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Food & Drink / Restaurants & Dining

Best Under-the-Radar Hot Dog Stands Across America

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Four oval-shaped baked pastries inspired by under-the-radar hot dog stands, filled with diced vegetables and topped with zigzagged mayonnaise, served on a red tray with a side of pickled green peppers.
Mike H. / Yelp

There’s no better American tradition than a hot dog. With so many regional differences, every hot dog is a statement about where it’s from. And if you want something better than what you can grill up at home, check out one of the top 20 under-the-radar hot dog stands across the country.

Garcia’s Hot Dogs

A close-up of a hot dog in a bun topped with diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, chopped onions, and sliced jalapeños, served on foil—just the kind of treat you'd find at under-the-radar hot dog stands, with parked cars visible in the blurry background.
Allison F./Yelp

Indianapolis

It’s easy to drive past Garcia’s Hot Dogs stand, located on the east side of Indianapolis. The modest stand may not look like much from the outside, but the long lines give away that it is something special. Try the Chicago dog — just make sure you have both hands ready.

Stuggy’s

A breaded and fried fish fillet in a bun, topped with chopped cilantro, green onions, purple cabbage, and drizzled with mustard, all wrapped in shiny foil.
Nelu R. / Yelp

Baltimore

Baltimore is more famous for crab cakes than hot dogs, but Stuggy’s will change your mind. Open since 2010, Stuggy’s has turned hot dogs on their head. Try their Crab Mac n Cheese or the Bruce Lee, a hot dog wrapped in an egg roll.

Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs

Three hot dogs wrapped in foil, each topped with different ingredients such as melted cheese, diced onions, bacon bits, and various sauces, displayed on a wooden table.
Connie C. / Yelp

Denver

If you want something besides a standard beef or pork hot dog, head to Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs. They carry ostrich, rattlesnake, and rabbit, as well as wild boar hot dogs. But you can also try more standard fare, like chicken, Southwest buffalo, and even a vegan hot dog.

Buldogis Gourmet Hot Dogs

A grilled hot dog in a bun topped with chopped jalapeños, grilled meat, shredded lettuce, and drizzled with a creamy orange sauce, served in a white foam takeout container.
Aaron H. / Yelp

Las Vegas 

If you want your hot dogs with a Korean twist, head to Buldogis Gourmet Hot Dogs in Las Vegas. They offer the Bulgogi dog, made with beef bulgogi and Asian slaw, or the Angry Kimchi, which includes spicy kimchi and spicy pork bulgogi.

El Guero Canelo

Three hot dogs in buns topped with chopped tomatoes, onions, mustard, and mayonnaise, served on paper trays with yellow peppers on a red tray.
Brent P. / Yelp

Tuscon, Arizona

While other stands on this list exclusively focus on hot dogs, El Guero Canelo also includes Mexican favorites. But if you go here, you have to try the Chuco dog, which includes jalapeños, diced tomatoes and more.

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International House of Hot Dogs & Goodies

A takeout container holds crinkle-cut French fries and a sandwich topped with grilled onions and a generous drizzle of sauce.
Kamil A. / Yelp

Anchorage, Alaska

If you ever find yourself in Anchorage, take a detour to the International House of Hot Dogs & Goodies. They offer a variety of specialty dogs, including a Hawaiian with pineapple, ham, and BBQ sauce, and an Alaskan dog, made with reindeer.

Red Top Hot Dogs

A gourmet hot dog in a pretzel bun topped with melted cheese, chopped bacon, sliced pickles, and a drizzle of mustard—much like the creations from under-the-radar hot dog stands—served on a rustic wooden surface.
Red Top Hot Dogs

Louisville, Kentucky

In a city known for building baseball bats, it makes sense that Louisville is also home to a famous hot dog stand: Red Top Gourmet Hot Dogs. If you stop by, try the Wagyu 4/1, served on a soft pretzel roll.

El Mago de las Fritas

A hot dog in a yellow bun topped with crispy fried onions and a drizzle of creamy sauce, served on wax paper—just like those found at under-the-radar hot dog stands. In the background, there are fries and a drink.
Lili M. / Yelp

Miami

Hot dogs aren’t the star of the menu at El Mago de las Fritas. Instead, they’re an underrated attraction. If you love a lot of extra meat on your dog, try the Confundoggy, served with pulled pork, ham and swiss, or Mago’s Meaty Dog, which includes ham croquetas.

Matt’s Famous Chili Dogs

Two hot dogs in a red basket; one topped with chili, the other with a pickle spear, onions, relish, and peppers, all on white buns with a paper liner underneath.
Jason P. / Yelp

Seattle

Seattle is known for being a hipster enclave, but there’s nothing pretentious about Matt’s Famous Chili Dogs. Established in 1992, this eatery specializes in basic hot dogs, like a Chicago Dog or a Chili Dog. But you can also try the Veggie Sausage, a Seattle Dog (with grilled onions and cream cheese), or the Southern Slaw Dog, with onion, chili, and coleslaw.

Dog House Drive In

A hot dog in a bun topped with chopped onions and a generous amount of brown chili sauce, served on white sandwich paper.
Tim C. / Yelp

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Restaurants featured on TV shows often get a bad rap, but that’s not the case for the Dog House Drive In, located in Albuquerque, the home turf of “Breaking Bad.” Here, you’ll find classic hot dog options, as well as other diner staples.

