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Step Away From the Jumbo Slice: M'Dawg Haute Dogs Set For Adams Morgan

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4 AM venison dogs, anyone?

By Erin Zimmer   Published Monday, January 29, 2007

M'Dawg's counter will be littered with pics of local pups.

Though the grand opening of Adams Morgan hot dog shop M’Dawg Haute Dogs has been extended and re-extended over the last month, owner Scott Bennett promises “this is it.” Slated to open late next week, M’Dawg (pronounced “mah dog,” like the endearing pet name) will feature at least 12 wursts and wieners from our nation’s sausage capitals--including DC: Bennett promises the half-smoke will be “killer.”

The permanent menu will also include the New Jersey Ripper (a deep-fried, split down-the-middle Vienna Beef dog), the Sheboygan Bratwurst (Milwaukee soul food), a “standard” red hot, a homemade corn dog (with corn meal batter by David Greggory chef Greggory Hill), a veggie dog made from portabella mushroom and tofu, a venison dog, along with a few imports from Italy and Germany.

In the same vein as its sister business Amsterdam Falafel (located across the street), M’Dawg Haute Dogs will include an elaborate garnish table laden with funky relishes, chutneys (such as apricot), slaws (a Southern-styled one) and other spreads, all created by Hill. The David Greggory chef, who’s been moonlighting as a hotdog craftsman and who accompanied the Bennetts on a nationwide frank-tasting tour, “doesn’t sit still,” says Bennett, who has spent many hours watching Hill play with garnish concoctions. Of course plain old ketchup and mustard will be available, but Bennett, along with wife and co-owner Arianne, believes in the power of fixins bars. “No one in America, let alone Washington is doing it.”    

The team is putting finishing touches on the décor—as of last week, local muralist Byron Peck still had a ways to go on the painted walls—but the Bennetts are still collecting candid shots of Washington-area pups (A window sign asks for photos by Dec 31, 2006, but they’ll accept entries over the next few weeks.): While one table is devoted to their own “dawgs” Saxon and Duce, an empty counter space near the front window still needs some character.

Like Amsterdam Falafel, the Bennett's new place will be open all-hours, for sober snacking or a late-night alternative to Jumbo Slice.

M'Dawg Haute Dogs,  2418 18th St., NW.

 

 

Comments

I had this idea last year.. dc is so prime for a single item comfort food..

Posted by: Jesse Thomas www.jess3.com jessesaves@gmail.com,

We are happy to see something new and different opening in our old nieghborhood. We lived there until moving to Upper NW 3 years ago, but we frequent Adams Morgan and this is one of our new favorite lunch stops!
Not ot mention that our "girls" Millie and Maggie will be part of the decor!
Go M'Dawg, we love you!!!!

Posted by: Jolene and Christian,

This place is a joke. The "Chicago red hot" they offer, called "The Cheap Trick" is not even vienna beef. Being a native Chicagoan, I expect my "Chicago Style" hot dog to at the very least come in a poppy seed bun. Not here. You have to specify, and I couldn't even get one because they were out. For $4.40, I got a greasy, wrinkly looking hot dog in a cold potato bun. I was able to spoon out luke warm chopped bits of onion, tomatoes, and relish if I wanted-- "for free," but I was so disgusted at the pathetic excuse for a hot dog in my hands that i just threw it in the trash and walked out. Don't waste your five plus dollars on this place. Awful.

Posted by: JB,

We are happy to see something new and different opening in our old nieghborhood. We lived there until moving to Upper NW 3 years ago, but we frequent Adams Morgan and this is one of our new favorite lunch stops!
Not ot mention that our "girls" Millie and Maggie will be part of the decor!
Go M'Dawg, we love you!!!!

Posted by: Jolene and Christian,

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