Pittsburgh hot dog joints

They have a very cute pie chart menu!

Hold the bonito flakes and egg salad.

Duck fat fries it is!!

I tried the Station Street Hot Dogs for the first time today. 
 
Station Street Hot Dogs by Ralph Melton, on Flickr
 
I chose the chili cheese dog (made with brisket chili and fresh cheese curds). I would call it good but not outstanding--but I've never felt rapturous about a hot dog. In detail: I noticed some snap and savor to the sausage. The chili was flavorful and a little spicy; it was more like a smooth bean-less chili than a Greek chili sauce. I liked the way the cheese curds melted through the course of eating the hot dog to take on different textures.
 
The duck fat fries were good--though again I rarely go into raptures about fries. I felt that the portion was too large for me; next time, I would rather split one order of fries with someone else.
 
My coworkers have raved about the banh mi dog and the sweetbreads dog.

I can think of no good reason to go to the Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe (and I've been to the ones in New Brighton, Beaver and Rochester -- I saw one in Cranberry, too, and there are several others). The dogs are not very tasty, the buns aren't terrific, and the toppings are as ordinary as can be. Still, I'm addicted. I now get the kraut dog with mustard, relish and onions. The first one I tried was the chili version, and I did not care at all for that.
 
Back in October they had a bratwurst special, and it was really good. This month (February) they've been offering a hot Italian sausage on a bun with marinara sauce, peppers and onions. I like it. They'll even put the sausage, sauce, onions and peppers in an omelet at breakfast. I'd switch from the hot dogs to either the brat or the Itaklian sausage if they'd keep them as standard on the menu. The fries are those really thin cut things, and I don't happen to care for them.

I stopped by Station Street Hot Dogs last Saturday for lunch. The place was packed. I was glad I arrived on foot; the parking lot was full. The dogs were big with natural casing. Unlike Ralph, I didn't get much savor from my dog - I thought the taste was pretty bland. I am not a big fan of fancy toppings, so like Ralph I went with the chili cheese dog. I am sure that a lot more care went into the preparation of the chili cheese topping than is usually the case, but it left me cold. Although I am aware the food here is in many ways far superior to that offered at Brighton Hot Dog  Shoppe, I'd go to Brighton every time if I had the choice.
Which reminds me - Friday night I get to dine at my all time favorite hot dog joint - Famous Coney Island Hot Dogs in Johnstown, PA.
On a sad note, my second favorite hot dog joint - Dormont Dogs - may not be around much longer. Captain Barnes, the amiable genius behind Dormont Dogs, was arrested for bank robbery today. I am aware that all too often an arrest is baseless, but apparently he was tackled and subdued before he could make his getaway. It doesn't look good for the Captain or Dormont Dogs.
 

CRAZY Story!!!!!
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_781791.html

I am happy to report that although Captain Barnes is still cooling his heels in the slammer, his wife Rachel has reopened Dormont Dogs. Dormont Dogs is a fine roadfood establishment and Rachel and her kids could use your business, so if you have a chance you should stop by and get a dog or two. you will not be disappointed!

Thanks for the report Kenny Joe. Glad to hear they are still open, despite the legal issues. No doubt that they really could use the business. Depending on my schedule, I will try and get down there this week.

Hey Buffet, 
 
 Is anything now occupying the space that was once The Pickle Barrel?
 
  Thanks, 
 
  The Bear

Bear, I go past there several times a week - so I'll answer. Several months ago, the landlord finally got the space cleaned up and stuck up a "for rent" sign. So far, it has remained empty. If anyone wants to recreate the Pickle Barrel there, I'm good for three meals a week.  

If you go this week and want company, let me know. (Next week I'll be sunning myself on the beach.) 

Kenny Joe, that would be excellent!  Right now, it looks like Thursday, depending on the schedules of my buddies who will be joining me.  I will let you know later in the week for sure.

Hey Kenny Joe, 
 
 In my fantasy of owning a famous, highly touted frankfurter chain that does all the hot dog things just right, The Pickle Barrel site is store #637...one of my favorites and pretty profitable...giving the Dirty 'O' a run for its mustard. (just wish the Italian Hot Dog would sell a little better) If dreams come true, figure at least one free meal on me.
 
  The Bear

Oh, OK, maybe 2.
 
  The Bear

This little slide show has nice photos on what they think is the best hot dogs in Pittsburgh. 

buffetbuster


This little slide show has nice photos on what they think is the best hot dogs in Pittsburgh. 

Surprised the Dirty "O" didn't make the list??????
Seems the list is more about the toppings than the quality of the basic dog.

Foodbme

buffetbuster


This little slide show has nice photos on what they think is the best hot dogs in Pittsburgh. 

Surprised the Dirty "O" didn't make the list??????
Seems the list is more about the toppings than the quality of the basic dog.

 
That's interesting- I lived in Pittsburgh for 5 years (96-00) and never heard anyone refer to it as the "dirty O" ever, it was always "The O"

wanderingjew

Foodbme

buffetbuster


This little slide show has nice photos on what they think is the best hot dogs in Pittsburgh. 

Surprised the Dirty "O" didn't make the list??????
Seems the list is more about the toppings than the quality of the basic dog.

That's interesting- I lived in Pittsburgh for 5 years (96-00) and never heard anyone refer to it as the "dirty O" ever, it was always "The O"

If you Google The Dirty "O" Pittsburgh, you'll see a number of references calling it that. I think it may be as a result of the place going downhill in appearence and cleanliness the last few years. Originally it was just "The O".

