Frankies vs. Blackies

All my life I have been a fan of Frankies hotdogs here in CT. One day I decided to try Blackies hotdogs to see what all the hub-bub was about. Well, needless to say, I will never be going back to Blackies. The hotdogs were really nothing to write home about - although I do have to say that the relish is good. I personally do not like skin or natural casing on my hotdog. Also, the person at the counter was very rude to me. When I placed my order I asked for 2 hotdogs, a order of fries, and a coke. Ha! The counter man glared at me and in a horrible tone of voice says "We don't serve fries here. If you want fries go to Frankies."!! At that moment I should have just got up and walked out but since my manners were better than his I decided to stay and try the dogs. Like I said, nothing special at all. My father has the Blackies relish recipe so I'll never have to step foot in that place again.

I find Frankies hotdogs much more tastier. And I absolutely love that sweet-hot relish and their warm fixing made from red sauce and sweet onions (I forget what it is called). The curley fries are to die for and their cheeseburgers are pretty good also.

How about you? Are you a Blackies or a Frankies fan?

Former Pixies' front man Frank Black is surely benefiting from some sort of royalties from this thread...

Being a choice between those two places, I would choose:
Super Duper Weinie or Rawley's in Fairfield.
Merrit Canteen in Bridgeport.
Paul's in Milford.
Danny's in Stratford. (because he uses Kuhn's chili)
Ducky's in Asbury Park, NJ (does it still exist?)
J.K.'s in Danbury
Yacco's in the Allentown, PA. area.

Blackies all the way! For other Blackies relish fans, they sold jars of it around Christmas, and plan to do so again in the Spring. I've been looking for copy cat recipes for years, but so far no good success.

Where in Connecticut are Frankies and Blackies?

Frankies has a few franchises in the CT area. One in Orange CT. I think there's still another one in Waterbury. Blackies has a review here in Roadfood.

Geed... So share the recipe (relish)with us!

quote:

Originally posted by Edwaste

Frankies has a few franchises in the CT area. One in Orange CT. I think there's still another one in Waterbury. Blackies has a review here in Roadfood.

I'll be darned. Blackie's has been there since 1928 and I never heard of it despite growing up in the New Haven area.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Hoffman

quote:

Originally posted by Edwaste

Frankies has a few franchises in the CT area. One in Orange CT. I think there's still another one in Waterbury. Blackies has a review here in Roadfood.

I'll be darned. Blackie's has been there since 1928 and I never heard of it despite growing up in the New Haven area.

Michael ... same for me! I thought I had done thorough research on Connecticut hot dogs over the years; and somehow, Blackie's eluded me until fairly recently. I love their dogs, and the place, and their relish especially, to wit:

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Stern

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Hoffman

quote:

Originally posted by Edwaste

Frankies has a few franchises in the CT area. One in Orange CT. I think there's still another one in Waterbury. Blackies has a review here in Roadfood.

I'll be darned. Blackie's has been there since 1928 and I never heard of it despite growing up in the New Haven area.

Michael ... same for me! I thought I had done thorough research on Connecticut hot dogs over the years; and somehow, Blackie's eluded me until fairly recently. I love their dogs, and the place, and their relish especially, to wit:

Oh, you're hurting me.

I sure would like that recipe for blackies relish, too!

Michael -

Frankie's in Orange is on the Post Road at the corner of Meloy Road.

Blackie's is in Cheshire on Route 70 near the Waterbury line.

Next time you're in Stratford, try a long dog at the Cricket.
It's on the corner of Main St and Access Rd.

Went to Silver Lake in Berlin today.
10 inch Rosol's dog
split and grilled with chili and onions - $3.75.
not worth it.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Hoffman

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Stern

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Hoffman

quote:

Originally posted by Edwaste

Frankies has a few franchises in the CT area. One in Orange CT. I think there's still another one in Waterbury. Blackies has a review here in Roadfood.

I'll be darned. Blackie's has been there since 1928 and I never heard of it despite growing up in the New Haven area.

Michael ... same for me! I thought I had done thorough research on Connecticut hot dogs over the years; and somehow, Blackie's eluded me until fairly recently. I love their dogs, and the place, and their relish especially, to wit:

Oh, you're hurting me.

Hurt you, Nearly killed me... In the immortal words of Homer Simpson "Me so hungy". I'll take two of those dogs, and a side o' chips, Extra large coke please!!

quote:

Originally posted by Rev.Bucky

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Hoffman

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Stern

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Hoffman

quote:

Originally posted by Edwaste

Frankies has a few franchises in the CT area. One in Orange CT. I think there's still another one in Waterbury. Blackies has a review here in Roadfood.

