Not only is it Greasy Spoons Week here at Eater, but July is also National Hot Dog Month. They're often overlooked for their heftier cousin, the burger, but hot dog connoisseurs know that building an awesome dog is an art in its own right. Whether you're looking to get a classic Chicago style dog (no ketchup!) or try a new take on the classic (truffle dog, anyone?), we've got you covered. Not just for ballgames anymore, here's a handy guide to the Twin Cities' 10 best cheap hot dogs, mapped in geographic order.
Did we miss your favorite dog? Let us know in the comments.
The Uptown location certainly offers the classics like the Chicago Dog and the Maxwell Polish, but why not try the Mac N Dog, a hot dog covered in macaroni and cheese for $6. They serve Vienna Beef natural casing hot dogs along with chips and a pickle, but if you're wise you'll splurge and get the tots for $1.50 more.
Coming in at $9 doesn't exactly make these cheap dogs, but you get two dogs per order. Eli's has unique offerings such as the Sloppy Dog, a dog with sloppy joe topping and American cheese. Or you can class it up by ordering the Truffle Dog which is topped with provolone, mushroom-leek confit, and truffle salt. Seriously?!
There really is nothing cheap about these all-natural wieners and brats except for their price ($4). Nate typically has 2-3 different house-made mustards, including a rotating mustard made with local beer, and he makes all his own condiments (sauerkraut, caramelized onions, and bacon jam). Check out his website, Twitter, or Facebook to find where this mobile hot dog cart is on the daily.
At this Downtown Minneapolis spot you can build your own dog for $5.50. Choose what you want on the quarter pound all-beef hot dog served on a Coney bun. Or you should probably just order a Diamond Dog ($8), the same quarter pound dog wrapped with pepper bacon, deep fried, and served on a pretzel bun.
It doesn't get any more Polish than this. Although Dusty's is home of the dago, they also offer classic Polish sausage dogs for $4. Get one Chicago-style for $1 more or have it topped with chili and onion ($5.25). Do yourself a favor and order a Grain Belt Nordeast with your dago and dogs.
The Nordeast hot dog shack is an experience in itself, from its Scooby-Doo decor to the neon green relish. The Uncle Franky dog will get you a natural cased Vienna Beef dog with mustard, ketchup, onion, and relish for just $2.75. Or get the classic Chicago Dog - mustard, pickle, tomato, onion, relish, sport
peppers, and a dash of celery salt for $3.25.
Even though you're in Minneapolis, you'll be ordering 2 Coney Dogs - St. Paul Style ($7.95) at Grumpy's. The dogs are topped with an original Coney sauce recipe, "not just chili slapped on a dog like some schumcks do," according to Grumpy's menu. The two Nathan's Famous dogs are served on grilled buns with a dash of mustard, and onions on the side.
This family-owned West Bank dive lets you choose your dog (Vienna beef, Polish, brat, tofu, vegetarian), then choose any style or add any topping you want ($3.50-4.50). Ask for your dog Mexican-style (wrapped in bacon) for $1.50 extra. Or choose any of their special dogs like the Cadillac - your choice of dog topped with cheese, egg, bacon, and wrapped in a pancake ($6.50). Heads up! Cash only.
Classic Chicago dogs are what you'll find at St. Paul's Chris & Rob's on West 7th. Like the Dubnecay brothers, most of their ingredients come directly from Chicago, from the real poppy seed bun to the neon green "nuclear relish." For only $3.24 you can experience a true Chicago Style hot dog - mustard, relish, onions, sliced tomatoes, kosher pickle, sport peppers, seasoned with celery salt on a poppy seed bun. Don't even think of asking for ketchup.
Gopher Bar is the ultimate in dive bar experiences. The bar claims that not only do they serve the #1 Coney Island dog in the world, but that they are the best bar in the world, too. The Coney Island dog ($4) is topped with mustard, meat sauce, onions, and cheese if you so desire. If you don't make it to the Downtown St. Paul bar, do yourself a favor and check out their website for a good chuckle.
The Uptown location certainly offers the classics like the Chicago Dog and the Maxwell Polish, but why not try the Mac N Dog, a hot dog covered in macaroni and cheese for $6. They serve Vienna Beef natural casing hot dogs along with chips and a pickle, but if you're wise you'll splurge and get the tots for $1.50 more.
Coming in at $9 doesn't exactly make these cheap dogs, but you get two dogs per order. Eli's has unique offerings such as the Sloppy Dog, a dog with sloppy joe topping and American cheese. Or you can class it up by ordering the Truffle Dog which is topped with provolone, mushroom-leek confit, and truffle salt. Seriously?!
There really is nothing cheap about these all-natural wieners and brats except for their price ($4). Nate typically has 2-3 different house-made mustards, including a rotating mustard made with local beer, and he makes all his own condiments (sauerkraut, caramelized onions, and bacon jam). Check out his website, Twitter, or Facebook to find where this mobile hot dog cart is on the daily.
At this Downtown Minneapolis spot you can build your own dog for $5.50. Choose what you want on the quarter pound all-beef hot dog served on a Coney bun. Or you should probably just order a Diamond Dog ($8), the same quarter pound dog wrapped with pepper bacon, deep fried, and served on a pretzel bun.
It doesn't get any more Polish than this. Although Dusty's is home of the dago, they also offer classic Polish sausage dogs for $4. Get one Chicago-style for $1 more or have it topped with chili and onion ($5.25). Do yourself a favor and order a Grain Belt Nordeast with your dago and dogs.
The Nordeast hot dog shack is an experience in itself, from its Scooby-Doo decor to the neon green relish. The Uncle Franky dog will get you a natural cased Vienna Beef dog with mustard, ketchup, onion, and relish for just $2.75. Or get the classic Chicago Dog - mustard, pickle, tomato, onion, relish, sport
peppers, and a dash of celery salt for $3.25.
Even though you're in Minneapolis, you'll be ordering 2 Coney Dogs - St. Paul Style ($7.95) at Grumpy's. The dogs are topped with an original Coney sauce recipe, "not just chili slapped on a dog like some schumcks do," according to Grumpy's menu. The two Nathan's Famous dogs are served on grilled buns with a dash of mustard, and onions on the side.
This family-owned West Bank dive lets you choose your dog (Vienna beef, Polish, brat, tofu, vegetarian), then choose any style or add any topping you want ($3.50-4.50). Ask for your dog Mexican-style (wrapped in bacon) for $1.50 extra. Or choose any of their special dogs like the Cadillac - your choice of dog topped with cheese, egg, bacon, and wrapped in a pancake ($6.50). Heads up! Cash only.
Classic Chicago dogs are what you'll find at St. Paul's Chris & Rob's on West 7th. Like the Dubnecay brothers, most of their ingredients come directly from Chicago, from the real poppy seed bun to the neon green "nuclear relish." For only $3.24 you can experience a true Chicago Style hot dog - mustard, relish, onions, sliced tomatoes, kosher pickle, sport peppers, seasoned with celery salt on a poppy seed bun. Don't even think of asking for ketchup.
Gopher Bar is the ultimate in dive bar experiences. The bar claims that not only do they serve the #1 Coney Island dog in the world, but that they are the best bar in the world, too. The Coney Island dog ($4) is topped with mustard, meat sauce, onions, and cheese if you so desire. If you don't make it to the Downtown St. Paul bar, do yourself a favor and check out their website for a good chuckle.
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