The Hot Blog: A Hot Dog Blog

YOCCO'S

2011-05-29T16:32:00.000-07:00

625 West Liberty Street
Allentown, PA 18102
(610) 433-1950

Susan and Eric both ordered two Yocco's Hot Dogs, a "well done hot dog in a steamed roll, with chopped onions, tangy mustard, & Yocco's chili sauce." The hot dogs were served on a tray without a plate, but with thoughtfully arranged napkins on a tray slip. They looked shriveled, black and disgusting. This location offers cold beer to go.

Susan: "Well done, done well! Although not much to look at, this dog is one of the scrappiest dogs I've ever eaten. It's bare-bones, no fancy ingredients, and yet it manages to be a unique, fantastic dog. I like the burnt skin, and it all washed down with some delicious chocolate milk." Also, it's pronounced "Yocco's" like "tacos."
**5**

Eric: "I wish I had been hungrier, because I wanted to eat more." Four hot dogs, a chocolate milk and a $4 beer came to $7.50. The wiped-on Yocco's sauce may not look great, but oh man was it delicious.
**5**

BONO'S

2009-07-06T16:36:00.000-07:00

310 E. Warm Springs Road, B
Las Vegas, NV 89119-4246
(702) 260-3335

Susan: Vienna Polish Dog, Chicago Style. “That was so good. I’m very pleased”
**5**

Spencer: Polish Dog and Snap Dog. “That’s how you know it was a good wiener, if it left a woman pleased.”
**”Eh…” 4**

Eric: Fire Dog and Snap Dog. “Perfect. Had a poppy seed bun” [Spencer: “So if you have to take a drug test, don’t eat here.”]
**5**

Jamaal: Snap Dog, Chicago Style and Fire Dog with Chili and Cheese. “It was good, but, uh…[nondescript mumbling]…eh…just a…”
**4**

SCOOPER'S DRIVE-IN

2008-06-23T20:21:00.000-07:00

1356 Prater Way
Sparks, NV 89431-0905
(775) 331-6221

Both shared the Mighty Mike, which is a "1/4 lb. all-beef hot dog, stuffed with cheese, wrapped in bacon, deep fried, served with mayo, mustard and onions." Both also shared the Bad Dog, which is "1/4 lb. Polish sausage stuffed with pepper jack, wrapped with bacon, and deep fried (also served with mayo, mustard and onions)." If you are anywhere near Reno, you should definitely make a stop here.

Eric: "Delicious."
**5**

Susan: "We cannot add anything to the description of this dog that would make it more appetizing--oh, except that you can get a really good shake with it."
**5**

SINBAD'S HOT DOGS

2008-06-23T20:11:00.000-07:00

418 McCarran Boulevard
Sparks, Nevada 89431

Home of the steamed wiener, since 1979.

Rachel (Susan's niece!): Chili Dog With Cheese. Rachel looked at the dog on her plate, and after taking a deep breath, said, "All right, so how do I eat this? It's a very long dog." Her mom told her to get busy because she had a lot of dog to go. When asked about the rating, she said, "I haven't tried too many hot dogs, so..." and then she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, and said, "I think I"ll rate it a 4. Final answer."
**4**

Susan: Spicy Polish Dog. "I say it's Sin-GOOD's hot dogs!" The hot dog as a whole was not that great, but the meat itself was one of the best she'd ever eaten: "It snapped, and was really spicy."
**4**

Eric: Kraut Dog, with mustard and onions. "Delicious."
**5**

CASHMAN FIELD

2008-06-23T20:02:00.000-07:00

51’s vs. Beavers Game
850 N. Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 386-7200

Susan: Chicago Dog. "Overall it's okay, but everything was cold; I would recommend buying some candied nuts from the vendor next door. Go 51's!"
**4**

Eric: Chicago Dog with extra sport peppers. "Seriously, sport peppers are so good. Also, there was some good people-watching."
**5**

Spencer: Stadium Brat. "It was decent, nothing special. I'd give it a 4. It's out of 10 right? It was slightly below average."
**2**

Jamaal: Chili-cheese Dog. "Surprisingly worth $5, delicious, and the ambiance was exciting."
**5**

We beat the Beavers.

