Wednesday, November 21, 2007 A Standout Hot Dawg Stand By Ron Beigel Wednesday, November 21, 2007   The next time you exit the Meadowbrook Parkway at Zeckendorf Boulevard (M2E), slow down, pull over and park next to the Red Roof Inn, across from Lowe's Home Improvement. Then get a "dawg" from the coolest hot dog truck on Long Island.   Since 2002, Rose and Rod Ewart have been selling hot-water Sabrett and grilled or boiled Boar's Head franks out of their retrofitted Grumman truck that looks as if it were ordered "with everything on it." I read the sign on the truck, painted black with orange flames-"Warning: The Food On This Truck Is Highly Addictive!!!"-as I devoured more than a few of their 14 gourmet dawgs.   They sell as many as 200 hot dogs a day here, and Boar's Head outsells Sabrett's (I prefer the snap you get from the Boar's Head casing). Most of them-along with 13 varieties of stuffed knishes and 13 kinds of cheese steaks-are named after Hanna-Barbera cartoon characters. And they're all spelled "dawg." I started with a Dawgie Daddy ($2.50), made with bits of real bacon, sour cream and sliced avocado. I moved on to the Huckleberry Hound ($2.50), also featuring sour cream and bacon, but cheddar cheese instead of avocado. Both are delicious. All franks come on potato rolls, which are a huge upgrade from standard buns. If you want a simple dawg with bacon and cheddar, ask for the Augie Dawgie ($2). Or try the basic Hot Dawg ($1.50) with sauerkraut or chef Rod's own sweet onions, chopped and cooked in a secret red sauce. He also makes their own barbecue sauce; both are jarred and available for sale. In the warmer months, if you catch them on the right day, you may find authentic sandwiches from a test batch for their barbecue competition team.   Rod and I discussed various hot dog stands in the tri-state area and I mentioned the Colombian-style dogs sold from carts on Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights. He countered with the Hong Kong Phooey ($2.50), covered with teriyaki sauce, bacon and chives and crowned with pineapple. Sound weird? It wasn't. It may be my favorite.   The five boroughs have such a wide variety of street food vendors that they even have their own Vendy Awards. LI has mostly ice cream trucks, those refrigerated "roach coaches" and the ubiquitous hot dog truck, not so much street vendors as side-of-the-road vendors.   Rose, who is even sweeter than the onions, is usually in the truck Tuesdays through Saturdays (Sundays, when it's warmer), from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will remain there through the holidays-in Rod's words, "as long as our water system isn't frozen." Check out their cool website for updates and specials. But after a day on the truck (and all through the winter months), the couple takes over the kitchen at Fuzzy's Wolfrose, a bar and grill (239-21 Braddock Ave., Bellerose, 718-347-9616), where they run the same menu-plus, if you're lucky, a fried PB&J sandwich, or whatever Rod (aka "Chef Boy R.O.D.") can dream up.   The Hot Dawg Truck Dibblee Drive and Meadowbrook Parkway (Near Lowe's Parking Lot) Garden City 516-708-7401 www.hotdawgtruck.com -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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ROAD FOOD.com

Eric Devlin

12/01/07

It is more than a little strange that I had to move from the east coast to the west coast to experience a cheese steak. I grew up in NY and they were a poorly prepared novelty when I stumbled on them here. Didn’t do much to sell the promote and explain what the fuss was.

While working in southern California there was a place called Philly’s Best near my office. Their sandwiches were killer. When I returned to NY I lamented the fact that there was nowhere to get a decent cheese steak around here.

Well, the search is over.

As I posted in another thread, I stopped by The Hot Dawg Truck and tried their dogs. They were excellent and exotic and led me to wonder about everything else on the menu.
I went back recently with the express purpose of trying the knish and the cheese steak.

I screwed up my first time there and ordered hot dogs that were way off the beaten path. I should have ordered just a plain dog so I had some normal sort of baseline to judge them. I didn’t repeat that error with the cheese steak, although they have about a dozen varieties on the menu.

The sandwich was worth the trip and the wait. I ordered the straight-up, plain old cheese steak and it didn’t disappoint. The bun was roughly 8” long and was fresh. Similar to an oversized hot dog bun. It held a monster sandwich, so much so that you soon find yourself grateful for the inclusion of the plastic knife and fork.

