The Dog House

First time visit came on a snowy day after a long drive of doing deliveries. Loved the staff was really friendly and gave recommendations and top-notch food 😋 definitely will be coming back!

Love, love, love stopping here on our way home from vacationing at the Outer Banks. The service is fast and friendly and the hot dogs and burgers are amazing. Without rushing anything we were in and out in 20 minutes. Don’t stop at any so called fast food places if you’re anywhere near The Dog House. This place is a hidden gem sealed inside a time capsule that reminds you of simpler times when you could get really great tasting fresh food, fast, served by fun, friendly, caring people.

I was working in the area and saw The Dog House and had to stop by. I like a good hotdog. I was born in the Chicagoland area. No..... not saying that we have the best hotdogs. I like hotdogs, all kinds. The Dog House is that place that has a good hotdog. I had their chili dog and their kraut dog. Both a really good hotdog. They don't boil for steam them. They split the hotdog in half and cook it on the flattop grill. What I liked was when I walked in, it was like stepping back into time in a good way. I am really glad I stopped there before leaving the state.

**The Doghouse in Delaware: A Mid-Atlantic Gem** For over 40 years, my family has made The Doghouse a stop on our drives from Maryland to New Jersey. Perfectly situated just off I-95, The Doghouse is a quick stop that offers good food and the friendliest staff. The counter seating adds to the charm, providing built-in entertainment as you watch the grill masters at work up your cheap, made to order food. Their **grilled cheese** is perfection: classic American cheese on white bread, grilled to golden-brown, gooey perfection. Pair it with their always **hot and fresh fries**, seasoned with a house-made blend that’s absolutely a classic chef’s kiss. Though I haven't ventured far beyond their grilled cheese and fries, their **hot dogs** and **cheesesteaks** are clearly fan favorites, made to order and piled high with your preferred toppings. The Doghouse is a quintessential slice of Americana: simple, satisfying food served in a friendly place. Whether you're in need of a quick bite or a break from the road, this spot is a must for any Mid-Atlantic road tripper.

So why 2 stars overall when I rated food, service, and atmosphere 5? Because of management. Charging people extra for onions and for using your credit card is some serious petty nonsense, and it's contributed to me spending more money at the Deerhead in Newport. Wow, and the Deerhead also gives military discounts for those of you (us) who served.

I've been coming here since I was very young. I've always loved the food, atmosphere and the folks that make and serve the food. Eric is especially friendly, patient and has a great attitude and big smile!! Please bring back the Italian subs!! Dogs are great!!

This is a small diner that's been in business since 1952. It has that Mom and Pop family run feeling about it. They make delicious specialty hot dogs, delicious cheese burgers and the best damn onion rings I've ever tasted in my life! Homemade onion rings is definitely a game changer! This place is amazing and the prices are very good! I definitely recommend this place!

It was a lucky find. The Dog House is a stop just five minutes from the approach to the Delaware Memorial Bridge. This is an old time grill. You sit at the counter and behind the servers they grill your order. We were here once on the way back from Hatteras and now, always look forward to a bite before crossing the bridge. I'm partial to just their plain hot dog, which crackles with juice when you bite into it. We also grabbed a chicken Phillie cheese steak to go, for dinner the next night. Even after a ride in the cooler and being refrigerated overnight, the thin sliced, seasoned juicy chicken and hero roll tasted fresh, a testament to their using fresh ingredients. Once you come here, you won't forget this place and will want to come again.

This place only gets better with time. Every time we go to Philly we stop on the way up and the way back. Double dog on a semolina roll. Killer foot longs and the price is incredible. 1 dogs, a double, fries, onion rings and a soda 30 bucks with a tip. Incredible bunch of staff. Love it!

