Tag: Fat Franks

City Market Report: Week 6

It was one of those Saturdays. Even with the incessant noise of the construction crews working across the street, we did not want to get out of bed this morning. So by the time we got ourselves down to the City Market today, it was already noon.

Still busy

As expected, many vendors were already sold out of their precious seasonal produce – it was the last week for asparagus from Edgar Farms, and they were down to asparagus seconds when we arrived. Sundog Organics were also down to a handful of items – though they were out of arugula, we picked up some spinach, pea tendrils and oregano from them.

Out of asparagus bunches!

The early birds get the best selection at Sundog Organics

We were not only shopping for our week’s groceries today, but also for a Slow Food Edmonton solstice supper. Everyone attending was tasked with bringing something to be cooked in Colleen and Vince’s fabulous wood-burning oven, and our assignment was toppings for three nine-inch pizzas. In the basket went tomatoes from Gull Valley Greenhouses, Portobello mushrooms from Mo Na, and goat feta from Smoky Valley Goat Cheese.

 Intriguing sea asparagus from Mo Na (apparently, like a saltier version of asparagus, can be cooked the same way)

Smoky Valley Goat Cheese

The line-up at Ocean Odyssey Inland was long, but that gave us some time to explore some of their countertop goods, such as their salmon dog biscuits. Can you say gourmet?

Dog treats from Ocean Odyssey

Once we crossed everything off my shopping list (including fielding a call from my Mum who asked me to pick up a pound of shitakes from Mo Na), we wandered through the Park(ed) festival along 102 Avenue, which had been closed specifically for the event.

Park(ed)

Park(ed), in its first incarnation this year, promotes car-free transportation, and featured different booths and activities highlighting active lifestyles and alternative modes of transport. I loved the little tracks of grass (though I hope they end up planting them somewhere), and the area where visitors could try out bicycles, including tandem bikes!

Downtown Edmonton Community League patch

Ikea display

Spin class on the street!

If only getting bike lanes were that easy, eh?

Pick your bike

Before we returned home, we couldn’t resist our first Fat Frank at the market. It was tasty, as always.

Mack loves Fat Franks!

See you at the market next week!

The Scent of Summer: Fat Franks

Ubiquitous in the warm months on street corners all over Edmonton’s downtown core, Fat Franks is a bonafide Edmonton establishment. In addition to 8 trailers stationed at Canadian Tire stores, 11 outdoor stands covering territory from High Street to the Law Courts, a Whyte Avenue location open 9 months of the year, there are two year-round operations: one at the River Cree Casino and another in Commerce Place.

I didn’t know about the Commerce Place location until recently, when a piece in Avenue Magazine caught my attention in December. It turns out it opened in October 2006, and has been satisfying customers ever since.

Some hot dog trivia (from a board at the back of Fat Franks):

  • “Hot Dogs” were first introduced in 1904 at the St. Louis World Fair. The name “Hot Dog” comes from the early NY City vendors who used to yell out “They’re hot, get ’em while they’re red hot”
  • Mustard is the most common condiment used on hot dogs
  • Fat Franks has served over 1 million hot dogs since 1995. That’s 3 million feet if put in a straight line; 134, 000 Kilos of meat, 113,000 kilos of bread & 32, 500 kilos of mustard!

Walking into the food court this afternoon, I almost missed Fat Franks – they really should have flashier signage, or at the very least, use all of the banner room provided above their space.

I took some time to peruse their menu. All of their hot dogs are made with 80% beef and 20% chicken (and no by-products). I had the choice between a Junior Dog ($2.60) to an Avenue Dog ($4.85) with bacon and cheese. I went somewhere in between with my order of a Jumbo Dog ($3.60). A variety of smokies were also on the menu, including honey ham, jalapeno & cheddar, and Italian, all priced under $5. Sides of fries were also available ($2-3), though after seeing their morning offer of a breakfast sandwich with grilled egg, bacon or sausage links and cheese, I almost wished it was still early.

The friendly attendant had my hot dog ready in seconds. I’m not too keen on toppings (I think it takes away from a really juicy hot dog), so with a little drizzle of ketchup, I was done. Before I left, I made sure to get a “Customer Appreciation Card” stamped – buy 10, get 1 free. I’m not sure I’ll be back often enough to warrant carrying a card in my wallet, but I should have asked whether or not it was valid at the various outdoor locations as well.

I sat down at one of the tables next to the window and inhaled the fragrant scent of a grilled hot dog – it is a smell that easily transports me to campfires and backyard barbeques. Between the toasted, crispy bun, the slightly charred dog, and the sweet tang from the ketchup, I was thoroughly satisfied.

While I’d probably have to have two dogs to make it a proper meal, one indoors was enough. Next time – I’m hitting up the carts.

Fat Franks in Commerce Place

Jumbo Dog