Wednesday Afternoon Taste Test: Hot Dog Ranch

By Susan Bush
12:00AM / Wednesday, February 28, 2007

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Grilled chicken sandwich and sweet potato fries at the Hot Dog Ranch

North Adams - When hourly workers head out to lunch, their needs are clear and simple: good food, good service, and good prices.

The Hot Dog Ranch at 310 State Street meets that criteria trio and adds another benefit; eight, count' em, eight, wall-mounted flat screen televisions.

During the Feb. 28 lunch hour, the eatery hosted patrons at about half of its' tables. Among the restaurant's featured menu items are four-inch hot dogs, billed as "baby hot dogs," macaroni and cheese nuggets [$3.15], cheese tots, [$2.35], and sweet potato fries [$2.35].
The Texas Burger is served with sauteed onions, sauce, and cheese [$4.20] and cheeseburgers [$3.45] and hamburgers [$3.15] are on the menu. Clam rolls [$4.20] and tuna rolls [$2.40] are also on the menu.

Award-Winning Chowder

Fish and chips [$6.95] are now served on Friday and Ranch Wings and a sweet sausage sandwich have been added to the menu.

The eatery offers homemade clam chowder,and uses the same recipe that won a Judges Panel third place honor during the Feb. 24 WinterFest Chowderfest cook-off. Homemade chili is available as well.

Quick And Correct

One view of the restaurant interior

I opted to sit at the blonde-toned wooden bar, which afforded a view of two televisions. My choice was a chicken sandwich, served with chicken breast meat grilled or deep-fried, with optional toppings of lettuce, tomato, and onion for an additional $.25, and a side order of sweet potato fries.

Time is important to those trying to grab lunch and return to work in a timely manner. My food was delivered to me about seven minutes after I ordered. There did not appear to be a log-jam of orders ahead of mine.

The sandwich was delivered with the extra mayonnaise [delivered in small, tear-open packets] that I requested. The chicken was cooked through and was moist and tender, while the sweet potato fries were crisp and flavorful. The restaurant staff offered pleasant conversation and the atmosphere is very friendly. My meal bill, including the state meals tax, came to $7.49.

Children are welcomed at the eatery.

Yes, It Matters

This establishment was very clean. While I was at the restaurant, customers entered and exited, and I noted that the floors were swept free of any dropped food and debris, there were no wet, muddy puddles or dirty streaks evident on the floor, the tables gleamed and the bar was free of crumbs or sticky residue. Also notable was the cleanliness of the booster seats and high chairs.

The restaurant holds a full liquor license and shelves are lined with a variety of liquors. Soft drinks include cola, root beer, orange and grape sodas and Dr. Pepper as well as lemonade,ice tea, water, and raspberry-flavored water.

A popular dessert, the whoopie pie, is included on the menu as well.

The Hot Dog Ranch is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mon.-Fri., and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sat.-Sun.. Take-out service is available and orders may be placed by calling 413-662-2009.

For those seeking a tasty lunch [or supper] in pleasant surroundings featuring quick, friendly service, the Hot Dog Ranch is a casual dining destination.

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