Fred's Franks (Hot Dog Truck)

Stopped to charge our EV & Fred’s was right there so had lunch. It was delicious & very generous portions. Lovely spot to eat in the park by Lake Quannapowitt.

Frank’s Hot Dog Truck is an absolute gem! They don’t just serve amazing hot dogs — the whole menu is packed with delicious options. The chicken and burgers are juicy and full of flavor, the variety of sausages keeps things exciting and they have the best tasting sub rolls bread to go with it! You can tell everything’s made fresh and with care. Friendly service, great prices, and food that hits the spot — can’t ask for more. Highly recommend stopping by Frank’s if you see that truck!

Located at a great spot right by Lake Quannapowitt that is perfect for an outdoor lunch. I absolutely love the Shnurble, the Sweet Sausage and Peppers and my kids love the hot dogs! The guys are super friendly, very helpful and grill great food!

Love Carl and Company at Fred's Franks! Just keep coming back! Delicious food truck. Cooks to order! Still my very favorite lunch spot! plus, they take venmo. ;)

A longtime favorite for my family. I have been bringing my boys to the lake and park for years, now teenage years we are back walking together. My sons have refound their taste for hot dogs! Great quick service and great taste and view.

Very good! Sweet Italian sausage with peppers, mustard & onions. I like that your meal is prepared to order and not sitting there. The only thing I would change is the bread. To tough for my liking or maybe they could place it on the grill before the sausage is ready to soften it. Price is a lil steep for a sausage and drink was about $17. The service was good and it was nice & hot off the grill. I would eat here again while visiting Boston.

Best dogs around, beautiful scenery and awesome staff. Not your typical hot dog and sausage spot - they have a lot of interesting options and also the classics. The dogs and sausages are perfectly cooked. Right of 95 on a beautiful lake with a playground across the street for the kids

Wow! Stopped by a hungry cyclist and left with a full belly and a smile on my face. Thanks Carl and James! Great little truck with a very sweet story, and the best people running it! Not to mention their cute dog Chloe 🥰

This truck is amazing! We parked by the park and walked over. You can see the truck from the rotary so we looped around to go back for hotdogs! Carl is so nice and greeted us as we walked up to the truck. We got 2 Shnurbles! You can pay with Venmo, which is amazing. As we waited for our food, Carl was grilling and talking to all the customers, asking everyone how their days are going and making small talk. He is such a kind person! He even made extra sausages for everyone waiting. I was holding my dog and he asked how old she is and then gave her a free hot dog! Such a kind gesture.

Literally the best around! I am not usually a sausage person but the chicken Gorgonzola sausage is just amazing

It has become an institution in the area. The sausages are not your food-cart variety. These are freshly made by the owner (Carl) in a commercial kitchen. Go often enough and Carl will get to know you. Sausages and everything else that goes in it are excellent. Besides, it's so nice to hang out around the lake area. On a nice day, the stand is well-visited, and wait a few minutes as it's grilled on order. Shaggy dogs (A large hot dog with freshly sautéed pastrami), kielbasa, German sausages, or Portuguese chorizo are some of my favorites.

We had the Chinese and the Garlic and Cheese sausages both were absolutely delicious. The Chinese tasted like a spare rib. We found this place only cause we were hungry and driving from Boston to Rockland. Wanted to get something quick and we super happy we stumbled on Fred's Franks. You could tell this is a place that people have been coming for since they were little.

Well. Fred is long gone and it's now owned by someone else, who smartly kept the name. Here's what to expect: A little trailer near the head of the lake, just off of Rte. 128. Two Green Egg grills. And you pick what you want him to grill for you. You select from sausages(various) to a foot long hot dog or burger. "Fred" hands you a fresh roll. Then you wait based on your order. You pick your own condiments, alongside the trailer. Pile them on as high as you want. He'll wrap it in tinfoil and if it's nice day, you chow down right there or bring something back to the crew. All first rate meats. Soft drinks available. At lunchtime, expect a long line. BTW. many years ago my wife and I hired him to cater a graduation party. Fabulous idea. Worked out better than we hoped. Everyone got a kick out of the trailer and Fred cooking. Great relief for us and only $550+ back 10 years ago. Bottom line... Stop by and check it out. He's not inexpensive.

