Chris' Famous Hotdogs

First, let me say that the customer service here is excellent. As soon as we got to the door, a lady who worked there told us to have a seat wherever we’d like. “Pumpkin,” our server, was pleasant. Food came out fast. My fiancé ordered a hamburger and chili dog-which were good. I ordered chicken salad and fries. The fries were great, but the chicken salad was full of mustard and mayo. It tasted like deviled eggs. The pecan pie was good too. We had multiple employees checking on us throughout our visit, and we appreciated that! The building is dated, but that’s part of the charm. I think the bathroom could use a good bleaching and more attention since there were no paper towels right after opening. Overall a good experience!

Me and my husband loved it. It was our first time. It was so nice and clean inside. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. I highly recommend Chris’s Hotdogs 10/10. Lots of history took place here. Our food was so good and came out really quick. We will definitely be going back. Thank yall for a wonderful dining experience.

Absolutely love this Restaurant. We have been coming here since we were kids. We were so excited to see this beautiful couple had invested in keeping Chris's open. I told my husband I wanted to eat here for my Birthday today. Leslie Capp you made my day. Thank you for the wonderful meal and the lemon pie was the finishing touch. The food is awesome and still brings back wonderful memories.

Service was good and staff was friendly. Lots of fun old pictures on the wall. Food was okay. Not great. Not terrible. But if you’re looking for an amazing hotdog, this isn’t it. And if you think these hotdogs are amazing, then you’ve probably never actually had a really good hotdog (no offense). These seemed like normal small/cheap hotdogs on normal small/cheap buns you’d buy at a grocery store and make at home for your kids. Chili sauce was okay. But you pay $4 for them at Chris’ because it’s part of the history of Montgomery. Think of your bill as a donation to preserve American history and they happened to give you a free hotdog…then you’ll be happy with the food/price.

I have been eating here for many, many years. When I saw they reopened, my daughter wanted to go for lunch. After waiting 30 minutes for a table, an hour for food (once seated), and then receiving ice cold French fries...I am very disappointed. Please give Elanor back her order taking privileges. I understand there is a new system is place but today it clearly was not working!! The entire dining room (approx 25 tables) did not have any food all at one time. Apologies to the dining room only can go so far! I do not enjoy being over an hour late back to work and having to explain to my boss. If I would not have already ordered my food, I promise I would have got up and walked out. The updates look great, but the service was a nightmare. I kept hearing an order being checked on because 'someone had diabetes'. I completely understand that they need to eat but so does my 9-year-old child who is ready to cry because she has been waiting an hour to get one plain hotdog and fries. PLEASE FIX THIS.

Great food all around. The burgers were delicious and full of flavor, the hot dogs were really good, and the new Conecuh dog was a standout. I also loved the Cricket dust on the fries, it added a unique and tasty twist. Definitely worth stopping by.

In business since 1917 and delicious, I am glad I stopped here while passing through. It may appear in a bit of disrepair, but the service is excellent and the classic hot dogs 🌭 with mustard, onions, kraut, and special chili sauce are worth the visit. Street parking has meters powered by a worthless app; payment may not be required based on the time of your visit. Close to other historic locations.

As a kid I used to ride the bus( before there was a racial issue on seating) and sat in the back because it had the biggest seat, and get off at Chris’s Hot Dogs and get a hot dog and chocolate milk. It was a special treat and where I learned that color didn’t matter when it came to eating the famous dogs..( or aything else for that matter) . There was no separated seats by color there. Actually ate at the counter next to MLK once and we had a great conversation about the food and sports. I was 15 y.o. At Chris’s there was no color of a person, just an appetite for great hot dogs! Used to say in the ‘60’s that they could solve all the segregation issues if they met at Chris’s for lunch… wonderful old memories!!!

Food with secret sauce was excellent. Crowded, but the server was not only smart and efficient, but funny. Fast service. Many regulars were there. Easy parking.

