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Last Updated: Oct 16th, 2008 - 13:33:17 |
As summer fades to gray and fall begins to shake the foliage of green from the trees' bare, boney branches, grills get covered with tarps for the winter and many a barbecue lover hangs up their smoky tongs until the next year. But there's one hot item you can count on throughout the season, the top dog, if you will.The hot dog is undeniably an all-American staple. Trumping burrito stands in the West and gyro stands in the East, the wiener is available at almost every sporting event and dozens of portable stands throughout many a metropolis. One reason for the dog's popularity is simple. Hot dogs offer American folk what they seek most: sheer and utter convenience. Let's face it, hot dogs are easily and quickly prepared (for the most part), they have potential for endless variation (although many prefer the classics), and they come already packaged for consumption and often without silverware (but see Sam's No. 3).
And while true Denverites wear their native status like a badge of honor, they sometimes forget some of the benefits of the city's booming national influx. Nowhere is that sentiment more prudent, quite frankly, than in the subculture of Denver's hot dog franchises.
So get a cholesterol test and if the doctors give you the green light, grab a bib and let's roll as The Met breaks down some of the finest franks, the top dogs, the true "wieners," if you will, in the Mile High City. (And hang in there vegetarians, we've got a few for you, too.)
Biker Jim's Gourmet Dogs
16th Street Mall and Arapahoe
10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mon. - Fri. (Weather permitting)
For those of us who spend our weeks on the Auraria Campus, this is an easy find. Just look to the northeastern horizon of downtown and head for the Daniels and Fisher Clocktower.
A 16th Street Mall fixture, Jim Pittenger - better known as "Biker Jim," - serves up an assortment of exotic sausages ranging from Alaskan reindeer, to buffalo, to elk and wild boar. His shiny, silver traveling hot dog cart and grill, his sparkling personality and his delicious gourmet dogs have become a steady staple of the Skyline Park plaza.
After moving from Alaska to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder, Biker Jim fell into the car repossession business for the next 18 years. Feeling the burn of stealing cars and driving day in and day out (and as Biker Jim said, "Nobody ever seemed happy to see me"), he took some time off and returned to Alaska for vacation. While there, Biker Jim ran into an old friend of his from the restaurant business who started a gourmet hot dog stand in Anchorage. The rest is history.
"My friend said to me 'you should do this, man. I think you'd be great at it," Biker Jim said. "And he was right. I really have a good time."
Don't let the Angels-esque moniker, the long hair or the tattoos fool you. Biker Jim's charisma and charm make this dining experience all the more delicious. Even at his busiest moments (which are all the time, really) Biker Jim finds time to make small talk with patrons, handing out quaint compliments and the occasional joke.
All jokes aside, one thing Biker Jim is hesitant to talk about is the source of his superb sausages. He assured The Met that his product is produced, and often hunted, locally.
"There's a couple of things I'm not sure I really want published," Biker Jim said with a smile. "There are certain trade secrets I don't want revealed."
Understandably so, these sausages are painstakingly grilled and prepared by one of the best. Letting these delicious meats into the hands of a less considerable palate would stain the hot dog community like yellow mustard on a silk tie.
Top Dog: For those of us who hate to pick favorites, I often debate just ordering one of each, although my "usual" (Biker Jim offers up a dog, drink and chips for $5) is the elk jalapeno. But, for the record, I'd like to thank all of Mother Earth's edible animals for being so damned delicious.
Recommended Condiments: Four words: cream cheese caulking gun. Trust us and give it a try. Biker Jim also offers up caramelized onions off the grill, as well as standards such as kraut, chasse, peppers and onions. But Biker Jim will tell you himself, "In my opinion, spicy mustard goes with everything I offer." Damned if he isn't right.
Extras: Before he started doing dogs, Biker Jim was already quite deft at crafting cheesecakes. Now he offers up both. Also stop by Biker Jim's coffee stand, located at the visitor's information center in the Skyline Park plaza. Along with coffee (and cheesecake), the stand offers ice cream and even a reindeer and egg breakfast burrito.
Steve's Snappin' Dogs, 3525 E. Colfax Ave.
11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Mon. - Sat.; 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sun.
This place really is a snap. Conveniently located on Colfax and Monroe, everything about Steve's place is snappy, from the clean, casual uniforms of the staff, their quick, concise and friendly service, to that first snappy bite into their premium cased Thumann dogs, imported special from New Jersey. And anyone that's ever been there knows that Jersey Joes are experts in the field of fine, fattening foods.
The converted gas station became the new home for Steve and Linda Ballas' beefy brainchild and now they have managed to make quite a name for themselves, receiving a good deal of attention from local print and television media.
The real key to their success is the dog itself. Steve's Thumann dogs are pork and beef blends with a smoky, natural taste that snaps when you bite into one.
