Jerry Hot Dogs

A little bit of Chicago fun in San Antonio By Ted Knapinsky
San Antonio is known for its Texas barbeque as well as for its Mexican Cuisine. But sometimes an eating establishment comes along that strikes a core with the city’s working class and blue collar establishment that just can not be ignored.
Jerry’s Chicago Style Hot Dogs is that establishment.
Vienna Beef was founded in 1893 by Austria- Hungarian born immigrants Emil Rachel and Sam Ladany. It was featured at the World’s Columbian Exposition of that year.
The following year of 1894, Emil and sam open their first store  in Chicago Near  West Side at  417 S.Halsted.
Vienna Beef and Hot Dogs became very popular during the Great Depression where you can get a hot dog on a bun with mustard and relish for a nickel.
For the local residents who do not know what a Chicago Hot Dog is, it’s a Vienna Beef Hot Dog served on a poppy seed bun, with mustard, onions, relish, tomatoes, sport peppers, a pickle spear and a dash of celery salt.
Established on August 9, 2004, Jerry’s Chicago Style Hot Dogs is located on 149 East Commerce. Jerry’s Chicago Style Hot Dog  has offered the Alamo City, Chicago’s greatest hits. The hits are, Chicago Hot Dog, Chili Dog, Maxwell Street polish Sausage and beef as well as Gyros.
They also  offer side orders such as Corn Dog,  Pizza Puff, Fries, Cheese Fries, Chili Cheese Fries, Frito Pie,  and Chili Dog and to wash it all down there are many assorted soft drinks as well as bottled water and Iced Tea.
The restaurant is run by Jerry and his wife Maria Cahue along with his son Gerard Michael.
Jerry’s Chicago Style Hot Dogs is becoming one of the Alamo cites  most important eating establishments.
A former Airplane Mechanic for 15 years with American Airlines, Jerry has a passion like no other. So, what has kept him going? “ the love for Chicago hot dogs, said, Jerry Cahue.
The Fries are scrumptious and the hot dogs are an out of body religious experience.
Another favorite that is very popular is the Maxwell Street Polish Sausage which is 100% Vienna Beef Polish sausage served with your choice of spicy or regular mustard: grilled onions or sauerkraut sport peppers and a pickle spear.
“I get a lot of people from  Chicago who now live in San Antonio. I once had the President of Vienna Beef here for a Freddy’s Frozen Custard Conference. They loved it and especially what I did to the place,” said Jerry Cahue.
When you walk inside of Jerry’s Hot Dogs, you are walking into a tribute to the city of Chicago. Posters and paintings of the windy city, Pennants and posters of Chicago’s Blackhawks, Bears, Cubs, Whitsox, and  Bulls.
Jerry also has framed photos of Chicago’s finest men such as Michael Jordon, Mike Dikita,  Dick Butkus, and the late Walter Payton.
So the next time you want to connect with your working class and blue collar roots or you are just simply tired of tacos. Do a St.Vitus dance and head on over to Jerry’s Chicago Style Hot Dog.

Jerry’s Chicago Style Hot Dog

Mon-Sat- 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.

149 East Commerce

Tel.(210) 465-8200