Super Hot Dog

2.25 stars.
Came here for a quick lunch and ordered the bruschetta hot dog, which came with diced tomatoes, garlic, and basil and an order of cheese fries.
While there was a generous amount of fresh tomatoes, there was only ONE basil leaf and I would’ve preferred more garlic. The wiener itself was ok. The hot dog bun was also a little stale. The cheese on the fries was basically cheez wiz.
But knowing how much I love meat, cheese, and bread, I’m sure I’ll be back to try another hot dog…

My very first thought after eating here was «why the hell did I choose this place when Papaya King is right around the corner?».
Almost five bucks for my dog. Quite rubbery actually. Mine had what they called «guacamole» on it, but I’m not convinced. I’m from Texas and Hispanic and that shit ain’t guacamole.
Truly disappointing. I’d rather have McDonalds (and it’s right around the corner too).

This place probably gets a lot of customers from Off the Wagon. And I’m pretty sure I would only ever go to this place while intoxicated, which is exactly what I did.
In my drunken stupor, I ordered the hot dog with fried onions (ala the kind that you put on top of green bean casserole at Thanksgiving time) and BBQ sauce. I also asked them to add cheddar cheese sauce at an additional charge, as if the original combo i ordered wasn’t gross enough. I also opted for the whole wheat bun. Hey, after a few beers and cheese fries I had at OT dubs, I might as well save my calories – and arteries – where I can.
$ 5 later, I was left feeling like i needed something more. Wasn’t the greatest hot dog in the world but also not the wurst (haha, get it… okay, moving along) My friend ordered the one with guacamole, which in theory sounds amazing, but I guess it wasn’t. The cheese fries were pretty decent-​they tasted like they were bathed in warm cheese whiz. Mmmm
Point of story, I’m sure I’ll be back after my next trip down McDougal St.

In their defence, can a hot dog ever really be a satisfying repast? Or is it the merest «amuse-​bouche» to be ingested on the hoof en route to wider, more lurching tables in the near-​future? The sign over the counter trumpets «One just isn’t enough!,» and I thought at the time: «STRANGE BOAST that.»
It is as if to say: «Our dishes are insufficient to feed you!»
Or — — «You’re going to need to buy several hot dogs to feel remotely satisfied!»
Or — — - «We predict you’ll have to spend about fifteen dollars to get even half-​full!»
Sadly, for once, the advert didn’t lie.
This was the situation and so of course MY CONSTANT DINING COMPANION blamed me and remarked that we should’ve gone to the falafel place down the block & ate well for a fraction of the cost.
Stoopid thing was, we’d expressly sought the place out because we’d read the hot-​dog top-​five list in NEW YORK magazine & as usual I got all keyed up and excited to take part in «the New York experience» by dining at the buzz-​places.
Sometimes I feel as though I don’t exist in the same city depicted in NEW YORK magazine or the NEW YORKER.
As though I walk in an alternate-​dimension ghost-​city in the exact same physical space but existing at a different molecular vibration frequency.
For what it’s worth (and that is $ 8+) I had the cheese nacho hot-​dog and the fried onion model.
I dunno. I still miss the hot dogs I used to scarf without a trace of dignity at the Reading Festival. I still get sentimental over that fried onions smell. Last time I succumbed to such stuff was years ago in Norwich — a roadside vendor — on the shabby end of Magdalene Street.

I know what you’re thinking: «What? There’s an end of Magdalene Street that isn’t shabby?»

My visit to Super Hot Dog is a bit of a blur since it was a late-​night one, but I do remember asking for «everything on it». I remember it being pretty spicy so next time I would probably ask for everything minus jalapenos. It was piled sky-​high with toppings so perhaps I should be more selective next time too. Its not like they have only five topping options, it’s more like 15. The people who work here asked me twice if I was sure I wanted everything on it. I think I remember it having everything from corn, to fruit, to potato bits? Not exactly sure, though I do remember grossing out my roommate.
Cool décor though, awesome location, conveniently located next to Off the Wagon which is a favorite spot of mine for fun. Love this place.

