For those who don’t know Japadog personally let me introduce you. Started in 2005 by a mad scientist (or one smart businessman) Japadog took the streets of Vancouver by storm and quickly became the phenomenon it is today. The opening of it’s second cart on Burrard and Pender brings me personally one step closer to this yummy hot dog variation as it’s now dangerously close to work. To be more blunt, it’s a Japanese take on hot dogs and it’s stupidly yummy.
Now were do I start, the fact that you could spend 30 minutes in line during lunch for a hot dog? or the fact that if you so chose, you can have fish in a tube covered in wesabe mayo? and why should you spend six plus dollars on a hot dog?
The selection varies depending on what cart you venture to, and in this case I’ll be reviewing the Burrard and Pender location since I’ve had most of their hot dogs. Personally my favorite hot dog is the Korokke dog ($6.00). Served on top of the all beef sausage is mash potatoes, cabbage, Japanese mayo and Korokke sauce. Other than the traditional all beef sausage other menu items include different types of dogs.
The Okonomi dog ($6.25) is a Kurobuta pork sausage smothered in cabbage, Bonito flakes, Japanese mayo and Okonomi sauce. When I had this it was pretty good but they seemed to have been in a rush and the Kurobuta pork was kinda slimy in an non-cooked kind of way.
The Terimayo is their supposed top seller that breaks it down to the basics. Meat, bun, shredded seaweed with teriyaki and Japanese mayo.
The Sakana ($6.25) is a fish sausage (Gyoniku) topped with tuna, Japanese mayo, soy sauce, and mixed orangic leaves. Overall this was pretty tasty but for me it’s a try once kind of dog.
So that’s Japadog, friendly service, mile long lineups during lunch and a tasty alternative to Vancouver’s street meat scene. If you live in Vancouver and haven’t had a Japadog I’d highly suggest you try it right away. If you’re visiting the city put this on you’re must do list. That way when you watch a travel show featuring Vancouver you can then point at the TV and yell “I’ve been there!” in turn making your friends jealous and you will be the master of the universe and everything in it.
The Good:
Imaginative menu
Unique style
Friendly staff
The bad
Kind of pricey
The lineups at lunch
original post at OM NOM
Even though Sushi and Japanese cuisine is very popular in Cajun country (in 10 years, we have gone from one sushi joint to eight), I doubt the locals would go for the prices. I would guess that Vancouver is a little more cosmopolitan and the people more willing to spend more on a meal.
My first two days in business here have far exceeded my expectations.
I don’t know how many HDC vendors deliver, but many of the downtown merchants are big into having us deliver their order. We will deliver up to 2 blocks from our cart. I never even thought about tips, but so far, about one in five customers leave (usually dollar) tips. We serve our massive sausage po boys slathered and dripping with my award winning BBQ sauce. It is selling real well, as are the nachos. I was concerned whether we could whip out the orders quick, but it is no problem. With each order, I feel creative, and like an artist. Customers love to watch their meal prepared. I finish every dog and sausage with about 40 seconds on the grill, and am reminded “You don’t sell the steak, you sell the sizzle.” So true! I have learned that many of the working people of downtown have a half hour lunch, and their options have been very limited. Fortunately for the Grateful Dawg, there are no fast food joints near downtown, only sit down restaurants. We are filling the void!
Russ,
Glad to hear it’s going so well. Congratulations.
Grateful Dawg…Love the name!
– Steve