The sausage sandwich at Gus's
One is famous -- the other, not.
Is there a season for the Capital Region's unique style of mini-hot dogs?
This is our street food. It's the region's answer to the taco. Something that's intensely flavorful, can be consumed in a few bites while standing up, and costs mere pennies. It may be difficult to find them from a street vendor, but they can be found throughout the region both at seasonal ice cream stands and long established restaurants dedicated to the form.
Gus's is the rare institution that firmly falls into the latter, but from the outside the place could easily be mistaken for the former. It's a small red shed by the side of the road set beside a large number of picnic tables.
Regardless of whether there's a season for our mini-hot dogs, it is definitely the season for Gus's. Except the best thing on the menu isn't the hot dog.
Just follow the signs.
Sure, the place is technically called Gus's Hot Dogs, and there will be those who swear that Gus's makes the best mini-hot dogs in the region. (The attendees of the Tour de Hot Dog would beg to differ.) However, take a careful look at the signs.
On the side of the building is one sign giving the "Grilled" Sausage Sandwich with Peppers and Onions top billing over the Greekburger (and rightfully so -- order the Greekburger at your own risk). Then right under the take-out window is a second large sign, just in case you might have forgotten about this special treat when ordering.
This is a rustic sausage patty, spiked with whole fennel seeds and spice. It's fried on the griddle, which is presumably why "grilled" is placed in quotation marks, and like the sign proclaims, it's smothered with large pieces of sautéed green peppers and onions. All of which come between the slices of a generic white hamburger bun.
This isn't a fancy sandwich. And for $1.70 it doesn't pretend to be. Although it is almost twice the price of Gus's famous hot dogs with meat sauce.
Gus's isn't a fancy place, but it is a special place. It's a place that is as central to the food culture of the area as Pink's is to Los Angeles. And now is the time to go. Yes, you'll get a hot dog with everything because it's impossible to resist their siren call once you are there.
But it's the sausage sandwich you'll come back for.
Daniel B. is the proprietor of the Fussy Little Blog.
Find It
Gus's Hot Dogs
212 25th Street
Watervliet, NY 12189
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Comments
I never thought to actually order that. I've had the Greek burger and not been too pleased but this sounds pretty good. I'll have to try it when I go next...
... said derryX on May 10, 2011 at 12:40 PM | link
Love Gus's. That sandwich is good, but the dogs are what keep me coming back. However, this guy really ticked me off with his "Review" of gus's.
http://www.hamburgercalculus.com/blog/?p=7131
I think he's just a hater. You Decide.
... said Brendan on May 10, 2011 at 12:40 PM | link
Or Brendan, he realizes that you get a lot more Internet attention by bashing something (especially when it's popular [and especailly if you act like you're super edgy for bashing something popular {and even more especially when you claim victimhood when the inevitable comments roll in}]).
Let's hope none of our local bloggers figure out that lesson, we'd probably never hear the end of it.
... said B on May 10, 2011 at 1:34 PM | link
WTH is wrong with you people, greekburger is delicious!
... said sst on May 10, 2011 at 1:43 PM | link
I agree with Daniel 100% on this. Once in a while you encounter a patty that has spent far too long on the griddle but, when done right, one of these piled with peppers, onions, and a melty slice of American totally blows the mini dogs out of the water.
... said James on May 10, 2011 at 1:47 PM | link
Writing an article about Gus' instead of Famous Lunch is like writing a review of Turkish Star Wars instead of George Lucas' Star Wars
... said Ike on May 10, 2011 at 1:53 PM | link
Ahhhh...six with the works, a "grilled" sausage sandwich and a root beer. My lunch of choice whenever school or work sent me through that neck of the woods back in the early '90s.
Geography has made me an Anton's man of late, but Gus's will always have an artery-clogged place in my heart.
... said Bob W. on May 10, 2011 at 2:22 PM | link
She. Nan. I. Gans.
*mumble mumble*
Where is my memory card...
I'm with Ike - Famous Lunch > Gus's
... said Albany Jane on May 10, 2011 at 2:42 PM | link
Since I don't believe Famous Lunch has a sausage sandwich, I'm assuming the Famous Lunch fans are compare two establishments' hot dogs. But Dan isn't promoting their hot dogs, he's promoting their sausage sandwich, which I agree is incredible and worth the trip!
... said Jessica R on May 11, 2011 at 9:26 AM | link
I agree about the sausage sandwich being tops but the Greek Burger rocks in at a very close 2nd! And yes, there's never any reason to not include at least a few dogs!
... said charmboy on May 11, 2011 at 10:23 AM | link
I should add that I used to be on the fence about the age old Gus' vs. Famous debate but a recent (very) unsatisfactory trip to Famous tipped the scales heavily in Gus' favor.
... said charmboy on May 11, 2011 at 10:33 AM | link
I have loved grilled sausage sandwiches from the beginning, I get one with a side of hot dog. It's what I go for and I love love love Gus's!
... said Andrea on May 11, 2011 at 10:38 AM | link
Gus' is the best. The only thing Famous Lunch has over Gus' are the fries. Best meal at Gus': 3 dogs with the works, a sausage sandwich, a greekburger, and a grape soda.
... said Charmboy on May 11, 2011 at 12:33 PM | link
Charmboy - Grape soda is essential at Gus's! and during the FUSSYlittleBLOG/derryX Tour de Hot Dog back in December, I found that Gus's carries the superior brand of Grape soda (Fanta vs Sunkist at Famous Lunch).
... said derryX on May 11, 2011 at 6:30 PM | link
My favorite memory at Gus's is the time the guy in front of me ordered three dogs with the works, three sliders.......and a diet soda. The whole line cracked up, and his friends were bustin' his chops, big time. Good times, good times.
... said James on May 14, 2011 at 10:38 AM | link