Scatchell's in Cicero makes Hot Dog Hall of Fame

CICERO – In 1953, Scatchell's started serving hot dogs and hasn't stopped since.

To mark its milestone 61st year in business, Scatchell's Beef and Pizza, 4700 Cermak Road, has been inducted into Vienna Beef's Hot Dog Hall of Fame.

Owners Barry Reggi and Frank Levato were joined by Vienna Beef's Bob Schwartz, senior vice-president, and Sales Manager Jim Locaciato, who presented the owners with a plaque, a banner and Vienna Beef Hot Dog Hall of Fame T-Shirts.

They took a few photos, praised the partners for selling lots and lots of hot dogs and Polish sausage, then all settled back and talked about what makes the giants in hot dog giants, and why staying open more than 60 years is a triumph of hard work.

Reggi said consistency is essential in keeping the customer happy.

"The hardest thing is to serve the same product every day the same way," Reggi said. "It's the way you wrap it, how much salt you put on it."

For those expecting a menu the size of a phone book, forget it. This is not the place for wraps, chicken salad, soup in a bread bowl or even burgers. Hot dogs, Polish sausage, Italian sausage, pizza, shrimp and side orders just about says it all. They do have homemade Italian ice, but that's about as far as they stray from an old school hot dog stand menu.

Schwartz said Hall of Fame members are an elite group; numbering about 70 in the Chicago area.

"You have to be important to your community and be recognized for great food," Schwartz said. "You're one of the finest, oldest restaurants in Chicago, and we at Vienna Beef are proud of you."

And of course, it helps when you sell a gazillion hot dogs, but the exact number is as secure as a national secret.

It all started when Ed "Stubby" Scatchell opened a fast food stand back in a time when fast food was not a billion dollar industry. Thirty years later, Reggi and Levato bought the business and expanded not only the building, but its offerings on the menu to also include Italian beef and pizza. Both Reggi and Levato had no prior experience in the restaurant business before getting started.

"We grasped it pretty fast," Levato said. "We just learned. We worked at it day and night."

Schwartz and Locaciato also like the idea that Scatchell's staff had not changed for many years, including employees Mena D'Ditiana, Christina Richter and Sergio Garibal. It works into the Vienna Beef score card for the Hall of Fame, and "the status as an iconic neighborhood gem."

Reggi said it's nice to know that all the hard work is appreciated.

"You do your best every day. It's nice to be recognized," Reggi said.