I second #2. Matt's World Famous Chilli Dogs on E. Marginal and 4th is the bomb. @3, Relish is the neon green only found in anti-freeze and Hulk spooge with celery salt dill pickle and a sport pepper.
Diggity Dog in Greenwood makes good dogs, including a nice Chicago. There used to be a place in the market (Danny's) that did an authentic Chicago (sport peppers, celery salt, the works), but sadly went out of business a few years ago. NIce malts too, my kind of place, just a counter though...
Matt's. Hope they're doing ok. They tried to expand (Ballard, Colman Ferry Dock, even the east side, I think), and now they've contracted some. but the trailer on East Marginal Way is great, packed with Boeing workers.
mattshotdogs.com
I get mine at O'Hare airport when flying stopover to the East Coast. Makes me wish for a long flight
Those onions need to be fresh and coarsely chopped.
That pickle better be dill, preferably kosher.
Tomatoes? Eh, your call.
That dog needs to be quite nearly charred on the outside.
That mustard must be more yellow than not.
Now... carry on.
Wondering if this Matt's place y'all speak of delivers. I miss being able to hit a Vienna spot for lunch every now and again.
Ex-Chicagoan still in love with the food of my people (ie, deep dish pizza, Italian beef, hot dogs).
Real Chicago dogs use mustard and occasionally chopped uncooked onions. And that's it.
Anything else is just a catbird forcing their crass children on the unsuspecting.
If you want to try grilling your own in Seattle, it shouldn't be too hard, so long as you can find a semi-decent poppy seed hot dog bun.