Best Under-the-Radar Hot Dog Stands Across America

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Regina K./ Yelp & Pat S./ Yelp

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Regina K./ Yelp & Pat S./ Yelp

America's Tastiest Tradition

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 hot dog stands across the country.

Garcia’s Hot Dogs Indianapolis
Allison F. / Yelp

Garcia’s Hot Dogs

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 Baltimore
Nelu R. / Yelp

Stuggy's

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
Connie C. / Yelp
Buldogis Gourmet Hot Dogs
Aaron H. / Yelp

Buldogis Gourmet Hot Dogs

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
Brent P. / Yelp

5. El Guero Canelo

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.

International House of Hot Dogs & Goodies
Kamil A. / Yelp

6. International House of Hot Dogs & Goodies

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
Ali B. / Yelp

7. 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.

Mago's Meaty Dog
Lisa L. / Yelp

8. El Mago de las Fritas

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
Jason P. / Yelp

9. Matt's Famous Chili Dogs

Seattle

Seattle is known for being a hipster enclave, but there’s nothing pretentious about Matt's Famous Chili Dogs. Around since 1992, this eatery focuses on serving basic hot dogs, like a Chicago Dog or 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
Tim C. / Yelp

10. Dog House Drive In

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
Dale B. / Yelp

11. Fort Wayne's Famous Coney Island Wiener Stand

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

https://www.fortwaynesfamousconeyisland.com/

 is famous for its coney dogs, served with mustard, coney sauce and onions.

Gene & Jude's
Douglas A. / Yelp

12. Gene & Jude's

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
John L. / Yelp

13. Puka Dog Hawaiian Style Hot Dogs

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
Jason P. / Yelp

14. Blackie's Hot Dog Stand

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
Michelle H. / Yelp

15. Barrio Dogg

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
Eric P. / Yelp

16. Original ScoopDog

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
Meghan L./ Yelp

17. The Vanguard

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, or the Pittsburgh Dog, with vinegar slaw, fries and ranch dressing.

Dat Dog
Andrea S. / Yelp

18. Dat Dog

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.


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D&B's Hot Dogs, Burgers and Ice Cream
Kristen N. / Yelp

19. D&B's Hot Dogs, Burgers and Ice Cream

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
Jess L./ Yelp

20. George's Coney Island Hot Dogs

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.


Hungry for more? Check out our round-up of the best hot dog stands across the U.S.