Hot Dog of the Week: Yank's Franks

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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-

Hot Dog of the Week: Hot Wieners Rhode Island Style

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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.

A comic strip

Every once in a while I am reminded that hot dogs span a vast audience.

People will eat them at a barbecue, a picnic, or if they are like me, order them wherever they are served.

Sometimes though, they get into mainstream media.

One of my favorite comic strips is called Speed Bump by Dave Coverly, and this one portrays a couple of hot dogs.

Enjoy a brief laugh at the expense of some hot dogs.

This portrayal of life as a hot dog appeared on Sunday February 21, 2010 on the creators.com website.

Simply click on the picture to see a blown up version of this comic strip.

Baseball season and hot dogs

'Tis the middle of February.

For many people around the country, thoughts drift to spring break and the onset of summer.

For me, my thoughts drift to baseball season and the smell of hot dogs in the ball park.

Baseball and hot dogs go hand in hand like peanut butter and jelly, cookies and milk, and turkey and stuffing.

At the top of this blog you can see pictures of me eating hot dogs in different sports stadiums around the country. Many of those stadiums are of my beloved sport of baseball.

So as the boys of summer begin working out in the early part of spring training, soon baseball will be back with us.

Once baseball is back, that means more hot dogs in ball parks.

How about you. 3 questions...1) When did you attend a baseball game last? 2) What did you put on your hot dog when you ordered one at the game and 3) Do you plan to attend a baseball game this year and eat a hot dog at the ole ball game?

Tuscan Tony

When looking for a hot dog in Philly, I tried Pat's King of Steaks.

Had I known about this delicious sliced and diced dog served with peppers I would have gobbled it up in a heart beat.

Read the rave review by clicking the title of this link courtesy of our friends at seriouseats.com

Michigan Stuffed Hot Dogs

Side Dish Jody enjoys watching the cooking channel. I am not sure what this channel is actually called, but you know which one I am talking about.

I do know however that she is not a fan of Rachel Ray, one of the networks mega-stars who has recently made the transition to network TV.

I was not a big fan of Rachel Ray either, until I came across her recipe for this hot dog.

Now she calls it a Michigan hot dog, but nothing in the hot dog signifies Michigan (my home state).

The recipe looks good though. Cook some up and let me know your thoughts!

Click on the title of this post to take you to Rachel Ray's TV show website.

Hot Dog of the Week: Thailand ice cream dog

Over the years I have been asked what constitutes a 'hot dog'.

Kielbasa- yes. Polish sausage-yes. Foot long- just one hot dog. Cocktail weiners-do not count in a hot dog total. Brawurst-yes.

There are several kinds of encased meat that a person can put on a bun that resemble in similarity to a hot dog.

But does anything and everything that goes in a hot dog bun count? No.

How about ice cream? Are you kiding-not a chance.

These folks in Thailand though found a tasty way to stuff a bun though.

Click on the title of this post to read the article courtesy of Seriouseats.com

Sonic

Anytown, USA

Recently a Sonic opened near where Side Dish Jody and I live. This is the first nationwide chain that we have reviewed. Normally, I would bypass chains for the local flavor of a hot dog, but we were here eating and I saw a dog on the menu so I thought I would order it. Without the chili and extra flavors that Sonic offers, this was a very bland dog. The dog had zero natural flavor to it, and the bun was far from fresh. In fact, I probably should have rolled it back into the wrapper and put it in the bag it came from. But alas, I choked it down. Now to be fair, Sonic has been known for its toppings on it's hot dogs. I just chose not to get the toppings. If I were to do it again, I would order it the way it is intended. On the other hand, after my experience, it might take an awfully hungry day for me to buy another dog from them. D

Atmosphere- Sonic has tried to recapture Americana but taking the drive-in principle and modernizing it. Having recently been to a drive in place that specialized in hot dogs, it had the same feel but a totally different ambiance. Sometime when things are made to look vintage or authentic, they can come across as tired looking. Sonic had all the flare and the freshness for sure, but it lacks that unique panache that I have grown accustomed to when enjoying a hot dog. C

Price- This was the best part as the hot dog was only a buck. I have yet to find a place that serves hot dogs for anywhere close to this low of a price, but for a little extra price on their part, it could have tasted a lot better. So for the price of a lone dollar bill I give you an A

Side Dish Jody says...I was absolutely thrilled to see them building a new Sonic in Michigan. I was introduced to Sonic when I went to college in KY, and I missed it ever since. On this trip, I ordered the chicken finger dinner basket. Which includes-chicken fingers, tater tots, and a random piece of Texas toast. The chicken fingers and tater tots were crispy, salty and mighty delicious. I also like the ice that they put in their fountain pop. A-

Hot Dog of the Week: Alaskan Reindeer hot dog

This Christmas I have learned two things thus far.

