Tasting Journal

Hot Dogs

Is it me, or is there just something about concession stand hot dogs that just tastes great? I find frankfurters tasty in general, but eating one from a hot dog stand in the city is just different. Please correct if I am wrong, but there is just something about it … I don’t know what…

The office building that I work in has a hot dog stand right in front of it. It was the first thing I noticed when I started my job. I mean seriously, how convenient is it to just go down the elevator and walk outside? Needless to say, the hot dog lady and I became friends pretty quickly.

She offers two different types of hot dogs at her stand. There is the regular hot dog which she charges for $1.25, and then there is the half smoke, which costs $1.50. I ordered the $1.25 hot dog for weeks before I finally decided to try the $1.50 half smoke. I just recently discovered that half smokes are a common type of sausage in this region. They are slightly spicier, and much more delicious than the regular hot dogs. After inhaling one in the office one afternoon, there was no going back. The extra quarter upgrade is definitely worth it.

After doing some research, I came up with a list of famous and not so famous hot dog stands/establishments across the country. I also learned how various cities eat their hot dogs. This is interesting …

WASHINGTON, DC
Ben’s Chili Bowl – 1213 U Street, NW; 202.667.0909; http://www.benschilibowl.com/

NEW YORK
Nathans – http://www.nathansfamous.com
Gray’s Papaya – 8th Street and 6th Avenue
Crif Dogs – 113 St. Mark’s Place; 212.614.2728
Papaya King – 179 E. 86th, Corner of 3rd; 212.369.0648; http://www.papayaking.com
Shake Shack – Madison Ave. and 23rd Steet; 212.889.6600; http://www.shakeshacknyc.com/

CHICAGO
Fluky’s – http://www.flukys.com/
Murphey’s – 1211 W. Belmont
Wiener's Circle – 2622 N. Clark
Sawnk Franks – Wicker Park
Clark Street Dogs – Clark and Halstead Streets

LOS ANGELES
Pink’s – 709 N. La Brea Blvd.; 323-931-4223; http://www.pinkshollywood.com/


How do you eat your hot dog?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotdog

Baltimore Dogs—served split and deep-fried.

Boston Bull Dog—topped with baked beans and BBQ sauce.

Chicago-Style Dog— served with mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, peppers and celery salt on a steamed poppy seed bun; comes with a dill pickle on the side.

Coney Island Dog—served with chili, onions, and cheese.

Kansas City Dog—served with sauerkraut and melted cheese.

New York City Dog—served steamed onions and pale yellow mustard sauce.

Check Out:
http://www.watchmeeatahotdog.com
http://www.hot-dog.org/
http://www.hollyeats.com/HotDogPage.htm



food, hot dog, Washington, DC, Tasting Journal