The first rule and only rule for having a hot dog summer: Eat a hot dog.
I’ve spent the first half of summer doing a lot of the leg work for you – schlepping my friends around to another hot dog spot. At one point we wondered if we were, in fact, having a hot dog summer from eating so many dogs. Reader, we were. We are.
Having such a summer is so easy because Austin has so many places to grab a really good hot dog.
So here it is. My magnum opus. These are my favorite places for a hot dog:
Wait, Zee’s Weiner System is going to be there?! Zee’s, a pop-up hot dog stand, has been a reason to visit certain bars and a wonderful surprise when they’re where I am! A specialty hot dog is usually on the menu – think toppings like cream cheese and caviar – and a classic dog is always available if that’s your vibe. Keep an eye on their Instagram page for where they’re popping up next and thank me later!
Trudging up the small hill from Deep Eddy Pool to Pool Burger after a dip is an elite Austin itinerary. But hear me out: Order a hot dog instead of the restaurant’s namesake. The Pool Dog, an all-beef frank, comes on a buttered brioche bun with customizable amounts of chopped onion, relish, and mustard. Pair it with the crinkle cut fries and a piiña colada and you’ll remember why an Austin summer rules all.
Three beautiful hot dogs from Grandpa’s Glizzys. (Kelsey Bradshaw/City Cast Austin)
I’ll follow Grandpa’s Glizzy’s anywhere. The hot dog purveyor does not have a brick-and-mortar spot and instead pops up around town. I caught them at their weekly July residency at Strangelove Coffee & Wine. Dogs are made with buns from Easy Tiger and herbs from a friend's garden. The Ol’ Geezer comes with a whole pickle spear and makes for a great crunch. The Grandpa’s Special is why you’ll want to return to Glizzy’s again and again – it comes with whipped cream cheese, dill, tomato, cucumbers, onion, sriracha, and mustard. It was both light and savory, and I love a creative hot dog.
Baseball with a side of hot dog is the American way. Hot dogs are honestly the number one reason I go to Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., to watch a Round Rock Express baseball game. The stadium offers $1 hot dogs during Wednesday games and I highly recommend getting two or three! Corn dogs are also available at the stadium, and they’re tasty but never $1.
The iconic corn dog from Frazier’s Long and Low. (Kelsey Bradshaw/City Cast Austin)
It’s crispy, it’s sweet, it’s robust, it’s the Frazier’s corn dog. Frazier’s, 2538 Elmont Drive, is the No. 1 place in Austin for a corn dog, obviously (the restaurant’s motif is a dachshund). The corn dogs are sizable and come with plenty of mustard and ketchup. Spread mustard on top and dip each bite for extra mustard deliciousness. Pair your dog with the cheese fries!
Looking for a Chicago-style dog? Of course you are! Midway Dogs, 820 W. FM 1626, is the place to go. The poppy seed buns are from a Chicago bakery, and the OG Chicago Dog is a good first order here. It comes with mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, pickle, sport peppers, and celery salt. And don’t worry, there’s no ketchup!
A Howard’s hot dog. (Kelsey Bradshaw/City Cast Austin)
A friend suggested I try Howard’s, 1130 W. Sixth St., for a hot dog and I’ll admit, I was a little skeptical. What does a small bar that’s rumored to require a dress code have to offer me hot dog-wise? It turns out a lot, actually. The bar has three hot dogs on the menu, and I ordered the Kraut Dog, which includes charred sauerkraut, white onion, and spicy brown mustard. The sauerkraut gave it the right amount of tang and the onions kept the hot dog classic.
Did you know Better Half had corn dogs? On Tuesdays, the restaurant, 406 Walsh St., offers corn dogs and half-off bottles of wine. I’ve never had a bad corn dog, but this one is really good. Pair it with the cauliflower tots!
