Maybe he's not the fool he claims to be.
Former owner/publisher/"head fool" of The Foolish Times Mike Miele just abandoned his newspaper gig, selling it right after it turned 10, so he can focus on his new hot dog cart, which is now permitted to patrol the transit plaza in downtown Monterey, as he does 11am-3:30pm Monday through Saturday.
In other words, he's living the dream.
He also makes the Weekly's list of best places to get down on a dog.
Here appear the top seven of the moment. Email your nominations to edible@mcweekly.com.
7. The Ice Box
This little summertime spot of sunshine (601-3633) at Mid Valley Shopping Center in Carmel Valley promotes its smoothies and juices most vigorously, but owner-operator Rachel Wahl has found perhaps her most loyal customers come for the hot dogs.
She does Miller’s dogs ($4.50) with a stacked condiment bar, and combos with chips and Mexican Cokes ($6.50). Simple excellence.
6. Nielsen Brothers Market
This Carmel-by-the-Sea institution (624-6441) has a man on the grill 10:30am-3pm daily. Star Weekly editorial intern Josh Marcus says the dogs are the reason he was late to class once a week; the hot and Polish varieties ($2.99) are spicy, crisp, and snappy, the franks ($2.99) the same as those served at Niner games.
5. A Plus Marina Quality Water
Even though they only do dogs Fridays through Sundays, this place (883-3915) gets points for 100-percent beef Miller dogs, plus quarter pounders ($3.75), still hefty regulars ($2.75) and a 10-item topping bar—plus bacon-wrapped beauties ($3.25-$4.25) at bargain rates.
Bonus points because of the funky mix of other offerings: mailbox rentals, filtered water, Gizdich Ranch pies and—just like Ice Box—Marianne’s Ice Cream, 32 flavors strong.
The native New Yorker actually got the secret recipe for the sauteed onion tomato sauce from a friend in Philly. It helps rally a healthy business starring all beef dogs as long as a foot ($5-$10) at the transit plaza.
The 1/2 pound, 12-inch "Kobe" beef monster ($10) is buttressed by Polish, andouille, Cajun, hot Italian, venison, lamb, buffalo and veggie offerings ($6-$7); a 100 percent beef 8-inch, quarter pounder steamed in beer ($5); and a 7-inch all-beef ($3). All the fixin's are included—two kinds of relish, two mustards, sauerkraut, raw onions, celery salt, ranch, ketchup, mayonnaise, peppeoncini, jalapeños, a cheddar and jack cheese blend—but the Duffy's chili is $2 extra. Chips and soda run $1 with a dog, or are free if you mention this blog.
3. Brophy’s Tavern
Mark Hyle quit his job as a builder to power through permitting hell with the county to set up his hot dog cart at Carmel Post Office in the Crossroads midday weekdays (11am-2pmish).
He sizzles onions with mild and spicy sausages, slices ’em open, melts on a slice of cheddar and packs the caramelized onions, sliced tomato and gherkin pickles on top for $3.50. Great flavor, great value. (Sodas are $1, chips $.75.)
Any place (633-6100) that serves a Prunedale Western with bacon, onion rings, choice of cheeses and barbecue sauce on a garlic toasted Coney Island-style bun is alright, even if it is more than $6 ($6.06).
But Diggitty's takes top honors because it also serves up arcade games, air hockey, floats ($2.49), BYOB banana splits ($2.99), a miniature carousel and a goofy motto (“Fun on a bun”). Here's to the youthful feeling only that formula can provide, even as hot dogs shorten our lives.
(1) comment
5 out of the 7 establishments are located in Carmel or Carmel Valley. I didn't realize they were such hot beds for hot dogs...or the author has a biased for the area.
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