Different foods tend to have different reputations. When it comes to dining throughout the Tampa Bay area, it's a major understatement saying you've got your fair share of choices when it comes to picking from a vast assortment of reputable foods; prime steaks with an air of sophistication, spicy wings in all their messy, delicious glory, barbecue with its sense of sweet and savory comfort.
Hot dogs, though, get the short end of the stick. Relegated to kids menus, gas station heat rollers, and seedy late-night dining carts, hot dogs often get a rep for being cheap, low-quality, and last resort option to fill your stomach on the go.
Mel's Hot Dogs, though, is a rare breed. They've been cherishing the dog, churning 'em out with a gourmet style that goes beyond it's cheap reputation for nearly 40 years in their iconic North Tampa location.
One visit, as we learned on this week's Taste Tour of 813 stop, can easily change your mind when it comes to what you might typically think of hot dogs.
Mel's does hot dogs in the famous Chicago style; savory, all-beef franks with an assortment of toppings ranging from the classic Chi-town combo of tomatoes, celery salt, and sport peppers to bacon cheddar with a sinfully delicious bacon/melted cheddar combo, and much more.
The classic Chicago dog yields a savory, plump, and juicy taste unmatched by many of its competitors. This is hardly some faceless, bland dog, either. There's an assuring snap as your teeth sink in followed by a salty-savory taste that could only come from a top-quality all-beef hot dog. Nestled between a pillowy bun that never overbears the real flavor, the Chicago dog at Mel's is something that could easily make a windy city native proud.
Other selections at Mel's include a number of Chi-town inspired eats like Italian beef sandwiches, polish sausage, and more. Their Italian beef sandwich is a behemoth well worth the $8 alongside an aus jus dipping sauce and the option for classic, spicy giardiniera topping. Man, is this thing salty, though. A dip in the aus jus feels like enough saltiness to send your blood pressure skyrocketing. Without, though, it's a decent sandwich with a heavenly soft texture that makes chowing it down way too fast frighteningly easy.
Mel's is obviously a Tampa dining icon for good reason. Bolstered by a fun, historic interior that almost feels like a trip back in time, this Tampa hot dog joint is well worth the visit if you're looking for a dog that goes above and beyond its simple, cheap reputation.
Give Mel's a try, then let us know your thoughts with a rating and review on the Mel's Hot Dogs 813area business listing.
