The famed Hot Dog Guys who made a name for themselves along the Allegheny Valley Expressway’s Tarentum interchange, are available in Lower Burrell.

Owners Paul and Jim Barton are banking on loyal customers popping in for a quick and inexpensive lunch — $3 gets you a large hot dog, a bag of chips or other snacks like popcorn, Fritos or popcorn and a can of pop.

During a recent Lunch Bunch visit, we ordered hot dogs assembled with colleagues’ favorite toppings — 21 are available — and headed back to the newsroom with our bags.

Toppings range from sauerkraut, cheese, peppers, barbecue sauce, potato sticks and bacon bits to more traditional add-ons like mustard and ketchup.

Our adventurous one opted for a dog with potato sticks and cheddar cheese. We figured the cheese would hold the crunchy sticks onto the dog, and we were right. It was a nice combo.

We didn’t realize there’s a dog called “All the Way,” which has prompted bear-hugs from truckers stopping along the Expressway grateful to find their Southern dog available. It cradles a serving of cole slaw, chilli, mustard and onion.

We all liked that these hot dogs are fat and firm, yet easy to chew. The bread was regular hot dogs buns, but very fresh and not smashed and flat like some bought in a package.

“These are really what hot dogs are supposed to be like,” claims one colleague. “Even though the franks are all beef, they do not have the sort of tough consistency or texture like most all-beef franks. They have a lot of flavor to boot and the almost unlimited options for condiments or toppings only makes them better.”

Hot dog aficionados who get irritated when served dogs that turn out to be more bun than frank will find the Hot Dog Guys’ offerings pleasing. The only way these franks will get lost in a bun is if they are served in a hoagie roll.

The chili-cheese option was a little on the greasy side (but what chili-cheese dog isn’t?), and the chili portion of the topping could have been a little more substantial with some more beef and beans but still passable.

We were impressed with how hot our take-out order remained during the drive back to the office. When we opened our containers, the ample-size sandwich was really hot . The shop offers hot dogs that are larger than the ones you buy in the grocery store

We also ordered nachos with cheese ($3) to share with colleagues in the newsroom. The menu’s new item, Macho Nachos ($5), it’s the chili that grabs you first with its husky, smoked flavor. The thick nacho cheese balances the fire and spiciness of the jalapenos. Unfortunately, the success of the chip/chili/cheese/jalapeno flavor marriage negated any chance of tasting the bacon bits which probably were added to arrive at the dish’s “macho” status. Gooey thumbs up for the excellent topping-to-chip ratio.

Compiled by Rebecca Killian, Sis Reola, Carol Pinto-Smith,Tom Yerace and Erica Hilliard. Meals are paid for by the Valley News Dispatch and are unrelated to advertising.

Additional Information:

Address: 2879-A Leechburg Road, Stewart Plaza, Lower Burrell

Phone: 724-337-4205

Hours: 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays

Credit cards: Not accepted. Cash only.

Smoking: No

Handicapped accessible: Limited

Prices: 75 cents to $5 for hot dogs, bags of snacks and beverages

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