Summer is a time for backyard cookouts, scenic picnic and tasty bites! One of the most quintessential meals associated with the warmer weather that hits different every time is a juicy hot dog. Nothing beats loading up your dawg with delicious toppings like relish, fresh onions, ketchup, and whatever else pleases your palate. The only problem is that for vegetarians, it’s nearly impossible to find a plant-based option at typical hot dog spots around Gwinnett. That’s why for this week’s Foodie Friday feature, we’re spotlighting a DiG-approved vegetarian dawg from Skip’s Chicago Dogs in Avondale Estates.

Skip’s Chicago Dogs has been a landmark restaurant in Avondale Estates since 1979. It was founded by Leo Shababy and his son Leo “Skip” Shababy Jr., who moved from Chicago to Atlanta in 1977. With a passion for bringing classic Chicago favorites to the Peach State, they decided to open up Skip’s Chicago Dogs in a 600-square-foot produce building located in Avondale Estates. The menu was short and sweet with Italian beef sandwiches and Chicago-style hot dogs. Their establishment drew people from miles around, and in 1990, they outgrew the tiny restaurant space and decided to add on 800 more square feet. They also began adding new menu items, including Philly Cheesesteaks, which drew even more hungry patrons. The inside of the establishment maintains its retro roots with a nostalgic, family-friendly vibe. It’s the perfect type of place where you can take the whole family to enjoy some traditional Chicago-style bites.

For our Foodie Friday spotlight, we’re highlighting the Beyond Veggie Sausage, which is a vegetarian version of their hot dog. It should go without saying that their original hot dogs are out of this world, which is why we’re spreading the love to one of their veggie options! This tasty dawg is grilled to perfection and gets topped with your choice of mustard, ketchup, relish or onions (we did all of the above) and is served in a soft, poppy-seed bun. One of the biggest drawbacks of finding vegetarian dishes is that they often don’t compare to their regular meat counterparts. In this instance, the opposite is true! This “sausage” dog is absolutely incredible regarding taste and texture and the poppy seed bun is what really brings everything together. If you’re craving something that gives those “hot dog” vibes without the meat or you’re trying to cut back on your meat intake, this is a fantastic option.

The next time you find yourself craving a tasty vegetarian hot dog, head over to Skip’s Chicago Dogs and get ready to be blown away by their offerings. If you decide to give it a try, post your foodie pic and use #diggwinnett to get featured on our socials!