Hot Dogs: the Definitive List.

[joechristo]

I think we need to make a good list of the great Hot Dog places
across the State.
It seems, we are sorely lacking a real top notch place in the Boston Area.

if you add something, try to note where & what is good about the spot you are listing.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
White Hut, 280 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, Grilled Onions, Tasty Cheesburgers too

Casey's, 36 South Avenue Natick, Great Steamed Dogs

Nick's Nest, 1597 Northampton Street, Holyoke, Chili and Steamed Dogs

[powerfulpierre]

Fred's Franks opens Today (Monday, March 19th)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yippee!

[ajmoose]

Huzzah ! I'll visit Carl on Saturday. Shnurble up !

[scubahood10]

Made my way out to White Hut and was glad I stopped by. The hot dogs didn't really do much for me. They were tasty but not better than most other hot dog locations. However, the cheeseburgers were so good.

Another place I would add is Sullivan's Castle Island. The location has a great view and is perfect for walks with the family including your for legged friend. They use Kayem Old Tyme Natural Casing Franks. While not as good as a Pearl, for example. If forced, I would much rather have a Kayem frank every day for month than a Pearl. I considerate an incredible tasting "session" hot dog!

-----
Sullivan's
Castle Island, Boston, MA 02108

[joechristo]

Scuba, did you get fried onions on the dog?
Thats really what makes it is their Fried onions.
I generally get Fried and Mustard.
Otherwise its just a Blue Seal Hot Dog made in Chicopee

It's like when my buddy that went to Speeds and got the dog with mustard
He didn't get the Standard Chili & Relish and he was disappointed.
Thats just a giant hot dog with Mustard

Blue seal make great Kielbasa for those who are so inclined

[scubahood10]

JoeC, I did have the dog with the onions. I did one completely plain and one with onions. The onion one was much better than the other one but still wasn't tops in my book for hotdogs. If I recall, it was the bun that was the worst part. Everytime I go somewhere I have atleast one dog completely plain because I feel like the base dog should be good and the toppings should then make it great. Plus that is what I use as a tie breaker between places.

For example my top dog places are:

Speeds
Frank's
Windy City
Sullivans
Caswells
Simco's
White Hut

However my ranking when using the Top Dog, if you will is:
Schnurble, Franks
Loaded Speed, Speeds
Mr. Bob/Chili Cheese Dog, Windy City
Super Dog, Caswells
Chili Cheese Dog, Simco's
Plain Sully Dog, Sullivans
Fried onion dog, White Hut

[Passadumkeg]

George's Coney Isand Dogs in Worcester. We discovered this classic hot dog joint thanks to Hollyeats, hauling our kids back and forth to college. The left side entrance is a grungy, but great bar and the right door is for families. Since 1918 and cheap, unlike Speed's. A Mass institution.
http://www.coneyislandlunch.com/menu....

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Coney Island Lunch
158 Southbridge St, Worcester, MA 01608

[scubahood10]

Just had another amazing Speed's dog yesterday because I had a wicked craving despite the fact it hit 100 degrees on the drive over. What a trooper that man is over his wood grill!

It did get me thinking a little bit though. If you could have a Speed's dog for 8 bucks or 8 dollars worth of hot dogs at another one of your top spots which would you go with? My first thought would be without a doubt Speeds...quality over quantity. But then I put it in terms of Windy City which I just had recently for the first time and really enjoyed. You could get two very good dogs with very different toppings and flavors and I think it is extremely close for me. Not saying I would definitely go that route but I might. Just wanted to see how people put the value on their dogs!

[LStaff]

Would rather get 2 -3 dogs somewhere else. Not a fan of the toppings offered at Speed's since I like savory stuff on my dog (kraut, mustard, onions), not sweet stuff - which is the equivalent of putting ketchup on a dog imo. Wasn't a big fan of the dog itself either- the one time I tried the Speed's dog it was grisly like a sausage and the casing was too chewy (no snap). With some kraut, mustard, and onions, it would probably be a pretty decent sausage, but didn't satisfy my hot dog craving.

