Although the cheeseburger may be the most popular dish in American cuisine, something else is more of an icon to me-the hot dog. Hamburgers often appear on menus with more interesting and more expensive things to eat. There's no comparable range of dishes for hot dogs, even in menus with a lot of variety. You just don't hear too much about gourmet hot dogs.
In honor of Memorial Day, MA suggested lunch at a place she has been watching for years. Rob's Rockin' Dogs started deep in downtown Covington in a tiny triangular space near the courthouse. She gave it zero chance of success, and felt some compassion when she passed the frantically waving hot dog on Boston Street trying to direct people to Rob's. Years went by and Rob's turned up on the Causeway approach in Mandeville. They made it. They must be doing something right, she reasoned.
The hot dog suit is now part of the decor at the new place on East Causeway Approach. It is absorbed by the bigger new place, as the menu was absorbed by the very large one now. The selection of breads, fillings, condiments and sides is daunting. MA had a smoked sausage on what appeared to be a specially-made wheat bun, topped with pepper jack cheese and sauerkraut. She chose a side of dirty rice, which she declared completely absent all flavor, including salt. You can really eat just about anything from this large menu on the Build Your Own section for $7.99. Her rice was an accompanying side. I had crispy golden brown tater tots as my side. My dog was simple - plain bun and Black Angus wiener finished with mustard and kraut. It was what I wanted from a hot dog, and I got it.
The place had a mid-century bar feeling about it, featuring music from the late 1960s. MA found this traumatic, since she hated high school. She wasn't into rock'n' roll then or now, but found the videos of superstar bands from this era riveting, as I did. Videos of recording sessions probably rarely seen. Watching Mama Cass sway awkwardly in white boots as a young woman and John Lennon hanging out with the band in studio was a little eerie, but I certainly enjoyed this time warp. This place hits me between the eyes, and is very close to my heart, because it's exactly the music I heard on my prom night. No prom kids today, but the place is reasonably pleasant. And so were the hot dogs. In no way comparable to Dat Dog, but the goal here is equal parts atmosphere. Rob's Rockin' Dogs is aptly named. Have an ordinary hot dog with some extraordinary time travel.
Rob's Rockin' Dogs
2890 East Causeway Approach Unit B Mandeville 780448
985-231-7688
We finished the evening with a visit to our old friend Andrea in his Capri Blu bar. We don't see him often enough. He and I go back a long way, and Andrea's was the first restaurant I wanted MA to experience with me. The restaurant is not what it was then, and this is the source of some tension between us. But MA always plays the mediator in wanting to bring two old friends with history together. And it works. We always have fun visiting. Andrea is one of the most hospitable chef owners out there. His home truly is your home, as it was last night. We shared some great conversation about Verona and its famous Twelve Apostles Restaurant over a terrific red wine from that region.
It was the perfect quiet end to the holiday weekend. Now on to summer.
Andrea's Restaurant
3100 19th St . Metairie 70002
504-834-8583
