Chi-Town owner Travis Weiss built the hot dog restaurant nearly five years ago in the Lakeway area.[/caption] Chi-Town owner Travis Weiss grew up in the Midwest, spending time with family and friends in Minnesota and Wisconsin. He said he regularly took trips to Chicago to enjoy the food. "I've been a hot dog guy my whole life," Weiss said. "And Chicago is the hot dog capital of the universe." After graduating from Washington State University, Weiss said he moved to Austin in search of something exciting. "I wanted to try something different," he said. "I wanted to be where there were lots of people." Weiss began tending bar in Austin before deciding to open his own establishment on RR 620 between Hudson Bend and Lakeway. "I've always wanted to own my own restaurant/bar," he said. "I found this place and decided to try it. I built everything out here by hand. I went to school for engineering, and now I build hot dogs." Weiss opened Chi-Town nearly five years ago and said he focuses on the basics, using quality ingredients inspired by his many trips to Chicago. "What we do isn't complicated," he said. "We just do it better than anyone." Chi-Town, which Weiss now sees as a high school hangout like those he used to visit, offers specialty hot dogs, including the Texas Lone Star Dog ($3.65-$5.99), which includes deli mustard, red onions, jalapenos, chili and cheddar cheese; and the bacon wrapped hot dog ($6.45), a 1/3-pound hot dog wrapped with thick-cut bacon and deep fried. For those looking for classic Chicago favorites the restaurant offers Italian beef sandwiches ($6.85-$7.85) and Reuben sandwiches ($7.85). For those looking for even more variety, Weiss has a secret concepts menu to try out new hot dogs. "Everyone loves a hot dog," he said.

The future

Chi-Town owner Travis Weiss said he finally feels like his business can make it because of the loyal customer base he has built, but the future is still uncertain. "The first few years were tough," he said. "Because of our location, you don't come here by accident. Our repeat business has kept us going. Its unlike anywhere else Ive ever been." Weiss said the Chi-Town property recently changed hands, and he is not sure of what the new owner has planned. "Right now we are just waiting to see," he said. Weiss built Chi-Town with no financial backing, and now there are people signing petitions to keep the restaurant going and even talks about helping with a relocation if necessary, he said. "The restaurant business is tough," he said. "You work hard to make it work, but it can be fun and rewarding as well."

Secret concept menu

Chi-Town owner Travis Weiss said he is always open to trying out new things for his menu, taking suggestions from customers and employees alike. If something sounds or looks good, Weiss said he will put it on the concept menu for a test run and see how it does. "We will put something on the concept menu that will never make the actual menu, but as long as I have the stuff to make it I will make it for whoever wants it," he said. A few of the concept menu hot dog items include:

• The Hawaiian: Cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce and pineapple
• The Torch: Jalepeno mustard, cheddar cheese, red onions and spicy giardiniera peppers
• The Eliminator: Chili, spicy cheese sauce, barbecue sauce and fried onions
• The Pollo-Loco: A bacon-wrapped hot dog with honey mustard, barbecue sauce and fried chicken crumble