Never have I been so happy to miss breakfast than this afternoon. A co-worker suggested going to Dog Et Al for lunch. I got excited. This place had been hyped to me like Chuck E Cheese’s to a three year old. As my friend Phil says, I’ve only got so many meat points in a week. I was about to cash mine in, big time.
Don’t judge a book by its cover.
The place looks like an old fashion diner, which is a credit to the designers because it was supposedly a gas station in a former life. If you’re a vegetarian, you’ve got no business going to Dog Et Al. ”All Beef Franks” in bold letters are the first thing you see on the overhead menu. Friendly food prep/order takers greet you when you step up. I asked for the Footlong Dog with chili and coleslaw. “Anything else?” the kindly dog slinger asked. I looked at the menu: sauerkraut, mustard, ketchup, sauteed onion, relish, mayo and peppers were the other options. Nope. “If you decide you want anything else, just bring it back up and we’ll add it”. Service – check.
Ironically, the hotdog was the healthiest thing in the tray.
I combo’d it up with chips (fries are the other option), a drink, and fried apple pie. For those of you old enough to remember, think of the McDonald’s apple pie before they started baking them. Why more restaurants don’t fry their pies, I have no idea. If I was a business trying to make money, I’d sell fried apple pies. That’s me. The chips were the old fashioned kind, presumably cooked in peanut oil that morning.
The fried apple pie wasn’t even the best part of the meal, the chili was. I come from Ohio where Skyline chili is king. This chili made Skyline taste like cafeteria slop. I took my first bite and it…was…bliss. That’s when I looked around and noticed EVERYONE had chili on their dogs. Dog Et Al is actually a chili joint posing as a hot dog stand. The hot dog is just a carrier, like the bun. It’s there for texture. Next time out, I’m getting a chili and coleslaw dog, hold the hot dog. No kidding. At the end, we were all smiles. Yeah it was wrong, but we had all had hard weeks. We DESERVED this!
The defendants
We had the good fortune to get there before noon. The restaurant was pretty much dead to that point. Then all hell broke loose. It filled quickly. Keep in mind this is on south Monroe. If you’re eating there, you almost have to go out of your way. If you’re not a hot dog person, no problem: they have polish sausages, turkey dogs, bratwursts, and smoked sausages (menu here).
“Is there anywhere we can grab a nap around here?”
Make sure to pick up a plastic fork and knife at the counter when you order because you’ll need them. The food is beyond satisfying and affordable: $10 for a combo with drink. I’m already looking forward to my next visit.
-Abe
I’ll have to go back in the future, it was brutal the last time I went about a year and a half ago. Seemed like the quality of the dog went down, while they tried to keep the price steady. Glad to hear about a recent good experience!
True, there was nothing memorable about the dog. They smother the thing with toppings to the point where it’s just filler. You should definitely go back and try the chili!
Oh I’ve had it before. It was always good! I’m just bummed about the dog, because I liked the corn dogs there which needs a good dog.
I love this place Abe! First memory was walking in the door and a guy behind the counter waving one of the giant wieners like they did on the old commercial. LMBO.
Yeah, the whole thing was a little surreal. That same guy seemed disappointed that I didn’t get more toppings; he loves making hot dogs that much!
Sooooo good. I’m not a sweets person, but the pie is amazing.
Sorry I missed your comment!
Yes, the fried apple pie came in a close second to the chili. One of the oh-so-many things I miss from McDonalds circa 1980, along with not being able to fit on the playground equipment anymore.
I sense a long run in your future, Abe! The owner of Dog et al lives in Vicky & Gary Droze’s neighborhood so we see his food truck when we run. I’ve never eaten there but it sure sounds like my kinda place! I always enjoy your/Sara’s blogs! Thanks!
judy
Thanks for reading Judy! There were more than a few miles in that lunch.