Mid-Atlantic Wiener Extravaganza!

Last weekend, I went to New York and Pennsylvania (with my lady friend) to partake in some Kaiju action, and of course there were hot dogs to be had.

- Manhattan -

Part 1: Dog-cupy Wall Street

I picked up these dogs from a street vendor near the World Trade Center. I found the cart occupying Zuccotti (Liberty) Park with a Sabrett umbrella. I asked the man for a hot dog and he proceeded to place 3 sausages of varying sizes on the grill. He quickly told me the difference between the three and I ruled out the Italian sausage (that was the only one I caught) and had "one of each" of the remaining. I had him put "whatever-you've-got" on it which turned out to be: ketchup, mustard, shredded-cabbage-stuff, caramelized onions and raw onions.

The highlight was the bigger of the two wieners. This wieners was slightly lighter in color and sliced open down the middle. It had a strange texture-- almost like a veggie dog but a little more firm. Was it a veggie dog? It didn't have a typical meat feeling to it. It was almost lighter and fluffier. Either way I liked it. It was also much spicier than the other dog which was topped the same way. One might even call it a HOT! dog.

The bigger pinker wiener gets a 4/5. Its average buddy gets a 3/5.

- Philly -

Part 2: Philly Cheese WHAT!?

I had always wanted to go to Bubby's Brisket and Bugsy's Weiners (yes, they spelled wiener wrong) when in Philadelphia, and this time around I "made it happen." Seeing Philly Dog on the menu was an instant choice. I also got the Special Dog (or I think that's what it was called) with mustard and onions. The Special was a BIG BEEFY BEHEMOTH and nothing more. The Philly Dog on the other hand was truly special.

They used a regular sized wiener for this combo. Split down the middle with Cheez Whiz and grilled onions. The creamy tang of the whiz went over nicely on a hot dog. Onions are almost always good. Only negative was the dog was a little lost in the cheese. Maybe a Special dog Philly style is the answer. There's always next time!

Special dog get's a 3/5. Philly Dog get's a 4/5.

Maple Leaf Skinless Franks

Maple Leaf skinless franks always seem to be on standby in my household refrigerator, and tonight I was lucky enough to come home from work and find some freshly cooked on standby. These hot dogs were sitting there waiting and I had to make them mine-- so I did.

My father had cooked these with slits up the side in a frying pan and also buttered and toasted the rolls. I added some black pepper and Trader Joe's Pickle Slices which were provided by my friends mom. I couldn't find any desirable mustard in my fridge so I regretfully skipped that step.

Appearance: Skinless franks fried with side slits. A little well done. Pink on inside.

Smell: BUTTA! Mmm buttered roll.

Taste: These are neutral wieners. There is a little bit of spice. No odd/unwanted flavors.

Texture: Not a firm wiener, not a soft wiener. An in betWIENER. Crunchy and buttery saturated roll with pickle slices are a nice addition.

Overall: Not the best wieners I've ever had but, I have had them a million times. Budget priced and certainly NOT bad.

Thanks again to my pappy and also my friends mom.

These wieners get a 3/5!

Windy City Eats: Bruin Dog & Spicy Corn Dog

I'll keep this brief.

It poured tonight.

I went to Windy City Eats with my bro. HIS TREAT! I got a Bruin Dog and a Spicy Corn Dog. He got a regular Corn Dog and a Cheese Dog.

Bruin Dog: On a poppy seed bun with Boston Baked Beans. There was one random slice of a hot pepper. Franks n' beans all in one.

Spicy Corn Dog: Corn dogs are good. I'm not really convinced that this one was spicy though. Maybe it wasn't?

I had a grand scheme about taking pictures of these wieners but it didn't quite pan out.

As with most trips to Windy City, I was too busy stuffing my face to pay much attention to anything.

Another solid Windy City experience. 4/5!

Applegate Farms Natural Big Apple Hot Dogs

The Big Apple Natural Casing Hot Dogs from Applegate Farms have NEVER failed me. I first found these at Whole Foods about a year ago and have been loving them ever since. These were grilled and put in Joseph's Hot Dog Pitas (provided by my kind mother) with lettuce and Boar's Head Pepperhouse Gourmaise (provided by my excellent sister).

Appearance: Grilled to my usual liking. These wieners kind of shriveled up after being off the grill for a few minutes.

Smell: I don't know exactly what I'm smelling but it's GOOD. Definitely a little bit of spice going on.

Taste: I really hit the jackpot this time. These wieners have a perfect hot dog taste which went really well with the Pepperhouse Gourmaise. Lettuce: WHY NOT?

Texture: You wouldn't be able to say that these dogs are all bark and no bite. They have a nice and firm snap with smooth meat that is just moist enough. Lettuce was a great addition to the mix. I will say the pita was a little weak in construction but I dare you to show me a sturdy pita.

Overall: This was almost too good to be true. Wiener bliss. I'll be sure to have this combo or variations of.

Applegate Farms Big Apple Hot Dogs get a 5/5!

Applegate Farms Organic Beef Hot Dogs

My cousin hooked me up with some grass-fed beef hot dogs made by Applegate Farms. What a good cousin. These puppies were grilled and I had mine with Uncle Maynard's Hot Pepper Relish which I would say is a better product than the Howard's. It has a bit of a cinnamon flavor to it. I found mine at Stop and Shop.

Appearance: These wieners are short and stumpy. No natural skin. They darkened up nicely on the grill but were a little resistant to blistering and splitting. Darker pink on the inside.

Smell: Cooking these on the grill gave off a hamburger smell. Either due to the exceptional beefiness of the wieners or maybe just some left over hamburger smell from previous grill use.

Taste: These wieners taste like meat and nothing else.

Texture: Biting into the wieners, they are a little on the tough side regardless of their skinless state. Firm and juicy.

Overall: These wieners are "aight." Not as exciting in the flavor category as the Apple Gate all-natural Big Apple franks. Organic vs. all natural. I will note that there is a bit of an other-factor going on: putting these wieners down my throat made my burps taste fishy. Just putting that out there.

I give these wieners a 3/5!