Best Hot Dog Stand in Connecticut

Best Hot Dog Stand in Connecticut

Tom Burland www.ct-shore-homes.com

This post has little to do with Real Estate and Homes for Sale, except that this summer I found myself out and about quite a bit with only a few minutes to grab a bite to eat between appointments. Grabbing a burger at the drive thru window is something I try to avoid, so for a healthy alternative (I hope my doctor isn't reading this), I gravitated toward my summer favorite...The Hot Dog Stand.

Growing up, a Friday night trip to Jimmies at Savin Rock in West Haven was a big treat, that was when it was a drive in and you ordered then sat in your car and threw French Fries to the sea gulls. Sadly a long time favorite, Vincents in Branford on Route 1, shut down this year. The tie in to real estate for me was many a summer Sunday the folks used to pile us Kids into a car and go to open houses on Sunday and stop by a hot dog stand for a snack.

As the summer draws to a close and I try to sneak in a few more visits to favorite haunts I thought I would share my favorites and see if you would like to chime in as well.

# 1 Johnny Ads on RT 1 in Old Saybrook - great dogs and casual food - you can eat inside if you must.

#2 Glennwood Whitney Avenue Hamden - long time family favorite

#3 Lenny & Joes Rt 1 Madison - would be #1 but I am more drawn to their Whole Belly Fried Clams and Lobster Rolls.

# 4 Guida's RT 66 Middlefield - Monday nights 2 for 1 footlongs (Chillie dogs are great)

#5 Dinos Rt 5 North Haven - long time favorite for a Dog with Kraut

My big disappointment of the summer is Chick's in West Haven, going to Notre Dame High in West Haven I remember sneaking over to Chick's for a dog, and when my Son played baseball in the All Star League behind Chicks I couldn't wait for a game, but this summer I was not impressed. Their dogs are foot long but thin and they serve them on a big bulky bun...way too much bun. Give me a good old fashioned Split Hummel's dog on a toasted bun (the rectangle buns with real bread not crust on the sides.)

Sadly I did not review Jimmies because in my book you just don't order a dog sitting at a table - you need to walk up to the window or counter.

I know this cuisine is not on the Heart Healthy diet, but I think it is genetic. I remember taking my Dad home from the Hospital after Heart Surgary and his asking to stop off at Nick's Charpit in North Haven to get a dog...one of his big fears was never being able to have a hot dog again. While he still has heart issues he has made it to 80 years old...so I guess there is hope for me.

What are your favorite Hot Dog Stands and should Hummel's be a national brand?

Tom