Dogs on the Road

Hot Dog of the Week: Beav's Long Boom Dogs

2012-01-26T12:23:00.003-05:00

We are not the only hot dog blog out in cyber-world.

There are many friendly competitors that share the same love for hot dogs as we do here at dogsontheroad.

One of our competitors, The Hot Dog I Ate recently had it's 200th post and it was on Beav's Long Boom Dogs of East Stroudsburg, PA.

So if Beav's is worthy for a post on their site, we will feature it as our Hot Dog of the Week on our site this week too.

Hot Dog of the Week: Hot Dog Heaven

2012-01-19T07:30:00.000-05:00

The movie Field of Dreams ranks as one of our all time favorites here at Dogsontheroad.

There is a conversation that occurs between Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) and his father John, where John asks Ray, "Is this Heaven?" Ray replies, "No, it's South Florida..."

Actually Ray replies "No it's Iowa," but Hot Dog Heaven is located in Fort Lauderdale, not in corn-filled Iowa. Please no hate e-mails from our fans in the Hawkeye state!

Hot Dog Heaven has kept things simple since its opening, by serving what they call "America's first fast food"...the hot dog. Or more specifically here, a Chicago Dog.

Using Vienna beef dogs, Hot Dog Heaven serves only a hot dog with Chicago style toppings. That means every bun served has the poppy seeds on it, and please do NOT ask for ketchup. This is a Chicago style place.

But Hot Dog Heaven only accepts cash, so leave your plastic in the car when you come to visit.

Hot Dog of the Week: Blackie's Hot Dogs

2012-01-11T08:35:00.002-05:00

Here at dogs on the road, we have several friendly competitors that all share in our joy of hot dogs.

This review is courtesy of Yank's Frank's which is out of the New England area. Yank's Frank's also has their own hot dog restaurant.

Click HERE to read about Blackie's hot dogs which is THE place to eat a hot dog in Connecticut.

Hot Dog of the Week: ChiDogO's

2011-12-31T08:09:00.000-05:00

There is a saying that goes; It's as American as baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet.

Well in our nations capital of Washington D.C., ChiDogO's takes care of the hot dog part of the ole' saying.

The founder of ChiDogO's is a native of Chicago and he noticed after years of being in D.C. that he could not find a true Chicago style hot dog.

So making Chicago-land icon's such as an authentic Chicago dog and Italian beef sandwich, has patrons flocking to ChiDog's until 4 a.m.

Hot Dog of the Week: Texas Wieners

2011-12-20T09:14:00.003-05:00

If I placed several hot dogs in front of you that were each different from the others, could you pick out a Texas Weiner?

Well if you could not, it would be the one adorned with a spicy chili sauce and onions dripping out of the split-in-half weiner.

Texas Weiner's have been doing business in its Philadelphia area location since it was founded in 1923 by a German immigrant.

They say it is a family atmosphere with South Philly attitude. Now I have been to Philly, and a South Philly attitude is not the best way to label your restaurant, unless you want to be insulted for no apparent reason and have Duracell batteries chucked at you.

However, there are lots of kids in the pictures and family portraits so it cannot be all that bad.

MAS*H and hot dogs

2011-12-16T08:25:00.003-05:00

Hot dogs have a place in pop culture.

Don't think so? The American Pie movies had a restaurant called Dog Years, Pink's in Hollywood, CA caters to all the movie stars, and Jamie Farr's character (Klinger) on M*A*S*H was from Toledo and used to talk about Tony Packo's on the TV show

Well it turns out that a family feud is an ongoing battle with the iconic restaurant.

Click HERE to read the article of $100,000 + being embezzled courtesy of the IndyStar.com

Hot Dog of the Week: Schmidt's Sausage Haus

2011-12-04T06:30:00.002-05:00

Hotdogs are hotdogs. Then there are cousins of hotdogs such as kielbasa, bratwurst and sausage.

Well Schmidt's Sausage Haus of Columbus, OH has been homemaking their sausages since the late 1800's.

Not many of the hot dog joints that we review on here can cater to a tour bus, but at Schmidt's they are encouraged to stop by.

Read why the 'haus' in the German village is an icon in Columbus. Or even better stop by to eat with a car or bus full of friends.

Hot Dogs as Weapons?

2011-11-26T07:30:00.000-05:00

We all have people we dislike or think malice towards.

Very few of us however carry out with the thoughts we plot towards our nemesis.

One crazed spectator decided to unleash a hot dog towards Tiger Woods.

Click here to read the story courtesy of CBS News

2011-11-15T07:36:00.000-05:00

In the heart of Tornado alley is Tulsa's own The Dog House.

Having perhaps the largest variety of hot dog choices we have come across, The Dog House introduces it's patrons to concoctions like the Buffalo Soldier (buffalo sausage plus blue cheese), the Italian Stallion (Italian sausage and peppers) and Hell Hound (wasabi mayo and habanero relish).

You can even get a Cheech or Chong dog. That is Cheech OR Chong, not a Cheech and Chong...we are pretty sure the government has rules against a Cheech and Chong dog.

So if tuckin' through America's heartland or you need a place to take shelter during a twister, seek out this Tulsa landmark.

Hot Dog of the Week: Flying Weenie

2011-11-01T07:00:00.000-04:00

Look! Up in the air. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Well yes it is a plane actually.

To be accurate it is a scaled down plane that rests on the roof of Cedar Rapids iconic Flying Weenie.

The Flying Weenie has been making their own fries, brats, Italian and Polish sausage for patrons who visit the transformed former service station.

If a homemade specialty dog of sorts does not hit the spot for you, try one of their Vienna Beef hot dogs that can come in a 1/2 pound order.

There is more to just corn in this Iowa town, and The Flying Weenie seems to know it.

Hot Dog of the Week: House of Doggs

2011-10-27T07:00:00.001-04:00

Certain things go well with hot dogs.

Baseball ALWAYS goes well with hot dogs...and is the main reason this October I have been negligent on the blog here.

Summer cookouts go hand in hand with hot dogs, as do camping, tailgating, and feeding mass quantities of people.

One other thing that goes well with hot dogs is music.

At the House of Doggs in Traverse City, MI they combine their love of music with their history of hot dog(g)s.

Naming each of their hot dogs after genre's of music or iconic bands, House of Doggs treats its customers to fair prices. Most of their dogs are under three bucks a wiener.

Adorning the restaurant with it's classic music flare truly brings the two worlds of music and hot dogs together.

Enjoy when visiting during the Cherry Festival, or simply on a fall color tour. Heck, is there ever a bad time for a hot dog?

We think not.

Hot Dogs and Lightbulbs

2011-10-07T07:00:00.001-04:00

If any of you have followed the Nathan's hot dog contest on July 4th each year, the name Joey Chestnut should ring very clear in your mind.

For those of you who do not follow competitive eating, Chestnut is the Babe Ruth, the Beatles and the Bill Gates of his profession.

Food Service Warehouse conducted a rather humorous study as to what it would take for joey Chestnut to undo the 'damage' he did to his body in his most recent hot dog eating contest.

Click HERE to read the story courtesy of Food Service Warehouse's blog.

Hot Dog of the Week: Dig Dog

2011-10-04T07:00:00.000-04:00

For all of you hot dog fans, can you picture what a dog is called that has been battered and a stick shish kabobing it?

PLEASE don't say the C word.

If you are from the Marion, VA area it would be called a Dip Dog.

Founded in 1957, Dip Dogs has been serving all beef dogs for a princely sum. Just to give you an idea of their prices, foot longs go for $2.75 each.

They also have quite the menu of not hot dog options ranging from burgers, to breakfast, to custard.

If traveling I-81, swing on in.

Fall Hot Dogs

2011-09-28T09:05:00.003-04:00

We love hot dogs and we love sports here at dogsontheroad.

In our Stadium Dogs section you will see the different stadiums and sporting events where I have enjoyed a hot dog over the years.

This past Saturday I was able to enjoy a college football game at the University of Michigan.

Send us YOUR PICTURES of stadiums and bonus points if you have a picture eating a hot dog in a stadium. We will add it to our Stadium Dog section in the upper right corner of our main page.

Wiener War part II

2011-09-23T09:04:00.003-04:00

Last month we brought you an article about a hot dog war between Ball Park Franks and Oscar Mayer.

Well here is the truce that has resulted from all of the accusations and wiener flinging.

Click HERE to read the article courtesy of highbeam business blog.

Hot Dog of the Week: Big City Hot Dogs & Gyros

2011-09-20T07:30:00.000-04:00

What do Boston, Detroit, Atlanta and Seattle have in common besides airports we HATE being in?

You could answer the question in many categories, but the only category that matters here are the names of hot dogs served at Big City Hot Dogs & Gyros.

One of the benefits to eating at Big City is there program for free hot dogs. Buy four and get the fifth hot dog free!

The only thing at this blog that we like better than hot dogs are FREE hot dogs.

Hot Dog of the Week: Acme

2011-09-04T07:30:00.000-04:00

Do you remember the old roadrunner and coyote cartoon on Looney Toones?

You know, where the coyote would try and trap the roadrunner with the latest contraption ordered from a company called ACME. It was always stamped on the product or the large wood crate in giant black letters, A-C-M-E.

Well in Columbus, OH Acme hotdogs are a badge of pride, not future futility like it was for the coyote.

In fact, the tag line on their website may sum up the restaurant quite well. "Connoisseurs of all things hotdog and sausage.
Check them out when in the capital of the Buckeye state.

Hot Dog of the Week: Zack's

2011-08-25T16:36:00.004-04:00

I went to college.

Much to the dismay of a couple of my professors, I even graduated from college.

But if you want to be a franchisee of Zack's you must first go to hot dog college. Hmm, hot dog college, now that I might have done well in.

Orginally based out of Baltimore, Zack's is looking to spread its flare across the United States.

Selling over 75,000 dogs in its first year of existence had Zack's quickly escalated up the hot dogs ranks in Maryland.

Check out Zack's and see what makes them the place that serves "Hotdogs With An Attitude"

Hot Dog War

2011-08-18T09:02:00.002-04:00

People have fought for freedom, love, and because someone threw a fastball at your head.

Click HERE to read about the feud between Oscar Mayer and Ballpark franks.

The main topic: Is 'all beef' hot dogs really all they are cracked up to be.

Hot Dog of the Week: Jimmy's

2011-08-14T07:00:00.001-04:00

Most of us are nomad transplants.

Think about it.

We only live where we live because of a job, because we met that special someone, or it was where the dart hit the map after you asked yourself 'where should I move'. Very few of us live where we grew up.

Well the saying goes, home is where your heart is. At Jimmy's in Memphis, TN they have transplanted Chicago to the River City.

