Best Hot Dogs In & Around Burlington, Vermont

Types of hot dogs

Before we get to the weenie eateries⁠, have you ever wondered—what exactly is a Chicago dog? Or a Michigan dog? Well, here's a guide to regional types of hot dogs. How many have you tried?

• Michigan: steamed hot dog in a steamed bun topped with spicy ground meat and chopped onions.
• Vermont-style Michigan: hot dog split in half and grilled, the bun is often grilled as well, topped with spicy ground meat, chopped onion, and yellow mustard. They're also known as "red hots".
• Snap dogs (natural casing dogs): Regular hot dogs are skinless, but natural casing dogs have a casing that gives a little "snap!" when you bite into them.
• New York System: A specialty of Rhode Island, this is technically a weiner, not a hot dog. Pork and veal weiners are served in a steamed bun topped with meat sauce, chopped onions, yellow mustard, and celery salt.
• Red Snapper: In Maine, folks love their red snappers! They're snap dogs (natural casing dogs) with a bright, fire-engine-red hue.
• Chicago dog: all-beef kosher dog, usually steamed, in a poppy seed bun topped with yellow mustard, chopped onions, neon-green sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, slices or wedges of tomato, pickled hot sport peppers, and celery salt. This topping combo is also called "dragged through the garden".
• Coney: hot dog in a bun topped with a savory meat sauce, white onion, yellow mustard, and sometimes cheese.
• Danger dog: a hot dog wrapped in bacon and deep-fried.
• Carolina-style: hot dog in a bun topped with chili and coleslaw. Sometimes yellow mustard is included or replaces the slaw.
• Sonoran: a hot dog wrapped in bacon and grilled, then served in a bolillo roll (similar to a baguette), and topped with beans, tomatoes, and onions.
• Italian hot dog: hot dog fried in oil and served in an Italian bread roll or pizza bread roll. Topped with diced fried potatoes, fried peppers. and onions.
• Ripper: a hot dog that's deep-fried until it splits or "rips".
• Seattle-style: a grilled hot dog in a grilled roll topped with cream cheese and grilled onions.

Bessery's Butcher Shoppe & Delicatessen, Burlington

Handy's Lunch, Burlington

Kate's Food Truck, Jericho

There's been quite a buzz building about Kate's Food Truck in the past couple of years, with rave reviews for their fried chicken sandwiches and Vermont maple milkshakes. Kate's has hot dogs, too: like a classic Michigan dog and a build-your-own dog that you can customize with any of their toppings.

Kate's Food Truck: 261 Route 15 Jericho, VT 05465

Website: katesfoodtruck.com

Al's French Frys, South Burlington

This is a fun spot to head to with your family⁠—or with anyone who wants a lot of tasty, fast food (especially fries) for just a few bucks! Their dog options are plain, cheesy, and chili, as well as a corn dog. When your order comes up the staff will give you a yell: "What's on the hot dogs?" (Yes: hot dogs, plural. C'mon, you know yer gettin' more than one.) Ask for "the works" to get dogs topped with mustard, onion, and relish!

Al's French Frys: 1251 Williston Road, South Burlington, VT 05403

Website: alsfrenchfrys.com

Burger Bar, Colchester

This eatery near St. Michael's College and Bessery's Butcher Shoppe are owned by the same family⁠—so you can find Red Hots here, too! There are corn dogs too, plus great burgers and brews.

Burger Bar: 831 College Parkway, Colchester, VT 05446

Website: burgerbarvt.com

Out Front Foods, Williston

When you head to Home Depot to pick up your new nail gun, potting soil, or half-priced duct tape, be sure to stop "Out Front" to get a hot dog, too! In addition to a regular, quarter-pound hot dog, their menu also has a Michigan dog and Italian sausage.

Out Front Foods: in front of Home Depot, 759 Harvest Lane, Williston, VT 05495

Website: outfrontfoods.com

Maple Wind Farm, Burlington Farmer's Market

Many thanks to Alexx from Nomadic Kitchen (the Marshmallow Girl) for suggesting this addition to the list! Maple Wind Farm based in Richmond, Vermont specializes in meats from their humanely raised and pasture-fed animals, and they have a stand at the Burlington Farmer's Market every Saturday during the summer and fall. They'll grill up one of their beef or pork hot dogs for you to enjoy while you wander the market. Alexx says it's her "go-to market lunch!"

