Nooner at the Nat

Baseball and hot dogs; separately, enjoyable aspects of a summer's day.  Collectively, a tour-de-force!

The Nooner is a Vancouver tradition; a promotion of the Canadians baseball club, as an effort to attract crowds to the sparsely attended early afternoon games.  Until 1999, the city was home to triple-A baseball, a farm club, just a step below the major league.  After that season, however, the team moved to Sacramento and became the River Cats.  Not wanting to leave the bleachers of Nat Bailey Stadium empty, a single-A short-season club was acquired.  "The Nat" is jewel of a ballpark; harkening to an era when a sleepy community would come alive on game days.  Behind the grandstand sits a quiet neighbourhood in Central Vancouver, beyond the outfield fence rests Queen Elizabeth Park.

While I was not fortunate to see the former Canadians play, I can imagine that the backward leap in skill from AAA to short-season A must have had an impact at the box office.  Perhaps this is why The Nooner was introduced... at any rate, it is an inexpensive excuse to get Vancouverites out to the ballpark.  This particular day, my friend Lindsay and I took advantage of the promo and basked in the warm weather.

Regardless of the sporting event, I'm getting a hot dog 9 out of 10 times.  When it comes to baseball, it's not a question of if, it's a question of when.  As I passed under the "Welcome to Nat Bailey Stadium" sign, the aroma of popcorn hit my nostrils.  Popcorn acts as a secondary olfactory indicator to me- wherever there is popped corn, there is heated dogs.

Linds and I took our "assigned seats" and I went on a beer run.  The lines can get fairly long, as there aren't many snack stands.  However, if you are looking to acquire quick beer at the Nat, here's how: on the 3rd base side, almost to the end of the concourse, is where the bleacher beer vendors refill their trays.  You can catch one of them coming out the door.

Around the 3rd inning, it was hot dog time.  I picked up the footlong, which came in a lightly sesame'd bun, and headed to the condiments station.  There is something about using a pump to accessorize your meat, instead of a squeeze bottle.  Moving the dog horizontally and pumping the proper amount of sauce requires some finesse, for you never know what may happen; you could misjudge the pressure and need to repump, screwing up your distribution.  You could hit an air pocket and end up with with an explosion of condiment all over your dog, hand, and face (it's happened to me).  Truly, one hand's vertical motion must align with the other's horizontal; the hallmark of a perfect hot dog condiment pump.

I wish I could say the home team was victorious, but its evident that my memory is favouring the hot dog experience rather than the final score.  One outcome is for certain, though; a hot dog at the ballpark is a delicious tradition.

At Nat Bailey Stadium, watching the Vancouver Canadians with a footlong in one hand, and an oversized novelty finger on the other.

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KHATSAHLANO!

Why Vancouver is Awesome, Reason #82: Street Festivals.

After months of continuous Winterous precipitation, Vancouverites burst from their homes when the weather warms.  Numerous road closures take place during the course of the summer in the name of celebration: Car Free Days, Pride Weekend, Kits Day, Davie Day, Greek Day; just to name a few.

The West 4th Music + Art street festival, "KHATSAHLANO!" takes place in the heart of the restaurant/shopping district of 4th Ave, giving spotlight to local artists and indie music.  The shops and eateries of the avenue have an opportunity to expand their walls and attract new customers.  Who can argue with an open air patio under the sun?!

I randomly bumped into my good friends Josh McNorton, who I thought was in Calgary, as well as Dominique Fricot, who is easy to spot in any crowd (6' 7" + hair).  Additionally, I was treated to the musical styling of Yukon Blonde, who I had heard about from Kim Girling (those familiar with the blog will know her from her guest posts in June 2011).  Her raves were not disappointing, as Yukon Blonde provided plenty of asphalt stomping and head rocking.

Post gig, I wandered further up 4th, and entered the "Hot Dog Zone."
I figured at some point I would encounter a dog vendor, and I was fortunate enough that it was only one block from the stage. 

