Where to Eat Hot Dogs in Philadelphia
Whether you're looking for a chili-topped Coney or a Texas Tommy, these are our favorite places for hot dogs in Philly.
Bloomsday’s brunch hot dog | Photo provided
Philly has lost some legends in the hot dog game over the past few years (RIP Texas Wieners), but our bars, restaurants and food carts are still grilling up some great dogs. Here are some of our favorite places to get them.
Fox & Son Fancy Corndogs, Market East
Okay, so there’s no bun, just a golden cornmeal batter — but Fox & Son are the makers of one of our favorite dogs around the city. Get yours plain to dip in mustard or topped with cheddar sauce and jalapeños or chili.
A.P.J. Texas Wieners, Market East
South Philly may be out of luck when it comes to Texas Wieners, but the unaffiliated A.P.J. at 47 North 13th Street — which opened in 1922 — serves them the same style, with that iconic spicy brown sauce.
Miller’s Twist, Market East
The good folks at Miller’s Twist will wrap just about anything in their buttery, tender soft pretzel dough — including hot dogs. Get them jumbo-sized or in miniature form as pigs in a blanket.
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Bloomsday Cafe, Queen Village
You’ll only find the Perro Ranchero on Bloomsday’s brunch menu. The hot dog is made in-house, as is the brioche bun, and the whole thing comes topped with black beans, guacamole, salsa, and a fried egg.
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Primal Supply Meats, multiple locations
Sometimes you wanna throw a dog or two on the grill at home, but you might not be interested in all the mystery meat that goes into grocery store hot dogs. If that’s your vibe, pick up a pack or two of Primal Supply’s hot dogs, which are made with smoked, pasture-raised beef and pork, and help support Primal’s commitment to whole-animal butchery.
The Original Hot Dog Factory, multiple locations
This Atlanta-based chain specializes in loaded hot dogs, from the Detroit Coney, topped with chili, cheese, and onions, to the Jamaican Jerk Chicken Dog, which comes topped with grilled pineapple and sweet island sauce, there’s something for every hot dog craving.
Sunset Social, West Philly
Spend an afternoon sipping frosé, frozen margaritas, and draft beers with your friends at Sunset Social, and by the time sunset actually rolls around you’ll be ready for a foot long hot dog and a side of tater tots.
Famous 4th Street Deli, Queen Village
Famous 4th Street’s menu is so huge (both in the variety they offer and their serving sizes) that it might come as a surprise that they have a whole section of hot dogs. We particularly like the pastrami dog, which is a hot dog topped with tons of pastrami and a good squeeze of deli mustard.
Brauhaus Schmidt, South Street
Brauhaus Schmidt makes all their wursts in house, so it’s a good spot to pair a beer with a German-style sausage. Try them on a platter, by themselves, or on a hard roll. Just don’t forget the spicy mustard.
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Antney’s Grub, South Philly
Antney’s filled the hole Texas Weiners’s closure left in South Philly, boasting the same split dogs, stuffed into the same steamed buns, using the same “Greek sauce” recipe.
Loco Pez, multiple locations
Look beyond the tacos at Loco Pez for El Menu Vaquero — the cowboy menu — which includes the Street Dog, a bacon-wrapped wiener topped with pico de gallo, jalapeno, beans, ketchup, mayo, and mustard as well as a version topped with their house-made chili.
Lucky’s Last Chance, Manayunk and Queen Village
Now that Memphis Taproom’s beer garden no longer serves hot dogs (much to our dismay), Lucky’s just might have the biggest menu of dogs in the city with eight styles, topped with everything from pulled pork and mustard-based barbecue sauce to provolone, sautéed mushrooms, and garlic aioli.
Dock Street Cannery and Lounge | Facebook
Franks a Lot, Market East
This Reading Terminal Market comfort food spot is conveniently located on the market’s Center Court, with a menu of dogs, wursts, and bacon-and-cheese-swaddled Texas Tommies.
Johnny’s Hots, Fishtown
This old-school hot dog shack across from Penn Treaty Park mostly caters to truckers, hence its early-morning hours. If you’re not up and about a 4:30 a.m., though, you can still get a unique-to-Philly classic – a hot dog served with a fish cake in the bun — as late as 3 p.m.
Maui’s Dog House | Facebook
Maui’s Dog House, North Wildwood
There are plenty of places to get a hot dog at the shore, but nobody does it better than Maui’s. Traditional German beef-pork-veal dogs with 29-plus different toppings, with everything from standards like chili and mustard to horseradish, sautéed baby spinach, and beer-soaked kraut on offer.
Shake Shack, Center City and University City
The fast-casual icon might be known for its burgers, but it started out as a hot dog cart. The Shack splits and griddles its beef dogs on the flat-top for extra crispy, meaty goodness — and serves them on a Martin’s potato roll, of course.
Lenny’s Hot Dogs, Feasterville
Lenny’s locations used to be all over Philly — and while they’re long gone in the city, you can still get their fish cake combos, Texas Tommies, and variations named for city sports teams up in Bucks County.
El Bar, Kensington
This neighborhood dive under the El doesn’t really serve food, but their no-frills dogs will keep you going when you need it most — be it Monday night karaoke or a boozy summer evening on the backyard patio. Ask for the Kensington Happy Meal before 7 p.m. and you’ll get two dogs, a bag of chips, and a PBR pounder for just $5.
