There are many hot dog tchotchkes lining the walls of Hot Doug's, but visitors to the popular Avondale restaurant during its final month of operation may notice a brand new plaque amid the wiener memorabilia. The award was presented to Doug Sohn yesterday by Vienna Beef Senior Vice President Bob Schwartz, officially inducting Hot Doug's into the Hot Dog Hall of Fame.
According to Vienna Beef's website, hot dog purveyors become eligible for induction based on criteria like "the vendor's contribution to their community" and "the satisfaction of their customers." If the lines that stretch down the block on a daily basis are any indication, Hot Doug's has been eligible for this award for several years. Consider this your cue to take a day off of work, congratulate the staff and grab a sausage (or three) before Sohn closes up shop for good on October 3. It's the polite thing to do.