Pete's Famous Hot Dogs- Birmingham, Alabama

This is a landmark, a hole-in-the-wall, a hometown treasure.

I bring out-of-towners here- I can divine their character/compatability index by whether they are enchanted or horrified.

 

A hole-in-the-wall downtown hot dog shop that can feel as snug as an MRI machine, Pete's Famous has been dishing out cheap eats since 1920. We first learned about it thanks to a Roadfooder who goes by the handle "The Don." The Don described Pete's hot dogs as "the absolute best in the land, perfectly grilled every time, always on a fresh steamed bun." He said that Pete's hot dogs are "so good I have to hit myself in the head with a brick to stop eating them."

We can relate. Pete's hot dogs are addictive. They are modest-sized crisp-grilled weenies, loaded into soft steamed buns, and almost always served "all the way" with onions, sauerkraut, and tangy-sweet sauce, as well as a shot of mustard.

Other than hot dogs and hamburgers, there is nothing on Pete's menu, not even French fries. If you need something on the side, bags of chips are available; and the beverages of choice are Coca-Cola and a curiously tangy grape-flavored bubbly bug juice known as Grapico. For dessert, choose from a selection of candy bars that includes Goo Goo Clusters. Expect to dine standing up. (From Roadfood.com)

 

Stuffed Avocado, Trudy's- Austin, TX

 

It's hard to imagine anything I would be less likely to order in a restaurant than something called a "Stuffed Avocado". Firstly, I don't really like avocados, the texture, color, and flavor confuses and scares me. I sometimes enjoy Guacamole, but it has to be fresh GREAT guacamole. Most mass produced Guac is a really disturbing deep-green color and a has a strange pulpy consistency. Thanks, NO.
Secondly, I can't visualize or imagine what a stuffed avocado would taste like-or even look like for that matter.

That being said, I sampled the stuffed avocado at Trudy's at 30th and Guadalupe in Austin. (Leanna ordered it) Even though it was highly recommended by a local acquaintance I still couldn't pull the trigger. All I can say is: Oh my Gawd! It was delicious. Hollowed, stuffed with a chicken and cheese mixture, deep fried and topped with cheese and sauce.

It tasted like what I imagine that place between Ashley Judd's boobs would. (not pictured)

http://www.trudys.com/ Trudy's website isHere