Stuggy’s – Baltimore Magazine

Stuggy’s Settles In at Its New Home—With a New Name

Jane Marion — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 15:52:37 +0000

—Photography by Scott Suchman

When Stuggy’s co-founders Ryan Perlberg and his father, Stuart, were first thinking about opening a hot dog stand, they didn’t want it to be any old dog of a spot.

“My dad originally had the idea,” says Perlberg, a former songwriter for Universal Records. “He saw how many burger places were sweeping the nation and how many sausage and hot dog companies had gone away. I told him if we did it, it had to be special. We wanted to do something that was different and unique to our region.”

After a mere 12 years, Stuggy’s has become something of a Charm City institution—and it continues to grow, thanks to its fantastic franks.

Several months ago, the spot, now known as Stuggy’s Sandwich Shop, started a new chapter when it moved from its brick-and-mortar location on Broadway in Fells Point to Fleet Street, not far from its original stand. When Papi Cuisine vacated the space, the Perlbergs, who owned the property, moved in.

“We really outgrew our space 36 months into opening,” says Perlberg. “I never wanted to move off Broadway, but when we started thinking about having outdoor seating, more of a menu, and a liquor license, it was just something we couldn’t pass up.”

Why do people love hot dogs?
When a lot of people [from Eastern Europe] came to America, they came to New York or Baltimore, so you have the coolest communities here and all these old recipes. Much of it has been phased out because our diets are changing and times are evolving, but it’s still this slice of Americana. People smell a hot dog on a grill being cooked and they think of their childhood. I think that’s the basis of why they are so special—food is so emotional.

Tell us about the new space.
We wanted to lighten the space. We consulted with Flowers & Fancies, and they helped us visualize the space as the light came in and we filled the space with different varieties of plants and palms. And we got inspired by all these MICA students who are customers. We found pictures and paintings that were inspired by the artists and in some cases done by them. We are going to showcase the art and some of it will be for sale. At Stuggy’s, we’re really selling fun.

What should first-timers get?
The crab mac-and-cheese hot dog. It has been such a viral product and it was so totally unexpected. We’re also trying to have healthier options. From the sandwich side of the menu, I’d recommend the falafel.

So, what does the future hold?
It has been a wild journey. We’ve been through a lot of things with our city. And we’ve been able to expand so far beyond our brick-and-mortar locations with corporate deals at M&T Bank Stadium and Camden Yards. Minor league ballparks are on the horizon. And it all started in Fells Point with selling one hot dog at a time.

Source

Best Places to Celebrate National Hot Dog Day

Lauren Cohen — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 12:21:00 +0000

Across baseball stadiums and backyard barbeques, in greasy spoons and upscale eateries, hot dogs are inescapable this time of year—not that we’re complaining. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council estimates that each summer from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Americans consume around seven billion hot dogs. That’s 818 franks per second. No matter what you call them—wieners, frankfurters, dogs—this Wednesday is your chance to celebrate with one or two of these classic American eats. Here, we round up some of the very best hot dogs in the city:

Stuggy’s: Whether you’re visiting their cozy Fells Point location or enjoying an O’s game at Camden Yards, Stuggy’s is one of those quintessential Baltimore eats. The family-owned institution serves up fan-favorite franks named after the likes of Bruce Lee and Frank Zappa, but you’re probably there for one reason: their crab mac-and-cheese dog. Piled high with homemade macaroni and lump crab, plus a generous dusting of Old Bay and a twist of lemon, it’s a homegrown delicacy that always hits the spot. 809 S. Broadway St., 410-327-0228

G & A Restaurant: G & A has called Eastern Avenue home since 1927, and with 90-plus years of experience, this down-home luncheonette has had plenty of time to figure out the ideal Coney Island-style hot dog. The dogs are grilled to perfection and heaped with chili, mustard, and raw onion, all for just $2.30 a pop. G & A also comes approved by celebrity chef Guy Fieri, who featured the restaurant on his Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. 3802 Eastern Ave., 410-276-9422

The Heavenly Hotdog Grill: Every day is a cookout at Heavenly Hotdog Grill. The Northeast Market establishment serves backyard favorites like mac and cheese, collard greens, and pit beef, but don’t miss their eponymous grilled franks. Try canine-themed dogs like the Great Dane—which is topped with lettuce, tomato, mayo, and sirloin steak—or the Flamin’ Dog, which boasts two kinds of peppers and jalapeño cheese. Better yet, none of the varieties cost more than $6. 201 E. Monument St., 410-831-7905

Snake Hill: The jury is still out on the practice of categorizing sausages as hot dogs, but Snake Hill is just too good to pass up. The Highlandtown tavern’s menu is built around cased meats of all varieties, including classics like pork and chicken and more exotic options like alligator, duck, and eggplant. Sample bites like the Pho-Q with pork, Sriracha, fennel, and Thai basil, and the Natty Boh brat, a bratwurst made with Baltimore’s favorite beer. 418 S. Clinton St., 410-469-9003

Haute Dog Carte: “Haute” is the right word for the creations at this Falls Road staple, run out of a converted garage by chef Daniel Raffel. Their offerings change daily, and they’re never boring—recent varieties included a bison dog with cherry chili barbeque sauce, a pizza dog, and chicken jalapeño dog with mango salsa. They’re only open Wednesday through Sunday until 2:30 p.m., so escape the office and celebrate the holiday with a gourmet lunch. 6070 Falls Rd., 410-608-3500

