Thursday, April 29, 2010

A Productive Week For Yank's Franks


I haven't posted an update in a week, but we haven't been goofing around.

During this past seven days, Hot Diggity and I have had our initial meeting with the Town Officials who will (hopefully) grant approval for us to operate Yank's Franks at the site we have chosen. To date, the process has been an unexpected pleasure. Each person we have dealt with at Town Hall has been extremely helpful. When was the last time you heard someone make a statement like that?

Hot Diggity and I have also finalized the design of our kitchen. A process that may sound simple, especially considering Yank's Franks is "just a hot dog joint." Even a hot dog joint must comply with the same health code as the larger restaurants, and of course efficiency is important to any business.

In addition, I have been sampling hot dogs, french fries and onion rings like a mad man (an increasingly heavier and heavier mad man). I think we have finally chosen a hot dog, we've selected an awesome hamburger (more than 1/3 lb., made with Angus beef) and we have definitely selected a great french fry that will make us the talk of the town. So far, no luck on the onion ring choice. We are holding out for the best onion rings.

Frankly, we (will) serve the BEST dogs!
.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

International Hot Dogs in Wells, Maine ~ Stop at Yank's Franks


Hot Diggity and I are hard at work. Tonight we tested hot dogs topped with Raye's Top Dog Mustard and Belveder kapusta kwaszona straight from Poland.

The side dish to accompany this evening's international hot dogs were onion rings coated with Panko Breading (what's Panko?? I needed to know too) and sea salt. A delicious meal, but the rings still need some more testing. They're just not good enough for the customers of Yank's Franks (that didn't stop me from eating every single one of them).

The hot dogs, on the other hand, were bardzo dobra. Next we'll add some bacon and fried onions to this same combination. I can't wait!

Frankly, we (will) serve the BEST dogs!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Yank's Franks and Raye's Mustard of Maine


Yank's Franks is searching for the very best toppings for our customers' hot dogs. We didn't have far to go to find some fantastic mustards.

Raye's Mustard is America's only stone ground mustard. As luck would have it, Raye's is located right here in Down East Maine.

In the photo are two of their more than twenty varieties of award winning-mustards (on a couple of pretty great hot dogs).

The Sweet & Spicy lives up to its name. It changes the hot dog into an awesome taste sensation. For me, the sweetness was a pleasant surprise for my hot dog and the spice made it oh so nice.

Top Dog is specifically meant for topping your dog. Raye's bills this mustard as "a dog's best friend," I say it's a hot dog lover's best friend. Nice and spicy.

Not included in the photo is the variety I sampled last evening, Down East Schooner. Raye's has been grinding this yellow mustard since 1900. It has won Blue Ribbons at the FDM International Mustard Competition and The Napa Valley Mustard Competition.

Who the heck ever thought there was a Mustard Competition, let alone two of them? This job is really hard work. I'm popping a Nexium and heading off to bed.

Frankly, we (will) serve the BEST dogs!
.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Yank's Franks Cares!

Not only are Hot Diggity and I searching for the most delicious products to serve our customers, but we are determined to keep our customers safe and healthy.

Yesterday we toured a first rate food service provider to witness, first hand their procedures and facilities. To say they are passionate about providing only the freshest product to their customers is an understatement.

In the photo to the left, Hot Diggity is listening to the Sales Manager explain how refrigerated trucks back up to the vacuum sealed shipping/receiving doors to assure that products remain at the desired temperatures at all times.

It is this obsession with food safety that we will demand of every one of our suppliers. In turn, Yank's Franks pledges to continue this same commitment to safety to our customers.

In addition to our facility tour, we were treated to a session with their Corporate Executive Chef for a discussion about the goals of Yank's Franks and ways they can help fulfill and exceed our goals while providing our customers with an all-around great and memorable experience.

The Chef's extensive and diverse resume in the food service industry came in handy as he shared his ideas about ambiance, physical customer flow as well as food choices.

In the photo to the right, the Chef is grilling up a couple of hot dogs. In front of the Chef, you can see a package of veggie burgers (there's an oxymoron). The hot dogs were delicious, the veggie burgers...well, I think we should find a real vegetarian to find out what he/she thinks.

Our visit lasted about three hours. They were three of the most informative hours we have spent in our process of opening up the best hot dog joint.

Frankly, we (will) serve the BEST dogs!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Baseball and Hot Dogs, It's a Homerun


As the song says, "buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks..." but we all know what food goes best with baseball. There is absolutely nothing better to eat while watching the great American pastime than the great All-American hot dog.

Here is a little trivia. It is estimated that the ballparks around the country will serve more than 21.3 million hot dogs this season.

Okay, here is the question:
When it comes to hot dogs served at individual stadiums across the country, which baseball stadium will serve the most hot dogs during the 2010 season?

Post your answer as a comment at the end of this article. No prizes, just bragging rights.

I'll give you a hint...In second place for the most hot dogs to be served is Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. Of course, the favorite at Wrigley Field is the Chicago Dog. When made with fresh ingredients, they really are amazing.

Frankly, we (will) serve the BEST dogs!
.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Yank's Franks ~ The Votes Are In


The choice of music at Yank's Franks was put into your hands and you, the readers, have spoken. It was a statistical tie between Oldies and Beach Tunes (together garnering 81% of the votes).

I couldn't have picked better choices myself. Yank's Franks is close to the beach (we are expecting a sizable and hungry beach crowd) and our plan for the interior decor is to adorn the walls with images of Wells from days gone by. Perfect!

Fortunately for the 11% of those that voted for Reggae, I love Bob Marley and I consider his music to be in the category of Oldies.