[justbeingpolite]

If you want savory/spicy on your dog, I gotta bump Fred's Franks back to the top of the list. Great spicy toppings, including a habanero mustard, pickled onions, etc. Carl (who bought out Fred) is very personable. They've got a combo chorico/pearl frank that's very delicious.

http://fredsfranks.com/index.html

-----
Fred's Franks
390 Quannapowitt Pkwy, Wakefield, MA 01880

[hhookk]

I have never had a Speeds dog so I can't compare but I am a HUGE Freds Franks fan. I try to tell everyone I know it's worth the trip from wherever you have to come from. Carl is a really nice guy and has added some sausage selections and has recently branched out into steak tips. My fave is always a monster dog with onions, habanaise and brown mustard. That green egg and apple wood is the key. So nice and crispy. Man I want one NOW !!!

[justbeingpolite]

It's called the "Shnurble" and it's delicious. A regular pearl frank with two pieces of Chorico! With cabbage and the habanero mustard, it's perfect. Love the char the big green egg puts on the casing. Carl loved the Warren Buffet Speeds story.

[scubahood10]

I don't know what it is but I have been all over the dogs lately. I went to windy city twice and speeds once last week. I also bookmarked this thread so everywhere I travel I can make a side trip to try some new ones but at this rate I might have to make direct hot dog runs all over the state!

[Gordough]

I had the Shnurble from Fred's Franks recently when a work meeting found me in the area. It was probably the single best thing I have eaten in 2011. Perfect in every way. I took it across the street to a bench in the park where I devoured it and even thought (for just one second) of ordering another! I can't recommend it enough.

[nsenada]

Did you see Warren Buffett there? http://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/ar...

[bear]

That is hilarious. "You don't have enough money."

[abgooshtdude]

NORTH SHORE CHICAGO DOG ??

Read (or was I dreaming) there was a north shoreish (danvers salem peabody area)
New place this year that does classic Chicago Vienna Dogs
a la windy city braintree

Please help me find it hounds

Thanks

Th ' Dude

[rknrll]

http://www.thescottydog.com/

[EATTV]

White Hut recently changed their traffic flow and I fear they have disturbed the grease and the vibe. A great flat top grilled dog but the cheeseburgers with fried onions is the thing out there. I live near Casey's and the classic old diner can't be beat for atmosphere but the big tub of steamed wieners frankly isn't my very favorite. I do love being able to order from the window. I just recently visited Nick's Nest and the place is awesome complete with a soda jerk setup and a rope and lever contraption that lets them open the door for you when your arms are full of hotdogs. Brilliant right? I was hungry...it was good. Having said all that I want to offer the following before Food Television comes and spoils it. Get in here and eat. Just sayin'.

Once upon a time there was a chain of 14 Hot Dogs joints. These tube steak houses even had a race car with their brand, "Tex Barry's Coney Island". Not Coney Island of New York nor Detroit or even Worcester, the last two of these 14 Tex Barry's are in Taunton and Attleboro, Massachusetts. Recently at 11 am in Attleboro all the bolted down swivel seats were full. Arthur Bombardier, the proprietor and his Aunt Rita are as friendly as can be and recommend their griddled Kayem dogs on steamed torpedo style rolls dressed with the works. In this case the works = yellow mustard (not brown) + green relish (not too green) + teeny dice of spanish onion and a meat sauce. This sauce is not a chili but rather spiced finely ground beef and known in upstate NY as a Michigan Sauce or in the Ocean State's NY System, a wiener sauce. Michiganders call em Coneys dressed this way but the taste is different. The whole thing is a departure from the typical Yankee New England split top and toasted roll but is a classic in it's own right. Arthur pairs two dogs in a plastic oval basket with coffee milk which turns out to be excellent advice. Aunt Rita rings it up with change back from a 5. Art says 300-600 of these forced meat magic wieners fly out the door of this tiny lunch spot daily at $1.60 a throw. The clientele claim Art knows your order if you are a regular and the congenial atmosphere supports this.
Three regulars at the counter and for some reason not in school were setting up on hot dogs, perfect golden straight cut fries and sodas. Indelible memories are being digested in this 1927 ruddy red barrel roofed Worcester Lunch Car set along a canal in the downtown of Attleboro. One grey haired youngster who lives locally comes by twice a month for a fix of perfect franks and burgers. Just down the counter proudly displaying his second hot dog of the morning, Howard who lived nearby when he was 8 still makes a 80 mile round trip to Tex Barry's and now brings his grown children who share in the stuff of places that resist change and keep that "back in the day" feeling going. And then there's the TBCI challenge. How many can you eat in 20 minutes? Break the record and it's all on the house. 20 year old John Petrarca is the new record holder. He ate 17 1/2 dogs and we're told is doing fine.
A meal, a snack, a place to skip school where the folks are very cool and memories hang out. Rush here before Food Television comes and spoils it. The big neon hot dog outside this little red diner is the unmistakeable sign of simple pleasures.

