Gus's Hotdogs

This place has amazing food! Been going here for over 20 years and hasnt changed at all. My favorite is the cheeseburgers, which are simply delicious, I orger mine with ketchup, onions, and meat sauce. The meat sauce is the special ingredient here. You absolutely have to try it. The mini hot dogs a great too. Got a little pricy over the years but still worth it. If I'm in the area I always have to stop by.

Gus’s Hotdogs is a true local institution, known more for its nostalgic charm than for culinary finesse. Although I personally don’t eat meat, I relied on the impressions of my family — my kids, wife, and mother — to understand why this place holds such a reputation. The standout here is the small, traditional hotdogs, served in soft, fresh buns with various sauces. While the sausages themselves are decent, the overwhelming variety of toppings tends to mask the natural flavor of the meat. They also offer burgers, but most visitors come specifically for the hotdogs that have become symbolic of this place. What really defines Gus’s is its atmosphere. It’s unapologetically old-school: cash-only payments, no credit cards, and a brisk, almost brusque style of service. That quick, rough-around-the-edges interaction is actually part of the appeal, giving the whole experience a kind of gritty authenticity. Expect to wait in line — and understand that the line itself is part of what people love, as it adds to the sense of “you must try this” that keeps the place buzzing. Importantly, this is not a destination for gourmet exploration. The food is simple, straightforward, and, some might argue, overhyped — but that’s exactly what makes Gus’s special. Its value comes from the shared ritual, the local tradition, and the feeling that you’ve stepped into something bigger than just a meal. If you go in knowing that, you’ll likely appreciate the experience all the more.

This pit stop of a restaurant is amazing. Dogs and burgers are to die for. Fast service which is a plus. I highly recommend stopping by for a bit. They also sell merchandise like hats T's pants ect. Keep up the good work 🔥

There are other things on the menu, but don't be a doofus, get the hotdogs with onions, mustard and chili sauce. Duh. Gus's is a legendary culinary institution in blue collar Watervliet. It is greasy, messy, inexpensive, unhealthy, and monumentally a must-do Capital District bucket list visit. I grew up across the river in Troy, NY, but I've lived in Central Virginia for 20 years. I visit Gus's every time I return to visit my family.

Disgusting!!!!! Me and my Wife just stopped there and ordered some hotdogs and i swear to god they were burnt almost black and shrunken. I have been going there for years and they were always good til now. Did new owners take over maybe.I ate one of them and my wife took one bite and we threw them out at the stewart’s near it. I wish i would have kept them to take a photo. I will never ever go to this place again and i’m hoping i don’t get sick cause my stomach is starting to hurt me. Take my advise and go to hotdog charlie’s instead!!!!

My friend grew up in the area and recently moved back and brought me here for lunch, the mini hot dogs were delicious. The dogs had that perfect snap and the meat sauce was what really made it the best. I love that they get their dogs from a local spot in Troy NY (Helmbold’s) I wish we had a Gus’s here in NC. I’ll definitely be back any time I’m in the area, super friendly service too. Thank you for a great meal!

Cash only small hot dog place in upstate Ny, always had a line but moved fast. loved the small town feel and the price is hard to beat. Food was delicious quick and a good time.

Bob Karabin & his friends & family grew up loving Gus’ hotdogs!!! Thank you so much for all that you do! We have your calendar on our frig! 🎄 Happy Holidays!

Based on Yelp math with 77 reviews for hot dogs and 29 for sausage I should have diversified more, but I did enjoy my three hot dogs. One was plain and two were "the works". It's cash-only and has an extremely short menu. No pear and goat cheese salad here. The service was quick and friendly and I was delighted to find this unique old-timey spot.

We didn't love Gus's. The dogs flavor was underwhelming compared to other spots in the area.

So delicious and expedient! And I couldn't even get this kind of value at other competitors. No pictures because I have an empty plate

My wife and I drove by here and stopped and got a couple Hot dogs and the sausage pepper and onion She liked her sausage sandwich I had the regular dogs with everything on it on a scale 1 to 10 I'd give mine a 9. I ate three could have had a couple more . The sauce was very good and the snap to the dog was excellent. Great place !!! Fast service good dogs!

