There are few foods that feel as unapologetically American as a good hot dog. Equal parts comfort food and summertime staple, it’s the kind of meal that tastes just as fitting at a roadside stand as it does after a day at the beach.
Across Florida, the humble frank has taken on countless personalities, from no-frills classics that have kept loyal fans coming back for decades to newer spots dreaming up bold combinations worthy of two hands and a stack of napkins.
Recently, the USA TODAY Network’s Florida Dining & Entertainment Team, living in communities across the Sunshine State, picked the top hot dog joints they can’t seem to stay away from, spotlighting some of the juiciest, most crave-worthy creations the state has to offer.
See which Daytona-area restaurant made the list.
Al’s Red Barn Grill at Al’s Family Farms
Details: 2005 N. King’s Highway, Fort Pierce; 772-461-7222; website
Stop by this big red barn on King’s Highway in Fort Pierce. Al’s Red Barn Grill is a classic roadside eatery where guests order at the window and dine outdoors under shaded, wooden picnic tables. Al’s Family Farms has been selling citrus since 1977, when it was started by Al and Jeanne Schorner.
After Al Schorner’s passing in 1987, it has been run by his son, Jeff Schorner, and Jeff’s son, Matt. The Lakewood Park staple specializes in citrus, gift fruit and fresh-squeezed juice. Jeff’s wife, Sharon, makes its iconic homemade fudge. The property, which houses the shop and grill, is the ultimate Old Florida citrus experience.
It serves burgers, sandwiches, shakes and authentic Mexican food. The menu features a jumbo quarter-pound gourmet hot dog served fresh with toppings including shredded cheese or chili and cheese for an additional fee. — Valeria Bartra and Eve Pierpont, TCPalm
Bay Street Dawgs
Details: 108 Bay St., Daytona Beach; 386-492-7589, facebook.com/baystreetdawgs
Tucked off of bustling Beach Street, Bay Street Dawgs feels like the kind of spot built for simple summer cravings done right. The New England-style eatery centers its menu around 10-inch Hummel Bros. “dawgs” served on warm split-top buns, each toasted just enough to add structure without losing its soft center.
Alongside its all-beef, steamed burgers and seafood rolls, the restaurant houses nearly a dozen crave-worthy dawgs, from the popular Reuben with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing to the Junkyard Dawg — my recent favorite — pairing grilled onions, mushrooms and peppers with house chili and cheese sauce.
From 8-inch “red hots,” described as a shorter, thicker, natural casing hot dog with a peppery kick, to sweet Italian sausage and classic brats with brown mustard, there are plenty of options to choose from — each pairing perfectly with a side of Bay Street Dawgs’ steak fries or crispy fried onion petals and house Bay Street sauce. —Helena Perray, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
DEEP Brewing Co. and Kitchen
Details: 2855 Pablo Ave., Tallahassee; 850-567-0295; Facebook
Think hot dogs with an under-the-sea twist. With exposed steel beams, industrial fire piping, polished concrete floors, whitewashed walls and warm wood accents, you might feel like you’ve stepped aboard a ship. But this July, Deep Brewing Co. is taking diners on a culinary trip to the Midwest with its in-house sausage program. The 5,000-square-foot brewery is built for summer hangouts, complete with a movie-theater-sized screen, bold craft brews and a menu of breakfast, lunch, dinner and Friday features curated by co-founder and brewer Ryan LaPete and executive chef Justin Cruz.
In an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat, Cruz, sous chef Sean Braun and TLH Beer Society co-founder Danny Aller shared the inspiration behind the brewery’s house-made, all-beef franks, which are ground, stuffed and grilled over hardwood. Throughout July, guests can try a lineup of regional hot dog classics.
Travel to the Windy City with the towering Chicago Dog, topped with yellow mustard, white onion, bright green sweet relish, tomato, sport peppers, celery salt and a dill pickle spear on a signature poppy seed bun-with one firm rule: “no ketchup, ever.” It comes served with house-made chips. Head west with the Seattle Dog, layered with cream cheese, grilled onions and jalapenos. The Cincinnati Dog is piled high with the city’s famously spiced chili, featuring subtle notes of cinnamon and chocolate. —Kyla Sanford, Tallahassee Democrat
Dune Dog
Details: 775 N. Alternate A1A, Jupiter, 561-744-6667, dunedog.com
Dune Dog Cafe in Jupiter takes one of America’s most familiar foods and gives it a distinctly Florida setting. For more than three decades, the open-air spot has built a following around all-beef hot dogs served on buttered, toasted New England-style rolls that hold up under layers of toppings.
The menu runs from simple combinations like relish and onions to heavier builds stacked with chili, cheese and house sauces. Families fill picnic tables, and small touches like a balloon artist add to the laid-back, all-ages atmosphere. The Jupiter original expanded beyond Palm Beach County, with locations in Stuart and Cocoa Beach.
