147976 Thu May 13 18:15:32 -0700 2004 10 12 Boston Area 0 793470 New hot dog stand set up at the top of Lake Quinapowitt in Wakefield (exit 40 rte 128) DELICIOUS!! All beef dogs come in small or large cooked over a charcoal grill. Chips, soda and heavenly homemade oatmeal raisin cookies to boot. Definately worth checking out if your in the area. Thu May 13 18:15:32 -0700 2004 0 Shaebones 1 793472 Ooooooo thanks for the report- any idea on when they're there? I love Speed's, but it's a trek, and while there's something satisfyingly gritty about eating on the hood of my car in zero-ambience Newmarket Square, I'd probably prefer to nosh by the lake if the dog is any good. Thu May 13 20:41:45 -0700 2004 793470 0 Chris VR 2 793482 I chatted w him for quite a while yesterday. He's there from 11:30 to 6p but has been staying 'til 7-7:30 lately b/c business has been good. I drive by there everyday on my way home from work and noticed that he wasn't there Monday so maybe thats his day off. Please report back on what you think. Fri May 14 02:09:59 -0700 2004 793472 0 Shaebones 3 793495 Is he there on the weekends? Sometimes the wife walks the lake and I could sit and watch her while eating a hotdog, so we're then sort of spending time together. Fri May 14 10:18:56 -0700 2004 793482 0 joypirate 4 793521 Not sure about that. When I drove by I noticed he had a big sign w an email address. I think it was fredshotdog or fredsfranks.com. You could try to email him. Fri May 14 15:46:28 -0700 2004 793495 0 Shaebones 5 793524 Found his page and I'm encouraged. He seems to have given an inordinate amount of thought to hotdog preparation. That's exactly the kind of guy I want making my hotdog, the kind of guy who sits up at night thinking of new condiment combinations. He also seems to possess the general chowhound obsessive insanity that most of us also possess, based on the autobiographical bits on his site. A kindred weirdo. Link: http://www.fredsfranks.com/ Fri May 14 16:28:32 -0700 2004 793521 0 joypirate 6 793540 yeah, this guy seems like a true 'hound. he runs a hot-dog stand and is still concerned for freaks like us who'll drive out of our way to the extent that he's got a website and updates it to let us know when he's gonna be late or not there. sounds like he's more dependable than Speed (sorry, i still love you, i swear). i like him already. and check this out: "Your comments and suggestions will help me to provide you, my valued customer, with a product that will be second to none. For example: What are your thoughts on a 1/2lb all beef frank? We could call it the monster dog? I can get them, but will you eat them?" you're damn right i'll eat em. a 1/2lb dog ?!?!?! oh good lord. Fri May 14 21:01:22 -0700 2004 793524 0 Nab 1 793497 Can you walk there from the commuter rail stop? Fri May 14 10:26:24 -0700 2004 793470 0 Taralli 1 793520 Its a bit of a hike but yes you can. Probably about 1 1/2 - 2 miles. Go North on North Ave. Take a right at the traffic lights (not the blinking yellow) Cut behind Converse on the path and you will eventually pop out on Rte 129 at the top of the lake where you'll find Fred the Hot Dog man. Fri May 14 15:44:31 -0700 2004 793470 0 Shaebones 2 793522 Thanks, I can use the exercise both ways. Fri May 14 16:24:35 -0700 2004 793520 0 Taralli 2 793598 Thanks all for the enthusiasm. I just learned about this site. For now I will be at my post Tue-Sat 11:30 a.m. to at least 6:00 p.m., that is unless I sell out for the day. I am going on my 4th week of business and people are returning and sending friends. Music to my ears. /fred Link: http://fredsfranks.com Mon May 17 03:14:34 -0700 2004 793520 0 Fred