Yes, that's the typical Rhode island style of "New York System" or Coney you'll find throughout the central and western part of the state and into the southeastern Massachusetts. Thin hot dog (pork/sometimes mixed with veal) with mustard and a ground beef meat sauce, mildly spiced (developed by Greeks, so similar to Cincinatti Chili sauce), with chopped onions, celery salt, steamed bun. They're often called "Gaggers" since you'll gag a whole bunch down : its typical that people will order 4 or more at a time. Washed down with Coffee Milk, another Little Rhodey specialty!
Great piece, Robert. I was not familiar with Coney Island Lunch, but am definitely interested in giving them a try. The standard toppings you mentioned caught my eye in particular. I'm from outside of Allentown, PA and the standard hot dog order in the Lehigh Valley also calls for chili, mustard and onions.
I'm curious if you've ever been to the Allentown area, and if you've tried Yocco's or the handful of other local hot dog shops in the region? If you'll excuse the pun, Yocco's is the big dog in town and was founded ages. Because the Lehigh Valley is made up of a few different distinct towns/cities that have all grown together, there's lot of arguments about which neighborhood shop has the best dogs.
If you're ever in the area or passing through while heading west, you should definitely stop for a dog! I live in NYC now, but always go to Yocco's for 2 dogs with "everything" and an order of pierogies when I visit home.
This comment is very good timing! I am actually going to pass through Allentown next weekend and planned to give Yocco's a try. Where else should I go? And why does Allentown seem to have so many hot dog joints?
That's awesome! There are a couple others in the area that would probably be worth checking out. The main rival for hot dog supremacy is Potts' Hot Dogs, which has a handful of locations throughout the area and many vocal fans. I think they use the Berks dogs you wrote about too. The other big one is Jimmy's, I believe their whole thing is that they put a pickle spear in the bun with the hot dog. This article is a few years old, but has some good info: https://www.paeats.org/news/2016/lehigh-valley-hot-dog-tour/
As far as WHY there are so many, I'm not entirely sure. My theory is that it likely started with Yocco's success in Allentown. Word would've traveled throughout the region leading to other dog shops popping up in Bethlehem (Potts) and Easton (Jimmy's). And then as the area grew into the "Lehigh Valley", you have these shops now competing more directly with each other and people picking sides. But again, just a theory!
BTW, the local soda company is called "A-Treat" and I know they used to have a birch beer. Not sure if they still make it, but their black cherry and grapefruit sodas were great too!
What a great article! I am flummoxed by the fact that Coney Island has nothing to do with these dogs, along with the Texas Hot thing not being from Texas. Here in Syracuse, many people call white hot dogs "coo-knees". They also have a local dog called a "snappy griller".
You did the kind of research I've done for cocktails. It is amazing how many iterations of food and beverage can be made into a regional thing.
It is indeed amazing! The Snappy Griller is a Hoffman product and the equivalent of Zwiegle's White Hot in Rochester. I love Heid's in Syracuse. Are there other good hot dog places there?
The burger is kinda amazing. I believe they deep fry them. There are many other things on the menu, too. I'm surprised this place never rated a mention on "The Office," it's such a local landmark.
Love this! First I've heard of the Hot Texas Weiner although we sometimes sell a vegan Texas Tommy (bacon wrapped dog with cheese) on our cart. Interestingly it was also invented in Pennsylvania! Thanks for the info on birch beer, btw. I ordered some in and it's selling well here in Kansas. Keep the hot dog articles coming!
We’re going to Skyline the next time you’re in Louisville!
I love Skyline.
I’ve never been to Scranton but now I’d like to visit. How does the sauce compare to the meat sauce on Rhode Island Coneys?
Do you mean like Olneyville New York System? That's the only RI dog I've tried so far.
