I went to Providence Rhode Island for a conference with my friend, Rich, who is the EMS Medical Director (I am the EMS Coordinator) at UConn John Dempsey Hospital. Rich drove and he had to make a stop in Groton, Connecticut on the way home before the store closed so we left before the optional post event dinner. I said that was fine as long as we could get hot dogs somewhere on the way back. I wanted to stop at this place in Providence, but when we were leaving it was rush hour and going there we might not have time to get to his stop before the shop closed. We instead decided to get hot dogs at Harry’s Place in Colchester, Connecticut as it was just off Route 2 on the way back. I had been wanting to go to Harry’s for some time as it is on my list of 10 classic hot dog places in Connecticut.
Harry’s has been open since 1920, making it the oldest hot dog place in Connecticut. It was pouring rain when we got there, but there was still a line at the walk-up window. I ordered a chili dog and a plain hot dog, but then added grilled onions to it when the guy at the register said he recommended them. This is a cash only seasonal restaurant that serves hot dogs, hamburgers and some seafood dishes.
Harry’s serves Hummel Brothers dog which are lined up the grille. It didn’t take but a couple minutes for our orders to be ready. We sat under an umbrella at one of the picnic tables out front after wiping down the seat with a napkin. I have to tell you, the two hot dogs I had were great. The chilli dog was great and the grilled onions on the other hot dog were fantastic.
Rich said this was the kind of place you needed to come to several times so you could discover exactly what you want on your hot dog. Bacon? Relish? Chili? Grilled onions? After a while, you have your favorite combination that you get every time you're there. Next time I will either add the onions to my chili dog or add the onions and bacon. The bun they served was split top and untoasted. When we dove away I could still taste the delicious onions and chili.
This place has vaulted into my top three, competing with Capitol Lunch and Blackies. If a place has been in business for over a hundred years, you know they are doing something right.
I talked a lot about hot dogs with Rich on the drive and he called his sister in New York and asked her for some hot dog recommendations. Gray’s Papaya, Nathan’s in Coney Island, and a place called Walter’s in Mamaroneck, New York all sounded great and I hope to get there.
We also had an interesting conversation that I will expand on in a later post, but basically it is this:
What kind of person are you I posed?
Coke or Pepsi?
McDonalds or Burger King?
Hamburgers or Hot Dogs?
The Beatles or the Stones?
Rich said he might not order a hot dog at a regular restaurant, but when he goes to a cookout, he is always excited when they have hot dogs and he will get a burger and a hot dog. I can see that.
He also said the Beatles or the Stones wasn't a choice a music lover should have to make.
Day 62 in the belly.