Was in Philadelphia for work and took an extra day to see Wilmington DE...decided to stop here for a quick lunch -- and craving a hot dog. Love the old school vibe of this place...you sit at the counter and order while watching them grill in front of you...super cool. I went with a cheese dog and added mustard, relish and pickles. I also added fries...they bring that out right away with your drink so you can munch while the dog (or burger or cheesesteak) is cooking. Dog came out after about 10 mins...footlong and split on a bun and cut in half. It was very tasty and hit the spot! Service was also fantastic! Would certainly come back!!

The doghouse is just amazing. We could come here for 25+ years. The food is always consistently good. The hotdogs are amazing. The french fries are incredible as they are seasoned with salt and obey Easy On and off 95

I've been a customer for 55 years and the dogs, burgers, cheesesteaks, and french fries are always very good. New owners took over a couple of years ago from the original owners [appx. 70 years]. There has been some minor changes to the menu, which is ok. But, one thing really ticks me off is the following: The price for a plain cheese dog is one price and if you order a CD with everything it is a little higher in price. Understandable. In the "old" days everything meant ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomato, AND onion. Now, everything includes the first 4 ingredients, BUT onion is an extra charge. Everything should include all 5 toppings for a set price. Onions aren't that expensive, especially 50 cents for a teaspoon full. The Doghouse should drop this 50 cent onion surcharge now and price the CD with everything [including onions] accordingly. And one more thing- bring back the sub shop and add reubens, corned beef, porchetta, bbq sandwiches to the sub shop side. The breakfast shop always looks dead! For the record, I have eaten thousands of cheese dogs [yes thousands], hundreds of cheese steaks, hamburgers, and thousands of french fries

The Dog House is a fixture in New Castle! Being from NJ I stumbled on it years ago on the way to a vacation in OC Maryland. I love hot dogs and grew up in Northern NJ eating Texas Wieners. The hot dogs at the Dog House are a totally different animal (or should I say breed of dog?) nice tasty foot long hot dog on a delightful bun. There is really something special about that bun that compliments the dog. Personally I enjoy my dog with the chili sauce, yellow mustard and onions. Yum!!! I make it a point to stop every time I'm traveling through the area.

The cheesesteak and fries were amazing! My boyfriend loved his chicken cheesesteak as well. Would definitely go back again!

I can understand why this place is a Classic... Great dinner style service. Delicious dogs and awesome steak and cheese. Have eaten here many times on a work trip in Wilmington. Will be back for sure.

Cash only Established in 1952, fast food good for a quick stop before getting on the NJ turnpike. The $5 dog was average passable the bread was good. Probably won't go out of our way to stop back. Hate cash only places when no one carries cash anymore!

If you give Dog House less than 5 stars, you're missing the whole damn point of this place. With the exception of a recent update, the Dog House has the same nostaglia and taste as when I was a kid, and I pray it'll never change. After moving out of the state more than 10 years ago, it's easily on the list of easy and affordable places that I MUST eat at when I return to see family. Call it in, pay with cash. No frills, all the glory. Cheese dogs, chili dogs... just plain old dogs with ketchup, no matter how you like them, this place will knock your socks off with their split-style on the grill and perfectly toasted roll. Make sure you grab a side of fries. They have the most perfect seasoned salt that you don't want to miss. Bonus points if you remember to grab a cookie. :)

I've been coming here since the 1990's and they have NEVER missed...the best chili dog ever and the fries were crisp and hot. Bravo Dog House!!

When I am done visiting relatives in Delaware I make it a point to stop here and get a few hot dogs and fries. The dogs are about a foot long and they top it with whatever you want. The hot dogs taste great. The good thing about them is that the roll they are on tastes great as well. There is nothing worse than a good hot dog with a crappy bun. The French fries are really good. Crisp, salty, some of the best I've eaten. The staff is friendly. The inside is plain but clean. Nothing fancy, but then again I didn't go there to look around. I go there to get delicious hot dogs. I eat here every time I pass through. And if you like hot dogs I recommend it to everyone.

