Blackie's Hot Dog Stand

Blackie’s Hot Dogs in Cheshire is one of those rare places that never changes—and that’s exactly why it’s perfect. I’ve been going there for over 25 years, and it’s still the same classic spot with the same incredible hot dogs and food. The quality has never slipped, and every visit brings back that same nostalgic feeling. And the relish? Absolutely to die for. It’s unlike anything else and makes the hot dogs truly unforgettable. There’s a reason this place has such a loyal following—Blackie’s isn’t just a hot dog stand, it’s a tradition. If you know, you know.

The hot dogs themselves were very good. The relish was good but I didn't think it was anything special. It was enjoyable just not knock me down good like I was expecting. The service was quick and the counter help was very friendly.

Gave this place a try today and it didn't meet the hype, at all. Service was excellent, fast and friendly, and the hot dogs did come out fast but we're disappointing. They were boiled and split into pieces, and I don't think they could have found a smaller paper plate to put them on and was a little off putting to have them touching the bar when we got them. Mustard and relish on the counter with spoons in them, not the cleanest but ok. The relish was fine, and buns were crumbly and didnt seem very fresh. We were in and out in less than 15 minutes. Overall, meh at best.

If you find yourself on I-84 near Waterbury, do yourself a favor and make an easy detour to this restaurant. It's got phenomenal, natural casing hot dogs that are deep fried and can be dressed up with their signature relish. Don't forget the burger though - very tasty and freshly prepared. You can sit at the counter or at a table in the dining room. Very reasonably priced.

A long time local staple for the local community and abroad. THE BEST tasting Hot Dogs in CT. Once you have one, you'll want another and another!! Be sure to have their famous Relish with them! Not to mention, their burgers are very tasty as well! My family and I LOVE this place. They are a Cash only facility. Don't worry, you won't break the bank.

Very cool old school no frills tasty hot dogs and cheeseburgers! Driving through Connecticut. Stopped and checked out Blackie’s. They make their own relish. You dress up the hot dog and cheeseburger how you would like. You have a choice of homemade relish, spicy ground mustard, and ketchup. They are not open on Fridays. No meat allowed on Fridays!

I am not from the area. I heard about a local beloved place that serves hot dogs. I think how good could a hot dog be, it's just a hot dog. I was so wrong, the hot dogs are simply amazing. Get the mustard and the in house sauce. I love how straightforward the whole place is. Open everyday but Friday.

My first visit to Blackie's Hot Dog Stand. I really like hot dogs, as I was driving around I spotted the Blackie's sign and turned around. I've heard the name before, so I had to stop. Blackie's was like a journey back in time, "cash only", chips instead of fries, brown mustard, and their special sweet, spicy relish (not over powering, for me perfect combination). Staff was wonderful, answered all my questions about the history of the place. My hot dogs were served plain, with the above choices to add. I first tasted plain, then with just brown mustard, then special relish, finally full combo. I want to share this impressive observation I sat enjoying my hot dogs, at least 3 people arrived to order anywhere between 4 to 10+ hot dogs to go. I really enjoyed my visit here and will make the trip back very soon, their cheeseburgers were also cooked to a perfect medium. Do what I did have a nice milkshake too.

12.11.24 This place is almost or should be an institution. Blackie's has been here for years. I went there as a kid and my parents even went there when they were young. They sell burgers & dogs. The hot dog far outweigh the amount of burgers that they sell. You come here for the hot dogs. They have their own house made pepper relish and it is sort of hot. It's a love hate relationship with this stuff. You either love it or hate it. The service is spot on and quick. Even when they have a bit of a crowd you get your food fairly quick. They're good like that. The dogs do have that snap to them when you bite into them. The place itself is a no frills laid back plainly designed place that hasn't changed in decades from what I remember. The have a good sized parking lot. They are very close to on ramp off ramp to and from 84 in either direction. It's also very easy to get back on either way you're heading. The staff is always very kind, hospitable and willing to talk to you in between orders or during any down time when they have it. I haven't had one of their dogs in years. That was until a couple weeks ago when I received a call from my mother who needed a ride. She got stuck with her car and was lucky enough to pull off the road into their parking lot. When I got there I informed them what happened & asked if it was going to be ok to leave the car there for hours until a tow truck arrived. They were so nice and accommodating. So I had to buy a hot dog and a birch beer. Just as important as the dogs are here, it's just as important to order a birch beer soda. One of my all time favorites which brings me back to when I was a kid. Where's the birch beer? It's so refreshing and very tasty. If you haven't had a birch beer, try one. It's almost life changing. Yeah I know, most of you know about birch beer but I've run into people lately that didn't know about it or ever had one. It's fountain soda style. Not bottles. Final item is their prices are reasonable. Yes they've gone up in price over the years, but then again, who hasn't. Especially since covid hit. Enjoy.

