Michigans or Red Hots! We're not talking about a stateor a cinnamon candy. We’re talking about a famous red hot dog served a special way with chili sauce, mustard and onions on a hot dog roll. If you travel to Michigan and ask for a “Michigan,” they won’t know what you're talking about. In Michigan, a hot dog served as described here is referred to as a Coney.
The name “Michigans” is said to begin with a woman working at a restaurant called Clare and Carls back in the 1940s. Eula Otis would introduce herself to guests with a friendly “I’m from Michigan. Would you like to try one of our chili dogs?” Hence, Michigans. Other restaurants operating at the same time would sometimes call these hot dogs, “Red Hots" or "Texas Red Hots.” Apparently there is no difference just the names.
Today there are a handful of restaurants in Plattsburgh that still serve these fabulous hot dogs. My personal favorite, Gus’ Red Hots. No trip to Plattsburgh is complete without a stop – just ask my friends. Gus’ is filled with so many memories from my time in Plattsburgh while serving in the United States Air Force. Many many nights ended with a late stop or a trip to Vermont by ferry, would require a quick stop, at Gus’.
Gus’ operates as a “diner-like” a restaurant. There are many other items on the menu, I’m sure all excellent, but for me I could neve skip the Red Hots! I've included a link to their menu below.
A secret about me, I've been known to make a trip across the "lake" (Lake Champlain), just so I can stop at Gus' - no lie, that's the truth! I did so over the MLK long weekend while staying in South Burlington, VT.
Clare and Carl's Texas Red Hots
4727 Lake Shore Road, Plattsburgh, NY
518-561-1163
Seasonal: First Week in April through Columbus Day 11am - 9pm
Gus' Red Hots
3 Cumberland Head Road (now: 5 Commodore Thomas MacDonough Hwy, Plattsburgh, NY
518 561-3711
Open Year Round: 7 am - 8 pm
McSweeney's Red Hots
535 Margaret Street, Plattsburgh, NY
Open Year Round: Mon-Sat 11 am - 8 pm, Sun noon - 7pm
Links Worth Noting:
Gus' Red Hots Menu: http://fasprintmenus.com/menus/menu?r=gus-red-hots