In a state known for waterfront dining, this roadside stop stands out. —Diana Biederman, The Palm Beach Post
Great Chicago Fire Brewery & Tap Room
Details: 311 W. Magnolia St., Leesburg; 352-474-2739; chifibrew.com
Retired firefighter John Sokol — a DJ who’s active in the Leesburg community and has been a staunch supporter of vets and first responders — brings the Windy City to Lake County’s oldest historic downtown. Great Chicago Fire Brewery & Tap Room was born out of a desire to bring true Midwestern tastes and traditions to Central Florida. The fire station-themed spot serves as both a community gathering place and a haven for Chicago expats, offering house-crafted beers, an outdoor beer garden and an unapologetically authentic Windy City menu.
The star of Sokol’s show is his Original Chicago Style Hot Dog. True to tradition, it starts with an all-beef Vienna hot dog nestled in a steamed poppy seed bun. It’s then topped with yellow mustard, neon-green sweet relish, diced onions, tomato wedges a dill pickle spear, fiery sport peppers and a finishing dash of celery salt. And if you’re thinking of asking for the red stuff? Forget about it — the menu strictly enforces a “No Ketchup!” rule. —Julie Garisto, Daily Commercial.com
Long Doggers
Details: 890 N. Miramar Ave., Indialantic; 321-725-1115; www.longdoggers.com
Long Doggers captures Brevard County’s easy spirit with a surf shack vibe spread across six locations. Think picnic tables and laid-back patios that set the tone for a casual, come-as-you-are experience.
Known for elevating the humble hot dog, their all-beef franks are piled high with inventive toppings, from the Elote dog with roasted corn relish, cilantro, lime, pickled onions and cotija cheese to the Johnny O topped with house-made chili and cole slaw. The Patty Melt dog adds a decadent twist with American cheese, bacon, grilled onions and Thousand Island dressing.
Founded by a close-knit group of friends, the local favorite has been serving the community for more than 25 years, through its relaxed atmosphere and a menu beyond the dogs, with burgers, wings and seafood options that keep the crowds coming back. —Amber Olesen, FLORIDA TODAY
Mr. Beef of Naples
Details: 1195 Airport Road S., Naples; 239-961-1228; mrbeefofnaples.com
Bringing a taste of Chicago to Naples, Mr. Beef specializes in Italian beef sandwiches, sausages, and classic Windy City fare. The hot dog menu features a traditional Chicago-style Vienna beef hot dog topped with mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, sport peppers, a pickle spear, and celery salt on a steamed poppy seed bun ― and absolutely no ketchup. Diners can also opt for a chili dog topped with house-made chili, onions, and cheddar cheese. You can’t miss it from the street ― just look for the bright red cart on Airport Road. ―Kendall Little, Naples Daily News
Orange Tree
Details: 13500 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville (904) 551-3661, yelp.com
Orange Tree dates back to 1968 and once had locations all over the city, including popular spots at Regency Mall and the now-defunct Jacksonville Landing. The dogs are still the same, though, boiled and served in a steamed bun, topped with chili, cheese or crunchy slaw.
Longtime fans know to be careful with the onion sauce, which packs a real kick. A creamy layer of slaw and a dollop of chili, with an ice-cold Orange Frost drink on the side, will take care of that real quick. —Tom Szaroleta, The Florida Times-Union
Old Salty Dog
Details: 1601 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota; 941-388-4311, theoldsaltydog.com
Frankfurter aficionados cruising the Sunshine State will want to make a stop at The Old Salty Dog, which has three Sarasota County locations, including its iconic waterfront restaurant on City Island, where a quarter-pound, beer-battered hot dog made by the legendary Geier’s Sausage Kitchen often comes with views of frolicking dolphins.
Whether ordered simply grilled with mustard or as the over-the-top Fully Loaded Salty Dog piled high with bacon, grilled onions, mushrooms, sauerkraut and four cheeses, it’s a local favorite that was even featured on “Man v. Food.” Named one of the best bars in America in 2025 by USA TODAY, the City Island pub serves a hot dog that’s even better paired with a cold beer or frozen boat drink and, if you’re lucky, a spectacular Gulf Coast sunset. —Wade Tatangelo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
— Helena Perray is the food and dining reporter for The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Follow her on Instagram, and support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Best hot dogs in Florida? Daytona Beach restaurant makes the cut
Reporting by Helena Perray, Wade Tatangelo, Tom Szaroleta, Kendall Little, Amber Olesen, Julie Garisto, Diana Biederman, Kyla A Sanford, Valeria Bartra and Eve Pierpont, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Helena Perray, Wade Tatangelo, Tom Szaroleta, Kendall Little, Amber Olesen, Julie Garisto, Diana Biederman, Kyla A Sanford, Valeria Bartra and Eve Pierpont, Daytona Beach News-Journal | USA TODAY Network
