The Best Hot Dogs From Fast Food Chains
Hot dogs are an underrated fast food classic. Although they have a bad reputation for being overly processed, they’re a timeless staple of American cuisine.
Sometimes, you just want a good hot dog! Luckily, there are many fast food chains serving delicious hot dogs that you can visit when the mood strikes.
If you’re craving a classic hot dog, you’re in the right place! I’ve compiled a list of the 10 best fast food hot dogs that will surely hit the spot.
No matter what toppings you like to put on your hot dog, any option on this list has the comforting, familiar quality you’re looking for.
10. Checkers/Rally’s: Grilled Hot Dog
Checkers and Rally’s are two fast food chains with different names but are the same restaurant.
There are over 500 Checkers locations and over 300 Rally’s locations in the US.
Whether you’re dining at a Checkers location or a Rally’s, their menus will be identical.
Although the chains are famous for their burgers, they also make a great hot dog.
Checkers and Rally’s grilled hot dog is the most classic, basic version of a hot dog.
It’s just a classic grilled beef frank served in a toasted bun with ketchup and mustard.
9. Sam’s Club: Quarter-Pound Hot Dog
Although Sam’s Club is a wholesale warehouse, each location also has a food court.
The Sam’s Club food court menu features a variety of classic American fast foods, including a delicious hot dog.
Sam’s Club’s signature hot dog is called the Quarter-Pound Hot Dog.
It’s made from a quarter-pound beef hot dog, served in a bun with your choice of toppings, including mustard, ketchup, relish, sauerkraut, and fresh onions.
Sam’s Club offers one of the best hot dog deals – a Quarter-Pound Hot Dog and a fountain drink combo costs only $1.38!
8. Wienerschnitzel: Chili Dog
Wienerschnitzel is a West Coast-based chain restaurant specializing in hot dogs and other American fast food classics.
There are over 300 Wienerschnitzel locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
Although Wienerschnitzel offers many fast food classics like burgers, sandwiches, fries, and ice cream, they’re most famous for their hot dogs.
Wienerschnitzel’s signature hot dog is the Chili dog.
It’s made from a grilled World Famous Original, all-beef, or Polish hot dog, served in a steamed bun, and topped with Wienerschnitzel’s secret chili.
If you’d like, you can also substitute the steamed bun for a pretzel bun.
It is available on its own, or you can order it in one of Wienerschnitzel’s combos, including the Two Chili Dogs Combo, the Chili Dog, and the Corn Dog Combo.
Finally, if you’re not a big fan of chili dogs, Wienerschnitzel also offers a Chicago dog, corn dog, mustard dog, kraut dog, and several other veggie dogs.
7. Dairy Queen: Hot Dog
Dairy Queen is best known for its ice cream treats, especially the iconic Blizzards, but many locations also serve food, including hot dogs.
There are almost 4,500 Dairy Queen locations in the US. However, not all of them offer food.
To find out whether your local Dairy Queen serves food, go to the Locations page of the Dairy Queen website, and enter your zip code.
Select the location you’re interested in visiting. If it says “Treat Only” under the address, that location only offers ice cream. If it says “Food and Treat,” that location also serves food.
Dairy Queen’s hot dog is another basic and classic version served in a steamed bun.
You can order it plain or have it served with cheese.
If you prefer your hot dog to be a little more exciting, Dairy Queen also offers a 2 for $5 chili dog deal.
6. Sonic Drive-In: All-American Dog
Sonic Drive-In is the ‘50s drive-thru-themed fast food chain famous for its burgers, hot dogs, and milkshakes.
There are over 3,500 Sonic Drive-In locations in 46 states.
Hot dogs are an iconic part of Sonic’s menu.
Sonic’s signature hot dog is called the All-American Dog.
It’s made with a premium 100% beef hot dog in a soft, warm bun, topped with ketchup, mustard, diced onions, and relish.
It’s available on its own or as part of Sonic’s All-American Hot Dog Combo, which comes with fries and a fountain drink.
In addition to the All-American Dog, Sonic offers Chili Cheese Coney, the Footlong Quarter Pound Coney, and the Corn Dog.
5. Five Guys: Hot Dog
Five Guys is a fast food chain that has become a cult favorite for its delicious burgers, fries, and of course, hot dogs.
There are over 1,400 Five Guys locations in every state except for Alaska.
The Five Guys menu is famously bare bones, featuring a variety of American fast food classics, including hot dogs.
Five Guys’ hot dog is an all-beef hot dog, split and grilled lengthwise to create a delicious, caramelized exterior, served in a bun with your choice of toppings.
The topping options include mayo, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, ketchup, mustard, relish, onions, jalapeno peppers, green peppers, BBQ sauce, hot sauce, and A1 Sauce.
If you’re looking for something more extravagant than just a plain hot dog, Five Guys also offers a bacon dog, a cheese dog, and a bacon cheese dog.
4. Shake Shack: Hot Dog
Shake Shack is a fast food chain famous for its iconic ShackBurgers, milkshakes, and hot dogs.
There are over 250 Shake Shack locations in 30 states, plus Washington DC.
Although the chain is now famous for its burgers, the first Shake Shack was actually a hot dog stand in New York City’s Madison Square Garden!
Shake Shack’s hot dog is made from 100% Vienna Beef, grilled on a flat top, and served in a toasted bun.
If you prefer, you can add cheese sauce to make it a cheese dog.
In addition, Shake Shack offers other kinds of hot dogs, including sausage links, cheddar brats, and vegetarian garden dogs.
3. Portillo’s: Hot Dog
Portillo’s is a Chicago-based fast food chain famous for its burgers, Italian beef sandwiches, and Chicago-style hot dogs.
There are over 70 Portillo’s locations in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Portillo’s Chicago origins mean that hot dogs are a huge cornerstone of their menu.
Portillo’s hot dog is served “dragged through the garden,” meaning it’s topped with mustard, relish, celery salt, freshly chopped onions, red tomatoes, sport peppers, and a kosher pickle, all served in a steamed poppy seed bun.
If you’re feeling extra hungry, Portillo’s also offers a jumbo-sized hot dog served with the same ingredients but bigger.
In addition, Portillo’s serves chili cheese dogs, char-grilled Maxwell Street Polish sausages, and a plant-based garden dog.
2. Costco: Hot Dog
Like Sam’s Club, Costco is a wholesale warehouse but is equally famous for its food court.
The hot dog is one of the most iconic and beloved Costco food court menu items.
Since the Costco food court opened, their hot dog price has been $1.50, including a 20-ounce fountain drink.
Costco’s hot dog is made from 100% beef, weighs 4.4 ounces, and is served in a steamed bun.
It can be topped with your choice of ketchup, mustard, relish, or sauerkraut.
1. Nathan’s Famous: Hot Dog
Nathan’s Famous is a New York-based fast food chain that specializes in hot dogs.
There are almost 250 Nathan’s Famous locations in 24 states.
Nathan’s Famous is one of the oldest hot dog restaurants in the country, dating back to 1916.
They even sponsor an annual hot dog eating contest.
Most recently, 14-time champion Joey Chestnut ate a whopping 76 hot dogs in only 10 minutes!
Nathan’s Famous’ signature hot dog is made with 100% beef and a secret blend of spices, served in a soft, warm bun.
In addition to their plain hot dog, Nathan’s Famous offers a chili cheese dog and a NY Cheesesteak Dog.
Conclusion
Although not all fast food chains serve hot dogs, you can find some delicious ones if you know where to look.
Whether you like your hot dog plain, with ketchup, Chicago-style, or served with chili and cheese, at least one of the fast food hot dogs on this list will be right up your alley!
