Best hot dog
The tasty dogs at Barker's Red Hots, your pick for best in Atlanta, sizzling away on the grill.
YOUR PICKS
1. Barker’s Red Hots
You say, “Barker’s – No one even compares. Water pulls the flavor out of the dog. Barker’s are grilled over real charcoal. Try their signature dog!! Dogs made by a 142 year old meat packer out of Buffalo, N.Y. Awesome rings and fries and their Bomb Italian Sausage – unbelievable. Wash it all down with a Loganberry and you died and went to heaven.”
2. Rivals
3. CJ’s Hot Dogs
4. The Varsity
5. Skip’s
6. America’s Top Dog
A pair of yummy dogs from Brandi's in Marietta, our pick for the best hot dog in and around Atlanta. Photo: Jon Watson
OUR PICKS
1. Brandi’s World Famous Hot Dogs
The AJC dining team’s Popular Eats specialist Jon Watson says, “Open only for lunch, you will always find this small diner-style hot dog shop in Marietta packed to the brim with regulars, and for good reason. Their spicy chili dogs are the epitome of a Georgia-style hot dog, and the best that I’ve had in the city.”
2. Holeman & Finch
3. Barker’s Red Hots
4. America’s Top Dog
5. The Varsity
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566 comments Add your comment
Mikec13
December 30th, 2010
1:13 pm
Grew up in Mobile, AL and they have great hot dogs at the Dew Drop. When Rivals opened in Loganville I finally found the great tasting hot dog I had been looking for. Homemade Chili and fresh hand cut fries.
Native Atlantan
December 30th, 2010
1:46 pm
VARSITY!
LWells2000
December 30th, 2010
2:31 pm
Varsity was good in its day…almost like the Rivals taste of today! Until you Atlantans visit Loganville to try Rivals, you’ll never re-discover what made the big V what it used to be. NO ONE EQUALS THE RIVALS DAWGS OF TODAY~! Man, 2 Rivals chili dawgs with mustard and onions [double on the onions] and some homemade fries with ketchup is a memorable meal~! C’mon out to Loganville and get today’s dawgs today~! See you there~!
Harper Crane
December 30th, 2010
3:14 pm
U.S. Cafe
Donald L.
December 30th, 2010
3:27 pm
I vote for CJ’s.
Great tosted buns, Great chili,Great service,Great people/staff. Like Cheer’s of yesteryear, after your second or third visit, they remember your name. Eat there one time, and you will go back.
Donald L.
December 30th, 2010
3:28 pm
Enter your comments here
Cara
December 30th, 2010
3:34 pm
My vote is for Rival’s Hot Dogs in Loganville, the Hail Mary is to die for!
Steve
December 30th, 2010
4:09 pm
CJ Hot Dogs in McDonough, GA
The BandWagon
December 30th, 2010
4:32 pm
I hope all you folk out there in Loganville who all of a sudden jumped on the Rivals bandwagon this week continue to do as much business with them as you say you have this past week. If you were as loyal to Rivals all year as you are now, the owners would never considered closing the doors. Now it’s time for all you Rivals fans to stand up and support them with your continued business.
Roxann
December 30th, 2010
4:49 pm
It has to be CJ’s in McDonough, Great Food & Service!
Tammi
December 30th, 2010
5:59 pm
Rivals — Loganville … Best Dogs around !!!!!!
Greg
December 30th, 2010
6:05 pm
Rivals hands down best dog anywhere, try the hell hound challenge if your brave enough!!!!
Rex
December 30th, 2010
6:15 pm
I have eaten Varsity hot dogs for 55 years and CJ’s hot dogs for 2 years and CJ’s is by far the best. Hi-way 20 in Mcdonough. Eat there once and you won’t go back to the Varsity.
Marion
December 30th, 2010
6:33 pm
The best hotdogs are at CJ’s in McDonough on Hwy 20 across from J C Penney’s. The buns are grilled, the variety is unbelievable and they put the Varsity to shame!!!
Jean
December 30th, 2010
6:34 pm
CJ’s in McDonough. Friendly staff and great food. It’s the best!!
Elaine Jones
December 30th, 2010
7:02 pm
CJ’s in McDonough is the best. Great Hotdogs! Great new location on Hwy 20. Exit 218 East
Michelle
December 30th, 2010
9:41 pm
CJ’s HOTDOGS in McDonough GA…The Best Hotdogs anywhere!! Darren, Jordan and Pam are the Best!
Debbie
December 30th, 2010
9:49 pm
Rival’s Hot Dogs in Loganville
John
December 30th, 2010
10:44 pm
Barkers Red Hots get my vote. If there are any other dogs cooked over charcoal I would like to try them to compare. Mike’s Chicago Dog’s comes in second. They sold me some of their poppy seed buns which I really appreciated. Haven’t seen those anywhere else in ATL. Wish Barkers would put those buns on their menu.
MARYJANE WEBB PHILLIPS
December 30th, 2010
11:11 pm
R*I*V*A*L*S RIVALS HOT DOGS ARE THE BEST HANDS DOWN….. NOT ONLY ARE THEY THE BEST DOGS IN GA WELL IN THE U.S. BUT THE SASSER FAMILY KNWS THE CUSTOMERS NAMES, KIDS NAMES, WHAT THEY EAT, AND THEY HAVE SUPPORTED ALL THE COMMUNITY EVENTS INCLUDING THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS, F.A.C.E.S. CAMP, AND OTHER CHILDRENS GROUPS. CHUCK, KAYCE, AND THIER FAMILY MAKE U FEEL LIKE FAMILY. WE LOVE RIVALS AND WE LOVE THE SASSERS
Rasheed
December 31st, 2010
5:49 am
You guys have it all wrong. America’s Top Dog is #1.
