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His dream job is one to relish ... with mustard

Robert Gehrke, 72, of Norridge, made his living as an American Airlines mechanic. But all the while, he dreamed of someday owning his own hot dog cart.

"When I was in high school, my friends and I would hang out at The Hub Roller Rink," Gehrke said. "Afterwards, we'd head to a pizza place at Addison and Harlem. My friends would eat pizza, but I'd be outside buying hot dogs from the guy with the cart in front of the pizza place."

On July 16, Gehrke's life-long dream was fulfilled. Wearing a Vienna beef hat, a Vienna beef apron and a grin that stretched from ear to ear, he presided over the grand opening celebration for his own hot dog cart -- Harwood Heights' newest business, right in front of its oldest, Big John's Landmark Pub, established in 1938, at 5135 N. Oriole Ave., just south of Foster Avenue.

While Gehrke waited on a steady line of customers, Elvis tribute artist Ronnie Vegas entertained the crowd.

The hot dogs were served on poppyseed buns and suitably dressed for the occasion, with each customer's choice of ketchup, mustard, celery salt, peppers, tomatoes, onions, dill pickles, cucumbers and every Chicago hot dog aficionado's favorite -- fluorescent blue-green relish.

"This is really good," said Gehrke's grandson, Bobby, a mustard and ketchup man.

Landmark Pub bartender Ed Osborne ordered his hot dog dressed in onion, relish, tomatoes and celery salt.

"This is a great hot dog," Osborne said. "The condiments are fresh and tasty, and the bun is terrific."

"Everything's really fresh," said Kim Malecki, of Chicago's Oriole Park community.

"Me? I love the relish," added Kim's husband, Mark.

"(You Ain't Nothin' But a) Hot Dog -- 'er Hound Dog," Vegas warbled, following that with "Jailhouse Rock," "Sweet Caroline," "Teddy Bear," "Don't Be Cruel," "Little Sister," "Johnny B. Goode," "Love Me Tender," "Suspicious Minds" and more.

Gehrke's wife, Lillian, took orders and presided over the cash drawer. Many customers went back for seconds. Motorists stopped in the center of Oriole to watch the fun.

Weather permitting, Gehrke plans to be open for business in front of the Landmark Pub from noon to 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to midnight every day but Mondays, from March through October.

"I'll be around even longer than that if the weather's good," he insisted.

Unfortunately though, Elvis/Vegas has left the building. 

Story courtesy of the Norridge-Harwood Heights News: www.pioneerlocal.com