1) Santa Claus lives in the last frontier called Alaska.

2) Rudolph's nose didn't quite lead Santa's sleigh around the world. He more or less lead the other eight magical Santa-tuggers to a processing plant.

Don't believe me? Click on the title of this post to read more courtesy of seriouseats.com

Hot Dog of the Week: Cincinnati Cheese Coney

This week's Hot Dog of the Week is a Triple C. The Cincinnati Cheese Coney.

Usually the term 'coney' refers to a generic restaurant. In this case however, a coney means a delicious dog smothered in cheddar cheese.

Click on the title of this link to read the article courtesy of our friends from seriouseats.com

Superdawg

Chicago, IL

When we started this site, there were a handful of national iconic hot dog destinations that instantly jumped to mind as places we had to get to. Superdawg was one of them. Shoehorned into a pie shaped corner of roads that they have outgrown decades ago, the drive in style diner still serves you at your car. Complete with working speakers, car-hops, and the tray that rests on your rolled down window, (ala Fred Flintstone) this place is a genuine throwback! When my Superdawg came out, I opened the box and found this dog piled with jalapenos, a dill pickle spear that reached the length of the bun and a pile of fries . You get a bottle of ketchup on your tray because they refuse to add ketchup to this delicious morsel. The dog itself was perfectly done. Thick, juicy and a great snap as you bite into it. The steamed bun soaked in every bit of goodness from the neon green relish, onions and mustard. And those fries…OH THOSE FRIES. Fresh crinkle cut fries topped off the box and carried the flavor of the hot dog...excuse me, SUPERDAWG along with it. A

Atmosphere- How can you not love a place that has two 12 foot tall hot dogs that rest on the roof? Maurie and Flaurie (the names of the hot dogs and, coincidentally, the owners) have been welcoming generations of hot dog eaters since the 1940’s. The sheer small size of the lot that it sits on, creates quite the interesting dilemma for cars trying to maneuver about the parking lot. You could also walk up to an order window to get your dogs to go or sit at one of the few seats inside. I wish I could have come at night to see the neon lights up and running. But that just means I will have to come again to experience it. B

Value- Not a cheap dog at $4.75 but I guarantee you that you will not be disappointed. The Superdawg that I had came with fries as I mentioned and every bite was well worth it. When thinking of the price, consider the size of the pickle that also adorns the bun, which is almost like a side dish extra in and of itself. Bring cash, because apparently the Visa commercial and slogan, “Visa, it’s everywhere you want to be”, has not reached this corner of Chicago yet. B+

Side Dish Jody says…Side Dish Jody did not come on this road trip with hot dog guy. But judging by the menu, she would have liked the fries (if they didn’t touch a hot dog) and probably would have tried a burger. No Grade

Hot dog throwing game

One of our readers sent me this link.

This high school has revamped an old school bus and turned into a traveling hot dog wagon of sorts. Apparently the "Spirit Bus", as it is known, shows up to football games during the pre-game tailgate, school activities and other sporting events to pass out hot dogs for free.

On this interactive game, the Spirit Bus launches hot dogs at the other school's mascots from the conference.

If a school attacks your bus before you shoot it with a hot dog, the game ends.

Have fun and rack some high scores. Feel free to report your high scores here and leave it in the message box.

Click on the title of this post which takes you to the game.

