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6 | Thursday, November 16, 2006 | The Red & Black | Please say you saw us in Athens Living
Hot Dog man moves to
sidewalk near library
By EMILY YOCCO
For The Red & Black
The green-striped awning
blows while the grill sizzles
with satisfaction. The fresh
smell of burgers lures
customers toward the grin
ning guy in the apron.
He remains “the hot
dog man” to many, but
Walter Washington’s
cooking skills and expertise
have proven “LaPonda
Dawgs” to be more than a
quick lunch stop on Jackson
Street.
“What are y’all gonna try
today? A cheeseburger?
They are delicious,” said
Washington as he greeted
customers approaching his
hot dog stand parked on the
sidewalk across from the
Main Library.
Although his location
may be new on campus,
Washington’s smiling face is
not. He and his wife of two
years, Maricel, opened
LaPonda Dawgs shortly
after Washington retired
from working at the
East Campus dining hall in
April.
Walter has been working
the stand Monday through
Friday since he and Maricel
obtained their vending
license in April. However, he
gives Maricel full credit as
owner of the business and
elector of its name.
“La Fonda means ‘noon
restaurant’ in Cuban,”
Washington said.
An appropriate name
sake, considering
Washington’s busiest hours
are from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
He says nothing makes
him happier than seeing
people waiting on both sides
of his booth.
A combination of tasty
food, affordable prices and a
welcoming atmosphere
entice students to sample
LaFonda Dawgs.
For those not interested
in a signature hot dog,
Washington’s hamburgers,
lemon pepper pork chops
and veggie dogs are
welcome alternatives for
pork and vegetarian lovers
alike.
Kyle Thompson, a sopho
more from Winder, usually
orders a cheeseburger, chips
and a drink for $3.75.
“It’s my fifth time here,
and it beats the prices at
the UGA cafeteria,”
Thompson said.
For Megan Ferrara, a jun
ior from Athens, LaPonda
Dawgs is a convenient stop
on her way to work.
“I’ve heard very good
things,” said Ferrara, who
was tasting Washington’s hot
dogs for the first time.
Washington said his
reputation comes from
the fact that he strives to
make his edibles fresh and
healthy.
“If it ain’t right, I won’t
put it out. Students know
that,” Washington said.
In fact, he is so well-
remembered from working
at the East Campus dining
► See HOT DOG, Page 29
Coffee shops on every corner
By WHITNEY KESSLER
wkessler@randb.com
Coffee seems to be one of
the main staples in the
diet of college students
today.
Athens has at least half a
dozen coffee shops from the
big-name Starbuck’s to the
pub/coffee concept, Walker’s
Pub.
Hot Corner took their
sales one step further by
adding bagged coffee to ben
efit local non-profit organiza
tions in a program called
Community Cup.
Katie Collins, a graduate
student at the University
earning her social work
degree, felt like the shop
needed a face-lift.
After being the event
coordinator for a year, Hot
Corner’s owner Ron Shadix
hired her as manager.
“I came in to turn things
around — hopefully,” said
Katie Collins, Hot Comer’s
manager. “I wanted to
make things cleaner, friend
lier and more locally cen
tered.”
Each month a different
Athen’s non-profit organiza
tion is sponsored by the
bagged coffee sold.
September hosted Nuci’s
Space as the organization of
choice.
For every bag sold, 10 per
cent of the proceeds were
donated to the organization.
“The only way those types
of things can keep going is
because people help out,”
Shadix said.
Nuci’s Space is a haven
for musicians. They help
musicians with mental
problems to receive counsel
ing, therapy and medica
tions.
Musicians are also invited
to freely practice at the
venue.
“Now people can walk out
of here and say ‘I helped
Nuci’s Space with this bag’,”
said Collins.
Shadix said he had the
idea for a long time, but was
unable to find the time to
► See COFFEE, Page 7