Happy Dog

What better way to transition from Chicago to Cleveland than with a big hot dog heaped with toppings?

Happy Dog in Cleveland (or as I like to call it, Chicago jr.) offers house made dogs with a daunting list of toppings, a community dive bar ambiance, and live music.

I went to support a friend playing with the organization Classical Music Revolution, which puts on chamber concerts in spots around Cleveland, including several bars. They aim to bring classical music to the people, making it more accessible, and enjoyable for audiences who wouldn't normally be exposed to it. Not to mention you feel like a rock star when you play for a raucous crowd.

I tried a peanut butter coffee porter, which actually tasted and smelled like carbonated coffee grounds.

Diners can embrace their inner chef by selecting as many toppings as can fit on their hot dog for only $5. I approached the task from my Chicago-style roots, using the famously topped dog as a template. My favorite parts remained - dill pickle spear and sliced tomato - with bacon-balsamic marmalade instead of mustard, grilled Spanish onions instead of raw onion, and blue cheese cole slaw on top for a little crunch.

My mouth was very happy, indeed.