Locals’ Guide to Hot Dogs in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids, Michigan has been recognized as a Top 20 U.S. Foodie City – but you don’t have to spend a lot of money or dine in a fancy restaurant to eat well here. The humble and affordable hot dog is one of the things we do best. However you like your franks prepared, whichever toppings you prefer, whether your palate tends toward the tried-and-true or the creative, you’ll find plenty of options to please you in Grand Rapids.

We asked our social media followers where they go to satisfy their hot dog cravings and got a diverse mix of recommendations, from quick-service hot dog joints and full-service restaurants to ice cream shops, a brewery and a ballpark. You can’t go wrong with any of these destinations!

Yesterdog

If you know Grand Rapids, you will not be surprised that Yesterdog was the far-away winner in our poll. This Uptown neighborhood fave has been serving up several varieties of delicious hot dogs since 1976, and it was named Michigan’s Most Legendary Restaurant in 2023. East Grand Rapids native Adam Herz paid tribute to Yesterdog in his screenplay for American Pie, the hit 1999 film in which hot dog restaurant “Dog Years” served as a gathering place for the characters – just as Yesterdog had for Herz and his friends.

The restaurant’s interior takes guests back to the 1930s and 40s with vintage posters, an ornate hand crank cash register, an antique jukebox  and an old gramophone horn which serves as the “tip target” where customers toss their coins. Yesterdog is a quintessential Grand Rapids experience not to be missed!

Mad Dogz

Located in downtown Comstock Park, just across the street from picturesque Dwight Lydell Park, Mad Dogz is distinguished by its locally made all-beef dogs and vast selection of toppings. Choose from Basic Dogz, Chili Dogz and (Sauer)Kraut Dogz, with toppings ranging from ketchup and mustard to corn chips and peanut butter. There are also a variety of Specialty Dogz featuring unusual hot dog toppings like pineapple, pesto, ranch dressing, cream cheese, bacon and mac & cheese. You’ll “experience a hot dog like you’ve never experienced a hot dog before,” says Mad Dogz, and our followers happily confirm it’s true.

One Stop Coney Shop

Downtown GR’s One Stop Coney Shop is a casual spot for quick-service dine-in or takeout hot dogs, as well as smash burgers, sandwiches, Belgian fries and onion rings. Topping options include Detroit-style chili, Flint-style chili, roasted corn salsa, house-made dill chip dip, grilled sauerkraut and coleslaw. Four “Ripped Dogs” are made with deep-fried hot dogs (and we can’t resist ‘em!). You can get a vegan frankfurter, too.

Dam Dogs

Charming downtown Rockford, about 15 minutes north of downtown GR, is the setting for Dam Dogs. Named for the Rockford Dam, whose scenic overlook is just a short walk away, Dam Dogs offers a variety of all-beef hot dogs featuring toppings from the ordinary (chili, ketchup, mustard, pickles, onion) to the unexpectedly yummy (like Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing). Turkey dogs, veggie dogs, corn dogs and assorted sides are also available.

Bridge Street Bar

The newest restaurant on our list – opened in March 2025 – quickly impressed local hot dog lovers. Smack dab in the middle of the Bridge Street Entertainment District, the aptly named Bridge Street Bar features perfectly prepared hot dog selections including the Detroit Dog, an east-side-of-Michigan staple made with chili, tangy mustard and fresh onion. Enjoy it – or assorted burgers, sandwiches and appetizers – while watching a Detroit team play on TVs inside and on the seasonal outdoor patio.

The Corner Bar

The home of the “Hot Dog Hall of Fame,” The Corner Bar and its delectable chili dogs have been delighting Rockford since 1935.  The menu has expanded to include many more hot dog selections, as well as burgers, sandwiches, a full bar and more, making the Corner Bar a popular destination for all ages and taste preferences. Eat a dozen chili dogs within four hours and your name will be added to the Hall of Fame. If you want to beat the record, you’ll have to come very, very hungry – Maryland’s Molly Schuyler ate 50 dogs in the four-hour time frame.

