Feb 18, 200811:18 AMThe Life

Deezer Dogs is a Taste of Chicago in the Desert

I recently started working for The Desert Guide and paused for a lunch break. I left the Palm Springs Life building and looked for a place for a quick bit to eat.

Much to my delight, I noticed a small restaurant right next door at 317 N. Indian Canyon Drive just north of Amado Road on the west side of Indian Canyon Drive called DeeZer Dogs. The place advertised itself as serving Chicago-style hot dogs.

I was skeptical because I'd spent a lot of time in Chicago in my college days and knew the difference between a plain old hot dog and a true Chicago Dog.

Was this just another joint making empty claims? There was only one way to find out.

I walked in and found myself in a 1950s-style eatery. There were no tables, only a counter with old-fashioned swivel stools.

I placed my order and waited.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating--the same holds true for Chicago Dogs. The true Chicago Dog is a special creation. It's made from Vienna beef (Vienna in German is Wein hence the name "weiner" for hot dog) and the quarter-pound dog is steamed, not boiled. It's placed in a steamed poppy-seed roll and then finished with the all-important toppings. These are: yellow mustard, green Chicago-style relish, tomato slices, chopped onion, dill pickle slice and a pepper.

My order arrived, and it sure looked and smelled like the wonderful creation I remembered.

Then it was time for the final test--the taste. I bit into it.

Heaven! I knew it was authentic by its "snap." This is from the casing that has a light resistance when bitten, and then gives with a "snap" that rewards the eater with a burst of flavor.

The DeeZer Dog was the real thing.

Cap it off with a side order of fries, chips or onion rings and wash it down with a root beer, and before you know it, you're cheering for the Bears, White Sox and Cubs.

Give DeeZer Dogs a try. It'll save you the cost of a trip to Chicago and you won't have to fight the snow.