The Impatient Chef Road Food Find: Locks of Dogs & Treats in Cascade Locks, Oregon

Locks of Dogs & Treats

When traveling between Portland and Hood River and parts Eastwards, there's a little town called Cascade Locks.  Named for the locks on the Columbia River that enabled boat traffic to reach The Dalles prior to the construction of the Bonneville Dam, the little town is no more than an exit along I-84 to most people, but to drive obliviously by this little town would be a mistake.

Go ahead, take the exit.  Drive down Wa Na Pa Street through the heart of town, you will find art studios and galleries, the tallest ice cream cones on earth (think I'm exaggerating, don't you?) at the East Winds Drive-in, a Native American establishment called The Brigham Fish House, the iconic Bridge of the Gods (below), and a small, unassuming shop with some absolutely killer hot dogs.

The Bridge of the Gods

When I-84 was built in the 1960's,  Hwy 30, (the Historic Columbia River Highway) was vivisected, and left to die except for where there happened to be a town, or a smattering of waterfalls.  Cascade Locks survived that, and has persevered through fire and flood to stand defiantly along the river with a strong will and a big heart.  That big heart what you will find at Locks of Dogs & Treats.

Walk in, and the first thing you will notice is the 1950's charm. There are 45's on the wall (records, you know, vinyl.  Betcha can't stick a MP3 on your wall  And no, I don't mean a Facebook wall), a picture of Elvis, and 50's icons from Ray Charles to Marilyn Monroe emblazoned on the backs of the chairs.  The owner, Brenda Wood, said that the named chairs started as a joke with a regular customer for whom they stenciled "The King" on the back of his usual seat.  Since The King was also Elvis Presley's nickname, the rest of the chairs got names on them as well.

A Wall of Music

Now, let's talk about the hot dogs.  I have had only the custom dogs, so I can't speak for the rest of them.  The first time I went there, I was a little concerned about the prices when it came time to order, but hooo-leee jumpin' jesosaphat what arrived on the table was enough for two of me, and way too big to pick up and eat.  That's why they give out forks and knives with them.  My concern vanished quickly.

The Dogs Arriveth.  Left: The King's Dog.  Right: Deputy Dog

I ordered the Deputy Dog.  Which is the Louisiana Hot Dog (spicy, but not too spicy), chili, shredded cheese, jalepenos, onion, and (get this) Fritos.  Yes, that's right, Fritos!

I saw an episode of Anthony Bourdain's "Parts Unknown" that explored New Mexico.  There was a restaurant there that served something called Frito Pie, which is a small bag of Fritos, opened and topped off with chili and shredded cheese.  He spoke highly of it.  So...  If it's good enough for Bourdain, it's good enough for me, and it's good enough for you, too. 

The part of my hot dog that left me giggling was that Locks and Dogs uses chili with small slices of hot dogs in it.  This is frankly brilliant.

 My wife had the King's Dog, which is a bacon-wrapped monster with chili, cream cheese, shredded cheese, and onions.  Let's face it... BACON.  Right?  Does anything else need to be said?

This is not haute cuisine, but it's damn fine grub.  Come on in, order up some dogs, and chat with the owner, or whoever is behind the counter.  

Let's not forget the ice cream.  It's by Cascade Glacier, made in Eugene, Oregon.

Ice Cream
Alice in Wonderland photo effects by Author, not flashback.

They serve it up cold on any hot day, and even the cold ones.  

Locks of Dogs and Treats is family-friendly.  If you want a beer or a cocktail, go across the street after your dog.  

Find them on facebook here.

On Instagram here

Brenda and Felicia

#locksofdogsandtreats

#cascadelocks

#columbiagorge