Merritt Canteen - Bridgeport, CT

"To me, the twist at the end of a natural-casing hot dog is one of the beautiful sights in the food world."
Michael Stern






"Left: a chili dog. Right: a bacon dog with sauerkraut"
Michael Stern



"The Hummel-brand "red hot" is a quarter-pound hot dog that dwarfs its bun ... and is plenty hot, even without chili. This one is dressed with mustard and relish."
Michael Stern



"These cradles are arrayed at the condiment bar so the servers can dress your chosen dog the way you specify."
Michael Stern



"I suspect these primal signs on the wall of the Canteen date back to its early days."
Michael Stern



"Booths are lined up along windows opposite the order counter. Tables are easy to wipe. When finished eating, customers generally tote their own trash to garbage cans set out around the room."
Michael Stern



"Customers are requested not to leave the order window as their dogs are being made. Although each one is outfitted and dressed to order, the line moves very fast."
Michael Stern



"The Merritt Canteen has attracted a loyal clientele for more than sixty years."
Michael Stern



"These crinkle-cuts start frozen, but they are fried long enough in clean oil to develop a very agreeable crunch."
Michael Stern



"The walls of the Merritt Canteen are decorated with old menus and their very old prices as well as clippings dating back to opening day in the 1940s."
Michael Stern