Road Trip: Connecticut hot dog tour
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
Augie & Ray's
Bethel Hot Dog Palace
Big Dawgg's & More
Billy's Old Fashioned Ice Cream & Marketplace
Blackie's Hot Dog Stand
Burgerittoville
Buster's Drive In
Captain Seas
Capitol Lunch
Carol's Lunchbox
Chef's Dog House
Chez Lenard
Costco
Multiple locations.
Website
Website
Country Store
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.
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.
Dive
Dogtown
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.
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.
Multiple locations.
Website
Website
Frankie's
700 Watertown Ave.
Waterbury, Connecticut 06708
464 Reidville Drive
Waterbury, Connecticut 06705
Waterbury, Connecticut 06705
348 Chase Ave.
Waterbury, Connecticut 06704
Waterbury, Connecticut 06704
Glenwood Drive-In
GoldBurger's
Harry's Place
Jack Rabbit's Burgers, Wings and Things
Jake's Diggity Dog
JK's Original
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.
Merritt Canteen
Mickey's Oceanic Grill
Mr. Mac's Canteen
New Guida's
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!
Ordinary New Haven
Original Ranchhouse
Roadside Gourmet
Rawley's Drive-In
Rawley's Fairfield in Fairfield is home to the legendary Martha Stewart's favorite dog.
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.
Saint's
Super Duper Weenie
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.
Tomlinson's
Top Dog Portland
Valley Farms
1995 Boston Ave.
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06610
Bridgeport, Connecticut 06610
The Wienery
The Windmill Tavern
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.
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