Stepping out: A dog day afternoon

“Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.”

— Otto von Bismarck

 

Tale of the dog

I spent much of last week in Carmichael, house-sitting for my daughter, and I always take advantage of my time there to check out various restaurants that people might like to visit. When I told my friend Russ Salazar that I was going to be there, he said he had to be in Sacramento one day on business and that we should meet and try some of the hot dog places that we had been talking about.

Salazar showed up with an itinerary and his GPS and said, “We are going to visit three places: Wiener Works, Parkers Hot Dogs of Santa Cruz and Sonic. I figured if we split two dogs at each place we could do it.”

 

Wiener Works

Wiener Works is located at 5207 Madison Ave. For more than 20 years it has been in the same location. They take cash only, are a bit pricy, have no WiFi and, as someone commented, really haven’t given the place a thorough cleaning since they opened. On the plus side, the food is great, they steam their dogs in beer and, I’m told, they either make their own sausages or have them made for them.

They have lots of different sausages in different sizes, but we stayed small and ordered a chili dog ($5.95) and, something different, a red cabbage (cooked) and cheese dog ($6.40).

The dogs were delicious, all beef, solid and with a casing that snapped when bit, exactly what we were looking to find. The buns, chili and cabbage were good, but the cheese had very little flavor. I asked if they had any other cheeses other than shredded mild cheddar, and they said they didn’t.

They serve soda and beer, burgers up to a pound is size and great fresh-cut French fries (one-half pound is their “tiny” serving). They are open Monday to Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., Thursday to Saturday until 8 a.m. and on Sunday until 4 p.m. For more information call 916-334-8711.

 

Parker’s of Santa Cruz

Parker’s Hot Dogs of Santa Cruz is located in Roseville at 1604A Douglas Blvd. Their dogs are “old fashioned foot long 100 percent beef” and more reasonable that those at Wiener Works.

We ordered a “pick-me-up chili dog,” ($4.19) and a Ruben dog ($3.99). When we got the food, we commented to each other, “Who puts beans in the chili for a chili dog?”

The dogs were solid and good, the buns were good and the kraut on the Ruben dog was tasty and not so juicy that it soaked through. But, shouldn’t a Ruben dog have Russian or 1000 island dressing, not just kraut and cheese?
There are lots of good looking dogs on the menu, along with fries and onion rings. Soft drinks are available. The place is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, until 6 p.m. Call 916-786-2202 for more information.

 

Sonic

Sonic — America’s Drive-In” is also in Roseville, 913 Pleasant Grove Blvd., and is a real drive-in, with carhops on roller skates (some of them). They also have some outside tables, which is where we chose to sit.

At the moment the specials are the wholly guacamole dog ($2.99) and the chili cheese Fritos Coney ($1.99). We ordered one of each, asked them to cut them in half and asked for water to drink (25 cents — but it was a big cup and came with ice, a cover and a straw). The dogs (and the napkins) are a bit skimpy, but what do you expect at those prices. Both the dogs were OK (the wholly guacamole dog was best), but more than a bit salty and soft. Overall they were worth the cost.

They have lots of other dogs, burgers, chicken, breakfast and more, and soda and speciality drinks like slushies. It is open from 6 a.m. until midnight. For more information call 916-771-4422.

Pairings at Miraflores

This weekend’s wine and food pairing luncheon at Miraflores Winery features Christian Masse, chef and co-owner of “ALLEZ! Good Food on the Go” in El Dorado. He is a great chef and his classes are always fun.
For more information call 530-647-8505.

Michael Chapdelaine concert at David Girard Vineyards

On Saturday, Aug. 18, there will be a concert by Michael Chapdelaine at David Girard Vineyard’s hilltop amphitheater. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with Quinn Hedges warming up the audience at 6 p.m. Chapdelaine will take the stage at 7 p.m.

Chapdelaine’s musical styles range from blues to Bach to country to rhythm and blues.

Food and wine will be available for cash purchase at the event. Purchase tickets for the event on the Website at davidgirardvineyards.com or by calling 530-295-1833.

Please refrain from bringing children, pets, food, alcohol or ice chests. Chairs are provided.

Toogood Estate Winery’s Herbert Vineyard Field trip

On Saturdays, Aug. 18 and 25, and Sunday, Sept. 2, Toogood Estate Winery will be holding special field trips to the historic Herbert Vineyard.

Meet at the winery at 9 a.m. and carpool to the historic Herbert Vineyard ranch where winemaker Marco Cappelli will take you for a tour, which includes tasting early vintages that scored 92 plus points in “Wine Enthusiast.”

Convoy back to the Toogood Winery for a private wine tasting of library wines and new releases, along with a barbecue featuring rib eye steak, barbecued chicken, an array of summer salads and more.

This event is limited to just 22 people per day. Contact Toogood Estate Winery to secure your place at this unique event. For more information call 530-620-1910.

Celebrate the day

Birthdays to celebrate today: professor of psychology and sociology Angus Campbell (1910); the 31st president of the U.S. Herbert Clark Hoover (1874); singers Ian Anderson (1947), Jimmy Dean (1928) and Eddie Fisher (1928); actors Rosanna Arquette (1959), Antonio Banderas (1960), Rhonda Fleming (1923) and Angie Harmon (1972) and fashion designer Betsy Johnson (1942).