New York Dawg Pound

Before I begin this post, I just want to say that there is nothing wrong with shoving one's face full of hot dogs at 11 o'clock in the morning. It's a perfectly reasonable thing to do, and it is a practice that many people do on a regular basis. Note: By "many", I mean 3 people: me and my friends Stephen and Brett.

That said, let me tell you about a little place called New York Dawg Pound. It's a hot dog joint - itself just a short drive from Shawnee Mission Kia, which, as we all know, is "just a short drive...Shawnee Mission Parkway and I-35!" Yes, thank you fake-early-90s-Creed-Wannabe-Ad Jingle Man...but, we all know the last of the great ad jingle writers were Jesse Katsopolis and Joey Gladstone from TV's Full House (see proof on YouTube: Kitty Krispies!).

Yes, the New York Dawg Pound is conveniently located just east of I-35 along Shawnee Mission Parkway. It's a little hard to see off the road, but my Hot Dog radar was in top form as always, leading me to the front door promptly at 11 a.m.

I just couldn't wait to sink my teeth into some good old-fashioned all-beef specialty dogs. Besides, eating lunch at noon is for the birds. Long lines, worse traffic, rumbling stomach...not worth it. Early is the new on-time. Trust me.

Anyway, New York Dog Pound has received some good buzz recently in the local media. Ever since it opened a few weeks ago, I've wanted to check it out, despite the fact that I don't like it when restaurants in Kansas City name themselves after another city or state. I think it hurts my willingness to tell people from out of town about it...it just seems to suggest we are wannabes. Am I alone on this line of thought? Let me know your take. However, I do admit that I'm fully willing to tell anyone from anywhere that KC is home to Oklahoma Joe's. So I'm sure I will get over the name thing pretty quick for this place too.

So, there we were...Brett, Stephen and I mulling over the overhead menu. As you would expect, it's an order at the counter type place. By the time you pay, your dogs are ready for you. I like that speedy service. And man was the product GLORIOUS!

I ordered "The Bronx" combo meal, which allowed me acces to 2 "signature dawgs", one small side and a drink. I, of course, added another "signature dawg" to my order for good measure - bringing my total hot dog count to 3.

My "dawgs" of choice were the Bulldawg (chili, cheese, mustard, onions), the Spike (sauerkraut, onions in hot sauce, spicy mustard), and the Buttercup (basically a Chicago-style dog). My side was onion straws...which were salty, and nothing to write home about (or write a blog about, for that matter).

Whoops, forgot to take the picture before I inhaled the "Spike" Dawg.

However, the onion straws were not my focus. I'm sure if I settle down with them and we spent some quality time together, I would have a lot more good things to add...but I wanted to concentrate my efforts on the three dogs in front of me (boy, if I had a nickel for everytime I said that line!).

All three dogs were incredible. All were anchored by Nathan's Famous all-beef dogs, and all were well dressed and presented perfectly. My favorite was, surprisingly, the Spike - which is touted as a "New York Style" dog. I was a little nervous about the "onions in sauce," since I'm not normally a fan of onions not heavily fried and presented in decending size on a Tetherball Pole at Fiorella's Jack Stack. However, that was the best part of the dog. I was glad I took the risk.

For dessert, I'd recommend (on sight only...I didn't have room to eat it myself) the "Cool Dog." Which appeared to be a hot dog-shaped ice cream dessert.

Downsides, you ask? I really couldn't find any. The owner magically appeared when it was time to ring up my order. He looked at my three dogs and was impressed. I assume that normal people stop after ordering 1 or 2. Although, he said 5 was the record. FYI...I could eat 5 in my sleep if I really wanted to. Any takers?

The menu is diverse (not really). They have lots and lots of hot dog options, though. A bunch of which I wish I could have tried on this first trip, but am excited to return to try the others. (See you soon hot dog with peanut butter and bacon...and you too hot dog with bacon, egg and cheese.)

I'd like to take a quick minute to compare New York Dawg Pound to Dog Nuvo, which is a similar hot dog joint located at about 17th and Main - directly next door to Barkley (the ad agency) and across the street from Bazooka's, not that I know where that place is. For the more casual sinner, you may know the location as being the spot vacated by Souper Man. Actually, now that I think of it, "Barkley's" would be a much better name for a hot dog place than Dog Nuvo. But who am I to judge.

My friend Brett and I agreed, Dog Nuvo's challa buns (basically pretzel bread) are absolutely unbeatable and amazing. It is a perfect setting for their crispy all-beef Frankfurter dogs with their natural casing still on them, which gives them that "snap." They also make their own krauts and mustards (all sorts of flavors). Dog Nuvo is definitely more "upscale" that NYDP, with table service (oh wait, that's Bazooka's.) No, they really do have table service with a waiter, and it is much pricier...too pricey for my blood (pressure).

So for my buck, New York Dawg Pound wins by a foot-long-coney, which speaking of, was absent from both places' menus. Boo! Anyway, New York Dawg Pound just offers me a little bit more, plus the price is half what Dog Nuvo charges.

When it comes to hot dogs, I'm a simple man. Give me an all-beef dog, give me a bun, and give me access to all the topics known to man, and do it without charging too much, and I will be happy. New York Dawg Pound delivered. And I left a happy man...and a proud man, for the gents I ate with couldn't match me dog-for-dog. Maybe next time...and oh, yes, there will be a next time.

Happy Eating!

- BTF

P.S. Editor's Note: Feel free to vote on where I should eat this week by clicking on the poll I've created on the left column! Thanks for reading!