Some of my college friends introduced me to the Dog Haus about two years ago and in hindsight I’m lucky they did. The Dog Haus is inside what looks to have been an office building in a past life and even with the sign out front it can be easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. Thankfully, you can’t miss the line running out the door, a testament to how popular the Dog Haus is. And it deserves every bit of its reputation.
The first thing you’ll notice when you walk in is the atmosphere. The taller ceilings play with the upbeat music and raised bench tables to create a friendly & active feel – your ears will never want for attention. Neither will your nose, thanks to the kitchen being literally right next to the tables. The grills, prep station, and cooking line are all in full view behind chest-high glass, meaning you’ll be able to follow along with your Dog as it’s prepared. A minor point to appreciate, sure, but personally I’ve always enjoyed being able to watch the food creation process. It gives you something to look forward to!
Speaking of the food, the Dog Haus’ dishes are delicious and plentiful. A wall-length sign (formerly two full chalk boards!) sits high above the register when you walk in, showing off the wide variety of options available to toss on your hot dog. Want hash browns on that? Sure! How about onions, tobasco, & bell peppers? Done! Hell, one of my friends makes a point to get what effectively passes for an entire breakfast on his hot dog every time we go there (unsurprisingly, it's called The Lumberjack)! With over 30 different sides to add, your imagination's really the limit. If you want it, they can make it, even if it’s not on the menu. I would know – I once saw the owner spend the better part of half an hour working with two customers to make fried Ice Cream, when none of them actually knew how to make it!
For me, though, my favorite has always been the classic Chili Cheese Dog, which is what I got with +James Forest when we went last Friday. One bite was all it took to see that it was still as great as ever. The Hawaiian sweet roll that served as the bun was so soft I would swear it was fresh-baked, which proved a nice contrast to the thicker, juicy meat of the hot dog – remember, these are 1/3 or even ½ pound Dogs we’re talking about here! The Chili wasn't too thick and it wasn't too watery, striking exactly the kind of flavor & consistency balance you're looking for in a Chili that's used as the "side". And the cheese! Oh man, the cheese. You see, most places add cheese to a Chili Dog like it’s some kind of wallpaper project – slap on the yellow slab and go. Not the Dog Haus. They hand grate the sharp cheddar every day and sprinkle it both on top of and under the chili, giving you that nice sharp accent to the heavier flavors of the dish. And as a finishing touch, the Dog Haus layers on a sprinkling of onions and a light bed of mustard.
All in all, the Chili Cheese dog was delicious (if you can’t already tell!). A big offering at 10” with a nice coke-in-a-glass-bottle on the side made for exactly the afternoon snack I was looking for and exactly the kind of meal you should try out yourself sometime. I easily give the Dog Haus a 5/5 and would recommend it to anyone who calls themselves a fan of hot dogs, chili, or even just good old hang out food & fun. Just don't forget the napkins! You're gonna need 'em.
