Yocco's...the "King"

On way back from east coast, we were attracted to a big billboard off the freeway near Allentown....giant logo of a hot dog "king" sitting on his throne....preparing to eat, yes, a skewered hot dog...awesome!

This was Yocco's..and we had to have one!..Boy, glad we did...really compact little dogs, served with very finely chopped onions, mustard and, the kicker, a very thin brownish sauce. I'm not a bit chilli dog fan, as I think most chili's tend to overwhelm the hot dog...again, this was very flavorful, slightly spicy topping that made this one a classic....apparently, the original location is in downtown Allentown...but all I know is, they don't get much better than this.....I'm just killing myself,however, for not seeing if they sell T-Shirts of that evil king hot dog logo!

quote:

Originally posted by Fred Ferris

On way back from east coast, we were attracted to a big billboard off the freeway near Allentown....giant logo of a hot dog "king" sitting on his throne....preparing to eat, yes, a skewered hot dog...awesome!

This was Yocco's..and we had to have one!..Boy, glad we did...really compact little dogs, served with very finely chopped onions, mustard and, the kicker, a very thin brownish sauce. I'm not a bit chilli dog fan, as I think most chili's tend to overwhelm the hot dog...again, this was very flavorful, slightly spicy topping that made this one a classic....apparently, the original location is in downtown Allentown...but all I know is, they don't get much better than this.....I'm just killing myself,however, for not seeing if they sell T-Shirts of that evil king hot dog logo!

Dont let UncleVic hear ya say you dont like chili dogs!
He would be heartbroken.

FYI

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=3370

I have stopped at Yocco's many times in Allentown. I use to like them but it has been about five years since I stopped there.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Yocco's is like many hot dog places...Flo's in Maine comes to mind...where some folks love it, and others are left cold. I like Yocco's and try to stop whenever out that way.

Hi,
I am curious what kind of sauce they use. Is it a sweet type, or more of a Texas weiner type? Barbecue? Kind of hard to tell from the pictures on the post.

I must say, I've never had a Texas weiner, so can't really say in terms of comparison...it's definitely spicy (but not overly so)..and think there is a very very fine ground beef base...not runny..actually adheres to the dog and bun nicely...could even eat while driving...

I've eaten at a couple of the Yocco's while passing thru that area. I wasn't impressed. The dogs are just OK, they hardly give you any chili on it, the perogies are way too greasy and the fries are standard issue. And guess what, Frank Bruni of the NY Yimes didn't like Yocco's either. Just this past Friday:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/24/dining/24note.html

You may have to register to read it, but it's not intrusive.

---Ken

I thought Yocco's was "just ok", too.........certainly not horrible, or anything, but just did'nt really do it for me......

I had a much better hot dog at a small shack I stumbled upon, Gus' Hot dogs in Watervliet, NY........upstate.....near Albany, it's in one of those weathered old mill towns, where most of the mills are closed up...... Their style is these little snack sized dogs, so you've got to order a few of them, (at least!)........kind of like Castle Burgers! The craving is there!

ellen

quote:

Originally posted by ellen4641

I thought Yocco's was "just ok", too.........certainly not horrible, or anything, but just did'nt really do it for me......

I had a much better hot dog at a small shack I stumbled upon, Gus' Hot dogs in Watervliet, NY........upstate.....near Albany, it's in one of those weathered old mill towns, where most of the mills are closed up...... Their style is these little snack sized dogs, so you've got to order a few of them, (at least!)........kind of like Castle Burgers! The craving is there!

ellen

Gus' Hot Dogs are similar to the Famous Lunch's Dogs (the Famous Lunch is reviewed in the restaurants section) and Hot Dog Charlie's. Last summer on our way back from the horse races in Saratoga. My family stopped at Gus' and Hot Dog Charlie's and did a taste test. Hot Dog Charlies was preferred by my family.

Walt

Since I spent many summers with my relatives in close proximity to Yocco's I have eaten there many times. Always enjoy their dogs and I agree that they are spicier than most dogs. I usually make the effort to eat at the downtown location on Liberty Street, but be warned it's in a marginal neighborhood. Yocco is related to Lee Iococca (sp) fomer chairman of Chrysler. Also, I love that "devilish" Yocco logo, unfortunately the new logo now graces their t-shirts which has been "sanitized" to please the masses. While in the area try the Jimmy's and Double Dogs, both in Easton, plus Pete's in Bethlehem. Best chili dogs I've ever had are in Detroit and a place called the Hot Dog Shoppe in Warren Ohio which has been there for over 50 years.