Anthony Bourdain Loved This Hot Dog Stand On Kauai's Most Famous Beach

Through his television shows like "The Layover" and "No Reservations," Anthony Bourdain taught viewers about cultures all over the world through local cuisine. He spent time in restaurant kitchens and spoke with regulars in both major tourist cities and places more off the beaten path. This allowed him to try surprising dishes that viewers were perhaps not expecting from some of his destinations. Among these unexpected discoveries was hot dogs in Hawaii.

On the Hawaiian island of Kauai, you'll find Puka Dog Hawaiian Style Hot Dogs — more commonly known simply as Puka Dog. This locally owned and operated hot dog stand has been a mainstay of Hawaii's stunning Poipu Beach for years. On an episode of "No Reservations," Puka Dog received Bourdain's seal of approval on his own unforgettable trip to Kauai. "The toasted bun, while disturbing in appearance, is ingenious in design," Bourdain said (per Eat Like Bourdain). He was referring to the fact that Puka Dog's fresh-baked and expertly toasted Hawaiian sweet bread buns do not open like a book, but instead completely enclose the hot dog similar to a corn dog's casing.

Puka Dog serves an American staple associated with New York City or Chicago, but makes it Hawaiian. Take your pick from a Polish sausage or a veggie dog as your hot dog base. Then customize it with bursts of flavor like coconut or pineapple relish, guava, passion fruit mustard, traditional ketchup, and more. The secretive garlic-lemon sauce with varying levels of spice is a particular specialty at Puka Dog too. Bourdain opted for a Polish sausage with mango toppings during his visit. Even more ingenious is the fact that the toppings you choose go inside the bun with the hot dog rather than sprinkled on top.

What makes a visit to Puka Dog even better is the scenery of Poipu Beach. This beautiful stretch of Kauai coast should find itself among the best family-friendly destinations for sea turtle lovers. Aside from viewing these incredible animals (if you're lucky), there are plenty of places to have a picnic with your Puka Dog delicacies. But be sure to keep your picnic area clean, as sea turtles are far from the only endangered animals who enjoy this beach.