Weston HDJ Review - T&L Hot Dogs

The T&L Hot Dogs in Weston is one of those infamous off-shoots that isn't included in the canon of the official T&L universe. Like Cindy's T&L in nearby Jane Lew, this branch doesn't seem to have any ties to main chain of stores in the Clarksburg, Morgantown, Bridgeport, or Grafton areas. And like the Jane Lew location, the Weston version has a different take on the original recipe for the chili.

One thing I was quick to discover was that it is possible to possible to overcook or over-spice chili to the point of making it hard to enjoy. I can't put my finger on what it was, but the chili had the taste of being burnt and/or bitter. I had heard tell of overcooked chili, but until today I thought it was just an urban legend. Surely no self-respecting HDJ would sell their chili to consumers if they thought it was sub-par, right? I guess the answer to that is "In some cases, yes." That being said, I can't really comment further on the chili here.

The slaw was a beautiful sight to behold. It had a fantastic appearance, which had managed to hold its form rather well on the account of the loving wrapping job that was done when my order was handed to me (bonus point!). As far as the taste itself, the slaw had a really nice, subtle flavor. There was just enough taste in it to let you know it was there, but not enough to contrast with the rest of the presentation. Thankfully, it also didn't have too much dressing mixed in so as to run off of the hot dog or blend into the chili and make it runny.

I will give T&L in Weston three weenies. I really hope that I just happened to have caught them on an off day as far as the chili goes, but several hours later I can still taste the bitterness when I think about it. The slaw was very good, and I hope they offer it up in take-home containers (if they don't already do so). And as silly as it may seem, the fact that they wrap up the hot dogs so perfectly speaks as to how much care this HDJ is capable of rendering.

Weston HDJ Review - Coke & Float

Just outside of Weston sits a humble looking establishment with lists of ice cream goodies so long, they nearly cover the majority of the outer walls near the order window. Coke & Float has just about every imaginable variety of ice cream combination you can imagine (shakes, cones, sundaes, etc.). The hot dogs here are more in the "just alright" arena, meaning they're okay if you need a fix, but whether or not they satisfy a WVHD connoisseur is all a matter of interpretation.

For starters, the weenies used here are rather scrawny. Most likely these

are the bulk variety from somewhere like Sam's Club. On the plus side, it wasn't waterlogged or undercooked. The slaw and onions were both shredded extra-fine, almost to a fault. In my particular hot dog, I found the slaw itself was rather sparse. The little bit that I did manage to separate from the rest of the dog had an good flavor, but with little counter-balance for the notable sweetness.

The chili was likewise very sweet. In fact, I would almost be willing to bet that some form of canned spaghetti sauce was used. That may not be the total gospel, but it tasted very similar to a version made by a relative of mine who does, in fact, use said canned spaghetti sauce.

Still, I've got to hand it to Coke & Float that they do actually care about the hot dogs they make. They come wrapped in wax paper versus the dreaded styro-coffin that seems to be the norm at such stands. Second, and more importantly, you are hard pressed to find many ice cream stands selling hot dogs in the area that actually do have slaw available. My only gripe about the slaw is that there isn't enough. All in all, Coke & Float gets a three weenie rating. Some tweaking of the sauce and extra slaw may be all they need to give their dogs that little extra lift.

Weston HDJ Review - Ice Cream Barn

Weston isn't exactly a hotbed of hot dog culture, but if you're driving into town headed east you'll see this charming little red barn right along Route 33 beckoning you to stop in for a visit. I think Ice Cream Barn may win the record for the widest hand written menu posted by the window. Plenty to choose from here if you're hungry, but make sure you've got a some time to spare. Everything aside from the ice cream is made fresh to order.

I was kindly offered to take advantage of the bargain of a hot dog special, which included two dog, fries, and a drink for about $3.39 or so. I was in a little rush, so I passed on the fries this time out. No slaw here, which was a little surprising. Lewis County HDJs typically offer slaw as a standard item, making Ice Cream Barn is one of the exceptions.

I though the chili was hearty enough, but subtle in both the flavor and spiciness realm. The beef wasn't ground as finely as in other chilis found in this region, but the meaty taste was still there. The sauce was just okay, but tasted pretty fresh.

The bun and weenie were suitable enough. The whole concoction was totally overwhelmed with rather chunky cuts of onion that didn't serve to help the presentation. I'm okay with lots of onions, but this was a bit too much.

Overall, Weston's Ice Cream Barn is a nifty place to grab a dog once in a while. Go out of your way for it? Probably not. But if you're in the neighborhood and need a chili dog fix, give this three weenie rated family-friendly place a try.