Who Let the Dawgs Out?

My college-junior son Sam, the last kid on the payroll, isn’t someone I’d call a Dobbs Ferry booster. But when I recently corralled him for a lunch at the hot, new, , he actually exclaimed, “It’s the coolest place in Dobbs Ferry.”  (And you thought people only exclaim in novels.)

No no one confuses me as trendy. But I come from a long line of hot dog fans and it travels through my selfish genes. And while no one will confuse the Dawg House with the Original Nathan’s (forget the ersatz store on Central Avenue) Dawg House is, well, pretty cool.

The owners 1) know how to run a restaurant, 2) know how to serve up hot dogs and 3) don’t take it too seriously—but, seriously enough. The place has been packed during hungry hours since opening earlier this month. They get you in, get you out, and offer counters and comfortable stools for those who want to stay and munch.

The menu offers a choice of 20+ choose your own toppings, sensibly priced at free, 25 and 50 cents per. Did someone say cream cheese? Peanut butter?

Sour cream? Sliced bananas? Of course they also offer all the “normal” cheese, bacon, relish, and pepper possibilities. Select from beef, turkey and veggie franks.

They can also spare you all the figuring out with a variety of combinations. I fell hard for the BLT Dawg (lots of pepper is the magic here) and the BBQ (bacon, cheddar, onions, bbq sauce). I dreamt I saw Sushi Mike eating a sushi dawg  (ginger soy mayo, wasabi cream, seaweed salad, pickled ginger & sesame seeds) but even I don’t trust my dreams.

Alas, I have two small beefs: all the dawgs are boiled so you grilled-pups people will not be knocked out. And the rolls are neither warm nor toasted. Hey, I’ll get over it.

Crowd: In addition to the Facebook crowd, I spied a lot of Dads with small children, talking about the hot dog facts of life

Think About:  One hot dog at a time until your system adjusts

Don’t Miss: There are some unordinary sides: purple cole slaw (add pepper) and the Dawg tater tots with cheese, bacon, scallions, peppers.

Bring: A sense of appreciation for the tube steak

Essentials: 25 Cedar Street, Dobbs Ferry. (914) 693.5555. dobbsdawghouse.com