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CNN Saturday Morning News

Would You Buy a $19 Wiener?

Aired May 17, 2003 - 08:55   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Now this story from my hometown, New York City, where else? The restaurant that brought you the $41 hamburger now has a wiener that costs $19.
ROBIN MEADE, CNN ANCHOR: What?

COOPER: A $19 wiener. Who knew?

MEADE: It had better be good.

COOPER: As Jeanne Moos reports, it isn't your run of the mill -- take a look at the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is a hot dog so humongous, diners gasp at its arrival. This 12 ounce dog could give a regular foot long an inferiority complex.

(on camera): You haven't heard any complaints yet about the size?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. We have, you know, everything's big at The Homestead.

MOOS (voice-over): Old Homestead Steak House, home of the $41 Kobe beef burger, has now added a $19 wiener to the menu. At least it come with fries.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because this is the most decadent hot dog you can possibly get.

MOOS: But it's not the size, it's the Kobe beef that lets them charge 19 bucks -- pampered, beer fed, massaged cattle produce extra flavorful marbled meat.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I grind this here and I season it up with my special seasonings.

MOOS: The restaurant recommends truffle infused mustard, or one of three special toppings -- Kobe beef chili, Vidalia onion and peppers or Cheshire and cheddar cheese. The tricky part is figuring out how to fit this frankfurter in your mouth.

(on camera): To be frank, it really is good.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know where to begin. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow, that's really good.

MOOS (voice-over): The Old Homestead's owner, Mark Sherry, goes even further.

MARK SHERRY, OWNER, THE OLD HOMESTEAD: It produces what I feel is the greatest hot dog in the world.

MOOS: Yes, but isn't that what they all say? Here at Gray's Papaya, the recession special gets you two franks and a drink for $2.45. We invited diners outside for a little taste test on the hood. Some said what you'd say to any puppy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good dog.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's awesome.

MOOS: But the $19 dog had its detractors.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've got to stand by my recession special.

MOOS: This dog is too big for its bun, brioche bread buns.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: These are custom made for us.

MOOS: The Kobe dog could change the pace of the hot dog eating contest. But like any dog with a pedigree, it comes at the price.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's about $2 a bite.

MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired May 17, 2003 - 08:55   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Now this story from my hometown, New York City, where else? The restaurant that brought you the $41 hamburger now has a wiener that costs $19.
ROBIN MEADE, CNN ANCHOR: What?

COOPER: A $19 wiener. Who knew?

MEADE: It had better be good.

COOPER: As Jeanne Moos reports, it isn't your run of the mill -- take a look at the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It is a hot dog so humongous, diners gasp at its arrival. This 12 ounce dog could give a regular foot long an inferiority complex.

(on camera): You haven't heard any complaints yet about the size?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. We have, you know, everything's big at The Homestead.

MOOS (voice-over): Old Homestead Steak House, home of the $41 Kobe beef burger, has now added a $19 wiener to the menu. At least it come with fries.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because this is the most decadent hot dog you can possibly get.

MOOS: But it's not the size, it's the Kobe beef that lets them charge 19 bucks -- pampered, beer fed, massaged cattle produce extra flavorful marbled meat.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I grind this here and I season it up with my special seasonings.

MOOS: The restaurant recommends truffle infused mustard, or one of three special toppings -- Kobe beef chili, Vidalia onion and peppers or Cheshire and cheddar cheese. The tricky part is figuring out how to fit this frankfurter in your mouth.

(on camera): To be frank, it really is good.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know where to begin. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Wow, that's really good.

MOOS (voice-over): The Old Homestead's owner, Mark Sherry, goes even further.

MARK SHERRY, OWNER, THE OLD HOMESTEAD: It produces what I feel is the greatest hot dog in the world.

MOOS: Yes, but isn't that what they all say? Here at Gray's Papaya, the recession special gets you two franks and a drink for $2.45. We invited diners outside for a little taste test on the hood. Some said what you'd say to any puppy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good dog.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's awesome.

MOOS: But the $19 dog had its detractors.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've got to stand by my recession special.

MOOS: This dog is too big for its bun, brioche bread buns.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: These are custom made for us.

MOOS: The Kobe dog could change the pace of the hot dog eating contest. But like any dog with a pedigree, it comes at the price.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's about $2 a bite.

MOOS: Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com