Top Dog in Rockport, MA

On a lovely late summer day, Little miss and I put the top down and took a ride to Rockport, Massachusetts.  Many readers have told me I need to go to Rockport to try out Top Dog- so today was the day!

Top Dog is located on Bearskin Neck in Rockport at 2 Doyles Cove Road.

Bearskin Neck is dotted with art galleries, eateries, and all kinds of shops offering everything from tee-shirts to New England curiosities. It's a great place to spend a day, and you can always hit the beach too.

Rockport Harbor is picturesque and it has a lot of history.

It's home to this old, red fishing shack- better known as Motif #1. It is the most painted and photographed building in the entire United States.

Just about everywhere in town, there are people painting Motif #1.

The ladies painting in the park directed me to Top Dog, but I had a major problem. I forgot the piece of my tripod the connects the camera to the tripod. I didn't want to come all this way to do a "shaky cam" video, so I stopped in at Camera Corner to see if they could help. Much to my delight, the very nice lady in the shop gave me a tripod to use! Dodged a bullet there, THANK YOU CAMERA CORNER!

Finally, we made our way down to Top Dog. It is housed in a quaint, New England style shop typical of the architecture on Bearskin Neck.

The menu features hot dogs, but they have many other items too. Many folks around town told me the fried clams are fantastic.

Top Dog recently won a Best of the North Shore award for best family restaurant in 2011.

Owner Scott Lucas gave me a history of the place. He was very gracious and an excellent host. Scott claims he started the biz when he was "young and foolish and stupid." From the looks of the place, it was the best stupid move he ever made!

Top Dog is kid friendly- Scott hooked Little Miss up with a Top Dog tattoo.

We got into the chalk board thing...

...I left some grafitti too.

The Patio is very nice- especially on a glorious summer day.

Here's the view from the patio- not bad.

We met Lisa, the lovely and talented artist who painted this picture.

After looking around and talking to patrons, it was time to pick up our dogs.

Little Miss got the standard half mustard half plain.

Scott made me a "Mutt" which was a Golden Retriever with bacon. This is a dog topped with their home made macaroni and cheese and bacon. It was ridiculous!

Little Miss chowed down.

She called these "the best hot dogs ever!"

I chowed down too. Creamy, fresh mac and cheese, bacon and a grilled Maple Leaf Frank on a grilled, split top New England bun. 

I can see why a lot of folks have suggested I visit here- this was one yummy dog! The staff was glad I enjoyed it.

Definitely TWO THUMBS UP!

Rockport is a great summer day trip destination- it would probably be fun to stay there for a few days too. If you find yourself in Rockport and you need some food, head on over to Top Dog. Make sure you tell Scott, "the Hotdogman sent me."

Check out the video of our visit to Top Dog on Hot Dog Stories.

Hot Doggin' in Maine: Yank's Franks in Wells, Maine

The sight of the Piscataqua River Bridge in August brings joy to mine and Mrs. HDM's hearts- it means we are headed up to Maine for our annual long weekend get away. Every year, we leave the kids with grandparents and head north for three days of fun and sun.

This year, we combined "business" with pleasure and went on a little Hot Dog Tour of Maine. We began on the southern stretch of route 1. Our first stop was Yank's Franks in Wells, Maine.

Yank's is a cute little stand right on route 1. They're open from 11-3 every day from mid May until Labor Day then they are open weekends only through Columbus Day. Just like everything else in Maine, Yank's has a short season.

I wonder whose car this is?

It belongs to George Yankowski; he owns and runs the stand with his wife, "Hot Diggity" who had the day off. George spent a big chunk of his life in the world of corporate finance and his wife was a math teacher. A few years back, they became innkeepers at The Maine Stay Inn in Kennebunkport. They got out of the B&B business and started up their hot dog business on August 9, 2010. Even though they have only been in business for a year, they gave Casey's Diner a run for their money in the NECN Best Hot Dog in New England Poll.

There is a nice al fresco dining area next to Noel's Antiques.

Yank's serves up Hummel Brothers franks. They're made in New Haven, CT (the Yankowskis lived down that way for a spell) and they are delicious. They put Raye's mustard on their dogs. Raye's is the only stone ground mustard mill in the USA and the flavor is rich and sharp.

Mrs. Hotdogman was hungry, so she ordered up a Yank's Frank. This is one of the signature dogs- it's a "Chicago style" dog served with Sweet Relish, Yellow Downeast Mustard, Chopped Onions, Slice of Fresh Tomato, Dill Pickle Slice and finished with Celery Salt on a grilled New England split top roll. George will add jalapeno peppers if you like. 

After she ranted about cheese, Mrs. HDM 

CHOWED DOWN!

I ordered up a chili cheese dog with some Raye's mustard and onions- also served on a grilled roll and....

CHOWED DOWN!

This was one yummy dog! The Hummel franks were juicy and HOT, the chili was spicy without overpowering the mix of ingredients and the Raye's mustard added an earthy, rich dimension. To Mrs. HDM's approval, the cheese was real shredded cheese- not my guilty pleasure favorite "squeeze cheese."

Definitely 

TWO THUMBS UP!

When you're looking for a place to eat along route 1 in Wells, try Yank's Franks- it's delicious and it won't break the bank! Tell George or Hot Diggity "the Hotdogman sent me."

Check out the rest of the story on Hot Dog Stories.

