Words by

Larissa Kyzer

Photo by

Laura Clark

1. Hot Dog Chat 2. A Brief Conversation Held With Strangers Holding Sausages

What’s your name?
Dean

Where are you from?
Fairbanks, Alaska (USA)

What do you think makes these hot dogs so good?
Maybe the sauce? There’s a sweet sauce to it that seems pretty unique to here. The hot dogs we make are spicier.

Describe Iceland in three words.
Kinda like Europe.

What are your impressions of Iceland’s bar scene? Have you heard much about it?
No, I haven’t really.

So, it wasn’t an incentive for you to visit, I guess.
No, I came because Icelandair has direct flights from Alaska now and I’d never been here before. I went to the Blue Lagoon and the lava tubes, went snorkelling in Silfra, visited the church…

So you’ve done quite a lot.
Yep, and I leave tonight at midnight.
__

What’s your name?
Þórvaldur

Where are you from?
I live in Brei.holt [a neighborhood in Reykjavík].

What do you think makes these hot dogs so good?
I don’t know. But I come here every once in a while and get one because these are the best ones in town.

Describe Iceland in three words.
It’s a good place to stay.

Any particular reason?
Well, I was born here. And the freedom and everything.

What do you think about Reykjavík’s bar scene?
I don’t drink, but it’s okay with me. Sometimes it gets out of hand, but I don’t live over here, so it’s fine.

—

What’s your name?
Alexis

Where are you from?
Reykjavík, Iceland

What do you think makes these hot dogs so good?
[Pauses.]

Or, why do you think people keep coming back for the hot dogs here?
Because they are quick, cheap, and always good—we trust them.

Describe Iceland in three words.
Wow. Okay. World-changing. Does that count as one word? [Interviewer affirms—it’s hyphenated.] Crowded. Always awake. [Not one word, but close enough.]

What do you think about Reykjavík’s bar scene?
Well, I’ve worked in a bar for three years, so I’m really into it. I worked at Lebowski Bar for two years and am going to a new bar, Fredriksson, now. It’s being built— it’ll open in a couple of weeks.

When you go to other cities, do you notice a difference in the drinking culture compared to Iceland?
Yes. People can be relaxed and sit and talk. Not so much here. There’re only really a few bars here where you can do that.

When would you say nightlife gets started here?
Midnight.