Monday, August 11, 2008

A Little Known Hot Dog Stand in New England

Al's Hot Dog Stand in Naugatuck
Some little-known hot dog stands across New England that rival, if not beat, the more famous spots. A prime example is Al's Hot Dog Stand in Naugatuck, CT

Perhaps you are asking, Where the heck is Naugatuck, CT? Well, Naugatuck--and Al's--is actually very easy to get to if you are traveling between Boston and New York City. Located about 5 minutes south of Waterbury (and Route 84) along Route 8, Naugatuck is a sleepy old mill town that is situated in a valley a half hour north of Long Island Sound. Al's Hot Dog Stand, which is tucked into a hillside next to the highway, is every bit as unassuming as Naugatuck itself, so it seems the perfect place for an old Hot Dog joint like this.

Al's is a pretty straightforward place; people park under a huge billboard that faces the highway, walk up to the window to order, then grab a picnic table and wait for their order. And what they wait for is indeed something special; foot-long Hummel Hot Dogs, crinkle-cut fries, birch beer, and so much else (if you're not into Hot Dogs, that is). The Hot Dogs are nearly perfect, with a thin casing, a delicious toasted roll, and cheese or chili added to the dog if you want it.

Al's might just be the best hot dog stand in New England

Al's Hot Dog Stand
248 South Main Street
Naugatuck, CT 06770
203-729-6229

Have you every eaten at Al's?
What did you think?
Please comment below.


The Hot Dog Kids

Sunday, August 10, 2008

MIKE'S CHICAGO DOG HOTS in ATLANTA, GA

MIKE'S CHICAGO DOG HOTS
With an interior as bright yellow and red as cheap mustard and ketchup, Mike's Chicago Hot Dogs is as much fun to look at as its mountainous sandwiches are to eat. I refer, of course, to the famous Chicago Dog made with the equally famous "Vienna 100% Pure Beef Hot Dog." Mike's turns out an exemplary example.
This is no mushy, tasteless wurst, its blandness undisguised by second-rate relish. The Chicago Style Hot Dog is a paragon of the type, enhanced by freshly minced onion and a light relish. In addition to both mustard and k pickle spear -- a good 5 inches long -- and the final kick of a dash of celery salt and a small hot pepper. (Look before you bite!) And this, mind you, can be orderetchup slathered on a steamed poppy seed bun, the dog is topped with an entireed as a double, which is still not as big as The Works ("need a fork to eat it"). Craving something gooey and goopy and dripping with character as well as with chili, slaw, kraut and grilled onions? This is the place: Chili Dog, Slaw Dog, Chili Slaw Dog, Cheese Dog, Chili Cheese Dog, Kraut Dog, Stew Dog (as in Brunswick), Corn Dog, Plain Dog and the Veggie Dog.
Mike's Chicago Hot Dogs has a catering program is simple, tabletop party cart for home or office parties. They don't have a 7 page menu like some places, but offer just the best of what we do best Chicago Hot Dogs. All beef hot dog includes delivery, setup, and pickup of the cart. Toppings included are: yellow mustard, chopped onion, green neon relish, tomatoes, pickles, sport peppers, and celery salt (the classic Chicago dog toppings). They also have beanless chili for those who prefer our chili dog. The dogs and toppings nicely nestle in a poppyseed bun.

Phone Numbers:

Store: 404-252-8484 cell: 404-667-2625
Email
jhowe56@earthlink.net
Location:
Mike's Hot Dogs
5948 Roswell Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30328
in the Hammond Square shopping center, Sandy Springs.
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Have you every eaten here?
W
hat did you think?
Please comment below.

The Hot Dog Kids

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Serving Midcoast Maine for Over 31 Years

WASSES HOT DOGS
Keith Wass (Owner) has been in the Hot Dog business since 1972, when he bought the wagon that still stands in the parking lot next to Rockland's Rankin block. At the time he was a psychology major at University of Maine in Orono. A relative was selling the stand, and Wass bought it so he would have a job that summer. Still in the business after 31 years, Wass realizes that he was always an entrepreneur, he says he was preparing for this kind of work and didn't even know it.

Try The Traditional Special: a All-Natural Casing Hot Dog, Grilled with Peanut Oil and Fried Onions, placed in a Steamed Roll and Topped with Mustard and Relish. The Hot Dogs are made with pork and beef in a plant here in Maine, in Augusta. It's called Kirschner's. The onions are fried in the same peanut oil as the Hot Dogs, which helps to intensify the taste. And we use a New England-style frankfurter roll. New England-style rolls, to those who are used to the split-on-the-sides rolls common in Mid-Atlantic States.

