History

In May of 1948, Superdawg® was established at the corner of Milwaukee, Devon and Nagle in Chicago. Superdawg® continues to be family owned and operated in the same location today.
Maurie Berman, a recently returned GI from World War II, married his high school sweetheart Florence (Flaurie), in August of 1947. Maurie was attending Northwestern University, studying to be a CPA, while recent Northwestern grad Flaurie was teaching in the Chicago Public Schools. With their “school-year” schedules, the newlyweds wanted to open a business that they could operate during the summer months. Many other returning GIs were opening roadside hot dog carts and Maurie and Flaurie decided to open their own roadside hot dog stand, one that would be as unique and distinctive as they were.


In 1950 Maurie passed the CPA exam, but he and Flaurie decided to keep operating Superdawg® and to open year-round in order to retain the outstanding personnel that had become so invaluable to fulfilling the Superdawg® ideals. When Superdawg® first opened, the electronic speaker system had not been invented. Carhops went out to the cars to take orders and customers signaled that they were ready for their trays to be picked up by turning on their headlights. In the early 1950’s the “carhop in a wire” electronic speaker system was installed, and Maurie designed the glowing blue “control tower” where the carhop sits to answer the switchboard and take orders. As Superdawg® grew into a successful business, Maurie and Flaurie found time to raise their family of three children (although not on Whoopercheesies® alone).



In May of 2009 ground was broken for a second location 11 miles north on Milwaukee Avenue in Wheeling, IL. Every effort was taken to recreate the look and feel of the Milwaukee and Devon location. The blue tower, the canopies on the parking lot along with the ordering speakers, the neon and diamonds along the building and canopies, the tile inside and most importantly, the trademark Maurie and Flaurie figures on the roof all were painstakingly incorporated into the plans. Much of the equipment was custom built as well.


Maurie Berman & Flaurie Berman – June 2003

Don Drucker, Lisa Berman Drucker, Laura Berman Ustick, Scott Berman
Since 1948, Maurie, Flaurie, their children and grandchildren have scrupulously adhered to one goal: “always to serve you in a manner that will make you want to return – and bring your friends, and new generations, with you.”
From the bottom of our pure beef hearts… THANKS FOR STOPPING®.