Yes, the rumours are true – I love the Dog. They say that those in the know target their prey young and long before Barbie had four year olds in high heals – the Dog Men were setting the standard. It all started so innocently with those stands at the ice- skating ring in my vulnerable youth. The rolls were so fresh they’d squish if you looked at them too hard and fake tomato sauce and mustard so good, they gave Wimpy – King of Fake Condiments - a hard time. Fast forward twenty years and The Habit is now so firmly rooted as a way of life, I foresee no hope of ever giving it up…and why should I? Hot Dogs are Awesome!

Chief purveyor of awesomeness is in my opinion Reuben’s Sandwich Shop on Rudd road, Illovo - in the Post Office Center. The black and white interior is cool and relaxed but because Reubens is owner run it has that warm welcome that makes you want to sit back and chill out. So what could possibly be so revolutionary – yes, I mean revolutionary – that could set this dog so far apart from the rest? It’s their magic mustard, that’s what. Sure the vienna is great. The rolls are always fresh and they come toasted – a very important detail to us connoisseurs/addicts. But the mustard…it’s all in the mustard. It’s sweet, as behoves a proper dog-mustard but it also has a definite bite. Home-made, it’s also creamy and single handedly, the mustard elevates this Dog to another level. I hopefully asked one of the owners, Dianne, whether they sell it; she just smiled her ‘you wish’-smile and said they love having us back so unfortunately no. Wall Street – take note, this is how you corner the market.

Drinks that definitely deserves mention is Reuben’s good coffee, rich chocolate milk shake and the hot chocolate (don’t speak of it too freely but rumour has it that they use real Lindt chocolate – such temptation would sway the Vatican…wait, the Vatican has been swayed so far it’s fallen over…maybe Mother Theresa then, were she alive of course – well you get the point). As to the rest of their fare - it is said that their sandwiches are brilliant and their burgers magnificent (Vincent loves it) but I honestly couldn’t tell you; every time I have go the thought has not crossed my mind to try something else – nothing could beat the Best Dog in Johannesburg.