Satisfy your hotdog hankerin’ on National Hot Dog Day
Finding a great hotdog in the Upstate is as easy as pie. To celebrate National Hot Dog Day, we sent Greer, SC resident and hotdog lover Allen Knighton out to try the dogs at a few popular and a couple of lesser-known spots. Here’s his list, followed by his picks.
Skins
It would be unthinkable to talk hot dogs in the Upstate without mentioning Skins. Founded in Anderson, S.C. in 1946 by Loyd “Skin” Thrasher, Skins has received national acclaim in Gourmet, Money and Fortune magazines, with some calling it the one of the top 10 hotdogs in America.
Established in a little house at 203 Hudgens Street, Skins today has 13 Upstate locations in Anderson, Clemson, Greenville, Mauldin and Seneca. Known for its 100% authentic homemade chili, Skins serves a 50/50 beef pork wiener in a steamed bun. Price per dog is $2.09 plus tax.
Hours vary by location, either 11-6:50. 10:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. or 11 a.m. – 6:50 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday and the week of July 4.
The Clock of Greer
A Greer landmark, The Clock Restaurant on West Poinsett Street has been serving up Southern cuisine for more than 40 years. The Clock was opened in 1974 by Arthur Chulkas who emigrated to America from Greece in 1966.
Chulkas gained his cooking experience while working for five years with his brother who owned the Lil Rebel on Highway 291 in Greenville, according to the company’s website.
Among The Clock of Greer’s weekday lunch specials is a Two Hot Dogs plate for $7.49. Plates include a drink and a choice of a vegetable, small fries or chips. Hours are Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Dawg House Grill
If you like your dogs char-broiled, the Dawg House Grill at 1199-A S. Pleasantburg Drive in Greenville is a must try. Choose between all-beef, pork or mixed wieners.
Offerings include everything from a Shy Dog beef wiener with mustard, ketchup and onions for $1.89 to a Heated House Dog smoked beef sausage with mustard, chili, sautéed onions, peppers and jalapenos for $2.99.
The Dawg House Grill is open Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Lil Rebel
The Lil Rebel on S.C. Highway 290 in Taylors is another great spot when you’ve got a hotdog hankerin’. Lil Rebel’s all-beef wiener topped with chili is $2.35 plus tax. They’ll even steam the bun for you, if requested. And for those who like their hotdogs minus the dog, Lil Rebel features a Lost Dog with no wiener, mustard, chili and onions.
Lil Rebel hours are Monday –Thursday, 10 a.m. until 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. until 9:30 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Rosie’s Hot Dogs
Longtime Greer residents remember the building at 101 Pennsylvania Avenue as South Main Service Station. Today, it’s Rosie’s Hot Dogs, one of the lesser-known spots Allen found for a tasty hotdog. Rosie serves a 50/50 beef pork dog in a heated bun with mustard, chili and onions for $1.85 plus tax.
Rosie’s is open Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Closed Sunday.
Rob’s Hot Dogs Express
If you’re looking for an all beef, grilled wiener that snaps with the taste of beef when you bite into it, you’ll want to try Rob’s Hot Dogs Express at 3700 Brushy Creek Road in Greer.
You can opt for a 2 oz. beef wiener for $2.30 plus tax or go for the 4 oz. for $2.80 plus tax. Hours are Monday – Friday, 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Closed Sunday.
Allen’s top picks
Rob’s because of the all beef 1/3 pound wiener which is grilled rather than boiled. This dog snaps with a great beef flavor when you bite into it. They steam the bun and the chili is good. A little sweet but not too much.
Dawg House Grill because of the grilled, all beef wiener, and steamed bun.
Lil Rebel because of the taste of the chili, the all beef wiener and the grilled bun.
Skins because of the steamed roll and the overall taste of the mixed beef pork dog.