-----
Tex Barry's Coney Island
31 County St, Attleboro, MA 02703

[gourmaniac]

Thanks for this report. I recall going there a few years ago and nice to know it is still around. I also like George's Coney Island in Worchester for a similar feel.

[josephlapusata]

What ever happened to Joe Nemo's? I loved them as a kid?

[Gordough]

they tried a comeback about 5 or so years ago with a store front on Cambridge Street at the intersection of Staniford St (about 2 blocks from the Garden) next door to the terrible Chinese place Shangri-LA but it failed miserably and was closed several months or maybe a year later. I believe there is a Subway in that location today. I think prior to that they tried a smaller location next to Chacaero in the Filene's building.

[jgg13]

It has to have been more than 5 (so the 'or so') as I've been working pretty much across the street for ~5 years and don't remember it being there. The Sausage Guy was in that space for a while IIRC and it is a subway now.

Both the Shang & Subway were closed for a while after a big january storm this winter - the subway reopened but the shang is still closed.

-----
The Sausage Guy
118 Dorchester St, Boston, MA 02127

[Gordough]

According to this: http://209.204.238.180/times_feature3... that location was still operational in March of 2003 when it was sold to a new owner. I believe the new owner operated it for a little over a year so it may have been 6-7 years since it closed for good and became a brick and mortar Sausage Guy location.

[jgg13]

I'm really trying to remember what was there immediately before the sausage guy - if it was Joe Nemo's or just empty. I think it was the latter for a while.

[chuck s]

Yes it was a Joe and Nemo's. Someone from Revere had the rights to the name and had a place of Revere Beach for a while before opening at that space (near the original from the 20's and 30's). Historical note, I grew up eating at Joe and Nemo's at both the Revere Beach and Scolley Sq. locations in the 50's and 60's and was excited when they reopened but the location has been a killer. The Sausage Guy had a pretty good product there but also suffered from the location. Not much foot traffic and less parking. Too bad, I'd like to see him get back in the game.

-----
The Sausage Guy
118 Dorchester St, Boston, MA 02127

[Ralphie_in_Boston]

I always regarded that stretch of cambridge street as good foot traffic, but I certainly agree that it's a tough place for any food establishment to do business overall.

People walking to/from Beacon Hill, the govt. buildings, and Suffolk U. bldgs near by *should* support places on that end of Cambridge Street but the lack of parking is probably the real problem.

[devilham]

The Shang had a fire.....I spoke to one of the workers there the day after it happened......please don't hate on me.....but the Shang's buffet was a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine.....I know it wasn't good, but sometimes it scratched that itch

[jgg13]

I had the same take on that buffet. Even if it weren't closed, at least I no longer work there to tempt with with its horribleness :)

[joechristo]

We went down there to try it, when it reopened, it was pretty boring, the place felt like a chain that sold Hot Dogs, it basically had lost the personality we had heard about and served a standard Hot Dog, the dog was very run of the mill. I never had a chance to try the original place. Where exactly was the original?

[absolince]

Does anyone know of a Coney Island hot dog counter, located in Fall River...Haven't been in a few years.. It was very David Lynch.

[theparegorickid]

Is this the place?

Graham's Hot Dogs
931 Bedford Street
Fall River
[phone]

right across Marzilli's
in business since 1962
never been inside, myself
anyone ever try this place?

-----
Graham's Hot Dogs
931 Bedford St, Fall River, MA 02723

[absolince]

Very will could be...i don't remember the name.. But do remember the young man who would line the hot dogs up on his arm as he scooped the "meat sauce" on the dogs. He also could have been a character from a David Lynch film. i never remember there being other customers there when we went. Back in the day i could eat half a dozen. The food i ate in that part of New England is so memorable...The coffee milk, clam cakes, the chowder you would add cream yourself to. Clam cakes..the Provender in Tiverton 4 corners etc...All great memories..Oh and the chop suey sandwiches!

