City’s get defined by their culinary offering and hot dogs are a signature for many cities. Nathan’s famous all beef dogs are synonymous with New York. The classic Chicago style hot dog piles on relish, onions, tomatoes, short peppers and a dash of celery salt. Well, I’m proud to say that Indianapolis now has a dog worthy of putting our city name on and they’re being served up at King David’s Dogs (located on Pennsylvania just north of Washington Street and in the Indianapolis International Airport).
While King David’s restaurant is only a few years old their dogs are a part of Indianapolis history. The Hene Meat Company developed these signature 1/4 pound all-beef dogs in the 1940′s and sold them in grocery stores all over Indianapolis. By the 1990′s the Meat Company was history but King David’s owner, Brent Joseph (grandson on Hene’s founders), uses their original recipe to serve up a serious hot dog that eats like a meal.
The Hawaiian Dog from King David's with onions, pineapple relish and barbecue sauce.
A few things I that make the King David’s experience a memorable one:
- Toppings: They have a boat-load of them so you can create the perfect dog for your tastes.
- Imaginative Recipes and Specials: You can try something new each visit (examples: the Reuben Dog, the South of the Border Dog, the Boom Boom Dog, the State Fair Dog, the Hawaiian Dog, etc.)
- Tater Tots: It takes you back to elementary school in the most positive sense. I like to do a hot sauce/ketchup mix that is perfect for dipping tots.
- Crushed Ice in Plastic Cups: Something about it just makes coke taste better. I have no explanation why, but trust me.
Get out and sink your teeth into Indy’s signature hot dog and thank me later.
