REVIEWS

Cheap Eats

By Penelope Corcoran. Taken from the dining section in "What's Happening" Seattle Post-Intelligencer January 10-16, 2003

MATT’S FAMOUS CHILI DOGS

Down along the Duwamish, where East Marginal Way runs into Fourth Avenue South on your way to somewhere else, there's a cute white house serving food worth a quick stop. Welcome to Matt's Famous Chili Dogs' original Seattle location.

Owner Matt Jones is fanatically dedicated to serving proper "Chicago-style" hot dogs. This means a snappy Vienna all-beef hot dog, dressed with yellow mustard, bright kelly-green relish, chopped white onion, halved red tomato slice, crisp dill pickle spear, two kicky sport peppers and a sprinkling of celery salt, all nestled in a soft, fresh, poppy-seed hot-dog bun. Start with "The Old Fashioned Hot Dog" ($2.29) Chicago-style. Vary the formula by substituting a firmer, thicker Polish sausage ($2.79); "Fire Dog," a spicier, longer Polish sausage ($2.79); a skinless "Hot Dog" ($2.69) for those who prefer a snapless texture; or, if you must, a Turkey Dog ($2.29) or Veggie Dog ($2.79).

It is possible to eat on the premises. Stand and munch at the counter. Snag one of Matt's precious few padded stools to sit and eat. Or, if weather permits, dine al fresco at one of four outside picnic tables.

Matt's Famous Chili Dogs, 6615 E. Marginal Way S., 206-768- 0418. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Closed Saturdays and Sundays. www.mattsfamouschilidogs.com.

Other locations:

• 7600 - 196th St. S.W., Lynnwood, 425-776-3220,
  10 a.m.- 9 p.m. every day.
• 699 - 110th Ave. N. E, Bellevue, 425-637-2858
  10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday through Friday
  11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sundays.

- Penelope Corcoran
Post-Intellingencer food critics arrive unannounced and pay for all meals and services.

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