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8 places for footlongs, decadent dogs, vegan brats, and more
When one thinks of hot dog-obsessed cities, the classic Chicago dog or the Coney Island chili dog typically come to mind. But the Twin Cities is also home to some timeless destinations for a Vienna beef frank between a sesame seed bun. And of course, there’s always room for some modern riffs on the classics, like vegan dogs or funky toppings worth savoring.
Here’s a roundup of some superior local links.
— Nina Raemont
Read MoreIt’s hard to deny some “Damn Good Dogs,” and this northeast Minneapolis fixture features a whole menu section devoted to dogs built with imported Chicago ingredients. Order the Uncle Franky dog with mustard, relish raw onion, and ketchup “because this is Minneapolis.” Or go city hopping with a Coney Island chili dog, the Chicago dog, the Carolina slaw dog, or the Wall Street dog, which, “tastes like a million bucks,” per the menu.
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At this creative “vegan” butchery in northeast Minneapolis, diners can choose between an Italian sausage, bacon brat, beer brat, or sriracha brat — all meat-free, of course. Top a beer brat with fried onions and dijon mustard for the full experience.
At Stray Dog in northeast Minneapolis, there’s something to satisfy hot dog purists or experimentalists alike. With franks coming from Kramarczuk’s Sausage Company just down the street, there’s vegetarian dogs and loaded varieties like a Texas chili cheese or Venezuelan dog with crushed kettle chips.
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This decades-old hot dog joint is known for its cheap Chicago dogs and great customer service, and despite a slowdown in business during the pandemic, the lunchtime spot made it to 30 this summer. Find the stand in the Minneapolis skyway on the first-floor food court of Northstar Center.
Peter Botcher’s Hennepin Avenue locale serves a ridiculously large all-beef footlong. And it’s not as much of a hot dog as it is a smoked sausage, but the sampler platter is still worth a mention. The spread comes with a jalapeno beef link, smoked pork and cheddar, and wild boar chaurice, plus giardiniera, braised red cabbage, and assorted smoky and cheesy sauces.
Hot dogs at this West Bank staple bring all of the flavor without any of the frills. A regular dog comes with a Vienna beef frank, but there’s also affordable meat alternatives like a vegan tofu dogs or brats. Keep it classic with a Chicago dog or spice it up with Mr. Sunshine dressed with spicy giardiniera sauce and cheese.
With locations in Lowertown, Uptown, and downtown, this American restaurant and beer bar is best known for its “Danger Dog” — a frank wrapped in double-smoked bacon, then deep fried, and topped with sriracha mayo and fried onions. Other classics include the Lowertown mac and cheese dog or the Berliner hot dog to go along with in-state beers or Belgian brews.
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No hot dog topping is off limits at Tilt Pinball Bar in south Minneapolis, where the pinball games get competitive and the dogs are made from scratch. Craving smoked onions, gruyere, and bacon on your dog? Got it. What about kimchi, kewpie mayo, and sesame seeds? Got it. Tilt offers eight specialty dogs, including the option to sub in a vegan brat. If diners are still stuck on what to order, there’s a build-your-own option.
It’s hard to deny some “Damn Good Dogs,” and this northeast Minneapolis fixture features a whole menu section devoted to dogs built with imported Chicago ingredients. Order the Uncle Franky dog with mustard, relish raw onion, and ketchup “because this is Minneapolis.” Or go city hopping with a Coney Island chili dog, the Chicago dog, the Carolina slaw dog, or the Wall Street dog, which, “tastes like a million bucks,” per the menu.
At this creative “vegan” butchery in northeast Minneapolis, diners can choose between an Italian sausage, bacon brat, beer brat, or sriracha brat — all meat-free, of course. Top a beer brat with fried onions and dijon mustard for the full experience.
At Stray Dog in northeast Minneapolis, there’s something to satisfy hot dog purists or experimentalists alike. With franks coming from Kramarczuk’s Sausage Company just down the street, there’s vegetarian dogs and loaded varieties like a Texas chili cheese or Venezuelan dog with crushed kettle chips.
This decades-old hot dog joint is known for its cheap Chicago dogs and great customer service, and despite a slowdown in business during the pandemic, the lunchtime spot made it to 30 this summer. Find the stand in the Minneapolis skyway on the first-floor food court of Northstar Center.
Peter Botcher’s Hennepin Avenue locale serves a ridiculously large all-beef footlong. And it’s not as much of a hot dog as it is a smoked sausage, but the sampler platter is still worth a mention. The spread comes with a jalapeno beef link, smoked pork and cheddar, and wild boar chaurice, plus giardiniera, braised red cabbage, and assorted smoky and cheesy sauces.
Hot dogs at this West Bank staple bring all of the flavor without any of the frills. A regular dog comes with a Vienna beef frank, but there’s also affordable meat alternatives like a vegan tofu dogs or brats. Keep it classic with a Chicago dog or spice it up with Mr. Sunshine dressed with spicy giardiniera sauce and cheese.
With locations in Lowertown, Uptown, and downtown, this American restaurant and beer bar is best known for its “Danger Dog” — a frank wrapped in double-smoked bacon, then deep fried, and topped with sriracha mayo and fried onions. Other classics include the Lowertown mac and cheese dog or the Berliner hot dog to go along with in-state beers or Belgian brews.
No hot dog topping is off limits at Tilt Pinball Bar in south Minneapolis, where the pinball games get competitive and the dogs are made from scratch. Craving smoked onions, gruyere, and bacon on your dog? Got it. What about kimchi, kewpie mayo, and sesame seeds? Got it. Tilt offers eight specialty dogs, including the option to sub in a vegan brat. If diners are still stuck on what to order, there’s a build-your-own option.
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