I love hot dogs and chili cheese burgers. Thought Chris' Famous Hotdogs would be a good meal. Pros: Kind staff, history, taste Cons: Old and outdated. Presentation was horrible, more bun than meat. Need to take pride in their food. Order was delivered with the burger sitting on top of the hotdog. It did not look appetizing. The bottom bun was soggy from sitting on the hotdog. I know times are hard, especially for the restaurant industry. But come on, make your food pretty, something people would want to eat.

Chris hot dogs are a staple in our community , delicious hotdogs. Been going since i was a kid

The hamburger and hotdog were both really good. I haven't been to this place in over 10 years but I was in town for a conference. I was staying at a hotel less than 2 blocks away. I felt safe walking there but can't say the same about leaving.

Hot dogs are boiled and when they put them in a bun with sauerkraut it's now a soggy bun, grill your dogs and drain the juices from your sauerkraut and they would be fantastic

Maybe I didn't get the right item here. It was not what I expected. I thought the chili sauce for the hotdog would have more flavor, be more thick. Instead it was watered down, ketchup flavored and it wasn't that great

We stopped in for a quick snack and the food came out fast. We sampled the dogs, fries, burgers, and onion rings. Food came out fast and it was good.

We ate here at the famous hotdog place in Montgomery Alabama. Founded in 1917, Chris' Hot Dogs have been enjoyed by every walk of life. Chris' is a place where everyone, including young and old, can dine harmoniously in this wonderful institution. They have had customers from every state in the Union, and countless guests from other countries.

This is Alabama's oldest family owned and operated restaurant. Dating back to May 1st 1917, it is absolutely steeped in history. It's still family run, now by the second and third generation of its namesake Christopher "Chris" Anastasios Katechis, an immigrant from a small island in Greece. The restaurant is located on historic Dexter Avenue. Dexter is where the Montgomery Bus boycott (1955-1956) started with Rosa Parks being arrested for refusing to surrender her seat to a white person. Some notable customers: - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., (preached at nearby Dexter Avenue Baptist Church). - Rosa Parks - Hank Williams wrote "Hey Good Lookin" on a napkin here. - Franklin D. Roosevelt - Elvis Presley - Clark Gable The food: Well, don't expect anything spectacular. They are known for their hot dogs. I had one "all-the-way" with mustard, sour kraut and special sauce. The food was cheap and filling, but for me it was a "one and done" experience and more about soaking up the historical vibe of this place. Can you imagine being there as Rev Martin Luther King Jr. and the march from Selma to Montgomery passed right in front of Chris' as it made its way up Dexter Avenue?

Stopped in today for my first visit to historical Chris's. I love the old school feel of the restaurant itself and the way the staff makes you feel like family, like you've been coming there for years. The food came out quick. The only downside is the hot dog and hamburger we're just ok, not bad but not special. With the history and nostalgia you expect special. I love the vibe for sure and it's worth trying again.

I had been to Chris's once before a couple years ago and it was okay nothing special but okay. This time it was even more sketchy, and I suffered a pretty bad case of diarrhea. I will not be returning ever again

I recommend visiting Chris's Hot Dogs in Montgomery, Alabama if for nothing else other than to say you did! I saw a documentary about Chris's and knew I wanted to go check it out. I recently enjoyed a cheeseburger and onion rings there, and it was a good experience. If you love history (and hot dogs and hamburgers) you'll be fascinated with all the old pictures on the wall and the old diner feel. It's evident that many memories have been collected here over the years. (Fair warning: the place is old, cramped, and in need of updates. But honestly, that's what made me like it!) The service was impressively fast, and the convenience of easy parking made the visit even more enjoyable. The staff was friendly and accommodating. If you're in Montgomery, don't miss the opportunity to savor a meal at this historic gem.

I dig hot dogs and I was in Montgomery for business. That's what brought me here. Had two famous dogs and one famous cheeseburger. Dogs were good. Sauce was different but good. Liked the sauce better on the cheeseburger. Sat at the counter. Place is not fancy but has a good feel.

