Little Plastic Spoons: The Men Who Sell Hot Dogs (and more)

Location:

Village Coney

418 E. Whittier St.

Columbus, OH 43206

(614) 445-9633

Finally a place where I can get a damn chili dog and it doesn’t involve dog-food-esque ingredients from a can!

Bradley, Brad, and Nick Martensen, along with Jon Graham, run this cute little joint down in Columbus’s German Village on the south side of downtown. It’s nestled between old houses and surrounded by tree and brick-lined side streets. Started in 2001, I’ve heard that it was once a failing burrito shop (sources needed). Regardless of the building’s past, the future looks as bright as yellow mustard for this happy hot dog heaven.

My time today was limited, and I honestly spent more time catching up on the last ten years with Nick, who I went to high school with, than I did eating. I opted to order their original village coney ($1.75!!) and a side of homemade coleslaw ($2.00). The dog was charming – coney sauce, mustard, onions (plenty of each topping too, my lil wiener friend was barely visible under all that goodness) on a nice fluffy bun, and it was scrumptious. The coleslaw was also a good-sized portion, no carrots (yay! I loathe carrots!), dressed in a poppy-seed creaminess. I was pleased with my total bill, for who can take leftovers home after only paying $3.75 for the entire meal?! Amazing. The menu isn’t just limited to hot dogs, oh no! They have burgers, salads, fries, tots, onion rings… the list literally goes on and on. I’m very interested in trying the Cleveland dog with a side of fried mushrooms.

Village Coney is quite small, tiny in fact, but it oozes charm all over the sidewalk. They have outdoor seating and 5-6 tables inside, and in the half hour I spent there about six customers came & went. I can imagine this place probably gets pretty packed! Brad & Nick’s older brother Chris painted the whole inside, including a mural of Schiller Park and featuring his original artwork with prints available for sale. Places like Village Coney are some of my favorite places to visit and frequent. They are 100% neighborhood, a wee little gathering spot for good food and great conversation. Even though this restaurant is fairly far from my place, I have a dog now and we need excuses to get to a park… Village Coney just happens to be right around the corner from one! Next time I go back I’m going to take an empty stomach and fill it up as full as I can.