Hawaii's Best Hot Dog

[Pomai]

Now that we've thoroughly discussed Hawaii's Best Hamburger (http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showthread.php?t=622), it's time to discuss that other American classic, the HOT DOG!

Who serves the best Hot Dog you ever had here in the Aloha State? Also mention your favorite toppings!

Hot Dogs actually seem a scarce item in Hawaii. Usually I only see them served from carts or concession stands fronting big box retailers. If you know of that hidden gem, let us know!

With that in mind, to be honest one of my favorite is the BIG BITE from 7-11. Ha! I like it because the bun usually has a nice crisp to the crust, yet it's soft and pliable inside, with a sort of buttery flavor. Can't beat the Oscar Meyer in it also. Top that with the works: Ketchup, Mustard, Onions and Relish with a Slurpee on the side and I'm good to go!

By far one of my favorite is actually more a spin on the corndog called the ANDADOG. You can only find this in September on Labor day weekend at the Okinawan Festival. They usually make it by sticking a wood stick in half of a cheap "BarS" type dog (hey, it's a fundraiser, ok?), then dipped in traditional Andagi batter (Okinawan doughnut) and deep-fried until GBD. So ono!

In fact, I just bought some Andagi batter from Marukai and I'm going to attempt making ANDADOGS at home. Except I'm gonna' use the Polish Sausage from Costco. I'll keep ya' all posted on the results.

[SusieMisajon]

KC waffledogs. The Pearl Harbor PX parking lot hotdog stand...with kraut and mustard. Or chili and onions.

[manoasurfer123]

Best deal...not necessarily the best tasting...

Has got to be the Costco ones!

[alohabear]

Consolidated(Gawd, I miss them) theaters hot dogs.... also Costco's is good.

Mustard and a little sauerkraut or relish and onions, but NO CATSUP! :D

[Pomai]

The only problem I have with Costco's is the buns are usually soggy from sitting in that foil wrapper in the steamer.

Just like a good hamburger, a good hot dog should have a lightly toasted bun.

Speaking of Consolidated, something about paying over $3.00 for a hot dog in a theatre just makes it taste that much better. Must be a psychological justification for the guilt that I've just spent WAY TOO MUCH for it.

One of the most expensive hot dogs I've ever seen on a restaurant menu is at The Shack (http://www.shackhawaiikai.com/menu.html#Anchor-HOT-23240)... $3.95-6.95 just for the hot dog, which doesn't even include a side dish or drink.

[Linkmeister]

Woody's carts are the closest you can get to the ones they used to sell at their little shop on Fort Street Mall near Rada's. I tend toward the Polish Sausage, myself.

[LikaNui]

KC waffledogs. Gone. Closed. R.I.P.
:(

[Palolo Joe]

Woody's at CompUSA on Ala Moana... with the garlic sauce, ketchup, mustard, relish and kraut... ONO.

Eastside Grill has a pretty good hot dog on the menu, too...

[Palolo Joe]

Gone. Closed. R.I.P.
Umm... kinda-sorta, but not really. (http://starbulletin.com/2006/04/23/features/story01.html)

All Asato needs is an investor, it looks like...

[alohabear]

. Speaking of Consolidated, something about paying over $3.00 for a hot dog in a theatre just makes it taste that much better. Must be a psychological justification for the guilt that I've just spent WAY TOO MUCH for it.
....or maybe it taste better in the dark! :D

[helen]

For sure you can't beat the price of Costco and Sam's Club hot dogs (and polish sausage) at $1.50 with a cup of unlimited soda. As far as the condition of the buns I think Costco at Iwilei does it better than Sam's Club at Keeaumoku, but I suspect it's part of my timing since normally I would be eating lunch at Costco while it would be dinner time at Sam's Club.

Also Costco has the additional deli mustard.

It's been a long time since I had a 7-11 hot dog, I do like the cheese topping that is available.

Movie hot dogs. Dole Cannery when it was a Signature had a seperate station where they sold ice cream, soda and a different types of hot dogs like the Hawaiian Spicy Link and another type that I can't remember.

However I have to admit the best place to have a hot dog in a movie theater is Kukui Grove Cinema (http://www.kukuigrovecinema.com/) in Lihue, 4 different kinds of hot dogs at slight cheaper price than what Oahu theaters charge. Of course their soda fountains dispense Pepsi products as opposed to Coke products sort of off-sets their non-stadium seating arragements.

[LocoBoy]

A had a good dog from da Food Pantry deli, believe it or not :). Its a all beef hot dog (with or w/o cheese) served fresh on a toasted bun, w/ pickle and choice of potato, mac or slaw for $4.00.

[Pua'i Mana'o]

a portuguese sausage hotdog with a sweetbread bun found at any respectable gas station near you.

[Palolo Joe]

Ooooh... if we're doing variations of the classic hot dog, then i also put in a vote for the ones you can get at Panya in Ala Moana... Japanese style, with the hot dog baked into a bun with some mustard... yum...

[scrivener]

Since some of us are talking about "olden days," the hot dog I'll always get misty-eyed over is the thirty-five cent dogs in fresh-baked sesame-seed buns at the walk-up window at what used to be Bakery Kapiolani (and is now Golden Duck) on King and Piikoi. Sigh. I heard they were a quarter just a short time before I discovered them in my senior year of high school (1987).

The cart at CompUSA used to do grilled dogs; I don't think it does that anymore. I love 'em grilled because the casings get crisp and they have that awesome snap when you bite into 'em. I think there's a guy down by the Kamehameha statue who does grilled dogs.

Oooh, now I'm hungry.

[SusieMisajon]

Oh, yeah....Waialua Elementary, circa 1969, pigs-in-blankets for lunch. And that grape juice that used to taste slightly of onions, in the plastic glasses, that was all buss up, from the dishwasher.

Lunch cost a quarter, the school bus cost a dime. A packet of sunflower seeds cost a nickle. Could buy five hambergers, at Dawn's place, by the old Waialua Store, for a dollar.

[1stwahine]

I remember the footlong hotdogs at Mel's Hot Dog Stand coner of Nuuanu and Hotel Street where Island Keepsakes is located now. Across the street where Club Kekai's is located currently used to be a Hole in the Wall that sold crunchy N.Y. Style Hot Dogs - Da Bess! :D

Ahhh...make hungry now! :p

Auntie Lynn

[SusieMisajon]

What's a 'crunchy' hotdog?

[1stwahine]

What's a 'crunchy' hotdog?

I have no idea wat you talking about!
Wat you reading? French?

It's "crunchy" Hot Dogs! :rolleyes:

If you dunno wat is crunchy den you punchy! :eek:

Auwe!

Auntie Lynn

[SusieMisajon]

I have no idea wat you talking about!
Wat you reading? French?

It's "crunchy" Hot Dogs! :rolleyes:

If you dunno wat is crunchy den you punchy! :eek:

Auwe!

Auntie Lynn
Oh....lemme see if I get dis....it was da name of da place, like Mr. Crunchy had a hotdog stand....NOT dat da hotdogs was crunchy.

I thought dat maybe dey was rolled in cornflakes and deep-fried, or sumthing.

[SusieMisajon]

I mean...hotdogs not supposed to be crunchy.

[1stwahine]

I mean...hotdogs not supposed to be crunchy.

Das wat made those N.Y. Hot Dogs so ono and special cause they were Crunchy! Bursting with flavor! :D

Auntie Lynn

[SusieMisajon]

What kine crunchy? Or...maybe was the tight skin, so they 'burst'?

The wurst burst..haha!

[1stwahine]

What kine crunchy? Or...maybe was the tight skin, so they 'burst'?

The wurst burst..haha!

I have no time for you. :rolleyes:

Good night!

Auntie Lynn

[SusieMisajon]

I have no time for you. :rolleyes:

Good night!

Auntie Lynn
Awww...I was being NICE.

[helen]

I mean...hotdogs not supposed to be crunchy.
I don't know about the hot dogs but a few years ago a local meat company sold crunchy sausages. It was the shell of the sausage that was crunchy, while the meat inside was your typical sausage type of meat.

[1stwahine]

Awww...I was being NICE.

And I can be Mean and Nasty! :mad:

A long time ago someone told me to step away from my computa whenever I get to feeling a bit Nasty and Mean...this is one of the unfortunate times. :eek:

You're on IGNORE! :rolleyes:

Auntie Lynn

[SusieMisajon]

And I can be Mean and Nasty! :mad:

A long time ago someone told me to step away from my computa whenever I get to feeling a bit Nasty and Mean...this is one of the unfortunate times. :eek:

You're on IGNORE! :rolleyes:

Auntie Lynn
Gee....maybe someone else will tell me about why dey was 'crunchy', den. If not, I'm gonna wonder about it, for da rest of my natural-born days.

Anybody remember the deep-fried ice cream balls? They'd take some ice cream balls and roll them in cornflakes, then fry them hot and fast...the outside would be hot and crunchy and the inside would be ice cream cold.

And then, there's crunchy cheese...take one camembert cheese, and dip it in egg, and then roll it in breadcrumbs, then deep fry it. Serve it hot and gooey (inside), with cranberry sauce.

Crunchy custard...make up some Bird's Custard Powder, extra-thick, and let it get cold. Cut in into squares and roll it in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs or cookiecrumbs. Deep-fry. Maybe you could do the same with instant pudding mix, extra thick.

Crunchy eggs? Hard boil an egg, and then wrap some sausage meat around it. Again, flour, egg, and breadcrumb, then fry. These are called Scotch Eggs, and you'll find them at any British get-together.

Now...I hope that anyone reading this,(including Auntie, if she should sneak back, to see what I have to say), will understand that I have a vested interest in crunchy foods that are not supposed to be crunchy.

And realize that I consider this to be a serious discussion topic. I'd begin a thread just about it, if I wasn't concerned about insulting the poor woman.

[Pomai]

So far this thread has some great suggestions!

• Panya, Ala Moana
• Food Pantry deli, Waikiki
• Movie Theaters such as Kukui Grove Cinema on Kauai (eating it in the dark justifies the cost!)
• Woody's (an obvious sexually suggestive name, similar to "Hooters") - I'm determined to try it with that garlic sauce because it sounds so unconventional
• Eastside Grill, University Ave.
• The Shack (eat it in the dark while watching a ball game and it'll taste better)

Pua'i, none of the gas stations I frequent offer that Portuguese Sausage and Sweetbread version you mentioned, but it sounds ono!

Speaking of frequent, just like any other guilty pleasure, I have to be "in the mood" to eat a hot dog.

B-T-W, variations of the classic are certainly worth mentioning! Such as the Fish Cake Hot Dog (http://starbulletin.com/2000/05/24/features/story1.html) from Nuuanu Okazuya. Love that!

[Pomai]

Oh, yeah....Waialua Elementary, circa 1969, pigs-in-blankets for lunch.BLECK... how I hated those! That, along with school lunch Pizza is what we used to call "Abortion on Toast". Oh, the (Heeia) elementary school lunch memories... and horrors. :eek: Someone should start THAT thread.