A Hot Dog a Day Number 26: Eugene's Coffee and Hot Dogs in West Newton

On July 26, the 26th day of my quest to eat a hot dog a day in honor of National Hot Dog Month, I had an early morning Doctor's appointment. I got a clean bill of health and the Doctor was impressed with my weight loss (and a tad jealous of my quest). Since I needed blood work today, I had been fasting since 5PM the day before; I WAS STARVING! I heard about a new hot dog joint just a few miles away from the Doctor's office and, even though it was just past 9 AM, I went to check it out. 

Eugene's Coffee and Hot Dogs, at 67 Crafts Avenue in West Newton was indeed open for business! It's a cute little shop attached to a multi family home. There used to be tons of these kinds of little neighborhood stores and shops all over the Boston area "back in the day."

They open early- 5 AM- to serve the early morning workingman crowd and neighborhood locals looking for coffee and a quick, fresh breakfast sandwich. I am proud to be the first patron to be served up a hot dog for breakfast.

Inside the shop it's clean and welcoming.

Proprietor Natasha Paola is the daughter  of the owner. Her contractor dad built the place out for her so she could have a business of her own. Eugene's has only been open for a month, but Natasha has big plans.

Right now the menu is pretty simple: Coffee, hot dogs, and breakfast sandwiches but soon they'll be adding cold cut sandwiches and hot sandwiches too.

The coolest thing about Eugene's is they serve up Shields franks. Shields franks are made in Kennebunk, Maine and bring to mind memories of  my yearly excursions to Maine with Mrs. HDM. Shields franks is the modern day version of the old Schultz frank that Casey's Diner used to serve. The son of one of Schultz's owners resurrected the recipe and partnered with the Shields company to make "retro" Schultz franks under the Shields brand. Natasha's dad trucks a bunch of the dogs down from Maine each week and, to my knowledge, Eugene's is the only Boston area hot dog joint that serves them. Too bad- they are a very tasty dog!

Well, hot dog class is over now. I ordered up one dog "old school" (that's All Around) and...

CHOWED DOWN!!!!!

Natasha and her dad have something here. In the valley of Kayem and Pearl that is greater Boston's hot dog eateries, Eugene's Coffee and Hot Dogs offers something tasty and unique!

Definitely 

TWO THUMBS UP!!!

(with a pretty smile to boot)

If you're in Newton, stop by Eugene's Coffee and Hot Dogs for an iced coffee and a hot Shields frank. Make sure you tell Natasha "the Hotdogman sent me!"

Happy National Hot Dog Month!

Check out the video of my visit to Eugene's Coffee and Hot Dogs on Hot Dog Stories.

A Hot Dog a Day Number 25: George's Coney Island in Worcester

July 25th, the 25th day of my quest to eat a hot dog a day in honor of National Hot Dog Month, brought me to one of the region's hot dog icons: George's Coney Island on Southbridge Street in Worcester. The circa 1937 art deco exterior and neon sign are like a beacon for hot dog lovers everywhere.

Third generation business owner Kathryn Tsandikos greeted me warmly and was eager to share the story of her family's ascent to the top of the heap in local hot dog lore. She has a deep appreciation and respect for the position George's has in the heart of the community. George's Coney Island is in rare company, it's one of very few hot dog joints that have been in business for over 90 years. Kathryn's grandparents bought a small hot dog stand from a friend in 1920 and remodeled in 1937 to make it into the George's it is to this day. The neon sign was designed to emulate George, Kathryn's grandfather, grasping a hot dog in his hand.

The interior looks essentially the same as it did in 1937, with the exception of the digital juke box.

The menu has remained largely unchanged too. There are burgers, grilled cheeses, and egg sandwiches but it's the hot dogs with "the works" that are the real stars of the show. 

The place was slammed with customers well before noon.

Customers line up at the counter for their hot dogs, then seat themselves at one of the many graffiti covered tables. For over 70 years, patrons of George's Coney Island have carved their names into the wooden booths. It's a practice that is not condoned, but tolerated as long as it doesn't get destructive.

This chair that is reminiscent of old fashioned classroom desks is one of three remaining from the pre 1937 furnishings. It's on display in the front window.

The bar in the adjacent room looks as if it was still vintage 1937- with the exception of the LCD TV.

While the history, decor, and ambiance is a big part of the experience, as I said before, it's the hot  dogs that are the star of the show. The Coney Island sauce is the premier component of a dog with the works at George's; just put it on top of one of the over 1,000 grilled Kayem hot dogs served here daily, add some onions and mustard and you have a little piece of heaven. Kathryn makes the sauce and closely guards the secret recipe.

The sauce simmers on the stove top awaiting hot dogs to top.

The finished products ooze deliciousness.

I ordered one with the works and

CHOWED DOWN!

The Coney Sauce has a nice bite, without being overpowering and dominating the other flavors. Balanced with the hot dog, onions, and mustard, the Coney sauce adds the right balance to make this one of the finest dogs you'll find. 90 years worth of patrons wouldn't keep coming back if the food wasn't good!

There are just too many thumbs up to count. George's Coney Island is a full on hot dog and Americana experience. As one patron said to me today, "it's the only hot dog worth driving for."

You simply MUST try George's Coney Island if you are to be considered a true hot dog aficionado. The place deserves mecca like status in the hot dog religion.

GO TO GEORGE'S CONEY ISLAND! Give Kathryn the "Coney Island Handshake" and tell her "the Hotdogman sent me." You will not be sorry.

HAPPY NATIONAL HOT DOG MONTH!

View a  video of my visit to George's Coney Island on Hot Dog Stories.