There are a few foods that just taste like summer, and the hot dog is an all-time classic. Whether you’re at a cookout, family get-together, baseball game, festival or campsite, a good summer dog is hard to beat. Sure, they’re easy enough to make at home, but sometimes food just tastes better when someone else does the cooking. Lucky for you, we’ve rounded up a few local spots where you can grab a hot dog — and plenty more.
Ann’s Dari-Creme
An absolute community staple, this Glen Burnie spot has been serving hot dogs for more than 75 years. Ann’s offers footlong hot dogs, a double dog with two hot dogs in one bun, and a triple dog with three, all with your choice of toppings. For non-dog lovers, the menu also includes hamburgers, cheesesteaks, cheeseburgers and fries, plus ice cream and shakes for dessert. Ann’s claim to fame is its deep-fried footlong hot dog, and the little building has been creating big memories for generations.
CrunCheese
CrunCheese brings an Asian-inspired twist to the classic American hot dog. Founded in 2019, the chain specializes in gourmet Korean-style hot dogs made with unique ingredients and combinations. Located in the Annapolis Mall food court, these handhelds take inspiration from corn dogs, with hot dogs, cheese or other fillings dipped in batter and fried until crispy. Options include the Potato Mozza, a mozzarella-filled corn dog topped with crispy potato cubes; the Cheddar & Hotdog, a fried hot dog coated in breadcrumbs and drizzled with cheddar cheese and ketchup; and the Rice Cake, a sweeter option with a sugary rice crumble topping.
Dark Horse
Located just off Forest Drive, Dark Horse is open from 11 AM to 2 AM seven days a week. The sports bar serves a full menu of American bar food, including a designated hot dog section with seven options. Choices include the Classic Coney Dog with meat sauce, onion and mustard; the Chesapeake Dog topped with hot crab dip, cheddar, scallions and Old Bay; and a build-your-own option. Each dog is an all-beef quarter-pounder. One of the most unique offerings is the Mac Dog, topped with mac and cheese, crumbled bacon and scallions.
PA. Dutch Farmers Market
Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the Pennsylvania Dutch Farmers Market in Annapolis is a popular stop for fresh food, baked goods, and hearty market favorites. Inside, Esh Meats serves fresh, farm-raised pork, beef, bacon, scrapple, hot dogs, sausage and more. Over at Stoltzfus Pretzels, customers line up for a variety of stuffed pretzels, including the fan-favorite breakfast log filled with bacon, egg and cheese. While it may not be a traditional hot dog, meat wrapped in dough is close enough for us. The classic pretzel dogs come in different varieties, with hot dogs wrapped in a pretzel log and filled with cheese and other add-ons.
Pip’s Dock Street Dogs
Proudly serving Annapolis since 2009, this family-run business offers Nathan’s all-beef hot dogs, along with cheesesteaks, fries, hamburgers and more. The menu includes seven standard options, including all-beef hot dogs, corn dogs, veggie dogs, half-smokes, spicy dogs and sweet Italian dogs.
Pip’s specialty dog section features 12 loaded handhelds, including the Coney Island; the Riggo, made with a half-smoke, homemade chili, habanero honey mustard and fried onions; the Mike Honcho, with a spicy hot dog, sharp white cheddar, homemade chili, chipotle mayo, onion and hots; and The Stewart, featuring a spicy dog, pepper jack cheese, salsa, hots, onions, jalapeños and chipotle Tabasco sauce.
Wherever your summer plans take you, you can’t go wrong with a fresh hot dog from a local favorite.
