Dog Hunting: In Search of the Best Hot Dogs Around

by Sydney Blanchard

All the dawgs

Despite my social media handles being @pizzagirlfriend, I'm actually more of a hot dog fan than a pizza fan these days. Hot dogs are a recent obsession of mine, and I think it's here to stay.

Hot dogs came into my life early. Growing up middle class with two working parents, boiled Oscar Meyer wieners on Bunny buns with mac 'n cheese were an uninspiring go-to weeknight meal (no offense, mom and dad, you tried).

As a teenager, hot-off-the-printer driver's license in hand, I often journeyed to New Orleans for the day to shop, meet up with friends, and, ah, who am I kidding? New Orleans was where I went to "party," as much as a 17 year old Catholic school kid knows how. And when hunger struck, I discovered Dat Dog.

I remember it requiring much convincing to get me to order anything off the menu. I kept having flashbacks to Wednesday night dinners with mom and dad, and I couldn't imagine Dat Dog would be much better.

But boy, I was wrong.

Years later, any time I'm in New Orleans, it's inevitable I'll get Dat Dog. I even got my picky-eater girlfriend on the gourmet hot dog band wagon. Despite all the amazing new restaurants and classic New Orleans eateries, when in Nola, you'll find me at Dat Dog.

But the nearest Dat Dog to me is an hour away, and what's a girl to do when the hot dog craving strikes in Baton Rouge? Sonic's chili dogs and Costco's all-beef dogs just don't cut it.

That's why I'm on the hunt for the best hot dogs in Baton Rouge.

Jay tipped me off to Frankie's Dawg House, which recently came under new ownership. Tucked away on Perkins behind Magpie Cafe, this unassuming hot dog joint is easy to pass up if you're not looking for it.

Recently Chuck P, our intern Hannah and I decided to see what all the fuss was about.

Frankie's Lobster Dawg with fries

Hannah went for the Lobster Dawg, an all-beef hot dog covered in lobster tails and spinach. She got fries with her dog, and while it made for a pretty shot, she wasn't in love with the seafood-beef combination.

Frankie's Red Dawg with mac 'n cheese

Chuck P got the the Red Dawg, a boudin link topped with pulled pork and barbecue sauce. Of course, Chuck added mac 'n cheese to his dog. He said the boudin was flavorful, but the pulled pork and barbecue sauce lacked flavor. Maybe Frankie's should get on the Jay D's Louisiana Barbecue Sauce train?

Deer Dawg with pickled jalapeño

As for me, I opted with the Deer Dawg, deer sausage topped with pickled jalapeño, and I added cheese. At the time I was fighting a killer sinus infection, so I made Chuck taste mine for me. He said it was all heat, no flavor, but I thought it more than edible.

We all agreed the quality of buns could have been better, but that the tots were out of this world.

I'd definitely eat Frankie's again, but I'm not itching to go back any time soon.

Where is your favorite hot dog spot in town? Let us know where we should head next in the comments!

You Deserve Another Video Break

by Sydney Blanchard

Look, it's Wednesday. We know you're not getting anything done anyway. Instead, watch these cool videos that we had something to do with.

Behold! Below you'll find sexy food shots, Jay scarfing down hot dogs, and Jay plummeting to his (near) death.

Enjoy!

Cooking Culture

In which four LCI grads talk about their love of cooking and Baton Rouge

Hot Dog Eating Contest

In which Jay wins a hot dog eating contest

Jay in the Dominican Republic

In which Jay plummets down a steep ravine

The Truck, the Brewer, and the Blogger

In which Jay serves up food for a pop-up event at the Tin Roof Tap Room

Into the Mix

In which Jay eats his way around town with 225 Magazine

United States: Street Food Bite and Booze of the 2014 World Cup

Another stop along the street food guide to the FIFA World Cup 2014 brings us home to the U. S. of A (kicking off Group Play today against Ghana at 5pm CDT). As a melting pot, America has absorbed a lot of street foods inspired by or imitable of other countries. America doesn't have a ton of street food all its own because of the large quantity of fast food restaurants and drive thrus. Having that said, there is one street food and drink most Americans have had at some point in their lives: hot dogs and Jack & Coke.

Shrimp Creole dog at Botsky's in Lake Charles, LA

Perhaps the most common of street foods is the hot dog. While this may seem boring, there are plenty of variations to keep your palate alert and satisfied. I feel like Bubba in Forrest Gump when I try to name all of the ways to make a hot dog, so if you really want to get creative, check out the menus of Frankie's Dawg House here in Baton Rouge, Botsky's in Lake Charles, or Dat Dog in New Orleans. If you're too lazy to recreate these, just go pick up some for you and your buddies before the game!

