Superdawg’s Beloved Hot Dog Statues Are Back And Better Than Ever

The ‘Bright Light’ On Milwaukee Avenue

Superdawg started out as a way to put Maurie and Flaurie Berman — the human versions — through school.

The couple, both from Albany Park, met and fell in love as freshmen at Von Steuben High School, Scott Berman said.

After Maurie Berman returned from World War II, the couple rented a plot of land in Norwood Park and built Superdawg. They planned to work at the restaurant in the summer to help pay for their tuition at Northwestern University, where Maurie Berman studied accounting and Flaurie Berman studied teaching. The shop closed every winter and the hot dog statues went into storage, Scott Berman said.

By the time the Bermans graduated in the early 1950s, the couple decided running Superdawg was “more fun,” so they dedicated themselves to the business full-time, Scott Berman said.

“They loved this not only as what they did for work every day, but also as a hobby and a passion,” he said.

When Superdawg opened, the only other business nearby was a dairy and egg store, Scott Berman said. There were very few houses in the area, and customers would park in the prairie surrounding the store, he said.

Berman said his parents wanted Superdawg to be the last stop before the long ride out of the city. The Maurie and Flaurie statues, with their glowing eyes, were the “bright light at the end of Milwaukee [Avenue],” he said.

As the neighborhood grew, a small dining room was tacked onto Superdawg and chicken sandwiches were added to the menu — but for the most part, the business has stayed the same for 76 years, Scott Berman said.

Superdawg still offers carhop service, and it still doesn’t serve hot dogs, but Superdawgs.

“Superdawgs are bigger than most hot dogs,” Scott Berman said. “They’re made with choice-cut beef and with a unique blend of spices.”

Sturdier And Still Beloved

Today, the business attracts a mix of regulars, commuters headed out of the city, cyclists on the North Branch Trail and tourists coming from O’Hare, he said.

Superdawg even ended up in a travel book titled “1,000 Places To See Before You Die,” Scott Berman said.

“It’s the Eiffel tower, the British Museum, the Louvre and Superdawg,” he said with a smile.

The original hot dog statues were made with papier-mâché layered around a chicken-wire frame. Once Superdawg switched to year-round operations, fiberglass was added to the statues, Berman said.

“When we opened [the statues] up and saw all the old newspapers inside, it was like, this is like the Titanic. This is history,” Orlandi said.

The old bulbs that lit up Maurie and Flaurie’s eyes were incandescent and had to be replaced monthly. Now, the statues are outfitted with brighter LED lights, Scott Berman said.

About 14 years ago, Superdawg opened a second location in suburban Wheeling. An even taller Maurie and Flaurie stand atop the second Superdawg, and they’re filled with foam instead of papier-mâché, Berman said.

Conclusion

Superdawg’s beloved hot dog statues, Maurie and Flaurie, have returned to their perch on the rooftop of Superdawg, and they’re better than ever. After spending 10 weeks at a “SuperSpa,” the fiberglass figures were restored to their former glory, complete with brighter LED lights and matching previous colors and details.

The statues are an integral part of Chicago’s culture and history, and they continue to attract visitors from all over the world. Superdawg remains a family-owned business, and Scott Berman hopes to continue the legacy for another 76 years.

FAQs

* What is Superdawg?
+ Superdawg is a hot dog joint in Norwood Park, Chicago, that has been in operation since 1948.
* Who are Maurie and Flaurie?
+ Maurie and Flaurie are the names of the fiberglass hot dog statues that sit atop Superdawg’s building. They were created by the original owners, Maurie and Flaurie Berman, as a symbol of their love and passion for the business.
* Why did Superdawg’s statues go into storage?
+ Superdawg’s statues were taken down and stored every winter to allow the business to close temporarily. This was done to conserve energy and reduce maintenance costs.
* What happened to the original hot dog statues?
+ The original hot dog statues were made with papier-mâché and were later replaced with fiberglass statues.
* How long has Superdawg been open?
+ Superdawg has been open since 1948, making it 76 years old.