Mr. Hanton’s

I love, love, love this place. The only reason why it is getting four stars instead of five is because of the high prices. However, if my waistline and wallet could afford to eat here everyday, I would in a heartbeat.
First off, the décor is wonderful. I love the hot dog wallpaper, the sleek seating, and the red interior. It’s modern, welcoming, and fun. I love being able to sit and eat my handwich and people watch in the Mecca that is clifton.
Lets start with my first ever handwich, the Pioneer Square. I love the sweet sauerkraut and the unexpected addition of cream cheese (unexpected in the Cincinnati area, at least). This fairly inexpensive hotdog is a great «beginners» dog for a first time visit.
My next venture was the Shamma-​lamma-​ding-​dog. The Greek gyro inspired dog is interesting to say the least, and one of the more expensive options on the menu. It tastes fresh, but if you are looking fora gyro, save your money and walk two blocks over to Chicago Gyro.
Finally comes the holy grail… the Smokehouse. Sweet barbecue sauce, cheese-​wiz, crisp bacon, and topped with shredded cheese, this amazing combination is making my mouth water. I LOVE this hot dog. Do yourself a favor and try this. I can almost guarantee that you will be coming back for more.

I was a little disappointed Mr. Hanton’s. The space on Calhoun in the newly erected U-​Square shopping center and parking garage. Mr. Hanton’s does have one of the most recognizable store fronts in U-​Square, boasting big red French style doors making sure you won’t miss their small restaurant.
As mentioned the place is small. The only seating in the place is two chairs at a bar at the front window so get ready to grab and go to eat. They also have a cool soda mix up machine that let’s you create hundreds of concoctions of cokes.
I’ve loved Mr. Hanton’s cart since I saw him roaming around in Mount Adams and enjoyed an everything hot dog late at night. This is the same concept except brick and mortar. I guess I just love the appeal of late night dogs because the food was lacking a little bit here. It was good, don’t get me wrong but I wasn’t as full as had hoped after and not super satisfied.
I got the gyro dog which had a lamb dog with the toppings of a gyro. Problem was I got one tiny tomato and a baby squirt of tzatziki sauce. It tasted dry, like really dry and bland. Not to mention it cost more than an actual gyro at $ 7 bucks. The other hot dog prices seemed a bit high to me as well.
Maybe I ordered wrong, or maybe I just wasn’t drunk. Whatever it was I was severely underwhelmed by my experience. I’ll go back sometime to get a more classic dog though to see if my last order was the issue. Overall not a bad place but I’ve had better, cheaper hot dogs.

I have frequented all of Mr. Hanton’s biz ventures over the years and I have to say this is by far my favorite. I love the new branding overhaul and this place has really come into it’s own.
In the brand new U-​Square at the loop this bright red handwich slingin’ shop is ready to serve you up a tasty sausage any way you like. Choose from all beef franks, chicken apple sausage, hot mett, italian sausage, or goetta dog. The woman behind the counter said they special order their meat from John Morrell because you can’t buy franks this large from a local retailer.
I went with the Disco Inferno which was a double hot mett, spicy mustard, cheese, and jalapeños. I have to say I was a little disappointed in the texture of the mett. I guess I was assuming that it would be in the natural casing. I loved the combo of all the ingredients and a warning, when they say inferno they aren’t’t kidding. This thing is hot.
Also it is important to know that there are only four or five bar spots to sit and enjoy your food. It is mostly take out so we scored a spot at the window bar and enjoyed the hot dog wallpaper (yes, it’s awesome). Overall if you have a hankerin’ for one of those handwiches get on down to Mr. Hanton’s and they will hook you up.

Great late night hours with a wonderful and crazy selection of hot dogs that I would never have thought of before. Also, a special drink machine where you can mix thousands of combinations of Coke products and their varying flavors.