The name says it all… Bubbledogs offers diners champagne and hot dogs.
Walking in through the dinky pretty room, it became apparent that this outlet is less of a restaurant and more of a bar for peckish passers-by. It is a well designed and atmospheric room, with the twinkling lights and an enthusiastically chatting crowd, the place has quite a buzz about it.
The champers is relatively good for a reasonable price – we chose one of the cheapest on the menu and found it very drinkable. The hot dogs are made with beef, pork or veggie and there are thirteen varieties to choose from. No desserts or coffee is available. I don’t like frankfurters and have always been a bit sceptical about hot dogs as a substitute for sausages (which I love). The eccentric flavours are quite alluring though and I was excited to taste mine once ordered. We tried the Jose (with salsa, avocado, sour cream and pickled jalapenos) and the Fourth of July (bacon wrapped with smokey BBQ sauce and coleslaw). The pork and beef tasted incredibly similar, though the consistency and quality of both meats was good. They are tricky to eat and it is pointless attempting to use cutlery, my toppings were falling out all over the place (note this is not an ideal place to go on a first date.) The inventive flavours worked well, my Jose was spicy and sweet, creamy and salty in equal measure. It is worth remembering that each hotdog is more of a snack than meal, I left Bubbledogs still starving!
The side tater tots are like hash browns which to be honest I have never much cared for; they were oversalted but underflavoured, I would have preferred a portion of old fashioned chips.
It normally takes a while to nab a table but once you’re there the chirpy staff endeavour to get you ordered, fed and out the door asap. We were lucky enough to get a spot instantly but warned that we needed to be gone by 8pm when a booking was due. We didn’t need much more than twenty minutes, the bubbles and dogs came almost immediately and the small light sausages in buns are easily consumed in a few minutes.
The simple concept of Bubbledogs and the ubercool and catchy name is sadly more exciting than the lacklustre food. So go along for ambience rather than gourmet expectations.
More information here.
Champagne is priced from £6 a glass to £99 a bottle and Hot Dogs from £6-8.