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 the best hotdogs in Houston. The lines 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. Good things come to those that wait and for Yoyo’s in Houston those good things are great dogs.
The hotdog cart 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.
2. Moon Tower Inn
There’s plenty more to love in this Second Ward brewpub. Their patio resembles more of a backyard and is a perfect setting to ride your buzz. Pick your poison from their perpetually stacked menu of local crafts and other wild-named beers of which you’ve never heard. In addition to their melt-in-your-mouth hamburgers, they got the best damn hotdogs in the game. Final note, don’t miss out on their movie nights!
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.
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.
5. Kenny & Ziggy’s
Kenny & Ziggy’s is a New York Jewish deli owned and operated by Ziggy Gruber. Coming from a long-line of deli owners, Ziggy, along with partner Kenny Friedman, imbues the Houston deli with the longstanding tradition of New York delicatessens.
6. King’s Bierhaus
King Bier Haus in The Heights is a gorgeous indoor and outdoor beer garden punctuated with twinkly lights, luscious accents, and woodland furniture in the heart of Houston’s hottest neighborhoods. This also one of the few places in town that you can find top notch German beer and cuisine. Here, you can fill your flagons from any number of lagers, weissbiers, hefeweizens, and dunkels.
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 and hotdogs.
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.
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.
9. Turner’s
Turner’s is for those who romanticize or are otherwise nostalgic for the bygone era of New York restaurants. Swank in unscrupulous detail, the sultry, dimly-lit restaurant feels like an easy fit for a backdrop of a Scorcese film. And it wouldn’t be truly New York food without hotdogs. On Turner’s dinner menu, patrons can opt for “hot dog service” with Texas wagyu, pushcart onions, sauerkraut, gruyère, and Russian dressing.
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. Located at 2825 Kirkwood, 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.