I couldn't find a 'B' word for hot dog - bratwurst was the closest I could come. Anywho, I went to Hot Dog Charlie's yesterday to follow up on my previous entry mentioning that it was open. I guess I wanted to try the place to satisfy my blogging and buds (taste buds that is). Ok enough with the 'B' words.
But (sorry) first, on my way to HDCs, I found a brand new business on Caroline Street at the location of the former Manifest Station. Theresa (she asked me not to post her last name) has opened Smoke & Fire at 42 Caroline Street and the place has been open just a short time. (Disclaimer added 9/3/09 - Theresa contacted me and indicated that her store is a tobacco store and all of the products are offered for tobacco use only. The marijuana references, including the words "bong" and "bowl" in the title, are my words based on my impressions, and not based on anything she said or implied)
It amazes me the amount of businesses that have closed just before track season, and either opened or expanded at or near the end of track season. You'd think both categories of business would try to take advantage of, oh I don't know, thousands of new customers. But I digress.
Smoke & Fire caters to, well, honestly, the marijuana crowd as best as I can tell. Yes they have some other earthy items in there such as incense and so forth but most of the stuff is for the potheads. I am not passing judgement - there are a lot worse things that people can do than smoke a little pot and I appreciate Theresa cooperating when I appeared out of nowhere with a camera announcing "Hi I'm Blogman - can I take some photos?" I'm just trying to give you an idea of what's in there. So stop by on your way to your next Phish concert and stock on up. They started with a soft opening and will work on a grand opening hopefully later this month. Good luck Theresa!
I previously reported that "The Backstretch" appeared closed and that still seemed to be the case as I walked by. Someone standing out front stated that it lost its liquor license, but I haven't confirmed that. Either way it's dead for now. What a shame - it's a great location that has been not utilized properly (or at all) in the past few years.
So I finally made it over to Hot Dog Charlies (Hey I had the munchies after coming so close to pot) and had one of their mini dogs (clerk: "it has a snap to it") and one of their burgers, which was recommended by another local blogger (in his usual robust and in-your-face style). Both were great, and the burger was fresh pressed and came with sauteed onions - what more can you ask for? Well you can ask to make it a "Charlie Burger" and put some of HTCs hot dog sauce on it, which is exactly what I did. It was greasy, sloppy, unhealthy, and fantastic. Yum! Open til 3am on weekdays and 5am(!) on weekends - I hope they succeed there especially because a while back a fire severely damaged their Troy location.
So I wasn't done on Caroline Street. I stopped in to City Tavern to see just what it was that they were serving for dinner. It may be dinner for some college kids, but most of us would think of it more as bar food. Oh well glad to see they are serving something and that the roof is open.
I stopped over to Esperanto to snap some shots of their newly expanded place. They had some customers in there so I couldn't get the best shots but I did the best I could.
I then took some time to really marvel at some of the architecture on Caroline Street - notably the Tin & Lint (where of course musician Don McLean reportedly wrote a certain song) and the building housing The Bullpen Tavern. The Bullpen building had the late afternoon sun shining on the top 2/3 of it and the paint and masterful brickwork really popped out. I am usually on Caroline Street later in the evening (like everybody else) so it was nice to have the sunlight and time to enjoy the sights, as posted below.
I was ready to go home but while I was so close I thought I'd stop over at the newly opened Boca Viva Cafe in the old Subway location at 458 Broadway. They've got subs, salads, wraps, pastries and more so if you're there or in Lake George (42 Amherst Street) check them out.
I saw a guy named Andre Ernst doing a great job playing the guitar in front of Celtic Treasures. I like how the street musicians add to the character of this great city.
So there I was just steps from Mrs. London's and there was no way I was going to have the willpower to stay away, so I stopped in for a cookie (remember, I had the munchies still!). It was a healthy cookie - "The Treehugger" I believe - with oats, raisins, flaxseeds and more granola type stuff. Very good but next time I'll really indulge and go for a chocolate one.
I walked back to my car and on the way stopped in our wonderful library to get some books on CD and then home I went. It was a great little trip that put me in a fantastic mood and once again made me love life here in Saratoga Springs.
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