Clearly, this stand came prepared for the crowd, as the available options of hot dogs and condiments were above satisfactory.  Never had I seen such a tremendous selection for such a small outfit.  Furthermore, $4 for a juicy, all-beef dog is an amazing deal, especially on a day like this.  Topped off with ketchup, dijon, banana peppers and pickles, I was in hot dog heaven.

Today was also one of the first times I plugged the blog to a vendor, as I had to ask her to snap a photo of me in front of the cart.  Check out this picture, it's business in the front, party in the back:

The hot dog hat strikes again! Taken at KHATSAHLANO!

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Imaginary Cities, Musical Nooners

Variety of meal choices is one of the great things about living in downtown Vancouver.  Public gatherings are another.  The outdoor TV screens were a great story during the Canucks' Stanley Cup run (right up until that last night).  The same screens are used weekly around the city for Fresh Air Cinema's movies in the park (E.T. coming up Aug. 2nd in Stanley Park!).  The LED screen mounted to the side of the CBC building attracted thousands of hockey fans to cheer on the Canucks this past spring, but they also host a great summer-time addition, the Musical Nooners.
40 lunch hour concerts in 40 days, featuring local and international acts, on an intimate but audible downtown stage.

This week, I've been working at the Vancouver Public Library (directly across the street from CBC).  On Wednesday, I felt a tap on my shoulder.  I looked up from my microfiche machine to see my friend Phil.  Neither one of us knew the other would be there; one of those pleasant surprises that can occasionally happen.  He spoke about the Musical Nooners that day, and we made plans to check out the upcoming Friday's act, Imaginary Cities.

A couple days and rolls of microfilm later, Phil picks me up from my station and we head out in search of lunch that we can bring back to the CBC stage.  Being right downtown, amid the hustle of the business crowd, and the bustle of the tourists, a wave of 'big city' came over me.  There was only one meal that could complete the feeling...

Phil was featured in a previous entry highlighting Tofino camping, so it took zero convincing to get him on the hot dog train.  We set out towards Granville Street, knowing of a couple of corners where we could find a hot dog haberdasher.  On the corner of Georgia and Granville is where we met our meal maker.

For an astounding $3, I snatched up my musical accompanimeat.  I remarked to Phil how quality the dogs were for that price; while the condiment selection was not generous by any means, the stand was stocked well, so there were no air squeeze splatters from the plastic bottles (an important clothing safety feature).  Also, the buns were fresh and toasted, something that might be sacrificed for low cost lunch.

The CBC Stage

Back at the CBC Stage, we found a spot on the grass in front of Imaginary Cities.  I knew I was making (past guest blogger) Kim jealous by both munching on a hot dog and enjoying the band, who hail, like her, from Winnipeg.  Their toe-tapping, body-grooving tempo delighted the Nooner crowd, and it was clear the band was enjoying themselves as well.  The bass player even rocked a retro CBC t-shirt!  While I was unable to catch them at Vancouver Folk Fest, I will definitely stay on the lookout for the next time they are in Vancouver.  I dare you to listen to "Butterfly" and not bob your head.

The combination of awesome tunes and a delicious dog made me glad I didn't have to leave the Nooner any sooner.  As Kim texted, "the cities may have been imaginary, but the hot dog was not!"

Imaginary Cities, playing the CBC Stage (Vancouver)

Après-croquet

I was fortunate to be a founding father of a UBC legacy; the Croquet Society.  Along with a handful of friends, and under the guise of club creator Daryl Wile, we became infamous around campus for our unorthodox hobby.  It was abundantly clear that croquet struck a chord in many students, as surprising amounts of enthusiasts signed up for "CroqSoc."  Daryl graduated after that first year, moving on to McGill University in Montréal.  However, CroqSoc would forever recognize his place in history, as I bestowed Daryl's name onto the championship trophy, thenceforth known as the Wile Cup.

The club would carry on for a few years after the rest of us founders graduated; however, the vigour and spirit could never equal those halcyon days in the beginning.  In 2009, the UBC Croquet Society folded; the grassy pitches of the Point Grey campus would no longer serve as a host.

Not wanting to let the tradition die, I requested the Wile Cup be returned to the club founders, in order to continue our legacy.  My wish was graciously granted, and in the summer of 2010, the modern era of the Wile Cup Championship began.  In what will be a yearly gathering of former CroqSoc and UBC alumni and friends, the weekend getaway will center on a three-round tournament to determine the annual Wile Cup Champion.

