The devil’s food is dryer than the typical Hostess or Dolly Madison cake.
To me, this is what gives them a unique taste, though others not used to it may not like it. This might be the problem they’ve had in expanding. The closest thing I could compare a Devil Dog to would be Little Debbie’s Devil Cremes or Twins, but they are not that dry, and neither as sugary tasting.
(They look nearly identical to the Devil Cremes, with the rounded off edges looking like a hot dog bun; but I don’t think those are sold everywhere either.)

The golden cake used in the Sunny Doodles also has a unique taste. A little moister than the devil’s food, but still so different from a Twinkie. Both "Doodles" are cr�me filled cupcakes left in the paper baking cups, and with no icing on top, the hole the creme is inserted is visible in the "risen" center. With the Sunny Doodle, you have the golden brown crust on top.