The beginning of Spring in the Valley has long been marked by the arrival of Spring Training. With 15 teams arriving and playing in 8 of our Valley cities, there will be hordes of fans, locals along without-of-state visitors, making their way to the stadiums to watch their favorite Cactus League teams prepare for the official start of baseball season.
What goes hand in hand better with baseball than the tried and true American favorite hot dog? While your regular run of the mill hot dog may be suitable for an afternoon on the lawn during the game, we wanted to find the most stellar options available at your favorite restaurants. We searched and were able to form a list of the most magnificent “haute” dogs waiting for you just down the street.
Our Picks For 4 of the Best Hot Dogs in Scottsdale
Blue 32 Sports Grill
7000 E. Mayo Blvd.| Scottsdale| 480.631.3080
Looking for a great place to pop in and catch your favorite game while savoring your pint of choice along with a full and eclectic menu? Blue 32 is home to over 28 HD televisions that are guaranteed to be showing that sporting event you are looking for. Whether you have a craving for a juicy burger, a hearty soup or salad or a fresh cut steak, you’ll find just what you’re craving here. They also have several craft beers on tap as well as specialty cocktails and a variety of wines available.
What to order: 1/3 Pound Kobe Dog
When you are after a quality hot dog, there is only one choice here and there’s no need to look for any other varieties. This is all you need. This handheld hottie isn’t dressed with too many ingredients, just some onion and sweet pickles, and that’s perfectly fine. The flavor that comes through from the Kobe beef is so rich, likely due to the high marbling that is found in Kobe beef, and lightly salty. There is a firm bite to the casing that only adds to the overall experience. The sweetness from the onions and that subtle bite from the sweet pickles balance out the richness creating a perfect complement to this fancy frank.
Brat Haus
3622 N. Scottsdale Road| Scottsdale| 480.947.4006
The set up at Brat Haus is akin to a backyard party, adorned with white outdoor lights for ambiance, picnic table-like seating and outdoor games like bocce, ping pong, and life-sized Jenga. The truth is, if I were to be invited to a backyard party where the offerings were on par with the Brat Haus menu, I would have one friend and one friend only–for life. The folks behind the menu here are adamant about creating unique dishes with local ingredients that highlight their seasonal flavors. The thought that goes into each and every item is astounding and impressive. They have seven unique sausage plates as well as a build your own option with unexpected accouterments to experiment with.
What to order: The Umami Sausage Plate
The Umami begins with a ginger pork and chicken sausage. Those uniquely paired flavors are then intensified with the addition of ramen noodles that were prepared in a pork stock with miso, fish and soy sauces. On top of that, you’ll find a miso slaw along with house-made kimchi, scallions and a smattering of eel sauce. While no bun, regardless of how substantial, could ever hold up to the ingredients, you will find a Noble Bread bun under there, somewhere.
Simon’s Hot Dogs
4280 N. Drinkwater Blvd.| Scottsdale| 480.426.9218
Simon’s Hot Dogs is a relative newcomer to Scottsdale though they had established an impeccable reputation during their time in Sedona. In the few months they have been open, they have received rave reviews for their Columbian style hot dogs. While they will certainly entertain your request for a hot dog with mustard, they are doing some really interesting things in the toppings arena, and you will want to branch out and try them.
What to order: Tokyo Madness
You’ll start with your choice of frank, either beef or vegetarian and then the magic starts. Perched on top of your link of choice is a combination of teriyaki style onions, wasabi mayo and toasted sushi nori. You may think that the addition of the wasabi mayo would create a clear-your-nose spicy level, but it’s mild and not in the least bit overpowering. The sweetness of the onions and the saltiness of the nori added to the hint of wasabi create an unforgettable taste that may leave you scratching your head or perhaps ordering another to try to place it.
The Casablanca Lounge
7134 E. Stetson Drive| Scottsdale| 480.970.7888
Casablanca Lounge has a fun and eclectic vibe; there is a dark and mysterious speakeasy, a classy an open lounge and an inviting patio that offers gorgeous sunset views of the area. Your mood of the moment can determine which area to spend your evening, and the one thing that is solid regardless of your chosen backdrop is the service and quality you’ll receive. They offer a variety of craft beers, hand-crafted cocktails along with your expected wine and spirits. Casablanca believes in cocktails, culture and conversation, and with that said you’ll find a petite menu, mainly appetizers, that will allow you to enjoy those three C’s.
What to order: The AZ Dog
The AZ Dog is Casablanca’s take on the ever popular Sonoran dog. You’ll find a Tender Belly pork hot dog lovingly wrapped in bacon and then topped with relish, heirloom tomatoes, whole grain mustard and Cholula mayo on a brioche bun. The subtle saltiness of the double whammy of pork is cut slightly by the acid in the relish and tomatoes and the spicy creaminess of the mayo tones down the bite of the mustard, but only a little. You might think that you would miss the traditional toppings (like re-fried beans and cotija cheese) found on the original Sonoran dog, but the tweaks made here give this offering a personality all of its own.
This article was originally featured in the March 2016 issue of So Scottsdale Magazine.