April 15--A hot dog stand is the last place you'd expect a heaping helping of Korean comfort food, but that's what you'll find at Budacki's Drive In. Owned by the folks behind Crisp in Lakeview, this Ravenswood hot dog stand evokes classic Chicago, with its burgers, corn dogs and fried fare. But the menu's sleeper hit is its fast-food version of bulgogi, or strips of sweet-spicy-tasty steak.
On the menu, it's dubbed the Seoul bowl, and it is perfect in its simplicity. Basically, it's steamed white rice with a generous pile of grilled steak, finished off with a flurry of green onions. The secret is in the marinade, a family recipe of ginger, soy, garlic and other spices that is equal parts sweet and savory. Look out for the seductive heat, which rounds things out and keeps you coming back for more.
4739 N. Damen Ave., 773-561-1322
jbhernandez@tribpub.com