The other key to Steve's success is in the efforts of his fast and friendly staff. Upon entering, the staff is immediately attentive and all smiles. "Hi! Welcome to Steve's Snappin' Dogs!" one staffer will exclaim. And if they don't recognize you, they'll be quick to ask: "Is this your first time here?"
For the Steve's first-timer, the staff offers a sample. One snappy bite of their premium dog and your neck snaps up to the menu.
Take your time studying Steve's menu, as they offer nearly 30 different toppings, ranging from Chicago-dog-style, to bacon or even coleslaw.
For the vegetarians, Steve's offers up tofu dogs and garden burgers, and for the health-conscious in general, Steve's low-carb, flash-fried green beans are a...you get it, snap.
Top Dog: With so many choices of radical and exotic toppings, a fave is hard to find. But, personally, Steve's Atlanta Dog is the ultimate, unique twist on a southern barbecue gem. Topped with chili carne, cheese, red onion and coleslaw, this wiener would win the respect of the staunchest southern gentleman. Get your fork for this one.
Recommended Condiments: My suggestion is don't fix what isn't broken. If you want plain ol' ketchup and mustard, you're probably in the wrong place.
Extras: Steve's knows burgers, too, and their never-frozen "Smashburger" packs a punch. Also try their skin-on, thin-cut fries and Blue Bunny ice cream.
Mustard's Last Stand, 2081 S. University Blvd., 10:30 a.m. - 9 p.m., Daily
Described by one online reviewer as a "hole-in-the-wall burger joint," I found that statement to only be half-truth. Because anyone mistaking Mustard's for a "burger joint" obviously didn't take the time to get to know their dogs.
Located on University Boulevard and Evans, Mustard's has all the fixins of your classic hot dog stop. With it's quaint, painted sign and mustard yellow facade, Mustard's is the perfect place to fill up while watching a ballgame on the TV (often the hometown favorite Chicago White Sox). While all around are the sounds of fry cooks barking orders, the sizzle of the grill and the sweet smell of Mustard's spicy, homemade, superior red chili.
Mustard's offers probably the largest vegetarian selection of all the nominees. Aside from the traditional tofu dog, Mustard's offers tasty tofu Reubens and tempeh burgers, as well.
While Mustard's remains busy, based on the quality of their product, a new University of Denver dorm opening across the street promises to make Mustard's busier than ever. Trust us when we say it's worth the wait.
Top Dog: Mustard's famous Chicago Dog - topped with traditional Chi-town favorites such as hot peppers, tomato, celery salt and a pickle spear - is so good it would curl the toes of Colonel Mustard himself. The classic chili dog is a real catch, too. Hell, loosen up the belt buckle and try them both.
Recommended Condiments: The Chicago Dog has plenty to offer, as does the chili dog. (Mustard's top-notch chili includes red kidney beans, beef, pork and hunks of cooked jalapenos.) But it you want an extra kick, just refer to their catchy moniker and help yourself to a little standard, yellow mustard.
Go ahead, make a stand.
Sam's No. 3, 15th and Curtis OR Parker and Havana
6 a.m. - 9 p.m., Mon. - Thur.; 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sat. & Sun.
Sam's No. 3 is another conveniently located spot to find the perfect dog. Located at 15th and Curtis Streets, Sam's No. 3 was the third of five Coney Island joints opened by Sam Armatas in the 1920s. Traditionally known for their massive breakfast menu (their overall menu has more than 200 items), the original Sam started the chain to serve Coney Island style hot dogs, hamburgers and, of course, red chili.
Three generations later (and a second Sam, the current owner), the chili is as good as ever. If you don't believe us, just go try one of Sam's chili and cheese Coney dogs. But forget using your hands for this one, you'd be better off with a shovel.
Top Dog: The chili and cheese Coney Island dog.
Recommended Condiments: Like most greasy spoon outfits, this one can always use a dash of ketchup and mustard. In the case of Sam's No. 3, it's good.
Dude at the light rail
Dude at the light rail: Before you dog connoisseurs get your beer bellies in a bunch, we already know these questionable dogs aren't anywhere near par with the previous mentions. But let's face it, these dogs are America's treat in its barest form. They won't leave your wallet bare and they're the epitome of convenience.
Two dollars and two minutes or less will get you a plain, boiled beef and pork dog, a bag of chips and a soft drink. While this might not fill some of the bigger appetites, it serves, if nothing else, as just enough fuel to get you through that two-hour morning chemistry class you've been forced into. But be careful not to drop that dog in a beaker of unidentified, pink liquid, lest the whole damned lab go up in a mysterious, smoky explosion.
Top Dog: The $2 special with chips and a drink.
Recommended Condiments: The works. After that, you won't even notice the pig snout that lies beneath.
Extra: Go ahead and splurge. Get a Snickers for another 75 cents.
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