One of Houston’s most recognized hot dog purveyors has found a new home. Yoyo’s sausage will start operating at 8th Wonder Distillery in EaDo from Thursday 9 March.
Known for its elaborately topped hot dogs that draw lines of an hour or more, Yoyo has operated in Rice Village for more than a decade. When the hot dog stand lost its lease at the end of January, the owners began the search for a new place to operate.
Matt Marcus, 8th Wonder’s event coordinator and culinary director, tells CultureMap that he approached Yoyo’s about coming to EaDo. They settled on 8th Wonder’s distillery and cannabis dispensary at 2201 Dallas St., because it’s open later than the brewery.
“I’ve been a big fan of them,” says Marcus. “When I saw them being thrown out, I reached out to them.”
Yoyo’s co-owner Kevin Dang says he and partner Danny Kim (aka, Yoyo) heard from a number of interested venues, but that Marcus’ status as a former food truck owner helped persuade them to try 8th Wonder. He believes the new neighborhood will appeal to Yoyo’s regulars as well.
“I like the EaDo area a lot. It is a growing area that is popular with the younger audience, says Deng. “Our customers liked Rice Village because it had plenty of parking and was safe. I get the same vibe with EaDo.”
For now, Yoyos will operate with the same hours as in Rice Village – Thursday-Saturday from 8pm to 3am. It may change depending on customer feedback or the rhythms of the new neighborhood.
“I was in EaDo on Sunday,” says Deng. “I realized they have a big block party on Chapman and Kirby. I’m considering adding Sunday to the mix as well, mainly for that crowd.”
As for the hot dogs themselves, Yoyo’s differs from a backyard miss in a number of ways. The oversized, all-beef dogs are grilled and butterflied to hold all the toppings better. A layer of cream cheese is placed on the toasted bun. The dogs are then topped with caramelized onions, crispy fried onions and Yoyo’s signature sriracha and honey mayo. Best of all, diners watch the process happen right before their eyes.
“We happen to sell hot dogs, but what we sell is really customer experience,” says Deng. “When you watch us prepare the food, you see it right in front of you. There is no kitchen in the back. They watch us extract the ingredients, cook them, put them together and sauce it.”
Marcus, a classically trained chef who consulted for James Coney Island several years ago, confirms that the Yoyo dog lives up to its reputation.
“It’s a good, greasy thing that will be good for our patrons,” says Marcus. “It’s going to help the whole neighborhood as far as the late night crowds around us.”
Putting hot dogs in close proximity to 8th Wonder Dispensary’s legal cannabis products could be an ideal combination.
“Sausages and cannabis – they’re perfect,” he says.
