Emil Reichel and Sam Ladany emigrated from
Vienna, in the
Austro-Hungarian Empire, to
Chicago in the 1890s. During the
Columbian Exposition they sold
hot dogs to the many visitors of the Exposition. In 1894, Reichel and Ladany opened a storefront on Halsted Avenue on Chicago's West Side. In 1900, Vienna Beef began to sell and deliver to other stores and restaurants in Chicago. During the
Great Depression, a number of Vienna Beef vendors begin advertising that their hot dogs have a "salad on top," giving rise to the traditional
Chicago-style hot dog. In 1950, Vienna Beef distribution spread to other Midwestern states, and in the 1960s, Vienna Beef began selling in supermarkets. Henry Davis (1904–1974), a one time VP of sales, was instrumental in making Vienna Beef
the Chicago hot dog. Henry was honored by Vienna Beef, the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois for his contributions in helping create Chicago's independent hot dog stands. There is a permanent collection of documents, photos and memorabilia in the Chicago Historical Society Archives called the
"Henry Davis Collection" that was inaugurated in 1989. ==Revenue==