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Go to the right and click on the hot dog wagon. I don't know why the golf site came up. Or just type in thegourmetchilidog.com yourself.

No, I have not tried the hot dogs at New York Hot Dog & Coffee or bulgogi. But from years of experience eating at hundreds of hot dog joints and trying different combinations, I know what I like and don't like. Although I can't give an opinion on bulgogi, I know that even if I did like it, I wouldn't want it on a hot dog. It is barbecued meat, and to me it would be too much in the way of competing flavors. I only like mild chili or Rutts Hut relish. Whenever I try a new place, I get either one dog plain (with mustard) and one with the house specialty, or just one dog, half plain and half with the house specialty. I have nothing against toppings or people that enjoy them; I just prefer to have a good quality dog with skin, prepared the way I like it with usually mustard only. I might even like the "premium dog" served at this place, but the fact that it is skinless is a big strike against it in my book. Plus the dog looks like it hasn't been grilled or griddled.

In looking over my previous posts, perhaps I did come on a bit strong. It's just that I'm very opinionated when it comes to hot dogs. The different brands and restaurants hold a special fascination for me.

FatBastid,

Call me what you want, but don't call me pissed off that the idea isn't mine. I am a bare bones guy; I like just mustard on my dog. So call me boring too. Occasionally Chili on a dog. The only other condiment I have from time to time is the special relish at Rutts Hut, which is so unique that it's unlike any other.

I have had Chicago dogs and all other kinds. I just don't like a lotta crap on mine. It's my opinion, if you don't agree, fine. But just because I am passionate about hot dogs doesn't make me angry or a dick. I run a very popular hot dog Tour. This year we had 2 bus loads of people from 5 different states. One year we even had a guy from Canada. I appreciate that people have different tastes. Two years ago I included a place known for toppings and esoteric combinations. I ordered the dog with just mustard. I liked it because it was a quality natural casing dog that could stand on it's own. The owner is a friend of mine who I make fun of because he offers creamcheese on a hot dog. Called My Schmiero. It is a popular dog served at a popular place. I included it because I try to please 60 plus people who don't all have the same tastes as me.

I also catch a lot of flack because I've stated that ketchup doesn't belong on a hot dog. I've been accused of trying to ban the stuff.

If you really like hot dogs, I invite you or anyone else to be a part of next year's Annual New Jersey Hot Dog Tour. You can eat some really good hot dogs and meet people who are just as passionate about hot dogs as I am. Whether that's good or bad, you be the judge.

Not angry, just expressing my opinion. I'm entitled to that, aren't I? Personally, I don't care what people put on their hot dog. If you like it, eat it. I hate ketchup and don't think it belongs on a hot dog, but I wouldn't tell people not to have it. That's how my son eats his. I have a friend who owns a hot dog restaurant. His specialty is the variety of homemade toppings. I kid him that he goes too far; cream cheese and corn flakes are just 2 things offered. Although I don't think these things belong on a hot dog, many do, and he makes money off them.

I know many people who love Chicago style hot dogs. Personally, I'll take the salad on the side. And I do try new things. Doesn't mean I have to like them. A hot dog is meant to be a simple unpretentious food. A good one doesn't need all that stuff on it in my opinion. Which is why I would pass on this one. Just by the picture I can see the dog itself is skinless and more than likely not grilled. So, I "don't go there, don't eat it" not caring if it is new creation or not. If you don't start with a quality dog it doesn't matter what you do to it or put on it.

It seems that on some of the forums I post on, people are too sensitive and thin skinned when it comes to someone voicing a criticism or expressing that they don't or wouldn't like something. It is only too easy (and lazy) to say "don't eat it" I thought the purpose of opinion forums is to voice an opinion. So I say to you, if you don't like my opinions "don't go there, don't read them".

If I lived in Chicago, I would prefer a minimalist dog like Gene & Jude's. They don't put tomatoes and a lot of other junk on it. Byron's is literally a salad on a bun. They put lettuce and cucumbers on their dogs, unlike most places in Chicago.

A guy from Chicago opened a place near me serving authentic Chicago style dogs using Vienna Beef and other ingredients shipped in from the Vienna Beef Co. It took me awhile, but I sort of aquired a taste for his dogs. The Vienna frank is milder than what we have in N.Y. and N.J. But it goes better with all of the ingredients. A Sabrett, Nathan's, Best's, or Hebrew National would overpower the other stuff and throw everything out of balance.

Superdawg uses a Sinai 48 Kosher frank, which is more well seasoned than Vienna. But it is skinless. Mr. Richman is wrong when he states that most grilled N.Y. dogs are skinless. Nathan's, Papaya King, Gray's, Katz's, and all the Papaya King knockoffs use natural casing dogs. Chicago places using Sinai 48 (Superdawg is one despite their claim of having a specially made dog) or Best Kosher are using a skinless dog. Those establishments using Vienna are split; some use a skinless version while some use a natural casing dog.

While taste is subjective and in many cases regional, I personally prefer a more well seasoned beef dog that is grilled, has a natural casing, with just mustard (preferably a spicy brown deli mustard). The focus should be on the frank and it's quality; not what you put on it. Although I can see how Chicagoans can like their style of dog, especially if they grew up with it.

Go to the right and click on the hot dog wagon. I don't know why the golf site came up. Or just type in thegourmetchilidog.com yourself.

Don't click that hot dog link - it's a spam site of some kind for golfers. Talk about niche... ;)

No, I have not tried the hot dogs at New York Hot Dog & Coffee or bulgogi. But from years of experience eating at hundreds of hot dog joints and trying different combinations, I know what I like and don't like. Although I can't give an opinion on bulgogi, I know that even if I did like it, I wouldn't want it on a hot dog. It is barbecued meat, and to me it would be too much in the way of competing flavors. I only like mild chili or Rutts Hut relish. Whenever I try a new place, I get either one dog plain (with mustard) and one with the house specialty, or just one dog, half plain and half with the house specialty. I have nothing against toppings or people that enjoy them; I just prefer to have a good quality dog with skin, prepared the way I like it with usually mustard only. I might even like the "premium dog" served at this place, but the fact that it is skinless is a big strike against it in my book. Plus the dog looks like it hasn't been grilled or griddled.

In looking over my previous posts, perhaps I did come on a bit strong. It's just that I'm very opinionated when it comes to hot dogs. The different brands and restaurants hold a special fascination for me.

ok sure... you are right.

but let me ask you this. you seem to be such a huge advocate of hot dogs and grays seems like a good choice for you... like it is for most new yorkers.

but have you tried this place's hot dogs before?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDcOKK7CCPo

A video making fun of me for stating that ketchup doesn't belong on a hot dog.