First Bite: Underdogs, the New Hot Dog Spot on 17th Street

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Today I lunched at Underdogs, the just opened subterranean hot dog joint by restaurant veteran Robert Amar. Underdogs offers sub-$5 hot dogs with classic and haute toppings. The spot also offers more fanciful fare like lamb sausage, chorizo and even buffalo chicken sausage.

Today I ordered a haute dog combo, The Special included a 100% all beef Dietz and Watson hot dog topped with pepper hash and Russian dressing. The combo also includes a soda, regular fries and dipping sauce for $6.50.

It was a legitimate hot dog with good snap and a bun that managed to be more substantial than your typical hot dog bun but without overwhelming the ingredients. The pepper hash and Russian dressing played well with each other and gave just enough of the peppery spice I was craving.

The fries are served in a brown paper bag a la Five Guys. Unlike the massive amount of fries they give you at Five Guys, the regular size was just right for me. Twelve dipping sauces are available, I went with the malt vinegar aioli though the Sriracha may was calling my name. The Chocolate Cayenne Mole, well that was just scary.

Underdogs offers veggie dogs and gluten-free buns as well.

Hours are Sunday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11a.m. to 4 a.m.

Underdogs

132 S 17th St, Philadelphia, PA

215-665-8080

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