May 02--It's his party and you're all invited. Doug Sohn, of Hot Doug's encased meat emporium is back for the second year of Dog Dayz of Summer. The hot dog and sausage festival will be June 24-25 at Goose Island Barrel Warehouse (605 N. Sacramento Blvd.), and tickets go on sale 9 a.m. Monday at www.dogdayzofsummer.com.
The festival's mix of sausages, people and music is a lot like Hot Doug's, which Sohn closed in October 2014. As much as customers fondly remember that vibe and those creatively topped dogs, Sohn does too.
"It was fun to see the people again," Sohn said of last year's Dog Dayz. "But I kind of miss the food as well."
The festival, produced by Criterion Productions, will feature live music, plenty of beer from co-sponsor Goose Island, and a lineup of "best hits" from Hot Doug's menu. Although Sohn says organizers are still "finalizing the menu," it will be mostly different from last year, with one or two holdovers. Plus, a new sausage sandwich will be created for the event. Oh, and duck fat fries, the Hot Doug's favorite, those are back. Bands will include Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Waco Brothers and Tossers.
The fest is 5 bucks cheaper this year, at $70, and adds a charity component: Ten percent of proceeds go to Intonation Music Workshop, which provides music education and access to instruments to kids who can't afford them. "We used to do a lot for them when I had the restaurant," said the music-loving Sohn, who added that one of his very few regrets in life is that he never learned to play an instrument.
Aside from that regret, Sohn says he's still enjoying the time off from running Hot Doug's. Reached Sunday afternoon at home, where he was recovering from helping judge that day's session of BaconFest, Sohn says he's traveling, going to Cubs games (the only other place in town to get Hot Doug's sandwiches) and helping organize the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law fundraiser in the fall.
Details: Dog Dayz of Summer, three ticketed sessions: 6-9 p.m and noon to 3 p.m. June 24, and 5-8 p.m. June 25. Tickets, $70; www.dogdayzofsummer.com.
