Sheridan Road (now Lake Shore Drive), north of Belmont Avenue, includes an early Chicago lakefront bicycle path.

This stretch of Sheridan Road (now Lake Shore Drive), north of Belmont Avenue, includes an early Chicago lakefront bicycle path. The path is the small roadway next to Lake Michigan, then to the west is a pedestrian path and further to the west, and the largest of the 3 roadways is for vehicles; horses, wagons, and motorcar traffic. (c.1900)

The Red Hot Ranch at 3114 West Devon Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.

In 1952, Isabel & Al Deutch opened the Red Hot Ranch (1952-1985) on Devon Avenue between Albany Avenue and Troy Street in Chicago's West Rogers Park neighborhood of the West Ridge community. 

Little did they know they were creating a hot dog legend that would be remembered for over 70 years.

"The Red Hot Ranch" watercolor by William Rubin. 1974
This one-of-a-kind painting was Rubin's creation for my sister.

Isabel hired many neighborhood kids. She was like a second mom to all. Mailmen started and ended their routes there, grabbing a cup of coffee in the morning and a hot dog, burger, or other items for lunch. Those were the days of Vienna hot dogs in a natural casing, which I didn't like for some reason. Isabel would peal the casing off of the hot dog, then serve it to me.

Al was a chemical engineer who gladly worked the stand during the late shift, often going past midnight and wrapping those Vienna hot dogs and fries together. It was the hangout best remembered for its vitality as a happening little shack and the center of the neighborhood activity for many years.

The Ranch's seating consisted of no-back stools around three of the walls in the front, perhaps 20-24 spots. Special customers, three at a time, could sit out of the way in the back corner of the kitchen. Isabel, a kind soul, would give kids from Green School (K-6) a cup of soup on freezing days. The non-carbonated NEDLOG (Golden spelled backward) Grape and Orange brand drinks were special to the Ranch.

The Ranch is gone now but will always be a part of Chicago's north side and suburban cultures. 

Vienna Beef inducted the Red Hot Ranch on September 24, 2010.

Prints up to 60" x 40" on 2 paper choices, acrylic and now, metal (very cool), plus other Ranch items.

INDEX TO MY ILLINOIS AND CHICAGO FOOD & RESTAURANT ARTICLES.

Copyright © 2019 by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D. All rights reserved.

Lutz Café and Pastry Shop of Chicago, Illinois.

Lutz Café and Pastry Shop at 2458 West Montrose Avenue, Chicago, Illinois was established in 1948. The German bakery is a Chicago tradition. Just mentioning the name elicits stories and memories from childhoods passed. 

Walk in the door and you come face to face with a cornucopia of delicious, delectable and enticing treats. Lutz offers an amazing selection of cakes, tarts, tortes, cookies, and chocolates all created using traditional European recipes that have been in the Lutz family for centuries. Staying true to its Conditorei [1] distinction, Lutz pastries are made from the highest quality ingredients to create unique flavors that are light and delicate.

From stunning wedding cakes to seasonal specialties like Christ-Stollen and Baumkuchen to whimsical hand-made marzipan treats, the variety is endless. They truly are a German bakery extraordinaire.

The strawberry whipped cream cake that many grandparents bought for Sunday dinner, or the marzipan birthday plaque that was a special treat for one lucky kid, not to mention the delicious birthday cakes made to order. Walk in the door and you come face to face with a cornucopia of delicious, delectable and enticing treats.

Walk deeper into the store and find a quaint outdoor Café or Tea-Room, where you can relax with a pastry and Viennese style tea or a pot of their custom-blended coffee served Viennese style with a decorative dollop of real whipped cream“schlag” on the side. 

Come every May, you used to be able to visit the charming outdoor Tea Room garden overflowing with beautiful flowers. A perfect gathering place to meet friends or take a date. The outdoor Tea Room has been close for years.

VIDEO

Tour of Lutz Bakery.

INDEX TO MY ILLINOIS AND CHICAGO FOOD & RESTAURANT ARTICLES.

Compiled by Neil Gale, Ph.D. 

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[1] Conditorei is the German word for a pâtisserie and confectionery shop.