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Doggone good eatsTRACY, Jan 03, 2013 (The Record - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- There's something refreshing about biting into a mustard-slathered hot dog. It brings back memories of favorite summer barbecues, baseball games or, perhaps, a go-to dinner for the cash-strapped college student. Like apple pie and hamburgers, hot dogs are part of the culinary backbone of Americana. Unlike its fast-food counterparts, though, hot dogs are often not widely ordered items are restaurants, unless the menu comes with crayons. It's a rarity, then, to find a place like Oh My Dawgs! in Tracy, a strip-mall diner that features hearty hot dogs, brimming french fry baskets and a variety of appetizers to make a filling meal out of the sometimes disregarded favorite. Just don't call these dogs simple. The restaurant promises "Coast to Coast Hot Dog Fusion" and delivers with 10 standard menu choices. On a recent weeknight, the smiles at the location were warm and welcoming. The dining room is a festive place, with island-style adornments and fun colors bringing warmth to a cold valley night. The Lone Ranger dog for $5.95 seemed like a good bet, with bacon, onion rings, cheddar cheese and a tangy barbecue sauce. My dining partner ordered a basic chili cheese dog with a $5.75 price tag. We opted to include fries and drinks for both orders, making a "basket" and bringing each order to $8.50. The service was attentive and quick. Our hefty dogs hit the table with little wait. As televisions played in the background, the first reaction was about portions. Oh My Dawgs! serves up a lot of food for a reasonable price. The Lone Ranger had three good-sized onion rings. The dog was cut in half and slathered in cheddar with bacon adornments peeking through the cheese. Logistically, it's hard to figure out how to approach a hot dog covered in that much extra. That's not a bad thing. A bite into the Lone Ranger proved it to be a good choice, with the flavors melting into each other. My dining buddy finished his hot dog, but had enough chili left that it was almost like an extra side. The fries were so plentiful we left many behind. Also on the menu are a regular grilled dog, with mustard, ketchup, relish, mayonnaise and chopped onions for $4.45 or a Chicago Dawg for $5.25, which comes in a poppy-seed bun. For something a little hotter, there's also a Spicy Chili Dawg served with Vienna chili, spicy nacho cheese and jalapenos for $5.75. Customers can also build their own hot dog creation with three toppings for $5.25. A sample of the topping choices: baked beans, hot peppers, sauerkraut, coleslaw and grilled onions. Plus, customers can substitute a regular polish for only 50 cents or a 1/3 pound hot dog for $3. It's a little bit of hot dog heaven. Oh My Dawgs! is a fun alternative to a stuffy chain restaurant for a night out, especially with an array of beers on tap (domestic drafts are a $1 from 3 p.m. to close Tuesday and Wednesday) and a small selection of wine. Questions Comments Contact LENS Editor Robin Nichols at (209) 546-8274 or [email protected]. To view recent reviews or The Record's restaurant review policy, go to recordnet.com/dining. ___ (c)2013 The Record (Stockton, Calif.) Visit The Record (Stockton, Calif.) at www.recordnet.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |