Okay, so we all know that hotdogs aren’t exactly good for you. Those of us who eat meat, though, also know that for some reason, those lips and a**holes (as my grandfather called them) just hit the spot on a warm summer evening.
If that’s you, here’s a list of some amazing places to grab a hotdog, no matter what state you’re in – and no, they’re not at major league ballparks, though those are always a good bet.
Chris’ Favorite Hot Dogs (Montgomery, Alabama)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxsQdDGFZZM/
Presidents, musicians, authors, movie stars, governors…you name it, they’ve eaten at Chris’ since they opened in 1917. You’ll love the famous chili sauce (but don’t ask for the secret recipe!).
Chinook Hot Dogs (Fairbanks, Alaska)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlV3OeeH6mO/
The restaurant is inside a renovated school bus, and their creations range from dogs with bacon and cheese to ones with pinto beans and sriracha mayo. You can’t go wrong!
BK Tacos (Tucson, Arizona)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzRgEM2BYfh/
Their twist on a classic is served on a homemade bun with pinto beans, tomatoes, onions, a secret jalapeño sauce, and grilled peppers.
Bark Bar (Little Rock, Arkansas)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqxw6pAlKwy/
This combination bar and dog park is genius – your pup can run and play while you grab a dog-inspired dog and a local craft brew. What’s not to like?
Cupid’s Hot Dogs (Canoga Park, California)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzWU1lxhnGu/
A couple opened this hot dog stand in 1946 (it’s named after the wife’s sweet nickname). All 3 locations are still run by family members, and even though the menu is simple, people keep coming back!
Harley’s – A Hot Dog Revolution (Littleton, Colorado)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsbUta4nuFf/
Their brats are as flavorful as they are creative, with recipes like the Mile High Dog (topped with roast beef and horseradish sauce) or the Italian dog. There’s something for everyone!
Carol’s Lunchbox (Farmington, Connecticut)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWyRsUQgp8W/
This charming hot dog stand steams their franks and piles on the topping – like homemade hot pepper relish. Plus, you may get an impromptu singing performance (if you’re lucky)!
Johnnie’s Dog House (Wilmington, Delaware)
https://www.instagram.com/p/By2pbxQgUb-/
With Chicago-style, chili, and even a “plain ol’dog,” this spot has something for everyone. But if you’re more adventurous, check out the Monkey Hill Dog – it’s topped with bananas, peanut butter, bacon, and honey.
Voodoo Dog (Tallahassee, Florida)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsWLSkZlMwv/
This spot will have you memory trippin down an 80s and 90s lane, and their creative hot dogs will have you talking about them for days.
Doggy Dogg (Decatur, Georgia)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Btw_mAJADr3/
This restaurant began at a local farmers market before making the leap to brick-and-mortar. They use high quality, locally-made breads, and you definitely won’t regret stopping.
Puka Dog (Koloa, Hawaii)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BurLkPpHhqh/
If you’re up for a twist on an original, these dogs are placed on a sweet roll and dressed with a lemon-garlic sauce and tropical relishes. Sign me up!
Franko’s Dog House (Post Falls, Idaho)
They’ve got speciality dogs galore, including seasonal offerings made from elk and reindeer – you’ll have to see it to believe it!
Superdawg Drive-In (Chicago, Illinois)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzJAfGfB2cQ/
As iconic as it is delicious, this hot dog stand has been family-owned since 1948 and there’s no place better to grab a classic Chicago dog.
Fort Wayne Famous Coney Island Weiner Stand (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BIn3ZzNghJu/
Open since 1914, the shop sells around 2,000 hot dogs every day, each topped with a special, homemade sauce.
Steburgers (Fort Dodge, Iowa)
This family restaurant prides themselves on a seasoned meat sauce – and make sure to grab a frosty malted while you’re there!
Weiner Kitchen (Overland Park, Kansas)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf31U3wFW4l/
Best grab a signature hot dog or sausage – these dogs are made from brisket and wagyu beef and topped with homemade ketchup. It used to be a food truck, but they’ve settled in permanently, thank goodness.
Sky Bridge Station (Pine Ridge, Kentucky)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGhE3gjl6_C/
After you get your fill of hiking in the Red River Gorge, you’ll want to fill up at the Sky Bridge Station – gourmet dogs for days!
Frankie’s Dawg House (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
https://www.instagram.com/p/0TklltIZqE/
You can choose from classics, or test out your adventurous side with duck, deer, or alligator sausage. Whatever you choose, it’s sure to be yummy!
Blue Rooster Food Company (Portland, Maine)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxSrVFoF5uo/
The Blue Rooster‘s upscale take on comfort food extends to its hot dogs, which are locally sourced and full of intriguing flavor combos like the Thai Peanut dog and the Wagon Wheel (bacon, bbq sauce, and pickled jalapenos).
Stuggy’s (Baltimore, Maryland)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKjSD0gAgYQ/
You can grab these dogs at an Oriole game, but if you stop by the restaurant, make sure to try the Crab Mac – a dog topped with homemade mac n’ cheese, crab meat, and Old Bay seasoning.
Grumpy’s Dogs (West Boylston, Massachusetts)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzYPS-_ng6F/
It might be a food truck, but the service and the hot dogs will make you feel like royalty. A favorite? The T.N.T., which is deep-fried in an eggroll wrapper and stuffed with jalapeno cream cheese.
Lafayette Coney Island (Detroit, Michigan)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BQZVeF7AJsh/
Downtown Detroit has been offering dogs from this spot since 1936, and the classic recipes are a closely-guarded family secret.
Natedogs (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbFJG_qh9aJ/
These street cart weiners are sourced from local suppliers and topped with Nate’s homemade mustard sauce and sauteed onions – a combination that earned him the 2017 Hot Dog Vendor of the Year title!
