SFReview
photo credit: Erin Ng
Hayz Dog
Included In
SF isn’t really known for hot dogs (our precious street vendors aside), but Hayz Dog in Hayes Valley is trying to change that. They’re serving creative and filling—albeit slightly pricey—spins on classic hot dogs that can’t be found anywhere else in the city.
Although they do offer their take on a Chicago-style hot dog, they don’t stick to any other kinds of convention when it comes to the other seven dogs on the menu. Case in point: The Elote that’s drenched in creamy corn and crema that dribbles down the sides, and The Junkyard that’s overflowing with barbecue sauce, bacon bites, cheddar, and homemade pickles. They’re extravagant and all look like they’ve all been dreamt up by a five-year-old, but somehow none of them feel overly indulgent. And while some of the options sound like a gimmick—like the bánh mì dog that takes the Vietnamese classic and replaces pâté for lime aioli and cold cuts for a heavy frankfurter—they still manage to stick the landing.
photo credit: Erin Ng
photo credit: Erin Ng
photo credit: Erin Ng
photo credit: Erin Ng
A dog costs about $10-$14, so realistically pounding more than three isn’t really in the cards, but in a world where a street dog over in the Mission can go for up to $10 and isn’t as topping-packed, that’s not too bad. And given the fact that these are behemoths, there’s no way we would ever want three—one satisfies, and two will fill you up for the day. So it’s not an outrageous price, all things considered.
Even though hot dogs are a fast food staple, don’t order these ones to go: they’re best enjoyed on the parklet while they’re still piping hot—and before they have a chance to get a soggy bun. So settle in with a cold beer, glass of wine, or even a milkshake to round out an evening. The only way this place could be even better is if they were open past 11:30pm on the weekends—you know, for the perfect post-party pick-me-up.
photo credit: Erin Ng
photo credit: Erin Ng
Food Rundown
photo credit: Erin Ng
The Elote
photo credit: Erin Ng
The Banh Mi
photo credit: Erin Ng
The Flunky
photo credit: Erin Ng
The Junkyard
photo credit: Erin Ng
The Heddy
Milkshake