Jack's Cosmic Dogs - Charleston SC

March 28, 2011

Before I start this post, I have to disclose the complete and utterly strong bias I have in favor of local hot dog/sausage joints (not larger franchises, I thinking of you, Jodi Maroni's...) .  I LOVE these places - maybe it is because I have fond memories of hot dogs from childhood (dodger dogs are awesome!) - but most likely it is because I know how great these places can be, having lived near the best local hot dog/sausage joint in the world:  Top Dog on Devine St. in Berkeley, CA will always be my all-time sentimental favorite, although Hot Doug's in Chicago definitely gives it a run for its money.    

So after I heard about a local hot dog joint in Charleston, I obviously got very excited and had to make a special trip to it! (well, it actually ended up being two during that weekend).  Jack's Cosmic Dogs is technically in Mt. Pleasant (with a new location on Folly Road in James Island), and although it is a bit off the beaten path (at least for the typical tourist who is in downtown Charleston), it is a fun place for those that appreciate a simple hot dog and fries...and as anyone who likes these places knows, a place that specializes in just hot dogs/sausages is few and far between.          

So, I actually first went to Jack's Cosmic Dogs shortly after another meal (because we were passing by it and I wanted to try it as soon as I could), so I only ordered a hot dog and fries.  First positive for Jack's Cosmic Dogs - you can order fresh-cut fries - awesome! - I always get a little sad when I can only order potato chips.  

A close-up photo of the hot dog I ordered during the first visit - a galactic dog (chili, cheese, and cole slaw), but I subbed the spicy mustard out for the sweet potato mustard after hearing that Alton Brown (of Food Network fame) said that the sweet potato mustard was the best mustard he had ever had.  To be honest, even though I had eaten just a little bit earlier, I kind of wished the hot dog itself was bigger, considering the cost of it.  And the chili could have been more flavorful.  And the sweet potato mustard was good, but it made everything just kind of sweet.  Regardless, I still loved eating the hot dog and fries....remember my bias?  =)      

So, we passed by Jack's Cosmic Dogs the next day, and I got another hot dog, just for fun =).  This time, a Planet Dog - a hot dog with jamaican relish and yellow mustard.  The jamaican relish was just a bit too sweet, but I still enjoyed it, although that's really not a surprise, is it?

Quick Eats - Jerry's Wood Fired Hot Dogs

I stumbled onto this place while searching for good lunch places in the Santa Ana area (as anyone who is friends with me knows, one of the primary things I think about in the morning is where I am going to eat for lunch). It is a bit of a drive from downtown Santa Ana, but well worth it! (A note for anyone eating at this place…DON’T do take out for these hot dogs…they are freshly grilled, and I discovered that everything gets really soggy extremely fast if it sits in a bag for too long! =P ). To avoid that this time, I went with my friend Huong, and we ate at the restaurant. Incredibly busy, though!

As the name of this place implies, they grill their hot dogs (and sausages) over a wood fired grill. What a great idea…brilliant in its simplicity. They need to spread these restaurants to more places!

They take their hot dogs and sausages seriously here…there are tons of different toppings that you can put on your dog. It is really tempting to load up on everything that you like…but your hot dog ends up being impossible to eat in the end (this, I learned from my first unfortunate experience, where I asked them to put on seven toppings, including cole slaw…it tasted good, but there was too much going on at the same time, and it made for a ridiculously impossible hot dog to eat!)

I ordered a Baja Dog, with ketchup, grilled onions, relish, and mushrooms.

Huong ordered a Bavarian bratwurst with ketchup, spicy brown mustard, saukraut, relish, mushrooms, grilled onions, and tomatoies. We both completed the meal with some french fries. Sometimes, the flavor of a well-grilled hot dog is impossible to beat! Go Jerry!