Everything is bigger in the state of Alaska, and thanks to all that fresh air and outdoor activity, appetites are no exception. Fortunately, the state is full of good food, including the classic old favorites like hot dogs. Here are the best places to get your hot dog on in the land of the midnight sun.
Along with traditional hot dogs with all the trimmings, Hot Dogs a la Carte serves them up Alaska style—you can get authentic reindeer dogs at this well-loved Soldotna staple. Like many mobile food options in Alaska, this hot dog cart closes around the end of October and opens up again in late April or early May. Resident Alaskans and visitors alike come from all parts of the Kenai Peninsula to get a taste of Soldotna’s reindeer dogs.
Featuring hot dogs made from recipes from all over the globe, the International House of Hot Dogs isn’t your usual mustard-and-ketchup kind of place. The hot dogs are locally sourced from Indian Valley Meats, and all sauces and condiments are prepared onsite from scratch. Try the Hawaiian Dog with secret chipotle crème sauce for a brief trip to the tropics on a cold Alaska day.
This Anchorage-based hot dog truck can be found wherever the fun is, such as the Jewel Lake Ice Fishing Jamboree. Some weekends you’ll find them at the corner of 4th Avenue and F Street or in front of Family Skate at Westchester. Cynosure Brewing is another favorite location. Make a night of it and grab a Yeti Dog Best Beer Brat or a Buffalo Dog when you visit the brew pub.
Tiki Pete’s in Anchorage advertises traditional flavors with a fresh twist, and they don’t disappoint. The owner’s husband owns a specialty meat company, and other ingredients are sourced from Maui. You can’t miss with the Buffalo Bratwurst.
Tia’s has been a staple on the Anchorage street food scene for nearly two decades, which is no easy task is a city that’s known for its rapidly-changing culinary landscape. Serving up traditional reindeer sausages grilled over an open gas flame along with all beef brats, kielbasa, Italian sausage dogs, and sweet-and-spicy Louisiana red hots that will warm the chilliest Alaska night, Tia’s is where the locals go when they want consistently good street fare at a reasonable price. Tia’s can be found on the corner of 4th Avenue and E Street.