Similar to Taylor Swift, who just recently took over Chicago’s Soldier Field and is known to rise up from the dead (she does it all the time), an old Vienna Beef factory is coming back to life, adding fuel to the ‘Chicago-style hotdogs are the best’ fire/lore.
After closing down in 2020, the Bucktown Chicago staple (which has been around since the 1970s) is now coming back with a vengeance.
They have a longstanding reputation in Chicago dating back to the 1830s. After moving factory operations from Bridgeport to Bucktown in 2015, and later shutting down in 2020, they plan to reopen the factory by the spring of 2024. Keep reading for everything we know about Vienna Beef’s triumphant return:
With a cool budget of $20 million, the sausage company is reinventing its factory, store, and hotdog stand in Bucktown. They’re gutting the entire building, starting fresh and making room for offices, a fan-centric store, and yes, a restaurant.
The Chicago-founded company, which first opened an original factory and store on Halsted and Maxwell Street, had been operating out of the Bucktown location since the ’70s.
As for the revamp, there are about 150,000 square feet to work with, and the VB board is said to create new additions to the soon-to-be campus, with a pavilion, a landscaped park, and more on the docket.
Sure to be filled to the brim with appropriate memorabilia, Vienna Beef has a storied 130+ years of history in Chicago and is originally said to be founded at the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893.
Is there a massive hotdog festival in the works?
The new layout would be perfect for hosting an outdoor event, like Grant Park’s expansive lineup of festivals and events happening within the next few months, the refurbish Vienna Beef location could become a festival hotspot.
Only time will tell, but the expansive project will also leave space for additional tenants. Portillos, for example, which just celebrated its 60th birthday, and announced the opening of 3 new locations last month, would fit right in.
What about the new restaurant?
As for the upcoming restaurant, expect Chicago-style dogs along with burgers, fries, and classic Polish sausages.
While there happen to be a few sausage-centric spots near the upcoming HQ and restaurant, Vienna Beef is playing to the Chicago-specific locals, bringing an exclusive revamped hotdog stand, a community plaza, retailers, and more gathering spaces.
PS: South Side’s Bridgeport location will remain open and according to officials, will not be involved or impacted by the new project.
Please excuse us while we perform a flawless rendition of theMickey Mouse Clubhouse Hot Dog Dance!
Address: 2501 N Damen Ave. Chicago, IL 60647