[Nab]

Good to see ya back round these parts.

Graham's is a gem. Fall River does have a bit of a Coney thang going on - Grahams, Nick's, JJ's Coney Island.

A friend and I wrote up some of these places on another forum a coupla years ago:

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic....

Nick’s Coney Island
534 S. Main St.
Fall River, MA
[phone]

JJ's Coney Island
567 South Main Street
Fall River, MA 02721
[phone]

[absolince]

Has Nick's been around a long time?...I believe i remember it being Nick's...

[Nab]

Since 1920.

http://nicksconeysauce.com/about_nick...

[absolince]

I just checked out your posts on the LTH forum....incredible! What great memories, and i must say i think that area is one of the most cuisine rich and authentic still left! 20 years ago you could rent out the entire USS Joseph P Kennedy, Jr for $50 for a private gathering!

[EATTV]

Fantastic! Great forum.

[bluesjack]

Had a decent dog at Pizzi's Farmstand in Waltham, the best part? I ordered it on thier OUTSTANDING crunchy french bread...heresy, I know, to grilled buttered roll lovers but the french bread is yummy

[LStaff]

That's funny, I happened to be in there last Thurs. for lunch and someone asked for their dog on french bread and they refused to do it for him. He seemed a bit flummoxed by the refusal and asked "are you sure, I've gotten it that way in the past?" Lady behind the counter replied "Yeah, I'm pretty sure I would know since I work here." Then told him something about having a different length of french bread now and they didn't want to cut it up for hotdogs.

I'm not a fan of their french bread, imo about the same quality as what most supermarkets make. I made the mistake of not telling them to put my Oliver on a braided roll last week. :-(

I'll have to try a dog there one day.

[jlj]

Sandy's Lunchbox (formerly Larry's Hotdogs) on Route 119, Pepperell (I think it's also known as South Road. At any rate, it's near where River Road veers off 119) is very good. Besides hot dogs, they have kielbasa (which I haven't tried) and various sandwiches (chicken, etc.) - also, great potato salad, baked beans, chili, french fries. Prices are reasonable. Closed Sundays (at least it was last year). It's closed in winter - but will re-open in March (late March if last year is an indicator.)

[northshoregrl]

I'm from the North Shore...so its Nice to see Top Dog in Rockport made the list!! However, I can tell you my top pick for Hot Dogs in this area would be Boston Hot Dog Company in Salem...lines are out the door come lunch time!! they have plenty to select from with toppings, from create your own to some of their signatures...oh so yummy!! they also ofter Chicken dogs and Veggie dogs for the non meat eaters...although i don't know who you are!

http://www.bostonhotdogcompany.com/

I have had a dog once or Twice from Five Guys...but found them to be very salty...

-----
Top Dog
2 Doyle Cove Rd, Rockport, MA 01966

[PainterGirl]

Geez....being a Worcester girl, can't help the cravings for George's Coney Island or Hot Dog Annies....always on the lookout for decent dogs, especially if they have a uniqueness to the recipe

[resipsaloquitor]

Two enthusiastic thumbs up, NSG. I love their snap! These are dogs with personality.

[pang]

Not in Massachusetts, but some of my faves include Flo's in York, Maine (hot sauce and mayo!!) and New York System Weiners in Olnyville, RI.

-----
New York System
1246 Main St, West Warwick, RI 02893

[EATTV]

Can never really embrace the mayonnaise sauce thing at Flo's but really appreciate the Maine #1 Dog at Wassas in Rockland.

[rknrll]

Yeah, I can't do mayo on a Flo's dog either. The sauce is pretty great.
The price for a dog ($2.25 I think? maybe higher) is a little steep, as well.

And thanks for posting that HDA's sauce recipe...definitely gonna try that out this summer.

