Wannawaf is featured in the July edition of Down East magazine for having the “most imaginative hot dog” in Maine. Owner Anya Heyl said in the height of Wannawaf’s 16th season, the surprise was a pleasant one.

The hot dog in question is one of several off the menu – the Bark & Bite, a dog on a bun topped with cream cheese, hot pepper jelly and caramelized onions. It sounds simple and creative enough, but there’s more to it that puts the hot dog in the spotlight. The dog on a bun is an all-beef frank on a panini-toasted sub-roll. Heyl also added her own personal touch to the now famous dog: banana peppers.

“It’s got all the mouth feel things from the bread being crisp on the outside and doughy on the inside,” said Heyl. “We use really high quality ingredients – our homemade caramelized onions are made from scratch every day. Lots of butter, brown sugar and a little apple cider vinegar.”

Heyl reminisced as she traced the history of Wannawaf from when, at 22, she opened the small ice cream shop with little more than a chalkboard and cash register to the now much expanded outfit as she also runs The Thistle Inn & Restaurant.

Wannawaf doubled in size in 2008 when it also started slinging its dogs. With a regular menu consisting of names like The Boomer, Best in Show, and A Dog Named Jeff, Heyl said the staff, referred to as “Waffle Ninjas,” often come up with some interesting specials.

“Wannawaf’s all about being creative and a little bit more crazy with stuff. I like (the staff) to be influential about what’s going on.”

Heyl said the business at one time ran a special called “The Dirty Dog,” a classic dog on a bun topped with peanut butter, cilantro, raw and carmelized onions, and sriracha.

“Crazy fusion stuff. Hot dogs are just a great vehicle for all kinds of toppings.”

It has become clear to Heyl, Wannawaf has become part of people's summers and that to be on a list with some of Maine’s most notable hot dog places feels really good. Plans to update the logo and put up a new sign have been met with cries of protest from some visitors, said Heyl. Unaware Wannawaf had become a classic, she plans to somehow immortalize the current sign.

“I don’t know where the time went. As much as the Thistle takes a lot of priorities sometimes, I grew up with Wannawaf. I learned how to manage and be a business owner by running this place … This is my baby, Wannawaf.”

The business is in downtown Boothbay Harbor at the end of the footbridge and is currently open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.