Top Hot Dogs in Knoxville

Starting with an obvious choice with hot dog in the name, Curious Dog is a must in the Old City. With over 30 options, there’s no way you won’t find a dog to fall for here. The classic Curious Dog is topped with potato salad, white sauce, bacon, and barbecue sauce. Try the Thai with Thai peanut sauce, hot & spice mustard, cabbage, carrots, and cucumbers. The Greek includes tzatziki, crumbled feta, black olive pesto, chopped fries, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, white sauce, and herb olive oil. Make any dog on the menu a veggie falafel dog, or double the dog and make it meaty. We’d be here all day with their extensive options, so go check out their menu for more!

D & B's is another winner with 10 hot dog options is a great stop on the way to or from Oak Ridge. A plethora of toppings to choose from including cheddar cheese, homemade chili, homemade slaw, onions, regular and spicy mustard, jalapenos, sour cream, and much more. Try the Reuben, Cuban, or Wagon or two different kinds of brats for some more unique options. Get the Loaded Elvis for dessert: buns filled with peanut butter and banana, then toasted and topped with marshmallow crème, caramel, hot fudge, and chopped peanuts.  

Classic pub fare awaits in Market Square with wings, burgers, and a great selection of pub fries (including poutine for you Canadians) at Tommy Trent's. Enjoy their selection of Scruffy Dogs: The Nowitzki, inspired by the German-born Dallas Maverick’s All-Star, this frankfurter comes covered with sauerkraut, sauteed onion, and mustard. The Crossover is where East meets West with a Carolina style dog covered in chili and diced onions, topped with southwestern jalapeno peppers and shredded cheddar. The Iverson is a Philly inspired dog covered in caramelized onions, sauteed mushrooms, and house made beer cheese. The Jordan is their take on the Chicago dog with onions, tomatoes, pickles, and Chicago Style Sport peppers garnished with relish and mustard. Or go for the basic They Layup with a deep-fried hotdog in a butter toasted bun.

Petro’s is known for their 1982 World’s Fair Classic, the Petro (formerly called the Petroleum Belly – a nod to the energy theme for the fair). But we’re here to talk dogs, and they have all beef hot dogs served with chili-cheese, slaw, and chili, cheesy queso, or a plain dog. But if you really want a Petro on a hot dog – that’s an option! Enjoy corn chips with original or vegetarian chili, cheddar and jack cheeses, fresh diced tomatoes, sour cream, and fresh cut green onions. Wash it all down with a Hint of Orange Iced Tea. 

Track down the Knox Wurst food truck for the best of the wurst: Bratwurst made with pork sausage topped with grain mustard, caramelized yellow onion, house caraway sauerkraut and red wine-pickled jalapeno; Currywurst made with spicy pork sausage topped with curry sauce, pickled mustard seed, cilantro, scallion, and turmeric; Cajun made with spicy pork sausage topped with creole mustard, caramelized yellow onion and sauteed bell pepper; Jr Dog made with Nathan’s all beef frank; and Dill Chicken made with chicken sausage topped with habanero BBQ, candied bacon, aged white cheddar, and banana pepper. Pair with pan fried green beans or red potato salad! 

Equally fun to say “hot dog blog” is “Schulzes Schnitzel Kitchen”. Try it! This kitchen at Schulz Bräu Brewing Company in North Knoxville is designed to pair with their beer. Think large German pretzels, wood-fired pizza, Bavarian classics like Fleischkäse and sauerkraut. But we’re here for authentic sausages and they’ve got ‘em in spades. The classic Bratwurst leads, which is a char-grilled pork and veal sausage. Stuff it with Swiss cheese for a Cheese Knacker. Boil ‘em instead for Weisswurst. Serve ‘em on a bed of crispy fries with their signature curry sauce and you’ve got Currywurst. Marinate ‘em in Schwarbier and you’ve got Beer Bratwurst. Try ‘em all!  

Newer to the scene comes the Chicago Hot Dog & Sausage Company in East Knoxville. Expect a few appetizers like fries, onion rings, and even Wisconsin cheese curds. For the hot dogs themselves, you can't go wrong with the Chicago Dog - a poppy seed bun and dog piled high with the classic toppings of mustard, relish, onion, tomato, sport pepper, pickle and don't forget the celery salt! They've got some other sandwiches too, like The Big Mikey (Italian beef with red sauce and melted provolone), and the Maxwell Street Polish Sausage (deep-fried Polish sausage with grilled onion and homemade spicy mustard). Dessert? Deep-fried cheesecake!

Possibly as serious about their food as they are their great beer, LDA just east of downtown has some incredible eats. They’re especially well known for their birria tacos on Tuesdays, and their Shrimp Boil Fridays. But they do have a unique menu item that can be enjoyed anytime: Wild Boar Bratwurst! Enjoy this option in a hoagie roll topped with spicy brown mustard, diced onion, and sauerkraut. 

Two locations in Knoxville to get your frankfurter fix: Hardin Valley and West Knoxville on Kingston Pike. This American style restaurant has salads, wings, sandwiches, pizza, and more. Four options await: Ballpark “Double” Dog with classic mustard, relish, and diced onions; a Hebrew Fat Dog with more options including brown mustard, Dijon mustard, sauerkraut, banana peppers, jalapenos, and tomatoes; a Hebrew National Chili Dog with beefy chili, cheddar cheese, and diced onions; and a unique Breakfast Dog with American cheese, two bacon strips, two fried eggs and grilled onions. 

If you’d like to pair your dog with some whiskey, Clancy’s is the place to do it. This spot next to the Tennessee Theatre has an extensive drink menu that covers beer, wine, bourbon, rye, whiskey, Irish whiskey, scotch, and more. Expect pub fare that includes flatbreads, sandwiches, and signature dishes like fish n chips. They have Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog on their kids’ menu, and Two Chili Dogs on their adult menu with choice of toppings including cheese, onion, and relish slaw.