A Giant Stage Prop Hot Dog from the Band Phish
No Fooling. It really is National Hot Dog Month.
(But I’m also including all kinds of sausages)
Although a big juicy dog is fine any old time of year, there is just something about summer that screams out thick Polish or kielbasa versions, aromatic Italian sausages with grilled peppers, Chicago style, beer wursts, smoky red hots, brats of all kinds (brown mustard and kraut with mine please), long curvy Coney island dogs served with all the fixings, and the list goes on and on. If you are lucky you’ll even be able to find Vietnamese, Chinese and Thai or Lao versions; the latter highly seasoned with things like garlic, ginger and/or lemon grass. I also enjoy a good corn dog or two every summer at specialty carts found at fairs and festivals. Vegans and vegetarians can even find some pretty good meatless varieties.
Of course hot dogs and food carts go hand n’ hand, and Portland has a good selection scattered about from the fancy Altengartz, to the no-nonsense Matlock’s empire, to the more BBQ focused Smokin Pig, to the Jamison Park Staple of NW Hotdog. There’s even a new hot dog cart or two in Portland’s ever burgeoning cart scene.
So relax, put on those bermuda shorts, flip flop sandals and wayfayer sunglasses and get yourself a dog, but don’t forget the sun screen. Summer is here. Finally.
Note: The above photo is a car-sized Hot Dog stage prop used by the band Weezer Phish and displayed at the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Price of admission was a whopping $17.00. And that’s all I’m gonna say about it. I did have an excellent bratwurst though at the Cleveland Westside Public Market at this venerable stand. Man, I wish Portland had brats like that one. Best bratwurst ever.
Oh, and will someone please tell me where I can get Stadium Mustard in Portland? I love that stuff.
That hot dog is actually from the band Phish; the Weezer prop is the =w= above the gift shop.
As an ex-Clevelander, nice to see the West Side Market get some props. And I do miss Stadium Mustard so.
Thanks JG for pointing out who the giant hot dog belongs to, that has been corrected. I suppose I should have known since there is also a GIANT stage prop of French Fries in a carton and a Giant Soda cup with Phish written on the side right below it. I don’t know about you but of course the first thing I think of when I think of Phish is a giant hot dog. Weezer too for that matter. I missed the Weezer ‘W’ though. I must have been to distracted looking at all the t-shirts, posters and crap in the gift shop.
Anyway, I am still on the hunt for Stadium mustard in Portland. If I find some I’ll let you know. Portland hot dog vendors take note, that Beaver mustard just doesn’t cut it. Get some Stadium mustard. That stuff is the bomb.
Have you checked the ginormous mustard selection at Kenny & Zuke’s? If they don’t already have it, I’m willing to bet that Nick will order some.
The first person that finds me Stadium Mustard in Portland will win a gift certificate to Powells Books.
Dog food is very important
Go to http://www.stadiummustard.com and you can order it directly from them.