Wasses Hot Dogs has served over 2 million hot dogs to the Mid-Coast customers in over 31 years of business. What started as a one person business has expanded to 4 locations in 3 communities. There logo states that they have "ABSOLUTELY THE BEST TASTING HOT DOGS ANYWHERE". Some former Rockland residents have confided that, when visiting home they often head to Wasses for a Hot Dog before visiting the relatives.

For 15 years Wass ran the business by himself, but with expansion he had to hire more people. He now has seven employees, with more in the peak summer months. These days he only works in the stands when he's needed as a fill-in person, but he still keeps the books and sees to many other details, so he's really always at work in the business which has become a Maine institution.

Locations includes branches in: Rockland, Belfast, Thomaston and the portable, ever-traveling party-going caravan. You can fine them all over the Mid-Coast Region of Maine.

Have you ever eaten Wasses Hot Dogs?

Which Location?

What did you think?

Please comment below.

The Hot Dog Kids

THE QUESTION

Hot Dogs and Buns
Why don't Hot Dogs and Buns
come in the same number per pack ??????





The Hot Dog Kids

Friday, August 8, 2008

Auto Hot Dog Grill Roller For The Lazy


NEW Hot Dog Grill Roller for the Lazy

It’s a firm belief of many people that gadgets are created to make us lazier, and this latest automatic hot dog grill roller serves as a reminder that said theory might just be right. This nifty hot dog roller will automatically roll the Hot Dogs for you, without you having to worry about getting one side burnt, though if you do manage to get it burnt, they’ll probably all be (evenly) burnt anyways. Powered by 4 AA batteries.

Have you every seen one of these?
Wh
at did/do you think?
Please comment below.


The Hot
Dog Kids

Thursday, August 7, 2008

5th Ave Hot Dog House in Temecula, CA

5th Ave Hot Dog House
Sit, relax, and enjoy 7 different Hot Dogs at 5th Ave Hot Dog House. They offer the plumpest and juiciest weiners in town piled high with the toppings of your choice. Enjoy a range of mouthwatering Hot Dogs from their specialty restaurant. 5th Ave Hot Dog House serves 7 different dogs: brats, polish, Chicago, weiner, great dang, European Holger, and bull dogs. All of their Hot Dogs are quarter pounders made by Hebrew National™. In addition to their delicious hot dogs, They offer a range of menu items in the Temecula restaurant, including their famous chili and soup bread bowls. Their bread bowls are 6" of sourdough and come filled with homemade clam chowder, chicken noodle, onion soup, or chili with cheese.


Featured Hot Dogs: European Dog-
This local favorite is piled high with kraut, peppers, onions, and mustard. Chicago Dog-
You will enjoy this dog on a poppy seed bun with celery salt, pickle spears, and peppers. Chili Dog—There Is No Way to Walk with This Dog
Their most famous dog is a 1/4 pound Hot Dog with a cup and a half of chili. You will need a fork and knife for this one!

Service Area:
Old Town Temecula, CA

Hours of Operation:
Mon – Thurs11 am – 5 pm
Fri & Sat 11 a
m – 9 pm.
Sun 1
2 pm -3 pm

Have you every eaten here?
What did you think?
Please comment below.

Hot Dog Kids

Hey Email us

How about dropping us an Email
If your a hot dog lover like we are, e-mail us with information and photos of you or your friends favorite hot dogs and/or hot dog places etc. The Funner, Funnier, and Funkier the better, but keep it Clean ok? and we may just post them on our blog. Send them to: hotdogkids@gmail.com

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Hot Dog Stand marks 100th Anniversary