Fort Wayne’s Famous Coney Island Wiener Stand

Three hot dogs topped with chopped onions and chili are served on a white plate next to a dark, fizzy drink in a plastic cup on a white table.
Dale B. / Yelp

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Many people think about New York’s Coney Island when they imagine a coney dog, but that’s how hot dogs are often referred to in the Midwest. Fort Wayne’s Famous Coney Island Wiener Stand is famous for its coney dogs, served with mustard, coney sauce, and onions.

Gene & Jude’s

A hot dog with mustard, relish, and chopped onions in a bun sits on parchment paper next to a serving of crispy, golden French fries.
Douglas A. / Yelp

River Grove, Illinois

Just outside of the heart of Chicago is Gene & Jude’s, known to most locals in the area for serving the best hot dogs. Nothing is fancy here, but you’ll find the best example of a simple Chicago Dog. Makes sense for a place that’s been around since 1946.

Puka Dog Hawaiian Style Hot Dogs

Two hot dogs in split bread rolls topped with melted cheese and sauce, held in someone’s hand with a grassy outdoor background.
John L. / Yelp

Koloa, Hawaii

These hot dogs are complemented by one of four types of garlic lemon sauce and one of six tropical relishes, including mango relish, star fruit relish and, of course, pineapple relish at Puka Dog. Choose from a Polish or veggie dog to start.

Blackie’s Hot Dog Stand

A hand holds a hot dog topped with green relish in front of a vintage sign reading "BLACKIE'S with OUR HOME MADE RELISH," capturing the charm of under-the-radar hot dog stands inside a nostalgic restaurant.
Jon R. / Yelp

Cheshire, Connecticut

When you think of hot dogs, the state of Connecticut doesn’t immediately come to mind. But if you’re in the area, stop by Blackie’s. They have a hot pepper relish that will instantly sear itself in your brain.

Barrio Dogg

Two gourmet hot dogs topped with colorful ingredients and edible flowers are served on trays with napkins. Behind them are two drinks in plastic cups with rims coated in chili powder, labeled “Barrio Dogg.”
Michelle H. / Yelp

San Diego

San Diego is more famous for its fish tacos. However, that’s not the case at Barrio Dogg. Their dogs bring a Chicano flavor to hot dogs, with toppings like cilantro, habanero peppers, and salsa.

Original ScoopDog

Two takeout hot dogs in foam containers, one topped with chili and onions, the other with cheese and onions, sit next to a drink with a straw and cup of ice cream with caramel, nuts, and a cherry, all on a car console.
Eric P. / Yelp

North Little Rock, Arkansas

The all-beef hot dogs at Original ScoopDog are served a variety of ways. If you want to stay local, try the Sooey Dog which comes with BBQ sauce. But you can also find other styles, like the Chicago Dog, Detroit Dog, or Kansas City dog.

The Vanguard

Five gourmet hot dogs with creative toppings and a serving of loaded fries sit next to a glass of beer, showcasing flavors found at the best under-the-radar hot dog stands—each dog topped with pickles, onions, mustard, vegetables, and cheese.
Meghan L. / Yelp

Milwaukee

The Dairy State is the perfect place to try a hot dog, especially at Milwaukee’s The Vanguard. Our suggestion? Try the Milwaukee Dog, with cheese curds, cheddar cheese, and, surprisingly, cheese whiz. Another great option is the Pittsburgh Dog, with vinegar slaw, fries, and ranch dressing.

Dat Dog

Two loaded hot dogs with different toppings and a serving of tater tots with ketchup are arranged on parchment paper on a blue table, with napkins and a drink in the background.
Andrea S. / Yelp

New Orleans

The Nawlins flavor is alive and well at Dat Dog in New Orleans. We recommend the Crawfish Special, served with crawfish sausage, creole mustard, and crawfish etouffee. You can go in another direction and pick the Rougarou, made with alligator sausage.

D&B’s Hot Dogs, Burgers and Ice Cream

Two sweet dessert hot dogs topped with chopped nuts, white and dark chocolate sauces, and drizzles of marshmallow cream, served in a paper-lined basket.
Kristen N. / Yelp

Knoxville, Tennessee

Outrageous dogs are the standard at D&B’s Hot Dogs Burgers and Ice Cream in Knoxville. It’s hard to choose just one of these dogs, but we love the Hawt, which is served with chili, jalapenos, sour cream, and Monterey jack cheese.

George’s Coney Island Hot Dogs

A table with two hot dogs topped with chili and onions, two plain hot dogs with mustard and onions, two whole pickles, two cans of diet Polar soda, and two small Table Talk pies, one blueberry and one chocolate.
Jess L. / Yelp

Worcester, Massachusetts

If you want a new take on a hot dog, look elsewhere. George’s Coney Island Hot Dogs is the best place to get a basic hot dog. The most exciting topping you can add is chili sauce — just the way we like it.

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High angle view of freshly grilled hot dogs with various condiments like barbecue sauce,pulled pork,coleslaw,sauerkraut,pretzels,tzatziki,cucumber and kalamata olives
kajakiki/istockphoto

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