Hank's Haute Dogs
I found a seat in the crowded cafe and pulled out my notebook to write about a recent visit to Hank's. The woman at the next table couldn't contain herself, "You're a writer? What are you writing about?"
"Haute dogs. I write about food."
"Hot dogs?" She wrinkled her nose. "Do you have to?" And then the floodgates unleashed. "You know who makes the best hot dogs? Costco! Those Polish dogs are soooo good! You should write about those."
That was just the start. The barrage of unsolicited advice continued, about Yankee Stadium hot dogs (they have the best condiments), Redondo's hot dogs (that red is scary), raw onion on dogs (most common cause of food poisoning!), old hot dog jingles (sung, of course) and even pigs in a blanket (kids love 'em!).
Finally she caught her breath, "Is this helpful?"
Helpful? Try overwhelming, and yet it was a timely reminder of how seriously we take our hot dogs. When you grill up a wiener at home, you're not just prepping a meal but tapping into a shared affection for hot dogs dating back to the 15h century when Viennese frankfurters were first served for the coronation of Maximillian II, the Holy Roman Emperor. They were quite literally food fit for a king.
Since then, hot dogs have embraced a more populist role in American society, providing happy eats at ballgames, birthdays and barbeques. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, Americans consume 7 billion hot dogs between Memorial Day and Labor Day alone -- an average of 818 per second -- and that's not counting other types of sausages. In the words of Hank Adaniya, hot dogs are, "feel good food. There are certain anchors, the salt, the spice. You smell that hot dog and BOOM it takes you back to memories of past dogs. They're comfort food."
Hank knows what he's talking about. As owner of Hank's Haute Dogs, he's been serving up hot dogs with a gourmet twist since 2007, and was recently named one of the Top 10 New Places for Hot Dogs in the nation by Bon Appetit magazine, the only Hawaii eatery to make the list.
Step in to their small storefront in Kakaʻako and you can sample not only a classic Chicago ($4.75) or Polish dog ($5.25), but also more unusual fare made from alligator ($8.30), foie gras ($9.50) or lobster ($10.50). There's even a Fatboy ($5.95), wrapped in bacon and deep-fried.
The trick with gourmet hot dogs, according to Hank, is pushing the boundaries, but "not too far." Mess with the basics too much and people get grumpy. If lobster and alligator dogs sound too adventurous at first, you can't go wrong with a chili dog ($5.95, not pictured), topped with mild housemade chili, diced onion and cheese. Where other chili dogs can be excessive, drowning everything in greasy chili and a mountain of cheese, Hank's version is an exercise in restraint. Just the right amount of chili, cheese and onion in proportion. It's no surprise Chef Mavro calls them a favorite.
Of course no hot dog is complete without a side of fries. Hank's fries are twice cooked, nice and crispy. For an extra 50 to 75 cents, pickup a dipping sauce: wasabi tobiko creme, garlic aioli (my fave), curry ketchup or chipotle mayo.
And really, that's what it's about: the heart and soul of the hot dog. I asked Hank why he sells hot dogs, knowing full well that everyone will compare him to the buck fifty Polish dogs at Costco. His answer sums it up perfectly, "They're comfort food. They bring you back to your childhood. I try to stay authentic to that, while bringing a new perspective." You pay a bit more than Costco, but how do you put a price on soul?
Hank's Haute Dogs
http://www.hankshautedogs.com/
(808) 532-4265
Cash only.
|
Kakaʻako 324 Coral Street Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813 Mon. - Fri. 10am - 4pm Sat. - Sun. 11am ~ 5pm |
Waikiki International Marketplace 2330 Kalakaua Ave. Honolulu, HI 96815 Sun. - Sat. 11am - 9pm |
Other sites:
→ Lunch Time Grindz made a quick lunch stop
→ A Passion for Food - was a little underwhelmed by what she got for the price
→ An older Star-Bulletin write-up talks about the original opening of the Kakaʻako location.
deb and I just checked them out too, it was delicious!!
How about a hot dog eating contest, there.
Kat, glad you both liked it!
RONW, that might be too much of a good thing? I want to enjoy each bite, not rush through them as fast as I can.
Those look really good and I don't even eat hot dogs!
SageMom, if you normally pass on hotdogs because of the mysterious and often disgusting things that end up ground inside them, then Hank's is for you. The quality of their dogs is exceptional.