Serving Vienna Beef dogs and making a statement on their website that no ketchup is allowed, Chicago is well represented. In fact at the bottom of their website you can see if you 'get' all of the Chicago homer jokes.

So next time you are in Memphis, instead of opting for ribs, grab a hot dog at Jimmy's. But don't come on Sunday because they are closed...probably because Da Bears are on TV.

Luichi's

2011-08-08T09:42:00.003-04:00

Rockford, IL

We have been to famous hot dog places, and cultural icons. Luichi's is neither of these. What it is though, is a seven year old restaurant that is more of a neighborhood place. A neighborhood place is where all the locals seem to go for meals and to quench their appetite, but not many people outside of the 'neighborhood' know about it. Just about a mile from downtown Rockford, Luichi's has a variety of menu options for the size of the place. People may be packed in during a lunch rush, but otherwise there is capacity for about 20 people to eat comfortably.

Atmosphere - Not much to look at with decorations or memorabilia on the wall. However, there are several signs pointing out that you cannot wear hoodies in the store. Though it did not say it, I picture a giant sumo size guy dropping from the ceiling and throwing you out, literally, if you wear a hoodie in the store. D+

Value - This may be the best value in Chicago land for a hot dog combo. I got two dogs, a generous serving of thick cut fries, and a soda for $5.75! Seriously. The only kind of dogs they serve is Chicago style, which if you read this often you know is my favorite. I have been to hot dog places that would charge you upwards of four bucks for one Chicago dog. Each of their dogs are Vienna Beef which are a staple of Chicago hot dogs, but they were NOT, repeat NOT served on poppy seed buns. A total taboo when offering Chicago dogs. Few things make an authentic Chicago Dog- The toxic looking relish, sport peppers, and a poppy seed bun. So though the price was fantastic, a bump up in the price for the customers would make authentic Chicago dogs possible. A-

Side Dish Jody says...I was pleased to see many non-hot dog options at Luichi's. Everything ranging from pizza and burgers to gyros and fried okra. I opted for the cheeseburger combo which came with a large cheeseburger topped with lettuce, onion, tomato, pickle, ketchup and mayo (I opted for no mayo or ketchup), a side of fries and a fountain drink. All for less than $5!!! The burger was really good. It reminded me almost of a Whopper from Burger King. The fries were done just right - not too crispy, not too greasy. If I were a local, I'd definitely go there for lunch at least once a month. The only negative was that it really was a no frills eating establishment and the restroom left a lot to be desired. B+

Hot Dog of the Week: Snoopy's

2011-07-23T12:24:00.002-04:00

People can say a place has good hot dogs. At times, you wish your favorite location was a bit closer to home so you could enjoy the dogs more.

When a hot dog place has multiple locations, and they all seem to thrive, you know you have hit the market well.

Snoopy's in Raleigh, NC has four locations throughout the college based city.

One of the unique things about Snoopy's website is that they give you the recipe's to some of their cookin'. You have to be a pretty secure restaurant owner to advertise your recipe's to the general public.

Enjoy Snoopy's!

Doumar's

2011-07-18T16:53:00.006-04:00

Norfolk, VA

When in Norfolk there is THE place to eat. The place would be Doumar's.

Known for their barbecue, Doumar's has been featured on the Food Network's hit show Diner's, Drive-in's & Dives.

Though this would be a place that serves hot dogs, and not a hot dog place, it was a great atmosphere that took you back to small town America.

The diner was about the size of your storage shed, but the ample parking and car hop service that was offered multiplies the customers.

The dog itself was very small and cut down the middle on a bun. Nothing to special about this dog, in fact it was very pedestrian. But that does NOT MEAN you should not try it on a visit to Doumar's.

One of the coolest pieces of Americana is here and millions of people world wide need to thank Mr. Doumars for it. Behold, the original waffle cone machine. Not only is this THE machine that first started producing waffle cones, but it is still run daily by Mr. Doumar's himself. He had just taken a break when we were leaving so we didn't get a picture with him but here is the iconic piece that has contributed to many sugar induced comas over the years.

Perfectly Frank

2011-07-09T09:00:00.000-04:00

Norfolk, VA

We have featured a lot of hot dog places in college towns. I mean really, when the midnight munchies come along and you have had your share of barley beverage, few things sound better than a hot dog.

Well directly across the street from the Convocation Center/basketball arena at Old Dominion University is Simply Frank's. Where not only can you fill your munchie needs, you can wash it down with a barley beverage. Complete with a variety of beer inside you can even get the college student favorite, Natural Light, with your meal.

Cooking all of their dogs on a grill, you can cozy up to the counter top and watch them cook it or have them bring it to your table. All dogs are made to order.

Out of all of the places we have reviewed, this is one of the rare places that serves a true New York Red Hot. Encased with a zippiness that is just enough to pat your brow, the dog went down easy. Topping the dog is their chili. The server said there is no secret recipe, or homemade legend, just local mass quantity chili atop the dog if so ordered. For being mass produced, it was mighty good and complimented to spice of the red hot.

Atmosphere- When walking in the first thing to catch your eye is the vent cover over the grill is covered in stickers. If you bring in a sticker, they will add it to the collection. Simple as that. ODU pictures and memorabilia are on the walls, but it also has that touch of college bar to it with beer advertising pieces. If I went to college in this town, I would be here all the time! We chose to sit on the front patio and enjoy the sunshine. I imagine when school is in session this place is hopping. But in the end of June, and not much reason to be in Norfolk, there was just a trickle of people. B

Value- College kids don't have much money. What money they do have is usually spent on...well school 'supplies'. The meaning of supplies may differ from person to person. Though I was fine pushing my $3.19 across the counter, I think for a business that depends on college kids they could do better. But with the price of beer at Simply Frank's you get your money's worth one way or another. No beer bought on this trip for me, so I only got half of the bargain. C+

Side Dish Jody says... The menu had many not hot dog options, although nothing jumped out at me. Everything was kind of boring and plain. I ended up sharing a grilled cheese and fries with our daughter and left unimpressed. D+

Nathan's 4th of July Contest

2011-07-05T15:23:00.004-04:00

Joey Chestnut is king once again.

For the 5th consecutive year the hot dog eating machine known as "Jaws" consumed 62 hot dogs in the 10 minute time allotted contest.

Click HERE to read the full article courtesy of ABC news

National Hot Dog Month Quiz

2011-07-01T08:42:00.003-04:00

July is national hot dog month, and what better way to start of this glorious time of year than with a hot dog quiz.

Below is a 13 question quiz courtesy of Hot Dog City, with answers at the bottom. Post your results if you want, let us know how you fared.

1. Name the only Major League Baseball ballpark that sells more sausages than hot dogs per season?

a. Yankee Stadium in New York
b. Wrigley Field in Chicago
c. Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles
d. Miller Park in Milwaukee

2. Who, when transitioning from the silent screen, uttered “hot dogs” as his or her first ever on- screen words?

a. Charlie Chaplin
b. Mickey Mouse
c. Greta Garbo
d. Groucho Marx

3. What is the average weight, fully loaded, of a baseball park hot dog vendor’s bin?

a. 40 lbs
b. 100 lbs
c. 10 lbs
d. 25 lbs

4. Which of these four artists DOES NOT have a song titled “Hot Dog?”

a. Perry Como
b. Elvis Presley
c. Three Dog Night
d. Led Zeppelin

5. According to a NHDSC poll, which player (past or present) would win a virtual hot dog eating contest?

a. John Kruk
b. Tommy Lasorda
c. David Ortiz
d. Babe Ruth

6. In a popular TV series, who offered Ms. Rhode Island a hot dog during a Yankee game?

a. Homer Simpson
b. Jerry Seinfeld
c. Joey Tribiani
d. Norm Peterson

7. What famous movie character uttered the phrase, “Nobody, I mean nobody, puts ketchup on a hot dog?”

a. James Bond
b. Dirty Harry
c. The Terminator
d. Jason Bourne

8. Who said that hot dogs and champagne were among their favorite foods?

a. George Bush
b. Marlene Dietrich
c. George Foreman
d. Jane Fonda

9. True or False. Hot Dogs are included as a menu item at the Vatican.

10. Which blonde bombshell was named Miss Hot Dog Month early in her career?

a. Kim Basinger
b. Jayne Mansfield
c. Lauren Bacall
d. Nicole Kidman

11. Which city’s hot dog has the most toppings?

a. New York
b. Philadelphia
c. San Francisco
d. Chicago

12. What kind of hot dog does Tatum O’Neal refuse to eat at the diner in 1973’s “Paper Moon”?

a. Corn Dog
b. Chicago Dog
c. Coney Island Dog
d. Chili Dog

13. What is the name of the popular children’s book series that features a Hot Dog superherosent down from the planet Dogzalot to protect the Earth from evil space-alien attacks?

a. The Hot Dog and Bob Series
b. The Adventures of Super Dog and Friends
c. Mighty Dog
d. The Super Frank Chronicles

ANSWERS

1. D. Out of all 30 MLB parks, Miller Park in Milwaukee is the only one in which sausages outsell hotdogs per season. Miller Park is home to the famous “Sausage Race” during each game.

2. B. The first words Mickey Mouse ever uttered in a cartoon were “hot dogs” (in “The Karnival Kid, 1929). The cartoons he was featured in were silent ones up until that point.

3. A. A fully loaded bin weights approximately 40 pounds. And vendors typically walk 4 to 5 miles per game, up and down steps. They move fast – they work on tips and commission!

4.C. Although they have “dog” in their name, Three Dog Night never recorded a song titled “Hot Dog.”

5. D. The Great Bambino crushed the competition with 42 percent of the vote. John Kruk finished in second with 17 percent. Legend has it the Babe gorged himself on a dozen to 18 hot dogs before blacking out on a train ride in April of 1925.

6. B. During “The Chaperone” episode of Seinfeld, Jerry offers Ms. Rhode Island a hot dog to which she declines, and says that she is watching her weight. Jerry replies, “Ah. I'm watching my height. My doctor doesn't want me to get any taller.”

7. B. Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry uttered this line in “Sudden Impact,” the fourth film in the Dirty Harry series.

8. A. Marlene Deitrich was famous for her preferred meal of hot dogs and champagne over anything else.

9. TRUE. Holy hot dog it’s true! Visitors can purchase a hot dog at the Vatican Snack Bar.

10. B. Jayne Mansfield was the lucky winner and proud to represent everyone’s favorite All-American food in 1950.

11. A. The Chicago dog includes yellow mustard, dark green relish, chopped raw onion, tomato slices.

12. C. Tatum O’Neal’s character Addie emphatically refuses to eat a Coney Island Dog purchased for her by her father during one of the early scenes of the movie. This performance contributed to her eventual Oscar win at the ripe old age of 10.

