.
Irving’s will be the 157th inductee into the Vienna Beef Hot Dog Hall of Fame, which was created in 2006 to recognize neighborhood hot dog restaurants and operators “who have become true community landmarks.”
Several other Chicago and suburban hot dog joints have recently been inducted into the Vienna Beef Hot Dog Hall of Fame, including Scooby’s Hot Dogs in Downers Grove, Red Hot Ranch in Chicago, the Bunny Hutch in Lincolnwood, Dengeo’s Restaurant in Skokie, Al’s Drive In in Maywood and Luke’s of Lake Bluff in Lake Bluff.