Mr. Hanton’s

EDIT: THis location is now (sadly) closed. I think they still do the food cart outside Longworths on busy nights though.
I FINALLY found a new place to add to my monthly lunch rotation. Gourmet hot dogs with pretty much any topping you want. Sounds like they also operate a food truck downtown.
At this location there is ample parking nearby. Service was fast and friendly with no headaches whatsoever. The kitchen was very clean and the food is cooked right in front of you. The seating inside is very limited but I usually take lunch to go so that doesn’t bother me much.
Most of the specialty dogs are $ 3.50 and the sandwiches are $ 5.00. Yes it might seem like a bit much for a single hot dog especially when you are a big eater and can quickly put down 2 like me. Once you are finished the signals this comfort food sends to your brain will instantly make you understand why you paid that $ 3.50 for a hot dog.
I suggest you try the Balboa. Delicious Italian sausage topped with these unbelievably good peppers & onions. Then some sauerkraut on top of that. I also get some spicy brown mustard in there. Makes for an absolutely delicious lunch. Next time I’ll get the Joey Votto sandwich.

I went today for the first time and I got the Italian Beef and Sweet Potato Fries! The food could have been warmer! The Italian Beef was a little on the salty side the Sweet Potato Fries were a little warm (they could’ve been warmer) But the sweet and spicy sauce that came with the fries was awesome! I will go back to try one of the hot dogs thdy ard famous for!

Just as delicious as their mobile Downtown food truck, Mr. Hanton’s is now serving up their delectable dogs in a brick and mortar store.
I happened to be on the West Side and stopped by for lunch. Same great menu. Same friendly service. I ordered a beef frank with slaw and spicy mustard. The clerk chatted with me while she prepared my food, and mentioned her favorites included the Cheez Whiz. I’ll have to give those a try!
There are tons of options to choose from ranging from traditional to eccentric:
Mr. Hanton’s starts with five basic, quarter-​pound franks:
— Beef
— Chicken Apple
— Goetta Dog
— Spicy Mett
— Italian Sausage
Next, you can create your own dog from an extensive selection of toppings, including such oddities as cheese whiz, thousand island dressing, and cream cheese. I really wish they had goat cheese as an option. I would love goat cheese on a dog!
If you want something tried and true, there are three columns of prepared dogs:
The Classics: condiments, chili dog, or plain
Regional Fare: different styles of dogs that are popular around the country, such as:
— Chicago Style: kosher pickle, sliced tomatoes, mustard, sweet relish, chopped onion, & sport peppers
— Kansas City: sauerkraut & Swiss cheese
— Philly: cheese whiz, grilled onions & peppers & provolone cheese
— Southern Slaw: chili, mustard, chopped onion & coleslaw
Signature Dogs: inventions from the Hanton Kitchen, such as:
— Balboa: Italian sausage, grilled onions & peppers & sauerkraut
— Coop: chicken apple dog, grilled onions & peppers & horseradish sauce
— Atomic Hiccup Pup: super spicy hot mett, spicy mustard, mild cheddar cheese, habanero mustard & jalapenos
— Reuben: beef frank, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese & thousand island dressing
— Smokehouse: beef frank, cheese whiz, BBQsauce, bacon & mild cheddar cheese
In past visits, I have enjoyed the Southern Slaw and the Pioneer Square (Beef Frank, Grilled Onions & Peppers, Sauerkraut & Cream Cheese). Friends have attempted to eat the Hiccup Pup, described on the menu as «atomic.» Even the hottest spicy lovers were overwhelmed!
I do wish Mr. Hanton’s had a brick-​and-​mortar store closer to Downtown, as I am rarely on the West Side. Perhaps soon enough, they’ll open another shop!
Price per person: $ 4.00

I was stopping by LaRosa’s to pick up soup for the significant other (odd request, but I thought I’d comply). I had a hunch that this place was somewhere nearby, but despite heading this direction weekly on my way to the Y, I never knew I was looking at the funky red sign the whole time. An initial complaint is that while the sign is obvious in this otherwise dreary strip mall, the writing is in cursive; at 35 mph it’s easy to miss. Know what you’re looking for, however, and you’ll be fine. It’s unassuming, but that’s not always a bad thing.
The menu is on the wall as well as typed out for those of us who, despite correction, still squint from time to time. There were two folks working who were both very friendly. I overheard a conversation that concluded in, «Are you a cop?» (to which I was a tad suspicious… were things going to go down in my hot dog stop?) and the answer was, «No, because of your order.». I’m not sure what this customer ordered, but this was a funny conversation to over hear. There were quite a few phone orders taken and picked up while I was there. It was all of 5 minutes to order, make, and be ready to head out, so I hope that says this place does good business.
As the food goes, I’ll give a disclaimer: I’m not really a hot dog person. In respect of my German heritage I’ve opened up to the food (metts, brats, etc.) but it’s not something I grew up with as a staple. That said, I was really curious (it kept coming up on Unilocal as a new place to try), so I decided it was a hot dog night. I ordered the smokin’ hot chick which is one of their chicken sausage concoctions. It has bbq sauce, habanero mustard (it means business but can be subbed out for regular yellow), bacon, and onions. Not too bad. It’s a lot of flavors at first, but once you’re into the dog and goodies… it comes together nicely. It’s warm, but nice.
In general, back to my original hot dog assertion, I’m in the camp that there is nothing wrong with a ballpark dog or a snack at the park, but usually a hot dog is not a meal for me. Tonight I learned that the hot dog can be finessed and thus arrive with a new status as: meal. It’s all I ate and I’m full. Nice! Moreover it’s a handy, one handed meal, that takes all of 6 or 7 bites to eat. Simple and satisfying. Nothing wrong with that. I suppose this place could be defined as gourmet hot dog (though there are some sandwiches) but it’s also a sampling of how regions in the US deal with this American food. Interesting, for sure.
I won’t eat here regularly, only because of my weak preference for the hot dog, but I was impressed. They say they do, «wickedly good handwiches». On that note, I’d agree. I also like the name handwich. Check this place out for a quick and informal bite, especially if you like hot dog/​sausages/​metts. Neat joint.

