$1.00 Hot Dogs are
Safe and Delicious,
if you get them from Eliana

So it looks like Eliana, the $1 hot dog lady on the NW corner of 43rd and 6th, has survived the onslaught. You might remember that she was part of the crew of carts that got kicked out of that spot by the cops awhile back for parking on a sidewalk that was supposedly too narrow to be a legal vending spot for carts. She even had her cart confiscated, despite the fact that later measurements clearly showed that the sidewalk was the proper width. The other two carts (which included the 3rd El Rey del Sabor cart) decided to cut their losses and set up on the NE corner of 43rd and 6th. Eliana tried that for a bit but, after working the opposite corner for many years without issue, she was eager to return. Thankfully the Street Vendor Project (which hosts the Vendy Awards every year) stepped in and not only helped her get her cart back but also helped deflect any other obstacles to her returning to her original corner.

It looks like she’s there for good again (on the NW corner of 43rd and 6th), and last week I decided to swing by and actually try one of these $1 hot dogs.

I don’t think I’ve ever met a hot dog I didn’t like. Sure, grilled is preferred to boiled, and I’m a big fan of the hot dog/sausage topped with crazy ingredients. But it’s hard to screw up a regular old hot dog in my book. It’s just a mysteriously delicious food (emphasis on the mysterious), and Eliana’s $1 hot dog cart is no exception. You have your choice between “sausage” or “hot dog”, and I went with sausage- because it just looked like a plumper, redder hot dog. I’m a big fan of the grilled onions, so I went with those plus ketchup (but she has sauerkraut and mustard if your prefer either of those.) Bun was typical, and the thing just tasted like a boiled hot dog. The grilled onions were way to watery (too much tomato sauce, and not enough onions) but the thing cost $1 so no real complaints. Truthfully, what do you expect for $1? It’s obviously not going to be a high quality dog, or a high quality bun for that price. The only important thing is survival, and I can say I came out of the hot dog experience unscathed. These $1 hot dogs are completely safe to eat, and easily the cheapest lunch in Midtown. (Or snack, if you so choose to think of them that way.)

I’m sure there are better hot dogs to be had in Midtown (and feel free to suggest some in the comments) but none as cheap as a $1, and I doubt they’re served as somebody as friendly as Eliana.

Felony Franks

Employs Ex-Cons

Taco trucks are so passé. Want to really pull customers into your food gimmick? Talk to Jim Andrews, owner of Felony Franks, a Chicago hot dog stand where the mascot is a wiener in prison stripes.

But Slashfood.com reports that Andrews’ joint isn’t an empty pun. Felony Franks – which serves up specialties like the Misdemeanor Weiner, the Chain Gang Chili Dog and calls its side orders "accomplices" – employs 10 full time ex-convicts. Andrews runs the charity The Rescue Foundation, which works to give ex-cons a second chance and is doing just that with his restaurant.

But some think the restaurant is just exploiting the rough reputation of the city’s west side neighborhood where Felony Franks is located and is exacerbating the problem.

We think Felony Franks is actually doing the opposite by giving these ex-cons a second chance and taking the stigma of jail time away from those who want to start having a productive life.

And the product itself? Andrews says sales are doing gangbusters, and the slogan may tell us why: It’s not just for a good cause, it’s "food so good, it’s criminal."

Photo courtest Joe M500, via Flickr.

Good Eating

Hot Dog Kids

Pronto Pups, Grand Haven, Michigan
CLOSED for the season

Here we are during our annual January Fund raiser special weekend only opening ! We are open the third weekend in January (Friday,Saturday & Sunday)for a little taste of summer and to give the mid season fix to hold until we open for the season the first weekend in May !

Pronto Pups are a tastey treat (sometimes dinner) that have been enjoyed by people the world over for now 61 years.

We start with a top of the line frankfurter,dip it in a "Special batter", cook them in 100% vegtable oil and serve them "Naked" or with Ketchup or Mustard.

PROUD TO SAY that everything we use to make our product is made in the U.S.A.

Our Franks are made in Michigan !

Generations have made Pronto Pups a family tradition. Families from all over the U.S. travel to our wonderful little city on the banks of the Grand River to enjoy Pronto Pups!

The Business

Basically, a small family owned and operated buisness that believes in promoting a great product at a fair and reasonable price. Thats it. No frills. Just great food and soft drinks. We serve Coke products along with Ice Mountain bottled water.

Who We Are

Charles Nelson (Chuck) is the founding father of this cute little stand. Built it 1947 when there was nothing on the harbor but weeds. He ran it for years on his own. Now, Carl (his son) and Carls wife Nancy along with their kids own and operate the Pronto Pup stand seasonally. Continuing Dads old buisness philosophy of quality over quantity.

