12 Best Places to Grab a Hot Dog or Glizzy in Dallas

The Fourth of July is almost upon us. In addition to fireworks and a strong rebuke of the metric system, we celebrate America with hot dogs and burgers.

And while hot dogs hit differently during the summer holidays, some Dallas-area restaurants grill up quality wieners year-round. Whether it’s a classic chili cheese dog enjoyed at a ballpark, a Japanese interpretation of the dish or one food truck’s mission to establish an official “Texas-style hot dog,” just reading about these spots will make you want a hot dog real bad.

Here are 11 of our favorite places to grab a hot dog in Dallas.

Angry Dog

2726 Commerce St.

Angry Dog has served Deep Ellum for over a quarter century and excels as a sports bar, a spot to grab a drink after a show and a quality restaurant you don’t really need a reason to go to. As the name implies, hot dogs are a fixture here. The titular dish is buried in mustard, chili, grilled red onions and cheddar cheese. If that sounds a little overwhelming, the Plain Dog is served as advertised with a pickle on the side and several add-on options.

Dairy-Ette

9785 Ferguson Road

If you’re looking to have a nostalgic, Americana-esque hot dog experience, this spot is for you. Built in 1956 and barely altered since, Dairy-Ette is an old-fashioned diner where you can have a seat at the bar on a vinyl swivel chair and enjoy a classic hot dog (plain, chili and chili cheese) with an ice cream soda. Some people may find the feeling that the Archie Comics gang could barge in at any time unsettling, but Dairy-Ette’s longevity indicates that those people are in the minority.

Del’s Charcoal Burgers

110 S. McKinney St., Richardson

Del’s had a fire this year, but luckily made a quick comeback. The burgers are great, and the hot dogs are good too. At Del’s, the weiners are split down the middle, served on a burger bun and can be loaded with cheese, onions, chili and hickory sauce. Nothing too complicated, just the way the average hot dog enthusiast probably likes it.

Dog Haus

Multiple Locations

Dog Haus’ website describes it as “the absolute würst.” With an ample selection of hot dogs, from bratwurst to chili dogs to vegan substitutes, we’re inclined to agree. Keep an eye on specials for National Hot Dog Day.

Herby’s Burgers

2109 S. Edgefield Ave.

This fairly new restaurant in Oak Cliff has quickly made a name for itself on the strength of its burgers, and rightfully so. But next time you stop by Herby's, you should try one of their underrated hot dogs as well. The Herb Dog is topped with grilled onions and a signature sauce, and the plain Lil Dog is available for kids or picky adults. Elevate the experience by playing some thematic music on the jukebox. Do they have “Who Let the Dogs Out?” If not, someone needs to look into that.

Hunky’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers

2930 Cedar Springs Road
321 N. Bishop Ave.

Hunky's, a quirky duo of diners in Bishop Arts and Oak Lawn, has a wide selection of all the junk food you could ever want, including three different hotdogs. All of them have the word “Hunky” in the title, but the selections boil down to “plain,” “cheese” and “chili cheese.” This trio really is the chocolate, vanilla and strawberry of hotdogs. The hotdogs are one part of the reason we named Hunky's one of the best places to eat while stoned.

Oh Brother, Dog Days

Pop-Up

This one-man-show pop-up offers a creative assortment of hot dogs. We tracked them down in Arlington recently and had a Kewty Pie with teriyaki sauce, Kewpie mayo, green onions and furikaka. Of course, we had to get two after getting just one. They also have a Petey Bob with roasted poblano and onions with cilantro lime aioli. Each dog is served with hand-tossed kettle-cooked chips. The menu may change, but all dogs are winners here.

Okaeri Cafe

312 N. Greenville Ave., No. 100, Richardson

If you’ve ever wondered how hot dogs are made in Japan, the folks at Okaeri Cafe would be happy to enlighten you. Their hotto doggus (“hot dog” in Japanese) is served with yakisoba, katsu or okonomi-style (“as you like it”). If you’re weary of all of the classic hot dog options and crave a more elevated wiener, look no further.

Olidogs

512 W. Jefferson Blvd.

This Oak Cliff food stand has established itself as a local favorite by selling “Texas-made glizzies” (a slang term for hot dogs) made from high-quality ingredients at a reasonable price. The adventurous options at Olidogs include the Triple OG (an LA-style street dog with bacon, bell peppers, onions mayo and ketchup) and the Mango Pico Dog (tomato, onions, cilantro and mango). These substantial glizzies go for $8 and $6, respectively. Your wallet can afford both, but your stomach probably can’t.

Portillo’s

Multiple Locations

This Chicago import a handful of locations across North Texas, so if you’re hankering for a hot dog, you have some options. Speaking of options, Portillo’s offers seven different hot dogs as well as burgers, sandwiches and shakes. Classic offerings like chili cheese dogs are available as well as a Plant-Based Garden Dog (mustard, relish, celery salt, freshly chopped onions, sliced red ripe tomatoes, kosher pickle and sport peppers) for those looking for a meat-free option.

Rodeo Cold

3826 Ross Ave.

The Dirk Doggler. Is it a hot dog? Is it a corn dog? All we know is it's downright delicious. The Dirk Doggler ($12) is the créme de la créme of bar food: a foot-long corn dog split and stuffed with wagyu chili, cheese, red onions and plenty of pickled jalapeños served with skin-on house fries. Ask for a side of Rodeo sauce or jalapeño gravy for dipping. Wash it down with a boozy frozen Dr. Pepper. After a few, you'll forget all about calories. - Desiree Gutierrez

Carts

Everywhere

After events in Dallas, like games at the American Airlines Center or concerts at Dos Equis Pavilion, as you leave, you'll likely see mobile hot dog carts. Here, dogs are wrapped in bacon and cooked on a sizzling grill along with onions. They have mustard, mayo and ketchup available also. They'll take whatever type of cash app or cash you have. These sober-up dogs are the best in the city. They might actually save lives.