Went to my favorite local drive in. Been going there for decades, always for burgers (damn fine burgers,) never a dog. Tonight, for some unknown reason, I was possessed to try their chili cheese dog, worrying that it could be a potentially hazardous item to eat in the car. But:
Bun (clearly custom.) Chili on the bun. Cheese melted on that to stabilize it. Oversize Nathan’s Frank on top to lock it all down. Custom bun (substantial enough) is sliced pretty shallow – the Frank rides high, but the chili can soak down in without structurally compromising the bottom of the bun.
I’ve been playing around with a corn bread chili cheese dog. It’s not chili season yet so I haven’t messed with it since last fall but I’ll post some picks when I do.
SkyWay Drive-in, the Sky-Dog. SkyWay is the less flashy party in the rivalry between the two long time local drive ins in Akron – Swenson’s is the other, and has expanded regionally in recent years. It’s one of those criteria natives have long sorted themselves out by: Swenson’s or SkyWay? Used to be on the level religious sectarianism. (Actually, I patronize both for different reasons.) The original locations are just a mile or two apart on West Market street, so you could do a gut busting tour if you’re into the drive in thing. Either place, a burger “with everything” means just mustard, pickle, and onion, and the signature drink is the California – a shot of grape phosphate syrup mixed in Ginger ale. Everybody can agree on those points.