Trolley Dogs

Kenosha, WI

Located about an hour north of Chicago, IL, this was an experience. I had the chance to eat with Joe, who is the owner of Trolley Dogs. Known for his hat which is about a two foot long hot dog, Joe told me the history of his restaurant after a career as a number cruncher. I had two dogs on the night. The first was a trolley dog, which came with a homemade tamale wrapped inside. To combine the Southwestern flavor with a Midwestern hot dog was a great idea and the flavors meshed well. Secondly came the Tijuana Dog. This was a treat unlike any I have had before. So promptly named by Joe after a dog he had following a night out in Tijuana, this was a dog wrapped in bacon then deep fried. Topping this deep-fried-dog was jalapenos that were more sweet than spicy, mayonnaise, mustard and tomatoes. I was optimistic at best when it came out to me, but after one bite I was in heaven. If he found this thing in Tijuana, that is where I am headed for my next vacation and gobbling these suckers all day. If headed north of Chicago, or within shouting distance of Kenosha, WI you must take the seven mile drive off of highway 94 and hit this place up. A-


Atmosphere- Joe wears a hat that features a two foot hot dog. How can a patron not help but smile when this large man with a thick accent greats you wearing this hat. The galley style restaurant had seating for about forty people with a train that circled about near the ceiling. On the walls featured many Vienna Beef hotdog signs, which is the only kind of dog served here. When an order was brought to out the tables, a simple conversation took place between Joe and the customer, creating many smiles. I don’t know if Joe sang just for me, but whatever the song was that came on the radio, he sang it while he made up my Tijuana dog. If it had not been for the early night fall, I would imagine that through the windows, I could see part of the harbor of where the city sits on the Western banks of Lake Michigan. B

Value- Each and every dog is served on a poppy seed bun. I asked if anyone had requested not to have a poppy seed bun, and if he refused to serve them any dog if they asked that. He smiled and said that he couldn’t yet turn away business. At $4.50 each it was a little more than I am used to paying for a dog, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth the price. This price also included some fries so for a combo platter it is a fair price. After eating the two dogs and fries I was full. So I would say it is a fair price. C+

Side Dish Jody says… Side Dish Jody did not join me on this trip. I did however ask a family of four eating at the table next to mine what they thought of the meal. One person was having a cheese steak, the other a pizza puff, and another chicken fingers. The family raved about the food and said they ate their all the time.

Hot Dog of the Week: Thanksgiving Dog

Thanksgiving.

A day to give thanks for all that we have.

It is also a day to have a hot dog with cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole?

Click on the title of this article to read about an interesting hot dog from our friends at seriouseats.com

Hot dogs or bullets?

Question: I have a gun, and I point it at you. Who is in charge?

Answer: Whoever has the gun makes the rules.

Apparently this patron of Jim's thought he was at Burger King and wanted things "his way".

Click on the title of this post to read the brief news piece courtesy of ABC news channel 7 out of Chicago, IL.

All American Hot Dogs

Kentwood, MI

A beautiful sunny November day had Side Dish Jody on the road for another hot dog place. Upon first entering the restaurant, a friendly couple greeted us behind the counter. The menu was pre-set with combo meals , but you could also order hot dogs individually. When you order your dog, it comes just in a bun. You can then choose as many of the 20 offered toppings to put on your dog. All the basic toppings are present but the more unusual toppings include: mayonnaise, hot sauce, cucumber, and even crushed potato chips. The pair of dogs that I had slid down very easy. B

Atmosphere- The restaurant was simple enough, but it had its unique traits. I have been several places that had “walls of fame” of sorts, but this place advertised a hot dog eating challenge. If you consumed 21 hot dogs in 20 minutes, you ate for free. I did not participate in this challenge, but maybe one day. Located in a strip mall, it lacked that unique panache other places have, but better simple than overly tacky. C

Value- For $1.75 you start with a hot dog and bun. Then add as many of the twenty included toppings as you want. Chili, cheese, kraut, and jalapenos are included so no need to buy the extra priced things. In fact, I can’t honestly remember what the extra non-included toppings were. So for a dog and 20 toppings on it how can it not be worthy of an A.

Side Dish Jody says… There were the usual non hot dog options such as nachos, or walking tacos. But, I chose to try the chicken fingers and fries combo. The chicken fingers were freshly fried to order and tasted homemade. If I were to go back I would try a shake that they advertise. B+

1,000 Hits

This week dogsontheroad had its 1,000th hit.

We opened this website in the middle of August, and to get 1,000 visitors in just over 3 months has us pleased.

For those of you who have not yet joined as followers, we would urge you to do so.

Side Dish Jody and I are very thankful to everyone who checks this site.

For everyone who reads the articles, vote on our polls and enjoy our reviews, we thank you.