Simones' Hot Dog Stand
A Maine Hot Dog Stand marks 100th Anniversary. Do you have a favorite memory of Simones' Hot Dog Stand or photo to share? Jimmy and Linda Simones' are looking for memorabilia for the celebration of the business' 100th Anniversary August 11-15, 2008. Ketchup with them at 207-946-7372 if you have a goodie. The family is planning a celebration August 11th through 15th to mark the business' centennial. How do you keep a family business afloat through four generations and 100 years? If you're a Simones', the key is to greet each day with relish. Wednesday is Hot Dog day at Simones', which means the price of a weenie drops from the usual ninety-five cents to seventy-five cents. In truth, every day is Hot Dog day at Simones', a small corner eatery that has been known to local frankfurter aficionados, as the place to go for almost a hundred years. There are other things to eat at this happy lunch counter, including submarine sandwiches, bowls of mild meat-and-bean chili, and burgers; but the menu is headed by the category DOGS DOGS DOGS, and it is dogs that put Simones' on the map. They’re not fancy dogs, they are fun dogs. Nor is there anything about the way they taste that would cause a sausage epicure to swear allegiance. They are small, shockingly red weenies of the type typically served over in Rhode Island at “New York System” restaurants – steamed plump and nestled in tender split buns. “The usual” in this dog house means relish, onion, and ketchup; for thirty cents extra, you can get cheese, kraut, or chili, or have your Hot Dog grilled. We’re traditionalists, and therefore prefer the usual – maybe four or five of them, dressed by one of the young distaff chefs, then sprinkled with a dash of celery salt, which is here marshaled on the bright yellow counter along with salt and pepper. If you think that four or five Hot Dogs is a lot, remember that they are small, also that the record at Simones' for the most number of Hot Dogs consumed in a single sitting is thirty six.
The folks in Lewston Maine don't have to worry about getting their minimum daily requirement of Red Dye #10. A couple of Simone's Dogs does the trick and has been doing the trick for Lewiston for the past 100 years. What's extra-neat about the bright, neon red dogs is that the red coloring runs into the yellow mustard, giving it a blood streaked appearance. Yummy. The dogs are steamed and served on a microwaved bun. The works means healthy schmears of mustard, onion and relish on the bun, under the dog. Simones’ Hot Dog Stand has been a regular stop on the campaign trail for many Maine politicians, including Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins and John Baldacci. Recently Tagg Romney, son of Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, stopped in with his son for a Hot Dog.

Simones' (Sim-OH'-ness) Hot Dog Stand

99 Chestnut Street
Lewiston, M
E 04240-7702

207-782-8431

Special thanks to: Michael Stern and hollyeats.com for photos and content


Have you every eaten here?
What did you think?

Please
comment below.

The Hot Dog Kids


Tuesday, August 5, 2008

A Little Weenie Fact

Do people in Mexico eat what we in the U.S. call a Hot Dog?
Yes, but the mexicans they do it there way and by creative with names like: Hot Dog, Perro Caliente, Dogo, Jocho, Sonodogo (in Sonora).

In fact the normal Hot Dog is prepared with "medias noches Bimbo" or Bollo. and they put like three different kind of sauce-wiener. They use a lot of chili and of course different kind of "toppings": beans, onions with "english sauce", chile chipotle, american cheese, white cheese, sabritas or lays, pinneapple, mushrooms, bacon, of course ketchup, mustard and mayonaise.

They are good and cheap believe it!!!!

A special tanks to: katelina

Have you every had a Mexican Hot Dog?
What did you think?
Please comment below.

Hot Dog Kids

Small Hot Dog Stand in Iceland

Bill Clinton stops by a

Small Hot Dog Stand in Iceland


Some time ago when Bill Clinton wasn’t so caught up in his wife’s effort with reaching to the throne in the White House, Clinton was visiting Iceland for discussions about alternative energies. Afterward Clinton, a known fast-food aficionado, was spotted at a popular hot dog stand, Baerjarins Beztu (”town’s best”). It serves the traditional Icelandic Hot Dog, which includes lamb, beef and pork. It is served with onions and an egg-based relish. However Clinton wanted to have less dressing at that time. And even today you can go to Iceland and ask for a “Clinton” when you buy hot dogs. Then you will get a Hot Dog only with sinnep (mustard).

Have you every eaten here?
What did you think?

Please comment below.

The Hot Dog Kids

Sunday, August 3, 2008

A New York City Late Night Jewel

Crif Dogs in New York City
For quick infusions of caloric pleasure, head for Crif Dogs on St. Mark’s Place, where the proprietors insist on deep-frying their wieners in great bubbling vats of oil. The result is a shiny, nearly glowing hot dog that bursts with rich flavor. Crif Dogs: A funky East Village Late Night Hog Dog Shack dedicated to taking the All-American Hot Dog, if you are a sucker for spicy foods and reinventing it via a ton of interesting toppings. There aren't many eateries in New York where you can play Galaga, Centipede or Ms. Pac-Man while downing franks, but this place keeps the '80s spirit of the block alive. A mixed crowd sprawls out among the checkered tables and counter stools, eyeing posted specialties like the Spicy Redneck ("makes you want to marry your cousin") or the more demure root-beer float ("One straw or two?"). Dog choices are limited to the standard Crif (an up-to-snuff smoked frank), the snappier, bolder-tasting all-beef New Yorker and the veggie, delivered in signature combos, ranging from the satisfying chili dog to more eccentric styles. Once you've abandoned yourself to the lipid-rich, brain-dissolving Chihuahua--wrapped in bacon and topped with avocado and sour cream--you may be ruined for any other 3 am meal. Fries are somewhat bland, but the shakes and egg creams add flair. The cheese fries were some of the best. This place is awesome for a quick dinner on the cheap. The hot dogs are delicious and the tater tots are crispy.






