Assisted Living Hot Dog Story

Way back on July 2, at Zippity Do Dog in Framingham, where I stopped for the National Hot Dog Month 2012 Tour, I met a guy named "John" who works at Heritage Assisted Living in Framingham, MA. He was wondering if I would be interested in speaking at the "Men's Luncheon" sometime. 

Since I was pretty busy in July running around eating hot dogs, and I was in New York for the date of their August luncheon, we settled on September. Well the date is upon us, tomorrow as a matter of fact.

John sent me an email in which he said:

"We are hoping you would speak.  I  know the guys would be interested in hearing 

about your travels and adventures and anything to do with hot dogs. We will have hot dogs on the menu along with various side dishes."

I will be bringing my camera to do a little hot dog story with the guys.

All men who put ketchup on their hot dogs will be asked to join the ladies!

Larry Joe has had a Tough Year

Frequent readers will know, I am a big fan of Larry Joe's New England Fire Pit. This hot dog trailer has that rare combination of excellent hot dogs and what I will just call "atmosphere." Last December, Larry Joe suffered a devastating fire. A cigarette butt smoldered in a trash can for hours, finally igniting some wax paper while the trailer was parked in Larry's driveway. The trailer blew up.

It was a total loss.

Luckily, Larry Joe had insurance for his hot dog business, so he was able to rebuild. Because of the exacting design specifications Larry had for his trailer and the fact that his first manufacturer couldn't complete the job, it took 26 weeks for The Fire Pit to reopen. 

Sure enough, near the beginning of July, Larry Joe was once again parked in the parking lot of Larry's Package Store (no relation).

Fanatic Fans of Larry Joe's New England Fire Pit were once again secure in the knowledge they could lay their hands on Larry Joe's delicately smoked, half pound, Pearl franks.

BUT (could you feel it coming), once again, Larry Joe faced a setback. Larry's Package Store was sold and the new owners didn't want the Fire Pit in their parking lot! Never mind that Larry's presence increased sales at the store, they politely asked Larry to leave and, rather than make a big stink, he politely left.

Once again, the sight of Larry Joe handing out his Pit Dogs and Fire Dogs seemed in jeopardy. Poor Larry, if it wasn't for bad luck, he'd have no luck at all (I can almost hear him playing the tune now).

Larry is a survivor though. He promptly found a new location about a mile away in Mendon, MA. He'll be in the parking lot of  Westwood Lumber at 23 Cape Road (route 140) in Mendon. Larry found the spot and got all his permits in order at one Board of Selectman's meeting; he must have fed the local politicians for them to move so fast!

I am told the owners at the new location are DELIGHTED that the Fire Pit is on their property. I'm glad he landed on his feet too. Larry not only serves some of the most outrageous franks I have ever had, he's also a good guy and a good ambassador to Hot Dog Nation. I am going to swing by the Fire Pit for lunch tomorrow to check out the new digs.

Here's hoping Murphy's Law is done with Larry Joe for a LOOOONG TIME!

Slawsa at Snappy Dogs

One of the benefits of being The Hotdogman is people send me stuff! I recently received some Slawsa from the nice folks at Nicole Foods. Co-owner Judson Odom of Chattanooga, TN has been whipping up batches of Slawsa for decades. He recently partnered up with Julie Busha and Julie took Slawsa nationwide. The condiment, which is a mix of slaw, mustard, and other goodies is billed as a hot dog topping. Basically, it's a cross between cole slaw and salsa. I hadn't tried it- until today.

I decided to see what the local "Queens of Condiments," Lisa and Teresa, the wacky and lovable Snappy Dogs gals, thought of Slawsa, so I headed out to Hopkinton with a jar of the Spicy Slawsa. The Snappy Dogs ladies have more than a dozen home made condiments on their trailer, so I wanted their expert opinion. 

Slawsa fits right in with what they're doing at Snappy Dogs. Both Slawsa and Snappy Dogs use down home style recipes and both businesses believe in giving back to their communities.

Here's Lisa taking an order for some Snappy Dogs.

That's Teresa, being a bit silly- as usual!

Big Tony- Lisa's dad- tried the Slawsa.

So did this gal. I detected a southern accent while chatting with her, so I thought it might go over well with her.

Quite a few Snappy Dogs got loaded up with the Slawsa. The jar was GONE when I left! I had a Slawsa Dog before it got emptied out. I had it with Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sauce and Onion Crunch.

I couldn't resist the Snappy Dogs Friday Special. Today's special was the Senor Beefy - a grilled Snappy Dog topped with marinated and grilled steak, avocado, and a bright pico de gallo. Snappy Dogs is AWESOME!

Mrs. HDM and I will be taking Slawsa on the road with us later this month when we go Hot Doggin' in Maine, so we'll get more reactions then.