I grew up in walking distance to The Dog House, so we stopped in while passing through. Based on just this visit the food was good and service was quick and polite. Based on the past, before we moved a few years ago I had a bit of sticker shock. The prices have sky rocketed like every where else and the portion size were smaller. I get it with new ownership and higher overhead. I was originally happy to see they now accept debit cards. But, they failed to mention the BS 3% service charge. It was nice to stop in for the memories. But probably won't stop back until my kids are older to take them to a place their grandparents and great grandparents went to.

A quick stop at a place that people have been telling me to get to for months now! Grabbed a chili cheese dog and fries. The quality of the dog itself was pretty average but the toppings were good and I enjoyed the roll as well. Some people may not like this roll but it was a bit crusty and almost like a smaller hoagie roll and I liked it. The fries were crisp, hot, and had just enough salt. Solid spot for a dog, I'd go back. Check out my TikTok video from here!

Good morning my friend yes we will be there at about noon to get the kids to the school and then we can meet at your place at about noon if that's okay

My buddy and I hit this spot on a road trip. We had been talking about spots that felt "local." We discussed the soulless chains popping up all over Manhattan, and how they've lost their charm. We longed for family businesses where the owner played an active role in the community and imbued some sense of meaning, whimsy, and magic to a space and the folks who work there, and how private equity flipped chains always lose that. Anyway, this spot feels local. And I dig that. They rang a bell when they found out it was my first time. There was a guy with a Santa beard sitting at the bar. The lady behind the counter proudly recommended multiple dishes. And it felt like a family. It's getting tough to find these spots in Manhattan.

Total hole in the wall dive place. The best kind. Stopped on the way from VA to NJ. It was only 5-10 min off route. Cash only!!! Traditional narrow diner vibes. Lots of counter seating. Some tables. Some outdoor seating. Nothing fancy. Just really good fast made fresh food. Fries are coated in old bay lightly and there's a shaker in front of you if you want more. One of the few places to serve malt vinegar with fries (vinegar in bottle - not on fries). A rare surprise. The cheesesteak was one of the best I've had in my life. Perfectly melted cheese. The small size was the perfect amount of food for a lunch. I had both hot and sweet peppers. Served on wax paper, no plates but it was perfect. Pepsi products served. Small individual one person bathrooms in the back. Husband had a hot dog, I had the small cheesesteak, split fries and 2 drinks. Total under $20.

Still a DE gem though shrink-flation came hard for this place. I get not wanting to raise your prices but don't act like we can't measure either. "Foot long" dogs must not mean 12" as these are 8" at best.

Really interesting little place. Simple bar seating, friendly and talkative staff. Food was simple but good! Not a huge fan of the turkey sandwich as there were some cartilage left in it but it was freshly pulled real turkey so I can't complain too much. Definitely worth a stop for a hot dog and strawberry shake!

CASH ONLY Okay so cheese steaks, burgers, and hot dogs. That's it and totally a great lunch stop. If you need a cheap quick bite and you have cash on you this is your spot. Everything comes out piping hot too. Food: We ordered a large cheesesteak, double cheese burger, and chili cheese fries. Everything was served in 5-8 mins from ordering. Fresh off the grill to the counter. I love these onion rings not too much batter and they serve thicker fries with old bay on the counter. The burger and cheese steak were good as well. Service: This is a quick counter service. I love the feel of the restaurant where you can grab a bite, eat, and head out. They've been doing this for a long time as you can tell and if it ain't broke don't fix it!

Good cheesesteak. Great service. Sit at a stool and order. They did take credit or Applepay. I forget.

We stopped for a late lunch and it was fabulous! The folks are so nice and friendly. I had a burger and hubby had the Philly cheesesteak. The fries were great fit and crisp! This was our first stop and when we are in the area we will be back. They have been in business 70+years and there's a reason! The foot long dogs looked delicious! Next time!