I'm a bit late posting this review, but I do want to give a summary of my experience over at Blackie's, right across the line in Cheshire. So I was actually wanting to try this place out for the better part of a year and got my chance late last month. It is a very old-fashioned eatery that has been around since 1928. In 4 years, this place will be 100 years old. In that near century, they have largely stayed true to their roots, and this deserves nothing but respect. This means if you come here, don't go in looking to make fancy orders. They stick with their classic playbook. It is because of this that I will do something I rarely ever do and PRAISE them for staying Cash Only! If they ever change up that formula, it would likely kill their marketing. Now, when you come here, you GOTS TO have their house made relish! I typically never have relish on anything, but having it here was SO good! The food that goes with it is affordable and pretty decent. Now some things about Blackie's does kind of throw me off a bit or seems a bit questionable. Being closed on Fridays for example is a choice. Normally when you have a day off in a week, you would think it to be Sunday, sometimes even Monday. But Friday? Okay... Really, the aspects about this place that makes me scratch my head are at most minor nitpicks, and the food itself is 4-star worthy. Customer service is pretty good here too which is admirable given that during my visit someone actually complained that they didn't offer more on the menu. So with all the said, I'll summarize my final thoughts below: If you are looking for a big custom order, this place isn't for you. But if you are in the mood for classic, simple, and effective, here is your new favorite spot! You know, as long as it isn't Friday.

Very cool old school no frills tasty hot dogs and cheeseburgers! Driving through Connecticut. Stopped and checked out Blackie's. They make their own relish. You dress up the hot dog and cheeseburger how you would like. You have a choice of homemade relish, spicy ground mustard, and ketchup. They are not open on Fridays. No meat allowed on Fridays!

2 and a birch is the best summer lunch ever. I can't get enough of the mustard and house made relish (you add it yourself). Cash only Seats at the grill bar or tables on the side. Easy to find between Cheshire/Waterbury/Wolcott and off I-84. Blackie's is a classic!

Service was great, and fast, Hot Dogs are spot on! Nice basic place for good dogs, I have been a few times now and I will be a repeat customer! The relish has a nice little kick and it's homemade!

This hot dog and burger place is a landmark in Waterbury area. Must stop if driving by on I84. Hot dogs are fantastic and burgers just as good. Must try the relish with either choice. Please note restaurant closed on Fridays.

I revisited Blackies today, after not having been there for about 13 years. We were on our way home from Costco, and my daughter was craving a hot dog, so we decided to stop by. I ordered two hotdogs and a cheeseburger to go while my wife and son waited in the car. Initially, I was happy to wait, but what followed was frustrating. We ended up waiting over 20 minutes for our food, and during that time, I watched multiple customers who arrived after us receive their orders--stacks of hotdogs and cheeseburgers--from the kitchen window. A few of them knew the girls behind the counter by name- they ordered and got boxes of hotdogs to go, while I stood waiting. Despite my patience, it became increasingly clear that something was off. After what felt like an eternity, I was asked what we had ordered. I reminded the staff--two hotdogs and a cheeseburger--and was assured it would be right up. Yet, more people continued to arrive, order the same items I had ordered, and get served before us. When I was asked again about my order, I expressed my frustration, pointing out that others who ordered the same thing were being served before us. I received a quiet apology and was told that sometimes cheeseburgers take longer, which didn't quite make sense since several people who ordered after us received their cheeseburgers first. Now, it seemed the attention was on those sitting closest to the kitchen pass-through. Finally, after nearly half an hour, our food was ready. The bill came to $12 for two small hotdogs and a small cheeseburger, and unfortunately, none of us were impressed. The food was okay, but nothing that justified the wait or the price. If you're in the area and considering stopping by, my advice is to drive 20 seconds further and get two long hotdogs for just $3 at Costco. Blackies used to be a go-to spot for me, but this visit left a lot to be desired.

