The Haute Dog Carte

The Stats 

Location: Towson/Mt. Washington, Baltimore

Style: Gourmet Hot Dogs

Price: $5

Duck with Apricot Peach Compote. Roasted Garlic Chicken with Tomato Bruschetta. Bison with Cherry Chili Barbecue. If you think I’m describing the menu of a classy bistro think again. These are all varieties of hot dogs and sausages available at the Haute Dog Carte on Falls Road. With a menu like this, the play on the French word “Haute,” often used by English speakers to indicate an unparalleled quality, is more than just a clever pun. Sheltered by little more than a purple velvet curtain and an umbrella, the Haute Dog men are out every day from 11 am- 2:30 pm, rain or shine, hot or cold, delivering delicious dogs. Many are skeptical at the thought of a $5 hot dog being one of the best things they’ve ever tasted, but the care and attention to detail in each combination of spices and sauces, right down to the soft bun that is toasted on the inside, creates the illusion of fine dining whilst you devour a hot dog in the street. Allow me to enumerate every element that makes this place special:

1. The menu changes daily. Every day, you have the choice of the Signature Beef Dog, A Spicy Italian Sausage, the Maharlika (described at a “sweet and savory Filipino dog with Ginger Miso dressing”), and a Veggie dog. However, the Carte also features one or two special Chef Dogs every day. Though the classic all beef frank NEVER fails to satisfy, the Specials keep things interesting, giving you a perfect excuse to go back every day!

2. They don’t skimp on the meat. If the Chef dog is a slightly smaller sausage than the Signature, the employees make sure you don’t fill gipped, and will add another ¼-½ of a dog so that your bun is always full (At least until it hits your hands and you devour it)

3. The employees are always delightful! Whether it’s the owner and culinary genius, Daniel, or some of the other employees whose faces you will grow to recognize, someone is always sure to brighten your day.

4. The home-made sauces, marmalades, jams, compotes, and mustards are truly unique; at the risk of sounding redundant, I’ve never found them anywhere else.

It’s hard not to fall in love with the pizzazz of the Haute Dog Carte, but even if your cavalier Clint Eastwood heart is indifferent to the charm of this little roadside vendor, let’s see if your can resist these mouth-watering puppies:

Signature Beef Frank with Bacon Onion Marmalade

Garlic Sausage with Pesto Cream sauce

Bratwurst in Beer Butter Kraut

Bangers and Mash (Yes, the roll is filled with creamy mashed potatoes)

Chicken Spinach Dog with Tzatziki

Check the Haute Dog Carte's Facebook and Twitter pages daily to track your favorite flavors, or surprise yourself....just show up hungry!