Go there and check them out.
The AJC is looking for Atlanta’s Best Hot Dog | Barkers Red Hot Blog
December 31st, 2010
7:04 am
[...] debate, to say the least. Why don’t you give us a shout-out by clicking this link ( http://blogs.ajc.com/best-of-big-a/2010/12/27/best-hot-dog/) and casting your vote for Barkers? Tell the world that Barkers is your favorite and [...]
NY Joe
December 31st, 2010
7:22 am
Enter your comments here
NY Joe
December 31st, 2010
7:23 am
Ok I screwed up…going to America’s Top Dog for my weekly fix of Sabrett grilled natural casing franks. I don’t know how you Atlantans can stand those mush dogs. They get my vote for best dog in Atlan ta
Nancy
December 31st, 2010
8:22 am
C.J.’s Hotdogs in McDonougjh are the BEST. Locally owned and operated by a great family.
Tracy
December 31st, 2010
9:18 am
Love CJs Hotdogs in McDonough!!! Chili dog ROCKS!!! and the People are the best!!!
faythe
December 31st, 2010
9:21 am
RISE UP, Loganville…RISE UP, Atlanta…R I S E U P FOR ….. R*I*V*A*L*S ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
*******GREAT FOOD*****GREAT GATHERING PLACE*******
joe
December 31st, 2010
9:58 am
you need to head east to loganville and find a little place called Rivals if you want the best dogs, homemade chilli, homemade slaw and hand cut fries. Oh also the hotest dogs on the planet!!!
Chelsey
December 31st, 2010
11:55 am
CJ’s Hotdogs in McDonough.. ahh BEST EVER!!
Lisa
December 31st, 2010
11:58 am
CJ’s in McDonough!! Best hotdogs in the world! I feel like everytime I walk in there they greet me with a smile and the hotdogs are just the icing on top!!
micah maloof
December 31st, 2010
12:53 pm
Have to travel to LaGrange….Charlie Josephs…in business for 90 years. That should tell you something..
Holly
December 31st, 2010
2:00 pm
Barker’s Red Hots in Marietta – the best charcoal grilled dogs.
tumlint28
December 31st, 2010
3:04 pm
Rivals Loganville Ga No Doubt About It All Around Best THANKS Chuck and Family
bamagirl73
December 31st, 2010
3:55 pm
CJ’s in McDonough is the BEST for hot dogs and onion rings! YUM YUM!!
Brazen Unicorn
December 31st, 2010
4:19 pm
America’s Top Dog on Chamblee Tucker Road….get there! 40-item topping bar is where it’s at.
Trena
December 31st, 2010
4:53 pm
You haven’t had the best hot dog in Atl until you have had one from CJ’s in McDonough
Karina
January 1st, 2011
1:06 am
We think America’s Top Dog is topps and since we love dogs I think we have probabley eaten at
at least 20 places around town. Thank you Jeff and your great staff.
Steve
January 1st, 2011
8:14 am
Love the Varsity, but CJ’s in McDonough is the place.
Judy
January 1st, 2011
9:35 am
The best hotdog is Dog Days Chicago Hot Dogs in Norcross.
Gloria Gallian
January 1st, 2011
12:44 pm
CJ’s in McDonough!
John M
January 1st, 2011
5:24 pm
America’s Top Dog is my choice. I love everything about this place
lisa
January 1st, 2011
7:38 pm
Barkers Red hots on windy hill. can’t wiat for the roswell location to open!
Steve & Patty Lee
January 1st, 2011
8:24 pm
CJ’s – McDonough —-Best variety, best taste, best service, best value!
Jessica
January 1st, 2011
9:41 pm
Being a student at Mercer, my friends and I are always looking for cheap eats…but good cheap eats. We enjoy going to America’s Top Dog right near our dorm because the dogs and burgers are some of the best I’ve ever had and the prices are reasonable. It’s a little difficult to find seeing that its in the North Hills Shopping Center on Chamblee Tucker Rd. but believe me it’s well worth the search. My friends and I crown ATD best hot dog place in ATL
Andy
January 2nd, 2011
9:24 am
CJ’s in MacDonna gets my vote.
Now, if you can stand traffic, smog, liberals, mopes and bums the Godzilla Doq or whatever they call it at Manuel’s Tavern is pretty good.
Georgia genius
January 2nd, 2011
9:44 am
First!
mike
January 2nd, 2011
9:45 am
Just out of curiosity who makes the hotdogs at Rivals and CJ’s? I went to American Hotdog in Chamblee and it might be the best dog in Atlanta. He has an entire fresh condiment bar, of 40 toppings, to add to your hotdog. The hotdogs are a few different varieties. Sabretts and a very old hotdog company (150 years) out of Maryland.
Kirk
January 2nd, 2011
9:46 am
The Yacht Dog at the Euclid Avenue Yacht Club in L5P is right up there with the best.
Briley Parkway
January 2nd, 2011
9:52 am
Varsity. Period. Barkers is a distant second
Timothy J. Wilson
January 2nd, 2011
9:56 am
Skips Dogs in Avondale Estates has the very best Chicago dogs in the southeast!