Alabamaâs best hot dogs: Readers said weâd be crazy to overlook these joints
Hot dogs make summer sizzle, and people in Alabama know exactly where to find the best dogs in the state — aside from their own backyard grills, of course.
Readers were only too happy to point to their favorite places, when asked to do so by AL.com on social media. They relished telling us about the fabulous joints we missed in our lists of the best hot dogs in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile and statewide.
There was plenty of agreement, too, as hot dog fans chimed in to praise legendary joints that we also lauded as Bama’s Best. Now we’re ready to travel across Alabama, stuffing frankfurter sandwiches into our faces with gusto. And we don’t need some national Fourth of July hot dog contest to inspire the trip. We have reader tips for that. Thanks, folks!
Now, on to your tasty picks.
MORE: Alabama’s best burger: Readers can’t believe we missed these
Fans have lauded the congenial staff at Mrs. Story’s Dairy Bar in Opelika. On its website, the Auburn-Opelika Tourism bureau touts Mrs. Story’s for its family-friendly atmosphere and “the freshest ‘fast’ food in the area.”(Courtesy of Auburn-Opelika Tourism)
TOP DOGS WE MISSED
One spot that should not be overlooked, according to readers, is The Chicago Cafe in Florence. Several recommendations came in for the restaurant on E. Mobile Street, which offers “100% natural, Black Angus beef dogs and locally sourced bratwurst with a multitude of house made toppings,” according to its website. (“My favorite. Chicago dogs, Cuban dogs. So much good stuff,” one reader said.)
After looking at the enticing menu for The Chicago Cafe, we’re more than ready to try Da Dirty Dog (with barbecue sauce, toasted cheddar cheese and grilled onions), The Sweet-Heat Dog (with house sriracha mayo, house-made banana peppers and Cajun spices) or The Italian Dog (with pesto sauce, toasted. mozzarella cheese and Italian spices). Best of all, this place stays open daily into the wee hours, to satisfy late-night munchies
Another joint that earned multiple raves from readers is Mrs. Story’s Dairy Bar in Opelika. It’s been an institution in Lee County for more than six decades, serving chili dogs, milkshakes, sundaes, ice-cream cones and more. Mrs. Story’s shut down temporarily during COVID, but fans can get their fix again at at 1900 Pepperell Parkway. (“I moved away in the ‘80s but I still think about their chili dog,” one fan said via Instagram.)
“If you ever see me eating a chili cheese dog off the hood of my truck, feel free to give me a honk and a wave,” Mark Jenkins said via Facebook, praising Mrs. Story’s fare. “I may not respond. I may be ‘in the zone.’”
Drenched in a secret sauce that’s been in the family since day one, Chris’ Famous Hotdogs have become a Montgomery tradition.(AL.com file photo)
FAMILIAR FAVORITES
We love ‘em. You love ‘em. Readers echoed many of AL.com’s picks for the juiciest, most flavorful hot dogs in the state, including the No. 1 pick for Alabama: Chris’ Famous Hotdogs in Montgomery. “Chris’ Hot Dogs down in the Gumptown!! Make sure you get ‘em all the way,” one reader said. “Chris’ Hot Dogs in Montgomery, AL, is by the best Hotdog I have ever had,” another reader raved. “My hubby and I would drive down from Calera AL just to eat at their place!”
Other joints that really hit the spot, for us and for readers, include Gus’s Hot Dogs in Birmingham, Tony’s Hot Dogs in Pelham, the Dew Drop Inn in Mobile, Sam’s Super Samwiches in Homewood, Al’s Hot Dogs & Other Fine Foods in Mobile, the New South Hot Dog & Sushi food truck in Huntsville, Payne’s Sandwich Shop & Soda Fountain in Scottsboro and Bunyan’s Bar-B-Q in Florence. (”Slaw dogs are crack,” one reader said of Bunyan’s.)
