Davis, California Hotdogger is the Hotdog cafe for some of the finest dogs
in the West!
129 E Street A-1
Downtown Davis, CA 95616
530-753-6291
thehotdogger.com
by Barbara Steinberg
How Much is that Doggie? Pretty darn cheap at Hotdogger in downtown Davis.
I've always said, "A good hot dog is a thing of joy!" For more than 25
years, Hotdogger has walked many a joyful diner down ‘the dog' path. This
wiener-sized café provides limited counter-seating for about five. The dogs,
on the other hand, are not your tea-cup variety.
These dogs may not be AKC line-up, but they are pure-bred delicious! Your
classic all-beef Chicago Dog with German mustard, tomatoes, diced onion and
relish will set you back $3.50. From across the border, the spicy Ortega Dog
with green chilies and pepper jack cheese will light your fire for $4.00.
The Gut Bomb ($5), The Bandito ($4.25)...Louisiana hot links, chili, salsa,
onion…where's the Tums and Scope? Of course they also serve the PC Veggie
Dog breed. Well-groomed with mustard, ketchup, relish, onion and a sprouted
wheat bun, it's just like the real thing. Well, maybe.
The owners, the Franks – no, I'm not kidding – have been Davis' tube steak
mavens for the past 12 years. And counterperson, Zoe, has been adorning dogs
in buns for three years. Woof, that's dedication! "I never get tired of
them," she said. Her favorite is a personal creation: Portuguese wine
sausage (chicken with white wine and garlic), tomatoes, celery salt,
ketchup, pickles, and Hawaiian mustard. Would the name Zoe Dog describe that
pedigree?
Oh, and about the buns! An often overlooked, but integral part of the whole
doggone dog experience. Hotdoggers' buns are locally made at the Village
Bakery – another closet-sized establishment. Davis may just be a breeding
ground for this kind of thing.
Going to the California Hot Doggeries:
Weiner Works, Carmichael – Foot-long, beer-steamed dogs are the cat's meow.
The large order of fresh-cut fries weighs in at…well, how does 2 pounds
sound to you?
The Wienery, Sacramento – Steamy pups and kid friendly.
thewienerysacramento.com
Pink's, Los Angeles – Since 1939, hot dog to the stars! Pink's is also
located in Las Vegas at the Planet Hollywood Hotel, at Knott's Berry Farm, Universal CityWalk, and Universal Theme Park.
Don's Dogs, Monte Rio – Housed inside the Quonset hut Rio Theater on the
shores of the Russian River.
Let's Be Franks Dogs - Grass fed beef hotdogs include no nitrates, and
contain organic ingredients. Available in carts in San Francisco, Oakland
and Los Angeles, or order online: letsbefrankdogs.com