A slim, humble sausage made of beef, pork, or a combination of the two, the hot dog is cooked up and topped off in so many ways one could say there's a signature dog for nearly every city across the country — not to mention a few countries.
Known for its empanadas and fritas Cubanas, Miami might not seem like a hot dog hotbed, but frankly (forgive us), delicious takes on the ostensible all-American classic are all around us. You just have to know where to look.
July is national hot dog month, but it's fitting to celebrate this fine American fare any time of year. Just ask the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, whose studies have shown that Americans are always down to consume a record-breaking number of these famed tubes of meat — to the tune of 944 million pounds of hot dogs sold at U.S. retail stores in 2020 alone.
There's never a wrong time to sample the doggone goodness Miami has to offer at the ten favorites listed in alphabetical order below.
Arbetter's Hot Dogs
8747 SW 40th St., Miami305-207-0555
arbetterhotdogs.comA longtime favorite for more than 40 years, this Miami mainstay is now operated by brothers David and Joe Arbetter. Together, they're keeping the family's dream alive at Arbetter's Hot Dogs, where they create the atmosphere and service you would have found decades ago. That means the chili is made fresh daily, the buns are served pillow-soft, and — most importantly — the ambiance remains unpretentious. So what exactly goes into constructing flawless frankfurters? In the case of Arbetter’s late founder Bob Arbetter and his relatives, it's simple snacks like the "All Around" — just mustard, onions, and relish — that shine. It’s also proven with the famed sauerkraut dog with mustard or the chili-onion dog — all of them best when flanked by a mountain of chili cheese fries.
Coney Island Joe's offers Miamians a taste of authentic Manhattan pushcart hot dogs.
Photo by Nicole Danna
Coney Island Joe’s
6401 Sheridan St., Hollywood954-966-8800Sure, Coney Island Joe's giant yellow-and-blue tent isn't really a restaurant — it's more of a giant hot dog stand exposed to the elements looking a little ragged. But that's a real New York City pushcart in there, and those are real Sabrett hot dogs shipped straight from New York. It was founded by Elliot Garber, a South Florida transplant who named the stand-like restaurant space after the original Coney Island Joe's that opened in Brooklyn in 1952. Over the years, the place has become the go-to spot for its New York-style Coney Island hot dogs. Garber quickly points out that his dogs aren't just New York-inspired hot dogs — they're the same authentic dogs served up at nearly every street corner in Manhattan that give that quintessential "snap" on the first bite. The menu also offers a number of versions, from a plain grilled dog with ketchup and mustard to a true New York pushcart water dog topped with yellow mustard, sauerkraut, and chopped onions. If you see him, say thank you to Garber. He just saved you a 1,400-mile trip.
Dogma Grill
7030 Biscayne Blvd., Miami305-759-3433
dogmagrill.comThere's no better spot to snag your own do-it-yourself hot dog than at Dogma Grill. This MiMo District hot dog shack boasts plentiful classics — from Italian sausage, veggie, and turkey franks to bratwurst and jumbo beef dogs. While there are plenty of specialty franks to choose from — many inspired by the streets of New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Colombia, and beyond — the folks at Dogma will also create a dog any way you want it. The topping options include bacon, chili, sauerkraut, relish, coleslaw, baked beans, chopped onions, and cheese.
This Broward County hot dog spot offers a Polish beef sausage to be reckoned with.
Hot Diggity Dogs & More photo
Hot Diggity Dogs & More
2641 Griffin Rd., Fort Lauderdale954-981-7827
orderhotdiggitydogs.comAs the name suggests, Hot Diggity Dogs & More on Griffin Road offers more than hot dogs. You can order a damn fine sausage and pepper or Italian beef sandwich, Philly cheesesteak, chicken wings — even a fried fish sandwich. As far as hot dogs go, the short list of options is still what they do best, however. A Chicago dog arrives with all-fresh fixings, and the chili cheese and onion are smothered in just the right amount of ingredients, so every bite is just as good as the last. If you want something special, a not-so-doggy option here is the house favorite: a Polish beef sausage served "Maxwell Street" style — a perfectly cooked, plump sausage topped with grilled onions, whole pickled peppers, and a slick of yellow mustard served on a steamed poppy seed bun.
