The Dawgfather

Eat here? Oh, God, no.
No serious attempt at refrigeration, everything open to the air, not much attention to a clean workspace, and several allegations of washing cooking items in the student union bathrooms — which can be a pig sty on a good day, IMO– and one or 2 tales of gastronomic distress in the office after a Dawgfather visit make me think that most of the reviews are by people either young enough or hungry enough not to know that just about anything else in town is better.
If you’re the kind of person that shares a smelly fridge full of expired condiments with about 8 other roomates, though, then maybe this isn’t far off your daily diet to begin with.

I stopped by the Dalhousie Student Union building as the girlfriend was in for an appointment. I was planning on heading out and get a hot dog from the infamous Halifax food truck.
Then, while waiting for a bit. I was watching and noticed numerous times, Starlings (birds) get into all the toppings every time the woman working the stand would turn her back.
Not just eating a bit. but like climbing into some of them…
Horribly unappetizing and some what stomach turning.

While picking my wife up from a meeting at Dal and after a really long day at work. I was tried and wondering around in front of the sub at dal when I saw this hot dog stand. I knew of the dog father I have been around this city my whole life but never made an effort to visit his stand but since it was a the first real day of nice weather and I was standing around I thought why not. I ordered a veg dog and while I waited the dog father was telling me stories about politics, student life, everything. He was so friendly and nice to be around. I had a hard day and for the couple mins it took to grill up my veg dog he had a lot to say and took an interest in me. Where am I from, What I do what my wife does he was just as interested as a sales person on the floor at duggers mens wear would be in a client. I will be back for sure and even go a little out of my way for a dog father veg dog in the near future.

Every November I look forward to admining a 2 day professional exam at the DAL SUB building. I don’t look forward to it because I get to see hard work paying off in a 4 part intensive exam. I don’t look forward to it because I get to return to a University for a short time again. I definitely don’t look forward to it because of the parking fiasco all around Dalhousie. I look forward to it, because it means I’ll be visiting the DawgFather. There are a few hot dog vendors all around Halifax that are used to a regular clientele, but none are quite like the DawgFather, and I mean that as a compliment to him.
Food: ⁵⁄₅
It’s a hotdog cart, so you know what you’re getting. Delicious phat boy hot dogs, huge bunned sausages, and some flat but tasty burgers. He grills them right there and buys them fresh (or seemingly fresh anyway). He also puts out a full table of condiments so you can pick and choose to your heart’s desire. Try out something new with a spicy flavour, or stick to the original green/​yellow/​red stuff. It’s all delicious.
Atmosphere: ³⁄₅
No places to sit, often a long line to wait through, and depending on the time of yar or weather that day, you can end up freezing or getting soaked. BUT, what should you expect? It’s an outdoor hot dog cart, so you should know that’s a possibility.
Customer Service: ⁵⁄₅
Friendly, talkative, and caring. If you’re hard up for a bite, and he knows you’re a regular, he’ll let you hit him back tomorrow. He trusts the students (who are probably 95% of his customer base) and knows they will be there every day for him. Nice guy, always smiling, always laughing. Hard to beat that!
Price: ⁵⁄₅
Great prices all around for what you’re getting. $ 4 for a sausage, $ 3 something for a hotdog, and $ 2 something for a burger. $ 1 for a pop, and the same for some chips or a choc bar.
All in all, if you need a quick fix of meat cooked on the street (though not street-​meat) then the DawgFather has what you need!

good quality food, good amount of condiments, the dawg father has a bad ratio of facial hair

Hail to thee, Dawgfather, PHD (Professional Hot Dogger).
There is no other street vendor and possibly any purveyor of food in this city with as much personality and generosity as this fixture in front of the Dal Student Union Building. He’s got a van you can’t miss and hot dog and sausages that you shouldn’t miss either. At very reasonable prices and a huge selection of 30+ toppings, you can’t go wrong with the Dawgfather when you need a quick bite between classes, as I often did during by days of higher learning.
First he had more game than an XBox, now more than an XBox 360, he’s a businessman who has been a fixture but isn’t afraid to change.

You know when you hear that something is amazing and you build it up so much in your head that it never actually quite lives up to those imaginary and impossible standards?
Well the Dawgfather is NOTHING like that. I heard all the best, I built up my standards and I was still stunned beyond belief by how good his food is! It was absolutely the best dog I’ve put in my mouth!
I sincerely hope this guy keeps going for years to come, I will most definitely be visiting him often.

Where did these bozos get their reputation? Someone in the coast must owe them money or something as their hotdogs are horrible. They are low quality (hard to tell with hotdogs) always burned dogs that at my BBQ would be thrown out and new ones cooked.
The guy is friendly to a couple of his friends but to customers in general he treats them like they should be on their knees thanking him for his bothering to make eye contact (assuming he does). This guy has a serious chip on his shoulder.
Hopefully a far better vendor opens up in this location assuming they weren’t too scared of this guy.

