It’s hard to believe, but there’s just a few more week’s and the first annual Peoria Hot Dog Wars will be over. So far the reigning champion is the Hofbrau House. Their spicy mustard and tangy chili cheese dogs have stood tough for the last couple of months. One place I’ve gotten asked to go to repeatedly is the Wonderdog in East Peoria. I haven’t had a Wonderdog in decades, I remember when they used to be in Peoria Heights. They’re not there anymore, so it’s off to East Peoria we go to see if they can crush the Hofbrau House in this edition of Peoria’s Hot Dog Wars. Ringo...you know what to do by now! Khaaaan!
Here we go off on I-74, I'm finally getting used to driving on the interstate...
But I'll never get over my fear of driving over bridges.
And through the miracle of the internet you're spared my flop-sweated drive over the bridge. Here we are at Wonderdog at this strip mall in East Peoria.
Let's go in and start this chapter of Peoria's Hot Dog Wars.
There's the front counter...
There's a lit up menu overhead, but I know what I'm going to order already.
And here's Bella to take my order. Is that the cutest smile or what?
There's blue booths off to the side of the front counter to sit at.
The place is decorated with baseball items.
Framed baseball cards line the walls...
As do baseball pennants. Why is there a clown on this Brooklyn Dodgers pennant? This will bother me for a long, long time! Plus he's a sad clown, which freaks me out even more.
Wow, check out this original vintage Peoria Chiefs pennant.
As I sit down at my booth I spy this generic mustard warning sign. Yikes!
Here's the view from my seat at my booth.
And my order is up, let's go pick it up!
The dogs are all wrapped up, but the nachos look fantastic!
Okay, time to unwrap the Wonder Dog.
Wow, there's lots of meat on this hot dog, in fact I'm wondering if there's a hot dog beneath it. There's just one way to find out...
Houston, we have a hot dog! It's good, but my only complaint is that the meat could be a little spicier. It's tasty, but personally I could use a little more zing on this dog. Plus the meat to cheese ratio is way over the top and you don't even taste the cheese. But having said that it's really a tasty hot dog and worth traveling to East Peoria to sample one.
Okay, time to try these fabulous looking chili-cheese nachos.
Wow, they're incredibly tasty! It's worth a trip to this place for an order of these, some of the best nachos I've ever had.
Okay, time for the moment of truth, the mustard dog.
Oh, oh. Looks like generic yellow mustard. I got called out last week for putting down generic mustard at mom and pop hot dog places on facecrack. The complaint said that they have to order mustard in bulk and that it's not fair to judge them in this way. Well, all's not fair in love and it's certainly not fair in war and this is Peoria's Hot Dog Wars...
And generic mustard sucks monkey lungs. Looks like our German friends win another battle!
You're welcome and we'll see you all tomorrow.
Hot Dog War Status
I liked the Wonderdog, but the meat sauce could be a little zippier and a little more saucy. The nachos ruled however and they’re worth the trip over there. I’ve also heard the the tenderloin there is mighty tasty, so a return trip here is guaranteed. But for now, the Hofbrau House retains its winning status in Peoria’s Hot Dog Wars!
Hot Dog Rating
Two and a half Oscar Mayer Wienermobiles. The Wonderdog is tasty, but the meat sauce could be a little more zippy for my tastes.
Wonderdog
2430 Washington Road
East Peoria
309-694-7442
Further Reading: Phil Luciano, East Peoria Times Courier and Foursquare.