Mini hot dogs are oddly a local thing in the capital region, and Gus's is my go to every time. I learned about them in 2009 and have been evangelizing about their top notch dogs and burgers since then.

I have been going to Gus's Hotdogs for years. The food is fantastic. I highly recommend.

My wife and son came with me on their 70th "birthday" party day. I expected a several-hour wait in line and it was pretty close (2.5 hours from start to eat). But, it was fun to participate in the event. Did the hot dogs taste better after such a long line? No, in fact I was so tired from standing so long I just wolfed them down so we could go home. But... 21 hot dogs, 1 cheeseburger, 2 drinks and 2 pieces of cake for $7.45 is a deal that only comes along once in 70 years! I still love this place and will definitely be back soon!

The hot dogs are amazing! Gus's Hot dogs are bussin! Get the hot dogs with everything on them!

This place is an institution. It's like a dive bar but they only serve hotdogs and burgers etc. it's been here longer than me and it'll be around long after I'm gone. It's a whole experience.

Gus hotdogs are always great!! Quick, tasty, though it's getting expensive. Service is great.

Love how even before closing they are happy to see you Puppy dogs are a nice touch Always a great value and nostalgic visit

We were in the mood for chili dogs and came across Gus's online. No more than 10 min north of Albany this small divy joint offers indoor and outdoor seating with picnic tables. CASH ONLY. Service was very quick and staff was friendly. Their mini dogs are mini, about half the size of a regular hot dog, you get your choice of the works (meat sauce, mustard, onions, ketchup) or just pick what you like, all for $1.30. They also offer cheese/hamburgers for a very affordable price. We each had two mini hotdogs and 1 cheeseburger. The meat sauce is not chili, wasn't super flavorful but nonetheless still tasty. Very quick stop! Seems like a local place to go.

Fast service, comfortable outdoor seating and delicious mini dogs, and a tasty sausage and peppers sandwich. This was the perfect snack. Beautiful, quiet day to sit outside at the picnic tables.

What a gem in a neighborhood surrounding. Nothing fancy but if your looking for a quick bite or have the munchies this definitely the fix. Hot dogs 4 inches long order 4 . Cheeseburger and Italian beef sandwich were good grilled onions and chili sauce. Service is fast!!! This is not the place for date night but the place to fill the gut with some good food. Inside counter seating and outdoor table and benches. Fortunately I live 2900 miles away or I'd be here regularly.

Heard a lot about the hotdogs....they had a very disappointing taste to them, awful actually

Tiny, wrinkled, dry hot dogs- like 1/2 the diameter of Charlie's. Topping were ok. True, they are cheap, but they aren't very good.

I'm a 3rd generation customer of Gus's. If that doesn't tell you all you need to know, I'll clarify. This spot is amazing. When my grandfather comes back to visit, he always comes to Gus's. We love the food and the folks.

I usually think of Gus's when I'm hankering for a hotdog or hamburger. Today was no exception as I was hungry after doing the fasting or bloodwork the night before. I had a hankering for hotdogs and a hamburger, so my first thought that came into my mind was Dell's dogs since I was in Valatie, But I opted to go to Gus's hotdogs, since I haven't tried them in a while. I ordered 10 hotdogs with the works and cheeseburger with cheddar cheese, onions, and meat sauce as well. The meat sauce was sort of weird, with a pasty type appearance, and it appeared to have so many spices thrown into it that it actually made it flavorless if you can imagine. The cheddar cheeseburger was passable and tasted good. The hotdogs were so so. I ended up throwing some away. The rolls were fresh, but I think it's the onions that make this type of food sing , be it hotdogs or hamburgers. The service was pretty good and friendly and since it's now on Mealeo, it made ordering convenient. Seems to be a nice local stable, like Jack's hotdogs and hamburgers. The price being around $16 for 10 hotdogs and a cheddar cheeseburger seemed reasonable. I can't help thinking there's something I've missed, maybe a memory I suppose.

