Perfect Pairings 2: Local Hot Dogs, Beer and Mac for the 4th
This Independence Day it’s going to be hotter than the 4th of July and humid to boot (if the weather forecasters are anywhere near correct this time around). It’ll be a time of celebration, get-togethers and gatherings for many. What better time to try out a local trio of craft beer, hot dogs and mac and cheese from MacAttack? In keeping with our seasonal series “Perfect Pairings” we bring you Perfect Pairings 2: Cleveland-local craft beer, hot dog and mac and cheese combo. Whether you! want it from a restaurant, cart or grilled yourself, we’ve got you covered with suggestions for local Polish boys, hot dog carts, hot dog brands and info on where you can pick up your fixings along with a side of MacAttack!
Walk a few blocks through most any neighborhood in Cleveland, you won’t be out long before you pass by a restaurant, deli or convenience store offering up Cleveland’s classic Polish Boy. For those not in the know, the Polish Boy is a kielbasa with coleslaw, french fires and barbecue sauce that is believed to be invented by Cleveland bbq restauraunt owner Virgil Whitmore. Unlike other famous sandwiches like the Reuben or Philly Cheesesteak there’s no clear origin story it “just seemed to pop up one day without much to-do and simply became part of the city’s culinary landscape” according to Cleveland Scene.
The Rowley Inn in Tremont, Happy Dog on Detroit Avenue and Seti’s Polish Boys come highly recommended by the Scene if you want to get yourself a perfect Polish Boy. If cole slaw isn’t your thing, you probably won’t find the Polish Boy appealing. Don’t fret, there’s always traditional dogs . If you don’t have a grill or don’t feel like setting up the bbq this weekend, the folks at Cleveland Magazine recommend Tsambounieris Bros, John’s Hot Dog and Glizzy’s for a local hot dog cart. And if you’d rather be your own grill chef for the evening try a local hot dog brand. Five Star Brands has been on the Cleveland scene since 1967. Northeast Ohio staple since 1950, Vienna Distributing of Ohio, features Chicago-style hot dogs. Stay tuned to the end of the article for a list of where you can pick up the beer, brats or ‘basa and our MacAttack cheese or head straight to our store locator.
Perfect Pairings
There are no “written in stone” rules for beer, cheese and hot dog pairings aprt from that shared by Craftbeer.com in their article on that subject: "If it tastes good, then continue on with it. If it tastes bad, stop and choose another." You’re looking for ways the flavors and tones complement (think chocolate and peanut butter) or contrast (like peanut butter and jelly).
A general rule when it comes to pairing beer and mac and cheese is to pair light cheese with light beer, stronger stouter brews for more complex or funky flavors, aged blue cheese. For instance, Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold Lager complement traditional recipes like MacAttack’s (multiple) award-winning mac.
Hannah Ferguson, founder of D.O.P.E., the first black, woman-owned cidery in Ohio
For the Polish Boy, take the advice of the local food experts we cited, or your personal fave spot that carries them in CLE) or head to one of the Dave’s Market locations that carries us. Try a Polish Boy with sauer kraut or kimchi in place of the cole slaw and a dollop and a half of sour cream floating on a spoonful of cream cheese, labneh or Greek yogurt washed down with a Lemonhead Sour Seltzer from Bookhouse Brewery & Taproom. If you don’t like the flavor of beer DOPE Cider House & Winery has a local summer cider that goes great with a jalapeno dog with Mac with sour cream topping.
If you’re building your pairing menu at home, grab a few bottles or cans and some dogs or kielbasas for your homemade Polish Boy along with a 6 or 12-oz serving of our classic MacAttack cheese at any of the 17 locations that carry us: Dave's Cleveland Heights, Dave's Market on e. 71st, Ohio City, Harvard & Lee, Severance, Shaker Square, Shore Center, Dave's Mercado on Ridge Rd, Slavic Village, Turneytown, Wilson Mills, Middlebury Market and at Fresh Thyme in Mayfield Heights, Fairfax Market on E. 105th, Lucky's Market on Clifton Blvd, Sweet Berry on Euclid and Kriegers in Cuyahoga Falls. You can see the full addresses and the locations on Google Maps in our store locator.