Hot diggity dog! With summer around the corner, that means sizzling backyard barbecues with burgers, various meats, and hotdogs. Whether or not you’re a self-proclaimed grill-master, here is where to go in the city to enjoy Houston’s best hotdogs.
1. Yoyo’s Hotdogs
True Houstonians are well aware of the sacrifice it takes to taste some of the best hotdogs in Houston. The lines that used to line up in front of YoYo’s are stuff of legend – far surpassing the likes of Chick-Fil-A and The Breakfast Klub rivaling only the DMV.
While their brick-and-mortar location is something in the air, YoYo’s outpost in Post market is open. YoYo’s specializes in 100% beef hot dogs. The house recommendation is to ask for everything AKA “All The Way” – a hotdog piled with sauteed onions, cream cheese, spicy mustard, honey mayo, curry ketchup, a dash of Sriracha and topped with sprinkled crispy fried onions.
401 Franklin St Suite 1200
2. Moon Tower Inn
Moon Tower Inn is one of the best backyard patio bars in Houston. In addition to an intoxicating array of craft beers on tap, Moon Tower prides itself on the “best damn dogs and burgers around“. Where glizzys are concerned, the East End District brewpub has 14 mouthwatering rotating options.
The meat used in their hotdogs span the animal food chain. Options for venison, buffalo, pheasant, rabbit, duck, lam, and boar are all available. All gourmet hotdogs are served on pretzel buns.
3004 Canal St.
3. Good Dog Houston
Using Texas-made dogs on artisan buns topped off with fresh ingredients and hand-spun condiments, Good Dog Houston is a hotdog hotspot with locations in Montrose and the Heights.
Options here range from classic to cooky, including the Benedict Franklin made with fried egg, brown sugar baked ham, mustard cheese sauce and roasted garlic aioli, and the Curryous Frank with curried scooter onion relish, cilantro chutney, sweet potato crisps, sriracha ketchup, roasted garlic aioli.
903 Studewood St.
4. Katz Deli & Bar
“Katz’s never closes” are late nighters words to live by. With locations in Montrose, the Heights, and the Woodlands, Katz’s specializes in their traditional deli-style sandwiches that come in up to three sizes.
Options range from their house-favorite Katz Pride with corned beef, Russian dressing, and coleslaw; the Reuben; and the Monte Cristo made with Challah French toast stacked with turkey-ham, muenster cheese, and a fried egg with a side of raspberry chipotle. Katz also serves 12-inch all beef Kosher hotdogs slathered chili cheese.
Multiple locations
5. Kenny & Ziggy’s
Kenny & Ziggy’s, a quintessential New York Jewish deli in Houston, is owned and operated by Ziggy Gruber. With deep roots in a family of deli proprietors, Ziggy, along with his partner Kenny Friedman, brings the rich heritage and classic flavors of New York delicatessens to Texas.
The expansive menu at Kenny & Ziggy’s might make you dizzy, but if you’re here for hotdogs, just take a peak at the Frankly Speaking section. The franks are made with all-beef, natural-casing franks, and come in seven options: for a New York-style dog, take a bit out of Da Bronx. Other featured options include the Reubenesque, Sweet & Saucy, and Queso-Ra-Sera!
1743 Post Oak Blvd.
6. King’s Bierhaus
Nestled in The Heights, King Bier Haus is a stunning Houston beer garden offering both indoor and outdoor seating adorned with twinkling lights, lush decor, and rustic woodland furniture.
This Houston gem stands out as one of the few local spots where you can savor premium German beers and cuisine. Guests can enjoy a wide selection of brews, including lagers, weissbiers, hefeweizens, and dunkels, all served in generous flagons.
So as not to drink on an empty stomach, the restaurant offers a range of German, Austrian, and American cuisine – sandwiches and burgers – including a Schnitzel Sandwich and King’s Reuben Sandwich – schnitzels, and gourmet (and exotic) sausages, bratwursts, and hotdogs.House, poppy seed, pretzel, and sweet Hawaiian buns are on-hand to customize your dog.
2044 E T C Jester Blvd.
7. The Burger Joint
Don’t let the name fool you, The Burger Joint is as much as a hotdog hotspot as it is a burger joint. While there are only four options to choose from, they are all excellent: choices include the classic, veggie, chili queso, and The Big Frank piled with pulled pork, slaw, and barbecue sauce.
Multiple locations
8. Killen’s Burgers
Masters of barbecue, Tex-Mex, and hamburgers, Killen’s is one of Houston’s premier restaurants for all Houston’s favorite food groups. At Killen’s Burgers, patrons can enjoy their special 44 Farms All Beef Hotdog served on a fresh-baked bun.
Multiple locations
9. Turner’s
Turner’s caters to those who yearn for the charm and elegance of classic New York eateries. With its lavish attention to detail and sultry, dim lighting, this swanky restaurant could easily serve as a set for a Scorsese film. True to its New York roots, Turner’s dinner menu includes a “hot dog service,” featuring Texas wagyu hotdogs topped with pushcart onions, sauerkraut, Gruyère cheese, and Russian dressing.
1800 Post Oak Blvd
10. Midwest Coney Connection
If you’re at all susceptible to the proverbial “food porn” as it were, then you don’t stand a chance at Midwest Coney Connection. Midwest Coney Connection exclusively serves dishes that will make you salivate. In addition to their famous wings, Midwest Coney Connection features a fabulous variety of hotdogs including the Detroit Coney made with homemade beef chili sauce, mustard and onions.
2825 Kirkwood