Maple dogs, poutine dogs, Kobe beef dogs with pickled ginger and nori – the Air Canada Centre is getting creative with the launch of Burkie's Dog House at tomorrow's Leafs preseason opener.
The new Atrium concession stand is named for Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke, with food and hockey connotations on the side.
Players can end up in the coach's doghouse for poor play, but the team that put together this hot dog menu shows plenty of desire.
"We're passionate about hot dogs. (Burke) is passionate about hockey," Michael Doyle, vice-president of food and beverage for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, told a media tasting yesterday.
Doyle and executive chef Robert Bartley ate their way through the streets and stadiums of Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles seeking hot dog inspiration. They taste-tested 35 creations with season ticket holders and staff, and selected the best 11 dogs for the starting lineup.
The dogs range from $2.75 for a Pee Wee Dog (a 4-1/2-incher served in a top-cut bun) to $7.25 for the Kobe Dog. Fans with traditional tastes can still buy regular beef dogs ($4.50) and foot-long dogs ($6.50) in the stands and at 60 concession stands. (About 3,000 of these, from the famous Nathan's in Coney Island, are sold during each game.)
Burkie's Dog House boasts one chicken, one veggie (from Yves Veggie Cuisine), one Kobe and eight beef dogs (also from Nathan's).
The Maple Dog is expected to become a fan favourite. Bartley says the beef dog simmered in maple syrup and topped with baked beans was inspired by a snack made in Quebec's sugar shacks.
Burke's immediate favourite was the Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dog, with maple mustard, sautéed onions and cheddar. He probably didn't realize Bartley took his inspiration for that one from Fritzie's, a hot dog spot in his hometown of Woodstock.
Burke gamely sampled others underneath the caricature of himself that adorns the concession stand.
"I figure I'm immortalized until about 10 minutes after I get canned here, then it's going to be somebody else's doghouse," Burke joked.
Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke chows down on a Maple Dog, simmered in maple syrup and topped with baked beans.
Quote:
Doggie bags
Burkie's Dog House (named for Leafs general manager Brian Burke) will sell these 11 creations:
Kobe dog ($7.25): Kobe beef dog with wasabi mayonnaise, pickled ginger and toasted nori (seaweed)
Maple Hot Dog ($6.95): Beef dog simmered in maple syrup and topped with baked beans
Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog ($6.95): Beef dog with maple mustard, sautéed onions and cheddar cheese
Chicken Hot Dog ($6.50): Chicken dog with caramelized onions, mushrooms and roasted garlic aioli
Foot Long Hot Dog ($6.50): Beef dog served with honey mustard and sautéed onions
Poutine Dog ($5.95): Beef dog layered with Hickory Sticks, gravy and cheese curds
Southern BBQ Dog ($5.95): Beef dog with smokey barbecued pulled pork and creamy coleslaw
Pizza Pizza Dog ($5.95): Beef dog with Pizza Pizza tomato sauce, mozzarella and pepperoni
Reuben Hot Dog ($5.95): Beef hot dog with sauerkraut, swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing
Lettuce Veggie dog: Veggie dog with chopped tomatoes and spring onions
Pee Wee Dog ($2.75): Mini beef dog on a top-cut bun
Okay, by the looks of that flushed and blotchy face Burkie should not be eating hot dogs, never mind ones smothered in a whole bunch of other fatty crap.
It's good that Toronto sports teams are finally doing something about the food available in the arena/stadium.
You have all of these cities like Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Montreal etc.. Known for a certain something. It's about time Toronto stepped up to the plate.
That Maple Dog sounds alright.
__________________ The passion that blinds us all (and takes our money)
It's good that Toronto sports teams are finally doing something about the food available in the arena/stadium.
You have all of these cities like Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Montreal etc.. Known for a certain something. It's about time Toronto stepped up to the plate.
That Maple Dog sounds alright.
In Chicago they had Jagr Bomb stands all the way around the arena, damn me being 20 Jagr Bombs are my weakness at bars.
humm hell yeah !~ if you eat more than 30 gram of protein within an hour anything after an 30grams is a waste
********. 30g of protein is nothing. about a quarter pound of lean ground beef, most bodies could digest a lot more than that in an hor particularly in the ideal window after getting a workout.
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The passion that blinds us all (and takes our money)
