Time was when I could pedal over to Joe Jost’s and exchange a handful of dollar bills for a schooner of beer and a Joe’s special—a butterflied hot dog served in between two slices of rye bread with mustard and a pickle. Fortunately, you can still enjoy this simple treat, which, if you dream of mustard slathered on rye—and really, who doesn’t?—is truly the greatest sandwich in town. I, on the other hand, having recently decided (while I was drunk) to give up meat, cannot. Oh, but I will remember my Joe’s specials fondly as I try to re-create them at home with Smart Dogs—how each bite of hot dog, pickle and bread would tumble into a delicate mash as I chewed, the mustard lurking in the background all the while. It’s like taking some of the best elements from a Chicago dog—the pickle and the seeds, only this time they’re rye, not poppy—and channeling a Reuben. Sort of. Whatever: The point is you don’t shove this in your mouth hole like a hot dog, one-fisted style, but instead, savor every bite, filling your checks with awesomeness and gulping it down with some chilly Busch. And the best part? The portion. You can’t very well play Canadian shuffleboard if you have a hulking beastie of a sandwich in your hands; Joe’s realizes this, and sizes the special accordingly—perfect for a mid-afternoon snack, or, if it’s dinner, order two.

JOE JOST’S 2803 E ANAHEIM ST | LONG BEACH 90804 | 562.439.5446 | JOEJOSTS.COM

Tags: Food, hot dogs, joe jost's, Long Beach, SIDES