Hofmann Hots’ menu boasts a formidable variety of hot dogs, Americana sides (chili mac and cheese, tater tots), and custard shakes. The interior is loaded with ’50s-diner appeal: white tiled walls, bright red and blue accents, and oversize circular windows. The dog-friendly outdoor patio is a great place to hang out on a nice day. Those are all good things. It’s the food that could use some work. The Sweet and Smokey Dog, a German dog with a maple glaze, is covered in smoked Gouda pimento cheese spread and topped with chopped bacon. The first bite was a surprise, but the taste of hot dog was undetectable. The same for the Bavarian Dog, a kielbasa breaded with mashed pretzels and covered with inch-long slivers of dill pickle. It would have been a fine sandwich if there hadn’t been a half-cup of mustard squeezed across the top. A fried baloney sandwich suffered from the same overzealous mustard application. Friendly bussers greeted us and stopped by to ask for feedback, which was a nice touch. We told one about the mustard, and she told us that wasn’t the norm. I’d advise asking for it on the side.
For more information about Hofmann Hots, visit our online restaurant guide.
