The AGAR Food Show ~ Mmmm Good!

The entire Northeast branch of the Yank's Franks tasting team met at the crack of dawn this morning (okay, it wasn't so much the "crack of dawn" but it was well before noon) to travel to Gillette Stadium to attend one of my favorite events of the year...The Food Show.

Yes, it's totally true, they actually have these events called Food Shows. And I can't think of a better person to invite than me because I love food.

Hot Diggity, Double Dog Dennis, The French Fry King and I sampled several varieties of hot dogs, French fries (including an interesting Maine company's product), chicken tenders and lots of desserts. I ate more kinds of bacon today than I had during my entire life until now. For the ride home we headed for the coffee station where I came across my favorite coffee, Douwe Egberts (sorry Dunkies). It was amazing.

My only suggestion...I really think we need more Food Shows!

Frankly, I can't think of a better pairing of two words than Food and Show. Food Show!

Maine Hot Dog Stands (Joints)

Maine is a beautiful state, but best of all, Maine has some great Hot Dog Stands (or Joints as I prefer to call them).

I have sampled some of them and I have put the Joints I have yet to sample on my "to do" list.

I am listing the Hot Dog Joints of Maine in alphabetical order. I am certain I have missed some so please feel free to post a comment or email me to let me know the Joints I have left out.

The Joints I have had the pleasure of visiting I am rating on a scale of one * to five *****. I wish I could do something more clever than *, but I'm not a computer guy, I'm a hot dog guy.

If you see your favorite and I have rated it less than you would have, don't be upset, it's just a matter of taste. Also, for those that have not noticed, this blog is the Yank's Franks blog so, of course, Yank's gets a *****. Hey, it's a matter of taste.

Ava's Hot Dog Stand, Oakland
Bolley's Famous Franks, Hallowell ***
Chicago Dogs, Scarborough ****
Danny's Hot Dogs, Brunswick
The Dog House, Kittery ***
Don's Famous Franks, Augusta **
Dunton's Doghouse, Boothbay Harbor
Flo's Hot Dogs, York *
Hot Diggity Dogs, Kennebunk ****
Perry's Sidewalk Cafe/Almost Famous Since 1994!, Portland
Rapid Ray's, Saco *
Red's Eats, Wiscasset ****
Rosie's Hot Dogs, Eastport
Simone's, Lewiston
Upie's Take Out, Port Clyde
Wasses Hot Dogs, Rockland *****
Yank's Franks, Wells (I told you *****)
That's my list so far.
Let me know if you have a favorite or if you want to weigh in with your ratings.

Hot Dog ~ I Got A Winter Gig!

Wow, Yank's Franks International?

It has a nice ring to it.

Hot Diggity captured this image of Yank serving up hot dogs at Crane Beach in Barbados. Sweet!!!

Now, if we could just serve Rum Punch at Yank's Franks in Wells. Some of you may remember the Smoothie of the Day for awhile last summer was Piña Colada. That's about as close as we will get.

Opening Day this year is May 19. We can't wait.

Frankly, there's no place like home!

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!