Checking out the Chicago-style dogs at Nipper's
There's a hot dog in there somewhere.
We'd heard about the Chicago-style hot dogs at Nipper's in Troy. But, a hot dog's a hot dog, right?
Well, we've never had a hot dog like this before.
First off, to call it a "hot dog" doesn't quite capture it. The hot dogs at Nipper's are, in classic Chicago style, just the starting point. On top of them goes a pile of of other stuff: mustard (ketchup is apparently a faux pas), neon green relish (it probably glows in the dark), onions, "sport" peppers, a slice of dill pickle, tomatoes, and a hit of celery salt. It's like a whole meal in a (poppy seed) bun.
That said, the dogs themselves are worth noticing. They're Vienna Beef Franks, which have been hailed as a sort of king of tube meat products. Viennas hadn't been available in this area until Bob Shenise and Walter Szwetkowski opened Nipper's this year. To get a hold of the prized franks, they had to order 5,000 of them from the company. (They've been storing them frozen in two chest freezers.)
Bob and Walter learned the "art of the cart" at Hot Dog University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. And it seems like they were diligent students, because the hot dogs we had yesterday were pretty darn good. And at two for five bucks, they're a great deal. (Bring a friend... one is enough for each person.)
This is the first year for Nipper's and it's already well-traveled. The stand started out in Loudonville, but got bounced by the Town of Colonie for not having the proper town permits. It landed in Troy's Monument Square and Bob says things have been great there. He says they'd like to come back to Troy next summer, but they might look for a spot with more foot traffic (and maybe fewer Subways).
Nipper's will be in Troy for another two weeks before finishing up its season at the Waterford Tug Boat Roundup September 6 and 7.
Find It
Nipper's Hot Dog stand
Monument Square
Troy, NY 12180
Mon - Fri 10 am - 2:30pm (weather permitting)
nippershotdogs.com
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Comments
Wow... my wife and I used to enjoy Chicago Red Hots at a small stand when we lived in the Boston area, and we figured we wouldn't be able to get them around here.
I'll have to try to make it down there sometime before Nipper's wraps up its year.
(I swear, I do have interests besides pork products.)
... said James Cronen on Aug 26, 2008 at 2:42 PM | link
Do you folks eat nothing but salad so you can try every delicious food in the region and still maintain your figures? The hot dogs would go to my hips, the ice cream to my bum and the baked goods would go straight to my thighs. I'm just going to live vicariously through you for now. So keep it coming!
... said Katherine on Aug 26, 2008 at 3:43 PM | link
Our 100% Vienna Beef hot dogs are made with top round & tender loin cuts of beef from bulls (not steers) so they are high in protein, low in fat and absolutely NIPPERLICIOUS!
We guarantee!
... said Bob Shenise on Aug 26, 2008 at 5:12 PM | link
Just mayo please.
... said Barold on Aug 26, 2008 at 7:53 PM | link
Although we live in Troy, we are not normally around during the day. We had the day off and errands to run; with a short time for lunch, I suggested Nippers. We'd never had Chicago style hot dogs before - they were very good! And we enjoyed our visit with Bob. Good luck next season.
And yes, one per person is PLENTY! My husband says to order two at your own peril.
... said Wendy on Aug 27, 2008 at 8:13 PM | link
Thank you Capital Region, especially the folks at Troy City Hall for their gracious support and assistance in getting NIPPER's launched! This will be out last week at Monument Square (Labor Day is a holiday for Nipper's) We will be at the Waterford Tug Boat Roundup Sept 6 & 7 for our last HURRAH for 2008. Keep an eye on our web site www.nippershot dogs.com to find out where we will be next year, We need more foot traffic and parking and will not be at Monument Square in 2009. We are growing and need space to expand! We will ALWAYS offer the BEST Vienna Beef hot dogs to keep our customers coming back to experience the BEST hot dog in the USA! They ARE Nipperlicious!
... said Bob Shenise on Aug 30, 2008 at 11:10 AM | link