Chicago Beef Joint

Our followers love the authentic taste of Chicago hot dogs and Maxwell Street Polish dogs at downtown GR’s Chicago Beef Joint. The Chicago dog is served on a poppyseed bun with mustard, relish, tomatoes, diced onions, sport peppers, a pickle spear and celery salt, while four Polish dog selections feature Polish sausage. There’s a classic beef dog, chili dog and chili cheese dog as well, and if dogs aren’t your thing, you can get Chicago-style beef sandwiches, salads, pizzas and more. Chicago Beef Joint has a full bar and offers live music every night of the week.

Blue Dog Tavern

Just steps away from the Bridge Street Entertainment District, Blue Dog Tavern serves up a variety of hot dogs topped with everything from bacon and grilled onions to onion jam and spicy ranch dressing. Burgers, sandwiches, shareables, entrées and sides round out the expansive food menu, which is complemented by Michigan craft beers, wines and creative cocktails. Blue Dog Tavern is situated inside a century-old building on the city’s historic West Side.

Red Hot GR Food Truck

The Red Hot GR Food Truck brings back the iconic chili dogs that graced the menus of GR’s dearly departed Red Lion restaurant and Red Hot Inn, which served the city for a combined total of 120+ years. The Red Hot GR Food Truck appears at public and private events around West Michigan – check its Facebook and Instagram pages to find out where it will turn up next.

Coney Island

Located in an old-style drive-in restaurant building in Kentwood, Coney Island built its devoted following over many years of serving hot dogs and other quick-service comfort foods. The menu includes a basic hot dog as well as a chili dog, chili cheese dog, kraut dog, cheese dog, bacon chili dog, bacon chili cheese dog and Polish dog. Fans rave over the chili cheese fries, too. Dine-in or takeout.

Mr. Burger

While the menu is dominated by burgers (of course), Mr. Burger’s classic hot dog (topped with ketchup, mustard, onion and pickle) and chili dog (mustard, chili, onion and pickle) have long satisfied local hot dog aficionados. There are eight Mr. Burger locations around Grand Rapids – the Lake Michigan Drive site is the original Mr. Burger, opened in 1967 and still going strong.

White Flame Brewing Company

White Flame Brewing isn’t the only Beer City USA brewery serving hot dogs, but it’s the one that appeared most often in our poll. This family-owned microbrewery and restaurant in Hudsonville, about 15 minutes from downtown GR, features locally sourced Angus beef hot dogs grilled to perfection and topped with a range of goodies, from ketchup and mustard to nacho cheese sauce and jalapenos. Visit on Weenie Wednesday for $4 hot dogs.

Woody’s Cone Stop

A fixture of busy 28^th Street in southeast Grand Rapids for more than 20 years, Woody’s Cone Stop is a perennially popular stop for both soft-serve and scooped ice cream. But their hot dogs, chili dogs, Polish dogs and Big Beef dogs are just as don’t let that discourage you, it moves quickly. Open June - October.

Sweet Rewards

Sweet Rewards in Cutlerville, about 15 minutes south of downtown Grand Rapids, is another ice cream shop that knows its way around a hot dog. Family-owned and operated for more than two decades, it offers hot dogs, chili dogs, cheese dogs and chili dogs, served piping hot and delicious. Walk up or drive through from March - October.

West Michigan Whitecaps

Hot dogs and baseball go together like peanut butter and jelly, so we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the offerings at LMCU Ballpark, home of our Detroit Tigers affiliate, the West Michigan Whitecaps. You can enjoy a classic hot dog for just $3 during every Thursday home game, and wash it down with a $3 beer or Pepsi product. If you’re feeling a little adventurous, try the new-in-2025 Devil Dog, topped with deviled egg potato salad and paprika.

Menus and prices are subject to change, so check ahead if you have your heart set on one of the hot dog varieties or deals mentioned above.