13. A. The Hot Dog and Bob Series, featuring a talking hot dog and an ordinary boy named Bob, is a favorite of beginning readers.

PETA PICKS THE TOP FIVE VEGGIE DOGS IN AMERICA

2011-06-23T08:38:00.002-04:00

I like my hot dogs the old fashioned way - made out of beef.

However, there are other ways to enjoy hot dogs, and one way is PETA style.

Read below the release from PETA.ORG about their vegetarian hot dogs around the country.

Norfolk, Va. — Vegetarians love hot dogs! Veggie hot dogs, that is. So—for the first time ever—PETA has ranked the top five veggie dogs available from restaurants and food carts across the country for hot-dog lovers who respect animals, the environment, and their own health. Here are the winners in descending order:

· "Fire on the Rhine" from Dirty Frank's Hot Dog Palace (Columbus, Ohio)

Grilled with sriracha, chili paste, garlic, and onions and topped with spicy sauerkraut, this bad boy will definitely get your juices flowing. Also available are the "Ohioana," with spicy corn relish and celery salt, and the "Hot Bollywood," with spicy mango chutney.

· The "Chicago Impostor" from Franktuary (Pittsburgh)

Served in an old church, the "Chicago Impostor"—with mustard, relish, onion, banana peppers, celery salt, tomato, and pickle spear—is surely divinely inspired. Also try the "New Yorker" with kraut, Vidalia onion sauce, and mustard.

· "Veggie Puka Dog" from Puka Dog (Honolulu and Koloa, Hawaii)

You can go with all the traditional condiments or go for the flavor of the islands with relishes made from mango, coconut, pineapple, banana, papaya, and star fruit.

· The "City Dog" from City Dogs (Salt Lake City)

You can't miss at this all-vegetarian food cart. The City Dog comes with freshly diced tomatoes, pickled asparagus, sport peppers, onions, and celery salt.

· The veggie dog from Lettuce Eat Healthy (St. Petersburg, Fla.)

This food cart serves up yummy veggie dogs complete with jalapeños, sauerkraut, chili sauce, relish, raw and cooked onions, ketchup, and yellow mustard.

· Honorable mentions go to the "Red Hot Bayou" from Cyber-Dogs (Seattle), the veggie dog from Soul Dog (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.), and the veggie dog from D's SixPax & Dogz (Pittsburgh).

Homemade dogs for Father's Day

2011-06-19T21:03:00.005-04:00

A guy walks into a turkey farm with a knife.

No, this is not a joke but rather the start of the slaughtering process at Duerksen Turkey Farm.

I am no expert on how to make a turkey brat, but I do know how to eat a turkey brat.

You see, the Duerksen Family are friends of mine and they decided to give me some of their homemade Turkey Bratwurst filled with cheese.

So after weeks of holding on to these for a special occasion, I broke these out for a Father's Day grilled dinner.

When biting into the brat, the casing did not take much work to snap open. The cheese inside did not spew out on the grille and make a lake of grease the way some of the major manufacturers brats do. Rather, the cheese added taste, but you could still taste the turkey in the brats. The turkey flavor was almost that of a breakfast sausage. It was very good.

So if ever Up Nort' in Michigan, you will have to look for the Duerksen Turkey Farm logo on the grocers shelves. Your tummy will be happy that you bought them.

Onion Crunch

2011-06-12T20:45:00.003-04:00

One of the perks of having a blog that trickles to the masses is that product companies find you.

Well Loeb's Foods found us and they asked if I would try a bottle of their Onion Crunch on some hot dogs I prepared at home.

When first contacted, I felt honored and told them I would give it a whirl. The bottle came, and I got excited. I tore open the packaging and saw the contents.

Behold, a clear plastic bottle with tastiness ready to be sprinkled on my hotdog, or whatever else I chose to get some onion flavor on. As advertised, Onion Crunch would also enhance pizza, steaks, hamburgers, or salads.

Onion Crunch is NOT Bac-O's. Same idea, except not the grease content nor the darkness of that nasty highly salted over baked piece of furniture leather.

The onion was not overpowering to the hot dog. The crunch pleasantly enhanced the overall taste, and they were not as killer to the breath as freshly chopped onions ironically.

If you are in the grocery store and you see Onion Crunch, your hotdog will thank you for buying it!

Hey Onion Crunch, here is your next slogan..."Your hotdog will thank you for it".

If you have never seen an onion run around a city or shouting from stairs, click HERE to be swept away to a highly entertaining 30 second commercial.

THANKS ONION CRUNCH!

Johnny B'z

2011-06-07T15:27:00.008-04:00

Here is some hot dog math for you. When does 2 = 3?

The answer: Two of Jonny B'z dogs weigh the same as three of the 'other guys.'

Priding themselves on their grilled buns and 100% beef hot dogs, Jonny B'z makes some tasty dogs. The buns are more rectangular with sharper corners than the traditional hot dog bun, and rolled with a light butter so the grill does not burn the bread.

Once the dog was bunned up, I opted for the Jonny Dog (ketchup, mustard, relish, onion) and a Chicago Dog. The Chicago Dog had sport peppers and those babies packed a little punch. I like spicy food, and these made my toes curl a bit. You could tell the quality in each of the tasty bites of the dogs. Grade: B

Atmosphere- The building is in a part of town that is being revamped for more of the modern renaissance trend with other restaurants and eclectic store fronts. On the walls of the restaurant are black and white pictures of America's hot dog mecca's. There are also paintings done by local elementary school students and there renditions of what hot dogs look like. I was part of the lunch crowd that had construction workers, business men, and families enjoying a simple lunch. You will notice at Jonny B'z that weekend hours extend to 3 a.m. You want to know what kind of atmosphere happens after midnight? Picture all of those things that mamma told you to stay away from, and combine that with late night munchies. I will have to come back after the clock strikes the bewitching hour just to experience THAT atmosphere. C+

Value- The two dogs I had came as a part of a combo platter that included a drink all for around $5. Not breaking the bank by any stretch. Those fries though that I pilfered off of SDJ's plate would have been worth five bucks alone. B+

Side Dish Jody says...I had the hamburger combo which included a juicy well seasoned hamburger, homemade fries and a delicious fountain Diet Coke. The burger and fries were exceptionally tasty and for $5.50 was a good value. I especially like the local Elementary School artwork on the wall. Other than burgers there was not a lot of non hotdog options. B+

World's Largest Brat Fest

2011-05-22T09:39:00.002-04:00

Calling all bratwurst enthusiasts.

If you are a fan of bratwurst, you probably already have May 27-30 date circled on your calendar.

Those four special days coming up in May is when the Madison,WI plays host to the World's Largest Brat Fest.

The 2010 version of this festival saw 209,376 bratwursts consumed. And since the NFL players have nothing better to do than argue and cry currently, perhaps some of the Green Bay Packers will venture to the festival to help eat a brat.

Festivities begin at 6:00 a.m. May 27, which is also Take Your Brat to Work Day.

If you need Memorial Day plans, head to Dairyland and grab some brats. Don't forget to tell us about it either.

Hot Dog of the Week: Johnny's Red Hots

2011-05-17T09:21:00.002-04:00

What do you get when combine 21st century technology and a delicious hot dog?

Answer: Johnny's Red Hots of Naperville, IL.

Come in to enjoy a delicious Chicago dog but bring your laptop for free wireless. Surfing the web and munching on a dog, not your thing? Then cozy up to the pair of 50" flat screen TV's and watch whatever is on the tube.

Moving from Cicero, Italy 22 years ago, Johnny's has the hot dog down pat.

Next time you are in beautiful Naperville, stop in and enjoy a hot dog. Oh, and bring your computer to send us an e-mail to let us know you dined!

Hot Dog of the Week: Dog Almighty

2011-04-26T20:38:00.002-04:00

Good hot dogs will win awards. Awards for best tasting, best chili, tasters choice, etc.

But to be a good hot dog place, you will win awards many years in a row in a variety of categories.

Well Dog Almighty out of Austin, TX has been winning hot dog awards yearly since 2005.

Priding themselves on their ingredients and how ANYTHING on the menu can be made vegetarian, they have quite the array of toppings.

Eat a traditional dog, or a version slanted to something you have had before. Enjoy the fried potatoes done a variety ways deep in the heart of Texas' capital city.

10 Cent Hot Dogs

2011-04-21T21:27:00.003-04:00

We have all seen the dollar stores across America.

You know, where you can load up with bottom of the line junk and pay under a buck a piece for anything.

Well the West Michigan Whitecaps, which is a minor league baseball team just North of Grand Rapids, is sponsoring 10 cent hot dog day.

10 cents each for a tasty hot dog.

You can't even a piece of crap at the dollar store for that.

Click HERE to read the article, courtesy of mlive.com then get out to 5/3 Ballpark on the day and bring a dime for each hot dog you want to buy.

Hot Dog of the Week: Coney Island Lunch

2011-04-18T20:08:00.003-04:00

The Midwest has notoriously bastardized the term 'coney'.

Coney, in the Great Lakes region, tells more about the kind of restaurant instead of a term for our beloved hot dog.

Well at Coney Island Lunch in Scranton, PA they have been cooking coney dogs for over 80 years. A hot dog that is sliced down the middle and served on a locally made roll and served with a chili sauce is truly a coney dog.

Out of all of the dog shops we have reviewed, this shop has hands down the most detailed history and dozens upon dozens of pictures that catalog it's past.

Check out why people have kept Coney Island in business as the longest running restaurant in town.

Hot Dog of the Week: Icelandic Sensation

2011-04-07T19:58:00.002-04:00

Hot dog joints will rave or say they have "the best this" or "the best that". A committee voted that blankedy-blank is the top choice.

Well, we have all been suckered into those magical words "world's greatest".

Huffingtonpost.com claims that the world's best hot dog may come from Iceland of all places.

Don't care to visit the Northern country? Well the follow the recipe at the bottom of the page and try it yourself.

Click HERE to read the story courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Only Kosher Hot Dogs?

2011-04-04T19:25:00.002-04:00

We love baseball here at dogs on the road.

In fact, we love hearing about hot dogs in baseball news.

So when the MLB franchise Minnesota Twins announced that they will be changing their menu of hot dogs, it caught our attention.

Now at Target Field, home of the Twins, Hebrew National hot dogs will be served.

Click HERE to read the news article courtesy of the Israeli National News service

Hot Dog of the Week: City Hot Dogs

2011-04-04T19:12:00.002-04:00

In the movie Forrest Gump, Bubba tells Forrest how many ways his family makes shrimp.

Well at City Hot Dogs in Charlotte, NC you can choose the way you want your dogs prepared. You can get them chargrilled, deep fried, skinless, incinerated or kosher. Choose your buns steamed or toasted as well to wrap around your hot dog.

