We’re frankly getting a little weary of reading about burgers, writing about burgers and, of course, eating burgers. In fact we would urge you to embrace another humble junk food before London town is overrun with patties and round buns. The fact that it is America’s national hotdog day on 23 July seems as good a reason as any to feast on frankfurters and scoff a few sausages. Here are London’s best places to do just that…
Harden’s recommends…
Big Apple Hot Dogs EC1
£12
“No brains, no bones and no butts!” – the inspiring promise of the quality of meat sold at this “passionate” little cart, near Old Street Tube, which sells “amazing franks”, with “light and fluffy buns” and “inspiring” sauces.
Dirty Bones W8
£35
Another London opening you’d think twice about searching at work, this Notting Hill newcomer describes itself as a ‘traditional hot dog stand by day’, before the sun goes down and doors open as a restaurant and cocktail bar.
Bubbledogs W1
£30
“Great champagne plus tasty hot dogs” – it’s sure a “novel” concept, and the queues testify to the success of this unlikely Fitzrovia “dude food” hit… and critics duly insist that this is “the most overhyped place in town”.
Foodie favourites…
Kurz & Lang EC1
(£5.95 for dog, sauerkraut and potatoes)
This tiny little Farringdon spot has never inspired much feedback from our reporters but you’ll find every type of German sausage imaginable – bratwurst, rindswurst (pure beef sausages), currywurst and Nürnberger-style wursts. All served with sauerkraut and potatoes.
Herman Ze German (group)
£8.55 (dog, fries and soft drink)
This hotdog chain has been rapidly expanding over the last two years and now has three sites (Soho, Embankment and Fitzrovia). It’s a no-fuss fast food kind of place, but raised a cut above thanks to the quality of its imported German dogs. The currrywurst, we felt, could be hotter though.
Hawksmoor Spitalfields E1
£10 (for the dog)
OK this isn’t strictly a hotdog purveyor, but hear us out! The bar at Hawksmoor’s Commercial Road outlet serves up a chilli cheese dog that has had London’s meat lovers in something of a tizz since it was launched last year.
Pop-up hotdogs…
Fleisch Mob (various locations)
You’ll find this Austrian street food vendor at pretty much all the main street food markets and events (KERB, Brixton, Red Market etc). Their London-made Frankfurters & Kasekrainers with beer-braised onions have proved very popular.
Engine Hotdogs (various locations)
Catch this hotdog and chorizo truck, famous for mountainous toppings, as it motors all over London. Try a Japanese twist on the traditional wiener with a beef sausage, takoyaki sauce, crispy onions, wasabi mayo and plenty of seaweed.
