My friend the attorney has long dreamed of opening a hot dog stand here on Maui. She figures that she can sell hot dogs all day long at a high traffic location and make millions without having to spend hours in court. I’m not sure about the millions of dollars made slinging dogs, but I do know that the hot dog is one of America’s favorite foods. According to the National Hot Dog Council in Washington, D.C., hot dogs are so popular that you and I and everyone else we know will eat about 70 of them this year.
As with everything on Maui, the hot dogs you find locally stand apart from those on the mainland. For one thing, they’re red. We don’t have hot dog stands, hot dog carts or Wienerschnitzel—a magical mainland fast food franchise whose popularity lies somewhere between Arby’s and those independently owned hamburger shacks that boast selling the “World’s Best Pastrami”—but the island does have plenty of steamed red hot dogs served at mini marts, and mom and pop shops.
But why are Hawaiian hot dogs red? I called Redondo’s Inc., the corporate home of Hawaiian Winners in Waipahu. Hitoshi Okada, the company resident, informed me that when he took over the business 15 years ago the red hot dog was already popular.
In fact, it was Frank Redondo who originally created their red dogs when he started the company way back in 1949. As to why Redondo made them red, Okada couldn’t say. Okada surmised that the red color may be because of an old Japanese New Year tradition involving red meats, but he added that Japan itself no longer follows this tradition. He also said the red color is still a favorite with local consumers here, be they Filipino, Japanese or Hawaiian.
Maui may not have hot dog carts like big American cities, but we do have our fair share of great island wieners. You just have to know where to go to get your fix. Here’s where I get mine:
10. THE BREAKFAST DOG
Don’t feel like a loco moco? The perfect local style breakfast on the go is a steamed frank and bun. You will find hot dogs at all the morning hot spots for picking up a little something with your coffee. I head to Tom’s Mini Mart in Pakakaulo for my steamed bun and hot red wiener, but you’ll find them in all corners of the island early in the morning, like at the Kuau Mart or Nagasako’s in Lahaina. Oh, and remember that ketchup counts as a vegetable serving. Tom’s Mini Mart, 372 Waiehu Beach Rd., 244-2323; Kuau Mart, 701 Hana Hwy., 579-8539; Nagasako General Store, Old Lahaina Center, 661-0985.
9. THE CORPORATE DOG
Costco has this one cornered. After all, how can a mom and pop store compete with the $1.50 kosher dog on a sesame seed bun that includes an all-you-can-drink soda? These big and juicy bad boys come wrapped in foil and include toppings like onions and relish with your usual ketchup and mustard. The only drawback is the $45 annual membership fee required to get you in the door. Costco, 540 Haleakala Hwy, 877-5248.
8. THE SAUERKRAUT DOG
Who makes homemade sauerkraut? Annie’s Deli & Catering in Kihei, that’s who. Their quarter pound or half pound dogs come with plenty of their homemade fermented cabbage—all you want, in fact. But who eats that stuff? Pickled cabbage on your hot dog? Well, it’s famous in Germany and Captain Cook always took it with him on his sea voyages. Just try not to think about what happened to him as you chow down. Annie’s Deli & Catering, 2511 S. Kihei Rd., 875-8647.
7. THE TOPPINGS
When you want loads of toppings, and the choice to have whatever your heart desires on your hot dog, you’ll find it at Scuba Dogs in Kihei at the amazingly low price of just 50 cents a pop. They generously serve bacon, olives, bell peppers, lettuce, pepperoni, cucumber, Swiss cheese, tomato and jalapeno, plus all the usual stuff like cheddar cheese, chili, ketchup and mustard on the ball park frank of your choice. You won’t find a red dog served here but the topping choices are phenomenal. Scuba Dogs, 1455 S. Kihei Rd., 879-4994.
6. THE FRENCH DOG
Want a new French culinary experience? The Bakery in Lahaina has a delight for you—the pig in a blanket done Frenchy style. They start with buttery, flaky croissant dough and then wrap it around a juicy frank, then bake it to perfection. No need for toppings, just napkins to catch all the crumbs. The Bakery, 991 Limahana Pl., 667-9062.
5. THE CHILIDOG
The classic “Coney Island” Dog is a hot dog served with chili and onions. Even though we’re on a very different island from Coney you can still find a great chilidog. Chili comes in so many styles—with beans, without beans, spicy, vegetarian—that the lunch possibilities are endless. You will find some of the best chilidogs at Cool Cat Cafe in Lahaina. There they grill your bun and wiener, then pour on their spicy chili and cover it with shredded cheese. Or grab one at Wow-Wee Maui’s Kava Bar & Grill on Dairy Road with a sesame seed bun and some Kava. Cool Cat Cafe, The Wharf, 667-0908; Wow-Wee Maui’s Kava Bar & Grill, 333 Dairy Road, 871-1414.
4. THE HOMEMADE BUN
For those more interested in the hot dog’s bread than its meat (you know who you are) head to Komoda bakery in Makawao. They’ve been baking bread on Baldwin Ave. for the past 60 years, and their secret family recipes are guarded for good reason. Their bread has a golden color, soft texture and a dreamy buttery flavor. They serve their hot dogs already dressed with the fixings inside their bakery-made buns—all you have to do is grab them out of the warmer. Komoda T Store & Bakery, 3674 Baldwin Ave., 572-7261.
3. THE CORN DOG
Texas claims it invented this state fair treat back in 1942. Who knew before then that a cornbread-battered dog on a stick would be so good? While Mauians are stuck with only a county fair on island, it comes well equipped with the corndog. If you can’t wait for the first week of October, just head to your local Minit Stop. In fact, they’re on sale this week: two for $1.25. Stores located island wide, check your local listings.
2. THE QUINTESSENTIAL
You can’t profess to have eaten hot dogs on the island if you haven’t gone to Fukushima’s Store in Haiku and ordered a dog with everything. These are so good there are Internet blogs dedicated to the Fukushima Hot Dog Experience. I think the secret to their dogs is their special relish sauce, but no one can really say for certain. Go try one for yourself or at least plan your next trip to Hana around a stop to this store. Fukushima Store, across from Haiku Cannery, 575-2762.
1. THE VEGGIE DOG
When the idea of all those refined carbohydrates and processed meats starts weighing heavily on your conscience, you can rest assured that the Tiki Lounge in Kihei is looking out for both your health and hot dog cravings. Sit in the Tiki-riffic patio and gorge yourself guilt-free with their vegan veggie dog that comes on a grilled roll. The free, help-yourself toppings bar include peppers, cheese, sauerkraut and much more. Tiki Lounge, 1913 S. Kihei Rd., 874-6444. MTW
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