Old school joint that looks straight out of the 50s. Service as fast and friendly. Counter service so you just have to call out your order. The hot dog was okay nothing great but the relish was good. The birch soda was pretty good. It's more about the place and the history than it is about the food for me

A generally decent hot dog. Nothing more, and nothing less. Happened to be in the area for another event, and this was on our list to give it a try. So on the way home we make a stop into this little funky hot dog shack to give them a try. The servers were very friendly. Place was mostly dead, with older folks wandering in and ordering 4 hot dogs in a bundle. The speed of their service is rapid fire, getting most orders out in less than 20 seconds. it's actually kind of impressive how quickly they can work. The place is cute and quaint, very much so a basic burger joint from the 1930s. Prices are very low, and their food is very much basic fare. The hot dogs have a good natural casing and a good snap to them. the burgers are cooked to a perfect medium and lightly seasoned. But that's all it is, a simple hot dog, a simple cheeseburger. The shakes are done in a machine but are not done thick even on request. No condiments beyond their hot relish and spicy mustard. I was able to fenagle the system by getting a cheeseburger with onion on the side along with a hot dog then put the onion on the hot dog. The hot relish they offer is pretty decent, a little zing but no real flavor beyond sweet pepper and a little heat. the spicy mustard is generic but decent. It's a solid hot dog place, if all you're looking for is a basic hot dog. Go in looking for that, and you'll have plenty to like here.

Quaint old fashioned American hotdog stand that serves a lot more than just hotdogs and always with friendly service. I have been frequenting Blackie's since I worked down the road in 1983. The food is prepared consistently and it is a very clean kitchen. I don't eat hotdogs often anymore but when I do, they are from Blackies! And if you're new to Blackies make sure to try their relish!

Blackie's is one of my favorite hotdog spots around! Here's the scoop on this famous CT restaurant: The menu is very basic: Hotdogs and burgers. When you order a hotdog, you can just say "one" or "two" and within about 30 seconds your order will be ready. Toppings include ketchup, brown mustard, and Blackie's famous homemade hot pepper relish. No fries, the only side available is Utz potato chips. They also serve ice cream and milkshakes (delicious!) The restaurant itself is pretty neat and historic. When you walk in, there's a lunch counter with stools, and also two small dining areas with tables to the left and right. The front of the restaurant has two garage doors which are generally open when it's warm out. A couple other things to keep in mind: The restaurant is cash-only, but there's an ATM inside. They're also closed on Fridays all year long. So make the trip to Blackie's, you won't be disappointed!

I'm the type of guy who visits a hot dog place that people rave about. People rave about Blackie's. Friends. Strangers. Foodies. Best in CT lists. That's why I first visited Blackie's more than 20 years ago, and why I check in every 2-3 years. Here are the best things about Blackie's. First, they use a standard bun length size of New Britain's classic Martin Rosol's dogs. Rosol's are pleasantly denser than many dogs and have great snap. One of my fav dogs. Second, the building has a cool old school vibe. Third, the buns fit the dogs really well. Fourth, the hot dogs are cheaper than the dogs at many other great CT (and not so great CT) hot dog spots. If Blackie's was a random place, I might leave the review there. However, Blackie's is probably the hot dog place most often named as the Best in CT. So a deeper dive is required. The reason why Blackie's is not one of my favorite CT hot dogs is best demonstrated by my recent conversation there. Me: Can I get a dog with pepper relish, kraut and mustard? Blackie's: We don't have kraut. And you can add your own toppings (She says while pointing to an area with pepper relish, mustard and ketchup). I'm all about cool toppings and combinations of toppings. For me, Blackie's ranks last of all well loved CT hot dogs spots in terms of toppings. They don't even have kraut. The pepper relish is famous, but I've never understood why. It's very one note. All hot pepper flavor. There's not enough sweetness, acidity and/or salt to balance the flavor. The reason I return every 2-3 years is to see if maybe I got a sub par batch of pepper relish the last time. But it's remarkably consistent. Since there are other great hot dog places also serving Rosol's that have better topping options, I don't see how Blackie's can be named the best hot dog in CT. I get why people, especially those who grew up with it, like Blackie's. It's just not one of the Best in CT given the lack of great topping options. 4 Stars