Photo Credit: roderickpena.wordpress.com

There's nothing more American than refreshing Classic Coca Cola...with a little Tennessee Jack Daniel's Whiskey. A classic combination of whiskey and coke can set your evening right and get you geared up for the match! If you're feeling in the mood for something local, try to get your hands on some local LA1 Whiskey from the Donner-Peliter Distillery in Thibideaux and mix it with some of Swamp Pop's Noble Cane Cola!

Give me Liberty or Give me Sauce: Jay D's Louisiana Barbecue Sauce launches to shelves in style!

The official launch of Jay D’s Lousiana Barbecue Sauce is finally upon us, and it is one week of activities you won’t want to miss! Unique in flavor and consistency, this barbecue sauce redefines a Southern summer staple and does it in style. This isn’t your mom’s barbecue sauce launch—from bottle signings to hot dog eating contests, Jay D’s has you covered for your fourth of July week happenings.

While most barbecue sauces are thin and vinegary or as thick as molasses, Jay D’s Louisiana Barbecue Sauce has a consistency somewhere between the two with flavors of tomato, Louisiana cane syrup and brown sugar. Follow that with flavors inspired by the heat of Louisiana cuisine including cayenne, Creole mustard, and Cajun pepper sauce and you’ve got a locally made and inspired concoction.

The schedule of events for launch week, all of which are free and open to the public, include samplings, and bottle signings is as follows:

July 1st – The week kicks off with the official launch party at Beausoleil Restaurant & Bar from 6-9pm. Executive Chef Nathan Gresham will prepare a variety of eats featuring Jay D’s Louisiana Barbecue Sauce. This is going to be the coolest thing you could be doing on July 1st!

July 2nd – Red Stick Spice Company will be hosting me from 4-7pm for a cooking demo featuring Jay D’s Louisiana Barbecue Sauce. Slow-cooked brisket sliders and grilled sausage will be served. They have tons of great products and if you've never had the chance to stop by, this is the day to do it!

July 3rd – Calandro’s Supermarket will be hosting a big local foods blowout in preparation for the Fourth of July at their Perkins at Siegen from 3-8pm. There's going to be a lot of great things to try that can really kick up your game for the 4th that are made and sourced locally. It's going to be a party for sure!

July 4th – On this day of national celebration, Frankie’s Dawg House is holding its 3rd hot dog eating contest at noon. Frankie’s was one of the first places to use Jay D’s Louisiana Barbecue sauce on a menu item, so stop by and try a Jay Ducote Dawg, watch the competition, or see if you have what it takes to compete against yours truly!

July 5th –From 8am-noon, I will be selling bottles of Jay D’s Louisiana Barbecue sauce for the first time ever inside the Main Street Market at the Red Stick Farmer’s Market! This is one of my favorite Saturday morning activities and I can't wait to sling some sauce, so come by and see me!

Mark your calendars for each of these barbecue-licious activities! A bottle of Jay D’s Louisiana Barbecue Sauce can be purchased at any of these events or at Calandro’s Supermarket (both locations), Red Stick Spice Company, Ambrosia Bakery, or online at Indie Plate and HugJayD.com. Look for the sauce on menu items at Ambrosia Bakery, Mason’s Grill, Leroy’s, Brew Ha Ha, and Frankie’s Dawg House.

Cheers!

Dishcrawl: Eating My Way Through the Perkins Road Overpass

Last week I had the pleasure of attending Baton Rouge's very first Dishcrawl. What is it? Dishcrawl is a national company that provides walking food tours to give locals or visitors a taste of the neighborhood. During this Dishcrawl our Baton Rouge Ambassador, Whitney, lead us to three different locations in the Perkins Road Overpass area: City Pork, Frankie's Dawg House, and Rock-n-Sake. While most Baton Rougeans have eaten at these casual dining establishments, having the chance to sample the owners' favorites made Dishcrawl unique.

Chase Lyons at City Pork gave us a trio of a
Lettuce Wrapped BLT with Bleu Cheese,
an Adouille Smash Burger topped with Slaw, and part of the Cuban.

At Frankie's Dawg House: the Bacon Loaded Dawg.
A Dawg wrapped in bacon and deep fried,
topped with chili, cheese, and jalapeños.

At Frankie's Dawg House: an Alligator Sausage Corn Dawg.

Frankie's Chicago Style Dawg.

Rock-n-Sake prepared some Sushi Deviled Eggs topped
with Tuna Tar Tar and Caviar and a Salmon Roll as well.

Hopefully more Dishcrawls happen in the future. If executed properly this could be a great culinary entertainment option for different neighborhoods throughout the city. I would have liked to see a few more stops with smaller portions at each location as well as an included alcoholic beverage option. But maybe those things will come with time. For the first showing, Dishcrawl definitely presented something that can be built upon.