Trailer Treasure: Man Bites Dog

1311 South First St. in the South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery. 771-6668, www.manbitesdogaustin.com. Hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

After a visit to Chicago, Texas native Jeremiah Allen noticed that hot dog stands were underrepresented in Austin's food culture. To remedy this, Allen opened Man Bites Dog on Nov. 14 in the South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery. Now Austinites can enjoy hot dog creations from a traditional chili cheese dog to a more refined Italian Stallion (Italian sausage wrapped in pepperoni with provolone and marinara sauce), all from the same trailer.

Man Bites Dog offers 12 special hot dogs, both classic and quirky. The Bird Dog, one of Allen's personal favorites, features chicken sausage with a sweet corn relish and pesto mayo. For a sandwich-inspired dog, there's the Reuben — a Vienna beef frank with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing. For anybody who wants a more sophisticated bite, the Chicken and Brie dog served with mango chutney will do the trick. There's also the option to build your own, with a choice of franks, veggies, cheeses, sauces and relishes. Vegetarians can delight in a huge and hearty Where's the Beef? dog served with smoky vegetarian chili, cheddar cheese and diced onions. All dogs range from $4 to $6 and are big enough to be fork-and-knife affairs. But that doesn't mean the bun should be ignored; the kolache buns are soft and sweet, serving as more than just a hot dog holder.

Man Bites Dog also sells baked beans, cole slaw and chips for sides and a choice of Sweet Leaf teas, sodas and bottled water to help wash that dog down. After ordering, Allen is happy to bring your food to your picnic table, giving you a Chicago-inspired dog with a side of Southern hospitality.

— Amira Jensen