Thread: one of the finest things in life HOTDOGS!!!!!!!

Couldn't agree more about the stadium mustard. It's my absolute favorite, and I have some picked up everytime family goes/comes from the Cleveland area.

Originally Posted by ewanhuzarmie

Couldn't agree more about the stadium mustard. It's my absolute favorite, and I have some picked up everytime family goes/comes from the Cleveland area.

Isn't US mustard pretty mild?
At least it was when I tried it, though I never had hotdog in a stadium.
I prefer the scorching hot French or Belgian mustards of which even a tiny lick will bring tears to my eyes.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Isn't US mustard pretty mild?
At least it was when I tried it, though I never had hotdog in a stadium.
I prefer the scorching hot French or Belgian mustards of which even a tiny lick will bring tears to my eyes.

The selection of mustards available in the US grocery stores is mind boggling. We can select from mild yellow through the brown spicies to the dijons. Then there are in each catagory, subgroups that include various flavoring additives (ie: tarragon dijon) and horseradish.

I will visit a store when it opens and take a picture or two of the mustards and post it here.

Originally Posted by bad4dr

The second best hotdog I've ever had was a few years ago in NYC. Something about a hotdog from a New York street vendor's cart...classic!

The best hotdog I've ever had was at Cleveland's Municipal Stadium. An Indians game isn't the same without a hotdog or two. Honestly, the dog itself isn't that special...it's the MUSTARD!! This is far and away the BEST hotdog mustard on the planet (if you're from Cleveland). Check it out here: http://www.stadiummustard.com

FWIW, there's a pretty decent hotdog to be had at the Navy Pier in Chicago, too...

The NYC push carts sell Sabrett hot dogs. Of course Nathans is huge in Brooklyn (Coney Island). You can buy both of those brands at Costco. However, in New England we love our hotdogs too. Arguably the best hot dogs are "natural casing" which means they have the pig intestine outer stube which makes the dog firmer and "squeak" when bitten if boiled or steamed and delightfully crispy if grilled or fried. We have many hotdog stands that all feature their own specific brand. These dogs are usually from local butchers/meat markets. In Connecticut we have Hummel Bros in New Haven. They make some of the best dogs and keilbasi I've had. There is another company named Weber that actually formulated a specific recipe for a bar named The Windmill in Stratford, CT because the Windmill will load up the griddle with dogs and cook them until they sell. This means that dogs may be on that griddle for hours. Also we can buy Grote and Wiegal from Massachussetts. There is a Hungarian meat market in Fairfield that makes their own dogs fresh daily. Each time I've tried them they were a little different, always fantastic, but very expensive. As you travel farther north you will find New Hamshire Provision and Schultz hot dogs are very popular.

Up in Cape Neddick, Maine there is a little shack on Route 1 named Flo's where you can buy Schultz hot dogs that have been steamed, served on a bun that has also been steamed with a savory relish that Flo called "hot sauce" (although it isn't hot at all). Flo is dead now but her daughter-in-law Gail keeps the place going. On any Saturday there will be a line out the door of the four stool shack because the dogs are that good. But I am lucky enough to have been there when Flo was in charge. Flo was one tough old broad. They actually have a website:

http://www.floshotdogs.com/

Originally Posted by icedog

Arguably the best hot dogs are "natural casing" which means they have the pig intestine outer stube which makes the dog firmer and "squeak" when bitten if boiled or steamed and delightfully crispy if grilled or fried.

You bring up a very good point! The natural casing hot dogs really are the best tasting, and I love that squeak when you bite into one! If they sold those at Cleveland Stadium, I'd probably never leave (and I'd weigh 500 lbs). For me, the whole experience allows the lesser Costco-style dogs to shine, whether it's at a ball game or on a New York street corner. Kinda like drinking Jameson in Ireland or eating sushi in Japan. Sure, there's better. But there's just something about the entire experience!

best hot dogs I've ever had were the footlong monstrosities you get at the AAC when watching the Stars play! good franks and VERY good buns.

any other DFW shavers know what I'm talking about?

Any hot dog vendor at Edmond's Field, home of the Sacramento Solons (Pacific Coast League).

* Unfortunately, this was in the fifties, and Edmond's Field is no longer there. It was replaced by a Gemco store.

I spent a lot of my youth outside the park trying to shag foul balls - that was my "ticket" in to the park. A great time of life! I always hated Gemco after that!

The hot dogs were wonderful!!!!!!!!!

Steve

These are the mustards at a large supermarket in Newtown, CT. It is a typical selection:

Originally Posted by Bruno

Isn't US mustard pretty mild?
At least it was when I tried it, though I never had hotdog in a stadium.
I prefer the scorching hot French or Belgian mustards of which even a tiny lick will bring tears to my eyes.

It is a smooth mild mustard with a tang in all the right places. It really goes well with the dogs.

I like hot mustards as well, but on a warm summer's day you can't beat it at the ballpark or barbecue.

I must say, HotDog Express, as far as I'm concerned, is the epitome of hot dog heaven. Nothing fancy (my preference when it comes to hotdog joints lol) but they sure do make some mean dogs. Don't think it's a chain though, so anyone outside northeast TX may be outa luck!