January — that gloomy stretch of time between the holidays and the sun coming out is a deep, soulless void. But in true Portland fashion, this city gave us a culinary exploration to brighten it up. It is the frank before Franklin, the brat before Brat, the beloved meat in a pouch: it is Portland Weiner Week!
From Jan. 27 to Feb. 2, over 40 dining establishments across the city brought their most creative takes on the classic hotdog for just $8 each. All of them are the best and none the wurst. This first-annual Weiner Week joins a history of other week-long food celebrations hosted by The Portland Mercury, such as Sandwich, Pizza and Burger Weeks. Although the weiner wonderland has already wound to a close, fear not: The Oregonian’s Dumpling Week Week kicks off today, Feb. 7, and runs through Feb. 15. In the meantime, here is a review of some Weiner Week participants, all of which are worth a visit to try their classics.
Closest to Lewis & Clark was the “Mellencamp’s Revenge” dog at Moreland Ale House, which is within walking distance of the Pio Express Sellwood stop. The Mellencamp consisted of a hotdog (of course) nestled in a cloudlike bun, topped with a zinger of guajillo pork chili and pickled jalapeño aioli. The ale house beckons with its flashy red exterior, and while it doubles as a sports bar, minors are welcome to dine.
Things stay spicy a few blocks east of Powell’s Books at the Kim Jong Grillin food cart. Their “Kimchi Queso Weinerslav” began with a bacon hotdog only to be elevated by kimchi queso, crispy fried onions and a smattering of green onions. Even if this does not pique your fancy, Kim Jong Grillin is a legendary and acclaimed Korean comfort food institution and should be sampled no matter what you choose off their menu.
If you are vegetarian or vegan, worry not — Weiner Week still had options for you! One lies at Hungry Tiger, a hip bar (which unfortunately does not accept minors) located just off East Burnside and known for their corn dogs. For Weiner Week, they served up a vegan elote corn dog fried in batter seasoned with chili, loaded with a grilled corn slaw and drizzled with an elote-inspired sauce. Classic vegan corn dogs abound here year round.
If spicy is not your style, things get sweet over at the Filipino American fast food cart Makulít. Parked in the Lil’ America food cart pod in central Eastside, Makulít serves up fresh takes on both American and Filipino classics, like with their longanisa patty Bunso burger. The “Papaya Dog” made an appearance for this special week. A beef hotdog sat atop atsara — papaya relish — with fry sauce, grilled onions and Kewpie mayo, which includes the egg yolk. This majesty was all contained within a Hawaiian roll bun.
Another opportunity awaits west of LC, right off Barbur Blvd and the I-5. The Barbur World Foods store presented the “Beirut Banger,” featuring soujouk sausage in a classic bun with the crisp additions of tomato, pickles and tahini. Their post on the the Weiner Week page of EverOut — the Portland Mercury’s Going Out Guide — boasts the melding of spiciness, tanginess and creaminess. And to make this trip to Flavor Town convenient, you can get your grocery shopping done at Barbur World Foods.
If the thrill of all these diverse dogs was not enough, Lardo at Ladd’s Addition featured a mystery meal. You heard right; the flavors in this sausage were revealed upon ordering, only dubbed with the elusive name “UP Dog.” This sandwich joint is already well versed in the meat-between-bread game, so it is well worth a stroll down Hawthorne to check out how they prep their hotdog game the rest of the year.
When Weiner Week rolls around again, peruse the EverOut Weiner Week map of participating restaurants and find the hotdog of your dreams. After all, tasting some sausage can be a great way to get into the Valentine’s spirit.
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