[RVT]

Was up in Maine yesterday and made the stop at Flo's. You know, I think the fact that a lot of these comments of hot dog love for some of these places are preceded with "when I was a kid I loved...." for a reason. It's got to be the fond childhood memories that provoke such love for some of these places, because it sure ain't the dogs. I'm an admitted hot dog freak, and have annoyed the crap out of friends by always insisting on seeking out the best hot dog places wherever we go around the country. First and foremost I've never had a hot dog that compared to Speed's. The fact that it's in my backyard is irrelevant. I've eaten he dogs at pretty much every place mentioned in this thread and others and some are good, some are okay, some are completely unremarkable. As far as Flo's goes, seriously....what is the big deal? First I sat for 40 minutes through the most inefficient ordering system I've ever seen in my life (and I don't say that as hyperbole), which seemed to be what people think is part of the charm. Personally after 15 minutes I found it maddening. Here's an idea, one person do the thing with asking how many and then setting up the boxes and taking the money, then a second person make the damn dogs. Why did I have to wait for an entire room of people to order and pay before my I could get my two dogs. Secondly, the dogs themselves.....so what? They were completely unremarkable. The famous hot relish didn't taste like anything to me and the dogs were just basic steamed blandness. I'm glad the place evokes such great memories to so many, but this was easily the most overrated of the "must do" hot dog places in New England I've ever tried.

[EATTV]

IMHO I concur. While you hit it exactly I am always reticent to "yuk another's yum". Childhood memories and transcendental gastronomy aside in the world of food fun there must be things by which other things are compared. Always with he passion of the palate "it's in the telling". Tube steakery is one of the most common denominators. Speed's and the NYT assessment are great. I can manage about one a year. Glad Speed's is going hard and fast in the Fenway though. Great hot dogs are where you find them I think. The line out the screen door and wrapping the wall inside Flo's speaks volumes. Hold the lame relish and never ever touch a dog of mine with mayo plus I'm from Worcester and can't stand Moxie.That said, when the line is short, the effort to order "correctly" and see it like a Cape Neddick native is 2.25 a throw...priceless. (Real Maine-uhs tell me it's Wasses in Rockland.)

[gourmaniac]

Also agree. I recall waiting in line for 30 min for a truly mediocre dog. Nostalgia is the best relish.

[Bob Dobalina]

My folks went to Flo's maybe 15 years ago and had the same reaction....an hour wait (summertime) for a steamed hot dog? Huh?!

[EATTV]

Simco on the Bridge still works. Tasty Burger has a crazy big frank. Doogies and Nick's in Hartford have awesome hot dog creations. Super Duper Winnie Man in Fairfield has fabulous franks with excellent house made toppings and rough fries with s&p.

My heart is however with Hot Dog Annies in Leicester, MA. When I was a pup, dogs were 12 for a $1. Really. They have a unique bbq sauce with sweet onion and the kiss of kitchen bouquet. I can still disappear six diminutive Kayem "skinnies" on toasted split top rolls with the sauce or the works in a blink. On a summer night a great long conga line of tube steak lovers line up outside the tiny diner and files thru. Still a good value at a buck forty a throw.

-----
Simco's
679 Canterbury St, Roslindale, MA 02131

Hot Dog Annies
244 Paxton St, Leicester, MA 01524

Tasty Burger
1301 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116

[yumyum]

Thanks for pulling up this discussion EATTV -- I had forgotten there was a hot dog thread.

I really enjoyed the hot dog at Tasty Burger. It is HUGE and comes simply dressed or with various fixins like kraut and mustard and onions, etc. They are $8 or $12 all the way (with a burger, dawg, chili and cheese, oof!) and have nice snap and the juicy salty flavor you are looking for when you commit to a half pound shaft.

Below is a picture of the dog next to a quarter, for a sense of scale.

-----
Tasty Burger
1301 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116

[maillard]

Interesting. I think Tasty Burger may have changed their hot dog. I tried a bite of one when they first opened and it was grossssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss. It had this creepy mushy texture and the flavor was just wrong. Definitely no snap or salty juicy flavor. The hot dog in your picture also looks different than the one I tried.

-----
Tasty Burger
1301 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116

[Nab]

You are correct. I was informed that they started out with a pork/beef dog which did not meet their satisfaction in addition to yours, and so they decided to switch it out for, as I was told by Len-the-incredibly-friendly-bartender, an Omaha Steak custom-made all-beef half-pounder (although he didn't seem 100% certain).

I seldom, okay never, get the urge for competition eating, but these hot dogs make me wanna.

[maillard]

Good to know! Maybe I'll give them another try...

[rknrll]

Does HDA's still do 4 for $4 Wednesdays?
I think the price of a single dog was $1.25 when they were doing that.

[EATTV]

Not the same bargain as in the 1960's but otherwise intact. 4 for 4. I have learned to make the bbq sauce at home but as for the ambiance there is no substitute. I could eat them in my car in the driveway I suppose...

