Haven't had all of these, but I've tried more than a few. Of those, I think the Chicago Dog is the clear winner. Something about that pickle spear, in conjunction with the celery salt, peppers, and white onion chunks--and everything else--sits really good on those occasions when consuming encased meats seems like a good idea.

I also think the Cobb Salad Dog (lettuce, tomato, bacon bits, blue cheese, on a pretzel roll) is worthy of mention. Underrated.

But keep in mind, I don't have an especially refined or adventurous palate where food is concerned.

AND I would concede that when consuming a way above average quality hotdog/brat/sausage, it might be just fine to have it with a bun and mustard and nothing else. Less is more sometimes.

zorg wrote: Mon Aug 28, 2023 5:36 am

penningtron wrote: Sun Aug 27, 2023 12:15 pm NY style or basically any minimalist dog. If you need a pile of shit on it, you might as well just skip the dog.

I understand the sentiment, but I generally don't think much of mass produced dogs, so I require the toppings to make it palatable.

That's not to say you can't use a decent amount of mustard/relish. I've been buying grass fed beef dogs in recent years. Still pretty salty, but a bit more natural tasting. Brats and other grown up sausages are great of course but a whole different thing really, sometimes the thin weenies hit right in the nostalgia bone.

I do like Chicago dogs alright, but am not crazy about the raw onion and tomato. It's not a hamburger.

tallchris wrote: Sun Aug 27, 2023 10:49 pm Seattle dog fucking rules, don’t deny your roots FM Wood Goblin!

Seconded. Surprisingly good, but obv you do have to like cream cheese. If you don't, it's a non-starter.

tallchris wrote: Sun Aug 27, 2023 10:49 pm Seattle dog fucking rules, don’t deny your roots FM Wood Goblin!

They didn’t exist when I was growing up!

(Okay, I’ll do it. I’ll try one next time I visit.)

penningtron wrote: Sun Aug 27, 2023 12:15 pm If you need a pile of shit on it, you might as well just skip the dog.

This is exactly why the Chicago dog is the best. Because hot dogs are fucking terrible.

Voted Chicago!

Why eat a hot dog when the thuringer, mettwurst, and bratwurst all exist?

Just chili and cheese, people. Bonus for a steamed poppyseed bun. None of that other shit belongs. Dribble off those Bobby Brooks slacks and do what I please.

biscuitdough wrote: Sun Aug 27, 2023 11:00 pm Is diced pickle different from pickle relish?

Maybe in terms of consistency? I'd figure relish would be more minced than diced.

jimmy spako wrote: Raised in NW Ohio as well, both of these were staples. There was also something with cubed bologna.

Never had that one but it sounds like it would be great fried up with some eggs and taters.

I've never understood putting mediocre (and often downright shitty) chili on a dog. It's about the same as ruining good beef by putting overcooked bacon on it and overwhelming the beef flavor and maillard products with smoky porkiness.

A good quality hot dog is as delightful a thing as a good Thuringer, knackwurst or kielbasa. Brats and Italians are not a good comparison, since they're non-emulsified fresh sausages, not cured.

The Chicago Dog is my favorite treatment. The balance of flavors and contrasts is artful. You've already got a fatty, salty, savory meat bomb - why add more fatty, savory shit to it? With the Chicago Dog you get a complimentary blend of acid/tangy, piquance, heat, and sweetness. It's a really finely balanced meal, as opposed to a choice made of desperation or inebriation.

Chicago Dog, by a large margin.

No scrambled dog? Motherfucker, WHAT?

Fuck the NY Times. First Iraq, now this.

https://www.mashed.com/491398/this-geor ... h-a-spoon/

dontfeartheringo wrote: Tue Aug 29, 2023 2:37 pm No scrambled dog? Motherfucker, WHAT?

Fuck the NY Times. First Iraq, now this.

https://www.mashed.com/491398/this-geor ... h-a-spoon/

I feel that's more stew than hot dog.