Head West Young Man

In a few weeks it is off to Arizona to test the hot dogs in all of the Cactus League ballparks. I will be using my system for judging the dogs from last year while a I devise my new system for testing the the MLB specialty dogs during the regular season.

For those of you not in the know, MLB spring training is held in two locations. Half of the teams practice and get into shape in the Arizona desert in what is known as the Cactus League while the other half heads to steamy Florida for the Grapefruit League. I’d love to try the dogs in all of the ballparks of both leagues, but there are these things called time and money, not to mention the distance. Plus, many of the Florida State League (FSL) teams play in their parent team’s spring training ballparks meaning I have already visited several of them.

While there are 15 teams in the Cactus League, there are only 10 ballparks. Some teams share facilities, which makes fiscal sense. A few, like the Cubs stadium, are brand new and should be exciting to visit.

Baseball has been in Arizona in the spring since 1947 so the area is steeped in baseball history. And there is that Sonoran hot dog thing. If you didn’t read my post last year on the Sonoran, no worries...you will hear more about it, along with some great Cactus League action.

Hot Dog Hot Spot: Jennifer's

In just a few weeks I am off to the greater Phoenix area to test the hot dogs in the Cactus League during MLB spring training. In the meantime, I have had the shakes. The “I ain’t had no damn dog in weeks” shakes. A guy I know highly recommended I try the hot dog cart that is outside of the exit of the Lowe’s home improvement store here in Tulsa. According to him it has the best dogs in Tulsa. But I have heard that before. I never pass up a good hot dog tip. Think of me as the Ponce de Leon of Processed Meat; in a never-ending search for the perfect dog. I prefer the dogs at parks, but since not all hot dog lovers love baseball (why, I have no idea) I bring you the best in hot dog hot spots as I come across them.

It ends up this cart is called “Jennifer’s.” The chef was cooking up some peppers when I spoke with him the the pepper fume infused smoke from the grill took my breath away. An array of grilled veggies adorned the artsy concoction and the frank was split to ensure even cooking. I was offered hot sauce, and being no wimp, I accepted.

The result was a juicy dog that bites back. It was a fabulous experience that had me headed for the water fountain. While I am not convinced it is the best hot dog in Tulsa, it certainly ranks as one of the best. And what man does not get hungry browsing power tools and lumber? So when you are in the Lowe’s in Tulsa lumber on over to Jennifer’s and get a delightful dog. And check out the video for the Jennifer's experience in full living color.

Super Dogs

As you know I attempted to predict who would win the world series by correlating which team had the best hot dog at their home ballpark. My belief was that the team with the best dog would win against their opponent. Despite some early success the system failed in the end as a world series soothsayer. There were some mitigating factors: problems in the Middle East and the untimely death of Joan Rivers to name a few.

I decided to give the hot dog-predicto-machine another whirl and see if it could predict the Super Bowl winner. The hot dog vendors are usually the same for MLB and NFL teams in the same city (but not always) so I assume that the players on both teams have the meaty goodness of hot dogs coursing through their veins. Could it be the deciding factor in this years NFL finale?

When I was in Boston testing out the Red Sox hot dog (nestled in that funky New England bun) I was in awe of Fenway Park. It is one of my favorites and the oldest in baseball. I counted the “obstructed view” as part of the old time baseball experience, but the $30 GA ticket was the ballpark’s undoing. Thirty smackers for an obstructed view seat is not old timey. Besides that damn bun, the toppings on the dog were far too scant.

While Boston has an old venue Seattle has a slick new park with a retractable roof. Talk about eras apart. With that, both ballparks scored 26 but for different reasons. Seattle ended up being bit by their dog. While I dislike the New England style bun, at least it was fresh. The bun for the Mariner Dog was stale and didn’t taste all that great. How does that translate for overall scores?

Dog		Ballpark		Total Dog/Game
Bun	4.5	Location	5
Taste	4.5	Access	5
Toppings	2	Cleanliness	4
Price	5	Ambiance	5
Portability	5	GA Ticket Price	2
It Factor	3.5	Fans	5
	24.5		26	50.5

Dog		Ballpark		Total Dog/Game
Bun	2	Location	5
Taste	4	Access	5
Toppings	4	Cleanliness	5
Price	3	Ambiance	4
Portability	3	GA Ticket Price	3
It Factor	3	Fans	4
	19		26	45

There you have it. The Red Sox hot dog trounces the Mariners hot dog by 5.5 points. That translate to a huge Patriots win over the Seahawks. Trust me, I have worked out the kinks of the system. And this year's Super Bowl party? Skip ordering the pizza and cook up some hot dogs. 