Here's the secret sauce recipe:

1 32 ounce bottle of ketchup

2 oz. of Kitchen Bouquet

1/2 cup sugar

3 1/2 cups chopped sweet onions

3 oz. worchestershire sauce

1/2 cup brown sugar

Simmer 6 hours.

[hemeon]

Lived in Leicester in the late '70s due to a job, but from Newton. Never HEARD of Hot Dog Annie's, and stumbled upon it, while leaf peeping. Not just the surprise....because then it was really in the middle of nowhere....fields, old elms not downed by the blight, heartachingly blue sky, and that sunlight that you know will not warm you for much longer, cornstalks not gathered for someone's front doorstep, that only-in- New England spectrum of maple leaves... and WHATTA NICE SURPRISE!!! A classic, in the perfect setting...even at that time a throwback to an earlier era...Was it left over from the Car Hop decade? And the location: a healthy dose of WTF? because it was a roadside surprise. It's probably surrounded by suburban tract houses, and the thought makes me nostalgic and morose, but it's almost worth the ride from Nantasket to check it out. As a purist (no condiments), the dog was probably all beef and cooked to perfection, as was the bun. Memorable meal... and think of the "Foine Doining" as my mother said facetiously, done since then. Annie's was a standout, and is tucked in my heart for many reasons. Thanks for drawing it out again, and reminding me of simpler times and simpler pleasures.

-----
Hot Dog Annies
244 Paxton St, Leicester, MA 01524

[Frankly Frank]

Anyone been to Zippity Do Dog in Framingham? Used to be the Trolley Stop.

[L2k]

Went back to Hippy's in Cleveland Circle today, the dog is really good for $3.50, and the hand cut french fries were even better.

[magsnbean]

kinda not in Boston however in PTown - Lucky Dog PTown has the BEST dogs and toppings. They have a Bahn Mi that'll knock your socks off. Also they have chili dog- homemade chili- amaziiiiing.
And do not leave without trying their Red Velvelt Devil Dogs. It'll make you scream sweet jesus,

[bnjinmass]

Jeannie's Weenies.................Holliston Ma. There is a new place in Holliston Ma oout on Route 16. They have awesome steamed dogs and buns and one of the best chili cheese dogs i've ever had. They also have a great red onion sauce which is hard to get in this area. Two dogs any way you want them a bag of chips and a drink is only $5.00. I think it's great!

[joechristo]

Is that like the sauce in Papaya Kings in NYC
I assume it is because its Red and has Onions
Those are Good dogs too

[joechristo]

Finally got over to Speeds today, That is a Very good Dog!
I have a friend who went there and got it with mustard and Onions only, this guy loves dogs but
That I believe is a huge mistake, you need to get the Chili & BBQ, that really is the key to Speeds
Otherwise you just have a huge Hot Dog which is good, but the whole combo thing is what makes the difference!!
Definitely the Best Dog in Boston (IMO)
Be hungry, that Dog is huge

[Ralphie_in_Boston]

Another satisfied customer! I'm in your camp, load up that pup.

But I can also understand the purist's point of view---few toppings, in order to avoid the taste of the dog itself.

the only solution is to go back to Speed's often and try every combination of toppings possible.!

[vegathechosen]

there used to be Hometown hot dogs in Framhingham/Saxonville which has closed went there 2 weeks ago to get some dogs and I was shocked to see them closed.
There's a great place in Bellingham called The Dog House Weiners, also in Bellingham Joffs Backyard BBQ which has massive dogs, also in Bellingham across from Outback and next to Hess is a family ran cart grilling great big hot dogs. there's a hot dog cart in Hopkinton right near the Brighams basically behind Colellas. There's a brand new hot dog spot in Holliston that just opened too its right next to the cumberland farms and across from bertuccis I don't know the name but it's only a few weeks young. There's also a hot dog place in Uxbridge thats ran by special needs people its called Milestones Hot Dogs. Also in Uxbridge on rt 16 there is a camper that sells hot dogs can't recall the name right now also Joespehs (cart) on 146A in Uxbridge. Can't forget Casey's in natick or Simco on Blue Hill ave. which are some of my favs that been mentioned

-----
Simco's
679 Canterbury St, Roslindale, MA 02131

Dog House Weiners
15 N Main St, Bellingham, MA 02019

[StriperGuy]

Wow, NICE addition to this thread!