An all beef hot dog not quite hitting your taste pallet? Try a sausage dog or a rueben dog made just the way the sandwich bearing the same name is made.

One of the ways that the Carolina's serve hot dogs are by adding cole slaw atop a dog. One option you will not see served on a dog is ketchup. If you want ketchup on your dog, you must go to the condiment bar and put it on yourself.

So when in the queen city, simply look for the simplistic name. You know, the place in the city that serves hot dogs.

Hot Dog of the Week: Hot Doug's

2011-03-29T11:41:00.003-04:00

We have all had that interesting hot dog. You know, the one where you were not quite sure what was in it and it didn't taste quite right.

Well at Hot Doug's it may not be the traditional hot dog, but it does taste right.

Hot Doug's-The Sausage Superstore and Encased Meat Emporium will serve you duck sausage, carribean goat sausage and chicken sausage just to name a few.

If you are a eater of what Doug would refer to as 'encased meat' then get off of your all beef hi-stool and try something different.

Not the end-trails that some knock off brands put as filler, but truly delicious ingredients.

While your eating something different, enjoy some of the traditional favorites as well.

All you can eat hot dogs April 15

2011-03-24T09:13:00.003-04:00

Attention those on the East Coast.

If you like baseball, and since you are here visiting our site we know you like hot dogs, head to Trenton, NJ on April 15.

The minor league baseball team Trenton Thunder are offering all you can eat hot dogs in their game against Harrisburg.

Support hot dogs and baseball! Click here to read more. If you head to the game, let us know. We would love to see a picture or live vicariously through you.

Hot Dog of the Week: Tucky's

2011-03-18T10:11:00.003-04:00

Question: Would you eat a dog biscuit?

No, not the kind that rover eats but a hot dog deep fried in a biscuit and stuffed with cheddar cheese.

If you would eat this, that Tucky's of Cleveland, OH would be the place for you.

With the slogan of "more than just a hot dog" this is the kind of place that Side Dish Jody would enjoy also as they serve up many non hot dog options.

They also have a hot dog challenge that you can participate in and earn a free t-shirt.

So get to Tucky's in one of there three greater Cleveland area locations

2011-03-10T15:17:00.003-05:00

Myrtle Beach, SC

When walking on the beach, what would you take with you to munch on? Well, if you are in Myrtle Beach and this question pops into your head, vie straight for Ocean Front Grill. Snuggle up to the bar top and order the footlong chili dog and take it for a walk down the beach. The chili on top was the perfect amount and combination to quench the appetite. The white onions that are finely sliced, adorn the top and mix greatly with the chili yet are not overpowering to the dog or your breath. The all beef dog snaps when you bite into it and coming off the grill top, it’s a dark color. Whether you decide to dine in or take it with you on the beach, you get a convenient footlong dog tray. BEWARE: When ordering 'everything' on your dog, be prepared to eat this with a bib and a tarp. B+

Atmosphere- As I ordered my footlong, the TV overhead was showing a plethora of snow drowning the Midwest. As I turned my head 180 degrees I saw a picture perfect blue sky, a sandy beach, and people playing football….and that is ten feet out the door. Speaking of doors, the uniqueness of the doors here may never be duplicated. Home garage doors were open for customers to walk in and out as they please. An oceanfront hot dog establishment…WOW! A

Value- Competition drives price down and when your competition is at the other end of the block, prices better be comparable. Comparable is one thing, identical is another. $3.60 for a footlong chili dog is a very good price, especially for an oceanfront dog-establishment. B+

Side Dish Jody says… Jody was an unfortunate victim of the aforementioned Midwest snow storm, but typical bar food was available.

Hot Dog of the Week: Casey's

2011-03-02T14:00:00.003-05:00

Orlando, FL

One of our followers was at Disney World in Orlando, FL and saw this hot dog stand.

Apparently Casey's Corner served the traditional baseball food as seen on the board above the cashier's stand.

Each of the wait staff were dressed in vintage look alike baseball apparel with aprons being chest protectors such as umpire would wear.

So here is to Casey's Corner and Disney World for starting Spring Training off right-with a baseball theme!

Jammers Chicago Style Classics

2011-02-16T08:34:00.000-05:00

Peoria, IL

Cue the dueling banjos…while traveling to Jammers, I swear that I passed the guys from Deliverance canoeing down the river. I had heard good things about Jammers through the grapevine and decided to check it out. Boy I am glad I did. This restaurant is several hours south of Chicago, but the flavor of a Chicago dog, ne’ two Chicago dogs were evident. A Chicago dog has many extra toppings that normal dogs do not have and I forgot about the celery salt that is added. Something about celery salt, radioactive looking green colored relish, peppers and a poppy seed bun made this a good trip and not a bad Chicago dog if I do say so myself. B+

Atmosphere-Upon reaching the front door I was all smiles, and when I entered the smile grew larger. A friendly man and wife combo-team greeted me while their two children watched TV. I was gladly welcomed into this 24 seat capacity country-esque restaurant. The walls are adorned with cheap Chicago sports team’s paraphernalia, which came across tacky but a good spread of memory lane for Chicago-land. The proprietors knew each of the guests who were dining and seemed to pick stories up right where they left off before. I am a small town guy myself, so I appreciate the quaintness and friendliness of local business and repeat customers. B-

Value- A surprisingly large menu for what the establishment’s size, my two Chicago dog platter with fries came to $6.95. I also washed them down with some brewed iced tea. How did they know that was my favorite drink to wash down dogs with? I gladly pushed the cash across the counter for these dogs and would again if I visit Peoria. B+

Side Dish Jody- Side dish Jody did not put Jammers to the road test. But had she visited, she would have enjoyed the vast array of menu choices.

Hot Dog of the Week: The Bulldog

2011-02-11T19:57:00.003-05:00

There is a difference between a hot dog place, and a place that serves hot dogs.

The Bulldog in Minneapolis, MN would be a place that serves hot dogs. Upon looking at the other food and menu though, would make you think otherwise.

Esquire magazine thought enough of them to review the restaurant, so why shouldn't we?

Since we started this blog, this is the first place I have come across on-line that serves a beer brat. Now that has to count for something.

You will also notice on the menu that they serve about 25 different kinds of cupcakes. Yes cupcakes. You know, the smaller version of a real piece of cake that serves as an optical illusion based on the size. So we end up eating twice as many of them instead of just one or two pieces of cake.

Browse the menu and prepare to let your mouth water.

America's Best Hot Dog Bracket

2011-02-04T21:35:00.003-05:00

Side Dish Jody and I used to enjoy watching Rachel Ray shows years ago.

However, she has become way to commercialized for our taste.

Rachel has however tugged at my heart strings with a 64 team bracket (a-la the NCAA basketball tournament-esque) to figure out America's Best Hot Dog Bracket.

Find your region and vote for your favorite. Let our readers know who you voted for as well.

May the best dog joint win!

Hot Dog of the Week: Wild About Harry's

2011-02-04T21:22:00.002-05:00

When Side Dish Jody and I look for places to review, we will almost always look at the menu beforehand. After all, she is important in reviewing the non hot dog options.

It is the non hot dog option that makes this place unique. At Wild About Harry's you can get frozen custard. Not ice cream, not shaved ice, not yogurt...frozen custard.

The hot dog options include the chihuahua dog that is topped with guacamole. This is definitely the first time I have seen guacamole as a hot dog topping.

So if you are in the Big D for the Super Bowl, or just looking for the next place to enjoy a hot dog, check out Harry's.

Hot Dog of the Week: Boz Hot Dogs

2011-01-25T10:18:00.002-05:00

S-U-C-C-E-S-S, that's the way we spell success.

Having 16 locations throughout the Southern suburbs of Chicago and Northwest Indiana means you have success.

Boz Hot Dogs offers the traditional hot dog as well bratwurst, sausage and footlongs. Here is something that I have never seen or heard of in a restaurant, they offer Hostess cupcakes on the dessert menu.

Take a look at Boz and try one or all sixteen locations

Hot Dog of the Week: Hot Dog Diner

2011-01-15T09:25:00.004-05:00

'Moon over Parma I'll bring my love to you tonight'...the original musical lyrics to the opening of the Drew Carey Show, circa 1995, may be the only pop culture reference to the little town just South of Cleveland.

At the Hot Dog Diner they have renamed many dogs that have been made famous in Chicago, West Virginia, North Carolina and New York. And judging by the array of hot dogs they offer, they have made a few new adaptations as well.

Their hot dogs are specially made by a butcher and they even make some of their own sauces and toppings which include cole slaw to adorn the tops of a slaw dog or hillbilly dog.

Not in the mood for a hot dog? First off shame on you, but try a fresh made hamburger or a plate of fries that are hand cut and made all day long.

Check out why the Hot Dog Diner is a very good choice to have a meal.

Hot Dog of the Week: Jack's Cosmic Dogs

2011-01-07T14:31:00.004-05:00

For those of you who read this blog regularly, you know how my infatuation with hot dogs started.

For those of you who do not know how it started, simply read about it on the far right column of this blog.

The founder of Jack's Cosmic Dogs founded his hot dog stand on a childhood love of hot dogs as well.

A gimmick such as the space themed restaurant will get you in the door, but the rave reviews from professional foodies will keep you coming back.

If you are ever in Charleston, SC for the historical aesthetics just fast forward hundreds of years and hit up Jack's.

Hot Dog of the Week: Ted's Hot Dogs

2011-01-01T17:37:00.003-05:00

Each independently owned hot dog restaurant is a bit different. There are different themes, different concoctions to top the hot dog, and different ways to prepare the hot dog.

Well at Ted's Hot Dogs they have chosen to cook their dogs the same way many of us cook a hot dog in the summertime- over a charcoal flame. Have you ever gone to a restaurant for a charcoal prepped dog? In a good charcoaled dog, you taste the smoke in the outer casing or from the beef on the inside.

Ted's has branched out to seven locations over Western New York, but the same homemade onion rings, real ice cream milk shakes, and homemade hot sauce can be ordered with your hot dog at any location.

See why Ted's has been able so stay in business and grown since 1927 by clicking HERE.

Hot Dog of the Week : Joey's Hot Dogs

2010-12-23T12:41:00.006-05:00

What keeps you going back to your favorite hot dog place?

Is it the variety of hot dogs? Is it the way they make your favorite hot dog? Is it the fact you have been going there for years and years?

Well at Joey's hot dogs, they want to know who you are so when you walk in they can call you by name and make your hot dog the way you like it.

A family owned restaurant since the 1930's they still use the original recipe today that made them famous over 70 years ago. In fact they still use the same ingredient suppliers as when they first opened.

