People magazine: Johnnie's has best Delaware hot dog

Johnnie's Dog House and Chicken Shack just got a shout out from People magazine.

The Delaware Destroyer served at the casual Talleyville eatery is featured in the May 28 issue.

The article "Best Hot Dogs in Every State" zeroes in on the double dog from the 3401 Concord Pike eatery that's owned by Mark Raphaelson.

The Delaware Destroyer ($6.99) is two hot dogs served on a 6-inch hoagie roll, topped with macaroni and cheese, chili, grilled onions and hot sauce.

Raphaelson opened Johnnie's in July 2008 in a revamped auto repair shop.

The shop has been selling the specialty hot dog since 2010 when Raphaelson wanted to create a Delaware-themed dish, though it really doesn't have much to do with Delaware other than the name.

Here's the background: Raphaelson asked customers to write down suggestions for a Delaware dog. Someone suggested serving two dogs on a roll and calling it the "twin spans," a nod to the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

Others thought Raphaelson should serve a chicken hot dog since Delaware is a state with more poultry than people.

The hot dog guy combined the suggestions. When he saw an employee mix macaroni and cheese and chili, he decided to pile it on a hoagie roll along with two franks, grilled onions and hot sauce.

The Delaware Destroyer is named after Delaware rocker George Thorogood's former band. (And, no, Thorogood hasn't been to Johnnie's to try the dog. But maybe he will now that's in People?)

For more information about Johnnie's, go to www.johnniesdoghousede.com/

Contact Patricia Talorico at (302) 324-2861 or ptalorico@delawareonline.com and on Twitter @pattytalorico