Lip-Smacking Detroit Dogs Debuts in Royal Oak

Don’t count Detroit out just yet. Nino Perna isn’t.

A new eatery in downtown Royal Oak, Detroit Dogs at 200 W. Fifth Ave., is sending Detroit mad loads of love – in the form of Detroit specialties.

Perna and his business partner Tony Sacco, have more than 70 years of combined restaurant experience. They’re joining up with two Royal Oakers, Nick Sacco (Tony’s son) and Joel Karboske in the venture, which opened to positive reviews Thursday.

Nick Sacco and Karboske insisted on doing something different in Royal Oak, Perna told Patch in December.

The result is a salute to the mother city, which is redefining itself amid tough times, with a menu featuring Dearborn Brand hot dogs cradled in buns from Brown’s Bun Bakery, served with a side of Better Made chips and Faygo pop.

“We just thought it would be a great idea to create a Detroit-based hot dog store showcasing all the fine things Detroit has to offer,” Perna told The Observer & Eccentric.

The gourmet hot dog business opened Thursday to positive reviews, Perna said.

“People have said they love the concept and have been more than welcoming to us,” he said. “We are really excited and looking forward to the summer.”

There are 12 specialty hot dogs on the menu – the Detroit Dog, the Chicago Dog, the New York Dog, the Virginia Dog, the All-American Dog, the Russian Dog, the Cheddar Dog, the Veggie Dog, the Bacon Chili Cheese Dog, the Classic Chili Dog and the Plain Dog.

And, of course, there’s Royal Oak Red Hot, a spicy dog with kraut, spicy mustard and onion that pays tribute to the home of the eatery.

Have you eaten here yet? Give your neighbors a quick review.