hot dog!

A good hot dog is money well spent. Although the ball park and Quick Trip have never failed me, a few independent vendors have caught my eye. Woofie’s, located near Woodson and Page, and a hot dog/sno-cone stand on Strassner are impeccable.

Woofie’s is the epitome of matchbox-sized restaurants. There are no tables, just a bar along the walls (and bar stools to match). Hot dogs come any way you can imagine at Woofie’s, inspired by places like Chicago and Philadelphia. This picky eater gets them plain, and they’re still delicious. The perfect texture, the perfect taste, and the perfect bun all combine to make your taste buds dance. Not to mention, the regular-sized fries that you can order as a cheap side can easily be split between 2 people. The real charm of Woofie’s is that there are pictures of various celebrities and their remarks lining the walls--just like a notable joint in New York. And, of course, they all commend Woofie’s on their excellent dogs. It’s an amusing juxtaposition with the cozy size and somewhat remote location.

A new discovery is the hot dog and sno-cone stand on Strassner. Located on the corner of a park, this stand just screams summer. They have as much variety in sno-cones as Tropical Moose (aka TroMo) in Kirkwood, but they’re located a lot closer to my house. The real selling point for me is their hot dog. Though they don’t serve it as many ways as Woofie’s does, the variety that they do have is astonishing in consideration of the stand’s complete isolation. Again, I keep my dog plain, but it is right up there with Woofie’s when it comes to taste--and price! Both of these joints are easy on the wallet. My favorite thing about the stand on Strassner is its location. The park offers shade, and the playground beckons my inner child to come out and play. Also, it’s just down the street from my dance studio, making it the perfect stop for a snack. But be aware of their strange hours of business; they are never open past dusk, and then 1 day a week they close at 5.

Finding a good hot dog in a city that’s not really a city can be quite challenging. Usually, I would have to rely on my rare attendance at baseball games, a chain gas station, or the guy who stands outside The Pageant after shows. But these 2 lesser known locations are both accessible and delicious. This is where all the cool kids should go.

Stay cool, St. Louis.