Restaurant Review: DC-3

Anyone who knows me can tell you that I have a bit of an obsession with the city of Chicago. The sports teams, the shops, the architecture, everything. And, especially, the food. So that is why I can't believe what I'm about to say: I just ate what may be the best Chicago-style hot dog I've ever had, and it was made in Washington, DC.

Inside DC-3

DC-3 is a little hot dog shop located in the Eastern Market area of DC, southeast of the Capitol. They sell hot dogs in just about every way with every topping you can imagine. And they're delicious.

The shop calls itself a "vintage hot dog joint," and gets its inspiration from the 1940s and the commercial flight revolution that took place then, when the Douglas Commercial 3, or DC-3, airplane made it possible for normal people to fly anywhere in the country they wanted. Each hot dog on the menu is inspired by a different place in the U.S. (the Chicago 7, DC Hot Half Smoke, Cincinnati Coney, NYC Street Vendor Dog... just to name a few). There are even some dogs from around the world, like Q's Seoul Bulgogi & Kimchi.

I chose to eat the Chicago 7 - a Vienna all beef dog on a poppy seed bun, loaded with the traditional toppings - tomato, pickle spear, bright green relish, onions, sport peppers, yellow mustard and celery salt. My friends opted for the Cincinnati Coney - a Nathan's all-beef hot dog with chili, cheese, onions and yellow mustard. We also ordered crinkle-cut fries and fried pickles. Everything was very tasty. I can't wait to go back!

The Facts:

• Menu - hot dogs from around the nation (and world). They also serve throwback soda pops, freshly made cotton candy, soft serve ice cream, fried pickles, chili cheese fries, Italian beef, mini hot dogs, footlongs, corndogs, rope sausage, and vegetarian chili. Here are the hot dogs:



DC-3 Chicago 7



Ahtie's Philly Cheesesteak-Style Whiz Wit'

• Chicago 7
• DC Hot Half-Smoke
• NY Coney
• Jersey Bacon-Wrapped Ripper
• West Virginia Sauce and Slaw Dog
• Cincinnati Coney
• Arkansas Razorback Red
• Rochester White Snappy Griller
• NYC Street Vendor Dog
• Maine Red Snapper
• Tucson Sonoran
• Seattle Pike Place Ultimate Fish Dog
• Ahtie's Philly Cheesesteak-Style Whiz Wit'
• Q's Seoul Bulgogi & Kimchi
• Lancaster Dutch Pretzel Dog
• Bay Bridge Pretzel Dog
• California Left Winger
• Price - dogs are $3.99-$6.99, sides are $2.59-$3.99, fountain drink is $1.79. Pretty cheap for DC.
• Location - 423 8th Street SE, closest metro is Eastern Market
• Hours - Sun.-Thurs. 11a.m.-9p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11a.m.-10p.m.
• My rating -*****

DC-3 hot dog map