Chili cheese dogs have a loyal fan base across America, and fast-food chains offer plenty of versions to choose from. Many people assume Dairy Queen or Sonic holds the top spot. According to a recent ranking by Tasting Table, a different chain came out ahead. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers earned first place, narrowly beating Swensons. This article walks through what sets its chili cheese dog apart, from the hot dog and chili to the bun, the toppings, the price, and what fans are saying online before you decide to order one.
A classic American comfort food
A lousy chili dog can make you question your life choices. A great one is hard to beat. Whoever first paired the hot dog with spicy, sloppy chili deserves a place in history, honestly.
Tasting table ranks freddy’s number one
In its ranking of fast-food chili dogs, Tasting Table put Freddy’s in the top spot, just ahead of Swensons and its gourmet-style Coney. The critic called it the most quintessential chili cheese dog, with a few unique touches too.
An all-beef vienna beef hot dog
Freddy’s uses an all-beef hot dog from Vienna Beef, the same brand Shake Shack uses. Its flavor equals the one at Swensons, and the smokiness makes it taste like it came straight off the grill. Not bad for a place known for frozen custard.
A hearty comfort food chili
The critic described the chili as comfort food, with bigger bits of beef and notes of onion, tomato, and earthy spices. It isn’t fancy. That’s kind of the point, because sometimes you just want chili that tastes like chili.
A generous blend of two cheeses
The dog is topped with a plentiful mix of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, and it won praise in the review. Two cheeses are better than one. Nobody has ever complained about that.
A toasted bun worth talking about
The real standout was the bun. Compared to most store-bought hot dog buns, the critic found it more substantial and buttery, much like Texas Toast. A sturdy bun matters a lot when the chili is trying to escape.
Price compared with other chains
At $7.29, Freddy’s was the most expensive chili cheese dog in the ranking. The critic still felt it was worth the messy hands and the larger dent in your wallet. Prices can change by location, so it’s smart to check your local menu.
Fans online agree with the critic
Social media backed up the review. Several commenters praised the toasted bun and accepted the mess. One Reddit user on r/hotdogs called it their go-to, “messy but the absolute best.”
A long list of optional toppings
Depending on the location, you can add other cheeses, grilled or raw onions, pickles, fire-roasted jalapeños, lettuce, tomato, portobello mushroom, and sauerkraut, plus plenty of condiments. Ordering it with everything would take a brave customer. Or a very hungry one.
What to know before you order
Not much is known about the chili beyond it being made specially for the franchise. If there’s no Freddy’s near you, Tasting Table suggests making a chili dog at home with its favorite hot dog chili recipe. Keep napkins close either way.
