Nathan's Hotdogs and More
Written: Nov 10 '08 (Updated Nov 10 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Delicious Hot Dogs, Great Fries, Price, Friendly Service
Cons: Not close to my house, Chicken tenders are okay
The Bottom Line: If you like hot dogs, this is your place to go.
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| toiletoctopus's Full Review: Nathan's Famous |
I used to grimace and shake my head, when my wife wanted me to take her to the Leesburg Outlet Mall. Shopping at a mall is like going to the dentist, because while it is something that you have to do sometimes, I really don't like going there. There are the crowds, the annoying teenagers who skateboard in your personal space, and the usual having to have a near brawl to get a parking spot. Online shopping is much better in my opinion, and although I guess I'd rather go here than getting a root canal, there is one positive aspect to it.
There is a Nathan's Famous Restaurant, which is worth all of the hassles and walking that accompany a visit here. While Hebrew Nationals are my favorite at home hot dog, because they answer to a slightly higher authority and I've been given an honorary Jewish Degree from my non-goyum friends, I really like Nathan's dogs. They are made with 100% beef, and although they are just a bit below the quality of the HN's, they are a culinary treat that I always look forward to eating. They are world famous due to this quality, and their hot dogs are used for the annual eating contest that bears their name. I don't understand how someone can eat 50 hot dogs in a short amount of time, but I do like to have a couple of them at this mall.
The Nathan's Famous Restaurant is a no frill establishment, as there is a serving line, where you wait your turn and order what you want. There are usually at least four employees working at this one, which also serves food from the awful Arthur Treacher's. To have these two completely different choices under one roof, is like comparing Miss Universe and Jabba the Hut. However, I am able to overlook this study in contrasts, and focus on a wonderful hot dog meal that makes life just a little bit better.
The choices are fairly straightforward, as there are hot dog combo meals, as well as chicken tenders, steak and cheese subs, and a small hamburger. I always get at least one hot dog, even if I get the tenders, but I usually order the Double Hot Dog Combo Meal. For $7.99 you get two Nathan's dogs, and you can top them with chili, cheese, sauerkraut, onions, and salsa. I usually get one that I can have with mustard and ketchup, and then have the other one loaded up with chili and cheese. The chili that they use is much better than what is expected from a fast food place, and the cheddar cheese melts in perfectly to create a gourmet heart attack lurking around the corner on your plate.
The hotdogs are fairly substantial in size, and I love their crinkly fries. They are always served piping hot, so give them a few minutes to cool off, but they are really good. These fries are very crisp, and not too salty at all, allowing you to pretend that you are eating something healthy. You get a whole bunch of them as well with your order, so if you are hungry, then you might just want to consider the all you can eat event. The fries can also be topped off with chili and cheese if desired, for a small fee, but I like them just the way they are.
Nathan's is nothing fancy, but for all of its simplicity, it offers an excellent value for the money. If you are not a hot dog fanatic, the chicken tenders are comparable to Wendy's, so they are nothing special. The Philly Steak and Cheese Sub is not that large, but I liked the quality of the ingredients, and the bread used is better than what you'd expect from a $6 meal. The drink choices are limited to offerings from the Pepsi Company, but they do have old fashioned lemonade that pairs well with any meal that you order from here.
I really like Nathan's, and I wish they would build one closer to home, and that it wouldn't have to be in the middle of an outlet mall. The chairs provided by the mall are uncomfortable, so I cannot blame Nathan's for this at all. However, even with this minor inconvenience I'm a loyal fan, and will be going back soon whether I want to or not, due to the outlets winter sale. If you want a good value for your buck, and a meal that will satisfy, this is a great place to go.
Recommended:
Yes
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