Happy Dog Cleveland
Mmmm... Hot dogs.Today's choice: Happy Dog.This is the second time we've hit this place, though we do need to go more often.This place has a total of three menu items:
- Hot dog (*)
- French fries
- Tater tots
* - Yes, you can substitute a vegetarian dog as well.That's it.But if only it were that simple.On top of the dogs you can select from a list of 50 different toppings ranging from the simple ketchup and mustard to a sunny side up egg or "Alien" pickle relish.
We did a tour of different ideas. The first batch was suggestions from the place.Round one:
- George (Iron Chef Michael Symon's favorite)
- 11 - Sriracha hot chili sauce
- 20 - "Alien" pickle relish
- 29 - Chunky peanut butter
- 2 - Red curry ketchup
- 15 - Brazilian chimichurri
- 45 - Caribbean coleslaw
- 47 - Chorizo chili
- Tater tots with Thai chile and garlic sauce
Mmmm. (We split each in two and had a half of each one)
Both were awesome! I loved the Symon special. A good mix of hot from the sriracha with the tang of the relish and the sweat earthiness and crunch from the peanut butter was over the top! En's was a frickin' gourmet chili dog!Round two:
- George
- 33 - Habiñero pickled red onions
- 36 - Frito corn chips
- 8 - Kansas City style BBQ sauce
- 14 - Bacon-balsamic marmalade
- 22 - Pineapple-ginger chutney
- 25 - Caramelized onions
- 40 - French Brie cheese
Damn.
I started with picking the pickled onions and trying to design a dish around that. I think it worked! En picked from the menu and it was once again a winner!Between the nearly endless combinations of ingredients, great service and a fabulous beer list I think we have a real winner.Towards the end we caught the first song or so of a band, The Ohio City Singers, as they started off a set. Desert was provided by Sweet - Mobile Cupcakery and an awesome Almond Joy cupcake.Afterward you might as well have rolled us out.Win!