Gus's Hot Dogs

DELICIOUS DOGS SERVED WITH LOTS OF SMILES - since 1947 At the request of my son, I detoured to Birmingham while on a Nebraska-Florida road trip, specifically to eat at Gus’s. And it did not disappoint. It’s a very small restaurant - two seats at a counter and one small table outside on the downtown sidewalk, and lots of happy chatty customers squeezed in together. I tried the “Regular Dog” as it comes, and the “Relish Dog” with added cheese. Both were messy and delicious. The Regular was the star, so satisfying. Your order is made right in front of you by a wonderfully welcoming hot dog chef and a friendly man who completes your combo with chips and a drink. This spot is a great value for the money, too. Glad I made the trip. RECOMMEND

I finally tried Gus’s Hot Dogs, and I completely understand why this place is a Birmingham classic. I tried two dogs the slaw dog first, and then the sauerkraut and onion dog and that sauerkraut and onion one ended up being my favorite. It was the perfect quick lunch. Simple, flavorful, and made just right. What really stood out was the hospitality. The staff was so attentive, patient, and genuinely kind. They give you exactly what you ask for and make you feel taken care of. You can tell they’ve been doing this for years because everything runs smoothly and feels familiar in the best way. Learning the history behind the spot made the experience even better. It’s rare to find a place that’s been around this long and still serves with the same heart and quality. Good luck to you guys I’ll definitely be back for lunch to try you guys burgers next!

This location is a smaller location and available counter seating and one table outside near a parking garage. Great spot to grab and go. We went to Railroad Park. Ordered the #5 Junkyard and a Dbl Cheeseburger adding kraut. The server was a nice gentleman who takes pleasure in making your order to your liking

Amazing food for the price. I had a hotdog and a burger. Tons of toppings to choose from. Very friendly staff.

Local city gem!💎 Hotdogs and more.🌭 Quick and affordable bite! Always great friendly service✨Recommend the regular hotdog w/ everthing. 🖌️Also enjoyed seeing the John Lewis mural on the side of Gus Hotdogs. 🎨 Check it out. FOLLOW FOR VIDEO REVIEWS @GHSTLENS TIKTOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE

Fantastic place for a burger, hotdog or egg sandwich. LA was super nice and very welcoming! What a great local place

This was amazing. The service from the chef was awesome I loved the interaction! The cheeseburger was to die for and the hotdogs were spot on!!

The ONLY chili I eat on a hot dog. It's delicious and I've not tasted any other like it. The service is exceptional and the food is good always. There is no where to sit except a couple of seats outside and it can get crowded especially during lunch time but it's so worth it.

My absolute FAVORITE guilty pleasure food is a good hotdog. I'm doing a "historic restaurant month" on my foodie Instagram account & reviewing restaurants that are 50 years old or more, so I was THRILLED to include Gus's Hot Dogs in my reviews for the month. This is their 76th year in business. I had the Junkyard Dog featuring mustard, onion, kraut, slaw, chili, ground beef & sauce. I'm not sure it's possible for a hotdog to get any better than this one! The beef was phenomenal, definitely my favorite topping. If I had to choose to only eat hotdogs from one place for the rest of my life, Gus's would be the place. My wife had the Bologna Sandwich on white toast with an added egg. We got there when they opened at 10:00, so it was great to see some breakfast sandwiches available (I was perfectly content having a breakfast hotdog). My wife said the char from the grill on the thick sliced bologna was one of the best things in the world. Service was super friendly. LA & NayNay took very good care of us. Gus's was owned by George Nasiakos for a very long time. I had the pleasure of serving him when he & his friends would come to hang out with my former boss, Mr John, at Nabeel's years ago. My coworkers & I referred to our Greek boss & his Greek friends as "the Greek mafia." When chatting with LA, Gus's assistant operator, it was funny to learn that's what they called them too. Though the restaurant is under new ownership, LA let us know that they still use the original recipes, grill & pots & pans even. That's where the delicious "seasoned" flavor comes from. The restaurant is small. There's very little counter space to dine at, but I highly recommend doing so if there's room. Gus's staff will make you feel totally welcome & it's fun to see so many happy customers come & go. I 1000% recommend Gus's. Let's keep them around for another 76 years!

