The Chicago-style hot dog's rise to fame is steeped in Chicago's rich history. It arrived in America in the 1840s, when German immigrants brought their cuisine across the Atlantic.
The unique hot dog style was developed during the Great Depression, which allowed Chicagoans to enjoy something close to a full meal for only a nickel.
Part of the food's long-term success is credited to the boom of post-war America. Many veterans returning home from WWII made their living in the hot dog cart business.
After so many years, there are a particular set of rules around how to properly prepare a Chicago dog. The bun is always steamed, and the sausage is boiled or steamed.