6. Dixie Dairy Dreem
Cash only. 4542 S. Dixie Drive, Moraine. (937) 293-2479. Get your belly grumbling at www.dairydreem.com.
For that little slice of nostalgia, the small ice cream/hot dog restaurant gives you options, like a regular vs. foot long dogs and boast several specialties. We recommend the foot-long Reuben dog ($3.95), topped with sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing, and onions and mustard.
5. Voltzys Root Beer Stand
Cash, debit with $10 minimum. 4668 Springboro Pike, Moraine. (937) 299-1440. Keep track of their specials at www.facebook.com/pages/Voltzys-Rootbeer-Stand/111715192199642?fref=ts
Voltzy’s is another that is better known for their burgers, but when their slaw dogs and coneys are on special, there’s nowhere else you should go. They’re only open for lunch, but man, what a lunch.
4. Five Guys
Debit, credit and cash accepted. Multiple locations around the Miami Valley. Find the closest one to you at www.fiveguys.com/locations.aspx.
Everyone goes gaga for the burgers and fries here. But we’re here to tell you that their dogs are actually the best thing on the menu. Sliced in half and char-grilled to perfection, and topped with any and all of the burger toppings, whether plain, with cheese or bacon or both, the Five Guys hot dog is king.
3. Zombie Dogz Food Truck
Debit, credit and cash accepted. Out and about, track them at www.facebook.com/zombiedogzdayton.
You'd be hard pressed to find an event around Dayton that Zombie Dogz isn't at. Their original specialty dogs rotate with each outing, but you definitely want to be on the lookout for the Germanator (hot dog topped with ribeye, housemade beer cheese, and crispy fried onions) and the Sho Stopper (topped with bulgogi beef, kimchi, Asian slaw, sriracha aioli, peanut crumble and scallions). Catch them at Centerville's Americana Festival on Saturday, their single biggest event of the year.
2. Chicago Gyros and Dogs
3979 Indian Ripple Road, Beavercreek. (937) 705-6072. Debit, credit and cash accepted. Check out a menu at http://chicagogyrosanddogs.businesscatalyst.com/
People rave over the Chicago Dog here, which is pretty much as authentic as you can get this far from the Windy City. But our personal fave is the bacon avocado dog — a bacon-wrapped Vienna-style dog topped with avocado, grilled onions and jalapeño on a poppy seed bun ($4). Get it served up with some Greek dressing and Feta cheese topped fries ($4) and you’re set.
1. The Dawg Haus
Cash only. 30 S. First St., Miamisburg. (937) 654-7558.
Alas, our favorite hot dog place is the furthest away from our office. The Dawg Haus is small, but packs a hot punch with quarter pounders and polish sausages keeping warm on the burner. Their slaw dog ($3.25) is a thing of beauty, with housemade sweet and crunchy slaw generously poured over the ballpark-style dog. Add onions and thinly sliced pickles and thank us later.
In addition to these specialty stands and restaurants, more than a few local eateries include quality hot dogs on their menus. Yes, Skyline Chili's coneys are beloved but when you want to try something new, be sure to try the Trolley Stop's double dogs (two Keener Farms beef franks topped with farm fresh chili, shredded cheese and red onion) and Slyder's Tavern's hot dog. A pro-tip: go to Lucky's Tavern and order a hot dog with any of their signature burger combos on top.
BONUS: They’re not quite open yet, but keep an eye out for the newest mobile food truck and our future hot dog connection, Bad Dog.
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