The best places to eat a hot dog in Georgia can be found in all regions of the state. The thing they all have in common is that they serve that timeless wiener on a bun with a variety of toppings.
What is the criterion to make a hot dog qualify as good? It is my experience that the answer includes not only the wiener but also the chili. Oh, there are many toppings for hot dogs, but chili is by far the most popular, with mustard and slaw coming in a close second here in Georgia. Folks love a good homemade chili on their hot dog, and they will argue with you that their local place has the very best!
Where can you get a good hot dog in Georgia? Let’s take a look around the state at some of the best locally owned hot dog joints.
Table of Contents
Atlanta Area
Marietta
First on the list is Brandi’s World Famous Hot Dogs, which is located near the hospital in Marietta.
We ate hot dogs at Brandi’s when our daughter was in the hospital. The food is delicious and right in line with what we expected for a good hot dog. It’s a popular place and gets crowded during lunch.
True to myself, I ate one of each, meaning a Slaw dog and a Chili dog. I recommend you do too. One of us ordered fries and the other ordered the onion rings. We shared, and both were delicious. Our daughter lives nearby, so we will absolutely go back to Brandi’s when we visit.
Atlanta
2. The Varsity is world famous. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been there myself. We always visit the one right off I-75 near downtown Atlanta. Eating at Varsity is an experience just standing in line waiting to place your order. I love this video of the famous “Whaddya Ya Have?” being shouted. The lines can get really long, but they move folks through very quickly.
I like their onion rings with my slaw dog at Varsity. My hubby orders fries, and I order onion rings, and we share. My hubby says the burgers are good too!
Peachtree Corners
3. Dog Days Hot Dogs and Burgers is located at Peachtree Parkway in Peachtree Corners. They serve your choice of beef, turkey, and veggie hot dogs. If you’re looking for an opportunity to put anything and everything on top of a wiener tucked into a bun, this is your place. You can even get Polish Kielbasa and Hot Italian Sausage if you like.
If you don’t think chili and cheese on your hot dog is quite enough to satisfy your chili-cheese craving, they will top your fries, tater tots, or even your potato chips with chili and cheese, too! It’s really good, but don’t take my word for it; stop by and try it for yourself.
Central Georgia
Macon
4. Nu Way Hot Dogs is not only locally famous but has drawn national attention as well, being featured in the New York Times, Southern Living Magazine, and The Travel Channel, to name a few accolades. This Hot Dog joint is in its third generation of owners, having begun as a mere hot dog stand in downtown Macon around 1916. With 8 restaurants in the central Georgia area to choose from, they are quite popular.
The mantra “I’d go a long way for a Nu Way” holds true with visitors from far and wide. Even Oprah has famously visited the flagship location downtown. That downtown location was unfortunately completely destroyed by fire in 2015. It’s a shame because it was a treat to visit that location.
Nu Way Locations can be found in Macon, Warner Robins, and Fort Valley. I can honestly say that I have visited them all.
I recommend getting your Nu Way hot dog ‘all-the-way,‘ which means: mustard, onions, and their homemade chili. If you enjoy a good slaw dog, I encourage you to get one of each! Their sweet tea is good too, with their famous flaky ice.
5. Johnny V’s on Columbus Rd. in Macon is off the beaten path but worth the drive. Not far off I-75 at the Thomaston Rd. exit. This local family-owned restaurant is a hot spot with the locals. Their chili dogs are great and my personal favorite. But it’s hard to choose between the chili dog and the slaw dog for me. Their homemade burgers are like smash burgers.
Johnny V’s has a great breakfast too. If you are visiting the Macon area and want to experience the hot spot for locals, go to Johnny V’s AND Nu Way, then you decide which you like best. It’s a hot debate.
Warner Robins
6. White Diamond Grill on Hwy. 247 in Bonair/Warner Robins is a local favorite.
While the White Diamond is locally famous for their BBQ, they do make a good hot dog. Their French fries are fresh-cut and some of the best around, too. They deep fry the wiener, which is good, and you can get it wrapped in bacon.
LaGrange
We visited two different places in downtown LaGrange just to eat their hot dogs. Charlie Joseph’s and Gus’s Grill.
7. Charlie Joseph’s has a fun, eclectic vibe with a vast collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia covering the walls and all available surfaces. They have been around since 1920, so they must be doing something right.
It can get pretty crowded with locals at peak lunch hours, so plan ahead. Hot Dog toppings include chili, slaw, cheese, and Kraut. Burgers are also an option, and my hubby gave the cheeseburger a big thumbs up. If you are a true southerner, try the ‘stew’. The wieners are boiled, not grilled. I’m a fan of either grilled or fried hot dogs, but I’d still go back to Charlie Joseph’s and eat another hot dog because it was fun and I enjoyed the experience.
8. Gus’s Grill is also downtown LaGrange, about four blocks from Charlie Joseph’s. You can get breakfast or lunch at Gus’s. We went close to the end of lunch when most of the crowd had thinned out. My hubby couldn’t help ordering a Gyro, which he gave a big thumbs up. I love those homestyle fries with my hot dog. It’s a fried wiener, so I loved it.
