Pearl's of Wisdom...

Hot Diggity and I were excited when we received an invitation from Pearl Meat Packing Co. to visit their Massachusetts headquarters.

The Yank's Franks tasting team showed up this morning anticipating a fun and educational (get it...Pearl's of wisdom) tour of Pearl's facilities. We were greeted by Bud Lazaro, Vice President of Sales as well as, Bob Camelio, President and CEO. We were very impressed by the facility's cleanliness, efficiency and the friendliness of the people.

Hot Diggity and I were treated to All-Beef hot dogs of various sizes, including a new Pearl Hot Dog spiced with Jalapeno peppers (ay chiwawa). We tried Pearl's beef and pork hot dogs as well as their Italian sausages. We sampled breakfast sandwiches, and even a wonderful Reuben sandwich made with Pearl's lean smoked Pastrami (absolutely delicious).

Of all the terrific offerings, the thing that kept us going back time and time again was the Jalapeno dog, it was delicious and unique.

What a great way to spend the day!

Frankly, Pearl makes awesome Hot Dogs (and more)!

East End Cupcakes ~ Awesome!!

As an addict of the Food Network, there's nothing better than seeing a local establishment represented on one of the shows. Imagine my excitement (okay, I'm a Foodie Nerd) when I tuned into an episode of Cupcake Wars and discovered a Portland, Maine cupcake eatery was one of the contestants.

East End Cupcakes, on Fore Street in Portland was competing with three other cupcake bakeries. For those of you that have yet to see the episode, I don't want to totally spoil the ending. However, I will say that their final display which was to honor I Love Lucy's 60th Anniversary, complete with the polka dotted skirt around the table, was just amazing.

Fresh off the excitement of seeing the show Monday evening, Hot Diggity and I (two of the Yank's Franks tasting team) headed to Portland on Tuesday afternoon.

We were greeted with a friendly "hello" and the sweet smell of wonderful cupcakes.We had several other choices, but Hot Diggity went straight for the Chocolate with Salted Caramel icing. For me, I couldn't resist the Fanfetti with American Buttercream. It wasn't the Fanfetti that got me, but the Buttercream was irresistable. We both agreed to split an Apple Cider cupcake as well.

We actually shared each of the cupcakes. Both Hot Diggity and I decided that we chose the cupcakes that were right for us. I enjoyed her cupcake, but I was wild about my selection and vice versa. And we both loved the Apple Cider Cupcake.

This place is amazing. If you're in Portland, don't miss trying East End Cupcake. They are located just down and across Fore Street from Five Guys. Be warned, don't go to Five Guys and fill up, you need plenty of room for East End Cupcakes.

Frankly, the Yank's Franks tasting team loves cupcakes!

Long Time Hot Dog Manufacturer Grote & Weigel to Shut Down

After 122 years in business, popular Connecticut hot dog manufacturer Grote & Weigel will soon close their doors.

While the closing will not impact Yank's Franks (Yank's has always used Hummel Bros. hot dogs) it is very sad to see this long time business succumb to our terrible economy.

One of the Hot Dog Joints that will feel the impact is Doogie's Hot Dogs. Grote & Weigel supplies (supplied) all Doogie's hot dogs, but the one product that will be most difficult to replace is Doogie's Two-Foot Hot Dog. Yes, that's right, 2 feet of encased deliciousness. For a photo of this delicious piece of hot dog history click here.

Doogie's is interviewing other hot dog manufacturers to see if they can talk them into supplying two-footers. To be honest, I think they will find a replacement, but my question is, where do you get a two foot hot dog bun?

Neither Hot Diggity nor I have ever been to Doogie's, but I can assure you that if we are able to make it there before they run out of two-footers, that's what I'll be ordering.

Frankly, I want a hot dog for breakfast!

Blackie's Hot Dogs ~ A Hot Dog Joint Review

I had been looking forward to this day for a couple of years now. I'd done my research so I knew that Blackie's Hot Dog Stand served Hummel Bros. hot dogs (my favorite) and they had their own, secret recipe, Hot Pepper Relish.

Our cross-country drive to Texas started with a Hummel dog at Duchess, and would end with a Hummel dog at Blackie's. Lucky for me, our events in between these outstanding gastronomical bookends were even better.

It was just about dinner time when we pulled into Blackie's parking lot. We were greeted with a friendly hello and when it quickly became evident that we were new customers, the young man behind the counter offered his help.

The hot dog options are somewhat limited so our decisions were made quickly. Your hot dog is scored and heated in oil and placed on a traditional roll. If you choose your dog well done, it is put on the griddle for a little bit of a char. The toppings consist of spicy mustard and Blackie's hot pepper relish. There is a jug of ketchup on the counter, but I prefer to think it's only there for the burgers.

It was one dog for Hot Diggity and two dogs for me. Hot Diggity had hers plain and I chose both toppings on one and mustard only on the other. I immediately realized that I had made a mistake and ordered another dog This one I tried well done.

The hot dogs at Blackie's are absolutely delicious. If you are ever traveling through Connecticut on I-84 (west of Hartford) look them up and plug them into the GPS. They are just minutes off of the interstate and they are well worth the stop.

