10 Hot Diggity Dog-Friendly Hot Dog Stands

Posted by Scott Tunstall

America’s love of encased meats served in split rolls dates back to 1871, when German baker Charles Feltman opened the first hot dog stand in Coney Island. One hundred and twenty years later in 1991, the first National Hot Dog Day was born... and there was much rejoicing. This year’s National Hot Dog Day is on July 17, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by bringing Fido to a dog-friendly hot dog stand. Whether you enjoy your frankfurters with mustard and onions or smothered in chili and cheese, these 10 hot dog connoisseurs have you and your four-legged friend covered.

I Dream of Weenie

Nashville, TN
Who wants seconds? Photo by Facebook.com/IDreamofWeenie

Housed in a bright yellow Volkswagen bus, this popular Nashville hot dog stand with dog-friendly outdoor seating is music to the ears and mouth. I Dream of Weenie’s menu of crafty concoctions ranges from the traditional Frank and to the Point, topped with mustard, ketchup, onions and relish, to the savory summer staple Picnic in a Bun, slathered in BBQ sauce, maple baked beans, southern slaw and candied bacon. Weekend visitors are encouraged to sample Weenie Brunch featuring Eggs Benny and French Toast wieners. Choose from beef, turkey or veggie franks for your hot dog. Fido can soak up the sun in the adjacent yard or catch some shade under an umbrella table while you chow down on the best buns in town.

I Dream of Weenie is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

Pink’s Hot Dogs

Los Angeles, CA
“Uh, where are the real wieners?” Photo by Facebook.com/PinksHotDogs

Calling Hollywood home since 1939, Pink’s Hot Dogs has achieved just as much fame as the silver screen stars who are often spotted eating their legendary franks. You and your puparazzo can watch for celebrities on the dog-friendly patio while your award-winning wiener is grilled to perfection. The menu of A-list offerings includes The Rosie O’Donnell Long Island Dog loaded with mustard, onions, chili and sauerkraut, the Emeril Lagasse Bam Dog layered with cheese, onions, jalapenos and bacon, and the Lord of the Rings Dog piled with onion rings (of course) and tangy BBQ sauce.

Pink’s Hot Dogs is open Sunday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 a.m.

Superdawg Drive-In

Chicago, IL
The waiting is the hardest part. Photo by @rosie_the_hounddog

With its giant flexing hot dog and winking wiener girl rooftop statues, Superdawg Drive-In has been a hard-to-miss Windy City landmark since opening in 1948. Featuring dog-friendly outdoor umbrella tables and benches in a vintage drive-in setting, this iconic eatery specializes in doggone good Chicago-style pure beef dawgs served on a fresh poppy seed bun and topped with golden mustard, tangy piccalilli, Spanish onions and a single hot pepper. Staying on brand, they also offer Supermalts, Supershakes and Supersundaes to satisfy the sweet tooth. You and your pooch can relax in the outdoor seating area, then take a leisurely after-dinner stroll through Caldwell Woods Park, located a block away on Devon Avenue.

Superdawg Drive-In is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

“I’ll have one of everything.” Photo by Facebook.com/theofficialwaltershotdogs

Walter’s has been cooking hot dogs and welcoming patrons and their pups to the small town of Mamaroneck, NY since 1919. This unique Chinese Pagoda stand is so beloved it’s been registered as a National Historical Landmark. Walter’s trusted family recipe of blended beef, pork and veal wieners are split down the middle, grilled in a secret sauce and topped with house-made mustard and ketchup. For maximum hot dog goodness, order the Double Puffy Dog (two franks covered in smashed potato puffs). If you want to give in to Fido’s begging, order him a snack-sized Puppy Dog served on a mini bun. The dog-friendly backyard seating section makes for an ideal spot to enjoy these renowned franks.

Walter’s is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Hillbilly Hot Dogs

Lesage, WV
“Don’t judge me, I’m a growing boy!” Photo by Facebook.com/hillbillyhotdogs

The truly one-of-a-kind Hillbilly Hot Dogs is more than a roadside joint that welcomes pups at their outdoor picnic tables. It’s also a kitschy cabinet of curiosities that boasts a giant replica hot dog, a van stuck in a tree, a pair of school buses, a bonafide weddin’ chapel and an array of junkyard oddities like rusty bikes, broken wagon wheels and retired bathtubs. The massive menu features over 25 varieties of weenies with hilarious monikers such as Stacy’s Flu Shot, Mothman Dog and The ‘Whazz UP’ Dog. Daring diners with extra large stomachs can also try downing The Homewrecker, a 15-inch one-pound beef frank stacked with peppers, onions, jalapenos, habaneros, nacho cheese, chili sauce, mustard, lettuce, tomatoes and slaw. Consume this monstrosity in under 12 minutes and score a free Homewrecker t-shirt, the perfect Christmas gift for your cardiologist.

