LOCAL FLAVOR

local flavor Haute Dogs (and More) in Haymarket

By Marianne Weaver

Every so often, a new eatery lights up local social media. That’s what happened when Eugene’s Sausage and Fries (15111 Washington Street, Haymarket) opened their doors in May 2019. On local HOA pages, countywide Facebook forums and Yelp, users raved about the small store-front restaurant serving a wide selection of fresh sausages and fantastic fries.

“I found Eugene’s on Yelp in the ‘Hot and New’ section,” said Sampad Das, Lansdowne, Virginia. “The sausages were awesome!”

Eugene’s is located on the side of the Winterham stores that shares a parking lot with School of Rock. The owners, Jamie Ryder and Jason Hardy, who named the restaurant after a family member, were looking for a location with a “hometown” feel.

“At least one of us is here every day, making sure we greet, check in on and thank every guest before they leave,” said Ryder. “We are hospitality professionals with over 70 years in combined experience. We understand guests have many options for dining and truly appreciate that they choose to spend their time with us. We understand how hard people work for their money and want them to know the value and quality of what we serve. We literally have our hands on every dish that we serve.”

The Dogs Ryder said the menu is inspired by classic and modern sandwiches with sausage involved and great crispy French fry combinations. The most popular, he said, is the Rueben.

30 | February 2020 prince william living “It’s our signature bratwurst, served on a buttered, toasted pretzel bun, then topped with shaved first-cut pastrami, premium sauerkraut, imported Swiss and our Thousand Island dressing,” he said.

D'Shea Denmon, from Aurora, Colorado, was visiting Haymarket and found Eugene's on Yelp.

“The menu was a little difficult to understand, but the owner helped us navigate and gave me the recommendation for the Danger Dog,” she said. “It was sooo good!

The Danger Dog is a spicy sausage topped with bacon jam, cheddar sauce and jalapeño relish.

Yelp reviewers also raved about the Casablanca, made with merguez sausage, spicy whole grain mustard and Moroccan carrot slaw.

“The flavor was really everything the owner described: an explosion of flavor,” said Dan Torres, Los Angeles. “I considered buying one more but having a sweet tooth I opted for the shake.”

The menu showcases a handful of specialty sandwiches — the Southern Hospitality, which is a haute dog topped with chili, cheddar cheese sauce and pepper relish; The Hunter, made with either elk or buffalo with wild cremini mushrooms, bacon jam and provolone; and El Diablo, which is a half smoke, spicy mustard, jalapeños, cherry peppers and pepper relish — but also a wide selection to make your own combos. Those choices

The menu at Eugene’s Sausage and Fries is inspired by classic and modern sandwiches with sausage involved and great crispy French fry combinations.

include bratwurst, sweet or hot Italian pork sausage, merguez, herb chicken sausage, rabbit/pork/chicken/bacon sausage, venison seasoned with merlot and blueberry-smoked duck in apple jack brandy and a “haute” dog, made of smoked pork and beef blend. The sandwiches are served on pretzel rolls and can be topped with bacon jam, chili, peppers and onions, sharp cheddar sauce, whole grain mustard, ranch, sauerkraut, curry ketchup or marinara.

“Decide whether you’re feeling like something spicy, sweet, savory or all the above and then ask for recommendations,” said Ryder, who noted that his current favorite item is the bulgogi, a marinated Korean beef, kimchi, red and Napa cabbage slaw, all served on a smoked dog. “But I’m never going to turn down a Rueben!”

The Extras Come for the sausage, but don’t overlook the sides … especially the fries. Truffle fries, made with black truffle oil, parmesan cheese and parsley, regular seasoned, and for a bit more, they can be topped with chili, cheese, pastrami or roast beef.

Nicole Frazier, Bristow, tried sausage and fries during her first visit. “The owner was open to questions and told us what his popular sausages were,” she said. “I would recommend to share the fries. They give you plenty. They were fresh and filling. My Chicago was two sandwiches in one — very good. They take pride in their food.”

Although there is no dessert menu, the 16-ounce shakes are available in vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and Nutella. Diners will also find an assortment of craft beers.

Marianne E. Weaver (mweaver@princewilliamliving.com) is a freelance editor and writer. She earned a BA from the University of Pittsburgh and an MJ from Temple University.

How to Save for Education Without Taking your Eye Off of Retirement

By Bennett Whitlock, CRPC ® Private Wealth Advisor

It’s no secret that many American parents want to support their kids by paying for their college education. While the choice to delay retirement to pay tuition is understandable and even admirable, the reality is doing so may not be the wisest financial decision. If you are considering how to balance saving for college and retirement, read on for some perspective.

Prioritize college bills or retirement? Although it may be hard to hear, saving for retirement should take priority over college tuition. To understand why, consider the following: n You may not get to choose your retirement date. Injury, caring for an aging parent, or a layoff are among the factors that could ultimately make the decision for you. n You don’t want to run out of money in retirement. If your savings come up short, you don’t have the ability to apply for scholarships, grants or financial aid to help bridge the gap. (Your child has access to these options to help pay for college.) Instead, your options are likely to be working longer, finding other sources of income or spending less on travel and other retirement dreams. While it’s imperative to focus on your own financial security in retirement, funding higher education is still an important goal for many parents. The key is striking the right balance between saving for both goals. Consider the following tips as a starting point: 1. Paying for college doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Many parents choose to pay a percentage of the total bill, cover certain expenses (e.g. tuition, technology fees or room and board), pay for a set number of years, or contribute as much as they are able to save by the first day of school instead of funding the full cost. Revising your college savings goal in one of these ways could allow you to direct more money to retirement. 2. If your child has sights on graduate school, decide whether you will contribute to those bills too. This decision is particularly important if your child needs a graduate degree before entering his or her field of choice. If you intend to provide financial support, calculate how much the total cost will be so you have a clear savings target in mind. 3. Discuss your intentions with your child. No matter how much you contribute, talk to your child (if and when your child is old enough) about your financial commitment so he or she knows what to expect. Discuss how your

contribution will look like at their preferred colleges. For example, if you agree to pay a set amount, perhaps this money will fully cover community college, a substantial amount at a state school, and leave a larger portion of the bill outstanding at a private college. Breaking down the costs for your child can help him or her make an informed decision about how much student debt (or scholarships, grants, etc.) are needed to cover the bill. No matter your financial situation, know that it is possible to make meaningful progress toward both goals, particularly if you are intentional about how to allocate your savings. Consult a financial advisor and tax professional if you want help setting specific savings goals and understanding the various investing options available to you.

Bennett C. Whitlock III, CRPC ® , is a Private Wealth Advisor and Managing Director with Whitlock Wealth Management, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Contact him at 703.492.7732 or visit whitlockwealth.com.

Take charge of your financial future.

Since 1894, Ameriprise Financial has helped millions of Americans feel more confident about their financial future. As an Ameriprise financial advisor, I remain true to our vision of always putting clients first. Discover the one-to-one attention you deserve, call me today at 877.WHITLOCK.

Bennett C. Whitlock III, CRPC® Private Wealth Advisor

Whitlock Wealth Management A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

877.WHITLOCK 12848 Harbor Dr, Ste 101 Lake Ridge, VA 22192

9073 Center St Manassas, VA 20110 bennett.c.whitlock@ampf.com whitlockwealth.com

Whitlock Wealth Managment Ameriprise Private Wealth Advisory Practice

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