Dog Days of Summer

From a bacon-wrapped frank to a vegetarian link, the handheld classic is reaching new heights

- BY KIMBERLY HOLLAND

The Dog Pound Restaurant and Smoke House
CAVE CITY, KENTUCKY

Owner Jack “Big Jack” Rickett and his crew sling franks, bratwurst, and other sausages six days a week at this friendly place. You're unlikely to stumble upon the small-town spot unless you're visiting Mammoth Cave National Park. Make it a point to stop and try a Husky Adam, with white cheese, onions, and stone-ground mustard to tie it all together. If the Mac Russel is on the menu when you swing by, get that. It has nacho macaroni and cheese, mustard, and bacon. Both are excellent for refueling after a long day of hiking, canoeing, or kayaking in the nearby national park. If you show up on a Thursday night, you might find the parking lot filled with classic cars (and their aficionados) for the community's weekly “Cruise In.”

Good Dog Houston
HOUSTON, TEXAS