.357 Magnum

Mad Dog 357
http://www.ashleyfood.com
http://www.firehousesubs.com

When most people hear the words "Mad Dog", they immediately think "20/20" or "Banana Red". When I hear the words "Mad Dog", I think of a never-ending burn in my mouth. Mad Dog 357 is pure evil in a bottle. One place to find it is at Firehouse Subs. They carry all sorts of hot sauces to top their amazing sandwiches, but this particular sauce is worth mentioning. The warning label on the side is not to be taken lightly as is the case for other sauces Firehouse has. My brother introduced it to me after he decided to dump some on his sandwich like it was Tabasco. Luckily for him, he was already on the way to the hospital that night. Not even a week later, a friend down in Mobile, AL discovered it too and bought me a bottle. For some, it might be something to give as a gag but I actually use this sauce often.

Mad Dog 357 gets its name because it's 357,000 scoville. The pepper extract is evident and it doesn't taste very good. With something this hot, however, you're not looking for flavor. I measure this in drops and do not use more than 5 drops in anything I cook. That includes a pot of chili. It is absolutely amazing to add to a pot of S&B curry or some stir fry. BEWARE! I have accidentally dropped more than I meant to on a few occasions and suffered through some HOT home cooked meals!

As a gag, it is pretty funny. Just dip the tip of a toothpick in the bottle and give it to someone who can't handle the heat. It won't burn too long but it proves how hot this stuff is. If you like the heat and Tabasco just isn't cutting it, head to a Firehouse Subs. Just don't dab it on your sandwich like it's some regular hot sauce, unless you too are already on the way to the hospital!

Hot Dawg!

Jimmy's - Bartlett, TN
http://www.jimmysdogs.com

After living in the Chicago area for a brief 2 years, I learned what a real hot dog tastes like. Step aside New York... there is nothing that compares to a real Chicago-style hot dog and Jimmy's might be the only place in Memphis to get one. They are also kings in the Memphis area for Chicago-style pizza but I'm sure that's covered on other blogs. I went there today to burn my mouth on their Chicago Fire: a hot dog covered in onions, spicy mustard, sport peppers, Giardiniera peppers and one drop of what they call an "Extremely Hot Sauce". After a few amazing bites, the heat kicked in but it wasn't overwhelming. I was actually happy that it wasn't because that allowed me to taste the flavor of the Vienna beef and these fantastic peppers. Next time I will ask for a few more drops of their "Extremely Hot Sauce" because I know that I'll be getting this dog again.

Smoked, then fried

Central BBQ - Memphis, TN
http://www.cbqmemphis.com

Famous for their ribs and BBQ, Central BBQ also has some of the best wings in the city. There are too many words to describe the flavor of these whole wings because they are so incredible. They are marinaded, smoked in the same pit as Central's famous ribs, then deep fried just a few minutes to get that crispy skin you expect in a hot wing. They are cooked and served whole but pull apart with ease. The meat just falls right off the bone and packs both great smoke and fried flavors. Not known for hot wings specifically, Central BBQ prepares them in just a few varieties: naked, dry rubbed, mild, hot and jerk. Of course I get the hot after they claim to be really potent. I started heating up after my 4th whole wing and it continued shortly after all 6 were gone, but nothing was on fire. They didn't burn my mouth but have a very good flavored sauce. After only a few visits to Central BBQ thus far, I still believe these wings to be an all-time favorite. The dry rubbed wings are what I consider a Memphis original style and nobody else in the city does them better than Central BBQ. They also do the smoke-then-fried method better than anywhere I have been as well. Since there are too many words to describe these wings, I will stick to the most obvious: Pure excellence.

Hot wings at a chain near you!

Every big city has their own hot wing franchise that we commonly see around the US. Out of many around town, I choose my favorite three in Memphis to begin the heat comparison:

Hooters, Wolfchase - Memphis, TN

If you like really hot wings, then you know Hooters isn't the place to go. If you like a consistent, meaty wing with that classic flavor then you know it is. Out of all the Hooters I have been to around the country, this is in my top three for sure. 3 Mile Island is always my choice, but Hooters sauce is very low on the heat scale.





Buffalo Wild Wings, Wolfchase - Memphis, TN

No other chain has the variety like B-dubs. My pantry always has some of their sauce handy. Although their wings aren't very meaty, it's a good idea to head their way for Tuesday wing and beer specials. I enjoy their Spicy Garlic and Hot BBQ wings but their Blazin tops the list. It takes about 6 to break a sweat with burning lips long after consumption. It's almost like the sensation is hotter after you eat them which is evidence of a habanero extract. I love this sauce and use it often at home on chicken sandwiches or wings.





Wingstop - Cordova, TN

I have seen these places around the country and just recently found out that they have an incredibly hot wing. Now this is what I'm looking for. Their Atomic wings live up to their name. It only took 2 for the sweat to start building and after 10 of them, I was hurting. The pain didn't last too long afterward with the aid of milk but the sweat continued. My shirt was actually saturated around the neck. Out of all the chains I have been to, these top the heat list and they definitely BURNED MY MOUTH!!!