CHICAGO BREWING COMPANY

2008-06-23T19:53:00.000-07:00

2201 S. Fort Apache Road
Las Vegas, NV 89117-5704
(702) 254-3333

Both ordered the Wrigleyville Vienna Hot Dog, a “jumbo style hot dog, done the Chicago way.”

Eric: The hot dog did not come with sport peppers, but they are available upon request.
**5**

Susan: “I was depressed.”
**4**

NATHAN’S FAMOUS HOT DOGS

2008-06-23T19:43:00.000-07:00

At the MGM Grand Food Court
3799 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas
(702) 597-0131

It is not actually in the food court. It is tucked in the corner by the stairs, as if the one shameful thing to do in Vegas is to eat a Nathan's hot dog. Each ordered a hot dog. These hot dogs are actually very forgettable.

Eric:
**5**

Susan:
**3**

Jamaal: "Pretty plain, ambiance was not very interesting."
**2**

HOFBRÄUHAUS

2008-06-23T19:38:00.000-07:00

4510 Paradise Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89169
(702) 853-2337

The Hofbräuhaus is more than just brats and beer. It is efficient German-style fun. Ingredients for fun: Noisy band; Frat-boy paddling; Boobs. Due to the long tables, you may have to sit next to fun (or not-so-fun) strangers.

Both got the HB Riesenbratwurst, described on the menu as “Very tasty and fun to eat! Giant Pork Sausage with Sauerkraut on French Bread, served with Onion Mustard.” It was very tasty.

Eric:
**5**

Susan:
**5**

SUPER HOTDOGS

2008-04-14T21:51:00.000-07:00

1550 N. Rancho Dr.
Esquina, Con Vegas Dr.
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 352-3553

Super Hotdogs sets up shop from 6pm to 11pm in the parking lot of Economy Tires. Oh, except Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

They also serve the best hot dogs in the world, ever, of all time. Ever.

Seriously.

They offer 2 hot dogs: the Especial and the Regular. On the Especial: "bacon-wrap, grill onion, tomatoe, mozzarella cheese, grilled mushrooms." On the Regular: "bacon wrap, grill onions, tomatoes." These hot dogs are made in the "Sonoran style," which apparently means, the way all hot dogs should be made.

After eating the hot dogs, we spent the next few hours discussing what made Super Hotdogs so incredibly super. Here's what we decided:
1) The bread. Super Hotdogs does not use traditional hot dog buns. The bread is more like deli sandwich bread. It is grilled, soft, and delicious.
2) The condiments. The owners make several sauces by hand: Pepinillo Dulce ("sweet pepper"), Pepino con Champigñon ("peppers with mushrooms," grilled), Queso Cheedar ("cheedar cheese"), Queso Cotija ("Cotija Cheese"), Jalapeños (pureed), Salsa de Cacahuate ("Peanut Salsa"), Guacamole, and Salsa de Chipotle.
3) The owners. So nice.

All ordered the Especial. Most returned and bought a second dog; Damian ordered the Regular, to see how it compared.

Susan: "It's so good my head's going to explode. I don't know what to do."
**5**

Eric: "Why aren't we eating here every night all the time, always?"
**5**

Danny: "It's like a grilled cheese sandwich with bacon and hot dog on it. It's a Jesus Dog."
**5**

Jamaal: "Wow. Wow. Wow. I have never had such a marvel in my mouth. Some say you come to Vegas for sluts and boobies, but now we know it's really for the weiners."
**5**

Damian: "This may be the best hot dog I've ever had. It's so good you don't want to dissect it too much. Seriously, it's the bun that makes it so unique."
**5**

You should eat here. Now.

LONNIE HAMMARGREN'S CASTILLO DEL SOL

2008-01-16T22:57:00.000-08:00

4300 Ridgecrest Dr
Las Vegas, NV 89121

Going to the Hammargren House annual open house was like being allowed to enter Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, only instead of Oompa Loompas and candy, there were dinosaurs, roller coasters, space shuttles and the Taj Mahal. And hot dogs.

