It’s not entirely fair of me to tell people to eat this now since Luscher’s Post Oak Red Hots doesn’t officially open until Monday, March 2. However, the second they unlock their doors, stomp up to their counter and order yourself “The Combo.” Just do it. You won’t be sorry.
I stopped by Brian Luscher’s Chicago-inspired hot dog restaurant last week to snap photos and talk to the chef and restaurant owner. The space was filled with family and friends, all sinking their teeth into menu items for the first time. I eyed the blackboard inscribed with options ranging from sandwiches, sides, specials, desserts, and of course, hot dogs. With some guidance from Luscher I settled on a few items to photograph: A hot dog, onion rings, napa slaw, french fries, salad in a cup (yes, that’s what it’s actually called), and “The Combo.”
After the shoot, Luscher packed up all of the food that I photographed, and sent it back to the office with me. It was a kind gesture, but I certainly couldn’t write about soggy bread, hot dogs that were no longer hot, and deflated french fries after they’d been wrapped in tin foil and tossed into a brown paper sack. It wouldn’t be fair.
I unloaded the goods at my desk, stuck the french fries and onion rings in the common area, and got to work. The onion rings were a hit among my co-workers, they were gone within minutes.
I unwrapped The Combo: Italian beef, or “Eye-talian” beef on top of a sweet and hot Italian sausage, and garnished with giardiniera, a house-made vegetable relish. It was all crammed into a white loaf of bread from La Francaise wholesale bakery in Garland. I grabbed a fork (I tried to eat it with my hands, but ended up with jalapeños and beef in my lap) and dug in.
The vegetable, beef, and Italian sausage combo was savory, spicy and slightly sweet. The sausage was so flavorful that I hardly noticed the soggy bread. Much like the onion rings, the beefy sandwich was gone within minutes. The fact that it was lukewarm and still delicious leaves me anxious to get my hands on a piping hot version. Alas, I too will have to wait until March 2.
Luscher’s Post Oak Red Hots is located at 2653 Commerce St. in Deep Ellum and is open daily (hours are TBD). You can view the full Luscher’s Post Oak Red Hots gallery below.
