A guide to seasonal hot dog stands around Buffalo (2024)

Portable, filling and evocative of bygone summers, hot dogs always seem to withstand changes in culinary tastes and trends. (It also helps that they're cheap.)

After persevering through snowstorms and dark days, locals reap the rewards of warm weather when seasonal hot dog stands throw charcoal on the grill and switch on the open signs each spring. It's a bonus that they tend to be near the waterfront with easy beach access.

Here are a few spots to check out for hot dogs (or veggie burgers) this season.

Connors Hot Dog Stand

8905 Lake Shore Road, Angola

A short walk away from the Lake Erie shoreline, Connors Hot Dog Stand has been a popular spot for decades of hungry beachgoers seeking Wardynski's hot dogs and Perry's ice cream. Other offerings include fried bologna, Italian sausage, cheeseburgers and a veggie burger. Connors also operates a seasonal stand at Sturgeon Point Marina, 618 Sturgeon Point Road, Derby.

Custard Corner and Grill

211 Porter Ave.

Located on the West Side near Ralph Wilson Park and Front Park, Custard Corner and Grill offers Sahlen's hot dogs, burgers, veggie burgers, salads and fried foods, such as pastelillo. Custard Corner also serves Upstate Farms soft serve, Perry's ice cream and dairy-free Dole Whip.

George's Hot Dogs

5808 Herman Hill Road, Hamburg

George's is a longtime family destination for a reason, or perhaps two reasons: the playgrounds. Children flock to the two playgrounds while their families watch at shaded picnic benches. On the menu, you'll find charbroiled hot dogs, Big George hamburgers on Costanzo's rolls, a veggie sandwich, milkshakes, a garden burger, Greek and Mexican foods.

Mississippi Mudds

313 Niagara St., Tonawanda

At Mississippi Mudds, charbroiled Sahlen's hot dogs topped with cheese, bacon, chili, peppers and onions can be consumed on a rooftop patio overlooking the Niagara River. The menu includes gluten-free rolls and several vegan items, such as plant-based chicken tenders, a chicken sandwich, a Beyond burger and vegan chipotle mayo sauce. There are plenty of ice cream options, too, including a root beer float made with Perry's ice cream.

Old Man River

375 Niagara St., Tonawanda

Along the river and across from Mississippi Mudds, Old Man River serves Sahlen's hot dogs and Wardynski's sausage and bologna, and is known for its barbecue and seafood. On Clam Jam Thursdays, order a dozen clams and receive an extra six clams for free, while listening to live music. Gluten-free rolls and vegan options, such as a "bunny dog," which is a grilled marinated carrot, and a Beyond burger with vegan cheese, are available. Live music can be heard many nights (check the Facebook page), including the "Rockin' on the River" series on Wednesdays.

Pautler's Drive-In

6342 Transit Road, East Amherst

Pautler's serves charbroiled Sahlen's hot dogs (on regular or gluten-free rolls), white hots and meat sauce-lathered Texas hots.Seating is available indoors and outside on picnic tables, near a playground.Pautler's also serves beef on weck, salads, pizza logs, chicken fingers, milkshakes and a vegetarian burger.

Reid's Drive-In

150 Lake Ave., Lockport

Next to the Erie Canal, Reid's serves Sahlen's hot dogs (red and white hots) usually smothered in its secret tomato-based sauce. Burgers, fries, onion rings, milkshakes and sodas are also on the menu. Find a spot at a picnic table on the lawn or take your hot dog for a walk along the nearby canal towpath.

Red Top

3360 Big Tree Road, Hamburg

Just across Route 5 from Lake Erie, Red Top is a cash-only, 78-year-old hot dog stand serving Wardynski red hots grilled over charcoal. Order a red tray of food at the window– cheeseburgers, Italian sausage fries and nachos are also on the menu– and eat on the picnic tables outside. If you go at the right time, you'll catch prime view of a Lake Erie sunset.

The Silo

115 N. Water St., Lewiston

Along the Niagara River, The Silo serves footlong Silo dogs with chili and cheese sauce. It's also well-known for the Haystack sandwich: seasoned rib-eye steak, mayo and mozzarella on a fresh hoagie roll. Eat in the rotund dining room where open windows overlook the water and welcome its breeze. Stop by the ice cream stand, located in a red train caboose, for a sundae, banana split or a scoop of Perry's.

Sunset Grill

1025 Main Road, Irving

A mile from Sunset Bay, Sunset Grill satiates beachgoers with its charbroiled hot dogs, Texas dogs, corn dogs and curly fries. Guests can also choose from a very long list of 101 flavors of soft serve ice cream, including eggnog, butterscotch rum and pumpkin.

Taffy's

3261 Orchard Park Road, Orchard Park

Between the picnic tables that glide and life-size cow photo cut-out board, Taffy's is full of fun details. Load a hot dog, veggie "not dog," Italian sausage or all-beef dog with 22 choices of condiments, toppings and sauces. Milkshakes come in basically any flavor you can imagine, as there are more than 138 choices. It is cash-only.

Tony's Bayview Drive-In

3804 Lake Shore Road, Hamburg

Not far from Woodlawn Beach, Tony's Bayview Drive-In makes charcoal-grilled Sahlen's hot dogs, Texas hots and chili cheese dogs in a vintage atmosphere with black-and-white checkered floors. The menu also includes burgers, subs, tacos, a vegetarian burger, milkshakes and floats. Walk over to Bayview Raceway next door for a round of Go Kart if you have time.