Article and photos by D. Robert Wolcheck

This Saturday, despite the heat and other meat-based events being hosted in Brooklyn, hundreds of people came to Clinton Hill to cook, eat, and judge more than twenty innovative ways to serve Applegate wieners at the 2011 Great Hot Dog Cookoff.  Proceeds (and non-pork leftovers) went to Food Bank for New York City.

With Waverly Avenue closed off between Fulton and Atlantic, the event was essentially a hot dog only cookout/block party, complete with DJ, flowing Kelso beer, friends, dancing, and a lawn sprinkler to cool down. And while everyone had their fill and a good time, it was still a competition. The big winners of the day were David Estorino and Danielle Caputo Estorino who took top prize from the judges with their “You’re Going to Need a Bigger Boat” lobster roll/hot dog combination. The crowd favorite was Adam Nalewajek & Carolyn Gamanos’ “Southwest Harlem Corn/Dog.”

If you weren’t there to taste the creations, you can whet your appetite for tube steak by checking out the official menu and browsing our photo gallery.