I'll be darned. Blackie's has been there since 1928 and I never heard of it despite growing up in the New Haven area.

Michael ... same for me! I thought I had done thorough research on Connecticut hot dogs over the years; and somehow, Blackie's eluded me until fairly recently. I love their dogs, and the place, and their relish especially, to wit:

Oh, you're hurting me.

Hurt you, Nearly killed me... In the immortal words of Homer Simpson "Me so hungy". I'll take two of those dogs, and a side o' chips, Extra large coke please!!

Ya, Sterns have a way of making people hungry... Go Figure...

Frankies is frankly disgusting. Frankies is to hotdogs what McDonald's is to hamburgers..yuck. if deep fried dogs is your thing they are passable. I'd give Frankies a 4


Blackies relish and ambience rock. How can you beat eatting a dog in an 80 year old converted gas station or eatting at a restaraunt that closes on Fridays all year round because of the whole no meat on fridays lent thing and how much it mattered in long ago times. The dogs are decent. As a kid growing up( 1970s) my Mom told me that the owners once donated jarred relish to a JC charity auction. They then bought the relish back....the only place you get that relish is Blackies lol. I'd give Blackies a 7

If you want a real dog go to the Glenwood Drive In in Hamden and ask for one dog burnt. It comes to you with blackened skin from the REAL grill and glistening with juices...mmmmmmm a full out 10

Never been to Blackies or Frankies, but if I'm not mistaken, Blackies deep fries their dogs also. The dogs in the picture at the Glenwood Drive in look delicious. Similar to what the charbroiled dogs at Syd's in Union, N.J. look like. I can't wait to try these dogs. They might turn out to be my favorite Conn. dog. I remember reading about a tasting sometime back involving Conn. hot dogs. Super Duper Weenie and the Glenwood Drive In were tied for first place. Both different styles, as SDW is beef and pork, while Glenwood's is all beef. Do they use Hummel's?

Frankies deep fries there dogs in a fryolater at high tempatures. Blackies boils in peanuit ol I believe then tosses them on the grill a sec

Hey Guys,
Go to the Mr. Macs Canteen in Monroe if ya like hot dogs! They have the hot chili that tastes good and I think they use Hummels? It is hidden in Toll Gate plaza on rte 25 towards Newtown. They opened another in Milford in the old Bess Eaton Donuts place b4 the Milford Hospital. I was told they are the original owners of the Merritt Canteen in Bpt. and sold it a couple of years ago. I knew the place (Merritt in Bpt.) changed last time I was there a couple of months back. Most all the stafff looked new except the 1st class ..tch that was rude as usual taking my order. They even put up a rules for ordering sign???It looked pretty dirty and the other workers were on cell phones and stood there as my food got cold! What a shame! I tied Frankies and give it a 4 as well and never went to Blackies yet. If in Fld. I would do a Rawleys dog before a Super Duper Weenie as S Duper is too messy and the rolls are lame! the $ are up ther too! Must be a ffld thing. As for cheeseburgers Mr. MAcs has a 1/3 pounder now that almost fills ME up! I like the Bacon egg and cheese too on a port for breakfast!! My other Cheesburg favorite is "the Doodle" (Yankee)in New Haven. I can eat 6 easy as they are light but real good!

fizz -

you're correct.

Merritt Canteen was sold, and the sons of the original owner are the operators of the Mr. Mac's locations in Milford and Monroe.

Monroe opened last fall, and Milford opened in the spring.

And, yes, they do use Hummel's.
Fried, then grilled for a nice snap.

I live in Atlanta now, but make a trip to CT at least once per year. My trip always includes at least one lunch at Blackie's. I have never had, no been able to recreate that relish. As far as ordering, you just hold up the number of fingers for the number of dogs you want. They are fried on the grill with peanut oil. If you are only ordering dogs and a drink, your order will take about 15 seconds. And you don't order a coke at Blackie's, you order a birch beer. I cannot find birch beer in the south. Frankies is too fast food. Not a bad dog, but generic.

There are THREE Frankies in Waterbury , and another in Bristol, to go along with the ones mentioned so far. I've always found them to be very good. Their chili dogs are nothing special, but the bacon cheese dogs are fantastic. Blackies is a good dog, no more no less. The relish is the whole thing about that place. If your a relish fan, its worth the trip. If you're NOT a relish person, you're not missing anything. On a side note, Al's in Naugatuck has one of my favorite dogs in the area. The HIPPO DOG, with bacon cheese chili and kraut. Its wicked good. But to keep with the thread, I perfer frankies over blackies any day of the week.

