Mid-Atlantic Wiener Extravaganza!

Last weekend, I went to New York and Pennsylvania (with my lady friend) to partake in some Kaiju action, and of course there were hot dogs to be had.

- Manhattan -

Part 1: Dog-cupy Wall Street

I picked up these dogs from a street vendor near the World Trade Center. I found the cart occupying Zuccotti (Liberty) Park with a Sabrett umbrella. I asked the man for a hot dog and he proceeded to place 3 sausages of varying sizes on the grill. He quickly told me the difference between the three and I ruled out the Italian sausage (that was the only one I caught) and had "one of each" of the remaining. I had him put "whatever-you've-got" on it which turned out to be: ketchup, mustard, shredded-cabbage-stuff, caramelized onions and raw onions.

The highlight was the bigger of the two wieners. This wieners was slightly lighter in color and sliced open down the middle. It had a strange texture-- almost like a veggie dog but a little more firm. Was it a veggie dog? It didn't have a typical meat feeling to it. It was almost lighter and fluffier. Either way I liked it. It was also much spicier than the other dog which was topped the same way. One might even call it a HOT! dog.

The bigger pinker wiener gets a 4/5. Its average buddy gets a 3/5.

- Philly -

Part 2: Philly Cheese WHAT!?

I had always wanted to go to Bubby's Brisket and Bugsy's Weiners (yes, they spelled wiener wrong) when in Philadelphia, and this time around I "made it happen." Seeing Philly Dog on the menu was an instant choice. I also got the Special Dog (or I think that's what it was called) with mustard and onions. The Special was a BIG BEEFY BEHEMOTH and nothing more. The Philly Dog on the other hand was truly special.

They used a regular sized wiener for this combo. Split down the middle with Cheez Whiz and grilled onions. The creamy tang of the whiz went over nicely on a hot dog. Onions are almost always good. Only negative was the dog was a little lost in the cheese. Maybe a Special dog Philly style is the answer. There's always next time!

Special dog get's a 3/5. Philly Dog get's a 4/5.

Maple Leaf Skinless Franks

Maple Leaf skinless franks always seem to be on standby in my household refrigerator, and tonight I was lucky enough to come home from work and find some freshly cooked on standby. These hot dogs were sitting there waiting and I had to make them mine-- so I did.

My father had cooked these with slits up the side in a frying pan and also buttered and toasted the rolls. I added some black pepper and Trader Joe's Pickle Slices which were provided by my friends mom. I couldn't find any desirable mustard in my fridge so I regretfully skipped that step.

Appearance: Skinless franks fried with side slits. A little well done. Pink on inside.

Smell: BUTTA! Mmm buttered roll.

Taste: These are neutral wieners. There is a little bit of spice. No odd/unwanted flavors.

Texture: Not a firm wiener, not a soft wiener. An in betWIENER. Crunchy and buttery saturated roll with pickle slices are a nice addition.

Overall: Not the best wieners I've ever had but, I have had them a million times. Budget priced and certainly NOT bad.

Thanks again to my pappy and also my friends mom.

These wieners get a 3/5!