Hot dogs seem to be a polarizing topic. “They’re gross.”, They’re delicious!”; “They’re just sandwiches that you eat sideways.”, “They are definitely not sandwiches!”; “You can only eat them in the summer”, “I love hot dogs cooked over a fire on a cold night!”, and the list goes on. But hot dogs have made a comeback in recent years, and we’re not mad about it! Even better, they didn’t just come back, they came back bigger and better than ever. But we’re not talking about the day-old roller grill dogs that you get at the gas station on the corner, or the boiled weenies you had at your family reunion last summer. We’re talking about 100% premium meat, gourmet hot dogs with toppings that you never imagined putting on a hot dog! So, we are going to tell you where you can find the best of these delicious delicacies in Nashville, TN! Make sure to check out our Video below to watch us get up close and personal with these dogs! ;)
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Daddy’s Dogs
(5205 Centennial Blvd.)
If you’re looking for a no muss, no fuss kind of place with amazing speciality hot dogs and cheap beer, then this former gas station turned gourmet hot dog restaurant is right up your alley! Started as a food cart in 2015, Daddy’s Dogs quickly made a name for itself as having some of the best hot dogs in Nashville. In 2017, they opened their flagship store in The Nations neighborhood. Now with 5 locations (3 food carts and 2 permanent locations), Nashville can’t seem to get enough of Daddy’s Dogs! The only seating offered at the Nations location is outdoor, and the rest of the locations are to-go only. The brightly colored yellow and red decor is for some reason nostalgic and they don’t hide the fact that “size matters” as it is plastered on a large storage container right next to the order window at their flagship location. And as far as the food goes, these dogs are good! Like… REALLY good! The buns are locally baked, then toasted to perfection on the grill before slamming an all beef grilled dog on, then adding a generous helping of toppings. You can find some of your favorite classics like Chicago and New York style as well as some Daddy’s Dogs originals like the “Music City” dog (with bacon, cheddar cheese, onion, and BBQ sauce) and the “Big Daddy” dog (with cream cheese, bacon, pickle, grilled onion, jalapeño, and Daddy’s Secret Sauwce). But it doesn’t matter if you stick to one of the classics or branch out of your comfort zone, you’re not going to be disappointed! And a major plus is that they are open for lunch and dinner!
Our Order:
Big Daddy ($8) - Daddy Dog topped with Cream cheese, bacon, pickle, grilled onion, jalapeño, and daddy’s secret sauce.
Music City ($8) - daddy dog topped with bacon, cheddar cheese, onion and barbecue sauce, add secret sauce.
Tots ($3)
The Famous Forty On Ice ($8) - 40 oz. “Champagne of Beers” (Miller High Life) served in an ice bucket and includes cups to share.
The Donut + Dog
(Permanently Closed)
If the name didn’t give it away already, this place serves up some of the most delicious hot dogs and donuts that Nashville has to offer. With a more polished, ritzy vibe (well… as ritzy as hotdogs can be) than your typical hot dog restaurant, The Donut + Dog opened up in 2018 in the Hillsboro Village neighborhood and won the hot dog lovers hearts immediately. These hot dogs are served on their made-in-house brioche bun (think lobster roll meets Texas toast), and topped with some of the freshest ingredients you'll ever taste on a hot dog. And while you won’t find the tried-and-true classics on their menu, you will find some delicious, innovative dogs like their award winning “Elote Loco”, which is a chorizo dog topped with "mexican street corn", and cotija (roasted sweet corn, chipotle powder, lime, cilantro), or another fan favorite, the “Flying Hawaiian”, which is an all beef dog topped with grilled spiced pineapple, apple wood smoked bacon crumbles, and a house-made special sauce. And when you round out your meal with one of their 20 hr brioche donuts, you’re bound to leave with a smile on your face. Just note that indoor and outdoor seating is available but limited, and they aren’t open for dinner, so you’ll have to get your hot dog fix before 4pm if you’re coming to The Donut + Dog.
