Without a doubt, Hank's Haute Dogs serves up the best hot dog you'll ever eat in your life - really! From haute cuisine to haute dogs was a journey taken by owner Hank Adaniya when he closed his nationally renowned 4-star Chicago restaurant Trio and came home to Hawaii and decided to open a sort of hole-in-the-wall hot dog place. Located in an area of car dealer ships and businesses (which does have the advantage of giving you lots of street parking available during the weekends), the place is always hopping with customers lining up out the door to place their orders. There is limited seating inside, chairs lined up outside where people sometimes eat and around the corner of the building are three picnic tables with umbrellas and this being Hawaii, people share the tables. While we were here this past weekend, an episode of Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins & Dives" with Guy Fieri was being filmed - which gives you an idea of just how popular Hank's Haute Dogs really is.
But it's the food that brings people from all over the island to this small oasis of the perfect hot dog. Hank's Haute Dogs offers up classic dogs using Bratwurst from Milwaukee, local Kukui Portuguese sausage and genuine Chicago Vienna all-beef hot dogs - you know the real hot dog with a casing that snaps when you bite into it? The Classic Dog section includes a Chicago Dog with all the trimmings, Polish, Chili and the sinfully, no doubt bad for you, Fat Boy, a bacon wrapped deep fried hot dog with mayo, lettuce & tomato - if you like bacon, you'll love this - I certainly did.
My fav (we've been there 7 times in the last two months and Marco is vowing to eat his way through the menu) is the Andouille sausage, with grilled onions and Cajun spiced mustard - a tad hot, but wonderful flavors, well worth the heat (pictured above along with fried onions). Another popular sausage is the Chicken which is grilled and served with a sweet mango relish and lime mustard. Naturally in Hank's hot dog world there are daily specials, such as Alligator, Rabbit, Buffalo, Lobster, Duck & Foie Gras - huh? - and a really wonderful Kobe Dog. For those who don't eat the dog, there is a No Dog and even a smaller size regular dog for the keiki. The dogs are priced from $3.75 to $6.25 with the Specials slightly higher.
Sides include great french fries made with Castle Rock potatoes and fried twice for that perfect crisp and probably the best sweet onion rings we've ever had. Hand dipped in Panko batter, they are simply phenomenal. Or if you want to go exotica, you can always opt for the Duck Fat Fries, finger lickin' good, a bowl of chili or the Truffle Mac & Cheese. Standard beverages are available and some very special tropical cocktails (nonalcoholic) such as Hibiscus Lemonade, Pineapple Ice, a wonderful Lilikoi-Lime Soda and Hank's Ice Tea.
Affordable Tip: The reason the prices are so very low for such high quality is the fact that they do not take credit cards - it is Cash Only
Inexpensive - Under $10
Per person, not including drinks
Prices are subject to change without further notice
Mon. to Fri. from 10 am to 4 pm
Sat. & Sun. from 11 am to 5 pm (free parking behind building on Sundays)
324 Coral Street (off Ala Moana Blvd., between OfficeMax and Comp USA) 532-4265 for phone orders. Also at International Market Place in Waikiki
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2 comments:
another place that I have to try. Just reading your review made me very hungry. I think I'll get fat trying all these places you write about Miss Florence. :o)
A mouthwatering review! It's nice to read and find out about those places "off the beaten path" especially in a place where there are so many "tourist traps" and certainly in regards to eating....thank you!!!
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