Garbage Plate- the real deal

Welcome to western New York. Many people say "pop" instead of soda, we apparently have an accent (evidenced by, for example, Rochester being shortened to 2 syllables by natives), and there are hot dog places everywhere. Living outside of the Roc for as many years as I did, I developed hot dog related guilt. After all, the concept is kind of gross if you think about it. But being back in my city of origin, I am embracing what I'm sure will be a life long relationship with this salty meat.

For you non-natives, I have to explain that you can't just order a hot dog. You have to specify white or red. A red or Texas hot is what most people think of when hot dog is mentioned. We also have white hots, which I personally have never really liked. White meat (not like as in chicken or pork, more literally white) doesn't really look good to me and they are a little spicier and sausagier.

Another thing all Rochestarians know is Nick Tahou's. This place is a lovable downtown dive. Although the major part of the cleintele consists of college students, law enforcement officers, and various colorful blue collar characters, it is a Rochester institution and those Rochesterians who do not have an exaggerated idea of downtown crime will make the occasional trip. Opened in 1918, and not redecorated since probably 1968, they serve awesome hot dogs, hamburgers, breakfasts, and other foods you might find listed on an average kid's menu or served out of a cart. Their most famous creation is the garbage plate. The only ones allowed to use the name "garbage plate"; the many imitators must resort to "trash platter" or other variations. First you choose your meat: the original options were hot dog (red or white) or hamburger. They have since added lots of others- chicken fingers, fish, etc. Next, you choose your foundation from two of the following: french fries, home fries, macaroni salad, and some others. If you get it "with everything", you get onions, mustard, and hot sauce on top. The hot sauce most resembles chili- very finely ground beef and not really any other chunks of anything, but hot (it reminded me of indian food...hmmm...maybe I can figure out the secret!).

Also, you should know that it doesn't say "Garbage Plate" on the plastic backlit menu hanging on the wall. There are many stories of somebody ordering a "Hamburger Plate" and getting something quite different from what they expected. This is also not a dish intended for those who can't handle their foods touching on the plate. Me, having studied, ordered my first garbage plate just like a pro: "red hot plate, fries & mac salad with everything". I figure you have to go with everything as the chef intended when you sample a house special for the first time. Here's what I got: half a plate of wicked good mayo based macaroni salad, half a plate of crinkle cut fries (from frozen but totally good), two red hots split down the middle and grilled on the flat fry/grill thing, topped off with spicy mustard, onions, and hot sauce. My favorite thing was how the hot sauce leaked into the macaroni....it's like they wanted to be together. I think I would have liked less hot sauce, and only one hot dog. I couldn't finish my plate and was embarassed. Maybe next time I would get no onions and mustard- not really needed in my opinion as the sauce adds plenty of flavor and texture. I would not, however, change my main ingredient or bottom items.

I have many hot dog places, and perhaps counterfiet "trash plates" to try..it's almost overwhelming. But I'm glad I went to the mecca first, and look forward to perfecting my own garbage plate experience.

http://www.garbageplate.com