Fetch Hot Dog Co.

Fetch was a food truck.

Sadly, it rolls no more. Another dog-gone-bye.

Even thought their Carolina dog wasn't really what I grew up loving, I miss that truck. It used to stop on the occasional Wednesday at the office park where I work.

Fetch was all about creativity. From the food to the way they coordinated orders, cleverness ruled. When you placed an order, they gave you a card from a regular playing cards deck. Then, they called your card, (i.e., seven of clubs) when your dogs were ready.

Their Carolina dog was a bit higher brow. For one, they used locally-sourced, all-natural dogs. Hey, that's a good thing. But the toppings, mostly the chili and slaw, and the composition, were a bit too gourmet to be a traditional Carolina dog. Their slaw was more of a cabbage salad, and it lacked the mayo to give it a creamier texture. The mustard was artfully zig-zagged across the top of the dog--not exactly the same thing as our beloved Carolina Hot Dog.

A fancier Carolina dog

But for the occasional, 5-buck, fancy hot dog, Fetch was a treat. Their menu featured several regularly occurring dogs and a daily or weekly special or two. Always with creative toppings and combinations.

I guess the cost of that kind of quality ingredients made the business model hard to maintain. They still hold a soft spot in my heart.

My verdict: 4 weenies for creativity and healthier dogs

Tasty8's

A casual dinner with friends on a recent Friday night led me to Tasty8’s the next Saturday afternoon. Open for about 18 months, this was the first I had heard of the hot doggery, so I set out to discover.

It was a dreadfully cold Saturday afternoon, and only a few folks were out on the streets in downtown Raleigh. In fact, as I turned the corner onto Fayetteville Street, I wasn’t sure Tasty8’s was even open. Once warm inside, I was glad I had pre-checked their hours, rather extended for a hot dog stand.

Hot dog stand Tasty8’s is, but not your average one. These are billed as gourmet hot dogs, and the prices reflect that. At nearly seven bucks apiece, lunch for two can easily head toward $30.

The theme is 8: eight hot dogs, eight beers, eight shakes, and eight sauces for your fries. The décor is trendy and a little industrial. It appears to have a wall of garage doors, and they are likely a great asset on balmy weekend evenings when they are open until 3 AM.

We ordered two dogs, two fries, a Coke Zero, and a Mama Wells Tasty Treat—a peanut butter, fudge, and banana milkshake. The cost, around 25 bucks.

While the price is steep, especially compared with places like Snoopy’s and the Roast Grill, these dogs ARE a bit heftier—and they’re "gourmet." Bigger is certainly quantifiable. They are bigger. Gourmet seems to be a bit more of an opinion. The wieners themselves certainly ARE better than your average hot dog stand: tasty all-beef wieners or sausages and a token veggie dog.

I had the Southern Comfort, as close to a Carolina Dog as the menu gets: blue cheese slaw, Carolina chili, red onion, and scallions. I was concerned about the funk of the blue cheese, but I didn’t even notice it. What I noticed was the chili. I wouldn’t really call that Carolina chili. It had meat, but it also seemed to have a significant smashed bean component; when I think of Carolina chili, I definitely think of a beefy chili sauce—without beans or bean paste. I loved the scallions, but then again, I always do. I didn’t see mustard, but I’m guessing it is available; of course, I’m definitely NOT a gourmet mustard fan. Give me French’s yellow mustard for my dogs!

My husband had the El Perro, a Mexican inspired dog consisting of a jalapeno-cheddar bison brat with guacamole, queso con chorizo, Mexican crema, salsa, and jalapenos. It sounds excellent, and I had to try it, but sadly, my main take-away was that the salsa reminded me of Pace picante. I was rather disappointed.

The fries aren’t my favorites, but they are plentiful. We probably should have shared one order. The jalapeno-buttermilk ranch packed a modest kick, and the green goddess was a mellower sauce. I would have liked a bit more flavor from the green goddess, but it wasn’t unlikeable. I still wonder if I would have liked the Crema Mexicana better.

Considering the price and the chili and salsa, I was a little disappointed. Obviously, I love a traditional Carolina dog, and while the wieners were great, the toppings just didn’t do it for me. That said, I do hope to go back and try their Windy City Weenie and see how that compares to the ones I’ve had in Chicago.

My verdict: 3 weenies

 

Drag Bingo

Drag Bingo actually more of an event than a place, but the hot dogs are fabulous... and the entertainment matches!

Mary Kmart Hosts

Hosted by the awesome Mary Kmart, Drag Bingo is a major fundraiser for the Alliance of AIDS Services - Carolina. AAS-C provides all kinds of support for those living with HIV/AIDS and their families and friends. The AAS-C holds Drag Bingo about six or so times a year, usually at the Durham Armory across from the Marriott and the Carolina Theatre in Downtown Durham. Upon special occasions, Drag Bingo has been at the Raleigh Civic Center, the NC State Fairgrounds, and at Golden Belt. The evening consists of traditional bingo mixed with stand-up comedy, drag performances with a new theme for each event, and great dogs rolled into one glittery fun evening.

