More hot dogs and another One Heart

A hot dog bar opened on Tacoma's Sixth Avenue last week. I've been in twice but haven't blogged about it until now because I'm lukewarm on The Red Hot.

The concept is certainly welcomed: A beer bar that serves hot dogs. The prices are right: $3-$3.75 for franks, brats and Polish dressed with kraut, chili, slaw and other toppings.

I liked the poppyseed buns on three dogs I ordered. The dogs, however, had as much bite as a toothless terrier. Mealy was more like it.

The kitchen closes a couple of hours before the bar, so prepare for an early last call on those hot dogs as the steam table and bun warmer are put up for the night.

Decor-wise, I like The Red Hot. It has devilishly divey vibe, one I wishes that Cans, downtown Tacoma's self-proclaimed dive bar, had. Dog-wise, The Red Hot has some catching up to do with the likes of Hot Rod Dog near the UWT campus and Klem's in Auburn. Even Cans' dog, at about twice the price, is twice as good as The Red Hot's chili dog.

The Red Hot: 2914 6th Ave., Tacoma; 253-779-0229. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-midnight Fridays, 2 p.m.-midnight Saturdays.

One Heart Cafe opened its second downtown Tacoma location last week, in the Merlino Arts Center space formerly occupied by Kickstand Cafe, next to the Grand Cinema.

One Heart serves coffee, pastries, sandwiches, salads and soups (the latter from nearby Infinite Soups).

The cafe is colorful and cozy, accented with African art, comfy furniture.

Wi-Fi is de rigeur these days so One Heart one-ups that, by offering free Internet access at four terminals with window seating.

Look for the bright red Adirondack chairs and the bowl of water for dogs out front.

One Heart Cafe: 604 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma; 253-722-2940. Also at 1117 Broadway Ave. Ste 301, Tacoma.

This story was originally published August 23, 2007 at 2:24 AM with the headline "More hot dogs and another One Heart."