I made my first stop at Blackie's 7/31/04. The dog and the relish were acceptable. BUT for my money they are not as good as either Roscoe's Big Dog or Capital Lunch.

Hello all! I'm new at this site so I'm still trying to find my way around. We went Rutt's Hut in Clifton, NJ over the weekend and we loved it. Try it, deep fried dogs and an absolutely delish relish. Also tried the chile, my husband lovred it. Go there....

quote:

Originally posted by fizz67

Hey Guys,
Go to the Mr. Macs Canteen in Monroe if ya like hot dogs! They have the hot chili that tastes good and I think they use Hummels? It is hidden in Toll Gate plaza on rte 25 towards Newtown. They opened another in Milford in the old Bess Eaton Donuts place b4 the Milford Hospital. I was told they are the original owners of the Merritt Canteen in Bpt. and sold it a couple of years ago. I knew the place (Merritt in Bpt.) changed last time I was there a couple of months back. Most all the stafff looked new except the 1st class ..tch that was rude as usual taking my order. They even put up a rules for ordering sign???It looked pretty dirty and the other workers were on cell phones and stood there as my food got cold! What a shame! I tied Frankies and give it a 4 as well and never went to Blackies yet. If in Fld. I would do a Rawleys dog before a Super Duper Weenie as S Duper is too messy and the rolls are lame! the $ are up ther too! Must be a ffld thing. As for cheeseburgers Mr. MAcs has a 1/3 pounder now that almost fills ME up! I like the Bacon egg and cheese too on a port for breakfast!! My other Cheesburg favorite is "the Doodle" (Yankee)in New Haven. I can eat 6 easy as they are light but real good!

quote:

Originally posted by fizz67

Hey Guys,
Go to the Mr. Macs Canteen in Monroe if ya like hot dogs! They have the hot chili that tastes good and I think they use Hummels? It is hidden in Toll Gate plaza on rte 25 towards Newtown. They opened another in Milford in the old Bess Eaton Donuts place b4 the Milford Hospital. I was told they are the original owners of the Merritt Canteen in Bpt. and sold it a couple of years ago. I knew the place (Merritt in Bpt.) changed last time I was there a couple of months back. Most all the stafff looked new except the 1st class ..tch that was rude as usual taking my order. They even put up a rules for ordering sign???It looked pretty dirty and the other workers were on cell phones and stood there as my food got cold! What a shame! I tied Frankies and give it a 4 as well and never went to Blackies yet. If in Fld. I would do a Rawleys dog before a Super Duper Weenie as S Duper is too messy and the rolls are lame! the $ are up ther too! Must be a ffld thing. As for cheeseburgers Mr. MAcs has a 1/3 pounder now that almost fills ME up! I like the Bacon egg and cheese too on a port for breakfast!! My other Cheesburg favorite is "the Doodle" (Yankee)in New Haven. I can eat 6 easy as they are light but real good!

Fizz,
I agree with ya about all the places you have mentioned... Mr. Mac's Canteen is great. Not like place taken over by people who dont care *^%D*^%$D*^D* !
I really know this....ALso another place I have tried latley is Giudas in Milldletown. Old OLD place... Place is a little run down... but fun to watch operate.... When busy service slow.... but they have raslors dogs...spelling sorry? Tbey pre boil them or some sort of hot soak in water/ butter then crisp on flat grill. Not bad tasting plus they have Hersey ice cream bar ,,,,,I enjoyed watching the action there. Prices a little high but over all good dog.
Puff

Where is Capital Lunch and how do they cook their dogs?

quote:

Originally posted by Rick51NH

Where is Capital Lunch and how do they cook their dogs?

The original Capital Lunch is in New Britain, CT. The have opened a Second Shop in Storrs, CT. It is on Rt 195 between I84 and the UConn campus.

Hello,
New to this site and enjoying it.
Hey Geed, lol i to have the recipe for Blackies relish.My dad worked there in high school and came home with it some how.I haven't been to Blackies in thirty years but they did have the best dogs and relish at that time.Service was better in the sixty's i guess.lol

I have heard alot about Blackies but have never eaten there, I plan to do so next week. If you are in the area, Eddie's Delicious Dogs on the Berlin Turnpike are addictive. Martin Rosol's that snap when you bite into them. They serve sauce with them,its a meat based sauce that is not spicy but perfectly goes with the hotdog. Steamed buns are a nice touch too. Stanley Golf course make a mean dog too. Go to the snack shop around back, a grilled foot long on a buttered grilled bun. Try the spicy relish.