Anyway, when I cook hot dogs at home, my method of preference roots back to my German heritage of BOILING IT IN BEER! Sounds odd, but try it.. trust me, them Krauts know how it's done right. The alcohol cooks out, yet it helps the beer's hops penetrate into the casing which enhances it, bringing out a robust, meaty flavor.

[wowlaulau]

Ooooh, I think I'm going to try that! Beer and hot dogs...what a combination!

Anyone live in Mililani? I noticed there's a new hot dog place at the mililani town center. It's located by place that does manicures.

I also like to eat the Maui Hot Dogs, when they were linked together. Those were some crunchy dogs! Now they're not so good and not even linked together!

[craigwatanabe]

I think that crunchy hotdog is the one advertised on TV? I can't remember the name but when you bend one it snaps.

I think I like the simple ones the best. Here on the Big Island in Papaiko there is a place called Pinkies where they serve up some really tasty hotdogs which is basically a Redondo's Red wrapped in a Loves Sweetbread bun. That's it but boy it is one tasty dog without any condiments!

But when I make hotdogs for the kids, this is my method of preparing them:

1) Cut diagonal slits in them to cook evenly thru
2) Fry them up in the skillet with Yoshida's Gourmet sauce, some shoyu and garlic
3) Add enough water to halfway submerge the dogs and boil to plump

This way the dogs don't come out oily. The boiling takes out some of the cooking oil and sausage fat, but helps cook some of the drizzle back into the dog for added flavor. Pop them into lightly toasted sweetbread rolls, wrap them up in paper towels and put em in a container.

Then you go to the beach and when you come out the hot dogs taste like heaven :)

[pzarquon]

Speaking of Mililani and hot dogs, I don't know if this guy is still there, but one enterprising fellow had run a cart down at Mililani Marketplace by Safeway. He'd also show up at various events. My mom got to know him (from various school events), so we'd sometimes drive down there just for a hot dog. I couldn't tell you if it was a good hot dog, but a hot dog served by a friend always tastes better.

[Surfingfarmboy]

There was, for a brief period of time, a trailer set-up on the Daiei (now Don Quijote?) parking lot in Kailua, between the Kailua Post Office and that surf shop. If I recall correctly, the place was called "Flyin' Hawaiian Hots Dogs". I loved that place because they sold grilled "Tofu Pups", which are vegan hot dogs made primarily from tofu. That was the only place I knew Windward side that had Tofu Pups on their menu, though I will admit that I have never gone looking for other places that carry them when I'm on O'ahu. I'd get them with sauerkraut and mustard, along with a side of their "Rainbow Slaw", which was a variety of slawed cruciferous and root veggies mixed in a vinegar-based dressing. That was some good eating when they were around! But alas, they've been gone for years.

[kaneohegirl]

ok this I no get.... how come things stay being like this....
did nobody think to ask susie if she needed the translation of what a "crunchy" hotdog is?
did anyone stop to think "hey she stay in france maybe its different there" ...did any of you?
no This is what she got:

What's a 'crunchy' hotdog?
hmmmm sounds like she wants to know what crunchy means when termed with hotdog

I have no idea wat you talking about!
Wat you reading? French?

It's "crunchy" Hot Dogs! :rolleyes:

If you dunno wat is crunchy den you punchy! :eek:

Auwe!

Auntie Lynn
while you came back with its crunchy...now thats a discriptive term that we living in america can understand but mayyybe not someone who hasnt lived in the states for years

Oh....lemme see if I get dis....it was da name of da place, like Mr. Crunchy had a hotdog stand....NOT dat da hotdogs was crunchy.

I thought dat maybe dey was rolled in cornflakes and deep-fried, or sumthing.
she still doesnt understand....
I mean...hotdogs not supposed to be crunchy.
sooo she is still trying to wrap her head around the crunch part she thinks it means there is somethingaround the hotdog like a cracker/waffle wrapping or something...

cont next page...

[kaneohegirl]

Das wat made those N.Y. Hot Dogs so ono and special cause they were Crunchy! Bursting with flavor! :D
Auntie Lynn
an attempt at saying the skin was crunchy but still not being blunt and saying the skin snaps/crunches when you bite into it.

I have no time for you. :rolleyes:

Good night!

Auntie Lynn
ok you got frustrated and left... thats ok... its a good thing to do
Awww...I was being NICE.
she trying to understand
I don't know about the hot dogs but a few years ago a local meat company sold crunchy sausages. It was the shell of the sausage that was crunchy, while the meat inside was your typical sausage type of meat.
hey hey Helen attempted to try and explain whooot for helen
And I can be Mean and Nasty! :mad:

A long time ago someone told me to step away from my computa whenever I get to feeling a bit Nasty and Mean...this is one of the unfortunate times. :eek:

You're on IGNORE! :rolleyes:

Auntie Lynn
so now you have a person on Ignore that really jus doesnt get it.... not very nice.

an before you get on the HIGH horse about the whole nosy who you goin marry bit I no think that was right an told her so also an that I was ashamed of her acting like that.

NOW stop and think about the actions you have taken here with a benign question about crunchy hotdogs that she just doesnt get it.... she does NOT have a grocery like we do here in the states she goes to a butcher that cuts every type of meat with the same knife on the same cutting board that just had the bloddy chicken on and is now cutting up your beef roast WITHOUT washing anything. so stop an think for a min she only gets hotdogs/sausages from whatever neighbor might have killed a pig lately or from the butcher so who knows if they use intestines for casings or if they get the sinthetic kine that we have access to....
ALL she wanted was to know what was meant by crunchy.... anyone of you who had an inclination as to what a crunchy hot dog was could have said "oh crunchy means the skin when you bite into it it snaps or crunches... you no have crunchy kines of hot dogs in france?".....:( too bad not enough Aloha for go around

[koloagirl]

Aloha kakou! ;)

My first posting -- kinda scared - stupid, no? :confused:

Okay then -- my favorite hot dog would be at our local Home Depot here on
Kaua'i -- used to be called "Island's Best" but for some stupid reason changed
to "Volcano Dogs"!?!

So ono! And with all the fixin's!! Used to be a place called "Mustard's Last
Stand" here also in Lawai -- was my favorite, but pau now, so Home Depot
wins believe it or not!

Janet

[Pomai]

Howzit Koloa Girl... Kauai in da' house! My girlfriend get cousins live Koloa. One of them works at Keoki's in Poipu. ;)

As for that Crunchy Dog, the one that comes to mind was advertised locally a while back. The name was something like "Arakibi" or "Arabiki". I couldn't find it in Google so that's probably wrong, but close. I think it's Japanese in origin.

Kaneohe Girl, I'm sorry more folks didn't step to the plate and explain it to Susie. It was unfortunate that her and aunty had a misunderstanding, which to me is all it was.

This thread is supposed to be a lighthearted look at HOT DOGS, not HOT CATS. :p

[scrivener]

ALL she wanted was to know what was meant by crunchy.... anyone of you who had read the post could have said "oh crunchy means the skin when you bite into it it snaps or crunches... you no have crunchy kines of hot dogs in france?"
I appreciate your boiling this down for us, but I think "any one of you who read the post" is too broad a generalization. I, too, thought this was a weird exchange between 1stWahine and SusieMisajon, but I was as baffled by "crunchy" as Susie was. I was the first in this thread to describe a hot dog as "snapping" when you bit into it, but didn't know that's what 1stWahine meant when she said "crunchy." When it turned into a surreal schoolyard argument, I just checked out.

It is nice of you to try and clear things up; however, please do not condemn us all for not explaining what "crunchy" meant when the meaning was NOT clear to "any one who read the post."

[kaneohegirl]

I appreciate your boiling this down for us, but I think "any one of you who read the post" is too broad a generalization.

thats one of my flaws I tend to generalize without making the exception... so I fixed it to where it says..."anyone of you who had an inclination as to what a crunchy hot dog was could have said "

sorry for including those who also didnt know what a crunchy hotdog was. It wasnt my intention to condem anyone.
and I have just now noticed the time stamp on the postings.... so it is entirly possible that many members were not on at the time.

oh hea....
Main Entry: bite
Part of Speech: verb 1 (http://thesaurus.reference.com/features/howtousethesaurus.html)
Definition: grip
Synonyms: champ, chaw*, chew, chomp*, clamp, crunch, crush, cut, eat, gnaw, hold, lacerate, masticate, munch, nibble, nip, pierce, pinch, rend, ruminate, seize, sever, snap, taste, tooth, wound
Source: (http://thesaurus.reference.com/help/about.html) Roget's New Millennium™ Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.2.1)
Copyright © 2006 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.
* = informal or slang

[kaneohegirl]

It was unfortunate that her and aunty had a misunderstanding, which to me is all it was.

This thread is supposed to be a lighthearted look at HOT DOGS, not HOT CATS. :p

misunderstandings are not fun... an yea hot dogs not hot cats LOL

[Pomai]

How about that old hot dog "supermarket conspiracy"....

The buns come in a package of 8, but the hot dogs come in a package of 10.

What are you supposed to do with the extra 2 hot dogs? They need buns too, damned it! :mad:

Am I supposed to buy another package of buns and just feed the remaining 6 to the birds? :confused:

The movie FATHER OF THE BRIDE has a classic scene based on this.

[pzarquon]

I, too, chalk it up to miscommunication between two members... and frankly, to a newcomer, many of us take a bit of getting used to. I'l admit, 1stwahine was in top "Whack Whack" form. But I wouldn't use it as proof to paint all of us as lacking in hospitality or "aloha." We just have our own brand of the stuff!

That's not to say we're less warm and fuzzy than other communities... a fact previously and better hashed over in that "HawaiiThreads is too mean" thread.

Now, back to hot dogs!

[kaneohegirl]

Now, back to hot dogs!

what about Caspers brand? have you tried those? can find them in the Costcos here on the mainland so I would guess should have them in the costcos there if not can ask. Caspers brand are the extra long kind and have that snap/crunch to the skin that some of us like

http://www.sparsausage.com/images/spar.gif

[Erika Engle]

Oh man, when I think about "all the dogs I've loved before" ... (to the tune of that insipid Julio Iglesias song) ... Now I'm ono for nitrates! (Nitrites? Don't really care which is correct.)

- When I was a little girl on the mainland I loved the Frankfurters at Howard Johnson's. Specially made buns that were more like shallow, thick-sliced bread with a slot for the frankfurter ... toasted first, of course.

- Also on the mainland, my first experience with a hot-dog slathered with bright orange, melty "squeeze cheese." It was a revelation in tube steak cuisine possibilities.

- Camping in Kohala with a high school youth club -- eating freshly boiled -- or even cold -- red Redondo's hot dogs over rice w/shoyu. I can STILL taste how good it was. (I know, it was the whole experience, not just the dogs/rice).

- The simple, steeped hot dogs and steamed buns served at the old Itsu's Fishing Supply in Hilo (a charming memory -- sigh).

- A mushroom dog at some little place in Kona. Don't remember the name of the place, but I sho' nuff remember that dog!

- The pepperoni dog at Orange Julius. Extra mozzarella cheese, please!