Happy Hotdogs and side dishes!

Hot Dog of the Week: Danish Dog

Dogs on the road continues to explore hot dog joints anywhere we run across them.

Unfortunately, we have yet to go international.

However, after reading this delicious review from our friends at seriouseats.com, we may have to get some more international flare on here.

Thanks for another delicious dog review guys!

College Campus Hot Dog Vendor

Every college student has aspirations of making something of their life. Well I should say every kid who doesn't think the NBA or NFL is calling them half way into his collegiate experience.

I mean, isn't that what people go to college for? To establish a path that will make them a living?

So here is a THUMBS UP to a University of Cincinnati student who gets the 'A for effort' award.

Click on the title of this post to read the article, courtesy of the University of Cincinnati student newspaper The News Record.

Hot Dog of the Week: Straight off the streets of Philly

There are many hot dog vendors that peddle hot dogs. In fact we have even linked some recent posts on our site about them.

But here is a unique one on the streets of Philadelphia.

Check it out by clicking on the title of this post courtesy of Hawk Krall at seriouseats.com

Hot Dog of the Week: Texas Tommy

Another hot dog choice from deep in the heart of Texas.

Compare this dog to the places that Side Dish Jody and I have been in Texas.

Click on the title of this post to read the review courtesy of Hawk Krall and our friends at seriouseats.com

Chicago Drive Pub and Grill

Grandville, MI

This is the first place that one of our readers recommended that we go and visit. So on the night before Halloween, Side Dish Jody and I went and dined. I had the hot dog basket that came with two very thick and large jumbo dogs on grilled buns. You could tell from the markings on the bun that these were most likely prepared right next to each other. Not a fancy dressed out dog but very tasty. I would compare it to the way you would make a hot dog at home on your own grill. Not a hot dog place per say, but a place that served hot dogs. B+

Atmosphere- This is definitely a townie B&G. Though it is a bar that happens to serve food, I was impressed with the size. Going on a Friday night before a 'holiday' may not have given us a true slice of who actually frequents the pub, but it had that townie-type feel to it, which is not a bad thing by any means. Side Dish Jody and I noticed almost instantly that there was no music being pumped through the bar, only a juke box over in the corner. Don't like the musical choice of this place? Go drop your quarters in and pick the next song. C

Value- My hot dog basket came with 2 larger that normal hot dogs and a side of fries for $3.99. This is one of the better bargains that I have come across. I consider anything under $2.00 for a hot dog at a restaurant a very fair price. To include fries and a pickle spear in the price makes it a terrific meal for the buck. A

Side Dish Jody says...There was a large selection on the menu - including deep fried pickle spears! (A personal favorite). I didn't choose the fried pickles, but I wish I did. Instead I ordered the 1/2 beef & bean wet burrito. It was a large burrito filled solely with salty beef and beans, covered in a thick burrito sauce with a little bit of cheese and a few strands of lettuce on top. I would have preferred lettuce and cheese on the inside, and maybe a side of salsa or sour cream. Not my favorite burrito to say the least. Although I didn't care too much for my burrito, I think it was just poor menu choice on my part - I probably would have preferred a burger or sandwich at this restaurant. D+

NFL QB eating a hot dog

One of the unique aspects of this blog is the "Stadium Dogs" portion located in the upper right hand corner of this site.

Stadium Dogs features the professional, or college stadiums around the country where I have eaten a hot dog.

I am a sports fan. I am allowed to pay my money and eat a hot dog while watching a game. But what about eating a hot dog while YOU are one of the athletes playing the game I am paying to watch.

Sound fishy or corny?

Click on the title of this article to watch what happens courtesy of youtube

Hot Dog of the Week

Now here is a great concept for our website: The dog of the week.

Of course it would be better if I could visit them each myself but this is a start.

Click on the title of this post to view this segment courtesy of Seriouseats.com

Veteran peddles hot dogs

We have all seen them. You know the ones- they are the veteran's who have been injured physically or mentally during war times.

One veteran in California made the most of his 'unique' situation by opening up a renowned hot dog stand.

Click on the title of this post and read the article courtesy of the Chicago Tribune.

Ben's Chili Dogs

Washington, D.C.

