"Popo’s Gourmet Hot Dog- Chili Dog. Messy the way a chili dog should be. Don’t try to get this dog to eat on the road. You will need complete attention to get this sucker down without wearing it up and down your shirt". Click Here For Original Review Given the variety of available products and everyone’s personal taste, it would be folly to attempt to declare a single “best” dog, but we found some tubular treats definitely worth working into your summer itinerary. All the dogs we tasted were well above average quality, and all but one was served on a buttered, grilled New-England-style frankfurter bun. A few bare-bones dogs ran $2.50; the rest averaged $3.50 to $3.95. Also, we appreciated that several vendors offered the Ipswich Ale Mustard made by local Mercury Brewing Company. Still curious about the “original” Popo’s, we headed to Gloucester where we met founder Mark Scaglione, a terrifically nice guy who told us his story while prepping our dogs. A lobsterman from Nahant, Scaglione opened the Swampscott location in 2004, and it quickly became known for delicious dogs. With an eye toward the future, he partnered with his friend, Ed Williams from New England Restaurant Brokers and Brighams Ice Cream, to create a new venture: licensing (not franchising) Popo’s hot dogs. The Gloucester location isn’t just a great place to grab a dog, it’s a model for potential investors. One thing that sets Popo’s dogs apart is attention to detail. We ordered the slaw dog, and mix the cole slaw on order, so it was light and fresh rather than swimming in day-old mayo. We have to admit that although on a quest for dogs, we ordered one of Popo’s famed lobster rolls, which was again mixed to order. This is the first time we have ever been asked how we wanted the lobster salad prepared! The small size was plenty big, chock full of fresh meat, and quite delectable
Video above is VB from Fox 25 News featuring Popo's Olde Fashioned Hot Dogs!
Gloucester Location is at 6 Rogers St. on the famous water front!
GOODMORNINGGLOUCESTER.ORG VIDEO AUGUST 28TH 09
REVIEW BY JOEY FROM GOOGMORNINGGLOUCESTER.ORG
Video above is Kim Carrigan and VB from Fox 25 News featuring our famous Lobster Rolls!
Gloucester Location is at 6 Rogers St. on the famous water front!
This time of year, the media is full of summery stories on the best fried clams, lobster rolls, and ice cream, and we at the Dish are no exception. Last weekend, we set out to find the tastiest hot dogs on the North Shore, risking our arteries and our families’ patience by visiting six vendors in two days.
First, we needed to solve the Popo’s (pronounced POP-oh’s) mystery. Having occupied a storefront in Swampscott for several years, we assumed they’d left when the space was taken over by Kell’s Kreme. A quick search revealed they had moved to a location in Gloucester. But it turns out that Kell’s negotiated a licensing deal and still sells Popo’s hot dogs out of this location.
Kell’s has an ice-cream-parlor ambiance: super clean, well lit, and staffed with friendly college kids who were helpful and attentive. On offer were kosher beef, natural casing, and veggie dogs with a plethora of toppings, some complimentary, some at an extra $.50. Our favorite was the Boston Dog, served with baked beans, caramelized onions, and diced real bacon bits. Rich and savory, it was a meal on a bun.
Original Link to Review!
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Popo’s Hot Dogs is a sunny mustard colored storefront framed in Menu: 8 A magical menu of hot dogs and ice cream features quirky grilled or steamed links (kosher beef or natural casing) piled into Appetizers: 7 Phantom began with Boston Baked Beans bathed in just enough deep molasses attraction for a wet, but not soupy batch. The just-made Cole Slaw used its cubed structure for a crunchy advantage, and an abundance of carrots tendered natural sweetness to the mix. Entrees: 8 For entrees, the wonderfully complex Arizona Dog tempered heat-packing jalapeno peppers with a savory link, strong red onion, and silky vinegar roasted peppers on a buttered, grilled bun. The oddly intriguing Thai Dog mastered a salty-sweet pairing with a beef casing topped with nutty peanut sauce and succulent sautéed onions. Dessert: 8 To finish, a wonderfully satisfying Old Fashioned Mercury Soda Float flooded birch beer effervescence over fat scoops of dense, creamy vanilla ice cream. Portions: 8
Portions make the grade with a heft of luxury toppings and meaty overhang at both ends of the bun. Service: 8 The owner’s friendly presence was a great advantage, yielding incredible customer service like free samples, requests for feedback, and special orders. Cleanliness: 8 Popo’s is no sloppy dog dealer. The pleasant space displayed dusted photo frames and clean counters Value: 8 Awesome low prices range from $1.85 for the no-frills link to $3.25 for the do-it-your-way Frank Sinatra special. |