So come on in, sit at the soda counter and enjoy the simple menu. See why Joey's is a staple in Richmond, VA. Who knows, perhaps they will say 'hello ___' to you as well.

Southern California Hot Dog Guide

2010-12-21T11:56:00.002-05:00

Though we have not yet been able to venture West of the Mississippi River to review hot dog places, someone took the liberty to review San Diego, California hot dogs for us.

Check out this article courtesy of SanDiego.com by clicking HERE.

Hot Dog of the Week: Weiner and Still Champion

2010-12-15T20:27:00.003-05:00

Part of getting people into your local eatery is having a catchy name.

In a hot dog crazed city like Chicago where an iconic dog is named after your city and Vienna Beef is based out of the town, the competition can be stiff on where to eat.

Just Northwest of the happening downtown in Evanston is Weiner and Still Champion.

One of the things that set this place apart is they make everything themselves. That's right, they make it before your eyes. From the batter they cover their Dippin' Dogs in or the homemade chili or the fresh ground burgers.

They also serve deep fried pickle chips. If this side dish is anything like deep fried pickles, then we would love to have a serving.

Check 'em out yourself.

Hot Diggity Dog

2010-11-30T11:50:00.006-05:00

Lancaster, PA

When thinking of South Central Pennsylvania what jumps to mind? The drive through the Alleghany Mountains perhaps, or the historic battlefield of Gettysburg? How about Amish country where life seems to be a little more simple? Well in the same town of Lancaster, but on the opposite end of where there is a large Amish population is Hot Diggity Dog. Just about 20 months old as of Thanksgiving 2010, the owner had always wanted to open a hot dog place, and after 20 years of selling bottled water from a glacier, he decided to open his own place. Starting with one of the best dogs on the market, he is the only hot dog place between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia to serve Vienna Beef hot dogs. I told him that it was the snap of the Vienna casing that makes a good hot dog. He simply smiled and said he used the non encased version of a Vienna, but it was the way he grilled it that made it have more of a snap to it. Each of the dogs comes served on a steamed poppy seed roll unless you ask for a plain bun. They served a Chicago dog, which I almost always get, but there was a dog that just jumped out as different. In fact this dog is so different that you furrow your brow and squint your eyes while curling your lip just to figure out if you can palate each of the opposing tastes. Just two toppings go on this unique dog, and it has a name that about sums it up. May I present to you, the Moon Dog. The Moon Dog has melted swiss cheese, and strawberry preserves. I bit into it and smiled, it truly was good. As I asked how he came up with this dog, the owner smiled and said, he stole it from a guy in California. Just as advertised you “HAVE TO TRY” it. B

Atmosphere - Located on a pie shaped piece of property at the junction of two roads, The bright sign will bring you in and the eating challenges they have will keep you coming back. The first gulttony contest they ran, became to easy as it was just eating six dogs. But in the new contest, The Super Diggity, there has yet to be someone who can conquer the four footlong challenge where dog each weighs in at nearly half a pound, and is adorned with every topping under the sun. Having Chicago roots, this place mirrors a smaller place that you would find in the Windy City. In fact on one of the walls there is a map of Chicago-land and the hundreds of pushpins impressed on the map reflect the transplant patrons of the area. If the place was packed wall to wall it could fit 50 customers, and if the word continues to get out on this new place, the lines might be out the door. B+

Value – Offering patrons Footlong dogs starting under $4.00 and ten different hot dog options under $3.00, they also offer 3” hot dogs they call 'pups' for under a buck. Considering that the local gas station chain offers a daily hot dog special, these dogs are a bit more expensive than other dogs in the town. But anyone who is on this site knows that NO kind of quality comes from a gas station hot dog. Simply find Hot Diggity Dog and pay for quality instead of quantity. Heck, if you want quantity you can order packs of dogs as well. B

Side Dish Jody says.. I didn't eat anything at this hot dog joint as I was already full to the brim from Thanksgiving goodness. Upon review of the menu it appeared they had pretty limited non-hot dog options, including hamburger, fries or chili cheese fries. They did have one unusual option, however, called Funnel Cake Sticks. Probably just some kind of tasty fried dough - not healthy, but tastey sounding! C

Hot Dog of the Week: Jim's Original

2010-11-19T10:32:00.003-05:00

When looking for a hot dog to eat usually you want it quick, and you want it now.

"Now" can be a vague term. You have to drive or walk to get it, but when the urge comes on you want to chow down. Even if that urge is at 3:00 a.m.

3:00 a.m? Yes at Jim's Orginal you can have a hot dog 24 hours a day.

In Chi-town, which is known for its Chicago dogs, Jim's Original has been in business for over 70 years, and offers free fries with each dog or sandwich.

Order up your Viena Beef hot dog, which in itself is a Chicago native and chow down at Jim's. Even if it is at 3:00 a.m.

Hot Dog of the Week: Hot Dog Diner

2010-11-12T10:11:00.005-05:00

What is the least you have ever paid for a hot dog from a vendor or restaurant? Over time as we have made this blog, we are quite thrilled when we can find a hot dog option for under $2.

The Hot Dog Diner in Parma, OH might have the lowest prices I have seen in ten years. $1.25 will buy you the Classic Hot Dog. Want a hot dog in natural casing? You are still going to pay well under two bucks.

These prices cannot be beat anywhere!

So if traveling to the greater Cleveland area and you have less than five bucks in your pocket, swing on through the Hot Dog Diner and get stuffed...plus have enough left over money for the tollsways.

UK Prime Minister Enjoys American Hot Dog

2010-11-08T20:47:00.004-05:00

Britain's Prime Minister, David Cameron, was treated to an American icon upon his arrival in New York.

The Prime Minister ate a hot dog from a street vendor in the Big Apple as his first taste of what America is like.

Click HERE to read to full article courtesy of England's Telegraph

Hot Dog of the Week: The Wienery

2010-11-04T21:24:00.002-04:00

When Side Dish Jody and I look for hot dog joints around the country when we travel, we like options. Or should I say Jody likes options, I like the hot dogs.

Well the next time we are in Minneapolis The Wienery might be the place to go.

Serving Vienna hot dogs for each of the dog options, they also serve cheese steak, sausage, sandwiches and breakfast all day.

The Wienery was also featured on the Food Network hit show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.

West Side Market

2010-10-28T12:55:00.007-04:00

Cleveland, OH

I learned two very important things on this road trip to Cleveland. 1) Always make sure you have the address of where you intend. 2) Make sure I communicate better to Side Dish Jody on where we are planning to go.

Getting “lost” is not always a bad thing though, as we were looking for a specific hot dog restaurant and instead came to this market. Strolling through West Side Market there were dozens of vendors that turned back the clock to what butcher shops were like only a few decades ago. For sale at the booths were homemade sausage, brats, and hot dogs made with the traditional beef or pork. What was non-traditional were the same products made out of lamb, turkey, reindeer, goat, and ox. Each booth had its own flare or overall theme to it. There was a Middle-Eastern booth, Indian cuisine (probably not beef at this booth) European meats, and local favorites as well.

Each counter had patrons plied up 2 or 3 deep with droves of traffic shuffling through the crowd on their way to the next booth.

Atmosphere- I wish I could have found a plaque, or monument that dictated how old this building was or what it might have been at one point. It was made out of brick and subway tile, and looked like it could have been a train depot, or a bus station at one point. Side Dish Jody pointed out that it could have just been a really old market and it was built for what it currently holds. Though we went looking for a hot dog to eat and review on the day, we walked away with the knowledge of a hot spot to get your own dogs or encased products at instead.

Value- Everything seemed very reasonable, and comparable to what you would find at your local grocer. If you come in search of this place, bring a large cooler and fill it with the fresh product that you will find inside.

Our New Layout

2010-10-18T18:56:00.003-04:00

When this blog was started in the late summer of 2009 it was a very generic looking format.

We have decided to spice it up a bit and change things around.

This blog is by us, but for our readers, so please tell us what you think of the new format.

Another Stolen Hot Dog Cart

2010-10-18T17:34:00.004-04:00

One of the things I enjoy in life (besides hot dogs) is going to flea markets and garage sales looking for that special piece of junk that I cannot live without.

I have seen just about everything sold at flea markets. I have seen a turn of the 1900's prosthetic leg, I have seen a booth full of used and new ink pens. I have seen every beer sign, road sign, political sign that has ever graced a garage, or street corner.

One thing I have not seen though is a hot dog vendor cart for sale.

Perhaps I should look for one so I can return it to this New Jersey man who had his stolen.

Click HERE to read the article of the vanishing hot dog cart courtesy of lohud.com

Hot Dog of the Week: Chili Man Weiners

2010-10-12T22:34:00.002-04:00

Few demographic groups devour more hot dogs than college students. Whether it is because they can buy so many for pennies on the dollar, or because they can be easily made.

Well Chili Man Weiners near the campus of Towson University in Baltimore, MD encourages you to come in for a Hangover Dog, or grab a famous orange box full of Double Dog Burritos to go after calling in your order.

Monday's feature free chili on any of their dogs. Seasonal menu items are no stranger to restaurants and Chili Man offers apple pie milkshakes. Seriously, how good does that sound?

Hot dogs not your thing? Well then why are you here on our blog!!! Grab some chicken and waffles or a bowl of homemade chili instead.

Angry Hot Dog Vendor Revolts

2010-10-07T09:36:00.002-04:00

We have all bought hot dogs from the person peddling them on the corner.

Whether it was a nice summer day, and the waft fumes caught your nostrils or it was simply something to eat after the concert let out at midnight.

Hopefully your experience was better than what the customer at this street vendor received.

Click here to read the story courtesy of Capitol Hill Seatle.

Hot Dog of the Week: Mad Dogs

2010-10-03T17:08:00.007-04:00

Chicago dogs are a commodity in and of itself. The taste and urge for Chicago dogs are something that I get on occasion, and a true Chicago dog is often better than a hot dog with other toppings.

Well Mad Dogs is in the college town of UW Madison has been noted as the top Chicago Dog by a very notable Chicago Dog website...and they are not even within 150 miles of Chicago.

Each dog opption comes with a Hebrew National dog, unless a Vienna dog is requested in it's place.

Enjoy the vast menu and participate in the clown army. Oh and by the way, they have bigger wieners...or so they say.

