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

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.

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: 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.

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+

The Dog Track

Hastings, MI

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

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

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

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

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-

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

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

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+

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+

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

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

The Filling Station

Comstock Park, MI

After weeks and months of passing a marquis that reads ‘The best chili dogs in town’, (strike one) it was finally time to dine and put this dog to the road test. Upon entering, the electronic menu digitally advertised World Famous dogs (strike two). The phrases ‘best’ and ‘world famous’ are lofty phrases that should not be lightly tossed around. Boiled dogs on plain buns with no secret recipe makes these dogs special? Well I guess that every college dining commons and elementary school cafeteria serve thousands of ‘best’ and ‘world famous’ each week then. C

Atmosphere- This cafeteria style restaurant was adorned with hundreds of old license plates, authentic road signs, gas pumps and gas globes all done very tastefully to combine with many modern amenities. Some of the booths were equipped with their own private TV screens and others with sound dials to watch the main TV. Being caught up in the simple atmosphere made you forget that this restaurant was located off of one of the busiest most congested roads in Northern Kent County. Take home a collector’s t-shirt for only $5 too. And no tipping either, just leave your tray. B

Value- Shocking, simply shocking. Upon ordering my platter entitled ‘3 dog special’, I wondered how this place was making a high enough profit margin. Their loss was my gain as the platter of 3 chili dogs came to $4.95. Just like in the infomercials though, but wait there is more. This platter also came with a 16 ounce beverage, plus they had Dr. Pepper on the fountain. 3 dogs, and a soda for $4.95. It doesn’t get much better than that. A

Side Dish Jody says…I had the dry regular burrito which was a gigantic flour tortilla filled with at least half a pound of spicy ground beef, generous portions of beans, lettuce, tomato, onions and cheese. Although this was a tasty burrito, there was nothing spectacular or notable about it. It was a great value however. For $3.99 I had more than enough for two meals. B-

The Dog Pit

Grand Rapids, MI

Whoever decided to open a hot dog restaurant in the center and heart of downtown Grand Rapids hit the target with a perfect bulls-eye. The entire menu consists of six dogs, your soups of the day and any ‘specials’. That’s it. A simple menu for what was made to be a simple food…a hot dog. I partook in two dogs, both the Big Dog and the Chicago Dog. Though the toppings were bountiful and the dogs were boiled perfectly, the dog itself was lost amongst the coverings. Just putting tomatoes and celery salt as the last two toppings on a dog does not make it a Chicago dog, nor does it make it an acceptable imitation. This ‘Chicago dog’ would go over in the windy city about as well as the Cubs moving to Las Vegas. C-

Value- Before walking into The Dog Pit, I had to do a double take at the sign which read ‘All dogs $2.00.’ No matter the toppings, or selection it is just one price. Two bucks each…unless you eat twelve or more (read the sign inside) or dine on a Monday (3 dogs for $5). If you are going to pay one price, you might as well get as much bang for your buck as you can. Two bucks = two thumbs up for a price. A-

Atmosphere- Conveniently located within walking distance of many of the downtown office buildings the Dog Pit is an easy in- easy out stop for a dog. Ample seating is inside and the industrial looking décor of the building is offset by the hard wood floor which I am assuming is original to the turn of the 20^th century. Sit yourself at a high top table, pull up a bar stool to the counter, or sit at a booth and view outside. While you are dining, reach into the ice bath of beverages and pull yourself out a Stewart’s Root Beer or other beverage to wash down your meal. B-

Side Dish Jody says…Although they offer a soup of the day, I chose to try the interesting Dog Pit Nachos. With the choice of Doritos, Fritos, or Tortilla chips as your bed it is then topped with chili, cheese, tomatoes, onion and jalapenos. The serving was very generous with the amount of cheese and the taste was good, but the temperature of the chili was just warm and I would have preferred it to be piping hot. C

Red Hot Inn

Grand Rapids, MI

Having a theme or play on words in your restaurant name is almost a given if you specialize in hot dogs. But to use a throwback word like ‘red hot’ made me smile and reminisce to those who delighted in red hot’s decades before me. Sticking with the reminiscent throwback theme, this a-la-carte restaurant allows you to add a portion of this or that. But how can you fill up with so many other dishes when there are hot dogs readily available? Is a-la-carte dining not your thing? Use the drive up window to take your order wherever you are going. The trio of ‘picnic dogs’ that I had were true red hot’s. Living up true to its name, they were red in color and hot in(n) the bun. B-