That leaves just the one person that voted for Classical. I find it difficult to believe that this vote was anything other than a cruel hoax. Who on this planet wants to listen to Classical music while eating a hot dog? I almost get that some people enjoy Classical music, but please...while eating your hot dog???

If this was not a hoax, and there is one person out there that does enjoy this combination, I have one suggestion for you to help you thoroughly enjoy your Yank's Franks hot dog..."iPod."

Thanks to everyone that voted (you too, Classical guy).

Frankly, we (will) serve the BEST dogs!
.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Yank's Franks Is Getting Closer (slowly)


It's a sad excuse for a hot dog and certainly not what you should expect from Yank's Franks.

But, Hot Diggity and I have been preparing for a meeting with the Town Planning Department tomorrow and I am starving. I know...shame on me. Really, a microwaved hot dog.

Well, at this hour of the night, and with still more work to get done, it really hit the spot. In fact, if I had any more in the frig, I'd microwave more.

Now, I'll see how I sleep tonight.

I gotta go, I'm still hungry.

Oh, I almost forgot, we got verbal approval for our financing. There you go, the better banks are still lending (to the better customers).

Frankly, we (will) serve the BEST dogs! No microwaves, we promise.
.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Yank's Franks Gets Its First Celebrity Endorsement

.

We had a surprise visitor to the Yank's Franks test kitchen. Just before dinner Wally showed up and said, "I've heard such great things about the Hot Dogs at Yank's, that I have to try one myself!"

We immediately fired up the test kitchen and made Wally a Hot Dog just the way he likes them, with mustard and relish.

After he was about halfway through his dog, Wally commented, "This hot dog is amazing, the only thing that could make this dog taste better is hearing the crack of the bat of a Red Sox player while watching the ball soar over the Green Monster."

Thanks Wally! You are always welcome at Yank's Franks.

Frankly, we (will) serve the BEST dogs!"

Thursday, April 8, 2010

It's A Tough Job...


...but somebody's gotta do it.

To further our efforts to put together a great menu, Hot Diggity and I attended a Food Show. Doesn't that sound great? FOOD.......SHOW. Wow, if you're a Foodie, and I am, those two words really sound great when you put them together.

Okay, snap out of it and get back to business (slap,slap).

Hot Diggity and I traveled to Gillette Stadium, home of the world champion New England Patriots (they were). The parking lot was loaded with thousands of cars. We waited in a line to present our credentials (no ordinary schmo's can get in, you have to be a special schmo) and we received our badges. If it weren't for the fact that we were about to enter a FOOD SHOW, I may have pointed out that our name is Yank's Franks...get it right please. But, no time, we are about to enter a FOOD SHOW.

We entered and guess what the first presentation booth was offering. Yes...Hot Dogs! This whole show was put together with Hot Diggity and me in mind. Very impressive (the name error is forgiven).

We tasted hot dogs and more hot dogs. We tasted potato chips, french fries, battered french fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings (thick and thin and in between), cookies, brownies and on and on.

After I finish this post, I'm going to Google when the next FOOD SHOW is going to be held. And, what other kinds of shows have I been missing?

Be assured, Hot Diggity and I are working hard to bring you an awesome menu at Yank's Franks.

Frankly, we (will) serve the BEST dogs!
.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

And The Answer Is...

Originally known as Mortimer, Mickey Mouse starred in his first Talkie in 1929. He uttered his very first words at approximately 83 seconds into the film.





Good job Pam Hepp, you not only knew the answer but had it posted in less than an hour. Good job Dan, the first poster on the blog.You both have to win something for that, I just don't know what yet.

Frankly, we (will) serve the BEST dogs!
.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Yank's Franks Trivia Quiz

.

He's 82 years old this year. He was born Mortimer, but his name was changed when he was young.

Amazingly, he spoke his first words when he was only one year old.

In 1944, when the Allied Forces lead by General Dwight Eisenhower prepared to invade Europe, his name was used as the code name for the invasion.

Speculation as to whether or not he was married has continued to this day. Many think he married his most famous leading lady.

In November, 1978, a 90 minute television show celebrated his 50th birthday. Guests included Gerald Ford, Willie Nelson, Goldie Hawn, Burt Reynolds and many others.

He's one star that has aged better than Dick Clark.

Who is he? And, at the age of one year old, what were the very first words he spoke?

If you think you know the answer, post his initials in a comment, or on Yank's Franks Facebook page.

Answers tomorrow.
.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Scoping Out the Hot Dog Competition

Our mission for the day (well. at least for lunchtime) was to try our local competition. We drove into the parking lot and were immediately impressed with the number of customers waiting, reviewing the menu or eating their lunch.

After a quick look at their fairly diverse menu, we made our selections. For Hot Diggity, it was the Boston Dog. A dog with bacon and cheese (if you have read my previous posts, you know my feelings on bacon and cheese. Put them together and Wow!). For me, I couldn't pass up a Boston Dog and I added a Chili Dog. We split a large order of fries.

When we ordered we were told it would be about five minutes. Our order was ready in about two minutes. Good job!

The dogs were very good. The fries however, were absolutely terrific. They were krinkle cut and cooked just right.

As you can see, we enjoyed our lunch at one of their picnic tables. It was ideal as this was one of our first Spring days.

We'll certainly return and enjoy some of their other hot dogs, but when we do, we'll each get a large order of fries.

To sum things up, we have some great competition. Oddly enough, we consider this a positive. As people enjoy great hot dogs, they will crave them even more.

Frankly, we (will) serve the BEST dogs!
Maine Yellow Pages
My blog is listed in the Big Blog Collection
Blog Search Engine
BlogCatalog
Bloggy Award