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!

The Yank's Franks Testing Kitchen Re-Opens

It's been a long while since the Yank's Franks test kitchen has been open, but we had a special reason to unlock the doors and fire up the cooking equipment. As you (hopefully) read in my previous article, we were recently visited by Chubby Werewolf and he came to Yank's bearing gifts.

On the menu for the testing were Zweigle Red & Whites and Skyline Original Chili. Both were products we were excited to sample.

Double Dog Dennis, The French Fry King and I were all present. Unfortunately, Hot Diggity was unavailable as she was visiting her 8 month old grandson, The Hot Dog Cowboy.


As you can see from the photo (above), the Dogs were served on buns that are not typical of Yank's Franks. They were given to us by our baker, Fantini Bakery to test out. Also, what Hot Dog Tasting could be conducted without fries? So, it was homemade Cajun Fries to keep The French Fry King smiling. And, it was One Red and One White Zweigle's for each of us to keep Double Dog Dennis happy. What kept me happy? I started with two vodka martinis. That'll do it.

I had my Red Dog with Cincinnati-Style Chili and My White Dog with my favorite mustard, Kosciusko. The Dogs...both of them were absolutely delicious. To me, the look of the White Dog was a bit scary. While I have tried White Dogs at Heid's of Liverpool, that was over 30 years ago. If you have never had a white dog, give it a try. They are awesome!

Onto the Chili. The Skyline Chili is what I was really looking forward to as I have heard so much about it. The first thing I noticed was the aroma. I have opened several different brands of chili from cans, and have been consistently repulsed by the odor. Not at all true with Skyline. While the aroma was subtle, it was pleasant.

The next obvious characteristic is the consistency. It was very soupy. I didn't know what to make of this as I worried it would be too runny for a hot dog topping. In the ingredients list on the can, listed first is beef (which I think means beef would be the ingredient most prominent). I continue to be skeptical that beef deserves top billing.

And finally the taste. The Cincinnati-Style Chili was delicious. It definitely reminded me of Mexican Mole (which I love) as it has a hint of a chocolate flavor. Good Mexican Mole just has a hint of chocolate...so little that you almost have to concentrate while tasting to get it. The same is true of this chili. After having the Chili on my hot dog, I had more with just a spoon. Awesome Chili! So good that our Annual Cross-Country Hot Dog Tour may include a swing through Cincinnati.

As to whether Cincinnati Chili makes its way onto the Yank's Franks menu is still undecided. The consistency makes it a messy and difficult topping. It also bothers me that people would know if served a chili that spent time in the can. I have always considered chili in a can as wrong. We'll see. Maybe that trip to Cincinnati will give us a different perspective. I'll let you know.

A special Thank you to Chubby Werewolf for this fantastic meal.

Frankly, Yank loves Chili Dogs!

Chubby Werewolf Visits Yank's Franks

Chubby and Yank

We had a special visitor today at Yank's Franks. It was a great way to begin the day, meeting someone that writes an amazing blog focused on, among other things, one of my favorite subjects...food.

Chubby Werewolf himself showed up early this morning and introduced himself to Hot Diggity. While I was at the grill, I heard his discussion and I was so excited. Chubby and I had corresponded shortly after his first visit to Yank's last year.

This time Chubby came bearing gifts, and awesome gifts they are. A couple of cans of Skyline Chili (Cincinnati-Style Chili) and a package of Zweigle's Red & White Hot Dogs.

Okay, Chubby really writes a great blog, but boy oh boy does he know what to bring a "hot dogger" for a gift.

Thank you so much, Chubby. Hot Diggity and I have a special dinner planned with some "hot dog" friends and I have already told them what's on the menu. Now, we're all excited.

Frankly, Yank & Hot Diggity have met some fantastic people!

Opening Soon! May 21st is Opening Day for Yank's Franks

Yank's Franks Opening Day will be Saturday, May 21st. Yank's will be open weekends (Saturday and Sunday) from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Beginning Saturday, June 18th, Yank's will be open 7 days per week from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

The 7-day per week schedule will continue through Labor Day, Monday, September 5th. After Labor Day, Yank's will be back on the weekend schedule through Columbus Day, Monday, October 10th.

We're getting excited, we're working on new Specialty Dogs, the perfect Pulled Pork Sandwich and a few other new offerings. If you are a fan of Yank's Super Crispy French Fries, you'll love the Chili Fries (or the Chili-Cheddar Fries). And speaking of chili, Yank's Beantown Chili will be available by the cup during the entire season.

We have a new sign being built. It will certainly be up before opening day. When it's ready, I'll have photos so you will know what to look for.

And last but not least (okay, maybe it is least), we have a new name for one of our hot dog researchers. The Hot Dog King has been stripped of his title, but don't feel bad for him. He still is King except from here on he'll be referred to as The French Fry King. This new title is far more appropriate and frees up The Hot Dog King title for someone who is a true lover of encased meats. The French Fry King's true passions are Cheeseburgers and French Fries.

That's it for now. I'll keep you posted.

Frankly, we can't wait until Opening Day!

My Hot Dog Mission

It's Saturday and Hot Diggity and I found a new relish to try. Have you ever heard of Zucchini Relish. We sampled it at a local Farmers' Market and it was very good. Of course, I had to put it to the hot dog test.

So what you see below is my Zucchini Relish and Kosciusko Mustard Dog (for research purposes) and two Chili Dogs with Cheese (because I was dying for Chili Dogs).

The result...the Zucchini Relish was very good, however it is not different enough from our sweet relish to add to our offerings. We will keep looking and we will invite others to try the Zucchini Relish to get more opinions.

The Chili Dogs were made with Yank's Beantown Chili (as opposed to our regular Chili Dogs that were made with Angus Steak Chili). Whenever and where ever I have Chili, it needs to be topped with shredded cheddar. The Chili Dogs were awesome! Our Beantown Chili is just spectacular. We will likely have it on our menu next Spring.

Now for my problem. I ate these hot dogs a little after 9:30 pm this evening. I could go to bed an hour late, after all we set the clocks back tonight. I'll break even on sleep while most of you get your extra hour, but that's the price I'll pay.

Wait a minute, I have another idea. Maybe if I chase those dogs with a bowl of Ben and Jerry's everything will even out. Yeah, that's what I'll do.

Enjoy your extra hour of sleep. I intend to as well.

Frankly, blah, blah, blah...gotta go to bed!

The Yank's Franks Website Is Up And Running

The new Yank's Franks website went live today. We are thrilled with it. It's clean, crisp and fun, just like Yank's Franks.

Thank you AfterFive by Design, our web developer, for all your great ideas.

Please, take a look and let us know what you think.
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Fall Weekend Special at Yank's Franks

The first weekend of the Fall season and Yank's Franks is introducing Yank's Beantown Chili.

Chili lovers take note...this isn't a chili for the masses. This chili is for "chili lovers."

Our Yank's Beantown Chili is different from our hot dog chili. Our Certified Angus Steak Chili is still being smeared on every chili dog you'll enjoy at Yank's Franks. It goes perfectly with our awesome hot dogs.

But, if you want a cup of chili that will keep you warm on a chilly Autumn day, you need to come to Yank's Franks and try our Beantown Chili. Add cheddar cheese and a Yank's Franks Root Beer and it's Foodie heaven.

Yank's Franks Beantown Chili is so good, if it were served at a Superbowl Party, it would guarantee a Patriots win.

Frankly, we serve some amazing chili!

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