Columbus
9. Jordan Girls Gourmet Hot Dogs on Veterans Parkway in Columbus serves a variety of hot dog toppings. Their spelling is ‘Dawg’ to honor the Georgia Bulldogs at UGA. There is something for everyone. It’s a good place to get Vegan food, and the service is personal. Plus, you get to choose what type of salt you’d prefer, including pink Himalayan and Sea salt. They even have dairy-free desserts and great customer service.
10. Frank’s Alley in Columbus cooks New York-style hot dogs. The dogs are grilled, all-beef Sabrett, which have no fillers, and they are cross-cut to hold all of the toppings. You can also enjoy a traditional Bavarian pretzel. The restaurant is designed to be reminiscent of a New York alley, and the hot dogs are named for New York boroughs.
If you are anywhere near Columbus, drive to downtown and find Frank’s at 13th and Broad St. Choosing your toppings will be fun; there is much to choose from.
11. World Famous Hot Dogs on Hamilton Rd. is basically a roadside stand. There is only a walk-up window to place your order. Most folks get their hot dogs to go, but we sat at one of the outside tables to enjoy ours. We were on our way to Birmingham, so just passing through.
Friendly folks to be sure, and fast service. They keep it simple at World Famous, not a bunch of fancy toppings, just the basics. As usual, I got one each: a slaw dog and a chili dog. I wish I were able to eat more than two because they were so good. No fries, but a few chip choices are available.
Also see: 5 Best Coffee Shops in Columbus, Ga
North Georgia
Gainesville
12. Collegiate Grill is a 50s vibe diner in the historic downtown area of Gainesville. A part of the local culture since about 1947 in this University of Georgia college town. The eclectic ambiance makes this a fun place to eat. Rave reviews for the food, too.
Everything on the menu is a la carte, so you can mix and match whatever you like. Hot Dog toppings include the usual: chili, slaw, cheese, and onions. Loyal customers recommend you get a shake for dessert or stop in just for a shake. It is worth mentioning that their burgers are also a local favorite.
Helen
Helen is an Alpine tourist town in north Georgia. It is patterned after a German Bavarian town and, as such, hosts some great festivals that draw loads of tourists. Oktoberfest, held each Fall, is a great time to visit to experience some great Bratwurst.
13. Alpine Hot Dog and Grill is located on Main St. in Helen.
14. Bodensee restaurant in Helen is where you can enjoy Brats as the meat with sides like sauerkraut. Bodensee has great ratings and lots more to choose from than just the brats. While they do not serve the traditional wiener on a bun that we think of as hot dogs, this is a great place to eat a good Brat.
15. Chattahoochee Dog Haus serves specialty dogs such as the Chicago Dog and the Georgia Dog, which comes with Peach relish and Sriracha onions. My eyes water just thinking about those onions. They even have a hot dog called The Kitchen Sink!
South Georgia
Albany
16. Travel down south Georgia, and you will find a place called Jimmie’s Hot Dogs in Albany. A local landmark, folks from Albany tell stories that date back to their youth, eating a Jimmie’s hot dog. Fond memories.
Jimmie’s has no indoor seating. Their hot dog buns are toasted. You can get a variety of toppings, including a Triple Dog with chili, slaw, and cheese. Their mantra is “The King of Hot Dogs,” and they have been in business since 1939. Try the original Chili dog with or without onions.
Thomasville
17. Hot Diggity Dogs on Smith Ave is a small, rather non-descript place, nothing fancy. It’s a good local place for a reasonably priced lunch. Dine inside or outside at the picnic tables. Their chili and slaw are both made fresh.
18. Billiard Academy on Broad St. has been serving its locally famous Chili dogs since 1949. Dine inside or get it to-go at the walk-up window by the front door. You don’t have to play billiards to enjoy these Chili dogs. The original recipe for the chili is still being served today. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, folks.
Coastal Georgia
Brunswick
19. Willie’s Wee-Nee Wagon has been with us since 1975, having gotten its start as a cart. They eventually moved into their current location across the street from the Coastal College on Altama Avenue. It is not a wagon, it is a brick-and-mortar restaurant. You have got to love the play on words used in the name, Wee-Nee. Willie’s is everything you expect a good hot dog restaurant to be.
Be adventurous at Willie’s because you have choices for your dogs. Toppings include: BBQ, Kraut, Chili, Cheese, slaw, and of course tomatoes, onions, relish, and even hot peppers. You can have your hot dog anyway you like it. My favorite thing is that they will even serve you Burnt fries.
Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill is about 20 miles outside of Savannah and is considered to be part of the Savannah metropolitan area.
20. Charlie Grainger’s is located on Ford. Ave. in Richmond Hill and worth the short drive. You will find a plethora of hot dog topping choices at Charlie Grainer’s. If you are a genuine hot dog lover, try the Old Fashioned with chili and mustard. If you are adventurous, good luck making a decision among all the toppings. FYI, they have great BBQ too.
More Georgia Destinations
- The Ultimate Guide To Driving Through Atlanta, Georgia
- Tybee Island Bed & Breakfast Surf Song Review
- Where The Locals Eat in Macon, GA.
- 13 Restaurants In Dublin, Ga. Where The Locals Eat
- 21 Fun Things To Do in Columbus, GA.
- 13 Best Places To Eat In Columbus, Georgia
- 15 Best Places To Eat In Warner Robins, Ga.
Didn’t see your favorite Georgia Hot Dog place? Send it to me and I’ll check it out when I do updates. shirley@intellingentdomestications.com