- The polish dogs and sesame seed buns (purchased at Costco, no doubt) served at a convenience store across Cooke Street from the Q (when it was at 711 Kapiolani). I'd stream on a little Sri Racha. Ho, dat was a good late morning snack.

- When I make 'em at home, I slit them lengthwise and cook 'em on the grooved side of my grill pan to get nice grill marks. The slit also provides room for the ketchup or cheese or whatever we fill 'em with before eating. A couple of my kids have a hot dog with their ketchup, not the other way around.

But enough about me. I remember when Consolidated was preparing to open the Mililani theaters, it made a big deal of the deal it had struck with Pink's (Gourmet?) Hot Dogs "they snap when you bite 'em," the founder's daughter told me. The dogs are famous in Hollywood. I don't know if Pink's are still served there.

[helen]

Anyway, when I cook hot dogs at home, my method of preference roots back to my German heritage of BOILING IT IN BEER! Sounds odd, but try it.. trust me, them Krauts know how it's done right. The alcohol cooks out, yet it helps the beer's hops penetrate into the casing which enhances it, bringing out a robust, meaty flavor.
Quick question, do you boil the hot dogs using beer only or a mixture of water and beer?

I remember a long time ago someone boiled hot dogs using a mixture of water and beer but I wasn't aware of the mixture ratio and since it was for a group of at least 20 it was a big pot and a lot of hot dogs. The only thing I noticed was the hot dogs were wider than usual.

[Pomai]

Quick question, do you boil the hot dogs using beer only or a mixture of water and beer?100% beer. I've tried everything from Bud Light to St. Pauli Girl and it always came out great. If you're talking Guiness Stout, I'd back off a bit and water it down.

I bring the beer to a rolling boil first, then add the dogs and lower heat to medium and cook for about 10 minutes. The sausage brands I've used with this method are Redondo's (red) dinner franks, Oscar Mayer and Costco's Polish Sausage.

I've seen some Food Network shows where they add beer into water at a ratio of approximately 2 to 8, respectively.

You really can't go wrong either way. Experiment with it.

[speedtek]

KC Waffle Dog.

Dayton is a friend of mine I hope he starts up again. I got to taste some of his "New" varieties before he shut down (not served to customers). The one that stands out is the Portuguese sausage in the KC bun. The other one is the Teri Hot dog. But the best hot dogs his family made was in the 60's and 70's before he was born. they probably had all the bad stuff in it that we cant eat today?

[pzarquon]

Ah, Orange Julius. Thanks for reminding me, Erika. Yeah, it's largely mall food court fare, but when you've got the craving for a hot dog, their hot dogs do just fine.

[scrivener]

How about that old hot dog "supermarket conspiracy"....The buns come in a package of 8, but the hot dogs come in a package of 10.
No conspiracy; just a difference in what the meat and baking industries prefer. Check out this column (http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_350.html) from nineteen years ago for a more detailed supposition.

This is maybe the fourth or fifth time I'm linking to Cecil Adams in the past two years. Cecil is the man. I have all of his books, and you should too!

[SusieMisajon]

Can see dat I'm gonna have to dig out some pictures, and show you all how dey butcher a pig, over here....is NOT like at home!

And den...ham, sausages, confit, blood pudding, head cheese, salami...mmmm!

[helen]

No conspiracy; just a difference in what the meat and baking industries prefer. Check out this column (http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_350.html) from nineteen years ago for a more detailed supposition.
Okay St. Louis is a 10 hot dog bun town. I wonder what it will take for Honolulu to be a 10 hot dog bun town?

[SusieMisajon]

Okay St. Louis is a 10 hot dog bun town. I wonder what it will take for Honolulu to be a 10 hot dog bun town?
Peaceful demonstration? Letter-writing campaign? Boycott?

[wowlaulau]

Anyone catch Emeril Live tonight? His show was about the Hot Dogs! That cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped hot dog looked ono!

[alohabear]

Do they still make Maui Hot Dogs? Bright red and "crunchy" :rolleyes:

[dick]

Still to this day, I think Maalaea Store had the best. Perhaps its pure nostalgia on my part... hanging out by the harbor with my friends waiting for our dads to get back in from a day or two of fishing... but those plump, bright red hot dogs with thier steamy white buns ruled. The mustard was also special, I recall... seemed like one of those mayo-mustard hybrid affairs...

More here on the store:

http://starbulletin.com/2005/02/03/news/story11.html

[Pomai]

Re: 8-pack buns to 10-pack hot dogs...

I knew there was a logic behind it rather than conspiracy. It was just funny how Steve Martin's character in Father of the Bride exaggerated the latter and got arrested after tearing open all the hot dog buns in the supermarket to make them packs of 10.

Brings to mind Frito Lay brand and how they cross-merchandise those "manini size" jars and cans of Nacho Cheese and Salsa (http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/cgi-bin/producst_salsasdips.htm) for those BIG bags of chips. Do they expect us to stretch that for the whole bag? No way.... I need a TUB of dip!

[Pomai]

- The simple, steeped hot dogs and steamed buns served at the old Itsu's Fishing Supply in Hilo (a charming memory -- sigh).I always wondered how some of the Okazuya shops make their (bunless) hot dog. It taste like it's steeped in a shoyu-sugar mix, but I'm not sure.

[tutusue]

The year was 1950. A month after I turned 6, my friend had her 6th birthday party complete with hot dogs and all the trimmings, cake, ice cream, you name it! I loved birthday parties. That night I got sick! Haven't had a hot dog since! Can't say the same for cake, ice cream or anything else I ate that day, tho'! :D

[Erika Engle]

Anyone catch Emeril Live tonight? His show was about the Hot Dogs! That cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped hot dog looked ono!
It IS ono!
I've made them a couple times.
Heart attack in a bun, but what a way to go.

[Palolo Joe]

The year was 1950. Haven't had a hot dog since!
I'm sure the quality control standards for what goes into hot dogs have changed since waaaaaaay back then.

These days, aren't hot dogs fully cooked when you buy the package from the store?

[cezanne]

That's what I heard too... but I still "cook" em :) The homecooked hotdogs I like Redondo's Red hot dog. For buy and eat I like Costco's. I think I'll try the hot dog stand at CompUsa tomorrow just to try.

These days, aren't hot dogs fully cooked when you buy the package from the store?

[helen]

Ooooh... if we're doing variations of the classic hot dog, then i also put in a vote for the ones you can get at Panya in Ala Moana... Japanese style, with the hot dog baked into a bun with some mustard... yum...
I tried a couple of different ones last night from Panya. One of them had a spicy layer, either it was cheese or some kind of dried sauce on the outside of the hot dog.

[Pomai]

One of the most unique "local" versions of the hot dog is the Andadog. It's usually only available once a year at the Okinawan Festival on Labor Day weekend in September at Kapiolani Park. I like it so much, that I've attempted for the first time making this at home, which you can check out here in this pictorial demonstration!...

The Ingredients:

http://www.96seven44.com/images/astdhotdogs.jpg
Here's 4 variations of hot dogs I tried. Top to bottom: Oscar Mayer Jumbo Beef, Redondo's (red) Hawaiian Winners, Redondo's Teriyaki Hawaiian Winners, Sinai Polish Sausages (from Costco).

http://www.96seven44.com/images/andagimix.jpg
Here we have the packaged Andagi Mix, which is available (not always) at Marukai. According to the instructions on back (which I had translated from Japanese), the "wet" ingredients you must add are 3 eggs and 2 tablespoons oil; no water!. I discovered though that I needed to add 2 more eggs and 1 more tablespoon oil to thin it out to a "batter" consistency (total 5 eggs, 3 tbsp. oil).

The Procedure:

http://www.96seven44.com/images/boildogs.jpg
First I cut the hot dogs in half (the longer Polish dog was cut into thirds) then boiled them in plain water until fully cooked, then drained them until fully dry. You can probably leave them full-length, but this is how they do it at the festival.

http://www.96seven44.com/images/skewereddogs.jpg
Here you see the dogs pre-cooked, fully dry and skewered. You can substitute skewers with disposable chopsticks cut in half.

http://www.96seven44.com/images/coatingdog.jpg
Here, I've just dipped a dog in the batter. My friend said to coat them in flour first to make the batter stick better, by I found it was better to dip them in as is (no flour coating). Just a thin coating is enough, as it will REALLY puff up as you'll see next. The dough is very "gluey", even in this "thinned" state, so I used a rice paddle to assist with the coating process. One package of Andagi was enough to make approximately 30 andadogs.

http://www.96seven44.com/images/deepfrydog.jpg
Here I've just removed one from the hot oil. Pefectly golden brown delicious (GBD). Please note, the oil temperature is KEY when cooking Andagi. Too hot and the sugar in the batter will turn it BLACK and burnt on the outside and RAW inside. I lowered my stove to a notch below MEDIUM and it was just right. Andagi (in this case) cooks VERY fast - less than a minute - so you need to keep close eye on each one in the fryer. The most I've added in the fryer at once were 3, tops.

End of Part 1. Next post Part 2.

[Pomai]

Part 2 of 2.

The Finished Product:

http://www.96seven44.com/images/andadogsx4.jpg
Here are 4 of the best finished examples I had of each Andadog variation. Some were cooked darker (more burnt) than I would have liked, but they were still ono!

http://www.96seven44.com/images/andadogcutaway.jpg
Left to right: (Costco) Polish Dog, Redondo's Winner, Oscar Mayer, Redondo's Teriyaki Winner.

Conclusion: My favorite of the 4 varieties was the (Costco) Polish Dog. It's strong flavor matched the best with the slightly sweet Andagi. A close second goes to the Teriyaki Winner, which helped enhance the sweetness of the Andagi, making it a flavorful standout. The red winner was my least favorite, as it didn't match well with the Andagi.

I made this for our Memorial day beach picnic, and my family visiting from the mainland made quick work of the 30 Andadogs I created, enjoying every single bite. It was a fun trial and taste test that I'll certainly do again. If you've never tried them before, please do, Andadogs are really ono!

[Erika Engle]

Great job with the andadogs, the photos and the instructional narrative.
YOU should be the Next Food Network Star!

[helen]

They sort of look like corn dogs (or pronto pups if you are from Kauai). Is the batter different?

[Erika Engle]

Andagi is ... and people will correct me if I'm wrong, the Okinawan equivalent of a malasada.

So, similar to a corn dog ... but the batter would taste different, due to its different cultural origin.

Make sense?

[Glen Miyashiro]

Ohhh, man! Those look so ʻono!!

[Glen Miyashiro]

Andagi is ... and people will correct me if I'm wrong, the Okinawan equivalent of a malasada.

So, similar to a corn dog ... but the batter would taste different, due to its different cultural origin.

Make sense?Makes sense to me. Doubtless the Portuguese are the ones who introduced the idea of deep-frying to the Okinawans.

[Palolo Joe]

Anyone ever try that with pancake mix?

Back in college, we used to do that on Sundays during football season... tasted just like a waffle dog, especially after the 5th or 6th beer.

