Spring Break
On-campus hot dog venues satisfy eaters
REVIEW
Kevin Yuen
Daily Staff Writer
| |
|
The answers to the first two are easy. "Who cares" and "No."
The third, however, is a difficult one.
Now for a breakdown of each - the Fourth Street stand and the 10th Street stand.
Fourth Street
Hot dog - $2.50
Polish sausage - $3
Hot link - $3
Specials:
Jumbo hot dog, can soda, chips: $4
Polish or hotlink, can soda, chips: $4.50
Although averaging a dollar more in price compared to the 10th Street stand, the Fourth Street hot dog stand boasts high-quality sausages. Unlike its competition, there is a visual difference between the stand's normal hot dogs and its more expensive polish sausages and hot links.
The hot dogs themselves are firm and go down smoothly. The polish sausages are large and bulging, bursting with seasoning. The hot links are extreme. They hit hard and fast, burning through the throat and leaving no taste buds behind.
Located right outside of Washington Square Hall on Fourth Street for the last seven years, the stand is quiet, and the owners said business has been better than in the past. The condiments offered are standard, including ketchup, mustard, relish, onions and sauerkraut.
Kevin Chan, a freshman eating a hot dog with ketchup, mustard and relish, said it was this stand's proximity to his classes that drew him to the Fourth Street hot dog stand.
"Sometimes I wake up late," he said, "so I come here and get a hot dog for breakfast."
Chan, who said he has eaten at both stands, said the service he received at the two were great.
"The 10th street stand (owners) are a lot nicer though," he said.
Dance instructor Joan Walton teaches a class in Washington Square Hall and said she eats a few hot dogs per semester.
"It's here, it's convenient," she said, chomping on a hot dog with ketchup. "But it's not healthy - but we can work up to healthy."
Walton enjoyed the service of the couple that runs the Fourth Street stand.
"She's so delightful, so friendly," she said. "I try to support the couple."
10th Street
Hot dog - $2
Polish sausage - $2
Hot link - $2.50
Specials:
Can soda, chips, banana, hot dog: $3.25
50-cent sodas with purchase of dogs
Sporting a blue umbrella, the 10th Street hot dog stand benefits from its convenient, high-traffic location - right outside of the 10th Street garage. The shady surroundings complement the casual cuisine, and the stand seems very popular.
The hot dogs are similar to the Fourth Street stand's, though a bit spongier. The polish sausages, however, seem chunky and nasty, with globs of fat stuck in for pockets of flavor.
The hot link is larger than both the polish and hot dog, and is spicy, with a delayed, jabbing bite. Though not as strong as the Fourth Street hot links, the 10th Street stand gives the option to kick up the flavor with jalapeños and hot sauce, as well as the standard ketchup, mustard, onions, relish and sauerkraut.
Senior English major Marissa Peralez said she and her friend meet for lunch once a month at the stand on 10th Street, which has stood strong for the last eight years.
"I love them," said Peralez, munching on a dog with mustard, ketchup and relish. "We think they're the best hot dogs we've ever eaten, and we've been to many places."
Gilbert Gonzalez, a junior eating a hot dog with onions, relish, ketchup and mustard purchased at the 10th Street stand, said he thought both stands had great service.
"Both stands seem pretty similar," he said. "(The Fourth Street) guy seems a little nicer. He always says, 'What's up?' "
Gonzalez said he was eating at the 10th Street stand because of convenience.
Rachel Mayo, a prospective student from Tel Aviv, Israel, has only been in San Jose for two days and purchased her first United States hot dog at the 10th Street stand.
"The hot dog is not so good - I won't be back," said Mayo, eating a mangled, picked-at hot dog. "The hot dogs back home are better."
Suzanne Sundoln, who works in the human resources department, said she treks all the way from Seventh Street to purchase her lunch, preferring the 10th Street stand over the Fourth Street stand.
"I love this place," said Sundoln. "Whenever I
can get away, I come here."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
anonymous852
anonymous852
posted 1/12/05 @ 5:15 PM EST
From what I recall, I believe the vendor stands receive their food stock from the same distributor? Is this not the case? Therefore, food quality and specs should be identical and the difference in price should only reflect the advantages of the geographic location. (Continued…)
Post a Comment