Located directly off the Cardozo exit on the Metro-Rail, this was a quick and easy stop for a mighty delicious dog. The specialty at Ben’s is their chili dogs which burst with flavor. The generous portion of chili that was slopped on top had a pleasant zip and zing to it. Under the home-made chili sauce, was your typical diner style cooked-on-the-grill dog. No need to pollute this dog with ketchup or mustard just let the ambiance and natural chili dog flavor slide straight down. B+

Atmosphere- Old school diner style, where the abundance of Ben’s staff was all smiles while maintaining a blend of customers. Hoity-toity D.C types rubbed elbows (literally in the friendly confines) with street campers looking for a quick meal. The wall is covered with celebrity patrons, but on the back wall is an 18x24 of Bill Cosby in what looked like one of his many visits according the different pictures. If it’s a regular stop for The Cos, it’s good enough for me both this time and next. A-

Value- Though a little on the high end at $3.60 a piece for their chili dog, it was worth the money. Included with my dogs (I had two) was a handful of potato chips. Though not an overall bargain, I would gladly slide my cash across the counter again. C+

Side dish Jody says… Many options for the non-dog eater. An extra thick chocolate milk shake, which was extra delicious washed down the pile of sloppy cheese fries which was more than I could eat for lunch. The thick cut fries with cheese sauce came with the same chili as what was on the dogs. B+

Would you steal a hot dog?

I have been hungry for a hot dog plenty of times in my life, hence this website.

However, I have never been so hungry for a hot dog that I would go to extreme measures to feed my famished stomach.

Someone did though. Read on as to just how hungry he was by clicking the title of this post.

$600K a year for hot dog cart rent

Would you spend $600,000 a year to rent a hot dog cart to peddle dogs and beverages to tourists? Is it actually feasible to profit and make a living when someone is paying that much to rent a cart and space?

Click on the title of this post to take you to the news article courtesy of the The New York Daily News

Tell us where you have eaten

We would LOVE to hear from you.

Let us know with a "thumbs up" or a "thumbs down" if you have eaten a hot dog where we have. Let your thumb indicate whether you liked or disliked the hot dog. Feel free to jot down a few thoughts as well and leave that information in the comment section. If you ate something that we didn't, let other readers know.

If you have been some place that we have not, we want to know that too. The more hot dog places that we have on here, the better the site becomes!

Gregor Dogs

Holland, MI

Happy birthday to Hot Dog Guy! On the yearly anniversary of my emergence into the world, Side Dish Jody and I ventured out to find a new place to review. We came across Gregor Dogs and decided to put it to the test. Walking up to the counter each dog was named and priced out above your head on a chalkboard. I like vintage stuff, so this sat well with me as opposed to a whiteboard menu. Other than hot dogs, there was not much on the menu so the variety was going to be scarce. Rule of thumb when I order is to get the dog that the place is 'famous' for, plus any other dogs that tickle my fancy for the day. Well only one Gregor dog was tickling my fancy, and it was a rather bland dog experience. The casing didn't snap, the dog wasn't flavorful, and the bun was generic. Even with the Gregor Dogs toppings I put on, I wasn't all that pleased. C-

Atmosphere- This may be the most skewed review of any I have had so far for one main reason- it was on the outer edge of a college campus, but on this Saturday afternoon school was not yet in session for the fall. Patrons were scarce, and the vibe of a college-type hangout was not evident. There was no music going on in the background, just the eerie squeak of the screen door opening when another customer came in. It is a small place with maybe seats enough for 15 people to eat. Several places I have been to have a wall of fame of sorts where if a person eats X dogs, he or she gets their name on a plaque. Well Gregor Dogs had a futility list of those who tried the challenge but failed. That lone fact was a pretty cool thing for atmosphere. C+

Value- The Gregor dog alone was $2.25 out the door. Tax was included which I always like. It was a hot dog for $2.25- I wish I could say other factors could help bring the grade up, but there was not much present. D

Side Dish Jody says...There were absolutely no non-hot dog options. So, I went somewhere else for lunch. F

