1. The assemblage of textures, flavors and colors is unparalleled — warm dog, soft bun, savory mustard, crunchy pickle, tart sport pepper, sweet green relish, sharp onion, mellow tomato and lip-smacking celery salt.
2. It makes the rankings of the Zagat restaurant guide — it’s that good. This year, Hot Doug’s, 3324 N. California, slipped in between Spiaggia and Frontera Grill as the 17th best place for food in Chicago.
3. Only in Chicago do we pay for a side of insults with our hot dog — and still go back for more. (Wieners Circle, 2622 N. Clark, dishes up hearty helpings of both.)