Yesterdog

Ok so I heard a lot about this place! A staple in East Grand Rapids forever! Has a rich history on the wall, stories and people’s lives! Many people grew up here! I did not. The atmosphere and decor was cool, vintage and you’re able to scribble your name or whatever and add to the history! Nice! The Hot dog toppings, chili and Kraut, pickles were good and welcomed, being different. The quality of the hot dog itself was HORRIBLE! I’m just being honest! Small and not flavorful. I am glad I tried it and had the experience. I even left my Mark! But the mark it left in me was not one I will be experiencing again! Try it once for yourself, maybe you grew up on it and that’s what you expect from a hot dog! But not for me! Best of wishes to the new owners! I met them! Nice people and I am sure they will have continued success since their following is established, just not for or from me! Unless a hot dog change is in the future!

Classic hot dog joint that is well worth the money you spend. - Cheddardog - $3.80: Simple chili and cheese dog, but oh so good. The bun is great quality. The dog is fresh and juicy. The chili was fresh and good, but a bit liquidy and sloppy. The cheese was just right. It was served on a plastic glove, which was odd. My son and I both agreed it was well worth the price. It is a no brainer. The value is phenomenal. No wonder this place is famous. - Service: Immediate, fast, and helpful. They were to the point, but still asking questions to be sure I didn’t miss anything (chips and drink). They did not pressure at all, were super helpful, and kind. The dog was ready almost before I paid for it. - Atmosphere: Old diner feel. Has a lot of graffiti and carvings on the walls. There is a very old vinyl jukebox. It looks like it still works, but I cannot confirm that. It has the feel of being worn and tattered with age, but still fully functional and kept up very clean. The neighborhood is a bit questionable. I don’t remember there being music played, but it could have been. - Conclusion: I think most of Grand Rapids would agree with me. You need to visit this place once if not make it a regular hang out. It’s worth it. Visited on a Friday at 9pm.

Came here on my last night in GR and I don't regret it! I got one of each type of hot dog (besides the veggie dog), and it was a flavorful experience. The best ones were the ones with chili in them. The restaurant is fast casual - they quickly take your order and they make everything in front of you. My friends all said it was the best place in town to get hot dogs, and I can't say they're wrong!

Haven't been here in 6 or 7 years. Thought I would come back here with a dear friend. The man that took our order was rude to my friend & to me. Cockey attitude! The hot dogs were barely cooked & small. The hot dogs aren't that good. Their hot dogs are enough to feed a small child, not adults. Have to pay for parking just to eat there, too, outrageous. Never used to have to pay for parking. It's not worth it. We won't be back. I had to come home & eat cause I was still hungry. Not the same as it used to be years ago. Brought some cheddar dogs home for my husband. He didn't like them either & noticed how under cooked they were, too.

Hadn’t been there since teen years and first time bringing the family. The people who work there are great— funny, take care of you, and friendly! The new owner came over and gave our littles a quarter for the gumball machine. Little moments like that are so cool to see! Thank you, Yesterdog!!

Yesterdog is a GR staple, and their hotdogs are delicious and cheap. It’s great for a late night out, and their system is pretty streamlined. It’s quick too. My only complaint is the cash only system, but it seems to work well. The decor is still the same after years have passed, so it’s kind of comforting in a way. In a world where prices have gotten out of control, Yesterdog still has reasonable costs and tasty food.

Hands down the best chili dogs I've ever had. I love the nostalgic decor. It's too bad people have carved their names in the tables and walls over the years. But they have left it that way and it has become a part of its history.

Quirky, classic, time-worn, soulful. This is a Grand Rapids institution with a very small menu of terrific dogs (I recommend the Ultradog), chips, drinks. Under new owners it promises to continue unchanged for many more years.

An appointment at Blodgett hospital took us to that side of town. We immediately thought of Yesterdog and it didn't disappoint. We enjoyed the Yesterdog and Kraut dog with chips and a drink. Soooo delicious! The prices are so affordable. Dogs were around $3.50 and believe it or not fountain drinks were $1.65! Recently we were charged $4 for pop at another restaurant. The buns are steamed and toppings were generous. The Yesterdog came with chili shredded pickles onion catsup and mustard. Kraut dog has kraut (obviously) pickles onion and mustard. The ambience is a throwback to the 70's with large wooden booths and graffiti on the walls and tables. We won't wait so long next time which will be soon.