Frankly, Yank loves Hummel Bros. hot dogs!

A Yank's Franks Restaurant Review ~ Smashburger

Hot Diggity and I passed by Smashburger on a trip to Texas in November. While we didn't have time to try them out then, the thought of this new burger joint has been swirling around in my head ever since.

Today I was sporting a smile almost as big as the guy who, when asked how often he has sex, replied "once a year" Then why the big smile? "Because tonight's the night!"

Well, tonight's the night for Smashburger. Pictured here is Hot Diggity's Smashburger Classic with American Cheese on an egg bun. The Smashfries are shoe string russet potatoes tossed with olive oil, rosemary and garlic. Hot Diggity also had a Haagen-Daz milkshake as did I, but more on that later.

Joining in our review today were Spicy Salsa Marjan and The Hot Dog Cowboy. Spicy Salsa Marjan had the exact same lunch as Hot Diggity, but The Hot Dog Cowboy preferred the Smashburger Kid's meal with Veggie Frites (flash fried carrot sticks and green beans).

For me, it was a Create Your Own Burger. It had cheddar cheese and a bunch of other stuff. I opted for the Chili Cheese Fries (surprise, surprise).

We all had Haagen-Daz Vanilla Milkshakes. I haven't had a milkshake that was that good in many, many years.

As for the food...Hot Diggity, Spicy Salsa Marjan and I all agreed that these were spectacular burgers and amazing fries. The Hot Dog Cowboy let his empty plate do the talking. He loved the burger and really appreciated the Veggie Frites.

Smashburger received eight thumbs up on this trip! If you have the opportunity to visit a Smashburger it's worth the trip.

Frankly, Yank loves hamburgers and chili cheese fries!

A Yank's Franks Restaurant Review ~ Einstein's Bagels

Einstein's Bagels??? Has Yank gone crazy? Doesn't he have anything else to write about?

The truth is, I love bagels. Believe it or not, I even eat those sesame "rolls with a hole" in the middle that Dunkies sells. I don't love those, but I'll occasionally eat them. The best bagels I've ever eaten are, hands down from The Bagel King in Fairfield, Connecticut. The worst, that's easy, Lender's bagels.

Einstein's falls somewhere in the middle. Certainly a cut above Dunkin Donuts "rolls with a hole" but with a first name like Einstein's and a last name like Bagels, they should be much better.

Having said all that, this isn't so much about the bagels at Einstein's as much as it is about their Bagel Dogs. Yesterday's breakfast was an Asiago Bagel Dog. I had every intention of enjoying one of Einstein's toasted sesame bagels with plain cream cheese, but I spotted those bagel dogs. Even at 9:00 in the morning those dogs were screaming my name.

A hot dog surrounded by an Asiago Cheese bagel roll! Maybe you could resist, but I didn't have a chance.

The Asiago bagel roll was a little soft. It was packed in a foil bag to keep it warm and that lends itself to steaming the bun. Not a big issue as the taste of the bun was still very good. If I had eaten it at Einstein's perhaps the roll (bagel) would have been crispier. No biggie.

The hot dog was split, but I was unable to tell if it was griddled or heated in an oven. I suspect it was the oven, but again, no big deal either way. The only issue I had (and it is a big one) was the taste of the dog. It was very strong and heavily seasoned. I don't mind an all-beef strong hot dog (in fact, I like them), but their seasonings were over the top for me. Not a bad flavor, just a whole lot of it. In all fairness, it was breakfast time and perhaps my taste buds were not fully awake.

All-in-all, I would say I wouldn't have it again, but I did eat the whole dog. If someone bought one for me, I'd eat it, but this time I'd put mustard on it. I should have added mustard for this one, but heck there are times I don't even get a photo because I'm so anxious to eat.

Frankly, isn't it amazing that hot dogs are showing up everywhere?

A Yank's Franks Restaurant Review ~ The Maine Diner

One of the great things about living in the Wells, Maine area is access to an amazing place to eat called, The Maine Diner.

Hot Diggity and I were out Christmas shopping and were getting pretty hungry. In spite of the amazing Chili Dog fix I got at Hoss & Mary's last Friday, I was still jonesin' for more. A stop at the great Maine Diner was the answer.

One of Hot Diggity's favorite things to have for lunch (and for dinner) is breakfast. One of my favorite things to have for lunch (and for breakfast...and for dinner) is a Chili Dog. We knew what would satisfy both of our cravings.


Over the course of the last 30 years for me and the last XX years for Hot Diggity (I removed the number because Hot Diggity looks too young to go back that far) The Maine Diner has been a favorite with us.

Hot Diggity had her predictable breakfast selection. For me it was the bowl of Chili with 2 hot dogs. Being the clever foodie that I am, I not only turned these ingredients into chili dogs (I should be on the Food Channel), I accepted Hot Diggity's offer to choose French Fries with her meal and I was clever enough to turn her Fries into my Chili Fries. I am so creative.

The Maine Diner is awesome and consistent. We have dined there so many times, and have never had anything other than excellent meals.

Don't let the line of people bother you. There is a reason people are waiting...it's that good!!!

Frankly, Wells, Maine is fortunate to have such a great place to eat!