Waiting For The Show

I was waiting around for the pool to open up so I took a walk around Cohoes. Not that long of a walk - really just went around a block. But there was enough in that one block that has me wanting to go back with my camera and appetite. Hit up the Bicycle Barn which didn't have what I was looking for (rats); checked out the market across the street (and it really is what I picture a small urban-ish market to be); and looked up the hours of the diner (which I will eat at eventually).

There's a little park, which I guess is called Canal Square. If the sign isn't a giveaway... well, whatever. Anyways, I was looking at the list of bands when I saw the hot dog cart. A hot dog cart! In Cohoes! I don't know about you, but it just seemed out of place. But it was tempting. And it was a buck, so I caved.

Had a quick chat with the lady running the cart and she told me how her and her husband would work the square and the pool, but for health reasons gave up the pool and just work the Friday shows. She also let me know that they won't be selling next week because they're going to do some Indian Powwow. Then she joked that she might have a hot dog too... before she gets hot dogged out.

Broadway Lunch (Schenectady, NY)

This weekend was a whirlwind of errands, and a quick stop into Schenectady to try a famous hot dog.

Move Over, Sauerkraut

“Hey, is there anymore of that atchara left?”

My sister had the ingenious idea of topping her hot dog with some pickled green papaya. I’m used to eating it with fried fish, and never thought about having it on a hot dog. But it makes sense… sour for a sour, and unlike most kraut out there, the atchara is crunchy and has just a hint of heat.

Yes, Sis eats her hot dogs with ketchup AND mustard. Her thoughts on the Filipino substitution?

“Hmm. That’s interesting.”

Not really a vote of confidence, but it’ll do.

Atlantic City!

The same weekend my classmate held her graduation party (which must have been two weeks ago), Mags, M and I took a bus ride down to Atlantic City. It was one of those deals where you pay a certain amount, and you get a certain mount back in vouchers. As you can see, we got $25 to gamble with, $5 to eat... and it only worked with those specific places.

I'm really not into gambling, but I gave it a go... and I won! Thirty bucks! Mags won over forty, and M got about eight. That took about two hours, and by the time the cash out ticket had been printed, we were famished. We didn't know where to go, but we definitely wanted to hit up the Boardwalk.

On our way to the exit, we found Nathan's. It was on the voucher list, so we placed our orders. M and I had to pay a little more out of pocket, but whatever. I got the fish sandwich combo, M got cheese fries.

Sat outside and did some people watching. We ran into some people from our bus and found out one of them won a grand on the slot machines! I wish I had that luck.

Nathan's was right next to a Rain Forest Cafe, a restaurant I haven't seen in a long time. They used to have one in the Palisades Mall, but that was years ago... and was replaced with a Cheesecake Factory. The two times I went to Rain Forest I liked it, and was curious about trying it again... but I guess that'll have to be for next time.

Didn't have to walk too far on the boardwalk before spotting out this sign. They run all along the boardwalk, and look like the Monopoly cards. Mags and I kicked off our shoes, and we decided to walk a bit on the sand. M followed, but I know he wasn't happy about it (how can you not be a beach person?!?). The water was ice cold, and walking underneath the pier... in the shade... on wet sand. My feet were numb.

We finally made it back onto the boardwalk (I totally forgot about those burr things) and decided to walk around off strip. M and I had been talking about picking up some salt water taffy, and hello... just happen to see this.

Along with taffy, they also sold a variety of candies and sea foam fudge. I meant to ask what sea foam fudge is... another thing to do next time.

We bought about a pound of taffy, in all different flavors. I like the peppermint and green apple ones best. M still has the candy, that is, if he didn't finish them already.

No reason behind this, other than I thought it was funny.

If you need plans for MDW, there will be a hot dog eating contest in Atlantic City! It is being held at the Trump Plaza Beach Bar May 29th at 2:00pm. According to the description, AC is one of the stops on the hot dog eating contest tour.

A Tale of Two Coneys

So Michigan has this thing with Coney Island. Not that it has to do with Nathan's or the famous hot dog eating contest, they just like the name. They like that name so much that there are places called Coney Island's. They're really diners but they're called Coney Island's.

I don't get it. M tried to explain it to me once, but come on... it's a diner.

So they have eating establishments called Coney Island's. And in these establishments you can order a Coney dog, or Coney. The Coney is a hot dog topped with mustard, onions, and Coney sauce. Depending where you're at, the Coney is different. Flint style is not the same as Detroit. Detroit is more about the sauce, Flint is more about the meat.

Hey... it's a chili dog.

Damn you regional names!

Anyways, that Coney up there? M, MB, and I ended our night at some Coney Island. I was just going to get fries (my drinking food of choice) but it was there and I had to try it. If you can see in the picture, this was straight up Flint style- the sauce is on the dry side.

I made it half a bite before I realized I couldn't eat it. It could have been the dog, or it could have been the alcohol, but yuck. I was going to wrap it up to give to the dogs (hey... it was M's suggestion) but our waitress was nowhere to be found.

EDIT: According to Wiki, the Coney sauce is made with beef hearts. Perhaps that is the reason why I couldn't eat it?

This Coney is from CJ's. The Coney sauce on here looks to be in between Flint and Detroit style. Or maybe it was regular ol' chili... since it is a chili dog. Whatever style this dog was, it was edible and I scarfed that sucker down.

I had it with a burger, which was also scarfed down.

Nathan's (Yonkers, NY)

Normally I see Nathan's in the mall. But a stand alone? In Westchester no less?

A and I went estate sale shopping over in Scarsdale and on the way back she wanted to hit up Nathan's for lunch.

The store is ginormous. It is big enough to have a children's play area and arcade. And not only is Nathan's sold there, but also Arthur Treacher's and generic pizza (which was closed). A ordered the hot dog combo, and I stuck to the meatless Friday rule and ordered a Fish sandwich. Not too bad.