HOTDOG
A good hotdog is so hard to find. There is the all beef, which is isn’t bad, chicken and pork, not so good, and Turkey; Bleah!!! Let me set the record straight. For me, the best hotdogs are ALL pork, a great blend of spices, and natural casings that pop when you take a bite. Just thinking of it makes my mouth water. To make it perfect, put it on a potato roll, sprinkle liberally with red onion, and add a hearty beer mustard. Wa La La. But since a good pork hotdog is so hard to find, one must settle with what they can get. Which, by the way, is PFG (pretty good). Unlike my burgers, I like my hot dogs with all sort of toppings. A Chicago Dog with its multiple layers of flavor, the Coney and its thin chili sauce, and the Southern Dog, Yellow mustard, white onions, thick meaty chili with no beans, sweet Southern coleslaw, and shredded colby.
Snack Time!!!!
Snack Time!!!!
10 - BEN'S CHILI BOWL
1213 U ST NW
Washington DC 20009
benschilibowl.com
Maybe it is a part of the nostalgia in me, but the love ben's chili bowl goes deep. I first foray into this love affair was in the 80s when my Dad introduced me to the DC delicacy. The fries I can do without. Just give me the slaw and the dog and I am transported to a time when padded shoulders were in vogue and a flock of seagulls played music.
1213 U ST NW
Washington DC 20009
benschilibowl.com
Maybe it is a part of the nostalgia in me, but the love ben's chili bowl goes deep. I first foray into this love affair was in the 80s when my Dad introduced me to the DC delicacy. The fries I can do without. Just give me the slaw and the dog and I am transported to a time when padded shoulders were in vogue and a flock of seagulls played music.
9 - SKEENIES
2399 Sissonville Dr
Charleston, WV 25312
A West Virginia classic. Steamed bun, skinny dog, sweet coleslaw, yellow mustard and onions. (don't le them put ketchup on it). On their own the dog has no pop, the slaw is to sweet and the mustard is yellow. But somehow, when brought together on a steamed punk white roll its perfection personified. I try to keep my order to a half dozen.
2399 Sissonville Dr
Charleston, WV 25312
A West Virginia classic. Steamed bun, skinny dog, sweet coleslaw, yellow mustard and onions. (don't le them put ketchup on it). On their own the dog has no pop, the slaw is to sweet and the mustard is yellow. But somehow, when brought together on a steamed punk white roll its perfection personified. I try to keep my order to a half dozen.
8 - KATZ'S DELI
205 E Houston St,
New York, NY 10002
katzsdelicatessen.com
I think the ghosts of DogJoints past would haunt me the rest of my life it I did not include this place. This 130 year old New York institution famous for its pastrami has an all beef natural casing dog that doesn't snap when you bite into it, but the firm texture lets you know its the real thing. The only way to eat a Kats dog is New York style; mustard and sauerkraut. Just the thought of it takes me back to the Lower East Side in the eighties when the neighborhood was a little tough but I still went to Katz every time I was in New York.
7 - SIMONES HOT DOG STAND
99 Chestnut St,
Lewiston, ME 04240
simoneshotdogstand.com
This is a dog. A steamed, bright pink, all pork hot dog on a soft punk white New Engl.and style roll with mustard, relish, and onions which are laid down before the dog, as it should be. The Simones family has been doing it this way since 1908. Just the thought these dogs begs for me to come up with an excuse to go to Maine
99 Chestnut St,
Lewiston, ME 04240
simoneshotdogstand.com
This is a dog. A steamed, bright pink, all pork hot dog on a soft punk white New Engl.and style roll with mustard, relish, and onions which are laid down before the dog, as it should be. The Simones family has been doing it this way since 1908. Just the thought these dogs begs for me to come up with an excuse to go to Maine
6 - WEENIE BEENIE
2680 Shirlington Rd
Arlington, VA 22206
I must confess, I go here for the Half Smoke, a link that is unique to the Washington DC area. Started by a pool shark in 1950, this never really famous but always busy hot dog stand has a perfect example of why one would drive to stand and eat in the elements. The plump, slightly smoky, natural casing link covered with a dark meaty chili, diced onions and yellow mustard, pops when you take a bite to release the juicy goodness of the Half Smoke. Yumm.
2680 Shirlington Rd
Arlington, VA 22206
I must confess, I go here for the Half Smoke, a link that is unique to the Washington DC area. Started by a pool shark in 1950, this never really famous but always busy hot dog stand has a perfect example of why one would drive to stand and eat in the elements. The plump, slightly smoky, natural casing link covered with a dark meaty chili, diced onions and yellow mustard, pops when you take a bite to release the juicy goodness of the Half Smoke. Yumm.
5 - DIRTY FRANK'S HOT DOG PALACE
248 S 4th St,
Columbus, OH 43215
dirtyfrankshotdogs.com
Elizabeth Lesner is one of the many reason's I call Columbus Ohio a hidden food lover's gem. Betty's, Surly Girl saloon, The Torpedo Room, The Grass Skirt Tiki Room, Tip Top Kitchen, Dirty Franks Hot Dog Palace. Dirty Franks is an experience. They have over 30 toppings (including Cream Cheese, Potato Chip Crumbs, Fritos, BBQ Sauce and Corn Relish), seven link options (The Vienna all beef, bacon wrapped, the Vienna Jumbo, a Vegidog, Turkey, Italian and Bratwurst), and three bun options (Poppyseed, lettuce, or tortilla). The combinations are endless. They do have over 30 combinations already on the menu to help. And the dogologist always makes them up better then what you could image. All this with PBR and Shlitz on draft. Who could ask for more?
