Ponko Chicken, the Japanese-influenced fried chicken chain, serves a hot dog cooked exactly like its chicken: breaded and fried.
The breading, inspired by the fried pork called tonkatsu, encases the all-beef dog in a beautifully uniform, golden, crispy shell. There’s plenty of salt and richness to be had between the frank and the breading, but it’s the added texture and crunch that really make this hot dog stand out.
The sole topping is the restaurant’s sesame slaw, which provides coolness and more crunch, and also is available as a side dish. The sweet sesame dressing helps balance the hearty, fried beef frank.
Ponko Chicken has pulled off an amazing feat with its hot dog: It’s fancy, without being fussy. The dish plays to the strengths of the restaurant, and it doesn’t take away the simplicity and low-maintenance enjoyment of a standard hot dog.
Ponko Chicken. Multiple Locations. 770-790-0966, ponkochicken.com.
Read more stories like this by liking Atlanta Restaurant Scene on Facebook, following @ATLDiningNews on Twitter and @ajcdining on Instagram.
About the Author
