One of the few original drive-in restaurants left, this one being a Hot Dog Stand, complete with Car Hop service has been at the intersection of Milwaukee, Devon and Nagle in the Norwood Park section of Chicago.
Years ago, while exhibiting at street fairs in the Chicago area, such as the well known Wells Street Arts Festival, I was asked if I had ever painted Superdaug. After hearing about the two 12 ft. male and female hot dogs on the roof, with blinking eyes, I had to check it out.
The Hot Dog Stand opened in 1948 and became a popular spot for years to come. It could have been the crinkle-cut French Fries accompanied by the signature pickled green tomato, or maybe it was the winking and blinking eyes of the two roof icons that may have not only been flirting with each other, but even to the passersby, in need of something to satisfy their hunger cravings.
I have participated in a number of Art Festivals in the Chicago area over the years, including Wells Street’s, Old Town Art Festival. Some of the painting I have done for the area, were: The Chicago Theatre;Superdawg;Wrigley Field;Hot Diggity Dog, but one of my favorites is The Billy Goat Tavern.
The Billy Goat Tavern was established in 1934 and was located across from the Chicago Stadium. . The goat wandered into his establishment. In 1964, Billy Goat moved his business to its present location.
The Curse of the Cubs – The Chicago White Stockings, became the Cubs in 1903. From 1876 to 1945, they had one of the best teams in the Country. On October 6, 1945 the Chicago Cubs entered game 4 of the World Series and to bring luck to the team, he brought his goat “Murphy”! Since they did not allow animals in the stadium, they refused entrance.
Billy went to the owner, but was still refused entrance with the goat. Being upset, he declared that the Cubs would no longer win a World Series, as long as the goat was refused entrance to Wrigley Field. They lost the series that year and has not won a World Series since.
Saturday Night Live made the Billy Goat Tavern famous! SNL highlighted the tavern, with Bill Murray, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd and Loraine Newman. A sign outside the tavern quotes those famous lines: Cheezborger! Cheezborger! Cheezborger! “No-Pepsi – Coke”.
Prints:
ALL PRINTS are printed on canvas and stretched on wooden stretcher bars and prices vary according to size ordered. Most are 2:3 proportion
Options:
wrapped print- part of the image is wrapped
around the sides of the wood.
Non-wrapped print- The full image is on the face, with white or black edges
(frames and hardware are not included)
8″ x 12″ Black Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ White Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ Wrapped Edge………. $109.17
12” x 18” Black Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” White Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” Wrapped Edge ………. $168.07
16” x 24” Black Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” White Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” Wrapped Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
20” x 30” Black Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” White Edge………. $314.34
20” x 30” Wrapped Edge………. $314.34
24” x 36”Black Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”White Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36”Wrapped Edge ………. $335.65
24” x 36” ………. $1,295.00 Original Painting
24″ X 36″ original painting on stretched canvas not available.
When you go to Chicago, everybody knows where North Michigan Street is located. Next to the Chicago River is the Wrigley Building, a Chicago landmark in itself, but across the street to the north and one level down stood a landmark of its own. Hot Diggity Dogs was a small building that sat in the midst of a huge parking area at 251 E. Ohio Street near the corner of Ohio St and Fairbanks. I am not sure when the business opened, but they had one of the best Chicago Hot Dogs around.
While exhibiting at a show across from the Wrigley Building at street level, I went down to the small building and took photos of it, front and back. Later I was at Navy Pier, just a short walk away and found the old Pepsi truck, where I couldn’t help but take photos of it. I used the back of the building as a subject and added the Pepsi truck.
“Hot Diggity Dogs” has since been torn down, but I heard that on the last day it was open, they had a line of people several blocks long waiting to be served their last famous hot dog.
Rumor has it, they since opened at a different location..
Prints:
ALL PRINTS are printed on canvas and stretched on wooden stretcher bars and prices vary according to size ordered. Most are 2:3 proportion
Options:
wrapped print- part of the image is wrapped
around the sides of the wood.
Non-wrapped print- The full image is on the face, with white or black edges
(frames and hardware are not included)
11″ x 14″Black Edge………. $148.82
11″ x 14″ White Edge………. $148.82
11″ x 14″ Wrapped Edge………. $148.82
16″ x 20″ Black Edge ………. $204.72
16″ x 20″ White Edge………. $204.72
16″ x 20″ Wrapped Edge………. $204.72
16″ x 20″ ………. $375.00 original painting on stretched canvas not available.
There was a time when I started painting neon signs in the paintings, so while I was in Chicago, I couldn’t help but to photograph the Chicago Theatre. Little did I know at the time, the hit movie “Chicago” would be released to the theatres within a year of when the painting was finished. The painting became the center of attention shortly thereafter. The movie came out in 2002 and has become one of my favorites, especially the music soundtrack.
The Chicago theatre, was built in 1921 for 4 million dollars, which included ornate architecture and beautiful murals above the stage and on the ceiling. The vertical “Chicago” sign outside measured six stories high.
The theatre closed in 1985 and was saved from demolition and reopened in 1986 with a gala performance by Frank Sinatra.
While showing my Nostalgic Paintings around the country, I was always asked the question, “Do you have anything from around here that would fit in with my nostalgic art?” That started me on a quest to return to all my shows every year with something new from their area. I had exhibited at a several shows in and around the Chicago area, so I painted four paintings from Chicagoland.
One of my yearly shows was on Wells Street in Chicago. Deciding to paint a Cubs related painting, turned in to a smash hit among the locals. The painting depicts a young child with glove in hand, wearing the famous number 14 worn from 1953 through 1971 by “Mr. Cub”, Ernie Banks. Watching a custodian sweeping up after the 4th of July baseball game, and reading the famous sign, he anxiously thinks about tomorrows baseball game.
Can he get the autograph of the National League All Star? Will he get any sleep tonight? Probably not!
Prints:
ALL PRINTS are printed on canvas and stretched on wooden stretcher bars and prices vary according to size ordered. Most are 2:3 proportion
Options:
wrapped print- part of the image is wrapped
around the sides of the wood.
Non-wrapped print- The full image is on the face, with white or black edges
(frames and hardware are not included)
8″ x 12″ Black Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ White Edge………. $109.17
8″ x 12″ Wrapped Edge………. $109.17
12” x 18” Black Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” White Edge ………. $168.07
12” x 18” Wrapped Edge ………. $168.07
16” x 24” Black Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” White Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
16” x 24” Wrapped Edge ………. $226.14 (Most popular)
