Speedy Dawg, Portland
Speedy Dawg (“Dogs with Attitude”) is a new addition to the pod at 10th and Alder. Not sure who they replaced, seems to have been some wholesale changes at this pod lately.
Speedy’s philosophy of “Dawgs with Attitude” comes from the fact that you create your own ‘attitude’ with their various topping choices, which run the entire range from pedantic to ho-hum. The menu, posted online, shows that one can select a choice of two different dogs to start, an “all beef stadium style” or an “all beef Hebrew National.” Since I have no idea what a stadium style hot dog is (long and skinny?) I went with the Hebrew, a dependable enough hot dog.
Your attitude choices? 1) Chili, cheese and onions, 2) Sauerkraut, 3) Minced garlic, onion, and EVOO, 4) Tropical salsa, 5) Spicy salsa with jalapenos, or 6) Veggie spread with cream cheese, carrots, green onion and seasoning.
I went with the chili cheese onion option (hold the cheese), and the tab added up to $3.50. You can add on chips, drinks, soft pretzels, and a few other items. The food comes to you in a ‘theme-appropriate’ bag.
Speedy Dawg, Portland
Do the dogs have attitude? Do the workers? Sadly, no. This is your garden variety hot dog, chili, and bun, with nothing to distinguish it from any other average dog around town. The server did suggest I take a fork, and that was a good move, as this is not finger food, the bun isn’t substantial enough to hold the hefty weenie and chili both.
But the profit margins? Sweet! You have to admire them for that! If I had to pick a favorite cart dog on the west side of the river, it would still be Bro Dogs, at the pod at 5th and some tree street.
Speedy Dawg, Portland