Seattle dogs: cream cheese, this is how we do it here!
Hot dog, Seattle style: make sure it has a good amount of cream cheese.
Of course, I almost died and went to heaven when I found about this very Seattle way to consume a perro caliente. The first time I tried one was after a Wolf Parade show at Neumos--the Crystal Ball Reading Room--one of the city's most regarded indie music venues.
(Side note: Wolf Parade is a Sub Pop! band. For those who don't know, this is a famous Seattle-based indie music record label, which is also the producer for Coco Rosie, Beach House, Album Leaf, The Postal Service, Iron and Wine, Fleet Foxes, Go! Team, among others).
Back to the dogs. Hot dogs stands are ubiquitous in Seattle as they are all over the US, and in cities like my hometown, Caracas. Down there, we call them asquerositos (little filthy things) and they are pretty different from the ones you buy in the US. Let's say they are "slim" in comparison.
The time to eat hot dogs in Seattle seems to be mostly at night. As nightclubs begin to get their rivers of bare legs and popped collars in line in Belltown, or lines of legs "painted" with jeans--those pesky skinny ones--stand in and outside bars and music venues in Capitol Hill, the hot dogs vendors pop here and there. These carts have several meaty options such as Kielbasa and Bratwurst, some also offer veggie wieners. And all of them, always, offer the heavenly, creamy cheese that taste oh-so-good when paired up with sausages.
When walking by any of these hot dog vendors, an interesting mix of customers will be grazing the sidewalk with their presence and chewing: preppy guy with pretty girl; hot girl in ladder-high heels; the papito suave on that girl's arm; University of Washington Husky fans; one of two nearly-extint mohawks barers asking for a second round of kiebalsas.
Hot dog stands can also be found in some of the city's Farmers Markets. Dante's Inferno Dogs is a regular cast member of the Ballard Sunday Market. They also attend block parties. I took the next three photos during one of these--also in Ballard--back in May.
Stick 'em up! The "Cream Cheese" pistol! (Dear Santa...)
I swear there is cream cheese underneath all that goodness!
At least I have some to show (on Ryan's face). Here, with our dear friend Maribeth when she came to visit last May, enjoy some Dante's Inferno Dogs
Some prefer to be steady, and open their stores. Po Dog did so a few months ago, a refreshing addition to the war of the cupcake/ice cream locale proliferation. They use brioche buns. That makes any other attempt to review the place unnecesary because this type of bread makes the world a better place (and their dogs phenomenal). Great ingredients are used here, and that, gets a lot of smiles and happy tastebuds.
Why, hello, Po Dog's Po 'Nam: Sliced carrots, daikon and Vietnamese herb culantro topped with homemade lemongrass vinaigrette, sesame seeds and cilantro (current special dog as of September 20th, 2010. Please, can it be part of the regular menu? ¿Por favor?)
My dear BFF (Best Food Friend) Hoolie showing us how to eat a dog with lots of glamor!
Which is your favorite hot dog, Seattle?
