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No ‘Dawg’ food at new eatery
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Also by Drew Goldblatt:
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- No 'Dawg' food at new eatery (October 28, 2008)
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Madison’s newly opened hot dog spot, The Dawg House, is State Street’s newest addition to its various lunch and late-night food stops. The Dawg House sports a menu boasting more than just hot dogs, though, offering corn dogs, beer battered brats, Polish sausages, gyros, Italian beef, cheeseburgers and chicken sandwiches in addition to sides like fries, onion rings and even cheese curds. With this impressive menu, The Dawg House is more than your standard hot dog joint.
My lunchtime experience at The Dawg House was enjoyable, yet a bit odd because I was the only person there, but this allowed for a quickly cooked and fresh meal. The server recommended their “Maxwell St. Chicago” hot dog, which I ordered with french fries and a small drink. Although the hot dog came loaded with onions, tomato, mustard, sport peppers, relish, a pickle and celery salt, the total for my entire lunch came to $7.75, which seems a bit steep of a price to pay for a hot dog lunch. The “Maxwell St. Chicago” hot dog alone is only $3.75, but with fries ($2.50) and a small drink ($1.50), the price of the meal quickly added up. The Chicago-style hot dog was only decent at best. The sport peppers fell off easily and the hot dog broke through the bun, making it tough to eat, but this is a natural experience when eating any classic Chi-town hot dog.
On my Saturday venture to The Dawg House for a late night (or early morning) meal, I was shocked, surprised and overjoyed to learn the establishment also offered cheeseburgers. Although the burger was simple, it was cooked when I ordered and resembled the same style of burger Five Guys boasts, but its taste paled in comparison. In essence, this was a simple burger and good at best. The fries, once again, were the best part of the meal because they were fresh out of the fryer and piping hot.
The Dawg House is located at 505 State St., formerly home to Madison’s favorite Russian dumpling spot, Pel’meni. This local joint used to hawk cheap, $5 boxes of dumplings with bread and sour cream and the comfort of good music coming from their record player. Although The Dawg House has managed to absorb some of these late niters, boasting weekend hours ‘til 4 a.m., it doesn’t even compare to Pel’meni’s eccentric style and simplicity. The well-varied menu makes it easy to go to with friends who want something more than a hot dog, but nothing on the menu is new to Madison. Pel’meni was a wild card, something out of the ordinary, which made going there an enjoyable experience.
The Dawg House has only added to what State Street already has to offer. All the items on the menu can easily be found at other locations on State Street and possibly at better quality. If you’re out late and nothing is open, The Dawg House won’t disappoint you, but it won’t make you go nuts either.
3 stars out of 5
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I miss Pel’Meni!
What is a sport pepper?
i had the hamburger and cheese curds and they were delicious! the author of this article talks more about pel meni than anything else… move on buddy… it’s gone!
Never will we let go of pel meni’s. Those who have had that experience know, BRING PEL MENI’S BACK!!!
Pel’Meni is gone and luckily the Dawg House took over so there isn’t a vacant building on State Street. I’m from Chicago and this Dawg House serves up one tasty Chicago hot dog. The price was very appropriate to other eateries on State Street and about 1/2 the price of a Chicago hot dog in Chicago. I can’t wait to go back! 5 out 5!
Please people. DO NOT BE CONFUSED as this is not affiliated with The Dogg Haus locations in Milwaukee.
I would hope not since they are spelled different. Thank you for pointing out the obvious. On a side note, I love the Dawg House and have only read biased reviews favoring an extinct restaurant. I mean, I love dinosaurs but they are gone so I will make due with the alligators we have left.