Dog lovers -- hot dog lovers -- finally have a country of their own: Dog Nation Grill in Aberdeen.

Located on the corner of Poplar and Maple Streets, Dog Nation Grill has reinvented an old Esso station, which was home to the Raspberry Swan Bakery most recently.

"I drove past this place every day and finally found out who the owners were, but they weren't interested in selling, so we're leasing it," said Jack Berggren, Dog Nation owner. "I leased it and didn't know what I wanted to do with it, but I knew it would be a restaurant."

Berggren opened this hot dog haven in early February, and it's been more than well-received. It's been catering to a full house ever since.

"We had 20 people waiting to be seated at one point," he said.

Local baker Max and Moritz couldn't keep up with Dog Nation's orders of baguettes. The bakery made 1,200 baguettes for Berggren and finally had to back off to keep up with the rest of his orders.

Berggren said the restaurant has gone through about 35 giant vats of chili since its opening.

The grill is furnished with tables and chairs from his other business, Pinnacle Furnishings for casinos. Patrons sit outside under the building's portico, heated by portable heaters and a free-standing stone fireplace. Berggren also plans to lay a deck along the creek for more seating. Eventually, he'll have the capacity to seat 110 customers.

Dog Nation also accepts large call-in lunch orders.

Customers can come for the fun family atmosphere, but it'll be the hot dogs that keep them coming back. The menu features big, quarter-pound Chicago hot dogs, New York City's favorite street corner hot dog, Sabbretts, and DSF Brats.

Toppings range from the usual: kraut, relish, mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup or raw onions, to homemade cole slaw, chili, tomatoes, salsa, cheddar cheese and sauted onions. People with more refined tastes can choose from brie, goat cheese, blue cheese or creamy havarti to top their dogs.

Hand-cut and made-to-order Idaho french fries are also available.

Beverages include iced tea, Pepsi products, coffee and four kinds of beers.

Dog Nation Grill is located at 301 N. Poplar St. in Aberdeen. Call 944-3644 for orders. It's open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, although Berggren says the closing hours are subject to change according to the crowd Dog Nation draws.

Contact Mary Griffin at mgriffin@thepilot.com.