This is just sad. I love hotdogs. I've always loved hotdogs. People think I'm an idiot for always choosing hotdogs. In this case, I was an idiot to come here. I have no idea why this is so popular. The dogs were undercooked, underflavoured, and sloppy. Not the "Ooo, how fun sloppy." The buns were poor quality, fell apart immediately. You know the kind of 89 cent bun that comes apart in patches. The dog was like school food quality. Zero bite, thin, like pasty, boiled uncharred. Sad experience. Even the condiments were lacking. How they make a sauerkraut and chili that's not packed in flavour should be studied. We circled around twice, the first time there was a massive line. Around 2 hours later, it was empty. The order was quick, too quick -- but frankly since everything was underflavoured and undercooked it makes sense lol. I can't rate this place 1 star, because service was good and the atmosphere is endearing. It could use a good clear....I get the old school style of things, but also it did feel a little gross eating these dogs and looking at a layered of dust on everything. There's old school, and there's old school but clean.... But god lord GR, come to NYC. We'll show you a good hotdog. Honestly, you could get a higher quality hotdog from a cart here.

All time favorite place to pick up some chili dogs and a coke. Its has been a must stop for me when I'm in Eastown since 1998. The atmosphere is the same as back in the day, nothing has changed and I love that. With online ordering the service was fast and friendly. I'm glad was working down the road and had a chance to stop in after 5 years. Delicious!!

Awe man, I'd love some yesterdog right now but they only take cash. Won't be back til next time..

Not impressed. Boiled skinny hotdogs not my thang. This is a memory of 50+ something's drunk nights past. Get larger dogs and start grilling them- then you'll have something worth enjoying. Otherwise, save your arteries and move on to many other delicious options on Wealthy.

When I first moved out here in October '24 my HR Director took me here for lunch and I could not believe how fast the hot dogs came out. Before we could even pay they had them on trays ready for us to go. Cash only but there's an atm at Smitty's Specialty Beverage right behind it if you forget cash like I have. The ultradog is the best one you can get, all the toppings including chili which is amazing. Not the biggest hot dog but with all the fixings it is a great meal at a great price. I have been here 3 times in the 3 weeks I've lived here and the building is huge so bring as many friends as you can! Also the decorations are amazing and so timely I've never seen so many cool artifacts and classic American company items before.

Came in with my husband while in Grand Rapids and it was PACKED. Before ordering we went to the restroom, which there is a single person bathroom which is gender neutral and yes, there is just one so a line was already in existence when we got there and continued to trail behind up. It was clean, but very "dive bar" like with graffiti on the walls and words carved into any wood. I did like they had the antique style metal pull to flush the toilet, I had never used one like that before. I ordered the ultra dog (chili, cheese, onion, pickle, ketchup, mustard) and my husband got the chili cheese dog. It is cash only, but I do believe there is an atm inside. We ended up taking them to go but the inside was very nice and both of us said we wanted to come back and sit down for a meal eventually. Both of our hot dogs were good, but I will admit the chili was a little more runny than where I typically get my chili dogs. I can eat the chili dogs I normally get without making my shirt look like I got none in my mouth, even while in the car. No such luck with these, but I'll admit that I may expected too much for every chili dog ever to be car ride friendly. We will definitely be back.

This is honestly my favorite hot dog place in the world. Every time I'm home I make the 3 hour drive just to get a cheddar dog. Any one who hates on this place is just looking for something to complain about. Such a cool vibe inside and don't forget to shoot some coins into the tip hoop!

Shame on anyone not giving a full 5 stars - they just don't know how to appreciate fine cuisine.

