To know and love the corn dog, we must understand the corn dog. So where did this oddly addictive treat on a stick come from? Well, it depends on who you ask. The state fair staple actually dates back to the Texas State Fair in 1942, although the Pronto Pup in Oregon (still around today) claims to have invented it a year earlier. But wait — the founder of the Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Illinois lays claim to coming up with a corn dog after trying a hot dog baked in corn bread at an Oklahoma restaurant around the same time 🤔
The lesson here — don’t underestimate America’s passion for deep fried corn and processed meat on a stick. So it’s no surprise to see corn dogs enjoying a moment in Las Vegas.
Let’s begin with the best. Boom Bang Fine Foods & Cocktails in Henderson offers a gourmet take on a corn dog, prepared by Elia Aboumrad, who trained under Joël Robuchon and is a favorite of “Top Chef” and other cooking shows. She uses all-natural Niman Ranch franks and a honey-sweetened batter with house-made ketchup and mustard sauce.
Corn dogs exploded in popularity in Korea (where they’re just called “hot dogs”) during the ‘80s and ‘90s, expanding beyond the traditional recipe with coatings that range from spicy to sugary. Sometimes potato cubes or rice puffs are wrapped around the dogs. Two Hands, which has locations at Town Square and Silverado Ranch, mastered the concept, even adding Cheetos dust to a few recipes for extra kick 🔥 The fillings are usually customizable between a sausage (possibly spicy) or mozzarella cheese — or a combination of the two. CrunCheese Korean Hot Dog has similar options in Chinatown’s Shanghai Plaza, Mountain’s Edge, and North Las Vegas. If you feel adventurous, try a corn dog with dark squid ink batter 🦑
Buldogis in Summerlin and Henderson is one of our favorite places for hot dogs in Vegas for utilizing Asian fusion to its fullest. Look closely on the menu and you’ll see what appears to be a classic American corn dog available. The only twist — the dog itself is made of chicken and you get to pick from a wide variety of dipping sauces. Try the bulgogi aioli.
A food truck business named World’s Best Corndogs started in Utah before expanding to four other states, including Nevada. Foot-long corn dogs are the specialty (made with a quarter-pound of beef), although half-size orders are available too. The Vegas truck posts a weekly schedule on Instagram every Monday.
And If You're Still Hungry ...
Classic comfort food is the theme of the day, so let’s shift gears and focus on pizza too 🍕 City Cast Las Vegas talks with the founders of Metro Pizza and the recently reopened Guerrilla Pizza to discuss the challenges in running a pizza business and if the Vegas scene actually reflects national trends of young diners — gasp — eating less pizza 😳 [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]