Angry Dog

Dallas, TX

How does that line from Romeo & Juliet go? A rose by any other name is just as sweet? Well Angry Dog decided to put the name of their restaurant on it’s award winning hot dog and it didn’t have the 'angriness' I was hoping for. Though it is served on a plate topped with mustard, chili, cheese, and grilled onions it was neither angry coming in, or going out… if you know what I mean. It is recommended that you eat this dog with a fork and knife, and in that I agree. It was a tasty kosher dog that is for sure. If you do decide to eat this dog without a fork and knife, bring a bucket and bib to catch the leftovers. For the multiple awards that this Angry Dog won, I say kudos to the voting panel. You have my vote as well. B+

Atmosphere- Located in an area that is trying to be refurbished, it has a great backdrop. Once you step into what looks like a ‘hole in the wall’ door, you are greeted to wall to wall patrons, shoe horned into tables beneath a very high (maybe 18 feet) ceiling. If the fire marshal comes to eat here he must be bribed with angry dogs because there is NO WAY this place was below its posted capacity. Everyone seemed happy, and judging by the busy bussers, they were happy. One more thing, even if you don’t have time to eat at Angry Dog, you have to use the Men’s restroom. I can’t tell you why, just walk in and you will instantly know why I sent you in. B

Value- Though fries came with the angry dog, and though it had some mighty tasty chili and awesome grilled onions, $5.95 seemed reasonable. But it’s still a hot dog buried under all that wonderful goo. Would I pay the $5.95 again? Absolutely. Was it worth every penny? It was indeed. But I just can’t get over the fact that it’s still a $5.95 hot dog. Oh I’m sorry, a $5.95 angry dog. C-

Side Dish Jody says...Wide selection on lunch menu, but I got a good ole' American Cheese Burger. The burger was pretty standard as were the fries, but I enjoyed seasoning them with the provided chili seasoning. Womens restroom had greasy floors and smelled strangely of vomit. C

The Hot Dog Shop

Houston, TX

Nestled along a long row of factories and manly men workplaces, this is definitely a blue collar hot dog place, as hot dog places should be. I ate at a randomly odd time of about 3 in the afternoon so I couldn’t get a good demographic on the clientele. One could assume though that many workers from the nearby industrial places ate here frequently. I had a pair of dogs- one was a regular hot dog and the other was a Chicago dog. The dogs were Vienna Beef which is a great brand to start with. Even with after starting with this kind of dog, it kind of went downhill after that. You get to name your own toppings out of the twelve they offer which is a cool gimmick, and more toppings were offered than I normally see. Just because you COULD do something in life, doesn’t mean you SHOULD…which includes Chicago dogs. Three things make a good, true Chicago dog- poppy seed bun, toxic colored relish, and celery salt. 0 for 3 at this place on those items. C-

Atmosphere- Don’t be fooled by the name of The Hot Dog Shop as this is definitely a bar that serves food. But this place rocked as to an atmosphere! When you first walk in, you are at the counter to order and you see the grill and all the employees behind it working on your dog. As you wander back into the establishment, you see a full bar complete with darts, pool, dance floor and the latest version of Golden Tee. But the two true high spots would have to be the room that was built in or added on JUST for bar shuffleboard or the ongoing darts league that is sponsored there. Truly unique and totally fits the location and a classic hotdog. A-

Value- At $2.79 for my hot dog and $3.09 for my Chicago dog I was disappointed in the bang-for-your-buck aspect. Though compared to the rest of the menu, the dogs themselves were the cheapest items to eat. If you can’t find a hot dog near the bottom of the price menu, something is wrong. They hit this dead on in proportion to the other food items. B-

Side Dish Jody Says…I ordered the fried chicken finger sandwich but decided to turn it into a buffalo sandwich using the giant pump operated red hot tabasco sauce dispenser. Lots of self serve condiments including lemon slices for your water, but the opportunity of cross contamination of germs was there. C

Peaches

Myrtle Beach, SC

If you have ever been to Myrtle Beach, or even if you have never been to Myrtle Beach, you can visualize a touristy spring break beach-type town where people cruise the strip and patrons venture in and out of all the local trinket stores. On the main corner of this downtown strip sits Peaches with its marquis advertising ‘World Famous Footlong Chili Dogs’. Now, I am a sucker for the slogan ‘world famous’ so of course I checked it out. This footlong was cooked before my eyes on a grill top as the smell permeated through the smell of beach sand and salt water. I must say it was a good dog but the overload amount of relish really took away from the dog. It wasn’t quite a sweet relish, but a little more tang than the typical dill. If I am talking more about the relish than the chili on top, its not a good thing. B-