Yesterdog (and Bill, of course) is near and dear to us, anyone who lived in Eastown in the 90's, and (let's be clear), GRAND RAPIDS. Yesterdog's model works. Taking an efficient soup nazi-esque approach: enter, order quick, step to the right, and have your cash ready has served Yesterdog well for decades. And hey, we're always happy to fall in line. We order the same dogs every time, 3 cheddars, mustard, extra ketchup. And yes, the cheddars taste EXACTLY the same as they did 25 years ago. The mild, soupy chili and cheddar cheese merge into a sloppy, heavenly experience. While Yesterdog won't have the best hot dog you've ever tasted, they WILL forever hook you with their attitude (especially when busy), pride, decor, and nostalgia. Yesterdog is a GR institution, after bar staple, and a place to bring your kids and explain how you USED to get crazy "back in the day." If you're reading this, please tell Aaron, the "hot dog jockey," that we miss him and wish him well. We look forward to our next trip to Yesterdog, reminiscing about yesterYEAR, and (of course) the cheddars.

Whoever says this place has the best hotdogs in Grand Rapids is a liar. Gross , mushy and no flavor. This place should be a hard pass if you want a hotdog.

I mean, if you know - you know! My first experience here was in 2003, a year out of HS and I still eat there til this day! It is a GR staple and even the employees stick around! When you sit inside, you see thousands of pictures of people wearing Yesterdog shirts from all over the world. I'm talking celebrities, politicians, & athletes! Also, if your a fan of American Pie, Yesteryears is actually based off of Yesterdog! Go just them out because this is a bucket list place!

The vibes were amazing here. Cool decor and the service was really friendly. That's really the only positives. The dogs themselves were so soggy and flavorless. Mine had chili on top and I couldn't even tell what it was because the color was such a pale beige and it was so lacking in flavor I had a hard time believing it was in fact chili. I couldn't even finish it

Yesterdog is for sure a Grand Rapids classic. The place is very fun to visit and to see all the fun antiques covering the walls. For the hotdogs they are good, I like to get the Ultradog minus mustard! Not a fan of mustard! I wish they didn't just take cash haha but it does add to the experience. Overall it is just select menu hotdogs but it is a GR Staple so I recommend checking them out at least once.

Good hot dogs. Fun atmosphere. There's lots of memories in this building. Cool metal signs on the walls and newspaper articles about employees successes.

This is a quintessential Eastown spot and if you are in GR it's a must try. I've been going here since high school so I might be a bit memory biased but I think they are the best dogs in the Midwest.

This ain't a bougie boutique the way cupcakes and truffles and candles seem to require these days. It's a straight up, in your face, GR hot dog dive, and that's all it needs to be. Four or five ways to decorate your dog, served up fast, and traded for cash only. Graffiti on every booth. Photos adorn the walls and evidence the impact of this greasy wonder on pretty much anyone who's ever entered. Who should stay away? Folks who insist on forks and knives and who pay $3.99 for a bottle of tap water. Who's Yesterdog for? The everyhuman who just wants a filling red hot right now and doesn't mind licking a little chili off their fingers. CASH ONLY. Complaint department located outside in the snow. Eat up!

Honestly, this is going to probably be a controversial post. I do not get what all the hype is around these chili dogs. They're not that good. I get the ambiance and everything, but the food...it's lacking. They're sloppy and really don't have too much flavor. I've tried them numerous times and over many years with the same conclusion; they're just not that good.

Yesterdog is a cultural experience. Opened in 1976, it's become an award-winning hot dog spot in Eastown popular with college students, families and Barack Obama (as proven by the photo on the wall). In fact, when you enter, you'll see the entire restaurant decorated with photos of celebrities and super fans. The menu at this CASH-ONLY spot is simple. There are five hot dog options (including a veggie one), but if it's your first time, order the classic "Yesterdog." It's a hot dog in a bun with ketchup, mustard, chili, onions and pickles. Order two or three if you're hungry. It's $2.80 a pop. The restaurant itself is spacious with several rooms filled with booth seating, a Coca-Cola ice box, a juke box, popcorn machines and vintage art on the walls. It's quirky, but amazing!

I've had to visit Grand Rapids for work a couple times and my friends recommend Yesterdog every trip. I finally got to swing through here with a couple coworkers, and as a hot dog lover, this is a great little spot. There is some outdoor/patio seating, some bar seats along a wall inside, and a couple booths. Not a stop for big parties, for sure. The menu is simple and easy to navigate. I got a cheddar dog to try the homemade chili and a kraut dog. I love the shredded pickles on the kraut dog and the sauerkraut was some of the best I've ever had. It was a little bit of a messy eat! The hot dogs themselves were a little lackluster. I wish they had more flavor, but seemed like maybe they were boiled? The vibes inside are so fun and nostalgic. I'm definitely glad I got to stop here on my way through Grand Rapids.

