Summer's (almost) here and the time is right

At one time in my life, not much was better than successfully convincing my parents that we needed to get in the car and head to the Ranch Wagon. This unassuming food stand was little more than a trailer tucked in off a busy highway and featured carhops that descended on your car after you pulled into the parking lot.

Once you ordered (two footlongs, please), the driver’s side window was rolled down part way and we waited for a tray holding the food that hung on the window. When we were finished eating, dad (or occasionally, mom) started the car and the carhop came back to collect the tray.

Now this was a rite of passage for many reasons, but nothing stands out more than the hot dogs – twelve inches on the nose, in a skinny little bun and covered with a relish unlike any I have tasted to this day. This relish tasted so good, and for some reason, smelled even better. Fortunately, our Dodge often smelled of this relish for several days after we visited. The hot dogs, skin on, popped with each bite, sending juice onto your chin.

Oh, the Ranch Wagon had other goodies too. Pizza was served, Old Forge style, on Friday and Saturdays, and was particularly comforting. In fact, I remember being devastated one Friday night after my first viewing of “Pride of the Yankees” and finding out that Lou Gehrig died at the end. Well, I was broken up to be sure, but not such a mess that a Ranch Wagon cheese pie could not fix what ailed me.

And yes, the Ranch Wagon stands to this day. When I went home last year for my high-school reunion, I went straight from the airport for two Long Dogs. Yes, there are still carhops. Yes, the place is still kind of a dump. And yes, the hot dogs are still phenomenal, just as good as I remembered when I was eight-years-old. And my rental car still smelled like relish when I turned it back in.

I sure could go for two right now, with everything. If only it wasn’t 500 miles away.

I guess these guys are not singing about those footlongs.

But they could be.

Hot Dog – Buck Owens
Hot Dog – Shakin’ Stevens