Jul 21, 2008 6:53 pm US/Central
Celebrating Hot Dogs By Turning Back Prices
(WCCO)
With prices for gas and food prices on the rise, you can't blame folks for looking for a deal. That's what one restaurant is offering for National Hot Dog Day.
Sitting on a quiet corner in South Minneapolis, Chris and Rob's serves up all things Chicago. But Monday, it was also serving up deals: 5 cents for a Chicago Dog to celebrate National Hot Dog Day.
The lunch line stretched through the door but most of these folks were actually regulars.
"They're beautiful, they're fantastic," according to Curt Carlson, who drove from Shakopee to taste his favorite franks.
"My wife says 'You're driving all that way to get a hot dog?,'" said his friend, Jim Whitney. "And I said 'Yep.'"
The dog deal actually costs $3.37 with tax, because you need to buy fries or tater tots, and a soda, to get the nickel dog at a restaurant that's actually doing pretty well in a tough economy.
"We've seen a little bit of a decline in our lunch business," said co-owner Rob Dubnecay. "We think that's kind of where people were taking the extra, was going out more times at lunch time. But our dinners have been at a dramatic increase, and I think that's just because their dollar goes further."
Still, it turns out most of his customers are looking for taste, rather than value.
"I'm a connoisseur of hot dogs," said John Scharffbillig of Eagan. "I've had hot dogs all over the world, and by far this is the best outside of Chicago."
But is it the best deal? Scharffbillig also frequents the dome on dollar dog nights, so we asked for his expert opinion.
"Oh, nickel by far, by far," he said. "Not the mammoth size but it's got better flavor. Much better."
Incidentally, they picked the price because hot dogs cost a nickel when Chicago hosted the World Fair in 1933.
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