Pronto Pup
313 South Harbor
Grand Haven, MI 49417
Phone: 1-616-638-1632

Ben Ali Founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl Dies at 82 Dear family and friends: We would like to thank you for your incredible outpouring of love and support. Your expressions have truly touched us. We appreciate you now as we have over the past 51 years. With love and thanks, The Ali Family Ben Ali, founder of the world famous Ben’s Chili Bowl, passed away on Wednesday, October 7th at 10:15pm. He was at home with his wife, Virginia, and died peacefully of natural causes. He was 82. Family, friends, and countless fans of Ben’s will sorely miss the energetic and unforgettable personality of Ben Ali. He was a true hero of the people and a great example of someone who actually epitomized the American dream. He and his loving wife Virginia created a landmark institution in D.C., tantalizing generations of residents and visitors with their spicy chili dogs and half smokes, but more importantly touching people of all walks of life with their exemplary dedication to the D.C. community. Although Ben has moved on, his legacy continues with his family at the Chili Bowl helm. After surviving the 1968 riots and other challenges over the past 51 years, Ben has made sure that the Bowl will continue to serve its loyal customers for many years to come. Ben and the entire Ali family have given us something that is rare these days: a continued sense of family and community that only seems to get bigger and better. Ben Ali, we will miss you!

A Proudly South African
"Hot dog" or Boerewors Roll

In South Africa, Boerewors (our equivalent of a sausage) is as traditional as you can get and it is hard to imagine a sports event, farmer's market or school fete without a Boerewors stall. It is pronounced "Boo-ruh-vors" and loosely translated it means "boere" - farmers and "wors" - sausage and this is indicative of where the boerewors originated from. Boerewors is basically coarsely minced beef(sometimes pork and lamb is added) with some spices such as coriander, pepper, nutmeg, cloves and all spice. This mixture is then stuffed into a casing. Boerewors is traditionally cooked on an open fire, but you can also cook it on a gas grill, oven or in a pan. The smell of boerewors on an open fire, however is very hard to match! A Boerewors Roll is simply a piece or sausage in a long bun, enjoyed with caramelized onions and of course Mrs Balls Chutney!!!
I am a tough customer when it comes to buying boerewors! I like a loose sausage, crumbly in texture and I also like a prominent coriander taste. I found a supplier who makes, in my opinion, THE BEST BOEREWORS IN SOUTH AFRICA .

I am sure if you are visiting South Africa in future, maybe even next year for the 2010 Fifa World Cup you will find this true South African treat sold by many a street vendor!

Backyard Big Dog takes hot dogs uptown, and it works

By William R. Wood | Kalamazoo Gazette

October 01, 2009, 11:49PM

John A. Lacko | Special to the GazetteMarcus McCone gets his order handed to him by Elise Conner at the Backyard Big Dog on Stadium Drive.OSHTEMO TOWNSHIP — Owners and managers of Backyard Big Dog Gourmet Hot Dogs have a tough challenge: To persuade customers to try hot dogs that are different than the ones the customers are used to.

There are lots of hot dogs at Backyard Big Dog to select, from dogs with Swiss cheese, sour cream and pickles to dogs with coleslaw along with mustard and ketchup. But what is going to move a guy to try that rather than his favorite Chicago dog?

But one thing Backyard Big Dog has going for it is good meat. My companion and I, who got two gourmet dogs ($2.19 to $4.79) and one gourmet, homemade brat easily agreed on that. The gourmet dogs were especially tasty and juicy, so much so that we plan to get those for the kids when we return, rather than the less expensive and small “Puppies” or kids’ hot dogs which cost $2.99 with mustard and ketchup, Black & Barrel potato chips and a drink.

The hot dog meat was tasty, juicy and thick — a quarter pound of beef — and we could easily taste it through the fixings piled on our hot dogs.
John A. Lacko / Special to the GazetteThe Chicago Style Hot Dog at the Backyard Big Dog on Stadium Drive. We decided to be adventurous. I got the special of the day, which happened to include bacon, sauerkraut, sauteed onions and mushrooms and Swiss cheese. The flavors melded together nicely for a nice little meal.

My companion got the Snoop Dog topped with a chili made at the restaurant, along with onion and mustard. She tasted the chili by itself first and liked it.

The buns used for the hot dogs are substantial and made at Renzema’s Bakery of Parchment. The brats are homemade as well, created at Harding’s in Plainwell. They are made with pineapple (Maui Brat, $4.99), habanero peppers and Cajun spices (Atomic Brat, $4.99) and jalapeno peppers (Backyard Big Brat, $4.99). The one I got, the Alternative Brat, which was a plain brat made into a Chicago dog, had a full, robust flavor but was not as good as the restaurant’s regular, quarter-pound dogs.

The most popular hot dog at the restaurant is the Chicago Dog with the regular, quarter-pound dog. It is topped with mustard, relish, chopped onions, tomato wedges, sport peppers, celery salt and a pickle spear.

