Blackie's, Opened

I admit to being sometimes fickle in my love for Blackie's, occasionally thinking I might like another Connecticut hot dog more. But a visit for lunch today swept aside all doubt. The hot dogs, which I order well-done, as depicted in the picture above, were a perfect balance of spring and crunch, fully spiced but not the least bit overwhelming, big enough to extend a bit beyond both ends of the bun, their insides fully opened up by extra time spent in boiling oil. The bun was perfect -- slightly warm, its outside faintly crisp, the inside a tender pillow. And Blackie's relish (not yet applied in the picture) was spot-on: earthy, peppery, intoxicating, and hot enough to make a visit to the Big Dipper essential immediately afterwards. It's the first time I've been to Blackie's this summer with the wall behind the counter opened up to fresh air (see below). But it will not be the last.