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Dads can serve up mean hot dog
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The chili-cheese dog at DADs Hot Dogs is a favorite item for many customers. - photo by Photo Contributed

About a year ago, I took my son to DAD’s Hot Dogs to experience a real Stockton treat.

If the name sounds familiar, this is the place in Lincoln Center owned by Diane Phillips and located next door to a Trader Joe’s.

This is also the same place that Bill Cosby, before he became tabloid fodder, stopped by for a bite. His photo is among the many others posted on the wall of fame. Josh noticed the photo of his best friend Alexis was among the who’s who on the wall.

I explained to my son that a DAD’s dog was actually part of the Bud’s Original Dok Shoons. It has the familiar specialty hot dog that I grew up on served up with mustard, tomatoes, and onions. It comes with relish but I usually punt on that.

Don’t get me started on catsup.

I can still remember when Dok Shoons – Armenian for “hot dog” – was located in downtown at the Newberry building directly next to the main bus stop. Nothing beat having an original with mustard, tomatoes and onion while waiting for the arrival of Bus 5.

The name later moved to the historic Waterfront Warehouse along the Deep Water Channel but recently closed.

Thankfully, DAD’s is around.

Although he ordered a chili-cheese dog – served on a platter smothered with homemade-everyday chili recipe and graded cheese – Josh was quick to point out that this hot dog was different. There was a snap to the casing of the meat when you first sink your teeth into it.

After all, this was the same special recipe of all-meat, no-filler wieners produced locally by Alpine Packing Co.

At one time, there were five Dok Shoons locations in Stockton including the one at 6527 Pacific Ave. that would later become DAD’s.

Besides the original and chili-cheese dog, DAD’s offers up a giant polish hot dog, a Cajun dog, salad sandwiches, tuna, turkey, peanut butter & jelly and nachos & chili.

The milk shakes are made the old fashion way.

Some folks have even called this place “one of Stockton’s hidden gems.”

Even out of towners find their way to DAD’s.

Christopher of Oakland stumbled upon this place about two years ago.

“I got a turkey dog with kraut, onions and mustard – it was pretty darn good,” he said in an online review.

Andrea agreed.

“I decided to go with chili-cheese dog and it was perfect. Yes, it has a snap and everything taste fresh,” she said.

Folks also raved about the friendly service by the owner and the others working behind the counter at Dok Shoons – I mean DAD’s.

Old habits die hard.

For more information or hours of operation, call 209.478.7793.