Dog é Style is getting set to open across from the Genesee Gateway. Partners Rocco Termini and Tom Cowan are putting some finishing touches on the hot dog haven, which will eventually seat 120 customers upstairs and another 20 downstairs (bar-style seating on the first floor).
Industrial design elements inside Dog é Style range from drop Sputnik lighting to Castiglioni-esque arco lamp pendants. The walls on the interior and exterior boast the trade name of a shipping container company that originally caught Rocco’s eye – Hanjin. The signature blue walls were custom fabricated for the project (no, they are not real shipping containers), along with white the white lettering that was created by Printing Prep. The plywood elements (ceiling and some floor) are made to look like the interior of shipping containers. All in all, the reproduction is as real as it gets, without being the real thing, says Rocco. “We took beams from an old house and turned them into stairs,” he added. “We wanted the space to be very open and simple. We’re bringing back char-broiled dogs to the city, along with a full bar to add to the fun. We’re even going to have spiked milkshakes.”
During the warmer months, the oversized glass garage door on the second floor can be rolled up, allowing the fresh air inside. The rest of the second floor is dedicated to seating. The first floor features a bar towards the front. In the back, customers order their food and walk through the line as it is prepared in front of them. Take it to go, or take it upstairs, the system is designed to be quick and efficient. “We’re using real charcoal for the charbroiling of the Wardynski dogs,” Tom said. “There’s not even a gas igniter. We’re also making fresh hand cut fries. We’ll be serving these up with local craft beers. Wardynski is even making us some custom dogs.”
The rest of the menu features an array of hot dogs such as a bahn mi dog (Saigon style), a Nola dog (ham, provolone, olive salad, fried oysters), Salty Dog (seafood sausage and fixins), No Dog (for veggie lovers), Greek Dog (lamb and fixins), and Fat Duck Dog (duck foie gras and the fixins – not a personal favorite of this writer). Then there’s a burger, chicken, smoke pork sausage and Italian sausage – certainly something for everyone.
For all of you hot dog lovers who have been waiting for a great charbroiled hot dog to come to downtown Buffalo, the wait is almost over. Ever since Ted’s deserted us, we have been waiting for this sort of operation to return. Now it’s coming back with a vengeance!
Soft opening next week. Grand opening October 15, 2014 – 5pm – Public is invited to attend.
Dog é Style | 128 Genesee Street | Buffalo, New York | (716) 256-1560 | Facebook | Design work: BMS Design Studio