Houston may be best known for its top-notch barbecue and Tex-Mex, but the city’s growing hot dog scene is worthy of attention. When it comes to perfecting a classic hot dog or showcasing the wildest of toppings, Houston shines. From juicy franks found at your trusted late-night eatery to loaded Wagyu dogs and white tablecloth service, the city has range.
This list highlights some of the best spots to sink your teeth into a frank—whether you like them simple, spicy, or smothered in chili and cheese. Get ready to discover where to find the juiciest, most flavorful hot dogs across town, and prepare to add a few new must-try stops to your foodie bucket list. Read on to find the best hot dogs the city has to offer.
Moon Tower Inn
Moon Tower Inn in the East End has been whipping up gourmet dogs for over a decade. The restaurant offers a wide selection of proteins, including wild boar, Wagyu, deer, duck, and lamb, and guests are invited to customize their dogs as they wish. Find interesting toppings like crispy fried onions, roasted poblanos, beer mustard, and pimento cheese. Each dog is layered between a soft pretzel bun and served with a side of potato salad or coleslaw. 3004 Canal St., Houston, moontowerinn.com
Turner’s
Turner’s, a Berg Hospitality concept in the Galleria area, may not be the first place that comes to mind when looking for your next hot dog, but the fine dining restaurant does happen to serve one of Houston’s best. The Wagyu hot dog service is a splurge at $24, and is presented simply with meat and bun, and accompaniments like pushcart onions, sauerkraut, gruyere, and Russian dressing on the site. Enjoy the handheld while listening to live music from the restaurant’s pianist. 1800 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, turnershouston.com
Kenny & Ziggy’s Delicatessen
Kenny & Ziggy’s is famous in Houston, and beyond, for its New York-style deli eats. Naturally hot dogs are on the menu. The restaurant serves naturally-cased, all-beef dogs that are excellent with just a squiggle of mustard, but if you want to get adventurous, there are imaginative creations like the Slaw & Order, built with pastrami, mustard, and coleslaw. Visit during happy hour, when you can get a hot dog with sauerkraut for just $5. 1743 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, kennyandziggys.com
YoYo’s Hot Dog
Founded by Danny Kin, YoYo’s Hot Dog is a family-owned and operated business that started as a humble food cart outside now-shuttered Fox Hollow in 2010. Today, YoYo’s has a stall inside POST Houston’s bustling food hall, and a Washington Avenue storefront. Try the gamed YOYO Hot Dog, an all-beef hot dog topped with caramelized and fried onions, hot sauce, honey, and mayo. Multiple locations, yoyos-hotdogs.com
Umbrella Fellas
When hunger strikes after a round of cocktails at Grand Prize Bar in Montrose, slide over to Umbrella Fellas, a pop-up that holds court regularly at the bar’s Trophy Case Kitchen. In addition to hamburgers and fries, Umbrella Fellas slings tasty hot dogs. Represent Bayou City and devour the Houston Dog made with caramelized and crispy fried onions, sriracha, ketchup, and spicy mayo on a buttered challah bun. 1010 Banks St., Houston, umbrellafellashtx.com
James Coney Island
James Coney Island has been serving Houstonians since 1923, and it remains a beloved choice for hot dogs, Frito pie, and more to this day. The long-standing restaurant continues to serve its juicy all-beef hot dogs on fluffy artisan buns, as it has for generations. The original Coney, made with mustard, Coney sauce, and finely chopped onions, is iconic, but there aregourmet dogs if you’re looking for something fancier. The Baja combines pico de gallo, guacamole, cilantro, and fresh jalapenos for a Mexican twist on a classic. Multiple Locations, jamesconeyisland.com
MytiBurger
Since 1967, MytiBurger in Oak Forest has been serving up top notch diner food, including stellar hot dogs. Whether you prefer yours simple and classic, or dressed up in chilli and cheese, you’re in for a comforting meal that won’t break the bank. 2211 W. 43rd St., Houston, mytiburger1967.com
Portillo’s
Portillo’s was named after Dick Portillo, who invested $1,100 into a small trailer to open the first Portillo’s hot dog stand in 1963 in Villa Park, Illinois. Today, the restaurant has more than 70 locations across the country, including five in Houston. Enjoy countless tasty options like the jumbo chilli cheese dog, the plant-based garden dog, and the char-grilled Polish sausage. Multiple Locations, portillos.com
Dog Haus
Beloved for its signature all-beef hot dog and handcrafted proprietary Haus sausages, Dog Haus is lauded for its use of hormone- and antibiotic-free Black Angus beef from Creekstone Farms. All of the hot dogs are piled into grilled King’s Hawaiian rolls, in lieu of a standard bun, and come in styles like the Cowboy slathered with barbecue sauce, and the Sooo Cali with arugula, avocado, and spicy basil aioli. Find corndogs and plant-based options too. Multiple Locations, doghaus.com
Katz Deli
Since 1979, Katz Deli has been a popular stop for 24-hour dining in Houston. Here, you can enjoy dogs like the NYC chilli cheese Coney, the Kosher-Style Foot-Long, or the Reuben-Style Foot-Long at any hour of the day. Check out the newest Katz location in Memorial City. Multiple Locations, katzsneverkloses.com
The Burger Joint
The Burger Joint is a watering hole for burger lovers, but it has a pretty impressive track record of cheffin’ up some tasty hot dogs too. Split and grilled, their dogs are made with 100-percent beef. Indulge in a classic or the foot-long Big Frank, or spice things up with the chilli queso. Vegetarian diners love the veggie tofu dog. Multiple Locations, burgerjointhtx.com
Southwell’s Hamburger Grill
Southwell’s menu is packed with handhelds, including old-fashioned burgers, hot sandwiches, and hot dogs worth swooning over. The classic all-beef jumbo hot dog is served with mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, while the chilli cheese dog is dressed in chili, cheddar cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes—with both served on hamburger buns. Add a milkshake and end on a sweet note. Multiple Locations, southwells.com
Brennan’s
After recently revealing its new Courtyard Bar, Brennan’s refreshed its bar menu to include a special collaboration with localebrity and former Brenann’s chef, Chris Shepherd. A tower, served in a petite size for $45 and grand for $75, packs Shepherd’s mini Full Tilt hot dogs dressed with chow-chow alongside prime brisket smash burger sliders, and finished off with Creole fries, sweet potato waffle fries, and Andouille queso dipping sauce. The head-turning spread is a must for any Houstonian’s foodie bucket list. 3300 Smith St., Houston, brennanshouston.com
Killen’s Burger
Known for mastering the pit, Ronnie Killen has redefined diner-inspired comfort food at Killen’s Burger in Pearland. Though the burgers are a fan favorite, it would be remiss to overlook the hot dogs. Go all in with the bacon, cheddar, and jalapeno-stuffed dog, or keep it simple with a regular frank and go nuts with sides like crinkle-cut fries, tots, cheese curds, or onion rings. 2804 S. Main St., Pearland, killensburgerstx.com