Crif Dogs
: Manhattan/East Village
113 St. Marks Pl.
New
York, NY 10009
212-614-2728

Hours:
Mon-Thu 12:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
Fri-Sat
12:00 p.m.-4:00 a.m.
Sun 12:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

Our
thanks to: Karen Hudes

Have you every eaten here.
What did you think?
Please comment below.

The H
ot Dog Kids

RECIPE of the WEEK

TEXAS HOT DOG SAUCE
This is a Texas Hot Dog Sauce perfected by Paul Suto in 1955. It is a must at family picnics. To Serve: Grill Hot Dogs, toast or steam bun. With the Hot Dog in bun, spoon chopped onion over, 1 slice dill pickle, a good amount of horseradish mustard, and a generous amount of Texas Hot Sauce. Enjoy.

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 pound ground beef
2 hot dogs, finely diced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon browning sauce e. g. Gravy Master(tm)
1 teaspoon browning sauce e.g. Kitchen Bouquet(tm)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
8 cups water
3 teaspoons paprika
1 tablespoon chili powder
4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 1/2 cups dry breadcrumbs

Directions:
1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until soft.
2. Stir in beef and pork and cook, stirring frequently until brown.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in hot dogs. Saute for 3 to 4 minuets. Drain off any excess fat.
4. Stir in the browning and seasoning sauce, browning sauce, pepper, salt, tomato paste and water. Bring mixture to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 1 hour, uncovered. Stir occasionally.
5. Stir in the paprika, chili powder, cinnamon and parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
6. Using a hand held mixer blend the bread crumbs into the sauce and it's ready to serve!

Special thanks to: Paul Suto for his Texas Hot Sauce


What did you think about this Recipe?
Please comment below.



The Hot D
og Kids

Friday, August 1, 2008

South Korea: French fry-coated Hot Dog

Deep Fried Hot Dog South Korean Style

If Coney Island witnessed the birth of the Hot Dog, Seoul in South Korea saw subsequent generations mutate into a an entirely new genus of animal. An animal coated in a skin of batter and french fries then presented deep-fried on a stick.

The taste is about as obvious as it looks: greasy but still crispy fries glued to a Hot Dog with a thick, neutral batter.

It turns out that Seoul is packed full of artisan Hot Dog vendors. Vendors wrap them in bacon , mashed potato, corn batter or what looked to be seaweed then invariably deep fry them. There are several french fry-coated Hot Dog Stands and a few more in the neighbouring Namdaemun Market. There are many Hot Dog vendors in the narrow alleys of Myeong-dong alone.

You can blame this mutation on the Korean War. When meat was scarce in the years during and after the war, Koreans made do with whatever they could scavenge from the surplus from the US armed forces bases - Spam and Hot Dogs. To make these items edible for Koreans, the locals mixed them together with the paste gochujang in a makeshift stew named “Budae jjigae” (부대찌개) - literally “base stew”. Over the subsequent fifty years, the locals have grown to love the processed meat-flavored soup, the only difference being that the stew now contains actual meat along with the mechanically-separated variety.

There seems to be no particular rules to making the stew, insofar that you need gochujang and Hot Dogs to start, and then whatever seems to be lying around the average Korean kitchen like kimchi, frozen dumplings, greens, ramen, rice cake, and actual meat. 50 years of Hot Dog flavoured broth may be a strange thing to some palates, but may drive you towards experimenting with Hot Dogs in an obscene and deep-fried manner.

One thing about the French Fry coasted Hot Dog on a stick is that they are doing it wrong, the sort of cultural misunderstanding that happens when one culture cooks the food of an unrelated and unattached culture and then impales said food on a wooden stick.

Firstly, the Hot Dog on a stick isn’t coated in real American fries but chunks of potato and secondly, the Hot Dog batter is wheat flour rather than a more American corn dog batter. If Americans had first cooked this one handed food, it would probably be a very different thing.

our special thanks to:Leslie Garcia and The Dallas Morning News

Have you every eaten one of these?
What did you think?
Please comment below.

The Hot Dog Kids