CHICAGO — There’s only a week left to get a firsthand look at Chicago’s hot dog history.
The Vienna Beef factory is moving out of its longtime Bucktown home and, when it goes, it’ll shut down its museum, a spokeswoman said. The museum officially closes up Feb. 1.
The museum at the factory and store, 2501 N. Damen Ave., opened in 2018 to celebrate Vienna Beef’s 125th anniversary. It features photos from the early days of Vienna Beef, a meat grinder from 1859, Vienna Beef signs, a hot dog cart and books about hot dogs, among other things.
The museum even had a photo of Vienna Beef’s first factory as it was demolished by a wrecking ball shaped like a hot dog, according to World’s Fair Chicago.
Visitors were able to leave messages about their visit and love for hot dogs on a memory wall at the museum.
The factory will likely be replaced by a driving range with a restaurant, bar and public riverwalk.
The museum is open by appointment only. To set up an appointment, contact Tom McGlade at [email protected].