The meat seemed to be cooked with enough sautéed onions to flavor the steak, but not enough to overpower it or be considered an addition. The meat itself was tender and tasty. The cheese was (I believe) provolone.

The sandwich was a meal in itself and cost $5.50. I’ve never been to the icons in Philly, but it’s hard to believe that these cheese steaks wouldn’t fit right in.

Alright, here’s the bad news. They are now closed for the winter. But there is some good news. They run a restaurant (I believe it’s near the Queens/Nassau border) and I think that their full menu is available there as well.

Here is their site for those that are interested. You can sign up for their mailing list on the site as well as view menus and such.

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Long Island is hot dog heaven
BY JOAN REMINICK
joan.reminick@newsday.com

May 14, 2008

Few foods offer more bang for the bite than the all-American hot dog.

Long Islanders seeking frank fulfillment can discover a world of variety out here.

You can bite into dogs with an ethnic accent at Latin eateries in both Nassau and Suffolk, where toppings may include pineapple, avocado and jalapenos. And it's hard to resist a kosher deli Hebrew National that's striped with mustard, piled with sauerkraut.

There are stands and trucks selling wieners dressed up with chili or heaped with onions. And, in the Hamptons, you'll find Kobe beef dogs costing as much as some lobsters.

Admittedly, franks aren't health fare, but as an occasional treat, they're hard to beat. Many an epicure will confess to pulling over to a roadside stand or truck, lured by the prospect of the first bite and all the spicy juices.

So get out the Rolaids and let the quest begin.

TRUCKS

The Hot Dawg Truck, Dibblee Drive (near Lowe's), Garden City, hotdawgtruck.com.

Rod Ewart, brawny and tattooed, worked as a bouncer and a bartender before buying this truck and building himself a solid reputation in the hot dog world (he's also a competitive barbecuer). You can get either a boiled Sabretts or grilled Boar's Head dog, choosing from an inventive array of toppings. Ewart is known for his spicy onions and cooks about 80 pounds of them at a time. His biggest-selling "gourmet" dog is the Hong Kong Phooey, anointed with pineapple, bacon, teriyaki and chives. $1.50 to $2.50.

Hot Dog Truck, North Service Road, Long Island Expressway, between exits 62 and 61.

A Sabrett umbrella is the only name visible on this truck, whose chili and cheese dog on a fresh bun makes for a hearty bargain lunch. $1.50.

STANDS

All American Hamburger, 4286 Merrick Rd., Massapequa, 516-798-9574.

At this much-loved stand, there's more than just the namesake specialty. Hot dogs are simply grilled on rollers and served on warmed buns. Toppings include mustard, sauerkraut, chopped onions and cheese. $1.75.

Bonanza Stand, 25 Shore Ave., Oyster Bay, 516-922-7796.

The Bonanza family (yes, really) owns this aptly named century-old landmark, a popular spot in summer. Don't miss the Bonanza special, an all-beef frank with mustard, ketchup, sauerkraut, relish, chili and cheese, with the option of jalapenos. Cool down with some homemade Italian ice, another specialty here. Hot dogs, $1.70 to $2.10.

J.B. Dawgs, 16 Split Rock Rd., Syosset, 516-802-5690.

This colorful outdoor stand (with picnic table seating) steams Sabrett dogs in either regular or foot-long sizes. The real story, though, is the toppings, with such varieties as the Chicago dog crowned with diced onion, yellow mustard, green relish, a tomato wedge, a pickle spear, celery salt and sport peppers on a poppy seed bun, and the Buffalo dog, topped with shredded lettuce, Bleu cheese and Buffalo wing sauce. $2.25 to $3.25.

The Shack, 1 Stony Hollow Rd., Centerport, 631-754-8989.

It's a challenge finding a picnic table at this summer stand where the all-beef dogs may be had with sauerkraut, onion sauce, grilled onions, raw onions, Cheddar sauce and chili in any combination. Pass the Altoids. $2.25 to $2.50.

INFORMAL / INDOORS

American Roadside Burger, 80 E. Main St., Smithtown, 631-382-9500 and 337 New York Ave., Huntington, 631-935-0300.