Atmosphere- Very few vacation destinations have a hot dog stand on the main corner of 'the strip'. Full frontal sliding glass doors allow you to eat in the air conditioning or have the doors open to catch the ocean breeze while you people watch. Inside at the counter could sit maybe 15 and the limited booths could hold another 20 or so. But this was more designed to get the dog and walk, than dine in. But with the strip in the background and the vintage feel of the building, I would recommend sitting down to eat. The shops aren’t going anywhere and the cruisers will be back in three minutes. B+

Value- Outside of the carnivals or the occasional vendor special, you don’t find footlongs that often. So the rarity of a footlong for $3.60 I considered quite the bargain. Plus, any topping you wanted on it was included. No extra charge for chili, cheese or other toppings. A loaded footlong was the same as a plain footlong. Reach in your wallet and gladly slide the money over. A

Side Dish Jody says…Jody was at home in the snow, while I was out on the beach eating dogs. They did have mighty tasting looking hamburgers and onion rings though.

Pal's

Johnson City, TN

This particular Pal’s is located directly across the street from the East Tennessee State University campus. However, I did see another Pal's just outside of town. So I am not sure if this is a chain, or just a particular college town joint with a few locations. Here, a dog is a dog. You order a dog and it automatically comes with chili, which is a good start, but it just lacks something. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. All I could say is that it’s missing ‘something’. I imagine hundreds of college students and townies pound these all day long, but it wasn’t that memorable…other than the 15 foot hot dog on the roof. C-

Atmosphere- A drive through hot dog stand is a pretty rare commodity, so they get bonus points for that. To be on or near a college campus and survive for many years is a nostalgic bonus too, but I got the feeling that when alma mater come back to ETSU the first stop isn’t Pal’s. There is no internal dining, just a kitchen and drive through windows. Have I mentioned yet the giant hot dog suspended on the roof? C

Value- For what I would consider a ‘fast food dog’, it was a very good bargain at $1.49 each. They for sure mass produce dogs all day long and the attention to detail was not evident. For the most part though at a buck and a half you can only have so many thrills and frills. After all a hot dog wasn’t invented to be frilly. A-

Side Dish Jody says…Side Dish Jody was at home while I was visiting Pal’s, but you can see the entire menu when you look at the picture and Side Dish Jody wouldn’t have been impressed.

The Dam Dogs

Rockford, MI

The name derived from the original building which overlooked the river and dam in town... clever bonus points. The owner has since moved the restaurant a few buildings away, negating the clever bonus points. Each of the dogs offered were a combination of mustard, ketchup, relish, onions, chili and cheese for the most part. There are a few specialty items here and there but more or less the same dog just with different names. My two 'Rockford Dogs' came with so much relish on top that after eating the dogs, I had a bakery paper soiled with a concoction I dubbed “hot dog salad”. Too many toppings take away from the taste of the dog, which was at least all beef. C-

Atmosphere- Hanging on the walls overlooking the twenty or so available seats were ceramic and metal reprinted signs. The bead board ceiling reminded me of a breezeway and Northern cottage feel, but the décor of the interiors did not blend or mesh. Authentic and vintage signs would go great, but not the motif I would have gone for when the ceiling and shape are more rustic looking. This would be a great place to hit for a quick lunch, or pick up a bunch of dogs to hit the road, but it pales in atmosphere to the other place in town. D+

Value- Maybe I have been spoiled by getting bargains for my hot dogs on my journeys, or perhaps the la-ti-da feel of Rockford rubbed off on the price of the hot dogs here. I paid $3.00 each for my Rockford Dogs, and perhaps some of the hot dog salad was included in that price as a option for dessert. Perhaps one of the coolest things I have ever seen as a form of payment was here. You can pay in cash, credit or even I.O.U’s. Yes I.O.U. According to a newspaper clipping that hangs on the wall, they have never been stiffed. A very low grade was raised solely because of the I.O.U to a respectable B-

Side Dish Jody says… I didn’t actually eat anything at this restaurant but chose to go along for the ride. If I were to have eaten there my non-dog options would be a “walking taco” consisting of Fritos, chili, jalapenos, cheese and onions or nachos either plain or deluxe. None of these options seemed to be anything special, just left over hotdog condiments. D