The hot dogs are flavorless albeit with the requisite "pop" when you bite down. Buns are generic. The relish is the oddest experience: never have so many ingredients been put together to such little effect. Tasteless. The brown deli mustard is the only thing that has any useful flavor.
I have had lots of dogs that were far better. I'm a huge fan of Chicago dogs (especially those from Gene and Jude's), Texas red hots from Upstate New York, and Rudy's and Tony Packo's in Toledo. Had high expectations and Blackie's just didn't deliver.
No return for me. My advice: don't bother.
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1 out of 1 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?
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Today I discovered Blackie's, and tried a couple of their famous hot dogs. Bottom line: the dogs were okay. Ordinary at best.
Blackie's hot dogs are Hummel's brand, which is the beginning of the problem for me. I do not like Hummel's dogs. To me, Hummel's dogs are everything a hot dog should NOT be. They are soft, squishy, full of air, and textureless. There are no doubt legions of Hummel faithful who can eat tons of these things, but I don't get it.
One problem with Blackie's Hummel dogs, and far too many of the other joints in Connecticut that serve them, is the lack of a snappy casing. The hallmarks of a good hot dog are the snap you feel and hear when you bite into one, and the texture of the meat inside the casing. The best dogs in New York (considered the flag-bearing city of the All-American hot dog), such as those found at Nathan's, Papaya King, and Katz's, all have a nice snap and texture. Hummel's dogs have very little texture once you break through the weak skin. There's virtually no chew, no mouth experience, and a far too mild-mannered taste. It's a lightweight hot dog with the character of pressed bologna.
Blackie's relish: the relish I saw had a very unappetizing look. It was a brownish muck that needed way more pickle and/or pepper. It looked like it had been trawled through for most of the solids, leaving behind a soupy brown concoction that didn't look anything like the images on the Roadfood.com website. In fairness, it didn't taste bad, but it looked so darn creepy. I didn't like looking at it on my dog.
The hot dog preparation: Blackie's serves a dog that splits open from the hot oil it sits in. Honestly, I think it is (or was when Blackie's first opened) a gimmick. I would prefer it un-split. Hot oil does nothing to enhance the taste. All it does is coat the hot dog with oil. The first two we ordered came out hot, but with hardly any color on them. They may as well have been boiled. We ordered the next two well-done, which improved the texture, look, and taste. But still, it's a Hummel, which I find ordinary in every way.
Ambiance: classic blue-collar, roadside interior. Nothing unpleasant. Enough decently spaced tables to find a spot to sit, which counts for something when you want to rest along with some personal space.
Service: excellent and fast. Hey, it should be. They only serve hot dogs and hamburgers.
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7 out of 15 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?
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Growing up in Connecticut, I always considered Blackie's a special treat. 20 years later, while visiting my home during a business trip, I had the opportunity to introduce my co-workers to Blackie's hot dogs and relish. You can imagine the pride I felt when they immediately decided to make this our daily lunch stop for the two weeks we stayed in Waterbury.
These dogs are not to be missed! Blackie's unigue style of cooking these natural casing dogs gives them that legendary "snap" when you bite into them. Do not skimp on the stone ground mustard and "secret recipe" pepper relish.
You don't have to worry about being distracted by a large menu selection. Just walk in, sit at the counter and order the number of dogs you want (I strongly suggest ordering at least three if you don't want to wait to order a second time). The Hummel Bros. dogs will arrive on a heavy paper plate. Several trays of mustard and relish line the counter to make topping them easier.
You too, will want to make Blackie's a regular stop on your travels along I-84.
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9 out of 9 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?
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I love roadside stands, and my favorites are those that specialize in hot dogs. I've eaten at many of the well known, highly praised stands across the country, as my profession allows me to travel extensively. I think Blackie's of Cheshire, CT is among the top three nationwide.
They fry their dogs until they split, thus providing more surface area for the dog to support the condiments. The hot dogs are premium and taste great on their own, but don't miss their legendary relish (which no one person makes in order to protect the family secret). Nothing in this country can compare. The relish is generally green pepper based, but in the summer red peppers are used, resulting in a more reddish color, and a somewhat sweeter taste.
Food presentation is typical of a roadside stand - you get your dogs on a firm paper plate. Order a white birch beer to go with it, or a chocolate milk - that's the classic Blackie's way. Blackie's is known for legendary hot dogs with relish, so if you want to try their cheeseburgers, or anything else, you're on your own.
I would recommend Blackie's as a great family outing for anyone that lives within a hundred mile radius - and for anyone traveling to Connecticut who enjoys local establishments. Go to Blackies. I trust that you too will love it!
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