Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

aaah... the BEST half smokes were to be had at the entrance to the Sears & Roebuck on Naylor Road in Anacostia back in the day. It was a real treat to go with Dad when he made a tool run - good behavior was rewarded by a smoky half smoke on a grilled bun - just the right amount of crunch & dryness to catch the spurt of juiciness when you bit/popped through the fresh off the grill half smoke skin. The perfect coarse grind - not as coarse as good Polish Kielbasa but way more wonderful texture than the bologna-like squoosh in hot dogs. No splitting the half smokes like they do at Ben's -pleeze - you miss the snap of the skin if they are split! ! A sprinkle of fresh chopped onion was the only embellishment - a true half smoke needs no hot dog accompaniments to improve them. It wasn't until I grew up & moved away from home that I found few knew of this smoky jewel. sigh... good stuff.