Miss Clair Entertains

The hot dogs are delicious and cheap. Five bucks gets you two hot dogs, a bag of chips, a sweet, and a soft drink. Purchase your special and head to the toppings table. The usual condiments are provided: mustard, relish, ketchup, mayo; but more important are the toppings that make these dogs special: freshly chopped onions and home-made coleslaw and home-made chili.

I've always said one of the most important components to a great Carolina Hot Dog is the slaw, and the slaw here is always fresh and creamy, seasoned perfectly. The chili, too, is tasty and freshly home-made. It's really hard to find something about the chili or slaw that isn't divine. Truly delicious!

Three Carolina Hot Dogs

Yumminess in foil

You do have to purchase a ticket to get in. Currently, admission is $20. It includes several games of bingo, several dazzling drag performances, and off-the-cuff comedy between the host(esses) that make it worth the cost of entry. Add to that the fact that all the money raised goes to support those living with HIV and AIDS, not to mention access to some of the best hot dogs in the Triangle. That's the makings of a fun--and tasty--night out.

Don't miss some of my favorite weenies!

My verdict: 5 weenies

Restaurant Starlu

a dearly departed dog

Restaurant Starlu was a great eatery near my home. Their regular fare was a bit above my everyday price range, but they had a late night menu with a pricey burger and a couple of less expensive hot dogs.

On our anniversary one year, my partner and I decided to hit the late night Starlu menu. We decided to spurge and split the burger, and someone at the bar suggested we try one of the hot dogs. The name escapes me, but the description was unforgettable: an all beef hot dog, wrapped in bacon and deep fried, served with peanut butter, mayo, and red onion...

It sounded downright weird, if not disgusting to some. I grew up on peanut butter and banana sandwiches with mayo, so I was pretty sure that combo would be awesome. I love onions, so that might not be bad. And... well... bacon... Duh.

We timidly ordered one. It was gone so quickly we had another. I know. It wasn't a real Carolina Hot Dog, but it was such a darn good... and memorable.. dog that it earned a ranking among the dearly departed dogs...

My lower-carb homage to dearly departed Starlu's creation

Despite the fact I can't remember the name, that dog will forever stick in my memory. Perhaps, Sam Poley will stumble across this post and let us know what they called it...

My verdict: 5 weenies

Hot Dogs & Brew

A few days ago, I searched Yelp for hot dog establishments in the area. I do that from time to time to keep up to date in my quest for the perfect dog. And what to my wondering eyes should appear but a new hot dog restaurant in Chapel Hill.

If you're a pedestrian in Chapel Hill, Hot Dogs & Brew is easy to get to, but if you drive, it takes a bit more effort to find a good parking space. I parked in the garage near the old Post Office and took Post Office Alley to get to Franklin Street. Other than having to pay for parking, not a bad place to park--when the garage isn't full.

The store front it self isn't much to speak of: a blue awning with the name. The half windows sport a sign that reads "GRILLED HOT DOGS." It's clean and new, not much character... yet. Only the chalk sign on the sidewalk indicates this might be worth checking out.

Inside, it's clean and spacious, a long room with tables and a couple of big screen televisions. Walking in, I felt a twinge of nostalgia. The layout is similar to the legendary Amos 'N Andy; the decor is not. It's much brighter and doesn't have wooden school desks.

The woman taking orders was friendly and could tell it was my first time there. We chatted a bit about hot dogs, and she asked about my favorites. She promised that Hot Dogs & Brew would be my new favorite. 

The menu is a colorful chalk board with several "specialties," including one called Carolina's Favorite: mustard, slaw, chili, and onions. Of course I ordered one of those, and I had to try the Spicy Redneck: bacon, jalapenos, slaw and chili--as well. I took a seat and waited for my dogs to arrive.

After a bit, the woman who took my order delivered my dogs to my table. They looked good. In fact, thinking about them today makes me hungry again. 

I tried the Carolina's Favorite first. The bun wasn't steamed, but it was fairly fresh, so it was soft enough. The first taste I got was sweet, and I wasn't sure I was going to like it. The sweet came from the slaw, which was not homemade, sadly. The chili and onions, though, almost made up for the slaw. It was a darn good hot dog. I'd have it next time without the slaw--unless they take my advice and make their slaw fresh daily.

Like the Carolina's Favorite, the Spicy Redneck suffered from the slaw. Otherwise, the chili, bacon, and jalapeno were tasty combination.

The prices are a little steeper than most, in keeping with the prime location: $2.50 & $3.25. Good for the expected lunch and dinner, but I'm betting most of their business will be late night; they're open until 3AM on weekends. All in all, Hot Dogs & Brew has pretty good hot dogs. They could be great with a little freshly made coleslaw.

