When customers walk up to the hot dog bus on Pacific Highway, they usually utter “Oh my dog!” – not only because that is the name of the business, but also because the small storefront offers more than 20 crazy, creative hot dog combinations.

Cousins Katie Manzanares and Justin Turnipseed opened their family-operated business in May of this year after months of brainstorming and tinkering with unique and original hot dog creations.

From the “Elvis,” which mixes the ingredients of the American icon’s favorite sandwich – peanut butter and banana – to the “Jalapeño Popper” – cream cheese, jalapeños and raspberry puree – a fajita inspired grilled Kajita Dog, Seattle Dog (cream cheese, sautéed onions and mustard) – all are served in Oh My Dog’s signature Panini-pressed style. The end results are diverse and inspired.

The cousins say they have been business partners since childhood, when they would sell lemonade or pull weeds from neighbors’ gardens for a few bucks.

Last year, they began talking about opening a small restaurant, and the idea of selling hot dogs was appealing.

“We wanted to do something different – it’s not just your normal hot dog,” Katie Manzanares said. “And this is definitely something different that hasn’t been brought to the Reservation, at least.”

In its first few months of operation, Oh My Dog has certainly filled a unique niche for locals’ lunches, snacks and dinners, as well as providing the novelty of the tasty, unique creations for adventurous eaters.

“Sometimes people read the menu, and they’re scared,” Katie Manzanares said. “But then they try it, and they like it.”

Items such as the “Dessert Dog” – crushed Frosted Flakes, peanut butter and honey – can sometimes make the customers scratch their head, but Justin Turnipseed noted the odd sounding combinations have been carefully crafted to please the taste buds.

“The dessert dog sounds weird, but it’s the perfect combination of sweet and salty,” he said.

“We’ve sacrificed a lot of calories to make sure our recipes taste good,” Katie Manzanares added.

And the business partners affirm that even their mothers – two of the pickiest eaters they know – admit to enjoying some of the more “out there” concoctions.

But for those who may be less adventurous, customers also have the option of creating their own basic dogs, or piling on all the unusual toppings they please.

They also have the option of choosing hot links, Polish dogs, kielbasa or turkey dogs. Veggie dogs and 18-inch links are two more options coming soon.

So far, business has been good for the stand, which began playing off the existing business of the neighboring smoke shop and has begun to generate a strong return customer base. The owners have been able to hire two employees, which allows them to keep the shop open later in the day.

Menu items are always changing too, as Katie Manzanares and Justin Turnipseed tinker with new creations all the time.

Stop by Oh My Dog Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., located at 4315 Pacific Hwy. E. in Fife.