Must Love Dawgs

Hey do you like hot dogs? Do you like Sacramento? WHO DOESN'T!?

Even before you walk into Capitol Dawg on 20th and Capitol in midtown Sacramento, it's a little shocking to see how devotedly local it is. Everything from the hot-dog-themed portrait of the city displayed on the patio to a menu packed with local names and references screams Sacramento. There is even a "tube of fame" running across the ceiling with messages written from regional celebrities like the Deftones. Maybe all of this is sounds like more of a warning to you than a recommendation, but I personally like to see businesses that are clearly dedicated to their location and clientele.

The real question here, though, is what does Capitol Dawg mean to your mouth, or perhaps more importantly, your wallet? Well let's just say that Capitol Dawg serves hot dogs the way they should be served: hot, delicious, and pretty darn cheap. Menu items will run you anywhere from $1.89 for a corn dog (I just had one today and the total works out to $2.04, which is way better than the $3.00 you might pay at Hot Dog on a Stick for what I consider an inferior product) to $4.39 for the Solons Double Dawg, which is two hot dogs stuffed into a sesame seed roll. There is also, and this is an important point, no charge for a VEGAN dog substitution. I've had a lot of meatless hot dogs in my life and believe me, these ones are the good ones.

The variety of specialty dogs is impressive, two of my favorites being the (BB) Kings Dawg (barbecue sauce, cheddar cheese, and onions) and the Prop. 51 (mustard relish, tomatoes, onions, peppers, a whole pickle spear, and celery salt). Mea combos go for around $6 or $7 and include a heap of crisp french fries and a fountain drink.

Not to be seen as simple a hot dog joint, Capitol Dawg also offers some other items that are pretty tempting. As summer comes to an end, you might want to grab a couple scoops of ice cream, a root beer float, or a fruit slushy, or if you're excited for fall, you can now get yourself a helping of vegetarian chili. It seems like every time I go in, there's a new item or option posted underneath the standard menu, which I'll admit is something I've seen backfire on other businesses, but it seems like these guys have it under control.

Their official website can be found HERE, and contains information about happy hours and specials such as $2 Tuesdays ($2 hot dogs, Pabst, and ice cream), as well as a full menu, hours, and contact information.

Happy dogging!

Support Your Local Cafe

As convenient as it is to just run into Starbucks to get your quick caffeine fix (because there is one on every corner downtown), it can be much more rewarding - and delicious - to try other places that are a little less famous.

My favorite cafe happens to only be 5 blocks from my house. It's called "N Street Cafe"... and it's on N St. between 20th and 21st. Not only do they have yummy lattes, they make a (vegan) falafel pita that's to die for. I get my pita with their cilantro jalapeno hummus, which they make there, and it's pretty much the best thing I've ever had.

They also have tea, smoothies, sandwiches, salads, and fruit, so even if you don't like coffee, you can find something tasty to eat/drink. And there's free WiFi!

Here's a link to a site with their address, hours, phone number, and some reviews.

IMPORTANT BATTLE: Davis VS. Sacramento

I have been to Sacramento approximately half a dozen times: Mayyors show, Crocker Art Museum twice, Bike trip to the drawbridge, Greyhound, Sac Airport, and perhaps another visit during childhood.

I have not left the city-state of Davis in at least 30 days.



Someone once told me at a show, "Davis seems more cultured than Sacramento; the university breeds culture." I am not sure if this is true but the person had come from Sacramento so I will accept the compliment on behalf of Davis.

KDVS is based in Davis, not in Sacramento. To a small group of people this is unimportant.

Davis has some art galleries. Sacramento has some art galleries. Draw.

I am friends with more Davis visual artists, but more Sacramento musicians. Double-draw.

Davis is bourgeois. Sacramento wants to be and sometimes is.

Mexican food in Davis is not good. I have been told Sacramento Mexican food is superior. Which brings me to my next point: I have been told Sacramento is the most culturally diverse city in the United States. Davis has too many white people. Davis legend Robert Roy says, "If you dislike Sacramento, you are a racist."

Arnold Schwarzenegger frequents Sacramento. His face frequently appears in the New York Times, occasionally on the front page. Rob Roy lives in Davis. His face, bike, and words appeared today in the New York Times. Advantage: Davis, as Arnold does not actually live in Sacramento.

Traditionally Davis is viewed as an Agricultural town. Sacramento is stereotypically defined by its Governmental presence.

Davis suffers from too many complaints from residents about not being Berkeley. Sacramento has every desire to become Nu-San Francisco. Sad sad Central Valley Draw.

This Blog is called "The Starving Artist... Sacramento & Beyond" as opposed to "...Davis & Beyond". Larger city takes precedent.

Sacramento currently has two main house-show houses. Davis has two semi-consistent show spots, one of which has been doing shows for almost two decades. Slight edge to Davis for epic consistency of the Dam Haus.

Daviswiki.org is a superior resource to Sacwiki.org

The UC Davis Art Department was famous in the 1970's. Sacramento State University Art Department, hmmm...

There are too many fixies for one city in Davis. I have heard many fixies linger on the grid of Sacramento also.

You fill in the rest...