Hot dogs may just be the quintessential American food of summer, and there is no shortage of classic hot dog joints in Connecticut to grab a dog.
Photojournalist Lori Golias and sports anchor Justin DeVellis visited Glenwood Drive-In, Blackie's Hot Dog Stand, Frankie's and Rawley's Drive-In for a taste of summer.
News 12 also asked viewers for YOUR favorite spots. Here are some of the best spots in Connecticut to grab a dog!
Al's Hot Dogs
248 S Main St.
Naugatuck, Connecticut 06770
Website Augie & Ray's
314 Main St.
East Hartford, Connecticut 06118
Website Bethel Hot Dog Palace
44 Stony Hill Road
Bethel, Connecticut 06801
Website Big Dawgg's & More
1111 Voluntown Road
Griswold, Connecticut 06351
Website Billy's Old Fashioned Ice Cream & Marketplace
742 Amity Road
Bethany, Connecticut 06524
Website Blackie's Hot Dog Stand
2200 Waterbury Road
Cheshire, Connecticut 06410
Website Burgerittoville
57 Church Hill Road
Newtown, Connecticut 06470
Website Buster's Drive In
884 Terryville Ave.
Bristol, Connecticut 06010
Website Captain Seas
905 N Colony Road
Wallingford, Connecticut 06492
Website Capitol Lunch
510 Main St.
New Britain, Connecticut 06051
Website Carol's Lunchbox
1365 Farmington Ave.
Farmington, Connecticut 06032
Website Chef's Dog House
337 Willard Ave.
Newington, Connecticut 06111
Website Chez Lenard
32 Colonial Lane
Ridgefield, Connecticut 06877
Website Costco
Country Store
2187 New London Turnpike
Glastonbury, Connecticut 06073
Website Cricket Car Hop
Every order at the Cricket Car Hop is made to order with fresh ingredients. Their best-selling long dog with the "works" or "everything" is comprised of a 9-inch Hummel hot dog with casing, yellow mustard, sweet red pepper relish, their famous hot sauce and heated, drained and pressed sauerkraut. All served on a buttered and toasted New England-style bun.
900 Access Road
Stratford, Connecticut 06615
Website Denmo's Snack and Dairy
Denmo's Snack and Dairy's most popular hotdog gets the works (sauerkraut, brown mustard, relish and chopped raw onion). The dog on the right is called the Pood Attack, inspired by the owner's half-poodle, consisting of a split and charred hotdog on a bed of lettuce, covered in American cheese, homemade Thousand Island dressing and chopped onions. It's on their "Legendary Lucarelli menu," which has an item created off of each member of our family. Denmo's is kicking off its 45th year of business, with Chloe Lucarelli and her wife Nicky Lucarelli carrying on the legacy of Chloe's father, Dennis Lucarelli, who opened the drive-in in 1978.
340 Main St.
South Southbury, CT 06487Website Dive
15 Water St.
Mystic, Connecticut 06355
Website Dogtown
664 New Haven Ave.
Milford, Connecticut 06460
Website Doogie's
Doogie's offers a 10-inch, 16-inch and a 2-foot hot dog. Order one plain and top it your way or choose from signature dogs such as the MAN V. FOOD, the Dixie, the Works, the Turnpike, the Doogie, the Boston, the Reuben, the Tijuana, the College, the Kelly, the Rebel and the Coney. Rachel Ray Magazine called Doogie's the No. 1 grilled hot dog in the country.
2525 Berlin Turnpike
Newington, CT 06111
Website Duchess
Duchess Restaurants have been known in Connecticut for their hotdogs for over 65 years. Their hot dog with "the works" (mustard, sauerkraut and relish) is their most popular, but their chili cheese dog is a close second. Duchess' hotdogs are made locally by Hummel Brothers in New Haven, with rolls baked fresh daily by Chaves Bakery in Bridgeport using the Duchess recipe. Duchess says they believe in using the best ingredients to make the best tasting hot dog and that they work with local partners to do just that.