Los Perros
8410 W. Flagler St., Miami305-953-6845
losperros.comHot dogs are widely considered all-American fare, but it wouldn't be Miami if you couldn't try one with a Latin twist. At Los Perros, you can scarf down a Colombian-style dog at almost any hour of the night, making for the ultimate hangover food pitstop. The Kendall location out past the turnpike is the OG, but there's now a Los Perros in Miami Gardens and another in Coral Point Plaza. That last hole in the wall serves sizzling hot dogs from noon until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from noon to 1 a.m. every other day. And don't let the shop's looks deceive you: Los Perros may be no frills, but it's full of flavor. Try the "SuperPerro,” — a customer favorite that features a grilled dog topped with crushed potato chips and a house-made pink sauce served in a locally baked artisan-style bun.
Los Verdes
4491 N. University Dr., Lauderhill954-306-3014
losverdes.comIf you've heard whispers of a hot dog so enormous — and with such a rainbow of toppings — you might not be able to finish it in one sitting, you're probably thinking of Venezuelan and Colombian-style perros, both of which you can find in abundance in South Florida. Some of the best are served at Los Verdes, where their “perros" can be swapped for chicken, chorizo sausage, or chopped beef. The classic take is, of course, done best with a hot dog and the traditional street food-style mashup of toppings that seem odd at first but blend beautifully together. It begins with a plump perro nestled in a steamed bun, hidden under a thick blanket of toppings like a sweet pineapple puree, garlic sauce, and a creamy, mayo-based pink sauce to chopped bacon, onion, mozzarella cheese, and quail eggs. And just when you think this heart-stopper couldn't get more deadly or indulgent, the coup de grâce arrives with a layering of crumbled potato chips, lending a salty, crispy bite to the mix.
Marky’s Caviar Lounge
1 Seminole Way, Hollywood954-314-7226
markyscaviarlounge.comAt Marky's Caviar Lounge inside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, chef Buddha Lo — an Eleven Madison Park and Gordon Ramsay London alum — applies contemporary techniques to execute opulent dishes. The same rings true for the most plebeian of meals, including his take on the hot dog. The " Huso " reigns supreme as the area's most gussied-up hot dog. What you'll get: a plump crabmeat frank topped with meaty chunks of king crab leg, ripe avocado, pickled mustard seed, and a heaping portion of caviar. The roe lends a buttery-rich flavor that pairs perfectly with the seafood dog, which arrives nestled in a toasted, Kewpie mayo-slathered brioche bun.
Atlanta-based the Original Hot Dog Factory opened its first South Florida location in Hialeah.
The Original Hot Dog Factory photo
The Original Hot Dog Factory
8583 NW 186th St., Hialeah305-318-1989
theoriginalhotdogfactory.com
Entrepreneur Dennis McKinley's Original Hot Dog Factory has become a household name in Atlanta, where a massive menu offers hot dog lovers a choice of more than 20 types of dogs. Born and raised in Detroit, McKinley says of all the foods his city is known for — Detroit-style pizza and double-baked rye bread, to name a few — the Coney hot dog reigns supreme. When he purchased and rebranded a New Smyrna Beach-based restaurant in 2015, the goal was to imbue the concept with a family-friendly atmosphere while featuring all the nation's favorite hot dog styles — and not just the Coney — in one place. While there are plenty of foodie city styles to choose from, South Floridians can't go wrong with the original Detroit Coney, served here with shredded American cheese atop the traditional chili and raw chopped onion.
Pincho
9251 W. Flagler St., Miami786-590-1455
pincho.comScrumptious, award-winning burgers such as the mouthwatering toston and fritanga are the name of the game at Pincho, but that doesn’t mean the team behind this popular joint can’t craft game-changing dogs. Take one bite of the eponymous "Pincho" — a 100-percent kosher beef dog topped with chopped bacon, melted cheddar, mango sauce, pink sauce, and a heavy layer of potato sticks — and you'll be hooked on these menu items.
Sweet Dogs 305
4749 SW Eighth St., Miami305-448-4900
instagram.com/sweetdogs305Sometimes a wiener is all you need to sweeten your day. Cue Sweet Dogs 305, a local go-to that has remained consistent via its versions of outrageous, palate-pleasing hot dogs with all the fixings. Go straight for two simple pleasures you've never tried together: the mac hot dog, piling mac and cheese, grated Parmesan, and garlic croutons on a hot dog. Sweet Dogs also has franks inspired by home teams such as the Dolphins and the Heat, but unlike the sports world, these dogs don't disappoint.
