Arbetter's Hot Dogs

Miami, FL

Every restaurant owner puts their own touches on an establishment.  That is what makes it theirs.  Having Boston roots and being in South Florida is what make's Arbetter's Hot Dogs what it is.  When/if the Red Sox win the World Series, there is a sign saying that baked beans are free the next day.  The smaller quarters that all patrons wait in line for food, and the confined eating area would fit in well in Boston also.  When ordering dogs, this place has its own style.  If you want onions and mustard on the dog that would be an M.O. dog.  If you wanted chili and mustard it would be a C.M. dog, and so on.  Speaking of the chili, it is homemade and a perfect topping that flows down the dog without taking away from the taste of the grill it was made on.  I had a C.O and an All Around dog which has mustard, onions, and relish.  This would qualify as a greasy spoon restaurant of the South, but that is EXACTLY what a hot dog shop should be.

Atmosphere You walk in the small building and you are hit square in the face with Bostonian sports flare.  A tribute to Larry Bird that includes a sign that says "Free Refills when you say 'I Love Larry Bird' "  This would be a true hole in the wall place that is void of even a website.  You can see the entire process of them preparing your dogs for you which is always cool to see.  Judging by the line of people that filled the restaurant on a monsoon-like day when we attended, shows that customers are loyal.  The place may sit 25 people IF it gets crowded, but most people grab their dogs and hit the road it looks like.  B+

Value Very reasonably priced with the C.O dogs coming in at $2.15 each and the All Around dog comes in under two bucks at $1.95 so you get a lot of bang (including the indigestion) for a great price.  Fries are $2.05 and adding chili or cheese to your fries only tops the scales at $3.15.  Kudos for a local small business for keeping prices so low that people come back not only for the taste, but because it doesn't break anyone's budget either.  A

Side Dish Jody says...Typically the only non hot dog options would be fries or chili cheese fries.  I started with the chili cheese fries and they were greasy and delicious.  The hi-light food of the visit was when the owner ordered several pizzas from a local pizzeria and gave out slices in celebration of the recent Miami Heat championship. D+ (minus the pizza)

Hot Dog Cart Shut Down

A 13 year old boy from Holland, MI decided to peddle hot dogs for some extra money.

Well click here to read the article courtesy of mlive.com as to why his entrepreneur style was shut down before it even started.

Papa's Dogs and More

Grandville, MI 

When a new hot dog place sprouts up, they have to have a niche.  A different way to attract people into their establishment.  Well, Papa's Dogs and More makes hot dogs the only way the owner knew how to have a hot dog for many years... bake fresh bread and insert the hot dog.  You see, the 'bun' is not really a bun at all, but daily fresh made bread baked to engulf the dog.  When the owner was a child he came from very humble beginnings.  The family did not have much money so they ate hot dogs often.  Well his father baked the bread, and put a hot dog inside.  As simple as that.  It was not until he was in high school and went to a football game, did he know that people actually have buns to put a hot dog on.  Well after having these dogs, I may never ask for a bun again.  How can you beat FRESH bread so soft, that I actually enjoyed the bread more than the dog...which NEVER happens.  You order your dog based on the bread (white, honey wheat, garlic cheese, pretzel) and then head to the toppings bar for as many of the 19 toppings you choose.  You can also get a polish dog, cheddarwurst, smoked brat or 1/4 pound dog options as well.  The demand for these dogs is growing incredibly fast, and for all of the claims the owner made, I wholeheartedly believe all of those claims will come true!

Atmosphere- This is not the most scenic place.  It is located in a run down strip mall, but when you walk inside, the energy and spirit of the family (employees) makes you forget the outside and surroundings.  Since they bake their bread, you can actually see the kitchen and the process the bread goes through, this was one of the more unique traits about the place.  There is ample seating for many people, and for going there during a holiday 'lull' it was still hopping with patrons.  There is a food challenge, where if you complete the 'Bullmastiff challenge' you can get your meal free.  They also had a sign on the wall that I of course had to sign and laugh for it read this "WARNING, General consensus has determined that consuming Papa Dogs can be habit forming."  Forget the decorations on the wall (there are not many) just go and eat for the GOOD FOOD! C

Value-  The owner said to me "The greatest compliment someone can give me is that my food is to cheap."   Uh, cheap might be the biggest understatement of all time in the hot dog world.  The Papa Dog Deal includes two Papa Dogs, a drink, chips and two cookies (which are freshly made daily as well, and vary based on what he feels like baking that day) all for $6....DID YOU HEAR ME?  Six George Washington's for all of that.  Each Papa dog could easily sell for six bucks, EASILY.  So six bucks for the meal, or you could just buy a lone Papa Dog for $2.50.  Upgrading to a cheddarwurst or bull dog is a bit more.  I had a Papa Dog on soft pretzel, and a Papa Dog on white.  We have reviewed cheap hot dogs, and expensive hot dogs, but we are giving our first ever A+ in value here!

