Blackie's Hot Dog Stand — Restaurant in Cheshire

I think Blackie's falls under that type of micro-regional hot spot. People that live within 10 miles will almost always swear by it, and a lot of the people farther away that try will sometimes not see the appeal.

So, I live within 10 miles away.

In my family, this place is almost sacred...and a stop here is always met with great celebration and revelry. But first things first here; yes, the relish IS amazing, and possibly the best I've ever had. But people, do NOT overlook the dog. Even if you eat one "naked" (like I do with 1 of the 3 I order every time), you will not be disappointed. I don't know where they get their dogs, but they are like this perfectly spiced and perfectly sublime tubes of meat that make my head spin. (Am I talking like a fat guy? Sometimes I feel like I'm talking like a fat guy.) The dogs are steamed, not grilled...which either IS or is NOT your thing. If you're looking for a Frankie's-like grilled dog...keep driving. Anyway, yes...the relish is ridiculously good, the mustard is also something special. But contrary to what many other reviews say, I'd go for the dog, and stay for the condiments. And for a drink, do NOT miss the birch beer. And bring cash....they do NOT take any other form of payment.

No. They don't offer ketchup. And that's a good thing. If you put ketchup on your hot dog you might be a member of ISIS. They do offer hamburgers...but seriously, just don't. The staff is always friendly, as long as you know what you want when you're ordering and don't ask a lot of dumb questions. They move a lot of people through there, so just be prepared to keep the flow going.

Here would be my suggested order for a first timer. Say exactly what's in the quotes, and if you want it to go, just add "on a truck" to the end.

Hungry Man: "3 dogs and a medium birch beer" (leave one dog naked, put relish on one, then relish and mustard on the other)

Heavy Snack "2 dogs and a medium birch beer" (leave one dog naked, put relish on the other one)

Girlie Order (Seriously, don't. If you only order 1, you're going to want another one) "1 dogs and a medium birch beer" (relish on the dog)

Again, I know people have their regional favorites (Woody's, Doogies, Frankie's, Capital Lunch, etc.), but I'm here to tell you...this is a special dog. A very...VERY special...

I recently revisited Blackies after not having been there for about 13 years. We were on our way home from Costco, and my daughter was craving a hot dog, so we decided to stop by. I ordered two hotdogs and a cheeseburger to go while my wife and son waited in the car.

Initially, I was happy to wait, but what followed was frustrating. We ended up waiting over 20 minutes for our food, and during that time, I watched multiple customers who arrived after us receive their orders—stacks of hotdogs and cheeseburgers—from the kitchen window. Despite my patience, it became increasingly clear that something was off.

After what felt like an eternity, I was asked what we had ordered. I reminded the staff—two hotdogs and a cheeseburger—and was assured it would be right up. Yet, more people continued to arrive, order the same items I had ordered, and get served before us. When I was asked again about my order, I expressed my frustration, pointing out that others who ordered the same thing were being served before us. I received a quiet apology and was told that sometimes cheeseburgers take longer, which didn’t quite make sense since several people who ordered after us received their cheeseburgers first. All the attention was on those sitting closest to the kitchen pass-through.

Finally, after nearly half an hour, our food was ready. The bill came to $12 for two small hotdogs and a small cheeseburger, and unfortunately, none of us were impressed. The food was okay, but nothing that justified the wait or the price. If you’re in the area and considering stopping by, my advice is to drive 20 seconds further and get two long hotdogs for just $3 at Costco. Blackies used to be a go-to spot for me, but this visit left a lot...

An ardent fan of both hot dogs and Americana, I read about Blackie's when looking for hot dog stands in the northeast. Little did I know that I had likely driven past exit 26 on i84 countless times without being aware, and thus having an opportunity to stop at, this gem.

That changed during a recent trip with my family. Making it a destination point during our travels we stopped to see if the "red hot" buzz I had read about was worth it.

To be "Frank", yes, yes, and yes.

My family and I truly "relished" our stop at this no frills joint, where the "wurst" part was leaving. Locals came in an out, simply asking for a number with a soda (good mix of cola and birch beer orders), and were promptly served. The staff was friendly, and you could tell they cared about the place, the customers, and the traditions. The relish has a nice, but not overpowering, heat, and the dogs have a crisp medium snap and good flavor. My son liked the burgers so much he had a second. He doesn't eat anything. It's too bad I don't live closer. I'd gladly walk through the door, say "2 and a birch beer", and get exactly what I came in for.

Although my preferences for a buttered and grilled bun are long established, I have nothing but the best impressions of Blackie's Hot Dog Stand, and would put their product and atmosphere up against any I've tried. Kudos to this establishment; We're looking forward to...