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In Calgary, we are blessed with not one but two fancy hot dog places, and they’re within walking distance of each other. I’ve posted about Tubby Dog before (here and here), so it was about time I tried the comparably cheekily named Le Chien Chaud.
Located in the Mission neighbourhood, the business’ mascot is Francis, a hot dog character who wears a beret and haughtily holds a hot dog aloft in his hand.
You can pick a wiener of pork/beef, all-beef, vegetarian, buffalo or bratwurst. The dogs average about $6.
The selection of 11 gourmet dogs features toppings that make them unique to a certain culture. The Chilean Completo has guacamole, mayo, chopped tomatoes and onions, hot Aji sauce and fresh cilantro. I accidentally took a bite of Tracy’s Chilean dog — and it was really, really good.
(It was an accident because her dog got put on my desk, and vice versa, and I just chomped into it without really looking at the toppings.)
I ordered a Chicago dog, with a sliced dill pickle, tomato wedges, mustard and relish, chopped cucumber and onion, sprinkled with celery salt. The menu said “topped with a sport pepper,” but I’m pretty sure I got a pepperoncini.
It was good too but I felt the cucumber was unnecessary, and the relish too sweet.
The dogs were a handful, but nothing like the overflowing volcanos that are Tubby Dogs. I do like the buns at Le Chien Chaud better.
Since there are inevitable comparisons, I will say that Tubby Dog is like a refreshing mug of beer, while Le Chien Chaud is a flute of bubbly champagne. However, I don’t think anything can beat street meat.
Le Chien Chaud, #3-2015-4th St. SW, (403) 229-DOG1. Open Monday to Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sundays noon-5 p.m.
If you will be in Vancouver any time soon, can you drop by a Japadog and have one for comparison purposes? Just want to know if it is an apple/oranges comparison… ^_^;
KimHo: Will do! Even before your comment, Japadog was top of list for me next trip (hopefully July-ish)…
I had to have Chien Chaud every single week when I was pregnant with my first. It was my only serious craving. Have barely been back since the baby was born.
You are providing me with too many drooling lunch options these days!
It took me awhile before I found Chien dogs that I enjoyed. The Ukranian, or Polish dog, (can’t remember at the moment) is super good. It’s easily my favourite. Also, there is one with chilli that I love (named after a South American country I think?).
The Greek, and others that feature cold toppings tend to be less satisfying, I find.
Tubby Dog is fun, and good, but I feel a little regretful after eating their dogs as they are too junkfoody, while Chien has fresh ingredients and more veggies.
…aaaaaand, that totally looks like a pepperoncini.