This is a roadside hotdog stand by Lake Quanapowett in Wakefield. Char-grilled to order all beef Pearl hot dogs, Italian sausages, burgers and more available. Excellent quality, great service! Nice people!! 5 stars.

Not bad loaded up and filling. The problem is it's just not good for you.. yummy yummy

Nothing better than a delicious dog or sausage served with a smile and friendly chatter along a lake in the summer.

Okay, the go-to here should be what is strangely called the Shnurble. This is a Pearl brand hot dog, sausage, cabbage and more thrown in a bun and presented as Fred's Franks signature sandwich. Actually, is a hot dog a sandwich? We will let that when he played out in memes and on social media. I will say that this was a sloppy Indulgence that was pretty good and I'm glad that I had it. In addition to hot dogs and sausages, they have other menu items, such as burgers. I did not try this, when a place has a food and the name of the establishment, I am a firm believer that you should try that particular food. Fred's Frank's use Pearl brand hot dogs, which is a long-standing New England brand of hot dog. It is definitely a quality product and I think that you will enjoy these hot dogs. I would definitely recommend a visit here. Check them out and if you're feeling adventurous, try the Shnurble (still, what a name).

Love Fred's franks! The rolls are high quality and the condiments are homemade and fresh. Sausages are delicious! The service is great and Frank is terrific

Great people,GREAT hot dogs,Sausages and Chicken Sandwiches. One of my favorite spots in wakefield and right by the amazing lake.

Best dogs I've had in a long time! Great spot right off 95 on a beautiful lake with a playground for the kids. Dogs and sausages are so good and cooked beautifully. The guys working there are awesome

Solid hot dog truck. We went about 15 minutes before they closed, and they had run out of buns, but still had plenty of meat. I ordered a small kielbasa on a plate with some brown mustard, sweet cabbage and brown mustard. It was made fresh in a big green egg BBQ and put directly on my plate. It was crispy and perfectly cooked. Really the only downside is that parking alongside the lake is tricky when the weather is good.

Best wiener around! Fred knows the way to a good frank! Great guy. Always delicious food. The price is right. Great view of the lake! What's not to love!

Fred's Franks is spectacular! I have been a long time customer and have nothing but praise for this little slice of hot dog heaven! My favorite is the Chinese sausage, nice and burnt with kraut and hot mustard.

Ordered monster hotdog. Waited 25 minutes. Turns out they never put the order on. Would not prioritize mine over other peoples. Refused to give me hotdog as-is so I could leave to attend meeting. Ended up skipping lunch. I can't believe the town of Wakefield allows such an unprofessional business to operate. Just spent $10 for ketchup on a bulkie roll.

This is the place to go for dogs. One of the best I have had in a long time. It was very tasty and the bread was fresh. The view is great too.

Fred's Franks is more than a place to get a great hot dog. They put on a show while you wait smelling the goodness cook on the grill. They call you out by your order. There is a line to wait in with your bun but it depends on what finishes cooking fist. Get the veggies, you will be happy you did. He pan sauteed onions and red peppers and put them on the roll first. Honestly, I could have had a roll full of these veggies alone. The spicy sausage was fresh, hot and crispy. It was a huge portion so come hungry if you order sausage. The hot dogs looked amazing too. I've got to try them next time.

Wow, so good! I got a regular schnurble and already can't wait to go back and get it again. The guys working were so nice too. Loved it!

Food is so good, one of my favorites!!! Everyone is friendly, so happy for everyone that they have such a great concept and execute it so well.

My absolute favorite hot dogs In the world. We wish they were open more often!!! Keep it going

Look no further, these are the best hot dogs and sausages I've had. One bite and I was sold. Their meats are juicy and the bun soaks up all of the flavor from the meat, peppers, and onions. ADD THERE SIGNATURE BBQ SAUCE! This is a staple for the rest of my visits to Boston. You know it's good when you are thinking about it weeks later!! It's also cool they accept Venmo! Blessings,

Terrific!! Get the fancy sandwich, what ever they call it, the shmurple or something like that. You won't be disappointed. Trust me!!

