Speed’s: Best Hot Dog in the U.S.
We’re beginning to feel a little smug around here at Chowder Central. For the second time this month, a Boston eatery has been named “best in the country” (that’s after the New York Times’s Frank Bruni named O Ya the best new American restaurant). Hah!
In this case it’s Speed’s Hot Dogs, the Newmarket Square stand where franks are marinated in apple cider and brown sugar, grilled over charcoal, then topped with homemade condiments. Raymond Sokolov of the Wall Street Journal calls them “the dog[s] against which I now measure all others.”
Congratulations to the Speed’s team, led by octogenarian owner Ezra “Speed” Anderson. You’re a top dog, indeed.
April 3rd, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I do not like Pearl hot dogs. They are flavorless,and what flavor they do have is poor. I think hot dogs should be smoked in processing. The reason Speeds offers all there toppings is to compensate for what I consider a bad hot dog.
June 21st, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Are You nutz Robert? The toppings aren’t the only flavor in the dog. Speed’s marinates in that brown sugar / apple cider concoction that moistens the skin. After simmering this for a bit, he throws it on the wire rack only a few inches from the charcoal and covers it to give it that smoky taste. Over cooking it slightly to give it some snap. I’ve only ever had it with their signature sauce and onions, and it is by far the best dog around. The whole is definitely worth more than the sum of its parts. Just brought my wife for her first Speed Dog, we will be back again soon hopefully!
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
I agree pearl hot dog is tasteless, that why Speeds have stopped using Pearls they have the HOT DOG, made just for them (WHAT A TREAT)
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:31 pm
JUST FOR INFO BOSTON SPEED’S HAVEN’T USED PEARL HOT DOGS SINCE JUNE