RSS 2.0 FeedVol. 3, No. 7, July 2007, Hot Eats
Hot Dog Heaven
Famous Uncle Al’s serves up American favorites
What Famous Uncle Al’s Hot Dogs and Grille may lack in ambiance, it makes up for in spades with a number of variations on favorite American foods like hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese, fries and, of course, hot dogs.
The restaurant is friendly and casual, fitted with a lunch counter as well as table seating. Customers at the counter can watch as their meal is being prepared, while those at the tables can relax in conversation and take advantage of Famous Uncle Al’s friendly table service.
As the name implies, hot dogs are the specialty here, and the menu features a dozen different varieties—double that if you take into account the two different kinds of hot dogs. The best hot dogs available have a natural casing that gives them a distinctive snap when bitten. The more common, all beef skinless hot dogs are also available.
The different varieties are named after the region upon which they are based. While some, like the Chicago dog (mustard, relish, onions, tomato, sport peppers, celery salt and dill pickle spear on a poppy seed bun), are based on an actual regional favorite, others simply use ingredients from the region after which they are named. The San Antonio dog, for example, is topped with chili, cheddar cheese, bacon, onions and jalapeños; the Philly dog with cheddar cheese, grilled peppers and onions; the Miami dog with salsa and cheddar cheese; and the Memphis dog with red onion sauce and barbecue sauce. An homage to the franchise’s roots in Virginia, the Virginia Beach Chili Cheese Dog is another favorite.
Al’s also has a selection of three sausages that range from mild to hot (South Carolina, New Jersey and Italian, respectively) as well as a variety of hamburgers, sandwiches and subs. Several menu standouts include the meatball sub and the Italian beef sandwich. It’s not exactly Chicago-style Italian beef, but it’s a pretty good approximation.
Aside from the imaginative hot dog creations, the sides and extras are some of the most fun on the menu, evoking memories of childhoods past and wasted summer days. With items like chili fries, cheese fries (either smothered in cheese sauce or melted shredded cheddar cheese) and chili cheese fries, they’re sure to please the kid-at-heart… although probably not the kid-at-heart’s heart itself. Other deep fried delicacies include enormous onion rings, stringy cheese sticks, battered pickles, chicken tenders and chicken wings. The majority of the sides come close to, but don’t quite upstage the main courses.
For dessert, Famous Uncle Al’s offers chocolate chip cookie dough bites, brownie bites, and a variety of ice cream treats made with Bryers Ice Cream, including shakes and the root beer float made with Sprecher draft root beer.
With reasonable prices and a menu that offers a nice variety from run-of-the-mill fast food joints, it’s easy to see how Uncle Al Stein’s Virginia Beach hot dog restaurant became famous.
Famous Uncle Al’s
Hot Dogs and Grille
7835 S. Rainbow Blvd.
702-385-DOGS (3647)
Hours
M-F 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Weekends 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The restaurant is friendly and casual, fitted with a lunch counter as well as table seating. Customers at the counter can watch as their meal is being prepared, while those at the tables can relax in conversation and take advantage of Famous Uncle Al’s friendly table service.
As the name implies, hot dogs are the specialty here, and the menu features a dozen different varieties—double that if you take into account the two different kinds of hot dogs. The best hot dogs available have a natural casing that gives them a distinctive snap when bitten. The more common, all beef skinless hot dogs are also available.
The different varieties are named after the region upon which they are based. While some, like the Chicago dog (mustard, relish, onions, tomato, sport peppers, celery salt and dill pickle spear on a poppy seed bun), are based on an actual regional favorite, others simply use ingredients from the region after which they are named. The San Antonio dog, for example, is topped with chili, cheddar cheese, bacon, onions and jalapeños; the Philly dog with cheddar cheese, grilled peppers and onions; the Miami dog with salsa and cheddar cheese; and the Memphis dog with red onion sauce and barbecue sauce. An homage to the franchise’s roots in Virginia, the Virginia Beach Chili Cheese Dog is another favorite.
Al’s also has a selection of three sausages that range from mild to hot (South Carolina, New Jersey and Italian, respectively) as well as a variety of hamburgers, sandwiches and subs. Several menu standouts include the meatball sub and the Italian beef sandwich. It’s not exactly Chicago-style Italian beef, but it’s a pretty good approximation.
Aside from the imaginative hot dog creations, the sides and extras are some of the most fun on the menu, evoking memories of childhoods past and wasted summer days. With items like chili fries, cheese fries (either smothered in cheese sauce or melted shredded cheddar cheese) and chili cheese fries, they’re sure to please the kid-at-heart… although probably not the kid-at-heart’s heart itself. Other deep fried delicacies include enormous onion rings, stringy cheese sticks, battered pickles, chicken tenders and chicken wings. The majority of the sides come close to, but don’t quite upstage the main courses.
For dessert, Famous Uncle Al’s offers chocolate chip cookie dough bites, brownie bites, and a variety of ice cream treats made with Bryers Ice Cream, including shakes and the root beer float made with Sprecher draft root beer.
With reasonable prices and a menu that offers a nice variety from run-of-the-mill fast food joints, it’s easy to see how Uncle Al Stein’s Virginia Beach hot dog restaurant became famous.
Famous Uncle Al’s
Hot Dogs and Grille
7835 S. Rainbow Blvd.
702-385-DOGS (3647)
Hours
M-F 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Weekends 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Greg Jones is managing editor of Casino Connection Nevada, as well as associate editor of Global Gaming Business magazine.
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