Cape May County doesn’t quite possess the culinary culture of New Jersey’s northern metropolises. Most people down here don’t even know what tapas are, let alone serve them up. However, when I’m craving a little bit of everything, I make a date for Dogtooth Bar and Grill.
While they do have a large menu of American dishes, Dog Tooth puts little twists on traditional favorites which is why it’s my favorite restaurant in the Wildwoods. Delicious entrees are another article though. Their extensive list of tempting appetizers and “bar bites” makes it impossible to order just one. My boyfriend and I usually order 5 or 6 to share. On this trip we made a feast of the following:
Volcano Shrimp– These crispy bite sized shrimp are covered in molten “lava” sauce, which is some kind of mixture of thick, sweet and tangy awesomeness that is also lip-meltingly spicy. They’re served on a bed of crisp, cold shredded lettuce, thankfully.
Cheesesteak Eggroll– This blends two cultures perfectly. The shell is doughier and has less crunch than a traditional eggroll, but it tastes beautiful stuffed with steak and cheese. It comes cut in half, ideal for sharing.
Kobe Beef and Pulled Pork Sliders– Wipe White Castle out of your mind; these are the most amazing sliders around. The Kobe beef bursts with flavor. It’s tender, juicy and miniature which translates to guilt-free in my mind. The pulled pork was also phenomenal—tangy, juicy and not dried out. Luckily, it was $1 Slider Night so we were able to indulge in an embarrassing amount of tiny burgers.
N’awlin’s Mussels– Sautéed in Creole sauce with real andouille sausage, these mussels turn your mouth into a jazz lounge. They’re succulent and just spicy enough without overwhelming your palate.
Cowboy Fries– These were more for Justin, but I did try a few. Cowboy fries are covered in a blend of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses, bacon and Ranch. I discovered that fries and Ranch dressing are surprisingly pleasant complements to each other.
Of course, the real reason we go to Dogtooth is for their alleged key lime pie. I say “alleged” because I’m pretty sure it’s actually some kind of otherworldly recreational drug. Thick as cheesecake and creamy with a bite of lime, it’s a tart kick to your taste buds perfectly proportioned to satisfy your craving and simultaneously leave you begging for more.
Dogtooth Bar and Grill
100 East Taylor Ave.
Wildwood, NJ 08260
(609) 522-8383
Alison Heller is the Jersey Bites Cape May County Regional Editor. She also writes for Examiner.com and TrendHunter.com. She grew up on the beach in Wildwood Crest and currently works in advertising. After earning her Master of Fine Arts in English and Creative Writing in New York City (a place that was essentially Food Rehab), she stopped putting ketchup on everything and started experimenting with flavors. She loves sushi and cupcakes, sushi that looks like cupcakes, but never cupcakes that look like sushi. www.superalzy.com
