I am an American and I Eat Hot Dogs

1/2 Cupid’s Chili Dog, free and cold!

Someone came to our show and brought us a pair of chili dogs from their favorite place, Cupid’s. When I opened one up, I was impressed to see that the chili topping had taken on the same form as the wax paper it was wrapped in. It was definitely a little disturbing. But we all know looks aren’t everything. This dog was pretty good even though it had sat around for probably about 4 hours before I had a bite. This is definitely a place I’d like to check out sometime when the dog-to-mouth downtime is drastically reduced.

2 Chili dogs, a grape soda, and a crap load of fries. I don’t remember how much it was, I didn’t pay for it

This is how a chili dog is meant to be. I mean, I hate going to these place – legit hot dog places like Code 10 in Boston – where they don’t know how to put together a chili dog. Not even the quality of the chili (though that is frequently an issue), like the placement of the chili. Stupid stuff like putting the chili underneath the dog, or just putting on too much chili and making me have to use a fork. I do not like using a fork with my hot dogs.

Pink’s knows what’s up. well proportioned and delicious, delicious chili on top of a dog hearty enough not to be overpowered. I wasn’t too hungry going into this (I figured I’d get back my appetite during the 45 minute wait in line) and I was feeling pretty full after dog number one. But I just couldn’t stop eating. Not when there was delicious chili dog still in front of me! And it’s so nice on the patio that you just want to keep on hanging out there and talk and digest and – oh! what’s that? MORE chili dog? and FRIES? Why I don’t mind if I do…

1 x Chicago dog, loaded, $1.50, 1 x elk sausage, $6.50

I’d been looking forward to trying out Hot Doug’s ever since I read about him in Punk Planet about 4 years ago. A gourmet chef who starts a hot dogs stand…sounds right up my alley. Fridays and Saturdays feature French fries cooked in duck fat. Doug’s claim to fame is maybe more built upon his creative sausage endeavors. Joe ordered the duck sausage which came with a foie gras sauce and goat cheese. Brad got a pork and blue cheese sausage that was covered in toasted almonds. It was astounding. I had the “game of the week sausage” which was elk. It was a little on the salty side and didn’t quite measure up to some of the other items we ordered. The duck fat French fries were good, but I’m not sure they’re quite worth the $2 mark-up over the normal fries. The hot dogs themselves, however, are definitely worth the $1.50. It just can’t be beat. This dog ranks up there with the finest I’ve had in all of Chicago and it’s probably the cheapest too.

All in all, I was very impressed by Hot Doug. While the creative sausages may be a little hit or miss, it’s more a matter of personal taste and not because Doug is skimping on any of the ingredients. Doug gets 2 million thumbs up. Eat here.

1 x hot dog with mustard, $3.50US

And just as I knew the last Dominican dog was a bad idea, today I am at a loss for alternatives. If you think the food in any American airport is bad, then try Puerto Plata. This food should not be served to people. It is a sad day when you know that a very bad hot dog is potentially better than nearly all other menu items. Especially considering that it can be had for half the price too. But alas, it will be nearly 6 hours before we get into Miami and American Airlines has apparently quit serving food on their flights, so something, anything, even another Dominican hot dog, must be ingested.

As expected, this was totally gross and disgusting. It was wet and watery. The bun was too large and even the mustard was bad. Someone else had the sense to order a cheese sandwich which came out grilled and we rage with jealousy.