Big Dog Daddy's — Restaurant in Medina

As a friend and I were wrapping up our trip to nearby majestic meadows, we were looking for a quick place to grab a bite to eat. In searching out surrounding area, we found Big Dog Daddy's. On arrival, we found our way to what is essential a basement area. It was, I'll admit, a bit sketchy to walk down some dimly lit corridors following signs to try and locate the restaurant. We finally got to a split in the path that indicated dine in vs to go. We entered the door marked dine in and were greated with what could looked like a bar setup in some affluent persons basement. It had a bar with random patrons, rustic looking tables strewn about, TV's playing college football, some random old arcade machines, and some brewing equipment.

We clearly looked confused and the kind lady at the bar indicated we could sit anywhere and someone would be by to bring us menu's. Our waitress explained that any food we ordered would come from Big Dog Daddy's but any beverages would be charged separately from the bar/brewery. We only drank water so this was not something we had to deal with but something to keep in mind.

At the recommendation of the waitress, we both ordered a cup of their award winning chili and the hoggy doggy hot dog (BACON WRAPPED BIG DOG/DEEP FRIED/ CAROLINA MUSTARD/SLOW SMOKED PULLED PORK/MAC AND CHEESE/ ORIGINAL BBQ SAUCE) I also ordered a side of French fries.

Chili came out first and was some of the best chili I have had quite. We were both equal impressed with it. The hot dogs came out shortly after we wrapped up our chili and wow, they were giant. They serve them with a knife and fork and I understand why. I was able to get the dog top to bottom In a full bite but my friend had to cut it up to be able to eat it. The combination of each of the flavors blended very well together, the base hotdog had a good snap and chew to it. French fries were standard Sysco (it tasted like) and nothing remarkable but very serviceable.

Will absolutely try their food again to check out some of the other flavor options on the menu for sure. May get it to go though as the loud, bar atmosphere was not...

What a neat little basement spot. The restaurant is in the same building as The Farmer's Table and almost directly under the entrance to Keller Meats. It shares space with the Medina Brewing Company which is where you will sit if you are dining in. You are given 2 tabs if you choose to eat at Big Dog Daddy's and drink at Medina Brewing Company. They do have a water container if you do not wish to patronize an alcohol provider or pay for drinks. My GF and I lunched on a Saturday at about 1240. Unlike the Farmer's table which was crazy busy, BDD and MBC were much less busy. It took a bit to locate and understand the BDD dining room but following the signs led to the food server who explained the process and let us pick seats in MBC. We ordered a Bavarian soft pretzel appetizer with mustard and cheese. It was buttery and plentiful came out warm but not burn your face off hot as I have experienced at many other places. It was very good and the beer cheese was flavorful and plentiful enough to dip my side of fries with the meal. I had a kimchi dog which I subbed a big dog. My GF had a Bubba dog, we shared a side of fries. Both dogs were delicious though they appeared to be the same dog, so I'm not sure if she was upgraded or I was downgraded. The dog was very tasty. On par with dogs I've had in Chicago a lovely sausage taste and decent casing snap. It was not overshadowed by the kimchi toppings. Next visit I might just go for a standard dog with a normal topping like mustard. The fries were fairly standard shoestrings, seasoned well, cooked fairly well. I recommend dipping them in beer cheese. I had an Ohana Pineapple wheat beer and a Wahoo cherry wheat beer from MBC. I preferred the Ohana as the pineapple was distinct and gave the wheat beer an almost light IPA vibe. The Wahoo had a nice reddish color and was drinkable but subtle compared to the Ohana. They had at least 10 other house brews on tap. I really wanted to try Abuela's hot chocolate but I had to drive home and it was quite an alcohol forward 11.4% (I assume stout). In any case, I look forward to...

Food is pretty decent but contrary to what other reviews say about the shared space it's a very odd relationship. You have a waitress at a table that can only take your food order. Drinks are on you to get on a separate bill at the bar. If the bar is busy good luck. We went while the bartender was stocking so I felt as if I was bothering her for evert refill. She was super nice but my waitress for the food just sits there waiting to run another food order. In my opinion this relationship between bar and food could be handled much differently. Make customers place their own food order and either have strictly a food runner or give out numbers/vibrators for customers to pick up their own food and let the baretender do her job ensuring your drinks are filled, all the while earning a tip. Seems the current set up screws both out of tip money bc if you sit at the bar you still have to deal with the waitress who, even though is standing next to your drinks, can't fill them and you have to run 2 tabs. Maybe the millenials and gen z people of medina don't care but again just seems like there is a better system available bc if it was busy a person just coming to eat would be screwed. Unless you drank water and you can fill plastic cups up from a sports cooler that is sitting 6" from an open trash can. Call me old school but with the cost of a meal I shouldn't have to put much effort into getting fed at a restaurant little lone tipping 2 different people for what should be the...