Oak Creek Brewery and Simon Hot Dogs, AZ: Yee-doggy, those dogs are dingetty-dang-dang-good!

She rolled down the window of her red Ford truck and simply said, ”My feelings have changed.”  I was dumbfounded because just this morning over a bowl of un-noteworthy oatmeal, she had vowed her undying love.   I stood on the curb watching her truck fade into my distance.  I’d just met and lost the love of my life.  It was a long shot from the start.  I knew that.  She’s a goat farmer.  I’m a cattle ranchin’ word wrangler.  And as the great musical Oklahoma posits, “The cowman and the farmer should be friends.”  But as my recent life experience shows, that doesn’t mean that they always are.  My horse Big Blue nuzzled my head, knocking some sense back into me.  “You’re right, Blue.  You’re right.  I feel like crap, but all will still, somehow be well.”  A little lost and out-of-sorts, I hopped on Blue and rode around town looking for comfort.  The classic rock song “Hey Joe” played in the distance. 

We followed the sound and found our way to Oak Creek Brewery and Simon Hot Dogs.  Now, tastes for me are like friends, really chatty, unforgettable friends.  And in no time flat, I made three new ones: Colombian, Tokyo Madness and Loka Brat; each hot dog an experience of comfort and hospitality.  I started with the Loka Brat.  I’m a sucker for sauerkraut and spicy mustard.  But the addition of the jalapeños made this brat my new BFF.  The Colombian Hot Dog juxtaposes salt and sweet, topped with mozzarella cheese and served with crispy pineapple and crushed potato chips. The pineapple acts like a relish,  And believe me this dog is to be relished!  Feeling increasingly better, I moved onto Tokyo Madness This hot dog with its teriyaki onions and wasabi mayo ways took my mouth out dancing and left me sorry I was full.  By this point the band was playing “Stairway to Heaven.”  So, I got on Big Blue and headed east. 

The red rocks of Sedona reminding me that life is to be lived and chances are there for the taking.  Look, you might be lucky in love, but hungry.  You might be lonely and hungry.  You might be hankering for greatness.  If so, take my advice and find your way to Oak Creek Brewery and Simon Hot Dogs in Sedona.  (If you’re in Ohio reading this right now, I mean it, get in your car and start driving.)  Questions, of course, remain.  If I had the chance to fall in love with that red-haired cutie again, would I?  I don’t know.  I’d like to think I would.  Even when love doesn’t work out, loving someone is never a bad idea, at least not in my book.  The real question though is, would I travel across the United States for a Simon hot dog?  Absolutely!  Yee-doggy, those dogs are dingetty-dang-dang-good! 

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Love freely, eat slowly and ride a horse now and then,
The Down Home Taster