Might be easier to find pancake mix than andagi batter at the market, too.

[pzarquon]

Wow, Pomai. Great write up. Now I want to try it! Is that Marukai mix (that you have to 'wet up' a bit more than recommended) your top pick? Any alternatives one can come up with if one's not within striking distance of Marukai?

[Pomai]

This was the first time my sister tried an Andadog, and her immediate response was "If you hadn't told me, I'd of thought this was a corn dog.. but it's good! Pass me another one."

With that in mind, here's a comparison between Andagi and Corn Dog ingredients (typical from scratch):

SATA ANDAGI (Okinawan Doughnut)
Salad oil for deep frying
4 eggs
3/4 cup milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups flour
2 cups sugar
3 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

CORN DOG BATTER
6 c. cornmeal
3 c. plain flour
2 1/2 tsp. soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. sugar
3 c. buttermilk
2 1/2 c. water
2 eggs

I'm still wondering why the packaged Andagi mix requires oil in it, but that's what was translated to me and it came out great so I'm "sticking" with it.

As for availability, that's the only brand I'm aware of (which is exported from Okinawa). It used to be a regular stocking item at Ward Marukai, but now they only bring it in "seasonally". Last we checked, Daiei and Shirokiya didn't stock it. Perhaps Pacific Market in Waipahu?

Otherwise, making it from scratch doesn't look that difficult, just a bit more ingredients to gather up.

You know, that was the first time I ever tried those Teriyaki Winners.. man.. those things are awesome! I wanna try make a "SPAM Musubi" with them things. :rolleyes:

[1stwahine]

Pomai, Your pictures of FOOD always make me hungry! :D

I gotta try this too.

Excellent job!

***** Five Stars!

Auntie Lynn

[Kijimuna]

Most packaged andagi and chibin mixes require oil, some call for butter.

The vanilla and milk (??) must be relatively new additions to the andagi recipe. My grandma would probably be shocked to learn how complex the recipe has become. I remember we used only 4 ingredients back home in Nago. Eggs, flour, sugar, and oil. The oil helps keep the batter from sticking to everything. And the batter should be squeezed between all fingers to make 4 little balls, not one giant ball like they make here. Grandma started experimenting by adding baking powder but I don't like it as much as her original recipe. I have my recipe book from Okinawa somewhere, if I find the recipe I'll post it.

I was surprised to see Andadogs when I first moved here. I told my family about it and they laughed (maybe they didn't believe me). My aunty tried making at home and her kids loved it. Now Andadogs and Spam musubi are commonly eaten "Hawaii" snacks in that house. She's also been experimenting with making Loco Moco but she can't get the gravy right. I ended up having to mail her packets of gravy mix...she was thrilled. Cheap omiyage for me!

[pzarquon]

Kilinahe and I got the chili dog combo special at Woody's at Waikele (in front of Lowe's). Hard to resist after a day of garden shopping. (Why is everyone out of red cinder?) $6.50 for two chili dogs, a 20 oz. drink and a bag of chips. They had several varieties of hot dog, but we went with the basic.

Maybe a bit on the small side, but still quite tasty. Good chili (no beans), cheese optional (yes please), and you can pile on onions and jalapeno peppers to your heart's content (and we did). The cart is a franchise (http://www.woodyshotdogs.com/), so even if the fare isn't outstanding, it's probably consistent!

[scrivener]

We are not having the next HT picnic without Pomai.

[SusieMisajon]

Part 2 of 2.

The Finished Product:

http://www.96seven44.com/images/andadogsx4.jpg
Here are 4 of the best finished examples I had of each Andadog variation. Some were cooked darker (more burnt) than I would have liked, but they were still ono!

http://www.96seven44.com/images/andadogcutaway.jpg
Left to right: (Costco) Polish Dog, Redondo's Winner, Oscar Mayer, Redondo's Teriyaki Winner.

Conclusion: My favorite of the 4 varieties was the (Costco) Polish Dog. It's strong flavor matched the best with the slightly sweet Andagi. A close second goes to the Teriyaki Winner, which helped enhance the sweetness of the Andagi, making it a flavorful standout. The red winner was my least favorite, as it didn't match well with the Andagi.

I made this for our Memorial day beach picnic, and my family visiting from the mainland made quick work of the 30 Andadogs I created, enjoying every single bite. It was a fun trial and taste test that I'll certainly do again. If you've never tried them before, please do, Andadogs are really ono!
I wonder how it would taste, made with Spam, or Vienna Sausages?

[Linkmeister]

We are not having the next HT picnic without Pomai.

Keeping your eye on the main chance, eh, Scriv? I may fight you for some of them. :D

[lavagal]

Wow. Are we in the presence of the next Iron Chef? Pomai, those Andagidogs are gorgeous!

I'm sure they are perfect plain, but were some of your customers dipping them into anything?

[ExtraScoop]

Those andadogs look great. I'm making some soon.
What type of oil did you use for the deep frying? Canola, peanut?
Thanks.

[Lei K]

Ok, Pomai that is the equivalent of a XXX image to a 9 months pregnant woman. :D Mmmmm a polish sausage andadog. *faint*

[Pomai]

To address several comments & questions regarding those home-made Andadogs...

- Extrascoop, I cooked them on stovetop in a heavy pot with Wesson Canola Oil @ approx. 350 degrees F (estimated).

- Lavagal, my customers (family) didn't dip them in anything - they're tasty "as is" - which is how they're served at the festival. Still, I'd imagine ketchup or mustard would work fine. Or perhaps something fancy like a Wasabi Aioli?

- Susie's idea of SPAM and Vienna Sausage will certainly be included in my next andadog trial (coming soon!) - along with Lup Cheong, Portuguese Sausage and those meatless (Tofu?) hot dogs.

- Kijimuna, thanks for that info. I had a feeling the Andagi recipes circulating locally (such as the one given from HECO) were adaptations of the basic Okinawan version. Besides, since when did Okinawans use Vanilla extract in their cooking? Thank goodness for that premixed stuff. I've been told that the Andadog was created fairly recently by a local Okinawan who regularly volunteers at the festival. B-T-W, what is Chibin?

- LeiKaina, I should have put a RATED R-PREGNANT warning ahead of those photos. Keep in mind, hot dogs and sausages are produced strictly for consumption; not any other use. :p

Speaking of warnings, a deep-fried hot dog will never make your doctor's top 10 healthiest foods list, but as an occasional indulgence, I say go for it!

- Finally, Scrivener, yes I'll be at the next HT picnic provided it's at least 2 months or more down the road, as I'll be tied up on most weekends until then with off-island visitors. I suppose that means I should bring Andadogs as my contribution to the potluck?

;)

[helen]

7-11 has a special (of which I have no idea how long it will last), buy 2 regular Big Bite hot dogs and a Big Gulp for $3.79.

[Glen Miyashiro]

- LeiKaina, I should have put a RATED R-PREGNANT warning ahead of those photos. Keep in mind, hot dogs and sausages are produced strictly for consumption; not any other use. :p Great. Now I've got the image of LeiKaina enjoying an andadog in my mind. Boy, those andadogs look good. :D

[Great Hawaiian]

OH MY GOODNESS!!!! You guys are KILLING ME!!!!! OK, it is I, Mike from the Great Hawaiian Hotdog Company. I would NEVER say WE are the best hot dog in Honolulu, but the readers of Honolulu Magazine did and voted Great Hawaiian the Best Hot Dog in the city for 2006. This was not the part that was killing me...Woody's has never been at Comp USA on Ala Moana, That is The Great Hawaiian Hot Dog Company!

Thank you all, I feel better now...OK...We serve Great Hawaiian Sirloin Steak dogs. They are made with only Sirloin Steak Meat, Garlic and Worcestershire Sauce. THEN, we have the Great Hawaiian Secret Garlic Sauce or the Great Hawaiian Secret Spicy Garlic Sauce that you can have over your perfectly cooked Sirloin Steak Dog along with our other toppings! Cheese, Ketchup, Mustard, BBQ Sauce, Rooster Sauce, Onions, Jalapenos, Relish, Sauerkraut, Celery Salt and even Bacon! We use specially made Gourmet Buns that come to us fresh each day.

If you are thinking that maybe a sausage is more your speed, try one of our Smokies! These are handmade; double smoked, lean Pork Meat and Bacon Sausages. They have a Natural Wrapper on them so when you bite into them they have that AWESOME SNAP! They weigh in at 1/3 to 1/2 pounds. As they are hand made the Old-Fashioned way, each one is a little different in size.

The Sirloin Steak Dog will set you back $4.00 ($5 in Waikiki) and the Smokie runs for $6.00. Again there are no extra costs for the toppings and these two Great Hawaiian Treats are the Best of the Best. We would LOVE to Have You for Lunch!

Mike http://www.GreatHawaiian.com

[pzarquon]

Well, hello Mike from the Great Hawaiian Hotdog Company. Thanks for the correction. I've eaten many a Great Hawaiian Hotdog, usually when I hit CompUSA and browse too long and realize my lunch hour is up! I don't think I've ever had a 'specialty dog,' though. I order whatever's closest to the plainest Janest menu item.

As for Woody's franchisees, as I mentioned, I only know the one at Waikele. Here's their other locations (http://www.woodyshotdogs.com/locator.php?state=HI).

[scrivener]

I tried one of the sirloin dogs at CompUSA today, and dang. It was super-duper mega-yummy. Flavorful and clean, tender and juicy. And that was just the cutie who sold me the dog.

Just kidding. Really, it's a great hot dog. Five bucks for a dog like that plus a cold Diet Coke -- totally worth it, except the Diet Coke part. Don't you know hot dogs love Diet Pepsi and Diet Pepsi loves hot dogs?

Anyway, yum.

[WindwardOahuRN]

Oh do not even START.

I was subjected to Redondo wieners during the Great Nurses Strike of 2001, or thereabouts. Shocking fluorescent pink residue on the buns. Eeek.

Take your butts over to Foodland in Kailua for a true NY hotdog treat.

They have just started selling Boars Head brand cold cuts and hot dogs. The natural casing (read: pops when ya bites 'em) hot dogs fly out of the case. They also CUT TO ORDER (oh shock of shocks in Hawaii) cold cuts from NY. Ham, etc. Holy shmageggies.

[Pomai]

Scrivener, how ironic! We tried the exact same thing today (first time), except our visit was at Great Hawaiian Hot Dog Co.'s cart located at Hilo Hattie's Nimitz location.

Here's a cutaway view of my Sirloin Steak Dog, including the "Secret Garlic Sauce"....
http://www.96seven44.com/images/greathawaiiancut.jpg

My opinion differed a bit though. Visit link below (blog) for my full review, including a few more pics.

[kimo55]

ohmahgawdIgottahaveabouthreeofhtose!

[Leo Lakio]

Holy shmageggies.I just want to start adding this phrase to my vocabulary.

[WindwardOahuRN]

Looks like crap. Talking NY here.

[WindwardOahuRN]

I just want to start adding this phrase to my vocabulary.