I don't know why I haven't done a review here yet. I think I was trying to keep it a secret. It has been over a decade of me going here and I still love it. I always get the regular Shnurble and my kids always get the Chinese sausage and regular sausage, which they love. You need to come by and try anything here, it delicious.

Writing this review is a tad strange since I hail from Chicago where the words "Hot Dog" take on an entirely new meaning to most people. Some places here take this notion too far, like places that I won't mention who decide to hipsterize this classic by adding topping like Brie cheese or artichoke hearts *sigh*. There are still plenty in Chicago that cater to their base and keep things old school like Gene and Jude's, Beef Shack, Portillo's, etc. Come to Chicago and opinions regarding hot dogs are about as varied as opinions on music or fashion. It pretty much depends on who you ask. That being said, I dare say you would find that nearly anyone in Chicago would feel 100% in their element paying a visit to this outdoor vendor. Calling this place a "hot dog cart" is not really a fair representation even though that is basically what it is, unless you consider a veritable hot dog command center towed in on a dully and with complete with smoker and attached kitchen area to be a "cart". As my clients and reps in and around Boston have informed me, when Fred's is open is a matter of both weather and time of year. Unless you live locally where you can drive by without a hassle, you can check their Facebook page to see if they will be operating on a given day or not. I have been to this place on several occassions when I am in town, and it's a place I will keep coming back to whenever I have the opportunity since it is just that spectacular. All the basics you would expect are on the menu here: Italian sausage, franks, brats, kielbasa, etc, but if you have never been here before (shame on you) then I recommend you go with the signature item called a Shurnble. This consists of a grilled to perfection dog with chrizo along with a sweet cabbage topping with mayo and a house "Giddyup sauce". It is absolutley delicious and the flavor contrasts are dynamite. Size differences range from a normal hot dog size to the gargantuan super size requiring two hands to hold. A word to the wise: just get one of the bigger sizes from the jump. If you don't, you are just going to scarf down the smaller one and head back up to order another. Save yourself the trouble and just go big or go home. Service is friendly and fast and there are plenty of places nearby to plop down and devour your dog outside. As you might imagine, it gets busy when they are open, especially on a nice sunny day, but the line moves quick and even if you have to wait it is totally worth it. Prices are a tad higher than most hot dog vendors, but the quality more than justifies the jump in price. If you are in the area and hungry for a dog, it does not get much better than this place.

Delicious tunes of meat grilled to perfection. My only complaint is that they are not open year round. The staff is fantastic and helpful and you can't go wrong with anything on the menu's

It's not a cart, it's a system. The Shnurble is not a sandwich, it's a synthesis. Fred is not a vendor, he's a visionary - with Speedy sensibilities and a taste for proper franks. Following my initial hike around Breakhart Reservation, I scoured the nearby on the trusty Yelp app and saw this beacon of beef on the north side of Lake Quannapowitt. Heeding the warning of many a review, I peeped Fred's official website (http://fredsfranks.com) and weeped - still closed for the season. Imagine my gaiety when, upon finishing this week's woods walk, I checked again and, lo, he's open for business! Rolling up 2.5 deep, there stood the wagon just along a small parking lot on the north shore of the Q. Smoke billowed, crowds surrounded, meat sizzled. Finally. $8 put a Shnurble in my hands: a 1/6lb Pearl hot dog (arguably, the finest in the lands) nestled beside two pieces of chorizo and served on a bed of diced sweet cabbage, Srirachaba sauce (Sriracha, habañero mustard) and a trickle of mayo. It's not small (proof: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/H2KAvHOGz1wRHJoS-u4fpQ?select=XWc18Vyrh2X9EWkO_yryqA) and while a regular Shnurble is more than enough for any mortal, Carl upped my ante to a 1/4lb frank after mistakenly giving my originally intended Shnurble to some shmoe who jumped the wait line. Baller. A feast that marries perfectly snappy Pearls with excellent Portuguese sausage, an inevitably tangy slaw and a damn fine roll, it'll flip your vegan friend faster than fried chicken. Fred invested serious dough in to those Big Green Eggs he cooks with, and the end result is worth both the trip and the tag. Get one before you die. Chances are, it'll be within ten minutes after the last bite.

