By Request, The Clairemont Hot Dog Battle: Woodies vs. Tommy's - Will Heartburn Reign Supreme ?

I don't quite remember who requested a comparison of the Chili Dogs at Woodies and Tommy's. But I'm pretty sure it's Diet Chili Cheese Fries, who probably wanted to see the word "Woodie" in print again. But since Tommy's and Woodies are just a few miles apart on the same street, I'm sure a comparison is due. So with Pepcid in hand, I headed out to try out the Chili Dogs at Woodies and Tommy's on a recent Saturday morning.

In This Corner: Tommy's

**** Tommy's has closed

If you live in SoCal you know Tommy's, so I think no introduction is necessary. But let me state clearly that my poison of choice here is the Tommy Burger. We used to live right up the street from a Tommy's, so I've had my share, but still I don't get to Tommy's very often.

I must say, that even though this location of Tommy's is so very "white-washed" and clean, the napkin dispensers make me feel like I'm eating in a bathroom.

Well back to the subject. Here's the Chili Dog at Tommy's ($2.40):

The Good? I like the chili at Tommy's, even though it's got the texture similar to that of refried beans, or a texture sort of like when you had some bread and milk and mashed it against your teeth in Elementary school to gross people out. There is a hint of pickled Jalapeno in the Chili that adds some zip, but overall the chili is very mild. Of course I love onions, so that goes without saying!

The Bad? I hated the slice of American Cheese thrown in on the bottom of a dry bun, a full one-third of the chili dog had no cheese. The Hot Dog is pretty mediocre, just like you can buy in any market. The slices of  pickles and a whole slice of tomato is ponderous, unless you want to make a mess..

The Verdict? This Dog depends on the chili.

So some Diet 7-Up to clear my palate(we wouldn't want to one taste to corrupt the other....but what to do about burps?) and a few miles later......

In This Corner: Woodie's

*** Update, Woodies is now Waldos

A Hot Dog "stand" in the Clairemont Square Shopping Center.

Here's the "Woodie Dog" at Woodie's($2.50):

The Good? A good natural casing dog, with "snap". The shredded cheese that covers the entire dog, and partially melts is an improvement over Tommy's. I also like the care that is lavished upon my Woodie.....it is assembled well, and doesn't go falling all over the place. We all know the problems associated with walking with a "Woodie", so I won't go into those.

The Bad? Well, I think the Chili is a very generic, chili con carne-ish concoction.

The Verdict? A good dog that I enjoy dressed differently.

So which Dog reigns supreme? Well there's a reason they call it Tommy Burgers. I'll leave it at that. On a side note; I noticed a sign that said that the Clairemont Mesa Woodies was for sale, so if you're inclined, you can have a Woodie of your very own!

Original Tommy's
7415 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92111

Woodies Chili Dogs
4250 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92117

Thanks for humoring me! No heartburn to be had as well - I've only had heartburn once in my life, maybe one day I'll tell the story. Tomorrow it's back to Earth, San Diego to be specific.......

"Hey you want a Woodie?"

Comments

[Scott]

I suppose you could have thrown der Wienerschnitzel into the mix. Honestly, I think all of that stuff is strictly weekend food and NOT, I repeat NOT work day food.

I have never had to run the the bathroom as fast as the one and only time I ate at Wienerschnitzel.

Gross but true. And we make jokes of it now.

[Kirk]

Hi Scott - "I suppose you could have thrown der Wienerschnitzel into the mix." Well not if I wanted to live to see Monday! Honestly, I'd never been into a Wienerschnitzel until like two years ago, and I lived to tell you about it.

[charsiubao]

funny, that... does anyone like Wienerschnitzel? i went to one 5 years ago to get a polish sandwich and walked back out without ordering b/c the grease and dog fumes were nauseating. how are there so many of them?!

[Rachel]

LOL good to hear your woodie was well-assembled :) Just your pics and descript won me. The tommy dog looks sad. And there is absolutely no place for sliced tomato on a chilli dog! And the texture of that chilli sounds a little yukky.

If you visit Sydney I recommend this famous pie and hot dog place called Harry's. It is a wagon by the wharf but its been around for 60 years or so and its open till 4 in the morning and its crowded even at 2 am! The chilli dogs are awesome with crunch and lots of beef and onions in the chilli :)

[elmomonster]

Kudos to you for eating two chili dogs from two different chili dog joints in a row for a reader request. Extra points for the woodie double entendres.

[Kirk]

Hi CSB - I thought the fries were ok at the "schnitzel", and I know alot of people who love that place.

Hi Rachel - sounds mighty delicious.

Hi Elmo - A promise is a promise, though it took me a while to get to it.

[Jim (BM)]

It's been years since I had a Woodie...I'm headed for Clairemont!

[Kirk]

Hi Jim - LOL! Enjoy your Woodie.....

[Joe Crawford]

There are some other Hot Dog recommendations at http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2005/08/15/where-are-the-good-hot-dogs/

[Kirk]

Hi Joe - I actually commented to the post on August 15th of last year. I really do enjoy the San Diego Blog. In what may be some irony, when I first started mmm-yoso back in May of '05, I sent an email to see if I could be included in San Diego Bloggers twice - but got no response - so I figured you all didn't want anything to do with me.

[Victor]

Try the new Jimmi's Red Hots in Carlsbad.

They have rippers!!!!!

Didn't try the chili, but the "squealer" which is a frank, fried in the oil until it rips with a slice of bacon around it is a wonder.

v

[Kirk]

Hi Victor - Thanks for the recommendation - I'll make sure to check it out when I'm in the area.