Feel free. Glad to contribute to the ever-growing global vocabulary of Hawaii.

[WindwardOahuRN]

I would NEVER say WE are the best hot dog in Honolulu, but the readers of Honolulu Magazine did and voted Great Hawaiian the Best Hot Dog in the city for 2006.

Mike http://www.GreatHawaiian.com

Yeah, well, there ain't no accountin' for taste.

Toss you up against any street vendor in NY and you would just wither, fold, and die.

Nothing personal. I must say you might do quite well here. Just don't even think of crossing the Pacific.

[WindwardOahuRN]

ohmahgawdIgottahaveabouthreeofhtose!

Why---fresh out of ipecac?

[WindwardOahuRN]

Scrivener, how ironic! We tried the exact same thing today (first time), except our visit was at Great Hawaiian Hot Dog Co.'s cart located at Hilo Hattie's Nimitz location.

Here's a cutaway view of my Sirloin Steak Dog, including the "Secret Garlic Sauce"....
[
My opinion differed a bit though. Visit link below (blog) for my full review, including a few more pics.

I was thinking the white crap was something else. Double eeeeew.

[WindwardOahuRN]

Das wat made those N.Y. Hot Dogs so ono and special cause they were Crunchy! Bursting with flavor! :D

Auntie Lynn

Yep---they POP. Natural-casing hot dogs. NY style.

I have a few packages in the freezer.

[Pomai]

Yep---they POP. Natural-casing hot dogs. NY style.

I have a few packages in the freezer.Buss it out 'den! Hit Kailua beach wit' da Hibachi and da' coolah'.

Strictly mustard and Sauerkraut for me, thanks. :rolleyes:

[Erika Engle]

WWOahuRN: My 16 year old daughter recently announced to me that she'd love to travel to NYC one day -- for the Arts scene? Theater? Shopping?

Nope. To try an honest-to-goodness NYC street vendor hot dog.

She made it very clear she didn't mean that she just wanted to try hot dogs from New York -- but that she wanted to GO THERE and get one from a street vendor.

Given my budget, I think the Kailua Foodland import you've mentioned will have to do for now.

How would you suggest we cook and dress them? Grill? Boil? Mustard? (Yellow? Dijon?) Sauerkraut? Please to educate me in the presentation of a proper Big Apple dog.

[WindwardOahuRN]

My opinion differed a bit though. Visit link below (blog) for my full review, including a few more pics.

Just checked out your blog---nice!

[WindwardOahuRN]

WWOahuRN: My 16 year old daughter recently announced to me that she'd love to travel to NYC one day -- for the Arts scene? Theater? Shopping?

Nope. To try an honest-to-goodness NYC street vendor hot dog.

She made it very clear she didn't mean that she just wanted to try hot dogs from New York -- but that she wanted to GO THERE and get one from a street vendor.

Given my budget, I think the Kailua Foodland import you've mentioned will have to do for now.

How would you suggest we cook and dress them? Grill? Boil? Mustard? (Yellow? Dijon?) Sauerkraut? Please to educate me in the presentation of a proper Big Apple dog.

Grilled. Some vendors boil them but IMHO, a lot of flavor is lost. You could pan-fry them too. Some like to grill them until they pop, but I like to take them off the grill just before they split---much juicier. And as Auntie said, they are indeed "crunchy."

Grill the bun, or not. Yellow mustard, or some other kind if you hate yellow mustard. Or no mustard at all. Sauerkraut if you like it. That's about it. My husband likes them naked, I like them lightly dressed. To each his own. There are no laws, except for maybe No Ketchup.

A note about the Boar's Head hotdogs---they come in two styles. Natural casing, which is, well, encased naturally. And skinless. Skinless still taste good but are definitely NOT the real NY hotdog you're looking for. Lacking Auntie's "crunch."

$7.59/lb. They're sold by the pound because they're random sizes--separated by string, like real links. About eight to a pound.

Not cheap but cheaper than a flight to NY.

[WindwardOahuRN]

Buss it out 'den! Hit Kailua beach wit' da Hibachi and da' coolah'.

Strictly mustard and Sauerkraut for me, thanks. :rolleyes:

LOL---I checked. Total of 14 in there.

What are you going to eat? :D

[Erika Engle]

LOL---I checked. Total of 14 in there.

What are you going to eat? :D

LOL!
There are five in my family -- so that works out to ... Mommy getting one less than everybody else, as usual. :mad:

Nah -- j/k about the mad face. Sacrifice is part of the motherhood gig ... and besides, I don't need the extra fat, calories, etc.

Thanks for the prep/dressing advice!

[Pomai]

I checked. Total of 14 in there. What are you going to eat?A No-sodium, vegetarian "hospital food" hot dog on whole wheat bun and no condiments with prunes on the side, served by you, the RN. Yummy! :D :eek:

I see Erika's daughter's point about insisting on the total NYC hot dog "experience". No matter how original it may be in the supermarket at Kailua Foodland, eating it on the beautiful blue sky, white sandy Lanikai beach just wouldn't validate it.

You need the complete NYC "ambiance": Concrete canyons, smog, gray skies, subways and passing motorists yelling expletives at each other. Then the cart vendor asks you, "What the #*()ck you want on your #$cing hot *##ck**ing dog?".

The next best thing I can think of, would be to get a NYC dog here and eat on the streets of Waikiki.

[Erika Engle]

A No-sodium, vegetarian "hospital food" hot dog on whole wheat bun and no condiments with prunes on the side, served by you, the RN. Yummy! :D :eek:

I see Erika's daughter's point about insisting on the total NYC hot dog "experience". No matter how original it may be in the supermarket at Kailua Foodland, eating it on the beautiful blue sky, white sandy Lanikai beach just wouldn't validate it.

You need the complete NYC "ambiance": Concrete canyons, smog, gray skies, subways and passing motorists yelling expletives at each other. Then the cart vendor asks you, "What the #*()ck you want on your #$cing hot *##ck**ing dog?".

The next best thing I can think of, would be to get a NYC dog here and eat on the streets of Waikiki.

Reading that, I was reminded of my first trip to Boston's North End Pizza in Kailua, right after they opened. I stepped up and was asked - by Tom Rossi himself, I think - "Yeah, whaddayaneed?!"
I LOVED IT! It just added so much to the ambiance of the place and to the experience. I know some folks were taken aback by the East Coast thing -- but I just adored it. I ordered several slices, including one spinach and garlic, which he repeated over his shoulder -- loudly -- one spinno and gahlic! ...

Okay, back OT. I may be going to Foodland to check out the Boar's Head Dog sitch today ...

[kimo55]

The next best thing I can think of, would be to get a NYC dog here and eat on the streets of Waikiki.
yea, that may aproximate the experience. walking along Kalakaua and being sourrounded and jostled by a big crowd of sour dour faced grumpy people complaining and commenting negatively on everything around them.



"Sour rounded. hahaa. Lilly. I made a funny!"

[WindwardOahuRN]

yea, that may aproximate the experience. being sourrounded and jostled by a big crowd of sour dour faced grumpy people complaining and commenting negatively on everything around them.

You from NY too?? :D

[WindwardOahuRN]

Okay, back OT. I may be going to Foodland to check out the Boar's Head Dog sitch today ...

Unless things have changed, their usual delivery day is Tuesday---my husband asked, after being disappointed by the empty shelves more than once.

Good luck!

[Palolo Joe]

Yeah, well, there ain't no accountin' for taste.

Toss you up against any street vendor in NY and you would just wither, fold, and die.

Nothing personal. I must say you might do quite well here. Just don't even think of crossing the Pacific.
Been to New York. Had the hot dogs. Ain't that great.

And if you haven't tried the Redondo's hot dog in some Zippy's chili, well, you can just get back on a plane and go to the mainland.

[WindwardOahuRN]

Been to New York. Had the hot dogs. Ain't that great.

And if you haven't tried the Redondo's hot dog in some Zippy's chili, well, you can just get back on a plane and go to the mainland.

Like I said, no accountin' for taste... :)

The fluorescence of the Redondo dogs frightens me a bit. They really don't taste that terrible. Hidden in Zippy's chili, not so bad. Cuts down on the glare somewhat, too.

I ate a ton, at least, of those fuschia babies during the last nurses' strike. Boiled, oozing neon-pink juice, on stale buns. Probably not the best presentation but it was cold, raining, and I was stuck on the night-shift picket line on stormy Mahalo Street. Sad little tent city, happy to accept any and all donations.

And decades of eating hospital cafeteria food prepares you for just about anything. :eek:

[helen]

Been seeing a TV commerical from Oscar Meyer with their latest product which has the bun included with the hot dog. I can only assume you have to microwave it to heat it up before serving it.

At least it solves the age old problem why are hot dogs are sold in packs of 10 and hot dog buns in packs of 8.

[kimo55]

I was eating a pretty good hot dog from costco, when i was driving on the ewa side of Kinau during that nurses strike a few years ago. I loved it.
what sights;

Nurses next to hospitals walking around with signage that read
"HONK... if you support the strike"

yea. make noise in a "quiet! Hospital zone".
huuuh huh huh.

[Pomai]

I was reminded of my first trip to Boston's North End Pizza in Kailua, right after they opened. I stepped up and was asked - by Tom Rossi himself, I think - "Yeah, whaddayaneed?!"
I LOVED IT! Just this past week, my friend and I went to the Iwilei Home Depot, where in front is a Chicago Hot Dog stand. I'm not sure if the worker at the time represents Chicago, but he sure had attitude. Definately some kind of East Coast accent. When my friend asked for a bag, the guy practically threw it at him.

You think I ordered anything after him? Hell no.

That (rather small) Chicago dog by itself set him back $3.75, and after eating it, he resented every neighboring "$1.50 Polish Hot Dog with Drink from Costco" thought of it.

[kimo55]

after eating it, he resented every neighboring "$1.50 Polish Hot Dog with Drink from Costco" thought of it.
translation, please?

[Palolo Joe]

"I wish I hadn't spent so much on a crappy hot dog, when I could have gone Costco and gotten the $1.50 meal deal..."

[Erika Engle]

Wow - your experience was definitely different from mine.

I guess I didn't make it clear that Mr. Rossi was not angry, or mean or anything -- in fact, even though the "Whaddayaneed" sounded a bit abrupt, he was smiling. Happy eyes, smiling face, etc., even though they were slammed.

Maybe the term I'm looking for is, wisecracking attitude? Anyway, it was a positive, not a negative. I certainly didn't get anything thrown at me, except of course, a fun experience that has brought me back to the place repeatedly -- even though they're much less "East Coast" now.

[Pomai]

Bang for the Buck?

Maybe next time, that stand will have one of them "juicy" types Scrivener mentioned working at The CompUSA cart. They could probably sell hot dogs to heart surgeons. lol

[Pomai]

guess I didn't make it clear that Mr. Rossi was not angry, or mean or anything -- in fact, even though the "Whaddayaneed" sounded a bit abrupt, he was smiling. Happy eyes, smiling face.I too love attitude with good character behind it, as you mentioned. Dig it.

