Fritz’s smoKeD meAts AnD sUperior sAUsAge Co. Location: 10326 State Line Road, Leawood, Kansas Hours: Open for lunch service Monday through Friday from 8am to 5:30pm and Sunday from 8am to 4:30pm. History: Fritz and Rose Plapp opened
Kansas City’s oldest smokehouse in 1927, originally located in Midtown on 39th Street. Using old-world recipes he first learned in Germany, Fritz built a loyal following of fans who appreciated his master sausage-making skills; he became known for making quality sausages and hot dogs with no fillers. The family moved into a larger location on State Line Road in 1969, and now the fourth generation of Plapps are running the shop. You’ll find 18 different varieties of sausages, plus smoked hams and turkeys, all still made with Fritz's original recipes. For lunch, the shop offers sausages, bratwurst and hot dogs, along with specials and classic deli sandwiches; many items are priced at less than $6. –Jenny Vergara
steve’s hot Dogs MusT Try The breakfasT dog featuring
a Klement all-beef Chicago-style dog on a fluffy white bun topped with bacon, egg and Cheddar cheese. Order tater tots on the side to complete the breakfast theme.
Up Dog
fritzskcmeats.com
Location: 114 N. Liberty St., Independence, Missouri Hours: Open Monday through Thursday from 11am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday from 11am to 10pm and Sunday from 3 to 8pm. History: For almost 20 years,
entrepreneurs Ken and Cindy McClain have been on a mission to slowly restore Independence Square in Independence, Missouri, back to the busy social center that they remember from childhood. Since opening their first restaurant, Ophelia’s, in 1998, the McClains have been opening restaurants and retail stores in the historic square. Their still-growing empire of 16 businesses includes Polly’s Pop, Clinton’s Soda Fountain, Courthouse Exchange, El Pico Mexican, Square Pizza and Café Verona. The McClains opened their specialty hot dog restaurant, Up Dog, in 2011 in a space decorated in 1950s kitsch, complete with red and white stripes, chrome barstools and a few shiny red booths. They offer a Chicago-style dog “dragged through the garden” and a New York-style dog with mustard and sauerkraut, but it’s the more unusual options that set Up Dog apart from the competition. Try the Rio Dog, which comes smothered with caramelized onions, a popular Brazilian cream cheese, sliced jalapeños and a drizzle of mustard. –J.V. eatupdog.com
MusT Try Order the old-school all-beef lunch dog, which has a smoky flavor thanks to char from the grill. Opt for just a dash of mustard on top, which will transport you to the backyard barbecues of your childhood after just one bite.
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Location: 2131 Marconi Ave.; 3457 Magnolia Ave.; inside International Tap House at 16 S. Euclid Ave.; all locations in St. Louis Hours: Varies by location History: Owner Steve Ewing was a
St. Louis celebrity even before he opened the first of his wildly popular hot dog joints in 2011 on The Hill. As frontman of The Urge, Ewing toured all over the country with 311, Korn and Incubus. He now owns three locations of Steve’s Hot Dogs, and has expanded his offerings to include a menu of mac ‘n’ cheese following the success of his Gorilla Mac & Cheese Dog, a Nathan’s hot dog topped with creamy mac ‘n’ cheese, bacon and French’s fried onions. Dogs vary from andouille and Italian sausage to chorizo and even vegetarian. –N.S. steveshotdogsstl.com
MusT Try When ordering, keep it simple: For only $5, get the classic hot dog featuring the cart’s signature Wagyu beef frank topped with ketchup and mustard inside a bun from local favorite Sasha’s Baking Co.
Derr’s ArtisAn sAUsAge /the Wiener WAgon KC Location: 9645 W. 87 St., Overland Park, Kansas Hours: The Wiener Wagon KC is out every Saturday from May through November from 7am to 1pm, and every Wednesday from May through September from 7:30am to 1pm. History: The Wiener Wagon KC made
MusT Try Go all-out with the backyard bbQ dog, a smoked hot dog topped with
tangy baked beans, fresh potato salad, bacon and barbecue sauce. You can also get super-local flavor with the Dogtown Pizza Hot Wing Dog, a collaboration with the local frozen pizza company made with Buffalo chicken, hot wing sauce, Provel and ranch.
its maiden voyage in July 2012 at a family gathering. Since then, the hot-dog cart has branched out to serving its hand-stuffed sausages and hot dogs at school fairs, company picnics and the Overland Park Farmers’ Market. Husband-and-wife team Dave Derr and Jessica Rush have been cooking together since culinary school, more than a decade ago. They started out by making fresh sausages at home for friends and family. Rave reviews led them to launch a full-time sausage company, Derr’s Artisan Sausage, plus a food cart, The Wiener Wagon KC. The couple recently announced plans to open a retail storefront in Overland Park, Kansas, in the fall. Expect playful flavor combinations such as the Breakfast Bacon Sausage topped with creamy gravy and spicy Buffalo chicken sausage. –J.V. wienerwagonkc.com