Dognation

Disclosure: We dined courtesy of Dognation thanks to Thanh.

Hot diggity dog, there’s a new gourmet hot dog purveyor in town. Dognation opened a couple of weeks ago in The Causeway – the laneway between Bourke Street Mall and Little Collins Street – and their shop used to be the adjacent restaurant’s storeroom. It’s itty bitty, but somehow they manage to turn out some pretty good hot dogs, with five versions on the menu. The hot dogs are all named and themed after different cities around the world.


Mexico City Chilli Dog ($8.90): Mexican beef, pork and bean sausage, spicy chilli con carne, cheese and jalapenos.



Melbourne Dog
($7.90): Beef and tomato relish sausage, tomato sauce, mustard, onion, cheese, beetroot relish.

Tokyo Dog ($8.90): a pork and beef sausage wrapped in nori with miso-infused mushrooms, wasabi mayo, okonomiyaki sauce and nori flakes.

London “Bangers and Mash” dog ($8.90): a British beef and pork sausage with mashed potato, smashed peas and gravy.

Berlin Dog ($7.90): a German bratwurst sausage, sauerkraut, onion, and hot or mild German mustard.

I love spicy food, so I wasn’t surprised to find that my favourite was the Mexico City chilli dog. I would’ve loved it a fair bit spicier, but I understand that they need to cater to the masses. I also really liked the Tokyo Dog, which contained a very juicy sausage and an interesting mix of flavours from the wasabi mayo and okonomiyaki sauce.

I must also mention the Melbourne dog (Australia represent) – gotta love a bit of beetroot relish.

Dognation offers a choice between white and multigrain rolls. Apparently the multigrain rolls are more popular – but you know what? Do yourself a favour and order the white roll. (You’re eating a hot dog, don’t be fooling.) We tried both the white and multigrain and I think all the hot dogs are better on white as the bread doesn’t compete with the sausage and filling.

In a break from the usual hot dogs and fries tradition, the only side that Dognation offers is potato mash and gravy ($2.90). Holy smokes. They make a fantastic mash and gravy. It’s super smooth and buttery and is a must order.

Drinks available are sourced from the different countries that the hot dogs are themed around, which lends to some interesting drinks such as Bionade, a soft drink from Germany, and Jarritos from Mexico.

Dognation. Eat a hot dog and experience the world. Well, not quite, but at least you’ll leave with a happy tummy.

For more on Dognation, check out Mel: hot or not and Peachwater.


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Dognation
Shop 2
The Causeway
Melbourne
Website: dognation.com.au

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