Making its world debut this Sunday (drum roll please)...at the 25th Annual Giro Della Montagna on the historic Hill neighborhood in Sahth St. Louis...introducing...the Dogaloni. Swear to St. Ambrose. It's a "battered and fried gourmet hot dog in a cannelloni shell on a stick," the creation of Joey Barbaglia, long-time Hill resident and president of the Hill 2000 Neighborhood Association. And yes, there is even a tagline, penned by Joey's daughter: "Forget the baloney, have a dogaloni." And t-shirts for those who don't believe such a thing exists.
The gourmet dog used? It's a secret. The spices used? Another secret. What's not a secret is that you can sample this delicacy (sure, I'll say it) this Sunday at 3 locations (that I know of): Milo's Bocce Garden (where it was tested and allegedly created); at Chris' Pancake and Dining; and at Di Gregorio's Market, where I understand an un-fried version will be available. Impress your family and friends...and go ahead and be the hit of the neighborhood, you trendsetter, you.
For the uninitiated, the Giro is one of the city's most unusual and under-attended events, stop #3 of THF Realty's 2010 Gateway Cup series. It's a day-long professional bicycle race, held along a .88 mile long rectangular course along the residential streets on the Hill. There are many divisions, heats, and classifications, but one not to miss is the Kid's Race, this one scheduled for 5:15 Sunday. I guarantee that you will laugh and you will cry.
The races are dizzyingly fast, especially in the higher divisions, but just as entertaining is what happens just off the course: "stoop" parties, everywhere. Italian-flag-flying, all-day birra fests, with whistling, cheering Hill families trying to overcome the Italian crooners blaring from speakers (not boom boxes) on their front lawns.
My suggestion: grab a dogaloni and walk that course. There may be no better taste of the Hill.
