Best of the West 2017: Quick Bite

Ketchup, onions, pickle relish, chili — the usual toppings simply don’t cut the mustard with Christian and Jennifer Barnes, husband-and-wife co-owners of this Rocky River establishment. Their menu features approximately a dozen all-natural Angus-beef hot dogs smothered in everything from pulled pork to kimchi, along with an extensive list of build-your-own options. Christian’s favorite is the Jenny Dog, an item created by his wife that puts a French twist on the all-American favorite by crowning it with:

Brie: The decadently rich, creamy cheese is Jennifer’s favorite, a surprisingly viable replacement for the more common cheddar and American counterparts.

Honey truffle glaze: Jennifer loves pairing Brie with truffles, which Christian says gives the dog a “very broth-y, meaty, umami taste that hits your senses.” The honey provides “a little bit of sweetness on there,” he says.

Bacon: Jennifer also enjoys combining Brie and ham. Bacon, like ham, is a salty cured foil for the sweet honey. But it also provides a textural crunch. “Bacon, in general, is going to enhance any flavor of anything,” Christian adds. 

19900 Detroit Road, Rocky River, 216-767-5559, riverdogcafe.com