Who: Frank Riccardi, aka the Hot Dog Man or Senior

The Lowdown: For as little as $3 you can get a Chicago-style hot dog and a can of pop. Riccardi also has an ongoing special — two hotdogs for $3.50. Talk about a cheap meal after a long night of partying.

What’s on the Menu: Vienna Beef hot dogs and chili-cheese dogs

Where: Wednesdays and Thursdays, Riccardi is at Normal and Lucinda from around 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, he is out by Otto’s from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Interesting fact: Although he said he will deny it, Riccardi admits to eating a Chicago-style dog but with mustard on one half and ketchup on the other.

There is more to Frank Riccardi, DeKalb and NIU’s local hot dog vendor, than meets the umbrella. A systems administrator by day (at least on Monday and Tuesday), Riccardi sells hot dogs not for a living but as a hobby.

After a high-stress job in computers and a six-way bypass surgery a few years ago, Riccardi needed a break.

“For my 53rd birthday [my wife] bought me a hot dog cart,” Riccardi said. “It’s a way of relaxing.”

Riccardi enjoys being outside and the interesting life of a vendor.

“I get to talk with the kids and meet new people,” Riccardi said. “It’s a radical departure from sitting at a desk. I have the last restaurant in town you can smoke at.”

In addition to selling hot dogs for his own well-being, Riccardi uses his cart as a way to deter drunk driving.

“I thought that if someone had a hot dog cart [outside the bar], I’d be eating a hot dog instead of driving to McDonald’s,” Riccardi said. “Every minute they spend with me is another minute they spend away from drinking so they can sober up a bit.”

As far as his hot dogs go, Riccardi uses the finest in Chicago-style hot dog ingredients. He uses naturally encased Vienna Beef hot dogs and Rosen poppy seed buns.

His condiments and dressings include onions, neon-green relish, sport peppers, celery salt and mustard. Ketchup is available for those who just can’t handle a true Chicago dog.

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