"5"^^ . . . . "2011-11-11T00:00:00"^^ . "1"^^ . "1"^^ . "Hot Dogs aren't just some tube full of meat byproducts....well, they are, but not all meat tubes are created equally! And not every corner shop can hock their wares in the way that Packs and Dogs does. As a long time lover of sausages, wursts, and such, I've been around the block with the meaty objects of my affections, and I have to say, Packs and Dogs always keeps me coming for more.\n\nThe secret to their success is simplicity. Natural casing dog, an All beef Silverstar dog, a veggie dog, and a kielbasa. That's the 4 dog options and, really only the All beef and Natural casing get a workout. Packs keeps with the standard fare when it comes to dog options, with the Chihuahua being the nom de plume for the chili cheese dog. But what a dog! Home made chili that is well seasoned, though not spicy, big chunks of white onion, and shredded cheese. The bun does all it can just to keep the ship from sinking. And while it often turns into a knife and fork kind of dog, its worth every bite.\n\nThe rest of the menu is just as good, which includes a personal favorite, the Irish Setter, your standard slaw dog, as well as a take on the Chicago Dog, and a make your own variety.\n\nAnd make sure you plan on eating on site, since Packs and Dogs has a beautiful diner style counter, complete with swivelling, circle chairs and booths. Though, the addition of comfy couches and a mounted 42 inch big screen tv add a bit of a living room atmosphere.\n\nAnd we can't forget the beer selection! There is a constantly revolving and improving selection of foreign and domestic craft beers, along with your standard session favorites, all at reasonable prices. A six pack to go, a draft at the counter, or a bottle in a booth, Packs and Dogs is a nice place for a hot dog dinner.\n\nNow, with all good things, there is some downsides, though none have to do with service, selection, or quality, luckily. Being that Packs and Dogs is located right on Shiloh in Mt. Washington, sometimes you'll get groups of smoking stragglers hanging out on the pretty tiny outdoor wooden patio, which has a tendency to bottleneck the foot traffic. And parking is always at a premium on the Mountain, so be sure you're ready to walk from the downstairs parking area, connected to the adjacent lot.\n\nBut over all, you won't find a better place for beers and beef links in the Burgh."^^ . "4"^^ .