The classic hot dog has been undergoing a tasty reinvention, with a dizzying array of flavors and add-ons offered by new local sandwich bars and foreign franchises.
Here are eight places to realize that—let’s be frank—not all hot dogs are created equal.
Lazy Bastard
Basement, 22 Jupiter and Galaxy Sts., Bel-Air Makati; UP Town Center; 2/F Archer’s Nook, Taft Ave.
The place: Lazy Bastard serves “ridiculous comfort food” so ridiculously good, indeed, that we ate there three times in one day.
Our picks: The Honey Parmesan Dog, definitely—Lazy Bastard’s popular bacon-wrapped beef dog topped with Parmesan shavings, arugula and honey. The Kimchi Dog and Chili Dog are big hits, too. There are plenty of other hot dogs to choose from: Classic, Sauerkraut, Good Morning, Avocadog and Fat Salad. And you can get creative by adding chili, avocado, bacon, fat salad, egg, cheese, sauerkraut, bacon, kimchi to any hot dog sandwich.
Sides: Fries, tater tots, onion rings, fried pickles, Totchos (tater tot nachos), popcorn chicken. If you really love bacon, go for the tater bombs—bacon-wrapped tater tots.
Tips: Lazy Bastard has just launched a secret menu which includes four new hot dog sandwiches (hint: you can now order a pizza dog but shh, don’t tell them we told you). Also, if you’re in the Jupiter branch and you want to enjoy your hot dog with killer cocktails and great beer, check out ABV, Lazy Bastard’s secret speakeasy-style bar.
Wicked Dogs
40 Aguirre St., BF Homes Parañaque
The place: Wicked Dogs serves all kinds of wicked dogs—Hungarian and Schublig sausages, six-inch frankfurters, plain or covered with delightful assortment of toppings. Totally worth the trek to Parañaque, and we’re saying this as QC people. (We love the interiors, too—the swings are so cute!)
Our picks: Cachorro Quente Completo. A Brazilian creation, this eight-inch Hungarian sausage is served on French bread and topped with corn, mashed potatoes, tomatoes, potato chips and cheese sauce. The Tijuana Bacon Dog (bacon-wrapped frankfurter topped with cheese sauce, chili con carne and a fried egg), also known as the danger dog, is a must-try (Wicked Dog’s chili is so good). Everything On It is a 6-inch frank with, yes, everything on it-chili con carne, bacon, onions, cheese, salsa fresca, pickle relish. Wicked Dogs also serves a Wasabi Dog, Chili Cheese Dog, The No. 5 Dog, Taco Dog, Chicago Dog.
Sides: Fries or Sliced Spuds (plain, cheese, bacon cheese, jalapeño cheese, chili cheese) The Specialty Dogs come with a side order of fries.
Tip: You can add toppings to your franks or fries for P20. You can double the size of your fries, too. And for all the Wednesdays of the month of October, starting at 8 p.m., ladies get free flowing margaritas with any food purchase.
Pink’s
Shangri-La at the Fort, Bonifacio High Street, Taguig
The place: Fans rejoiced when the legendary Hollywood hot dog stand finally opened its doors in Manila. Los Angeles’ beloved snappy dogs are now within reach, no visa required.
Our picks: Pink’s has an extensive hot dog menu but it’s a no-brainer, you have to try the dog that started it all—the Hollywood Legend (Pink’s famous chili, cheddar cheese, mustard and chopped onions).
Our other favorites are the deliciously messy Don’t Mess With Texas (bacon, American cheese, coleslaw, homemade BBQ sauce and onion rings), the loaded East LA Street Dog (bacon, ketchup, mustard, mayo, onions & peppers, pico de gallo) and the Breakfast Dog (bacon, ketchup, crisp potatoes, soft fried egg, cheddar, hollandaise) which we will gladly have any time of the day.
Sides: Share an order of crispy potatoes, topped with cheese, bacon, sour cream and chives. Fries (plain, cheese or chili cheese) and onion strings are available, too.
Tip: Check out the hidden bar and enjoy your favorite Pink’s dog with draft beers.
Harry’s
4/F Sky Garden Uptown Mall, Taguig City and Solenad 3 Nuvali Sta. Rosa, Laguna
The place: Australian favorite Harry’s is now in the country, serving its iconic meat pies and popular hot dogs.
Our picks: Harry’s Hotdog De Wheels: eight-inch Viennese smoked sheep-cased frankfurter with chili con carne and Sriracha, bell peppers and caramelized onions. Soft freshly baked roll, super flavorful dog and mushy peas? Yes, please. The Chili Dog is excellent, too.
Sides: Try the poutine—the Chick ’N Barbie was tasty. Or go for a meat pie, after all, Harry’s is famous for them.
Mr. Franks
4/F, Central Square Building, 5th Ave.and 30th St. Bonifacio, Global City Taguig; 4/F Eastwood Mall, Quezon City
The place: Mr. Franks makes movie munching more interesting with hot dog sandwiches inspired by chef Florabel Yatco’s travels.
Our picks: We love the Manhattan, which is topped with egg mayo, caviar and bacon bits. Jersey is their big best seller: Italian sausage, tomatoes, white onion, jalapeño, bacon, mozzarella cheese.
Sides: Make it a meal with loaded nachos—they even have one with white truffle oil.
Jollibee
www.jollibee.com.ph/stores
The place: Everyone has his fast food favorite at Jollibee and, for us, it’s always been the Jolly Hotdog.
Our picks: The Jolly Hotdog, of course. But we’ve also been enjoying the new Chili Cheese Hotdog. We hope Jollibee makes it a permanent item on the menu. These dogs are tasty, affordable and easy to get ahold of.
Sides: Crispy Fries. Jollibee has flavored fries now, too—Savory BBQ, Sour Cream and Super Cheese.
Whistlestop restaurant and bar
ABS-CBN ELJ Bldg., Mother Ignacia Ave. Quezon City; 28 Jupiter St. Bel-Air Makati; Lot C-403 Central Precinct Filinvest Ave. Alabang; The Fort Strip, Taguig
The place: People head to the 24-hour Whistlestop for different reasons—the salpicao, the Hainanese chicken, the sisig, the affordable beer—but it’s a good stop for hot dog fans, too.
Our picks: The best-selling Chilidog and the more unusual (but just as delicious) Curry Hotdog.
Sides: Each order comes with a side of fries but we can’t resist the lure of the Whistle-izzas.
Schmidt’s international gourmet hot dogs
5/F The Podium; 8 Missouri St. North East Greenhills; 2/F Madison Galeries Don Jesus Blvd., Alabang Hills Muntinlupa;Commonwealth Food Park, Novaliches;UP Town Center; Maginhawa Food StrEat
The place: At Schmidt’s, you have a choice between a 5- or 7-inch dog.
Our picks: Coney Island Chili Dog (mince, cheese, jalapeños, onions and sour cream) and the Wagamama (Japanese curry, cabbage, shredded nori, Japanese or wasabi mayo)
Sides: Schmidt’s Nachos (mince, cheese, jalapeños, onions and sour cream)