7.18.08

1. Dogtown - Rochester, NY

Featuring veg, all beef, and other sausage options

The mongrel, a sensational Chicago, and a not-so-bad Carribean dog. Huge menu.

Multiple awesome sides incl sweet potato fries. Great staff. Cozy place. Decent patio.

2. Hot Doug's - Chicago, IL

Known as the tops. Of course, incredible Chicago (all-time favorite).

Duck-fat fries on Saturdays or weekends or somesuch.

3. James Coney Island - Shepherd and Richmond in Houston, TX

Sentimental favorite. A Chicago style plus chili-cheese fries every visit back. Plus root beer.


Hot dog suggestions welcome.

Addendum (10.22.08) -- Returned during the Bmore Round Robin to Hot Doug's and this time had a Mediterranean Lamb Sausage. It was the best food I have ever eaten. Tour Manager Rose MF Chase split the Lamb Dog with me and had a Chi-Dog of her own. Lexie and Amy H of Lexie Mountain Boys and Victoria of Beach House also had Chi-Dogs, our friend Rob got some veggie dogs, and as a table we split several orders of duck-fat fries (Rob got a cheese fry for himself.) Victoria had apparently been talking about these dogs for a few years and it was a relief to many when she finally indulged in her desire. We were, all of us, rejuvenated by our feast. Doug says that there are no two finer words in the English language than 'encased meats.' That's probably not true but alright, dude.

(12.19.08) This is a little late. BH band and I played in Portalegre, Portugal a month or so ago. Dan of that band and I went out afterwards in this small town to try to score some beers. We did! A few successes later, we were pointed towards Ken, an American ex-pat English Professor selling dogs from a stand in the town's little square. His dogs were top of the heap, some of the best, with a variety in sausage type and fixings that I have never seen elsewhere. He is also a very hospitable stand-host and will talk to you about sports and Maryland for a very long time if you are so inclined. In Portugal, visit Ken.

(1.23.09) - Twice now I've had the pleasure of eating dog's cased and sold at Attman's Deli in Baltimore. This is my first venture into the local hotdog fare, and it's fucking working out. These dogs are singular: very pungent, something like a radical bologna, needing little decoration. We carried some down to DC for the inauguration and they stunk up the train car real well. Attman's is located on Baltimore's old Corned Beef Row, now like many places that were once awesome home to a bunch of gross development projects. I've yet to hit up the Doghouse; Rose is excited about their sign that reads, "Where meatloaf is made, not accumulated." Soon enough.

(3.9.09) - Went to Crif Dog's weekend before last in lower Manhattan. I don't eat bacon, and they seem to specialize in bacon-wrapping their hotdogs. It was ok. Their bathroom door is cool. They did have tater tots and root beer, two perfect accompaniments for hotdogs, and they're dogs really weren't bad, grilled, otherwise well-dressed.

Friday, we dropped off the car to get new rims, and rode bikes back home, passing the prison and it's neighbor, the Doghouse. It was 9 am. We split a hotdog with kraut, mustard, onions, and relish. I'm pretty sure it was just a Hebrew National, split in the middle. Attman's self-encasing still wins, but fuck if this morning dog wasn't really good. I'm psyched to return for the meatloaf.