Chicago is a great American town, filled with a gregarious and warm people that define the Midwest.

Chicagoans love to talk. They love to drink. And they love to eat.

Their city has given us the deep dish pizza, the Italian beef sandwich and the late night shot of Mallorts — best taken off the counter of a a Polish liquor store over a heated debate on local politics. (but shockingly no signature Chicago hot sauce!?)

Of all their many offerings, one of the most famous culinary gifts they’ve given to the American cuisine is none other than the Chicago-style hot dog.

An all-beef frankfurter on a poppy seed bun topped with chopped white onions, a dill pickle spear, yellow mustard, bright green sweet pickle relish, tomato slices or wedges, a dash of celery salt and pickled sport peppers, the complete construction of this beast is no less than a work of art.

In fact, due to the many toppings, the Chicago Hot Dog is said to be “dragged through the garden”.

Of course, we would never say that this traditional take on the frankfurter is anything less than perfect, but at Small Axe Peppers, we saw an opportunity to create an a condiment, inspired by these great flavors, but that adds a little somethin’, somethin’. Check out Heatonist, purveyors of fine hot sauce, to pick up a bottle ASAP.

We set out to concoct a hot sauce that captures the flavors of the great city while… let’s just say… spicing things up a bit. We wanted to drag the ‘ole Chicago style hot dog through another type of garden, if you know what we mean.

So, we headed East, to the Windy City, and teamed up with some incredible garden partners redefining the distinct neighborhoods throughout their beloved town.

The result?

Well, without further adieu, we bring you:

Small Axe Pepper’s Chicago Hot Sauce

Made from produce grown by our tireless garden partners — FarmWorks Heartland Alliance, LJEVO Community Garden , Big Green, and Catatumbo Cooperative Farm — this sauce is possible thanks to the same sweat and soil that makes Chicago roar.

A spiced up blend of the second city’s most defining flavors —  yellow mustard, dill pickles, spicy relish and celery salt — Chicago Hot Sauce is a fiery condiment that stays loyal to its namesake. 

A fusion of zest from the great Midwest, this jalapeño-based sauce will add the perfect touch of heat to your next hot dog or hamburger.    

Small Axe’s Chicago Hot Sauce even earned the approval of Sean Evans — native Chicagoan and host of Hot Ones — when it was recently featured on season 10 of his web series.  Available online at Heatonist