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Hot
Dog HeavenThings that go bump in the kitchen...
10/21/05 |
Dining out is
an experience that relies on several aspects in order
to be triumphant. A totally successful dining experience
requires memorable food, well-mannered service – and
lastly, but possibly most importantly – good company.
Yes, sometimes it’s the company we choose to share the
moment that makes the experience truly special.
However, when eating at Hot Dog Heaven you can’t be so sure
of the company you keep. According to owners Becky and Barney
Wentzel, this humble Chicago-style hot dog joint, located in
historic downtown Woodstock, is haunted. “If I place my
framed business papers on the window he’ll knock them down.” Says
Becky. “Also,” she continues, “An occasional stray
hot dog bun will find its way out of that covered bin up there
and onto the floor.”
Perry Morrison, a long-time employee of Hot Dog Heaven, tells
me their spirit visitor is playfully mischievous but mostly harmless. “He’ll
turn off the hot dog steam table right in the middle of a busy
shift – next thing I know all the hot dogs are cold.” He
explains with a chuckle.
Among other reported incidents, the microwave repeatedly unplugs
itself and the temperature knob on the grill mysteriously cranks
up to blistering high temps without being touched.
This is the type of paranormal behavior that gets the attention
of local ghost chaser Kevin Fike, who heads a laid-back yet serious
team of real-life ghostbusters called Historic Ghost Watch. Check
out their website at www.historicghost.com.
I first heard about Hot Dog Heaven from a post on the AtlantaCuisine.com
discussion forums by north metro’s most notorious grubber
and babe magnet, Cal Vulcan. Then further investigation led me
to the Historic Ghost Watch website, which mentioned that this
eatery was possibly haunted and that an EVP (Electric Voice Phenomenon)
was recorded during a first investigation of Hot Dog Heaven.
The voice of a young man with a pronounced southern accent saying “Yes,
ma’am.” You can listen to the recording for yourself
on the website, just go to the EVP section. |
My Electro "thingy" device
Price Range:
Dogs: $1.99 - $3.85
Pizza: $4.95 (6") $7.99 (12")
Sandwiches: $2.99 - $6.99
Hours:
Mon & Tue: 10:30am -3:30pm
Wed - Sat: 10am-8pm
Sun: 11am - 3:30pm
Address/Tel: 8558 Main St., Woodstock Tel: 770-591-5605
Notes:
*Becky is the coolest lady in town.
* Solid Chicago-style grub.
*Keep an eye out for ghosts.
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I decided to phone Kevin Fike and was invited to tag along for
a second investigation of Hot Dog Heaven. We met near closing
time one recent Saturday evening, just in time to get a meal
in before getting down to business. Can’t say I’ve
ever shared a meal with a team of ghostbusters before.
As the team plans their strategy, we toss back Chicago-style
hot dogs appropriately adorned with mustard, onions, a tomato
wedge or two, fluorescent relish, those spunky sport peppers,
pickle and a judicious showering of celery salt. Served with
those nostalgic crinkle cut fries.
I advised Fike to get the “must order” item – homemade
Italian Beef sandwich whose wafting aroma lures you in straight
off the sidewalk. If you like spicy, try it with a side of fiery
made-in-house Girdinara.
We also shared a thin and crispy sausage and pepperoni pizza
while discussing what a rarity Chicago-style pizza is here in
the Atlanta metro. Is anybody out there listening?
The food at Hot Dog Heaven is ‘true’ to its Chicago
roots. Barney, a Chicago native and avid hot dog eater, is the
man behind the concept and menu. Combine that with the affable
Becky taking care of customers and you’ve got a friendly
space serving killer grub.
But now, the moment has finally arrived and it’s time to
enter the old dark and spooky building. It’s totally wired
with strategically placed motion detectors, cameras and temperature
gages. Fike hands me an electro something thingy and tells me
to lead the way. Hmm. Okay. I think to myself. Go ahead and toss
the new guy to the ghosts. What if I get slimed? But then
I think, what if we end up with a surly spirit on our hands who
is heavily armed with Italian beef sandwiches and starts hurling
them at us? I’ll gladly be first in line for that type of
paranormal debauchery.
I Apprehensively enter through the doorway wildly waving my electro whatever device
into the pitch dark ahead of me. The team, no longer behind me
but now dispersed about the small dining room, decides we should
all make our way into the darkest room in the back right just
behind the drink station.
So we walk up the small ramp into the dark room and suddenly,
CRA-AA-ASH! We all jump, my garage door looking device nearly
dislodges from my tight grip.
“Just the ice maker dropping a batch.” Calmly says
Ed Laughlin (lead investigator).
But then, before we could exhale, the motion detector in the
kitchen goes off. We all swing to our left – obviously there
isn’t anybody in the kitchen. Or is there? Even though I
could use another hot dog about now, I certainly won’t be
the first one into the kitchen.
“Debunk that, just a reflection off the stainless steel.” Laurie
Cory (assistant director of investigations) voices back to base
through her walkie-talkie as she sets it off again by duplicating
the motion.
This crew is impressively serious and not quick to draw conclusions.
They're seeking airtight scientific evidence such as a motion
detector going off as a nearby temperature gage reads an abrupt
change.
After as series of nonevents, we were to sit in the dark dining
room and reflect on what we could feel – a vigil of sorts.
Talking is limited during this time and is mainly done by our
team sensitive, Michele Lowe. Occasionally, she’d mention
what she feels. “I feel a dark slender man who pridefully
works the grounds.” She tells us.
Hmm. Let me give this a shot. Shutting my eyes I begin to reflect.
I then ask myself, “What do I feel?”
“Oh no.” I replied. “I think that second Italian
beef is beginning to repeat on me.”
Conclusion:
Two weeks later I phoned Fike for the formal Historic Ghost Watch
conclusion of their investigation. His response: “We believe
that Hot Dog Heaven is paranormally active but can’t prove
it, we were unable to gather any scientific evidence.”
You Gotta' Ghost:
What are those things that go bump in the back of your restaurant's
kitchen? Are they hungry spirits from beyond? If you'd really
like to know contact Kevin Fike and the Historic Ghost Watch
team at 404-791-9193 or kevin@historicghost.com.
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| Contact Tom: tom@altantacuisine.com |
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