Hanalei has a brand-new food stand, YES DOG! Hawaiian Hot Dogs (and so much more). Yes Dog! has just celebrated its Grand Opening in Ching Young Village, the “Heart of Hanalei”.
“It sounds contrite, be we really want to be the best hot dog cart in the world,” says Jeff Gordon, co-founder of Yes Dog! “We are truly hot dog nuts, aficionados, if you will…”
“We offer what no other hot dog cart offers, hot dogs from all over the world,” said Patri Schultz, also co-founder of Yes Dog! “Our Hawaiian dog is our own creation, and people are really loving it. It has our home-made pineapple mustard, and we make our coleslaw with coconut cream, instead of mayonnaise.” The Hawaiian Yes Dog also features hot pepperoncini and real pineapple on top.
But the Hawaiian Yes Dog is just the tip of the iceberg. The menu features some of the best hot dogs from around the world; a New Yorker with sauerkraut and mustard, a Chicago Dog with all the proper accoutrements (including celery salt and real sport peppers imported from Chicago), a Detroit chili dog with coney style chili, and a Build Your Own option where customers can build their own custom dog, not unlike a Subway sandwich for hot dogs.
The owners of Yes Dog! are adamant about serving the highest quality and most delicious hot dogs on the Island. Every detail is closely monitored, even down to checking the temperature of every Yes Dog! before serving. “We have found that 175-180 degrees internally brings out the best flavor of our All-Beef, Kosher style hot dogs,” says Gordon. “Most hot dog carts focus on only one style, but we decided to offer all of the great dogs from around the world.”
It is this attention to detail and desire to be the best that really sets Yes Dog! apart. The owners have a true love of great hot dogs, and it shows. “The response has been incredible,” says Schultz, “people have really showered us with Aloha and the feedback is amazing, we get to watch the smiles on everyone’s face when we hand them their delicious Yes Dog!”
“Most hot dog carts are pretty basic; grab a dog with mustard or ketchup and off you go. But we have created a much broader experience, by offering toppings like dill pickles, diced onions, fresh tomatoes, relish, sauerkraut, Hawaiian coleslaw, pineapple mustard, Hawaiian hot sauce and real pineapple,” continues Gordon. “Adding real pineapple adds a sweetness that perfectly compliments the salty, garlicky sausage. And with so many options, you can create a custom Yes Dog! that really hits the spot.”
Open every day from 11-3, or until they sell out, Yes Dog! is located right in Ching Young Village, next to Big Save. The old-time carnival rides really add to the circus-like atmosphere, where Yes Dog! has its red and white umbrella blowing in the trade winds. Prices start at $6.00 for the “Recession Special”, a nod to Gray’s Papaya in New York. The recession special is a basic dog with your choice of ketchup, mustard, and relish. The bigger dogs, like the Chicago, go for $10.00. Coke and water are also on the menu.
Long time north shore residents, Schultz and Gordon came up with the idea after walking through Ching-Young Village for years. “We always would say, ‘there should be a hot-dog cart right here’, and so we finally did it!” says Schultz. “We bought the cart from a dealer in Florida, and had it shipped here by boat. We wanted the authentic push-cart style stand, so we paid a little extra to get the real deal.”
“Michael Ching, owner of Ching Young Village, has been incredible to us. He really cares about us and wants us to be successful. His help has been invaluable” says Gordon, a long-time local musician. Gordon also owns the Kauai Salad Dressing Company, makers of Gordon’s Pineapple Vinaigrette. “I have a real passion for food, I’m an Anthony Bourdain freak. This hot dog cart is such a great way to get instant gratification, by creating a custom dog and handing it directly to our customers. It is such a great experience.”
Gordon hails from New Jersey, while Schultz is Brazilian. “We will be offering weekly specials, like a Brazilian dog and an Italian Jersey style dog, with sauteed peppers and onions. We want to give an experience that you cannot get anywhere else. Our diverse backgrounds give us many options to offer the community,” says Schultz. Gordon continues, “New Jersey is actually a very serious hot dog state, they have cult-like hot dog joints that have been around forever. Nathan Handwerker, creator of Nathan’s Hot Dogs, is my hero. Maybe one day they’ll talk about Yes Dog! the way we talk about Nathan’s. That would be a dream come true!”
Yes Dog! also offers vegetarian options. “We were eating a Chicago dog,” continues Schultz, “and realized that with all the toppings, like a dill pickle spear, fresh tomatoes, diced onions, mustard, relish and sport peppers, you don’t really even need the dog! So we got rid of the sausage and realized that we have the perfect vegetarian option, very delicious and fresh!” Or, customers can load up their veg dog with their choice of toppings. “In Chicago, they call it ‘dragged through the garden’,” says Gordon, “because there is so much going on, flavor wise. So we created our own Garden, where people can choose exactly what they want.”
Yes Dog! says they will be sponsoring a hot dog eating contest, just like Nathan’s on the 4th of July, except Yes Dog! will do theirs on May day, aka Lei Day.
“These Yes Dog! guys aren’t kidding around,” says one happy customer, “they really know their dogs, and really put a lot of Love an Aloha into each one.”
Yes Dog! Photos