Regional Dog Fight: Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia

This hot dog face off pits the two key teams in the Keystone State against each other. The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies. It’s a close contest and I do my best to keep any influence from my childhood from skewing the results (I grew up a few hours south of Pittsburgh).

Both teams have a relatively new ballpark, and both are nicely done. Citizen’s Bank Park (CBP) sits just south of downtown Philly in a sportsplex area that hosts the NFL football stadium and an arena for one of those other sports I don’t like. PNC Park is just a short jaunt across the Roberto Clemente Bridge from the kernel of downtown Pittsburgh and sits on the banks of the Allegheny River. If you know my scoring system, the Pirate’s digs already smacks down the Phillies home park on location alone. While CBP is a very nice venue that I recommend, it simply cannot match the vibe at PNC Park.

The dogs were a much closer call. Keep in mind that Philly had an edge; I was getting lots of hot dog love from the City of Brotherly Love since it was dollar dog night. Hard to compete with that. Pittsburgh on the other hand had a very good price for the regular dog (best in the MLB) and the softest and tastiest bun of the entire adventure. In the end, Pittsburgh edged out Philadelphia in both dog and ballpark. Plus, I really like saying the word “Allegheny.”

Dog		Ballpark		Total Dog/Game
Bun	5	Location	4.5
Taste	4.5	Access	5
Toppings	5	Cleanliness	5
Price	5	Ambiance	4
Portability	4	GA Ticket Price	4
It Factor	4	Fans	5
	27.5		27.5	55

Dog		Ballpark		Total Dog/Game
Bun	5	Location	5
Taste	4	Access	5
Toppings	5	Cleanliness	5
Price	5	Ambiance	5
Portability	5	GA Ticket Price	4
It Factor	4.5	Fans	5
	28.5		29	57.5

You cannot go wrong with a dog at either ballpark. There is enough geography between the two as not to interfere with each others fan base, but Philadelphia has some major competitors if you are in the area and can only catch one game; Baltimore, Washington and the NY teams are stiff competition.

The mighty buccos may not be so mighty since the late 70s, but they still swing a mean hot dog.

It's a Whole New Year

Happy New Year fans! Last year was a blast and I hope your 2015 was as good as my 2014, and that mine is even better. Now that it is a new year check out the blog’s new look and send me some feedback, AND it is time to start the countdown to the most important date of 2015: pitchers and catchers report in 51 days.

I suppose it is also time we talk about plans for the new year and those damn resolutions. I really don’t make resolutions, I would vow to get a TV with better resolution as my resolution, but I don’t own a TV (really). I would say I would eat better, but that only means making all of my hot dogs with Hebrew National franks….I am a Hot Dog Explorer; eating healthy is not in my plans.

Oh, the plans. Yes. Well. I thought of going back to work (briefly). The off season has left me a little bored. Now that the winter meetings are over all I have to look forward to is Spring Training. Did I mention that pitchers and catchers report in 51 days?

And I will be right behind them. That’s right, your intrepid hot dog explorer is headed to Arizona to find out who in the Cactus League has the best hot dog. It has to be done and what better time to do it than to escape to the fabulous February Phoenix weather when it is cold as a well digger’s butt in Tulsa. I will hit all Spring Training facilities and catch a game and report back to you which ballpark had the tastiest dog using my previous scoring system.

Then, in April, the regular MLB season begins. That’s where I need your help.

Last year I discovered which MLB ballpark had the best overall baseball/hot dog experience. I used the combination of ballpark and hot dog scores to determine the winner. This year, I intend to repeat my journey but judge the SPECIALTY hot dogs offered by each stadium. I need you to help me figure out a grading system for the specialty dog. What factors should it be graded on? Also, do you want to know just straight up who has the best specialty dog or the overall baseball/specialty dog experience? Your input is valued.

Lastly, need a break from the winter weather? Come to Arizona and catch a game with me. I will shower beforehand, I promise.

Hot Dog Hot Spot: Moe Dogs

As was during the regular season, this blog will not only keep you apprised of the best ballpark hot dogs, but inform you of the best hot dog hot spots around the nation. Ballpark Hot Dogs’ travels frequently happens upon some of the best dog joints in the land and what better way to keep the taste buds in tune than to down one between games.