Interesting. Dogs were good & chili sauce was pretty tasty. The rolls were actually the best part but kind of too bready for the dogs. The hot dogs were sliced in half & were 2 to a roll. We also order fries & onion rings. Seems like a very local hangout!! Surprised at the amount of people coming & going while I was waiting for our carry out. Very busy but pretty fast in service

My kind of joint...I was running errands when I came across this place...Even though I wasn't all that hungry I had to stop....I opted for the Cheese Steak even though I just had one two days ago lol...It was decent...I am guessing since this is close to Philly that it's similar to a Philly cheese steak...The steak wasn't completely chopped fine but it was thin and tender....The hot peppers had a relish type of flavor...Different but good....I wanted to try their chili so I got a side for my fries...It was tasty....I managed to eat everything but 1 fry and a mouthful of cheese steak lol....The mirrors on the wall were so clean I thought it was another part of the restaurant lol...Workers were friendly.

Great food, super friendly staff, affordable prices. This place is so special and a Delaware classic! You have to try it!

Solid Pleasantly surprised. Got a dog which was fantastic. Beef/pork combo foot long with mustard. They toast the roll which made it hug the dog and the condiments nicely. Also got a cheese steak which was also great and the same kind of roll. Loved this place.

No nonsense, no frills joint. Super busy at lunch with counter service and take out. Hot dogs with all options, burgers, cheese steaks, grilled cheese and piping hot fries and onion rings. Take a Pepcid and go for lunch. The staff works incredibly hard! Cash only, make sure to leave a good tip!

We always stop here when we are in the area. The hot dogs are always good. I recommend the chili cheese with everything! The service is always friendly. Place is always clean. Gotta try the chocolate chip cookies, delicious.

They charge for onions now crazy and add extra service fee no way food not that great all these fees

I do Recommend eating here. Only complaint is the hot dogs for that price could be bigger, more meat . Most inconvenient is the cash only as payments. That stops me from eating their more often. Cheese steak Turkey sandwich also good.

This place is no frills but so damn good. Counter service is what your gonna get. Consistency is what they serve. Great process great service for sure! The owner walked through and thanked us for bringing our children. That right there sold me. Even though I've been coming here for years it's the little things like that, that purchase my loyalty! The food is great! Classic fast and good food. They serve hotdogs anyway you like them. They have burgers , cheesesteaks, fries grilled cheese and a few others things. They just started to serve milkshakes but I haven't gotten around to taste them. They do look good. Maybe one day soon I'll grab one to go. Not much more to add. Just don't be turned off. Like I said no frills. What you see is what you get. The food is good service is great and they're always consistent! Enjoy!

This place is awesome for a quick bite. Very reasonable in price and the food is good. I will say tho, I feel like when you order just a hot dog you end up eating mostly bread but if you get a double dog you'll get a better ratio of flavors. The chili cheese dogs are good and I haven't been anywhere with such huge sized "small" cups of soda lol The used to have pizza but last time I went it looked like they had closed that section

Best hot dog in Delaware at this reasonably priced hole-in-the-wall hot dog and burger restaurant that's been around for decades. Service is on the slow side, but it's worth the wait if you enjoy a good foot long hot dog on a fresh baked roll.

If you're looking for a quick and cheap bite in New Castle, DE, (CASH ONLY) this is your spot! Neat 60s themed diner style ambiance. Straight ahead upon entrance is the pizza bar, and to the left is the bar stool area. I got a foot long hot dog with ketchup and mayo and a water bottle for about $6. The hot dog bun was a roll, not the traditional bun. The hot dog was perfect. Juicy, hot, and not too salty. Only constructive feedback is the waitress seemed to get confused repeatedly with which order belonged to who. Maybe it was an off day. Overall very satisfied and would eat there again!

Tried this place a couple months ago it was ok not the best but ok I guess we had the cheesesteaks

When you're driving back to Jersey after watching your kid play the opening game of the college field hockey season, it's 11pm Wifey says 'I can't believe you didn't stop there' and you jam on the brakes and pull a hard right! Dietz & Watson special blend. Chili cheese for me, kraut and mustard for Wifey and (sigh) ketchup for my son. Added a well done fries and three drinks. A delicious finish to a very long day.

