Swiss Hot Dog

Swiss Hot Dog
Avon, Colorado

In 1966, Ernst Larese immigrated to America and opened a restaurant with his wife in Vail, Colorado.  This restaurant has evolved into Swiss Hot Dog, based on a recipe Ernst and Barbara created.  There's only two things on the menu--his Swiss hot dog and a housemade chicken noodle soup with over 20 fresh veggies and herbs.  

Two things.  That's it.  And you'd bet your butt they're absolutely incredible.  It's safe to say Ernst has developed a cult following with locals and tourists alike whom have followed him and his hot dogs from Vail to their location in Avon.  People have been eating these hot dogs for generations, and your taste buds can tell you why they're still around all these years later, despite lack of advertising.  

The hot dog comes on a baguette which Ernst lightly toasts, then schmears with some onion.  Then it's covered with a curry based spice and mustard, then topped with sprouts.  It's savory, slightly spicy and extremely fresh!  The hot dog itself is made of a pork/veal combo with some herbs in it as well.  I've never tasted anything quite like it, and probably never will!  

"The Mother of All Soups" is a chicken noodle soup made with 20 fresh chopped veggies and 7 fresh chopped herbs, then topped with mint, cilantro, and lime.  Ernst makes a new batch every morning, and although the veggies simmer all day, they stay al dente for a nice, crunchy contrast to the noodles and chicken.  Although people have tried, its a recipe impossible to replicate.

Swiss Hot Dog is an example of the American Dream--the restaurant has been offered to be bought out, but Ernst and Barbara have kept it in the family instead to preserve their American Dream.  This summer, they'll be at farmers markets, festivals, and the Vail Market as well as in their brick and mortar location (Ernst will be there 7 days a week), so you can get your SHD fix our and about!  I'm excited!

Le Tub

Le Tub
Hollywood, Florida

Along Ocean Drive (A1A), tucked behind mangroves and blending in with its surroundings, people drive past Le Tub every day and don't realize what they're missing.  The decor  and atmosphere is awesome--the owner of the restaurant hand built the place with flotsam, jetsam, and other local woods.  He hand picked out all the quirky memorabilia all over the walls and hanging from the ceiling.  It's multi-level and all the seating is outdoor, right on the Intercoastal.  We sat at the bar with a nice view of the water.  Prime real estate for rum runners!

Our waitress was phenomenal.  She gave us pointers on what she loved on the menu (which was small--people mainly go there for the burgers) and had our first drinks ready by the time we were ready to order.  And order we did!  Crab legs, seafood salad, burgers, and fries.  She warned us there was about an hour + wait time for the burgers, but we went there specifically for them and didn't care how long it took to get them.  Plus, we had rum runners.

Even thought our burgers were going to take a while, our other food came out super fast.  My sister Jess and her boyfriend Coe got crab legs which were the length of my femur and Chris and I shared the seafood salad.  Both were incredible!  The crab was succulent and buttery, not overly fishy nor chewy.  And then the seafood salad.  Oh lord that was good.  It was like a Seafood Succotash!  Fish, crab, huge shrimps, and so many other things I can't even list them all!  They were bound together with an extremely fresh tasting herbed house dressing.  Our waitress told us to put a little on a cracker, then pour some green (green, not red!) Tabasco on top.  It totally perfected it!  I haven't been able to order seafood salad since because I don't want to ruin the experience with some other mediocre substitution!

A few round of drinks later, it was time for the Climax of our meal.  The whole reason we even went to Le Tub to begin with--the 13 oz sirloinburger.  This very burger, the one we waited over an hour for, has  been applauded not only by GQ as the Best Burger in America, but by Dame Oprah Winfrey herself.  Needless to say, we were pretty stoked.  Le Tub didn't disappoint.  For $11.50 (with cheese included), this thing was massive, juicy, tender, and mind blowing!  Chris and I couldv'e easily shared (especially since we destroyed that seafood salad), but my sister didn't warn us we'd be getting a cow between two halves of a bun.  Yes, there were leftovers (which were amazing the next day, too).  I'd sit 3 hours for that burger!  

The fries were thick cut, crispy on the outside, and fluffy on the inside.  Absolute perfection.  *Note*--they fry their foods in peanut oil, so if you're allergic please skip the fries.  Don't let EDS make anyone go into anaphylactic shock.  But if you're not allergic, please try and pace yourselves so you don't explode!

By the end of our meal, we were full of yummy goodness, pina coladas, and rum runners.  We didn't even have room for dessert which is especially crazy because they have house made Key Lime Pie--my favorite!  The pace turned out to be perfect--we didn't feel rushed and got to digest a little in between courses.  Our waitress was helpful and hilarious, the view was spectacular, and the ambiance that of Old Florida.  It suited the food perfectly.  

And I'll tell you what:  I'll never drive past Le Tub again without stopping for at least a cool rum runner on a hot Florida afternoon.