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Top dogs
Everyone’s got them, but some area places do hot dogs just right
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WHAT DO YOU THINK? Take a moment to comment below this story to tell us about your favorite condiments for hot dogs, where to buy the best hot dog in the area, or how you prepare the best hot dog.
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When it comes to the hot dog, everyone seems to have immovable opinions about how it should be prepared, what kind of bun should hold it and, most of all, what type of condiments should be served with it. Regional variations are endless, and with a large number of cities claiming to be the birthplace of the dog, it’s hard to tell who invented one of America’s favorite snacks.
Hot dogs are available virtually everywhere, from the food court at Target to the room service menus of big chain hotels, but what makes this beloved sandwich really stand out? Good-quality meat, sure. Certainly the bun: soft enough to give away a freshly baked bread feel but strong enough not to fall apart. Most important, though, it’s the condiments: freshly chopped onions and tomatoes, tasty relish, mustard, chili, even ketchup. Naples offers alternatives that range from 100 percent Chicago-style dogs to chili dogs to gourmet versions of this American favorite, but there are a few places that offer something worth the drive.
THE FANCY DOG
Bricktop’s, 5555 U.S. 41 N., Naples; 596-9112
Hot dogs are cheap, the kind of food you eat standing on a street corner or at the ballpark as spring training commences all over Florida. Most likely, you don’t associate hot dogs with warm plates, good quality linens and a $9 price tag. Bricktop’s, one of Waterside Shop’s most successful establishments, offers a hot dog that might seem a little pricey, but it’s worth every penny. This foot-long, Kosher-style dog is served on a fragrant, soft brioche bun and accompanied by good quality toppings that range from the ordinary (chopped onions, relish) to the innovative (an excellent black olive tapenade). When you order your hot dog, you get a choice of cole slaw or shoestring french fries, the latter so good, hot and crispy you might want to indulge in the extra calories and enjoy some of the best potatoes in town.
THE CLASSIC DOG
Island House Cafe, 3801 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs; 498-6900
No one calls the Island House Cafe by its real name. The small establishment on Bonita Beach Road is known by locals as Gary’s hot dog place, and it’s famous not only because of its island-themed cuteness, but mainly because Gary, a Chicago native, serves one of the best dogs in the area. The menu, handwritten on a blackboard, offers a grand total of six sandwiches: Three different types of hot dogs, two sausage sandwiches and a meatball sandwich. Period. The Chicago Dog, a delicious frank topped with mustard, relish, crunchy onions, ripe, fragrant tomatoes and spicy fresh peppers, is one of the best dogs you’ll ever have, while the Coney dog is a delicious and cheesy chili dog that will leave you yearning for more. All dogs are $4 apiece, while the sausage and meatball sandwiches go for $6. Starving? Order a basket for $8 and get your choice of dog served with a small portion of creamy potato salad and the most amazing junk-food side dish ever: a bag of Fritos packed with cheese and beans and microwaved. Sounds disgusting? It’s not. Try it and you’ll find yourself hooked.
THE FAST DOG
Five Guys, 1410 Pine Ridge Road, No. 23, Naples; 261-5603; www.fiveguysnaples.com
Five Guys might be famous for its burgers and fries, but they should start bragging about their hot dogs, as well. If you are in a hurry and you want to enjoy a good dog, this fast-paced, no-frills eatery is the ideal place to satisfy your cravings. Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, Five Guys serves four types of 100 percent Kosher dogs: regular ($2.79), cheese or bacon ($3.09) and bacon cheese dogs ($3.69). All the dogs are served on a good quality bun with all the free toppings you can dream of — from relish to jalapenos, mayo to hot sauce. These guys are not going to tell you what should be on your dog. It’s all up to you.
THE STREET DOG
Outside the Home Depot, 11941 Bonita Beach Road SE, Bonita Springs
If you happen to experience a sudden hot dog craving in the middle of your home improvement shopping session, don’t panic: Right outside the door of all the Home Depots in the area there are old-fashioned hot dog carts similar to the ones you see in New York City, ready to serve you a more than decent dog, a soda and a bag of chips. The line of construction workers and hot dog aficionados is almost endless between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and at this joint nobody will frown upon your choice of standard condiments. So go ahead, squirt some ketchup on your dog. Pick a hot dog for $2 or indulge in a jumbo dog for $3.50 or a chili dog for $2.50. Not only are they a yummy quick-fix, they’re also a bargain.
