No longer must London’s hot dog junkies endure tasteless, chewy sausages wrapped in mushy buns. Junk food is bang on trend in the capital, and these top seven sellers are leading the way in the gourmet hot dog arena. (Our featured image is © Bubbledogs.)
If you want to undertake a global hot-dog-eating voyage, read our Top 10 hot dog hot spots.
Big Apple Hot Dogs
Inspired by the New York hot dog scene, the Big Apple cart fries up its goods on the curb in Old St, with occasional pop-up locations around town and at various festivals.
Tasty buns come from local Hoxton bakery Anderson’s, and the free-range, gluten-free sausages are commissioned specially.
Bubbledogs
For those with a taste for fancy junk food, Bubbledogs on Charlotte St unites champagne with hot dogs. Start easy with a simple “naked dog”, or spice things up with jalapenos and “José”.
Hot dogs here come as all beef, all pork, or entirely vegetarian options, and are all concocted according to in-house recipes.
Soho Bar and Diner
Decked out in dark wood and with a central bar perfect for countertop feasting, Soho Bar and Diner mirrors the traditional American diner feel of its sister Electric Diner in Notting Hill.
The Diner’s classic dog comes with fresh herb sprinklings and a tasty side of fried onions, a definite highlight on the French-American menu.
Hawksmoor Spitalfields
Enormous chill cheese dogs arrive atop a creamy brioche bun at Hawksmoor, and are grilled up using top-notch British meat.
Overlooking Commercial St, in the heart of Spitalfields, this is the original Hawksmoor, complete with superb steaks, a basement bar, and an imaginative cocktail list.
Kurz & Lang
Otherwise known as “the Bratwurst Company”, Kurz & Lang imports its Wursts (German sausages) fresh from a family-run outfit in the Rhineland, and keeps a careful eye on animal welfare.
Here you’ll find the full set of traditional hot dogs, as well as a fiery currywurst and dedicated Oktoberfest dishes.
Searcy’s Champagne Bar, Paddington Station
If you fancy a bit of glam with your hot dog, Searcy’s holds the gourmet key: their “British Bulldog” has been specifically designed to escort a bottle of bubbly, and contains only cured and smoked ham from a rare breed of Welsh pig.
Blending British and American traditions, this dog sits within a buttery brioche, topped with sprinklings of hazelnut.
Herman Ze German
Having started out as a touring trailer cart, Herman Ze German brings its original festival spirit to hectic Villiers St. High-quality, juicy German pork sausages are imported straight from the Black Forest, and dished up on the grill with crispy onions between chunks of crusty fresh baguette. There’s a new branch in Soho too.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to… whose guides cover all the best hotels, restaurants, bars, clubs, sights, shops and spas
