…The New Chicago, in a stunning upset!

Readers of yesterday’s update will remember that The New Chicago was trailing The Hot Doug’s Dog’s Breakfast by about 53 votes. Since that time, the two dogs traded first and second place all afternoon and evening until finally, after a whopping 2235 votes were cast - about 800 of those came in within the last 24 hours - The New Chicago cruised to victory with 42% of the vote (945 votes) to The Hot Doug’s Dog’s Breakfast 40% of the vote (883 votes). (The Johnny Depp ended up with 12% and La Cosa Nostra finished with 6%).

The creator of The New Chicago is Kevin Haas, an open source business software consultant who lives with his wife and two daughters in Portage Park. Here, again, is his winning entry:

Mexican chorizo sausage, Asian pear chutney, Indian paneer cheese, chili mustard, served on a multi-grain roll. As the original Chicago dog reflected our immigrant heritage (Greek, Italian and Jewish immigrants), this encased meat reflects our new and future immigrant population. Latinos now account for 1 in 4 city residents, our Asian population is expected to grow over a third in a matter of a decade, and India presents the third largest group of new immigrants to Chicago. This new sausage celebrates this new Chicago.

When asked for comment on his win, he had this to say:

"I think people rallied behind it because they recognize that Chicago is a city of immigrants, in a nation of immigrants.  And what better way to honor that immigrant heritage with an encased meat? I’m humbled and honored that so many people appreciated my sausage. And instead of going to Disneyland, I’ve bought myself my very own sausage stuffer, which I think is far superior."

As Hot Doug is currently in the midst of a duck-fat-fry-laden lunch rush, you’ll have to wait to find out when The New Chicago will be on the Hot Doug’s menu of encased meat delights. But as soon as we know, we’ll pass the word along.

A big thanks to everyone who participated in this contest, as well as Gapers Block, ProBonoBaker, PretzelCoatl, and the other folks who talked it up.

For more hot dog-related goodness, check our our story from earlier this month.