Chicago’s Taste Authority Is Leaving South Minneapolis

Photo by Todd Buchanan

The home of the Chicago Dog and my favorite Italian Beef sandwich is on the move. Chicago’s Taste Authority (formerly Chris & Rob’s) is not renewing its lease. Owner Rob Dubnecay broke the news to me on National Hot Dog day.

“Due to the increase in cost at this location and we’re unable to achieve an agreeable lease, we’re looking,” he told me on my WCCO Radio show. “If you have something with affordable rent, reach out to me. We’re looking.”

Dubnecay said he started the business 20 years ago with rent of $1800 a month, “now they want over $6000.”  That’s a lot of $5.49 Chicago Dogs to sell to make up the difference. A Chicago Dog spot has been at that location for 30 years!

With the lease expiring at the end of September, he’s hoping to make the move seamless so employees don’t miss time working. “We are looking into all options, we’re also looking out for our employees as we don’t want them out looking for new jobs,” Dubnecay said.

Do not turn this into a “Minneapolis is failing” narrative, though. “Our leaving does not have anything to do with South Minneapolis. We have enjoyed and grown up here. The neighborhood has always supported the business, just as we have supported the neighborhood,” Dubnecay told me. But there’s no real traffic or visibility, he said, and thus the rent doesn’t make sense.

Location? “I don’t want to go to Duluth or Brainerd,” he laughed, “I probably don’t want to go to Woodbury, Roseville, or Maple Grove because we have somebody competing there.” Portillo’s opened in those suburbs over the last few years. “But anywhere in the metro, we’re open,” he said.

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