Address: 7000 Stadium Drive, Suite No. 4, at Eighth St., Oshtemo Township.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.
Phone: 269-353-3253
www.backyardbigdog.com

The Ongoing Conquest of the City by Hot Dogs: Gulluoglu

By Robert Sietsema in Featured, Sietsema

Tuesday, Sep. 29 2009 @ 8:00AM

​
In case you haven't noticed, frankfurters are rolling over the city like newly forested logs. They are a snack, a meal, and the new filet mignon. Everywhere you go, you'll see hot dogs, many duded up like a boy on his first date, currying favor on all sides, with a brioche bun for a limousine. Can you guess where I found the above example?

​
The frank is from Gulluoglu (the name sounds like someone gargling with soda pop), the 139-year-old Turkish baklava chain that offers an almost ubelievable 14 varieties of baklava alone, not to mention other assorted filo-based pastries. There's been a branch on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn for five years, but Manhattan has just gotten its own Gulluoglu. A series of luncheon dishes, including several salads, has been added to the menu, and the Manhattan branch also offers egg breakfasts, too.

The entree was called "sausage sandwich Istanbul style," which got me salivating in anticipation. When it turned out to be a gussied-up hot dog, I was at first slightly disappointed, but gradually my anthropological interests got the better of me. The sausage is a bland, German-style weiner, the kind that America adapted and made much better. It's been cross-hatched to facilitate boiling, and comes sided with mayo and ketchup. The pickle spears make it all worthwhile.
982 Second Avenue,
212-813-9400

Brooklyn Gets Its Own Kosher Hot Dog Eating Contest

By Rebecca Marx in Events, Featured

Wednesday, Sep. 30 2009 @ 10:47AM

TheBusyBrain/fli

Jews know a thing or two about overeating, so it's only fitting that a contest has been created specifically to encourage the practice. On Sunday, October 25, Brooklyn will hold its first kosher hot dog eating contest at Brooklyn Burger Boyz, a restaurant located on the kosher stronghold of Kings Highway. The hot dogs will be from Abeles & Heymann, a 55-year-old Bronx-based company that also produces more rarefied old-school favorites like rauchfleisch (a German cold cut made from thinly sliced smoked beef), liverwurst, and cervelat (a type of cooked sausage). And the contest's organizers are raising the stakes, limiting consumption to a mere five minutes instead of the 12 minutes that Nathan's permits; one of the organizers has termed it a "hot dog sprint eating contest." All of which begs the question our grandmother would ask: "But is it good for the Jews?"

CORN DOGS

Make your own Corn Dogs

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal (fine ground)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 egg
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1 1/2 teaspoons honey
1 1/2 quarts vegetable oil (or enough to fill a large skillet to a depth of 1 inch)
10 (7"- to 8") wooden skewers
10 Hebrew National Reduced Fat Beef Franks (or other thin Hot Dog)

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking soda and powder, salt and cayenne. Set aside.

In another medium bowl, whisk the egg until frothy, then add the buttermilk and honey and whisk until incorporated.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry, and gently stir with a wooden spoon until just incorporated. Do not overmix. The batter should be very thick and slightly lumpy.

Ladle some of the batter into a tall drinking glass, slightly longer than the hot dog.

In a large, deep skillet or a deep fryer, heat about 1 inch of oil to between 350 degrees and 375 degrees. Heat the oven to 275 degrees (the oven is used to keep the finished corn dogs warm while the others cook).

One at a time, skewer each hot dog, inserting a wooden skewer through one tip of the Dog and pushing it about halfway up the length of it. Dip the skewered Hot Dog into the glass of batter, slowly twirling it as you pull it out to ensure an even coating of batter.

Place the skewered Hot Dog into the oil (the stick can go in the oil). Fry, using tongs to turn the Corn Dogs occasionally, until all sides are a deep golden brown, about 30 to 45 seconds. Two to 3 Hot Dogs can be fried at a time.

Transfer the Corn Dogs to papers towels to drain, then place them on a baking sheet in the oven. Repeat with remaining Hot Dogs.

Enjoy

The Hot Dog Kids

Looking for New Hot Dog info again

Sorry I haven't been able to keep up the blog in the past few months. I had surgery and have been off of my feet for awhile. Now back looking for the best Hot Dog places and all the news about Hot Dogs


Good Eating

The Hot Dog Kids

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

Address 248 South Main Street Naugatuck, CT 06770

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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?
What did you think?
Please comment below.

The Hot Dog Kids

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

Address 2 North Main Street Rockland, ME 04841

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THE QUESTION

Hot Dogs and Buns

Why don't Hot Dogs and Buns

come in the same number per pack ??????

The Hot Dog Kids

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?
What did/do you think?
Please comment below.

The Hot Dog Kids

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 am – 9 pm.
Sun 12 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

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, ME 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

Address 99 Chestnut St Lewiston, ME 04240-7702

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