A private security guard working at the Jefferson Park CTA Terminal, 4917 N. Milwaukee Ave., reportedly returned fire after a group of three people started harassing him and then fired read story
Hot Dog Box father-daughter duo plan to open Portage Park location on Jan. 15, featuring gourmet filet mignon steak dog
by BRIAN NADIG
The father-daughter team that operates the Hot Dog Box, also known as the “home of the steak dog,” plans to open their new Six Corners location at 4020 N. Milwaukee Ave. on Saturday, Jan. 15.
Owner Bobby Morelli said that the other location, which is a 400-square-foot shipping container outdoors at the Boxville marketplace in Bronzeville, is closed for the season but is expected to reopen this spring. It debuted in August of 2020 and quickly became famous for its filet mignon hot dog with its gourmet toppings and for 10-year-old daughter Brooklyn, also known as the “Boss Lady,” greeting customers and taking orders on weekends and during summer break.
Morelli said that with the onset of the pandemic in March of 2020, his website design business lost customers and upcoming tour dates for his music career, which includes the release of several albums, had to be put on hold. He then turned to the Boxville marketplace where many Black entrepreneurs were launching their new businesses, and he said that his creative marketing background gave him the idea for the Hot Dog Box.
“We’ve had customers from all around the country … even international customers,” Morelli said. “They love the (culinary) experience, (and) Brooklyn and I are all about serving the most … gourmet hot dog.”
The Bronzville Bourbon is described as a “juicy, buttery and flavorful 4 oz. filet mignon steak dog nestled within a soft freshly baked gourmet pretzel bun, topped with our secret bourbon sauce, fresh cabbage and carrot medley and hickory smoked bacon.” It’s listed at $14.75.
The new 2,000-square-foot location on Milwaukee will be offering the Portage House, which will feature a root beer steak sauce, sautéed onions and mushrooms. The name of that hot dog pays tribute to the community that is home to the new restaurant, Morelli said.
The menu also will include a traditional “Good Ol’ Frank” hot dog, listed at $3.75, and 6-year-old daughter Bailey’s special homemade recipe brownies, including fudge and vegan versions.
Morelli said that area developers invited him to look at possible locations in the Portage Park area and that he quickly fell in love with the community, which he said in turn has been very supportive. “We always were looking for a more traditional brick and mortar space,” he said.
Customers may hear some of Morelli’s music and videos while dining there. He described his music as “soulful, pop and inspirational.”
The Six Corners Chamber of Commerce is helping to organize a ribbon-cutting ceremony for opening weekend.
More information is available at https://ordernow.thehotdogbox.com
No Pop-Ups
Weekly Digital Edition
Read every story. Skip every pop-up.
Get the full weekly edition delivered to your inbox — no interruptions, no waiting. Just local news the way it was meant to be read.
Only $19.50/year — less than 38¢ a week
Subscribe Now
This is just part of today’s coverage. Get the full story - every article, every ad, every page. Subscribe now.
The Latest From Our Community
A man was stabbed in his hand at about 4:50 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10, on a CTA Blue Line train near the Harlem station, 5550 N. Harlem Ave., after a read story
by BRIAN NADIG 45th Ward Democratic Committeeperson Michael Rabbitt and his Dems 45 organization have endorsed Jefferson Park resident S Gronkiewicz-Doran in the ward’s aldermanic race, which will be held read story
by BRIAN NADIG A new business, possibly a daycare, is in the works for the former CVS Pharmacy at the southeast corner of Milwaukee and Lawrence avenues. The pharmacy closed read story
by BRIAN NADIG A possible suspect is in custody after gunfire was reported at or near the Jefferson Park CTA Terminal, 4917 N. Milwaukee Ave., at about 5:20 a.m. Saturday, read story
by BRIAN NADIG A luxury hotel and spa for cats is planned for a vacant one-story office building at 5510 W. Montrose Ave. in the Jefferson-Portage Park area. Local resident read story
Browse by Category
No Pop-Ups
Weekly Digital Edition
Read every story.
Skip every pop-up.
No pop-up ads — ever. Just stories, the way they were meant to be read
Full weekly edition delivered to your inbox every week — no waiting, no missing issues
Support local journalism and help keep our community connected
Only $19.50/year
That's less than 38¢ a week
Purchase Digital Subscription
Paypal
$19.50
/year
You can submit your payment via Paypal with a Credit Card. You DO NOT NEED TO HAVE A PAYPAL ACCOUNT.. Just click the “Paypal Subscribe” button below to iniate your secure payment! You will be directed to a Secure Paypal page in which you can pay with a Paypal account if you have one, or you can select "Pay with Debit or Credit Cardt" option below and process your payment via credit card.
Venmo
$19.50
/year
You can submit payment of $19.50 for a 1 year subscription to Nadig Newspapers' Venmo account using this link. Please include the email address in the comment/note section that you would like the digital subscription sent to.