I showed up with a friend and two siblings on a recent weekend to take in standard draft house fare: pitchers of beer and something fried and greasy to eat.

We ordered a fried calamari appetizer ($5.99) as we perused the menu. Scotty B's is well known for its wings and burgers, but I wanted to strike out on my own.

I was looking down the list of draft house standards - quesadillas, chicken sandwiches, ribs, burgers - when something unusual caught my eye.

The Bender Dog.

I should have known it would be hot to handle from the get-go. The place-mat menus described the Bender Dog ($6.29) as "our jumbo hot dog char-grilled and topped with jalapenos, horseradish, Tabasco, hot sauce, onions, American and Swiss cheese."

What can I say? I went for it. And now I think I know why they call it the Bender Dog.

I was only halfway into my second bite when it hit me. My tongue blazed. My nose steamed. My eyes gushed.

The Bender Dog was great - but true to its name, the dog sent me on a bender like no other. I gulped down my drink in huge swallows, trying to douse the fire on my tongue. My guests and I drank two pitchers before it was over.

My guests struggled less with their tasty meals - one went with the comparatively mild but nonetheless rewarding Buffalo Chicken Sandwich ($8.29), - but I suspect they didn't feel as rewarded.

Me, I enjoyed my battle with the Bender Dog.