I intend for this to be a resource for those who may be traveling or local and in search for the best hot dog.
Hands down, in SC, esp upstate SC the best I have had is The Rough House on the square in Abbeville.
The Rough House was originally opened in the early 1930’s and is pretty much identical today as it was then. The original owners were 2 brothers I believe, but it was sold to a different owner in the 80’s who has gone out of his way to keep it like it was. If you want to see what a typical depression era/WWII era shop looked like, check this place out. Their dogs are very similar to Skins Hotdogs (who many around may be familiar with), but actually it is believed Skin Thrasher copied their recipe and business model, as they predated Skins by many years. This is a place with 30’s/40’s era brunswick pool tables, ice cold bottled beer and cokes, and great hot dogs. I have ate dogs all over the SE US & this is the place to go.
/END THREAD. Nathan’s natural casing are the alpha and omega of hot dogs. Anything else is just a wanna be.
However not everyone can get a hold of these glorious hot dogs. They will have to settle for something else. If you do, please for the love of God don’t be some slimy communist butt pirate pole smoker and put ketchup on your hot dog.
The best hot dog is avaialable nationwide at your local Costco. I believe they are Nathan’s too. I go every 2-3 weeks for a 5 lb bag of french roast and a dog. I haven’t seen a hot dog only stand/store in years. What ever happended to Der Wiener Schnitzel?
It’s funny ketchup was mentioned. The rough house does not have ketchup. The original owners believed in not putting ketchup on a dog, so the place has kept that tradition. If you want ketchup you have to take it with you.
Nathan’s for the win. And yeah, even in the South, Sam’s and Costco will come through for you. I grilled some for my Cub Scouts a few months ago. They (and their parents) couldn’t stop eating them.
Anyone from AZ like the Sonoran hot dog? I was thinking about how good those would be by using a Nathan’s hot dog, wrapped with a slice of Wright’s bacon…
If you are near Washington, NC hit Bill’s Hot Dogs. It’s one of those places that hasn’t changed a thing in forty years; no dining room, line out the door at lunch, chips are the only side. White chili, yellow mustard, chopped onions on the bright red dogs is the SOP. If you want ketchup they will disdainfully drop a few packets in your bag.