By far and away best hot dog eatery in GR. Service is an experience but quick. Restaurant is booths from 1950s with appropriate decorations. Fun place

This legendary hot dog heaven is a must do for anyone that lives or visits Grand Rapids. The service is lightning fast and the prices are extraordinarily reasonable. The restaurant features nostalgic decor that creates an old time atmosphere for the diners to enjoy. Pick from one of the many hot dog options, chips, and beverages and enjoy some of the best hot dogs ever!

I love their food here they have the best hotdogs I spent my whole childhood well high school time going to Yesterdog and that was a while ago, but I would give anything for a hotdog from there

The taste of anyone who gives this place a bad review is not to be trusted. Is the food "gourmet"? No. Is the staff warm and inviting? Definitely not. Does it look old and a little dirty? Absolutely. But this is the kind of unique local classic that, to me, is far more than the sum of its parts. I'm in Grand Rapids for the first time with an old friend who grew up here, and she took me to Yesterdogs for lunch the first day. Man did I love it! My friend's mother warned me that the ordering procedure was a little like the "soup nazi" from Seinfeld, and it was very unique indeed. The staff behind the counter is no nonsense. They get a bunch of people in, take all their orders down the line, then prepare a whole batch of dogs while they start pouring drinks and getting chips. Once all the dogs come out, they take payment (cash only), and you get your food. And what food! I'm not normally a fan of chili-dogs, but the Cheddardog (chili and cheddar) was stellar. The Krautdog was a little disappointing following the Cheddardog, and I guess it's no surprise that in my round of ordering, I was the only one to get it. It's not bad; it just was unremarkable compared to the cheddardog. Finally the vibe of the place is exactly what you'd expect from a low-cost slop-joint that's been there for decades. It oozes with history, and probably things that you don't want to think about, but to me that's all character; delicious greasy character. I find it akin to the Clover Grill in New Orleans, the Oxford Cafe in Missoula, MT, or McSorley's Old Ale-house in New York City (all places I love). In a world where everything seems to be getting replaced with high-gloss overpriced chains, Yesterdog is the kind of weird unique (highly affordable) spot that should be preserved at all cost. 10/10. Will go back.

This is the best hotdog joint in town. Super fast service. The workers are super friendly. It is so easy to overeat here.before you know it, you have eaten 8 hotdogs. No where else in town is in comparisons to yesterdog.

Long time customer of Yesterdog but my last visit was disappointing. The Kroutdog was way over cooked and had no taste at all. The rest of the hotdogs were good but not up to Yesterdogs standards. Hope things change because I love this place. The service was great as usual.

Don't let anyone fool you, this is the way. If you don't mind getting a bit dirty of course

It seems the biggest draw to this place is that it's a community staple. The hotdogs themselves were nothing to write home about. I'm from Detroit and the coney dogs there are MUCH better. That said, it's a good place for a fun and affordable bite. Worth trying at least once if you live in the area.

This place takes advantage of drunk people. I witnessed a man pay for his hot dog, then asked to pay again down the line. He paid in the beginning, and they acted like they never got it. I've heard about this happening to other people as well, and even seen a video online of an argument with the staff and a customer who claimed he paid and was being charged a second time down the line. Beware of this place.

This place is a hit in the North and being from the South I had to see what it was all about. The place has a lot of seating however where you order is quite small and standing room only. While we were standing in line, the cook made an announcement, I'm taking orders and I don't care who was here first because I'm starting at this end of the line. We were like wow but okay. We placed an order of about 10 hotdogs all variety. We received the order and mine was cold with shredded cheese on top not melted at all. The others were pretty much the same, onions on top cold or chili was lukewarm. I would not say I understand the hype but I tried it.