Deserves an additional half star. Sparkling clean, friendly and efficient with a great business model. Don’t plan to eat in, the space is tiny. To-​go order was prepared in a flash. My Italian sausage with peppers and onions had the nice char that I like, although I’m going to try something less spicy next time. Interested in both the chicken sausage and the goetta sausage.
I’d have liked the deep fried PB& J to have a bit more fried breading, but it was suitably decadent anyway. Hubby is not a fan of dogs or sausages, so he got the cheese steak. I’d say it was comparable to Penn Station’s, although maybe a little worse quality on the meat and a little cheaper. The sweet potato fries are perfect. Fries come in two size orders which is nice if you just want a few on the side.

I went here recently not know who Mr. Hanton even was. GASP! Yes I have never been to this infamous hot dog cart that supposedly reigns the hills in Mt. Adams. But if it is half as good as this restaurant was, I MUST seek it out!
The store is nothing fancy. Walk in and you are right up to the counter. Huge menu on the wall. I love a simple menu. I always feel like simple food executed to perfection is better than pretentious food any day.
So you are wondering what has me writing this review? I ordered a hot mett, that was good, but not great, but hey its a mett. The real star here was the Deep fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Yes, you heard me correctly. This thing came out glaring at us! It was a BEAST! If you’re going to order def order one for table bc its huge.
You would think it would taste just like a peanut butter and jelly but not quite. It tasted more like a delicious pastry. If a pastry was gigantic and not dainty at all! Two hands on this one folks. The outside was crispy and the batter on the outside was perfectly cooked where is was moist in the center. The jelly oozed from the inside and just when you thought it couldn’t get any better you finish with the crunch from the peanut butter to counteract the fluffiness.
The owner says this is not the only deep fried fiasco in the works. Apparently deep fried oreos, and other versions of the dessert type sandwiches. Not something I would eat everyday or I would weigh 500 lbs. But def something I will be craving until I can get up there again! Good work Mr. Hanton, good work.

Last summer, I accidentally discovered the Mr. Hanton’s food cart, a mobile sandwich making operation that was usually parked in Mt. Adams but I found it at different festivals and events.
It was amazing. I give it an easy five-​stars as to how blown away I was. The sandwiches and hot dogs were clever, fast and delicious. It was a win all over.
So when I heard they opened up a new store on Cheviot Road, I had to get down there. I. Had. To.
The new Mr. Hanton’s is in a strip mall but you can’t miss it — there’s a giant sign of a cartoon man holding a sandwich outside the place.
Inside there’s a board with all their sandwiches and a counter to order. Oh dear god, the options. Do you get a funky hot dog (not so much gourmet but more delicious creative with amazing toppings.) A sandwich with tons of meat? Sweet potato fries? Or something else.
We tried a few different items. My intern got a spicy hot dog and wolfed it down like a mad woman it was so good. They make their own hot sauce and if you want it to blow your mind spicy, it totally will. I got the Philly Cheesesteak and it was piled high with meats and cheese and it was amazing.
We also tried the fried PB&J … yes, a real peanut butter and jelly sandwich with grape jelly (although you can also get strawberry) and then deep fried in the frier. It was amazing. Amazing! Hot, crispy, the flavors sealed in and messy with every bite. It felt like dinner and dessert all in one. Honestly, I felt like I was seven with a giant smile on my face every time I took a bite.
All the food here is amazing. Mmmm. The only reason I can’t give this place the same five stars is the atmosphere. It’s just … nothing. There’s a sign outside and that’s the peak of their decorations. There’s a few plastic tables and chairs inside, blank walls and a counter to order at. A TV is on if you want to watch some TV. It’s not a big place for sure but it just felt a little empty walking in there right now. Even just a few fun framed photos of sandwiches would have livened this place up.
Still, they’re just getting started and I will happily come check them out again once they’re really up and running … if nothing else but to get more things fried. Dear god, that sandwich! That sandwhich!