In case you don't recognize the relatively blooming bald (yet still somewhat subtle) patch on that young gent standing in front of the sign, it's me. The place where I spent twenty-two years of my existence here on Planet Earth is a place called Clarion, Pennsylvania. One of my best memories is that of a business that is still thriving and somewhat of a legend in many circles. "Eddie's Dogs" is what we call it. Bar-none, the best hot-dogs on earth, and I've attended a Harlem Globetrotter game in my life.
Eddie is the owner and should be proud. In college, we probably gave him more crap than your local plumber can handle. But damn if he doesn't make the most fantastic hot-dogs around. And he has a pretty good sense of humor for a guy who looks like the Crypt Keeper never heard of moisturizer.
When attending back-to-back family reunions in my first visit to Clarion in years, we stopped by this legendary institution. It really wasn't churning in my head that we'd be stopping at Eddie's. I was there to help celebrate a monumental moment in my Aunt's Life and introduce the family to something other than a blow-up doll.
And then we passed Eddie's. At one point, he had two locations... one in Clarion (right across from a bar that was very popular among the college folks) and one that is shown in these pictures, which is the only operating one right now. My only assumption is that he shut the other one down because it isn't exactly easy for a 195 year old gent to deal with a bunch of dumb smucks like me... let alone the Frat Boys.
All stupid analogies and restless attempts at humor aside, the guy took what he did and does for a living and made it into something pretty special. If you want the best hot dogs in the land, visit him. 
As far as the sunsets and other memories, well, some things you just keep to yourself. But they are good ones, none the less.
The most articulate version of the author's reaction to his first Taco Dog...
Jason, love hot dog places. I need to visit Clarion...
Nice story!
Hi Jason, Doesn't it seem like every town has one great hot dog place ? Every once in awhile I get a hankering for a good dog and nothing else will do !
I love hot dogs! (and Gary teases about his bald spot too :)
Gary - Call me a cheapskate, however those are on me;) After I pay for them, they will be on you too... if you like chili;)
MJ - I hate corndogs, but I love you.
Sea to Sky - Nice twenty-five points. The story sucks! Okay, it's not that bad. Hmmm, thank you.
Bill - I'd pit Eddie against anyone, small town or large.
Sis - Gary's isn't a bald spot, it's a landing mark! He makes George Costanza look like Fonzi. But I love that chap. Gary, too;)
Jason...The blow up is done for good Jennifer is as much a Doll as you'll ever need...and who ever said you can't go home was wrong.
Open all the way to 6PM eh? I guess Eddie needs a little more sleep these days. BTW, what the heck goes on a Taco Dog?
Jason..I love a good hot dog with the works..YUMMY..Thanks ..now I am craving a Hot Dog..
HELPFULHANNAH your friend in Philadelphia
"the guy took what he did and does for a living and made it into something pretty special." My young friend......I think your on to something........
What about Yocco's??????? Jimmy's in Easton?????? Potts Doggies????? Perhaps you have not sampled enough Valley fair. I am absolutely certain you can find a reason facsimile right here in your new back yard. Let the wiener hunt begin!!
Several laugh out loud lines but the blow up doll was the best. Give my love to the doll's replacement. She's a keeper.
Hot Diggety Dog!
Sorry.
It just had to be said.
"Now under really old management" - ROTFLMAO!
Well Jason, I'm guessing it was nice for your family to finally meet a real live doll. :)
As always, thx for the laugh. Love to spend my lunch hour laughing at AR shmucks. Have a great day Jason.
Oh man, I am so hungry for a Chili Dawg right now! Like you I enjoy doing Localism posts about local places where I like to eat. This one has so many funny things I chuckled the entire time and Jennifer is right you ARE a Corndog!
And I am sure this place stays busier than Jenna Haze or Ice LaFox at Hedonism...
Bro,
I always watch the food channel when they show all those places across the country with the best hot dogs...love the toppings too.
"Four Chilly Cheese Dogs with extra Onions, please"
>
>
"Four"
>
>
"Four"
>
> "Four" "Four" "QUARTO, that's all"
"No that's all!"
"Yes quarto, that's all"
"Gracious."
Use to love these places. Still like the food, but the experience is not the same.
In Kalamazoo the places to cruise were ether of the two "Schwartz's" driven ins. Schwartz also had two large restaurants he called "Chicken Charlie's" If our group called ahead they'd make a room available for us, can you believe it 40 to 100 high school kids, no parents no credit cards, no chaprones, no supervision and we'd be welcomed with open arms! Sadly, that couldn't happen today.
