Do-Rite Donuts with Carl Tart

"Do-Rite Donuts with Carl Tart (live)" is Episode 409 of *Doughboys*, hosted by Nick Wiger and Mike Mitchell. "Do-Rite Donuts with Carl Tart (live)" was released on August 3, 2023.

## Synopsis

Carl Tart (*XOXO, Gossip Kings*) joins the 'boys LIVE to talk travel predicaments and Chicago before a review of Do-Rite Donuts. Plus, a surprise guest.

*Recorded live at The Riviera Theatre in Chicago on June 24, 2023.*

## Nick's intro

On December 3, 1985, the Chicago Bears released "The Super Bowl Shuffle," a charmingly amateurish hiphop-adjacent music video with the team's players rapping as they execute a crude dance routine.

Recorded before the playoffs even began, the track was an act of hubris that, thankfully for the Chicago faithful, did not end up backfiring and the Bears did in fact make the Super Bowl, where they'd post a dominating 46-10 win over the New England Patriots.

The champion '85 Bears remain a legendary franchise known for an historic defense led by Mike Singletary, the punishing ground game of Walter Payton, and an oddball supporting cast including Jim McMahon and William "Refrigerator" Perry, but the team's biggest star was arguably its coach - a Polish-American retired tight end with the looks and cadence of a gruff police chief, Mike Ditka.

The man nicknamed Iron Mike became a national celebrity and Windy City legend in the 1980s, and in 1990, Ditka parlayed his fame to compete on a new playing field, the fast casual chain-restaurant sector. In December of that year, he opened the first Ditka Dogs in Naperville, Illinois, one of ten planned locations. But the outlet sported a menu that was suspiciously close to another Chicago-area institution, a beloved local chain that was founded in 1963 as The Dog House by a man named Dick.

Originally a trailer without running water, in 1967, Dick moved his concept into a brick-and-mortar location where he gave it his last name, gradually growing his menu beyond hot dogs into Italian beef sandwiches and legendarily decadent shakes. By the time Ditka Dogs came on scene, Dick's chain had double-digit locations, and when Ditka Dogs didn't stop at merely copying his menu, literally hiring away many of his employees, Dick, a man who professes a degree from "Asphalt University," fought back.

In his recently-released memoir, he describes how he paid Bears star Refrigerator Perry to make in-store appearances, flew a banner advertising his chain over Soldier Field during Bears games, and offered cash bonuses to lure a wave of his employees back just before the weekend rush - leaving Ditka Dogs flailing and, ultimately, failing.

Dick considers forcing Ditka Dogs' closure as one of his proudest career achievements and while Ditka later found success with an upscale steakhouse concept, the chain Dick founded rules the local fast casual scene as it has become as entrenched with Chicago's identity as those Super Bowl Shufflin' '85 Bears.

This week on *Doughboys*: Portillo's.

[Classic intro from a previous live show in Chicago. Support the WGA.]

And this week on *Doughboys*, back live in Chicago: Do-Rite Donuts!

## Fork rating

* Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich
 Mike Mitchell
* Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
* Chicken Sausage & Egg Sandwich
* CBR Spicy
 Carl Tart
* Denver Breakfast Sandwich (on a donut)
* Chicken Tenders
 shared
* Boston Cream Donut
* Cheese Danish
* Chocolate Old Fashioned
* Chocolate Glazed Raised
* Cinnamon Crunch Raised
* Cinnamon Old Fashioned
* Candied Maple Bacon
* Michigan Apple Fritter
* Raspberry Bullseye
* Valrhona Chocolate Cake
* Vanilla Bean Glazed
* Birthday Cake
* French Fries
* Coleslaw

With these scores, Do-Rite Donuts joins the Golden Plate Club!

## Snack or Wack: Popcorn or Slop Scorn edition 🍿

In Snack or Wack, the Doughboys taste a snack item and rate it either 'snack' or 'wack.'

For today's episode, they have a variety of flavors of Berco's Popcorn. Jamie Loftus joins the show for this segment.

They previously tried Berco's Billion Dollar Popcorn in this episode (it was a snack).

 Mike Mitchell
 Carl Tart
 Jamie Loftus

Nick and Jamie liked the Cheddar best, and Mitch and Carl preferred Big Time Butter.

## The Feedbag

 Mike Mitchell
 Carl Tart
 Jamie Loftus

 Mike Mitchell
 Carl Tart
 Jamie Loftus
 Emma Erdbrink

 Mike Mitchell
* apple
* fried clam platter with Tartar sauce
 Jamie Loftus
 Anthony

## Related Episodes

* 145. The Slice Is Right: Semifinals 1
* 203. Waffle House
* 204. Hattie B's
* 219. Ben's Chili Bowl
* 220. CAVA
* DD. Wawa
* 222. Rita's Italian Ice
* 235. Culver's
* DD. National Coney Island
* 236. Swensons
* 242. Mac Attack: Round of 32 (part 1)
* 243. Mac Attack: Elite Ate
* 244. Mac Attack: Finals
* DD. Wige Hard
* 292. Pie Noon: Semisoft Finals
* THON21: Doughathon 2021
* 302. Taco Bell 5
* DD. The Mitchy Clause
* 341. Hero's Journey: Sub-Optimal: Semisoft Finals
* 350. D'Angelo
* 351. Kelly's Roast Beef
* 352. Bertucci's
* DD. Gorko's Planet Clergmas Spectacular
* 406. Taco John's
* 409. Do-Rite Donuts
* 409. Do-Rite Donuts
* 198. Portillo's
* 199. Lou Malnati's
* 208. Al's Beef
* DD. Beyond Chicago
* 409. Do-Rite Donuts

## Photos

GabrielDo-Rite Donutsdozen Do-Rite DonutsChicken Sausage and Egg Sandwich, CBR Spicy, Spicy Fried Chicken Sandwich, and Denver Breakfast Sandwich (On A Donut)Chicken TendersColeslaw and French FriesNutella Latte and Lemonade