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June 30, 2000/27 Sivan 5760, Vol. 52, No.43
Chandler hot dog joint has spirit of Chicago
ELIZABETH DIETERLE
Special to Jewish News
If you're a native Chicagoan who misses what it's like to sink your teeth into a juicy frank - the kind you wouldn't pass up at a Cubs game - take heed. Turns out, hot dog nostalgia is less than 2000 miles away.
In fact, it's available right here in the Valley.
A casual, fast-food establishment with a family atmosphere, The Original Jake's in Chandler, has Windy City delicacies such as red-hots served on poppyseed buns with all the fixings, and Chicago-style "Jake" burgers, beef patties served on square buns with grilled onions.
Other menu items include fried zucchini, Italian beef, chili cheese fries, Louisiana sport peppers with celery salt, tamales, onion chips and shakes and malts.
The Original Jake's is owned and operated by Vic Ostrow of Paradise Valley. Previously, Ostrow was general manager at Rawhide Operating Company, where he was responsible for the daily operations of the $12 million, 160-acre western theme park.
Prior to joining Rawhide, Ostrow owned and operated Jake's at 35th and Northern avenues. The restaurant was open from 1982-87. In January 2000, he opened the Chandler restaurant.
"(We specialize in) quality junk food," says Ostrow, who is Jewish and grew up in Chicago. "I have visited just about every (hot dog/hamburger joint) in Chicago so I know good Chicago food and I am dedicated to bringing it to (Phoenix)."
Nearly all the ingredients used at The Original Jake's are imported from Chicago.
The authenticity extends to the water supply. When restaurant employees discovered that Chicago hot dogs didn't taste quite the same when cooked in Phoenix water, they began importing bottled Lake Michigan water.
"We want to create an authentic taste and we can't do this without authentic Chicago materials," explains Ostrow.
The restaurant's ambience also plays to Chicago natives. On two walls hang 35 pictures of Chicago hot dog stands with names such as "Pop's" and "Bugsy's." A phone programmed to call Chicago-area phone booths allows customers to talk to the natives for free. And copies of the Chicago Sun-Times migrate between the bright yellow tables.
If the Chicago feel fails to draw customers, then the restaurant's quick-service paddle program might. Customers may obtain small, yellow paddles - which include the menu items - from the restaurant during their first visit. The next time they go to The Original Jake's, they may use the paddle to receive parking lot service, which Ostrow says is efficient. One hundred paddles were requested during opening week.
Ostrow says the secret of the restaurant's success is to bring some aspect of Chicago dining to Valley residents - some who have experienced it first-hand, and others who have not.
"Our goal," he says, "is to make sure our menu items duplicate the experience our customers would have if they were in an actual hot dog joint in Chicago."
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