Beach eats with Chicago attitude. New restaurant serves up food with Midwest tradition

ANNA MARIA

Joe and Laurie Sabath are on to something.

“Come in and get something to eat and then cruise the island on a scooter or bike,” said Joe Sabath, owner of the recently opened Turtle Shack restaurant at 314 Pine Ave.

Turtle Shack, whose slogan is “beach eats with Chicago attitude” is a lunch counter, take-out operation next to Lazy Turtle Beach Rentals, also owned by the Sabaths.

The take-out menu includes favorites such as Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian Beef sandwiches, chicken wings, fried Twinkies, fried pickles, ice cream sandwiches made with two over-sized chocolate chip cookies and more.

Some of this may require explanation.

A Chicago-style hot dog is built around an all-beef or veggie frank served on a steamed poppy seed bun. Toppings include mustard, pickle, neon green relish, onion, sport peppers, tomato and celery salt for $5.

Don’t look for ketchup on this hot dog because there won’t be any, Sabath said.

However, he does make an exception to strict Chicago tradition by offering veggie dogs. Back home that would be just as frowned upon as ketchup.