A punked-out French bulldog is the mascot for Po Dog, which just opened up their new location in Ballard at 2014 NW Market Street. This restaurant takes ‘hot dog stand’ to a new level, daring weenies to be dangerous and eat a real hot dog already.

The small restaurant has a very industrial feel to it, with track lights and huge bulbs hanging above a bar top. No liquor served yet, but the location is working on getting its liquor license in the near future to have an adjacent bar. Grey walls and brick jutting out in unusual places give an almost street feel to the place.

Warm macaroni and cheese, creamy peanut butter and sliced bananas, fresh BLTA, and spicy Wasabi eggroll. Normal foods find new identities as they join with 100 percent kosher wieners in shockingly tasty combinations. Field roast vegetarian is also available.

Macrina Bakery in Queen Anne provides fresh brioche buns, also in vegan and soon-to-be gluten-free, while Uli’s in Pike Place supplies the option of sausage, bratwurst, or apple chicken sausage.

The most popular dogs at the Ballard location include the messiest-on-the-menu Chicago Dog, the Texas Dog, and the Deep Fried Danger Dog.

For the not so daring, try the Dub-T Dog. It comes with creamy cheese sauce, crushed potato chips and topped with generous squiggles of ketchup and mustard. The creamy cheese adds a nice flavor to the dog with a light crunch of potato chips. Add shoestring fries with chipotle ketchup, or fried pickle strips with a spicy lemon aioli. All sauces are homemade and unusual, but guaranteed to please.

The Deep Fried Danger Dog has a bit of a kick to it because it is smothered in hot chili sauce. Wrapped in pepper bacon and deep-fried with sautéed onions, this wiener is not for the calorie-conscious. A Po Dog employee recommended adding cream cheese to cut the spice.

Business has been steady since the Ballard store opened on March 23, according to a Po Dog employee. Unlike the Capitol Hill location, Ballard Po Dog customers include families and people getting off work, hungry for hot dogs. Whether it is adding bacon to the PB Dog or jalapenos to the Texas Dog, Ballard customers like to utilize all of their options, modifying the signature dogs to fit their fancy.

The friendly Po Dog staff ensured fast service and enjoyed informing customers about popular wieners, while encouraging them to live a little on the wild side and try new items. Also on the menu are mini all beef hot dog sliders, great for kids.

Happy hour is Monday through Saturday 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday all day, offering $1 off their signature fries and fried pickles, and soon, taps. For more information on menu items, visit http://podogs.com/.