I'm a fan of any place that offers a signature menu item, so Yesterdog was an exciting little stop for me while in GR. Even though I was here on a pretty crisp and windy day in April and indoor dining was not an option at the time, the line was long because the people needed their hot dogs, damn it! The line moved quickly, by the way, so if you don't have a long time to wait, you don't need it. I ordered a classic Yesterdog, a bag of chips, and a coffee, which was 15 cents. FIFTEEN CENTS. FIFTEEN. CENTS. When have you ever gotten coffee for 15 cents???? Don't even answer it. You never have in your entire life. And having a free cup of hours-old coffee from a thermos while waiting in a lobby to get your oil changed does not count. Yesterdog's coffee is great and should be more than 15 cents, but a 15 cent coffee is a very interesting touch. I will never stop talking about it. Anyway. Go here. Xo!

A month ago I was in GR for Labor Day weekend. I finally had the opportunity to stop here for lunch with my cousin and her boyfriend on a Sunday afternoon before we went bowling that day. I always enjoy a good chili dog and was looking forward to my trip to Yesterdaydog. I went with 2 cheddar dogs and a soda to wash them down with. After two bites into my first hotdog, I was trying to figure out a seasoning in the chili I couldn't put my finger on. The chili was okay, but it could've used a little more spice in the heat department but that's just me and the steamed buns was a nice touch.

Probably the worst hotdog I've ever eaten. I nearly vomited from the smell of the restaurant. It is easily equal to the smell of a garbage dump. The chili is like gravy with dog food bits. The servers were abrupt and no one looked happy to be there. Please shut down, your prime is past you.

I really like this location. I usually have all beef hot dogs but the mixed kind worked very well with what we were doing after eating. I got the Ultimate Dog with a pickle and a bag of cheese curls. It was actually pretty light. We went to the Art Museum and the Public Museum and I was not lethargic from heavy food. Quite tasty and it pretty much melts in your mouth.

As, Bill, the owner would say - good food or good service - your choice. Yesterdog is fast, delicious, and affordable. It's a legendary place that has earned its spot as one of the best places to eat in GR.

A Grand Rapids icon! Simple and classic, don't expect fancy stuff. My husband who's not from here doesn't understand...but sometimes you want the nostalgia of the steamy soft bun and hot dog with all the fixins! Especially at 2 am - perfect location to wait for Uber surge pricing to go down I'll also order food for pickup at Chez Olga and have my pre-dinner at Yesterdog while I wait Pro Tips: Cash only! One person will take your hot dog order and another will take your chips and drink order. Killerdog (everything!) is not on the menu but you'll see it online and can still order it. Ultradog is my go-to and sometimes I'll throw in a Krautdog.

I am proud to say that hot dogs are one of my favorite foods! Who doesn't love a hot piece of meat, in a soft bun, covered in savory toppings? When I come to a new city I'm always down to dry their local dog. Was so excited when we walked in. The limited menu, cash only, order and move over approach usually always is a sure sign of good things to come. Then it hit. Sheer disappointment. We ordered a cheddar dog, a Yesterdog, a kraut dog, chips and drinks. The dogs were cold and soft. The bun was cold. The kraut tasted like an ash tray smells. The chili was blan. Chips basic. Pop not even Faygo? I don't get the draw of this place. Was it an off day? Did I miss something?

This is a lovely place for hot dogs if you enjoy a soft bun and a boiled, mild-tasting hot dog. My go-to is the Ultradog - The chili is not too salty, the pickles are shaved so you get an equal amount of pickle with each bite, and the cheese... Something about the way it melts - it's seriously the best quality. The hot dogs here are basic but there is something special about them where you can't replicate it at home!

My favorite Hot Dog joint in town. I LOVE hot dogs and nothing beats a messy Chedderdog. You order at the counter from the very limited menu (you don't need many options!), grab some chips, and a fountain pop. THEY DO NOT ACCEPT CREDIT CARD. I REPEAT - NO CREDIT CARD. BRING CASH. The restaurant is filled with vintage signs, pictures of famous people in Yesterdog gear, people in far away lands in Yesterdog gear, and fun graffiti. it hasn't changed in 20+ years and it really is so cool. Great hot dogs. period.

It's a cool atmosphere in here. I love the different posters and pictures that adorn the walls. It's great for fans of the American Pie films too. I'm more of an all-beef hotdog fan, so the mixed dogs aren't It's a cool atmosphere in here. I love the different posters and pictures that adorn the walls. It's great for fans of the American Pie films too. I'm more of an all-beef hotdog fan, so the mixed dogs aren't really ones I enjoy. They do a good job of it overall. I liked the titular named 'Yesterdog'.

