Eating well is a snap

Eating well is a snap
Enjoy the low-cost, back-home flavors of Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs
Emma Marshall
Wednesday, March 4, 2009

For a hot dog so tasty that it snaps when you bite it, Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs at 3525 E. Colfax Ave. is the place to eat.
The family friendly restaurant celebrated three years of operation last month, and will begin this month by opening another location at Infinity Park in Glendale.
The unique menu caters to the taste buds with a variety of specialty hot dogs that taste like back home, and is paired with an atmosphere that creates positive feelings with a lasting effect.
Owner Steve Ballas takes pride in the fact that a family of four can eat at his restaurant for less than $22, including tax.
Specialty dogs are served on a beef and pork blend of what Ballas calls the best hot dog ever made — Thumann’s — which he ships in from New Jersey. The toppings range from New York Onion Sauce to fried red and green peppers. Yes, it snaps when you bite their hot dogs, and the flavors are so intense that it takes focus to chew the whole bite. A smile follows the first bite, and possibly every single one after.
More than just hot dogs
The menu is loaded with other popular childhood favorites as well. The philly-style sandwich with deep fried green beans and a root beer float is a combination of happy memories and tastes that can’t be found anywhere else in Denver. It almost makes you wonder if deep fried green beans could be the next french fry.
The food will bring the customers in, but Ballas knows what it takes to keep them coming back.
“It’s all about family,” said Ballas.
Ballas remembered his best memories from childhood as going to the hot dog stand in New Jersey with his father. He remembered how worry-free everything was at that time, and wanted to provide a place where people can have that in today’s busy world. The importance of family to the restaurant business needs to be a priority, according to Ballas. He said people were surprised with such incredible customer service at a fast-food restaurant.
Activities
A hot dog stand isn’t complete without an annual hot dog eating contest. A good, but not particularly clean, way to have fun is The Chow Down for Charity Hot Dog Eating Contest Finals, which will take place at Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs. Phil Soderborg will defend his title as Denver’s “Top Dog” on July 26th at Steve’s Snappin Dogs.
Ballas also offers a program called Kids Day Out where the participating elementary schools have days where their students can bring a ticket and have proceeds donated to their PTA. Also, when there is a “free day” at any Denver attraction, people can enjoy a free lemonade at Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs.
Ballas and his wife, Linda, have been in the restaurant business for 25 years. It was Linda’s love for Colorado that brought the couple here, and Steve’s passion for a good dog in Denver that made Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs as successful as they are. The new location running concessions for Infinity Park will open March 7th.
“We are very excited to partner up with Glendale. We want families to come to rugby games and enjoy our food. It’s an exciting adventure for Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs to move forward,” said Ballas.
STEVE’ SNAPPIN’ DOGS
Summer Hours
Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Winter Hours
Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Address/phone/Web
3525 E. Colfax Ave.
303-333-SNAP
www.stevessnappindogs.com