7 Best Casual Restaurants Where You Can Get Guilty Pleasure Hot Dogs in San Jose

A standard at BBQs, a staple of the picky child’s diet, a necessity at ball games: Hot dogs are a casual bit to enjoy with an impressive outdoorsy reputation. Apart from being America’s classic yard grilling favorite, it’s also a popular staple at the ballpark. That said, hot dogs are a pretty cool indoor and outdoor snack, especially when sipping up a fun round of drinks.

And although Silicon Valley isn’t exactly known for its standout hot dog stash, there are great options to serve you a creative hot dog on a fancy baguette. So fire up those grills and bring your best appetites because San Jose has got all the hot dogs flavors you have been looking for.

If you want to go on a binge with this team and try out different hot dog spots, you might want to get yourself a GiftYa virtual gift card to cover part of your bill. These cards are customizable and you can carry them whenever you want. Also, it’s easy to load them onto your debit card and enjoy fantastic options from these hot dog spots in San Jose. Get your GiftYa card as early as today and try out these amazing hot dog spots in Silicon Valley!

Mark's Hot Dogs

48 S Capitol Ave, San Jose, CA 95127 facebook.com

Cherry counter-serve spot serving milkshakes, nachos, and a variety of hot dogs plus outdoor seating!

You will love Mark’s Hot Dogs especially if you’re craving for the classic hot dog served with multi-topping glory! This counter-serve spot is probably the oldest joint in San Jose that started its operation in 1936. Although it’s popular for its “giant orange” sphere grilling and serving space as well as the picnic bench, this casual spot offers mouth-watering chili dogs, polish dogs, hotlink, and sauerkraut dogs.

While this may not qualify as fine dining, if you’re looking for delicious hot dogs in San Jose, this could be the perfect spot to go. Apart from hot dogs, they also serve nachos with cheese, dill pickles, and some hot chocolate. With its energetic and vibrant atmosphere, Mark’s Hot Dogs is the perfect destination for your happy hour drinks or dinner with family and friends. If you want something to help wash down the hot dog, consider ordering one of their signature cocktail from the restaurant’s comprehensive drink menu.

Original Gravity Public House

66 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113 originalgravitypub.com

Mellow beer bar serving unique craft brews, sausage sandwiches, and other delicious pub fares!

Original Gravity Public House hot dogs are always fantastic. Sometimes too big but always delicious. This vibrant bar serves over 20 rotating taps of great beers and cider, delicious sausage sandwiches, and a mighty bottle selection. Their menu is always fresh to death.

Folks rave about their classic American cheeseburger accompanied by the world-famous duck-fat French fries. While they have a menu full of great meals that are added frequently, they still serve hot dogs the way they did back when they started. Additionally, you will get the same service in a large space with an outdoor patio. Make sure you try their beer menu with plenty to offer including takes from local and independently owned breweries.

That said, we highly recommend the dogs. At least get one for yourself or your squad. You won't be disappointed!

Umai Savory Hot Dogs

1158 N Capitol Ave, San Jose, CA 95132 umaihotdogs.com

Choose from a wide selection of hot dogs, wings, burgers, fries, and more at this casual spot in San Jose!

Ready to satisfy your hunger? The hot dogs at Umai Savory will surely satisfy your craving and leave you coming back for more. The hot dogs are made with premium meat, naturally smoked, with all the natural casings, are gluten-free, and contain no MSG, fillers, or even artificial flavor or colors. Everything is fresh. As if that’s not enough, their buns are baked daily with fresh ingredients sourced from local farms and diaries.

While their dishes are made to order, you get a fully customized menu with a wide variety of sausages, toppings, and some specialty sauces. Go ahead and order one of their signature hot dogs with options such as Tokyo signature served with an all-beef hot dog, roasted seaweed, caramelized onions, umai teriyaki sauce, teri mayo, and white sesame. You can also try the California bae topped with the chicken hot dog, feta cheese, sliced cucumber, avocado, creamy sauce, and white sesame. They also try other options such as Shibuya honey, Texas roundhouse, Kyoto fire, bacon Cubano, and more.

Umai’s Truffle dog topped with 100% all-beef Angus hot dog, white truffle sauteed shiitake mushrooms, caramelized onions, and furikake is also a popular take at this popular spot. Make sure you grab a side dish, dessert, appetizer, or even specialty drink to enjoy along with your hot dog.