I love this place and the Chili Cheese Hotdog. The Hotdogs are fantastic and so are the Smash burgers. The Chili is great just the right amount of heat

We stopped in Montgomery on our way home from Birmingham and heard this was an iconic spot in Montgomery so being the Yelp person I am, we had to try it out. The food was decent but the portions were very small as far as the burgers go. I wouldn't be afraid to say the patties weigh less than a McDonald's cheeseburger. The hot dog was good and the onion rings were very good. The prices are very reasonable. The seating isn't ideal. Very small booths and I'm a bigger guy. Wouldn't say this is going to be a go to for me when I'm in the area but if you're there it's "iconic" so you might as well try it.

I understand that eating Chris' hot dogs is basically a rite of passage in Montgomery. It definitely has a lot of character and the staff are knowledgeable about the business and lively. Unfortunately, I just couldn't stomach the food. It was so greasy that I was put off, but I pushed through and tried both the hot dog and hamburger. Despite the grease leaking from mouth, neither had much flavor. It seemed as though both were thrown together. I couldn't finish them, unfortunately. But the prices are great, so if you're downtown and craving American fare, this is your place.

This place was most definitely established in 1917 and it shows. The first thing I notice when walking in is the smell. It smells almost as if someone took human fecal matter and dirty laundry and fried it in centuries old river water. I physically had to keep myself from breathing through my nostrils and instead took the liberty of breathing through my mouth. The next thing I notice is the state of the restaurant itself. It's dirty and disgusting; lined with grime, crust, and dirt. Once finally acquiring service, I was disappointed to find one of my servers was most certainly intoxicated and/ or high. My main waitress was sweet and showed great service. I chose to request water as my drink, and one of the "cheese dogs" as my entrée with fries as a side. The water tasted like sink water. I am relieved I had brought my own water bottle from home. I was given my fries not long after, which were fresh out of the oil, steaming hot. The fries were quite good, after being heavily salted. My "Cheese Dog" on the other hand, was subpar. The chili was watery, and the bun was completely soggy when it arrived. The hot dog itself was alright, it wasn't anything special. My sister, on the other hand, ordered chicken tenders. She ate 4 of the tenders before actually looking at them. It turns out, her chicken was pink, possibly raw. Instead of asking for a new platter, we chose to instead leave as soon as possible. We payed and sped to the door. There is so much to say about this restaurant, yet I am left with no appetite for words. I myself enjoy a hot dog or two, but this hole-in-the-wall establishment made me want to never touch one again. Please save yourself the time and just go to McDonalds.

Very friendly service, I believe I met one of the grandsons. Certainly a lot of history here. Ordered two Chris' Famous (all the way) mustard, onions, Kraut, and the special sauce. With all the toppings, I couldn't taste the actual meat. The sauce was meatless and very meh. The bun was super soft. Overall very average and probably wouldn't go back, but worth checking off my list.

A place you need to visit just for the history. Food it's good just simple hamburgers and hotdogs. Kids and I love to go.

Walked in and was smacked in the face with the smell of sewage. We debated whether the smell was sewage or rotten food. Unfortunately we were part of a tour group and preordered, so we had to stay. I didn't eat for fear of food poisoning and sat outside because I couldn't handle the smell. The place was filthy, staff were yelling at each other, and the hot dogs were tiny. I don't get the high ratings. Would love for this place to deep clean so that it can continue to thrive. At this point is seems to be successful due to its historical status.

Oh my gosh!!! I would definitely recommend this place. I feel like I'm already part of their history just by being there. I had the hotdog and burger combo and it was delish!!! Would definitely come back!! Try their Arnold Palmer drink- you won't regret it!

The service was courteous, we ordered a hamburger and couple of hotdogs, mix of mustard, ketchup, onions and Chris' Famous Chili Sauce made them taste good. We were passing by to Atlanta, so we came not only for the food, but also a taste of history, I was not disappointed. When I finished lunch, got out and looked around, then I suddenly realized why so many great politicians including MLK coming to this hotdog place: the Capitol, Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, etc. are just step away from here, no wonder.