Here's a little video I shot of my visit. I have it posted up as the featured video on Hot Dog Stories too.

National Hot Dog Month Day 31

National Hot Dog Month 2012 officially ended (for me) at Casey's Diner in Natick, MA. Casey's is the first place I remember getting a hot dog with my grandfather when I was four years old back in 1969. I have had hundreds of Casey's hot dogs since then. It was appropriate that this year's journey ended there.

There were other folks on hand today to provide commentary for the documentary style film I am putting together. Larry Cultrera from the Diner Hotline blog and author of Classic Diners of Massachusetts (The History Press)  was on hand to provide an historical perspective. Aaron Socrat, guest dogger on July 3, 2012 and former Natick Historical Commission member was there to provide insight into the process of Casey's being placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Drew Bennett came by today and took a ton of great photos which will be posted on the Hot Dog Stories Facebook Page.

Get the full story of the final visit of National Hot Dog Month 2012 to Casey's Diner on Hot Dog Stories.

National Hot Dog Month Day 30

July 30, the second to last stop on the National Hot Dog Month Tour, brought me to my home town of Needham, MA to Dog Gone Ron's. Owner Eric Wegner has been slinging hot dogs out of a tiny cart (and a nicely restored 1974 Chevy Blazer) out in front of the Mobil Station he owns for 9 years.

I originally had other plans for today, but after watching another Needham native, Ally Raisman, perform on the Olympic stage in women's gymnastics Sunday night, I got nostalgic. That's what brought me to Dog Gone Ron's. People in town were definitely buzzing about the young lady who is poised for Olympic greatness. I wonder if she puts ketchup on her hot dogs?

Drew Bennett was sleeping off another weekend of working the help desk, but I brought my camera and posted some pictures on the Hot Dog Stories Facebook page.

Get the full story on my visit to Dog Gone Ron's on Hot Dog Stories.

National Hot Dog Month Day 29

Stop 29 on the National Hot Dog Month Tour found me and my girls in Dartmouth , MA at Naughty Dawgs Express. I visited Naughty Dawgs last year in Faihaven, but they lost their lease in that location last fall. Owner Ken Raposa landed on his feet and replaced the Fairhaven location with two new spots: one in New Bedford and one in Dartmouth.

Since the Dartmouth location is open on Sundays, that's where we headed. Little Miss, The Photo Bomber, Miss Camera Shy and I rolled on down the highway to Dartmouth for lunch. The ride was accompanied by teenybopper music and some classic teen girl silliness that I PROMISED my daughters I wouldn't film.

Drew Bennett wasn't on this outing, but still make sure you check out the Hot Dog Stories Facebook Page for some photos.

Get the full story on our visit to Naughty Dawgs Express on Hot Dog Stories.

National Hot Dog Month Day 28

Day 28 of the National Hot Dog Month Tour brought me and Little Miss to Donna's Dawgs in Middleboro, MA. Donna Vickery treated Little Miss and I like old friends. She was quite possibly the most kind and welcoming host in two years of the National Hot Dog Month Tour. She had Little Miss wearing ketchup and mustard costumes and even let her help out behind the counter serving customers!

Donna's Dawgs is located on route 28 in Middleboro. The two year old business is one of the most adorable little hot dog joints I have encountered in my travels. We arrived early on a dreary, grey Saturday. Things were a tad slow at first, but before long, Donna's Dawgs was slammed.

Drew Bennett was working today, but I still managed to post some pictures on the Hot Dog Stories Facebook Page!

Get the full story on our visit to Donna's Dawgs on Hot Dog Stories.

National Hot Dog Month Day 27

The 27th stop on the National Hot Dog Month Tour brought me back to Northborough to a classic hot dog truck called Dog Day Afternoon. Owner Lori Stone and her husband Mike park the truck on their own property on Lyman Street in Northborough. As a ten year veteran of the hot dog business, Lori had some good insights- and good, home made chili.

The hot dog truck is situated on a well traveled road that connects an industrial/office area to route 9 on one side and residential Northborough on another. It's a great location and even on a dreary day like today, they had steady traffic at the window.

Drew Bennett did NOT accompany me, and my camera ran out of batteries, so there are no photos of this visit on the Hot Dog Stories Facebook Page.  :(

Get the whole story on my visit to Dog Day Afternoon on Hot Dog Stories.

National Hot Dog Month Day 26

Stop number 26 on the National Hot Dog Month Tour was Harbor Dogs in Scituate, MA. This is probably the coolest location for a hot dog cart we have seen all month: right on Scituate Harbor. There's lots of boat traffic, especially on weekends, and Harbor Dogs is on Scituate's "main drag," so there's good foot and vehicle traffic too.

