"Less than a month after closing in Portage Park, the Hot Dog Box will reopen in a downtown food hall. Owner Bobby Morelli is bringing fan favorites like the Bronzeville Bourbon Dog and new submissions to the Loop, steps away from Daley Plaza. The new Hot Dog Box is scheduled to open on Monday, January 9 inside Urbanspace Washington at 15 W. Washington Street. Originally founded in August 2020 inside a red shipping container in Bronzeville’s Boxville marketplace, the Hot Dog Box cultivated a loyal following with gourmet steak dogs piled high with toppings like chipotle shrimp and pepperoni with mozzarella. The business was bustling, and in January 2022, Morelli relocated the stall to a permanent space on the North Side where he hoped to expand the menu and hone the brand. Challenges emerged, including limited pedestrians and few regulars from the neighborhood. The Portage Park restaurant closed permanently in mid-December. The Hot Dog Box charges around $12 for fancier options, with simple hot dogs priced at $3.75. The new location is in a more tourist-dense neighborhood, and Morelli plans to offer longtime favorites and fresh creations with staggered releases." - Naomi Waxman
