By Rick Boots KTUU

3:35 p.m. AKDT, August 3, 2011
CHICAGO, Ill. —

Before I get into today's game notes, I feel compelled to go off script to write about food.  Baseball food. Hot dogs in particular. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a hot dog aficionado.  I used to own a hot dog company; Far From Fenway Franks.  I host hot dog feasts at work twice a year to celebrate the opening day of the season and the opening day of playoffs.  I have been to 49 of 50 states (I still see no reason to visit Oklahoma) and have enjoyed hot dogs in most of them.  I am a bit of a hot dog snob, demanding only the best meats, buns, toppings (yes, toppings... The toppings go only on top, not under the dog), and atmosphere. By the way, real Fenway Franks at Fenway only have the atmosphere.

Although I had not experienced a genuine Chicago Style dog, I have not met a Chicagoan who didn't stake claim that theirs are THE best. I smile skeptically, because I can't imagine it getting much better than a dirty water dog in New York, or a Grays Papaya dog... oh the snap casing!  Even a New York System "gagger" in Providence is up the charts in its own weird way. So while in Chicago I thought I would randomly stop into a dog joint and see what all the fuss is about. Without advice from anyone or help from Yelp, I happened into Westminster Hot Dog in the Loop. I'll cut to the chase. THE best hot dog I have ever had in my life. Hands down. Sorry New York. You're dogs play second fiddle to Second City. 

Westminster is a fairly new joint in Chicago. It's a David against Goliaths, and holding its own in a town with several legendary dog joints. You can read about Westminster Dog in the Wall Street Journal here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304569504576406192149091716.html?mod=wsj_share_twitter

Back to baseball.

I love reminding my Yankee fan friends that the Sox won back-to-back World Series in 2004 and 2005.  Red Sox in '04 and White Sox in '05.  It just feels good saying it.

On Friday night the Red Sox rolled into The Cell, as locals like to call Cellular Field.  Not sure why they call it that. The park was spectacular. It's designed for regular guy families and gazillionaires. On the luxury levels the entire concourse is wrapped with posh concession stands, sofas and super comfy chairs with huge TVs showing the game. If you have real money you can take a limo to Cellular Field, pay thousands of dollars for a suite, order $15 beers, and sit in a living room in a big hallway watching the broadcast on TV mere feet from the actual live game.  If you have regular money you can pay $15 for a bleacher seat, $8 for a beer, and watch the live game from your left field section.

The game was frustrating personally because the Sox lost.... Er, the "Red" Sox lost.  But the park and overall experience was fantastic. It really is top of class. The train stops right outside Cellular and, to make the exit easier, they have a fireworks display after the home team wins. Fireworks ease the commute after the games because half the fans stay in their seats while the other half bolts for the subway. Unfortunately for commuters, the fireworks only happen half the time this year, as their Southside team struggles just below .500 on the season. 

Wikipedia states the White Sox are one of two Major League teams in Chicago. I beg to differ. After what I saw in the last two games there is only one Major League caliber team based in Chicago, and it's not on the north side of town.

Dog on, Chicago.

On Deck- Third Inning: Erie Time in Akron. (Go Seawolves!)