This place is always packed out.Very old and not super clean but the food is beyond tasty.Feels like you're going back in time walking in this place.Definitely a keeper

This is Montgomery!! This is history this is soul this is passion on a bun. Onion rings that are heavenly and a chili sauce that makes me 6 and 66 at the same time. I have gone to Chris for 40 years and will do so for the next 40 lord willing. Is it clean nope is it in the best neighborhood nope is that part of the reason to go and eat there yeah! Do yourself a favor and live life and Eat a hotdog

I did not like the food and the restaurant was unclean. I honestly believe that this establishment is severely overrated.

A classic downtown spot that is ragged at the edges but still a perfect stop for a classic southern chili dog and great onion rings. Even better than that much discussed place in Atlanta, wink, wink. A shout out for Chris' underrated burgers. Try a special cheeseburger next time. Perfect charbroiled makes for a tasty substantial burger--juicy not overly seasoned. The vibe here is still fun from the casual yet totally efficient and effective waiters to the historic photos and articles of the wall. The place deserves that state historical marker on the outside

Important caveat before I start: I don't love hot dogs That said, I have wanted to go to Chris' since I moved to Montgomery, and I recently found myself near Chris' during lunch time. So, I figured, why not? What I got: I went with the two-dog combo. I do wish I had gone for the hamburger and hot dog combo because the hamburgers my dining companions got looked good. But, I went all in on the hot dogs. I got them the Famous Chris way with the kraut and the chili. It was too much. It was messy and caused the bun to deteriorate. I needed a knife and fork to eat it. I think this is a less-is-more situation. I thought the flavor of the chili was good, and I do like sauerkraut. Just too much. My favorite part of the meal were the onion rings. They kindly let me get those with the combo in lieu of chips. I love onion rings, and these were perfect. Fresh, crispy batter with a nice soft onion interior. The location: The restaurant is cramped and the air is thick with the smell of fried food. You walk in and down a sort of narrow hallway. There are two small narrow rooms with booths and tables. The space is tight, but it has personality. I love the local, folk style art on the walls, the news write-ups, and other paraphernalia of a local business serving and existing in its community. Personally, I probably wouldn't go back on my own. If I did because other wanted to go, I would get the hamburger and onion rings. Definitely worth trying!

We expected more after all the local hype. The special chili sauce is not special and is not chili as in meat. The hot dogs were ok but not worth a special stop. The service was very slow and distracted since the server was also the cook and the cashier. Location in service since 1917 but not the same menu or the same owners so the hot dog place should not be able to claim the fame should it? Very busy with locals and visitors but needs a week to deep-clean, it smelled old and stale and unwashed. ​

What a community institution! The history on the walls speaks to the influential spot that Chris' is! It was a few days after Christmas and we walked over to Chris' from our hotel enjoy all of the lights and decorations along the way. We were so fortunate to meet Gus (the Grandson of the original proprietor) who walked us through the history of the place and it's celebrity guests. He was jovial, knowledgeable, and proud of what his family has built. The food? Excellent. I really enjoyed the hot dogs Chris' way with mustard, onions, kraut and their chili sauce. We shared onions rings and a burger that were also quite good. What a great place you've got, Montgomery! Treasure it!

Best hotdogs in the world. You can search far and wide and you will never find a better hot dog. IMHO

Sorry but I just dont get it. The place is a dump. There was a used glove laying on the floor the whole time is was there. The place is just plain worn out. Food was marginal at best. Couldnt finish the hot dog it just wasnt good. It may be historical but they have not done anything to take care of this place.

Our group had a wonderful meal at Chris' Hot Dogs in Downtown Montgomery. We were welcomed as soon as we walked in by Theo the second generation of Chris Hot Dogs. He shared with us his father's story and the history of the restaurant, hearing about Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Elvis Presley and several American Presidents enjoying their hot dogs. Our server took our orders and our food came out of the kitchen minutes later. We couldn't decide between the hotdog and the fresh burger - Theo told us the meat is fresh daily, so we went with the hotdog and hamburger combo, which came with wonderful hot crinkle cut fries. The burger with cheese was good and so was the hotdog with mustard, onions, kraut and the chili sauce - yes the chili sauce which we were also served with a side for the fries. Thank you Theo and your team for a wonderful visit and great food and ice cold fountain coke. Stop by when you're in Downtown Montgomery for a piece of history enjoying Third generation run restaurant.