Best meal on Earth. Can't wait to return and enjoy more. I always order my dogs with the works with a couple of cartons of chocolate milk to wash them down.

First time there after hearing so much about it and although I'm not a fan of the sauce, the dogs and burger were very good, bigger fan of the burger.

Great little spot for a quick grab to eat. Prices are cheap, food taste great. This was my first time here and let me tell you. They were busy. So many people stopped by during lunch to grab a quick lunch. The staff was very quick to handle everyone's orders. I was certainly impressed. The gentleman at the window looked miserable. He didn't smile once lol! Oh well. Would try again!

Just look at the pictures. What you see is what you get. Good old fashioned American grub served up the way they've been doing it for years, no pretense, nothing fancy. The hot dogs are tiny little bites with generous spoonfuls of chili, mustard and onions. The sausages are patties and served like burgers, on buns with sautéed onions and green peppers. Dee-Lish-ous!!! If you wanna support local, this is the very definition of a family-owned hole-in-the-wall. Everyone ought to try Gus's, it's that simple. Next time I'm anywhere near Albany, this is my first stop.

To be honest when I first walked up to the window I was was quickly ready to walk away. It was definatly not esthetically pleasing to say the least,but the smell radiating from the hembolds mini hotdogs and the perfectly carmalized onions, the meat sauce abd mjx of ketchup and mustard was wbat drew me in. The greek burgers are dare i say sooooooo similar to white castle burgers just a bit meatier!I can't wait until lunch time tomorrow! Top it off with a Stewart's chocolate milk and a medium mc Donald's fries minus the salt and I'm addicted! You must try this combo for yourself! Pease and love to you all !!!! Greek Burger, Little Dogs with the works, Sausage Sandwich

Serving classic mini dogs with the works from a takeout window. Picnic table seating outside. Hotdog casings have nice snap.

This is a fun little walk up hot dog spot. Perfect if you like crispy lil wieners and burgers and quick, friendly service, without having to browse through a full 10 page menu. Personally I'm not a huge fan of the meat sauce, it's a tad too bitter for my tastes, but I definitely enjoy the dogs on their own! The burger is very nice as well. As an added bonus, they are always extremely pet-friendly when walking up, after you order, they usually give my dog a few wieners of his own to munch on! He loves this place too!

Cash only spot specializing in mini hot dogs with a chili sauce. Delicious if you don't get heartburn. Limited menu means speedy service, be ready with your order! We always hit it up when we're in watervliet

Great tiny spot where you can go to grab a quick bite. Super affordable & delicious. The food is classic. I highly recommend.

Excellent great hot dog good people Best hamburger service excellent A Great place to go and have fun enjoying a good hot dog chips and there beautiful out side garden

I am a hot dog connoisseur. Just about every town in the USA has a hot dog joint, or food truck/cart etc. I had been told that Gus's was a institution and I had to give it a try. So I ordered 6 of the mini dogs. Why aren't they normal dogs? I suppose there is a story there. The food was served lightening fast. That was nice because I was in a hurry. The mini buns were meh. Maybe they weren't the freshest? The chopped onions were fine. They used yellow mustard and I prefer brown. The dogs had a nice snap and were mild in flavor. So why the two stars? That meat sauce was terrible. I would never, ever, ever, eat anything that contained that again. It's not Rochester Sauce. It's not Texas Sauce. It's not Cincinnati Chili. It is bad. Lacking sodium, too earthy, spice overload. It was actually bitter rendering the dog an after thought. My Pepsi was not cold either. Sorry folks. I apologize if I am raining on a childhood favorite. I can think of 3 spots in Schenectady (where I live) which are infinitely better and the hot dogs are the normal size. Maybe I try the steak sandwich next time?

Long standing hot dog stand known for affordable food that is distinct in flavor and ambiance. It has an urban feel with fast service. Always a crowd favorite!

