Gretchen Peters is the owner of Puppy Love Hot Dogs, a downtown institution for more than 35 years. We caught up with Gretchen while we munched down a dog.
What is your most popular hot dog?
A dog with mustard, relish and onion.
What is the most outrageous thing requested as a topping?
Coleslaw, or mayo.
What is the craziest topping you serve?
We do a promotion with neighboring business Butters where we create a hot dog of the month using a gourmet condiment. We've had olive spread, tomato chutney and spicy ketchup.
Where can you get the best hot dog in the world, besides Puppy Love?
Nowhere else. When you grow up on Puppy Love, you love that steamed dog. Also, I try not to eat hot dogs on my days off.
How do you prefer to prepare your hot dog?
With chili, cheese and onion.
What kind of dogs do you serve?
Steamed dogs.
How do you like your buns – toasted, grilled or steamed?
Steamed.
How many hot dogs can you eat in one sitting? Can you compete with Kobayashi?
With a beer, I could probably eat four chili, cheese and onion dogs. I'd probably be really full after three, but if I had to push it, I could eat four.
