From Coney to kimchi to Cheetos: Check out some go-to Greater Fall River hot dogs
Let's be frank.
When the summer rolls around, hot dogs are among the top hand-held comfort foods we crave.
And like their tasty companion, the french fry, possibilities are endless when building your own dog — enjoyed plain, with a simple ketchup and mustard combo, or piled high with creative toppings.
Today, July 17, is National Hot Dog Day, meant to spotlight this American staple that's cemented its reputation as a crowd-pleaser, with about 20 million consumed annually.
According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, the foodie holiday falls on the third Wednesday of July, which is designated National Hot Dog Month.
While this day only comes once a year, in the SouthCoast every day is a day to celebrate for frank-ophiles, especially when there are so many great places in the area to grab this tasty meal in a bun.
So in honor of National Hot Dog Day, here is a roundup of a few local places to hit to get your hot dog fix:
Hot Dog Flight
Fan of Faneek's Coney Island hot dogs but not sure which to choose? You can try a little bit of everything with their Hot Dog Flight sampler. In addition to their signature Coney Island dog, you can get a taste of the Cheese Dog, Dyno Dog, Kraut Dog, Bean Dog and Slaw Dog at this South End institution located at 269 Rhode Island Ave.
Faneek's dogs were dubbed a "handheld phenomenon" that's made the diners of Fall River "fanatical" by the Phantom Gourmet, which featured the city eatery in 2019. There, the hot dogs are cooked on a flat-top grill and topped with meaty, chili-accented Coney Island sauce, which was created by the original owner and is a closely guarded secret.
Faneek's is also home of The Rolle, a wonton-wrapped deep-fried creation filled with various sweet and savory offerings.
Coney Island with "The Works"
When it comes to Fall River hot dog joints, Nick's Hot Dogs is legendary. Located at 534 S. Main St., it's the city's longest-running hot dog place and many well-known customers — from the Three Stooges to President Bill Clinton, Lucille Ball, Bob Hope and Jackie Gleason — have sat in the antique school chairs they've had since opening in 1920. Most recently, city-born celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse dropped by in April for a taste of nostalgia.
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So what makes a Nick’s Coney Island hot dog so special? It’s the steamed buns, grilled hot dogs, and the signature Coney Island sauce made fresh every day. You can't leave without trying their famous Coney Island dog with "The Works" — Coney sauce, mustard and freshly-diced onions.
"Nick’s Original Coney Island Hot Dog Sauce is unique both in terms of its flavor and consistency. It has a hearty 'gravy-like' quality that distinguishes it from run-of-the-mill chili con carne. It also has a much fuller flavor than traditional chili and features finely minced beef," reads a description on Nick's website. They also have a second location at 2069 S. Main St.
Kimchi Killa hot dog
A new addition to the Fall River food scene, Bun Buds, which opened last month at 10 Purchase St., is serving up "elevated" dumplings and footlong gourmet hot dogs with outside-the-box toppings. Among its highlights is the Kimchi Killa dog, an ode to the flavors of Korea, which is topped with kimchi, gochujang (Korean pepper sauce), sesame glaze and crispy onions. For a more classic frank with a bit of flair, try their BBQ bacon cheddar dog (BBC dog). They also have a classic footlong and plant-based vegan footlong hot dog.
Hot Cheetos Corn Dog
It’s an international treat at Chicken Story when you order one of their Korean Corn Dogs. Combine this delicacy with American taste buds and you get the Hot Cheetos Corn Dog, which is a hotdog dusted in a Flamin Hot Cheetos Crust topped with a sauce of your choice. Try all their variations from churros to garlic bread at 111 Stafford Road, Fall River.
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Coney Island Dog
No two Coney Island hot dog places are alike, and the debate is fierce among locals as to which makes the "best." The secret's in the sauce. At J.J.’s Coney Island, at 571 S. Main St., the Coney Island sauce has a bit of a Portuguese twist. That doesn't necessarily involve chouri?o, but spices that may be familiar to Portuguese cooks.
The Coney Island sauce at J.J.’s and Nick actually garnered some national recognition in 2013 when James Beard Award-winning food writers Jane and Michael Stern featured some of the city’s restaurants in an article in Saveur magazine. It is also home to a couple of Fall River specialties — the hot cheese sandwich and chow mein sandwich.
Fiesta Dog
As with most places on this list, Roger's Coney Island, located at 1518 N. Main St., offers much more than dogs — with a vast array of breakfast, lunch and dinner options — and has been part of the community for decades. And Roger's does a lot with an ordinary hot dog to make it anything but ordinary. Steamed buns? Check. Secret, freshly made Coney Island sauce? Check. Their menu also includes items such as the cheese dog and the slaw dog, and unique offerings such as the Fiesta Dog and the Buffalo Dog.
Mozambique Dog
At County Fare, 937 County St., Somerset, you'll find the classic Coney Island, as well as a number of creative topping combos — from the Chouri?o Dog to the Pizza Dog, Hawaiian Dog, Mac and Cheese Dog, and Mozambique Dog, the layter of which is topped with ground chourico, potato sticks and drizzled with their homemade Mozambique sauce. Their monthly specials have included the Nacho Supreme Dog — cheese, Coney Sauce, shredded cheddar and crushed nachos topped with salsa — and Halloween-themed Monster Mashed Dog, with cheese, mashed potatoes and bacon. During the summer, County Fare also offers a cookout kit, which includes 25 hot dogs and all the fixings, to make any backyard barbecue complete.
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Gold Rodeo Dog
They've got "dogs for days" at TNT Coney Island. And not just your run-of-the-mill frank. TNT, at 1242 Wilbur Ave., Somerset, goes beyond the Coney sauce, mixing things up with menu highlights such as the Taco Dog, the Texan Dog (topped with Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce, chopped onion, baked beans, and bacon), their "famous" Boomin Chili Cheese Dog ("Boom Boom" sauce, Coney sauce and shredded white cheddar) and Gold Rodeo Dog (Ranch dressing, Gold BBQ sauce and fried onion rings). They've also got summer party platters for all your cookout needs.
Mac and Cheese Dog
When your two favorite meals combine you get the Mac and Cheese Dog at Dukies Doggz. Get a steamed all-beef hot dog topped with gooey mac and cheese for $5. There are lots of toppings to be eaten at 636 Slocum Road, Dartmouth.
You also can’t beat the classics being served at:
Grahams Hot Dogs, 931 Bedford St, Fall River
Lexi's Road Dogs, 175 State Road, Westport
Max's, 405 State Road, North Dartmouth
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Celebrate National Hot Dog Day at these Fall River area spots
