Hot dogs! We’ve got your hot dogs here! There are plenty of great spots to get a dog around Northeast Ohio summer and no better way to get a taste of summer. Whether it’s an old-school dog diner, a more contemporary bar, a food truck or a Cleveland staple, the town is blessed with cased meats from east to west.
Dan’s Dogs Diner
111 West Liberty St., Medina
Looking for a hot dog in Medina? Dan’s is the spot for you. You’ll step into the 1950s at this diner, where they grill all beef hot dogs to order and you can choose from over 50 toppings. Pair it with a milkshake and you’re golden. Credit:Photo via Dan’s Dogs Diner/FacebookDynamite Dawgs
6312 Ste. A, Center St., Mentor
Known as the #1 destination for fair food, Dynamite Dawgs in Mentor has some of the best all beef hot dogs around. They have over 20 signature dawgs including ones topped with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, crispy hash browns, corned beef and much more. Pair with their deep fried garlic cheese curds or pickle chips and you’ll have the perfect fair fare. Credit:Photo via Dynamite Dawgs/FacebookHot Dog Heaven
493 Cleveland Ave., Amherst
At Hot Dog Heaven in Amherst, they’ve been serving hot dogs for over 40 years and they’ve basically perfected them at this point. The fries are damn good too. Credit: Scene ArchivesFrank’s
1979 West 25th St., in the West Side Market, Cleveland
Hard or soft roll, with or without kraut, brown or yellow mustard. To many, these are the choices that begin a day of shopping at the West Side Market. Do everybody a favor and know what you want before you reach the counter. Credit: Scene ArchivesHot Dog Diner & Burger
5494 Pearl Rd., Parma
In Parma, the Hot Dog Diner and Burger serves some tasty dogs. Their hillbilly jumbo dog is topped with chili and cole slaw and is definitely going to fill you up. Credit:Scene ArchivesNathan’s Famous
184 Crocker Park, Westlake
What would a hot dog list be without Nathan’s Famous? The only outpost of the national chain is at Crocker Park, where you can find the all beef hot dogs and crinkle fries known throughout the world. Credit:Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Ajay SureshRiver Dog Food Truck
All Around Town
Nothing like grabbing a hot dog from a food truck. And River Dog Cafe is one of the best around. Their specialty dogs include specials like their danger dog, wrapped with bacon and topped with a cheddar sauce and a pickle and pepper relish, their Jenny dog with bacon, brie and honey truffle glaze and a bunch of other awesome options. Credit:Photo via River DogCafe/FacebookBanter
3401 Tuttle Rd., Shaker Heights
The polish boy is a Cleveland staple, so no hot dog list would be complete without at least a couple of polish boys. In early 2020, the Food Network let loose their list of the “Best Sandwiches in America.” Banter’s Polish boy was included on this list. Credit: Scene archivesHounds Hot Dogs
6851 West 130th St., Parma Heights
In Parma Heights, Hounds is the spot for a good hot dog. Whether you want it plain, with chili, with chili and cheese or however you like it, try Hounds. Credit:Photo via Hounds Hot Dog/FacebookSwensons
Various Locations
For a proper drive-in dining experience, Swensons is the place. Locals have been scarfing down Swensons’ no-frills fare since 1934, including the house special Galley Boy. And while the burgers may be the go to, don’t sleep on the dogs. Credit: Scene ArchivesSkyline
Chili
5706 Mayfield Rd., Lyndhurst
Skyline may be known for their chili first, but not far behind in popularity are their coneys. Get em’ plain if you want but we prefer them with cheese, famous Cincinnati chili and onions, the way they’re meant to be. Credit: Scene ArchivesJohnny Hot Dog
1979 West 25th St., Cleveland
In the West Side Market, you’ll find Johnny Hot Dog, the oldest hot dog stand in Cleveland. They have a large selection of breakfast sandwiches but the hot dog is what started it all. Credit:Photo via Johnny Hot Dog/FacebookLucky Dogs
1200 Lakeside Ave. E., Cleveland
Polish boys, hot dogs, sausages? Lucky Dogs has you covered at this downtown hot dog stand from Raymond Baker who’s been selling hot dogs for over 50 years. Credit: Scene ArchivesHappy Dog
5801 Detroit Rd., Cleveland
Happy Dog is the perfect Cleveland bar – the food is reasonable and good and most weekend nights there’s live music and shows are usually free or cost just five bucks to get in. And their hot dogs, that come with basically any topping you want, are a Cleveland staple. Credit: Scene ArchivesABC The Tavern
1872 West 25th St., Cleveland
A classic Cleveland “old-man” bar with a totally modern vibe, this well-run tavern offers a full bar and plenty of tasty noshes, ranging from roasted red pepper hummus to a humongous burger. Nightly happy hours help make this a popular destination.
Photo via Scene Archives Credit: Scene ArchivesCharlie’s Dog House Diner
2102 Brookpark Rd., Cleveland
The kitschy roadside attraction has been in the exact same spot since 1952, when it began life as the Dog House, part of a national chain of shops that offered walk-up service to customers who ordered hot dogs and hamburgers through a window. Neon lights promising Chicago-style Vienna hot dogs will suck you in. Credit: Scene ArchivesSeti’s Polish Boys
All Around Town
One of the foods Cleveland can claim as its own is the Polish Boy. Rooted in our Eastern European past, the hefty kielbasa-and-fries-based fistwich is the model of economy. Rolled into one baby-size bundle are meat, veg, starch and sauce, which combine to form one of the world’s messiest and most delicious meals and Seti’s has one of the best. Credit: Scene ArchivesSteve’s Diner
6850 Biddulph Rd., Brooklyn
Open since 1955, Steve’s Diner, also known as Steve’s Hotdog Diner, is a 24-hour haunt in Brooklyn. The no frills menu feels like a throwback to bygone days. Luckily, we still have places like this around to keep us honest and serve us delicious hot dogs. Credit: Scene ArchivesSteve’s Doghouse
3850 Pearl Rd., Cleveland
In 2015, the beloved institution Steve’s Lunch burnt down. Luckily, this new and improved spot opened to take its place. Yeah, the beloved Doghouse actually serves up a bunch more than just tasty hot dogs, you can get whatever diner food you want but the dogs are definitely dleicious. (Open 24 Hours) Credit: Scene ArchivesScooter’s Dawg House
9600 Blackbrook Rd., Mentor
Scooter’s World Famous Dawg House has fed hungry Lake County beachgoers for over two decades. The seasonal shop is only open from the middle of March to the middle of September, but they manage to squeeze a full year of business into half a year’s time. The top-selling Chicago Dawg is dragged through the garden and topped with mustard, tomato, dill pickle, relish, onion and celery salt. Credit: Scooters FB