[joechristo]

I guess I'll be at Speed's this week to try it out.
I had heard of it but never came across the place. At least now, I know how to find it.

[kobuta]

It's simple and unadorned, but I also like the hot dog available at The Blue Room's lunch time grill during the summers. It's a Pearl hot dog on a grilled bun with nothing. Your options for toppings is their ketchup, mustard and relish (hopefully house-made?).

Best yet is the choice of two sides with the dog. Makes for a really good lunch for only $6.

-----
The Blue Room
Hampshire and Portland streets, Cambridge, MA 02139

[purple bot]

No one has mentioned Code 10 (I think it's called). Never been there, but I've often wondered about it. Isn't it supposed to be a hot dog place?

To me, Speed's is the definitive.

[yumyum]

I've been to Code 10 and didn't think it was anything worth writing about. Standard dogs, typical over-priced S. End spot. If you need to scratch your Kayem itch, it's fine, but not worth driving out of your way for.

[robertlf]

Ed's Weiners in Littleton on Great Rd. (Rt.119) in the parking lot of Gary's Farm.

[jlj]

Ed's is good. He serves soup too. He's open in winter - although in winter he closes on Sunday and Monday.
jlj

[nsenada]

Can you get anything like a torta cubano I had in Roanoke at Alejandro's grill? It's a torta with a grilled split hot dog, ham, chorizo, guacamole, jalapeno's, cotija, sour cream, refried beans, and topped with an egg? I like the idea of a hot dog sandwich, with tons of stuff on it (my insides didn't later, though).

[Bob Dobalina]

OMG! That looks awesome!

[nsenada]

Looks like it's upside down

[yumyum]

Ooooof. I wonder if it's a kissing cousin of the Sonoran hot dog? Those things are legendary.

Fried egg on top just kinda pushes it over for me, but others would disagree.

[nsenada]

I passed a "Sonoran Hot Dog" cart in Portland a few days ago - almost tried one, but wound up making a healthy choice, a roast beef sandwich smothered with bearnaise. I bet some version of the x-tudo contains a hot dog or two.

[drewames03]

Audubon Hot Dog is very good!

[marginparis]

It's A Dog's Life ( hippy the dog) Cleveland Circle( Beacon St. and Chestnut Hill Ave) Brighton 508 875 6110 www.hippythedog.com

[LStaff]

My favorite dog of late is the German Shepard with onions and spicy mustard at Top Dog in Rockport.

I would love to see some recs for Metrowest area.

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Top Dog
2 Doyle Cove Rd, Rockport, MA 01966

[kimfair1]

Had my first Speed's dog this weekend, and was wowed. Great dog, though I can't imagine eating again for 5 or 6 hours after having one. That thing is the size of my arm!

[jgg13]

at least you said arm ...

[your_outreach]

LOL

[MC Slim JB]

Most of my favorites are already listed here: Speed's tops my list by a wide margin. Since you're venturing pretty far afield, I'll add a sentimental favorite, Tex Barry's Coney Island, two locations remaining: one in downtown Taunton and the other in Attleboro. Much more about the sauce than the dog. (George's is another Coney Island specialist in Worcester, but I haven't tried it.)

Lee's Place Burgers in Newton Centre does a simple, excellent dog, a small grilled Pearl on a proper toasted split-top bun. Scup's in the Harbor has a similar dog: nothing fancy, but well-executed in its humble way.

(I got a mean corn dog at The Gallows the other day, but that's not really on-topic).

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

[yumyum]

If we're talking corn dogs, the one at the Summer Shack is surprisingly delicious.

I can only have Speeds once a year, to stave off the heart asplosions.

[gourmaniac]

Asplosions is a great word. Right up there with conniptions and the vapors. On topic, I like Georges Coney island. Cheap as all get out with good snap. Two are easy to finish off.

[MC Slim JB]

Agree on the Summer Shack corn dog! The Gallows version is two smaller ones with a good dipping sauce.

http://mcslimjb.blogspot.com/

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Summer Shack
310 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210

[mats77]

I would also recommend the corn dogs on the bar snacks menu at the Biltmore. They come with a blue cheese mustard which is quite tasty.

