Hot Diggity Delicious Dog

One day at Serious Eats, we got into a discussion about the food in Utah.  The conversation went something like this.  "And then we'll check out Finn's..."  I interrupt, "Don't bother, they're not that great.  Better ambiance than food.  What you should check out is J Dawgs."  The conversation continued into other arenas - such as the Utah Scone.  Did you know, apparently, that people have heard of the Utah Scone and Sconecutters?  Shudder.  Now, that would be embarrassing.  To have a Serious Eater fly all the way across the country to eat at Sconecutter's? Yikes.

J Dawgs Original Hot Dog Stand

What I'm really trying to say though, is that Utah has their own set of delicious things and a growing food scene.   And one of my favorites of those is J Dawgs.  Jayson Edwards, of J Dawgs fame, came up with the idea after coming home from serving an LDS mission in Toronto.  Hot dog carts were abundant in Toronto and when he returned to Utah, the lack thereof planted the idea of what was to be J Dawgs. 

So, why is J Dawgs so special?  The real winner for me is Jayson's "special sauce," a recipe that was passed down from his grandmother.  Jayson has made a few tweaks of his own, but the sweet barbecue sauce hits the salty dog just perfectly.  It's not terribly thick or gooey but more so an ambrosia glaze that trickles down the cross cuts in the dog.  Which leads me to the dog.  While J Dawgs doesn't create their own dog, they do reinvent the 100% all beef or Polish dogs on the grill.  The difference from a regular dog comes from the cross cutting which allows a bite burst with a little char on the side.  It's wonderfully delicious.  And to catch all that tongue pleasing juice?  Homemade buns from Provo Bakery made fresh every day just for J Dawgs.  They are pillowy, supple, and create the perfect cradle for the perfect innards of a hot dog.

J Dawgs Delicious Secret Sauce Hot Dog

If you want to get crazy, you can add banana peppers, onions, and sauerkraut.  I like to keep it simple.  Which, honestly, don't you want to keep it simple when the key ingredients are that good? 

J Dawg's is a steal at four bucks for a meal.  They have recently expanded from their cute roadside stand (which still operates) to the building aside.  Decor is retro inspired with silver tin lining the tables, barstools, and chairs.  A soda fountain offers supreme choices including beloved apple beer.  It would be interesting to see the level of caffeinated soda sold since this is one of the closest locations to offer caffeinated libations (BYU is a caffeine free campus.  Students have to brown bag it.) 

J Dawg's is like Christmas morning.  Excitement with a side of giddy when it arrives.  Only, your gifts are wrapped in tinfoil and the present inside is supremely biteable and tummy pleasing.  Merry Christmas.

Twenty Restaurants, Twelve Hours

Oh Twitter, I've grown to love you.  I judged you once, as many do, to be superficial and spacey.  I was wrong.  Well, mostly.  You satisfy the ADD in me better than just about anything out there...what?  Oh, well, almost.  Sometimes, you're still kinda slow.  But you also bring me wonderful news.  A week and a half ago a saw a little something on Twitter that made my heart happy.  Carey Jones, of Serious Eats fame, had let the possibility of a stop in Salt Lake City slip.

I was delighted.

Emails were exchanged, flights confirmed, and a restaurant list compiled.   And the day arrived.  Stretchy pants were worn.  My heart and stomach squealed with excitement and terror with each new edible encounter.  It was a fantastic day.  I was elated that I got to hang out with Carey for the day and assist in Serious Eats' success.  They are the best work family a girl/guy could ask for.  I'm providing the list of eateries we frequented that day.  Descriptions for each would result in an online novel so I'll spare you for now.  I will do you the honor of marking my top five* of the day.

Bon Apetit!

(Disclaimer: We ate at places that fit the chapters going into the Serious Eats book.  So don't be saddened that some of Salt Laker's favorite places are left out.  Also, we only had one day and we each only one one stomach.  A few bites or more at each place times 20 - you do the math.  10,000 calories?)

1. Banbury Cross
2. Les Madeleines*
3. The Park Cafe
4. Finn's
5. Eggs in the City
6. Tulie Bakery*
7. Tony Caputo's Market & Deli
8. Bruges Waffles & Frites*
9. Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana
10. Capo Gelateria
11. Chow Truck
12. Dolcetti Gelato*
13. The Back Door Deli
14. Cows
15. Maxwell's East Coast Eatery
16. Cafe Rio
17. The Cotton Bottom Inn
18. Busy Bee
19. The Copper Onion*
20. Nielsen's Custard