Awesome pearl franks with all the fixings cooked to order picnic tables by the lake or take it to go And they take Venmo! Mine didn't go through due to my poor Wi-Fi but I tracked the owner down and paid him directly he was so grateful but I told him I didn't want to skip out since the food was so delicious just make sure your Venmo goes through so you don't short them!

If you're a Wakefield local, you're probably very familiar with this beloved little red sausage cart. If you've never been, consider your next lunch hour booked. The first 60+ degrees day of each spring is when we'll typically make our first pilgrimage of the season over to this place. There's something about grabbing a sausage, some chips, and a soda from this place, and then lounging on one of the nearby waterside park benches, that just feels like a perfectly simple, delightful way to spend an afternoon (or even a weekday lunch hour). I've tried a number of their sausages and dogs before - I tend to go back to the sausages, since their hot dogs aren't actually my preferred style (I'm more of a red dog on a soft, grilled bun kind of gal, whereas these are a thicker, more hearty type of hot dog). Having said that, I do know people who love their classic dogs here, so I suppose it's all a matter of preference. I usually get either the garlic cheese sausage or the sweet sausage. A sausage with peppers & onions here will run you $9, but it will be a filling meal (depending on your appetite, you could honestly probably split one sausage between two people). My only small gripe with the sausages here is that the rolls are HUGE (and super-chewy - almost baguette-like). Again, this is probably a matter of preference, as I know many people in the area who swear by their rolls, but I tend to prefer something a little softer. The overall freshness and flavor of the sausages here still typically leave me walking away from my meal very impressed (and very stuffed). Parking can be a little challenging (it's a small, free-for-all kind of lot), but we usually are able to find a spot. Service time depends on the day and the crowd (since everything is cooked to order), but we usually get our sausages within 5-10 minutes or so of ordering. The one important word of caution I'd give is that Fred's is not set up every day. It's usually a pretty safe bet if the weather is nice that they'll be here, but if it's debatable, I'd suggest checking their Facebook page, where they post each day when (and whether) they'll be open.

I tried my first kielbasa here- it was so delicious!! It was a neat experience! I had a large kielbasa to share and it was definitely worth the price ($9). Fred's Franks is like a food truck of sorts- you step up to order from their extensive menu (ranging from sausages to burgers!) and you load your bread up with condiments (you can choose from a variety of different sauces and toppings). After paying, you step off to the side and watch them cook your food for you on a large grill(?)! The set-up of the ordering system was smooth and the food preparation was quick and efficient. :- )

The gold standard of frankfurters and a food truck, and the most appropriate use of The Big Green Egg.

Satisfied all my hotdog cravings. Can't wait to go back and try the sausages. People are wicked friendly and funny. My monster was totally worth $10. You could easily split it too because it's huge.

If you are fortunate, you will be greeted by the exceedingly handsome Logan, the dog at this unusual food truck. Everything is cooked on 2 Green Egg grills, fresh to order. By far the most popular item is the Shnurble-a Pearl hotdog (all the dogs are Pearl except Logan-he's a gem) with chorizo, sweet cabbage and optional mustard, hot sauce and more toppings. It comes in multiple sizes and the staff are happy to explain what each means. The Shaggy Dog is a hotdog topped till you can't see it with hot pastrami-at least 1/4 was on my small Shaggy. Prices are reasonable for the quality and quantity provided. Burgers are also available as are a variety of sausages but the dogs are the star here. Pearls have a nice snap & the grilling gives a crisp, slightly Smokey result. Every time we have been here it has been busy but our food never took more than 5-10 minutes and the staff and customers are friendly so time passes quickly. Perfectly located on Rt 95 makes Fred's Franks a quick stop for delicious lunch.

