LINCOLN PARK — First Russia is charged with stealing the U.S. presidential election, and now it has evidently stolen something far more precious for Chicago hot dog aficionados: the Wiener's Circle.
The April Fools' Day stunt, left intact for customers to enjoy this week, found a way to take shots not only at Putin, President Donald Trump and his press secretary Sean Spicer, but also at Chicago competitor Portillo's.
On the heels of its annual Halloween disguise, the Wiener's Circle, 2622 N. Clark St., has become a Russian-annexed take on Portillo's after being "hacked" by Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
"Putin has hacked the Wiener's Circle and did the Portillo's thing," said Evelyn Morris Tuesday at the beloved Lincoln Park dog stand. "So we got him back by having the Trump 3-inch footlong hot dogs again, as well as the Putin hot dogs, which are 13 inches long."
"Only for true strongmen," warns a Wiener's Circle tweet from last weekend. The menu points out that, in the case of this Chicago hot dog, it's "red ketchup permitted."
The 3-inch Trump footlongs are revived from a year ago, when Trump's propensity for lying, especially about the size of his hands and other associated appendages, became an issue on the campaign trail.
The 13-inch Putin footlongs build on that, along with Putin poutine, including "melted democracheese." The three can be ordered together in a "Make the World Great Again Package" for $17.04.
The menu also includes a "Spicer Swallows Dippin' Dots Dessert Special," stating that when the press secretary isn't "swallowing bubble gum, he prefers Dippin' Dots," a nod to Spicer's years-long feud with the brand.
According to Morris, the display will be taken down some time this week, so move fast to catch it.
The Wiener's Circle also joined in a series of stunts in support of the Chicago Cubs' playoff push last fall on the way to the World Series — and, of course, the annual Halloween disguise.