Our Order:
Flying Hawaiian ($7.50) - grilled spiced pineapple, apple wood smoked bacon crumbles, beef dog
Elote loco ($7.75) - chorizo dog, "mexican street corn", cotija (roasted sweet corn, chipotle powder, lime, cilantro)
Blueberry Cobbler Donut ($3.95?)
Beer Flight (4 7oz seasonal flavors, $14) IPA, Cider, Porter, Lager
I Dream Of Weenie
(113 S 11th St.)
This 60’s Volkswagen Van repurposed into a food trailer is permanently set up in the 5 Points neighborhood of East Nashville and serves as I Dream Of Weenie’s one and only location. The bright yellow VW van and hot dog-shaped flower planters on the front porch will draw you in, but the hot dogs are what will keep you coming back time and time again. Just remember, this is a food trailer, so there is no indoor seating or restrooms offered, but there are 4-5 picnic tables that customers can sit at to enjoy their meal. All of their hot dogs are charcoal grilled and served on a unassumingly delicious bun. Ranging from $3.50 - $5, these dogs are some of the least expensive that you’ll find in Nashville, but they are also smaller servings than most. That said, one hot dog was plenty for Natalie, but if you come with a big appetite, you might want to order two. They have a good selection of hot dogs, from their “Frank and to the Point” dog (mustard, ketchup, sweet relish, chopped red onions, $3.50) to their “Mac and Cheese Weenie” (homemade cheddar mac on top of a hot dog, $5) there;s something for everyone. For sides, they offer either chips (a variety of single serving sized bags) or their homemade mac and cheese. Drink options are all 12oz cans or bottled water. I Dream Of Weenie is a nice balance between the modern “bigger is better” gourmet hot dog culture and the hot dogs that you grew up eating at your family’s cookouts. So, next time you're in Nashville, be sure to stop by I Dream of Weenie to discover “a whole new world of weenie” (to quote one of their employees)!
Our Order:
Pimento Cheese Weenie ($4.50) - Weenie topped with homemade pimento cheese.
Mac and Cheese Weenie ($5.00) - Homemade cheddar mac on top of a hot dog
Sweet Maui Onion Chips ($1.75)
Buffalo Rock Ginger Ale (12oz can, $1.25)
“I Dream Of Weenie” Bottled Water ($1.25)
Cori’s Dog House
(401 S Mt Juliet Rd, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122)
So, here’s the deal… Cori’s Dog House has been one of our favorites since we moved to Nashville back in 2016. They were one of the few restaurants serving gourmet hot dogs back then, and they do it really well. That being said, the management at Cori’s has let the facility maintenance/cleanliness and customer service take a downturn in recent years, which is unfortunate. Thankfully, the food is still delicious! So, if you’re looking for a great atmosphere with overly friendly staff, then Cori’s might not be for you. They are open for lunch and dinner and they also have indoor seating. But if you just want a great hot dog at a reasonable price and aren’t worried about all the frills that come with a lot of other places, then this is your place. They have an extensive menu (that can be overwhelming at first glance) and every hot dog is inspired by different US states or cities, like the Buffalo dog (Wing Sauce, Bleu Cheese Crumbles) and the Hawaii dog (Pineapple/Mango Relish), so you’re sure to find something that appeals to your taste buds. They also have tons of sides to choose from, but our favorite is the onion rings. They are SO good! And if you’re feeling froggy, you can add on a… wait for it... Fried Twinkie from the dessert menu! Who doesn’t love to indulge in some deep fried desserts every now and then?! To wash it all down, Cori’s has free-refill fountain drinks, and a handful of bottled and tap beers. When you finish your meal (and wake up from your food coma), you can go walk it off at Centennial Park which is located just next door.
Our Order:
Carolina ($4.59) - Chilli, Cole Slaw, Onion, Mustard
New Hampshire ($4.59) - Mustard, Sweet Relish, Onion
Onion Rings ($2.89)
Fountain Drink ($1.99 x2)
Now that you’ve gotten the inside scoop on the Nashville hot dog scene, be sure to make a stop at one (or all) of these amazing restaurants on your next visit! And if you found this blog helpful, remember to tag us on Instagram (@AdventuresofMattandNat) in your Nashville hotdog photos. We can’t wait to see them!