Devotees of Gus’s Hot Dogs, in particular, were quick to pay homage online. Gus’s, our No. 2 pick statewide, is an old-school hot dog joint founded in 1947. “I been going to Gus’s since 1975 and I’ll be going to one of us is gone,” one fan said via Facebook. “Those things are addictive,” Judy Badger said. “Their slaw dogs are delicious.”
READ: Alabama’s best hot dogs: Our Top 10
Hot dogs at Shaggy’s Burgers and Tacos in Huntsville.(Courtesy of Shaggy’s Burgers and Tacos)
NORTH ALABAMA
Readers heaped praise on several hot dog joints in North Alabama, especially the Wildwood Tavern in Florence. (Their motto is “Keep Florence funky.”) The creative menu includes The Korean BBQ Dog, The Pie Dog, The Rasta Dog and The Beer Fest Dog. Some may consider it heresy, but the Wildwood Tavern serves veggie dogs, too.
Other reader favorites in North Alabama include Shaggy’s Burgers and Tacos in Huntsville, Sparky’s Drive-In in Tuscumbia, Downtown Dawgs in Decatur and Pico de Gallo House in Albertville. Some folks lauded Weiner Von Braun’s hot dog cart, which appears to be a new addition to the food scene in Huntsville. Hey, who could resist a name like that?
MORE: Huntsville’s best hot dogs: Our Top 5
Grumpy Dog, a popular hot dog stand, can be found at 200 E. Bridge St. in Wetumpka, Alabama.(Courtesy of Andrea Dorais)
CENTRAL ALABAMA
Central Alabama is hot dog heaven, according to readers, and while they liked our picks, they were quick to chime in with other favorites. Grumpy Dog in Wetumpka has plenty of admirers, for example, and folks also pointed to Pop’s Neighborhood Grill in Birmingham. “Bacon Slaw Dog is the best hot dog in the southeast,” Billy Autrey said on Instagram, giving Pop’s a shout-out.
Other crave-worthy spots, readers said, are The Hidden Grill in Phenix City, Alabama Stackers in Jasper, Deb’s Hot Dogs in Bessemer, Paul’s Hot Dogs in Clay, Jenny’s Sandwich Shop in Bessemer, Lolo’s BBQ & Hotdogs in Fultondale, Kicken Cowboy Hotdogs & Catering in Warrior and Maddogs Grill in Clanton.
“Best hot dogs in Alabama are from an old, local place in Phenix City, Alabama, the 14th Street Grill,” one fan said.
Whiskey Foxtrot Burger Dive received an enthusiastic thumb’s up, as well. “Best kept secret: Whiskey Foxtrot Burger Dive in Hoover,” a reader said, “Folks initially go for the burger experience. But try one of the gourmet hot dogs and you may become a convert!” After that endorsement, we’re ready to sample the Chili Ray Cyrus, which boasts an all-beef frank, chili, cheese sauce and chopped yellow onions, served on a Hawaiian roll.
MORE: Birmingham’s best hot dogs: Our Top 5
The Wacked Out Weiner along Dauphin Street in downtown Mobile, Ala. (John Sharp/[email protected]).
SOUTH ALABAMA
South Alabama is no slouch when it comes to hot dogs, and readers mostly agreed with the picks in our top 10 list, as well as the notables listed by Lawrence Specker of AL.com. They added a few favorites, however, such as The Wacked Out Weiner in Gulf Shores, Honey’s Hotdogs in Dothan, Benton’s in Opp and Dobbs Famous Bar-B-Que in Dothan. “Hands down, the best anywhere,” one reader said about the dogs at Dobbs. “I was born in Dothan and we moved to Decatur on 1974,” Jamie Smith said on Facebook. “Anytime I ever go back I have to eat there and get at least three. I wish I knew how they make that chili.”
MORE: Mobile’s best hot dogs: Our Top 5
More on Alabama’s Best food:
Alabama’s best barbecue: Our Top 10
Alabama’s best burgers: Our Top 10