I can't believe the majority of you did not mention Rosco's Big Dog in Hartford. Its only been open for a little over a year, but definitely the best dog, meat sauce and hot pepper relish in CT. Shame on all of you who claim to be hot dog connoisseurs, but have not yet ventured to try Rosco's.

I agree, HiHat. I've been to numerous hot dog joints in Connecticut, Jersey, New York, and a few in other states and you won't find a better dog anywhere. I recently took part in hot dog excursions in N.J. and Conn. and I would rate Rosco's at the top. Best pork/beef dog I've sampled. Syd's in Union serves the best all beef dog. I would love to see these two places reviewed on Roadfood.

Well I finally got to Blackies last week to find out what the hoopla was all about. They are indeed really good. Most of the people I saw ordered three of them and in the forty minutes I spent there, they easily sold over a hundred of them! They do have the spicy relish on sale for $6 a jar. I have also eaten at Rosco's in Hartford, they are good but nothing special in my humble opinion.

blackies dogs are all right a little on the oily side. the relish is ok not worth traveling hours for imo. capital lunch i just dont get it used to eat there years ago and the meat sause was different than what it is today. was just there a couple of weeks ago just the appearance of the sauce was enough to turn me off. roscos a decent little joint in the heart of hartfords little italy.decent dog a little pricey, the sauce sticks with you all day.the ranch house up on north main in hartford.2 sauces mild and holy crap is it hot. both very good serves dogs burgers ,chicken fries etc.quick easy and very affordable.eddies delicous dogs on the pike in berlin still one of my all time favorites.in a building now but spent the first 20 or so in a little truck. just dogs mmmm good. when i think of others ill post

I agree with you Mouthman2000. Eddie's delicious dogs are tremendous. Good snap, steamed buns and the sauce - simple and "delicious."

What brand of dog is used at Eddie's?

Where is Eddie's on the Berlin Turnpike?

thanks,

Walt

They use Martin Rosol hot dogs which are made in New Britain. They are located in the Ridgeway plaza on the Berlin Turnpike in Berlin. They have a small sign in front of the building and they are situated along the side of the building facing North. It can be a little hard to find but you will be rewarded. I believe they are closed on Sundays and open from 11 to 2 or 3, Monday to Saturday. Have one with mustard, sauce and onions - - Hmmmmmmm!

How do Frankies and Blackies cook their dogs? Don't they deep fry first and then put on the grill (how long for each?)
Also, what brand do they use. I think Frankies uses Roesslers, not sure about Blackies and does anyone have either of those damn hot relish recipes?

I am from Connecticut originally and now live in Texas (thank you for your condolences) and no one knows what I'm talking about when trying to explain the New England style bread rolls that Frankies uses, which they toast to a golden brown (Mmmm..). Anyone know where I can get these either in Texas or someone up north that will ship large quantities?

thanks

Blackie's dogs are from Hummel's, and they don't deep-fry their dogs.

The correct term for their method of cooking is "boiled...in oil".

I had heard in January from a retailer that Roessler's was no longer in business, but might be back under a different label.

You guys
are call wet. The best in the state by far is DUCHESS. They also happen to have 16 locations and fab burgers.

Duke -

What sets Duchess apart from half of the other places in Fairfield or New Haven counties ?

It's a Hummel's dog on a French Bakery bun - just like at least a half-dozen other places between within a 20 mile radius.

I've had the Hummels dog at some of these places. This dog has a unique tangy taste and more flavor than most dogs consisting of a beef and pork mix. Many of the places (Swanky Franks, Danny's, Mr. Mac's Canteen, Blackies, and others) either cook the dogs in oil or cook them in oil and then grill them. The result is a tasty dog with a nice taut casing and good snap. There is a similarity in all of these places simply because they use the same dog and cook it the same way. I second long dog in asking what sets Duchess apart.

I will say that while I consider the places that serve the Hummels dog similar, 2 of them stand out for different reasons. I don't like the dogs at Blackies as much as the others. This is because for whatever reason it lacks the snap and tautness I find in the hot dogs elsewhere. This may be because the dogs are sliced or cut down the side. I like the Hummels dog served at the Glenwood better than the others because of the different taste that charcoal broiling imparts. The Glenwood serves one fine dog. I think it is my favorite Connecticut dog after Rosco's. I think most of the time I prefer a dog either charbroiled or slow cooked on a greasy griddle rather than deep fried. Are there any places that cook the Hummels dog on a griddle without deep frying it?

quote:

I had heard in January from a retailer that Roessler's was no longer in business, but might be back under a different label.