The inspector who rated this place at 85 should be fired. I've eaten at restaurants around the world for 68 years and have never seen one this filthy. The history in the place must be that the dust on and grime on the ceiling fan is from opening day. The hotdog was pencil thin. The goop on top of it was disgusting. Service was nominal.

Old school, and still feels old school today. It's like waking back in time. Good hotdogs, I'll definitely be back.

I had the Chris combo that consisted of hamburger, hotdog and fries which I replaced with onion rings and drink. The man who served me was extremely hospitable will visit again.

I'm biased. I love this place! I grew up near Montgomery and came here as a child. Yes, my parents told me the history of the place. Every child in Alabama knows the significance of Dexter Avenue and Rosa Parks. Chris's was here when all that was happening. Rosa Parks ate here. I'm fairly certain she looked at the same vignette in the musical note "windows" in the dining room that you can look at today. The dining room? Dark! I think I remember flip music juke box selections at the table, but those are long gone. Seating is available at the counter or in the dark dining room. Waitstaff have no need to write anything down. The Hot Dogs are famous. Others may not love them, but I do. I try to order other things, and I have tried the burger, but it's the Hot Dogs you come here for! I love the Chris's special with sauce and kraut ~ skipping the onions. Served piping hot with oh-so-soft buns. Yummy. Onion rings are tasty ~ crisp outside with flavorful hot inside! These come when they're done, so you may finish your Hot Dog or Hamburger before they're served. One serving is plenty for two. Chris's may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I love it. I love the history and I love the food ~ but know what you're in for and choose accordingly. Looking for bright, light dining with flowers on the table? Not here. Looking for good cheap food served up hot by waitresses who know their stuff (and the many regulars!)? Stop here! It's cool to consider and share the history of the place with younger companions, while you're at it (detailed in other reviews.) Street parking.

Tasty food at a place filled with history. The appearance isn't much. There is a long section with booths for four on one side, booths for two on the other. It is clear the inside hasn't been updated in a long time. But I suppose that's part of the charm. The food was delicious! We ordered the burger/hot dog/fries combo that also comes with a drink. It's a good value for what you get. I will say the burgers are thin. They are tasty, but I wish there had been a little more substance. The famous sauce has a tomato based flavor with a little bit of a kick. I enjoyed it and asked for some on the side to dip my fries in. Service was friendly and quick. Overall, a tasty and fun experience. I just wish the burgers were thicker and the seating area spruced up a bit.

$2.75 for a runny hot dog. As bad as Der wienerschnitzel on the West Coast. Only the old character in the building is nice

It's about the history, the hustle and bustle, super-attentive staff, the bargain prices, the good dogs with great sauce, the well-cooked burger (sauce on it too), the fries and rings....and so many things. Oh, did I mention the Lemon Pie?....really really tasty. Ok, make no bones about it this is a simple and straightforward great place for a reasonably quick lunch. There's just something about the historic charm and buzz of activity that made our quick stop a special day, indeed. Nothin' fancy...doesn't need to be.

Nothing better than a great hotdog and this place has them. Old school hot dogs with great onion rings and fries!

Elvis ordered his pre-show hotdogs from here. What else do you need to know? Seriously, that is all.

Chris' Hot Dogs has been open since 1917, so, like everything else in Montgomery, there's history here! A historical marker erected by the Alabama Tourism Department just outside the restaurant notes that four American presidents have eaten at Chris' - President Franklin D. Roosevelt, President Truman, President George H. W. Bush, and President George W. Bush. Other patrons have included George Wallace, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Hank Williams, and Elvis Presley. And now I've eaten here, too! I was on a solo trip to Montgomery to explore some history and check out the new monument and decided Chris' was the perfect place to stop in for lunch after a tour of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church (where MLK was pastor for many years and where he organized the Montgomery Bus Boycott), which is right down the street. Chris' isn't fancy. So if that's your thing - pass. But it had so much charm. And I love a diner counter. Especially for a solo lunch. I sat down at the counter, ordered a burger and onion rings, and chatted a bit with the staff. I live in Nashville, where it's hard to find a simple burger now. Everything has a million toppings and weighs 10 pounds! So having a cheeseburger at Chris' was refreshing. First of all, the cheeseburger is $2.90! $2.90. And it's just classic - patty, cheese, mustard, ketchup, onions, and their chili sauce. It was messy and delicious. Fast and cheap. Everything I want in a burger 90% of the time (sometimes you do want that fancy burger, you know?). The onion rings were hot and only cost $2.50 for a huge pile. Chris' is classic, cheap, and a cool Montgomery experience. I'd definitely go back.