Foodbme

wanderingjew

Foodbme

buffetbuster


This little slide show has nice photos on what they think is the best hot dogs in Pittsburgh. 

Surprised the Dirty "O" didn't make the list??????
Seems the list is more about the toppings than the quality of the basic dog.

That's interesting- I lived in Pittsburgh for 5 years (96-00) and never heard anyone refer to it as the "dirty O" ever, it was always "The O"

If you Google The Dirty "O" Pittsburgh, you'll see a number of references calling it that. I think it may be as a result of the place going downhill in appearence and cleanliness the last few years. Originally it was just "The O".

 
"O"  

Once again a feature on hot dogs that places more emphasis on the toppings than the actual franks. I didn't notice the brand of dog being mentioned anywhere. And the one place that claimed no frills dogs prepared them on a roller grill!. I know Franktuary has good dogs. Go for the regular Boars Head natural casing beef dog. The O should have been on this list. Quality Star brand hot dogs prepared well on a griddle.

WJ-
I have always grown up calling it "the dirty O".  And so it shall remain lovingly called!
 
My buddy and I hit Joe's Hot Dogs in Robinson Twp. tonight.  I will post photos and write something up next week, but we really liked the place. 

John, do you mean Silver Star?
 
I was never a fan the the Dirty O. They opened one up in Southside maybe 10 years ago, and we're charging insane prices, lasted a few months. When I was a kid, we rarely crossed any river because, well I dunno, maybe a hunky thing. I grew up on Mike's Lunch in Mt. Oliver, the Pickle Barrel, the Red Caboose on 51, and that one past the county airport going towards McKeesport. Also at the Sunoco below Baldwin High School (97) where you got 3 for a buck with fresh minced onions. After they let me out,  I started going to D's in Regent Square and M&P Coney Island up in New Castle. 
 
Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe is terrible for dogs. I prefer the jalapeno sausage things from Sunoco over them, but chili-cheese burgers and fries are much better. Very good FF breakfast too. There's a guy running a cart across from the Harley shop on 7th in Beaver Falls with a Sabrett's umbrella. I have to try him next.
 
D's and M&P Coney Island are by far my favorite places to get a hot dog. Downtown, I only tried Wiener World, since I usually went to Aiken's or Page's when I got back home.
 
I think most people go for the toppings because you can buy good hot dogs at a deli or butcher. That's easier to get than poppyseed buns, onion sauce or a good chili recipe.

Hey, Buffet, 
 
 Has anyone taken the space at 1301 E Carson St Pittsburgh, PA., where once proudly stood one of my 5 favorite hot dog purveyors in the United States of America, "The Pickle Barrel?
 
  The Bear

I am not Buffetbuster, but as I frequently may be found on Carson Street, I will respond.
I have been out of town but as of a week ago, no one had moved in and the "for rent" sign was still up. However, I noticed a few weeks ago that there was a sign in the window of the Real McCoy Sandwich Shop at 2010 E Carson saying it was moving to 1301 Carson Street - the location of the late, lamented Pickle Barrel. I have never had anything from the Real McCoy (mostly because it is take out only) but I know some folks who think it is the best sandwich shop in town. I'll check it out this week.   

Thanks for the reconnoitering, Kenny Joe. I guess the only thing I can hope for  is that, as a paean to The Pickle Barrel,  the sandwich joint adds a hot dog, preferably a foot long Smith Provision, Beef/ Pork, cooked on the griddle, served on a toasted Schwebel's frankfurter roll ( http://www.schwebels.com/freshly-baked-breads/buns/foot-long-buns) of equal length...the way I always had it at the Pickle Barrel on my sojourns to Pittsburgh. 
 
 Aw, you can never go home, eh Thomas Wolfe? That's why I always tell folks, if you really like a food joint, go as much as you can, because one day, as even Mama Leone's proved, it won't be around anymore. 
 
  The Bear

Thanks to Kenny Joe for replying to a question I didn't know the answer.  That really is a shame the Pickle Barrel went out the way it did.  It deserved better.  This probably isn't the right thread, but please let us what you think of the Real McCoy Sandwich Shop. 

Idealist that I am, I kind of have high hopes for the Real McCoy Sandwich shop in the space where The Pickle Barrel was. Reviews I've read of the sandwich shop are mostly positive, touting the portion size, quality, and dedication to good service. OK, so it's not a hot dog place, but at least it sounds like a concern dedicated to serving good food. Gee, though....wish they'd sell a good dog in addition to their sandwiches. Just sayin'.
 
  The Bear

P.S.---Buffet, Kenny Joe...has the transition from burned down Pickle Barrel to Real McCoy Sandwich Shop taken place? 
 
  Thanks, 
 
  The Bear

Sorry I don't have an answer for you, but it appears it would be right up Kenny Joe's alley.  I am curious to hear about the place, too.

The former premises of the Pickle Barrel remains vacant. Either the deal with the Real McCoy Sandwich Shop fell through or it existed solely as a product of my overactive imagination. I'll ask around and see if I can learn anything about the situation.

In what must be a record long lease negotiation for a greasy spoon, the Real McCoy Sandwich Shop finally appears ready to open in the storefront that formerly housed the late, great Pickle Barrel. The Sandwich Shop's former location several blocks down Carson Street now houses a new eatery and signs announcing the Sandwich Shop's imminent opening are up at 1301 Carson Street.  When it's open, I'll grab a bite and report.