The Yank's Franks Test Kitchen Will Open Today ~ Whoopie!

As many of you know, Yank's Franks did not have a dessert to offer this past season. Some considered it very surprising considering my love for dessert and my belief that dessert is the most important part of every meal. I'm not the kind of person that believes in eating dessert first, but I definitely enjoy eating it last.

During our first (partial) season we offered Cool Dogs for dessert. They were tasty, but they were expensive. We opted to eliminate them from the menu for season two. A few customers asked for them, but I felt they were more expensive than they were tasty.

We considered Hoodsies for season two. We wanted to offer Hoodsies that were branded with the Red Sox. It would be a small attempt to reinforce the fact that we are NOT Yankees fans, we are Red Sox fans. We had some difficulty selecting a good combination of branded and tasty Hoodsies and before I knew it, the season was nearly over.

Well, inspiration struck just yesterday as I perused a recipe book aisle. I won't tell you exactly what I'm thinking until the idea and the recipe pass muster, but I've included a photo as a subtle hint.

Frankly, yesterday's trip wasn't a total bust!

Three Dog Night, by Yank (Mama Told Me Not To Come)

I had been jonesin' for a hot dog all week. I've been dreaming about Chicago Dogs and day dreamin' about Chili Dogs.

Today was my big chance. You see, IMHO (that's, In My Humble Opinion) once Yank's Franks closes for the season, I have to drive a considerable distance for a great hot dog.

Hot Diggity and I had planned a day-trip to the north, specifically to the Rockland, Camden area. With that in mind I had Wasses etched into the "Foodie" section of my brain.

We got on the road and I was excited with anticipation.

Then, about 90 minutes into our trip, Hot Diggity spotted a sign...Morse's Sauerkraut, 7 miles, next left. I have been planning to visit Morse's for well over a year when I received a recommendation from a well known Maine Foodie blogger and later another recommendation from a member of the Yank's Franks tasting team (The French Fry King). So, blinker on, left lane, left turn, 7 miles and we are there.

The deal at Morse's is, they have only a few tables. Okay, I'm not criticizing
(after all, Yank's doesn't have very many tables), I'm just saying. You leave your name with the hostess and, at the same time, you place your order. Very clever way to move things along.

My choice was simple, 2 hot dogs served on a pretzel roll...let me say that again, a pretzel roll...wow! Wait just one minute, they have another choice on the menu that includes those same two hot dogs and mac n' cheese. Holy Wiener Heaven Batman. I'll have that! Hot Diggity had something else, blah, blah, blah (not a hot dog).

We were called to our table and once we sat down I noticed 2 crocks of pickles. One half sour and one sour, all for me. I know what your thinking, that Yank guy is living right.

This is the hard part, you see I have never posted a review of any place that wasn't an excellent review. If you have nothing good to say, then don't say anything. Sound familiar? Yes, my mother used to say that too.

Here goes...it was disappointing. The pretzel rolls were really no big deal. In fact, they tasted nothing like pretzels and they were too big to be holding these hot dogs. The mustard, that was my fault, I selected the Whole Grain Dijon and the Hot German (mustard, that is). The dijon tasted funny, but the German was pretty good. Since it was a sauerkraut place, I asked for some sauerkraut. It arrived cold. I asked and was told that it is normally served cold, but she offered to heat it if I chose. I declined since I wanted to experience the kraut their way. I've heard of others serving cold sauerkraut. Actually, it wasn't others, it was one other and I just heard it a few weeks back. At a joint we sampled (and didn't write about, hint, hint) the owner told us she serves it cold and one of her customers started screaming at the cook for not heating it up.

Once I tried the cold kraut on my hot dog, I realized that I don't like cold kraut.I picked it off and finished both hot dogs. In fact, in a stroke of genius (read, hunger) I added some of those free and delicious sour pickles to my hot dog.

In summary...the pickles were great! And, I wasn't done, Wasses was a little further to the north. All is well!

Top Dog of Rockport ~ Awesome!!!

Today was a rainy and chilly day in Rockport. That really didn't matter to the Yank's Franks Team because Rockport is a fantastic destination no matter what the weather.

On our stroll down Bearskin Neck we passed by several seafood restaurants because we had our plans to stop on the ride home at one of my favorite seafood joints, Woodman's of Essex. I had deep fried lobster on my mind.

Hot Diggity and I, along with Bad Dog Barbara (pictured right enjoying her Bad Dog) and Shaggy Dog Howard (below left enjoying his Shaggy Dog) meandered along the charming lane that stretches the length of the Neck and Lo and Behold...a Hot Dog Joint.

Top Dog of Rockport was staring at me and screaming, "Yank, get in here and have a dog!" (I take medicine in an attempt to control the voices)

I apologized to the others and explained my need to silence the voices. As it turned out the others wanted a dog as well (this was the beginning of the end of the Woodman's idea).

My choice was the Golden Retriever topped with Bacon (the owner, Scott's recommendation). Griddled and served on a buttered and toasted New England style bun (sound familiar?) and swimming in mac 'n cheese. Holy Hot Dog Batman!!! this hot dog was great.

The other's had the Shaggy Dog and the Bad Dog and all reports were fantastic. The Fries were great and the Homemade Onions Rings were spectacular.

Only one bad thing to report...if I had realized at the time that we weren't going to Woodman's, I would have had two more dogs. That would have made it a perfect trip.

Thanks Scott!

Frankly, Yank knows a good dog when he tastes it!

A Five Day Waiting Period to Purchase a Hot Dog???

After an incident on the 7th green at Cordevalle where Tiger Woods was attacked by a "hot dog slinging" fan (well, maybe not a fan of Tiger), officials now are focused on the dangers of hot dogs. According to one security expert attending the tournament, "It wasn't a chili dog, that could have been really bad."

I'm hoping all of you will agree with me when I say, "if we make it a crime to carry a hot dog, only criminals...you know the rest."

To slightly modify the words of the great Homer Simpson, "What do you mean I have to wait 5 days for a hot dog permit...I'm hungry now!"

Frankly, Yank's Franks chili dogs would never be tossed!

M*A*S*H Fans and Hot Dog Lovers Rejoice

The Toledo, Ohio Hot Dog Joint made famous by M*A*S*H's lovable cross-dressing Max Klinger will stay in the family. The ownership of Tony Packo's was settled by a judge yesterday and the legendary "Joint" will continue to be operated by the Packo family. Read more here.

While the M*A*S*H television show ended 30 years ago, the restaurant's chili dog continues to be a fan favorite. While I am certain the Tony Packo's Chili Dog is delicious, I believe the Yank's Franks Chili Dog can't be beat.

Frankly, Tony Packo's would make a great stop on a Hot Dog road trip!

The Badger Burger...The Next Burger Lover's Craze!

Foodie Blogger and Hamburger Aficionado, Chubby Werewolf has been asked by the folks at Wisconsin Cheese Talk to create and publish his best shot at an awesome burger. And, for those of you who don't know, Yank's Franks (more specifically, Yank) loves a great cheeseburger.

Inspired by one of his favorite college football teams, Chubby began to construct the perfect "Badger Burger"

Chubby established parameters for this project that were designed to pay proper homage to this cheeseburger's Wisconsin roots, as well as, to the personality of the Badger's mascot. The recipe was also developed to be "tailgate-party friendly"

Check out the recipe and get ready to salivate.

Frankly, this is one heck of a burger!