Kansas City Hot Dog Guide
Hot Dog Guide
July is National Hot Dog Month and we're celebrating with a little history of the Hot Dog and your guide to the BEST Hot Dogs in Kansas City!
Hot Dog History
Staring at a simple sausage, ketchup, mustard and bun on a summer day at a ballpark, you may not realize the years of history behind the hot dog in your hands. Legend has it that the hot dog came about in 1487 in Frankfurt, Germany, years before Christopher Columbus’s “discovery” of the Americas. Then, in the 1800s, German immigrants brought the delicious dog to New York City.
The first known hot dog stand was opened by a German butcher on Coney Island in 1871 and then brought to Chicago during the Colombian Exhibition in 1893. Sausages and bread had always been an important part of the German diet, and customers loved the easy eating of the two melded together into a hand-held product.
It is also believed by hot dog historians, that the first ballpark dogs were served in St. Louis in 1892 by a German immigrant at the St. Louis Browns baseball games, and that is how the dog traveled into your hands today.
The history of the hot dog in major cities like New York and Chicago, may explain locals of these area’s claims to the best dogs in the business. Kansas City, while not on the a prominent player in the hot dog’s historical journey, has some top dogs of its own. In celebration of July, national hot dog month, here are our choices for the best hot dogs in the area.
Best Hot Dogs in Kansas City!
For fun dogs:
Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant
Call in your order for one of several dogs from a phone at your booth and watch it get delivered to you via a train over your head. Get a big dog for yourself and one from the Little Engineer’s menu for the kids.
250 N 18th St in Kansas City, KS
2405 Grand Blvd at the Crown Center
For creative dogs:
Johnny’s Tavern
Stop by Johnny’s for anything from a Mexican dog (jalapenos and tomatoes) to a Dodge City Dog (barbeque sauce, bacon, onion and cheese). You can also get a classic beef hot dog here and the menu is full of other sandwiches and salads if not everyone in your party is digging the dogs. For locations, click here.
For a hot dog and a stroll:
The River Market
These dogs were made for walking. Grab a hot dog from a stand and stroll along the historic River Market to check out shopping, entertainment and more great food.
North of Downtown Kansas City on the Southside of the River
For specialty sausages:
Werner’s Fine Sausages
Werner’s has been in the area since 1973 and sells specialty sausages including smoked Italian with mozzarella, potato sausage and German bratwurst. Pick out your favorite and have a summer barbeque for everyone to enjoy.
5736 Johnson Drive in Mission, Kansas
For hole-in-the-wall dogs:
River Dogs
Order dogs to go from a small take out window in this nondescript brick building. For just a few bucks, you can build your own hot dog with whatever toppings are to your liking at a tiny, authentic lunch joint.
110 E First St in Kansas City, Mo.