Fetch Hotdog Stand
Address: The NW corner of Water and Abbott St, Gastown (map)
Partial menu
Hours:
Approximately 11:30am – 3pm on most reasonably nice days
Quite Fetching
a quick bite
By Jason Chin
Eat Vancouver editor
As the search for the best pho in Vancouver ends with something of a whimper, Dan and I have been pondering over what iconic dish to throw down next. It is tournament season, after all. We’ve tossed around ideas like hamburgers, dim sum, and butter chicken, but we’ve had trouble getting enthusiastic about any of them. Although it doesn’t quite roll off the tongue, one idea that we’ve played with is a hotdog down. That idea ended a few days ago when I tried Fetch hotdog stand in Gastown, because I believe I’m ready to invoke the mercy rule.
As a quick disclaimer: In the past I’ve tried to avoid writing critically about Sean Heather’s ventures (Irish Heather, Shebeen, Salt, Lucky Diner, and now Fetch). After interviewing him this past fall, I’ve worried that anything I say would be tainted by the possibility of impartiality. I thought about it a lot, and I came to a decision: this is a hotdog stand and I’m going to risk it.
I first visited Fetch a few days ago during an uncharacteristically sunny Vancouver day. In an effort to capture as much of that elusive summer feel as possible, I decided that a hotdog and lemonade were what I wanted for lunch. That was the best decision I made all day.
After maneuvering past hordes of Japanese tourists on Water St, I eventually made it to Abbot, and was greeted by Fetch’s chatty, yet efficient hot dog guy, who directed me to my two options: fetch dog, or the tofu-based veggie dog (both $4.25). That was the easiest decision I made all day.
The hot dogs are made by Commercial Drive’s J N & Z Deli and are damn near spot on with a nice crunch and great smoky flavor. The buns are also local, steamed on premises, and are nice and doughy, but not too much to overshadow the dog. The condiments are made at places like Salt and the Lucky Diner and are pretty good. I enjoyed my dog with a nice Piccadilly relish, sauerkraut, grainy mustard, and some jacked up hot sauce they had on hand. That was the best $4.25 I spent all day.
And more than likely, the best hot dog in Vancouver.
13 responses so far ↓
1 chowman // Mar 20, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Jason:
You may not want to be too hasty. Try the hot dog stand on the southwest corner of Pine and Broadway.
chowman
2 Jason // Mar 21, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Hey Chowman,
I believe that’s the same cart that my brother wrote-up a year or so ago:
http://www.eatvancouver.net/2005/11/16/doggy-style/
I had a bite and it’s good, but I think I like Fetch better. Better bun.
3 Jane // Mar 21, 2007 at 6:46 pm
Hi Jason,
Please let me know if you find the Japanese Hot Dog Vendor.
http://www.chowhound.com/posts/24863/photo
Jane
4 Jason // Mar 21, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Hi Jane,
I used to see that stand all the time at Burrard sort of across from the Paramount. Haven’t seen it in a while though.
5 Dan // Mar 22, 2007 at 10:14 pm
I think the Japanese stand is there sometimes; I have seen him a few times since I moved into the area.
Is it just me or is $4.25 kind of a lot for a hotdog? I mean, we are talking about pork scraps here right?
6 Jason // Mar 22, 2007 at 10:52 pm
I think J, N & Z uses quality meat. I’d say it’s about 3 Chilo’s tacos worth of food. Which is about what it should be for the price.
7 Dan // Mar 23, 2007 at 10:14 pm
Fair point, when you put it that way, I guess its pretty decent. They serve that with a side of smoothie?
8 Jason // Apr 8, 2007 at 11:51 pm
I tried the japadog and it’s pretty good but my third behind the “best hotdogs in town or money back” place and fetch, of course. i don’t like the sweet sauce on the japadog, for the same reason i don’t like ketchup on hotdogs. too sweet and it doesn’t compliment the smokiness of the dog. mustard!!!!
9 Matthew // Jun 5, 2007 at 12:04 pm
I haven’t tried your dogs yet but I use to manage Hot Dog Jonny’s and those were by far thye best hot dogs I ever had. Maybe you would like to chat about product or locations etc. I love the business! I have a lot of ideas.
10 Jason // Jun 5, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Hey Matthew,
We aren’t actually associated with Fetch (but I guess that’s not clear from my glowing review 🙂 ) still, it’s the truth. damn good dogs – check them out
11 Mann // Aug 8, 2007 at 8:40 am
Have you guyes tried the hot dog stand in front of saint’s paul Hospital on Burrard? The stand nameis ,Red Star Dog,they have plenty of condiments and sauces. I tried their Jumbo Dog,it’s only $3.50 but damn big,tastes awesome,gonna be a repeater.
12 Michael // Sep 4, 2007 at 10:09 pm
A repeater ‘eh? Sounds pretty good. I gotta try it next time I visit Vancouver. But from where I come from, we call those kind of hot dogs a two-flusher.
13 nat // Mar 8, 2008 at 8:47 pm
where did hot dog jonnys go?
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