Sally Bjork
“Finally, I got the I Spy clue! It’s the old Le Dog location on Liberty [at] Thompson,” writes Linda Kentes. “They had that wonderful lobster bisque!” “I still miss walking a block from work to get soup” from the stand, notes Spencer Thomas. The clue “bisque happens” refers only to the stand at 410 E. Liberty; Le Dog still simmers downtown at 306 S. Main St., where their famous lobster bisque appears twice weekly.
Though vacant for years, the little red stand remains “a landmark,” says Dyke McEwen. “It catches my eye every time,” adds Kathy Ann Moilanen. Bob Hart praises its “funky modernist architecture,” while Bob Maddox says it needs “some TLC.” Chris Sefcheck agrees the “corner sure could use a facelift.” It’s “such a cool little building,” says Shannon Kohlitz, who wonders why the stand closed.
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Le Dog Consolidates: Building a future on S. Main
The stand—set before a 1936 single-stall garage—began as Clark’s Caramel Corn Castle, running until the late 1970s. Jules Van Dyke-Dobos leased it in 1979, cooking his unique creations there for thirty-five years before consolidating into the Main St. shop after a 2014 kitchen expansion. His wife, Ika, ran the Main St. spot from 1996, joined by their son Miki Wartha. Two years ago, Le Dog was sold to former employee Maria Moncada and her cousin, Karyn Garcia, though Jules and Ika remain involved.
Several entrants noted the name “Le Dog” came from combining lemonade and hot dogs—the stand’s original offerings—reportedly suggested by Jules’ sister. Soups soon followed, becoming local legend.
Thirty-seven entrants identified the Liberty St. site. Our random-drawing winner, Jeri Hollister—a potter—first thought of clay bisque, then “remembered the delicious lobster bisque they served.” She’ll enjoy her $25 gift certificate at Zingerman’s.
To enter this month’s contest, use the image and clue below and send your answer to [email protected].
Hint: Changing landscape. | Sally Bjork