Leaving Behind a Greasy Void

No Hot Dog, No Stick

Originally uploaded by PAgent

It’s a mighty sad sight that greets you when you go down the long, long escalator to the Food Court at Pioneer Place. Hot Dog on a Stick is gone. Cleaned out. Sterile.

And it was usually so full of life. You could always look forward to seeing those young beauties in their ridiculous yellow, red, and blue outfits as they plunged a batch of lemonade, or dunked wieners in batter, all the while desperately trying to look cool. As if you could look anything but goofy in that elongated beanie hat.

Although I have always loved a good corn dog, I only ate there once. After all, deep fried hot dogs and french fries do not really have a place in a heart-healthy diet. But I know that the absence of this institution will be a blow to all those toddlers that come downtown with their parents. To them I reluctantly say “Off to McDonalds with you!” For Hot Dog on a Stick has left the building.

14 Comments so far

  1. pdxrocket (unregistered) on February 12th, 2007 @ 1:53 pm

    I go to the Pioneer Place foodcourt approximately 1 time per/week. When I do, Hot Dog on a Stick is usually sad and empty. So I say “good riddance to overpriced corndogs and lemonade!”


  2. Banana Lee Fishbones (unregistered) on February 12th, 2007 @ 2:18 pm

    !!!!!!!!!!

    I am ensaddened. They had AWEsome lemonade, and like twice a year I have a deep inner need for the “cheese stick”, which is so very very wrong and yet so very very right.

    RIP, Hot Dog On A Stick.

    I don’t think there is one at Washington Square, if Lloyd Center has one I don’t remember it at all, and since they obliterated the food court at Clackamas TC, is there ANY HDoaS location in our area anymore?


  3. Obnor (unregistered) on February 12th, 2007 @ 3:23 pm

    Clackamas still has one, I think they moved it down by Sears on the lower level…


  4. Dustbunny (unregistered) on February 12th, 2007 @ 5:43 pm

    Please tell me it’s not being replaced by Tofu on a Stick.


  5. Marisa (unregistered) on February 12th, 2007 @ 6:26 pm

    I have many a fond memory of walking down to Pioneer Place after school during my years at Lincoln and getting a the cornbread covered, deep-fried cheesestick. I haven’t had one in more than 12 years, but man were those things good, in an instant artery hardening kind of way. Sadly, there are no HDoaS locations in Philadelphia.


  6. RM (unregistered) on February 12th, 2007 @ 11:36 pm

    Why would anyone go to Pioneer Place?


  7. chris (unregistered) on February 13th, 2007 @ 12:48 am

    We called it “Pioneer Pit” 10 years ago, so I don’t miss the court myself. I do admit I always looked over at the HDOS storefront and occasionally bought a lemonade. The poor employees always had to wear those crazy outfits. I was convinced they only let women work there until I saw a man working there a couple years ago. Good to know they were equal opportunity.

    RIP. I did like the lemonade. Never had the HDOS.


  8. TKrueg (unregistered) on February 13th, 2007 @ 9:53 am

    Yeah, I’m trying to understand why people go to the food court at all if they work downtown. There are so many great carts and storefronts that infinitely better food, usually for less money.

    Uh, Sbarro? Yeah, that seemed like gourmet pizza when I was in high school. Cajun Grill?? Since when did cajun food taste like Panda Express and heat-lamp Chinese food? California Crisp? Oh yeah, I love it when surly jerks toss mediocre salads to my liking and then charge me too much. And seriously, if you’re going to a the mall to buy McDonalds, I’m sure that Cajun Grill is too exotic for your taste.


  9. PAgent (unregistered) on February 13th, 2007 @ 10:07 am

    The Food Court is close, fast, and cheap. That’s enough incentive to go there at least once in a while. Plus, there just MIGHT be people that like some of the food down there, TKRUEG. Folks who don’t have your sophisticated palate.

    I have had trouble finding places that will make a good salad for takeout. I happen to like the salads at California Crisp, as well as the taco salad at Yucatan Grill next door. Plus, ‘Wrapture’, the new wrap place offers some not incredibly unhealthy options.


  10. TKrueg (unregistered) on February 13th, 2007 @ 11:03 am

    Oh come on. You don’t need to have a sophisticated palate to appreciate non-mall food. Pagent, if you work downtown and only hit the mall every once in awhile for food options, you know this. Plus, why the lines at the friggin’ Subway shops, people? OOOoooh, prison-grade lunch meats! Where do I get my punch card??

    I could cite numerous burrito, sandwich, BBQ, burger, Thai and Indian carts/storefronts that sell better and cheaper food than the mall lineup. But all you really need to know is two words: Tabor Schnitzelwich.

    http://schnitzelwich.com/index.html


  11. PAgent (unregistered) on February 13th, 2007 @ 11:17 am
  12. TKrueg (unregistered) on February 13th, 2007 @ 11:25 am

    Okay… then why make the asinine comment about needing ‘sophisticated tastes’ to venture outside the mall?


  13. PAgent (unregistered) on February 13th, 2007 @ 11:32 am

    In response to your asinine comments that:

    “I’m trying to understand why people go to the food court at all if they work downtown. …
    Uh, Sbarro? Yeah, that seemed like gourmet pizza when I was in high school. Cajun Grill?? Since when did cajun food taste like Panda Express and heat-lamp Chinese food? California Crisp? Oh yeah, I love it when surly jerks toss mediocre salads to my liking and then charge me too much. And seriously, if you’re going to a the mall to buy McDonalds, I’m sure that Cajun Grill is too exotic for your taste.”

    Since I admit I go to the food court once in a while, and for the reasons I listed in my earlier comment, why should I not take offense at your comment? Apparently if a patronize any of the food services you listed, I’m completely ignorant, and have dubious taste.

    Whatever. De gustibus non est disputandum.


  14. lisabeth miller (unregistered) on February 28th, 2007 @ 11:33 am

    Just wanted to comment on your article about hot dog on a stick leaving the building. Pioneer place was not for Hot dog on a stick. It is a very slow location the majority of the time. We will be hitting up malls this summer where our regular, loyal customers can find us and enjoy our delicious lemonade as well as our hot dogs on a stick. By the way, the are turkey and vegetarian hot dogs on a stick for anyone who would take the time to check it out youd be surprised at how delicious they are. Hang in there portland folks that miss our fantastic food and lemonade we will be at clackamas at the beg. of march and will be at the LLoyd this summer.
    And yes our outfits are super cool~ Id rather wear that then a stuffy suit all day~any day!



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