The history of where and how the hot dog truly came to be has been debated for quite some time now.
Whether it was some butcher in Frankfurt, Germany centuries ago or a housewife selling them on the streets of Saint Louis, I personally do not care. All that I care about is the fact that they do exist and that we get to enjoy them.
Since hot dogs have been a staple of my diet since I was a little lad, I always make it a point to look for hot dog centric restaurants wherever I am. Unfortunately this is not the easiest of tasks because of how specific it is. Sometimes though, you get lucky, as is the case here in Orlando. In my search for economical, tasty restaurants in the area I came across Hot Dog Heaven.
I won’t lie to you guys, I am always a little skeptical of an establishment where the name implies that it is the best in this life and maybe even the next; however, I do not know if I will find a better dog than this one when I am standing at heaven’s pearly white gates.
Hot Dog Heaven specializes in Chicago-style hot dogs. In my eyes they are the king that rules over all other forms of the hot dog and were the words that basically leapt out of my mouth before I could process the whole menu as I ordered.
Now there is a very specific list of ingredients that go into this masterful creation and this place definitely obeys those rules. They start off with a steamed poppy seed bun which is a nice break from the traditional plain bun and adds a little extra something to each bite. Then they add a 100% pure beef Vienna hot dog. Finally, there are the condiments which include mustard, onion, tomato, pickle, hot peppers, and the nearly luminescent neon green relish which is unique to the Chicago dog. The star of the show is without a doubt the hot dog though. It is juicy and delicious and when it is combined with the toppings and bun it is like someone setting off a flavor grenade in your mouth.
Have no fear though, the people who work here are incredibly kind and don’t be scared to ask to have some of the toppings that are not up your alley taken off your order. Also, this is not the only item on the menu! They have a large list of hot dogs that include the American cheese dog that is covered in melted, gooey American cheese, the chili dog slathered with house made chili, and even a jalapeno- cheddar dog where the hot dog is deep fried! How crazy is that?
All orders range from around $3.50 and $7.00 depending on the type of hot dog you order and whether you order it by itself or with the basket. I suggest the basket; it includes a side of baked beans, cole slaw, or macaroni salad as well as fries. I cannot stress enough how mouthwateringly delicious these fries are; they are golden, crispy, and perfectly salted on the outside with a soft, warm inside. Exactly how French fries are meant to be made.
If somehow you are still hungry after pounding down a couple of dogs, a side, and some fries they have a desert menu that definitely does not skimp on the delicious factor. There are the post-hot dog meal classics like milkshakes, root beer floats, and ice cream but if you really want to push the envelope, go for the cheesecake on a stick. I cannot think of many things more decadent then a piece of cheesecake coated in a luscious chocolaty shell.
Admittedly, this is not a restaurant that is for the health conscious. What they do have though they make sure to get top quality (they order all ingredients for their hot dogs from Chicago in an attempt to stay true to the products roots) and make it hot, to order, and with a little sprinkling of love. So whether you just love this classic that resonates in the hearts of so many or are taking a break from your diet, I highly recommend dropping by Hot Dog Heaven.
Here you can find the menu, news, location, and even a little bit of the story of how they came to be!
