Top dogs: The 10 best hot dog spots in Phoenix

Hot dogs are a backyard barbecue classic, perfect for summer. They're a staple of July 4 parties, and get their own dedicated holiday on National Hot Dog Day. The celebration of all things hot dog takes place on the third Wednesday of July, which falls on July 16 this year.

But, you don’t have to settle for a glizzy cooked to a crisp on a hot grill at home. Restaurants around the Valley serve everything from classic franks to cheffed-up sausages. No matter what you’re craving, find your way to hot dog heaven at these 10 spots around metro Phoenix.

Chicago Hamburger Co.

3749 E. Indian School Road

We see your eyebrows raised – yes, this Arcadia eatery touts hamburgers in its name, not hot dogs. But, don’t let that discourage you. Chicago Hamburger Co. has been slinging Vienna beef sausages, including a Chicago-style dog, on Indian School Road since 1975. Inside, the restaurant is a nostalgic tribute to the Windy City, particularly its sports teams. You’ll find that same dedication to the area with its ingredients. In addition to the sausages, the restaurant’s buns, sport peppers, relish, sauerkraut and pickles all hail “from the shores of Lake Michigan,” according to its website. Visit with an appetite; each dog comes with a side of fries. And with other enticing menu items such as Italian beef, fried zucchini and malts, you may be tempted to order much more.

Der Wurst Hot Dogs

6522 N. 16th St.

The resident glizzy gourmet inside Linger Longer Lounge was been named the Phoenix New Times’ Best Hot Dog three years in a row. That’s because Der Wurst Hot Dogs puts a spotlight on the stalwart sausage, from classic presentations with sauerkraut and mustard to over-the-top oeuvres, such as a chicken-fried version that comes with bourbon-glazed onions and pepper-bacon gravy. With a menu centered around wieners, come prepared for some tongue-in-cheek, occasionally not-safe-for-work menu names. Jokes aside, Der Wurst keeps its menu deliciously local using Schreiner’s Fine Sausages and scratch bakery-made pretzel buns.

Detroit Coney Grill

6953 Hayden Road, Scottsdale
1422 W. Warner Road, Gilbert

Chicago isn’t the only midwestern locale with a regionally specific take on a hot dog. Inspired by the original frankfurter served on Coney Island, Greek and Macedonian immigrants took the tubular treat with them to Detroit, adding beanless chili, diced white onions and yellow mustard. The Coney Dog was born. Scottsdale and Gilbert spot Detroit Coney Grill celebrates the Motor City meat link with selections including the classic style, a Southwestern take with cheddar and hatch chiles and a Detroit Loose, a hot dog topped with ground beef, chili, mustard and onions. The restaurant also serves Detroit-style pizza, burgers and pitas stuffed with gyro meat, chicken or steak, along with classic sodas and a full bar.

Dog Haus

Multiple locations

Dog Haus comes with an abundance of locations and options to satisfy any hot dog craving. The chain has locations in Chandler, Gilbert, Phoenix and Tempe with a menu packed with all-beef hot dogs and specialty sausages. One constant through the large menu is that the sausages are served on sweet, fluffy Hawaiian rolls. On the Dog menu, we like the Old Town, piled up with smoked bacon, caramelized onions, chipotle aioli, pickled jalapenos and cotija cheese. On the Sausage side, we're partial to the Reservoir Hog, made with a Polish Kielbasa topped with chili, slaw and mustard. Impossible brats are also on the menu for those avoiding meat.

El Caprichoso Hot Dogs

Multiple locations

Sonoran-style hot dogs abound in Arizona. The Hermosillo-born street fare endures as a splurge-worthy meal or a very necessary late-night raft to stem the tides of an evening of partying. No matter your reason to visit one of its many Valley locations, El Caprichoso Hot Dogs continues to be one of our favorite places for a Sonoran dog, so much so that it was the New Times’ pick for Best Sonoran Hot Dog in 2023. Order a regular or “Titanic” version of the Sonoran hot dog, which is wrapped in bacon and topped with a mountain of goodies including grilled onions, beans, tomato, guacamole, salsa, cotija, grilled pepper, ketchup and mustard, all served on a griddled-yet-fluffy bun. New additions include the Hot Cheeto Dog, Rufflo Dog and Takis Dog to spice things up.

Myungrang Hotdog

1832 W. Broadway Road, #103, Mesa

Riding the Korean hot dog craze, a number of chains have arrived in the Valley in recent years. Among them is Myungrang Hotdog in Mesa (a spot visited by TikTok food influencer Keith Lee). Myungrang’s dogs don’t appear on the typical bun and are often stuffed with other ingredients, such as cheese, dipped in a batter and fried. The menu includes familiar takes, such as the Original made with an all-beef dog. Those ready to up the ante should try twists on the classic corn dog that are made with a squid ink batter, rolled in deep-fried potato cubes or encrusted with fiery Hot Cheetos and a spicy Sriracha mayo.

Nogales Hot Dogs #1 and #2

2718 W. McDowell Road
1945 E. Indian School Road

No Arizona hot dog list would be complete without a couple of options for Sonoran dogs. And Nogales Hot Dogs is one of our favorites. The two locations of this outdoor stand sling sausages late into the night, perfect for filling up after a few drinks or grabbing on your way home. For the ultimate experience, order your dog "con todo" and it will come wrapped in bacon and piled with beans, tomatoes, onions and a drizzle of mayo. Load it up even more with additional toppings such as cotija cheese, guacamole, salsa verde or jalapenos. Pair your dog with a Mexican Coke and pick a spot at a picnic table under the colorful tent for an essential Phoenix experience.

RoRo Dogs

610 E. Roosevelt St., #140

One of the Valley's newer spots for a sausage, RoRo Dogs opened on Phoenix’s Roosevelt Row last February. Launched by couple Donny Ades and Chris Campbell, the shop offers eight signature dogs that range from a classic chili cheese to a vegan version served on an onion bun with hummus, avocado, lettuce, tomato, a pickle spear and smoked paprika. There’s also Chicago and Sonoran styles as well as hot dogs inspired by tried and true flavor combinations, such as a BLT. We suggest trying the Picnic dog, which is topped with baked beans, coleslaw, yellow mustard, pickle and crumbled Lay’s Barbecue-flavored chips. Can’t decide? There’s also a build-your-own version at this fast-casual spot.

Sidewinder

924 E. Roosevelt St.

Hot dogs are part of the DNA of this decades-old diner, which has lived many lives, first in Williams and then in Phoenix. Once home to Little Chef and Welcome diners, the building is now home to Sidewinder. Restaurant Progress and Sottise owners Esther Noh and TJ Culp opened the new spot last May. It is reminiscent of a divey roadhouse but packed with culinary prowess. Sip a $3 Bud Heavy or a shot of Fernet and order one of the dogs on Sidewinder’s menu, such as the Slaw Dawg, which is wrapped in bacon and topped with a dill zucchini pickle slaw, mustard and celery seeds.

Ted’s Hot Dogs

1755 E. Broadway, Tempe

When it comes to hot dogs, a gussied-up glizzy is fun, but sometimes a classic is in order. For the Valley’s standard bearer, look no further than Ted’s Hot Dogs in Tempe. Ted’s charcoal grill has been aflame since 1927, when the chain was born in western New York. The Tempe location is the only one outside of the Empire State. On the menu, you’ll find several sausages, including all-beef, footlong and Polish, cooked to crisp perfection. You can add as many or as few toppings as you’d like, from cheese sauce and bacon to peppers and onions or macaroni and cheese.