Gwinnett Daily Post

Open since: May

Location: Dacula Dogs is tucked into a shopping center off Dacula Road

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays

Owners: Husband and wife Scott and Jill Friedman were driving to Atlanta to find Chicago-style hot dogs before growth in Dacula prompted the residents to open their own restaurant, which they boast is a Chicago-style eatery with a splash of Southern charm. "I'm the Chicago part, she's the Southern charm," Scott said, gesturing to his wife.

Atmosphere: Jill Friedman said the open food preparation area is typical of Chicago hot dog eateries, where customers can watch how their food is prepared, offering input to get a just-right amount of condiments. Dacula Dogs offers table seating.

Menu: Nine different hot dogs are on the menu at Dacula Dogs, with the Chicago-style hot dog topping the list. The Texas barbecue dog is one of the most interesting options: A hot dog smothered in barbecue sauce and topped with cheddar cheese. And patrons shouldn't shy away from asking for something special, even bordering on strange.

"If you don't see it on the menu, ask," Jill Friedman said. "We'll do anything."

Although hot dogs top the restaurant's menu, they're "a lot more than hot dogs," Scott Friedman said.

Burgers, chicken sandwiches and specialty sandwiches round off Dacula Dogs' menu, and the restaurant offers baskets with all its dogs and sandwich items, which include fries and a choice of cole slaw or baked beans.

Things you might not know: Syd's chicken sandwich and the Lizzie Lou burger are named for the Friedmans' daughters, Sydney, who is 5, and Lizzie, who is 10.

SideBar: On the menu

Chicago-style hot dog with mustard, chopped onions, relish, tomato, pickle spear, sport peppers and a dash of celery salt on a steamed, poppy-seed bun, $3 for dog only, $4.60 for a basket, which is served with fries and a choice of cole slaw or baked beans

Chicago beef - Thinly sliced roast beef served on a steamed hoagie with cooked bell peppers and topped with Chicago spicy au jus, $6.25 for the sandwich only, $7.85 for a basket

Dacula sampler - Three mini hot dogs, plain, Chicago-style and chili or any combination, $3.50 for dogs only, $5.10 for a basket