El Chunky — Restaurant in San Antonio

When my friend and I came here on a weekday late afternoon, there was nobody here. Which is quite the pity, because this place is certainly a hidden gem. The owner is a young guy from Mexico, who came here. He told us a little bit regarding his story. We wondered why hot dogs? We commiserated on the saturated taco market, and that turned out to be exactly why he decided to do hot dogs instead. Great idea, right?

There was only one other employee there, she was nice enough, but seemed a little preoccupied at the time. I tend to be a tough love sort of girl, so although it pains me, I am reserving the last star for when this place makes a few improvements. Because there is certainly room for improvement. Not necessarily on the food, which was unexpectedly excellent. But first on the other details. It was very plain inside, although there was so much potential! As you can see, there were cute little kitschy items, something completely appreciated. Even the door to the back was adorably decorated. Outside, the mural definitely draws attention, but the street sign was almost the polar opposite plain, nondescript. That street sign certainly needs to be livened up, since it is what will attract drivebys. The outside seating area was decent enough, but some indoor seating might attract more customers. Also some lively entertainment, even background musics would be good.

As for the main attractions? Here are the two sampled dishes.

1- Chunky Chillin: Beef sausage our special chili sauce, cheddar cheese and crispy onion on top. 2- Fajita Chunky: Beef sausage, grill fajita, green pepper, a house guacamole sauce and asadero cheese.

All ingredients were fresh. The hot dog buns were moist and succulent, something sadly rare to find. The meat was likewise moist, tender with a sweet warmth. Although oily, not overly so. The guacamole was a nice touch to the latter entree. Maybe a sucker for the overloaded variety over simplicity, but that one was definitely the winner. Neither selections were very spicy, which was a plus for me. There was enough flavor that they did not need any added heat to complicate the profile.

Drinks are all bottled. Had an apple soda plus a bottled water. Standard, no complaints. Which also means no compliments! Fountain options might be a good idea, not only for profit margins, but also customer satisfaction? Also no restrooms, something that definitely needs to be a priority if they want customers that stay for a duration and choose to return.

All in all, a most...

We drove from Alamo Ranch area to try out their hotdogs after seeing them on Elder Eats. Everyone loved their hotdogs. I was not impressed with the loaded fries, not enough topings to call it loaded. I will say as a suggestion, it would be nice if they offer a smaller size beside the big version of their hotdogs. Not everyone can handle that amount of food but would like to try it and by offering a smaller size you also offer an affordable option. It was on the expensive side. There is hardly any indoor seating, mostly patio outdoors. Outdoor seating to me is a no go here in San Antonio as it has been very hot and humid. No public restrooms. My daughter's boyfriend needed to use the restroom but none was to be found. That part of the city is very desolate. There is a Dollar General but of course no public restrooms. Not offering a restroom at a restuarant is also another reason we didn't enjoy our dine experience. I would say this is perfect to pick up your order and go but not dine in and not with a family. Hot dogs are on the pricey side and there is only 1 size for fries. Offering small, medium, family size would be great. We tried, family liked the food but we would not travel that far again for pricy hot dogs that offers no restroom or...

My culinary journey has taken me far and wide, but I'd never encountered a hotdog as extraordinary as the one that graced my taste buds recently. Allow me to share my unforgettable experience. Upon the first bite, my mouth erupted into a glorious symphony of flavors. The perfectly grilled casing snapped between my teeth, releasing a burst of savory juices. The meat was juicy and flavorful, expertly seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices that tantalized my palate. The bun was equally impressive, soft and fluffy with a golden crust. It hugged the hotdog like a warm blanket, providing the perfect complement to its glorious contents. But the toppings are where this hotdog truly ascended to the realm of the divine. Onions, crispy and caramelized, added a burst of sweetness and crunch. The pièce de résistance was the melted cheese, oozing over the hotdog like liquid gold. Its creamy texture and salty tang tied the entire ensemble together, making every bite a moment of pure ecstasy. This hotdog was not merely a meal; it was a masterpiece. The attention to detail in every aspect, from the grilling to the toppings, was evident in every single bite. It surpassed all my expectations and left an enduring impression...