# Would you pay thirty bucks for a great wiener? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [July 19, 2023, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236 "2023-07-19T01:44:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236/1 "2023-07-19T01:44:00Z")
I couldn’t say whether a thirty dollar hot dog is worth it on principle, even if gourmet sausage served with bacon, pimento cheese and chili crisp. But the critics seem to like it and it won’t break the bank… > **[Restaurant Review: Mischa’s $29 Hot Dog Is Obnoxious. It’s Also Lovable.](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/18/dining/restaurant-review-mischa-pete-wells.html)** > > A highbrow-lowbrow stunt right out of Jeff Koons, it’s the star dish at one of the year’s most inventive restaurants. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236/2 "2023-07-19T01:47:34Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > and it won’t break the bank… That is literally more than I’ve paid for a meal ever in my life. It might not “break the bank”, but it would be an _extremely_ cold day in hell. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236/3 "2023-07-19T01:49:03Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > That is literally more than I’ve paid for a meal ever in my life I’m at the opposite extreme. I’d try it, looks great. I’ve spent more for less. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236/4 "2023-07-19T01:55:02Z")
I guess I’d try it just once, if reviews indicated it were worth it. I’ve paid that much for Maotai, and it really, really sucked. I kind of want to vomit just remembering it. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236/5 "2023-07-19T01:59:16Z")
No I would not. The beauty of hot dogs is the cheapness of them. Son-of-a-wrek just grilled the grandwrex some. 2 fell on the deck and were snapped up by dogs. I’d cry if they had been expensive. In my experience you’d be paying for the hoopla about it. Chopped up, mixed up meat is just chopped up, mixed up meat. And no to the kimchi. Nope ain’t doing that. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236/6 "2023-07-19T02:11:07Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Chopped up, mixed up meat is just chopped up, mixed up meat. Mmm, I’ve had bad hot dogs. Pearl brand comes to mind. Natural casings stuffed with something…lumpy, or gritty, or gristley. Not a pleasant texture for a Coney dog. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236/7 "2023-07-19T02:18:52Z")
I love trying new foods, but expensive as a ‘feature of new’ has never been worth it in my some what limited experience on this planet. However, if I was at a restaurant that served a $30 hotdog, I’d probably order it because I wouldn’t want to spend $40 on the chicken nuggets or whatever else was on the kids menu. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236/8 "2023-07-19T02:21:44Z")
I read the article before seeing this thread, and it only made me want to go down to the local gas station and get one of their roller dog plumpers. That, or a good Wisconsin bratwurst, would satisfy me just as much. On the other hand, I’d like to try the exotic toppings they’re offering. That’s probably the real value of the meal. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236/9 "2023-07-19T02:23:24Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > I’ve paid that much for Maotai, and it really, really sucked. I kind of want to vomit just remembering it. Malort enters the discussion… To the OP…I’d never spend that for myself for one hot dog but I could see splitting it with two or three to just try it and see. At best, a one time thing if people said it was worth it. Caveat: If I win the Powerball then sure. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236/10 "2023-07-19T03:03:42Z")
No. I just don’t think hot dogs can be improved compared to Flukey’s or Wolfy’s. Spending lots on amazing food experiences? My wife and I used do one very high end meal a year, often anniversary but not always. But it no longer appeals as much. We are planning to visit a son in Napa and considered making a reservation at French Laundry. But while I do consider myself a food person (hate the word “foodie”) no food experience is worth those dollars. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236/11 "2023-07-19T03:19:21Z")
Yeah sure, no problem. Wouldn’t search it out, but if I was at a place where that was the thing to order, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236/12 "2023-07-19T08:37:32Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I’ve spent more for less. Same. I once spent forty bucks for a teaspoon taste of a very rare dessert wine. I’d cheerfully try this hot dog once. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236/13 "2023-07-19T09:56:14Z")
In Germany 30 € is the usual rate for a Wiener _Schnitzel_, the real one made with veal. Schnitzel Wiener _Art_, the one made of pork, costs much less. And a Wiener Wurst… seems overpriced. But try it once, to see what it tastes like and how they present it? Why not? The bread looks great, the article writes it is potato bread. What got me interested was rather this: > The “dark forest cake” is for people who find Black Forest cake sweet and dull. And I don’t find Black Forest cake sweet and dull. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236/14 "2023-07-19T11:12:10Z")
Negatory. And this was not even a Disney meal. I’d rather spend $29 on a decent steak. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236/15 "2023-07-19T11:15:09Z")
I’m not a big fan of weenies under most circumstances. Every once in a great while, I get a hankerin’ for a hot dog, but never when at a restaurant. So no, I can’t see ordering a $30 tube steak. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236/16 "2023-07-19T11:34:46Z")
Man, and here I was complaining to myself at spending $6 on char dog the other day. (It was worth every penny.) Unfortunately, I can’t read the paywalled article, so I don’t have the details, but my mental pricing for hot dogs is they should be about $3-$4. At any rate, I’m always game, so it is something I’d like to try once, but I doubt they will top the best hot dog joint or street food hot dogs/sausages I’ve had. Gimme a Maxwell Street Polish, a Gene & Jude’s dog, a Ted’s (Buffalo) char dog, or that Thuringer Rostbratwurst I had twenty years ago from a street cart in Erfurt, Germany. All five bucks-ish or less. It’s like the fancified hamburgers – I mean, they can be good, but they’re too much. At the end of the day, I just want a sloppy double cheeseburger from one of the local stands. I’ll pick my $4 burger over some $40+ entruffled Wagyu half-pounder with Gruyere or what not 95% of the time. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236/17 "2023-07-19T12:47:42Z")
Though I’ll play the other side - sometimes playing with elevating our old favorites works. Way back my wife, I, and another couple went to Charlie Trotters in its first year. Dessert offered was some (spelling off I am sure) warm feulliette of banana in three chocolate sauce. The other guy asked what it was and I jumped in with bananas in Bosco (a childhood favorite) - the waitperson excitedly jumped in: “Exactly! Just really good Bosco!!” It was good. Really good. But while I don’t quite remember I’m sure it was expensive for bananas in Bosco. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236/18 "2023-07-19T13:01:30Z")
I don’t think I’ve ever ordered a hot dog anyplace, except at baseball games, where they’re overpriced but not by _that_ much. I must have driven by [Flo’s](https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/life/people/flos-hot-dog-stand-a-constant-maine-tradition-for-60-years/97-c57dcf16-2eb6-42e8-a30f-608d26dbace7) hot dog joint on Route 1 in Maine a hundred times without stopping. Their place is probably just as “inventive”, and the wiener only costs $3 (as of 2019). ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236/19 "2023-07-19T13:09:02Z")
I’d try it. Every so often I like the convenience store two for 99 cents hot dogs. Ideally I’d do a side-by-side comparison. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236/20 "2023-07-19T13:14:48Z")
It’s the size of a kielbasa made from emulsified brisket and pork fat with a crisp skin that snaps. Okay a $30 kielbasa maybe it’s how big? 16 oz? Guess what the condiment tray leaves off? Ketchup! Depending on the other menu items I might go for it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-pay-thirty-bucks-for-a-great-wiener/987236.md?page=2)