When I was growing up, Casper’s Hot Dogs was the spot for a quality dog. There wasn’t even one in my hometown, but every kid knew about them, and on special occasions, our parents would drive us the 20-30 minutes for a hot dog lunch.
What made them so special was the quality. At first glance, Casper’s was nothing extraordinary. The small orange and white buildings looked like any hole-in-the-wall, fast-food joint. But when you bit into a Casper’s hot dog, you knew the difference. There was a satisfying snap thanks to the crispy outside and soft middle. These dogs were long, and there were no soggy five-inch franks here.
I had forgotten about Casper’s until I went to Sinbad’s Hot Dogs in Sparks. It has the same small, family feel, the same fuss-free menu and that same snap the second you bite into one of their dogs.
Sinbad’s Hot Dogs does what it does and does it well. There’s no attempt at trying to be something they aren’t. Located near the Sparks Marina, it’s simply an easy place to come in for a quick meal or pick-up dinner for the family. As a bonus, the prices are pretty killer—in a good way.
Daily combos—including some mix of dogs and sides—are $13.75 regardless of what you order. A regular hot dog with toppings is $5.95. Even the specialty dogs are just $6.95. Getting lunch for this price in this economy, well, I’m not mad at it.
Operated since 1979, Sinbad’s has a long history in the community. And upon stepping foot inside, the community vibe is apparent. A random weekday lunch had plenty of patrons sitting inside eating, and I imagine that crowd is mostly regulars. That being said, there’s no uptick on the weekends. That’s because Sinbad’s is open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., just Tuesday through Friday.
In a weird way, the entire experience was nostalgic, even though I’d never been there before. It just felt like a relic of simpler times.
When it came to what to order, I immediately chose the season’s specialty dog. While different variations are offered throughout the year, the Slaw Dog reigns supreme from April through August.
The Slaw Dog starts with your typical all-beef hot dog, adds mustard and onions and then covers it with delicious, house-made coleslaw. The coleslaw adds a refreshing touch to the dog and gives it a twist you won’t find elsewhere.
I also tried the regular hot dog with ketchup, relish, mustard, onions and tomatoes (well, hold the tomatoes for me). It was the same size as the specialty dog, tucked into a steamed bun and finished with a generous helping of toppings. Every bite was as good as the next, and I had to stop myself from finishing both dogs.
The rest of the menu introduces Polish sausages, chili cheese dogs, Chicago dogs, kraut dogs and more. Perhaps the most decadent dog is the Pastrami Dog, boasting steamed pastrami, sliced Swiss cheese, mustard, onions and dill pickle slices, all served with the same delicious dog and steamed bun.
The sides are straightforward, too. The chili is highly recommended (and you can even top it with scoops of Frito chips), but there are also nachos, pickles, bagged chips and more.
Before you leave, you may want to add a milkshake or smoothie to your order.
There are tons of flavors to choose from, including chocolate peanut butter, mocha coffee, caramel and vanilla bean for milkshakes and mango, peach and wild berry for smoothies. Of course, you expect the milkshakes to be creamy, but even the smoothies are delicious and smooth, served with whipped cream and one of those giant straws, so you can drink it without waiting for it to partially melt. I had the strawberry smoothie, and just like all the other smoothies and shakes, it rang up at $5.25.
My dog’s favorite part is that they serve a Doggie Dog, a Sinbad’s hot dog cooked for your pet (free of those extras that may cause them upset). It’s a plain hot dog, no bun, that you can take home to Fido for just $2.50.
Want to make Sinbad’s dogs at home? They sell cold buns and dogs in packs of six, but I have a feeling they won’t taste quite the same as the ones made by the pros here.
You can order delivery if you live close to the McCarran Boulevard restaurant. If not, online ordering is still available, and you get 10% off your first order.
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418 N McCarran Blvd., Sparks
