A new Korean-style hot dog restaurant is opening tomorrow in West Orillia.
Located at 3220 Monarch Dr. (Unit 4), Chungchun Rice Dog has 19 different hot dog flavours and more than 15 different sauces to choose from.
Owner Sachin Patel says the cheese and chocolate hot dogs are the most popular menu items at the other 50-plus franchises across Canada.
Patel, 36, moved to Canada in 2019 from India. This is his first business venture in his new home.
“I’ve never moved anywhere before,” he said. “When I landed in Canada I came to Orillia because I have friends and family here.”
Patel, says moving to Orillia is the best choice he’s ever made, and he plans on staying.
“I like the town,” he said. “Last year I bought a house here and this year I bought the business.”
When Patel started becoming interested in owning a business, he wanted to bring something to Orillia that it has never had before.
“We have a lot of the same pizza, burger, and Mexican food restaurants,” he said. “I wanted to do something new for the community.”
Patel says hot dogs are one of the most popular foods in North America, and adding a Korean twist, which puts the hot dogs on a stick, makes it unique.
“We coat each hot dog in batter,” he said. “Then, we add breadcrumbs and the flavours, sauces, and toppings the customer picks.”
Right now, Patel’s favourite menu item is the veggie and chicken hot dog. He says all menu items are great for busy people who are always on the go.
“It’s ready and easy to just stop in and grab it,” he said. “It’s not dine-in food, it’s kind of fast food and like a snack.”
Every hot dog is $2.99, making it affordable for everyone, he said.
“I want everybody to be able to come and enjoy the food,” Patel said, adding that Orillia is the perfect community to try something new in.
“People accept new kinds of food here,” he said. “People like to try new things here and I’m confident that they will accept us.”
Currently, six to ten people work at Chungchun Rice Dog. The staff is mostly made up of local students, he says.
“We want to give the community good food and service,” Patel said. “We want to be connected with our community and offer them a good business.”
The hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. For more information and the full menu, click here.