Great hot dogs, good service ambiance vibes are good it's always busy at noon. You get what you pay for here.

Ooooollllldddd School! Love this place. The guys working the counter couldn't be nicer. Great dogs. No ketchup in sight - as God intended.

Great food and great service. Got my food under 5 minutes. They are a small place but it makes an impact.

Was in the area for work and found some good reviews and wow they were spot on. I got two slaw dogs and honestly wasn't expecting to finish both since I'm not a huge hot dog fan but these are special. I devoured them the slaw was excellent and while it's small inside I can tell it's a local favorite due to the long line. Next time I'm in the area I'll be going back.

Passing through and had to make a detour to try this nostalgic place. Stopped in around 1 PM, very busy steady flow of people. Tiny place located under a parking garage sort of. To stand up counters with about four stools. Ordered two hotdogs, one with chili and one with chili and slaw. They put the slaw before the chili which drips into and soaks the bun. The chili itself has some cumin flavor which is a staple of the Greek chili recipes which was good. The hotdog itself had no flavor which was disappointing. Overall not bad but I wouldn't go out of my way again.

Examining and contrasting the disparities between the Vietnamese hot dog and its American counterpart is a captivating endeavor. Upon the suggestion of an acquaintance, I desired to procure a hot dog from Gus's Hot Dogs. I have no prior experience with it. Gus's Hot Dogs appeared to be the ideal establishment to procure a hot dog due to their renowned reputation in this regard, and I had high expectations. I sampled the Bologna and All Beef Dog in the company of my companions, and I found them to be excellent. The texture immediately captivated me upon the initial taste. I appreciate the service at that establishment, as they generously provide guests with an ample supply of napkins to maintain cleanliness. Undoubtedly, return for other experiences!

I visited here a couple of months ago, and I ordered the chili dog. It was hearty and full of flavor! I love chili, and I love hot dogs, so the combo was exactly what I wanted. The restaurant is small, so I took my order to-go. The staff was super friendly, and the ambiance was nostalgic. I would highly recommend this place, especially if you're from out of town and want to experience a local gem such as this. The menu includes a few different options for toppings and meats. Ranging from a regular hot dog to Polish sausage. There's likely something for everyone who visits this shop.

I am a hot dog fan and this place served great hot dogs. I liked how they had different options and condiments to choose from which was great. Great atmosphere and customer service. I will definitely be coming back soon!

Hot dogs have always been a childhood favorite of mines. I knew as soon as I entered the building I was in store for some nostalgia. Going to Gus's hot dogs reminded me of that moment in childhood where everything was easy. I was going to ordered just a plain hot dog but I was convinced by one of the workers to try one of their famous sauces.The sauce that I had was sweet and tangy. It complimented the taste of the hot dog greatly.The workers were nice and friendly. The service was great and fast. I will be trying again.

I went to this place a couple of weeks ago and tried one of their chili dogs. It was recommended to me by one of my closest friends, who says she enjoys coming here during her free time. I first ordered a chili dog, that came with mustard and onions on top. And then I ordered another hot dog, which was the slaw dog and that came with slaw, sauce, mustard, and onions on top. I would say that not only did I enjoy both of my hot dogs, but I enjoyed the staff there. The staff were very greeting and kind and recommended some great options on the menu that I would have to try when I come back. I also asked about some of the COVID restrictions and like many places they have the option for you to choose if you want to wear your mask.

My new found favorite place with amazing service, the tastiest Polish sausage I have had in a long time! Considering it is a small space, I haven't felt crammed up because they are swift too! In hungry....Out salivating and definitely satisfied overall!! I bet most take outs don't reach that office or car or wherever one is headed!!! Yum yum yum. I recommend!!

