Doogie's

 


Doogie's Hot Dogs
2525 Berlin Turnpike
Newington, CT
(860) 666-DOGS

Doogie's Hot Dogs has been named the Best Hot Dog in Hartford Country 9 times in a row, according to their web site.  Rachael Ray says, Doogies is the # 1 grilled hot dog in America.  It has also been featured on Man versus Food.  Their sign says "Home of the Two-Foot Hot Dog."

They sell hot dogs in three sizes.  Regular, sixteen inch and two feet.  I prefer the regular or sixteen inch to the two foot.  The two foot dog has a regular roll, not the grilled New England style roll.  Or at least that's how it was several years ago when I had it.  I am looking forward to trying it again one day.  The two foot dog used to be made by Grote and Weigel until they went out of business and after a temprary hiatus, Doogie's returned the two footer to the menu, now made by Martin Rosol's Frankfurters which are made near bye  in New Britain, CT.

I took the girls there today, and ordered "The Turnpike Dog" in honor of the Berlin Turnpike where Doogie's makes its home.  The "Turnpike Dog" has cheese, onions, peppers and bacon. (I didn't realize until after I had eaten it that they left the bacon off). Lauren had "The Boston Dog," which is a hot dog topped with baked beans and bacon.  Zoey had the grilled cheese.

When you walk in the door there is a sign for an all-you-can eat competition.  You have to eat two foot long dogs with your choice of four toppings, an order of fries and a drink in 20 minutes to get your photo on their wall of fame.

I decided to test myself in a trial run to see if I could eat the 16 inch Turnpike dog in 5 minutes.  I managed this feat in 4:57, and did not feel stuffed or bloated.

  On my next trip, I will try a two foot dog in 8 minutes, and see how I can handle it.  If I do it, I may go for the challenge.  If not I will just come back and enjoy some great hot dogs.

Lauren raved about the Boston Dog.  I liked mine and Zoey said the grilled cheese was great, along with their fries.

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Two Foot Long Turnpike Dog - February 18, 2014


Lauren couldn't join us today, so Zoey and I went to Doogie's so I could take a crack at the 2 foot Doogie Turnpike Dog as part of my training to ultimately attempt the Doogie's Hot Dog Challenge where you have 20 minutes to eat 2 two foot hot dogs with 4 toppings on each, as well as a side of fries.  Previously I ate a 16 incher in 5 minutes.  My goal today, eat a 2 footer in 8 minutes.  If I could achieve that, then I might have chance at winning the challenge.  The Turnpike Dog by the way has cheese, peppers, onions and bacon.

Here was the challenge today:

Here's what it looked like after 10 minutes.

It wasn't until 13:55 that the Dog went down.

Bottom line:  I was humbled and know I will never attempt the 2 2- Foot Dog challenge, which I am fine with.

I felt the 2 footer in my belly for a good couple hours afterwards.

Some technical comments on the 2 Foot Dog.  The bun is a regular hot dog bun, not the grilled New England style I love.  It was heated and fairly light, but I think overall, the extra bread helped do me in.  Also, they did not forget the bacon this time, and the bacon-- three strips of if it --was chewy and took longer to eat that I would have thought.

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Zoey, by the way, had the Mac and Cheese, which she thought was great!



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Back to Doogie's March 8, 2014

Doogie's is really the go to hot dog place for us.  We had Ashley with us today so since she hadn't been in awhile, we went there.  I had the Man versus Food Dog 16 incher, Zoey had the Mac and Cheese Burger, and I can't remember what Lauren and Ashley had.  We had three types of fries and ate all of them.

Chef's Dog House

Chef's Dog House

Chef's Dog House
337 Willard Avenue
Newington, CT 06111
(860) 667-3700

Monday-Friday 7am-8pm
Saturday 9am-8pm
Closed Sunday

Lauren, Zoey and I went to Chef's Dog House in Newington for our inaugural hot dog stop on our quest
to find the best hot dogs in the state.  Chef's has been around since 2010 and is located behind the 7-11
on Willard Avenue.  I had the Prairie Dog  and the Junkyard Dog, which is their most famous hot dog.
 Lauren had a Southern Dog.  Zoey opted for the grilled cheese.

Chef's uses 100% all-beef Kayem hot dogs (many of which are cooked wrapped with bacon) and cooks them on a grille.
He uses New England style hot dog rolls and the rolls are also grilled.

The place is known for its condiment bar, which features over 50 condiments, including many types of 
mayo, mustard, relish and hot sauce.  We skipped the condiment bar and ate the dogs as they came.

Me and the Junkyard Dog

The Junkyard Dog  is a bacon-wrapped dog, topped with chili, nacho cheese and grilled onions.  I have always been a plain hot dog guy so this was my first chiili cheese dog, and I have to admit that I did not know what I was missing.  It was great!

Junkyard Dog

The Prairie Dog is a bacon wrapped dog, topped with Onion Dip, and frizzled Potato.  I thought it was interesting.  I'm not crazy for onion dip.

Prairie Dog

Lauren really liked the Southern Dog, which is a hot dog, topped with Pulled Barbecue Pork and cole slaw.  I don't like cole slaw, so Lauren let me have a bit with the cole slaw taken off and I thought it was excellent.  The next time I visit when I am not menu sampling, I will definitely order this minus the slaw.

Southern Dog

We went back a week later for more sampling and tried the Swiss Pastrami Dog, which was very good.

Swiss Pastrami Dog (with fries)

 Zoey loved the thick stretchy cheese.

Chef's also serves hamburgers, sandwiches, soups and salads, as well as breakfast.

Lauren, what did you think?