In honor of National Hot Dog Month, Al’s Italian Beef, in collaboration with Mike Ditka, famed coach, football player, and television commentator, introduced the newest and biggest addition to its menu, the Spicy, Jumbo Ditka Dog. The new char-grilled hot dog is a third of a pound of Vienna Beef on a poppy seed bun—almost three times the size of a traditional hot dog.

“The Spicy, Jumbo Ditka Dog is a taste to experience, and you better be prepared to tackle it with an appetite,” says Mike Ditka. “This is the best sausage I’ve ever had, which is exactly why I put my name on it.”

For a limited time, Al’s Italian Beef customers can enjoy the enormous dog priced at $6.95 and, for a few dollars more, can add Al’s signature french fries and a drink for $9.99. They can also customize their Ditka Dog to their liking by choosing one of three topping recipes, including Original, with mustard, relish, onion, and sport peppers; Chicago Style, with mustard, relish, onion, sport peppers, sliced tomato, and kosher pickle spear; or Maxwell, with mustard, grilled onion, and sport peppers.

 “National Hot Dog month is the perfect time to introduce our newest menu item and celebrate our recent partnership with Mike Ditka,” says Dave Howey, president of Chicago Franchise Systems Inc. “The Ditka Dog is big, bold, and spicy and a perfect representation of Al’s Italian Beef and Mike Ditka.”

The franchise enlisted Ditka to support Al’s Italian Beef as its official spokesperson. The coach is taking an active role in the company’s nationwide expansion, advising on restaurant experience and menu items, helping scout new locations, and supporting its marketing efforts. To support the launch of the Ditka Dog, he will be featured on new promotional artwork that can be seen in all Al’s Italian Beef locations across the country.