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14 places to grab a hot dog in and near Indianapolis

Chili dogs, coney dogs, all the dogs

T.J. Banes and Liz Biro

IndyStar

This King David hot dog is served up on a baked poppy seed bun and loaded with baked beans, fried egg, thick-cut bacon, chopped onion and shredded cheese.

Hot-diggity dog.

Do you like your dog topped with beer-steeped sauerkraut? Hot mustard? Spicy chili? Or do you like them plain?

Whatever your taste, there are plenty of places to celebrate this All-American favorite in the Indianapolis area.

Bub’s Burgers and Ice Cream

Carmel, Zionsville, Westfield and Bloomington

The Bub Dog is a quarter-pound, 6-inch long, Angus beef hot dog. The Giant Bub is a half-pounder and 10 inches long. Onion, relish, cheese, chili and jalapenos toppings are available.

DJ’s Hot Dog Co.

Beech Grove, Avon and Indy's north side

Mix and match a selection of 22 toppings including bacon, grilled onions and nacho cheese to create your own dog or choose a regional specialty such as such as the Carolina dog with chili and slaw.

Abacuc Garcia has got to be the nicest guy in the hot dog business. He greets every customer who walks up to his hot dog cart with a "Hello friend." Garcia has a lot of BFFs thanks to an assortment of dogs and toppings.

Fat Dan’s Deli

5410 N. College Ave., 317-600-3333; 410 E. Michigan St., 317-600-3008

Home of the authentic Chicago dog as well as dipped-to-order corn dogs and, for kids, plain dogs.

King David Dogs

135 N. Pennsylvania St., 317-632-3647

Back in the mid-20th century, Hene Meat Company in Indianapolis created an all-beef, quarter-pound hot dog founders dubbed the King David. It was sold in grocery stores and delis around the city until the 1990s. Years later, the grandson of one of the owners revived the King David and opened a Downtown Indy hot dog joint offering plain wieners and off-beat signature dogs such as The Idaho, a hot dog in a baked potato with butter and sour cream.

Nick's Chili Parlor

2621 Lafayette Road, 317-924-5005

Consistently ranked by fans as one of Indy's best chili dogs, this west-site spot lays it on thick along with all the cheese you can stand. Get the regular-size dog, the foot-long dog or the quarter-pounder.

Mug n Bun

5211 W. 10th St., 317-244-5669

Find someone with a convertible, put the top down and pull up to this classic drive-in for one of the best foot-long coney dogs in the city. Don't forget the frosty mug of root beer.

Between the Bun

102 S. Madison Ave., Greenwood, 317-300-8327

Lots of folks come here for burgers, but the hot dog menu has some doozies including The Atomic Dog with hot sauce, jalapenos, ranch dressing, bacon bits and mac and cheese.

Edwards Drive-In

2126 S. Sherman Drive, 317-786-1638

Plain hot dogs here cost only $1.79. Find coneys and corn dogs, too.

Victory Field

501 W. Maryland St., 317-269-3542

Hot dogs just taste better at the ball park. At the home of the Indianapolis Indians, find classic hot dogs, grilled dogs and Smoking Goose brats and sausages.

Portillo's

Various locations

No need to drive all the way to Chicago for a Portillo's Chicago dog. The chain landed in the Indianapolis area in 2017 with a store in Fishers. Another location opened in 2018 in Greenwood, followed by another in Avon. The Chicago-style hot dog includes mustard, relish, celery salt, chopped onions, sliced tomatoes, a kosher dill pickle and sport peppers on a steamed poppy seed bun.