Best of Toronto
The Best Hot Dogs in Toronto
The best hot dogs in Toronto come in all different shapes and sizes (and yes, I'm trying to keep the euphemisms to a minimum). This list reflects the sheer diversity of dogs in the city — from snack-sized "steamies," to foot-long franks, to cheese-covered bacon-loaded bites of bliss — but they all share the charm of being unabashedly unrefined.
Yes, load on the Cheez Whiz, barbecue sauce, and hickory sticks; you're not going to impress your date (or anyone else, for that matter) with this order, but you will have the satisfaction of indulging in a solidly good wiener (...I tried).
Here is the list of the best hot dogs in Toronto.
See also:
The best burgers in Toronto
The best old-school burgers in Toronto
The best cheeseburgers in Toronto
The best fries in Toronto
The best milkshakes in Toronto
Little Dog
Steamed and topped with a heavy helping of slaw, these Montreal-style dogs prove that when it comes to wieners, bigger isn’t always better. Little Dog’s classic “steamies” are offered alongside a menu of Nathan’s Famous, Chicago 58’s, and veggie dogs, available with all the fixin’s and poutine as the perfect accompaniment. Prices ring in within the $2-$4 range. More »
Umi Sushi Express
Ah, the difference a little bonito shavings (that’s fermented tuna, for the layman) can make. The dogs at Umi Sushi Express are made Japanese-style, which means Nathan’s wieners ($4.50) are topped with teriyaki sauce, mayonnaise, grilled onions, and a bit of the aforementioned bonito. Beats the standard ketchup and mustard mix, if you ask me. More »
Disgraceland
No longer must you eat your Cheez Whiz-covered, crushed potato chip-topped hot dog at home alone in shame with the curtains drawn. Disgraceland embraces such dog-oddities and offers a menu of eight others (all ringing in around $9), including the warmed brie and sliced pear “Surrender Monkey,” and the kimchi, carrot, cilantro, sriracha “Charlie Company.” Served until 2 a.m. as an added bonus. More »
Uncle Betty’s Diner
They’re perhaps slightly pricier than your average ballpark wiener, but Uncle Betty’s gourmet dogs certainly rate high in terms of quality (and taste, of course). These quarter-pound dogs are gluten and filler-free, available in beef or turkey and topped with all your favourite dog decorations. Best is the “Uncle Betty” with garlic aioli, caramelized onions, and sautéed mushrooms. Hot dogs will set you back between $8-$12. More »
WVRST
WVRST is the one place offering real variation when it comes to the actual wiener. Here you can pick from close to two-dozen sausage options including kangaroo, elk, duck, chicken, and more, with two veggie options on the menu and an impressive lineup of house-made sauces. Or else, stick with the bacon-wrapped "Danger Dog" beef wiener for $4. A superb list of beers round out the “Munich beer hall” effect. More »
The Stockyards
The Stockyards is known foremost for its ribs n’ slaw, but this St. Clair barbecue joint also makes a pretty good dog. The steamed all-beef hot dog comes with ketchup, mustard, and onion standard for $4, making it a tasty add-on to a pulled-pork sammy or classic burger. A much meatier option than a side of fries. More »
The Hot N Dog
Holy toppings. The Hot N Dog in Parkdale has over 60 and counting, allowing customers to choose à la carte or from a few carefully crafted combinations. The dogs themselves are a basic pork/beef mix, or veggie ($4), leaving all the frills to what’s slathered on top. Maple syrup, capers, asparagus, and hickory sticks are just a few of the options. More »
Real Sports Bar
Huge screens, arcade games, and bacon-wrapped hot dogs. It’s just like The Ex, minus the terrifying giant stuffed bulldogs. Real Sports Bar certainly does the “indulgent dog” right, with varieties such as the mac ‘n’ cheese dog, the poutine dog, and the classic chili cheese. All made with a foot-long Burkie’s wiener, all served with house-cut fries, and all coming in between $9-$13. More »
The Real McCoy
The sign says burger & pizza, but The Real McCoy counts hot dogs among its best classic comfort food eats. This is your classic American truck stop dog (nevermind the Scarborough address), served loaded with bacon and cheese, and ideally a milkshake to wash it all down. Will definitely hit the spot, and possibly cause severe diet-regret, but not spending regret as the dogs come in around $2.75-$4. More »
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love it!
It seems not everyone agrees.
And count my vote for Fushia -- wonderful crisp on the ouside, juicy on the inside dogs.
Check out the Let's Be Frank popup at union restaurant every Friday and Saturday 3 -6. Amazing!
That doesn't make any sense. I think the writer had better look up the definition of "euphemism". She was obviously going for something else.
This Sunday September 30, 2012 they will be setting up a hot dog cart during Kensington Market's Pedestrian Street Festival.
In front of:
Zimmerman's Freshmart
241 Augusta Ave
Toronto, Ontario
Between 12 noon and 7 pm.
Nathan's Hot dogs will also available for sale inside the store
Zimmerman's Freshmart is a food retailer, not a licensed restaurant. You're about to facilitate a vendor of take-away foods (a non BIA-member from outside the Market) to take money from the pockets of your licensed brick and mortar food vendor neighbours whose livelihoods depend solely on sales of take-away foods.
Shame on you Mr. Zimmerman and doubly so as you are a Board Member of the Kensington Market BIA and one who likely assisted in drafting the very Pedestrian Sunday regulations which perhaps through entitlement you choose to flaunt.
"Measures... be taken to make sure that vendors from outside the Market aren’t vending without the consent of the local rent-paying merchants."
For clarification Zimmerman's Freshmart will be the licensed vendor and is working together with their supplier to promote Nathan's Hot Dogs.
As per the "KENSINGTON MARKET Street Events Guide for Business Owners" Zimmerman's Freshmart is an approved merchant in Kensington Market and is registered to sell food on any regular day and therefore is allowed to sell food during Pedestrian Sundays." We have been selling food since the day we opened and have done so at every Pedestrian Sunday since it's inception.
I hope that this will clear up any misunderstanding.
Anyway, you'll do what you feel is right. Carry on.
If you come into our store you will find a large assortment of prepared foods.ie Sushi, Indian roti,salads,a full deli counter with sandwich meats and ready to eat sausages from European Quality Meats and of course a full line of Nathan's Hot Dogs. The list of ready to eat products we carry is quite extensive.
We have on numerous occasions had BBQ's infront of the store promoting the prepared foods we sell on the shelf. To date none of the other bussiness and the community at large have ever had an issue of the type of foods we sell outside.
"We are not using a "take-away food vendor from outside the BIA", we are the vendor."
AND
"Nathan's Famous Hot Dog is coming to town.
This Sunday September 30, 2012 they will be setting up a hot dog cart during Kensington Market's Pedestrian Street Festival.
In front of:
Zimmerman's Freshmart"
i.e. a) "...we (Freshmart) are the vendor." and b) "...they (Nathan's) will be setting up a hot dog cart..." Yup. That's piggybacking .
I hope that clears things up.
With that being the case I would think your comment"That's piggybacking" would be deemed impossible.
Don Juan's chip truck down by the Dome is good, too
Great tasting hot dog
Enjoy