The Great American Mid-West Hot Dog Tour

Many people were a bit disappointed that I didn't do my National Hot Dog Month Tour this year. For the past three years, I ate a hot dog a day at a different place every day in July. This year, I took a break.

To make a long story short, I ran out of places to visit close to home! Sure, I didn't hit every hot dog joint in a 50 mile radius, but I hit most of them. I also wanted to spend more time with my family during the summer. My wife usually spends a LOT of time coaching in July (including weekends), but this year, like me, she took a break.

So where does that leave the Hotdogman? Well, I still have a few surprises up my sleeve! This year, the family and I are going on a road trip to Chicago, Niagara Falls, and Montreal. On the way to Chicago, we'll stop at an iconic Hot Dog Joint.

While in Chicago, I will be guests of the good people at Vienna Beef - the makers of THE Chicago Hot Dog! I will tour their factory, attend Hot Dog University, and serve patrons at their factory hot dog shop. I also plan to hit several Chicago Hot Dog spots, ask Chicagoans "The Question," and a few other hot dog related surprises. On our way to Niagara, we're stopping for some Coney Dogs at another iconic joint in Michigan. Once we get "north of the border," Mrs. HDM will use her skills as the world's most renowned Poutine expert.

We'll be shooting video throughout the entire trip and our escapades will be featured over at Hot Dog Stories.

Stay tuned and KEEP ON DOGGIN!

National Hot Dog Month 2014

HEY! It's July and that means it's National Hot Dog Month. Watch the video to see what's going on!

National Hot Dog Month is in Full Swing!

The 2013 National Hot Dog Month Tour is rolling! So far, I've featured hot dog joints in  4 states: Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Next up is Napa Valley, California - the first true west coast Hot Dog Story!

There's still a lot of time left and new places to see. The docket is filling up, but I always am on the lookout for new and interesting venues. If you have a suggesstion, go on over to the Hot Dog Stories Facebook Page, give it a "like," and leave a suggestion. I am looking for a good spot in Vermont in particular.

I hope to get some good suggestions and eat some good hot dogs!

Happy National Hot Dog Month!

National Hot Dog Month is Coming!

July is almost upon us, which means one thing: it's almost National Hot Dog Month. As in years past, each day I will feature a different hot dog joint every day in July. There are two cookouts on the docket- one on July 4 and one on July 20. Featured at the cookouts - you guessed it - HOT DOGS!

This year's tour features all "new" hot dog joints. There are a couple of "old friends" that have new places, but there is not one repeat (other than Casey's on the 31st). 

This year's tour also features hot dog venues in 9 (possibly 10 if I can bomb down to NYC for a day) states: California, Florida, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Vermont.

There will be iconic establishments, hot dog trucks, hot dog carts, and just about any venue you can imagine.

Videos of each featured stop on the tour will be published daily on Hot Dog Stories, so join in on the hot doggin' fun and HAPPY NATIONAL HOT DOG MONTH!

Announcing The 2013 National Hot Dog Month Tour

July is only a month away and that means it's almost time for The 2013 National Hot Dog Month Tour! Each day in July, a different hot dog joint will be featured.

The 2013 National Hot Dog Month Tour Schedule

This year, the tour will feature all new hot dog joints! There may be a few "old friends" featured, but they will have to have a new "twist" to be included in the National Hot Dog Month Tour. 

The geographic reach of the tour is expanding too. This year, there will be hot dog joints from Florida, New Jersey, California, and all six New England states. I am also possibly going to New York for a trip too!

Each year, the tour gets a little bigger. I hope to do a National Tour some day and hit iconic hot dog joints in every state (can't wait to try Hawaii)!

As usual, all my adventures will be video taped and displayed on Hot Dog Stories and The Hotdogman Channel on Youtube.

If you have a suggestion for a hot dog joint in New England, New York, or California (San Fran area), please let me know in the comments. I can't guarantee I'll visit this year, but it's nice to have a good list!

Here's a video preview of the tour.

If you like Hot Dog Stories, please consider helping out with some gas money for our journeys. Every little bit helps!

National Hot Dog Month is Over

What would you do the first day of the month following a month where you ate a hot dog a day at a different place? I spent July doing just that.

Know what I did the day following the end of National Hot Dog Month?

I WENT FISHING!!!!

We were up with the sun.

We motored over to Martha's Vineyard and fished off Noman's Island for bluefish and striped bass.

I caught a TON of bluefish- gonna throw these babies in the smoker!

Lots of stripers too for fish and chips and fish tacos.

Then we popped over to Aquinnah for Black Sea Bass and Fluke.

The sea bass we caught is a delicate whitefish...

...as is the fluke. We'll be stuffing these with crab and lobster meat!

After a month of hot dogging, it was nice to get out on the water for a full day of fishing with my wife, son, and dad.

Back to Hot Dogs tomorrow!!!!

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 21

For day 21 of the National Hot Dog Month Tour, all I had to do was step outside. Saturday July 21 had me grilling Pearl All Beef Franks on the grill for a summer cookout with family and friends.

We do this party every year around this time and it's a lot of fun. Beach, boating, water slides and hot dogs!

 Drew Bennett won't be taking any pictures for the Hot Dog Stories Facebook page- he's working this weekend.

Get the full story on our summer cookout on Hot Dog Stories.

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 18

Olneyville New York System in Providence, RI was stop number 18 on the National Hot Dog Month 2012 Tour. This is an iconic hot dog shop that's been open since 1946 and is currently run by the 4th generation of the Stevens family.

Current Olneyville New York System owner Greg Stevens has been working in the hot dog business since he was 14 years old and he clearly loves his work. He sat down and gave me the history of the joint and a lesson on the difference between "hot dogs" and "wieners."

This was one fun visit. Mrs. HDM joined in on the fun today and had her first taste of a Rhode Island delicacy: Coffee Milk. We had a lot of laughs as Greg and the staff goofed on each other and some of the regulars. Everyone in the place seemed genuinely happy to be there.

Drew Bennett took his usual pile of pictures which will be posted on the Hot Dog Stories Facebook Page.

Check out the full story about our visit to Olneyville New York System on Hot Dog Stories.