Where are the good Hot Dogs?

Monday, August 15, 2005, 8:41 —by Joe Crawford
This item was posted in Food, Restaurants in San Diego category and has 13 Comments so far.

Bernie Dodge, in the recent Hot Dog Hall of Fame post sez:

Too bad. I’d like to see a hot dog museum here. Seems like the kind of thing you’d find in the middle of North Dakota, though, and not here where there are other distractions.

But that reminds me: does anyone have recommendations for where you can get a great charbroiled hot dog in San Diego? There used to be an outside stand adjacent to the Home Depot parking lot off Mission Gorge Road near the 8. They seem to have been put out of business by the thoroughly awful food truck directly in front of Home Depot.

So… with them gone, where’s the beef?

So, dear San Diego Blog readers: where are the good hot dogs in San Diego?

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13 Responses to “Where are the good Hot Dogs?”

  1. mikey said on Monday, August 15, 2005, 9:36

    there’s a decent hot dog place on Clairemont, close to the Krispy Kreme… I can’t recall the name, though.

    and I haven’t eaten there, but I know there’s a small dog place (with Vienna Beef - always reminds me of Chicago) in the Renaissance Center (close to UTC).

  2. Oto Otahal said on Monday, August 15, 2005, 10:49

    Yes, agree, i know this hot dog place…

  3. Kirk said on Monday, August 15, 2005, 13:26

    The Hot Dog place in Clairemont square is Woodie’s - small with firm casing.

    The one in UTC is probably Chicago on a Bun

  4. Bernie Dodge said on Wednesday, August 17, 2005, 18:24

    Thanks for the suggestions. I went to Woodies for dinner last night. Not bad, but a pretty skinny dog. I prefer thicker and charred.

    This blog entry attracted the attention of Uncle Frank himself from the Hot Dog Hall of Fame and he kindly recommended Buster’s Windy City in Sorrento Valley and Bunboyz in El Cajon.

    The quest continues…

  5. Graham Hellewell said on Sunday, September 4, 2005, 13:53

    Well, if you’re looking for a good Chicago style dog, then you absolutely must visit Lefty’s in North Park, over on 30th, near Upas I think. Great stuff. If you’re a pizza fan, you should try that as well. Enjoy!

    SignOnSanDiego Profile: http://entertainment.signonsandiego.com/profile/277686/

  6. Patrick said on Monday, October 3, 2005, 10:46

    I’ve been on a mission to find the perfect Chicago dog for 6 years in San Diego. Where is there a place that will make a dog that will compete with a Portillo’s hot dog? Or a great Italian Beef? A lot of places claim they make a Chicago dog but don’t have a clue of what it is.

    You need a steamed poppy seed bun, steamed vienna dog, that special green relish, white onion, mustard only (it’s a sin to put ketchup on a hotdog), dill slice, tomato slices and all sprinkled with celery salt. Have I forgotten anything?

  7. Jimmi said on Monday, August 14, 2006, 23:12

    the best hot dogs are at Jimmi’s Red Hots in Carlsbad. NY dogs, with a casing, on a open flame grill to give it a good char, with all the trimmings.

  8. Christina said on Wednesday, October 4, 2006, 13:05

    Patrick you should try Chicago on a Bun in UTC. They’re exactly what you’re looking for and definetly can compete with a Portillo’s dog.

  9. Lilly said on Sunday, October 22, 2006, 8:25

    Patrick, I agree with Christina. Chicago on a Bun is one of my most favorite hang outs. The food is just like they serve in Chicago and being there just seems like I’m back at home.

  10. GREG said on Sunday, August 19, 2007, 15:10

    I WAS DRIVING ON MIRAMAR ROAD LAST NGIHT AND I HAPPPEN TO STOP AT THE LIQUR STORE AND SAW A RESRAURANT CALLED VIVA CHICAGO HOT DOGS….
    BEST DOG I EVER ATE AND VERY CLEAN PLAC EI LOVED IT …. TRUE CHICAGO DOGS TH BREAD WAS REALL SOFT STEAMED…
    THE DOG HAD EVREYTHING MUSTAR . ONION. PICKLE. TOMATO . RELISH. SPORT PEPPERS AND CELERY SALT
    YOU GUYS SHOULD TRY IT ITS THE BEST I TOOK A MENU HOME AND HERES THE ADRESS
    6780 MIRAMAR ROAD SUIT 102 OR 103
    RIGHT BEHIND THE CARLS JR

  11. suzy said on Wednesday, September 5, 2007, 13:26

    it’s not authentic and not very good

  12. RICH said on Monday, January 14, 2008, 15:07

    WAS SUP BEST HOT DOG I EVER HAD WAS LAST NIUGHT IN MIRAMAR ROAD THE PLACE WAS CALLED VIVA CHICCAGO HOT DOGS BEST DOGGSSS EVER

  13. Joyce said on Thursday, June 26, 2008, 11:40

    I went to Viva Chicago to try it out. Loved it. Terrible parking lot but it is worth fighting for a spot.

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