There is a reason to stop and take a break: Just on the far side of Cambridge, a dozen or so feet off Route 50, sits Hot Spot Cool Eats, which offers umbrellas, picnic tables and an early taste of vacation.
Owner Eric Ploeg owned the Luna Park Grille in Arlington’s Westover neighborhood for years before moving to the Eastern Shore to get away, as he said, “from the hustle and bustle of the metro area.” It wasn’t long before he was opening a new place, but unlike his tavern-like Arlington restaurant, Hot Spot is a breezy, family-friendly, alcohol-free establishment trafficking in classic flavors and heaping helpings of nostalgia.
On the menu: The restaurant offers 11 varieties of hot dogs, ranging from classics like the Coney Island foot-long, loaded Chicago red hots and Polish sausage to some nice surprises like the Crabby Frank.
Toppings are fresh and flavors are big across the board. Regional specialties, like the half-smoke and Chicago dog, hew close enough to expectations to please purists.
The Crabby Frank is a filler-light crab cake shaped like a hot dog and served on a bun. It’s a fun and surprising highlight.
The boardwalk style fries offer an early taste of the beach, but I’m more excited by the soft, salty, yeasty, made-from-scratch pretzels.
Hot Spot’s secret weapon is its soft serve. Unlike its national chain competitors, this roadside restaurant doesn’t make its treat from a powder or pre-made mix. Real ice cream is the primary ingredient, and the result is a richer, creamier dessert that you should save room for.
In your glass: Hot Spot Cool Eats offers a variety of Boylan’s sodas as well as summer musts like lemonade and iced tea. Pro tip: pool your dessert and drink calories by ordering a root beer float. It’s just good science.
At your service: The kids working the register are friendly and eager. All food is cooked to order, so grab yourself a picnic table outside and get comfortable. The wait will be worth it.
Bottom line: This is the best pit stop you are likely to make on your way to the beach.
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