Hopefully you were treated as nice as any Joe Shmoe, and not just because they knew you were a newspaper reporter. Or did they?

Still, I do have major sympathy for those who work in the restaurant and hospitality industry. My girlfriend is one of them. It's hard, hard work and there WILL be some bad days that go along with the good.

Back to the dogs...

[WindwardOahuRN]

Been to New York. Had the hot dogs. Ain't that great.

.

Bear in mind that not all hotdogs sold in NY are New York Hotdogs.

Plenty of junk there, too...Oscar Meyer, Ball Park, etc.

I guess I am talking NY deli-style hotdogs. The main brands are Sabrett (sold by street vendors under a yellow and blue umbrella) and Boar's Head. Nathan's, natural casing only.

And I guess it just comes down to what you ate when you were growing up. Becomes the favorite, most times.

[Palolo Joe]

Like I said, no accountin' for taste...
Bear in mind that all hotdogs sold in NY are not New York Hotdogs.
Geez. First you insult me, then you infer that I'm an ignorant schmuck.

Let me put it this way. Been to New York. Had the NY DELI-STYLE HOTDOGS. Ain't that great.

I'll go back to the Big Apple to visit friends and partake in other activities unique to the area. But for the weiners? Nah.

I do just fine with a smokie from Great Hawaiian. Just as good, if not better, than what you can get in New York, Chicago, L.A. or wherever else on the mainland. Has nothing to do with what I ate as a kid.

[Erika Engle]

I too love attitude with good character behind it, as you mentioned. Dig it.

Hopefully you were treated as nice as any Joe Shmoe, and not just because they knew you were a newspaper reporter. Or did they?

Still, I do have major sympathy for those who work in the restaurant and hospitality industry. My girlfriend is one of them. It's hard, hard work and there WILL be some bad days that go along with the good.

Back to the dogs...
I don't think he knew who I was ... I worked in radio back then and didn't have my face out there so much.
I didn't notice any difference in the way I was treated, versus, say, the previous customer and the next customer ... definitely a valid question, however.
Back OT, I'm gonna clean out the fridge, make a menu plan for the week -- and grocery shop. Even though WWORN said the deliveries come on Tuesdays, I'll check for Boar's Head doggies today, just in case, cause now I'm all curious to try 'em.

[Pomai]

Bear in mind that all hotdogs sold in NY are not New York Hotdogs. Bummers. I would hope at least ONE hot dog would be a New York Hotdog. :p

Kidding. Surely you meant to insert NOT in there.

Just wanted to say thanks for visiting my blog. Now take them NY dogs you've got out of the freezer and head out to Lanikai beach so you can grill 'em up! :)

Have a fun Saturday HT gang! Aloha.

[WindwardOahuRN]

Geez. First you insult me, then you infer that I'm an ignorant schmuck.



Jeez, you're mighty delicate.

Take care next time you're in NY... :D

[Keanu]

Yeah, well, there ain't no accountin' for taste.

Toss you up against any street vendor in NY and you would just wither, fold, and die.

Nothing personal. I must say you might do quite well here. Just don't even think of crossing the Pacific.


That some attitude you have, you should have left it at the airport. :rolleyes:

I have had a hotdog from NY street vendor and while the hotdog itself was good, it wasn't anything to jump for joy over.

[WindwardOahuRN]

Bummers. I would hope at least ONE hot dog would be a New York Hotdog. :p

Kidding. Surely you meant to insert NOT in there.

Just wanted to say thanks for visiting my blog. Now take them NY dogs you've got out of the freezer and head out to Lanikai beach so you can grill 'em up! :)

Have a fun Saturday HT gang! Aloha.

LOL---fixed the error---thanks!

[Palolo Joe]

Jeez, you're mighty delicate.

Take care next time you're in NY...
Nope. Keep insulting me. This will be fun.

I do just fine in New York. Take care next time you're in Waianae. Or Palolo housing.

And to return to my original point: New York sausage ain't that special.

[Erika Engle]

Can we keep in mind that we're just talking about our personal favorite hot dogs and not engage in meanness?

Aaaaaanyway ... I found Boar's Head Hot Dogs at Foodland Kailua yesterday -- 7 in the pack, not quite one pound.

I was planning a low-key, family celebration -- to mark a special day in the life of my 18-year-old son -- so I also bought additional, cheaper hot dogs (because 7 dogs for a family of 5 just weren't going to cut it).

I figured I'd grill the Boar's Head dogs, as WwORN recommended and serve them "straight up" -- and that I'd turn the regular (cheap) hot dogs into Madison Dogs:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_5419,00.html

My eldest has been ono for this treat for awhile (you'll see that it's not something anyone should eat often), so I thought I would combine my curiosity about the Boar's Head dogs with his onos and we'd have a hot dog feast.

The self-proclaimed Coney Island dogs were really good. The "snap" was there, the flavor was there, etc. I'm sure the whole experience of buying them from a real NYC street vendor would make them even better! I'm not a fan of basic yellow mustard, (unless it's mixed with mayonnaise, like the "Yellow Sauce" at the old Bob's Drive-In, near Hilo High). So, I used just a smidge of dijon mustard. The ketchup-holic kids did, what to WwORN, is probably unthinkable. I shan't go into detail, lest she shudder.

I posted earlier, a fond memory about the bright red dogs WwORN doesn't like ... I won't repeat it here, but that fond memory was less about the flavor of the dogs than the whole "moment" they were involved in. I even bought them, to try to replicate that moment for my kids, but it didn't work -- not even for ME.

[WindwardOahuRN]

LOL, Erika---let the kids decorate the dogs as they please. Ketchup is fine, as long as no snooty-ass Noo Yawkers are watching. I'd gladly pass the ketchup bottle, as long as the kids were happy.

"Madison Dogs"? I gotta smile again. My mom used to make dogs just like this but in the oven, not on the grill. I don't remember what we called them, but when I clicked on Emeril's recipe I just had to smile.

Ours were not quite as fancy---we stuck Velveeta in the slits of the hotdogs.

They were greasy, salty, and definitely not for the health-conscious. Good, though... :o

[Erika Engle]

*publicly confessing*
I LOVE Velveeta.
We didn't have it in the house when I was growing up, but when I finally did get to try it, I was hooked.
I remember finding a recipe I wanted to try with it and going to buy it -- and WHOA! Buggah's expensive!
I talked with my sister-in-law about it and we recalled that when we were growing up it had this stigma of being "poor-people food" and now, based on price it is like, a luxury item!
I prefer natural cheeses for most things, but for certain other uses, you just can't beat Velveeta for its ease of use and naughty, guilty-pleasure taste, texture, etc. (sigh) Now I've got onos.
Back OT, I've used Velveeta to stuff hot dogs as well, and loved every bad-for-me bite!

[WindwardOahuRN]

*publicly confessing*
I LOVE Velveeta.
We didn't have it in the house when I was growing up, but when I finally did get to try it, I was hooked.
I remember finding a recipe I wanted to try with it and going to buy it -- and WHOA! Buggah's expensive!
I talked with my sister-in-law about it and we recalled that when we were growing up it had this stigma of being "poor-people food" and now, based on price it is like, a luxury item!
I prefer natural cheeses for most things, but for certain other uses, you just can't beat Velveeta for its ease of use and naughty, guilty-pleasure taste, texture, etc. (sigh) Now I've got onos.
Back OT, I've used Velveeta to stuff hot dogs as well, and loved every bad-for-me bite!

LOL---I just bought a box of Velveeta for the first time in years. I too was shocked at the price. The big one was on sale and only about a dollar more than the smaller one so I went for it.

We always had it in the house when we were kids. "Real cheese" was too expensive. Maybe it really was "poor-people food"? I never thought we were poor but since my parents grew up during the depression they tended to be a bit frugal.

Or maybe we had it just because it tastes good. It's also easier to cook with than "real" cheese. Melts without clumping or getting stringy, blends easily into sauces. I like throwing chunks of it into hot tomato soup. Wonderful grilled cheese sandwiches. Great for giving dogs pills, too---just mold it into a ball around the pill.

Versatile stuff. A little scary that it is sold unrefrigerated and seems to last forever in the fridge. It never seems to get moldy, either. I remember finding a small hunk of it in the back of a drawer in the refrigerator. It was old, really old. No mold, no slime. Just a weird crust of salt crystals covering the whole piece.

[Erika Engle]

[A little scary that it is sold unrefrigerated and seems to last forever in the fridge. It never seems to get moldy, either. I remember finding a small hunk of it in the back of a drawer in the refrigerator. It was old, really old. No mold, no slime. Just a weird crust of salt crystals covering the whole piece.]

Yeah that IS scary. Just try not to think about it.

Your tomato soup idea would go over really well in my household!
My reflux would rule out my participation ... (or at least, rule out a large helping :eek: ) ...

[Pomai]

F-Y-I: Shirokiya (Ala Moana) advertised in Midweek that this weekend, August 19 & 20, they'll be featuring the original KC Drive-In Waffle Dog.

Also a reminder that the Okinawan Festival (home of the Andadog!) is just around the corner in September on Labor Day weekend.

What a coincidence, with all the talk here lately about sweet & savory.

[WindwardOahuRN]

F-Y-I: Shirokiya (Ala Moana) advertised in Midweek that this weekend, August 19 & 20, they'll be featuring the original KC Drive-In Waffle Dog.

Also a reminder that the Okinawan Festival (home of the Andadog!) is just around the corner in September on Labor Day weekend.

What a coincidence, with all the talk here lately about sweet & savory.

Anybody here ever tried those hotdogs-on-a-stick at Windward Mall?

Oh no. I just looked at the website. They have CHEESE on a stick, too! :eek:

http://hotdogonastick.com/frames.html

[Erika Engle]

Anybody here ever tried those hotdogs-on-a-stick at Windward Mall?
Oh no. I just looked at the website. They have CHEESE on a stick, too! :eek:
http://hotdogonastick.com/frames.html
It's definitely a treat! ... and man oh man, that cheese on a stick!!!
When my daughter was in preschool or kindergarten we stopped there for a snack ... and I told her that when she was "in my tummy, I used to love to eat these" referring to my cheese on a stick.
She looked up at me with her big brown eyes, a look of concern on her sweet little face, and she asked me, "and did I get messy?"
Omigosh I felt so bad for laughing ... but that was one of the funniest things she'd ever said (up to that point in her life).
There's also one at Pearlridge, I believe. There may be others, as well.

[Manö'iki]

Gone. Closed. R.I.P.
:(
Damn, that sucks. I loved going there. It was so easy cuz I lived on Kapahulu and then on Kapiolani, just past Kaimuki High School. When I used to catch TheBus or if I went walking to the post office on Kapahulu, I'd stop there. Man. Those Waffle Dogs were da grindz.

And that was my vote for this thread. Or da Pronto Pups from Kapa'a Baseball Park. My younger brothers played basbeball and every game, I would see it and hunger for it and buy one and a Teri Burger.

