Hot Diggity Dog hits a home run
Photo Credit: Deborah Graham
The Ruben Dog is one of Hot Diggity's most famous dishes
Deborah Graham, Online editor
April 25, 2012
Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Dining, Local, Off campus, Reviews, Top Stories
The gourmet hot dog business has found a new home in Cordelia. Thank God my car needed gas and I was curious about the line of people going into the building next to Subway.
Hot Diggity Dog, which opened about two months ago, has two energetic owners, Toni Totten and her mother, Carol Murray. It seems hot dogs run in their blood. Totten’s grandparents Tom and Dorothy were owners of Pluto’s Hot Dogs in Vallejo for 35 years. Now Totten and Murray carry on the legacy.
“My mom and I have always talked about opening a hot dog place,” Totten said. “I didn’t want to work in the dental field anymore, and my mom has an ailing husband. We both thought this would be a great source of income.”
I loved the décor. The bright green walls were lined with small framed photos of hot dog memorabilia and the contrasting black and white polka dot table cloths with flowers on each table brought about a cheery atmosphere.
I ordered the chili dog, which Totten recommended. It seemed to be quite popular as many people in the line also chose this. The presentation was wonderful. The chili dog came in a little larger than bun sized paper container with huge amounts of homemade chili on top of a steamed hot dog. There were also freshly cut onion bits to top this off. I was glad she gave me a knife and fork. You definitely need these utensils to make sure you get every bite.
Totten and Murray want to make sure you get that fast food experience with a homemade flair. Everything at Hot Diggity Dog is made from scratch, from the wide variety of milkshakes and floats to another popular dish, “Diggity bites.” Diggity bites are the gourmet answer to French fries. These small potatoes are hand-tossed with rosemary and onion, baked, then served in cone-shaped paper.
The bites come with a choice of dipping sauces: ranch, thousand island, or honey mustard. All these are homemade as well. Sweet potatoes are also on the menu. There is nothing fried in the establishment.
Stuffed baked potatoes are also a favorite on the menu. These huge russet potatoes or sweet potatoes come with the standard toppings, butter, sour cream, green onions, and anything else you want on it for an additional cost.
Totten and Murray wanted to make sure their menu included a value meal so they came up with the $5 lunch consisting of a Pluto dog and a small drink.
“We just thought it was important to make sure that we included something affordable on the menu,” Murray said. “The $5 lunch is something we are going to do more advertisements on so people are aware we offer this.”
The duo is coming up with a mini corn dog, which they are currently testing. It will be a challenge since they do not use a fryer.
The greatest thing about this restaurant for me is that it is pet-friendly. There is an attached patio on the side which offers dog biscuits and water. The kids can go out and play in that area too.
David Scott, local businessman and first time patron, raved about the potato salad.
“I am very particular about where I get my potato salad from. I have to say this is the best potato salad I have ever eaten. I am definitely coming back,” Scott said.
So if you are a hot dog lover like myself and love fresh, quality food, then I would make it a point to visit Hot Diggity Dog the next time you are in the Cordelia area. You won’t be disappointed.