Was that January 2005? Because I posted a roesslers question last summer(2004) and someone from roesslers responded. All last summer I was able to get Roesslers Hot Dogs (I went through 2 cases) by calling 1-800-hotdog9. You call and make an appointment to pick them up at the old plant on Asylum Street in Norwich, CT (I do not know if they ship). I typically eat hot dogs in the summer and haven't bought any recently.
I sure hope your retailer was wrong because Roeslers Hot Dogs are the best IMHO and the summer grilling season has just started so I'm gonna need some soon.

efuery -

It was January, 2005, and came directly from the retailer in West Haven that Andy at Roessler's hooked me up with.

I haven't checked back with him, but will post on this topic when I do.


The difference with Blackie's is that they put 3 or 4 deep cuts into their dog before they start the "boiling in oil" process - so the dog usually comes out oily.

John if you are in Milford, Ct trys Pauls on the Post Road They slow grill their dogs.

Are they Hummels or some other brand?

Hummel's

as far as know roesslers no longer in busness in new haven board of health closed them, rat dropings in plant. good bye ole YELLOW TAG

quote:

Originally posted by davesraves

as far as know roesslers no longer in busness in new haven board of health closed them, rat dropings in plant. good bye ole YELLOW TAG

Considering the fact that Roesslers Yellow Tag hotdogs have been made in Norwich by Champion Foods for several years one can't help wondering how any entity of the city of New Haven might have shut the place down.

quote:

Originally posted by Seriousfoody

I have heard alot about Blackies but have never eaten there, I plan to do so next week. If you are in the area, Eddie's Delicious Dogs on the Berlin Turnpike are addictive. Martin Rosol's that snap when you bite into them. They serve sauce with them,its a meat based sauce that is not spicy but perfectly goes with the hotdog. Steamed buns are a nice touch too. Stanley Golf course make a mean dog too. Go to the snack shop around back, a grilled foot long on a buttered grilled bun. Try the spicy relish.

Seriousfoody--Couldn't agree more about the dogs at Stanley. My brother and I play at many of the public courses between New Haven and Boston, and "a dog at the turn" is our usual sustenance after the front nine. We have agreed for years that the Stanley dog is superior to any we've had at any other golf course in either state. Any idea what brand they use?

I can't find a link to Frankie's anywhere. Does anyone know of one?

Rick -

ask and you shall receive

http://www.frankieshotdogs.com/

quote:

Originally posted by long dog

Rick -

ask and you shall receive

† Bless you, my child.

quote:

Originally posted by UncleVic

Geed... So share the recipe (relish)with us!

Here - this is from Cooks.com
HOT PEPPER RELISH

1 peck sweet green peppers or 4-5lbs
1/2 lb. hot cherry peppers or 2 lbs of fresh hot cherry peppers
1 1/2 lbs. long hot peppers (not needed)use hot cherry instead
2 tsp. red hot pepper seeds (hot pepper seeds)give or take
1 tbsp. cloves
1 tbsp. cinnamon
1 tbsp. salt (sea salt works best)
10 lg. onions- 5 onions are enough but valida onions or Texas sweet only
1 lb. dark brown sugar
1 qt. white vinegar

Using a grinder, coarsely(or finely) grind all ingredients and simmer in own juice until thick. About 30min. Pack in jars and seal. Makes approximately 8-12 jars.

Great on hamburgers too, ham sandwich, and of course Dogs

Clambo, They use Martin Rosol foot longs. They are made in New Britain.

Man, you want to try a Fantastic hot dog, go to Millsie's in Windsor Locks. It's a trailer, weekdays I think till 3pm but you won't find a better dog, amazing meat sauce, sauerkraut I could make a meal of alone and an onion relish that is addictive. They park near the airport on rt 75 next stop north of Bradley Bowl. Go at lunch time and there will be a line. I fly out of Bradley a lot and ALWAYS stop there first. Nice couple run it and they will pack my dogs for the plane.
Fergu

What brand dog do they use, and how do they prepare it?

I am pretty sure it is a Mucke dog (spelling?), they steam and then grill the dogs. The dogs are bigger than the bun and have a natural case. I think it's $2.50 for a dog, naked or fully loaded, same price.
Fergu

Roadfoodwarriors story about Blackies buying the relish back from the auction is true. I am the great grandson of the women that bought it back and ran and owned the restaurant at the time. I really have a hard time believing everyone that says they have the relish recipe it was kept pretty secretive

anyone hear about Swank franks going to Monroe and or some other towns all the sudden? I thought they were shut down in Norwalk for health stuff?