Metro Atlanta is known as an area where you can get some great food, so it’s a no-brainer that it would be the perfect test market for an interesting treat.

And Oscar Mayer has a question for local consumers about the company’s latest offering: “Is it a stupid snack or a genius dessert?”

The hot dog maker has teamed up with Popbar to create the ‘Cold Dog,’ an Oscar Mayer-flavored gelato on a stick.

Popbar CEO Reuben BenJehuda said he actually helped mold the flavor. “The idea was to recreate exactly the flavoring and the smoky notes,” BenJehuda explained.

The pops were on sale at just a few locations nationwide, including the Popbar in Alpharetta where franchise co-owner Michael told WSB it’s pretty true to flavor: “Once made, it definitely tastes like a grilled hotdog. Like an original grilled hotdog.”

BenJehuda said it’s a hit with those who’ve tasted it: “So far everyone who tried one, seems to be very happy and it hits the spot.”

However, my curiosity got the best of me -- I had to try a ‘Cold Dog’. Overall, it wasn’t horrible and had a surprising amount of flavors in it.

Now, Oscar Mayer does concede that the pop is polarizing -- and that’s just what I found when I asked folks try it for this story.

Here are some of my radio colleagues’ reactions to the ‘Cold Dog’:

Scott Slade, host of Atlanta’s Morning News: “Oh my God, like it’s ice cream that tastes like a hot dog.”

Christina Edwards, WSB Meteorologist: “Oh no. Oh I regret this decision.”

Tim Andrews, from ‘The Von Haessler Doctrine’: “Yeah, very good at the onset, but hmm, I don’t like the aftertaste.”

Cox Media Group’s Chris Crawford: “There’s like six flavors there. Ugh, they’re still lingering.”

Tad Lemire, from the ‘Tad Drex & Kara Morning Show’: “It’s disgusting.”

Paul Ihander, WSB Assistant Program Director: “Not bad at all.”

So the question -- ‘stupid or genius?’ -- remains up for debate and whether or not it’ll be a permanent offering...that’s up in the air too.

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