I loved this place from the moment I saw it from across the street! It was so eye-​catching! The place was so cute — the floors, walls and ceilings were all covered in a hot dog comic art, which was really decorative. The menu was small so I just ordered a regular hot dog and fries. The hot dog was good and the fries were great, even though there was a lot of pepper & salt but it was great!

The hot dogs here are fine, if not a bit overwrought. I work near Macdougal street so I often eat lunch in places that were designed to appeal to the post-​bar crowd, i.e., drunk people. As foodfight does with burgers across the street, this place dresses up a basic with toppings that range from ugh to interesting. You can get a plain dog with sauerkraut for $ 2, which I have no qualms with. It’s $ 3.75-$ 4.75 for a dog with their pre-​set combos of toppings, which include: fruit[?], chili, grilled vegetables, bruschetta, nacho cheese + chips, onion rings + BBQ sauce.) I had the onion ring one with BBQ sauce. The people working there were nice and the dog was fine, but I think it would appeal more to the post-​bar crowd. If you want a cheaper dog in the neighborhood you would be better off going to Five Guys on LaGuardia near Houston, Papaya King at West 4^th st. and Sixth ave, Grey’s Papaya on Sixth Ave and W 8^th st. in terms of the same sort of dog for a better price. (5 Guys is actually a bigger dog with more topping options but it about as pricey). Or you could go to NY hot dog and coffee on Bleecker for more interesting toppings (Korean BBQ!) Super Hot Dog is a fine option for someone coming out of a bar who wants a dog. The décor is oversized bright yellow comic book panels tiled across the floor and ceiling, so it’s a cheery small place. As a side note, I used to live in DC and Boston and both cities had way better hot dog joints that paid homage to various regional varieties of dog. Check out Spike’s Junkyard Dogs if you are in the Allston area of Boston or M’Dawg ‘s in DC on 18^th street. Both those places manage to both cater to drunk people and come up with well thought out dogs that are worth going out of your way for. I think super hot dog would do better to add in some different dog options (Chicago’s dogs are spicier, DC has the larger half-​smoke, maybe add some bratwurst to the lineup, etc.) I think they could do away with many of their toppings and just sell more basic dogs with a simpler regional focus to the toppings.

I noticed a big yellow sign across the street from my apartment advertising a «hot dog concept store» planning to open soon. This prompted a medium sized eye roll and a piqué of my curiosity. In a city that prides itself on dirty water dogs would a «concept» store go over well? I hoped for their sake that they’d be able to pull it off. More importantly my very favorite hot dog shop, NY Hot Dog & Coffee is only a 5 minute stroll away so they had some stiff competition.
Well, I was coming home from a movie last night and the bright yellow sign looked inviting so in I went. Walls covered in comic strips and a large but simply menu in comic book fonts were cute and since I LOVE kitsch I ate up the décor. The dogs, I was more hesitant about eating up. They had about 20 dogs taking a spin on the rolling grill that reminds me a little too much of those 7 – 11 hot dog machines. The lady manager was super friendly and even while training managed to take my order efficiently.
First you pick whole wheat or regular bun (yes, please to a little bit of healthy with my meat tube!) and then the dog (beef kosher or veggie). Their toppings range from interesting (fried onion rings) to downright gross (fresh fruit with blueberry jam). I went with the Meaty Chili… a dog topped with rib eye chili and crispy corn chips. Result? The chili was too cold and while the hot dog was good I really didn’t enjoy a dog topped with dog food. The corn chips were out of place as well and I would have preferred a nice sharp chedder melted on top. For the same $ 4.75 I could have snagged two delicious Mamoun’s falafel sandwiches next door.
I want to see this place succeed but they can only do so if their product is worth buying and not even drunk college kids will go for a hot dog covered in sun-​dried tomatoes over Ben’s Pizza or Gray Dog’s down the street.