My verdict: 3 weenies

UPDATE: Sadly, the lack of homemade slaw may have done them in. This hot dog stand is history.

Citidogs

By chance, driving along Chapel Hill Road this afternoon, I noticed a new hot dog business, Citidogs, in the former Dog House location at The Shoppes at Lakewood. I was actually on my way to check out another hot dog venue in Durham and decided to change my plans.

Apparently, this location has been open for less than a week. Business seemed moderate. A couple of folks in front of me had ordered, and several arrived shortly after me. However, I'm not sure what the future holds for Citidogs. As you'll see, it's not one of my favorites.

Northside Dog

Dog prices aren't bad at 1.50 per hot dog, including the toppings. They also offer a special: 2 dogs, fries, and a beverage for 5 bucks.

I prefer my hot dogs with slaw and onions in addition to the mustard and chili, but sometimes I find that pre-packaged slaw (slaw that is not freshly made) can distract from what might be a decent dog without the slaw. Some folks call the dog with mustard, slaw, chili, and onions a combo dog. Others call it an all the way dog. Others understand all the way to mean mustard, onions, and chili. Perhaps the easiest way to name them is with cute-ish names as they do at Citidogs. However, I saw no combo dog on the menu, so I chose one Northside (mustard, onions, chili) dog and one Eastside (mustard, slaw, and chili) along with my usual diet Coke.

Eastside Dog

After a short wait, my dogs were ready. A couple of picnic tables are close, so I opted to sit at one of them. I unrolled the Northside first. It felt cool in my hand, which surprised me a bit. I'm used to a hot dog being at least lukewarm if not warm. I guess that's because my favorite hot dogs have traditionally been served in steamed buns. These were not. But the dog looked pretty good except that the chili seemed to be more mush than meaty. When I tasted it, I confirmed. There really isn't much to the chili. It's a bit sweet and mushy. The onions were a bit mushy as well. I wasn't very impressed, but I still had my Eastside dog. Maybe it would be better...

It wasn't. Sadly, it made the Northside dog better. The slaw as prepackaged and very sweet. That sweet combined with the sweetness of the chili made me debate whether to even finish the dog. I did, and I wished I had not. The only thing I could say for either was that the wiener was not to blame. They looked and tasted as if they had been grilled, and it had a bit of char on them. If I were ever to eat here again, I'd opt for a naked dog, perhaps with just mustard and onions... but there are definitely better dogs to be had.

My verdict: 2 weenies

UPDATE: The public agree. This hot dog stand is history.

The Old King's Sandwich Shop

One of my first hot dog memories involved the old King's Sandwich Shop at the corner of Foster and Geer Streets in Durham. As I recall, we spent many Friday evenings, driving "to town" after my dad got home from work.

My mother's aunt and her daughter lived in apartments on Geer Street, and we often visited them. We would occasionally shop at the department stores in downtown Durham: Belk's, Thalhimer's, and Sears, but the most important part of going "to town" was Friday night supper at King's. The establishment has been named King's apparently since 1942, but we never called it that. Mom & Dad just called it the Ballpark or the Hot Dog Stand.

Hot dogs were 25 cents apiece back then. I could tell from the menu that King's sold more than just hot dogs, but we never ordered anything but hot dogs, fries, and Cokes. The menu was painted on a board above the awning, but sometime between the early 70s and the 80s, it was taken down and replaced with the current King's sign or one quite similar to it.

The taste of those King's hot dogs from the 60s and early 70s defined what a hot dog was for me. To this day, when I think of hot dogs, the original King's combo dog--mustard, slaw, onions, and chili--is what I think of.

When I was very, very young, I remember my parents taking me along when they went out for an evening with their square dancing club. Afterward, if my memory is correct, they went for a bite to eat at Honey's on Guess Road. I ordered a hot dog, and it came naked. I was appalled. I needed the chili and slaw, but I was hardly more than a toddler, and I recall pitching a fit wanting chili and "lettuce." I'm sure I made my parents proud that night. Honey's hot dogs were not the Ball Park's.

Later, my family lived in Godfrey, IL, for a few months while my dad was trained for work in Alton. I was about seven years old, and finding a real Carolina dog was impossible in IL. I was so happy when we returned to North Carolina and my old friend, King's Sandwich Shop.

At some point, my family stopped the Friday night suppers at King's, and for several years I remembered it fondly--without visiting. Some time in the 80s or early 90s I decided to drop back by to see if the dogs were as good as I remembered them. Almost. The only problem is that they stopped making their own slaw and started buying pre-made stuff. I really can't stand pre-packaged slaw. I'd just rather not have any if it's not freshly made, in-house. Still, I remained a fan until it closed, and I was terribly sad when it did.

(King's Sandwich Shop has been lovingly updated and re-opened. More about the new King's Sandwich Shop later.)