Last year, I outlasted the field and took home the first championship of the modern era.  This year, in thanks to miscues by my competitors, I was able to come from behind and marginally squeak out another victory; the first back-to-back championships in Wile Cup history.

The host of the weekend, Jake Cruise (Wile Cup Champion; 2004-05) fired up the BBQ and grilled up some hamburgers and smokies for the combatants and spectators alike.  After a long day under the sun, an ice cold beer and a smokie is just what the Champion ordered.

The smokies in question were Fresh Creations turkey & chicken sausages (I tried finding a corporate website to link to, but cannot find one).  Not only are these a mouthful, but they are also gluten AND lactose free!  Celiac's and Lactose Intolerant's rejoice!  Anyone who is into enjoying a plump bunful of goodness can share in these salivary succulentations.  And that is exactly what I did. 

Twice.  One for each championship.

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Canada Day in the 'loops

144 years and counting; we look good, Canada!

Canada Day finds me in Kamloops, BC for the annual Wile Cup croquet championship tournament (more on that later). Along with my hosts Jake and Julie, we head down to the town center to take in the local festivities.

Quaint municipal pageantry awaited us at the park in the center of town, along with scores of holiday revellers.  It was a gorgeous day out, and it felt like all of Kamloops was downtown, soaking up the atmosphere.

As the mayor introduced dignitaries onstage (your community leaders, first nations elders, what have you), I was on a food mission.  Kamloops' culinarians were out in full force, lining the grassy field with beckoning tents.  I was surprised with the number of options, as I could choose from Far, Middle and Near East food, Old and New World, in a delicious cornucopia of creation.

But this isn't a gulash blog, it's a hot dog blog.

I found the BBQ tent (followed the smoke) and got in line.  There was a bit of a wait, which allowed me to admire the multitude of meal makers, interchanging burgers and dogs on a central grill.  It was quite the operation, especially since the demand was so high.

Once I received my hot dog, I made my way back to my friends.  The open skies above, coupled with the open flame grill, made this Canada Day dog a memorable one.  As I am beginning to find, the quality of the meat doesn't have to be high end in order to enjoy the hot dog.  Rather, being surrounded by the warmth of friends, summer and patriotism, is enough to make an average dog great.

Canada Day in Kamloops; I guess I've established a hot dog hat in these photos.  Thumbs belong to Jake (left) and Robin.

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Pre-podcast Porta-Q'ing

Vancouver has not enjoyed a pleasant spring.  The city gets watered-down all winter, cleaning and greening, but causes her inhabitants to begrudge the nonstop rain.  We’ll delightfully complain, because we know that the rest of the country has to battle months of sub-zero temperatures, and the snow that accompanies it.

Spring ’11 has been basically non-existent, so when the sun basked my balcony last Friday afternoon, I fired up my portable-BBQ (porta-Q).  I bragged to my office-working podcast co-host Iris (@irisdias) that I was grilling up some chicken.  Immediately envious, she suggested we BBQ the following day, as she would be over to record the next episode of talk•fool•ery (our podcast).

Every week, Iris brings a new type of beer for us to enjoy whilst we record said podcast.  On this day, however, it was a veritable cornucopia; beer, plus smokies and buns!  Although it was overcast, the temperature was agreeable, and I had the perfect amount of propane required to cue.

Schneiders Bavarian Smokies are a delicious blend of pork and chicken, with a hint of garlic that rests within the juicy interior.  My mouth is watering just thinking about the meal.  Placed inside a toasted bun, these smokies were positively delectable. 

We washed these plump pleasures down with a bottle of Brooklyn Lager, this week’s beverage of choice.  Iris noticed that the labels on the beer included Hebrew writing.  I admit that enjoying Bavarian Smokies is not kosher, but would like to recognize that the Brooklyn Brewery's Lager was a wonderful compliment (especially to a couple of gentiles like us).