They sort of look like corn dogs (or pronto pups if you are from Kauai). Is the batter different?
But... Pronto Pups are better than Corn Dogs, they're more sweeter. :D

Seriously, I'll eat Pronto Pups, but I won't touch a corn dog unless I'm desperate. Something about them Pronto Pups back home are just different.

Now I want a pronto pup and a flying saucer.

[Manö'iki]

Damn, no delete option.

[scrivener]

Those Hotdog-on-a-Stick uniforms are humiliating. They scream out, "My bosses hate me!"

[Erika Engle]

Those Hotdog-on-a-Stick uniforms are humiliating. They scream out, "My bosses hate me!"
They're by far the worst, most humiliating I've seen, I agree. I've never seen a GUY working at Hot Dog on a Stick, which makes me wonder if guys would just never get hired there because there's no male version of the uniform, (which brings about employment-law issues, I would think).
Or ... perhaps guys just aren't drawn to work in a place that makes deep fried hot dogs and cheese ... (and zucchini and fish, too, I think).

The company REALLY needs to update its uniforms. Heck, other nationwide quick-service-restaurant chains hired hip, cool, people like P.Diddy (his fashion co.) to consult on new uni's.

[manoasurfer123]

I've never seen a GUY working at Hot Dog on a Stick, which makes me wonder if guys would just never get hired there because there's no male version of the uniform, (which brings about employment-law issues, I would think).
Or ... perhaps guys just aren't drawn to work in a place that makes deep fried hot dogs and cheese ... (and zucchini and fish, too, I think).
I have seen a GUY working there. He didn't look to happy. :D

However, it's kind of a brilliant marketing idea... Dress em up like clowns and everyone knows what the place is the second they see an employee.

[WindwardOahuRN]

Those Hotdog-on-a-Stick uniforms are humiliating. They scream out, "My bosses hate me!"

From the FAQ section of the website:

>>>3. What is the story behind the Hot Dog on a Stick™ hat and uniform?
The Hot Dog on a Stick™ uniform, including the hat, was inspired by a whimsical mid-1960s trend when jockey caps and hot pants were in style. The employees say the hats, which are hand-made and customized to fit each new employee, make their jobs more fun and enable the company to attract enthusiastic, outgoing and good-natured employees, and draw attention to the store.

4. Can I get a Hot Dog on a Stick™ or Muscle Beach Lemonade & Hot Dogs™ uniform?
We are sorry, but Hot Dog on a Stick™ and Muscle Beach Lemonade & Hot Dogs™ do not sell, lend or rent our uniforms, not even for special occasions or requests. They are reserved for our very special employees. <<<

Damn. I REALLY wanted the hat. It's even more attractive than my old nurses' cap.

[Erika Engle]

Damn. I REALLY wanted the hat. It's even more attractive than my old nurses' cap.

Betcha there are some guys on HT that would pay money for you to put on that old nuses' cap and whites!

You know the type -- they're the hot doggers!

Hah! Back OT!

[WindwardOahuRN]

Betcha there are some guys on HT that would pay money for you to put on that old nuses' cap and whites!

You know the type -- they're the hot doggers!

Hah! Back OT!

LOL...let's not go there. Well, maybe a decade or more ago. But who knows---maybe some here are into Grandmas with spider veins?

Eeeesh. TMI, TMI... :D

Back OT...puhleeeze.

[Pomai]

Shoots. By the time I arrived at Shirokiya yesterday at 2pm, the Waffle Dogs were SOLD OUT. I should've known.

That's OK, at least I was able to chat a little with Dayton Asato, heir (http://starbulletin.com/2006/04/23/features/story01.html#jump) of the famous treat...

http://www.96seven44.com/images/daytonasatowaffledogman.jpg
Dayton Asato is very happy after a weekend of sales success at Shirokiya Ala Moana. Photo by Pomai, 8.20.06

He's such a cool, down-to-earth guy! Said folks came in droves for the thing.

I dig that logo!

[Pomai]

Here's the Okidog assembly line at this past weekend's Okinawan Festival in Waikiki...

http://www.96seven44.com/images/okidogstep1_2.jpg
A hot dog is placed on a soft flour tortilla, followed by a dollup of Zippy's Chili, then folded over and layered with a bed of iceburg lettuce.

http://www.96seven44.com/images/okidogstep3_4.jpg
Finally, a layer of Okinawan Shoyu Pork (Rafute) is placed over the lettuce, then it's folded shut typical burrito style and wrapped in aluminum foil for service.

These were selling for $6 each (via scripts). Lines were long for them, as it was for everything. Gotta' admit, this is one of the most unusual hot dog creations out there.

[Pomai]

Of course Okinawan Festival revelers this year stood in VERY LONG lines for the Andagi and Andadogs...

http://www.96seven44.com/images/andadogwok.jpg
Andadogs in various stages of doneness being deep fried in large woks

http://www.96seven44.com/images/andadogbatch.jpg
Perfectly done

http://www.96seven44.com/images/andadogbite.jpg
Oishii.

Just like last year, Andadogs were $1 each.

[Pomai]

http://www.96seven44.com/images/andadogflour2.jpg
Andadogs are prepared by bulk with popsicle sticks, then dipped in flour

http://www.96seven44.com/images/andadogbatter.jpg
Then dipped in the Andagi batter

http://www.96seven44.com/images/andadogwokcu.jpg
Then deep fried until GBD by a full staff of watchful volunteers

See previous post for results of this. ~_/\

[Glen Miyashiro]

Of course Okinawan Festival revelers this year stood in VERY LONG lines for the Andagi and Andadogs...Actually it was the andagi lines that were super-long. The andadog line was almost nonexistent. Because they use half-dogs, each andadog was a nice snack-sized bite. I went back multiple times. Umai!

[Pomai]

Yeah, you gotta' look carefully, because they're served out of the same booth, with a separate line for each item. When we were there, the Andagi line was really long, but the Andadog line wasn't anything to sneeze at either.

The Pig's Feet Soup was already sold out.

[GregLee]

Bummers. I would hope at least ONE hot dog would be a New York Hotdog. :p

Kidding. Surely you meant to insert NOT in there.
Not a mistake -- this is just a difference between American English dialects. The original was:

Bear in mind that all hotdogs sold in NY are not New York Hotdogs.
Some (presumably including you) will understand this as logically all...(not(...)) but others (including me) will understand it as not(all...(...)). WindwardOahuRN's edited version ("...that not all hotdogs sold in NY are ...") expresses only the latter.

I'm not saying anything about correctness -- just mentioning a relevant fact of English usage that may or may not interest you.

[manoasurfer123]

Oh no!!! another person on HT to make my life and spelling and pronunciation a nightmare...

You must cringe GregLee when you read my posts...

In all seriousness...

Has anyone ever had one of the A&W "Coney Island" dogs?

There pretty Ono!

[WindwardOahuRN]

Not a mistake -- this is just a difference between American English dialects. The original was:

Some (presumably including you) will understand this as logically all...(not(...)) but others (including me) will understand it as not(all...(...)). WindwardOahuRN's edited version ("...that not all hotdogs sold in NY are ...") expresses only the latter.

I'm not saying anything about correctness -- just mentioning a relevant fact of English usage that may or may not interest you.

A hotdog sold in NY may or may not be a NY hotdog.

A hotdog sold in HI may or may not be a HI hotdog.

My original post didn't look funny to me. Still doesn't look terribly wrong. Maybe it's my NY accent? :D

[Palolo Joe]

Oh no!!! another person on HT to make my life and spelling and pronunciation a nightmare...
Oh no!!! Another post on HT that tries to derail a thread and make it all about Manoa... :eek:

[oceanpacific]

A hotdog sold in NY may or may not be a NY hotdog.

A hotdog sold in HI may or may not be a HI hotdog.

My original post didn't look funny to me. Still doesn't look terribly wrong. Maybe it's my NY accent? :D

Are you a "native New Yawker?"

I've never had a Nathan's Coney Island hot dog, loaded with everything .........

[WindwardOahuRN]

Are you a "native New Yawker?"

I've never had a Nathan's Coney Island hot dog, loaded with everything .........

I was born in Queens, lived mostly on LI. I can sound amazingly like Linda Richman at times.

J/K. Maybe. :eek:

And I imagine that there probably will be a Nathan's here, someday. Might be nice on the boardwalk.

[Erika Engle]

I've not had a Nathan's dog either, to my knowlege ... but I HAVE seen them eaten on TV.
:p
Seriously, those Food Network specials about the Nathan's hot dog eating contests ... how funny is it that past winners have included skinny, short Japanese guys? I mean, they even have techniques called "A Japanese" and "A Double-Japanese," to refer to the way the dogs are eaten.

But back OT ... one of my favorite hot dogs of all time was from an Orange Julius-TYPE shop in Kona ... it had mushrooms and cheese on it and was made all the more special by the fact that my mom, my sister and I were on a girls-only trip, at a turning-point moment in our lives.

I doubt there will ever be another hot dog like that.

[hawaiidreamin]

Never knew hot dogs were so varied in Hawaii- and I thought the Puka Dog was the only interesting one to try there... :)

Just my H.O. as a NY'er- Boiled hot dogs-ewww, boiled hot dogs from any small rolling street side cart vendor in NY-potential threat to life risk.
Grilled Nathan Hot Dogs from the store in Coney Island-decent,
Gray's Papaya dogs from any NY location-grilled to crispy perfection- Delish! Score a lightly toasted bun to go with it- Heavenly...

A nice Hebrew Nat'l dog, grilled at home, then wrapped in a slice of cheese on toasted bun with spicy mustard and yes, a bit ketchup would be really ideal right now....

P.S. Loved your Tasty Island site Pomai-really cool!!! :D

[Pomai]

Grilled Nathan Hot Dogs from the store in Coney Island-decentThe Little Caesars pizza concession at the Nimitz KMart recently started offering Nathan's Hot Dogs, which I just had to try...

http://www.96seven44.com/images/nathans_littlecaesars.jpg

They're presented quite simply wrapped in Little Caesar's Napkin's (which were removed for this photo) and placed in Nathan's logo take-out box. That's kinda' cool. The combo included a small drink for about $2.00.

Ironically The Travel Channel just aired a show the other night which featured Nathan's original Coney Island, New York Hot Dog mega-stand, which I've never been before.

Based on that TV segment, what was noticeably different from the Coney Island original was that theirs were grilled on a flat top vs. the Kmart concession version were simply warm-cooked on a hot dog rotational heat roller. Also, the Coney Island dogs stuck out the ends of the bun a bit vs. these were actually SHORTER than the bun (see photo). The bun themselves tasted like off-the-shelf Loves Bakery variety (Correct me if I'm wrong), kept warm and supple, not toasted.

The dog itself is about the same diameter as Costco, but about an inch shorter. It has a nice firmness to it and quite simply, BEEFY with a slight hint of spice to it. Very nice.

I tried a bite or two without any condiments just to get the flavor of the dog, but simply with mustard was the way to go, IMO. Ketchup and relish was overkill.

I was content eating the equivalent of just one. Amazing how that Japanese guy could eat 60. :eek: :D

It'd be interesting to hear what NY transplants here have to say about this Hawaii Kmart exported version of Nathan's famous.