The Dog Track

2010-09-28T21:22:00.006-04:00

Hastings, MI

Eaters, start your engines. Get ready for The Dog Track. A hot dog restaurant that takes the owner's passion for NASCAR and combines it with the love for feeding people hot dogs. Each of the dogs is named after a famed Speedway in North America. On the day we visited, I had a Richmond dog and a Charlotte dog. The Richmond had the typical "fab four" toppings on a hot dog- ketchup, mustard, relish and onions. The relish was West Michigan style for those who read us often (more of a shredded pickle topping that seems to be unique to the area). The Charlotte had the fab four toppings plus shredded cheese on top of that. Nothing too out of the box, but I wish I would have tried one of the more unique combinations available. Such as the Watkins-Glen that features pastrami or the Las Vegas that contains roast beef...but then again neither of those are actually hot dogs. Sitting next to the check out counter was dozens of kinds of hot sauces. When inquiring as to what the purpose of those were the owner said they would pick them up from their own travels around the country. So come in for a dog and top it off with some spice from Oregon to Florida, or New York to New Mexico. A very cool condiment topper that could bring a taste of someplace you have been as well. B-

Atmosphere- If it has to do with race cars, this place has it. Die cast models, ticket stubs from races, autographs, posters, and half of an external shell of a car on the wall (no joke). Pay no attention to the Halloween decorations, they are seasonal...I am assuming. Put on top of this that they sponsor cruise-ins often in the summer for those hot rods to park in front of the joint and let people ponder yesteryear over a hot dog. On one corner of the wall is a TV that more often than not has racing on TV. Whether it is a previously run race, or the latest in car news, this is the place to watch the race and eat a dog. If you are a NASCAR fan, this is your hot dog heaven. B

Value- Each dog, no matter the toppings are $2.00 each. If you want a bratwurst or one of the dogarito's (hot dog in a burrito) then they are a fraction more. $2 bucks no matter what goes on top of it, that is a bargain. But hold on-if you come to eat during a cruise-in, the dogs are only a buck....ONE DOLLAR my friends. Come out, see the cars, eat a dog, and for goodness sake bring a couple George Washington's because you will NOT find hot dogs at a restaurant for a dollar within hundreds of miles of this place. A

Side Dish Jody says...I had the chicken tender wrap which was a single tortilla with one or two fried chicken strips, a small amount of lettuce, and a small amount of diced tomatoes with ranch dressing. It tasted as expected but at $5.25 it seemed a little pricey for what was received. There was, however, a wide variety of non hot dog items on the menu including salads, sandwiches and fried goodies. B-

Hot Dog of the Week: Chicago's Dog House

2010-09-22T10:54:00.005-04:00

Note to our readers- This post is about dogs IN Chicago, not Chicago dogs. Big difference.

But different is what Chicago's Dog House is all about.

True hot dog lovers appreciate an all beef hot dog. There are also hot dogs that have been made out of chicken, turkey, and God knows what else.

But it's that "what else" which separates Chicago's Dog House from other places. Newly opened in 2009, this place will make you a dog out of duck, alligator, and even kangaroo to name a few of the more interesting dogs.

Click on their website, read about their entrepreneurship and what a frip is.

But most importantly, when in Chicago, go buy a hot dog. If going out to them does not interest you, let them deliver your hot dogs to where you are.

WE WANT YOUR STADIUM DOGS

2010-09-14T20:50:00.004-04:00

Readers take note.

We are opening up our scrolling Stadium Dogs picture section to everyone.

Take a picture of you eating a Hot Dog at any pro or college sporting event, and e-mail us the picture. We will then add it to our feed of pictures.

With football starting, and basketball and hockey around the corner, it is a good time to start this project.

Got one from yester-year? Send it in!

Let's see how many different places we can get!

Hot Dog of the Week: Hillbilly Hot Dogs

2010-09-11T19:53:00.004-04:00

The other night, Side Dish Jody and I were watching one of our favorite TV shows- Diner's, Drive-in's, and Dives, and we saw this joint featured in a snippet.

Hot dogs have never been the classiest food, but this place cornered the market on a unique niche for hot dogs.

We are proud to introduce you to West Virginia's Hillbilly Hot Dogs.
photo courtesy of hillbillyhotdogs.com

Building their "establishment" (and we proudly use that term loosely) they built this hot dog destination on the side of a hill. Now people flock from all over the country to try their 15" homewrecker hot dog.

Visit this site and see why The Travel Chanel, and Food Network rave about this place.

Better yet, jump on the road and check them out.

Hot Dog of the Week: King David Dogs

2010-09-01T16:45:00.003-04:00

We eat hot dogs. We love hot dogs. We blog about hot dogs.

Some folks have made it a mission to search out the best hot dog restaurant. Some more ambitious people have followed their hot dog passion and opened their own hot dog restaurant. But actually making your own hot dogs is a step above ambition, it can be flat out hard.

May I introduce you to Indianapolis, Indiana's own King David Dogs.

Located in the smack dab center of the city, King David's has been voted the best hot dog of Indianapolis for 2010.

Some family members wanted to recreate an old family hot dog recipe, and viola this landmark was established.

Read about the history, and drool over the delicious menu of this Indy Original. But do not just stop there. Take a trip to the city, and down a State Fair dog, Reuben dog, or a Pretzel dog for yourself.

Hot Dog of the Week: Yank's Franks

2010-08-21T14:17:00.003-04:00

Hot dogs are what has drawn us all together on this site.

The love of eating pure beef (hopefully) in a casing that can be topped with a vast array of our favorite condiments and extras. Eating one by yourself, sharing a few with friends, or cataloging many great eateries around the world is what many of us enjoy.

One person though decided to take his personal love of hot dogs, followed a dream and opened his own restaurant.

May I introduce you to Yank's Franks.

This Maine based restaurant has gone through the gambit of choosing a name, constructing the building, and working to serve quite frankly, the best hot dogs.

Read the chronicles of how Yank's Franks came into existence and is serving hot dogs in the Great Vacationland.

And the Weiner Is...

2010-08-16T21:41:00.002-04:00

Thank you to all of the readers and new followers who participated in our contest for MLB tickets and Sonic giftcards.

We had a record number of comments left during this contest and hope that many of you will now choose to post comments more often and read our blog regularly.

Using the website, www.random.org we submitted the names of those who met the criteria of the contest.

Without further delay the prize winners of the two Sonic gift cards are:

ourtown said...: Oh so many choices.....I love the Sonic Burger comb, and the chili cheese dog. But my favorite time is Happy Hour!!!! I cannot wait to get one a Diet Cherry LimeAdes.
Ann said...: Limeade.... Always, the limeade.

And the grand prize winner of Major League Baseball or AAA baseball tickets is:

MVNUSID said...: I usually get the Super Sonic combo with a large sweet tea. A cherry limeade is also a great happy hour treat.

Sonic and baseball tickets...a winning combination!

Congratulations to those who posted and each of the winners please e-mail us at hotdogsontheroad@gmail.com with your contact information so we can get the prizes out to you.

South of the Border Hot Dogs

2010-08-16T15:34:00.003-04:00

How far would you travel to get a good hot dog?

This is not a rhetorical question, but rather a news segment put out by CBS with political satire comedian and pop culture guru, Mo Rocca hosting the bit.

Click here to view this 3 minute trip to Mexico featuring some delicious twists on our favorite food, the hot dog.

Hot Dog of the Week: Rutt's Hut

2010-08-14T17:05:00.002-04:00

In the restaurant business, you are known by your faithful clientele.

When no one can seem to find anything wrong with what you do, then you know you have a hit.

Whether you choose to come for the cheap dogs (under $2), cheap beer ($2 bottles) or homemade relish, just hit up Rutt's Hut when visiting New Jersey.

Enter through the telephone booth like door and enjoy the food from a place that has been around for about 100 years.

Click here to read the review courtesy of Hawk Krall and Seriouseats.com

FREE SONIC GIFT CARDS & BASEBALL TICKETS

2010-07-25T16:27:00.008-04:00

We were contacted by Sonic, America's Drive-In to do a review of their new Footlong Quarter Pound Coney Dog.

Sonic is also running a giveaway through our blog to entice our readers, as well as their patrons, to win a FREE $25 gift card, and be registered to win FREE Major League Baseball, or AAA baseball tickets.

Details of this giveaway will be at the end of this shortened review- so read on, then join our contest.

Anytown, USA

"Footlongs, who wants a footlong?" The quote from Dumb and Dumber that became true one summer night at Sonic.

Nestled inside a bun that was not overpowering in size to the proportion of the dog, was a blend of chili, cheese, and the dog itself. The chili had a pleasant lower spice level to it. If you are not a connoisseur of spicy chili, this is just potent enough to notice the spice but not too overpowering to eat. The chili is not thick enough to eat a good bowl of it, but wonderfully topped the length of the dog. Shredded cheddar cheese was lightly sprinkled over the top and melted the perfect amount to compliment the chili. With each bite of the dog, I could taste each individual component - the dog, chili, and cheese- but at the same time they blended so well on my palate.

I was shocked to see that a footlong was going to be sold for $2.99! In some situations cheaper means less quality, but not in this one. Any place that would sell a footlong- be it a street vendor, carnival, or restaurant daring enough to keep these in stock, could easily get twice this price. Kudos to Sonic for keeping the price low and enticing customers to get more than one of these for the bargain of a price.

*********

So how can you be entered to win this FREE $25 gift card and FREE Major League Baseball, or AAA baseball tickets through dogsontheroad.blogspot.com and courtesy of our friends at Sonic, America's Drive-In? Just 3 simple steps.

1) Become a follower of our blog. If you are already a follower, you have this step out of the way.

2) Visit Sonic's website and check out their menu, happy hour options and locations.

3) Leave a comment with what menu item on Sonic's website sounds the best to you by clicking on "comments" at the bottom of this post.

Our contest will run UNTIL AUGUST 14th with the wiener (pun intended) announced on the blog later that week. Make sure you check back to see if you have won.

Good luck to all and THANK YOU for being loyal, or future loyal, readers of dogsontheroad.blogspot.com

Frankfurter's

2010-07-23T10:58:00.009-04:00

Seattle, WA

Out for a run while in Seattle along the wharf, the smell coming off of the Puget Sound was not that of fish and trolling fishing boats. The smell that filtered into my nostrils was that of sausage, and bratwurst, and hot dogs being cooked. I picked up the pace and ran past this small stand that was the size of a gardening shed called The Frankfurter. I returned around lunch time and was amazed at the variety and popularity of such a small stand. 12 count them 12 different dog options were offered. Non traditional options such as sun dried tomato dogs and Thai chicken dogs were on the menu, as well as scarcely found bockworst, and kosher dogs. On the day I had a kielbasa topped with grilled onions and peppers with a sole line of hot mustard to enhance the flavor. The dog was wrapped in a thicker bun that you would commonly think of around a thick kielbasa or even an East coast hoagie. The casing was a bit tougher to bite through, but that is normal for a kielbasa. The spiced meat flavor came through though as a mighty tasty dog on the afternoon. Next time I visit, I will run longer so I can develop a bigger hunger than one lone kielbasa. B

Atmosphere- I have had hot dogs on the Atlantic ocean (see our South Carolina posts) and now this is the furthest West we have gone on our hot dog travels. Though more than a portable stand, but with the panache of a street vendor cart, it was a very cool idea. A dog at a local stand is hard to top, especially when you can turn and view a 180 degrees of waterfront acreage and the bustle of people exploring the tourist area. I walked for a bit and had my picture taken just a few blocks away next to the Seattle Mariners and Seahawks stadium. C+

Value - Dogs that come from street vendor-esque peddlers have been known to gouge patrons due to the supply and demand principle. But considering the fact that I got a grilled kielbasa, with peppers and onions on a thick roll of a bun for under $5 I was quite pleased. If in Seattle head to one of their three locations and venture away from the traditional restaurants that line the other side of the street. B

Side Dish Jody Says...was not on the trip and could not revue the non hot dog options.