As we savoured our hotdogs while overlooking English Bay, Iris recounted that she prefers condiments to be at room temperature, as they detract from the sizzle of the main fair.  I wholly agree, and only recently concluded that my childhood dislike for sauces in general was probably more Celsius-based, as opposed to flavour.  For any picky eaters out there, I am proof that one day, taste will triumph over temperature.

Iris and I; chomping on Schneiders Smokies.

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Surf's Up

One of the jewels of British Columbia is a laid back little town named Tofino.  Located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Tofino is a world-renowned surfing destination.  During the summer, this sleepy little village is inundated with travelers looking to catch some Pacific waves. 

On this particular trip, I was camping with friends at Green Point in nearby Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.  To get here, you must traverse the long and winding road from across the island, through mountain passes and rain forests.  Even as you sit in your campsite, protected by cedar and spruce, it is easy to forget that the shores of the Pacific Ocean are but meters away.

Driving up with my pal Phil, we made sure that we were stocked in the hot dog department.  We are both experienced campers, and passionate about fire cooking.  We decided Maple Leaf Top Dogs 100%Angus Beef wieners would be the lucky recipients of some hot ember rotisserie.

Many people make the mistake of cooking directly above or in the flames.  However, the hottest part of a campfire is in the orange glow of the embers, or coals.  In no time, we had our hot dogs sweating; juicy and simmering, ready to be devoured.

Camping hot dogs may not be very glamourous, but there is no better compliment to sitting around a roaring fire, nestled within a rain forest, listening to the waves crashing ashore, beneath the brilliant stars, surrounded by friends.  A hot dog always seems to taste even better under these conditions.

Phil, toasting hot dog buns.

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Manitoba Hutterite-style

Many thanks to Kim (@kimberlygirling) for her guest posts on The Hot Dog Blog!  Her contributions are of the same reason I began this blog in the first place; to celebrate and share a love for summer's greatest treat!  Here is the final post of her four-part series:

Manitoba Hutterite-style

Here's me on Easter weekend, 2011, at my parent's house in Winnipeg.  Traditionally on Easter weekend, Winter-peg still has a thick layer of snow, and we use the holiday as an excuse to eat massive amounts of turkey, sip a stiff drink, and gripe about how we're dying for winter to end.  But this year, Winnipeg experienced an unexpected spring heat wave, which allowed us to sit out on the backyard deck for lunch.

Being the hot dog loving family that we are, my mom suggested that we BBQ up a couple 'dogs to pair with a cool beer in the sunshine (that lady should be known for her great ideas).  She emerged from the house with a huge package of long, slender sausages, swooning, "Ohhhh we should try some of theeeese."  These delicious little beauties were a recent purchase from a neighbouring Manitoba Hutterite community (the communal, anabaptist sect that do a lot of farming in MB) and the same people who often sell us delicious whole chickens, hand sewn moccasins and the most delicious jams you'll ever taste.  The hot dogs sizzled on the barbeque, and their crispy outer layer lent itself to a sweet, juicy core.

Maybe it's just my warm heart for Winnipeg, maybe it was the unexpected sun, but Oh! Hometown Manitoba pork sausage just always tastes a little better to me....

Backyard brilliance.

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Graduation Dogs

The third installment of guest blogger Kim's (@kimberlygirling) hot dog commentaries:


Graduation Dogs

Ahhhh... Arts County Fair at the University of British Columbia; a day known for drinking and debauchery and general festivites on the UBC campus.  Now, I'm not one for gettin' crazy at ACF, but I do appreciate the good music, cheap beer and a chance to chill after classes are through.  Traditionally on ACF, your day starts early, and usually involves drinking commencing at 9am.

By 2pm, you're sun-stroked, exhausted and starving.  My friend Julie and I spot the hot dog cart around this time and think, "Yep. It's time."  I'll be honest, these are not the most spectacular dogs.  But, somehow they end up tasting the BEST!  She snapped this pic of me so that we could remember just how awesome it tasted.  I followed up that puppy with a swig of lukewarm draft-beer in a plastic cup and thought, "Yep, I love my life."   Happy Graduation!

Caged in for security.

