Dog, Gone

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

So, Labor Day has come and gone, which to most people means the regrettable end of summer: pools closing, ice cream trucks retiring, schools reopening. But Labor Day also marks the end of another American season—hot dog season. The official hot dog season is marked from Memorial Day to Labor Day. During this time, Americans consume approximately 7 billion hot dogs! Yikes. So, are you feeling a little hot dog heavy? Are you disappointed in your lack of hot dog consumption this season? Either way, it shall return again next year. In the mean time, here’s a short list of a sampling of places you can still find a good ol’ hot dog in NoVA, even outside of hot dog season. But until next year, good riddance, ye hot dogs, it’s been another grand season.

 

 

Here’s the list, moving in order through NoVA from west to east and ending in DC:

 

Haute Dogs & Fries (609 East Main St., Purcellville; 540-338-2439)
Haute Dogs & Fries owner Pamela Swanson was inspired to open to this hot dog haven by her father’s words of advice, “Keep it simple. Everybody loves a hot dog.” True or not, Haute Dogs serves nine different kinds of specialty dogs. Bonus dog toppings are a nice change in addition to the classics, including caramelized onions, fresh cilantro and pineapple.

Windy City Red Hots (20052 Lexington Drive, Ashburn; 703-505-6934; and 28 South King St., Leesburg; 703-669-8606)
Windy City native owners serve Chicago style 100 percent pure beef hot dogs topped with mustard, relish, onions, tomato, pickle, sport peppers and celery salt on a poppy seed bun. And if that’s not enough, you can turn it into a cheese and/or chili dog, with additional toppings available.

Chicago Dawg House (4300 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly; 703-870-7570)
This family owned, Chicago style hot dog joint is new to Chantilly, and a nice location alternative to the better known Windy City.

Vienna Inn (120 East Maple Ave., Vienna; 703-938-9548)
The Vienna Inn, since 1960, has been selling over 10,000 chili dogs each month. They offer their famous chili dogs for under $2, and lots of beer to accompany.

Heidelberg Bakery (2150 N. Culpeper St., Arlington; 703-527-8394)
This European gourmet and deli runs a BBQ cart every Saturday from 11am-2pm and offers the eponymous frankfurter (that’s German for hot dog, all you Americans) from its origin in Frankfurt, Germany. Heidelberg also offers a plethora of the frankfurter’s cousins, the wursts, including the bratwurst, weisswurst, knackwurst, bauernwurst, and other ridiculously hot-diggity options.

Weenie Beenie(2680 S. Shirlington Road, Arlington; 703-671-6661)
The original (and now only remaining) Weenie Beanie of Arlington, founded in 1950, is best known for their famous half-smoke hot dog.  With its classic looking shack sign shining in big yellow letters, you can’t miss Weenie Beenie’s classic old school wieners.

Ben’s Chili Bowl (1213 U St., NW DC; 202-667-0909)
If you’re feeling brave enough to cross the Potomac, then there’s simply nowhere else to go but the famous Ben’s Chili Bowl for a half-smoke chili dog, conveniently located next to the U Street bars and especially good after a late night.

 

Dog on!

-Julia Harbo

Tags: Ben's Chili Bowl, Gut Check, hot dog, julia harbo, Labor Day, Northern Virginia, Northern Virginia Magazine, NoVA, restaurants, Summer