NORWOOD PARK — Maurie and Flaurie — the 300-pound hot dog statues that have dutifully watched over Milwaukee Avenue for seven decades — are back. Superdawg owner Scott Berman watched carefully as the 11-1/2-foot-tall Flaurie figurine was lowered onto the iconic hot dog stand’s roof Wednesday morning. After spending 10 weeks at a “SuperSpa,” Berman said it was good to see Flaurie and her better half back atop the drive-in restaurant at 6363 N.
Milwaukee Ave. “It’s wonderful. It’s like life has returned to what it’s supposed to be,” he said.
Scott Berman owns the Norwood Park hot dog joint with his sister Lisa Drucker and her husband, Don Drucker. The statues are named after Berman and Drucker’s parents, Maurie and Flaurie Berman, the original Superdawg owners. The statues were created in 1948, when Superdawg first opened.
The Maurie figurine stands with his arms flexed clad in an animal print toga, while Flaurie stares up at him adoringly, wearing a sky-blue skirt and bow. Scott Berman said his dad wanted to portray “a heroic man and his loving mate.” Maurie and Flaurie were taken off the roof for refurbishment in the 1970s and again in the 1990s.
This fall, they spent 10 weeks being restored at Orlandi Statuary , a family-owned business based in Logan Square. The Orlandis carefully studied old photos of the statues to match previous colors and details, said Fabio Orlandi, who owns the business with his two brothers. “We wanted them to look exactl.