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I'm always on the lookout for a new hot dog stand. I can truly state that I've never met a hot dog that I didn't love, and I especially enjoy purchasing hot dogs from small carts and other small-time vendors. Don't get me wrong, I patronize sit-down restaurants that sell hot dogs, as witnessed by some of the articles that I've published, but I especially enjoy visiting small-time vendors, that sell hot dogs from a cart or a stand. To me, the informal, outdoor atmosphere makes the hot dog taste even better...
Photo: Hot Dog Island is housed inside a compact trailer, and towed to the location. Note the screened seating. I arrived a little after 10 in the morning, and Michele was still setting up the restaurant. Hot Dog Island is a unique operation, in that it's housed inside a small trailer that's been converted into a kitchen, and the business is located out in the country, near Blodgett Reservoir and the Sacramento Country Refuse Disposal Site. Hot Dog Island was founded back in 2007 by Dave Fox, but recently turned it over to his daughter, Michelle Borrego. The business was originally located in Fair Oaks, but they ended up moving out in the county due to issues with the town of Fair Oaks, and the City of Sacramento. Michele pointed out to me that the City of Rancho Cordova is much "friendlier" to the small entrepreneur, but considering the remote location of Hot Dog Island, you'd never know that the business calls Ranch Cordova Home. Hot Dog Island is open from around 10:30 a.m. to around 5 in the afternoon. On weekends, Michelle and her dad work special events in the area. Michele told me that she sets up shop in the same location, unless the weather is too bad - such as a driving rain storm.
Photo: Hot Dog Island's menu is posted on the side of the trailer. Hot Dog Island is an outstanding example of small-time American capitalism at work... The business is housed in a small trailer that's been converted into a kitchen, and pulled to the location behind Michele's car. The menu is posted on the side of the trailer, and features such delicacies as Polish dogs, hot links, an old-fashioned dog in natural casing, a quarter-pound dog, and a monster 1/2 pound dog that's over 10 inches long! Hot Dog Island uses Alpine Brand dogs, which are top-quality, and made locally in neighboring Stockton. Michele pointed out that her menu also includes home made chili and tacos, and she was especially proud to mention her hot pastrami and tri-tip sandwiches. So many choices... such delicious food... Of course all popular brands of soft drinks are offered, along with Gatorade and bottled water.
Photo: Michele explains some of the finer points of being a hot dog entrepreneur during my visit on Monday, July 27, 2009. It was a cool 95 degrees, despite the fact that it wasn't even noon. You don't have to "rough it" at Hot Dog Island, as Michelle has a couple tables and chairs set up, including one that's under a canopy that can be closed to ward off the sometimes-pesky bugs. There is no electricity at this remote location, so soft drinks are kept in ice chests, and the great selection of condiments are kept cool using ice. At the end of the day, Michele packs up everything, and simply drives away. Quite an operation! So many delicious varieties to choose from... but I'm a sucker for the Old Fashioned variety of hot dog, as Michele assured me that the dog was made with natural casing, and would "snap" when I bit into it. So I bellied up to the bar, and ordered an Old Fashioned dog.
Photo: Michele is hard at work, in the tiny, but well-equipped kitchen, preparing my delicious hot dog. The inside of the kitchen probably measures only 8 by 8 feet or so. The Old Fashioned dog is pretty good sized, as the hot dog is about 8" long, and about as big in diameter as my thumb. It comes on a fresh bun, which is the way a dog should be. Condiments include three different varieties of mustard, barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, tomato slices, diced jalapeņo pepper slices, and sauerkraut. I dressed my dog with mustard, relish and sliced jalapeņo pepper slices; I don't use ketchup on a my hot dogs, as a hot dog purist NEVER dresses a hot dog with ketchup, as ketchup is for kids.
Photo: My Old Fashioned dog before I apply condiments. Note the ice that's used to keep the condiments cool, on this hot July morning. Michele was right, as I bit into my delicious hot dog I felt the reassuring snap! Oh boy, Hot Dog Island's hot dogs are good! You can't do any better than enjoying one of Michele's delicious hot dogs. Although one hot dog pretty much filled me up, I ordered a second one, as I couldn't resist the urge to enjoy another Old Fashioned hot dog. These hot dogs are as good as it gets!
Photo: Michele snapped my photo as I hold my fully-dressed dog, in front of the trailer that houses Hot Dog Island.
Photo: My delicious Old Fashioned hot dog, dressed and ready to enjoy. Hot Dog Island is definitely off the beaten track, but its worth the effort to pay the restaurant a visit. Heck, as far as I'm concerned, it's a destination. Hot Dog Island is truly an oasis in the middle of nowhere for a connoisseur of hot dogs. Combine the quality ingredients, the remote location, the unique operation, and the fast, friendly service from hot dog entrepreneur Michele Borrego, and it all adds up to a hot dog stand that you just can't pass by. For a hot dog purist, such as I am, I give Hot Dog Island a solid, five-star rating. Hot
Dog Island Copyright(c) 2009 eRench Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. This site has been on the web since December 22, 2002. Web page design has been created by eRench Productions, Inc., custom photography for any occasion...
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