Here Ishmael is seen working at his station.  Even at this early juncture, a notable difference between the two establishments is obvious: the peppers and onions at Jimmy Buff's are left sitting in an oil-soaked pile on the grill.  This would later factor into the official evaluation.

 

A behind-the-scenes look at the JB dog assembly operation.  A plus for this place was the availability of Manhattan Special coffee soda, seen here on the counter.

 
 
An interesting sidelight was our interaction with Anthony and Karen Rega of Oak Ridge, there to celebrate their 12th anniversary.  On their first date, Anthony, an Orange native, had brought Karen, a Dover gal, here to sample the famous Buff's Italian hot dog.  She took one look at it and ordered a cheeseburger.  Now, of course, she's a believer.  Happy Anniversary, kids!

 
 

 
 
 
But back to our story. Our on-site evaluations were as follows:

Bob found the Buff's dog "kinda disappointing.  The bread was a little dry, and sliced unevenly."  He likewise found the potatoes "too thick, and soggy."  Bob had a Stewart's Black Cherry with his dog and used five napkins.

Don said the dog measured up "to the normal standard -- par excellence."  He termed the bread "good" and the vegetables "excellent, but not enough peppers."  He also had a Manhattan Special and claimed to have used but one napkin.

Lucia likewise found the peppers and onions "very good" and the bread "tasty but it fell apart easily."  And the mustard was "just right."  She quaffed a Stewart's Diet Root Beer and used three napkins.

Fred was "not sure" how to evaluate the Buff's dog, as "it's my first one."  He did comment, though, that there was "too much potatoes, not enough peppers."  Overall, he said, it was "tasty."  Fred enjoyed a Stewart's Birch Beer with his meal and used two napkins.

This writer found the Buff's dog a "soggy disappointment."  Within minutes the sandwich fell apart, and the vegetables were greasy, especially the potatoes.  A Manhattan Special accompanied the dog, and five napkins were sacrificed for the occasion.

Note: Observer Doris called her steak sandwick "OK" but complained there were not enough peppers.

 
 
Onward to Part Three