Maple Wind Farm at the Burlington Summer Farmer's Market: 345 Pine Street, Burlington, VT 05401

Website: burlingtonfarmersmarket.org

Switchback Brewery & Taproom, Burlington

A short distance from Pine Street (and the World's Tallest Filing Cabinet) is Switchback Brewing Company. Come into their taproom to have a hot dog alongside one of their brews. They steam the franks (plus bratwurst and vegan dogs) in their signature amber ale. Toppings include vegan chili and sauerkraut.

Switchback Brewing Company: 160 Flynn Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401

Website: switchbackvt.com

Seb's Snack Bar, South Hero

Folks love to stop at Seb's in the islands for ice cream (over 30 kinds of hard ice cream flavors plus creemees!) but don't forget to try their hot dogs, too! Red Hots are available here, as well as regular grilled dogs and corndogs. This snack bar is just up the road from the Sandbar State Park.

Seb's Snack Bar: 297 US Route 2, South Hero, VT 05486

Website: facebook.com/Sebssnackbar

Beansie's Bus, Burlington

Perched on the waterfront at the edge of Battery Park, Beansie's bright yellow school bus has been a favorite local snack spot since 1944. Hot dogs here (McKenzie all-beef dogs) include plain and Michigan⁠—and you can even ask for extra Michigan sauce! They also have a "Virginia dog": a hot dog wrapped in bacon. Bacon!!

Beansie's Bus: Battery Park & Sherman St., Burlington, VT 05401

Website: facebook.com/beansiesbus

Archie's Grill, Shelburne

Though it's on the outskirts, this dogs and burgers spot is only 20 minutes from downtown Burlington and five minutes from Shelburne Museum. Come here for the Archie's Chili Dog, topped with beef chili and Cabot Cheddar cheese. There's the Lake Monster Dog, too: a jumbo hot dog with sautéed peppers and onions. Be sure to try their homemade chips on the side!

Archie's Grill: 4066 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, VT 05482

Website: archiesgrill.com

Rozzi's Lakeshore Tavern, Colchester

This longtime Malletts Bay favorite is close to marinas, Bayside Park, and Thayer Beach. Rozzi's has a pretty large menu that includes hot dogs: grilled natural casing dogs (also called snap dogs), and their take on Red Hots with a very spicy Michigan sauce. They also have a Sea Dog on the menu—a long hot dog-shaped piece of fried fish!

Rozzi's Lakeshore Tavern: 1022 West Lakeshore Drive, Colchester, VT 05446

Website: rozzislakeshoretavern.com

Sausage Shack, Essex Junction

I look for this food truck whenever we go to the Champlain Valley Fair for their delicious grilled sausage, peppers, and onions. And they have delicious grilled franks and Michigan dogs, too! Find them at their usual spot on Pearl St. in front of Essex Automotive, at the Champlain Valley Fair, or hire them to bring their food to your next event!

Sausage Shack: 141 Pearl St. (in front of Essex Automotive), Essex Junction, VT 05452

Website: facebook.com/sausageshack802

Lake Monsters Baseball Games, Burlington

Having a dog and a beer at a ballgame is just Summertime 101! Head to the Lake Monsters' home games at Centennial Field for hot dogs with ketchup, mustard, and relish. And if they're not enough there are burgers, fried dough, Dippin' Dots, and fries.

Lake Monsters Baseball: Centennial Field, 98 University Road, Burlington, VT 05401

Website: vermontlakemonsters.com

Zero Gravity Brewery, Burlington

This brewery is a fantastic place to meet up with friends, especially in the summer when you can chill outside. Have a single or double Detroit-style Coney dog topped with chili and onions—they're fantastic alongside one of the famous Zero Gravity brews like Green State lager or Cone Head IPA.

Zero Gravity: 716 Pine Street, Burlington, VT 05401

Website: zerogravitybeer.com