Sunday, March 28, 2010

Hot Dog of the Week: Fat Frank's

When you think of Vermont what do you think of?

Perhaps it is the mountain skiing, or the cozy New England landscape.

After reading this review courtesy of our friends at seriouseats.com I am quite sure that Vermont should be known for Fat Frank's.

Contrary to the fat part of the nickname, the hot dogs are rather skinny, or they can be if you decide to go against the bratwurts or even knackwurst.

Click on the title of this post to read the delicious review...and try to keep your mouth closed when you see the pile of hot dogs at the bottom of the review. Too much drool is bad for the keyboard.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

One Stop Coney Shop


Grand Rapids, MI

One of our readers suggested that we take a little trip to the newest hot dog place in West Michigan located near the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. Upon meeting the owner of the "shop" he took us through the way he wanted to do dogs. He starts with Michigan based Koegel dogs which has one of the best snaps to the casing that I have ever had. Nothing is pre-cooked here, only cooked to order. The first step is to throw the dogs on the grill. He doesn't boil or steam his dogs, but rather puts them on the grill until they are about ready to split. Though the dogs are not that thick or robust, the true snap of the casing and the pure beef inside makes it a very desirable dog. I had a pair of dogs on the day which included a Chicago Dog and a special of the Coney Shop, the Sky Dog named after one of the employees. This Chicago Dog was wrapped into a poppy seed bun with the jalapeno, tomato, and toxic looking relish nicely spread on top. This was a good Chicago Dog. The Sky Dog however was not as appealing. This dog was topped with a MOUND of sauerkraut and chili. The chili was good and not to overpowering, but the sauerkraut was a little soggy and an over abundance of it. Order the Chicago Dog, pass on the Sky Dog, and as you will read later from Side Dish Jody...ORDER THE BELGIAN FRIES! B+

Atmosphere- The outside of the restaurant had a brick facade from the original building that had to date back to the first third of the twentieth century. Upon stepping inside you see how well they used their long narrow space. Tables adorned the entire west side, where you could watch them grill your dog, decorate the top and cook your Belgian fries to order. Though the inside fresh paint and new decorations counter the exterior of the building, this place will be around for some time as they encourage customers to leave comments on the tiled panels on the wall and sign his or her name. C+

Value-
Ranging from a $1.79 plain dog up to the chili cheese dog at $2.59, they have hit a bulls eye with their price points. Care to make your dog a meal? Well it includes delicious Belgian fries and a drink for under $5.50 in all but one dog option. Amongst the hot dog places I have been in West Michigan, this one ranks at the top so far in bang for you buck meals. A-

Side Dish Jody says...I ordered the double burger (the smallest size) with added cheese and a cone of Belgian fries. The burger tasted like a standard cheeseburger but was tough to hold together with the two patties on a flimsy bun. The fries, however, were excellent! They were perfectly crispy on the outside yet steamy on the inside and salted to perfection. I would return again to solely get the fries! Other non-hot dog options included variations of chili and cheese on their fries, although I did not try those. Grade: B

Monday, March 22, 2010

Esquire Magazine Ranks Yesterdog Amongst Leaders

Esquire magazine has realized what everyone in West Michigan knows- that Yesterdog is where people want to eat hot dogs.

Now our faithful few followers who have never visited this shrine, can read the thoughts from a world renowned source.

Where do men and some women want to eat?

Click the title of this post to read the March 22 article courtesy of Mlive.com then see our review of Yesterdog by scrolling to the bottom of the page or find it in our hot dog registry under MICHIGAN.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Hot Dog of the Week: El Completo

Our friends at seriouseats.com reviewed this combination dog.

This would fall in the categories of International, Street Vendor, and New York.

A hot dog with it's roots in Chile' this hot dog is covered with veggie choices galore.

Read the review of this restaurant by clicking on the title of this article.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

A square hot dog?

When hot dogs were first introduced to Americans by way of European immigrants, to my knowledge they have always been round or cylindrical shaped.

How would you like to eat a square hot dog? Perhaps a triangle shaped dog would suit you better?

Well according to this news article from USAtoday.com some pediatricians are trying to pass a choke proof hot dog law.

Kids and adults will choke on anything from peanuts to large pieces of steak to striking out with the bases loaded (get that analogy?).

Please I beg, our readers beg, HUMANITY BEGS...do NOT change the shape of a hot dog.

Click on the title of this post to read the full article.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Hot Dog of the Week: Big League Hot Dog Company

If you have checked out the pictures we have in our "Stadium Dogs" slide show, you will notice our affection with baseball.

Baseball and hot dogs are one of the world's most harmonizing combinations.

One of our readers suggested we explore their North Carolina hot dog eatery which has a baseball theme.

Though we have yet to go and experience the dogs, the theme is perfect for our taste. The owners of Big League Hot Dog Company encourage you to bring your team to eat before the game, and offer specials on many dogs including foot longs.

We have copied one of the BLHDC pictures to our site, but you can access their homepage by clicking on the title of this post.

You can take us out to a ball game anytime, or if you cannot make it to a stadium, stop here and experience that harmonizing combination.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Pete's Hot Dogs

New York is one of the few states that I have not eaten a hot dog in.

One day I will make the trek to hot dog Mecca and Nathan's, and on the road trip I will have to swing past this little hole in the wall hot dog place.

Read the review courtesy of our friends at Seriouseats.com by clicking on the title of this post.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Backyard Big Dogs

Oshtemo, MI

One of our friends suggested that we check out this newly opened place on the outskirts of Kalamazoo. That was all the reason Side Dish Jody and I needed to make the trek. Walking in the door you are greeted by a long bar type counter where you can belly up to see your dogs being cooked on a rotisserie grill behind the counter. I decided to tackle the behemoth "my dog is bigger than your dog" dog. It was a footlong, half pound all beef dog that made me salivate just looking at it. I topped it off with mustard, relish, onions, sour kraut, cheese and celery salt. All the toppings you put on the dog are included. With each bite I could hear the casing snap, and the juices from the dog blended well. The bun was not the standard footlong bun that you would get around a pencil thin typical hot dog. This was a bun made for this thick dog. As far as places that serve footlongs, that I have experienced it rates near the top. A-

Atmosphere- The habitat for this building is in the last storefront of what looks like a fairly new strip mall. So you could drive past it and not even recognize it as a hot dog joint. Not a fan of brand new places and non-nostalgic decorations, but everyone has to start somewhere. I normally put hot dogs and low key together, and that is what they did on the interior. The bar counter was a very unique feature, and the other eating stations were picnic tables. Picnic tables were meant to have hot dogs eaten on them. Though it was opened in the fall 0f 2009, the clientele is still building. I can see this place being busy come spring and summer time when the typical fair weather hot dog fans come through. If driving North on 131 or cutting across I-94, take a 10 minute detour and belly up to the bar! B-

Value- When I saw this dog rotating and waiting for me to devour it, I wondered what the price would be. Figuring it would be in the $5-$7 range. Surprisingly, it only cost $4.49. They advertise it as a double gourmet dog and they pegged the description. The toppings they adorned the top with was generous, but not to much to make it a messy dog to pound down, bite after bite after bite after.... The look on my face in the picture should say it all. WELL WORTH every penny for each bite (which was about 13 bites overall) A-

Side Dish Jody says...
I had the nachos which were a pile of yellow corn chips, chili, cheese and jalapenos. Though it was a very good value, it was one of the only options other than a baked potato for non hot dog eaters. I very much enjoyed the meat and the cheese. B