DINING

Tom's Hot Dogs hits the spot — every time

Jan Waddy
jwaddy@pcnh.com
The Footlong Chili Slaw Dog and Scrambled Dog are two popular stand-bys at Tom's Hot Dogs, which recently moved a few blocks down Harrison Avenue. [PHOTOS BY JAN WADDY/THE NEWS HERALD]

PANAMA CITY — If absence makes the heart grow fonder, imagine what would have happened at two weeks.

Tom's Hot Dogs closed at 555 Harrison Ave., where the local landmark had served customers since 1981, after business hours June 27 and reopened a few blocks down at 416 Harrison Ave. on July 6.

"We closed Wednesday and reopened the following Friday," said owner Pam Armstrong, who admitted fans still got antsy.

Tom's, which sells more than 300 hot dogs a day, won first place in the Hot Dogs category again this year in the annual Best of Bay competition.

On July 7, my husband, son and I were each ordering a dog — or two — at Tom's new location. While I had feared the address change would take away some of the charm, those fears quickly dissipated as I walked past the red tables and chairs through the front door.

"When we were trying to decide how to lay this out, I wanted the feel to be the same as down the street," Pam said.

Though I had remembered this space being larger when it housed the beloved Cheese Barn, it is twice as big as Tom's old location — going from 20 to 40 seats inside, plus another 15 on the covered patio.

"I enjoy sitting outside when I go places," Pam admitted.

The inside of Tom's still felt intimate and cheerful with "sunshine yellow" paint, original exposed brick, and the signature license plates on the wall.

"Customers have donated them; most are signed," Pam said. "I have more from the other location that still need to go up."

And, she's still taking more license plate donations.

"I think it makes people a part of Tom's," Pam said.

Guests can spread out and take their time — without feeling rushed by the counter.

"We bought the building and more room was just an added feature to that," Pam said.

On Aug. 1, Pam will celebrate 10 years of owning Tom's Hot Dogs business, but this month — National Hot Dog Month — she also celebrates owning the building, too.

Originally opened by Tom York, Pam managed Tom's under the third owner, John Drummond, for 10 years before taking it over a decade ago.

"I think it's the quality of the food we offer — it's fresh — and the customer service," Pam said of the restaurant's success.

Pam has continued the recipes (some that originated from Pete's Famous Hot Dogs in Birmingham, Ala.) for success — but "mum's the word" on the secret ingredients and addictive spices that will get you hooked on the whole menu.

On Tuesday, they had me craving another Chili Dog.

"Probably my favorite, hot dog wise, is the Chili Dog and next the Chicken Salad Sandwich," said Pam, who added, "I'm going to be a pickle-making fool today."

Pam, who makes three gallons of pickles at a time, has to do everything in large batches to keep up with the demand. She makes 30 pounds of hot dog chili every other day and 16 gallons of " bowl chili" every week.

"We have a hot dog chili, a bowl of chili with beans and the bowl goes on the chili pie, Scrambled Dog and just a bowl of chili to eat," Pam said. "The spice combination is different in the two. ... The Chili Cheese Dog is the most popular — with sliced American cheese and hot chili on top to melt it."

Though the Scrambled Dog (a hot dog on an open-faced bun with mustard, onions, chili, Tom's sauce, shredded cheese and corn chips) doesn't contain any eggs, it makes a suitable breakfast when Tom's opens the doors at 9 a.m.

"Sometimes we have customers as early as 9, but usually start getting a lunch crowd at 11 a.m.," said Pam, whose work day starts at 6 a.m. "We're already here at 9, so we started going ahead and unlocking the door."

No matter what time you walk in — the smell wafting through the restaurant will bring you to the counter till you surrender. All of the same employees also made the move a few blocks down Harrison, where they are adjusting to the new kitchen layout and additional tables.

"I have to get the pattern, the flow," said employee Henry Jordan. "When I started here in 2005, I knew nothing about Tom's Hot Dogs. For me, I personally like my hot dogs grilled ever since I had them grilled here. Now that's how we do them at home."

Kent franks are grilled on a flat top and served on steamed buns. The 6-inch are a mix of pork and beef, while the fatter Super and Footlong are all-beef dogs. (Veggie also are available.)

With the added space, the employees are now even coming out into the dining room — with order numbers in the ant clips on the tables.

"I personally like the Chili Cheese Slaw (dog)," Henry said. "I love the atmosphere, the customers and most importantly — the boss."

Tom's is open till 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, but Pam has considered opening for dinner for special events (as she did during the Friday Fest days).

But if you're looking for another excuse to celebrate — Tom's will celebrate National Hot Dog Day on Wednesday, July 18, by offering the Downtown Dog (mustard, onions, ketchup, mayo, relish) for 99 cents all day.

Though I never would have ordered the largest dog on my own, after devouring a Footlong Chili Slaw Dog that Pam prepared, I don't think I can go back. It was just the perfect amount of everything — from the chili and sauce I crave to the mustard, onions and coleslaw. I always had skipped the slaw, but its cool creaminess kept me going back till all that was left was a couple of drops of sauce in my red and white paper tray.

But every time I venture out at Tom's, I always am pleasantly surprised — such as when I discovered years ago they also make one of the area's best half-pound cheeseburgers on a buttered, toasted bun. The burger patty is made from the same ground chuck used in the chili.

Specialities: Hot dogs, burgers, chili, chicken salad

Where: 416 Harrison Ave., Panama City

Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday

Details: 850-769-8890 or www.tomsdowntown.com

TOM'S HOT DOGS