Recently featured on Diner's, Drive-Ins and Dives, Hanks Haute Dogs brings a gourmet twist on the hot dog. Their menu offers a variety of different sausage choices and toppings. Everyday they feature a unique, specialty hot dog that they make in house. Along with their different “Haute Dog” choices, they offer sides such as: Hanks Awesome Fries, Tuffle Mac n Cheese and Sweet Onion Rings. Going with the theme of being gourmet, Hanks also offers customers tropical cocktails such as Hibiscus Lemonade and Pineapple Ice. With a location in Kaka'ako, Hanks Haute Dogs is a restaurant you shouldn't pass up.
I've gone to Hanks 4 times in the past week and each day I tried their daily special dog hoping I could try them all. They weren't offering their Wednesday dog (Rabbit and Veal Sausage) today, but offered a Homemade Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza instead. I am a HUGE pizza fan so I had to order it. My full order consisted of: Chicago Dog Combo, Truffle Mac n Cheese and Pizza. Yes I was hungry = ).
As I waited 15 minutes for my pizza, I decided to start with my Chicago Dog Combo and the Mac n Cheese. The combo includes the Chicago Dog, Hanks Awesome Fries, Hanks Haute Dip (I decided to go with Chipotle Mayo) and a Medium Drink. The Chicago Dog was definitely the main star of this meal. The mix of condiments with the all-beef dog on a steamed poppyseed bun was a perfect marriage in my mouth. The sport peppers and the snapping of the hot dog casing is what makes me come back for this Haute Dog all the time.
With this meal I decided to order the Truffle Mac n Cheese and all I can say is that I was extremely happy. They used penee pasta instead of macaroni elbows and poured this luscious white cheddar sauce on top followed by bread crumbs. I have never eaten any macaroni and cheese that has not given me a heavy, upsetting feeling. After each bite, I craved for more and was sad when I finished my bowl.
The last side that was included in the combo was an order of Hanks Awesome Fries with a side of his Haute Dip. I've tried all four flavors (Garlic Aioli, Chipotle Mayo, Wasabi Tobiko Crème and Spicy Curry Ketchup) and Chipotley Mayo is by far my favorite. Accompanied with Hanks Awesome Fries, this duo of food was delectable. The only comparison I can think of for these fries would be the fries they sell at In-N-Out. They had a crispy out side with a soft and chewy inside which is the definition of the perfect French Fry for me.
After I finished my first meal I returned inside to pick up my pizza. I decided to eat it in my car because I couldn't wait and didn't want it to get cold. As I opened the box, the smell of pizza traveled through my car. I knew I was in for a good Pizza, but this was more then a good Pizza; It was PHENOMENAL.
The crust was crispy, flaky and the perfect amount; not too thin and not too thick. The tomato sauce was rustic and full of flavor. As for the cheese, it was gooey, stringy and just oozed out of the pizza as I cut into it.
All of these elements formed quite possibly the best Deep Dish Pizza on this island. I really can't find words to express how good this was. You'll just have to find out for yourself. I personally would like to e-mail Hank and ask him to put this on his regular menu. I would definitely buy it whenever I go.
Even though they didn't sell their Wednesday Dog, I wasn't mad after my visit. I left with a full stomach and a huge smile on my face!
Taste: 4.5
Appearance: 4
Location: 4
Value: 3.5
Overall: 4
*Based on a 5 point scoring system with 1 being Not So Good and 5 being Great*
-Chef B
You lucky only 15 minutes. In Chicago they take an hour. Was the pizza worth the price? Looks sort of small to me.
ReplyDelete