Yara E.
Yelp
It was a drizzly Sunday afternoon and I had a sudden craving for a hot dog. I didn't feel like driving up to Rainey or downtown, so I did a quick search and found El Perrito wasn't too far south of me, so I took a chance on a spot I'd never been to and won.
First of all, this is a trailer in a shopping plaza off of Stassney. You're not to expect the finest hot dog to grace your face. This spot is just no-frills tasty street food. I will say it checks all the boxes for satisfaction, comfort food, and creativity, though, as these aren't your standard toppings.
When I walked up, I saw three full picnic tables even an hour or so past the standard lunchtime rush. I brought my dog since it was an outdoor dining situation, but when I ordered my food, the lady taking my order said there were also tables inside if I wanted. Unsure if she saw my small pup from the window, though, so it's best to keep to the outdoor space just in case.
I decided to go with the O.G. since it felt like a featured menu item. Can't go wrong with a bacon-wrapped dog with frijoles, grilled onions and chiles, and three kinds of cheese, right? I didn't wait very long before someone brought my order to me at the table. It came with a knife and fork, but I decided to be risky and just consume it hand-held. The bun had a golden toast to add some structural stability to the pyramid of toppings. It was clear it was made to order as it was hot, but not scorching. I'm also glad I came alone as I didn't need to converse with anyone and just focus on savoring this parcel of joy.
If you're a true hot dog lover, come give El Perrito ATX a try. It was fun stepping out of the conventional confines of toppings and also supporting a local business.