🌭🐶 Mustard Up! Dogs, Bands & Brats — Windy City Hot Dog Fest! 🎸🎉
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🌭🐶 Mustard Up! Dogs, Bands & Brats — Windy City Hot Dog Fest! 🎸🎉
5th Annual Windy City Hot Dog Fest in Portage Park!
The summer festival season continues! Let’s celebrate one of Chicago’s most iconic eats — the mighty hot dog 🌭 — right here in our own backyard in Portage Park! Come even if you don’t like hot dogs — there’s so much more than wieners!
We’re teaming up with several other Meetup groups for this one — it’s a multi-group gathering! If you see my name with a large number next to it, that means lots of people are attending from various groups. It’s going to be a great crowd!
📅 Sunday, May 31, 2026
⏰ 5:30 – 10:00 PM
📍 Fest Entrance — 4000 N. Milwaukee Ave. (corner of Irving, Cicero & Milwaukee)
📍 WHERE TO FIND US:
✔️ Meet at the fest entrance at 4000 N. Milwaukee at 5:30 PM
✔️ Lost or running late? Call 312.835.4259!
💰 Admission:
$10 suggested donation at the gate — NOT required! Give what you’d like or nothing at all.
🎶 Sunday Night Lineup (Main Stage):
🐕 12:00 PM — Top Dog Parade (bring your pup! 🐾)
🍺 12:30 PM — Mariachi Los Palmeros
🎸 2:00 PM — Spin Lizzy (Thin Lizzy Tribute)
🎶 4:00 PM — Naked Brunch
🔥 6:00 PM — Soul Sacrifice ⭐ WE WILL SEE THIS!
🎉 8:00 PM — Journey 2 Jovi ⭐ WE WILL SEE THIS!
Sunday (Community Stage)
12:30 PM – Mi Flow Studio
3:00 PM – ChickenFat Orchestra
4:30 PM – Varsity Dropout
6:00 PM – Last Bar on the Left
7:30 PM – Large Mouth
🌟 About the Bands:
🎸 Soul Sacrifice — A Tribute to Santana
One of Chicago’s most beloved tribute bands, Soul Sacrifice faithfully recreates the music of Santana with burning renditions of Latin-infused rock classics. Expect Oye Como Va, Black Magic Woman, Jingo Lo Ba, Europa, Samba Pa Ti, and more — the signature multi-cultural sound and spirit of Santana delivered with passion and precision!
📸 https://www.facebook.com/p/Soul-Sacrifice-Band-100077369209442/
🎸 Journey 2 Jovi — The Ultimate Bon Jovi & Journey Tribute
Journey 2 Jovi is the ultimate Bon Jovi AND Journey tribute experience — high-energy hits, soaring vocals, a powerhouse band, and a light show second to none! Get ready to Raise Your Hands AND Any Way You Want It in the same night! 🤘
📸 https://www.facebook.com/61583952393511/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journey2jovi/
🌭 2026 Hot Dog Vendors — YOU Be the Judge!
Nine of Chicagoland’s favorite vendors compete for Top Dog! Text to vote — winner announced Sunday at 3 PM on the Main Stage!
🧀 Baked Cheese Haus — Hot dog inside a bubbling wheel of cheese on a warm baguette. A fest debut!
🌭 Bust Outs — Vienna Beef dogs in New England rolls. Small storefront, big flavor!
🌭 Byron’s Hot Dogs — A Chicago fixture since 1975. Cheese, chili, classic Chicago-style & more!
🌭 Chicago’s Doghouse — Exotic & gourmet sausages + their one-of-a-kind “Frips” fry chip fusion!
🌭 Frannie’s Cafe — 20+ years of Italian beef, sausage & fresh-cut fries alongside their dogs
🥓 J’s Bacon Hot Dogs — Bacon-wrapped, grilled to perfection, loaded with bold toppings. 2025 People’s Choice “Best Dog” Winner! 🏆
🍢 Lee Concessions — Mr. Lee’s legendary chicken-on-a-stick + Asian-inspired dogs, fried Oreos & lemonade!
🌭 Sausage Fest Food Truck — Gourmet sausages including bratwurst, Polish, Kabanos & plant-based options
🥩 Tikka Masala Dogs — Indian-inspired hot dog creativity!
🐶 Top Dog Parade — Sunday at Noon!
Have a furry friend who wants to strut their stuff? Register at windycityhotdogfest.com and meet at the main stage at 11:45 AM!
🌭 Hot Dog Eating Contest — Saturday, May 30 at 3:30 PM
Want to compete? Sign up at windycityhotdogfest.com or on-site if spots are available. We’ll miss this one but go for it if you want!
🚗 Getting There:
🚇 Transit: CTA Trip Planner → https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
🚗 Driving: Metered parking on Irving, Cicero & Milwaukee (away from fest area). Public lot for the shopping district. Free parking on side streets — easy parking in this area!
⚠️ No-Show Policy:
• 3 no-shows without updating RSVP = 3-month event freeze
• RSVP cut-off is event start time — if running late, message the host directly
• Check in with the host upon arrival
• Continued no-shows may result in removal from the group
Decide for yourself whether ketchup belongs on a hot dog 🤔 — and let’s make it a great night in Portage Park! 🌭🎶🎉