Co-owner Chris Delahoz invited me to the Grand Opening of Cholo Dogs which is the newest resident in the Mills 50 District. They officially opened at Wally’s Mills Avenue Liquor on September 26 from 7:30pm – 11pm. A sizable crowd showed up to celebrate the fun food-filled fiesta. Cholo Dogs offers all beef, veggie, and vegan Mexican themed hotdogs.
Menu:
• El Borracho: Nathan’s All Beef (or Veg), Elote (Mexican Corn), Cotija Cheese, Tajin, and Cilantro.
• La Pelirroja: Nathan’s All Beef (or Veg), Avocado Sauce, Crema, Tajin, Red Onions.
• El Chicano: Nathan’s All Beef (or Veg), Pickle Slice, Crema, Cotija Cheese, Tajin.
• Cholo Dog: Nathan’s All Beef (or Veg), BBQ Sauce, Ancho Chipotle Sauce, Jalapeños, Tajin.
As the crowd waited for their hot dogs, I sat “back stage” behind the cart to watch the hectic action. A bell would ring as soon as a dog was ready. Franco Furtero manned the grill with a small army of assistants at the opening. Orders were coming fast and furious. As an added bonus we heard there would be a Mariachi band to add to the festivities. My fear was that they might set up right in front of me and block my view, so I sketched quickly.
Pam tried the Borracho and I tried the La Pelirrojo. Mine came smothered in avocado and crema, which made it difficult to eat while sketching, but it was delicious. I managed to keep the sauces off the sketch for the most part. I actually liked Pam’s hot dog better, so I ordered a second with the elote and cotija cheese. I never would have thought to order corn on a hot dog but it tasted great. Pam then tried the El Chicano which had a pickle on top. I didn’t taste it, but she said that from now on any hot dog she is served must come with a pickle on top.
I didn’t realize until I was half way through the sketch that a photographer was set up beside me. He was offering Polaroid photos of families and kids for $25 or so. Several boys posed wearing Mexican wrestling masks. He tried to convince another family to pose but they balked at the price. The response was, “But that is more than a hot dog!” Dear god, I live in a town that values art less than the price of a hot dog. Well these were some mighty fine hot dogs, I have to admit. They bumped up the culinary art of street food a notch in Mills 50.
The Mariachi band was late and there was concern that they would never show, so Pam and I headed out after the sketch was done and we had downed the hot dogs. We saw a video later that night of the band performing. Oh well, another sketch another day. Besides Wally’s Mills Avenue Liquor, the Cholo Dog Cart has been spotted at at Ivanhoe Park Brewing Company, The Veranda at Thornton Park. Check the Cholo Dog FB page to see where they might pop up next. A marriage made in heaven of American hot dogs and Mexican toppings. Grab a loaded dog!