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You might be confused as to why this distillery-eatery is on our list, but hot dog enthusiasts know about Weenie Wednesday. This weekly special runs throughout the summer from May 31 until Labor Day and features fancy hot dogs with a wide variety of inventive flavor palettes; think Chicago dogs with sport peppers, a spicy chili cheese dog, and a Korean one with gochujang and kimchi slaw, and so on. Don’t miss this culinary innovation.

9.

G’s

2.0 To Go

36 N. Main St., Richlandtown

The name might be unfamiliar, but the business may not be. This is Grida’s, rebooted, with new owners and an expanded menu that includes fancy hot dogs. (John and Mary Grida sold the business in 2021 to Stacey Carr.) New selections include the Buffalo Dog with buffalo sauce, diced celery and blue cheese. Or you can opt for the Sriracha Dog, with Sriracha mayo, diced tomatoes and dill pickles. Other selections include ingredients like candied jalapeños and a Chicago-inspired dog with sport peppers, dill pickles and celery salt.

Chef Antonio Santiago had an unusual introduction to restaurants, but it led to an impressive career in the kitchen—and he might have a little teenage mischief to thank for it. “In high school, when I got in trouble, my punishment was to go around local restaurants and interview the owners and chefs and find out how they started their business,” he shares. One of the individuals he met with—the owner of Pocono Brewery Company— introduced Santiago to his chef and hired him at age 15 as his prep cook. From there, Santiago