Frankie's
700 Watertown Ave.
Waterbury, Connecticut 06708
464 Reidville Drive
Waterbury, Connecticut 06705
348 Chase Ave.
Waterbury, Connecticut 06704
Glenwood Drive-In
2538 Whitney Ave.
Hamden, Connecticut 06518
Website GoldBurger's
1096 Main St.
Newington, Connecticut 06111
Website Harry's Place
104 Broadway St.
Colchester, Connecticut 06415
Website Jack Rabbit's Burgers, Wings and Things
254 Main St.
Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475
Website Jake's Diggity Dog
40 Broad St.
Milford, Connecticut 06460
Website JK's Original
126 South St.
Danbury, Connecticut 06810
Website Lake Zoar Drive In
Popular dogs at Lake Zoar Drive In include the Pastrami Reuben Dog (with choice of Russian dressing or mustard), the chili dog with onion and the Mike’s Slaw Dog topped with chili, horseradish mustard and coleslaw.
14 Roosevelt Drive Rural, CT-34
Stevenson, Connecticut 06491
Website Merritt Canteen
4355 Main St.
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06606
Website Mickey's Oceanic Grill
119 Pitkin St.
East Hartford, Connecticut 06108
Website Mr. Mac's Canteen
838 Main St.
Monroe, Connecticut 06468
Website New Guida's
484 Meriden Road
Middlefield, Connecticut 06455
Website Nikki’s Dog House
Nikki's Dog House and their famous Coney Island Dogs celebrate 43 years on April 1. Nikki's Coney Dog has been the staple item on the menu since the very beginning. Some call it a Nikki Dog, The Works, All the Way, or "I'll Have Three", but anyway you call it you get a grilled hot dog in a steamed bun topped with yellow mustard, our secret Coney Island meat sauce, and chopped onions!
5 Canal St.
Putnam, Connecticut 06260
Website Ordinary New Haven
990 Chapel St.
New Haven, Connecticut 06510
Website Original Ranchhouse
27 Windsor Ave.
Windsor, Connecticut 06095
Website Roadside Gourmet
205 Governor’s Highway
South Windsor, Connecticut 06074
Website Rawley's Drive-In
Rawley's Fairfield in Fairfield is home to the legendary Martha Stewart's favorite dog.
1886 Post Road
Fairfield, Connecticut 06824
Website Riley's Hot Dog & Burger Gourmet
Riley's Hot Dog and Burger Gourmet is a funky locale with over 20 gourmet hot dog options. One of the most popular hot dogs on the menu is the Loco Taco Dog that's not only fun for kids but also the kid in you. It's topped with seasoned ground beef, lettuce, tomato, taco sauce, sour cream, shredded cheddar and nacho chips. Riley's says the dog will tame your cravings for tacos and hot dogs in one bite.
61 Glen St.
New Britain, Connecticut 06051
Website Saint's
1248 Queen St.
Southington, Connecticut 06489
Website Super Duper Weenie
306 Black Rock Turnpike
Fairfield, Connecticut 06825
Website Sycamore
The Sycamore has been in continuous operation since 1948 and offers car hop service. The famous Sycamore hot dog is crispy on the outside - a hot dog served with mustard, relish, sauerkraut, onion and a crisp slice of bacon.
282 Greenwood Ave.
Bethel, Connecticut 06801
Website Tomlinson's
1400 Noble Ave.
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06610
Website Top Dog Portland
211 Route 66 (Marlbourgh Road)
Portland, Connecticut
Website Valley Farms
1995 Boston Ave.
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06610
The Wienery
17 Bridge St.
Stamford, Connecticut 06905
Website The Windmill Tavern
400 Hollister St.
Stratford, Connecticut 06615
Website Windsock Inn
Windsock Inn in Stratford has been in business for almost 50 years, with airplane-memorabilia covered walls and a pub-like atmosphere. Windsock is well-known for its chili, burgers and Hummel hot dogs. An old-school kind of place that is comfortable and welcoming.
295 Main St.
Stratford, Connecticut 06615
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