Sooo I've been here a few times and I'm just not a fan. But I've come to realize that it's me. This place is a classic, the staff is old school, the ordering lingo is fun to listen to. The dog is a good quality dog, the bun is a nice soft traditional bun. I wish I liked the relish more, I think it's and acquired taste. I can tell ya that the regulars seem to love the relish and even buy bottles to go. I was a Little confused on toppings, I couldn't find a list or menu and I think you can only get mustard and their homemade realish, because that's all I saw on the counter.. but Idk It's dwf not my first choice, but don't drive by this place. Even if you're just driving through CT, it's very close to I-84 and it's a classic place, everyone shouid go at least once.

Simply amazing, probably the best dog and burger I've had. Highly recommend if in the area.

Never been here so gave it a try today. Basic and to the point! Hot dog or cheeseburgers. No frills. DIY Condiments are ketchup, mustard and relish. No sides, just chips. They have soft drinks and a good selection of milkshakes. Service was fast and efficient. It was also entertaining to watch them take orders and serve! Fast paced. So if you want a quick no frills bite to eat. This is your place. Cash only!

You want a hotdog? Drive to Blackies!!!! It's a simple 1930s hotdog joint - CASH ONLY!!! Order with the friendly and attentive staff and get your dogs in about 30 seconds. Eat at the counter, take a table, or take to go and eat in the car... no matter where you eat your dog you will be wanting another one. Natural casing dogs make for a great snap - on a tasted bun. Don't forget to add your house made Hotdog relish... while the relish may be simple it's still a perfect condiment, sweet and spicy (but not too spicy)- we bought a jar to take home. Definitely can see why these dogs are on the best in CT list. You can also order hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and shakes.... But order the dogs!!!

First time back in several years begs the question, "Why did I wait so long?" Had two dogs w really good spicy German mustard, and their homemade pepper relish. No other condiments. No sauerkraut, no relish, no onions, no etc. They have been using Martin Rosol dogs since 1928. Grilled w "snappy" casing. 3rd generation family member manning the grill. Their own label birch beer made by Al's beverages. As I mentioned in my last review, definitely in my top 3 HD places. But, I screwed up. I said I would try their hamburgers next time. Well, next time. Meat from a local butcher is ground fresh daily, I'm told. Definitely worth a detour off I-84! Cash only.

Best hotdogs love that they keep it simple. Life is complicated enough sometimes we all just need to remember why change a great hotdog and mustard. Don't forget the Birch Beer. Fast Staff and Cooks childhood memories of good days

Ditto to all of the 5-star ratings for food, atmosphere, service, whatever. It's certainly deserved. I made an amazing discovery today: the fan-damn-tastic relish works great with calamari. Try it!

Had their hot relish it's very hot had to mix it with ketchup. I'm going to try making hamburger chili with it next .

My fiancé and I were at the Cheshire festival. They had a food truck there and they hosted a hot dog eating contest. So we decided to find their location and give them a try. None of the tables seemed to be wiped down. So that did not make for a good first impression. The hot dogs were small. I had two hotdogs and still felt hungry. People seem to rave about their spicy pepper relish. Im not an overall relish fan however this relish had a nice kick. I prefer another hot dog spot in CT.