Side Dish Jody says... At first glance I was nervous about the lack of non hot dog options.  My primary choices were a gigantic cinnamon roll or pecan roll.  But after further discussion, they have homemade soups and homemade bread bowls in the colder months.  I could also call ahead for a chicken tenderloin baked into the bread, which I will definitely get next time.  On this trip I had the pecan roll which was overwhelmingly large, rich and delicious.  A

Chestnut Retains Hot Dog Crown

For the past six years, Joey Chestnut has started off his fourth of July by engorging himself to win the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island.

Well Chestnut broke his own consumption record in the 10 minute allowable frame.

Click HERE to read the article courtesy of the huffingtonpost.com

Island Dogs

Key West, FL

This post comes off of the suggestion of one of our readers.  L.H. wrote to us and said "We were there last weekend (2nd trip) with 8 people and all thought they were fantastic.  One night we even had them on a pizza with bacon - totally unreal!"  

Well while on vacation in the Florida Keys we had to check it out to see if L.H. was indeed speaking the truth.  I had the bacon wrapped Island Dog just as suggested and this dog was big and thick!  The red onion and sweet chili sauce topped the bacon and the banana peppers complimented it nicely.  I gobbled it down, and it wasn't even as a meal, but a mid day treat.  I am sure that many people look at this and think it is just a bar that serves food instead of a restaurant, but if more bars served hot dogs like these, than all of our stomachs would be better off.

Atmosphere- Located on Front Street where much of the hullabaloo of Key West is, this is an open air bar that is an ideal setting for eating a hot dog in paradise.  Many people coming off the cruise ships or staggering around town could choose from many bars or restaurants in the area, but to my knowledge, it was the only place that advertised a good hot dog.  Belly up to the bar, or enjoy many of the seats on the patio while people watch and enjoy the festivities of Key West.  B+

Value- This is a bit slanted because the price of an Island Dog was $9.50 (which also came with the pictured pile of shoe string fries) and much more than we would normally spend on a hot dog. But, considering the area of the country you are in, most everything is a little more pricy because tourists carry money.  The big quarter pound hot dog was well worth this and NOT just an average hot dog.  You could build your own hot dog for a bit cheaper, but L.H. pegged it dead on!  B+

Side Dish Jody says... Since this was a full service restaurant there were many non hot dog options.  I chose the chicken fingers and french fries, and honestly raved about the chicken fingers 3-4 days later.  They were definitely homemade not frozen and popped in the deep fryer.  A-

Hot Dog of the Week: Barker's Red Hots

In the summer time we all see street vendors boiling and selling their hot dogs.

Most of them are owned by a private individual who is just out looking to make a few bucks on the side during a bustling town event or on a hot weekend day.

Well, Barker's Red Hots of Marietta, GA has taken the street vending of hot dog, and added the twist that has kept them in business since 1984.

Barker's uses charcoal to cook all of their dogs over and by slightly scoring them, you get a unique crunch and snap as you bite into the dogs.  Barker's uses a dog that has been making and producing meat by the same family for five generations dating back to the 1860's!

Even from a hot dog cart, each dog is made to order on the spot.  Though it may take a few extra minutes to get what you want, at least it will be fresh.

So when in metropolitan Atlanta, look for the big yellow umbrella's with Barker's on it.  Find out for yourself why the Atlanta Journal-Constitution calls it 'Atlanta's Best Hot Dog'.

Hot Dog Pizza..part II

Back in April, we told you about how Pizza Hut was releasing a hot dog stuffed crust pizza.

Well Rosati's of Chicago, has decided to make a combination of two of American's favorite pig out foods with their chili-cheese dog pizza.

Click here to read the article courtesy of CBS Chicago.

Hot dogs and basbeball

We love baseball on our blog!

Check out stadium dogs (on the right side) to see where we have eaten dogs around the country.

Well one of our friendly competitor blogs, Yanks Franks, have actually started advertising at the local little league stadium.

Thumbs up for supporting baseball at all levels!

Littering of Hot Dogs?

Hot dogs have been shot out of air cannons at basketball or baseball games.  They have been peddled and pushed by vendors, and used to entice people to come to an event.

We have seen hot dogs used in so many advertising ploys, but this one might be top dog.

Click HERE to read the story from ABC news about a helicopter dropping hot dogs.

Hot Dog of the Week: Callahan's

Callahan's of New Jersey has lived on the same principle since its inception in 1950- "So big, so good".

Located just 20 miles (or depending on traffic, 3 hours) from NYC, Callahan's has insisted that each of their hot dogs is made from only the highest quality beef.

Order your regular dog, or your superdog (foot long) and top it with any or all of the three toppings offered: chili, cheese and onions.

Keeping it simple and delicious has made Callahan's an icon of East Coast hotdogs for the past 60+ years, and the continued support of patrons will keep it going for the next 60+ years.

Hot dog Slinger

What does being a lawyer and a hot dog vendor have in common?

Click HERE to read the story of a Nebraska lawyer who turned a part time gig into being a stable at Cornhusker football games.  The story is courtesy of cbsnews.com

Michigan's Coney Dogs

A few weeks back we hi-lighted the search for Michigan's Best Coney Dogs.

Well mlive.com finished it's contest and the results are in.

Click HERE to read about the Top 10 places in the Great Lakes state to eat a coney dog, as well as the honorable mention list.