All ordered a hot dog at the backyard bar.

Eric: "Pretty okay."
**5**

Susan: "The experience was heightened by the fact that I had to walk through a brothel and a hidden mine shaft in order to eat."
**5**

Jamaal: "I gave the dogs a 2; it would have been a one, because I could have made them myself, but they were served to me at the Hammargren House, and there were cookies available."
**2**

GYPSY CARAVAN ANTIQUES

2008-01-16T22:41:00.000-08:00

At First Friday
1302 S 3rd Street
Las Vegas, NV 89104
(702) 868-3302

Both ordered a hot dog.

Susan: The server might have had a Russian accent, but maybe it was just the romance of the gypsy caravan. There were no handwashing facilities nearby, and nobody wore gloves.
**3**

Eric: "I liked it."
**5**

BIG AL'S CHICAGO DELI

2008-01-05T21:51:00.000-08:00

At McCarran International Airport
Las Vegas, NV

Eric was dropping Susan off at the airport; they had a few minutes for a dog. Both got a Chicago Dog; they had to eat at a Starbucks kiosk because there was no seating. What's up with hot dog places and guys named Al?

Susan: "Hey, Airport Security! X-ray THIS! This dog is dangerously delicious!"
**5**

Eric: "It's not terror-able!"
**5**

CAREFUL KITTY'S CAFE

2008-01-05T21:47:00.000-08:00

At the El Cortez Hotel & Casino
600 Fremont St.
Las Vegas, NV 89101

Eric and Susan: Both got the Vienna Hot Dog
**5**

The waitress, Myong, said it was "world famous." It was the first real Chicago dog we've had from a casino, and had a real Vienna beef dog that snapped. We were happy it came with fries.

FAMOUS UNCLE AL'S HOT DOGS & GRILLE

2008-01-05T21:35:00.000-08:00

6010 W. Craig Road
Las Vegas, NV 89130
(702) 877-DOGS

Susan: San Antonio Dog (chili, cheddar, bacon, onions and jalapeños); "It was good, but everything tasted like it came out of a can, except the dog--but good. 'KID NATION' IS ON TV!"
**4**

Spencer: Chicago Dog (mustard, relish, onions, tomato, dill pickle spear, sport peppers, celery salt, poppy seed bun); "Scrumpturalescent." "They only filled the drink cups 7/8 full of ice, which is not very efficient."
**5**

Eric: The Boston (spicy mustard sauerkraut). "The sauerkraut was good."
**5**

Atlanta "Slaw" Dog. "The slaw wasn't good."
**4**

The waitress couldn't recommend any of the dogs because she hadn't tried any. This was sad. The restaurant staff was like "Kid Nation." There were no adults present. Can this franchise survive?!

WOODY'S

2007-07-16T23:03:00.000-07:00

4 July 2007

At Lowe's
6050 W. Craig Road
Las Vegas, NV 89130

Woody's is a hot dog stand outside of Lowe's hardware store. Both liked that you can add your own fixin's. Woody's has bright green relish and celery salt. Not the best, but pretty good.

Susan: Bratwurst; she felt so sorry for the employee because it was so hot outside; it impeded the enjoyment of the hot dog.
**4**

Eric: Spicy Polish Dog; "People suffered for this hot dog. Just like your freedom."
**5**

SLOTS A' FUN

2007-07-16T22:51:00.000-07:00

2890 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

A friend of a friend claimed it had been recommended by PBS as one of the country's best hot dogs. PBS can suck it. PBS tells LIES.

Both got the $0.99 half-pound hot dog special. Both had bad flashbacks of Gold Spike, and tried to make the experience more palatable by remaining positive: "It's warm!" "Oh! Okay! That's good!"

