Merritt Canteen hot dog score

When the judges asked for the Merritt's specialty dog, the cashier didn't even blink before she said, "The Works. You want The Works." That says about as much as anything for this jewel of Bridgeport, the Merritt Canteen. You can describe what the Merritt does with burgers, seafood and dogs as "art," but I think you should toss that word out. The Merritt is unadulterated food that's not created, or made — it's constructed to feed the masses. And no dog probably does that better than The Works. Whether it's a good day, bad day or just another day, it all fades away when you take a bite. It's like stepping back into yourself for a moment. It's a reclamation. The first bite releases a blast of taste and, while the dog is topped with a number of condiments that would make many a dog wilt, its snap perseveres. The sauerkraut, relish, mustard and other flavors blend nicely and are distinguishable. At the end, the last bite goes down in a wave of spicy mustard, which fades like a gentle echo into the final reverberations of a tasty, juicy hotdog.