Jimmy John’s Pippin’ Hot Sandwiches – is it located in West Chester or Chadds Ford, PA?  Jimmy John’s is just north of route 1 & 202 on route 202.  It’s a bit of fast food sanity in an otherwise quick service world of hamburgers.  This former roadside stand has been in business since the summer of 1940 (76 years and counting) which is before we got into WWII. 

The hotdog has taken a lot of criticism over the past 40 years for its poor nutritional image.  You know, too much fat, nitrates, fillers and the list goes on and on.  I’ve been harangued by friends and family alike for my pork roll dalliances and the hotdog seems to be in the same food group.   Business associates have been known to sneak me a clandestine dog as a mid-week lunch treat and I remember each of you fondly.   Hotdog consumption on the weekend is another matter, altogether.  I’ve had to involve a “wing-man” and time my “honey-do list” to Lowes, just before noon on any given Saturday.  I also, do not apologize for involving my children in these shenanigans.

That’s how Jimmy John’s (JJ’s) coincidently became directly located on a severely circuitous route to fulfilling my weekend domestic obligations.  Visualize Homer Simpson drooling for that culinary darling of the sausage kingdom and centerpiece of every July 4^th picnic, the “hotdog.”  Now, JJ’s has its own hotdog recipe which includes a natural casing that gives you a “snap” when you bite into the dog.  They are also, uniquely sized to look like a horizontally challenged knockwurst; kind of short and stout.  Order two (2) plain dogs or more depending on the severity of your “addiction” and go to town on the condiments.  You decide what to add: sauerkraut, raw or smothered onions, relish, and a variety of mustard and catsup options. Oh, did I mention that they have model trains!

I really shouldn’t be condemned for my love of the hotdog, as I grew up in shadow of Nathan’s Famous, Hebrew National, Sabrett, and Thumann’s to name a few.  The dealers were on every corner with their fancy carts, barking “doggy, dog-alah, get your Coney Island here!”  The pressure was too great!  “Dogs in dirty water” run through my veins.  Doc, it’s the environment that caused my addiction.

For those of you who can’t wait in line for 60-90 seconds, to get your JJ’s at the source, there’s another option.  The Boothwyn Farmer’s Market in Boothwyn, PA has a butcher that sells the Jimmy John’s hotdog.   As a self-proclaimed “hotdog junky” I prefer my dogs in their natural habitat: Jimmy John’s Pippin’ Hot Sandwich restaurant and not on the backyard grill.

Keep on food frolicking!  Hey, it’s “ok” to admit you like a hotdog once in a while.