As if the bright red exterior and sign with a cartoon wiener dog holding a red hot three times the size of his body isn’t prominent enough, the sound of customer chit chat is: “I love it here; this is so cute; it’s always been my favorite; just look at this dog.”
And no, I am not wearing a shirt that reads “shower the place with compliments!” They are all natural responses, but is that really a surprise? Dogtown has been a Rochester staple for twenty years, and that’s no accident. Owners Fran and Peg Basile knew exactly what they were doing when they opened the joint.
I told my mom I was reviewing Dogtown for this issue, and she started talking about how I used to play with the owners’ kid; that we lived down the street from them, etc. I remember none of this, but it was a cute full-circle moment. I also started to think about how that kid probably got a lot of free hot dogs.
Regardless of all that, Dogtown is in no way new to me. I’d say it became a “spot” for my friends and me in my early twenties. My brother and I would end up there so often that we got Dogtown gift cards from our parents once or twice. What drew us in was the veggie menu—it’s a dream. The establishment has the perfect mix of everything you’d hope for. Picture a casual hot dog and burger joint but make the menu so inclusive that there’s literally something for everyone—that’s Dogtown.
The downside to a lengthy menu means it’s harder to pick which items to review. Arcade D. has worked at Dogtown for the past four years and has a couple recommendations: the Greek Stray and the Coyote.
I usually grab a Junkyard Plate with veggie chili, so I am excited to try the different dogs. I order each one with a veggie dog instead of a Zweigle and really appreciate that you can swap the meat out for practically any option on the menu.
Starting with the Greek Stray—aesthetically, it just looks fun, like a party hat, and the colors pop. The mix of tomatoes, pepperoncini, kalamata olives, feta, and onions has me drooling. It is covered in tzatziki sauce that oozes out the sides … it is unique. I don’t think you can get anything like it anywhere else, and I am absolutely obsessed with it. So. Much. Flavor. If you like gyros, get this hot dog, hands down.
The Coyote with cheddar cheese on top melts in my mouth. Wow. When Arcade told me it had sour cream and salsa on it, my honest first thought was “ew.” I am not sure what to expect, but I am blown away. I cannot believe how good the sour cream tastes with the dog. Never would I think to try that combination. Jalapeños rest atop the cheese, but the sour cream softens the zip from those just enough that the spice isn’t overwhelming.
This is probably a good time to mention the bread—the best I’ve had with a hotdog. Not a roll, not soggy, not too soft, not too crunchy—just fluffy, airy, perfectly crisped fresh French bread.
I also tried the Bernese Mountain Dog (and may have biasedly picked this one for the name). This dog is more of a classic in my mind, but still so good. It is covered in perfectly cooked mushrooms (not too soft or stringy) and layers of melted Swiss cheese—I recommend this one if you’re new to the wild world of unique hot dogs, as it’s a safe starting point.
For sides, I go with french fries and mac salad. I’m a “cover your fries in ketchup or mayo” girl, but these don’t need sauce to enhance the flavor. The homemade macaroni salad is an effortlessly classic win—and I’m picky about mac salads.
Dogtown makes a homemade vegan mayo I have to try, so, naturally, I order a veggie burger. The mayo makes the sandwich, and I really appreciate that the roll isn’t grainy. (Hint: after trying the mayo, I would 100 percent ask for it on the side with fries!)
On the meat side of things, hot dog options are just as endless. There are sausages and other sandwiches such as Reuben, Philly cheese steak, and grilled chicken breast to try. The biggest hit, though, is the Junkyard Plate. Customer Nat Kabba moved to Rochester six years ago from Chicago, and Dogtown is the only place he’ll go to get one.
“Once I found out about this place, we never went anywhere else,” Kabba says. “The way I like to get a plate is with beans, mac salad, potatoes, and, of course, cheeseburgers; then you’re good to go. Everything’s so good, it’s not even just one thing that makes it stand out. It just sits right with the body, and it tastes so fresh all the time too.”
Another customer, Jim Dillon, chimes in and shares his favorite order as well: “My go-to is the Boston Terrier; it has bacon and baked beans—it’s delicious. I love the different choices here, and the food is just really good.”
Dogtown has rotating specials throughout the week: one for Monday through Wednesday, a special vegan deal on Thursday, and a different special for Friday and Saturday.
“It’s pretty even—people who come for veggie stuff and people who come for meat,” Arcade says. “Before I worked here, I would always get the same dog every time: the veggie Chicago Bulldog. It was my go-to, but I can’t eat it anymore because I’ve had it so many times! I do really like the Jindo without the bacon as well.
Plates are hands down the most popular menu items, but in terms of dogs, the Cincinnati Red, the Golden Retriever, and the German Shepherd are customer favorites. They’re all pretty popular, but those three are a league above.”
Aside from the food, what can’t go unnoted are the dozens and dozens of pictures of dogs (and a few cats) lining the interior walls. Some of the photos have been up for twenty years. Anyone can bring in a picture of their pet, and staff will add it to the collection. (Yes, I’m bringing in a picture of our doggo, Jesse Bear).
Dogtown is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. There is plenty of free parking, ample indoor seating, and a nicely lit patio for warmer days. More information is online at dogtownhots.com.
Dogtown
691 Monroe Ave.
271-6620
This article originally appeared in the July/August 2026 issue of (585).
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