The Dog House is an iconic eatery for Delawareans, both young and old. From it's nostalgic counter seating set-up, to it's friendly staff, you won't find a more unique atmosphere anywhere else. Famous for it's foot long hotdogs, I find their fries to be their most underrated menu item. It's a thick cut fry served crispy on the outside and sprinkled with the best tasting seasoned salt I've ever experienced. I've been patronizing this restaurant for 30 years and I've never had a bad meal. Highly recommend and you owe it to yourself to visit here at least once. You won't regret it.

I needs a quick roadside bite for me and the family. I like classic places like this so I gave it a shot. These hot dogs are interesting. I like that they put it on a crusty roll. But to me the thickness of the dog doesn't fit the roll. I do like the grilled part of the roll. The flavor was ok. I've had better hot dogs at places like this. But it was good enough if not great in my mind. I did really like my taste of the fries. That was the best part of the meal for me. Prices were reasonable. Although being cash only is a real pain in the butt in this day and age, especially when the ATM takes a $3 fee wiping out the price advantage. I get it. It keeps prices reasonable. But there are ways to get with the times and make life easier on your customers without overcharging.

Great food served to order fast and by hard working people. I love the home made and pulled turkey sandwich on a roll - probably the best deal around for it... Cheese steaks, dogs and burgers are all excellent too.

Still a great place to eat. Stop by every time we go up north great ambience, great food. Sure do miss the subs though would recommend anyone go to it.

Great Breakfast quality, offering and good value! Rich and Diane are a great duo to start off your day! Clean, easy in and out and available thru Doordash and Grub Hub!

Customer service is awesome they are so fast and friendly, food is always fresh and tasty and to order. Love coming in and grabbing a seat at the counter, a classic spot for my mom and I :)) heard they started doing breakfast can't wait to give this a try !!

Great hot dogs and fries. Everything is good. Nice happy servers and cooks. Sometimes crowded but it's worth the wait.

If you're driving through Delaware and you're hungry and you want something fast and you want something better than fast food; The Dog House is a good option. The small cheese steak is $6. $6 what do you want me to say? Probably a touch better than Wawa hoagiefest. They sell a lot of food out of that dog house so everything was fresh, good & fast. It is what it is.

Cheesesteaks; pizza; grilled cheese; hamburgers; and turkeys sandwiches. This one star is for looking at me like I was a f#cking fool for asking if they had hot sausage?!!! It's sooo removed from a hot dog, the guy just stared at me for 30 seconds; then, when I ask again, he says, "This is the DOG HOUSE," and walks away. For a second I had a flashback to, "THIS IS SPARTA!!!" Now in the mood possibly for a dog, I look them up and see all this other sh#t?!!! Nah! I'll pass. My boo-boo hole was hurt!

always stop in with my daughter, our favorite classic spot for a good dog and quick lunch. Everyones so friendly and quick as well as affordable, you cant beat this place for an awesome lunch :))

A classic. Love watching them prepare my food while sitting at the old style counter. Nostalgic.

Some of the best foot long meat tubes between fresh buns to ever fill your mouth. Service is great

I live the fact that they grill your dogs and the rolls are like clouds... Best hot dog in Delaware..

If you're ever stuck in traffic along N. DuPont hit up The Dog House for a quick snack. Place has been there for over 50 years and not much has changed........and that's a good thing! From the old school grill counter to the old world quality of the chow I now want to live closer to my new favorite dog. Plain old Foot long on something I can only describe as a Sub Roll for Dogs. Quality meat you can taste in the flavor. Of course you can dress em up with any of the standard dog toppings. Add in perfectly salted, thicker cut, crispy fresh fries and for less than $7.00 I had an afternoon snack I soon won't forget. As well, took no time to have my order. Nice job Dog House, my guess is you got it right a long time ago and have been rolling the same way ever since........and again, that's a good thing!