Super Duper Weenie - Fairfield, CT

Posted by Michael Stern on February 12, 2006

Formerly a mobile truck selling hot dogs by the side of the road, Super Duper Weenie is now a stationary restaurant with indoor seating. As you might suspect from its name, the house specialty is a hot dog. It is a firm-fleshed, locally-made weenie that is split and cooked on the grill until its outside gets a little crusty but the inside stays succulent. It is sandwiched in a lovely fresh-baked roll and adorned with utterly amazing condiments -- homemade condiments, including relish made from pickles that Chef Gary Zemora has himself made from cucumbers! The sauerkraut, the hot relish, the meat chili, the onion sauce are ALL made from scratch. (Gary used to be chef at the esteemed South Norwalk Italian restaurant Pasta Nostra. When his passion for hot dogs brought him to Super Duper Weenie about eight years ago, he lost none of that restaurant’s perfectionism.)

Non-dog lovers who find themselves at this jolly joint can get good hamburgers, a sausage and pepper sandwich on a Portuguese roll, a cheese steak, or a grilled chicken sandwich. Amazingly, S-D-W even accommodates vegetarians with a tuna salad sandwich or a veggie burger.

Whatever else you get, you must get French fries. These are beautiful, fresh cut twigs of potato that are utterly fresh from the fry-basket and made extra-delicious by a perfect sprinkle of salt AND pepper. Dine indoors at the always-crowded counter, where you cannot help but feel part of the counter-culture kibitzing that never ends; or choose a picnic table by the side of the eatery, which is also always crowded!

Overall: Worth driving from anyplace

18 out of 19 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?

Reviewers "Must Eats" List

Hot Dog ($2.00)

French fries ($2.00)

Chicagoan ($3.00)

Onion rings ($3.00)

Mighty Ity ($5.00)

Milk Shake ($3.00)

"What a Pair! Two New Englanders, topped with sauerkraut, bacon, mustard, sweet relish, and raw onion. The bacon is buried underneath the dogs, and the mustard is eclipsed by the sauerkraut and sweet relish."
Michael Stern

"Three sizes of French fries are available. This is a "small" boat. Fries are an essential part of the Super Duper Weenie dining experience."
Michael Stern

"Traditionalists miss the mobile truck that was Super Duper Weenie, but this new restaurant has all the charm and sass of the eatery-on-wheels ... and the same fantastic food. Note picnic tables at the far left. Since this photo was taken, they have been covered by a roof."
Michael Stern

"Locally-made Miller's-brand franks are split and grilled, ready to be bunned."
Michael Stern

"One of the great things to eat other than a hot dog: the Mighty-Ity. Short for "Mighty Italian," it is sweet or hot sausage with grilled peppers and onions and cheese on a Portuguese roll."
Michael Stern

"Super Duper Weenie recently added the capabability to make milk shakes. This chocolate shake is thick enough to support a straw. Strawberry shakes are made directly from pureed strawberries."
Michael Stern

"Chef Gary was lamenting to us that local ordinances have virtually eliminated neon signs from the Fairfield landscape. His sign is legal because it is behind the window rather than in front of it."
Michael Stern

"A close view of the Chicagoan shows how the split dog is laid upon tomato slices and is, in turn, topped with condiments."
Michael Stern

"This is a single order of onion rings ($2.50). It's not a huge quantity, but each one is a multi-bite item to savor."
Michael Stern

"The Monroe branch of Super Duper Weenie was especially convenient for me, being just minutes from my barn and therefore making it an ideal stop for a "hunt breakfast." I shall miss it!"
Michael Stern