THE SPECIALTY DOG
Cookers Hot Dogs & Grille, 1485 Pine Ridge Road, Naples; 254-0777
The long diner-style counter at Cookers Hot Dog & Grille is the perfect place to sit and enjoy the view of the open-air kitchen, where four cooks dance around in perfect sync, dishing out sandwiches, fries, beers and salads with such gracefulness it would be a pity to miss this lunch rush-hour complimentary show. Be a little adventurous and try the taco foot-long dog ($5.69), which is a dog wrapped in a tortilla and smothered in chili and cheese. Or go for the delicious Chicago-style dog ($3.49), served with celery salt, tomatoes, pickles and mustard on a poppy seed bun. The friendly atmosphere and a cold beer will make your hot dog experience even more enjoyable.
KNOW YOUR DOG
• Chicago Dog: A beef hot dog served on a bun with mustard, onions, tomatoes, relish and absolutely no ketchup
• Coney Dog: A hot dog served with an all-meat chili, onions and sometimes cheese
• Kosher Hot Dog: A 100 percent beef frank prepared following the Jewish dietary laws
• Dirty water dog: The affectionate way New Yorkers call unsold hot dogs that are kept warm in hot water baths by street vendors
Tired of being stuck behind that cement mixer? Wondering if you need to buy stock in Bob's Barricades? 
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The ones they sell in Freeport, Maine on the streets around LL Bean! Best tasting "dogs" around!
#1 Posted by biomanogt on February 28, 2008 at 6:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The good old "Ball Park" brand, specifically the ones sold at the old Tiger Stadium in Detroit OR, for chili dogs, Lafayette Coney Island or American Coney Island, also in Detroit. There has been a friendly and ongoing battle between the two for a couple of decades.
I don't know about other states, but understand that Michigan is one that has strict requirements on hot dogs sold within the state - they must contain only certain parts (the better parts of the animal) of meat; so you can usually get a great tasting dog anywhere in Michigan.
#2 Posted by dkg1960 on February 28, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Can't beat the "bang for your buck" at Costco! Huge hot dog and a drink for $1.50...
#3 Posted by erikalees on February 28, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The best way to prepare hot dogs is to steam them, preferably in a little beer. Homegrown Ohio products available in Naples-area stores make the best condiments.
Stadium Mustard, which claims to be the authentic brown mustard from the old Cleveland Stadium and still served at many stadiums, is the best topping for hot dogs and bratwurst. I absolutely love its color and taste. Much to my surprise, I discovered my favorite mustard sold locally at Wynn's Market last year after I had visiting family members from Ohio smuggle it in for years. I hesitate to tell you it's at Wynn's because I don't want it to be sold out when I want it, but I figure demand may be better in the long run to keep the shelf stocked. My only regret is that this mustard is not sold here in huge pump barrels as it is available at the stadium. Cases can be ordered online at www.stadiummustard.com.
I refuse to get involved in the mustard controversy over which came first, the authentic Stadium Mustard or the original Bertman Ball Park Mustard. Both claim to be the official mustard at Cleveland sports venues. Both are famous and delicious. The mildly spicy taste is nostalgic for me, taking me back to summer days on the bleacher seats, watching the Indians play in the '70s.
For 15 years in Florida, I purchased mustard from grocery stores solely because it was tan in an attempt to match the color I remembered from those early days. But, sadly, the taste never matched the memory. That's what made the Wynn's find so sweet, or savory as the case may be.
Another great Ohio-based condiment is Tony Paco's hot dog chili sauce, available locally at Fresh Market. The small, pull-top cans are a bit expensive, but they are just the right size and worth the splurge every now and then. Tony Packo's Cafe was made famous on the "M*A*S*H" TV series. Actor Jamie Farr and the cross-dressing Cpl. Max Klinger character he played both hail from Toledo, home of Tony Packo's. The sauce also can be purchased by the case online at www.tonypackos.com.
#4 Posted by SunGod on February 28, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't forget the Packo's Pickles and Peppers!!!!Thank you know who for The Fresh Market bringin' Packo's to Naples!!!!
#5 Posted by thekid3270 on February 29, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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