A legendary dive type hole in the wall type place that is renowned for its hot dogs. Go with the hot dog with the works. Kind of an institution around these parts. The burgers are pretty good, too.

Great family great food Business has been in Watervliet for as long as I can remember

Great price, great tastes. Cash only. Easy parking. Sausage sandwich with everything. The absolute fastest service........ever. I will return

Truly a unique experience today at Gus's for lunch. The dogs with "the works" may come back to haunt me at a later time, but well worth the risk. I have often driven by here, and wondered why there was a line out front so now I know. The prices are very reasonable, and the picnic atmosphere outside is a nice change. Looking forward to going back for the burgers

For what it is, it's great...good hot dog plain and simple. Stopped on our way to utica

This place is a gem if you like mini hotdogs! Hamburgers and Sausage sandwiches are definitely something to try too! Great crew and old school hot dog stand atmosphere.

Best minidogs by far-- meat sauce is not overpowering and blends in with the hot dog taste just right- leaves a nice little spicy aftertaste which is nice-- the owner is a nice guy- I'm happy that this place is still family owned- some places lose their quality when they sell their business- it's not the same---- these minidogs are the only hot dogs I eat- there is nothing like them anywhere else- great and inexpensive- I always take some home when I visit the area

The food is the least important reason to come here. Do NOT order at the window; instead, go inside and sit at the tiny lunch counter where you can be entertained by the manager who looks like Groucho Marx and talks like a college professor. (Customer: I'd like to order six dogs, even though I know they're bad for me. Groucho: In what sense are they bad for you? Sometimes cause and effect isn't entirely clear...) Or, if you've got a party, go in the back room and treat yourself to the incongruous but magnificent wooden booths. As to the food, I tried the mini dog with the works, greek burger and sausage sandwich. I'd agree with the consensus that the sausage is best. I didn't like the meat sauce (which came on both the dog and the burger) and would replace that with extra onions next time.

Mini-hot dogs with meat sauce are the upstate equivalent of the street taco. It's a filling, inexpensive snack that can be eaten standing up. And here they are everywhere. Gus's is iconic since it exists as a ramshackle shed. It seems unlikely that there is a place to sit inside, but I've always been able to find an empty chair either at the counter or in one of the two booths. But if you step inside be prepared to smell like onions for a couple of weeks. That's no exaggeration. At this hot dog shack there is really only one thing to order. And counter intuitively it's not the hot dogs. It's the sausage sandwich with onions and peppers. The thin patty resembles more of a burger than sausage. But its spices are unmistakable. God help you if you ever attempt to swallow one of their burgers. But while you are here enjoying your sausage sandwich, you'll be tempted to get a hot dog with the works on the side. Go for it. You'll remember why you prefer the ones at Hot Dog Charlie's, Famous Lunch or even Anton's. The raw gritty spices and impossibly bitter onions really over power everything else. However all of those other hot dog parlors are all indoors. And on those few days when you want both a Capital Region three-inch wiener and fresh air there is only one place to go.

Very average hotdogs. Not too sure what all the hype has been about. Their burger was honestly better, and probably more so worth the cost. Nothing was "bad", but I definitely wouldn't call it "good".

Good hotdogs, I got one with the works, the other one mustard and a plain for the dog. No wait, came out pretty quick. I was surprised at the price (95 cents) till I realized their all mini so definitely get a few to fill you up lol. Nice seating area, no parking lot that I saw but street parking wasn't a problem. It's cash only - not my preference but glad I looked it up first b/c I almost never have cash lol. I would go back again to try the burgers.

Great roadside stop. My family and I have frequented here often on the way to/from Lake George. Super old fashioned and very tiny spot, in the middle of a quiet neighborhood. Hot dogs are some of the best I've had. Cheap eats and awesome fast food!

You wouldn't think much of this "shack" but inside holds the treasures to your belly! Honestly, the only things missing from the menu is some fries and onion rings! But, you can't go wrong with a couple of dogs with the works, a burger and two chocolate milks... Every visit I have is a pleasure and Steve the owner is such a kind man and treats all his customers with respect. I'd recommend Gus's Hitdogs to everyone and anyone who wants a delish burger, that's made from real ground beef, not the frozen stuff and some yummy hotdogs with that snap!