Harbor Dogs owner, Mike Healy is a life long Scituate resident and a local fire fighter. He started in the hot dog business this spring and hopes to grow into a strong catering operation. When Mike has to be at the station, he has "his man Will" taking care of business.

Drew Bennett was back, with his camera and artful eye. You can see all his photos on the Hot Dog Stories Facebook Page.

Get the full story on our visit to Harbor Dogs on Hot Dog Stories.

National Hot Dog Month Day 25

Auggie Dogs was the 25th stop on the National Hot Dog Month Tour. This hot dog cart, owned by Paul Sandgren, is literally right on the Massachusetts-New Hampshire border. You can actually be ordering your dogs in New Hampshire while Paul prepares them in Massachusetts!

Paul had the family helping out at Auggie Dogs today. His son, Nicholas was "helping" with taking money and wife Michele was there for moral support. Paul had a few gags up his sleeve for the Hotdogman!

Drew Bennett was at a doctor's appointment today, so his usual awesome pictures won't be on the Hot Dog Stories Facebook Page. I took some pictures though, and they'll be posted! (They aint half bad either).

Get the full story on my visit to Auggie Dogs on Hot Dog Stories.

National Hot Dog Month Day 24

Windy City Eats in Weymouth, MA was stop number 24 on the National Hot Dog Month Tour. This 4 year old little family run hot dog shop was the first Chicago Hot Dog joint in the Boston area. Now owner Grady Carlson is the New England distributor for Vienna Beef; he plans on expanding the reach of Chicago Dogs to as many places as possible.

I had a nice visit with Grady and his wife, Sen, who works in the hot dog business with her husband. Sen has a food background- she owned and ice cream shop on the west coast before moving back to Weymouth with her hubby to be closer to her family.

The couple shares a vision for their budding hot dog empire and they plan to open a second location in Norwell in September.

Drew Bennett was on hand snapping pictures and, according to one patron, "looking like a Walter, not an Andrew." You can see his photos on the Hot Dog Stories Facebook Page.

Get the full story on our visit to Windy City Eats on Hot Dog Stories.

National Hot Dog Month Day 23

Hot Dog Annie's in Leicester, MA was stop number 23 on The National Hot Dog Month 2012 Tour. This iconic little shack on route 56 has been open since 1949. More people ask me if I have been to Hot Dog Annie's than any other establishment, so I had to find out why.

The current owner was not there today, but her sister was.She thinks people like Hot Dog Annie's because the hot dogs are cheap- only $1.20, but she also credits the special barbecue sauce everyone in these parts raves about.

Drew Bennett was on hand after NOT SLEEPING last night! That didn't stop him from taking another batch of great pictures for the Hot Dog Stories Facebook Page.

You can get the whole story on our visit to Hot Dog Annie's on Hot Dog Stories.

The National Hot Dog Month Tour has a new sponsor: Shelly Ehler and Show No Towels. Thanks Shelly!!!!!

National Hot Dog Month Day 22

It was a nice beach day, so we headed out to Gary's Best early for hot dogs for breakfast. We had about 15 minutes to kill before they opened, so I took Mrs. HDM and Little Miss for a quick tour of downtown New Bedford before breakfast.

Check out the full story about our visit to Gary's Best in New Bedford.


Check out the Hot Dog Stories Facebook Page

National Hot Dog Month Day 20

That's My Dog was stop number 20 on The National Hot Dog Month 2012 Tour. The picture you see is what I had for lunch today. That's a grilled, quarter pound, Pearl All Beef Frank served "All Around Crunchy." That's mustard, relish, onions, and Onion Crunch on that big dog.

Owner Mike Hogan recently moved to a new spot, right across from the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets. It's a great location for a hot dog business, Mike's self built cart is in a lot with plenty of parking and it's right next door to a new, 30 store annex to the Outlet Mall.

Mike had a decent lunch crowd today. His family stopped by; it's a good thing too- his 9 year old daughter needs to teach him a thing or two about condiment choices!

Drew Bennett took his usual batch of excellent photos, which can be seen at the Hot Dog Stories Facebook Page. 

Get the full story about the tour stop at That's My Dog on Hot Dog Stories.

National Hot Dog Month Day 19

Tex Barry's was stop number 19 on the National Hot Dog Month Tour. I know we went to Tex Barry's on Monday, this is the Tex Barry's in Taunton, MA. Tex Barry's was once a 14 unit franchise in this part of the state; now there are only two left. Tony, the owner, bought this business in 1984 after the Tex Barry franchise group broke up; he's been running it ever since.

The Coney Island sauce tasted just like the sauce at Tex Barry's in Attleborough, Tony doesn't add celery salt though, that's a self service thing at this location.