FRED'S!!!!! Listen up, people. My nephew knows his shiiitee and when he told me I had to try Fred's Franks, I had NO idea that a hot dog could be so good. But, forget about the dog for a second -- it really ain't about the dog. I could get a Pearl Brand hot dog and cook it for you and it wouldn't even be a fraction of the amazing thing it is when you get it at Fred's. You pull up, you park in the small lot behind his stand, you give your order to Fred and get a number. Your choices are... 1. Sm Dog 2. Jumbo Dog 3. Half-Pounder 4. Chourice 5. Linguica 6. Kielbasa 6. Schnerbel - chourice flanked by 2 sm dogs You pay another guy, get your rolls and then proceed down a condiment line consisting of... CONDIMENTS - (regular) * Brown Mustard, * French's Yellow Mustard, * Relish, * Heinz Catsup, * Hellman's Mayonnaise * Habanaise (habanero, touch of golden mustard, mayo) * xx Super Hot xx (habanaise but extra hot) CONDIMENTS - (more interesting) * Sweetest chopped onion we can find, * Roseoffs sweet sauerkraut * Roseoffs regular sauerkraut * Hot Cherry Peppers * Chohula (one of my all time favorite) hot sauce. * Sriracha (chili paste type hot sauce) Then you just hang around the "Green Egg", a SPECIAL grill whose shape and style allow "the perfect heat" to cook the Franks quickly and evenly. After you get your dog, you will understand what it is to be in "hot dog heaven"... I have never had another hot dog experience even remotely close to it. In the best terms possible, Fred's Franks is an EXPERIENCE. Some other guy tried to muscle in on Fred's territory and EVERY DAY, 100s of people walk RIGHT BY the other guy's stand and go straight to Fred. It's an easy off/easy on from route 128 and, if you're an exercise enthusiast, you can burn off your hot dog with a nice 3.5 mile walk around Wakefield's lake. You MUST go to Fred's at least once so that you will know for yourself what everyone who goes there already knows. Check his website for videos of him appearing on TV and of how Pearl Brand Franks are made. http://www.fredsfranks.com See you there!!

I guess I made a mistake by getting a burger instead of a dog. Big mistake. I thought, when the girl who took my order, made a mistake. She handed me this humongous sub roll. No mistake, they put the burger in sub rolls. HUGE sub rolls. Great, right?! This is gonna be a monster burger! Nope. Not even close. Watched the cook take a frozen, 1/4 inch thick burger and toss it on the grill. Threw a slice of shitty Kraft cheese on it and cut the burger in half. Then he puts it in my gigantic sub roll. I looked at him with bewilderment. Huh? Took it back to my car, moved the two slices to one side of that behemoth sub roll, ripped of 5 inches of bread and threw it out for the birds. After the first bite, the rest went to the birds as well. 8 bucks for a burger that I compare to a 3 dollar burger you get at a beach concession stand. Ridiculous.

This is a small, open-air, hot dog stand hitched to the back of a pick-up truck and located around the rotary from the bottom of exit 40 off rte 128. These are the best directions I can offer, since the mobile stand has no mailing address and disappears like a snow bird once the weather gets too cold. As of last week, they were still open and serving oddities like cheeseburger and lamb sausages in addition to their regular menu. Check their website, which is updated regularly with any change in hours of operation. On the regular menu are Pearl Brand hot dogs, kielbasa, chourico, and linguica, which they charcoal grill to your desired blackness under the dome of a green, enamel, egg-shaped grill. Call me silly, but I dislike the Pearl brand hot dog. It tastes like it's made with a hint of chitterlings (pig intestines- even after they're thoroughly cleaned and cooked, the smell of manuer lingers). I know. I know. It's a hot dog, and its ingredients are always suspect, but it should never taste like a hint of phew. As for the chourico, it's better than any my grandmother brought home from Fall River. Where was this chourico when I was a kid? It's lean, perfectly spiced and better than the often fatty Gaspars. Get your grilled Portuguese sausage fix here and top it with none of their 10 help-yourself-condiments because it's FABULOUS by itself. Thank you Fred for giving my idea of good chourico a new standard. Mwuah!