I wanted to get a hot dog for Gus's Hot Dogs. I have never tried it. Gus's Hot Dogs seemed like the right place to get a hot dog because they are know for it, and I was really good. I got it during lunch time and i was able to find a good parking spot. When I entered they employees were really friendly and inviting. Some of the employees had masks and that was pretty mush it for the COVID precautions. I got the the #3 combo, it has 2 Chili dogs, a bag of Sweet Heat chips, and water. It tasted really great and was an amazing 1st experience. I may come back if I'm feeling hot dogs again. They did a really great job!

Excellent place to grab lunch. The staff is friendly- I have never been disappointed here. Parking is extremely limited.

A Birmingham Treasure A must have when in Birmingham. The Special "all the way" is my go/to favorite

I seen this place on Yelp. The chili dogs pictures looked yummy. This place is a small spot. Limited seating. Basically go in and order and eat outside or take it anywhere you want and eat it. They also have burgers. Service is friendly and fast. I got the chili dogs with cheese. Make sure to get at least 2. You won't regret it. The dill pickle chips are my fave but they have a good selection. Definitely coming back to try the burger. This is a good spot for a quick bite. Definitely recommend. It's messy but don't worry they give you plenty of napkins

Pretty much the best hot dogs I've ever had. Guys behind the counter were cool as hell and knew how to cook. Highly recommend

Here's my long overdue review of the infamous Gus's Hot Dogs. I love this place and the simplicity of everything it stands for. If you haven't had a hot dog from here , you are missing out on a real treat! On my recent visit , I had the #1 combo , which consisted of : 2 regular dogs( all the day) bag of dill chips and a drink(coke) for $7.00. I like for my hot dogs to be a little on the burnt side and they accommodated my request, happily. It's so apparent that the staff takes such pride in providing great service and serving up great food. This is the norm here! Gus's is a small little hotdog shop located in downtown Birmingham. This is the original location but there are other locations in surrounding areas. I've tried other locations but I LOVE the nostalgic feeling of the downtown location. Also the food to me is way better. Hot dogs , burgers , golden flake chips and a can grapico soda ... doesn't get any better than this! It's a southern thing that you MUST experience for yourself!!

Best hotdog place in the city. Fantastic employees and their hotdog sauce is the best I've ever had.

When I don't eat a certain food (hot dogs) often and finally get a taste for it, I want to make sure it's from a place that really knows all things hot dogs. Gus's Hot Dogs seemed like the right place to get a chili dog and I was not disappointed!!! It is small and takes up a corner space. It was late lunch time and I was able to fined metered parking. Upon entering, the guys on shift were very welcoming and a delight to encounter. I ordered the #3 combo, 2 Chili dogs (chili with a little kick, nice sprinkle of onions and just the right amount of mustard) a bag of Sweet Heat chips, and a bottle of Grapico to wash it all down. All of this combined made for a nice experience for a meal I may not have again for a while. It really hit the spot!!!

FRANK YOU VERY MUCH! Saturday afternoon (around 12:15ish). Needing to go somewhere to pick up some fast and easy lunch. Don't want to waste time standing in line at the Pizitz, Gus's is located in the perfect spot in downtown. It is in the heart, but is still yet, hidden. Not a lot of people know about this location, I only knew of the franchise because I stumbled upon it when I was in Mountain Brook one day. Came in with a friend on her lunch break. It was an easy walk for us as I had met her at McWane Science Center and we walked together. The inside is basically what you would assume a hole in the wall looks like. Might be the size of a small closet. There is a line where the workers cook food, behind them is a wall of chips and a small soda fridge in the back as well. We cae in ordered our dogs and were on our way. She got a chili dog, a very simple order, a hot dog with chili and cheese. NOTHING else. I on the other hand have a questionable hot dog order, but it works for me. I got two hot dogs both with ketchup and relish. I know how it sounds, but don't knock it till you try it. I have been a little tight on my spending lately, but this meal barely cost me anything. Two hot dogs and a bag of chips only cost me $5.50 which I am not complaining about one bit. I will definitely be coming back to Gus's Hot dogs. The staff is welcoming and the food is great too. Simple and easy. You go in you order and you are out very quickly. If you have yet to stop in, it is worth your while.