Eric: "It's not going to make me gag. I just don't want to eat all this dog."
**1**

Susan: "It's a whole lotta dog. You know you ate a hot dog, you know?" The condiments were gross. "Normally I'd put onions on it--but I don't want THOSE."
**1**

They were thrown away after three bites. As we were tossing the hot dogs in the trash, an employee gave us an approving glance and said, "Good choice." Both agreed this advice would have been more helpful before eating the dog.

THE DOGFATHER

2007-07-16T22:41:00.000-07:00

25 May 2007

With the exception of the fact that the guy behind the counter was kind of a scemo, it was bellissimo. Prego!

Eric: The Hitman (Hot and Spicy quarter-pound dog, Memphis style [coleslaw and barbeque sauce]); "I can't believe I almost didn't get the barbeque sauce. It was perfect; the bun was cushiony."
**5**

Stephanie: Bratwurst with grilled onions and peppers; "Woof. Five paws."
**5**

Susan: The Hitman, Hawaiian-style (ham, pineapple, and Teriyaki glaze); "This is one of the best dogs I've ever had."
**5**

In between bites:
Susan: "Man."
Eric: "Yeah. Good stuff."
Stephanie: "Yeah."

QUICK DOGS

2007-07-16T22:18:00.000-07:00

There is a place to park your hot dogs outside, and several signs say "You can sit outside and eat on the patio." We opted not to do this because it was 104 degrees outside. The inside of Quick Dogs looks like a doctor's waiting room. Susan originally wanted a Mexican-style dog, but Ralph, the owner, said, "We're out of the Mexican-style dog, 'cuz the Mexican didn't come in to make them. I had to skip the gym to come in and open." Ralph was very nice and appreciative; we will definitely go back to try the Casper Dog and the Mexican. $9.00 for three dogs.

Eric: Quarter-pound Hebrew National with coleslaw; "The coleslaw was great and I'm glad they had it as an option." He liked the footlong.
**5**

Susan: Garlic Dog; "It's a little confusing. It wasn't a dog, but more like half a sausage; the bun was soggy, and 'everything' didn't include pickles."
**3.5**

Shared Chili Cheese Dog: The homemade chili was SO GOOD! Eric said, "It packs a punch."
**5**

CHICAGO TASTY DOGS

2007-04-01T21:59:00.001-07:00

9711 S. Eastern Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89123
(702) 914-3451

The staff were helpful and nice and explained everything about the toppings. They told stories about the “strange dogs” that had been requested in the shop, such as Mayo & Sauerkraut. It might even be better than Chicago Hot Dogs due to the quality of the dogs and the superiority of the service.

Susan: Chicago Dog. “It was exactly what I wanted: a good dog, a good bun, and perfect proportions of everything.”
**5**
(**4.5** for Jumbo Fire Dog. It was too oily, but that’s not the dog’s fault.)

Eric: Maxwell Street Polish Dog and Jumbo Fire Dog, with brown mustard, grilled onions and hot giardiniera. “Pefect. It really was perfect. The mustard was great.” The Jumbo Fire Dog was “crunchy, hot, tasty, oily.”
**5**

ZOOZACRACKERS

2007-04-01T21:14:00.000-07:00

At the Wynn
3131 Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

All got the ZoozaDog. It was $10.95. It features a grilled kosher hot dog, corned beef, coleslaw, pickles, tomato, red onion, mustard and Russian dressing. It was pretty, it was good, it was $10.95. It was a world-class dog, if by world-class you mean tasty and $10.95.

Eric: “I like the coleslaw.”
**5**

Susan: Looks: good. Tastes: good. Cost: not so good. Fries: good.
**5**

Danny: Liked the sweet pickles and red onion. He also liked the battered French fries. “I think it’s delightfully messy. Yum, yum, yum.”
**5**

CARIBE CAFÉ

2007-03-17T21:27:00.000-07:00

At the Mirage
3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(866) 339-4566

Eric: Hot Dog with sauerkraut and coleslaw. “I like it. I think the little [condiment] containers are cute. It’s a lot of sauerkraut.”
**5**