These nostalgia-themed burger joints split Sabrett frankfurters down the middle before grilling and serving them on toasted potato buns. Good eating, for sure. $2.98 to $3.74

Five Guys Famous Burgers & Fries, 3947 Hempstead Tpke., Levittown, 516-796-1237.

The first-rate Hebrew National hot dog is split before being grilled, making for extra bronzed and crusted surfaces; underneath, it's all spicy juiciness. Sybarites can get a bacon cheese dog. $2.89 to $4.09

Nathan's Famous, 229 Broadhollow Rd., Farmingdale, 631-293-6302 and various locations (nathansfamous.com).

The Coney Island classic is now a mega-chain, but the hot dogs still offer old-fashioned satisfaction. Top them with a zigzag of mustard, some relish and sauerkraut - or nothing at all. $2.69.

Pit Stop, 1706 Sunrise Hwy., Merrick, 516-223-7799.

The hot dog at this friendly roadside eatery is just a Sabrett grilled on a roller. Sometimes, that's all you need. Have yours plain or with chili and cheese. $2.25 to $3.75

San Antonio Bakery, 174 Rockaway Ave., Valley Stream, 516-568-0075.

A well-kept Valley Stream secret is this Chilean bakery- cafe where co-owners Elizabeth and Ruben Guzman serve the completo: A beef hot dog is nestled into a just-baked bun and crowned with sauerkraut, chopped tomatoes, mashed avocado and a squiggle of mayonnaise. Additional mustard and picante sauce come on the side. The result is irresistible - and only $3.50.

KOSHER

The kosher franks served at these delis are grilled so that they make an audible snap when bitten. Be careful not to burn your mouth on the garlicky juices that issue forth:

Pastrami King, 196 Merrick Rd., Merrick, 516-377-4300. $3.25

Kensington Deli, 27A Middle Neck Rd., Great Neck, 516-487-2410. $3.

Zan's Kosher Delicatessen Restaurant & Caterer, 135 Alexander Ave., Lake Grove, 631-979-8770. $2.99

Lido Kosher Deli, 641 Park Ave., Long Beach, 516-431-4411. $2.50

Ben's Kosher Delicatessen & Restaurant, $3.25
 59 Old Country Rd., Carle Place, 516-742-3354
7971 Jericho Tpke., Woodbury, 516-496-4236
140 Wheatley Plaza, Greenvale, 516-621-3340
 933 Atlantic Ave., Baldwin, 516-868-2072.

SIT-DOWN SERVICE

La Brasa, 426 Hawkins Ave., Lake Ronkonkoma, 631-467-3278.

Perros calientes (literally, "hot dogs") are a Colombian specialty made from a combination of beef and pork and spices. They're plump and well grilled, served on large sesame rolls and crowned with any number of toppings. A "mixto" has minced chicken and chorizo spooned on top; a "Hawaiiano" features pineapple, lettuce, ketchup, mayo, mustard and jalapeno. A hot dog aficionado will want to try at least one. $3.50-$6.50.

Fatty Beltbuckles, 49 Rte. 25A, Rocky Point, 631-403-4056.

The foot-long chili cheese dog at this barbecue joint is a smoky, crusty, messy treat that rivals even the ribs. For $8.99, it comes with two side dishes.

RESTAURANT HAUTE

The Laundry, 341 Pantigo Rd., East Hampton, 631-324-3199.

Say hello to the Hamptons' most extravagant frank, which, at $25, enters its third season. Chef Andrew Engle says it's the fattiness that makes the foot-long so good. It comes on a bun with nothing more than pickles, mustard and ketchup on the side.

Love Lane Kitchen, 240 Love Lane, Mattituck, 631-298-8989.

At this informal North Fork spot, chef-owner Danny Avella serves up a plump Kobe beef hot dog Chicago-style, with yellow mustard, sweet India relish, chopped tomato, chopped onion, dill pickle, hot peppers and a sprinkle of celery salt. It's rich eating at $12.

Rein Bar & Bistro, Garden City Hotel, 45 Seventh St., Garden City, 516-877-9385.

Chef Steven De Bruyn's Kobe beef corn dog comes with house-made curry ketchup, whole-grain mustard and pickle relish. It's $16.

Copyright (c) 2008, Newsday, Inc.

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This article originally appeared at:
http://www.exploreli.com/entertainment/localguide/dining/ny-fdcovintro5683960may14,0,1189018.story