By Matthew Boudreau, Contributing Columnist
Call me a traditionalist if you will, but I still enjoy receiving mail. As a small business owner, I rather appreciated getting flyers and mailers to see how different companies were marketing their products. Each month, I look forward to the smaller publications and marketing firms that carry the advertisements from other local small businesses. I have often found it a great way to try new restaurants and get the perk of getting a discount to do so. It is a win-win.
Last month, the colourful and eye-catching advertisement for Kon Dog caught my attention. I had heard some positive word of mouth reviews but had not yet made the trip down the Bedford Highway. I cut the coupon out and set it aside for a Saturday afternoon when my mother was coming to visit.
When that day arrived, my mother, my wife and I made the short drive from Clayton Park to Kon Dog, which is in the former Esquire Motel location that is now a plaza. I certainly have to say that I appreciate the re-use of that space as it has added many terrific new businesses to the area.
So, what is a Korean hot dog you may ask? For those unfamiliar, it is similar to a North American corn dog or Pogo; a hot dog skewered on a stick and coated in a batter before being deep-fried. However, there are options to add or replace the inside with cheese. Plus, there are many toppings and sauces you can add. It is certainly fun creating your custom made hot dog.
My mother went for the half beef and half cheese and had it rolled with potatoes. My wife had the traditional Kon Dog, and I went for the spicy with Jalapeno sausage. We each added our custom sauces, which included ketchup, mayonnaise, and chipotle mayo. They were cooked to perfection, delicious, and the right size to leave us feeling full for a lunchtime meal. I will certainly be back for another on my next trip down that stretch of the highway, perhaps next time I will take the #8 bus down for a more leisurely adventure!