Susan: Hot Dog with onions and fries. “Meh.” There were too many onions, which could hinder chances for making out later.
**3.5**

Laura: Hot Dog with chili and fries. “It’s really good. It’s meaty. The chili’s not too strong; it’s a lovely compliment to my dog. They’re not kidding when they say it’s all beef, and I like the presentation: I like the scoring.” Classy.
**5**

WINDY CITY PIZZA & SUBS

2007-03-15T22:18:00.000-07:00

2521 S. Fort Apache Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89117
(702) 869-9909

Eric: Chicago Dog with fries and Kraut Dog. About the Kraut Dog: “Delicious. I mean it was just delicious.” About the Chicago Dog: “I’m losing it through the bun. Cuz the bun sucks.”
**5**

Susan: Chi’Chz Dog. “The chili kind of sucked, but the cheese looked nice. The fries looked better than they were. I was even hungry.”
**3**

SAVEURS D'ASIE

2007-03-15T22:07:00.000-07:00

31, Place Maubert
75005 Paris, 05 ème
Ile-de-France

All shared a Hot Dog on the way home from the Louvre. It was very long, covered in cheese and toasted. Stephanie and Eric got the ends, and Susan got the middle. Susan’s middle did not have much dog, and Stephanie’s end had too much. Eric did not comment on the amount of dog in his end. Everyone thought the dog was good, but Susan and Eric missed all the fixin’s. God bless America.

Susan
**5**

Eric
**5**

Stephanie
**3**

DOG HOUSE CAFE

2007-02-21T21:42:00.000-08:00

2191 E. Tropicana Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(702) 240-3644

Susan: Fire Dog with everything on it. "The dog tastes really beefy, like beefier than other beefy dogs. It's spicy enough to make my nose run, but not too spicy, though." The bun was of inferior quality, but otherwise great dog
**4**

Stephanie: Chili Dog With Onions and Cheese. "I like this dog. I want to marry it. I like that my 'Chili Dog With Onions and Cheese' is exactly what it is: a chili dog with onions and cheese. It is what it is, you know?" Lowered rating after considering the inferiority of the bun--it was too fall-aparty, no bottom, thin crease
**4**

Eric: Coney Island Hot Dot and Snap Dog with everything on it. "Delicious. I wish I liked onion sauce." The Snap Dog is delicious and meaty. "Oh, snap!"
**5**

HOT DOG HEAVEN

2007-02-06T21:44:00.000-08:00

87 E. Lake Mead Parkway
Henderson, NV 89015
(702) 567-5050

Susan: Vienna all-beef hot dog
**5**

Eric: Maxwell Street Style Polish Sausage. "Delicious and oniony and greasy. The onions are perfect and the grease is perfect."
**5**

The sales guy was grumpy, and was having a bad day. "No more hot dogs for five minutes!" And then, "No more hot dogs for at least ten minutes!" And then lots of angry yelling on the telephone while people kind of stood around, patiently waiting. Worth the wait. Would like to try this and Chicago Hot Dogs in a blind taste test.

COSTCO

2007-01-30T22:57:00.000-08:00

791 Marks Street
Henderson, Nevada 89014
(702) 352-2010

28 January 2007

Both ordered the Polish Sausage with Drink special, $1.50. The meal was topped off with samples from the Costco.

Susan: Classic. "I wish it wasn't Costco."
**4**

Eric: "It doesn't pretend to be anything it's not." Deli mustard is SO GOOD.
**5**

VICTORY'S CAFÉ

2007-01-30T22:50:00.001-08:00

At the Cannery
2121 E. Craig Road
North Las Vegas, NV 89032

7 January 2007

Both got the Cheesy-Does-It dog

Eric: "It's cheesy." Liked sliced hot dog with inserted cheese. Good cheesiness and delicious toasted bun.
**5**

Susan: The dog was good, but too thick at ¼ lb. Sad, because Eric didn't like the season salt on the fries. "I love season salt."
**4.5**

