Photo by Wiley Price / St. Louis American
The owner of Steve's Hot Dogs, Steve Ewing
As we look forward to Sunday and the annual running of the Wiener Dog Derby (2 p.m. at Soulard’s Rudy Commons, immediately after the Beggin’ Pet Parade), our thoughts turn to other dogs—Steve’s Hot Dogs in particular—where the difference is hickory smoking, then grilling, and dog buns fresh from Vitale’s Bakery, located directly across the street from the flagship store on the Hill.
There are other things that set owner Steve Ewing’s dogs apart. Let us count the ways:
1. Multiple Locations – Last summer Ewing opened up a second store at 3457 Magnolia, several blocks east of Tower Grove Park, making it doubly easy to get down on one of those delectable dogs.
2. New Mac & Cheese Bowls – Ewing’s much mac & cheese is so good and he sells so much of it that gussied-up-versions were sure to follow, and in early January it became official, with six varieties to start, available in half-pound and one-pound sizes. Our fave is the Kevin Bacon Jamaiican Bowl, with grilled peppers and a double shot of bacon.
3. Clever Daily Specials – Take for example, today’s Dirty Au Gratin Scoundrel Dog, with cheesy potatoes, sour cream, bacon, and scallions atop the dog. Say the secret word, “Steve Martin” (available on their FB), and get a dollar off. Past specials include Papa’s Got a Brand New Dog (secret word, the James Brown Classic “Please, Please, Please”) or the Split Finger Slaw Sliders (secret word “Bruce Sutter”).
4. And More Specials– Add another dog or sausage to any combo order for one price--$12.24. And every Friday from 3 – 5 p.m., dogs are half-price.
5. They Deliver – Call either store or GrubHub for delivery within a 4-mile radius.
6. Unusual Events -
Pop-Up Restaurant: Ewing will be grilling dogs and iTap will be slinging beers at iTap-CWE on Friday, Feb 13, from 9 p.m. to midnight.
Haute Dog + Craft Beer Pairing Night with Steve's Hot Dogs + Tick Tock: Tickets are going fast to the 2nd annual meeting of local dogs and local beers. The event will be held from 3 to 5 p.m on Sat, Feb 28, at the legendary Tick Tock Tavern, where four half-dogs get paired with a flight of four beers.
7. Notoriety - In 1000 Foods To Eat Before You Die-- A Food Lover’s Life List, written by former New York Times dining critic Mimi Sheraton and published just last month, Steve’s Hot Dogs was included as one of the best hot dog shops in the world.
