Chicago’s top chefs are competing in the Wiener Wars, a weekly hot dog cook-off held at Perilla, a Korean American restaurant in River West. The event, which started last year, brings together some of the city’s most lauded chefs to see who can make the best hot dog.
The Concept
The concept is simple: each chef must use a frank from Chicago’s Vienna Beef, one of the event’s sponsors. Otherwise, experimenting with everything from the toppings to the bun is fair game. For $25, attendees get two dogs plus a bag of chips, and they vote for their favorite creation.
The winning chef receives bragging rights and a massive, WWE-style belt. The event has become a popular gathering for foodies and chefs alike, with some of the city’s top chefs participating, including John Manion of Brasero and El Che Steakhouse and Oliver and Nicolas Poilevey of Obelix and Le Bouchon.
Past and Future Events
Wiener Wars quickly saw success after launching in 2025, partly thanks to buzz on social media. The event usually sells out, with people lining up as early as 4 p.m. to get a chance to try the night’s creations. Later this summer, chefs from restaurants like Lula Cafe, Rose Mary, Galit, and Indienne will be crafting their own dogs, and the organizers plan to host a ‘tournament of champions’ down the line with all of the winners.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
