Best of the West rates top dogs

Six brave taste testers volunteered to eat five different hot dogs within one lunch hour to determine which one is the Best of the West.

All six testers ordered their steamies with their preferred toppings, and scored each finalist on four different attributes: taste, texture, the bun, and the “good times” factor – how the three previous attributes came together and, basically, if they would consider going back for seconds.

The Montreal Hot Dog Station in Pierrefonds (15680 Pierrefonds Blvd.) finished in fifth spot with a total of 217 points out of a possible 360. While the Station picked up quite a few nods on the taste of the sausage, an overload of coleslaw on the all-dressed hot dogs, as well as a somewhat dry bun, caused the taste testers to dock a few points.

“It had a very good sausage, but, due to the bun, it couldn’t contend with the best,” said Cités Nouvelles reporter Philippe Boisvert – who took his five dogs with ketchup alone.

With 240 out of 360 points was Île Bizard’s Frite de l’île (302 Montée de l'Église), which was characterised by its orangey coleslaw, thanks to the inclusion of carrots. Overall, the Frite de l’île dog did fairly well with the testers, except for a few who thought the onions on the all-dressed were somewhat bitter.

“I was surprised that the carrots were good, but the onions spoiled the taste,” said sales coordinator Talia D’Costa, who takes her hot dogs all-dressed.

The Pointe Claire Lafleur Restaurant (10 Hymus Blvd.) came in third with 256 out of 360 points. The Lafleur bun’s taste and texture was a hit, but unfortunately overpowered the sausage, causing it to loose a few points.

“Too much bun, not enough dog,” recapped news director Marc Lalonde of his ketchup-, mustard-, and relish-topped lunch.

The snack bar at the Pointe Claire Costco (5701 Trans-Canada) placed second, thanks to its larger, meatier sausage that really set itself apart from the others. The testers docked a few points, though, because of the bun, which could use some improvements. Overall, the Costco dog – which borders on a real sausage – scored 265 out of 360 points.

And in first – with 290 out of 360 points -- was the classic, well balanced steamy at La Roulotte in Ste. Geneviève (10 Paiement St.). While it might not look too special upon first glance, La Roulotte’s tasty dog was surrounded by the perfect light and soft bun and covered in just the right amount of toppings. This balance had most of the taste testers marking down the word “great” on their score sheets.

“It’s a surprisingly good hot dog,” summarized Lalonde.

Today is the deadline to get your nominations in for the West Island’s best French fries. In the coming weeks, we’ll also be rating the best place to catch the game, the best scenic view, and the best chicken wings, and we need you to help us determine our Best of the West list. So, send your nominations to marc.lalonde@transcontinental.ca, editor@transcontinental.ca, and info.citésnouvelles@transcontinental.ca., or give us a call at 514-685-4690, ext. 243. Make sure to let us know what exactly makes your favourite the Best of the West. If your submission stands out, it may be up for a prize, including a pair of tickets to a Hudson Village Theatre show. We look forward to hearing from you.

Restaurant Calzone, 3717 St. Charles Blvd. in Kirkland, 514-426-9000

Ristorante Fornello, 3360 Sources Blvd. in Dollard des Ormeaux, 514-421-1422

La Dolce Vita, 3776 St. Charles Blvd. in Kirkland, 514-695-3212

Brasserie Le Manoir, 600 St. John’s Blvd. in Pointe Claire, 514-695-2071

La Perle, 4230 St. John’s Blvd. in Dollard des Ormeaux, 514-624-6010

Cap St. Jacques, 20099 Gouin Blvd. West in Pierrefonds/Roxboro, 514-280-6871

La Roulotte, 10 Paiement St. in Ste. Geneviève, 514-626-2888

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