For this review, I am looking at Gus's Hot Dogs. This place is the literal definition of a hole-in-the-wall (in the best of ways). However, unlike most hole-in-the-wall locations in B'Ham, there was an ample supply of parking. Once, you enter the restaurant you are welcomed by a bustling scene of guests, chefs, and numerous hotdogs on the grill. The area was very clean yet you could feel the history of the location. It felt like this restaurant has grown with (and seen) the history of Birmingham. Now for the food. I ordered their #1 Combo which included two regular hotdogs, a side of chips, and a drink. This combo only costed $8.50 total. The wait time was super short (even though it was packed) and the food was super fresh (literally right off the grill). I loved this meal. Each bite was absolute perfection as far as hotdogs go. I will 100% be coming back to this location. Next time, I will also be bringing even more friends!

I go there specifically for the double cheeseburger which is awesome. Has flavor and always cooked perfect. Workers are friendly. Service is fast. It is a small hole in the wall place and a few spots to eat inside but it is more of a takeout place. Few chairs outside as well. The hot dogs all the way are awesome as well. Give the place a try!!

It's been years since I've had a good sloppy chili dog, like the ones I remember from my childhood and I was long overdue for some. Gus's serves 'em plain, or with chili, with cole slaw, cheese, onions, or a combination of any of those. The restaurant is extremely small but hot dogs, burgers, chips, and drinks are all they serve so that keeps the line moving pretty fast. I was in and out in 10 mins even though the line was packed when I walked in. I ordered 2 chili cheese dogs with onions and mustard along with chips and a drink all for $10. There are no tables for dining in so be prepared to take your meal to go. Good hot dogs with quick and friendly service make them a good spot for a quick lunch break.

I have experience professional customer service at this establishment. This a family environment and a clean place at all times. someone is always cleaning up.

It was just ok. I think because it's been there so long and the business is like family to the community, that's where the rave comes in. These hot dogs are small, which isn't a bad thing, because you will get full. However, it has the taste of a simple hot dogs you would make for your kids. Not even hot dogs you would select for a picnic. The generic soda was way to sweet. I simply threw it away. This comes from someone that loves sweet.

Princeton Alternative Elementary School hired Gus's to cater an outside "tailgating" experience for about 200 students, staff, and parents. Lee and his staff member exceeded our expectations. They were timely, prepared, and eager to help us in any capacity. They served everyone with a smile and pleasant attitude. Our event was a success because of the delicious food and excellent service. We are so glad to have found a partner in Gus's and look forward to having them at future events.

A hole-in-the-wall hot dog joint that had a line even though it was raining. I got the #2 special, with a chili and special hot dog with chips and soda. I also chose to get take-out because it was packed. The special hot dog in particular had chili, slaw, and relish layered on top of each other, which results in a delicious sweet and sour taste. The staff were quick despite being busy and remembered everyone's orders. This seems like a great place to squeeze into when I'm near, would definitely come again!

If you are interested in a little diamond in the rough, this is it. Service is on point, kind, upbeat environment. Food is fabulous. Limited menu, quick line. You guys are worth the drive and your reputation is dead on - it's a "got to go" kind of place!

The best when you got a taste for a hotdog... Them special dogs are absolutely the best ever

I live in Dallas now, but when I worked downtown in Birmingham back in the late 80's we'd walk to lunch a at one of the many hot dog joints that were around then a couple times a week. Gus' was always one of my favorites. It's still going strong but ownership has changed several times over the years. I don't remember their sauce being so sweet. It was off putting, and if I get back there I may opt for the chili. Two "Specials" all the way, plain Golden Flake chips & a Grapico was my usual order. That's exactly what I had (I thought Grapico was long gone). The dog was nicely charred, the bun was soft and the loose meat was tasty. My 2 small gripes are 1) the sweetness of their sauce and 2) no hot sauce or seasoned salt on the counters as is pretty much a staple at all Birmingham hot dog joints of the past. All in all it was a great walk back in time.

