Burger Billionaires and Felony Franks http://www.examiner.com/x-5940-SF-Restaurant-Business-Examiner~y2009m10d13-Burger-Billionaires-and-Felony-Franks Prison Puns Annoy Neighbors of Felony Franks http://www.wbur.org/news/npr/113742195 Vienna Beef: History of the Chicago Hot Dog http://www.viennabeef.com/culture/chgodoghistory.asp National Hot Dog & Sausage Council [Quick Time] http://www.hot-dog.org/ How To Make Chicago Hot Dogs http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-make-chicago-hot-dogs-2 A tempest in a seeded bun has been brewing in Chicago's West Side for the past few months, and the fray now includes a Catholic priest, hot-dog fans, and a local alderman. The controversy is regarding "Felony Franks", a compact hot-dog stand run by one James Andrews. Mr. Andrews believes that people deserve a second chance and that providing felons with stable jobs is a way to prevent homelessness. Andrews is known in Chicagoland for employing ex-convicts at his primary business, which is a paper goods supply company. His new venture, Felony Franks, features items like the Misdemeanor Weiner and the Chain Gang Chili Dog, and it also employs persons with a criminal record. It's also worth mentioning that the stand's slogan is, "Food so good it's criminal." While some neighborhood residents are glad to see any new business open up in the somewhat distressed community, others see the stand's image as patently offensive and at a community meeting, activist and Catholic priest Rev. Michael Pfleger referred to Andrews as "a pimp". But not everyone agrees with Father Pfleger, as former felon and Felony Franks employee Kevin Jones commented, "Working here allows me to provide for myself and my family." Andrews remains steadfast in his business operations, and he has mentioned that he has already received over 1000 job applications from former felons. The first link will take visitors to a timely news article on this encased meat controversy from the Wall Street Journal. The second link leads to a piece from this Tuesday's Examiner, by John Foley. In the piece, Foley suggests that Andrews should be "commended for a job well done." Moving on, the third link leads to an audio report from WBUR in Boston on the imbroglio. The fourth link leads to a concise history of the legendary Chicago hot dog, complete with information on how to construct a model dog in true Windy City fashion. The fifth link leads to the homepage of the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council. Here visitors can view some hot dog statistics, and listen to a performance of "Hot Dog City" by the group Buster's Dream. Finally, visitors will want to check out the sixth link, as it features a video primer on how to make a Chicago-style hot dog.