Two and a Birch! Absolutely delicious roadside hotdog stand. I have been coming here for over 35 years, and I've never been disappointed. When called on, look at the server and tell her or him how many you want! If you have a guest traveling with you, it's "and". So if you and your guest want two each, it's "two and two"! That's how you order like a pro! The hotdogs are always served quickly, and are hot and tasty. Also reasonably priced. Cash only. There is an ATM on site Don't forget to put the spicy mustard and homemade spicy relish on them. For bonus, take home a jar of the relish. Many years ago, Blackies had to change hot dog vendors. They never missed a beat with the taste of the hotdog. Hamburgers are also sold, but why order one when you came to the hotdog stand! I've never had one after 35 years. Also served are milkshakes and chips. You can also order an ice cream afterwards. Do not ask for ketchup, it's not gonna be here ! To wash down all this goodness, I order a birch beer. Absolutely delicious and a must with the order; it just compliments. Just off 84, exit 26 between Waterbury and Cheshire, easy parking, seating is limited, but usually you are OK finding a stool or table. I love Blackies. You will too. This is a must try any time of the year.

Whats the big deal? They are just hot dogs. The relish is great but again its just hot dogs and relish. Hard to mess up

They only sell hotdogs and hamburgers. They only have onions and pickle relish that's it have one of the smallest menus I've ever seen. Food is pretty good I have fear is old been around for a long time. Oh, and the potato chips

Blackie's is an conic place for hot dogs. In fact, many have ranked them one of years best places for hot dogs in Connecticut. I would recommend a hot dog with their spicy relish. While not a huge fan of relish, their spicy relish is indeed a treat and something that Blackie's is definitely known for. There is nothing even remotely fancy about Blackie's. However, I believe that this No-Frills atmosphere only enhances the quality of the experience of eating these hot dogs. Hot dogs were created to feed the hard working people who worked with their hands and that built this world brick by brick into the modern marvel that it is. I would definitely recommend stopping at Blackie's and trying one (or better yet, two or three) of their hot dogs. You won't be disappointed.

Great homemade hot pepper relish, other topping options are spicy brown mustard and ketchup. Simplicity at its finest. They also sell their hot pepper relish for $8.

What more is there to say about the best hot dogs in the state of Connecticut? If you like spicy make sure to have the pepper relish. If you don't, stick with mustard and ketchup.

ordered takeout twice so far. hotdogs need to be well done. hamburgs are excellent. orders were always ready for pick up. very polite people. they wrap the food in foil and include generout containers of condiments. highly reccomend call ahead takeout because the place is very busy around noon hour. the place is clean

Life long fan! Best hot dogs in Connecticut! Enjoyed ordering to eating! It's a must try!

This is one of the OG hot dog stands in the state. Know before you go: 1. Cash only, ATM on site. 2. Locals order by number (1- One hot dog, 3- Three hot dogs). 3. Closed on Friday 4. Mustard and Pepper relish are king. There are no frills here, but that's what hot dog places should be. Enjoy, it's awesome.

No-frills spot with a tiny menu of hot dogs & burgers, served in an iconic red-&-white, octagonal structure. Cash-only. Both bar and table seating I got a hotdog and it was very fresh, but nothing extraordinary Rated best hot dogs in "Best Of CT Magazine" 5

An institution in CT! Love the dogs with their fabulous relish! Still has the same feel since I was a kid and great friendly service. Stop by for a quick lunch to stay or go!

I don't know what all the fuss is about. The food is ok, hot dog was nothing special and their "world famous relish" falls flat. Not saying wasn't ok but no reason to go out of your way. The part I enjoyed least was the arrogance of the guy behind the counter. A guy asked about chili and he said no we've been doing it our way for 93 years so I think I know more than you. Maybe be less of a jerk to a new customer and you would have gotten a better rating from me.

Such great food! Simple but great! Great atmosphere in the summer the garage doors are open and always great to see a familiar face. Everyone working there is always friendly. Great food, great quick service. (Also you can call ahead and pick up your order and save yourself time!)

Locals know how to order quickly. For just hot dogs inside, call out the number of dogs you are going to eat. Only three condiments available at the counter: spicy brown mustard, homemade spicy pepper relish and ketchup. Look at menu closely, there is no chili, French fries or green cucumber relish. Owners will give you directions to McDonalds only if you buy something and they are in a great mood. If not, well just beware you did not rub them in the right way if you can't read the menu. Food is good. The family has been in business 100 years this decade.