After reading the rave and lustful reviews of the Dawgfather, I felt compelled to write a little something of my own.
Yes, the people have spoken and I must concur. The veggie dogs dished out at this BBQ are fantastic. But really though, it’s all about the condiments. I could be eating a hunk of cardboard if it’s slathered with enough ketchup, onions, relish and the like. Not that I’m equating these dogs to cardboard, I’m just saying that a substantial amount of condiments never hurt anyone.
Three cheers for V-​Dogs that get the mouth watering and the tummy-​a-​rumbling. If you’re at Dal — rain, sun, sleet or snow — grab yourself a soda and a dog and indulge in the glory that is the Dawgfather.

It is my new life goal to get a photo of the Dawgfather. Dude was voted top restaurant (ha!) in the city on Unilocal for weeks and still, no one has a shot of the van in action. I vow to change this.
Dogs here are tasty treats. I mean, they’re hot dogs so take them for what they’re worth, but still. But if we’re being honest here, you’re really going for the whole Dawg Father *experience*, aren’t you? You can be sure that it will be supplied. Cheap-​ass burgers and dogs, hilarious service and one ballin’ van. Who could ask for anything more?

Oh Dawgfather, what would the students at Dalhousie University (and me when I’m in the area) do without you?
I’m worried this review will come off sounding more like a love letter than an objective critique of the Dawgfather’s business, but can’t it be both?
Ok, it can’t be… The Dawgfather is the greatest hot dog vendor in the brief history of the universe! His dogs are always fresh and delicious, there are always plenty of condiments and drinks and the price is definitely right.
However, beyond the traits of good business that make the Dawgfather successful, it’s his generosity that really sets him apart, not only as a vendor of the street meat, but as citizen of our fair city. As all the previous reviews have stated, the Dawgfather is a very generous man. Specifically, I walked up to his stand one lunch hour only to find I forgot my wallet. I was about to make my way back to work hungry when he offered me a hot dog with the instructions to pay the next time I was around.
«…Is this a trick?» I thought to myself, «is he taunting me?» But he wasn’t and I was very grateful. I paid him back (with interest) the next time I saw him. It was a very nice gesture that he did not have to extend and speaks volumes to his faith in our community and his character as a person.
The Dawgfather can almost always be found outside the Dalhousie Student Union building. Do yourself a favor and head up there today for a delicious dog and a lesson in entrepreneurial spirit!

The Dawgfather has had to fight some battles with the city over the years to keep his business going, but he’s always had the full support of his loyal clientele on the campus of Dalhousie University.
Known for his delicious dogs and his generosity in extending credit to many hungry students, this is a business that speaks volumes about entrepreneurial spirit and good citizenship. And the lineups at the dawg stand don’t lie: his food is delicious and affordable, and a brief encounter with the boisterous Dawgfather can really make your day.

The Dawgfather is the best around!
How do you stand out when it comes to serving hot dogs and other vendor foods in the city? You call yourself The Dawgfather, paint your vehicle and give the friendliest and some of the best customer service people have seen in a long time. The Dawgfather of course does all of this and has for a number of years.
I only ever see The Dawgfather at Dalhousie University which is close enough to downtown Halifax. But if I’m in another area of the city and want food that the Dawgfather has to offer, I have at times gone to Dalhousie just to have a hot dawg ;). And its not just because of the clever name or the fantastic customer service. As far as food from a Vendor on the street goes, his is truly some of the best.
You are definitely not left feeling hungry and he also keeps his prices so low even University students can afford it! The Dawgfather has created a successful business model: Have a clever name people will enjoy, sell high quality products for your industry, do it at low prices and do it with a smile. That is why The Dawgfather deserves five stars.

The Dawgfather, what an amazing fellow. This particular ‘dawg’ vendor can be found outside of the Dalhousie Student Union building pretty much 300 days of the year. You’ll be happy to hear he has his PhD as well! He’s a ‘Professional Hot Dawger’.
The Dawgfather kept me going over numerous all nighters, when i’m not entirely proud to admit, I pretty much subsisted off of this guys dawgs. The Dawgfather carries: sausages, hot dogs, veggie dogs as well as an array of beverages. I believe he’s branched into the hamburger arena as well, although that’s a recent development.
If your student loan has run out and you’re feeling particularly crunched for cash, the Dawgfather will front you dawgs on credit too. His policy is that nobody ought to go to class hungry. The Dawgfather also offered a $ 500 scholarship when I was at Dal and bought one student their books every September. Impressive array of condiments too! corn, pickles, sauerkraut, you name it!
This guy is awesome! Definitely support his business!