MR. HOT DOG

2007-01-30T22:42:00.000-08:00

730 E. Flamingo Road #8
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(702) 731-6550

13 October 2006

Eric: Jumbo New York and Coney combo, with mustard, sauerkraut and onion sauce. “It tastes good, but the hot dog is too thick. The onion sauce is authentic, but I do not like onion sauce.”
**4**

Susan: Italian Jersey dog, with mustard, potatoes, peppers and onions. “It has potatoes?! Then it’s good!!”
**4.5**

PINK'S

2007-01-30T22:04:00.000-08:00

Zanzibar Café at the Aladdin
3667 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 785-9001

29 September 2006

Stephanie: Chili Cheese dog. "Good dog. Messy."
**4**

Eric: Slaw Dog. "Cole slaw delicious."
**5**

Susan: Lord of the Rings Dog. Thought it was good, but too barbequey. A nice presentation with the onion rings around the dog. Thought it was way too expensive.
**4**

Coffee shop atmosphere, well lit, though one must walk through the mall at the Aladdin to get there, which was a bummer. All would rather have had a Chicago Dog hot dog instead.

MANHATTAN FRANKS

2007-01-30T21:32:00.000-08:00

9350 W Sahara Ave # 150
Las Vegas, NV 89117
(702) 889-0005

29 August 2006

Susan: El Macho hot dog, jumbo spicy dog wrapped in bacon, with mayo, pico de gallo, guacamole, and nacho cheese. The employee was rude, and made her pay full price for a combo even though she didn’t want the combo. But she was excited because of Dr. Brown's Cel-ray soda and the knishes, and also she thought the fries were delicious.
**4.5**

Eric: Maxwell Street, Vienna beef polish sausage with grilled onions, sport peppers and spicy mustard
**5**

Kim: Polish style Chicago dog, Vienna beef polish sausage with spicy mustard, green relish, red onions, tomato, pickle and celery salt
**4.5**

GOLD SPIKE HOTEL & CASINO

2007-01-28T16:57:00.000-08:00

400 E. Ogden Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702) 384-8444

3 August 2006

Both ordered the $2 special: half-pound hot dog with drink. Neither finished it. Both felt a little dirty after trying to eat this dog. "It reminds us too much of what might be in the hot dog."

Eric: "It’s too much dog for me." Like an oversized Vienna sausage, dry on either end, slick in the middle, gray/green and fleshy. He kept gagging.
**1**

Susan: Liked the green benches and vinyl diner seats. It was incredibly smoky, despite several no-smoking signs. The hot dogs needed to be cooked longer. "Too phallic to be eaten."
**2** (higher rating for the ambiance and the stories that could be told later)

CHICAGO HOT DOGS

2007-01-28T16:37:00.000-08:00

"The Authentic Taste of Chicago"
1078 N. Rancho Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89106
(702) 647-3647

12 July 2006

Voted "Best in Las Vegas" (by someone, somewhere, sometime). And us.

Stephanie: Maxwell Street Polish Dog, with mustard, grilled onions, celery salt, on a poppy seed bun. Her foot got stuck on the floor.
**5**

Susan: Chicago Dog, with mustard, green relish, diced onions, tomatoes, peppers, Kosher dill, celery salt, on a poppy seed bun
**5**

Eric: Kraut Dog, with grilled sauerkraut and mustard. "Delicious."
**5**

Treated us like royalty because they thought we were food critics or something.
A+ "We think it's the best."

d'MUSTARD

2007-01-28T16:02:00.000-08:00

In the District at Green Valley Ranch
2225 Village Walk Drive
Henderson, NV 89052
(702) 434-7477
http://www.downtownhenderson.com/Restaurants/D_Mustard/dmustard.htm

1 July 2006

Eric: Footlong Dog, with Ancho chili mustard, Chinese mustard. Really liked the bun because it is long enough to fit the dog. "Kind of hard to go wrong."
**5**

Susan: Bratwurst, with spicy ginger mustard. The bread was good. She liked that it was cut down the middle and that the grilled onions were inside. "It was very drippy."
**4**

Both really liked the mustard buffet.