Atmosphere- I was on a mission to get food in my belly so the only view’s of the inside was from the drive-thru window. Here is what I saw: Lots of booths filled with people in them, and two signs out front reading ‘Free Wifi’ and ‘Smoke Free’. No smoking and you can surf the net while packing down a dog or more. Topping it off, it sits on one of the busiest corners in North East Grand Rapids so the traffic can back up in the parking lot, just to get a red hot. C-

Value- Your options include four different kinds of dogs. But whether you want a red hot with the bare basics or one loaded with chili and cheese you pay the same price. Any dog you want with any kind of fixings for the price of $1.89 each. A commitment to red hot’s at a roll-back price. That is truly a value. A-

Side Dish Jody says…Nothing. Side dish Jody did not put Red Hot Inn to the road test.

The Corner Bar

Rockford, MI

A hot dog is a simple food that people have tried to perfect over the years. The Corner Bar has tried to perfect it with their ‘World Famous Chili Dog’. When a restaurant advertises anything as ‘world famous’, a connoisseur can’t help but try the sample out to put the product to a test. Test results are back and I am not sold. Though it is true professional hot dog eaters have visited this establishment and it seems to be a local icon, the chili paste that is topped on each dog has a very dry taste and texture. Chili was made to be robust and potent. I will not claim to know much about chili, but to me chili is chili. If you want a meat paste, go hit up a dry taco shack. C-

Atmosphere- Out of all the places you have ever eaten a hot dog, how many places give you the option to dine in, or take it with you? Well, to take it with you is truly defined at this place where outside there is a window solely for those who choose to walk away with their hot dog without ever stepping inside The Corner Bar confines. However, by venturing inside to eat, you see the tag line ‘Home of the hot dog Hall of Fame’. All over the walls are the thousands of people who have eaten more than a dozen dogs in a sitting to have their name’s etched amongst the immortals. Any place who can boast of literally thousands of people eating dogs, that is a great atmosphere to relish in…pun intended. A

Value- One is given the option of hot dogs or all beef dogs, which is a good start. Regular dogs start at $1.59 and add just .30 for the all beef version. No fancy toppings or plentiful chili portions here, but $2 for an all beef chili dog is a steal. A-

Side Dish Jody says…You cannot go to The Corner Bar without eating one of my all time favorites, deep fried dills. These thick cut dill pickles are beer battered and deep fried with a side of ranch dressing. I have tried many of the entrees to go along with the pickles, but what always brings it home, is time and again the deep fried dills. B+

Yesterdog

East Grand Rapids, MI

I have never been to Mecca, but I imagine it is someplace like this shrine in East town. A place where have’s and have-not’s flock to order an iconic yesterdog. This place is so popular that it even made the silver screen as ‘Dog Years’ in the American Pie movies. When looking at the menu your food options ONLY include hot dogs, chips and soft drinks (unless you visit in the winter). By ordering a yester, kraut, ultra, cheddar or veggie you are speaking the language of locals. The dogs are boiled, so they are thin, but the flavor that is packed into them by way of the condiments make my glands salivate even thinking about it. Steaming their buns makes for a softer wrap, while the relish is unique in texture and shape and as far as I know found only in West Michigan. A

Atmosphere- Like stepping into a mix between a general store, antique shop and museum, this is a one of a kind place. One wall consists of photos all over the world with people and celebrities adorning their Yesterdog t-shirts. While none of the furniture or décor has been purchased since JFK was in office. Aim for the tip target behind the counter too, the staff loves seeing coins fly over their heads, I kid not. B+

Value- I had three yesters and at $1.70 a piece which works out to about .35 cents per bite (excluding licking the plentiful portions of extra toppings sloshed over on the bakery paper). The specialty dogs go up a bit from there but there is nothing wrong with paying under two bucks, which includes tax, for a hotdog from a restaurant. A-

Side Dish Jody says…If you go to Yesterdog in the winter time, I highly recommend the delicious chicken noodle soup. It is made with large chunks of fresh vegetables, and wide egg noodles. If you happen to visit in the non-winter season, you are out of luck and should visit the Pita House across the street. B+/F (soup/no soup).