Attman’s Delicatessen: One of the few remaining holdouts of the famed Corned Beef Row, Attman’s is an old-school Jewish deli that boasts a following well beyond Baltimore. Their jumbo dogs come with bologna on top and optional additions like relish, onions, and chili—a treat that looks and tastes like it’s transported straight out of the Lower East Side. Pair it with a pickle and a heaping of French fries for a cheap, authentic meal. 1019 E. Lombard St., 410-563-2666

Source

Bookmakers Cocktail Club Opens Tonight

Jess Mayhugh — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:00:00 +0000

From the group that brought us Stuggy’s hot dogs, Rye, and Willow, now comes Bookmakers Cocktail Club—in the old Nevin’s space on Cross Street in Federal Hill—which opens its doors tonight.

Gone is the dingy bar with pool tables, murals, and its (in)famous karaoke corner. The space has been completely renovated with stenciled, velvet walls, gold fixtures, and gray-and-black decor that all feels very 1920s old Hollywood.

Of course, as is evident with the name, Bookmakers is primarily focused on its cocktail program, which is being led by Ryan Sparks, formerly of Jack’s Bistro. On a visit last night, Sparks was unpacking apertif wines and tinkering with Absinthe drippers, a sure sign of the creativity to come.

I sampled the Federale (Dobel Maestro tequila, Becherovka, cinnamon, grapefruit, lemon, and mint garnish), which was herbal and spicy. The cocktail menu also displays other innovative touches, like house-made tonic and orange ice cubes (freezing the orange peel inside the ice) for the Bookmakers Old Fashioned.

Of course, there’s also the food, manned by Chris Amendola and his team, formerly of Fleet Street Kitchen. The menu is filled with trendy and seasonal dishes like salt-roasted beets, smoked bone marrow, and pan-roasted diver scallops. It should be noted that Amendola uses a lot of ingredients from his foraging trips, causing his menu to be ever-changing.

While, for now, Bookmakers feels a bit out of place in a neighborhood known more for its Miller Lites than its Pimms Cups, hopefully it’s a sign of changing times. When Rye first opened up in Fells Point, people didn’t think the party scene was ready for such a sophisticated spot. But, if anything, it has upped the ante and helped put Baltimore on the map as a cocktail destination.

My prediction is that Bookmakers will have a similar impact on Federal Hill, which already has a culinary scene to brag about. I think its residents are ready for a spirits scene for which they can do the same.

Source

Celebrate National Hot Dog Day in Baltimore

Jess Mayhugh — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Let’s be frank: hot dogs and summer go hand in hand, and most Americans love their dogs.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, Americans consume about 7 billion hot dogs.

Get ready to honor the frank this summer on National Hot Dog Day. But first, a culinary history lesson.

How the term “hot dog” originated is still up for debate.

The most popular theory is that in 1901, a New York newspaper cartoonist by the name of Tad Dorgan attended a baseball game at the Polo Grounds in Manhattan and red-hot dachshund sausages were being sold. Dorgan made a cartoon about sausages in a roll, but he didn’t know how to spell dachshund. He wrote hot dog instead and the term took off.

No matter how the term came about, there’s no question we love our dogs.

Here’s a roundup of some of our favorite places to get our fix:

Attman’s Authentic New York Delicatessen: In business since 1915, this Jewish deli serves up their world-famous jumbo Jewish hot dogs with mustard, relish, and chopped onions topped with bologna on an authentic Jewish roll.

Edmart Deli: This Pikesville deli offers delicious hot dogs with their signature challah rolls.

G & A Restaurant: G & A is the home of one of Baltimore’s best Coney Island hot dogs—a hot dog topped with chili, mustard, and diced raw onions.

Haute Dog Fabulous Franks: Indulging in one of Haute Dog’s combinations is essential to celebrate the holiday. The popular HD signature is a quarter-pound Black Angus dog finished with tomato-and-onion jam, bacon-and-onion marmalade, and Dijon mustard.

Stuggy’s: Stuggy’s is a Baltimore institution. With a brick and mortar location in Fells Point, Stuggy’s will fill your appetite with a wide variety of gourmet hot dogs. The crab mac ‘n’ cheese dog topped with Old Bay is always a favorite.

Source

Esquire lauds local cocktail bar

Jess Mayhugh — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 12:02:00 +0000

Baltimore bars frequently make national lists, but it’s usually always the same players—like The Brewer’s Art or Max’s Taphouse—and deservedly so.

But we were so happy when our copy of Esquire magazine‘s June issue came and we saw that drinks correspondent David Wondrich picked Rye as one of the the “25 Best Bars in America.” The write-up was small and a bit snarky, but the inclusion itself speaks volumes.

Rye opened in late 2011 and made its mark as Baltimore’s first bonafide cocktail bar. Managing partner and beverage director Doug Atwell said he was extremely flattered by the list.

“David Wondrich came by Rye last autumn and had a good time,” Atwell said in an email. “I’m thrilled he decided to put us on his annual list. We’re feeling pretty good about getting Baltimore some national attention.”

The accolades are likely to continue, as the group behind Rye, Stuggy’s, and Willow is about to open another cocktail bar in Federal Hill, called Bookmaker’s, in the Cross Street space that was formerly karaoke bar Nevin’s.

Source