Taste of the Town: Murphy’s Dog House serves classics
Submitted by Renee Tomell on January 4, 2010 - 4:19pm
You can go home again, thanks to Ceasar Caceres, who decided to recapture the flavors of his childhood with his new eatery.
He talks about the inspiration behind Murphy’s Dog House, named after a beloved canine pal.
“My wife and I got married 14 years ago, and purchased a house in La Grange,” he says. “There’s great food in La Grange ... but there wasn’t a hot dog stand. I grew up eating hot dogs in Rogers Park — at Fluky’s, Byron’s.”
Last summer, he opened Murphy’s, which is tucked off the parking lot behind the La Grange Theatre.
“We do the basic Chicago Style Hot Dog I grew up with,” he says, citing the tagline he coined: “We didn’t invent the hot dog, we just serve it right.”
Danette Remarcik prepares classic Chicago Style Hot Dogs at Murphy’s Dog House in La Grange. STAFF PHOTOS BY ERICA BENSON
Attesting to the slogan are regulars Dick Donovan of Brookfield and John Meyer of Plainfield, who says he’s a fan of the beef hot dogs, while another friend sticks strictly to the wings.
“It’s one of the least expensive places to eat,” adds Donovan.
Several tables with chairs, plus stools at raised tables, dot the dining area, which is decorated with photos and memorabilia from the Chicago sports teams. Two flat-screen televisions cater to different viewing tastes.
A pet peeve with Caceres, a self-described “hot dog snob,” are the restaurants that bill their hot dog recipe as Chicago Style, but miss vital elements.
“We all get these products from Vienna Beef, which literally tells you (on its provided poster) the eight things from celery salt to the kelly green relish to the tomato wedges and sports peppers. (Yet) they don’t serve it right.”
Murphy’s, in a nice touch for little kids who stop in with their families, gives them bright yellow paper hats from Vienna Beef.
This fall, the restaurant held its inaugural hot dog eating contest, in which contestants consumed them with the works — and took none of the shortcuts like dunking the bun in water, a tactic at New York’s competition.
Caceres says the four contestants were football and lacrosse players from Lyons Township High School. The winner ate seven hot dogs in 10 minutes.
As winter bears down, Murphy’s Dog House is testing out favorite soups on customers, and plans to serve at least two different recipes daily.
MURPHY’S DOG HOUSE
ADDRESS 76 S. La Grange Road, Unit B, (behind La Grange Theatre), La Grange
CONTACT (708) 354-9700; www.murphysdoghouse.com (under construction)
WHAT TO TRY
ITEM Chicago Style Hot Dog
PRICE $2.50
ITEM Maxwell Street Style Polish Sausage
PRICE $3.75
ITEM Italian Beef
PRICE $4.25
About On The Go
-
On The Go focuses on the active lifestyles of residents in our communities — from families to empty-nesters, from singles to couples — helping them make the most of their leisure time. We highlight local events, restaurants, activities and attractions across the western suburbs.
User login
Recent blog posts
- A family affair at La Grange's Family Fest
- Local acting talent to spice dinner-theater comedy
- ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic heads back to MAC stage
- Duckies, Derbies and Donuts
- Villa Park business set to close doors after big inventory sale
- Glen Ellyn magazine celebrates 10 years with party, poetry reading
- It's back to school, celebrate with DuPage fair
- Spooky! Ghost Walk tour materializes at Geneva History Center
- Hear katydids call, crickets croon in ‘The Sound of Night Music’
- New DVD 'Live From Chicago ... It's Matt Kissane' takes a laugh-filled ride through the western suburbs
Recent comments
- The band Paragon is a very
5 hours 9 min ago - Re "...was named Best New
1 day 12 hours ago - We have seen Nell's work and
1 day 14 hours ago - That's too bad about your
2 days 1 hour ago - Hi Jack,
Sorry to hear about
2 days 1 hour ago - the show was wonderful
2 days 6 hours ago - i was 24 th person from the
2 days 7 hours ago - Hey there, I'm having issues
3 days 18 hours ago - What a Great Place. The
1 week 7 hours ago - This information is from last
1 week 11 hours ago
Comments
I love it there....I grew up in Chicago and Murphys does it right....Kudos!!!
My son loves the wings!
Best Dogs in the Western Burbs!
We love Murphy's dogs!! I especially love the chili dogs - my favorite. My kids love the wings which are the best in town. And . . . the staff is wonderful!!
See my previous comment. Sorry, I forgot to type my name. Murphy's is the best!
The Polish is awesome and the wings are TO DIE FOR!!!!
My family and I like this place very much. Great dogs and chili dogs....my wife and daughter LOVE the wings.
Good job Murphys Dogs!
I applaud the owners idea to bring a Chicago dog to LaGrange - but he's way over priced.
Most real Chicago hot dog stands serve a Chicago dog with fries for under $3.00 and some even serve a double dog with fries for under $4.00.
You can get a much better deal at Little Joe's beef stand or even Kombs. Nice idea but he thinks he can soak his patrons for more money because of his location.
Everyone has a right to their opinion....I respect that. I believe we serve hot dogs they way they are supposed to be served. I have nothing negative to say about LJ's or K's....they are great establishments who have served our community for many years. We serve what we serve and we stand behind our menu including the prices...where else can you get an italian beef/sausage combo, fries and a pop for $5, including tax, at lunch time in LaGrange? Hmmm....
Haters always coming out...even to hate on a hot dog stand....
leave them alone...they have a nice place there and they are real nice ppl. the kids go there and love it.....and it's not a Chicago Dog.....It's a Chicago Style Hot Dog.......learn the jargon b4 you run your mouth!!
Al
I was born and raised in Chicago and I say Murphy's ROCKS!!
He's definitely not overpriced, perhaps there are locations in Chicago with cheaper prices; but is the tax included... I think not?! Plus, they skimp you out on the condiments as well as the fries. In addition, Little Joe's Beef/Komb's... hmm never heard of it, must have not been that good. "No Ketchup Ever" you must be right, I think the owner is trying to soak his patrons for money... think about it...
$3 for a hot dog and fries,
$5 for a hot dog, fries, and a pop,
$5 Lunch (which gives customers the option of choosing an Italian sausage, Beef, Philly, and/or Polish), with fries and a pop during lunch time hours for those of us that work hard during the week.
Yeah! you're definitely right. Ironically, Murphy's Doghouse is the cheapest restaurant in the LaGrange area. Anyways, I love it there. The staff makes your food accordingly and they are personal. They always begin conversation that I find myself at Murphy's for more than expected, because I was enjoying myself in conversation. It's natural for people to criticize and suggest other places out of jealousy. Hmm... well if other people/places are jealous, Murphy's Doghouse must be doing something right!! :)
Post new comment