Cheap admission to see a man exercising at the top of his craft. Forget the Sausage King, Fred (Carl actually) is a sausage Genius. In an inspired bit of sausage cookery, the tailend of this roadside trailer is outfitted with a pair of Big Green Eggs. Using these kamado style charcoal grill / smoker hybrids allows for this intense fresh from the campfire effect that is so unexpected; really adding something to the food truck, hotdog cart, game. And then there's the Shnurble. Its one thing to select the finest tube form ingredients, locally made Linguicia and Chourico, Pearl Meat Packing's 1/4lb all-beef, natural-casing frank, Andouille sausage, etcetera. Its wholly another to pack a lenthways sliced hot dog right next to a butterflied filet of that fine chourico. Lay it on a bed of home made sweet cabbage, a dollop of mayonnaise and top with shake of a house blended Sirachababa sauce. That Pearl beef frank adding a smooth touch of body to the spicy grained chourico. That is a fine sandwich, and at a little over $8 bucks, bravo.

Great find at the lake in Wakefield I have only ordered a hot dog here but it's definitely Worth it! I love that it's fresh off the grill The rolls are even delicious and many options Of condiments that you put on yourself Pricing is fine They have a bench if needed while you wait and if not too busy you are lucky enough to have your order cooked to your liking! Service is fast and the owner/ staff are super AWESOME!! Stop by it's totally a GEM

I decided to take a walk to Fred's Franks. It was a hot day out but it was worth it because Fred's Franks are now my new favorite hot dog. I would like to say that the people who cook there are very nice and friendly. It's also a nice location. The hot dogs were very tasty. It was so juicy. Those pearl hot dogs give the dog distinction between others. It also had a great roll to go with it. The only problem is that the roll is a little big. But still the hot dog again is the best and cooked just right. It's great to see a hot dog cooked barbeque style. Next time I go there I'm planning to try the famous Shnurble. Fred's Franks is an amazing hot dog stand. It reminds me of a cookout. It's simple but well done.

Best hot dogs ever! And always consistent. My 12 year old ballerina begs me to take her there for a jumbo.

Go to place for my kiddos while walking that beautiful lake. Everything is made fresh to order right there. Just a favorite spot. Great location. Cash only I believe

This place is awesome. Great food and the owner is extremely personable - makes it a very nice experience. Located on the side of the road, they have a surprisingly big selection of franks and sausages. I always have the schnerble (look it up on their online menu), but I've tasted some of the other sausages they serve there. All the meats are made to their specifications and you can taste he difference! Other than the fact that it's a roadside stand and no where to really sit, Freds is a great place for lunch. Great food, excellent prices, and friendly people. Really, what more could you want?

Fred's Franks are the best hotdogs. Grilled outside, location isawesome next to Lake Quanapowitt in Wakefield. Friendly staff, quick service. Customers in line are super friendly and they talk about how obsessed they are for Fred's. Cash only. Affordable prices.

Fillls the need plus good people over there. Stop in, load up your dog, get the special sauce. Worth the trip. If you're just passing through it's an easy stop off the Wakefield/Reading circle.

What a find!!! I was in Boston to check out something for work and got the hot dog craving... I checked Yelp! To see what my options were and was kind of disappointed. Apparently you are only supposed to eat seafood in Boston! Lucky for me I found this joint. A what a find it was! The place is totally awesome. It's a trailer that has 2 "egg" grills on the front of it. How Absolutely GENIUS!!! And DELICIOUS too! I ordered a jumbo hot dog and a "Moxie" soda and was handed my empty bun and told to wait for the call. A few minutes later my jumbo hot dog was ready. It was fantastic! A really nice natural casing on a great size dog. The bun was really good too, almost a mix of a hoagie and sub bun. All-in-all I highly recommend it!

I went up here finally , it was ok , I didn't like the part that ,, we have to hold our own bun then the guy would call use over so he could.put the hot dog into the bun

Giant hot dogs and sausages that taste amazing and expertly grilled with good toppings options. Plus you get to be outside usually near the lake while you wait and eat them.

This place is a regular stop for me. Everything is great, you can't go wrong. It's more than just the food tho , it's the fact that this is the kind of place and people that this country was built on . Hard working honest good people. Everybody should support places and people like this.

So delicious food that we have been taste it ,actually l really enjoy Fred's Franks ,for instance,the chicken salad is so delicious for us to eat,incidentally,if you wanna order double meat,you will get sufficient food