Feb. 25--Hot Doug's is coming back. One day only. This is not a joke.
It's been nearly five months since we saw the last of Doug Sohn, and the insane lines of customers leading up to the final days of Hot Doug's. One day on an overcast October Friday, customers camped out on the corner of Roscoe and California for one last taste of duck fat fries and foie gras sausage. The next day, a distant memory.
So consider this the biggest comeback since the new Harper Lee novel was announced: Doug Sohn will be serving his hot dogs one more time on May 16.
That Saturday, Paulina Meat Market (3501 N. Lincoln Ave.) will put on a Hot Doug's Appreciation Day, in which the Lakeview butcher will serve and sell the sausages they produced for Sohn's restaurant. (Paulina produced eight or so sausages when Sohn had his restaurant.) They plan on having a grill outside, serving a handful of sandwiches that Sohn made famous. And yes, Sohn will be there, shaking hands and kissing babies.
"I won't be there cooking," Sohn said, in a relieved tone, "but yes, I'll be designing the sausages, chit-chatting."
And if you have a Hot Doug's tattoo, yes, Paulina Meat Market manager Bill Begale said, the free sandwich offer will apply one day only.
"We're promoting this as Hot Doug's is coming back," Begale said. "Think you missed him? Here's one more chance. People will be happy to see him."
Can't wait until May 16? You can sample the Sohn-designed pizza at Piece in Wicker Park. As part of their charity series for Pilot Light, the food education program, Sohn has created a tomato and pepper jack piece with Hot Doug's Atomic Bomb sausage. You can sample that beginning March 1 and through the month.
But yes, May 16, Lincoln and Cornelia avenues. When will people start camping out?
kpang@tribpub.com
Twitter @pang
