Prefer your hot dogs in classic, as opposed to uber-creative, form? Here are four old-school hot dog joints well worth a visit.
Mark’s Hot Dogs isn’t just one of the oldest eateries in the San Jose — it’s one of the city’s oldest businesses, one that began peddling their dogs to hungry patrons in 1936. These days, Mark’s still attracts sizable crowds to its orange dome-shaped building, an eye-catching landmark not unlike the famed “Flintstone House” in Hillsborough. The menu hasn’t changed over the decades, although the prices have, with a regular hot dog now costing $7.10. Details: Opens at 11 a.m. daily at 48 S. Capitol Ave. in San Jose.
Ben Franks may be the only drive-thru hot dog joint around, and they do a brisk business at the busy Peninsula corner of El Camino Real and Whipple Avenue. Besides classic foot-long hot dogs and variations (Chicago, chili, corndogs) in the $6-$8 range, they also make Philly cheesesteaks and burgers. Fans rave about the milkshakes here; get the mango one, if it’s available. Details: Open daily, from 10:30 a.m. to 9 or 9:30 p.m. at 491 El Camino Real, Redwood City.
In Berkeley, Top Dog is the place to go for late-night eats, as generations of Cal students can attest. The original Durant location — in business since 1966 — serves all-beef kosher frankfurters ($4.25) and garlic frankfurters (a beef-pork-fresh garlic blend) every day until the wee hours. Old-world sausages make up the rest of the menu. Details: Open weekdays from 10 a.m. (11 weekends) until 2 or 3 a.m. at 2534 Durant Ave.
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Happy Hound may be the best-known eatery in swanky Los Gatos, which is quite a distinction for a casual spot that specializes in dogs, shakes, burgers and mounds of fries. That’s what happens when you’ve delighted neighborhood families with delicious quick-serve food since 1971. The Cheese Hound ($8.10) is topped with mustard, sweet relish, red onion, tomatoes and an almost absurd amount of shredded cheddar. Details: Opens at 10:30 a.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. Sundays at 15899 Los Gatos Blvd., Los Gatos; happyhoundlg.com.