But wait!!! there is more
They also have house made Pork&Beans with Franks, Mac&Cheese with franks, House made Chili Mac, Fried Leeks, and crispy Tator Tots. Its comfort food heaven.
248 S 4th St,
Columbus, OH 43215
dirtyfrankshotdogs.com
Elizabeth Lesner is one of the many reason's I call Columbus Ohio a hidden food lover's gem. Betty's, Surly Girl saloon, The Torpedo Room, The Grass Skirt Tiki Room, Tip Top Kitchen, Dirty Franks Hot Dog Palace. Dirty Franks is an experience. They have over 30 toppings (including Cream Cheese, Potato Chip Crumbs, Fritos, BBQ Sauce and Corn Relish), seven link options (The Vienna all beef, bacon wrapped, the Vienna Jumbo, a Vegidog, Turkey, Italian and Bratwurst), and three bun options (Poppyseed, lettuce, or tortilla). The combinations are endless. They do have over 30 combinations already on the menu to help. And the dogologist always makes them up better then what you could image. All this with PBR and Shlitz on draft. Who could ask for more?
But wait!!! there is more
They also have house made Pork&Beans with Franks, Mac&Cheese with franks, House made Chili Mac, Fried Leeks, and crispy Tator Tots. Its comfort food heaven.
4 - Blue Ash
9565 Kenwood Rd,
Cincinnati, OH 45242
blueashchili.com
Housed in a new modern strip mall in a sanitizingly clean restaurant, the Blue ash is all about the chili. A bean-less, Cincinnati/Greek style chili with cumin, cinnamon and chocolate. My favorite is the "four-way" with bottlecaps. That's mustard, onions, bottlecaps, which are deep fried jalepeno slices, chili, and a pile of thinly shredded Colby cheese on a soft punk white hotdog roll. So good. Another favorite is the Lizard. It has a deep fried dill pickle slice instead of the jalapeno bottlecaps.
9565 Kenwood Rd,
Cincinnati, OH 45242
blueashchili.com
Housed in a new modern strip mall in a sanitizingly clean restaurant, the Blue ash is all about the chili. A bean-less, Cincinnati/Greek style chili with cumin, cinnamon and chocolate. My favorite is the "four-way" with bottlecaps. That's mustard, onions, bottlecaps, which are deep fried jalepeno slices, chili, and a pile of thinly shredded Colby cheese on a soft punk white hotdog roll. So good. Another favorite is the Lizard. It has a deep fried dill pickle slice instead of the jalapeno bottlecaps.
3 - PINK'S
709 N La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039
pinkshollywood.com
Something I have found about LA restaurants. If I go to a place where there is a long line, there is a very good chance I am going to be disappointed. There are a few exceptions and Pink's is one of the few. (DiddyReese Cookies is also). This LA icon has been serving up dogs and providing star watching location since 1939.
Pinks has 40+ toppings (including pastrami, guacamole, lettuce to name a few) and six link choices (Regular all beef, Spice or Mild Polish, Jumbo Jalapeno which weighs in at 3/4 of a pond, a tofu dog, and a turkey dog. The combinations are endless, the ingredients are fresh, the roll are perfectly soft and the experience is uniquely LA.
709 N La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90039
pinkshollywood.com
Something I have found about LA restaurants. If I go to a place where there is a long line, there is a very good chance I am going to be disappointed. There are a few exceptions and Pink's is one of the few. (DiddyReese Cookies is also). This LA icon has been serving up dogs and providing star watching location since 1939.
Pinks has 40+ toppings (including pastrami, guacamole, lettuce to name a few) and six link choices (Regular all beef, Spice or Mild Polish, Jumbo Jalapeno which weighs in at 3/4 of a pond, a tofu dog, and a turkey dog. The combinations are endless, the ingredients are fresh, the roll are perfectly soft and the experience is uniquely LA.
2 - SENATE
1212 Vine St,
Cincinnati, OH 45202
senatepub.com
The wonder concept of Senate in Cincinnati, Ohio is it allows me to wear a tux, enjoy a single malt scotch and order a dog. But like the choices of scotch and Bourbon, these are not ordinary dogs and their best eaten with a fork and knife. Like the Shea Le Boeuf. An all beef hotdog with goat cheese, caramelized onions, bacon, arugula, and balsamic. Balsamic on a dog! but it really works. And my favorite, the Croque Madame. It has an all beef dog, bechamel, ham, a brioche bun & poached egg. Please pass the Grey Poupon.
1212 Vine St,
Cincinnati, OH 45202
senatepub.com
The wonder concept of Senate in Cincinnati, Ohio is it allows me to wear a tux, enjoy a single malt scotch and order a dog. But like the choices of scotch and Bourbon, these are not ordinary dogs and their best eaten with a fork and knife. Like the Shea Le Boeuf. An all beef hotdog with goat cheese, caramelized onions, bacon, arugula, and balsamic. Balsamic on a dog! but it really works. And my favorite, the Croque Madame. It has an all beef dog, bechamel, ham, a brioche bun & poached egg. Please pass the Grey Poupon.
Honrable Mentions
It is sad to note that a couple of great places didn't make the list. But could not leave them out completely. Places like America's Coney Island in Detroit, The Varsity Club in Atlanta, Pip's Dock Street Dog in Annapolis, G&S in Baltimore and Thurmans One Pound Behemoth in Columbus. I try to visit each of these places when I am in their town and any given visit will change this list.
It is sad to note that a couple of great places didn't make the list. But could not leave them out completely. Places like America's Coney Island in Detroit, The Varsity Club in Atlanta, Pip's Dock Street Dog in Annapolis, G&S in Baltimore and Thurmans One Pound Behemoth in Columbus. I try to visit each of these places when I am in their town and any given visit will change this list.