The prices can't be beat and the food was exactly what I was looking for. It hit the spot! Try the corn dog and the sloppy fries!

Yesterdog is a popular Grand Rapids restaurant with a hip, quirky interior and extremely brief menu. In fairness, you come here for hot dogs, nothing else. The toppings are fairly basic, but the locals respect the quality here. However, are the insanely high ratings deserved? All their dogs are topped with a house-made chili. Not the Texas kind with ample meat and generous beans, but a smooth, rich concoction with a consistency closer to the Canadian gravy ladled on poutine. The chili has an irresistible flavor and texture and really completes the experience. Here's the downside. When I rate burgers, I make sure I'm not fooled by the flashy toppings. I taste just the patty to analyze the quality. Likewise, I sampled the hot dog without the chili and cheese. Yikes! Anticipating a spectacular sausage (since I was visiting a potion of America rich with German heritage), I instead uncovered the cheapest of grocery store wieners you can imagine hiding beneath the accoutrements. Horrid! What a disappointment. Same with the buns. Picture the most generic brand you can buy. The cheddar cheese is sparse, nothing more than basic, low-quality shredded cheese from the supermarket. And the kiddie-sized cup of water hardly quenched my thirst. Oh, that delicious chili could have had a much better foundation to rest upon!

This was our first time eating inside this place. I will never go back. The place looked like the dirtiest restaurant I have been to. It smelled so bad like a dead mouse that I covered my face and gagged trying to eat my food. I even stuck gum in after I ate and covered my face til I walked into the fresh air!! There was so many things on the walls and the shelves and I bet they have not been washed or wiped with bleach or dusted since the place was built. The food and buns were soggy and the chili had absolutely no flavor. I would rather eat at the Corner Bar in Rockford and get their chili dogs in a cleaner environment that didn't smell like rotting animals. Please clean your restaurant. Btw, the bathroom was from the 1800's and my mom couldn't even figure out how to flush the toilet herself. And the mirror at the front desk looked like a horror film, and not like a cool antique place.

Love yesterdog! A Grand Rapids classic. I'm not even a fan of hot dogs but I intermittently crave a yesterdog. A simple and fast meal, great for a late night snack

Love this place! Great food and great service! I love the yesterdog and ultradog is my favorite!

Hot dogs were barely cooked; just lukewarm when served. Standard toppings were as expected. The place is a classic but seems to be dropping its standards.

Great ambiance to dine in and it's like stepping back in time. I'm not a big hot dog lover but this was amazingly delicious. No frills menu and straight to the point. The ultradog had chili, cheese, onion, pickle, ketchup, mustard. Blended well and delicious!!!

As far as hotdogs go, these are some of the best chili dogs you'll ever eat. Be sure to bring cash though; they don't take credit cards! For good or bad, Yesterdog keeps it simple. But what they do they do so so well. (Also...the fresh dill relish they use far surpasses the syrupy sweet fake green relish commonly used on hotdogs.) Bonus points for how they cleverly pack the cheese in between the dog and the bun over and around. The bun then soaks the chili right up while it warms the cheese.

My boyfriend recently moved back to the east side of the state after a 4 year stint in Grand Rapids. When we first started dating, he always talked so highly about GR and couldn't wait for me to explore and enjoy the city he loved so much. We headed to Yesterdog after a fun day around town -- our stomachs rumbling as we anticipated the delicious hot dogs we were about to consume. Because I had never been here before and because of my boyfriend spoke very highly of this place, I let him order for me. Boy was I happy he did! We each split a total of 3 Ultradogs. Maybe it's because I was so hungry or maybe it's because I loved the vintage decor inside, but that hot dog was one of the most memorable hot dogs I have ever had. The bun was soft to my liking, the pickle relish was heavenly (I don't even like pickle on my hot dog but OMG -- was it amazing!) The chili and cheese had just enough flavor and messiness that made me happy. The flavor is pretty much the best thing ever. As mentioned before, the vintage decor was a very nice touch. The booth's are spacious (and filled with various people's name and special dates in every Sharpie color imaginable) leaving you and your date or family plenty of room to mingle and enjoy the photos on the wall. It's been 2 weeks and I already can't wait to come back to enjoy another Yesterdog!