New hotdog joint in Riverside

[Brian Siebenschuh]

So after writing that post, a chili dog sounded damn good, and I made a quick drive over to AD, making sure to put my earplugs in as I passed the Loft :-)

Figured arriving an hour and 15 minutes before closing was early enough, but apparently not.  Having been there before, I wasn't deterred by the abandoned host stand (that a restaurant like this shouldn't even have) and made the long, winding trek to the bar, where I was greeted by several employees that were seated at the bar.

"I was thinking I'd get something to go, and maybe a beer while I wait?"

"Well, the kitchen is closed" (ouch) "but you're welcome to have a beer" (in our empty restaurant, while we clean up around you).

This doesn't bode well.

[peestandingup]

Ah, the old "we're open until this specific time, but not really" kinda thing that's so famous down here. Ugh.

[respman]

The hotdogs are Hebrew National and the sausages are Azars.

[thelakelander]

I had a chili dog today. It was pretty good to me. There was also a decent crowd when I was there. With that said, its a place that I'd visit again.

[02roadking]

Pretty decent Italian sausage dog with grilled onions & peppers. Fries, not bad. The bowl of jambalaya? Not any good at all. They were fairly busy after the Luminary too.

[mtraininjax]

These folks better make hay while the sun shines, cause when Pele opens, and the Carmine-mexican, they are going to be in for a long road. I heard the sausages are average from the place, and yeah the whole stigma of what used to be there, still hangs around. Nice paint job though!

[TPC]

I've eaten there 3 times already and I's pretty good. At first you may think a $5 dog is pricey but you load it up with tons of toppings, grilled onions, tomatoes, peppers, chili, cheese etc.. and they come with a side of fries so it's actually reasonably priced. Plus they have vegetarian options, veggie dogs and carrot dogs.

It's a nice change from the pizza or sushi restaurants opening in Riverside. My only negatives are the decor and overall look and feel of the place. I mean if it was remotely as cool as Franks in Austin, I think it would draw a lot of people in. http://hotdogscoldbeer.com/

[AKIRA]

I ate there for the first time during the Luminaries.  They were quite busy due to a party in the back bar area.  It threw them a bit since they still working out the kinks in their  system, as all new restaurants are prone to need to do.  I don't mind some hiccups when I'm just paying $6 or so for a meal, which was good.   

I don't think Pele's will affect them at all.  Pele's looks like its going to be a higher end sort of thing.

I am kinda surprised they are across the street from European Street... their business plan, with it's emphasis on sausages, beer, and wine is pretty close to Euro St.

Here's to hoping the location itself isn't cursed, as it seems to be.  And heres more hoping that an Indian place will eventually find it's way over there somewhere...

[Dog Walker]

Please, please, somebody open a good Indian restaurant in Riverside.  Even a little take-out curry stand would be welcome if the food was good and they served nan with the curry.

[jtwestside]

My wife and I ate here last Friday (16th) and there was actually a pretty good crowd. I had the breakfast for dinner which was pretty freaking good. I don't remember what my wife had but she seemed to like it. I'd recommend trying it out.

FWIW I was really craving some yogurt and sushi (which is why we were headed to the yogurt and sushi district), but I'm glad my wife convinced me to go here.

[ben says]

Please, please, somebody open a good Indian restaurant in Riverside.  Even a little take-out curry stand would be welcome if the food was good and they served nan with the curry.

Stop teasing me...

I spoke to the owners of India's Restaurant on Baymeadows (best Indian around, IMO). I told them Riverside is craving an Indian restaurant and has been for years: it's a potential goldmine. He (the owner) was under the impression that Riverside doesn't have the population or the demand for an Indian restaurant...essentially told me it wasn't a good business decision. Quite a shame.

[Lucasjj]

I have still been hearing that Cozy Tea will be taking on more or another space to be able to serve food regularly.

[PeeJayEss]

I've been to A-Dog a couple times now and I like it. The dogs are pretty big, and there's a decent variety of veg options as well. Most toppings are free and you can do whatever you want with them, so there's plenty of room for creativity. They have a veggie dog and a carrot dog. Not sure about the carrot dog, but the veggie dog was pretty good approximation of the already barely-meat product. The bar in the back is pretty cool, albeit "cozy," and the dining area is a bit awkward. The out-front seating is pretty nice, and the back patio, if they manage to work around code and get it opened, should be great. Its an awesome space.

Decent beer selection, good reasonably-priced food (portions are large, so don't be intimidated paying $5 for a hot dog). Service could use an upgrade, but thats probably more a growing pains issue. Not a bad place to watch a game. With Jackson's closed, this will probably be the go-to for happy hour (they have a happy hour deal: spend $5 and get a free beer - basically get a beer with a hot dog or app order).

Will Pele's have a proper bar?

[fieldafm]

Will Pele's have a proper bar?

Full liquor bar and a grip of taps. 

With Jackson's closed

A mexican restaurant is about to back-fill that space.



Are the dogs at Alphadog all beef dogs, someone mentioned Hebrew National... is that correct?

[respman]

Yes. The hot dogs are Hebrew National and the Sausages are Azars. The veggie dogs are Smart Dogs by lightlife and the carrot dogs are... well, carrots.