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Business & Tech

Day Go Dogs Bringing Premium Red Hots to Algonquin

Lake in the Hills residents Rich Vaia and John Russo pay tribute to their Italian roots with new restaurant.

After spending 25 years in the entertainment industry, Rich Vaia decided it was time to try out a new venture.

“When you tour with rock ’n’ roll bands, you age quickly,” he said.

Vaia, 48, grew up in Melrose Park and now lives in Lake in the Hills with his wife, Michele. With his friend and business partner, John Russo, Vaia is bringing his lifelong passion to Algonquin with the opening of Day Go Dogs.

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“I’ve always had a passion for food and cooking,” he said.

The hot dog restaurant is located at the former Mel & Mars, 2761 W. Algonquin Road. Vaia fell in love with the spot when he visited Mel & Mars to purchase some equipment.

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“As soon as I walked in the doors, I had a vision,” Vaia said. “I felt it — this is my home.”

Vaia and Russo are planning a soft opening for Dec. 1. “We’ll settle in and after the holidays, we’ll hold a grand opening,” said Vaia.

Vaia is sticking to his Italian roots when designing the menu. An avid fan of Gene & Jude’s in River Grove, Vaia is trying to emulate their style and quality while still providing their own unique twist.

“We’re using the same distributor. Our hot dogs are 100 percent Vienna beef with natural casing,” Vaia said.

Day Go Dogs also will serve up their hot dogs with french fries stuffed in the bun.

“People eat the ones that fall out, but then they eat the rest right along with the hot dog,” Vaia said.

In keeping with local hot dog tradition, ketchup is not an option.

“There will be no ketchup on my hot dogs,” Vaia laughs. Toppings will be simple and include mustard, onion and relish.

The restaurant also will serve hamburgers, sausage and Italian beef, but “we’re going to keep the menu short and sweet,” said Vaia. “We want to perfect it.”

Vaia and Russo intend to keep the business family owned and operated, though a friend of Vaia’s already has expressed interest in franchising Day Go Dogs and opening a location in California. The sky’s the limit for Vaia and Russo.

“I’m ready for it,” Vaia said. “I have no fear. This has always been my dream.”

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