We were there early, so it was kind of quiet. Things were just picking up as we had to hit the road.

Drew Bennett got a bunch of pictures which are posted on the Hot Dog Stories Facebook Page.

Get the whole story on our visit to Tex Barry's Coney Island in Taunton on Hot Dog Stories.

National Hot Dog Month Day 17

 

Beezers in Northborough, Massachusetts was stop number 17 on the National Hot Dog Month 2012 tour. This hot dog business was bordering on iconic status in Northborough before losing their lease two years ago. 

Owners and Chicago natives Steve and Linda Bock had been slinging authentic Chicago Dogs for 12 years in their old location. It took them two years of scouting before teaming up with Trombetta's Ice Cream in the new spot. As Metrowest's only Chicago dog option, many folks are glad the're back.

As always, Drew Bennett will have excellent photos of our stop on the Hot Dog Stories Facebook Page.

Get the whole story about our visit to Beezers on Hot Dog Stories.

National Hot Dog Month Day 16

Tex Barry's Coney Island Diner was stop number 16 on the National Hot Dog Month 2012 Tour. Today was also owner Arthur Bombardier's first day back from vacation. Tex Barry's is a classic Worcester Lunch Car Diner that has been serving hot dogs and burgers in downtown Attleborough, Massachusetts since the 1960's.The hot dog business moved to its current location in 1982 and has been owned by Arthur since 1985.

The specialty of the house is a grilled frank on a steamed roll with Tex Barry's signature Coney Island sauce. Even though the place has no air conditioning, the tiny diner was packed on a hot summer day.

Drew Bennett, hot dog photographer extraordinaire, has put up a ton of pictures of our visit on the Hot Dog Stories Facebook Page.

Read the full story about our visit to Tex Barry's Coney Island Diner on Hot Dog Stories.

National Hot Dog Month Day 15

Kool Kone was stop number 15 on the National Hot Dog Month Tour. I chose Kool Kone because it was a muggy, hot day and the whole gang was at the beach. I wanted to be back to the beach as fast as possible and Kool Kone was the closest place.

I have never had a hot dog at Kool Kone, so it was an eligible establishment!

Kool Kone is a classic summer shack/drive-in type of place. They serve up all kinds of ice cream, fried seafood, and, of course, hot dogs.

Drew isn't with me on weekends, so there won't be the usual pile 'o pictures on the Hot Dog Stories Facebook Page.

You can get the full story on my visit to Kool Kone on Hot Dog Stories

National Hot Dog Month Day 14

Dell's Kitchen was stop number 14 on the National Hot Dog Month Tour. Proprietor Della Sylvia and her daughter Kyla were working in the Dell's Kitchen trailer at Wareham High School on Saturday morning, July 14. Dell's is the food concession for the Wareham Junior Basketball program which takes place every Saturday morning.

Dell's Kitchen is a family affair. Daughter Kyla was helping out in the kitchen, Dell's husband was providing "moral support" and their ten year old was playing in the league. Dell coached in the league for many years and now she's happy to be providing fuel to players and fans alike.

This is still a part time gig for Dell, she works construction full time and hopes to retire to the hot dog business full time in a few years.

Drew isn't with me on weekends, so there won't be the usual pile 'o pictures on the Hot Dog Stories Facebook Page. That's too bad- cuz there was lots to see today and the food needed that high def lens of Drew's.

Still getting caught up on videos, but the full story is over on Hot Dog Stories.

National Hot Dog Month Day 13

Snappy Dogs was the Friday the 13th stop on the National Hot Dog Month 2012 Tour. Teresa and Lisa, those wild and wacky Snappy Dog gals, were in rare form today. Friday is the day Snappy Dogs puts Lisa's Cordon Bleu chef training to the test because that's the day Snappy Dogs has their special, gourmet dog of the week! I challenged Lisa to come up with an extra special Friday special and she did not disappoint.

If you didn't know, Snappy Dogs is located in the parking lot of Colella's Market, at the intersection of route 85 and 135, in downtown Hopkinton, Massachusetts. The ladies are in their fourth season of grilling up Pearl all beef franks with delicious, gourmet style, home-made toppings.

I have worked on their trailer in the past, and as it turns out, it's a good thing I was there today. Lisa had an emergency- her daughter needed a tow- so I was pressed into service in the middle of the lunch rush for about an hour. I went there to film a Hot Dog Story, and I got put to work!

Drew Bennett took the usual pile of really good pictures (as opposed to the blurry, low resolution ones I shoot) and they will be up on the Hot Dog Stories Facebook Page.

I am still catching up on the videos after last weekend's computer disaster, I hope to be caught up by the end of this weekend.

Get the full story of our visit to Snappy Dogs on Hot Dog Stories.