Summertime is hot dog time. And while we might embrace the practice of bbqing a few wieners on the backyard grill as a seasonal rite of passage, there’s always the option of grabbing a dog while you’re on the go. Over the past weeks, the TOQUE team scoured the region for culinary destinations that are serving up some of the best – and most distinctive – hot dogs around. All in the name of research.
One twelve-inch ‘Chicago Slider’ (aged cheddar, onion, hot pepper, tomato), a twelve-inch ‘Wonder Dog’ (melted cheese, bacon, fried onion, tomato) and an order of fries. Served with vanilla and chocolate peanut butter shakes.
Easterbrook’s
694 Spring Garden Rd, Burlington
easterbrooks.ca
Fun fact: look up – Easterbrook’s ceiling is papered with thousands of customers’ business cards.
‘The Doberman’ (sauerkraut, coleslaw, EBC dunkel beer mustard, pretzels, butter-toasted bun), ‘The Satay’ (spicy peanut ketchup, chili cucumber relish, cilantro, roasted peanuts, butter-toasted bun) and orders of potato salad & coleslaw. Served with cans of Elora’s Australis IPA & Obskura DIPA.
Le Chien Chaud
130 Metcalfe St, Elora
theevelynrestaurant.com
Fun fact: Le Chien Chaud is part of The Evelyn restaurant – Elora’s home to French fine dining.
A sausage on white (sauerkraut, pickles, ketchup) and one on whole wheat (pickles, mayo, yellow mustard). ‘Nuff said.
Wally Parr Sausage
2 King St W, Hamilton
wallyparr.com
Fun fact: with locations in Burlington, Guelph, Caledonia, and Steeltown, Wally Parr’s got you covered.
‘The BBQ Chicken’ (bbq chicken strips, spicy ketchup, mayo, green onion) & ‘The Hotter One’ (spicy mozzarella, jalapenos, red onion, coleslaw, sriracha, mayo). Served with bottles of ginger beer & kola champagne.
The Good Dog Co
253 King St N, Waterloo
Thegooddogco.ca
Fun fact: this cozy food counter also serves some of the tastiest jerk chicken around.
A couple of twelve-inch dogs ‘with the works’ (relish, onion, tomato) and a requisite order of fries. Served with bottles of root beer & cola.
Rocky’s Drive-In
520 Elizabeth St, Guelph
519-824-8088
Fun fact: this seasonal Royal City establishment has been slingin’ foot-long dogs since 1951.