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The Biltmore
1205 Chestnut St, Newton Upper Falls, MA 02464

[gourmaniac]

Concur on Speeds (world class) and Freds

Let me add Simcos (Mattapan) for a simple inexpensive dog with good snap.
Formaggios (Cambridge) outside grill on Saturdays only, though the line has frightened me off the last couple of times.

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Simco's
679 Canterbury St, Roslindale, MA 02131

[L2k]

I read about a cart in Cleveland Circle, by the field (Brookline/Brighton). I haven't had a chance to check out yet, but is supposed to be good.

[marginparis]

Ok - I;m a huge hot dog fan and I also read the article in the Globe early in June. I tried the dogs at the truck "It's a Dog's Life ( Hippy the Dog )" and "paws down" it was my favorite hot dog spot in town. The logo and fun names of the dogs are great, but - the food's the thing - and that makes this place worth the return visit. My favorites so far are the "Foxey Lady" dog and the "Sympathy for the Devil" dog - also some of the best fries and lemonade I've had ever! Can't wait to try another. Heard they cater great "hippy parites" - anyone hired the truck out yet?

[StriperGuy]

What makes the lemonade so special? Is it fresh squeezed? Also, what other Boston dog joints can you compare the truck to?

[marginparis]

Lemonade is totally fresh and you can even see the pulp. It is cold are refreshing and a great combo with the dogs. Actually I come to home to Boston every summer and a friend sent the Globe article so I happened to go to this place first. Have tried other dogs in other places ( actually live overseas and tried dogs in Germany, Czech Republic, etc. ) I think these dogs rival any others I've tried and for sure the fries are as good a frites in Brussels or France! Alle Hippy!

[itryalot]

Is this "truck" always parked in the same spot or do you have to track them?

[hungrybuzzard]

Looks like just Cleveland Circle, the menu and web states mon-sat 12-6:pm, weather permitting.

[scubahood10]

Since this is probably the best list of Hot Dog places I have seen on Chowhound I was hoping to keep it up to date. I am trying to visit as many places as possible and I found another thread that confirmed the closing of It's a Dog's Life ( Hippy the Dog ).

Does anyone know of any other place on this list that is no longer there?

[jgg13]

Outside of Speeds, my other favorite dogs in the area are Windy City Eats in Weymouth and the Trina's dog of the day (depending on what it is - wish they'd post it to twitter & facebook much more regularly)

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Windy City Eats
407A Middle St, Weymouth, MA 02189

[yumyum]

There is a hot dog wagon outside Trum field on Broadway in Somerville (roughly across from Wang's) and Moe does a MEAN dog on his grill.

I've also always wanted to try Fred's Franks, in Wakefield. He uses a big green egg dontcha know.

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Fred's Franks
390 Quannapowitt Pkwy, Wakefield, MA 01880

[hhookk]

Fred's Franks is top notch. It's worth the trip from WHEREVER you have to come from. He makes his own condiments too. Habanaise sauce is great. So is Sririchababba (sp?) Sriricha, A1 and BBQ sauce mix. Incredible.

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Fred's Franks
390 Quannapowitt Pkwy, Wakefield, MA 01880

[StriperGuy]

"It seems, we are sorely lacking a real top notch place in the Boston Area."

That's kinda funny as Raymond Sokolov the Wall Street Journal's long time food editor thought Speed's was the best hot dog in America...

[nsenada]

Right - I didn't see that part of the OP. There are multiple posts on here about Speed's - it definitely is "all that," in my book. I've brought a few people there recently, and they've become obsessed with the place.

[nsenada]

I see that Mike and Patty's has a hot dog of the day - when I was there it was a kimchee dog, but I got the torta. Anyone tried it?

[pang]

Kimchee Dog and Mike & Patty's is fantastic. Their best is the Banh Mi Dog.

[mhead]

Popo's, in Swampscott, across the street from Red Rock (and the ocean). Great grilled dogs and delicious rolls.

[bluesjack]

I'll second Popo's, it's my go-to dog place

[viperlush]

Speeds, New Market Sq Boston

http://www.bostonspeeddog.com/

[CocoDan]

When did Speed's move to Haymarket? I thought that area was dubbed New Market. However, they are the best!!!
Enjoy,
CocoDan

[jgg13]

newmarket square isn't haymarket square

[viperlush]

I know, that's why I made the correction. Your computer was just faster than mine :)