Hot Dog of the Week: Dog House Drive-In

2010-07-16T16:41:00.005-04:00

This segment of Hot Dog of the Week is courtesy of our friends at seriouseats.com and they found a place on historic Route 66.

Very few places give you a choice of chili sauces for your dogs. So contemplate the level of spice you want in either red or green sauce. So when traveling the great Southwest, get your kicks on Route 66 at the Dog House Drive-In.

Tony Packos

2010-07-11T21:10:00.004-04:00

Lady Lake, FL/ Anytown, USA

Tony Packos is a Toledo, Ohio restaurant that gained national attention from the T.V. show M*A*S*H as the place Jamie Farr (Corporal Klinger) raved about. We came across this Tony Packos restaurant in Central Florida after being told about it by one of our readers. Now be warned- this review may not be an accurate review of the original chain in Northwest, Ohio but it is the same chain with the same hot dogs. For such a nationally iconic restaurant to be buried in the back corner of a bowling alley was not the wisest of choices, but nevertheless, it needed to be reviewed. I had a pair of dogs which were the Tony Packos Orginal Hot Dogs. These were smoked sausage served under mustard, onions and their famous sauce. The dog itself, though not a true hot dog, was very tasty. A good firm snap to the casing and a good sausage inside. The sauce on top was very tasty as well, and I ate them just as they came-no other toppings necessary. Next time I have a Tony Packos, I will wait until I head to the greater Toledo area. C-

Atmosphere- When we walked in the door at lunch time, we were the only customers, other than the sprinkled people bellied up to the bar. This Packos was themed to be sports bar-esque then at night it was set up with a DJ booth, dance floor and light show from the ceiling. Being the only customers, you would think we would have had great service. Contraire mon frere. Hopefully results are not typical for everyone, but our socially awkward server with the personality of a wet hot dog bun brought things out very slowly and did not even check on us. Bad things come in threes, right? Bowling alley hot dog place, dance club atmosphere, Revenge of the Nerds server. D

Value- At $2.99 for the Tony Packos Original, this was worth the money. The dog is longer and thicker than a normal hot dog, but not quite the size of a 1/4 pound all-beef dog that many places serve. The sauce itself, which is sold in many grocery stores, is worth the price of the dog itself, so everything was saved with the cost. Maybe the cost is lower to make up for everything else. B+

Side Dish Jody says...I ordered the taco salad which was bland taco meat, lettuce, onion, tomato, cheese and salsa in a deep taco shell. The taco shell was tasty and flaky but overall the whole salad was somewhat average. C

Kobayashi arrested at annual contest

2010-07-04T19:42:00.003-04:00

Takeru Kobayashi was arrested at the annual Nathan's hot dog eating contest.

Joey Chestnut retained his championship belt that he has kept since first dethrowning the Japanese legend in 2006.

Click on THIS link to read the full story courtesy of CNN.

Mel's

2010-07-01T19:20:00.009-04:00

Tampa, FL

Okay, if the hot dog mobile car to the left does not set the stage for this review then nothing well. Upon exiting I-275 we saw a billboard advertising Mel's, which is the first road side billboard I have seen funneling people to a hot dog joint. After laughing at the brilliance of a hot dog VW bug, we walked in to a full Mel's. Most restaurants would hope to be full at meal time, but we stopped in at nearly 2 in the afternoon. Just a 9 iron shot east of Busch Gardens, it has probably had many amusement park guests filling their stomachs after emptying them on the roller coasters. Mel was working this day, and it seemed that he did this with regularity. The thing is, this place is legendary. How many owners of a place this cool, and this well known still greet patrons, refill drinks, or bus tables? I had two dogs on the day-a Chicago Dog (because I am a sucker for a good one) and one of Mel's Special Hot Dogs. Mel himself is a Chicago native, so he brought the taste of Chi-town with him. Every dog is an all beef dog, and EVERY dog comes on a poppy seed bun. Mel got every detail down to perfection on this Chicago dog including some good peppers. I polluted it with a line of mustard, but don't tell Mel. The Mel's Special Hot Dog had your run of the mill ingredients (mustard, onions, relish and sauerkraut) but no ketchup. You really don't think someone from Chicago would put ketchup on ANY dog do you? B+

Atmosphere- Yes there is a VW bug on the front lawn corridor, but when you go inside you see the scores of pictures of people in Mel's t-shirts around the world (ala Yesterdog in MI.). Included in the pictures of patrons are shots from the Sydney Opera House, the Antarctica airport, and the Kremlin in Russia. The tables and chairs look like something out of a 50's diner, but reproduction versions of it. But the car, OHHHHH the car. It does not get much better than that. B

Value- The Mel's Special cost me $3.25 while the Chicago dog was $3.75, which are both fair prices. Had I decided to make these a basket, which included fries, it would still have been in the $5 range. Authentic Chicago dogs over 1,500 miles south of the windy city is a bargain.
If you think about it, a lot of traffic comes from the theme park, so gouging prices could easily happen, but these are very reasonable. Fork it over to Mel's, or maybe Mel himself. He might work the register that day. B+

Side Dish Jody says... There were many non-hot dog options above and beyond the normal hot dog joint menu items including burgers and various types of sausage sandwiches. I ordered the char broiled chicken breast sandwich which was a nicely seasoned grilled chicken breast on a soft white bun. I asked for it without mayonnaise or honey mustard, as the menu indicates however I wish I would have asked for barbecue sauce or another condiment I like to provide a little moisture to the sandwich. Hot dog guy and I split a large order of fries which was a good value at 1.49. B-

Dune Dogs

2010-06-27T22:41:00.007-04:00

Jupiter, FL

Vacation time. Side Dish Jody and I hit the road for vacation, which means getting out on the road and searching for new places to eat that look appealing, and what our readers would enjoy reading. This is a testament to anyone who wonders 'do people just look up random places and come see us?' The answer is yes. Pulling into Dune Dogs we instantly looked at each other with big goofy smiles and said "Oh yes, this is awesome." Advertising Hebrew National hot dogs, these dogs are hearty. Sometimes you bite into a dog and can taste soft or boiled too much. Biting into this dog made me close my eyes to enjoy every delicious bite. I scarfed down two dogs on this day which were the Pushcart Dog, and the Leroy Brown's Junkyard Dog. The Pushcart was topped with a special onion sauce and some tomatoes. Normally not a huge fan of tomatoes on dogs, unless it is a Chicago Dog, I enjoyed the taste. But the Leroy Brown Junkyard Dog...now THIS is a hot dog. The pushcart sauce is simply to die for. Trying to describe the marinara-esque sauce does not even do it justice. So picture a red colored sauce but the punch, the aroma, and the bursting flavor of this sauce cannot be put into words. Just pay the piper his pence, and get this dog.

Atmosphere- This restaurant was open air style (much the same as Skinny Legs in the Virgin Islands for our followers) which is what you would picture on the islands, or at a tropical beach. Cozy up to the bar for drinks or sit on one of the many stainless steel topped picnic tables. We got to eat in the back landing and they even built the deck and awning around a monster size tree that comes up through the outer edge. Places like this are why we started doing reviews. An atmosphere like this cannot be topped when trying to eat a hot dog. A

Value- The Leroy Brown came in at $3.75 which was more than a bargain, while the Pushcart was a fairly priced $3.20 to consume. Not many places serve Hebrew National dogs, so they get a bump up for the uniqueness, but it is about the middle of the road for what we have seen charged for dogs. So even with the bump for a quality kind of dog it rates out at simply a B

Side Dish Jody says...I had an order of the Yankee Nachos which is essentially waffle fries with many of your standard hot dog toppings like chili, jalapenos, onions and shredded cheese. It was a very tasty concoction especially on a waffle fry, which made it scoopable. My only regret is that it was shredded cheese instead of my preferred nacho cheez. A-

Hot Dog of the Week: Hot Wieners Rhode Island Style

2010-06-15T21:20:00.005-04:00

One of the TV networks that Side Dish Jody and I watch regularly is the food network...shocking huh?

Out of all of the shows and stars that the network has, one of our favorites is Guy Fieri. The host of such shows as Diners, Drive-ins and Dives (Triple D to followers) and Guy's Big Bite.

Fieri was at this shop in Rhode Island that does every dog one way. Don't walk in and ask for substitutions, deletions or additions- simply give your order and enjoy this delicious dog.

For once, you can click HERE which will take you to a video from the Food Network on Hot Wieners Rhode Island Style

Hot Dog of the Week: Michigans Red Hots

2010-06-06T20:29:00.001-04:00

Some one in New York got it correct.

For years us Michiganders have put a special sauce on our dogs.

Click on the title of this post to read how a restaurant in Plattsburgh, NY decks thier dogs Michigan style.

Article is courtesy of seriouseats.com

Hot Dog of the Week: Johnny's Chicago Style Beef and Dogs

2010-05-26T08:30:00.001-04:00

Finally, our first post from the land of 10,000 lakes.

Question. What do Elvis, Al Capone, an '87 Mercury Sable, and a 6 foot tall hot dog guy have in common? Answer-they can all be found at Johnny's Chicago Style Beef and Dogs ('87 Mercury Sable pending the arrival of Cletus and Jethro in search of dinner).

As a fan of Chicago Style dogs myself, I can appreciate when a good quality one is produced.

Find out how to TRULY make a Chicago Dog as well as fun facts about hot dogs by clicking the title of this post.

Hot Dog Bankrupcy

2010-05-16T17:48:00.002-04:00

We have asked the question on here before- would you go to jail for a hot dog? (ala hot dog news archive)

Read our latest installment courtesy of the South Carolina News by clicking on the title of this post.

Hot Dog of the Week: Danny's Drive In

2010-05-16T17:34:00.002-04:00

The art of the drive in for a meal choice has been teetering on extinction for a generation.

Thank's to Danny's Drive In of Connecticut, the legend lives on.

Read the review courtesy of our friends at seriouseats.com and look at the vintage pictures as well.