This hot dog is one of my faves in the city. I personally like the slaw dog and really any of the ones they serve. They are always friendly and have great service.

I'm normally not a fan of hotdogs, but my mind was rightfully changed today. I went to Gus's with my friends and ordered the slaw dog trying to be adventurous. However, after tasting it I could see myself going there regularly. The restaurant is kind of small but the vibe was great and the staff was friendly. It's located downtown in the perfect location. As for Covid precautions there aren't really any and the store is small so that is something to be aware of.

This week I went to Gus's Hot Dogs for dinner and it was really good! This is a tiny hole in the wall that when looking at it you would either think "this is going to be really good or really bad." And it was so good! I got the regular dog and I think it was around 5-6 dollars for a hotdog, chips and a drink. They no longer have any COVID protocols but you can order the food to go if you don't want to eat in the restaurant. Overall, I had a really good meal and I thought it was even cooler because it was in a local to Birmingham restaurant that a lot of people have never heard of before!

Tried this location today and Wow!!!! They are so good. The Hot dogs are of good quality. The flavor of their ingredients are great and the customer service is excellent. Is a small space but I don't mind standing in the line. Speaking of lines. They move with efficiency and precision. The communication and teamwork runs like a well oiled machine. I will be back and I can say I'm going to e a regular. Thanks for the Great food and customer service.

A Birmingham staple- if you've never been, the hot dogs aren't the ones you have at home. This restaurant is a perfect lunch spot, grab your food and walk to a local park. We ate in front of the civil rights museum. The slaw dog and all the way are my favorites, but I also love the bologna and cheeseburgers. Staff was super friendly!

Nice small spot that has one sole purpose; hot dogs!!! It's hard to get a good hotdog; especially with chili! This place does it tho. Nice fresh hot dogs with good chili. I definitely plan on going again when I'm in Birmingham. I love a good chili and cheese hotdog.

Man, if you love a good Birmingham style hot dog, you will not go wrong here. Go by and see LA and let him put that Special Dog together for you. Might just add a little slaw also to it for just a little more goodness and then sprinkle a little red pepper on for good measure. Under new ownership since George moved back to Greece. But LA's still the man when it comes to building that Dog!! Other menu items and hot dogs are good I'm sure, but I just can't make that jump yet and I've been eating Gus's dogs all the way back when Phillip was building those dogs at the one on the corner of Green Springs and Oxmoor, next to Pizitz Bakery and Reynold's drugs. Now that's a while. The mothership downtown location is the bomb. Go ahead. Take that "dog" appetite right by there and fill the ol' belly! Absolutely worth that trip! Afterwards, prepare to go home and take a nap or sit back and rub that belly. One word of advice though, don't get it to go. You'll have the messiest lap ever, or do and be daring!

10/10 service and food are always on point. This is not a hotdog you can eat while driving lol

Visited Gus's while in town for the Birmingham Bowl. Definitely had to circle the block because I missed it on the first pass. Parking was easy to find on the street nearby. The place is small and the gentlemen behind the counter are very friendly. While I was there they handled a transition from a quiet restaurant to a full place, with a line, and a large call in order. I was really impressed. They took the time to explain to me their hot dog options. I got two dogs and I'm still not completely sure what all the toppings were. I know they had their special sauce which was so so so good; a sweet, spicy, tangy concoction. I believe chili and ground beef were separate toppings which just makes my heart sing. This place is great and I highly recommend a visit!

Great food! Can't go wrong with this. Always try to stop here when we stop in Birmingham. Love the Dogs and Hamburgers are great as well!

