While the idea of grilling hot dogs wanes when the fall comes around, there’s no reason one can’t get a good hot dog other times of the year. In fact, we encourage it when one of these five places is involved. From fancy pants hot dogs to Chicago-style to simple sausages, go grab one now.
Mustard’s Last Stand
Since 1978 this small stand has served university students, locals, and hungry kids hot dogs and hamburgers. In fact, growing up by Denver University, I was one of those hungry kids and the snap of those dogs has remained a good memory, even decades later. Both the Denver and Boulder locations were opened by Dan Polovin, a Chicago native craving a really good Chicago-style hot dog. Since then, the eatery has received numerous accolades including getting into the Vienna Beef Hall of Fame.
To make a good Chicago dog ($6.99) the dish needs a steamed poppy seed bun and solid frank. Then “drag it through the garden” by getting yellow mustard, relish, onions, tomato, pickle, sport peppers, celery salt, and sauerkraut, all by request. Mustard’s has other hot dogs too, and the option to top any order with cheese for just 99-cents. 2081 S. University Blvd., Denver, and 1719 Broadway, Boulder, mustardslaststandcolorado.com
Yacht Club
Go for the bougie ratchet side in RiNo at Mary Allison Wright and McLain Hedges elevated dive bar. Here the cocktails are high class, and the food, well, it’s hot dogs. Not just any hot dogs, these are RiverBear Meats uncured, all-beef, natural-casing hotdogs. On top you’ll find an array of goodies, but a favorite is the odd-sounding The Lorraine ($8), which comes with cheeseball spread, celery remoulade, pickled peppers, and pecans. It’s delicious and decadent.
Pair the dog with a coastal-leaning drink such as the herbaceous Cuttin’ Grass ($15), with sotol, dry riesling, tomatillo, and savory herbs. Or, go all out with a Caviar Dog ($25), complete with caviar, crème fraiche, pickled shallot, and potato chips. With a sip and bite it’s easy to see why the team at Yacht Club recently won the Spirited Award for the Best U.S. Cocktail Bar from the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. 3701 N. Williams St., Denver, yachtclubbar.com
Costco
The long and cheap hot dogs found in Costco cafeterias around the country have such a following, there’s even a Wikipedia page about it. One major draw to the quarter-pound, all-beef dog comes in the price. At $1.50 each, plus a soda, it’s such a good deal some make it part of their warehouse shopping ritual.
As for taste, well, it’s a decent cheap hot dog, and has been since 1984 when the company first introduced the item to its food courts. Today all the hot dogs are made by Costco’s own brand, Kirkland and it’s always available no matter what city you’re in. Various locations, costco.com
Biker Jim at Milk Market
Yes, Jim Pittenger, founder of Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs, is back in business after a fall out with a former business partner that took his Ballpark eatery out of his hands. Now, the original Biker Jim has a pop-up at Milk Market in the Dairy Block complex downtown.
Order a classic hot dog out of the Lou’s Hot & Naked stand Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday from 11 a.m to 10 p.m. The traditional all-beef dog runs $10 with all the normal toppings, but diners can spruce it up with green chili and cheese, or cream cheese with caramelized onions for $2 extra. 1800 Wazee St., Denver, denvermilkmarket.co
Billy’s Gourmet Hot Dogs
Owner Bill Feid grew up loving hot dogs in Chicago and fondly remembers his dad taking the family out during the day on Thanksgiving while his mom worked on the feast. Like any good Chicago kid, Feid brings Vienna Beef hot dogs to his table, and tops them with an array of tasting things.
The basic Billy Dog starts at $5.95, and comes garden style with yellow mustard, neon-green relish, chopped onion, dill pickle, spicy sport peppers, sliced tomato, and a dash of celery salt. As for the other hot dogs, the choices are limitless with additions such as jalapenos, cream cheese, BBQ sauce, and grilled cabbage. Visit the downtown shop daily, starting at 10 a.m. 2445 Larimer St., Denver, billysgourmethotdogs.com
