There is no denying that Houston has an obsession with hamburgers. When the city's preeminent food critic writes a regular Friday feature highlighting the latest burgers, it's pretty obvious. However, that does not mean there aren't great hot dogs here, too. While maybe not to Bourdainian levels, this city loves meat in tube form. The city's preeminent practitioner of this dark art, Moon Tower Inn, may have their reopening stuck in permitting hell, but there are lots of other places to go to get a hot dog fix. Below are 13 suggestions to get you started.
One of only three food trucks to make Chronicle critic Alison Cook's top 100, Good Dogs serves a wide variety of creative toppings, including a classic Chicago-style with sweet peppers.
While Koagie Hot may not make their dogs or buns, they do make their own kimchi, which they apply liberally to their hot dogs. The result is a spicy, potent flavor that helps them stand out from other Korean-inspired trucks.
As the name implies, it's all about wild game here, which means sausages made from buffalo, venison or pheasant. While they might have borrowed the idea from Moon Tower Inn, when the food is this well executed it's hard to fault them for that.
Made with Mangalitsa pork and a natural casing, it's the new gold standard for Houston hot dogs. That its topped with Revival's excellent pork cracklings and served in a fantasic Slow Dough bun only enhances the experience.
Even before they had a food truck, Eatsie Boys chef Matt Marcus served his homemade chicken, poblano and feta sausage at local farmers' markets. The idea is so successful that it's propelled them towards a brick and mortar cafe (opening soon) and was copied by supermarket giant H.E.B.
Just like their burgers, it's the creative toppings and high quality meat that set hot dogs at The Burger Guys apart. Consider the Omaha: a foot-long dog wrapped in potato strings, deep fried and served with bacon jam.
Your foodie friends may look down on the casual, Montrose-based chain, but screw 'em; this hot dog's legit. It's a foot-long, half-pound, all beef dog served in a slightly sweet bun. Both chili and cheese are available to make it even more decadent.
Chronicle critic Alison Cook described her reaction to the Colombian style dog as "admiring the sheer effrontery of this manic creation." That means a dog topped with: pineapple, mustard, mayo, ketchup and a quail egg.
No one's saying a person should spend $50 on a Costco membership just for a hot dog, but, if you're already there, the footlong, all beef, Hebrew National dog only costs $1.50 and includes a soda. That makes it one of the best lunch deals in town.
It starts with a 1/4lb, all beef, Hebrew National dog, but the toppings at Happy Fatz set it apart. Like the Baron Van-Ratchet, topped with sauerkraut, spicy mustard and crunchy pretzels.
For over 25 years, Beck's Prime has expanded across the city thanks to their high quality burgers and dogs. They serve a Boar's Head dog with a natural casing, butterflied and grilled over mesquite.
One of only three food trucks to make Chronicle critic Alison Cook's top 100, Good Dogs serves a wide variety of creative toppings, including a classic Chicago-style with sweet peppers.
While Koagie Hot may not make their dogs or buns, they do make their own kimchi, which they apply liberally to their hot dogs. The result is a spicy, potent flavor that helps them stand out from other Korean-inspired trucks.
As the name implies, it's all about wild game here, which means sausages made from buffalo, venison or pheasant. While they might have borrowed the idea from Moon Tower Inn, when the food is this well executed it's hard to fault them for that.
Made with Mangalitsa pork and a natural casing, it's the new gold standard for Houston hot dogs. That its topped with Revival's excellent pork cracklings and served in a fantasic Slow Dough bun only enhances the experience.
Even before they had a food truck, Eatsie Boys chef Matt Marcus served his homemade chicken, poblano and feta sausage at local farmers' markets. The idea is so successful that it's propelled them towards a brick and mortar cafe (opening soon) and was copied by supermarket giant H.E.B.
Just like their burgers, it's the creative toppings and high quality meat that set hot dogs at The Burger Guys apart. Consider the Omaha: a foot-long dog wrapped in potato strings, deep fried and served with bacon jam.
Your foodie friends may look down on the casual, Montrose-based chain, but screw 'em; this hot dog's legit. It's a foot-long, half-pound, all beef dog served in a slightly sweet bun. Both chili and cheese are available to make it even more decadent.
Chronicle critic Alison Cook described her reaction to the Colombian style dog as "admiring the sheer effrontery of this manic creation." That means a dog topped with: pineapple, mustard, mayo, ketchup and a quail egg.
No one's saying a person should spend $50 on a Costco membership just for a hot dog, but, if you're already there, the footlong, all beef, Hebrew National dog only costs $1.50 and includes a soda. That makes it one of the best lunch deals in town.
It starts with a 1/4lb, all beef, Hebrew National dog, but the toppings at Happy Fatz set it apart. Like the Baron Van-Ratchet, topped with sauerkraut, spicy mustard and crunchy pretzels.
For over 25 years, Beck's Prime has expanded across the city thanks to their high quality burgers and dogs. They serve a Boar's Head dog with a natural casing, butterflied and grilled over mesquite.
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