Gourmet Hot Dogs?!
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An oxymoron, perhaps? You’ll have to decide for yourself. A new “specialty” hot dog restaurant recently opened in Downtown Fort Bragg. Named “Relish” and with quaint Americana decor, the shop is totally dedicated to its featured food. This new, colorful addition to the downtown business district offers a quick & easy food option for families, and all lovers of the hot dog.
The menu is made up of different dogs named after local coastal towns, along with some sausage options and a variety of extra toppings for your wiener. We ordered Fort Bragg’s namesake dog (pictured above). In a neighboring booth, we watched a friend attack this drenched chili dog with childlike enjoyment, using both fork and knife, and napkin for the chin. 
Relish is straightforward in its commitment to the dog; the simple menu is clearly focused on providing everyone with the perfect dog. Soon they will be offering vegetarian options as well.
The cute booths have chalkboards and chalk hanging on the walls and the bar at the window allows you to look out at the street as you eat – and lets all the passersby watch as you struggle to fit your huge, dripping hot dog into your mouth!
Relish is located at 260 North Main Street, next door to Cowlick’s Ice Cream – where you can get delicious, local handmade ice cream for dessert.
Tags: Dining
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:47 pm
A new dog in town… can’t wait to try it. But wanted to remind everyone that Cowlick’s, the ice cream parlor next door sells dogs too, and has since they opened. I know their dogs, sausages and chilidogs are yummy… so now we dog-lovers have two places for a quick, affordable lunch!
June 8th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Variety is indeed the spice of life. Having been a frequent patron of Cowlick’s since the day they opened and having been to Relish several times (can’t get enough of their Reuben dog) I must say that I am glad that Downtown Fort Bragg now has another great places to go enjoy some good grub. Erica (the owner of Relish) has been a highly valued staff member at several of my friends local places of businesses over the past decade and a half. I applaud her for stepping out on her own and providing not only tasty food in a fun, family friendly atmosphere but for doing so at a very affordable price point. The pictures inside of Relish of local children as photographed by local photographer River Wilder are nothing short of adorable. Now that I am back in my new home outside of San Diego I just wish that I could get a Reuben Dog in my current town. Alas I can not. All the more reason to return home and enjoy what Relish has to offer. I will be sure to go next door to Cowlick’s for dessert. I love their mushroom ice cream!
June 10th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
the reuben dog is my favorite!!! it is definitely a MUST TRY when you come visit at “Relish”……sauerkraut lovers, you will love this!! also the local “Roundmans smokehouse” sausages are absolutely fabulous!!!!!
June 13th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Relish yummy yummy!! It takes me back to Yankee Doodle Doggie the same great quality is just the best you can get, reuben dog, chili dog, cheese dog or just plain love it all !!
June 28th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Great dogs! Just wish Wind & Weather were still next door so I could eat there every day!
August 18th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Relish wasn’t there when I was still living in the area. If it is the location I am thinking of, next to Cowlick’s, then it was a Japanese restaurant at that time (not confused with Off the Hook). As my friend Jake posted above, there is no reuben dog to be had where I live and am looking forward to my next visit/move back to the Mendo coast.
August 18th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Correction, after double-checking addresses, Relish is north from Cowlicks. I was first thinking it was where Taka’s Grill is.