The best! Love the spicy relish. Brings back Memories! Went often when I lived there.

Tried this place recently. Have always been a huge hotdog fan and kept hearing good things. I based my review after comparing this place to Capital Lunch and Frankie's. I have to say I was very happy they use Martin Rosol dogs. Always a good sign. The hotdogs are excellent. I liked the combo they had of relish and mustard. Very tasty. They serve the dogs plain and you add what you like similar to Frankie's. They don't offer chilli or meat sauce on the dogs. Didn't love that but again mustard/relish combo was very good. My only two negatives were I tried the cheeseburger. That wasn't so good. Would not recommend or ever get again. It was bland and had a stale roll. The other issue is the place didn't seem very clean. Not bad but not overly clean. Kinda run down. They could use a revamp in there. Overall though if you want a good hotdog and in that area I would say absolutely stop by and try it! Hotdog with mustard/relish gets the 4 stars for me. Everything else... nothing special. But... it is a hotdog place and that's the reason to go if that's what you're craving.

The homemade relish is what makes this hotdog. It's a no-frills joint but it has charm. You can order right when you get up to the counter and put the fixings on the hotdog yourself. I had to try the birch beer and it was the prefect amount of fizz and syrup. Pictures of the previous owners and hot dog competition winners made it feel like a real community, family restaurant. If I'm in the neighborhood, I'll be grabbing myself a hot-dog or two!

Blackie's is a long time staple of anyone in the Waterbury/Cheshire area. I was in town visiting family for the Holiday and decided to call in an order for an hot dog and cheeseburger. I was greeted promptly on the phone to receive my order and when I arrived it was nice to see everything being made fresh and not just heated up. The inside has very old school and small town vibes which makes this restaurant very nostalgic. The food: Hot dog was an all beef hot dog with amazing bite to the skin! I would definitely come back for another reasonable price of 2.75. The cheese burger while made fresh did not taste any different than a fast food burger. Not terrible but not something I would recommend. If you're in the area come check out this cool spot and definitely grab a hot dog or two!

Great hotdogs! Buns are scrumptious. Don't care for the hot relish. I like Cains sweet pickle relish and fresh chopped onions in addition to spicy mustard. Don't go on Friday-they are closed. But even with just the spicy mustard on the dogs they are still likely the best you ever ate.

They recently changed their beef, but I like it. Pricey for burgers, and no French fries (just chips) service is good. One of my fave places to get a burger.

While heading to restaurant depot, i passed this place. With such cute curb appeal i knew i was stopping by after my stop at restaurant depot. I got a hot dog and a birch beer. The hot dog was really good! Omg! The diner bar set up is really cute! It was a nice day so it felt great to down a hot dog and just chill. I don't know a birch beer is, but OMG! It was good! I'll be in the hunt for this when i get back home. There weren't any other people there while i was there. The staff was nice not annoying nice. He didn't try to talk because he was bored. I wasn't there long, but my stay was pleasant.

BEST hot relish in CT. This is also a CT staple. I can't have a dog without Blackies relish.

What's the hype it's gross. I can boil any hot dog at home and put on a stale bun. Mine will taste better!

I mean if you are a hot dog lover then blackies is an absolute must try. There spicy pepper relish is so dam delicous as well. Fast service snd very homey inside. Might have to be a weekly spot as im in the area daily.

Look, I know this place is a Connecticut institution. And if you like it, great. But I was just underwhelmed. The dogs are not cheap, they're not prepared in any special way, and the lack of either A) a bounty of toppings to choose from or B) a special "sauce" or "chili" that people rave about from miles around is a tad disappointing. Yes, they have their unique relish, and I can understand why that would excite some too. But unless you crave the relish, Blackie's is skippable. Capitol Lunch, Doogies, Deputy Dog... (in that order)... that's where you go.

The hotdog that everyone else wishes they sold... The BEST relish ever.... Order 2 and a birch.

My brother and I ate here and had diarrhea for two days. stop at CVS and get some Pepto-Bismol before you eat here.

highly recommended place has the goods my dad put me on years ago when he worked at the hospital