Perfect Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs On The Grill

Doggone Good

I grew up in a family where we rarely ate out. We love to cook so if we had a craving for something, we made it ourselves at home.

Once in a great while, however, an occasion to eat out would come up and we would go to the local “Greek” Restaurant.

I grew up on the Southwest side of Chicago, near Midway Airport, and these “Greek” places were on every couple of corners.

This is not the kind of Greek Restaurant you are thinking of. There was little, if any, actual Greek Food.

The restaurants in our neighborhood were just all owned by Greek families so they were called Greek restaurants by everyone .

These places could be found all of the Southwest Side. Each little pocket neighborhood had their own.

Most had a similar menu split into breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Usually a mix of home-cooked type meals like meat loaf, Chicken Kiev, sandwiches, and always a soup of the day.

Every family has their own favorite restaurant for different reasons. My family preferred Mt. Pindos Restaurant on the corner of Archer and Pulaski across from Curie High School.

This restaurant is long gone, but I still have the memories of going there with my family.

One thing I remember the most is going there with one of my Aunts and Uncles and my cousins.

One cousin would always order a Francheezie.

What is a “Francheezie?” you might ask. I’m so happy I get to be the one to tell you!

It’s a hot dog filled with cheese and wrapped in bacon.

It seems so simple, but seriously, what could be better?

I myself don’t remember ever eating one, but I know my cousin liked them.

The kids I cook for love bacon as well as any kind of sausage.

I was brainstorming some recipes for “Tough Day” dinners, days we have very little time to cook, that they would like and I thought about the Francheezie.

I tested it out and timed myself and I came up with a recipe that took about 15 minutes and is so delicious that even a grown up would find it delicious.

The full, printable recipe is at the end of the post but the most important ingredients are high quality hot dogs and high quality think cut bacon.

In addition you’ll need buns, maple syrup, brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, black pepper, olive oil, and shredded cheddar cheese.

I also topped mine with chopped green onion, which you can take or leave according to your preference.

You’ll want to start by wrapping your hot dogs tightly in the bacon. I start from one end and wrap around as tight as I can.

Once they’re well wrapped, brush the dogs with maple syrup.

Now sprinkle each maple brushed, bacon wrapped dog with the black pepper, brown sugar, garlic powder, and chili powder using your finger to press the seasonings into the bacon.

The maple syrup will also help it stick on. It might be a little messy but it’s worth it!

Now heat your grill on high for five minutes before reducing it to medium and grilling the dogs, turning them often to make sure the bacon isn’t burning.

Feel free to move the hot dogs to an area on the grill with less direct heat.

While the dogs are grilling you’ll want to brush your buns with olive oil and then set them open on the grill for a little to toast.

Once the dogs have been turned on each side and the bacon is nearly done cooking and nice and crisp you’ll want to turn the grill off.

While it’s still warm, put the shredded cheese in the toasted buns and out the dogs on top, then close the lid so the cheese can melt.

That is all it takes folks, you’re done!

I topped my dogs with the sliced green onions but you have many options. A great sweet relish or a grainy mustard would go great with these dogs.

They are also delicious just on their own. This is a just a great quick dinner for those busy days!

The kids will love this dish and they also make a great party dish for grown ups!

I purchased all my ingredients at Aldi for about $10. So this is also an affordable dinner!

These can also be baked in the oven for about 15 minutes on 350 degrees, if you don’t have or want to use a grill.

Speaking of using the oven, did you know the oven is a perfect way to cook bacon on its own? It’s true!

Enjoy!

For another tough day dinner, try out my Sweet Corn and Arugula Dumplings.