Well, Russ Salazar and I went out to the Shoestring in Garden Valley to try the hot dogs. This place is owned by Tamara Bergman, the niece of Debbie Harding, who has the Shoestring on Broadway. Tamara’s father, Rick Siegel, opened it originally when he sold the Placerville business to his sister.
We ordered a chili-cheese dog, a caliente dog and a half order of chili-cheese fries to share. If you have never heard of one, the caliente dog has relish, mustard and a mix of sliced green and black olives, jalapeno peppers and more. It is yummy.
Rick Siegel just happened to be there so he and Salazar had a long, “remember when” conversation about living in the greater Los Angeles area and the best place to get food.
The hot dogs and the chili are a little different from the ones Harding uses, but I enjoy both of them. Salazar thought he liked the food there a bit better, but then commented that he always seems to get the best food when he is with me. Maybe I could start a new business, “Take Doug to dinner for the best food and service.”
Shoestring in Garden Valley is located at 4860 Black Oak Mine Road and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. (closed Sunday and Monday so Tamara and her husband Roger can spend time with their children). For more information call 530-333-2400.