Hot dog stands--everywhere

I noticed something today in San Francisco. Hot dog stands, pretty good ones, are popping up everywhere. I've discovered 3 in the Financial District since I got back from being away for the winter. Today I passed one that wasn't there last summer (on Sacramento St. across from the Embarcadero Center) and got an excellent 8" long dog with authentic Sabrette's red onion sauce (just like I ate about twice a day during my trip to NYC in January). I saw another near the BART/Muni station at Montgomery and Market and there's a third on Howard St in a 30's era gas station that's been refitted.

The one near Market/Montgomery is a Fatt Dog:

[img]http://images.yelp.com/bphoto/iHhabpYtwW9Oj4u2rS7H8w/l[/img]

The other two, which I prefer because they offer hot dogs that are NOT all-beef and have the Sabrette's onion relish, are What's Up Dogs. I'm guessing both (What's Up and Fatt) are small chains, but, as I say, I love dogs and a good dog tastes the same whether from a chain or an independent.

Places to get a good hot dog used to be rare in SF--as recently as last summer. Now they seem much more plentiful. This is a great thing, but I am wondering if this phenomenon is happening elsewhere: The resurrection of the hot dog!

You are right, they are popping up in many places here in the Boston Area also. This guy seems to do a fairly good busniess www.fredsfranks.com he is not bashfull about his prices. I haven't tryed one, the only time I eat a barker, it's comvience food for me, might be at the horse track. Chow Jim

We have stands poping up left and right around here also. In my area that once was dominated by Yesterdog, Cooks and the Corner Bar, have competition left and right.. With that, your seeing more food reviews in the newspaper and other local publications. Being a chili dog fan, needless to say I'm in heaven! But with that, I sampled 3 downtown stands this weekend... Started off with the Dog Pit thats been getting great reviews.. Never step foot in there again.. I dont know if it was the dog or the bun, but there was one serious moldy taste. They obviously dont care about their quality. First impressions are lasting ones. I then hit the Ritz Koney Island, the newest stand downtown. I was told a few months ago their sauce is overloaded with chili powder. Then someone from there tried to argue with me in the Yesterdog thread. Needless to say I was leary about going in there. But sampling one of their chili dogs, the chili could have used more spice.. Otherwise, it was real freindly and fast service, super clean, and gets a thumbs up from me. Third stand I hit was a cart outside of Taps Sports bar. Ordered up my chili dog.. While the guy was making it, I asked what kind of dog is it.. He laughed and said Turkey Dog.. I thought he was kidding until I took a bite into it.. Not good when someones been putting down gin and tonics and shots of Cuervo all night.. Sent that dog flying after the second bite... I beleive the name of the cart was Weiner King... (King of Crap in my book).

So if your in Downtown GR, and need a fix, hit the Ritz. Atleast they put love of the product ahead of making a quick profit.

Just discovered that Spike's Junkyard Dogs out of Providence has a location on Boylston Street at Mass. Ave. in Boston and is working on a Davis Square location. Wondering if these are franchises and hoping they don't screw it up. IMO Spike's is good for a large all-beef dog, their roll and toppings are very good. Pretty good beans, too, even if they do nuke them to reheat. The one on Reservoir Avenue in Cranston had RI weenie sauce (hamburger chili) last time I was there, but it doesn't seem to be chain-wide.

http://www.spikesjunkyarddogs.com/

Murphy's on Belmont in Chicago...had my first hot dog there in '96 after 10 years as a vegetarian...still as good as the "first" time!

Though I've never been, I'm told Toronto has great hot dog carts. Any knowledge of that here?

And further expanding the question, I wonder which city excels in the variety and quality of hot dog carts/trucks?

quote:

Originally posted by ScreenBear

Though I've never been, I'm told Toronto has great hot dog carts. Any knowledge of that here?

And further expanding the question, I wonder which city excels in the variety and quality of hot dog carts/trucks?

I went to Toronto a few years ago for Memorial Day weekend, and was really surprised to see so many carts everywhere. I don't remember what kind of hot dog was used, but I do remember some very unusual toppings; quite a few of the hot dog stands had about a dozen (if I remember correctly) toppings in front that you could just scoop out of tubs onto your hot dog. I do remember being very happy that I could put olives on top of mine.

Shopsy's is the brand used at most Toronto carts.

It does seem to be a trend. Other new dog stands are popping up around the Bay Area. Check out jatbar.com for their reviews of various Bay Area stands:

www.jatbar.com/cuisine.asp?cuis=47

I just read that there's a new gormet dog stand at the Boardwalk down here in Santa Cruz:

http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2006/June/06/local/stories/03local.htm

I'll try to do another Bay Area hot dog tour later in the year:

http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8669

Alas, Matt, Jatbar has not one place in SF but sfsurvey has a bunch including the three I recently discovered: http://www.sfsurvey.com/rr.asp