Steve Carlic | scarlic@syracuse.com
Grace Carlic | Special to newyorkupstate.com
The Michigans of Plattsburgh
Clare and Carl's Hot Dog Stand, known simply as "Clare and Carl's" by the locals, is located at 4729 State Route U.S. 9 in Plattsburgh. This slanted roadside hub is home one of the original Michigan stands of the North Country, opening its doors in 1942. Pull up to the side of this little building in your vehicle and a red-shirted waitress/waiter will be at your car window in minutes, asking for your order. Leave the window open, because soon the order will arrive, hot and ready. Seating is also available for those wishing to eat at a formal table.
Grace Carlic | Special to newyorkupstate.com
The Michigans of Plattsburgh
Aluminum TraCo Trays are put on your window to serve whatever food and beverage you may have ordered. Some of these trays, as a waitress mentioned, are over 70 years old! The Michigan, Clare and Carl's most famous dish, is served alongside a bottle of ketchup and salt. This stand's Michigan hot dog is slathered in a meat sauce that combines a fresh flavor with a slight kick at the end. "Buried" beneath the hot dog and meat sauce lay a scattering of fresh chopped onions, which add a wonderful crunch and bright flavor to the mix. Yellow mustard lines the inside of the bun in a single streak.
Grace Carlic | Special to newyorkupstate.com
The Michigans of Plattsburgh
The Michigan is a true North Country specialty, particularly in Plattsburgh, where the dish is said to have originated. The origins of the Michigan, a meat sauce covered hot dog, are murky. However, it is well known that Clare and Carl's is one of the original Michigan hot spots in the area. A Michigan at Clare and Carl's, with all the traditional fixings of meat sauce, fresh onions, and mustard, costs $2.27.
Grace Carlic | Special to newyorkupstate.com
The Michigans of Plattsburgh
A famous stop for the North Country Michigan is Gus' Red Hots, located at 5 Commodore Thomas MacDonough Highway in Plattsburgh, NY. This family friendly diner is open every day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Grace Carlic | Special to newyorkupstate.com
The Michigans of Plattsburgh
Gus' Red Hots are served on a slightly harder bun (a traditional way of serving the Michigan) with a generous helping of onions and mustard atop the meat sauce and hot dog. The sauce is very mild and does not have the hints of spice found at both Clare and Carl's and McSweeney's, lending a more palatable bite for those wishing for a dog without the bark.
Grace Carlic | Special to newyorkupstate.com
The Michigans of Plattsburgh
The first known Michigan shop to open in Plattsburgh, the birthplace of the Michigan, is said to be Garth Otis' Michigan Hot Dog and Sandwich Shop, which opened in 1927. The second Michigan stand, Nitzi's, was opened in 1935 by Jack Rabin. Today, Nitzi's is known by the name McSweeney's Red Hots. There are three McSweeney locations in Plattsburgh, each one serving up their signature - but secret - Michigan recipe. The above McSweeney's restaurant is located at Route 9 North in Plattsburgh.
Grace Carlic | Special to newyorkupstate.com
The Michigans of Plattsburgh
On each table in McSweeney's Red Hots, pamphlets of the entire United States Constitution are out for viewing pleasure. The owners hope that customers will read the Constitution while waiting for their Michigans, and even take the little booklet home with them.
Grace Carlic | Special to newyorkupstate.com
The Michigans of Plattsburgh
The McSweeney's Red Hots Michigan has a mild meat sauce and the onions are sprinkled on top, rather than the more traditional "buried" style found throughout the city. Conveniently, the dish is served with a fork to pick up the fallen sauce and onions, as McSweeney's puts a generous helping of toppings on their hot dogs. Mustard is found underneath the dog and adds a little zing to the whole creation.
Grace Carlic | Special to newyorkupstate.com
The Michigans of Plattsburgh
Michigans Plus is a staple in Plattsburgh for its Michigans, family-friendly atmosphere, delectable desserts, and true homemade food. Michigans Plus is open every day of the week, serving everyone's favorite diner classics.
Grace Carlic | Special to newyorkupstate.com
The Michigans of Plattsburgh
Michigan's Plus has a variety of twists on the specialty dish. One can order a McKenzie mixed beef and pork hot dog Michigan to the very traditional Glazier's snappy "red hot" (where the "red hot" name comes from) to even a hot dogless Michigan, in which the meat sauce, onions, and mustard are served on top of a bun. There is also a low carb option which features a fully dressed Michigan without the bun and served alongside a salad instead. "It's all about what you like and what you prefer" is the motto for Michigans at Michigan's Plus.
Grace Carlic | Special to newyorkupstate.com
The Michigans of Plattsburgh
Another option at Michigans Plus is the McKenzie beef and pork hot dog served with the Michigan fixings. McKenzie hot dogs are from Vermont and use high quality ingredients to ensure the best flavor in each bite. The meat sauce is a slightly spicy partner to the mild hot dog flavor, and the onions add a good crunch, while the steamed bun is soft and supple.
Grace Carlic | Special to newyorkupstate.com
The Michigans of Plattsburgh
Michigan's Plus serves perhaps the most traditional form of the Michigan in Plattsburgh. They use Glaziers (of Malone, NY) red hots, which have a thicker natural casing that snaps when you bite into it. The meat sauce served with every Michigan at the restaurant is made without tomato, chili pepper, and cumin, which surprises most people as they find a bit of heat near the end of their bite, but also a slight sweetness. Instead, Michigans Plus utilizes the fresh flavors of garlic and peppers (alongside other secret ingredients) to give the sauce a special flavor. They steam the buns, but also offer a grilled option for those who like a little more strength for the bun to hold the sauce and fixings. In maintaining tradition, onions can be buried, and a stripe of yellow mustard lines the top. A delicious dish that rings true to Plattsburgh tradition.
Grace Carlic | Special to newyorkupstate.com
The Michigans of Plattsburgh
Ronnie's Michigan Stand, located at 1265 NY-3 in Morrisonville, just west of Plattsburgh. It is a hot spot for Michigan lovers from all over the North Country. This stand provides car service as well as seating.
Grace Carlic | Special to newyorkupstate.com
The Michigans of Plattsburgh
Ronnie's serves its Michigan with the onions on top, a streak of mustard, and a mild meat sauce that one could relate most closely to a meat sauce for pasta. What makes Ronnie's sauce unique is the addition of green peppers and celery to the mix. Car trays are provided for customers who choose to eat in their vehicles; and to be honest, it simply makes the experience so much more fun. A Michigan, with all the fixings, will cost you $2.43.
Grace Carlic | Special to newyorkupstate.com
Food in the Adirondacks
Take time to explore the food of the Adirondacks along with the mountains. Here's a start:
Desserts in Adirondacks: 6 places to check out for sweet treats
Late-night eats in the Adirondacks
Adirondacks on a budget: Where to go with $10, $15 and $20
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