It was absolutely delicious period ! I didn't expect it to be so good being that it's hotdogs, but they were amazing and didn't make it home

Looking for a quick, delicious breakfast in downtown Birmingham? This is your place! First, Gus's has been in the same location downtown since 1947 and is still a Birmingham staple. As the nice man cooking breakfast as Gus's said, "We're above the rest because we cook with flavor". After my breakfast sandwich, I was convinced that he was right! Gus's is obviously known for their hotdogs, but their breakfast is a 10/10. Gus's has many breakfast sandwich options, which are cooked right in front of you. Their building is very small, so there's no seating except out front, so it's great if you're wanting to pick up something while you're on the go. We ordered a sausage, egg and cheese sandwich and a conecuh, egg and cheese sandwich and the total was only $8, so it's a great value too. We were able to watch them crack the eggs and cook everything right in front of us, and they even gave us a quick lesson on the history of Gus's. They also told us that they have vegetarian options too, like a turkey hotdog and black bean burger, so they have something for everyone. We'll be back soon!

As a big fan of hot dogs, I took a lunch break to Gus's Hotdogs for a quick bite to eat. The person working the grill was super charismatic and funny. I ordered one hot dog with everything on it and one chili dog. I must say that I was extremely impressed. The ceiling is not usually set high for hot dogs, but let me tell you, Gus's Hot Dogs changed that. The sauce they put on the hot dogs ins phenomenal. As far as COVID-19 guidelines, there was no dine in and the employees were wearing their masks and gloves properly. The hotdogs came wrapped in paper in a paper bag with napkins. Overall a great experience and I will make this one of my regular spots. LOVED the hotdogs.

I live and work right around the corner from this hole in the wall. I ALWAYS get three dogs when I got for lunch: 1 special, 1 chili, and 1 slaw dog. But they also serve breakfast all day. I get a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich with mayo and add a tomato slice served in Texas toast. This place always hits the spot and is a bham staple/legend.

For lunch today, I decided grab takeout from Gus's Hot Dogs. Right off the bat, the ambience was amazing as it had a very old-school and traditional vibe on the outside, but also on the inside, specifically the menu. Even though the restaurant itself was small, it had a warming atmosphere. Additionally, the staff was very friendly and welcoming. I ordered a traditional hot dog that also came with a drink and chips for around $5, which was a great deal. There was only one other person in line at the time and my food was prepared within a few minutes. The hotdog itself tasted fresh, but was not as flavorful as I anticipated. In the future, I may order the chili dog instead. There did not appear to be any specific COVID-19 guidelines or sustainability aspects, but I was able to recycle my waste (chip bag and drink). I would certainly dine here again as it is in the heart of Birmingham, but more so because of its old-school atmosphere.

I happened to be downtown and stopped by for a hotdog. The establishment is pretty small and seems to be connected to a parking deck. Once I walked in I knew this wasn't a restaurant to sit and enjoy your food but rather more of a pick up and go. I ordered a 2 hotdog combo with chips and a drink. Honestly the hotdogs were pretty good but I do feel like they could be bigger with how much the price was. For my appetite I wasn't fully satisfied since hotdogs aren't a big meal. It was a great snack for me but it was priced as if it were a big meal so that would probably be the only reason I don't go back or I'll jus get a hotdog only next time. The establishment didn't seem to have any Covid protocols as were are beginning to faze out of that era. The staff was nice and got straight to business. They asked for my order and what exactly I wanted on the dogs. It only took about 5 minutes for me to receive my food and pay.

The food is great when you have time to wait. BUT, they NEVER answer the phone for a call-in order. My lunch is 30 minutes and I don't have 20 minutes to stand in line.

Gus's Hot Dogs is a long time institution in Birmingham, Alabama. Today, while on business there, I finally made it here to try there hot dogs. Even before noon there was line out the door, but the two counter men kept the line running smoothly and despite the daunting line, remained friendly and personable. A good greek style chili dog and the line out the door shown that Birmingham approves.

My friend and I stumbled upon this place while we were exploring downtown and I'm glad we did. The line was out the door but it goes super fast and the staff was nice. The chili dog was really good. The dogs were charred on a flat top grill and the buns were soft. There are a couple seats outside. The prices were cheap too. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a quick bite.