[LikaNui]

The dog itself is about the same diameter as Costco, but about an inch shorter. It has a nice firmness to it and quite simply, BEEFY with a slight hint of spice to it. Very nice. With the exception of a couple of words ("dog" and "Costco"), that sounds very similar to something my ex-wife, Plaintiff, would say. :D



Oh, quit groaning, folks. You know you were thinking the same thing!

;)

[WindwardOahuRN]

It'd be interesting to hear what NY transplants here have to say about this Hawaii Kmart exported version of Nathan's famous.

Uh-oh. :D

Judging by the description these seem like the Nathan's hotdogs that are available in the supermarkets here.

Since Foodland has started carrying Boar's Head hotdogs with the natural casing I've bought only those, except for when my grandkids were here. I bought Nathan's skinless for the youngest one---the natural casing hotdogs are a bit of a challenge for two-year-olds.

I found the Nathan's hotdogs to be flavorful and they had a decent texture but they were so SALTY! I could almost feel my rings getting tighter as I ate the Nathan's dogs.

They're okay though---garlicky, not mushy, and (ducking) not fluorescent pink. :eek:

Boar's Head will always be my favorite, I think, with Sabrett running about even.

[scrivener]

Star Market in Kalihi had Nathan's Famous for a while and I tried them. Good dogs, but too salty for my taste (and I love salty). It's also still got Hebrew National dogs in a few varieties, and I like those a lot better.

[alohacandy]

Antonio's New York Style Pizzeria in Kahala now sells Nathan's Hot Dogs too.

[Da Rolling Eye]

Safeway Mililani sells both Nathan's and Hebrew Nat'l. Don't really like either, Nathan's too salty and HN no taste, but the my brother just moved back from LI with his family and they like the HN hotdogs. They even brought some back one time, then I told them that I can get these from Tamura's in Wahiawa. Btw, they have the best prices on HN. Personally, I like the Polish dogs at Costco and OM's premium dogs. Used to eat Millers a lot, but their prices went through the roof.

[WindwardOahuRN]

Safeway Mililani sells both Nathan's and Hebrew Nat'l. Don't really like either, Nathan's too salty and HN no taste, but the my brother just moved back from LI with his family and they like the HN hotdogs. They even brought some back one time, then I told them that I can get these from Tamura's in Wahiawa. Btw, they have the best prices on HN. Personally, I like the Polish dogs at Costco and OM's premium dogs. Used to eat Millers a lot, but their prices went through the roof.

IMO, Miller's natural casing hotdogs are the next best dog available here after Boar's Head. I used to buy them before BH came to Hawaii.

A bit softer texture than BH but good flavor and that great snap of the natural casing.

[tikiyaki]

The Little Caesars pizza concession at the Nimitz KMart recently started offering Nathan's Hot Dogs, which I just had to try...

http://www.96seven44.com/images/nathans_littlecaesars.jpg

They're presented quite simply wrapped in Little Caesar's Napkin's (which were removed for this photo) and placed in Nathan's logo take-out box. That's kinda' cool. The combo included a small drink for about $2.00.

Ironically The Travel Channel just aired a show the other night which featured Nathan's original Coney Island, New York Hot Dog mega-stand, which I've never been before.



I've been there....it's really OLD....The french fries are really also famous there...greasy, salty...served up with this tiny little pitchforks...good stuff.

This dogs don't look like the Nathan's ones, which are skinnier and curved, with that crunchy skin that I never liked.

I prefer the supermarket, soft skinned ones, when I eat hot dogs, which is maybe twice a year.

[WindwardOahuRN]

I've been there....it's really OLD....The french fries are really also famous there...greasy, salty...served up with this tiny little pitchforks...good stuff.

There is also a Nathan's in Oceanside on Long Island. IIRC, Wednesday night is Classic Car Night. Lotsa shiny chrome, fins, baby moons, fuzzy dice.

Another night is (was?) set aside for bikers (Tuesday?). Much rougher crowd than the Classic Car folks.

Then again, maybe they'e not doing this anymore and I can just add these to my pile of memories of a misspent youth. :D

[tikiyaki]

There is also a Nathan's in Oceanside on Long Island. IIRC, Wednesday night is Classic Car Night. Lotsa shiny chrome, fins, baby moons, fuzzy dice.

Another night is (was?) set aside for bikers (Tuesday?). Much rougher crowd than the Classic Car folks.

Then again, maybe they'e not doing this anymore and I can just add these to my piles of memories of a misspent youth. :D

Actually, I still think they do both. My friend lived in Oceanside and the last time I was there...maybe 7 years ago,,,they were still doing it...but it's been a while now.

[cprompt0806]

There's a little store in Liliha, Royal Blendz who sells Nathan's. They're okay for me. I still prefer the Great Hawaiian Hotdog, mainly because of the garlic sauce... yummy!

[Two Fish]

From 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm today only (June 13), get your free hotdog to celebrate 61 years of fun, or that's what the website says for Hotdog On A Stick, also known as "Chicks In A Clownsuit", as the aforementioned: no guys ever seen working there. http://www.hotdogonastick.com/

[ifcancan]

Hot dogs are an important subject in my family.

First, in Haiku, Maui on the North Shore is a little general store called Fukushima's. That place has this red Redondo's dog w/ a special sauce that is probably mayo, relish, and mustard. Don't make a face. It's good w/ onions and mustard. That, to me, is the ultimate local-kine dog.

Second, when it comes to other kinds of dogs, we go w/ Nathan's, Hebrew National, and Mt. Sinai -- in that order. Note that this is about hot dogs, not all-beef Polish sausages, like those sold at Costco. That's a different deal all together.

Third, there is also a difference between eating hot dogs and chili dogs. The best chili dog I've had in my entire life was when the Green Bay Packers defeated the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl (1997?). My Dad made Nathan's dogs with mustard, spicy no-bean chili, onions, and it was sealed with a thin layer of melted cheddar cheese (shredded).

[TATTRAT]

I have had rippers in Chicago, Coney Dogs on the Island, hot water dogs in DC, and every variety available on the 7-11 rolling grill. The best, imo, Grays Papaya(west Village, NYC), hands down. It is an experience in it self, but the dogs are awesome! Great snap when ya bite 'em, never tough. Butter toasted bread, piles of toppings, the best way to bring on a heart attack if there ever was one.

And the smoothies, to die for.

[jdub]

Wrigley Field in Chicago. Can't be beat. As far as in Hawaii'i, all I can think of is those crappy dogs at Orange Julius. A begrudged indulgence.

[Honoruru]

I kinda like those crappy dogs at Orange Julius. ;) (Of course, I've never eaten anything from Chicago or New York, so what do I know?)

But when the Ala Moana Orange Julius was at their previous location (near the Complete Kitchen), the quality was better and they also served burgers. Their burgers were some of the best buys around, in my opinion.

[Pomai]

Check out this Bagel Dog from Lox of Bagels (http://web1.ls.sp1.yahoo.com/details?id=21889822&csz=Fort+Shafter+HI&) on Sand Island Access Rd (Honolulu)....

http://www.96seven44.com/images/bageldog2.jpg

http://www.96seven44.com/images/bageldog.jpg

An Oscar Mayer All-Beef JUMBO Hot Dog encased in a chewy, toasted bagel "bun". You KNOW that has to be good. It's actually outstanding! At $2.75 each, that's a pretty good deal.

Lox of Bagels also has great Bagel Sandwiches and flavored cream cheese spreads.

[Palolo Joe]

At $2.75 each, that's a pretty good deal.

$2.75 is a deal? I'd rather go to Panya Bakery and get one of their hot dogs similar to this one... and I'm pretty sure they're priced at least a dollar to $1.25 cheaper than these.

Panya also makes them with ketchup and/or mustard baked in. Good stuff.

[helen]

One thing I don't like is when the hot dog sticks out from the bun. One would figure if a meat company makes a certain size of sausage, a bakery or two would follow suit with an equal size of bun.

Or would this be a variation of why hot dogs come in pack of 10 and hot dog buns come in pack of 8?

[Pomai]

I was gonna' mention this in the 2007 Korean Festival thread, but this is more fitting here, as it's an interesting twist.. and we all love twists when it involves Hot Dogs!...

http://www.96seven44.com/images/koreanfest07_kimcheehotdog2.jpg

Yes, a Kim Chee Hot Dog. 4 scrips ($4). When I seen this at yesterday's festival, I just HAD to try it!

This beast of a dog is made using a Kosher Sinai Hot Dog (the big Costco ‘kine), covered with no bean chili and a huge pile of Kim Chee.

What did I think of it? I LOVE Kim Chee, but sorry, I didn’t like this.

Their concept of the idea is that the Kim Chee is like Sauerkraut, but The Kim Chee is just too overpowering, making it taste more like a Kim Chee sandwich with a hot dog in it, than vice versa. It was so overpowering, even the no-bean chili under it was drowned out. Maybe less Kim Chee and it might work. But I think the Kim Chee is also too acidic to compliment the dog properly.

It might LOOK like it'll make you explode, but that wasn't a problem for me anyway.

You might like it though. Go try make one yourself and let us know what you think!

[LikaNui]

In today's Star-Bulletin at this link (
http://starbulletin.com/2007/07/18/features/story03.html) is a long story of a new hot dog vendor, of which story this is a small part:

Frou-frou dogs
An award-winning restaurateur had to satisfy a burning hot-dog itch

"UP ON a high shelf, next to two plastic dancing hot dogs and a lamp made of a Spam can, is a medal engraved with five stars and the word "Mobil."
"Some restaurants display a ceramic Lucky Cat for good luck; Henry Adaniya has a Mobil Travel Guide Five-Star Award. It is his by rights as founder of an acclaimed Chicago restaurant, Trio, and he's brought it with him as he's traded haute cuisine for haute dogs."
(...)
"But last year he turned Trio over to his partners, ready to make a reality of an idea that had been buzzing around his brain for years: a hot dog stand.
"Hank's Haute Dogs opened Monday in a non-descript Kakaako location, on Coral Street just off Ala Moana Boulevard. His neighbors are Eurosport and Walk-In Liquors, with a Volvo dealership across the street."
(...)
"On the first day, Adaniya sold 220 dogs in two hours -- they were out of buns by 1 p.m., proving he just may have a point. "We were prepared to do 200 in six hours."

Much more of the story at the link above.

[pzarquon]

I'm not sure if I like the Bulletin's turn of phrase, "hot-dog itch," but otherwise, fun story! My wife and I frequently talk about a few things that we'd love to see here -- hot dog and other downtown food carts like you see (or saw?) in New York, and Chinese delivery.

Might head over just to try this guy's stuff. Though I imagine he'll sell out even faster, now! Here's his web site (http://www.hankshautedogs.com/).

I work next door to Costco Iwilei, and when I first started this job I had at least one $1.50 hot dog a week... often two. My wallet was happy but my palette rebelled. Haven't been there for over a month!

[dick]

Some of the stuff at Hank's is a bit out there, but overall the food is