Hot Dog Pizza?

Americans have junk food favorites galore.

Pizza, buffalo wings, potato chips, and of course our beloved hot dogs.

Well Pizza Hut has released a hot dog stuffed crust pizza in the U.K.

Click HERE to read the article courtesy of the huffingtonpost.com

Hot Dog of the Week: Trolly Stop Hot Dogs

How many hot dog shops give your five different choices for a dog?

Now by choices, I do not mean what goes ON the dog, I mean five choices for the KIND of dog.

Well, at Trolley Stop Hot Dogs that spans five locations along the North Carolina's Atlantic coast, they offer you the following choices in your dog BEFORE you adorn it with the kind of dog you want. Start off with a Sabrett, Original, Carolina smoked sausage, vegetarian, or fat free turkey dog.

Then select one of 13 dog choices.

On the go for the day with your family dog? Well if you show up to one of their hot dog cart peddlers, they will give your dog a hot dog as well.

So when traveling on the road, and the family pooch is hungry too, head to Trolley Stop Hot Dogs.

Michigan's Best Coney Dog

This side of the Eastern U.S. shore, Michigan could perhaps be the state that sells the most coney dogs.

A true coney dog is an all beef hot dog served with a bean-less chili sauce, onions and mustard.

West Michigan has four entrants vying for the bid to represent the area in the Michigan based contest.

Click here to read the full article courtesy of mlive.com

Top price for a hot dog

When we go to review hot dog joints, one of the things we mention is the price of the hot dogs.

Generally, most place are selling hot dogs in the $2-$4 range per dog, which seems fair.

This is not a filet mignon site, it is hot dogs. Unless a hot dog is a foot long, or a jumbo dog, or at a specialty event, hot dogs are usually fairly cheap.

Well if you are planning to attend a Texas Rangers baseball game this summer, you might see a hot dog price that will make your wallet scream for help.

Click HERE to read the story about a $26 dollar hot dog!

A Hot Dog A Day Means Call the Doctor

The old adage states that an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Well according to a report from the Bloomberg News, a study performed by the Archives of Internal Medicine says eating a hot dog a day increases your chance of cancer or dying by over 20 %.

For those of you who need a little background on myself, in 2008, my New Years resolution was to consume an average of one hot dog a day for an entire year. I successfully cramed in 366 hot dogs (leap year).

Click HERE to read the article, but PLEASE do not stop eating hot dogs. Some of us depend on them.

Zogg's Doggs

Zogg's Doggs

At first glance at the name of this restaurant, you would think it came from a Dr. Seuss book. However it did not. The owner knew he liked hot dogs, and wanted to run a business, therefore Zogg's Doggs was spawned by an out of work victim of the movie industry gone belly-up in Michigan. An address of 135 1/2 should be the first clue that this is not your run-of-the-mill hot dog place. The menu was developed from mid-afternoon trial and error experiments. Having 40 different options for hot dogs is a crazy number, and they are not done yet. Nothing is pre-made so even a specialty dog can be made on the spot, so having 40 or 50 or more options is great for an owner. Not to mention the fun job of trying to find the next delicious hot dog.

Atmosphere- In having a So-Cal influence that bordered between a skate park and a tiki-hut, there was a lot of eclectic tastes in a small space. The surfboard that meets you when you walk in was the first inspiration piece for decoration. Along one wall there was even a TV and video game system for customers to play. Seriously, why haven't people thought of this before? Everyone wants food while gaming so why not put a gaming system in your restaurant? Just put a timer on the system so people don't sit and play 6 hours of some mind numbing game while only buying one hot dog. B-

Value- Each of their dogs costs only $3.00 which is a very fair price considering the number of hot dog options (40), toppings and specialty toppings (26), veggies (12), cheeses (9) and meats (6). I had three dogs on this trip which included the Pastrami Tsunami, the Mahalo Dogg and the Burnin' House Dogg. The Tsunami had pastrami, jalapeno bacon, cream cheese on the bottom, mozzarella cheese and banana peppers. The Mahalo consisted of baked beans, shredded cheese, onions, and bacon bits across the dogg. Out of the three, I preferred the Burnin' House Dogg the best. The all beef hot dog(g) was topped with bleu cheese, buffalo wing sauce and dashes of celery salt. Out of all the places I have gone to eat hot dogs that were created by the owner, this dog tops the list. The other two dogs were mighty tasty, but I honestly wish I tried three of the Burnin' House Dogg's instead. Take my 3 bucks any time man! A-

Side Dish Jody says...Although I thoroughly enjoyed watching Hot Dog Guy eat the Burnin' House Dogg, the selection of non-hot dog options was far fewer than the rest of the menu. My selection was limited to a walking taco, chips/chili/cheese or one of three side dishes - baked beans, mac-n-cheese, or coleslaw. I tried both the coleslaw and mac-n-cheese. The coleslaw was nothing spectacular however the mac-n-cheese was quite flavorful with flecks of black pepper throughout. They could also really improve their beverage selection by offering fountain drinks instead of cans. C-

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

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

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

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

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

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.

M*A*S*H and hot dogs

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'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

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

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

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

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

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.