Best Bet: Homewrecker Hotdog

Copyright Jeremy Kendall

Jeremy Kendall The Homewrecker Hotdog from R.P. Tracks boasts chili, melted cheese and a scattering of yellow onions. It's enough to share.

It's hard for this to sound wholesome, but I've been going to R.P. Tracks since I was about 5 years old. My mother and I would walk there from our house near the University of Memphis, and I would always eat the tacos. Years later, when the tacos were taken off the menu, I was heartbroken. I still wish they would bring them back, though I doubt they would be as good to adult me as they were to mini me.

Throughout the years, I've sampled most of the menu (and I don't mean just the loooong shooter menu, which is half-price when the train goes by), and I've never been disappointed. The cheeseburger is one of the best in the city and particularly great late at night. I'm a loyal fan of the jerk chicken sandwich, and I'll still swing by during lunch for the Quatro Queso Quesadillas.

Now that I live close to Tracks again, it might become like home again. Last weekend we had lunch at Tracks on Saturday, drinks on Saturday night and more lunch on Sunday — and that's when it happened.

I decided to try something new. I wanted something greasy and full of flavor. The Homewrecker Hotdog was calling my name.

I'm so glad I listened. Before I go on and on about how great it was, I want to clarify that I don't love chili dogs; I maybe get a craving for them once every couple of years. This was the best one I've ever had. The bun was toasted, and the chili-to-hotdog ratio was perfect. There was more than enough cheese melted on top, even for this turophile, and it was scattered with yellow onions.

The Homewrecker comes with a side of fries and a pickle spear. By the time we were done, the only thing left on the plate was a couple spoons of the spicy, meaty chili. My husband quickly scarfed that down, too.

I have just one warning for you. Unless you have a stomach of steel, this is a dish best shared. At only $8.50, that makes a pretty reasonable meal for two.

R.P. Tracks, 3547 Walker, is open from 11 a.m. until 3 a.m. daily. Call 901-327-1471.

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