Grote & Weigel Revisited

So this time around with Grote & Weigel wasn't so bad. I cooked them in a frying pan and burned them to hell. I bit one of the plain ends off and wasn't turned on from these wieners as I have been in the past; however, I definitely wasn't as turned OFF as I was last week.

Maybe they've changed the recipe slightly. Maybe I haven't been having good luck with expiration/sell by dates. The uncooked wieners did feel a little greasy after sitting in the refrigerator for a week, but they cooked up fine.

Not to discredit Grote & Weigel, because I didn't notice anything particularly funky about the dogs this time, I must say that the true star of this "Sunday Communion" was my choice to top them off with Uncle Maynard's Hot Pepper Relish (and Gulden's Spicy Brown). I couldn't really taste much hot dog under all that relish.

I wasn't chewing on rubbery sheep intestines, so that's good.

Uncle Maynard's Pepper Relish cannot be beat. End of story.

I plan to do a special post for Uncle Maynard's Pepper relish soon.

This wiener tag team gets a 3/5!

Caswell's Seafood

 I thrust the wiener into my mouth and closed my teeth upon it; it's sweet juices flowed out over my tongue.

I went to Caswell's Seafood, in Weymouth, with my pal. We got wieners.

I have driven by Caswell's several times and have always been intrigued by the advertisement of "LONG HOT DOGS" on the sign.

My wiener was pretty good.

It came standard on a buttered-toasted roll. I got it with mustard, onions, and relish. I was pleased with the portion of toppings. I sprinkled a little bit of black pepper on as well.

I found the wiener to be VERY juicy. I enjoyed this. Other than that, it was pretty standard.

An upgrade from the wieners at Sullivan's Castle Island.

I give Caswell's a 3/5!

Grote & Weigel Pork & Beef Frankfurters

Disclaimer: Today I have experienced disappointment unlike anything hitherto.

I have always loved Grote & Weigel Frankfurters in the past but today something just wasn't right. Actually, nothing was right.

My dear fans; fellow wiener lovers, prepare for a true tragedy. Brace yourselves for...

Slum Dog Take II

or How To Succeed At Complete Failure

I really looked forward to commenting on the special "breakfast-sausage-like" seasoning present in these franks, but all I could taste was a strong OTHER FACTOR. However, the blame for this atrocity may totally fall upon the chef. I am that chef.

So, what went wrong?

1. I cooked these hot dogs on a panini press with butter. Although the skin burst open and there were light grill marks, there was absolutely no char. The issue here is that the casing was rubbery. I also believe that the rubbery case was the source of the unfavorable OTHER flavor. Maybe this could have been fixed by cooking them longer.

2. Once I assumed the hot dogs were ready, I placed them into the rolls and pressed them. The rolls were compromised structurally and very soggy.

3. After the rolls were marked with grill lines I peeled them open, and topped them with the "Slum Dog" toppings (hot onion, tamarind chutneys). It was a soggy mess.

I think the major failing with this entire preparation is that it was a bit too grandiose. Also, my expectations were a little too high.

I was so grossed out that I only ate 1.5/2 wieners. I don't think I'll be using the panini press in any aspect of hot dog cooking ever again.

Next time I have Grote & Weigel's, I'll be sure to grill them.

We regret to inform you that you are not eligible for enrollment this year. 1/5!

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!