This Christmas holiday had your intrepid hot dog explore underway to the mountains of New Mexico. The halfway point between hot dog HQ and the Land of Enchantment is Amarillo, Texas. It is home to a place I had stopped at twice before but had the bad luck of it being on a Sunday when Moe Dogs is closed. Working closely with the NSA, I arranged to pass through Amarillo on a Saturday and cruise down Amarillo’s 6th street, which also happens to be Route 66.

Housed in a former old-time Diamond Shamrock gas station is Moe Dogs, home of the tastiest dogs in the Lone Star state’s northern panhandle. What was once the service station’s garage area is now a portion of the dining room and the grill where Moe serves up an array of meat rockets that will send your palate into orbit. Some of the menu entrees include the: Moe Killer Dog, Sherpa Dog, Thunder Dog, Lightning Dog and other magnificent meals of meat.

I ordered the Moe’s Spicy Tex-Mex dog and was not disappointed. The German sausage, jalapenos, onions and sweet peppers left my tongue smoldering and satisfied. One dog was a complete meal and every customer seemed to have a similar opinion.

Can it get better? You bet. Amarillo hosts an independent league baseball team that plays at the ballpark near the fairgrounds. In summer you can eat at Moe’s and catch some great indie action. Add in that Moe’s sits smack in the middle of Amarillo’s Route 66 kitsch hub and you can make a great getaway of dogs, baseball and Americana. Check out the video below for more on Moe Dogs.

You can’t get gas there anymore, but you can still eat at Moe’s. A highly recommended Hot Dog Hot Spot.

Regional Dog Fight: Tampa vs Miami

It has been a while since my last post. Why you ask? Partly because it is the off season, but mostly because I have been editing my book. You know, the one you can’t wait to buy.

Since much of the nation is mired in cold weather and we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring training, what better time to turn the regional dogfight looking glass onto the teams of the Sunshine State? Everyone wants to be in warmer weather this time of year, so let your mind wander south as we test the toasted weenies of the Tampa Rays against their rivals on the peninsula the Miami Marlins.

It really is a tale of two cities. Miami in on the bejewelled south coast with all of its multicultural flair, food and festivities in a place as much noted for its nightlife as it is its weather. Across the state, situated on the Gulf of Mexico, is the much lower key town of Tampa. That may not be confusing, but consider this: the Tampa Rays actually play in the city of St. Petersburg. Miami has baseball’s newest and most modern ballpark that could be mistaken for a museum of modern art, while Tampa has an old dilapidated dome that could be mistaken for nothing but an old dilapidated dome. Perhaps the threat of hurricanes is the only equalizing factors for both the cities. Tampa does have one HUGE thing going for it: my brother lives about 45 minutes south of the city and he is related to me. When you are a city on the brink, having a close relative of a famous hot dog celebrity within an hour’s drive can make or break you.

So how did the sausage showdown of the south pan out?

Dog		Ballpark		Total Dog/Game
Bun	4	Location	4
Taste	5	Access	4
Toppings	1	Cleanliness	3
Price	4	Ambiance	2.5
Portability	2	GA Ticket Price	3
It Factor	2.5	Fans	3
	18.5		19.5	38

Dog		Ballpark		Total Dog/Game
Bun	5	Location	5
Taste	4.5	Access	5
Toppings	5	Cleanliness	5
Price	3.5	Ambiance	3
Portability	5	GA Ticket Price	3.5
It Factor	3.5	Fans	3
	26.5		24.5	51

What we have here is a good old fashioned blowout. The Marlins take the Rays to task in this matchup. The biggest reason is the ballpark's location and cleanliness. Miami's stadiums is located in Little Havana with good access and is spic and span. Tampa is located in the wrong city and out of the way and needs a hosing down (by a hose, not a hurricane). 

The killer for the dog portion was the toppings. If you read my blog on this you know that the lower levels in Tampa have a great selection of toppings, while the fans that bought the cheaper tickets have a very paltry pick. Not cool...and it cost them. 

But be not troubled, you can put the Florida dogs to test yourself, and soon. I  will be flitting about the Cactus League in Arizona this spring and testing the dogs, you can check out the Grapefruit League and let me know how those are. And if you want to leave now and wait for the pitchers and catchers report date while basking in the sun no one will blame you. Send me a postcard.