Fantastic quick food and great workers! Awesome summer spot but always crowded cuz it's real good! Highly recommended! Great place for a quick bite

Yup. I'm a fan. I hadn't had Gus's for at least 10 years. I did distinctly remember that the sausage sandwich was very much good. So, after a long run in Troy, I went here for some post exercise fuel. The place has not changed in the 10 years I was away. Same shack, same friendly staff, same line. Grabbed 4 with the works and 2 sausage sandwiches to go. It came to me very fast. So fast I was questioning if the bag they handed me was the entire order. It was, and it was spectacular. Those sausage sandwiches with the grilled onions and peppers are worth the trip all by themselves. I couldn't wait until I got home to start eating them. Downed one dog and one sandwich in the car before I even started the engine. So damn good. It's like this, Albany area. If you are looking for small dogs and greasy sandwiches, this is where you go. Hands down the best.

I was in the mood for hotdogs and the reviews of this place caught my eye. As a previous reviewer recommended, I ordered 4 hotdogs and 2 sausage sandwiches. Hotdogs were decent but the star of the meal was definitely the sausage sandwiches with onions and peppers. It is a must try item. I liked them so much when I 1st tried them on Wednesday, I went back again on Friday.

I JUST DON'T GET IT. Yes. It's a walk up shack. As you can see by my previous review, I am completely enamored by this fact. Shit, my coat STILL smells like the grease from Gus's, which is great! And I was standing outside! And now, whenever I smell myself, I can be reminded by the glory of the shit holes like Gus's still surviving in upstate New York. But still. Why the love for their dogs? For over a year, I've attempted to nurture a love for this dog. I thought they would grow on me, they HAD to grow on me. How could I go through the world disliking the hot dogs from Gus's? Oh, I know how. The overly gritty, unbalanced meat sauce. The flavorless dog. The haphazard proportions. Sometimes I get a mouthful of onions and meat sauce, but no dog. Others, just bun. And none of it tastes remotely delicious. I'll keep going because, goddamnit, it's cheap and it's an institution. And if my 85 cents helps put an extra nail on the side of this shack to keep it standing, than so help me god I'll mow through a below average hot dog and help this place out.

Perhaps I visited on an 'off day' but the mini-dogs with The Works were so bitter we couldn't finish them. I'll change my rating when I revisit but for now it gets one star for Yuck. Also, each mini-dog is $1.00

Gus's, man. Gus's. I've only been here two times, but I see the beginning of a beautiful relationship. For all it seems, Gus's looks like a 25 square foot shack on the side of a dirty street. The man who I assume is Gus wears thick horn-rimmed glasses, and looks disturbingly like comic artist R. Crumb. I assume the old woman in the shack is his mother. They take the orders, and another man or two is usually holding down the grill, all in that little room. Even if there is a line, people get their food and disappear more quickly than you can believe. The speed with which they dish out paper plates mounded with food is just astonishing. They're all working in there in that tiny room. Must have it down to a science. At Gus's, you basically order hot dogs or hamburgers. The condiment choices are few: mustard, onions, and meat sauce. I like to see a place that concentrates on a few things, but nails everything. Gus's does. Get either menu item with "the works" and you are guaranteed a treat. Those greasy little hot dogs snap in your mouth, and the tiny little buns hold their own against the greasy, garlic-y, slightly spicy meat sauce. This isn't health food, people. This is roadside garbage of the highest order. The prices on the board helpfully include tax to make it easier to figure how much it will cost. As of now (May, 2008) a hot dog is 60 cents, and a cheeseburger is $1.30. I had four dogs and one cheeseburger tonight, all with the works. It cost $3.70. I enjoyed every bite, and was completely satisfied. An insane deal. FIVE STARS, GUS'S! And I don't just give those stars out! Kudos!