Overrated hot dog joints Part 1

Posted by hotdoglover, August 21, 2009 at 10:05 AM

I love hot dogs. Sampling them at home or at hot dog joints is a big hobby of mine. Although I don't travel much, I have gone to surrounding states just to sample what is available and what I've heard about. I have had franks from all over the country shipped to me, so I'm somewhat familiar with many brands that are not available near where I am.

Part of the fun for me is going somewhere for the first time after reading and hearing about it. I've found that the anticipation and the act of finally discovering what I think of a certain place often surpasses the actual pleasure I get from eating the hot dog. Even if I wind up not liking the hot dog at a place I've travelled a distance to, my curiosity has been satisfied.

Hot dogs are very regional and taste is so subjective and personal that you will find yourself sometimes amazed at what you think of a place after going on a recommendation and expecting something completely different. Some places that were raved about, I found lacking. Others that were described as lousy I found to be exceptionally good. As I mentioned, there are many reasons for this. People in New York City or Chicago who grew up on spicy kosher or kosher style dogs often find a milder, less well seasoned dog bland and describe it as tasteless. Those who grew up on what I consider mediocre dogs (cheap or generic dogs made with filler) have described bold beef dogs as much too spicy.

What hot dog joints have you heard great things about only to be disappointed when you finally went there? That you couldn't see what the fuss was about and consider overrated? I've found that to many people Rutt's Hut in N.J. fits this description. Personally I love these dogs. But when I read opinions about this place (probably the best known hot dog joint in Jersey) I've found that people either love or hate these dogs. There seems to be no middle ground. It is a pork based dog made specifically for deep frying. It is ugly looking and wrinkled.

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