Hillbilly Hot Dogs is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

Mustard’s Last Stand

Melbourne, FL
Bacon, bacon, bacon! Photo by @mustardslaststandfl

Mustard’s Last Stand has been serving buntacular beef brats in Melbourne since 1987. There are actually two stands, on New Haven Avenue and on Harbor City Boulevard, and both have dog-friendly patios. The jumbo-sized menu offers canine-centric creations such as the Chiwawa, a hot dog rolled in a fried corn tortilla and topped with chili, cheese, salsa, jalapenos and sour cream, and the Cattle Dog covered in BBQ sauce, melted cheddar, grilled onions and bacon. Other favorites include the Elvis Pigsley, a grilled wiener piled high with pulled pork and bacon, and the Joe Dogmaggio, a joltin’ Italian-style dog coated in marinara sauce, swiss and parmesan. Four-legged diners can chill on the covered patio and enjoy a pup cup of bacon and whipped cream.

Both Mustard’s Last Stand locations are open Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Another satisfied customer. Photo by Facebook.com/DatDogUS

Adorned with festive red, green, yellow and blue decor, strings of twinkling lights and a jazzy logo, Dat Dog epitomizes the laid-back vibe that defines New Orleans. In addition to the tried and true German frankfurter, Dat Dog offers alligator, crawfish, duck and creole style sausages, unique alternatives that speak to the Cajun and French influences infused throughout the local cuisine. Select from over 30 tasty toppings and even go the Greenie Weenie route by substituting the bun for a crispy leaf of Romaine lettuce. Two Dat Dog locations feature large dog-friendly patios filled with umbrella tables where Fido can kick back “Big Easy” style while you get your grub on.

Dat Dog on Magazine Street is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Freret Street location is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Buldogis Gourmet Hot Dogs

Las Vegas, NV
These hot dogs are no bull. Photo by Facebook.com/buldogislv

You and Fido will feel like you've hit the jackpot when you grab an outdoor table at Buldogis Gourmet Hot Dogs in sunny Las Vegas. Buldogis's menu of Korean-style gourmet frankfurters is chock-full of desert heat. Savor hot diggity selections such as the Angry Kimchi Dog coated with spicy pork bulgogi, homemade kimchi, jalapenos and fiery aioli, and the Banh Mi Dog topped with bacon, banh mi slaw, herbs and sriracha aioli. If you’re not the gambling type, classic dawgs with mustard and relish and chicken corn dogs are also available. All links can be either beef, turkey, spicy or vegetarian soy.

Buldogis Gourmet Hot Dogs is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Jack’s Cosmic Dogs

Mount Pleasant, SC
“Are you going to finish that?” Photo by Facebook.com/JacksCosmic

Grab Fido’s space helmet, hop in your rocket ship and blast off to Jack’s Cosmic Dogs to taste a hot dog that’s out of this world. This charming roadside stand features outdoor tables and a menu that encourages you to eat well and prosper. Choose from a variety of cosmos-themed wieners like the Astro Dog topped with zippy onion relish and spicy mustard, the Galactic Dog with chili, cheddar and creamy coleslaw and, for vegetarian Vulcans, the Vegeroid tofu dog. Other treats include Big Bang Fries and Milky Way Sundaes. On National Hot Dog Day, you can buy one dawg and get a second at half price.

Jack’s Cosmic Dogs is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Dog in the Park

Seattle, WA
“Thank you, sir, may I have another?” Photo by Facebook.com/Dog-In-the-Park-Seattle-Center-Location

Located in the heart of downtown, Dog in the Park is the best place to sample the famous Seattle-style hot dog with Fido by your side. Wrapped in a toasted bun and topped with cream cheese and sauteed onions and peppers, the Seattle Dog has made a name for itself in the world of wieners after gaining popularity during the grunge era of the 1990s. In addition to this signature delicacy, the menu also includes innovative offerings like Tofu Kielbasa, Chicken Spinach Feta Dogs and Veggie Italian Eggplant Dogs. Sit at the tables in front of the stand or grab one in the adjacent Westlake Park, where leashed dogs are welcome.

Dog in the Park is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

How are you planning to celebrate National Hot Dog Day with Fido? Leave a comment or tweet us @BringFido!