Dis & Dem (Hattiesburg, Mississippi)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvVDlLjgqjF/
Originally from New Orleans, the owners of Dis & Dem are definitely bringing Cajun flavors to their hot dogs – gator, crawfish, spicy sausages, and anything else NOLA that you love to put in your belly.
Dogs N Frys (Florissant, Missouri)
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByWEqgfB7Nt/
Their menu boasts more than 25 specialty dogs and a revolving menu of specials, so you could definitely go back again and again – and they’ve got dessert dogs, too!
Covered Wagon Hot Dogs (Missoula, Montana)
https://www.instagram.com/p/tTmy1EyDoP/
You can find the mobile kitchen at Missoula music and food events every week, and they cater, too. I’d like to get my hands on the Pepperoni Pizza dog, personally.
B&B Grill and Arcade (Bellevue, Nebraska)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt004tygV-_/
The Big B, a bacon-wrapped fried hot dog on a stick, is a must try – and the arcade games and fun family atmosphere aren’t bad, either!
Buldogis (Las Vegas, Nevada)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzn7vmZHnpT/
Korean flavors make these hot dogs extra special – and the toppings like kimchi, nori lakes, and spicy aioli are to die for!
Gilley’s Diner (Portsmouth, New Hampshire)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs1lx9yHwKR/
A Portsmouth fixture since 1912, it’s always packed; their classic offerings hit the right spot!
Maui’s Dog House (North Wildwood, New Jersey)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BW51lupAE3R/
This roadside stand not far from the shore offers 20 hotdogs and 30 different toppings, so make sure you have plans to return!
Foxy Drive-In (Clovis, New Mexico)
https://www.instagram.com/p/bfBxx4AX-Y/
People have been stopping in to grab a classic dog (or corn dog!) since 1956, and you won’t regret joining them!
Frank’s Gourmet Hot Dogs (Buffalo, New York)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlJMMleA579/
If you thought this would be Nathan’s, well, you’re wrong – Frank’s are made on-location with local meats, and locals know to expect a long line!
JJ’s Red Hots (Charlotte, North Carolina)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BziSjlLgIIa/
These gourmet dogs are made in-house and are topped with great ingredients like beer cheese, bacon, and their secret sauce.
DogMahal Dog Haus (Grand Forks, North Dakota)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvnaIQ-BlX_/
Browse their comic books and vintage vinyl before snagging an outrageous-but-delicious hot dog creation, like the Poutinie Weenie, topped with fries, gravy, and cheese curds.
Scooter’s World Famous Dawg House (Mentor, Ohio)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEWGaG_hhv3/
These dogs are deep-fried until crispy and come in three sizes – including a half-pound offering known as the Homewrecker.
The Gnarley Dog (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYEbSFIj62q/
Gnarley Dawg offers fresh ingredients and huge portions, and you can choose from classic toppings or something more outlandish – you pick!
Victory Dogs (Medford, Oregon)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzYrTsRgfUe/
Customers say that a dog from Victory Dogs is like getting one from your bestie – though if you order the Crack’in (two dogs, two sausages, plus 10 more meats, two cheeses, and four buns) you must have some pretty great friends!
Yocco’s West (Allentown, Pennsylvania)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxk-xBjl2ok/
Their famous chili sauce is the same, secret recipe they’ve used since 1922, and you don’t want to leave without trying it.
Baba’s Original New York System (Providence, Rhode Island)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwftdzzBU4n/
The name comes from vendors from ages ago wanting to bring the hot dog craze up from New York, but these are Rhode Island bred and always weiners – not hot dogs.
Jack’s Cosmic Dogs (Mount Pleasant, South Carolina)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwpOQGshOkt/
All of their toppings, including the famous Jack’s Sweet Potato Mustard, are made in-house and are must-tries!
Hungry Dog (Mitchell, South Dakota)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmb8-3gF3bG/
The Egg Dog, Slaw Dog, or something more classic – you can’t miss this spot!
I Dream of Weenie (Nashville, Tennessee)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzlMbSaBeTW/
This one wins best name, and the fact that the dogs are sold out of a bright yellow Volkswagen bus doesn’t hurt, either – you can even start your day with a French Toast Weenie or Eggs Benny Weenie. Imagine that!
Good Dog Houston (Houston, Texas)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BV3o0rpAMdw/
The Curryous Frank, topped with curry onion relish, chutney, sweet potato crisps, and sriracha ketchup is to die for – and the local brews aren’t bad, either.
J Dawgs (Provo, Utah)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzBxRVcFJwm/
Their menu is simple but tried-and-true – quality and taste sits front and center.
Lake Monsters Baseball Games (Burlington, Vermont)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzyC4CuIgde/
Steamed and served with classic ketchup, mustard, and relish, there’s no better way to enjoy a ball game!
Skeeter’s World Famous Hot Dogs (Wytheville, Virginia)
https://www.instagram.com/p/By-z0vqBDbW/
Simply dressed, perhaps, but generations of Virginians haven’t complained!
The Red Hot (Tacoma, Washington)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvXifqTFBKw/
The hot dog slathered with cream cheese is a Washington creation, but the Red Hot has a bunch of other stuff you’ll want to try, too!
Morrison’s Drive-In (Logan, West Virginia)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjvq916A5K4/
Morrison’s has been a favorite since 1947, with their chicken and chili dogs being favorites you won’t want to pass up!
Martino’s (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd1SLznhbtn/
Martino’s has been serving the “best hot dogs in the state” since the 1970s.
Pitchfork Fondue Outdoor Western Cookout (Pinedale, Wyoming)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdQUh9jHi2R/
This spot takes cooking a hot dog over a campfire to a whole new level, and you definitely won’t be disappointed.
There you have it! Enjoy your dogs, meat-eaters!