Bill
can't believe you linked 'hungry thighs'... now I have a hankerin' (yes, I said "hankerin'") to go home and have a taco-dog, and then re-read "the Jungle".
Ha! Under really old management, this geezer might be 195 years old but he has smarts! That is a great sign, and I am sure that people remember that always! Perhaps we should take some marketing direction from him? And some hotdogs too.
Ages ago, when living in Atlanta, there was a chain restaurant called Lums, where I was introduced to the Lum dog, had chili, cheese, cole slaw, pickles, onions, sauerkraut, and who knows what else. Man it was good! Now I need a hotdog. Amazing what we actually eat on hotdogs, isn't it.
Steve - True on all accounts:)
Erik - Good question. I don't know the actual recipe, yet I'm pretty sure crimpled (is that a word) bits of taco go over a homemade chili sauce, served on a warmed bun. Oh, and a hot dog is somehow in the mix. Yes, it sounds like a Gay Porn and I'm sure there is much more to it than that... but you asked:)
HELPFULHANNAH in Philly - Quite the catchy name.
Geary - Indeed. And I've had Yocco's... not even in the same league. Jimmy's and Potts Dogs... I'm willing to give them a whirl, with an open mind and an equal willingness to suffer a clogged artery;)
Susan - Yes she is. Thankfully, she's not the Crypt Keeper. That would be Mr. Eddie:)
Block - Okay, I more than smirked at that comment. Cheesy, but warranted. By the way, does the wife still teach dance? Shoot me an email or give me a ring when you can.
Donne - Is there any other day to have?
regards,
AR Smuck (Shmuck)
Russell - An Ice LaFox reference? I don't even know who that is. Well done. Remind me to tell you about Chili dogs sometime. If I reference that in a public forum, I'm probably busier than wait... wait... wait... than the lap of Charlie Sheen at a local strip joint, than Glenn Beck at an Obama Pep Rally, than a drunk at a .25 cent per keg stand Frat Gathering, than lips at a lesbian orgy... enough. Or, I'll just have a potential lawsuit on my hands. Just remind me to tell you about the Chili Dog before I serve sentence, okay?
Neal - Me too. I love the Food Channel. And I love toppings.
Speaking of which, I love onions, Mr. Bill! And I would be quite honored to visit a place that one of my heroes, my mentors, and a dear friend lived. Since I can't do that, when can I visit Kalamazoo? Kidding, big man. I love and respect you to death.
And it's a shame what can't happen today. I hope we can change that. I miss the era I wasn't involved in.
Alan "Freaking" May - In Internet terms, LMAO... The Jungle, eh? Hmmm, hankerin... we can do that as well.
Yeah..his landing spot took a beating yesterday.....he picked up something in the kitchen and when he stood up his landing spot hit the corner of the cabinet....nice bruise and stands out :)
Dude....I didn't know that you were this cool. I admire your attempts at trying to get "a good dog", but nothing compares to Super Dawg, but I'd love to try a good dog. Plus, cmon....nothing beats a Chicago style hot dog. Here's the one that won best hot dog in the world year after year. www.superdawg.com
OK, I'll have to add this place to my list... Next time I am on the turnpike, I'll save a little space for a hot dog.
Eddie's chili & cheese dogs at the downtown shop got me through college. Fortunately, walking to/from the shop burned off the calories!
Hi Steve!
Thre used to be a place in DC called Hot Diggety Dog! They sold nitrate and nitrite free hot dogs, and I found it looking for something other than tofu pups that could be served at a picnic for all of the Nader groups when I worked for Ralph. I'm sure Eddie's taste a whole lot better!
I love a good hot dog. My home town had a place called the Strawberry Patch that made some great dogs. Don't know if I will ever be near there, but if I am I'll have to try one of these.
Sis - Luckily, he is lucky in love. Treat that landing spot good. And if he doesn't treat you just as good, let him know that I've been trained in Muay Thai... elbows and knees.
Bettag - Actually, I've had "Chicago-Style" Hot-Dogs... I was in New York;) I'd be happy to put www.superdawg.com to the test. But I think Eddie will own them.
Lane - By all means, let me know what you think.
Steve - I miss all of you... very much.
MJ - Hi Sweetheart!
Patricia - I say, "What's the Point?" Sometimes we just indulge in things that are bad for us. You worked for Nader?
JL - I love that name.... Strawberry Patch.
My best memories of hot dogs involve Nathan's in New York...