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Anthony Bourdain Visits America's Heart Attack Capital

Anthony Bourdain finally made it to Chicago this week, and while he gave the Second City plenty of props for being a genuine high-end culinary town, he still was able to do what he does best—find the city's most outrageous, over-the-top, questionably-edible offerings.

In Chicago, that of course means an awful lot of plates that scream the phrase "heart attack." Bourdain hit all the usual suspect—the foie gras hot dog at Hot Doug's, the mile-high pork-and-egg sandwich at Silver Lake Restaurant, and the five-pies-squeezed-into-one at Burt's Pizza. But he impressed us most by discovering one Chi-town delicacy we've never heard of: The Mother-in-Law sandwich. It's a simple but terrifying concept.

Just take the idea of a Chicago hot dog—loaded with peppers, onions, chili and all the toppings, but take the dog out of the bun and replace it with a hot tamale. It's an unholy combination that seems like a recipe for an instant and long-lasting upset stomach, and we have to say even Bourdain looked a little grossed out wolfing one down. Of course, he smiled afterwards and declared it pure genius, but we wonder if this monstrosity was too much for even him to handle.

Has anyone tried the fearsome Mother-in-Law? What's the verdict? Insanity on a bun or genius brewing on Western Ave? Let us know.

· Chicago Travel Guide [No Reservations]
· Hot Dogs at Hot Doug's [Jaunted]
· Chicago travel coverage [Jaunted]

Photo: [Southern Foodway Alliance]