Other Hot Dog Meals

2010-05-07T11:38:00.002-04:00

Growing up with an affection for hot dogs, my mom discovered a new way to implement dogs into our family's repertoire of meals.

This picture is not of my mother's dish, but rather a picture taken from seriouseats.com, but strikes a near bulls eye to what mom cooked us up.

I present to you, Brats and Tots. A casserole concoction made primarily of bratwurst, tater tots, cheese, and ranch dressing.

Slicing the bratwurts up into quarter sized fragments, pummeling the pan with zealous amounts of cheese, and letting the crunchiness of the tater tots bake into the dish made this a family favorite that still makes its way to the dinner table if/when I go back home.

I am curious as to what hot dog-esque substitute meals you are familiar with, or have had.

Please go into vivid descriptions so we can all froth at the mouth

World Famous Pink's Goes too Far

2010-04-21T22:00:00.005-04:00

The world famous Pink's of Hollywood, CA has been an American icon for decades.

Nestled into the star-laden landscape of Southern California, Pink's has served hot dogs to movie stars on lunch break, and catered red carpet events.

One of the things that Pink's is known for is naming it's hot dog options after celebrities. Dogs such as the Martha Stewart dog and the Ozzy dog can be ordered any day (until it's name is changed).

But Pink's has gone too far- they have combined the words NAKED and Betty White to form a dog option. Two words that you never want to hear together, much less envision.

Click on the title of this post to read the full story and watch the video courtesy of CBS.com

America's Best Stadium Dog

2010-04-13T19:49:00.003-04:00

With the start of baseball season now underway, the debate begins as to who serves the best hot dog in their stadium.

Is it a Dodger Dog in Los Angeles? Perhaps it is a Fenway Frank? Want some Skyline chili from Cincinnati?

Having personally traveled to 25 different MLB stadiums (not all pictured in Stadium Dogs) I have had my share of delicious tube meat in a bun.

Click on the title of this post to read an article from Clubhousecancer.com and read about many Stadium Dogs around the country and why a hot dog at the ball park IS the best food to eat while enjoying 'the old ball game'.

Hot Dog of the Week: South Philly Dog

2010-04-11T09:16:00.003-04:00

We have piggy-backed off of our friends at seriouseats.com often for our hot dog of the week theme.

But for once, I can't help but think they picked our brains for their baseball themed Hot Dog of the Week.

Side Dish Jody and I have been to Citizen's Bank Ballpark which is home to the 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies, but seriouseats.com takes the hot dog experience one step further.

Read their review by clicking on the title of this post, then vote on OUR side pannel for April's question of the month involving baseball stadium food.

Mad Dogz

2010-04-06T20:31:00.011-04:00

Comstock Park, MI

One of our readers again pointed out a new place for Side Dish Jody and I to venture to. Located just North of Grand Rapids, Mad Dogz was opened in the late fall of 2009 within a good 3 iron of US-131. When you walk in the door the staff take your order at the counter and make your dogz on the spot. What is even better is that if you order more than one dog, they bring them out to you one at a time so they do not get cold. Why hasn't anyone ever thought of this before! Yes it is a little more time intensive, but as a customer you always have a warm dog waiting for you. It is the small things that set places a part. I ordered two dogz (Mad Dog and Lunatic). The Mad Dog came adorned with chili, ketchup, mustard, pickle, cheese and onion. This dog had a lot of toppings, I mean an insane amount on top of the hot dog and sloshing out over the bun. The Lunatic Dog (see picture to the right) was the same as the Mad Dog except you add kraut and subtract the cheese. This was the second of the two dogs I ate and when it was delivered to me, I swear a boxing bell rang in the background as if to challenge me. The owner stopped by our table and said that this dog with all of its toppings weighed close to a pound fully garnished. I have had foot longs, and I have had 1/2 pound dogs, but this was the heaviest dog I may have ever had. What sets these dogs apart though is the chili. Man was it good chili. The owner, whom I will call "Mr. Mad Dog," admitted that it was not homemade but a very high quality chili. When going to Mad Dogz, just get the Bonkers Dog which comes with just chili and cheese. Heck, the cheese was nothing special, but man I would eat that chili over and over again. B for what I ate (A+ for that chili and thoughts of a chili dog!)

Atmosphere- Though a new restaurant, it was neither newly built nor a historic building. There was plenty of space to sit at the tables, and one flat screen TV that we watched The Price is Right on, but very much lacking in de'cor or a theme to flow through the place. I would say that the coolest or interesting niche about it was a sign in the bathroom. Above the mirror said "hello gorgeous". I will admit, I smiled at myself and did a little strut to check out my gorgeous self, but don't tell Side Dish Jody that I did this, she might burst my bubble. Go for the dogz and enjoy people watching on the side walk, but don't go with trendy expectations. D+

Value- At $3.00 for a Mad Dog, and $3.25 for a Lunatic Dog they were worth the money. Heck, there was such a mountain of condiments on top of the dog, the employees may have paid $3 per dog just to top it off that way . Had I been hungry after the two dogs I ate, I would have gladly paid another 3 bucks for a chili dog. Have I mentioned how good they were yet? B+

Side Dish Jody says...Mad Dogz provided the standard non-dog options, walking taco or chips & cheese. I choose the chips & cheese Deluxe! For $5.00 I thought it was a bit pricey for hot dog condiments pretending to be nachos but I gave it a shot. I was pleased to see that the quantity of topping was enormous to the point I had to dig around with my fork to get to the gold corn chips. The chips were topped with a tasty chili, nacho cheese sauce, onions, jalapenos and ridiculous amounts of sour cream. Too be honest, it was almost too much topping in ratio to chips but tasted good. B-

Hot Dog of the Week: Fat Frank's

2010-03-28T19:52:00.007-04:00

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.

One Stop Coney Shop

2010-03-23T12:41:00.010-04:00

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

Esquire Magazine Ranks Yesterdog Amongst Leaders

2010-03-22T11:21:00.003-04:00

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.

Hot Dog of the Week: El Completo

2010-03-20T16:03:00.002-04:00

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.

A square hot dog?

2010-03-16T20:33:00.003-04:00

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.

Hot Dog of the Week: Big League Hot Dog Company

2010-03-11T12:16:00.006-05:00

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.

Pete's Hot Dogs

2010-03-06T21:45:00.005-05:00

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.

Backyard Big Dogs

2010-03-02T17:25:00.005-05:00

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

Beware of Flying Hot Dogs

2010-02-25T09:11:00.004-05:00

Here is one of those strange but true articles that makes you shake your head at society today. This article came from the Associated Press.

Kansas City, MO (AP) Baseball fans who sit six rows behind the third-base dugout at the Kansas City Royals' Kauffman Stadium know they might have to duck a few foul balls.

But a Kansas man says it was a flying hot dog, not a baseball, that almost put his eye out last year.

John Coomer has filed a lawsuit against the Royals seeking more than $25,000 for injuries he sustained Sept. 8 when he was smacked in the eye with a hot dog chucked by the team's mascot, Sluggerrr. Coomer said the wayward wiener caused a detached retina and the development of cataracts in his left eye.

Royals spokesman David Holtzman declined to comment Tuesday. He also would not say whether the lawsuit is the reason the team is looking for a replacement for its large lion mascot.

Hot Dog Guy Says...

If this Slugerrr character is so accurate, maybe they should ink him to a contract. The Royals are always in need of someone, or in this case some THING, that can find home plate with accuracy.

Dogs on the Road

Hot Dog of the Week: Beav's Long Boom Dogs

Hot Dog of the Week: Hot Dog Heaven

Hot Dog of the Week: Blackie's Hot Dogs

Hot Dog of the Week: ChiDogO's

Hot Dog of the Week: Texas Wieners

M*A*S*H and hot dogs

Hot Dog of the Week: Schmidt's Sausage Haus

Hot Dogs as Weapons?

Hot Dog of the Week: Flying Weenie

Hot Dog of the Week: House of Doggs

Hot Dogs and Lightbulbs

Hot Dog of the Week: Dig Dog

Fall Hot Dogs

Wiener War part II

Hot Dog of the Week: Big City Hot Dogs & Gyros

Hot Dog of the Week: Acme

Hot Dog of the Week: Zack's

Hot Dog War

Hot Dog of the Week: Jimmy's

Luichi's

Hot Dog of the Week: Snoopy's

Doumar's

Perfectly Frank

Nathan's 4th of July Contest

National Hot Dog Month Quiz

PETA PICKS THE TOP FIVE VEGGIE DOGS IN AMERICA

Homemade dogs for Father's Day

Onion Crunch

Johnny B'z

World's Largest Brat Fest

Hot Dog of the Week: Johnny's Red Hots

Hot Dog of the Week: Dog Almighty

10 Cent Hot Dogs

Hot Dog of the Week: Coney Island Lunch

Hot Dog of the Week: Icelandic Sensation

Only Kosher Hot Dogs?

Hot Dog of the Week: City Hot Dogs

Hot Dog of the Week: Hot Doug's

All you can eat hot dogs April 15

Hot Dog of the Week: Tucky's

Hot Dog of the Week: Casey's

Jammers Chicago Style Classics

Hot Dog of the Week: The Bulldog

America's Best Hot Dog Bracket

Hot Dog of the Week: Wild About Harry's

Hot Dog of the Week: Boz Hot Dogs

Hot Dog of the Week: Hot Dog Diner

Hot Dog of the Week: Jack's Cosmic Dogs

Hot Dog of the Week: Ted's Hot Dogs

Hot Dog of the Week : Joey's Hot Dogs

Southern California Hot Dog Guide

Hot Dog of the Week: Weiner and Still Champion

Hot Diggity Dog

Hot Dog of the Week: Jim's Original

Hot Dog of the Week: Hot Dog Diner

UK Prime Minister Enjoys American Hot Dog

Hot Dog of the Week: The Wienery

West Side Market

Our New Layout

Another Stolen Hot Dog Cart

Hot Dog of the Week: Chili Man Weiners

Angry Hot Dog Vendor Revolts

Hot Dog of the Week: Mad Dogs

The Dog Track

Hot Dog of the Week: Chicago's Dog House

WE WANT YOUR STADIUM DOGS

Hot Dog of the Week: Hillbilly Hot Dogs

Hot Dog of the Week: King David Dogs

Hot Dog of the Week: Yank's Franks

And the Weiner Is...

South of the Border Hot Dogs

Hot Dog of the Week: Rutt's Hut

FREE SONIC GIFT CARDS & BASEBALL TICKETS

Frankfurter's

Hot Dog of the Week: Dog House Drive-In

Tony Packos

Kobayashi arrested at annual contest

Mel's

Dune Dogs

MAS*H and hot dogs