Wienerschnitzel (Multiple Locations)

702 N 4th St, San Jose, CA 95112 wienerschnitzel.com

Fast-food chain serving a variety of hot dogs plus sandwiches and chili burgers!

If you’re the kind that wants your hot dog or burger a little spicy, then you should try the selection at Wienerschnitzel. This fast-food hot dog joint dishes out the World Famous Original, all-beef or a polish made with USDA approved cuts of quality meat and seasoned with a zesty blend of spices to ensure every bit is juicy and delicious.

Want something spicy, try the chili cheese dog grilled in a fresh, steamed bun with a slice of American cheese, topped with the house-famous chili sauce. If you’re looking for something a little casual, then the Junkyard dog is a perfect option to try and it comes with French Fries, chili sauce, and grilled onions – all on a hot, steamed bun.

Apart from hot dogs, they also serve savory burgers and you will have a great time feasting on the double chili cheeseburger that includes two juicy USDA hamburger patties grilled perfectly and topped with the house’s famous chili sauce and two slices of the popular American cheese.

Make sure you get the crispiest fries in San Jose as a side dish and your favorite drink to enjoy along with your dog!

Five Guys

1205 The Alameda #10, San Jose, CA 95126 fiveguys.com

Laidback fast-food chain with made-to-order hotdogs, burgers, and fries, plus free peanuts while you wait!

If you’re looking for a perfect destination to enjoy some hearty, made-to-order hot dogs, then you should head down to Five Guys. They offer a savory menu featuring thousands of customized burgers and over 1000 milkshake combinations that will surely make your day.

Get the day started by trying the Kosher-style hot dog, all-beef, perfectly split and grilled to perfection with a choice of toppings. The cheese dog with a layer of American-style cheese with plenty of toppings is also a great choice to enjoy.

Still on the menu, you can feast on delicious burgers with standouts such as bacon burgers, hand-made patties served hot and covered with portions of crispy smoked bacon, served on a toasted sesame seed bun. If you want something lighter, try the little cheeseburger served fresh with American-style cheese with plenty of your favorite toppings.

While at it, grab one of their handspun vanilla milkshakes with or without whipped cream and a signature drink to enjoy along with your dog!

Gunther's Restaurant & Catering

1601 Meridian Ave, San Jose, CA 95125 guntherscatering.com

Enjoy hearty breakfasts and German-inspired lunch and dinner fare, at this cozy hot dog spot!

If you love your hot dog with plenty of your favorite toppings, then you should try the selection at Gunther's Restaurant & Catering. Here they serve delicious all-day breakfast options such as eggs and thick-cut bacon, corned beef hash and eggs, Louisiana hot link and eggs, and the New York Deli hash served with corned beef, sautéed onions, pastrami, grilled together with home fried potatoes and melted Swiss toppings.

They also serve amazing Gunther’s famous sandwiches, especially the hot corned beef brined for optimum flavor and boiled for tenderness and oven-roasted. The grilled teriyaki chicken dip is also a great option and it comes with marinated chicken filet breasts with teriyaki sauce and served on a sourdough French roll.

They also serve delicious sausage sandwiches including Louisiana Hot Link, knockwurst, polish, or linguisa. All their sausages are butterflied and charbroiled. Make sure you add one of their savory entrée salads, soups, and specialty sides. You might as well grab a drink to wash it down as you enjoy the rest of the evening!

Fosters Freeze

698 N 4th St, San Jose, CA 95112 fostersfreeze.com

California-based fast-food spot serving burgers and soft-serve ice cream!

There is a time when nothing will cheer you up than a traditional hot dog or even savory burgers from one of your favorite joints. That’s what you get at Foster Freeze, your local California burgers and shakes spot in San Jose. They are popular for serving amazing real milk soft serve ice cream. You should try a Shake or Twister with your Big Boss burger and fries. It comes with Swiss and American cheese, lettuce, bacon, pickles, tomato, foster sauce, and onion rings.

The California grilled chicken is also a great option, especially when served with a multigrain bun with grilled chicken breast, lettuce, mayo, and tomatoes. Make sure you also try the chili burger with home-style chili and cheese as well as yum.

Make sure you also grab a twister, sundaes, freezes, or cones to enjoy with your hot dog. You can try either vanilla, chocolate, or chocolate-dipped.

With so many different things to try in San Jose, a hot dog might be the last thing on your mind. But sometimes when the craving hits so hard and you need to satisfy it with only the best hot dogs in town. These are the best hot dog spots in San Jose to try. So, which is your favorite hot dog restaurant? Let us know in the comments!