One of my absolute favorite places in the downtown area of Montgomery! I've been coming to Chris's every time the USAF brought me to the area for over 20 years and I've never had a bad experience. It's a typical "greasy spoon" with a low cost menu and an exceptionally friendly staff who often remember you and remember your standard order (if you have one). I typically get a two hot dog combo--one with sauce and one with sauerkraut--at about $8.40. Their sauce is a little wetter than some hot dog places but it's delicious and they often give you a small dipping cup of it for your fries too. It gets pretty crowded at lunch time but they have seating in the back, the front and, on nice days, out on the sidewalks. The place has a lot of history too with Martin Luther King Jr, Elvis Presley and Hank Williams all partaking in the dining experience. It's said that Hank Williams actually penned some tunes while sitting in the restaurant.

Wow! A Montgomery icon of over 100 years. You walk in and get treated like part of the family. I got a dog and a cheeseburger with onion rings! I got to meet the original owners grandson. I got the hot dog "all the way" so it was loaded with goodness. The sauce was a highlight and gave it the Extra goodness. The cheeseburger was also incredible almost to hot to eat. Came fully loaded and was crisp on the outside and hot n juicy on the inside. Don't miss this iconic spot if you are anywhere close. It's a good thing I don't live close here because I would be here all the time.

Visited the restaurant on our trip to Montgomery and it was a meh experience. The restaurant overall was not super clean and literally felt it was 100 years old (no pun intended). Husband and I were not super hungry and wanted a quick bite, so we just sat at the bar/counter area. The service was ok and everyone who worked there seemed exhausted. The food was not good. The hamburger was blah and so were the onion rings. If you want, visit the restaurant to experience a part of Montgomery's history, but do not expect to have a good culinary experience.

Chris' has been in Montgomery for over a hundred years and is undeniably a Montgomery institution. The sign outside the establishment declaring its history is proof enough and I have tried here a few times, I wanted to like it, but, unfortunately, the place falls far short to give it any kind of positive review. The place has definitely seen better days. If it was only that, I could overlook it. I could perhaps attribute it as an element of the inevitable march of time and that within the age worn building was literally over a century of history, of people who have stood within those walls. But, sadly, Chris' offers little to commend. Let's get to the most important factor, the food. One would think that with a century of experience, this establishment would have a food worthy of its iconic history. They are known for their hot dogs and these tiny, cheap hot dogs are terrible and their sauce falls short. Again, a century on business is commendable. However, in my opinion, while the longevity of this establishment is commendable, the hot dogs are terrible.

Don't do it! We stopped in for the history of the place but the food is not worth eating. Will definitely NOT be eating there again.

The best because they're burgers SLAP and they have GLASS Coke bottles! The service was amazing! And the ambiance feels authentic too!

Wasn't what we expected, especially since it's a landmark. The interior is extremely dated, food prep area and griddle is horrible. Neither appeared to been clean recently or on the regular. I seen a lot of cross contamination between the hot and cold foods (toppings). Toppings are not held at proper temp Order 2 hot dog and burger plates and a chicken finger plate. Nothing special about their hot dogs, taste like a regular pork,beef and whatever hot dog. I would have preferred an all beef. Cheeseburger wasn't bad, but nothing special. They need to replace the deep fryer oil ASAP. Onions rings taste old from the grease as wasn't cooked all the way. Chicken fingers taste burnt and dry. Customer service was good. Unfortunately I wouldn't visit again