I first heard about Rawley’s on the Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate: Totally Fried” show. Alex Guarnaschelli raved about Rawley’s famous hot dogs that are cooked in a deep fryer and then finished on the grill to crisp them up. And, it’s located in Fairfield, CT … only a 20 minute drive for me – without the lovely traffic of course.

So I grabbed two friends and headed over. It’s a one of a kind place – very drive-in-esq, with an ordering counter, a few booths off the one side, and names/words/sayings carved or written on every possible surface. There was also a sign stating it was “Martha Stewart’s favorite hot dog stand” … so I knew I was in the right place. The traditional Rawley’s “works” dog is smothered with mustard, relish, sauerkraut and crunchy cooked bacon bits. I went for it, sans sauerkraut, along with a chocolate milkshake. Between the three of us, we had a chili-cheese dog, a hellish relish dog, the works – one with kraut, one without – and a plain – to try one naked for full evaluation.

I wasn’t totally wowed after hearing all the ravings, but they were definitely good and hit the spot.