Chicago

3.7.08

801 N Ashland Ave at Chicago Ave; East Village; 312.421.2364

It's rare that rockers come together in a legitimately soul-rattling collaboration -- for every David Bowie + Freddie Mercury, there are a million Carlos Santana + Whoevers. Starting Monday, Rock itself finds a bone-crushing partner: cased meat, at Rockstar Dogs.

From the nightlife impresario behind Get Me High Lounge and Harry's Velvet Room, Rockstar's a skinny, dive-bar-styled wiener spot decked out with classic photographs (Minor Threat to Quiet Riot), guitars, red leather stools, and a flatscreen showing videos so heavy they'll summon Riki Rachtman from the grave. Menu highlights include The Kiss (chili-cheese "masked" dog), The Poi Dog (charbroiled jumbo w/ grilled pineapple & jalapeño chutney), and The Tommy Lee (the foot long, USDA certified hep-C free). All dogs come with a soda, veg-oil or beef-fat fries, and a Cracker-Jack-y prize (gold coin = free dog a week for a year), but you can trade up for Merkt-topped tater tots or onion rings; ketchup isn't allowed "unless you're under 13" -- request it, and you'll be forced to sit in the Silverchair.

Rockstar will stay open late (4am Thu-Sat); after 10pm, loose/frugal women can get free grub by dancing on their stripper pole, with the top performers' vid clips uploaded onto Rockstar's forthcoming website -- thereby immortalizing perfect duets between peer pressure and "Under Pressure".

Peep the eats at RockstarDogs.com