As far as regional hot dogs go, the Seattle dog is a weird one. Chicago has dogs “dragged through the garden” with all sorts of fixings. D.C. has its chili-covered half-smokes. Seattle chose a bizarre flourish of delicious whimsy.
Though its origins are contested, the first documented mention of the city’s namesake glizzy can be traced to The Stranger in 1999, when Traci Vogel reviewed the stand outside SoDo’s the Showbox, writing, “They make something which, when I first heard it described, sounded repulsive, but turned out to be sublime (and nothing endears me more to food than this turn of events): the cream cheese hot dog. This hot dog, nicely cooked, appears in a crispy bun smeared with cream cheese.”
These days, hot dog stands in Seattle are almost required to come equipped with cream cheese, though it’s the pairing with caramelized, slightly crunchy onions that make the flavor special.
You’ll find some of the best options during Mariners homestands, when seemingly endless Seattle dog purveyors crowd the neighborhood where the delicacy was invented. On game days, stands equipped with cream cheese start from Occidental Avenue on the west side of Lumen Field and extend all the way to Showbox SoDo.
It can be hard to choose from the many vendors vying for your attention, so we tried all eight Seattle dogs available before a recent Mariners game to find what separates a quality dog from the rest of the pack. (For the sake of consistency, all dogs were eaten with cream cheese and onions only, without additional toppings. All stands have more toppings available.)
The overall favorite: SoDo Grill
The best tasting dog can be found at the blue tent of SoDo Grill. The default option is a massive Polish dog that’s saltier, pepperier, and richer in flavor than the competition. The meats are steamed before they’re grilled, and they’re given ample time to develop texture through char. The business is busy — the secret is evidently out about the quality here — but a well-staffed tent ensures minimal wait times. Plus, there’s a ludicrous array of toppings available, and it’s one of the cheaper dogs at only $7.
The best for onion fanatics: Al’s Gourmet Sausage
Al Griffin, owner of Al’s Gourmet Sausage, has carried cream cheese without fail since 1994, when a sloshed patron outside the Bohemian Cafe in Pioneer Square came equipped with their own.
“He had it wrapped in aluminum foil,” says Griffin. “I swear I stared at him for 10 minutes.”
While other stands serve slippery onions with little pizazz or color, the onions at Al’s are the kind you smell before you see. Deeply golden brown, with a rich, almost buttery flavor, they’re the best on the block. Al’s also has great reggae music, infectious vibes, and a generous hand with the cream cheese. There are two Al’s in the Lumen Field row; be sure to visit the larger stand closer to the stadium to be served by Griffin himself.
The innovative choice: The Monster Dogs
A small one-person stand located right outside SoDo Showbox, Monster Dogs distinguishes itself with thin, lightly crisped, caramelized onions and butterflied dogs. Slicing the meat may upset some purists, but ultimately it allows for more texture during grilling, and the shape functions as a mini-trough to more safely apply precarious toppings such as jalapeños or relish. Additionally, a butterfly cut avoids any risk of a disappointing, lightly cooked, waterlogged dog.
More great Seattle dogs:
At Seattle Sausage, onions marinated in barbeque sauce add a welcome distinction from the rest of the stands. The line moves quickly and the employees are friendly.
You’ll know Hot Dogs Sinaloa, on the corner of Edgar Martinez Drive and First Avenue (across the street from King 5), by the small depiction of Jesus on the front of the stand. While the flavor on the dog is fairly standard, its bacon wrapping and accompaniment of bell pepper, jalapeños, and mayo transform this offering into a sort of Tijuana/Seattle dog hybrid (albeit without as many toppings). This spot, as well as the stands on the corner of Royal Brougham near the left field gate, often change out frequently, but if you’re on the lookout for a bacon-wrapped Seattle dog, you’ll likely find one at these locations.
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