The Roadside Dogger is the best lunch bargain in Downtown Hartford. For a few bucks you get a tasty…read moresammich, chips, and a drink with fast, friendly service. "But I don't eat at trucks," you say. "Your loss," I say. It's time for a little culinary daredeviltry and to boldy go where you've never gone before.
Normally I review based on ambience, service, and food. Obviously you're not going to have much ambience at a food truck, so we'll bypass that one. Though, honestly, in the shadow of the Wadsworth Atheneum is as good a place as any to grab lunch. If you go Wed-Fri, you can eat on the Atheneum steps, and then visit the museum. Dogger's open on Mon and Tues, too, but just sayin'.
The service is top-notch. Mr. and Mrs. Dogger are good people. They enjoy what they do, and it shows. The food is prepared to order, it's quick, and even a first-timer is made to feel like an old friend.
The food (which is why you're here, after all), is excellent. I've never had a bad meal here. Pulled pork, buffalo chicken (with extra buffalo), meatball or meatloaf grinder, and, of course, dogs; they're all great. The sandwiches are tasty, they're fresh, and I love the bread. There's a certain establishment kitty "corner" to the Dogger, a "stone's" throw away, shall we say, that shall go nameless, which no matter how much I want to like it, I just can't get past the crappy bread. That's why I mention the bread at the Dogger: it's really good.
I suppose my one grouse is they don't carry coleslaw for the pulled pork, but that's not for a lack of trying. For some reason, you philistines who inhabit the Connecticut River Valley don't top your pulled pork with coleslaw (really people?) so Mrs. Dogger got tired of throwing it away. Apparently I was the only one who kept asking for it. It was good coleslaw, people! Ah, well, there's always got to be one little niggle; nothing's perfect.
Do yourself a favor, get over your thing about trucks and head to the Dogger. You'll get good eats cheap, from two really nice people and before you know it you'll be saying to your friends "Hey, let's head to the Dogger for lunch" as they all give you funny looks for going to the truck.