Yes, that's the typical Rhode island style of "New York System" or Coney you'll find throughout the central and western part of the state and into the southeastern Massachusetts. Thin hot dog (pork/sometimes mixed with veal) with mustard and a ground beef meat sauce, mildly spiced (developed by Greeks, so similar to Cincinatti Chili sauce), with chopped onions, celery salt, steamed bun. They're often called "Gaggers" since you'll gag a whole bunch down : its typical that people will order 4 or more at a time. Washed down with Coffee Milk, another Little Rhodey specialty!
To me, the defining trait of that style is the celery seed. Sets it apart!
Agreed!
Great piece, Robert. I was not familiar with Coney Island Lunch, but am definitely interested in giving them a try. The standard toppings you mentioned caught my eye in particular. I'm from outside of Allentown, PA and the standard hot dog order in the Lehigh Valley also calls for chili, mustard and onions.
I'm curious if you've ever been to the Allentown area, and if you've tried Yocco's or the handful of other local hot dog shops in the region? If you'll excuse the pun, Yocco's is the big dog in town and was founded ages. Because the Lehigh Valley is made up of a few different distinct towns/cities that have all grown together, there's lot of arguments about which neighborhood shop has the best dogs.
If you're ever in the area or passing through while heading west, you should definitely stop for a dog! I live in NYC now, but always go to Yocco's for 2 dogs with "everything" and an order of pierogies when I visit home.
This comment is very good timing! I am actually going to pass through Allentown next weekend and planned to give Yocco's a try. Where else should I go? And why does Allentown seem to have so many hot dog joints?
That's awesome! There are a couple others in the area that would probably be worth checking out. The main rival for hot dog supremacy is Potts' Hot Dogs, which has a handful of locations throughout the area and many vocal fans. I think they use the Berks dogs you wrote about too. The other big one is Jimmy's, I believe their whole thing is that they put a pickle spear in the bun with the hot dog. This article is a few years old, but has some good info: https://www.paeats.org/news/2016/lehigh-valley-hot-dog-tour/
As far as WHY there are so many, I'm not entirely sure. My theory is that it likely started with Yocco's success in Allentown. Word would've traveled throughout the region leading to other dog shops popping up in Bethlehem (Potts) and Easton (Jimmy's). And then as the area grew into the "Lehigh Valley", you have these shops now competing more directly with each other and people picking sides. But again, just a theory!
BTW, the local soda company is called "A-Treat" and I know they used to have a birch beer. Not sure if they still make it, but their black cherry and grapefruit sodas were great too!
My work is cut out for me.
What a great article! I am flummoxed by the fact that Coney Island has nothing to do with these dogs, along with the Texas Hot thing not being from Texas. Here in Syracuse, many people call white hot dogs "coo-knees". They also have a local dog called a "snappy griller".
You did the kind of research I've done for cocktails. It is amazing how many iterations of food and beverage can be made into a regional thing.
It is indeed amazing! The Snappy Griller is a Hoffman product and the equivalent of Zwiegle's White Hot in Rochester. I love Heid's in Syracuse. Are there other good hot dog places there?
There used to be Salt City Dogs, and even Hoffman's had a few places in town, but they've all closed. Heid's is the last one standing.
I still don‘t really like hot dogs, but I like this story. Am intrigued by the burger.
The burger is kinda amazing. I believe they deep fry them. There are many other things on the menu, too. I'm surprised this place never rated a mention on "The Office," it's such a local landmark.
Love this! First I've heard of the Hot Texas Weiner although we sometimes sell a vegan Texas Tommy (bacon wrapped dog with cheese) on our cart. Interestingly it was also invented in Pennsylvania! Thanks for the info on birch beer, btw. I ordered some in and it's selling well here in Kansas. Keep the hot dog articles coming!
I was wondering about how the birch beer was doing at your place. Glad to hear it’s popular. What are people’s first reactions to it?
Confusion then pleasure. LOL. I think the wintergreen taste at the end is what gets them. We serve the Boylan Creamy Red.
Coolio!