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Münchner Weißwurst

The second of a four-part series from guest blogger Kim (@kimberlygirling):

Münchner Weißwurst

Munich, Germany 2009: After months of traveling around the world, I found myself here, in the land known for it's sausage.  My travel partner and I were wandering around the (amazing) Sunday farmers market in Marienplatz (the city's main square), and decided to pick ourselves up some lunch.  To go with our feast, we decided to try out traditionally Munich weibwurst, or "white sausage."

This snow white sausage is a mix of veal and pork bacon, and is seasoned with a mix of parsley, lemon, mace, onions, ginger and cardamom, amidst other things.  These little sausages are meant to be eaten really fresh, and are only usually served until lunchtime (lucky us!).  I have to say that it wasn't my very favourite sausage in Germany (I was more a fan of the curry street meat in Berlin; ohhhhh man!), but their soft texture and distinctive flavour still resonate for me as one of the many things that I loved about Munich.  Definitely try one out if you're there!

Not a banana.

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Two-foot Flute

Being a specific food connoisseur, it is important that you refrain from over-eating your selected treat of choice, in order to remain unbiased and to keep from becoming satiated.  Moderation is key, so that each and every bite is an unique experience, worthy of your taste buds.

With that in mind, I have invited fellow dog-thusiast Kim (@kimberlygirling) to guest blog a handful of her favorite hot dog memories.  I am pleased to post her first of a four-part series...

Two-foot Flute

Summer 2010: My friend Chris had just moved to Manitoba from Grand Prairie, Alberta, so one weekend we decided to take a little trip out to Grand Beach Provincial Park.  I know, I know, Manitoba isn't known for it's beaches; but the white sand at Grand Beach is really a provincial treasure!  After a day of sun and sand, we were on our way home when we spotted a sign at a roadside diner offering two-foot long hot dogs. Two feet!!  That sounded like a challenge to me!!  Naturally, I bet Chris a buck that I could finish an entire two-foot long hot dog, so we parked the car and prepared ourselves for a four-foot long feast of hot dog deliciousness.

They were surprisingly gigantic; so huge, in fact, that I felt a little ridiculous eating it.  Chris snapped this pic of me, playing myself a pre-dinner ditty on my hot dog flute.  This is just minutes before it disappeared down my hot dog chute.  I left that roadside diner one dollar richer.  Boom.

Two-foot flute-playing.

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Track Meat

Hastings Park Racetrack

It was a gorgeous Saturday in Vancouver, and I was headed for the ponies.  A friend of mine was hosting a going away party at Hastings Park, Vancouver's destination for equestrian racing.  As the #4 trolley bus rolled along Powell Street, I thought about the history of this voyage, and how many people have made the same Saturday afternoon trek via the overhead cable lines...

This was my maiden journey to Hastings Park.  I had been invited to take in the races on several occasions in the past, and for some reason was never able to attend.  However, I have previously visited Stampede Park in Calgary, Alberta, and Los Alamitos Race Course in Long Beach, California.

Our group had a reserved section of tables in the patio level; providing us with a full view of the circuit, backdropped by Burrard Inlet, the North Shore Mountains and the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge.  We were already in the shade, though, so some of us headed down to track level to bask in the warmth of the sun, and to see the competitors up close.

As I stepped out into the balmy blanket of light, the smell of barbecue wafted into my nose.  Of course!, I thought, Track meat!  I wandered over to the concession stand, parked in the middle of the track level concourse, beckoning betters from all sides.  I entertained the notion of trying out their turkey dog, but having already lost on my first race, I went with the old-fashioned jumbo dog ($4).

There are times when a hot dog seemingly tastes better just from it's surrounding environment.  It's not for lack of quality or preparation, but rather the extra stimulation your brain is already experiencing.
My Hastings Park hot dog was simply a dog grilled on a barbecue.  It didn't possess a wow-factor or prolonged audible food enjoyment noises, but sometimes that's ok!  You don't need to hit a home run with every at bat. 

Instead, this track dog was the perfect snack, at the perfect time, on a perfect day.  It is difficult to align those three factors.  When they are, however, it makes for a scrumptious pleasure.  Also, the stand had a southwest chipotle sauce and banana peppers.

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